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 9. Aries March 21 – April 20Having faith in the cosmic vibes/ energies guides life into serene waters. Several surprises are in store at this time.Cosmic tip: Enjoy this karmic cycle of big changes moving closer and closer towards you. TaurusApril 21 – May 20Enjoying this social time makes a good change since most Taureans are homebodies, loving their own company.Cosmic tip: Be aware of a person’s actions, not what is said. Actions give all the answers wordlessly. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Do all that’s possible to keep a matter out of court. A trip for work necessitates being careful about the diet.Cosmic tip: Clear up a misunderstanding immediately before it spirals out of control. Cancer June 22 – July 23Very casually, try and find out who is disrupting chances of a promotion. Then consider how to deal with it. Don’t make impulsive decisions.Cosmic tip: Be patient. Good things come to those who wait. Leo July 24 - Aug 23At best, it’s advisable to have a conversation with someone even if the answer given is slightly painful, but the truth. Career is challenging but enjoyable all the same.Cosmic tip: Deal tactfully with someone younger. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Making time to listen to a friend’s woes does them a lot of good. Learning has always been a passion, so pursue it. Drink enough water.Cosmic tip: Take control of thoughts and emotions. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Trying to control situations, keeping them on the straight and narrow may not work out today. Live and let live, peacefully.Cosmic tip: Go along with the flow, stepping around obstacles, but keeping thoughts positive. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Be patient even if you want to rocket an idea immediately. Competing with a colleague is a waste of energy.Cosmic tip: Keep conflicts at bay with family due to some ideas discussed with you. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22This karmic cycle favours new beginnings in relationships and setting down roots. Keep insecurity away by concentrating on strengths.Cosmic tip: Never talk about your fears as they lend energy to negative thoughts. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Some choose to work away from the present city, but this is good experience in totality. Points of view at a meeting may differ, but the goal remains the same.Cosmic tip: Respond with logic. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Re-setting roots in another area is possible for some Aquarians. The Tarot advises building your skills quietly; competence destroys competition. Get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Enjoy this karmic cycle of perfect rapport and closeness. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Completing two projects keep you working (at home) till late at night since a last minute change has to be incorporated in an assignment. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Stand firm in your values.
09 January,2026 01:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseFitness certificate issuance and renewal for commercial vehicles has come to a complete standstill across several districts of Maharashtra. The situation triggered a major operational and financial crisis for the transport sector. This disruption follows a directive issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on December 26, 2025, which led to the withdrawal of Parivahan system access for manual fitness testing in districts where Automated Testing Stations (ATS) are operational. As a result of the directive, transporters attempting to obtain or renew fitness certificates at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in adjoining districts are facing system-generated restrictions on the VAHAN portal. This has effectively blocked the fitness certification process, forcing thousands of commercial vehicles off the road and severely impacting transport operations in multiple regions. Advisor and former president of All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), Bal Malkit Singh said, “The decision has overlooked ground realities. He pointed out that while the MoRTH letter directs the Transport Commissioner’s office to submit an action plan for establishing ATS infrastructure statewide, only one ATS facility is currently operational in Nashik.” Singh further added, “Expecting commercial vehicles from adjoining districts to travel long distances solely for fitness testing is impractical, illogical and economically unviable.” He further highlighted that commercial vehicles operate under strict delivery schedules and contractual obligations. Singh further added that commercial vehicles operate under tight delivery schedules and contractual commitments, and the current situation is causing: Heavy financial losses due to vehicle idling. Severe disruption of essential supply chains, including food grains, FMCG, fuel, industrial raw materials, and other critical goods. Increased operational costs, fuel wastage, and manpower losses. Risk of penal action against vehicle owners due to expired fitness certificates, despite no fault of theirs. Acute hardship to small and medium transport operators, who are already under financial stress. Emphasising the urgency of the issue, Singh said prolonged disruption in fitness certification could have far-reaching consequences for trade, industry and public supply systems. “The transport sector is the backbone of the economy. Immediate interim arrangements are essential until adequate ATS infrastructure is established across all districts,” he added. The transport community has urged the Transport Commissioner of Maharashtra to urgently intervene by providing an interim solution, issuing temporary relaxations or necessary clarifications on the VAHAN system, and expediting the phased rollout of ATS facilities to ensure a smooth transition without paralysing transport operations across the state.
