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 December 5. Aries March 21 – April 20A wish is answered quicker than expected. A financially stable karmic cycle draws in quite a lot of new business. Cosmic tip: Send a prayer of thanks for being able to sleep easily every night. TaurusApril 21 – May 20An addition to positive past karmas is a decision to get in touch with someone you’ve unfriended. Many people consider you a guru-figure.Cosmic tip: Be aware if accepting or rejecting an unusual offer. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Everyday schedules seem boring now since a positive karmic cycle draws in good times, having fun with friends, enjoying the food. Cosmic tip: Do maintain a healthy diet. Cancer June 22 – July 23A decision to relocate has been made. Life is a learning lesson of how actions bring karmic justice. Cosmic tip: Appreciate how life has gradually progressed, advancing to the present. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Work might be slightly challenging, but you are quite prepared to deal with it. A relative keeps on harping about the ‘good old days. Cosmic tip: Be aware, allowing new friends to enter life. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23A plateau phase challenges patience since there are so many messages expected. Cosmic tip: Be supportive towards a colleague who has just joined the organisation. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Be cautious about interactions with a colleague whom you may offend without meaning to, especially when working with a team. Cosmic tip: Follow through with the desire to increase knowledge. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Some consult a mentor about a decision. Self-employed Scorpios must carefully consider a friend’s idea of starting a business partnership.Cosmic tip: Keep chaotic and confused emotions under check. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Receiving expected money feels great. A karmic cycle for buying/ selling/renting property begins. There are a few difficult moments in a meeting. Cosmic tip: Pay attention to subtle body language cues. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Change your investing pattern if the present one isn’t working. Maintain distance from complex conditions. Cosmic tip: Acknowledge help received at home and at work. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Appreciate the fact that a mini holiday can be taken any time. Get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Let go of ego-based arguments with your spouse/ partner; a peaceful and loving atmosphere is more important. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20A business meeting stops mid-way to acknowledge someone who is late by half an hour; then commences again. Practise mindful living in the moment.Cosmic tip: Appreciate wisdom of elders which never gets dated.
05 December,2025 01:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseThe Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has ordered the closure of 19 ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) for breaching environmental guidelines and contributing to worsening air quality, reported the PTI. RMC plants manufacture pre-mixed concrete -- a blend of cement, water and aggregates -- for use in construction projects. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the MPCB said that the action followed a compliance survey that revealed several RMC units were operating without adequate dust control measures, emission management systems or mandatory permissions. Inspection teams are currently carrying out field checks across the MMR, and the board has said strict enforcement will continue through the winter, according to the PTI. The MPCB operates 32 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) across Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan and Panvel. Fourteen of these are managed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) readings from these stations are available on the Central Pollution Control Board’s online dashboard and are shared across media platforms, as per the PTI. To identify pollution hotspots, 22 mobile air quality monitoring vans have also been deployed across Maharashtra. These have been scanning transport corridors, industrial zones and areas with a high concentration of RMC plants. The board warned that violations detected during such surveys would attract strict action. The MPCB said it had issued revised operational guidelines for RMC units in October 2023 and had now begun reviewing their implementation on the ground. During the latest survey, four RMC units in Deonar and Govandi -- Om Global Operation, SSG Ltd, Rambha Infrastructure Pvt Ltd and Unity Construction Pvt Ltd—were ordered to shut, while three units submitted a bank guarantee of Rs 5 lakh each. The board has also ordered action against unauthorised metal furnaces operating in Sanjay Gandhi Nagar and Sion, directing them to cease operations and asking the BMC to begin dismantling procedures. In addition, the Mumbai Port Trust has been told to impose preventive restrictions in the Wadala-Mahim belt after emissions were detected during monitoring, the news agency reported. Further violations were found at six RMC units each in Thane and Navi Mumbai, and nine in Kalyan, bringing the total number of shutdowns to 19 plants. The MPCB said it has stepped up its pollution-control campaign and will continue strong enforcement against non-compliant industries. Senior officials, including member secretary M. M. Devendra Singh, have been personally involved in inspections. The board appealed to industries to comply with environmental regulations. (with PTI inputs)
04 December,2025 11:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Central Railway on Thursday announced that Mohope Railway Station on the Panvel-Karjat line in Maharashtra was renamed as Poyanje and the new station code will now be PYJE. The change follows a decision by the Government of Maharashtra. Mohope and Poyanje are small villages near the railway station on the Panvel-Karjat line, which is currently seeing significant development under the ambitious Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III. All railway records, station signage, announcements, and passenger information systems was being updated with the new name of the railway station, officials said. "Passengers and the public are advised to take note of the change," said an official. The renaming marks the second railway station in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to be renamed within a week. Earlier, the Seawoods-Darave station was renamed Seawoods-Darave-Karave station by railway authorities.
