Do you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign. AriesMarch 21 – April 19Any slow moving situation that may be causing stress will slowly get resolved. Do not make impulsive emotional decisions you might regret later on.Health tip: Focus on creating strong lifestyle foundations that are sustainable. Make sure you drink enough water and avoid sugary food that only makes you feel lethargic. TaurusApril 20 – May 20Spend time with close friends who really care about you. Those with a boss who micromanages need to be very clear in communication and stick to timelines.Health tip: Those prone to respiratory allergies should try and avoid anything that triggers a cold or sinus allergy. Seniors need to take a little extra care of themselves. GeminiMay 21 – June 20Be very clear if you need to have a difficult conversation with a friend. Any legal issue should be handled with care and foresight — look at long term benefits.Health tip: Do not neglect any doctors’ appointment or regular treatment you might need. Take care of any small health issue before it becomes worse. CancerJune 21 – July 22Keep a tab on your emotions if you tend to get over sensitive. Be extra careful while driving as you could be accident prone.Health tip: Make careful choices if you want to make any lifestyle changes. Those with a sensitive digestive system need to take a little extra care of themselves. LeoJuly 23 – Aug 22 Let go of what no longer works for you or make the changes you need to, in order to improve the situation. Self employed businesspersons should not take any unnecessary risks.Health tip: Try and avoid eating out as much as possible. Those prone to back and neck issues should take a little extra care of themselves. VirgoAug 23 – Sept 22Beware of any office politics and colleagues who may be working against you. Avoid shopping just because you are bored. Handle time management efficiently.Health tip: Make a commitment to any lifestyle changes you know you need to make. Avoid eating food you know does not agree with you. LibraSept 23 – Oct 22Handle competitive colleagues in a diplomatic and intelligent manner. Make time for a hobby or sport you enjoy without stressing about being perfect.Health tip: Make well thought out choices if you want to try a new therapy or healing modality. Those prone to hip problems need to take little extra care. ScorpioOct 23 – Nov 21Be very clear while making any presentations or paperwork. This is a positive time for singles, but they do need to make an effort to meet new people.Health tip: Small indulgences in sweets will gradually add up. Those with heart and blood pressure related issues need to take extra care of themselves. SagittariusNov 22 – Dec 21Listen to your intuition instead of emotions to make better choices. Handle any challenging situations or people in a strategic manner.Health tip: Maintain a disciplined approach to your health and fitness, prioritising holistic health. Seniors need to take a little extra care of themselves. CapricornDec 22 – Jan 19Put in the work needed and don’t take success for granted. Try not to let yourself get emotionally manipulated into doing something you should not.Health tip: A small health issue can escalate if you don’t take care of it quickly. Those with kidney related health issues need to take a little extra care of themselves. AquariusJan 20 – Feb 18Any challenges you might face are opportunities if you look at them in the right manner. Keep calm if you find yourself facing delays or irritating people.Health tip: Make sure you are getting enough rest and avoid overexerting yourself. Seniors might want to make small changes in their daily habits. PiscesFeb 19 – March 21Go with any changes you face, and make the best of situations. This is a positive time for those looking to change jobs or get a raise.Health tip: Those prone to coughs and colds need to avoid triggering situations as much as possible. Make sure you drink enough water.
