MUMBAI: A 12,964-sqm (3.2-acre) recreation ground in Marol, Andheri (East), along the Mithi River, is set to be developed into what is proposed as Mumbai’s first public urban forest. The plot, reserved as a recreation ground (ROS 1.4) under the Development Plan (DP), currently remains largely undeveloped despite housing around 150 trees. The BMC now plans to develop the space as a nature interactive centre.The concept envisions a biodiversity-focused space that integrates ecological restoration with recreational amenities for all age groups. Nitin Shukla, assistant municipal commissioner of K East ward, said the planning department had earlier proposed including the plot in the second phase of the city’s urban forest project, but the plan did not materialise. “Subsequently, it was decided to explore developing the plot through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding instead. We have received CSR funds and work has begun,” Shukla said.

Marol recreation ground to be developed as Mumbai’s first urban forest.

The proposed forest will feature elements such as a Miyawaki forest patch, bird habitat zones, a bamboo arboretum, native grasslands, butterfly gardens, sacred groves and medicinal plant zones. Recently, local MLA Murji Patel wrote to the BMC stating that although the land parcel exists, it currently remains unusable for residents in his constituency and should therefore be developed into an accessible open space for the public.Deputy municipal commissioner Vishwas Mote said that in the face of climate change, such projects are a must. “Projects like these are the need of the hour. Apart from benefiting the environment, they will also help residents in the area, as the park will include public amenities such as natural walking pathways, children’s play areas, lawns, open-air fitness zones, senior citizen seating spaces, and specially designed gardens for children and the elderly,” Mote said.While work on the project has already begun, it is expected to be completed within the next year, said Pradeep Tripathi, founder of the NGO Green Yatra, which is implementing the project through CSR funding.“The timeline is mainly because the plot has a large amount of debris that needs to be cleared before plantation can begin. After plantation, we also need the trees to grow to a certain height before opening the space to the public, so that they can withstand possible damage,” Tripathi said. “The plan includes planting flowering trees as well as species that attract birds throughout the year. The park will also feature a dedicated toddler zone with a play area designed for children below two years of age.“

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested an engineering student from Mumbai for allegedly sharing online propaganda material linked to banned terrorist organisations, an official said. According to the official, two other individuals are also under investigation in connection with the case. The ATS recently conducted search operations at multiple locations across the city as part of an investigation into suspected online radicalisation linked to banned terror outfits, he said on Thursday. Following the operation, a case was registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and engineering student Ayan Sheikh was taken into custody, he said. Electronic devices, including a laptop and mobile phones, were seized during the searches and have been sent for forensic examination, the official added. Sheikh had earlier come under the radar of investigating agencies for allegedly being associated with extremist propaganda circulating on social media and encrypted messaging platforms.“The ATS had received specific intelligence inputs regarding the dissemination of propaganda related to banned terror outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Islamic State. Based on the information, coordinated search operations were conducted late Monday night at premises in Kurla, Govandi and Shivaji Nagar in Mumbai,” the official said. During the examination of Sheikh’s devices, investigators allegedly found several audio and video clips linked to Masood Azhar, chief of terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), he said.“Sheikh was active on encrypted messaging platforms and Telegram channels where extremist content was circulated. Multiple chats were also recovered, suggesting attempts to promote terrorist recruitment. He allegedly shared extremist material, attempted to recruit individuals and may have been involved in facilitating funding for extremist activities,” the official said. The ATS also found that Sheikh had allegedly tried to influence two other youths, both engineering students and his close friends, by exposing them to radical content and adding them to Telegram groups carrying propaganda of JeM and ISIS, the official informed. During coordinated raids in Govandi and Kurla, officials found that the two youths had accessed extremist material shared by Sheikh. However, investigators said they were not actively involved in any terror-related activities, adding that their statements have been recorded as part of the ongoing probe. Sheikh was questioned for several hours, during which he reportedly disclosed suspicious communications with foreign handlers and individuals linked to banned terror organisations, including JeM and ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), the official said. According to sources, several foreign nationals and suspected facilitators were part of these encrypted messaging groups, believed to be associated with sleeper networks and recruitment cells. Officials further noted that several youths and individuals from different states across India were active members of these encrypted groups. Records show they frequently exchanged extremist content, guidance on radicalisation and instructions related to recruiting new members, they added. Investigators are currently analysing digital footprints to map the network involved, identify individuals undergoing radicalisation and trace operational links with possible local sleeper cells, he said.“Digital evidence and communication records have also been shared with agencies in other states to coordinate a wider investigation and prevent potential recruitment at the local level. The ATS is also probing Sheikh’s financial transactions and digital trail to identify funding channels and logistical support allegedly used for extremist activities,” he said. The accused will be produced before a special court in Mumbai on Friday, the official added, noting that further arrests in the case cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses.