04 December,2025 11:09 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarDo 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 December 4. Aries March 21 – April 20Evolving changes bring unexpected opportunities which have a direct impact on work. Maintain a sustained diet.Cosmic tip: Keep emotions calm, settled and secure to keep the relationship steady. TaurusApril 21 – May 20Be there for a friend who needs your practical no-nonsense advice, which is still laced with empathy. Cosmic tip: Study for a certification or a diploma course if that’s the need of the times. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Reacting to what might be a miscommunication might confuse an already sensitive situation further. Cosmic tip: Nurture an important friendship. Cancer June 22 – July 23Life is a palette of bright and happy shades with a few greyer tones added, because that is life. Cosmic tip: Avoid aggressively pursuing what you feel is right (it may not be so). Leo July 24 - Aug 23A feeling of restriction felt in several areas of life disappears. Cosmic tip: Initiate talks about an ongoing issue that is more irritating for you than really a problem. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23News or a conversation over the phone has you congratulating the one calling. A minor conflict settles down, with you being relieved. Cosmic tip: Allow the mind-set to change without trying to hold onto the past. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Several high-end clients are signed for the company. Travel for business negotiation is kept on the back burner for now. Cosmic tip: Enjoy this family time of strengthening or renewing bonds of love. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Diversifying the business further is considered by some. Keep a professional façade while interacting with colleagues.Cosmic tip: Take up a hobby to calm the mind. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Receiving expected money feels great. A karmic cycle for buying/ selling/renting property begins. There are a few difficult moments in a meeting. Cosmic tip: Pay attention to subtle body language cues. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Relocation due to the job is revealed for some. Losing your temper places you at a disadvantage.Cosmic tip: Enjoy this emotional connection with the spouse/ partner. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19A reconciliation is revealed if ready for it. Dealing with more responsibility at work is a sign of success as well as (a possible) commencement of office politics. Cosmic tip: Take care of general health. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Try not to complicate accounts and finances by juggling money between investments and bank accounts. Do get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Be patient, willing to wait for the right moment to have a talk.
04 December,2025 09:50 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseStudents of a college in Mumbai’s western suburbs staged a protest outside the institute’s premises this week, contesting what they said was a recent burqa ban imposed by the administration. According to the students of Vivek Vidyalaya Junior College in Goregaon, they were not allowed to wear a burqa despite repeated requests, though the institute permitted a headscarf. Following the protest and a letter submitted by the students, the college issued a detailed statement denying the allegations. “At the outset, we deny all your allegations, averments against our educational institution by reserving our right to initiate appropriate remedy provided under law and respond as follows,” the statement said. The institute added: “Our institute has no reservations for the Muslim girl students wearing the hijab, and in fact, there is no ban to the said practice. It seems that there is a misrepresentation, which has led to unnecessary issues which were totally avoidable.” The college further said it had “decided to implement the request of burkha without niqab with immediate effect”, while clarifying that the decision “shall not be considered as a precedent”. It also said no fundamental rights had been violated “as stated in your letter under reply”. The statement urged the students to ensure that “communal harmony, law and order issues are not created in and around the premises” and asked that “all the posts, videos, materials circulating in the social media” be deleted. It added: “We deny all your allegations in the letter under reply and nothing may be deemed as admitted unless specifically admitted… we advise you not to create any unnecessary issues which may affect the unity, integrity, social fabric of our diverse nation.” Student representatives said the matter has now been resolved, and that the college will allow the wearing of the burqa.