20 July,2025 04:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Aparna BoseThe strike by Ola and Uber cab and rickshaw drivers in Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune was called off on Saturday night. The drivers said they will wait till July 22 for the Maharashtra government to respond to the demands. If the demands are not met by then, the strike will resume from Wednesday, the drivers said. The hunger strike launched by Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha president Dr Keshav Nana Kshirsagar, however, has not been called off and will continue. On Friday, the striking Ola and Uber drivers were asked by transport department officials to wait till July 22 for further discussions and then take further decisions. The protesters met transport department officials and placed their demands. After hearing the complaints about aggregator companies, the transport department sought time from the striking unions to seek a dialogue with the companies. The striking drivers sought help for the family members of the driver at Nalasopara who died by suicide, as he reportedly could not pay back his vehicle loan. “The protestors met us on Friday. They sought action against Rapido, which we have actually begun, and had some issues about tariffs, which will get addressed in the new aggregator cab policy. We have called them for a meeting on Tuesday,” a top transport official said. Key demands… . Rationalisation of fares. Having fares at par with metered cabs. No permission for bike taxi services. Cap on cab and auto permits. Functional welfare board for drivers. Bringing in of Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act
19 July,2025 11:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOn Friday around 9.30 pm, a local youth, Raju Pawar, was on his way to the Sonbhairav temple on his two-wheeler in Khandad village, Mangaon, in Maharashtra's Raigad district when he saw an unknown and unusual animal on the ground near the village. Raju Pawar and his friend Shashikant Pawar stopped to get a closer look of the animal. As there was a meeting of the villagers in the temple premises, a crowd had gathered to observe the unfamiliar animal. The villagers immediately contacted Shantanu Kuveskar, a wildlife researcher from Mangaon. Kuveskar reached the spot and informed the forest department about the sighting. Until the forest guard reached the spot, Kuveskar explained about the animal to the villagers of Khandad. There is no natural habitat available for the pangolin to live permanently in Khandad village or its surrounding areas. Therefore, Kuveskar speculated that the pangolin may have swept into the village during the recent flooding of the Kal river. The villagers in Khandad said this is the first time that they had seen a rare wild animal in the village. There is a river near the village where crocodiles are always present, but no dense forest nearby. The villagers of Khandad are very sensitive about wildlife and environment. They protected the pangolin from stray dogs and other dangers in the area before the forest guard and the Kuveskar intervened. Former Mangaon Mayor, Dnyandev Pawar, village president Kashiram Powar, and village police patil Nathuram Powar were present at the scene along with all the locals. The pangolin, which is said to be healthy, was immediately handed over to the forest department through Kuveskar. After that, at night, under the guidance of the deputy conservator of forest, Shailendra Kumar Jadhav, and assistant deputy conservator of forest Rohit Chaubey, and on the instructions from the forest range officer of Mangaon, Prashant Shinde, the pangolin was released after taking appropriate action. Forest Subhedar and forest guards Vaishali Bhor, Pavan Chaudhari, Santosh Pingala, Rani Limbore and driver Vivek Jadhav also assisted the rescue operation. "The Indian Pangolin is the most trafficked animal in the world and is very sensitive. It has the highest status and highest level of protection under the Wildlife Protection Act. The villagers of Khandad village have done a commendable job of protecting the wild animal in town," said Shailendra Kumar Jadhav. "In flood situations, the wildlife also gets affected. Due to the flood water, the wild animals enter villages for shelter near human settlements or get stranded around. If you come across any wildlife in human settlements, you should immediately contact the local forest department without causing any harm to the animal," said Rohit Chaubey. "The pangolin has immense importance in wild nature and is an important part of natural ecosystem. It plays a valuable role in nature maintaining natural pest control and habitats health," said Kuveskar.
19 July,2025 11:30 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavA new rail coach restaurant was inaugurated on the west side of Bandra Station in Mumbai on Friday as part of the ongoing Bandra Station Mahotsav. The inauguration was done by Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale and Maharashtra Minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs Ashish Shelar. The restaurant, built inside a refurbished rail coach, aims to enhance passenger amenities and offer visitors a unique dining experience. Western Railway said the initiative reflects its commitment to improving the overall travel experience for commuters and passengers through innovative and passenger-friendly projects. What is Station Mahotsav? The Railway Board had earlier issued a nationwide directive to celebrate the centenary of heritage railway stations across India, marking their date of inception. In total, 143 stations were identified for the observance of Station Mahotsavs across various railway zones and states. The events were meant to involve community participation and highlight historical milestones such as station inaugurations or the introduction of new railway lines.
19 July,2025 10:41 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Dadar Traffic Division inaugurated green parking signboards at Shivaji Park on Saturday at 5 pm, marking a historic shift in Mumbai's parking regulations. The new initiative replaces the traditional red no-parking signs in the area with green signage, a first for the city. Around 10 green signboards have been installed outside Shivaji Park, indicating designated parking spots for vehicles. This marks a departure from the usual red signage that motorists are accustomed to. The move is part of a pilot project intended to clarify where parking is allowed, making the process more user-friendly for Mumbaikars. A traffic police officer had earlier told mid-day, “These boards will eliminate confusion about where parking is permitted. Such boards have not been installed anywhere in Mumbai before.” The officer added that parking in this designated area in Shivaji Park will be free of charge, allowing motorists to park without any fees. Additionally, the boards will detail specific timings for when parking is allowed and when it is restricted or regulated. To complement the initiative, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the police have begun removing the existing red no-parking boards from the area, creating space for the green signage. When asked for more details about the content on the boards on Friday, officials declined to share specifics before the inauguration, but confirmed that the signage would include information about permitted parking times and fines for those who don’t adhere to the timings. This new system is expected to help reduce confusion and improve parking management at one of Mumbai’s busiest locations.