08 January,2026 09:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCentral Railway suburban train services were disrupted during the evening peak hour on Thursday after a massive fire broke out in a garbage train at Kurla, officials said. The incident led to the shutdown of power supply between Kurla and Vidyavihar stations, they said. According to railway officials, the fire occurred around 8.30 pm in a muck special rake stationed in the EMU siding at Kurla. Slow line services suspended Following the fire, slow local train services towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) were suspended. To ensure safety and allow firefighting operations, the overhead electric (OHE) supply between Sion and Vidyavihar was switched off. Firefighting operations underway A Central Railway spokesperson said efforts were underway to douse the fire. “At Kurla, in the EMU siding, a muck special rake caught fire at around 8.30 pm. Firefighting operations are in progress. Traffic on the UP slow local line has been temporarily suspended, and the OHE between Sion and Vidyavihar has been switched off,” the spokesperson said. Passengers face delays The disruption caused significant delays for suburban commuters during peak hours. Railway authorities advised passengers to remain patient as teams worked to restore normal services at the earliest. Fire Doused, restoration underway Railway officials said the fire was fully doused between 8.38 pm and 8.55 pm. After the fire was brought under control, steps were immediately taken to restore power supply and resume train services. "Firefighting operations have been completed and suburban services are now being gradually restored," officials said.
08 January,2026 09:17 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe reunion of the two Thackeray cousins for the BMC Election 2026 has raised questions over whether the alliance would be short-lived. Putting an end to speculation, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said that he and MNS chief Raj Thackeray will never part ways, news agency PTI reported. While talking to the media on Thursday, Uddhav said, “Till the time we came together, people used to ask us as to why we are not coming together. Now they are asking why we have come together and for how long we will stay together." “These things don't mean a lot. We have come together after much thought and understanding. Now, we will never part ways and stay united,” added the former Maharashtra CM. Last month, Udhav and Raj had announced to fight the polls together after nearly two decades and announced an alliance for the January 15 civic polls in Mumbai as well as 28 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra. When asked if Uddhav, the political leader, prevails over Uddhav, the avid photographer, the Sena-UBT chief said, “I am originally an artist. I am the son of a cartoonist (Sena founder Bal Thackeray). You can buy a work of art, but you can't buy art. Art has to be in the blood. I am a person who is at home in the arts." The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief further recalled that it was Raj's father Shrikant who gave him his first camera and it still holds a very special place in his heart. When asked if he sees any other political leader who has ‘art in his blood’, Uddhav replied, ‘(PM) Modi ji is one such person. Do you think of anyone else?’ Uddhav and Raj Thackeray to hold joint public rally in Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Jan 11 In view of strengthening their hold ahead of the BMC Election 2026, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, along with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, is gearing up to hold a joint public rally in Mumbai's Shivaji Park, sources said. Uddhav and Raj Thackeray are likely to address a massive public rally at Shivaji Park in Dadar on January 11, they said. The Thackeray cousins will organise the rally to strengthen their hold ahead of the polls that are scheduled on January 15. As a part of their campaign strategy, the joint rally by Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS will underscore a rare united front between the two leaders. (With inputs from PTI)
08 January,2026 08:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Survey of India to enhance academic, research, and technical collaboration. An official statement said that under the agreement, a state-of-the-art Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) will be established on the university campus, marking a significant boost for precision in GPS-based surveying, mapping, and geolocation. The new CORS will provide centimetre-level accuracy in real-time for geospatial data, benefiting government departments, private surveyors, engineers, researchers, and students. The Continuously Operating Reference Station will be crucial for applications such as urban planning, smart city projects, infrastructure development, construction, transport management, and disaster management, the statement said. Hands-on learning and research opportunities Students and researchers at Mumbai University, particularly in geography, geoinformatics, GIS, remote sensing, and AI/ML-based geospatial studies, will gain practical experience with modern GPS technology. They will also have access to Survey of India’s legacy and digital geospatial data, CORS networks, and other geospatial services under the National Geospatial Policy 2022. National collaboration for academic growth The collaboration includes opportunities for postgraduate and PhD students to work closely with Survey of India officials, participate in real-time projects, and receive training in advanced geospatial methods. The agreement aims to strengthen both academic and technical support for the Survey of India’s national objectives. Inaugural signing ceremony The MoU was signed with participation from Mumbai University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ravindra Kulkarni, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ajay Bhamre, Finance Officer CA Harshal Wagh, and Geography Department heads Dr. Sanjukta Sattār and Dr. Aparna Phadke. From the Survey of India, Director A.K. Singh, Y.K. Rathod (DSS), P.R.K. Prasad, D.C. Ambhore, and Bhupendra Parmar were present. Officials expressed confidence that the collaboration would advance geospatial technology usage in education, research, and national development.
