BENGALURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rajajinagar MLA Suresh Kumar on his remarkable cycling journey from Bengaluru to Kanyakumari, covering 702 km in five days. The PM’s message, shared on his X account, lauded Kumar’s resilience and fitness, highlighting the inspiring nature of his achievement.

“Shri S. Suresh Kumar Ji’s feat of cycling from Bengaluru to Kanniyakumari is commendable and inspiring. The fact that it was done after he overcame health setbacks highlights his grit and unyielding spirit. It also gives an important message of fitness. Spoke to him and congratulated him for the effort,” Modi posted on X, linking a Times of India story on the journey.

Speaking about the PM’s call, Kumar said, “I was really thrilled to receive a call from none other than Hon’ble PM of Bharat congratulating me for my 702 kms cycling to Kanyakumari. He was happy to know that after 51 years this was my 2nd cycling to Kanyakumari, that too after suffering a serious ailment.”

The 70-year-old MLA undertook the challenge months after recovering from chikungunya encephalopathy (CE), a rare neurological complication that had left him bedridden. Kumar described the ride not only as a personal milestone but also as a message promoting fitness and healthy living.Motivated by PM Modi’s earlier call to encourage cycling in every constituency, Kumar has been actively promoting cycling at the local level, often riding with residents to foster community participation. “My neurologists are extremely happy that I took up cycling again. It has helped me recover physically and regain confidence,” he said.Kumar began the journey on December 23, departing Bengaluru at 4 am. Over five days, he and a group of 12 cyclists under the banner ‘Rajajinagar Pedal Power’ covered the following distances: 157 km on day one, 159 km on day two, 155 km on day three, 156 km on day four, and 73 km on the final day — totaling 702 km in almost 37 cycling hours.Reflecting on his lifelong association with cycling, Kumar said he grew up riding extensively and continued the habit even during his early career as an advocate. “Cycling was always part of my life. I took a brief break after entering politics, but I returned to it with a renewed purpose,” he added.Fellow cyclist Prashant Sadashiv Patil praised Kumar’s leadership on the journey: “He was inspiring us throughout the journey with interesting stories; he also taught us about team bonding. It is high time all constituencies encouraged cycling so that we can bring back the habit of cycling in Bengaluru.”Kumar’s ride stands as a testament to resilience, recovery, and public leadership, inspiring both his constituents and the wider public to embrace fitness and perseverance in the face of health challenges.

Ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Ashes 2025–26 at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith has opened up on the growing speculation around his international future. Speaking on the eve of the Sydney Test, Smith shared his thoughts regarding the potential retirement, insisting he is focused solely on the present rather than setting timelines for the end of his storied career.

Steve Smith addresses retirement chatter

Smith, widely regarded as one of the finest Test batters of his generation, has been under the spotlight due to a perceived dip in output in recent seasons. While his numbers remain respectable, they have not matched the extraordinary heights he scaled during his peak years, prompting questions about how long he intends to continue.

However, Smith was quick to dismiss any suggestion that the Sydney Test could mark a farewell. He revealed that he prefers a flexible, short-term approach to his career rather than planning too far ahead. According to Smith, his enjoyment of the game and his ability to contribute meaningfully are the only factors that matter at this stage.

He explained that he is taking his journey ‘day by day, series by series,’ adding that there is no fixed end date in his mind. As long as he feels competitive and motivated, Smith believes there is no reason to step away.

“I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m doing at the end of this week. I’ve said it for a while. I’m taking it day by day, series by series. We’ll see where things land. I feel like I’m doing all right at the moment. I’m enjoying it. I’m contributing and having fun. There’s no real end date for me, I suppose. I’m still playing. I’m enjoying it,” Smith told reporters.

Numbers still tell a strong story

Although critics have pointed to a decline, Smith’s record over the past few years suggests he remains a reliable performer. After averaging over 70 across multiple calendar years during his prime, he has continued to average above 50 in several recent seasons. For most batters, those figures would represent career-best numbers, highlighting the extraordinary standards Smith set for himself earlier on.

This contrast between past brilliance and present consistency has arguably fueled the retirement narrative. Yet, Smith’s comments suggest he views his current phase as an evolution rather than a downturn, adapting his game and mindset to remain effective at the highest level.

Also READ: Ashes 2025-26: Shoaib Bashir returns as England unveil squad for the SCG Test

Smith highlights Australia’s collective strength and his evolving leadership role

Beyond personal form, Smith also spoke about Australia’s broader success in Test cricket. He praised the collective nature of the team’s achievements, particularly their ability to share responsibility rather than rely on individual brilliance.

Reflecting on the past few years, Smith highlighted Australia’s consistency, including multiple appearances in the World Test Championship final. He noted that different players have stepped up at crucial moments, which has been key to sustaining success in a competitive era of Test cricket.

