The Times of India News

Mumbai's Idea of India Foundation has condemned the mob lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh, calling it a brutal attack on human rights and minority protection. The foundation will appeal to Bangladesh's interim chief for an immediate investigation, justice for perpetrators, and measures to protect minorities, urging international solidarity.

The Bombay High Court summoned BMC chief and MPCB member-secretary over prima facie evidence of cosmetic compliance with air pollution guidelines. A court-appointed panel found significant non-compliance at various sites, including bullet train and Metro projects, and demolition activities, highlighting systemic neglect and lack of monitoring.

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Kurla Police, with Forest Department assistance, apprehended a 28-year-old man for illegally possessing and attempting to sell ambergris, also known as whale vomit. The 627 grams of the protected wildlife product, valued at 80 lakh, was seized near Bohri Kabristan. The accused faces charges under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

A fire erupted at Bhatia Hospital in Grant Road on Monday afternoon, originating from electrical wiring in the CT-MRI unit on the ground floor. While heavy smoke was reported, the Mumbai Fire Brigade quickly brought the blaze under control and extinguished it. Emergency services were mobilized as a precaution, and no injuries have been reported.

The BJP-led Mahayuti's decisive victory in recent municipal elections amplifies the challenge for the opposition ahead of the crucial BMC polls. Political observers believe this win will boost the Mahayuti's morale and potentially lead to further defections, while the Thackeray cousins face an acid test in Mumbai.

BJP emerged as the single largest party in Maharashtra's local body polls, securing 117 president posts and doubling its councillors since 2017. Despite challenges, the Mahayuti alliance, including Shiv Sena and NCP factions, celebrated a significant win, seen as a precursor to upcoming municipal corporation elections.

Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti alliance celebrated a significant victory in local body elections, with CM Devendra Fadnavis highlighting BJP's leading role. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde declared the results a 'trailer' for upcoming municipal corporation polls, while Ajit Pawar asserted his faction's strength. Leaders credited transparent governance and farmer support for the win.

Byculla police have registered an FIR against two directors of Aafiyah Realtors for allegedly cheating a businessman of Rs 5 crore. The couple allegedly sold flats in a proposed high-rise project, Aafiyah Heights, promising possession within 30 months. However, no flats were handed over, and the company was not registered at the time of the transactions.

Mumbai's BMC is spending over Rs 4 crore on 'anti-infective bed cover mats' for its medical colleges, a product unknown to many infection control specialists. Supplied by a real estate firm, the mats claim to kill 99.99% of microbes, but lack real-world clinical trial backing. Experts question their efficacy and necessity.

Nagaland University researchers propose a 'Digital Rehabilitation Law' to combat India's deepening drug addiction crisis. Integrating AI and telemedicine, this forward-looking framework aims to expand access to care, particularly for underserved communities. The study examines existing laws and identifies gaps in privacy and consent, advocating for a rights-based approach to tech-enabled recovery.

IIM Lucknow inaugurated Uttar Pradesh's first Gen-Z post office, a modern facility designed for digitally fluent youth. This innovative space offers QR code payments, automated packaging, and high-speed Wi-Fi, aiming to make postal services more relevant and accessible to the younger generation.

IIT Madras, in partnership with Google and Digital Futures Lab, has launched a national program to equip government officials with the skills to responsibly adopt and govern AI. This initiative addresses a growing capability gap, focusing on technical literacy, procurement, and policy awareness to ensure AI's ethical integration into public services and governance across India.

IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, in partnership with SWAYAM Plus, has launched an AI-enabled HR Analytics Programme to address the growing skills gap in people management. This initiative aims to equip professionals with data-driven and AI capabilities to navigate the evolving workplace, with applications open until December 30, 2025.

UST and IIT Madras Incubation Cell have partnered to accelerate deep-tech healthcare and life sciences startups. This collaboration will identify, mentor, and fund promising ventures, aiming to translate research into market-ready solutions. The 'Pitch to Win: Pharma 4.0' challenge, with Pfizer and AWS, saw significant startup participation, highlighting the growing Indian ecosystem.

One-stop centres (OSCs) for women in distress, established after the Nirbhaya case, are struggling to fulfill their mandate. While intended for rape survivors, most cases involve domestic violence. Activists criticize them as 'settlement centres,' citing issues like understaffing, low pay, and lack of adequate shelter, hindering their effectiveness for victims.