Silver delivered a glittering rally on Monday, scaling a life time high, lifted by strong demand for the precious metal and global rally. Silver futures touched record high of Rs 2,14,534 per kilogram on the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX) in what is being seen as one of its strongest annual performances in recent years. Spot silver also gained 2.2% hitting a record high of $68.65 per ounce.With just two weeks remaining in 2025, market participants are closely tracking the momentum, as analysts increasingly see the Rs 2,25,000 level as a realistic target before the year ends.According to Jigar Trivedi, senior research analyst at Reliance Securities, the rally is being supported by “strong central bank buying and sustained ETF inflows”. He added that gold prices also rose to a record $4,380 per ounce on Monday, fuelled by expectations of further US interest rate cuts and rising geopolitical tensions, which have provided additional support to silver prices. Trivedi further told ET that the white metal could continue to gain on global cues and pegged the year-end target at Rs 2,25,000.Tata Mutual Fund, reffering to silver’s momentum, said, “prices have surged to record highs in international markets, driven by a physical metal shortage, booming solar industry demand, strong Indian imports, and sustained inflows into silver ETFs”. The expert further told ET that supply disruptions are playing a major role behind the rally. The white metal recently received the designation of “critical mineral”, from the US. At the same time, China—one of the largest silver exporters—imposed export restrictions, further pressurising the global supply chain.Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said that silver continues to outperform within the precious metals segment, noting that COMEX silver has also surged to register fresh all-time highs. “Silver’s strength is being driven by rising industrial demand from solar power, electric vehicles, and electronics, combined with persistent global supply deficits,” Ponmudi said.He added that investor participation has picked up, with silver offering leveraged exposure to the broader precious metals cycle.

Oman’s first polymer one-rial banknote, featuring national landmarks, begins circulation on January 11, 2026/Image: ONA

Oman has introduced its first polymer one-rial banknote, designed to last longer and stay more secure than previous ones. The new banknote, which will start circulating from January 11, 2026, also highlights the country’s cultural and economic achievements.The Central Bank of Oman has released the one-rial polymer banknote, the country has first time issued currency in this material. Unlike the traditional cotton based notes, polymer is durable and comes with advanced security features to help prevent counterfeiting.The note measures 145 by 76 millimetres combining design, heritage, and national pride. The front side features the Oman Botanic Garden, representing the nation’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage. On the rear side, the Sayyid Tariq bin Taimur Cultural Complex appears alongside the Duqm Port and Refinery, showing Oman’s cultural landmarks and economic progress. Together, these images offer a clear picture of the country’s identity and achievements.Security features have been given special attention. A large transparent window, inspired by the arched windows of the Oman Botanic Garden, adds both visual appeal and protection. The front includes a colour-shifting foil showing the frankincense tree, while the Central Bank’s logo appears on the back in iridescent, colour-shifting ink. These features make the note both distinctive and secure.The Central Bank confirmed that the new polymer note will circulate alongside existing one- rial banknotes and will remain fully legal for transactions. Additionally, collectors and the public can buy limited editions, including 1,000 uncut sheets and 10,000 specially packaged notes. These will be available from January 11, 2026, at Central Bank counters in Ruwi, Salalah, and Sohar, as well as through Oman Post’s sales outlet at the Opera Galleria.By combining modern materials with designs that celebrate Oman’s cultural and economic milestones, the new polymer one-rial banknote offers durability, security, and a clear reflection of the nation’s achievements.

NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has no political agenda and viewing the orgnaisation throught the lens of BJP is a “huge mistake,” said Sangh chief Mohan Bhgawat. Addressing the ‘RSS 100 Vyakhyan Mala’ programme in Kolkata on Sunday, Bhagwat cautioned against viewing the RSS through narrow or comparative frameworks. “If you want to understand the ‘Sangh’, making comparisons will lead to misunderstandings. If you consider the ‘sangh’ to be just another service organisation, you’ll be mistaken,” he said.

He specifically warned against associating the RSS solely with the BJP. “Many people have a tendency to understand the ‘sangh’ through the lens of the BJP, which is a huge mistake.”Speaking later at a separate event, Bhagwat reiterated that the RSS does not pursue any political agenda and said the organisation works for the betterment, protection of Hindu society. He emphasised that the core objective of RSS is the creation of “sajjan”, or morally upright and virtuous individuals. Bhagwat said such people, guided by service and values, help strengthen national pride and contribute to the country’s development.Addressing perceptions about the organisation, Bhagwat said the RSS is often labelled as anti-Muslim, a view he rejected. He said the Sangh’s work is transparent and open for anyone to see firsthand. “People who have come and observed our functioning have concluded that we are staunch nationalists who organise and work for the protection of Hindus, but are not anti-Muslim,” he said, adding that many have accepted this reality and those who wish to understand the RSS better should visit and see its work themselves.The country will once again become a ‘Vishwaguru’, and that “it is the duty of the Sangh to prepare the society for the purpose,” he added.Bhagwat further maintained that the RSS does not consider anyone as its enemy, but said there are some “whose shops of narrow interest” will shut down if the organisation continues to grow.The Sangh chief said people are free to form opinions about the RSS, but these must be based on facts rather than “narratives and secondary source information”.“In order to bring the reality in front of people, lecture and interaction sessions have been organised in four cities of the country,” Bhagwat said.The RSS has been organising these sessions in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru as part of its centenary celebrations.