Now one of the most experienced figures in the dressing room, Smith acknowledged that his role has evolved. Alongside contributing with the bat, he sees mentoring younger players and passing on Test-match knowledge as a key responsibility.

“I think we’ve got a really good team. I think the team we’ve had over the last three or four years, obviously making two World Test Championship finals, different people have stood up at different times. It’s never been one or two people just getting the job done. It’s been shared across and guys have done great jobs throughout and I think that’s what’s made us a really good team. So it’s been good to be a part of and, yeah, as an older player now, hopefully I can help some of the players coming through and help teach them the game of test cricket. I guess that’s my role now,” added Smith.

Also READ: Usman Khawaja announces retirement from international cricket, SCG Test to be his final bow

Hardik Pandya (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s absence from India’s ODI plans has drawn attention, especially after the squad for the New Zealand series was announced on Saturday. The right-handed batter has not been cleared by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence to bowl a full 10-over spell in an ODI.

With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup coming up, the team management has decided not to rush him back and instead focus on managing his workload carefully. For the team management, the priority is to keep 32-year-old Pandya fully fit for major tournaments rather than pushing him in bilateral ODIs.India’s selection committee has named a strong squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11 in Vadodara. Shubman Gill will captain the side, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the ODI setup. Shreyas Iyer has been named vice-captain, though his availability depends on fitness clearance from the BCCI COE. The squad also includes KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as wicketkeepers, along with all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The bowling unit features Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav.“Hardik Pandya has not been cleared by the BCCI COE to bowl 10 overs in a match, and considering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to follow, his workload is being managed,” said the statement.While Pandya is missing from ODIs, his form with the bat remains outstanding. On Saturday in Rajkot, he produced a stunning innings for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Vidarbha. Baroda were struggling at 71 for 5 when Hardik came to the crease. He rebuilt the innings calmly before exploding in the 39th over and smashed five sixes and a four to collect 34 runs in six balls. That blitzkrieg took him from 66 to a century in just 68 balls.Hardik finished with 133 off 92 balls, hitting 11 sixes and 8 fours. Earlier, in India’s T20I series against South Africa, Pandya had played several eye-catching knocks and even completed 100 T20I wickets with his effective bowling.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran “will not yield to the enemy” in response to US President Donald Trump’s remarks to come to the aid of Iran’s protests if they were fired upon. Khamenei also acknowledged the economic grievances driving the demonstrations while also warning against the “rioters.”In response to Trump, Khamenei said, “God willing and by ‍divine grace, we ‍will ⁠bring ⁠the enemy to its knees.” This comes after Trump on Friday, in a post on Truth Social, said, “If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.”In a speech marking the Shiite holiday, Khamenei recognised the economic demands of the protestors, saying, “The president and high-ranking officials are working to resolve.” “The shopkeepers have protested against this situation, and that is completely fair,” he addedHowever, he also drew a sharp distinction between peaceful protest and unrest, warning that “rioters must be put in their place.”Protests erupted last Sunday over rising prices and economic stagnation in the sanctions-hit country and have since become violent, spreading to more than two dozen cities. According to an AFP tally based on local media, at least 25 cities have seen protest gatherings of varying sizes, though coverage remains limited and many social media videos cannot be independently verified.Official figures say at least eight people have been killed in the unrest so far, including members of the security forces. The first deaths were reported on Thursday following clashes between demonstrators and authorities.On Saturday, the Mehr news agency, quoting the Revolutionary Guards, reported that Ali Azizi, a member of the Basij paramilitary force, was killed in the western city of Harsin “after being stabbed and shot during a gathering of armed rioters.”Separately, Tasnim news agency reported that a man was killed in the holy city of Qom when a grenade he was attempting to use exploded “in his hands.”While the demonstrations began over economic hardships, they have increasingly taken on political overtones, with some protesters chanting slogans against the ruling establishment.