04 December,2025 09:37 PM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarThe Central Railway, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, on Thursday announced a temporary restriction on the sale of platform tickets at 13 major stations from December 5 to 7, 2025, ahead of the expected heavy rush of devotees visiting on Mahaparinirvan Diwas 2025. The move aims to manage crowding on platforms and ensure smooth passenger movement within station premises, officials said. The affected stations and dates are as follows: Mumbai Division: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Dadar station (December 5-7, 2025) Bhusaval Division: Bhusaval, Nashik Road, Manmad, Jalgaon, Akola, Shegaon, Pachora, Badnera, Malkapur, Chalisgaon (December 5-6, 2025) Nagpur Division: Nagpur station (December 5-6, 2025) Certain passengers are exempted from these restrictions, including those accompanying elderly, senior citizens, ailing persons, children, illiterate passengers, and women unable to travel alone, to ensure ease of travel, an official statement said. The Central Railway has urged all passengers to plan their travel accordingly and follow the new regulations for a safe and smooth journey, it said. Meanwhile, in an another statement, Central Railway said that it will operate 12 additional suburban special trains on the occasion of Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Mahaparinirvan Divas 2025, officials had earlier said. The special trains will run between Parel-Kalyan and Kurla-Panvel on the midnight of December 5-6, (Friday-Saturday), stopping at all stations to facilitate passenger travel. Main Line - UP Specials (Parel-Kalyan section): Kurla-Parel Special: Departs Kurla 00:45 hrs, arrives Parel 01:05 hrs Kalyan-Parel Special: Departs Kalyan 01:00 hrs, arrives Parel 02:20 hrs Thane-Parel Special: Departs Thane 02:10 hrs, arrives Parel 02:55 hrs Main Line - DOWN Specials (Kalyan-Parel section): Parel-Thane Special: Departs Parel 01:15 hrs, arrives Thane 01:55 hrs Parel-Kalyan Special: Departs Parel 02:30 hrs, arrives Kalyan 03:50 hrs Parel-Kurla Special: Departs Parel 03:05 hrs, arrives Kurla 03:20 hrs Harbour Line - UP Specials (Panvel-Kurla section): Vashi-Kurla Special: Departs Vashi 01:30 hrs, arrives Kurla 02:10 hrs Panvel-Kurla Special: Departs Panvel 01:40 hrs, arrives Kurla 02:45 hrs Vashi-Kurla Special: Departs Vashi 03:10 hrs, arrives Kurla 03:40 hrs Harbour Line - DOWN Specials (Kurla-Panvel section): Kurla-Vashi Special: Departs Kurla 02:30 hrs, arrives Vashi 03:00 hrs Kurla-Panvel Special: Departs Kurla 03:00 hrs, arrives Panvel 04:00 hrs Kurla-Vashi Special: Departs Kurla 04:00 hrs, arrives Vashi 04:35 hrs
04 December,2025 09:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPassengers at Mumbai airport described scenes of confusion, exhaustion and deep frustration as widespread IndiGo flight disruptions left hundreds stranded for hours with little communication or support. Sanjay, an IndiGo passenger, said staff informed him that the airline had been facing “glitches for the past two days” due to a software update in Airbus systems, which had disrupted schedules across multiple routes. “IndiGo isn’t taking any care of its customers,” he said. “I missed my connecting flight due to the delay. I even tried calling the Aviation Ministry, but no one answered.” According to passengers, the situation at the airport has been “chaotic”, with people standing for hours with their luggage as they waited for clarity. “Old people and kids are also suffering because of the flight cancellations,” Sanjay said. He added that the next available flights for some routes were two days later, while others were told they would have to wait six to seven days. “What are people supposed to do? This was just a halt location for many, not their destination,” he said. “IndiGo has become careless. They didn’t even offer a bottle of water after such a big