19 July,2025 08:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentUnion Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, has reiterated that India will enter into trade agreements only if they align with the country's national interests. Speaking at the ASSOCHAM-organised session titled ‘Creating Global Impact Towards Viksit Bharat’, Goyal firmly stated, “If India gets a good trade deal, we will go ahead with it. If not, we won’t.” “India always keeps the country’s interest first,” he added. Responding to questions from the media following the event, Goyal emphasised that ongoing trade negotiations were being handled through official channels, not the media. “I’ve already mentioned that we don’t negotiate through the media, we negotiate in the negotiating room. Talks are ongoing, and once the team is back, we will get feedback on the response and the progress,” he said. Addressing industry leaders and entrepreneurs during the session, the Minister highlighted the need for a mindset shift within India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. He urged smaller and larger firms to collaborate for collective progress, reported ANI. “We need targets, guidance, and a change in mindset. Big or small, firms must grow together,” he said, calling on businesses to “support each other and be vocal for local.” Goyal also underlined the critical role MSMEs must play in boosting research, innovation, quality, and scalability in order to compete globally. He encouraged MSME stakeholders to directly inform the government of non-tariff barriers affecting their operations, assuring that concerns would be addressed. “The government will only be able to act if industry players convey their concerns,” he told one participant. Reflecting on the broader economic reforms, the Minister contrasted the current strength of the banking system with the challenges faced under the previous UPA government. “During the UPA regime, the banking sector collapsed under rising NPAs. We have restructured it in a transparent manner. Today, the banking system is robust and performing well,” Goyal said, crediting the improvements to reforms led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration. India-EFTA trade deal to take effect from October 1 Goyal also announced that the landmark Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will be implemented from 1 October. “India-EFTA TEPA to come into effect from 1st October,” the Minister confirmed in a post on social media platform X. Signed on March 10 last year, the agreement marks a significant milestone in India’s trade diplomacy, PTI reported. Under the pact, India is set to receive a committed investment of USD 100 billion from the EFTA bloc over the next 15 years. The investment is expected to generate 1 million direct jobs in India, according to government estimates. The agreement provides preferential market access for several European goods, including Swiss watches, chocolates, and cut and polished diamonds, which will now be subject to reduced or zero import duties. The EFTA comprises four European countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. As part of the agreement, EFTA will invest USD 50 billion in India within the first 10 years, with an additional USD 50 billion committed for the following five years. (With ANI and PTI inputs)
19 July,2025 05:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has pulled up the Maharashtra state excise department for serious lapses in its operations, which have led to a substantial revenue shortfall, reported news agency PTI. The CAG report pointed out that due to incorrect assessment of licence renewal fees, the state lost Rs 20.15 crore in revenue and Rs 70.22 crore in interest. The audit further stated that failure to implement revised rates for supervision fees had caused an additional shortfall of Rs 1.20 crore, reported PTI. According to the report, the then Excise Commissioner exempted excise duty on old stock of beer without obtaining prior approval from the state government. The report also highlighted that the delayed submission of mild beer samples for chemical analysis had hampered tax recovery to the tune of Rs 73.18 crore, reported PTI. "Under the Bombay Prohibition (Privilege Fee) Rules, 1954, a provision exists to charge fees for changes in partnership. However, no such provision was applicable to significant changes in shareholding of public limited companies, resulting in a loss of Rs 26.93 crore to the state," the CAG observed, reported PTI. The absence of a provision in the Excise Act for declaring production cost also led to a missed opportunity for the government to earn additional revenue, it added. The audit further revealed that in the case of Canteen Stores Department (CSD), the production cost of 11 products or brands was undervalued, causing a revenue loss of Rs 38.34 crore in excise duty, reported PTI. Additionally, errors in the purchase cost of imported foreign liquor resulted in non-collection of Rs 11.48 crore between August 2018 and March 2022, and Rs 2.89 crore between May 2017 and March 2022. The cumulative effect of these lapses caused a massive revenue loss for the government, raising serious concerns about the functioning of the Excise Department, the CAG stated. Maharashtra legislature's monsoon session ends; winter session from Dec 8 in Nagpur Meanwhile, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan prorogued both houses of the state legislature on Friday, bringing an end to the three-week-long monsoon session during which key bills on combating Left-wing extremism and trying drug peddlers under the MCOCA were passed. The prorogation order was read out in the assembly by speaker Rahul Narwekar and in the council by chairperson Ram Shinde. The winter session of state legislature will start in Nagpur from December 8, it was announced. (With inputs from PTI)
