Congress will contest the BMC polls independently, defying MVA allies' calls for accommodation after the Bihar results. The Mumbai unit's desire to fight on its own strength led to the decision to field candidates for all 227 seats. This move, while officially unrelated to MNS, signals potential strains within the alliance.

A 13-year-old girl tragically died after being subjected to 100 sit-ups with her schoolbag on her back for being ten minutes late. The Vasai student developed severe back pain following the punishment and her health rapidly declined. While police have registered an accidental death report, the family holds the school and teacher accountable. Investigations are ongoing pending the post-mortem report.

Mumbai experiences a sunny and comfortable day today, November 16, with temperatures reaching 29.2C, perfect for outdoor plans. However, yesterday's 'poor' air quality, with an AQI of 151, prompts advice for mask usage in traffic-heavy areas due to lingering pollutants.

Mumbai's BMC is implementing a Supreme Court order to remove stray dogs from public institutions. Institutions must fence their premises, and BMC will remove dogs thereafter. Plans include expanding Animal Birth Control centers and a new 1,000-dog capacity shelter in Mulund. Activists express concern about where removed dogs will be housed.

Senior IPS officer Suvez Haque has been appointed Inspector General of Police (Planning and Coordination) in Maharashtra. This comes after his return from central deputation, with the post being downgraded to accommodate him. Haque previously served as SP of Pune rural police during the Koregaon Bhima violence before his transfer to CBI and deputation to France.

An Assistant Engineer from Mumbai's Electrical Inspector's Office was apprehended by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly accepting a Rs 1 lakh bribe. The official, Gajanan Prahlad Rathod, was caught red-handed by ACB officials after a contractor filed a complaint. Rathod had initially demanded Rs 1.8 lakh, later escalating the bribe demand to Rs 4 lakh.

St. Xavier's College hosted the Jesuit Alumni Association for talks on environmental protection, framing it as a moral duty. Archbishop John Rodriguez urged citizens to treat ecology as an inheritance for future generations, citing the seventh commandment. Keynote speaker Shloka Nath warned of impending disaster due to desert expansion and rising seas, highlighting conservation initiatives.