Do you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for January 17. Aries March 21 – April 20There may be a slight delay in signing one new deal/ contract. Be patient. Cosmic tip: Don’t allow work pressures to get you down in this manner; work out a systematic approach to completing it. Taurus April 21 – May 20Self-employed Taureans looking for a financial backer find one soon enough. Cosmic tip: It’s best to maintain a dignified silence when a distant relative calls for some information; basically family gossip. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Having dismissed someone from your life, you have no intention of having a reconciliation. Reconsider it. Cosmic tip: Don’t be too approachable as your attitude may be misunderstood. Cancer June 22 – July 23Depend on rationality as being emotional sometimes clouds decision making. Business/career enters a karmic cycle of good luck.Cosmic tip: Don’t slide back to a habit you’ve given up. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Being practical and accommodating doesn’t pay off, so you need to talk clearly and firmly to get results. Cosmic tip: Don’t even try to side-step paying off a karmic debt. Do it willingly and happily. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23An influential backer steps in to help out with a plan. Dealing with work coming in regularly makes you feel so good. Make time to meet a friend.Cosmic tip: Speaking less reveals wisdom. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Back home after a holiday; one missing bag is traced by the airline. A change of plans immediately on reaching home is a bit annoying. Cosmic tip: Appreciate the learning experience life teaches. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22It’s a day when you seem to experience most aspects of life in 24 hours. Family life is peaceful.Cosmic tip: Ask for help if work is too much to cope with by yourself. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22A karmic cycle of making investments begins. Do be careful what you eat today and where. Some receive news about a raise in salary.Cosmic tip: Be aware of not repeating the same mistakes again. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Deal with one day at a time, completing all that has to be achieved at that moment. Friends come over in the evening.Cosmic tip: Control stress levels by exercising and eating at regular times. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Be open to newer life experiences in this karmic cycle. Buying a vehicle is an option. Do get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Spruce up old fashioned ideas and mindsets, but without compromising on ethics. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Work gets completed quickly, leaving enough time to work on a presentation. Those who have found love may have to rise above cultural differences. Cosmic tip: Work on getting views across clearly.
17 January,2025 12:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseNewly-appointed Maharashtra Legislative Council chairperson Ram Shinde on Thursday held his first hearing on disqualification petitions filed against several MLCs who switched to the NCP led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar when the Sharad Pawar-founded party split in July 2023. Shinde gave these MLCs two months to respond. Incidentally, the position of Legislative Council chairperson was vacant since July 2022 after incumbent Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar retired following the end of his tenure. Shinde was appointed in his place in December 2024. Between July 2022 and December 2024, deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe was overseeing the daily functioning of the Council. Due to this, the hearing on disqualification petitions filed against Gorhe, Viplav Bajoria and Maneesha Kayande, who switched over to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena after the Bal Thackeray-led party split in June 2022,were pending. Speaking to PTI, Shinde said, "I have instructed the office to issue notices to Gorhe, Kayande and Bajoria asking them to submit their responses within seven days. They will receive the notices shortly. Lawyers representing the NCP council members requested four months to submit their replies, but I have decided to allow two months." The initial hearings against the NCP members were held earlier (by Gorhe) and the process was being continued by him, Shinde added. In December 2023, Gorhe had issued notices to eight NCP MLCs from both factions asking them to submit their responses to the disqualification pleas. The notices, issued on December 7, 2023, were directed at Satish Chavan, Aniket Tatkare, Vikram Kale, Amol Mitkari, Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar (from the Ajit Pawar faction), as well as Eknath Khadse, Shashikant Shinde, and Arun Lad (from Sharad Pawar