08 January,2026 08:54 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentShiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said he had campaigned to make Narendra Modi the prime minister in 2014 and 2019, but accused the latter of trying to destroy his party. “I am sad and angry that I campaigned for Modi ji in 2014 and 2019. Even after helping him twice, he broke my party,” Thackeray told PTI. “I was saying that he should be made the prime minister. Now, he is saying that I should be finished,” he said, adding, “People have started to realise these two things.” Thackeray also claimed that separating Mumbai from Maharashtra is an “old dream” of the BJP. “Now they think that Balasaheb Thackeray is not there and they have finished off the Sena on paper. But they can't do so on the ground,” he said. “You must have seen that till 2012, when Balasaheb was there, they (BJP) were ‘seedhey’ (straight),” he noted. Asked if he wished to blame someone for the “falling standards” of politics, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said, “More than a person, it would be the behaviour, like the behaviour of the BJP.” Uddhav and Raj Thackeray to hold joint public rally in Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Jan 11 With just a few days to go for the BMC Election 2026, Uddhav Thackeray, along with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, is gearing up to hold joint public rally in Mumbai's Shivaji Park, sources said. Uddhav and Raj Thackeray are likely to address a massive public rally at Shivaji Park in Dadar on January 11, they said. The Thackeray cousins will organise the rally to strengthen their hold ahead of the polls that are scheduled on January 15. As a part of their campaign strategy, the joint rally by Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS will underscore a rare united front between the two leaders. The Thackeray cousins, who were sheer political rivals a few months ago, are now standing shoulder to shoulder, campaigning together under a combined banner to challenge the ruling party alliance in the city. Uddhav and Raj Thackeray’s joint appearances come on the back of a recently released alliance manifesto which outlined shared commitments and policy priorities for Mumbai’s development. Earlier on Tuesday, Raj and Uddhav also stepped up in view of campaigning for the BMC Election 2026 by visiting party offices, known as 'shakhas', across Mumbai. The Thackeray cousins, who were earlier more focused on Shakha visits over large public rallies, have now finally decided to hold a large public rally. Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS are contesting the BMC elections as part of an alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction). (With PTI inputs)
08 January,2026 08:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCentral Railway on Thursday said that during its intensified efforts to curb unauthorised and ticketless travel have led to achieving significant results during the financial year 2025-26 between April to December. An official statement said that through systematic ticket checking drives, the railway apprehended 30.75 lakh passengers travelling without valid tickets, marking an increase of nearly 10 per cent compared to 28.01 lakh passengers during the same period last year. A total of Rs.183.16 crores was recovered in penalties, over 20 per cent higher than the Rs.151.99 crores collected in the previous financial year, the officials said. December 2025 figures highlight sharp rise In December 2025, ticket checking teams caught 3.24 lakh passengers travelling without valid tickets, compared with 2.93 lakh passengers in December 2024, indicating a rise of more than 10 per cent, the statement said. Penalties collected during the month amounted to Rs.18.25 crores, a jump of nearly 35 per cent from Rs.13.55 crores in December 2024, said the officials. Division-wise performance Pic/Central Railway According to the Central Railway, during April-December 2025, its divisions reported the following figures -- - Bhusaval division: Rs.63.83 crores from 7.54 lakh cases - Mumbai division: Rs.55.12 crores from 12.82 lakh cases - Pune division: Rs.20.84 crores from 3.41 lakh cases - Nagpur division: Rs.20.75 crores from 3.33 lakh cases - Solapur division: Rs.8.39 crores from 1.81 lakh cases - Headquarters: Rs.14.22 crores from 1.83 lakh cases Multi-pronged strategy to stop ticketless travel Pic/Central Railway Central Railway employs station checks, ambush checks, fortress checks, intensive checks and mega ticket drives across all Mail/Express, Passenger, Special trains and Mumbai local trains. The officials said that similar checks were also conducted at Pune suburban networks. Passengers are urged to travel only with valid tickets purchased from authorised sources, including railway counters, ATVMs, the IRCTC website, or the Rail One app. The railway emphasised that fraudulent tickets are punishable under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act 2023, with fines and imprisonment of up to seven years or both. Central Railway reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for ticketless travel and reaffirmed its commitment to providing safe, smooth and dignified journeys for all passengers.
