The Times of India

Mumbai remains India's least affordable housing market, with homebuyers dedicating 69% of income to loan repayments, despite monetary easing. Knight Frank India's report highlights that high property prices have negated the benefits of lower interest rates. While other major cities show improved affordability, MMR and NCR continue to exceed the 50% benchmark, signaling challenges for prospective buyers in these regions.

India's top engineering institutes, IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur, have launched a pioneering four-year Bachelor of Cybersecurity program. Commencing in July 2026, this practice-oriented course aims to address the nation's critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on experience, including a two-year field deployment project, preparing graduates for vital roles in safeguarding India's expanding digital infrastructure and national security.

Mumbai's power security has significantly improved with the operationalization of the MUML transmission project, adding over 2,000 MW import capacity. This crucial upgrade revives a dormant substation, creating a new entry point for electricity and easing strain on existing infrastructure. Experts highlight this shift towards strengthening transmission, vital for meeting rising urban demand and integrating renewable energy.

Mumbai and its surrounding regions are on high alert as the IMD has issued a red alert for the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region for Saturday, predicting extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas. Earlier, an orange alert was in place. The city has already experienced significant monsoon showers, with the island city recording over 114 mm of rain in a 24-hour period.

Mumbai's urbanites are embracing furniture revival, transforming old pieces into cherished heirlooms. Professionals from diverse fields are flocking to workshops, driven by emotional connections to ancestral furniture and a desire for sustainable self-expression. This trend goes beyond mere restoration, allowing individuals to personalize new items, making them uniquely their own. Even celebrities are joining in, highlighting the growing cultural significance of upcycling.

Tragedy struck Sakinaka as a 55-year-old man, Aslam Isak Shaikh, drowned after falling into an open manhole during heavy rains. This incident, occurring just days after a child's death from a tree collapse, has led to the suspension of four BMC officials. Despite rescue efforts, the strong water flow hampered recovery, highlighting critical safety lapses.

Alleged gangster Anmol Bishnoi, wanted in the Salman Khan firing case, has moved a special court in Mumbai to surrender virtually. Deported last November and currently in Tihar jail for a separate terror financing case, Bishnoi's lawyers stated his intention to join the ongoing trial. Charges were framed in his absence, and witnesses have testified. The court has sought the prosecution's response.

Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad are under an orange alert as the IMD predicts moderate to intense rain spells. Heavy monsoon showers have already drenched the city, with the island city recording 114 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. Suburbs also experienced significant downpours, prompting authorities to advise residents to take necessary precautions.

Tragedy struck Santacruz as eight individuals, including a civic corporator's team, were injured when a tree collapsed during an inspection. The incident occurred on Relief Road amidst heavy rains and strong winds that caused numerous tree falls across Mumbai. The injured were hospitalized and are reported to be in stable condition. This event highlights the city's vulnerability to severe weather.

A 60-year-old man, Aslam Isak Shaikh, has vanished after plunging into an open stormwater drain on Khairani Road in Mumbai's Sakinaka area. The incident occurred while civic workers were undertaking repairs on a drainage grill, leaving a manhole unattended. Authorities are actively conducting search operations and investigating the precise circumstances surrounding Shaikh's disappearance into the drain.

Mumbai and surrounding districts like Raigad, Palghar, and Thane are on orange alert for July 2, with the IMD predicting moderate to intense rain spells. The city experienced significant overnight downpours, with Santacruz recording a substantial 165.9 mm of rain. Several other areas also witnessed heavy showers, indicating continued wet weather for the region.

Following a recent train murder, another alarming incident has surfaced. A video from a Central Railway local shows a man in shabby attire threatening a fellow passenger after an argument at Govandi station. Authorities are actively searching for the individual, with investigations underway to determine if alcohol was involved. The absence of facial recognition technology on CR cameras complicates the manhunt, requiring manual tracking.

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