India has set up 132 Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plants with a combined production capacity of 920 tonnes perday, with more capacity being added under the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative, Union petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on X.In a social media post, the minister said the CBG programme is helping convert farm and organic waste into clean fuel while supporting rural incomes and lowering emissions. “What was once waste is now powering progress. India has 132 Compressed Bio Gas plants producing 920 TPD today, with more capacity coming up under SATAT,” Puri wrote.SATAT was launched on October 1, 2018, with the objective of creating an ecosystem for producing CBG from waste and biomass sources across the country. Under the initiative, oil and gas marketing companies such as IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, GAIL and IGL have invited expressions of interest from entrepreneurs to procure CBG for marketing, according to news agency ANI.Separately, the minister also highlighted recent steps taken to boost India’s domestic energy production. Puri said that in December 2025, India offered 50 new exploration and production blocks covering oil, gas and coal bed methane assets, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening energy security.“We are offering 50 new E&P blocks across Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP-X): 25 blocks, Discovered Small Field (DSF-IV): 55 fields across 9 contract areas/blocks. Special CBM Bid Rounds 2025 and 2026: 3 blocks (2025) & 13 blocks (2026),” the minister said in his post.Under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy, 25 blocks covering around 1.83 lakh square kilometres are on offer, including onland, shallow water, deepwater and ultra-deepwater blocks. Puri said these blocks allow exploration throughout the contract period, graded royalty rates and flexibility in work programmes.The Discovered Small Field Bid Round-IV includes 55 discoveries across nine contract areas, with incentives such as zero royalty for the first seven years in deepwater areas and relaxed eligibility norms. Similar incentives apply to coal-bed methane rounds, including pricing freedom and cost reimbursement for mandated drilling in the 2026 round, as per ANI.Puri also said the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 2025 and the PNG Rules 2025 have introduced a unified regulatory framework to improve ease of doing business in the sector.

Gold and silver price outlook (AI image)

Gold and silver price rallies in 2025 left investors gasping – the stellar run of the precious metals was unprecedented and many had not predicted such a steep rise in the prices of the yellow and white metals. But what happens in 2026? Will gold and silver continue their record breaking run this year as well?Gold prices had an exceptional year in 2025 continuing their bull run and witnessing around 52 new record highs while also the strongest annual returns since 1979. Gold closed at $4319 on the last trading day of 2025; thus, it gained around 65% last year, while silver surged 148% to $71.66.In the last five years, gold has rallied from $1898 to $4488; thus, giving a return of 127%, while silver in the same period surged from $26.40 to $71.66, which amounts to a return of 171%. So, in the last five years silver has outperformed gold, though the major catch-up play by silver happened in the second half of 2025. Since August 27 silver has rallied nearly 82%, while gold has been up by 28%.

Why did gold & silver rally so much in 2025?There were a multitude of factors that contributed to the stellar rallies in the two metals in 2025, and some of these are expected to continue to propel these precious metals to new highs this year as well.Praveen Singh, Head – Commodities and Currencies, Mirae Asset ShareKhan says that the stellar rally in the precious metals in 2025 has been driven by a confluence of strong fundamental factors including political concerns (rising social instability risk) , geopolitical tensions (fragmentation, slowdown in globalization, realignments of global powers initiating reset of geopolitical order), trade wars (risks to global economy, increased polarization), mounting macroeconomic worries as surging global debt and reckless fiscal spending, and debasement of currencies by central banks and governments in key economies have made hard assets ,like gold and silver natural assets of choice.

Abhilash Koikkara, Head – Forex & Commodities at Nuvama Professional Client Group explains, “In 2025, deep structural factors rather than merely short-term money speculation drove up the prices of gold and silver. Although short-term fluctuations have been influenced by the US Federal Reserve policy, the primary drivers were more fundamental.” According to Koikkara, the rise of gold signals a change in the world’s financial and monetary system. “Gold has evolved from a passive safe haven to a crucial macro asset due to rising central bank buying, mounting fiscal pressure in developed nations, and a general shift towards de-dollarisation,” he told TOI. Liquidity conditions, which had been tightening for over a year, began stabilising in early 2025 which is historically a favourable environment for gold.

On the other hand, silver’s rally, while aligned with macro tailwinds, is driven more directly by physical market fundamentals. “Structural supply deficits, accelerating industrial demand from electrification, renewable energy, AI, and electronics, along with robust investment inflows, have tightened the market. Unlike previous cycles, silver’s strength is grounded in consumption growth and supply inelasticity rather than speculative excess,” he says.In fact, Praveen Singh points out that the traditional relationship of gold with key drivers like US Dollar and yields has broken. “Threats to the reserve status of the US Dollar are multiplying due to US twin deficits, weaponization of the currency, trusts in US treasuries getting eroded and the US President Trump adopting ‘US first policy’,” he tells TOI.

Interestingly, global central banks continue to diversify their forex reserves as they reduce their dependence on the US Dollar by adding more gold to their reserves. “This diversification has been a key factor in boosting gold prices in recent years, especially since 2022 as the West confiscated nearly $300 worth of Russian assets in the wake of Russia-Ukraine war,” Singh adds.Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst – Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities says that rupee weakness has boosted the prices in domestic market, as rupee saw weakness of 5% this year. Dollar weakness, de-dollarisation themes, and concerns around global debt sustainability have increased allocation toward precious metals. Silver has also benefited from strong industrial demand linked to clean energy, EVs, and grid infrastructure, adding a structural demand layer to the rally.Maneesh Sharma, AVP – Commodities & Currencies, Anand Rathi Shares & Stock Brokers is of the view that the sudden spike in import demand from key consuming nations such as India prior to Diwali festival along with increased interest seen in Global ETFs were also behind the rally in second half of 2025 while 3 consecutive rate cuts seen in US since September onwards also kept the investment flows intact in Gold. Overall a supercharged geo-economic environment combined with dollar weakness kept the safe haven flows intact, he told TOI.But why did silver rally more than gold?Praveen Singh of Mirae Asset ShareKhan explains:

