NEW DELHI: As part of its ongoing river rejuvenation efforts, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved multiple projects including a master plan to restore the cultural identity of the Gomti river’s origin site at Pilibhit, protect breeding habitats of sandbar-nesting birds and deploy nature based solutions for in-situ treatment of certain drains, falling in Yamuna, in Delhi.The plan to restore natural sanctity of the Gomti river’s origin site includes modern infrastructure development, catchment area treatment, rejuvenation of water sources, and nature-based treatment of sewage from Madhotanda town in Uttar Pradesh.“It also includes development of ghats and aarti platforms, rejuvenation of lakes, and conservation of turtle habitats. Facilities such as a crematorium, ‘panchvatika’ and yoga mandap will further enhance the site’s spiritual and cultural significance,” said the Union Jal Shakti ministry in a statement.The plan for Gomti and other initiatives were approved by the NMCG – a central agency to implement Ganga rejuvenation programmes – in its executive committee meeting, chaired by the agency’s director general Rajeev Kumar Mittal, held last week.The project to protect breeding habitats of sandbar-nesting birds, including the Indian skimmer, will focus on long-term monitoring, community participation, and evidence-based conservation.“The project is a first of its kind initiative focusing on avifauna and would complement NMCG’s work on dolphins, fishes, turtles, muggers etc and would complete the focus on river related faunal biodiversity,” said the ministry.Under the project, nest monitoring will continue in the Chambal and lower Ganga and will be initiated in Bijnor, Narora, and Prayagraj by deploying trained local communities to help protect sensitive sandbars, reduce human disturbance, and support awareness and capacity-building initiatives.In Delhi, the nature based solutions will be used for in-situ treatment of different drains including Shastri Park, Gaushala, Kailash Nagar and Ramesh Nagar. Idea of the initiative is to treat raw sewage on-site before it enters the Yamuna using rock filters, stone masonry, and aquatic plants for natural treatment.

Peter Schiff (File photo taken from X)

Economist Peter Schiff, renowned for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, advised investors to buy gold while being cautious with silver. He believes gold is a bargain at $4,534 with minimal downside risk, while silver faces higher short-term risks despite its strong performance in 2025. Schiff recommended waiting for a consolidation in silver and recommended a possible support level between $70 and $75.The chief economist at Europac mentioned silver’s volitality, talking about how it hit a record high near $84 before dropping to $75 and then rebounding above $80. “It’s been a volatile night so far in the silver market. After surging to a new record high just below $84, silver sold off sharply, finding support just above $75. It has since recovered and is now trading back above $80. This historic bull market still has a long way to run,” Schiff said on X.Also telling people to buy gold over silver he added, “There is too much short-term risk to buy physical silver now. But I’m not selling any of mine. So I think it makes sense to wait for it to settle down before buying. But absolutely buy gold right now. At $4,534 it’s a steal.”Recent market activity shows precious metals pulling back as investors took profits and geopolitical tensions eased. Gold dropped 0.4 per cent to $4,512.74 per ounce after reaching a record $4,549.71. Silver fell 1.3 per cent to $78.12 per ounce, following its all-time high of $83.62.Despite the current dip, silver has been the star performer of the year, surging 181 per cent year-to-date compared to gold’s 72 per cent increase.Even after this current correction in the price, silver has been the biggest star this year, with a year-to-date increase of 181 per cent compared to gold’s 72 per cent. For gold, the drivers of the surge are expected rate cuts by the US, geopolitical turmoil, robust demand by central entities, and investments by ETFs. For silver, the drivers are the metal’s importance to the US, lack of supply, and growing demand.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market and other asset classes given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

A man suspected of fatally stabbing nine people, including five children, in Suriname’s capital died by suicide in police custody, authorities said on Monday. Identified only by the initials D A, the 43-year-old was found hanged in a cell at a police station, according to a police statement, as cited by AFP.The attack, carried out outside Suriname’s capital Paramaribo, left at least nine people dead, including the suspect’s children, police said on Sunday.It occurred in Richelieu in the Commewijne district, about 25 km east of the capital. Neighbours said the violence followed a phone argument between the suspect and his estranged wife, after which he allegedly attacked his children with a knife and then went after neighbours inside their homes, as cited by AP.In a statement on Sunday, Suriname’s Police Corps said the suspect attempted to attack officers who responded to the scene and was injured during his arrest. Police said a sixth child and another adult were seriously wounded and are receiving treatment at a hospital in Paramaribo.The killings have sent shockwaves across the country, prompting widespread grief and disbelief among political leaders and residents.Reacting to the incident, Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons said in a Facebook post that the attacker had taken the lives of his children and neighbours. “I wish all the bereaved much strength, resilience, and comfort in this unimaginably difficult time,” Geerlings-Simons said.Suriname, a former Dutch colony and the smallest independent country in South America, has a population of around 600,000 and has long been among the region’s lowest in murder rates. That trend shifted in 2024, when the rate rose to 30 homicides per 100,000 people, according to data from the think tank InSight Crime.