Asian stocks mostly fell on Friday as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continued to unsettle global markets, while oil prices remained elevated despite some efforts to ease supply concerns.After a difficult week on trading floors, investors are heading into the weekend uncertain about when the US-Israel war on Iran and Tehran’s attacks across the Gulf region might end.Global equities have been battered by the crisis, which has pushed crude prices sharply higher and raised fears of renewed inflation that could weigh on the global economy. Oil prices have surged by about a fifth since last Friday, the day before the attacks began.Although markets saw a rebound in the middle of the week, analysts warned that the longer the conflict continues, the more pressure it will put on financial markets.“It is too soon to suggest that stocks have bottomed,” wrote IG chief market analyst Chris Beauchamp, as quoted by AFP.“Unless the war ends soon- and if anything a more intense conflict seems more likely- markets will struggle. Volatility remains elevated, which means we should expect plenty of two-way price action, but a continued decline for the moment seems likely, even with short-term bounces along the way.”The conflict also appears unlikely to ease soon. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that Iran was neither seeking a ceasefire nor negotiations with the United States.Asian markets largely followed losses on Wall Street, where all three main indexes ended lower despite staging late rallies.Seoul again saw sharp movement. The Kospi index, which plunged nearly 19 percent on Tuesday and Wednesday before rebounding more than nine percent on Thursday, fell another 1.5 per cent.Sydney, Singapore, Wellington, Manila and Jakarta were also down, while Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taipei managed gains.Concerns about rising crude prices have also intensified fears that inflation could climb again, potentially forcing central banks to reconsider plans to cut interest rates, with some analysts warning that rate hikes could even return.While Iran has not officially shut off the Strait of Hormuz, shipping through the key waterway has all but dried up. Around a fifth of the world’s crude supply and large volumes of gas normally pass through the strait.There was some relief in oil markets after US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said officials were considering measures to ease the surge in prices.The White House also temporarily eased sanctions against Russia on Thursday, allowing Russian oil currently stranded at sea to be sold to India until April 3.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the waiver was issued “to enable oil to keep flowing into the global market.”Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump pledged to protect ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.Other countries have also taken steps to secure supplies. According to Bloomberg News, China has asked its largest oil refiners to suspend exports of diesel and gasoline amid fears of shortages.Despite the small pullback, oil prices remain high. By the end of trading Thursday, Brent crude had risen about 19 percent since last Friday, while West Texas Intermediate had climbed more than 22 percent, briefly crossing $80 a barrel for the first time since January last year.Investors are also watching the release of US jobs data later on Friday for clues about the strength of the world’s largest economy.At around 0230 GMT, oil prices were higher, with West Texas Intermediate rising 2.0 percent to $79.38 per barrel and Brent North Sea Crude up 1.5 percent at $84.10 per barrel. In equity markets, Seoul’s Kospi fell 1.6 percent to 5,497.51, while Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.4 percent to 55,490.04. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.9 percent to 25,557.59 and Shanghai’s Composite edged up 0.1 percent to 4,111.86. In currency trading, the euro strengthened to $1.1617 from $1.1604 on Thursday, while the pound rose slightly to $1.3367 from $1.3357. The dollar slipped to 157.51 yen from 157.55 yen, and the euro rose to 86.91 pence from 86.87 pence.