Nearly 59% of silver is currently consumed for industrial purposes, making it highly susceptible to developments in solar energy, electric vehicles, semiconductors, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and electronics. “The World Silver Survey 2025 projects a deficit of 117.6 million ounces, extending a shortfall that has existed for nearly six years. These pressures have been exacerbated by investment demand. While investor positioning is still underdeveloped in comparison to historical peaks, ETF holdings have increased to 850 million ounces, the highest level in more than three and a half years. Silver is far more sensitive to favorable macro and liquidity changes than gold due to a combination of limited supply, growing industrial use, and increased financial demand,” he tells TOI.

Where are gold and silver headed in 2026?Maneesh Sharma of Anand Rathi Shares & Stock Brokers tells TOI that gold should continue to perform steadily, supported by expectations of lower global interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty, continued central bank buying, and a softer US dollar along with continued ETF inflows. “However, its gains may moderate as investors continue to adjust to higher prices.” Silver, on the other hand, despite higher volatility, may continue to outperform gold in percentage terms due to its dual role as both a precious and industrial metal, he said. “For the next one year, gold could deliver 25–30% returns on an annual average basis. Meanwhile Silver may still offer higher returns on an annual average basis but volatility with intermittent corrective moves could remain high in Silver as compared to gold,” he said.Between the two, silver has a higher probability of outperforming gold, especially in the first half of 2026, primarily due to persistent supply deficits and strong structural industrial demand from sectors such as Solar energy, EVs, AI infrastructure & electronics, he added.“In rupee terms MCX Gold futures could test Rs 1,60,000 – 165,000 / 10 gm on the higher side, while silver could witness levels of around Rs 3,25,000 – 3,50,000 / kg on the higher side in futures contract. However Silver always remains a highly volatile commodity with the market being less liquid & roughly 8 – 9 times smaller than the gold market, thus it always shows amplifying price moves as compared to gold,” he predicts. Praveen Singh of Mirae Asset ShareKhan tells TOI:

Jateen Trivedi of LKP Securities says Comex gold could target $5,000–$5,200, while MCX gold may move toward ₹1,50,000–₹1,55,000 per 10g, supported by rate cuts, central bank demand, and geopolitical hedging.“Silver could aim for $100–$110 on Comex and ₹3,00,000–₹3,25,000 per kg domestically, driven by industrial demand growth and continued investment interest,” he tells TOI.(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)

Madhya Pradesh’s Indore is facing a public health emergency as the Bhagirathpura locality has been hit by a waterborne disease outbreak, with 9 confirmed deaths and over 1400 affected. Now, the death of a 6-month-old child has raised outrage. The infant died after diarrhea and high-fever, and contaminated water is suspected to be the cause. The father of the child said, “He had diarrhoea and fever. We took him to the doctor on December 26. The doctor gave medicine and we brought him home. The child was fine for two days but again, suddenly, at night, he developed a very high fever. He vomited, and he died at home on December 29. This child was born after 10 years. I have a daughter, and this son was born 10 years later. He was 6 months old.”

According to Media reports, the outbreak began after sewage water from a local toilet seeped in the bhagirathpura water supply. After the contamination, locals began developing symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration and high fever. The Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. Madhav Prasad Hasani confirmed that lab tests have detected contamination in drinking water caused by a leak in the main supply pipeline.

How waterborne bacteria can put life at risk

The World Health Organisation notes that contaminated drinking water is one of the most underestimated public health threats globally. Water-borne bacteria present in the contaminated water can cause rapid severe infections. Also, the water-continated by sewage water, as in the Indore case, may carry bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Vibrio cholerae. A study titled “Health risks to children from exposure to fecally-contaminated recreational water”, published in the PLOS One Journals notes:

How to stay protected from contaminated water

While the devastating mishap can not be undone, and proper sanitization of the water will hopefully be done by government-level measures, it is important to know how to stay protected from water contamination in such life-threatening situations. Here are some recommendations from US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): CDC notes consuming boiled water is the best way to kill germs.CDC notes chemical disinfectants can kill most germs in water. These include: unscented household chlorine bleach, iodine, or chlorine dioxide tablets. Note- These measures are for emergency situations, and these do not guarantee safety against waterborne illnesses. It is recommended to avoid consumption of contaminated drinking water.