08 January,2026 08:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a significant breakthrough, Kalyan Police in Thane district have arrested two brothers who were absconding for the past nine years after being named in an attempted murder case, news agency PTI reported, quoting an official on Thursday. The accused, Vinod Jagannath Kamble and Nagsen alias Nagesh Jagannath Kamble, had been on the run since 2016. Senior inspector Ajit Shinde of the Kalyan Crime Branch, while briefing about the arrest, said, "The accused constantly changed their residence. Acting on specific intelligence, our team conducted discreet surveillance and nabbed them from Kalher village." Shinde added that the probe is still on. Mumbai court acquits all eight accused of killing construction contractor A Mumbai court on Wednesday acquitted all the eight accused more than 10 years after film set construction contractor Raju Shinde was shot dead in Aarey Colony. As per reports, the accused were initially arrested by Mumbai Police in connection with the 2015 Film City murder case, and nearly 10 years later, the sessions court on Monday acquitted all eight accused in the case. The murder took place in May 2015, when Shinde was attacked by two bike-borne assailants near Film City. The verdict was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge TT Aglawe of the city civil and additional sessions court. The judge acquitted the accused of charges under Section 302 (murder) and Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, along with charges under the Indian Arms Act. The eight persons acquitted were identified as Sumit Atmaram Talekar, Jugal alias Papu Babu Dhodiya, Yogesh Ramkrishna Kokane, Sandip Pitambar Khairnar, Satish Ashok More, Jeetu Shankar Dheevar, Suresh Subhash Gaikwad, and Ismail Aadam Khan. While passing the order, the court also directed that the accused be released immediately if they were not required in any other case. Each accused has been asked to submit a personal bond of Rs 15,000 under Section 437-A of the Criminal Procedure Code. The court further ordered that seized weapons be sent to the district magistrate for lawful disposal. The mobile phones and motorcycle seized will be auctioned after the appeal period ends. At the time of the verdict, some of the accused were produced from Thane and Taloja jails, while others were present in court following their bail. Advocates Bhanudas Jagtap and Anushka Jagtap represented four of the accused. Other defence counsels included Advocate Shirsath and Advocate JB Mane. The prosecution was represented by Additional Public Prosecutor IK Shaikh. (With inputs from PTI)
08 January,2026 08:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAt least three people were killed and four others injured after a car carrying seven people overturned in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district, around 490 kilometres from Mumbai, an official said on Thursday. The accident occurred late Wednesday night at the Kannad ghat section in Chalisgaon. The seven passengers, who were from Shevgaon in Ahilyanagar, were travelling to Ujjain in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, the official added, reported news agency PTI. "The car overturned after the driver lost control in the ghat's hilly terrain. All seven occupants of the vehicle sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital, where three, identified as Tukaram Ambhore (27), Shekhar Durpate (31) and Ghanshyam Pisote (30), were declared dead on arrival," he said, reported PTI. An accidental death case was registered and further probe is underway, the official added. Four killed, six injured in road accident in Nashik district Four people, three of them from Rajasthan, were killed and six others injured in a head-on collision between two cars in Nashik district of Maharashtra on Wednesday afternoon, police said, reported news agency PTI. The accident occurred on a national highway in Dindori taluka of the district, they said. As many as six people received injuries in the accident, and they were admitted to Nashik District Hospital and a private hospital, according to police. Both vehicles were badly damaged in the accident. According to police, at around 3 pm, an Ertiga car going towards Peth from Nashik collided head-on with a Scorpio SUV coming from the opposite direction near Chachadgaon toll plaza, leaving four people dead, reported PTI. The deceased were identified as Chogalal Hiralal Gurjar (75), Kishanlal Hiralal Gurjar (45) and Poonam Gurjar (40), all residents of Devgarh in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. They were travelling in the SUV. Ertiga car driver, Shahrukh Khan Farakat Khan (28), a resident of Silvassa in Dadara & Nagar Haveli, also died in the crash, police said, reported PTI. Three dead as two-wheeler hits MSRTC bus in Buldhana In another incident, three persons died on Monday afternoon after their two-wheeler collided with a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus in Buldhana, a police official said, reported PTI. The incident took place on Dhad-Sambhajinagar road and the deceased are residents of Dhalsawangi, he added. (With PTI inputs)
