Maharashtra Agriculture Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Manikrao Kokate has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Nashik district and sessions court in a 1995 case involving the use of fraudulent documents to obtain government flats under a special housing scheme. In addition to the jail term, he has been fined Rs 50,000. His brother, Sunil Kokate, was also convicted in the same case.The verdict was delivered by Additional Chief Justice

The Maharashtra government, under Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has withdrawn Y-security cover for 20 MLAs from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, signaling growing tensions within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. While security reductions have also affected some BJP and NCP legislators, the majority impacted belong to the Shinde Sena faction. This move is being viewed as an assertion of authority by Fadnavis and a step to curb the misuse of state resources, but it has also intensified the

Amid growing speculation of a power struggle in Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have set up separate offices in Mantralaya, highlighting internal tensions. Fadnavis has established an assistance and medical desk, while Shinde has placed his own medical assistance desk right next to it. Additionally, Fadnavis’s war room is overseeing key projects, while Shinde has set up a coordination committee room t

Babar Azam, the Pakistan cricket team captain, has achieved a significant milestone during the final of the ODI tri-series against New Zealand at the National Stadium on Friday. He became the joint-fastest batter to reach 6,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs), matching the record set by South African legend Hashim Amla, who also reached the mark in 123 innings.Babar’s achievement not only made him the joint-fastest to this landmark, but he also became the fastest Asian batter to s

The Union Budget 2025 has introduced significant changes to the income tax regime, offering relief to middle-class taxpayers. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed raising the basic exemption limit to Rs 4 lakh and increased the income threshold for the rebate under Section 87A to Rs 12 lakh. This means individuals earning up to Rs 12 lakh, with a standard deduction of Rs 75,000, can avoid paying taxes altogether. But for those earning more than Rs 12.75 lakh, choosing between the old

The Telangana government has initiated the construction of a new Osmania Hospital, aimed at addressing both the current and future healthcare needs of the state. The foundation stone ceremony for the hospital is scheduled for today at Gosha Mahal, with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy presiding over the event. Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka and several other ministers and MLAs will also attend the groundbreaking ceremony. This project is a priority for the Congress government, which has committed to

Maharashtra has recently observed an increase in cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder where the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. This condition can cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, numbness, and in severe cases, paralysis. The state health department has reported 110 suspected GBS cases, with one death and eight confirmed diagnoses so far. The majority of these cases are from Pune, with others reported in Pimpri Chinchwad and various

 A deadly explosion occurred at an ordnance factory in Bhandara district, near Nagpur, Maharashtra, this morning, resulting in at least eight confirmed deaths. The blast took place in the LTP (Load, Test, and Pack) section of the factory around 10:30 AM, causing significant damage. The impact of the explosion was so severe that it was heard from 5 km away, and a thick plume of smoke was seen rising from the site. The blast led to the collapse of the factory roof, trapping workers inside.

In a concerning incident in Maharashtra's Latur district, nearly 4,200 chicks died at a poultry farm following a bird flu outbreak. The chicks, only five to six days old, perished over a period of two to three days in Dhalegaon village, located in the Ahmedpur tehsil. The poultry farm owner failed to promptly notify the authorities, which allowed the infection to spread and claim the lives of most o

A tragic train accident occurred near Pachora station in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, after a fire rumour spread on board the Pushpak Express, causing panic among passengers. The incident took place around 5 pm when passengers jumped off the train after a fire rumour, and were struck by the oncoming Karnataka Express, which was traveling on an adjacent track. Initial reports suggest that sparks inside a coach of the Pushpak Express, possibly caused by a "hot axle" or "brake-

Blue Origin's long-awaited New Glenn rocket is preparing for its inaugural launch on Sunday, signaling a major step forward for Jeff Bezos’ space company and a potential challenge to Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Standing 30 stories tall, New Glenn represents a significant multibillion-dollar effort by Blue Origin to compete with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and capture a share of the growing satellite constellation launch market. If successful, New Glenn will also enable the deployment of A

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a series of transformative development projects in New Delhi. The initiatives include the opening of 1,675 newly constructed flats for residents of Jhuggi Jhopri (JJ) clusters under the slum rehabilitation program, aimed at providing better living conditions with modern amenities. In addition, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for a new Veer Savarkar College at Roshanpura, Najafgarh, which will offer state-of-the-art facilities for h

On Wednesday night, a mass shooting occurred outside the Amazura nightclub in Queens, New York, injuring at least 10 people. The shooting took place around 11:20 pm near the club in Jamaica, where approximately 80 people had gathered outside the venue. Although the victims sustained injuries, none are believed to be in critical condition, and they are all expected to survive. The injured were transported to Long Island Jewish Hospital and Cohen's Children Medical Center for treatment.

On New Year’s Day, hundreds of anti-Israel demonstrators gathered in New York City's Times Square to rally for an "intifada revolution." The protest was organized by groups such as the Palestinian Youth Movement, Party for Socialism and Liberation, and the People's Forum. Attendees waved Palestinian flags and held signs that read slogans like "Zionism is cancer" and &qu

The highly anticipated OnePlus Watch 3 is expected to launch soon as the successor to the OnePlus Watch 2, which debuted at MWC 2024. Recent reports have revealed several features of the smartwatch, but a new update has introduced the possibility of a Pro variant. According to a report, the "OnePlus Watch 3 Pro" was discovered in the source code of the OHealth app, alongside the Oppo Watch X2 series monikers. This suggests that the OnePlus Watch 3 Pro and Oppo Watch X2 could share s

As the New Year 2025 approaches, many cultures around the world celebrate with traditional foods believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness for the year ahead. From lentils to fish, these foods symbolize various aspects of wealth, health, and good fortune. Whether you're looking to add a bit of cultural flavor to your celebrations or simply want to try something new, here are some popular New Year's foods from across the globe that are said to bring good luck. 8

Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations draw massive crowds, with festivities reaching their peak during the midnight fireworks display. While the energy of the night is thrilling, it also presents certain risks, particularly when it comes to overcrowding, alcohol-related violence, and other hazards. One of the primary dangers of large public gatherings is the risk of a crowd crush, which can occur when crowds become too dense, pushing individuals uncontrollably forward. These situations

Tonight, skywatchers will be treated to a rare and exciting astronomical event: a black moon, which is the second new moon to occur in December. While blue moons, or two full moons in a month, are relatively well-known, black moons are much rarer and are often misunderstood. A black moon occurs when the second new moon of the month takes place, and the new moon’s natural invisibility is further enhanced. As a result, this phenomenon makes it difficult to spot with the naked eye, but it

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, follows the lunar calendar and is one of the most significant cultural celebrations for the Chinese people. In 2025, Chinese New Year will begin on January 29, ushering in the "Year of the Wood Snake." The Chinese zodiac, which consists of 12 animals, assigns one animal and one element (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) to each year. In 2025, the Snake is paired with the element Wood, which symbolizes adaptability and creativity. T

With New Year's Eve celebrations in full swing, cities across India are taking extra precautions to ensure safety and prevent road accidents. Police in major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, and Hyderabad, have issued detailed advisories to discourage drunk driving and manage the heavy traffic expected as partygoers head home late at night. The guidelines aim to ensure a safe and enjoyable evening for everyone, while keeping dangerous driving behaviors in check. In Mumbai