inconvenience.” Another passenger, Jumman Ali Khan, shared a heartbreaking account. “My brother passed away yesterday,” he said. “The ticket prices are Rs 36,000, Rs 38,000, even Rs 40,000, but we are poor. His parents are sitting here. We are not even getting a flight. They are not able to go.” His family, already grieving, has been forced to wait at the airport for hours with no clarity on when they will be able to travel. Passengers urged authorities to intervene immediately. “The aviation department should look into this and provide us proper service,” Sanjay said. “We need help now.” Airline pilot's body urges DGCA to review crew availability amid rising cancellations The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) on Thursday raised concerns over recent flight cancellations across the country, which have been largely attributed to a pilot shortage linked to new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) regulations. The association questioned whether the crisis stems from poor airline planning, regulatory oversight by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), or a combination of factors affecting market fairness. ALPA highlighted that airlines, including IndiGo, were aware of the revised FDTL norms issued by the DGCA in January 2024, with phased implementation beginning later that year. Despite sufficient lead time, many carriers reportedly failed to properly adjust crew rosters 15 days in advance as required, suggesting an initial underestimation or delay in strategic planning to ensure adequate pilot availability. Aviation experts have also speculated that some airlines might be using flight delays and cancellations as an “immature pressure tactic” to compel regulators to relax or grant dispensations for the stricter FDTL norms, potentially compromising the safety intent of these rules designed to reduce pilot fatigue. Slot hoarding has also come under scrutiny. The practice, which involves airlines securing more flight slots than they can effectively operate, is a common issue in competitive aviation. Slot allocation is usually based on historical usage, or “grandfather rights,” along with the airline’s proposed schedule. Some carriers, especially during the winter schedule, may “hoard” premium slots desired by rivals but fail to utilise them adequately, raising concerns over misuse.
04 December,2025 08:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMalwani Police in Mumbai took strong action against the suspects who allegedly assaulted police personnel during an arrest operation, officials said. Piyush Suresh Kotak and his son Rahil Kotak are accused of assaulting cops at MHB Colony in Gate No. 7 on November 3, 2025. According to police sources, a police team led by Senior Inspector Shailendra Nagarkar was allegedly assaulted when officers attempted to detain the duo. The accused and their family members reportedly abused, pushed, and obstructed the officers, while Ankush Kotak allegedly injured a cop using a metal wheel. Two unidentified women also fled after assisting in the attack. Despite the resistance, police managed to detain Piyush, Ankush, and Mohit Kotak. The accused allegedly refused to enter the vehicle and insisted on walking “shirtless”, after which they were escorted on foot. The act, captured on video, later circulated widely online. It has been alleged that the accused, who attacked on-duty officers, were paraded shirtless after arrest. Just a day earlier, a case had been registered against the duo for allegedly assaulting Police Riot Control Force personnel during a traffic dispute near Gate No. 7. Officers Vaibhav Patil and Rahul Divte sustained injuries in that incident. A case under the relevant sections of the BNS was registered on December 2. A fresh case was registered again on 3 December, and the accused were arrested. They are currently in police custody, said an officer from Malwani Police Station.
