News

Heavy monsoon rains continued to batter Maharashtra on Monday, severely disrupting road, rail and air transport across the state. Authorities suspended traffic on both the Pune–Mumbai Expressway and the old Pune–Mumbai highway after heavy rainfall triggered flooding and landslides, prompting police to urge commuters to avoid travelling between the two cities until further notice.<br /><br />The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Mumbai, warning of another spell of heavy rainfall. Meteorologists said the city could receive its average rainfall for the entire month within the next two to three days, although rainfall is expected to ease from July 8.<br /><br />Mumbai has recorded exceptionally heavy rainfall over the past five days. Since July 1, the Santacruz observatory has received 805.6 mm of rain—around 94 per cent of its average July rainfall—while Colaba has already exceeded its monthly average, recording 744.2 mm. Colaba also witnessed its wettest July day in more than 50 years.<br /><br />The relentless downpour has caused widespread flooding, waterlogging and traffic congestion across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Areas including Belapur, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Vasai and Palghar have reported intense rainfall.<br /><br />The severe weather has also claimed lives. In Mankhurd, a four-storey building collapsed onto an adjoining shanty, killing six people, including five children, while more than 200 tree-fall incidents were reported across the city, resulting in two additional fatalities.<br /><br />Heavy rain and wind gusts of up to 75 kmph disrupted flight operations at Mumbai airport, while BEST diverted buses on 43 routes due to waterlogging. Schools and colleges across the MMR have been closed as a precaution. Stay with TOI for more updates: <br />

Thirty-six years after Sarla Bhat was killed in Srinagar, police have filed a chargesheet. But Sarla was more than the murder that came to define her

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a three-nation tour with a grand welcome in Indonesia, highlighting the strong Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Discussions are set to focus on defense, maritime cooperation, and critical minerals, with Indonesia being a key partner for India's supply chain and energy transition. The visit aims to deepen institutional cooperation and strengthen trade ties, building on existing momentum in the Indo-Pacific region.

Balogun had been due to miss the United States' FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium after receiving a direct red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a dismissal that normally carries an automatic one-game suspension. However, FIFA announced on Sunday that "the one-game ban had been suspended," making the striker available for selection.

An oxytocin vial that allegedly contained little more than water has laid bare many uncomfortable truths: spurious drugmakers continue to flourish, regulatory enforcement remains painfully weak and as organised pharma companies quietly exit unviable markets, shady players willing to cut corners move in

In a devastating turn of events on I-80, 23-year-old Sebastian Stone was tragically killed by a tractor-trailer while he was changing a flat tire. The driver, Kuljeet Kang, has been accused of recklessly fleeing the scene after allegedly being distracted by his phone. Kang is now charged with reckless homicide and failing to stop following a fatal accident.

Kolkata's government buses are undergoing a significant colour change, shifting from blue-and-white to saffron, a move the transport minister attributes to modernization and a "dynamic double-engine regime." This rebranding extends to e-tickets, with officials maintaining it's not a formal policy shift. However, critics argue cosmetic changes distract from critical issues like driver shortages and declining fleet strength, with commuters prioritizing reliability over political symbolism.

Russia unleashed a massive missile and drone assault on Ukraine, claiming at least 18 lives and injuring scores, with Kyiv bearing the brunt. Ukrainian officials highlighted critical air defence gaps, particularly against ballistic missiles, due to a shortage of Patriot interceptor systems. President Zelenskyy renewed his urgent plea to allies for more interceptors, emphasizing the vulnerability to continued Russian attacks on civilian areas.

UEFA has slammed FIFA's decision to allow US forward Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium despite a red card, calling it "incomprehensible" and a "red line" crossed. Balogun's one-game ban was surprisingly suspended by FIFA, a move that has drawn outrage from Belgium and criticism from UEFA for undermining the "integrity" of the competition.

Archaeologists have unearthed a cannonball near the Alamo Church, potentially fired during the 1836 battle. This discovery follows a similar find earlier this year, with both projectiles believed to have remained undisturbed for nearly two centuries. These solid iron and bronze shots offer tangible evidence of the intense artillery exchange during the pivotal siege, adding significant historical weight to ongoing restoration efforts at the Alamo.

A Karnataka photographer has transformed his home, aptly named 'Click,' into a stunning tribute to his lifelong passion. From camera-shaped windows and film roll-inspired railings to children named Canon, Nikon, and Epson, every detail celebrates his profession. This unique residence, designed by the family themselves after facing engineering rejections, showcases an ingenious blend of architecture and photography, leaving viewers amazed.