camp). These notices, issued under Maharashtra Legislative Council (Disqualification on Grounds of Defection) Rules 1986, instructed the members to submit their defence documents to the Deputy Chairperson within seven days of receiving the notice. Ajit Pawar and eight NCP MLAs had joined the Eknath Shinde government on July 2, 2023. Following the split in the NCP, the Sharad Pawar faction filed disqualification petitions against five MLCs who defected to Ajit Pawar's camp, while the deputy CM's faction sought disqualification of three MLCs from the Sharad Pawar faction. Meanwhile, Kayande said, "When I was a member of the council previously, I never received any notice. My term ended, and I was later reappointed as a member under Shiv Sena faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Even if I receive a notice now, I will submit my response." Vidhan Bhavan sources said the terms of Kayande and Bajoria had ended when they switched allegiance from Uddhav Thackeray's faction to the one led by Shinde. As such, there is little point in pursuing disqualification petitions against them, they added. These sources further clarified that Kayande's recent appointment as MLC, following the Supreme Court's ruling and the Speaker's decision regarding the real Shiv Sena, was valid, which had made old disqualification petitions irrelevant. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 January,2025 10:39 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIThe Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply And Transport (BEST) wet-lease staff working on Olectra Company buses at Kala Killa bus depot in Dharavi area of Mumbai went on strike on Thursday, affecting bus services. The protesting staffers demanded the disbursal of their salaries. The drivers had been outsourced from Maurya Company by Team Olectra. "Today, from 12:30 pm, staffers working on Olectra buses at Kalakilla depot suddenly stopped work due to non-payment of their current month's salary. Rohan Maurya, CEO of Maurya Company (which appoints bus drivers for Olectra Company), assured that the salaries of all the drivers would be deposited in their bank accounts by 6 pm. But the bus drivers were not in the mood to listen because they say that they have been hearing the same thing since the 10th," said BEST spokesperson Sudas Sawant. "Following this, work was stopped, and they have taken the stand that the work stoppage will not be withdrawn until the salaries are deposited in the bank," he explained. "As a result, the BEST undertaking has pressed its own buses into service on affected bus routes to avoid inconvenience to passengers," he added.
16 January,2025 09:44 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarMaharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday handed over a cheque for Rs 18.55 lakh to the owner of the fishing trawler that was damaged in a recent Mumbai boat accident, an official statement said. "A fishing boat in Mumbai was damaged after it was hit by a Chinese cargo ship in the sea. The company owning the cargo ship agreed to compensate for the damage caused. On Thursday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis handed over a cheque for Rs 18.55 lakh to the owner of the damaged fishing boat," the statement said. It said that the cheque was presented to the boat owner after a cabinet meeting at the state government office and the Fisheries Development Minister Nitesh Rane along with other cabinet members were also present at the event. The incident occurred on December 28, 2024, when the fishing boat "Tisai," owned by Hemdeep Tipri, was struck by the cargo ship in the Mumbai sea. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the fishing boat suffered significant damage. A report was prepared in the presence of local licensing officers, marine police, port inspectors, and representatives from fishermen's organisations. The report confirmed the damage amounted to Rs 18.55 lakh, the statement said. The Chinese cargo ship had departed from Nhava Sheva on the day of the incident and was heading towards Mundra Port when it collided with a fishing trawler off the Versova coast late that night. The cargo vessel had struck the Tisai, the fishing trawler from Madh Koliwada in Malad area near the Versova coast in Mumbai around midnight. Fishing boats nearby had immediately responded to the trawler's distress signal and had rushed to its aid. The rescue team had managed to salvage the sinking trawler and tow it back to Madh Koliwada. Fortunately, there were no casualties in the collision. The vessel belonged to a Madh Koliwada resident, Hemdeep Harishchandra Tipri. Following the advice of Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane, a meeting was arranged between the shipping company and the fishing boat owner. During the meeting, the company agreed to provide the compensation, the statement issued by CMO said.
