The Times of India

A total of 164 Maharashtra tourists, including 84 students, have safely returned home from the UAE following the US-Israel-Iran conflict. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde facilitated two special flights that landed in Mumbai on Tuesday night. Passengers from Pune, Thane, and Ahilyanagar expressed relief after being stranded abroad.

Two men were arrested by Agripada police for allegedly stalking and harassing a foreign tourist near Dhobi Ghat in Mahalaxmi. The digital content creator from Portugal posted a viral video of the incident, leading to a suo motu case and the apprehension of the accused.

The BMC has proposed a nearly 40% reduction in Mithi River desilting for the upcoming monsoon, citing last year's experience where major flooding was averted despite disrupted work. This move, with a reduced contract value, follows a probe into inflated work orders, raising concerns about contractor participation.

Congress is seeking a Rajya Sabha seat from Shiv Sena UBT in Maharashtra. This comes as Congress faces potential seat losses in the upper house. Sena UBT has also put forward its claim for the seat. The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) is pushing for Sharad Pawar's nomination. Discussions are ongoing among the INDIA alliance partners.

Mumbai's Economic Offences Wing is investigating companies accused of defrauding the state government of Rs 122.9 crore through fake bank guarantees in a solar energy tender. Preliminary findings suggest two companies are innocent, with a third party from New Delhi allegedly submitting the fraudulent documents on their behalf.

A tragic accident in Malad West claimed the life of 19-year-old Sidra Shaikh. While riding pillion on a friend's motorcycle, they swerved to avoid a stray dog, leading to a fall. Shaikh sustained fatal head injuries. The motorcyclist, Aniket, has been booked by the Bangur Nagar Police for negligence following a complaint by the victim's mother.

Trombay police have arrested two women for illegally occupying two police quarters in Mankhurd using forged BMC allotment documents. The women, in collusion with an absconding mastermind, allegedly fabricated documents and broke into vacant flats. Investigators are now examining the status of other units in the building.

Clinical psychologists in Mumbai are falling victim to a payment scam where fraudsters pose as patients. Scammers send fake payment screenshots, then demand refunds for non-existent transactions. Professionals are urged to verify payments before issuing refunds to avoid financial loss and distressing interactions.

Middle East tensions have grounded hundreds of flights across India, leaving passengers stranded for days. Major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kochi reported widespread cancellations and delays. Airlines including Air India and IndiGo have suspended services through affected airspace, impacting travel to Gulf nations. The disruptions are expected to continue.

Stranded Indians in the Middle East, particularly in Dubai, are appealing for government assistance to return home amidst the Iran-Israel conflict and airspace closures. With flights suspended and transit hubs shut, many face exorbitant fares and limited options for evacuation, prompting urgent pleas for help.

Prithvi Theatre hosted 'Rehnuma', a soulful tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain, celebrating his mentorship of young musicians. The event featured an acoustic performance by emerging Indian artists, including Zubin Balaporia and Gino Banks, reflecting Hussain's collaborative spirit. The memorial concert drew a large gathering from Mumbai's theatre and film fraternity, underscoring Prithvi's role in nurturing cultural connections.

Eighteen doctors simultaneously withdrew their postgraduate medical seats, each costing Rs 1.2 crore, at a Karjat college. This move, following a court order, allowed the institute to fill these seats directly, bypassing state counselling. Experts are questioning the synchronized cancellations and the process, raising concerns about transparency in admissions.

An 18-year-old commerce student from Navi Mumbai, Jeet Santosh Bhaskar, has launched BrontoAI, a consumer-facing AI platform available in 175 countries. Lacking formal computer science education, Bhaskar independently built the human-centered AI, focusing on emotionally aware conversations. His venture, rooted in applied economics, aims to offer empathetic digital companionship.

IIM Mumbai's 2024-26 batch achieved remarkable final placements, with the highest domestic offer reaching Rs 71.4 lakh. The top 10% of students secured an impressive Rs 47.5 lakh average package. Over 200 recruiters participated, highlighting strong industry demand, especially in finance and tech-driven roles, aligning with the institute's academic strengths.

A state inquiry into 18 cancelled medical admissions at NY Tasgaonkar Institute has cleared the college, citing voluntary withdrawals by candidates. However, concerns linger over the inquiry's methodology and potential parental approaches to the CBI. The mass cancellations under higher-fee quotas remain unusual, prompting questions about alternative admission processes and penalty clauses.

Central Railway's Mumbai Division announces a major megablock on Sunday for essential engineering and maintenance. Expect disruptions on the Main line between CSMT and Vidyavihar, with slow services diverted to fast lines. The Harbour line will also see a block between Kurla and Vashi, impacting services. Passengers are advised to plan journeys accordingly.

A significant fire erupted at Babel Hotel in Fort early Sunday morning, engulfing electrical wiring, furniture, and scrap on the first and second floors. The Mumbai Fire Brigade, alongside police, BEST, ambulance services, and BMC ward staff, responded swiftly. Fortunately, the blaze was extinguished by 2:25 am with no reported injuries, averting a potential disaster.

Pilots' failure to follow procedures and poor visibility contributed to the fatal Baramati Learjet crash, a preliminary report reveals. The aircraft attempted a visual landing with only 3 km visibility, below the mandated 5 km. The report details the final moments before impact, sparking questions about inconsistencies in the findings.