NEW DELHI: India and Australia marked the third anniversary of their Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), showing a significant rise in trade between the two nations. The trade deal, which started three years ago, led to an 8 per cent growth in Indian exports to Australia during the 2024-25 financial year. This growth helped improve the overall trade balance for India.A major change is also expected to take place from January 1, 2026, as 100 per cent of Australian tariff lines will become zero-duty for Indian exports. This means Indian goods can enter Australia without extra taxes, creating new chances for sectors that employ many workers.Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, on Monday, shared the details on X. He stated that the agreement “translated intent into impact” over the last three years. “Over the past three years, the Agreement has delivered sustained export growth, deeper market access, and stronger supply-chain resilience, benefiting Indian exporters, MSMEs, farmers, and workers alike,” he said.Goyal noted that the trade agreement brought strong gains to many different industries. These included manufacturing, chemicals, textiles, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. Petroleum products and the gems and jewellery sector also saw a rise in business. Specifically, exports for gems and jewellery increased by 16 per cent between April and November 2025.Agricultural products from India have also found more buyers in Australia. There was broad growth in the sale of fruits, vegetables, marine products, and spices. Coffee exports showed especially high growth during this period. To make trading easier, both countries signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement for organic products. This step allows for smoother trade and reduces the costs that exporters have to pay to follow rules.“As Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) negotiations advance, Ind-Aus ECTA continues to anchor India’s economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific, aligned with Make in India and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Together, India and Australia are building a future of shared prosperity and trusted trade,” Goyal noted.

The ‘Dabangg’ Khan of Bollywood, Salman Khan, celebrated his 60th birthday on December 27. The celebration of the special occasion was marked by a bash at his Panvel farmhouse. In addition to the attendees, the star of Salman’s birthday was the elaborate food menu, which had everything from vegetarian delicacies to non-veg treats. Read on to know more.

Salman Khan’s 60th birthday bash menu

According to Hindustan Times, Salman Khan’s 60th birthday party had a variety served for the fans. From kebabs in starters to proper gravy in the main course, here’s what the menu had, ‘Koti kebabs, dahi kebabs, aloo tikki, broccoli kebabs were served in vegetarian starters, while there were five varieties of non-vegetarian kebabs in the menu. In the vegetarian main course, there were several types of assorted breads, two types of daal, paneer gravy and rice.”

And the list doesn’t end here. Desserts were the show stealers. The report added, “For desserts, gajar ka halwa, gulab jamuns, rabri, ice creams and malai dessert were served. There was also a counter of a popular Paris dessert brand stationed there. The menu included pastries, assorted macarons pyramids, almond Bostock and French toast – classic and tiramisu.”

Inside Salman Khan’s 60th birthday party

Coming to the guests, a lot of them stayed till the early hours of the morning. Maniesh Paul, Aditya Roy Kapur, Huma Qureshi, MS Dhoni, Rakul Preet Singh, Mika Singh, Sangeeta Bijlani and other attendees at the actor’s birthday celebration. Salman’s nephews and nieces, including Arhaan Khan, Nirvaan Khan and Alizeh Agnihotri, too made sure to be by his side on the special occasion.There was also a sundowner on Saturday, which added to the celebration. “Salman had also called for vanity vans for every single actor who stayed back overnight at the birthday party at his farm. A lot of his friends from the fraternity had left the farm around 6-7 am on December 27,” stated the report before adding, “The actor also had a sundowner on Saturday afternoon that was attended by his close friends and family. For the decor, the farm was decorated with white roses all over. The DJ played the Ssubah Hone Naa De’ song on loop.”

India’s rising wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, smashing an unbeaten 160 off 101 balls to power Uttar Pradesh to a commanding total against Baroda at the Sanosara Cricket Ground ‘A’.

The knock marked Jurel’s maiden List A century and career-best score, instantly entering Uttar Pradesh folklore with multiple records tumbling in a single innings.

Dhruv Jurel rescues Uttar Pradesh after early wickets

Put in to bat, Uttar Pradesh were wobbling at 92/3 when Jurel walked in at No. 3. Openers Abhishek Goswami (51) and Aryan Juyal (26) had provided a steady 77-run platform, but quick wickets threatened to derail the innings.

Jurel first stabilised proceedings alongside captain Rinku Singh, who chipped in with a fluent 63 off 67 balls. Once set, Jurel flipped the switch, turning consolidation into outright domination.

The most astonishing phase of Jurel’s innings came after he reached three figures. He rocketed from 100 to 150 in only 19 balls, shattering Uttar Pradesh’s all-time record for the fastest List A fifty by a team batter.

His final tally featured 15 fours and 8 sixes, scored at a blistering strike rate of 158.42, as UP surged to 369/7 – their third-highest List A total.

Baroda’s bowlers had no answers once Jurel found his range. Fast bowler Rasikh Salam endured a torrid outing, conceding 55 runs off just 14 balls to Jurel – the most runs ever conceded by a Baroda bowler in a List A innings.

The assault symbolised the mismatch between batter and bowler during Jurel’s peak, as boundaries flowed to all parts of the ground.

Highest individual List A score for UP

Jurel’s unbeaten 160 eclipsed long-standing records to become Uttar Pradesh’s highest individual List A score. He went past:

• Aryan Juyal’s 159 vs Maharashtra (2022)
• Madhav Kaushik’s 158 not out vs Mumbai (2021)

The innings also surpassed Jurel’s own recent highs – 80 off 61 balls vs Hyderabad five days earlier and 67 off 57 vs Chandigarh – highlighting his rapid upward curve.

Also READ: Fastest to 10,000 runs in Women’s international cricket ft. Smriti Mandhana

Wicketkeeper debate intensifies ahead of New Zealand ODIs

At just 24, Jurel’s knock strengthens his credentials amid the ongoing discussion around India’s backup wicketkeeper options, especially with the Rishabh Pant-Ishan Kishan debate dominating selection chatter ahead of the New Zealand ODI series.

This was Jurel’s third straight fifty-plus score in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, taking his tally to 307 runs in the competition. His recent India A twin centuries against South Africa further bolster his white-ball résumé.

Also READ: Rishabh Pant vs Ishan Kishan – Selectors rethink about backup wicketkeeper for New Zealand ODIs

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