The Big Bash League 2025-26 season continues with a high-stakes encounter as the Sydney Thunder host the Brisbane Heat for the 9th match of BBL|15 on December 22 at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. The Thunder are currently desperate for their first win of the season after suffering two consecutive losses, including a heavy defeat in the Sydney Smash. In contrast, the Brisbane Heat arrive with massive momentum following a world-record chase of 258 against the Perth Scorchers.

ST vs BH, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: December 22 (Monday); 1:45 pm IST / 8:15 am GMT / 7:15 pm Local
• Venue: Manuka Oval, Canberra
• Head-to-Head Record in BBL: Matches played: 22 | Brisbane Heat won: 14 | Sydney Thunder won: 07 | No result/Tied: 1

Manuka Oval Pitch Report

The Manuka Oval is widely regarded as one of the best batting tracks in Australia, offering a consistent and reliable bounce that allows players to play their shots with confidence. As this is the first game of the season at this venue, the pitch is expected to be fresh and full of runs. While the fast bowlers can find some early movement under the lights, the relatively small boundaries and quick outfield favor high-scoring matches. Historically, chasing has been the preferred strategy here, with the team batting second winning a majority of the recent T20 fixtures. Consequently, the captain winning the bat flip will likely elect to bowl first.

Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat: Team dynamics and key players

Sydney Thunder: The Thunder’s campaign is already at a crossroads. They will be heavily reliant on David Warner to provide a spark at the top, alongside the steady Cameron Bancroft. The middle order features the explosive Sam Billings and the all-round capabilities of Shadab Khan, who has been their most consistent performer so far. Their bowling attack, led by the left-arm angle of Reece Topley and the death-bowling expertise of Daniel Sams, must find a way to contain a red-hot Heat lineup that has been clearing boundaries at will.

Brisbane Heat: The Heat are flying high after their record-breaking exploits. Matt Renshaw and Jack Wildermuth are in scintillating form, both coming off centuries in their last outing. Even with the injury to Nathan McSweeney, the Heat’s depth is impressive, with Tom Alsop likely to slot into the middle order. Their bowling unit, spearheaded by Xavier Bartlett and the pace of Shaheen Shah Afridi, provides a lethal edge. The Heat’s ability to absorb early pressure and accelerate without panic has made them a dangerous side to defend against.

Also READ: BBL|15: Check out the full list of Pakistan and Bangladesh players playing in the Big Bash League

ST vs BH, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Sydney Thunder wins the toss and bowls first
• Brisbane Heat’s powerplay score: 50-60 (6 overs)
• Brisbane Heat’s total score: 175-195

Case 2:

• Brisbane Heat wins the toss and bowls first
• Sydney Thunder’s powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
• Sydney Thunder’s total score: 160-180

Match result: Brisbane Heat to win the contest.

Also READ: Big Bash League 2025-26: Complete squads of all 8 teams in the BBL|15

Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Ezri Konsa. (Getty Images)

Aston Villa continued their stunning Premier League title charge on Sunday as Morgan Rogers’ brilliant brace sealed a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at a raucous Villa Park, extending Unai Emery’s side’s extraordinary winning run.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Rogers put Villa ahead late in the first half with a moment of individual brilliance before restoring the lead after the break, his goals securing a 10th consecutive victory in all competitions and keeping the Midlands club firmly in the title conversation.

Third-placed Villa now sit just three points behind leaders Arsenal and one adrift of Manchester City, chasing what would be their first English league title since 1981. Their current run is their best in all competitions since 1914, while seven straight top-flight wins marks their strongest league streak since the 1989-90 season.Villa’s rise has been remarkable given their dismal start to the campaign, when they collected just two points and scored a single goal from their opening five matches — their worst beginning for 28 years. Under Emery, however, Villa Park has become a fortress, with only one Premier League home defeat in 2025, fewer than any other side.

Even Manchester United, who had lost just once in their previous 26 visits to Villa, could not halt Emery’s momentum. United briefly responded after Villa’s opener, Matheus Cunha finishing clinically after Matty Cash gifted possession on the stroke of half-time.But the loss of captain Bruno Fernandes to an apparent hamstring injury at the interval proved decisive. Already depleted by injuries, suspension and Africa Cup of Nations absences, Ruben Amorim’s side lacked control after the break.Villa regained the lead in the 57th minute when Rogers showed greater hunger than Leny Yoro, pouncing on a loose ball in the box and finishing confidently for his sixth goal in as many league appearances. Emery celebrated wildly on the touchline, tossing his jacket skywards as Villa closed in on another statement win.United had chances to respond, with Emiliano Martinez producing key saves and Cunha wasting a gilt-edged header, but Villa held firm. Amorim handed a debut to teenager Jack Fletcher late on, yet the evening belonged to the hosts.