16 January,2025 09:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Opposition on Thursday questioned Mumbai's law and order situation following Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan attack case and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis reacted to the statements. Talking to reporters, Chief Minister Fadnavis asserted that Mumbai is a safe city. "I think Mumbai is the safest among mega cities in the country. It is true that some incidents take place sometimes, and they must be taken seriously. But to say that Mumbai is unsafe due to such incidents is not right," he said, as per the PTI. "....But, to make the city safer, the government will certainly make efforts," he added. The Nationalist Congress Party NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said the incident shows that the law and order situation was deteriorating in Maharashtra. "Recently, a person was killed in the same area and now this incident. All these things are worrisome," Pawar told reporters at Baramati. "The state government, especially the chief minister who holds charge of the home department, should pay attention to these things more seriously," the former Maharashtra chief minister said, the PTI reported. In October last year, former state minister and Ajit Pawar-led NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead near his son Zeeshan Siddiqui's office in Bandra east area. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, "No one is safe. Let alone ordinary people, even celebrities who have their own security are not safe," according to the PTI. CM Fadnavis had completely failed to maintain law and order, said Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe, the news agency reported. Prominent politicians including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Chiranjeevi, expressed shock over the attack on actor Saif Ali Khan inside his Bandra residence. "It's very concerning to hear about the attack on noted actor Saif Ali Khan. I pray for his speedy recovery, trusting that the law will take its course and those responsible will be held accountable. My thoughts and prayers are with Sharmila Di, Kareena Kapoor, and the entire family during this difficult time," Banerjee posted on X. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal said, "Shocked to hear about the attack on Saif Ali Khan. Wishing him a speedy recovery and strength to his family during this difficult time." Hours after the attack on actor, the Mumbai Police registered an FIR and has formed multiple teams to nab the suspect. Saif Ali Khan has been admitted to the Lilavati Hospital and is said to be stable. (with PTI inputs)
16 January,2025 07:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Public Works Department (PWD) has begun sprinkling water on the under-construction road stretch from Aarey Market to Royal Palms following concerns raised about severe dust pollution. This action comes after Mid-Day highlighted lapses in dust mitigation protocols during road construction in Aarey Milk Colony, which were causing significant inconvenience to residents and motorists. Spread across 16 sq km, Aarey Milk Colony is home to over 60,000 people, including residents of 27 tribal hamlets, slum pockets, cattle farm units, and the Royal Palms area. The ongoing road construction project, connecting various internal routes within Aarey, had led to excessive dust pollution, particularly on stretches where water sprinkling was inconsistent. On Wednesday, this correspondent observed a 100-metre stretch near Royal Palms where stone-crush mixture and cement concrete dust were spilling onto the road, creating a hazardous environment. Passing vehicles further worsened the situation by stirring up clouds of dust. Local residents voiced their frustration, citing the health hazards posed by the dust. “At some places, the contractor is sprinkling water, but the stretch from Aarey Market to Royal Palms is filled with construction material, causing severe air pollution. It is difficult to breathe,” said Shipra Dubey, a resident. Another resident added, “Air pollution is a serious issue, but it seems the contractor was not bothered. We hope the measures like regular water sprinkling continue to prevent this.” Addressing these complaints, a PWD official assured, “We have increased water sprinkling on the internal roads to control dust pollution. At one site, construction materials have been stacked, and we will ensure they are covered to prevent dust from spreading further.” In a positive development, the contractor has now started sprinkling water along the stretch from Aarey Market to Royal Palms, reducing dust levels and easing the plight of residents and commuters. The PWD has also committed to increasing the frequency of water sprinkling and improving dust control measures across other locations. With the Bombay High Court previously directing the repair of 45 kilometres of internal roads in Aarey, these measures mark a step forward in addressing long-standing issues related to air pollution and infrastructure development in the area.
16 January,2025 07:14 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavIn an unfortunate incident, a GPS-tagged vulture, which had embarked on an extraordinary 4,000-kilometre journey from the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, tragically died of electrocution near Thirumayam Range in Tamil Nadu's Pudukottai Division. The white-rumped vulture, tagged as N11, was part of India’s ambitious Jatayu Conservation Project, an initiative aimed at reviving critically endangered vulture populations. The vulture’s journey began in August when it was satellite-tagged at Tadoba to monitor its movements. The bird’s remarkable route took it through Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, and ultimately Tamil Nadu. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) Director, Kishor Rithe, explained to Mid-Day, “Sub-adult birds are very inquisitive and curious, often exploring more. This vulture’s extensive travels are not uncommon, as young birds take time to learn where to stop for feeding during long flights.” During its travels, the vulture faced challenges, being captured and treated twice after appearing weak in Chhattisgarh and Gujarat. However, it recovered and successfully continued its journey to Tamil Nadu. Tragically, its exploration ended when it came into contact with an electric wire in Tamil Nadu's Pudukottai district. This incident highlights the dangers faced by vultures in the wild, even as conservationists strive to rebuild their dwindling populations. India’s vulture population saw a catastrophic decline between 1990 and 2006, primarily due to the use of the veterinary drug Diclofenac, which proved fatal to scavengers feeding on contaminated cattle carcasses. The drug’s ban in 2006 paved the way for conservation initiatives under the Union Ministry of Environment’s Vulture Action Plan. As part of these efforts, the Forest Department of Maharashtra, in collaboration with BNHS, released 10 long-billed vultures and 10 white-rumped vultures into pre-release aviaries in Tadoba and Pench reserves earlier this year. The birds, bred at the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre in Pinjore, Haryana, represented hope for the species’ recovery.
