The Times of India

The highly anticipated Messi Experience A Dream Come True is set to launch in India this March as part of its 2026 world tour. Following successful international runs, the immersive exhibition will open in Mumbai on March 20, 2026, and then move to Bengaluru on June 19, 2026.

Mumbai's civic body plans a significant education budget increase for 2026-27, introducing NCC units, digital classrooms, and English labs. A new CBSE school is slated, alongside tablet distribution and science park pilots. Infrastructure upgrades and library enhancements are also prioritized, aiming to boost student learning and facilities across the city.

Four men from Wasseypur were arrested for extorting a Borivali jeweller by impersonating members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. They demanded Rs 30 lakh, threatening the jeweller with death if the ransom wasn't paid. The accused were apprehended by police after a sting operation involving fake gold coin payment.

Maharashtra reported 93,940 women missing in 2024-2025, with 72% found. Minor girls missing numbered 23,429, with 80.1% recovered. Operation Muskaan, running since 2015, has traced over 41,000 children, with the current phase finding 1,409 children between January and February 2025.

The University of Bristol has launched its first international campus in Mumbai, set to open in August 2026. This expansion includes significant collaborations with IIT-Bombay and Tata Consultancy Services, focusing on AI and industry-aligned learning. A 1.5 million donation will bolster India-UK research and student mobility, creating new opportunities.

Mumbai's air quality worsened significantly on Friday. The city's Air Quality Index jumped to 130, returning to the moderate category. Worli recorded the highest pollution levels. This deterioration was observed across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Experts attribute the change to wind direction and the 'valley effect' from skyscrapers.

A citizen-led air quality study in Wadala residential high-rises revealed alarming levels of industrial gases, with carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide significantly exceeding permissible limits. The research, conducted at elevated floors, also flagged consistent particulate pollution, raising concerns about residents' exposure to emissions.

Deported Bangladeshis are repeatedly returning to Mumbai, with Rabiya Nasir Mulla caught for a second time after being sent back last August. Police are concerned about border security, as many deported individuals allegedly bribe officials to re-enter. Over 1,200 illegal immigrants were detained statewide in the last two years.

A college dropout from Bihar, Anand Chaudhary, was arrested from IIT-Bombay's hostel premises for allegedly planting five live bullets in his childhood friend's bag. The discovery occurred during a room search following an altercation involving alcohol, leading to Chaudhary's booking under the Arms Act.