08 January,2026 08:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA woman was rescued from the deep waters near Marine Drive in south Mumbai on Thursday afternoon after a wireless distress call alerted the South Regional Police, officials said. The incident occurred around 2 pm when police received information that a woman had entered the sea and required immediate assistance. Officers from Marine Drive Police Station, including Police Constable Chavan, Constable Kadam, PSI Tadvi, and personnel from the L&O Platoon, rushed to the scene. They successfully pulled the woman out of the water and brought her to the police station for further care. Medical assistance provided The woman sustained injuries to her feet and was subsequently taken to GT Hospital in Mumbai for medical examination by female police personnel. Authorities are investigating why she entered the sea. Family traced Police have also launched efforts to locate the woman’s relatives and ensure her safety.
08 January,2026 08:10 PM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilMaharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal on Thursday accused the BJP of hypocrisy, saying that in its bid to create a “Congress-free India”, the ruling party has itself become filled with leaders poached from the Congress, reported the PTI. Speaking to reporters after a campaign meeting ahead of the January 15 Maharashtra local body elections, Sapkal referred to recent political developments in Ambernath, where Congress councillors joined hands with the BJP after the municipal polls. Sapkal said that the Congress had suspended its councillors for aligning with the BJP without consulting the party leadership. However, instead of condemning the move, the BJP welcomed the suspended councillors into its own fold. “In its attempt to make India Congress-mukt, the BJP has turned Congress-yukt,” Sapkal said, adding that the party’s double standards had been exposed by events in Ambernath and Akot, according to the PTI. BJP embraced the defectors Sapkal alleged that the BJP was willing to compromise on its stated principles purely for the sake of power. “The Congress took strict action, while the BJP embraced the defectors. This highlights the gap between what the BJP says and what it actually does,” he said. Sapkal also criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying he failed to act decisively and merely issued a statement calling such alliances unacceptable. “For the sake of power, the BJP is even comfortable joining hands with Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM. This reflects the party’s moral decline,” Sapkal alleged, as per the PTI. Controversial remark on late Congress leader and former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh The Congress leader further criticised state BJP president Ravindra Chavan for his controversial remark suggesting that the memory of late Congress leader and former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh would be erased from Latur. Sapkal said the comment reflected arrogance born out of power, adding that leaders like Deshmukh had made significant contributions to Maharashtra’s development, the news agency reported. Chavan has since apologised for his remarks. Sapkal also alleged that Fadnavis had made insulting comments about former chief minister Ashok Chavan, who has since joined the BJP, at a public meeting in Nanded, where Sapkal was present. Unopposed elections serious threat to democracy He further claimed that several ruling party candidates were being elected unopposed across Maharashtra not due to popularity, but because of pressure, intimidation and the use of money power. According to Sapkal, the police, administration and even the election machinery appeared to be supporting the ruling party in such cases. He warned that the growing trend of unopposed elections posed a serious threat to democracy and the Constitution, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
08 January,2026 06:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