16 January,2025 07:02 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday reiterated that Mumbai remains one of the safest cities in the country, despite sporadic incidents that may suggest otherwise. His remarks came following an attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, who was injured in a confrontation with an intruder at his Bandra residence. Addressing the media, Fadnavis stated, "Mumbai is the safest place, and there is no doubt about it. It won't be right to judge the city's safety based on one or two isolated incidents. However, any such incident must be taken seriously, and we are committed to ensuring Mumbai's security." The statement followed an early-morning burglary attempt at Saif Ali Khan's residence in the 'Satguru Sharan' building in Bandra. The intruder reportedly entered through the fire escape and confronted Khan’s maid. When the actor intervened to defuse the situation, the confrontation turned violent. Saif sustained multiple injuries and was rushed to Lilavati Hospital for treatment. According to ANI reports, Saif Ali Khan's team confirmed that the actor underwent surgery and is now recovering. "Saif Ali Khan has come out of surgery and is out of danger. He is currently in recovery, and doctors are monitoring his progress. We extend our gratitude to Dr. Niraj Uttamani, Dr. Nitin Dange, Dr. Leena Jain, and the entire team at Lilavati Hospital. Thank you to all fans and well-wishers for their prayers and support," the statement read. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Zone 9, Dixit Gedam, revealed further details of the incident. "The motive behind the attack appears to be burglary. The accused accessed the residence using the fire escape. So far, one suspect has been identified, and efforts are underway to apprehend him. Ten detection teams are working on different leads," Gedam said. Dr. Niraj Uttamani, Chief Operating Officer of Lilavati Hospital, disclosed the extent of Khan's injuries. "Saif Ali Khan was brought to the hospital at 3 am with six stab wounds, two of which were deep, including one near his spine. A foreign object was also identified near his spine," he stated. (With inputs from ANI)
16 January,2025 05:33 PM IST | MumbaiMumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) has reported a 6.3 per cent increase in passenger traffic for 2024, with a total of 5.48 crore passengers using the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). This marks a significant rise from the 5.16 crore recorded in 2023, the private airport operator said on Thursday. The airport also witnessed a 3.2 per cent year-on-year growth in air traffic movements (ATMs) — encompassing arrivals and departures — which totalled 3,46,617 in 2024. According to MIAL, this continued growth underscores Mumbai airport's critical role as a key aviation hub in the region. December: The Busiest MonthThe month of December stood out as the busiest for CSMIA in 2024, recording a total passenger movement of 50.5 lakh, reflecting a 3.4 per cent increase compared to the previous year. December also saw a record-breaking single-day passenger count on December 21, with 1,70,000 travellers passing through the airport. Of these, 1,16,982 were domestic passengers, while 52,800 were international travellers. The airport’s December performance further solidified its position as a global hub, with over 8,000 international air traffic movements logged during the month. Highlighting operational efficiency, MIAL reported its highest-ever single-day air traffic movements for the year on February 3 and February 10, with 962 movements on each day. MIAL’s achievements in 2024 reflect its sustained efforts to improve passenger experience and its role as a crucial link for global connectivity. The growth in both domestic and international passenger numbers highlights the increasing preference for Mumbai airport among travellers. As per PTI reports, MIAL continues to invest in expanding its infrastructure and enhancing operational capabilities to meet growing demand. The steady increase in both passenger traffic and air traffic movements indicates the airport’s resilience and adaptability in an evolving aviation landscape. With a robust operational record, record-breaking traffic milestones, and consistent passenger growth, Mumbai airport is poised to maintain its standing as one of India's premier aviation hubs. The reported figures by MIAL for 2024 further illustrate the growing demand for air travel, supported by increased international connectivity and enhanced airport infrastructure. As the aviation sector in India continues to expand, airports like Mumbai’s CSMIA are playing a pivotal role in facilitating seamless travel for millions of passengers annually. (With inputs from PTI)
