QUICKREADS

'India’s G20 presidency brought development back in spotlight': EAM S Jaishankar
India has succeeded in making development a top priority at G20 discussions, according to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The adoption of an action plan for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and high-level principles on sustainable lifestyles by development ministers and department heads at the Varanasi Development Ministers’ Meeting was “a moment of triumph for India”, Jaishankar said. The G20 also agreed to focus on issues including the Global South, financing for women’s issues, education, climate change and gender equality. India has sought to change the growth narrative from the development of women to women-led development, the minister said.

Ludhiana: Statue of Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia unveiled at Khanna bus stand
Cabinet minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond unveiled Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia's statue at Khanna bus stand, highlighting the AAP government's commitment to completing stalled projects and honoring historical heroes.

Early start for 1st-year degree college this year, on June 13
First-year college admissions at Mumbai University will start on June 13, earlier than previous years. Online registrations open May 8, covering 3.28 lakh seats across streams, ensuring timely academic calendar and improved education quality.

State announced schedule for FYJC online admission statewide
Maharashtra State Board announces FYJC online admission starting May 19. Students can register through an official portal, select colleges digitally, and complete admission in four rounds plus a merit-based final round. No manual entries allowed, ensuring a transparent process.

Cop suspended for violating protocol while booking, arresting doctor
Mumbai police suspended senior inspector Ravindra Katkar for registering an FIR and arresting Dr. Atul Wankhede without following protocols, after questioning his actions regarding an alleged forged degree case and procedural violations.

BMC polls will decide Thackeray’s future, bring back power to citizens
Supreme Court ordered Maharashtra local body elections, crucial for Shiv Sena and Uddhav Thackeray's political survival. BMC polls will restore citizen governance, with parties battling for control of Mumbai's richest civic body after three years of administrative rule.

Mock drills planned in 8 districts, largest in Cross Maidan
Maharashtra will conduct extensive civil defense mock drills in eight districts, including Mumbai, preparing citizens for potential war scenarios through sirens, safety guidance, and strategic location exercises at key sites like Cross Maidan.

RWA polls remain elusive in many Noida, Gr Noida sectors
RWA elections remain stalled in many Noida and Greater Noida housing societies, with delays spanning years due to administrative apathy, internal disputes, and lack of accountability despite district administration directives.

Coming soon: Longer trains from CSMT
Central Railway plans to demolish an office building at CSMT to extend platforms 5 and 6, enabling 15-car trains. This will increase train capacity by 25%, with platform extensions to accommodate more services on the Main Line corridor.

“Deva Bhau” tattoo helps Thane rural police identify the victim, crack murder case
Police cracked a murder case using a "Deva Bhau" tattoo to identify victim Ashok Sukhdev. Two contract killers, hired by Sheetal Fodse, were arrested for killing Sukhdev after he pressured her about marriage.

Pune hyacinth menace: After 2 months, environment dept clears only 5 of 43 water bodies
Pune's environmental department has cleared only 5 of 43 water bodies infested with water hyacinth, causing significant mosquito breeding concerns and public health risks in the city's rivers and lakes.

Man who opened bank accounts for cyber frauds arrested
A 35-year-old man was arrested for opening bank accounts for cyber frauds, specifically involving a freelance consultant who was duped of ₹1.62 crore through a fake online trading scheme promising high returns.

State to spend ₹4,820 cr to develop religious sites
Maharashtra will invest ₹4,820 crore to develop religious sites, including Tuljabhavani Temple, Mahalaxmi Temple, and Ashtavinayak Temples. A dedicated authority will oversee the 2027 Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela, expecting increased devotee participation.

Metro, buses will not be impacted by drill, say officials
Delhi's city-wide mock security drill at 50+ locations on Wednesday will not disrupt metro, bus, or airport services. Transport officials confirm normal operations will continue, with minimal impact on commuters across the city.

3 dead in Gulmohar tree collapse
During heavy Mumbai rains, a Gulmohar tree collapsed on a moving rickshaw in Kalyan, killing the driver and two passengers. Emergency services rescued the victims, who were later pronounced dead at the hospital.

RWAs, traders confused, say they don’t know what the drill entails
A multi-location emergency drill in Delhi's malls, markets, and residential areas will test public response, with officials deliberately keeping details vague. Traders and RWAs are preparing, focusing on minimizing panic and ensuring readiness for potential scenarios.