Pakistan has achieved nearly all of its objectives in the recent military operation against Afghanistan, according to Rana Sanaullah, special assistant to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Thursday.Islamabad launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq last week in response to attacks by the Afghan Taliban forces on more than 50 locations along the over 2,600-kilometer border between the two countries. The Taliban attack followed Pakistan’s airstrikes in eastern Afghan provinces targeting alleged militant camps.

“Pakistan’s targets in Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in Afghanistan have almost been achieved and are being fortified now. Our only demand from Afghanistan was that it should not allow its soil to be used for terrorism against us,” Sanaullah, a former interior minister, told a private news channel.He further stated that Islamabad expects Kabul to immediately withdraw support for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reported that its armed forces have killed 481 Afghan Taliban personnel so far.“As of March 4, security forces have killed 481 and injured over 696 Afghan Taliban personnel, destroyed 226 check posts, and captured 35 posts,” Tarar wrote in a post on X.He added that 198 tanks, armoured vehicles, and artillery guns have been destroyed, while air strikes have targeted 56 locations across Afghanistan.The strikes followed Pakistan’s air operations last Thursday, after the Taliban said it had conducted “large-scale offensive operations” against Pakistani military positions along the shared border.Afghan authorities claimed that dozens of Pakistani soldiers were killed and that 19 army posts and two bases were destroyed in the attacks.Pakistan’s defense minister, Khawaja Asif, later stated that Islamabad is conducting an “open war” against Kabul, citing concerns that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters were using Afghan territory to target Pakistan.Relations between the neighbours, which share a 2,611-kilometer-long border, have deteriorated significantly since October of last year.(With PTI inputs)

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Thane: The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane awarded nearly Rs 46.6 lakh compensation to the family of a man who died in a road accident in Palghar district nearly nine years ago. The tribunal held the driver of a truck responsible for the fatal crash and directed the insurance company to pay the compensation to the victim’s family.According to the tribunal order, the accident occurred on May 13, 2017, around 8am, on Gorhaphata–Kanchadphata road near Sai Devaligaon in Wada taluka. The victim was travelling in an SUV when a truck coming from the opposite direction at high speed and in a rash and negligent manner crashed into the vehicle from the front. The impact of the collision caused severe injuries to the victim, including head injuries, and he later succumbed to them. Several other occupants of the SUV were also injured in the accident. Police registered an offence and filed a chargesheet against the truck driver.During the hearing, the tribunal examined documents including the FIR, spot panchanama, post-mortem report, and other investigation records. It concluded that the accident occurred due to the rash and negligent driving of the truck driver.Evidence placed before the tribunal showed that the deceased was employed as an operator in a private company and his family depended on his income. After assessing his earnings, age, and the number of dependents, the tribunal calculated the compensation payable to the claimants.The tribunal also noted that the truck driver did not possess a valid licence to drive transport vehicles at the time of the accident, which amounted to a breach of insurance policy conditions.However, following established legal principles in third-party motor accident claims, the tribunal directed the insurance company to first deposit the compensation amount with 9% annual interest from the date of filing of the petition. The insurer was granted liberty to subsequently recover the amount from the owner of the truck through appropriate legal proceedings.The compensation will be distributed among the deceased’s dependents in accordance with the tribunal’s order.