16 January,2025 05:23 PM IST | MumbaiMaharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole claimed the attack on actor Saif Ali Khan on Thursday has exposed the “breakdown" in law and order in Maharashtra, where he said celebrities, leaders of the ruling party, and citizens are unsafe, reported news agency PTI. The Congress chief demanded that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, whom he named “ineffective” and "weak", resign as the home minister as the rising crime rate in the state reflects the government's failure. Patole said the chief minister should have courage to take concrete action instead of making hollow statements. Khan, 54, was repeatedly stabbed with a knife by an intruder, who managed to flee, inside his 12th-floor apartment in upscale Bandra early Thursday, PTI stated. Khan was “out of danger” following an emergency surgery, said doctors at the Lilavati Hospital where he was rushed following the incident that took place around 2:30 am at his house in 'Satguru Sharan' building. Patole said the attack on the Padma Shri award-winning actor is a glaring example of the “breakdown” of law and order in Maharashtra, stated PTI. “If such incidents occur in the bustling area of Bandra in Mumbai, who is safe in the city? Looking at the increasing crime rates in Mumbai, Pune, Beed, Parbhani, and Nagpur, one wonders if there is a home minister in the state at all,” Patole said. The BJP-led Mahayuti government has allowed lawlessness to thrive, and the attack on Khan is a direct challenge to the state's law and order machinery by criminals, Patole further claimed. Criminals have become brazen under the BJP regime, he said. “The Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with their favoured Director General of Police, have proven to be utterly ineffective,” he said. Despite having two police commissioners in Mumbai, neither the state nor Mumbai has an effective law and order machinery, PTI stated. “The growing organised crime in Beed, political backing for criminals, custodial deaths in Parbhani, the assassination of former minister Baba Siddique in Bandra, and the firing at Salman Khan's residence are serious incidents. Fadnavis has failed as the Home Minister. In Maharashtra, celebrities, leaders of the ruling party, and common citizens alike are unsafe,” he claimed. Patole said instead of repeating statements like “criminals won't be spared; strict action will be taken”, Fadnavis must muster the courage to take strong action. “With rising crime rates in the state, it is evident that Fadnavis is not taking the situation seriously. After the life-threatening attack on actor Saif Ali Khan, rather than addressing the issue, CM Fadnavis was busy promoting films,” claimed the Congress leader, referring to Fadnavis attending a special screening of Kangana Ranaut's movie Emergency, reported PTI. Maharashtra is unfortunate to have such an “inactive” and “weak” home minister, Patole said. (With inputs from PTI)
16 January,2025 05:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMinister of State (MoS) for Home (rural), Yogesh Kadam on Thursday said that the opposition was trying to politicise the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, and claimed that a wrong angle was being given to the case because of the actor's surname, PTI reported. As per PTI, Kadam told a TV Channel that the incident was a "theft attempt", and the culprit has been identified and will be arrested soon. Mumbai is a safe place, the minister argued, and claimed that the opposition was trying to defame the police. "The intruder has been identified and will be nabbed soon," he said and claimed that because of the actor's Khan surname, a wrong angle was being given to the case. "The opposition only wants to politicise the incident. Mumbai is safe and the opposition is maligning the police," he added. Khan (54) was stabbed with a knife multiple times by an intruder inside his 12th floor apartment in upscale Bandra area early on Thursday, PTI reported. The actor was "out of danger" after an emergency surgery, said doctors at the Lilavati Hospital where he was rushed following the incident which took place around 2:30 am at his house in 'Satguru Sharan' building. The intruder fled from the spot. Kadam claimed that there was no need to link the attack on Khan to former minister Baba Siddique's murder and threats issued to actor Salman Khan, PTI reported. NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad claimed that the kind of injuries sustained by the Bollywood actors shows the attacker wanted to kill him. In a post on X, Awhad, who is the group leader of the opposition NCP (SP) in the Maharashtra assembly, alleged that Khan has been targeted by fundamentalists over the naming of his son as Taimur. Khan has suffered six injuries out of which two are severe and one is in his spine, he stated, PTI reported. "Prima facie it shows that the attacker wanted to kill him," Awhad said, adding that it needs to be investigated if the attack was pre-planned. सैफ अली खान यांच्यावर झालेला हल्ला हा पुर्वनियोजित कटाचा भाग असू शकतो.गेली अनेक वर्ष ज्या पद्धतीने सैफ अली खान यांना त्याच्या मुलाचे नाव *#तैमुर* ठेवल्यावरुन टार्गेट केले जात होते.ते पाहता धार्मिक कट्टरतावाद्यांकडून हा हल्ला करण्यात आलेला आहे किंवा कसे ? या दिशेने ही तपास होणे… pic.twitter.com/9atYhziAtl — Dr.Jitendra Awhad (@Awhadspeaks) January 16, 2025 As per PTI, many opposition leaders raised concerns over the attack on the bollywood actor saying it shows that not even celebrities are safe in the state, and CM Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, has failed to maintain law and order. (With PTI inputs)
16 January,2025 05:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