19 July,2025 02:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Maharashtra's Thane district has awarded a compensation of Rs 39.3 lakh to the family of a 38-year-old civic worker killed in an accident in 2018. The tribunal directed the insurer, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. Ltd., to pay the compensation first, with the liberty to recover the amount from the owner of the tempo involved in the accident, due to a breach of insurance conditions. A copy of the order, passed by member R V Mohite on July 16, was made available on Saturday. Sunil Tukaram Dalvi, a 38-year-old sweeper with the Thane Municipal Corporation, was killed when a speeding tempo hit his motorcycle on December 27, 2018. His family, including his wife, two sons and parents, filed the claim under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, seeking compensation. The insurance company opposed the claim, arguing that Dalvi was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, the tempo driver did not have a valid licence and there was no proper documentation for the vehicle. However, the tribunal found that the vehicle had a valid permit and fitness certificate at the time of the accident, but the driver did not have a valid driving licence. The police had filed a chargesheet against the tempo driver, and no evidence showed negligence on Dalvi's part. The tribunal noted that the driver and owner did not contest the criminal case or appear as witnesses. It concluded that the accident was solely due to the rash and negligent driving of the tempo operator. The tribunal ordered Bajaj Allianz and the tempo owner, Gupta Trading Co., to jointly and severally pay Rs 39.32 lakh, with 9 per cent annual interest from the date of the petition until realisation. The insurer has been allowed to recover the amount from the vehicle owner through execution proceedings. Thane MACT awards Rs 34 lakh compensation to two victims of 2019 accident In another case, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Maharashtra's Thane district has awarded a collective compensation of Rs 34 lakh to two victims of a 2019 accident involving a state transport bus. One victim died, while the other sustained serious injuries in the accident in Lonavala, which, the tribunal stated, had occurred due to the bus driver's negligence. Copies of the orders passed on July 15 were made available on Friday. Presiding officer R V Mohite passed orders on separate petitions filed under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act. (With inputs from PTI)
19 July,2025 02:03 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThackeray is not just a brand, but an identity of Maharashtra, Marathi manoos and Hindu pride, but some people are trying to finish it off, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has said, reported news agency PTI. In an interview with the Sena UBT's mouthpiece "Saamana", the former chief minister hit out at the Election Commission, saying it can freeze his party's symbol or give it to someone else, but it has no right to give away the party name coined by his grandfather Keshav Thackeray and father, founder Bal Thackeray, reported PTI. "Our deep roots in the Marathi soil go back several generations. The ties with Marathi manoos are strong since the time of my grandfather and Shiv Sena pramukh (Bal Thackeray). Now, I am there, Aaditya (Thackeray) is there, and even (MNS chief) Raj has come," he said, reported PTI. Thackeray means constant struggle, he asserted, in the first part of the interview with party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut published on Saturday. Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, have been using the phrase "Thackeray brand" to put up a united front. "Thackeray is not just a brand. It is the identity of Marathi manoos, Maharashtra and Hindu pride. Some people have tried to erase this identity. Many came to do this and they perished," the Sena (UBT) chief said in a veiled jibe at the BJP, reported PTI. Uddhav Thackeray has been accusing the BJP of trying to finish his party and has blamed it for engineering a split in the Shiv Sena in 2022. "Some people are trying to finish the Thackeray brand because they do not want anyone other than themselves (to be in power)," he said in the interview, reported PTI. The Shiv Sena split in June 2022 after Eknath Shinde and 39 party MLAs rebelled against its leadership, leading to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government helmed by Uddhav Thackeray. Shinde then joined hands with the BJP to form a government and became the chief minister. "Those who have not created anything, or set an example in any field, despite completing 100 years, have started stealing the (Thackeray) brand," he said, in a barb at the BJP and RSS, reported PTI. Taking a potshot at the Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, Uddhav Thackeray said anything can be stolen, but how can a name be stolen? "You can steal a party's symbol. But how can you steal the love and trust people have for the family?" Thackeray said, reported PTI. He further slammed the Election Commission, saying it cannot take away his party's symbol because, according to the Constitution, his party has done no wrong, reported PTI. The Election Commission has recognised the Shinde faction as the real Shiv Sena and granted it permission to use the bow and arrow symbol, while the Thackeray-led camp has allotted the name of Shiv Sena (UBT) and 'mashaal' (flaming torch) as its symbol. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court set August 11 to hear a plea of the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) against the Maharashtra assembly speaker's decision to give the "bow and arrow" party symbol to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. (With inputs from PTI)