04 December,2025 07:42 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanTo mark Navy Day 2025, Vice Admiral Rahul Vilas Gokhale, YSM NM, Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command, laid a floral wreath at the Gaurav Stambh in the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on Thursday. A ceremonial guard was paraded as part of the solemn event, an official statement said. The Gaurav Stambh stands as a tribute to the Navy’s ‘Victory at Sea’ and honours the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of naval personnel who embody the highest traditions of the Indian Navy, it said. Rear Admiral Ajay Patney, Admiral Superintendent of Naval Dockyard Mumbai, and Rear Admiral Shantanu Jha, NM, Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area, also laid floral wreaths to pay homage, the statement said. The ceremony reflected the Navy’s enduring commitment to service and its continued remembrance of those who have safeguarded the nation’s maritime interests, it said.
04 December,2025 07:19 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentWeeks after the death of Byculla Zoo’s 9-year-old Royal Bengal tiger named Shakti on November 17, it has come to light that yet another tiger had died at Byculla Zoo in Mumbai --its 3-year-old male Royal Bengal tiger named Rudra -- on 29 October 2025, officials said. According to information from the Byculla Zoo authorities, Rudra was born with Trypanosoma and was extremely weak at birth. Over the past three years, various treatments were administered to Rudra, who succumbed to his illness on October 29, before the death of Shakti. Rudra was the cub born to Shakti and Karishma. On February 2020, the pair of Royal Bengal tigers — Shakti (male) and Karishma (female) — were brought to the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo in Byculla from the Siddhartha Garden and Zoo in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. In a statement issued on November 26, the BMC confirmed that Shakti died from respiratory failure due to pneumonia, refuting reports circulating on social media that Shakti died because of a bone stuck in his respiratory tract during a meal. However, the announcement did not mention the earlier death of another tiger at the zoo. When asked, an official from the zoo said, “We are awaiting the report on the cause of death. It is being confirmed by the Mumbai Veterinary College (Parel), and hence no statement was made at the same time as the statement about Shakti’s death.” The zoo at present has two tigers, Karishma and her cub Jay.
04 December,2025 07:02 PM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSMaharashtra Congress chief Harshawardhan Sapkal on Thursday accused the Mahayuti Government of not fulfilling its commitments on issues such as farm loan waivers and employment, news agency PTI reported. The Mahayuti government will complete a year in power on December 5, Friday. While speaking to the media on Thursday, Sapkal also alleged serious irregularities in the recently held local body polls. The Maharashtra Congress chief further demanded that the Election Commission take immediate action. The Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena, won 235 seats in the 288-member House in the November 2024 assembly polls. Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as chief minister on December 5, 2024. Sapkal claimed that the government has not fulfilled its commitments on financial support for women, farm loan waivers and jobs for youth. He also alleged that crime networks and corruption had increased, and key public issues were being ignored. "This has been a year of financial and intellectual bankruptcy," asserted the state Congress chief. He also imposed serious irregularities in the first phase of elections to 263 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra held on Tuesday, PTI reported. He claimed that election officials at Salekasa Nagar Panchayat in Gondia District opened the seal of 17 EVMs after voting hours and allowed voting again but no FIR had been registered. The Maharashtra Congress chief also said that the incident raised questions over the fairness of the election process. The local body polls were being held after 10 years following a Supreme Court directive, but the conduct of authorities has led to "concerns over transparency", Sapkal further added. Throwing light on voter irregularities, he said that Congress has been raising issues of bogus voting, errors in electoral rolls and lack of reforms, and will hold a rally in New Delhi on December 14 against alleged vote manipulation. Sapkal further accused the Maharashtra government of failing to support farmers affected by heavy rain between May and October, reported PTI. Crops and farmland were damaged across several districts, yet there was no clarity on the Rs 33,000-crore relief package announced by the state government, he said. The Maharashtra Congress leader also claimed that the state government had not sent a proposal to the Centre for financial support and therefore did not receive funds. "This indicates there is no intention to help farmers," he added. Sapkal also targeted the government over the arrest of Shital Tejwani, an accused in the case linked to the controversial sale of government land in the Mundhwa area of Pune to a company owned by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's son Parth. (With inputs from PTI)
04 December,2025 05:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