Top stocks to buy (AI image)

Stock market recommendations: According to Sudeep Shah, Head – Technical Research and Derivatives, SBI Securities, the top stock picks for this week are KEI Industries, and JK Tyre & Industries. Here’s his view on Nifty, Bank Nifty for the week starting December 22, 2025:Nifty ViewLast week, the benchmark index Nifty traded within a narrow range of just 321 points — the tightest weekly range recorded since the first week of October. However, despite this compressed price action, volatility remained elevated, as the index opened with either a gap-up or gap-down on every trading session. This combination of high volatility and narrow range clearly reflected a phase of indecision, with both bulls and bears refraining from taking aggressive positions. Eventually, the index settled at 25966 level and formed a small-bodied candle with shadows on either side, reinforcing the prevailing uncertainty.A key technical development during the week was Nifty’s ability to find support near its 50-day EMA, followed by a swift rebound from lower levels. This price behaviour has resulted in the formation of an Adam & Adam Double Bottom pattern on the daily chart. Going ahead, a sustainable breakout above the neckline resistance could act as a trigger for a sharp upside move in the index.Interestingly, the broader market indices, Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Small Cap 100 also staged a strong recovery from their recent lows. Both indices formed small-bodied candles with long lower shadows, indicating renewed buying interest at lower levels. In this context, Monday’s trading session becomes crucial for the broader market. A follow-through move on the upside could pave the way for a broader-based rally.From a level’s perspective, for Nifty, the neckline resistance zone of 26050–26100 will act as a critical hurdle. A decisive move above 26100 could lead to a sharp upside rally towards 26300, followed by 26500 in the short term. On the downside, the 25770–25700 zone is expected to provide strong support, as it coincides with the prior swing low and the 50-day EMA.Bank Nifty ViewThe Bank Nifty traded in a narrow 820point range, its tightest weekly consolidation since the last week of October. This compressed movement resulted in the formation of a Doji candle on the weekly chart, highlighting clear indecision among market participants.In recent sessions, the index has been hovering around its 20day EMA, and this prolonged consolidation has caused the moving average to flatten out, reflecting a lack of directional momentum. Key oscillators and momentum indicators also depict a sideways bias, underscoring the absence of strong buying or selling pressure.Looking ahead, the 58700–58600 zone remains a crucial support area, aligning with the prior swing low. On the upside, the 59400–59500 range will act as an important resistance zone. A strong and sustained breakout above 59500 could unlock a sharp upward move toward 60200 in the near term.Stock recommendations:KEI Industries:The stock of KEI has broken out above a horizontal trendline on the daily chart, supported by notably higher volumes, confirming the validity of the move. The stock is now trading comfortably above its key moving averages, all of which are trending higher. A key positive development is the daily RSI crossing above 60 for the first time since 15th October, indicating strengthening momentum. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 4290-4250 level with a stoploss of 4120 level. On the upside, it is likely to test the 4600 in the short term.JK Tyre & Industries: JK Tyre has given a breakout from a 30day consolidation phase on the daily timeframe, backed by above 50days average volumes. The stock is trading at a 52-week high, with all key moving averages and momentum indicators reflecting strong bullish strength. The daily RSI has moved above 60, and the MACD histogram has crossed into positive territory, further confirming the trend strength. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 486-482 level with a stop loss of 469 level. On the upside, it is likely to test the 520 in the short term. (Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

India and New Zealand struck a free trade agreement (FTA) on Monday, marking the end of negotiations that began back in March this year. The agreement was unveiled after a telephone conversation between PM Modi and New Zealand’s PM Christopher Luxon. During the call, the two leaders described the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement as historic, ambitious and mutually beneficial, saying that it would act as a catalyst for deeper trade, investment, innovation and shared opportunities between the two countries. They also welcomed progress across other areas of bilateral cooperation, including defence, sports, education and people-to-people ties. Negotiations for the FTA were initiated during Luxon’s visit to India. The leaders noted that the successful conclusion of the agreement within a record nine months reflected strong political will and a shared ambition to further strengthen bilateral ties.Hailing the deal, PM Modi said, “My friend PM Christopher Luxon and I had a very good conversation a short while ago following the conclusion of the landmark India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.”Luxon also took to X, saying, “I’ve just spoken with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the conclusion of the NZ-India Free Trade Agreement … Boosting trade means more Kiwi jobs, higher wages and more opportunities for hard working New Zealanders. The agreement builds on the strong friendship between our two countries.”The PM further wrote, “India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and this gives Kiwi businesses access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers. Our Government is relentlessly focused on fixing the basics and building the future – with new trade deals like this helping to grow our economy so all Kiwis can get ahead.”

India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

The FTA is expected to significantly deepen economic engagement, improve market access, boost investment flows and strengthen strategic cooperation, while opening up new opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs, farmers, MSMEs, students and youth in both countries across multiple sectors.Both leaders are confident that bilateral trade could double over the next five years.

The two leaders agreed to remain in touch as the partnership enters a new phase following the signing of the agreement.