19 July,2025 01:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLA Aaditya Thackeray's scathing remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have triggered a fresh political storm, now spilling onto the streets of Pune. In retaliation, the rival faction, Shinde-led Shiv Sena, has launched a poster campaign across the city, targeting Aaditya Thackeray personally and politically, reported news agency ANI. The posters, displayed at key junctions and public areas in Pune put out by Shiv Sena Pune City Chief Pramod (Nana) Bhangire, depict Aaditya as a cartoon character. One of the posters reads: "This battery will soon get drained... it runs on nepotism." Another takes a jibe at the ongoing investigation into the Mithi River Development Scam, stating: "Just keep counting... see how many will land in jail," reported ANI. This comes just days after Aaditya Thackeray publicly lashed out at Eknath Shinde in the Maharashtra Assembly and in media interactions. Without directly naming Shinde, Thackeray had called him a "traitor," "thankless," and "shameless" person who betrayed former CM Uddhav Thackeray despite being handed the powerful Urban Development portfolio. The remarks came amid heightened tensions during the ongoing monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislature, where opposition leader Bhaskar Jadhav had also accused Speaker Rahul Narwekar of bias and suppressing voices of the opposition during a debate session, which was raised under Rule 293 by Bhaskar Jadhav. The public display of political rivalry via posters suggests that the battle between the Shiv Sena factions is not just confined to the assembly but is now being waged openly on the streets, ahead of the upcoming civic body elections and crucial political alignments. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government's move to rename Islampur as Ishwarpur has come in for criticism from the opposition benches. Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh criticised the Government's decision saying that the focus should be on improving basic facilities like water, roads and public spaces, reported ANI. "Rename Islampur as Ishwarpur, do everything but besides this, also work for the welfare of the city. There is no proper drinking water facility or roads there. There are no gardens and playgrounds there. People are living in increasingly worse conditions. So, how long will you fool people like this?" he said, reported ANI. Reacting to this, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve said, "This government is only interested in creating casteism and conflicts." Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) leader Jayant Patil also claimed that there were very few people behind the demand to rename Islampur as Ishwarpur. "There were very few people who had been demanding this change for some years. This does not mean the locals wanted this, too," Patil said, reported ANI. Leaders from the Mahayuti government defended the decision. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis maintained that the name change was a response to a long-standing public demand. (With inputs from ANI)
19 July,2025 01:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCongress MLA Aslam Shaikh criticised the Maharashtra Government's decision to rename Islampur in Sangli district as Ishwarpur, saying that the focus should be on improving basic facilities like water, roads and public spaces. Speaking to ANI on Friday, Shaikh questioned how long the government would continue to fool people with such moves. "Rename Islampur as Ishwarpur, do everything but besides this, also work for the welfare of the city. There is no proper drinking water facility or roads there. There are no gardens and playgrounds there. People are living in increasingly worse conditions. So, how long will you fool people like this?" he told ANI. Reacting to this, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve told ANI, "This government is only interested in creating casteism and conflicts." Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) leader Jayant Patil also claimed that there were very few people behind the demand to rename Islampur as Ishwarpur. "There were very few people who had been demanding this change for some years. This does not mean the locals wanted this, too," Patil said, reported ANI. Meanwhile, leaders from the Mahayuti government defended the decision. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis maintained that the name change was a response to a long-standing public demand. CM Fadnavis said, "Jayant Patil has raised concerns, which I understand. But the original and historic name of the place was Ishwarpur. It was a long-standing demand of the people, and as the government in power, we have acted upon it," reported ANI. Supporting the decision, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane said that a place named "Islampur" does not fit with what he described as India being a "Hindu nation." "Today, CM Devendra Fadnavis has approved this decision. It was a long-standing demand of the people of that region...The name of a place in our country cannot be Islampur, where the majority of the people are Hindus. Is it Pakistan? This is a 'Hindu Rashtra', so the names of the places should be of Hindu ideology," he told ANI. The Maharashtra Government on Friday announced that Islampur in Sangli district will be renamed Ishwarpur. The announcement was made in the state legislature on the last day of the monsoon session. (With inputs from ANI)
19 July,2025 01:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