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Stock market today (AI image)

Stock market today: After a relief rally on Thursday, Nifty50 and BSE Sensex opened in red on Friday on weak global cues amid escalating Middle East tensions. While Nifty50 went below 24,650, BSE Sensex was down over 500 points. At 9:18 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 24,610.90, down 155 points or 0.63%. BSE Sensex was at 79,489.17, down 527 points or 0.66%.Analysts say that investors will continue to track developments in West Asia, global energy price movements and overall international risk sentiment for further direction. Rising geopolitical tensions have raised concerns about energy prices, inflation pressures and the potential impact on monetary policy.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “As the war continues to rage and uncertainty looms large, markets will be influenced by the crude prices. It is important to understand that even though crude has spiked by about 16% since the war began this is not among the major spikes in crude compared to earlier geopolitical crises which impacted crude. This is a reflection of the potential huge supply of oil available in the global market. Once the West Asian crisis deescalates, crude prices will dip sharply and markets will bounce back. Therefore, crude price will continue to influence the market in the near-term. So long as Brent crude moves around $85 levels, the market is unlikely to be impacted. On the other hand, if Brent price spikes above $90 and moves towards $100, globally markets will be impacted. Therefore, watch out for crude prices.”US stocks closed lower on Thursday as the conflict in the Middle East entered its sixth day. Asian markets also weakened on Friday, placing regional equities on course for their sharpest weekly decline in six years. In currency markets, the US dollar remained broadly steady during early Asian trading on Friday and was set for its strongest weekly gain in more than a year. The escalating geopolitical tensions increased demand for safe-haven assets, supporting the greenback.Foreign portfolio investors continued to pare exposure to Indian equities, with net sales of Rs 3,752 crore on Thursday. Domestic institutional investors provided some support to the market as they remained net buyers, purchasing shares worth Rs 5,153 crore.(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)

The high-octane multi-format series reaches its grand finale as Australia Women and India Women face off in a historic Pink-Ball Test at the iconic W.A.C.A. Ground in Perth. While Australia has already secured the multi-format trophy (leading 8-4 on points), four crucial points are up for grabs in this Test. A win for India would see them level the series standings, making this far more than just a dead rubber.

The focus is undeniably on Alyssa Healy as she steps out for her 299th and final international match. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter enters this fixture in sublime form, having smashed a blistering 158 in the final ODI. The squad faces fitness tests for key personnel, including star all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who is working back to full fitness after a quad strain. With the series already won, Australia will be looking to end their summer with a clinical statement performance.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s side will be eager to bounce back after the disappointment of the ODI series. A major blow for the visitors is the absence of pacer Renuka Singh, who has been ruled out to manage her workload; she has been replaced by the talented seamer Kashvee Gautam. India will look to their top-order batting unit, led by the consistent Smriti Mandhana, to negate the swing of the pink ball and build a substantial first-innings total.

WACA Ground Pitch Report

The W.A.C.A. Ground in Perth remains one of the most intimidating assignments for any visiting batter, and this Test’s surface appears no different. Historically legendary for its extreme pace and steep bounce, the pitch for this Pink-Ball Test features a healthy dusting of grass to ensure the ball carries through to the keeper at head height. Early on, batters must weather an initial storm of high-velocity bowling where the extra lift frequently catches the outside edge of those unfamiliar with the Perth zip.

The tactical narrative will shift significantly as the ‘Fremantle Doctor’, the iconic afternoon sea breeze rolls in. This wind is expected to assist swing bowlers, becoming particularly lethal during the treacherous twilight period when the pink ball is known to skid and move unpredictably under the lights. While the true bounce offers great value for shots once a batter is settled, the constant threat of lateral movement makes this a bowl-first paradise.

Also READ: India pacer Renuka Singh ruled out of one-off Test against Australia; replacement announced

WACA Ground Test Stats and Records

• Total matches played: 48
• Matches won batting first: 19
• Matches won bowling first: 19
• Average 1st innings score: 319
• Average 2nd innings score: 325
• Average 3rd innings score: 286
• Average 4th innings score: 198
• Highest total recorded: 735/6 (146.3 Ovs) by Australia vs Zimbabwe
• Lowest total recorded: 62/10 (21.2 Ovs) by Pakistan vs Australia
• Highest score chased: 414/4 (119.2 Ovs) by South Africa vs Australia
• Lowest score defended: 123/10 (48.1 Ovs) by Australia Women vs England Women

Also READ: From Tammy Beaumont to Deepti Sharma: Here’s the list of maiden The Hundred Women 2026 auction

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.