BENGALURU: A 21-year-old woman residing at a paying guest (PG) accommodation in Jnanajyothinagar on Ullal Main Road was allegedly stalked and assaulted by a man she befriended on Instagram on Monday afternoon (December 22). Following a complaint filed by the victim, the Jnanabharathi police swung into action and arrested the accused, identified as Naveen Kumar N (29), a resident of Billamaranahalli near Yelahanka. The victim, Archana (name changed), a native of Shringeri in Chikkamagaluru district, had moved to Bengaluru nearly two years ago and was working as a tele-caller at a developer’s firm. According to her complaint filed with the Jnanabharathi police, the incident occurred between 3.20 pm and 3.40 pm. She stated that on September 30, while working as a tele-caller, she had posted an advertisement related to her firm on Instagram. Naveen Kumar saw the post and responded to it. After a few days of chatting on Instagram, they exchanged phone numbers. Thereafter, Naveen allegedly began contacting her frequently through calls and messages and later started meeting her often in Nagarabhavi. For the first three months, his behaviour was cordial. However, the woman alleged that he later began forcing her to accept his proposal of love, despite her repeatedly telling him that she was not interested. She further alleged that Naveen continued to harass and follow her whenever she stepped out of her PG or workplace, refusing to leave her alone and tracking her movements wherever she went. Unable to bear the harassment, the woman quit her job at the developer’s firm and shifted to a PG. Despite this, the accused allegedly continued to follow her to the PG premises. She alleged that he verbally abused her and physically assaulted her on several occasions. On December 22, around 3.20 pm, when she stepped out of the PG along with her friend on a scooter, Naveen allegedly intercepted them in a car and assaulted her by hitting her on the head, back, and neck. She also accused him of attempting to tear her clothes during the attack. The victim immediately alerted the police by calling the emergency helpline 112. However, by the time police personnel reached the spot, the accused had fled. Based on her complaint, the police registered a case under Sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 75 (sexual harassment), 76 (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to disrobe), 78 (stalking), 79 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The police arrested Naveen Kumar soon after. During interrogation, he claimed that after getting acquainted through Instagram, they fell in love and later developed disputes. He stated that Archana blocked his mobile number and social media accounts, which left him frustrated. He allegedly went near her PG to talk to her, and when she refused, he assaulted her in anger, a senior police officer said. Deputy commissioner of Police (South-West) Anitha B. Haddannavar said the accused was arrested within 24 hours of the case being registered and that further investigation is under way.

MI Emirates booked their place in the playoffs with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Gulf Giants at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. A disciplined bowling display set up the chase before Nicholas Pooran and Muhammad Waseem stitched an unbeaten 140-run partnership off just 89 balls to seal a fourth successive win with 21 deliveries remaining.Chasing 142, MI Emirates were reduced to 2/2 early after Mark Adair removed Jonny Bairstow and Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed Tom Banton. From 58/2 at the halfway stage, Pooran and Waseem took control, adding 84 runs in 6.3 overs. Waseem finished unbeaten on 59 off 42 balls, while Pooran smashed 69 not out off 49, striking six sixes. Moeen Ali’s 51 off 48 proved insufficient for the Giants.

Pooran accelerated after the 10th over, reaching his fifty in 43 balls, while Waseem brought up his maiden half-century of the season in just 38 deliveries. With 27 required off 30 balls, the pair wrapped up the chase comfortably, Pooran striking consecutive sixes before Waseem guided the side home.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Earlier, MI Emirates’ bowlers kept the Giants in check from the outset. Romario Shepherd struck twice in the powerplay, while Fazalhaq Farooqi and Arab Gul maintained pressure through the middle overs. Moeen Ali and Romario Shepherd struggled to break free initially before Ali and Andre Russell added late momentum. Despite Ali’s half-century and a brisk cameo from Mayers, the Giants were restricted to 141/6.

Player of the match Muhammad Waseem said the plan was to weather the early movement before capitalising on loose deliveries. Waseem said: “We spoke in the middle about the movement early on. The focus was simply to survive the first three or four overs and build a partnership. Once we got through that phase, we were able to settle into our natural game and wait for the loose deliveries.”

Giants skipper James Vince admitted his side struggled to judge par scores after losing early wickets yet again. He said: “We were short of runs again. Batting first, we’re struggling to assess the right tempo and what a competitive total looks like. Losing early wickets really knocked the momentum out of our innings. That said, I thought we finished better than we have in recent games, but the damage was done upfront.”Brief Scores Gulf Giants: 141/6 in 20 overs (Moeen Ali 51, Kyle Mayers 28 not out; Fazalhaq Farooqi 2/17, Romario Shepherd 2/36)MI Emirates: 142/2 in 16.3 overs (Muhammad Waseem 59 not out, Nicholas Pooran 69 not out; Azmatullah Omarzai 1/20, Mark Adair 1/30)

Pakistan saw a 14% rise in foreign loans and grants during the first five months of the current fiscal year (July–November 2025), reaching $3.032 billion compared to $2.667 billion in the same period last year.Of the total inflows, foreign loans rose 46.2% to $2.521 billion, while grants fell by 43% to $54 million. In November alone, inflows amounted to $511 million, slightly higher than October’s $471 million but 46% lower than November 2024.Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $1.2 billion disbursement. The current inflow figures do not yet include this latest IMF release, as reported by Dawn.The government has set a target of $19.9 billion in total foreign inflows for the current fiscal year, slightly higher than last year’s $19.4 billion.The Ministry of Economic Affairs reported that of the $3.032 billion inflows, $1.157 billion was for project financing, while $1.875 billion comprised non-project inflows. Loans for budget support stood at $966 million, against an annual target of $13.5 billion. Additionally, Pakistan mobilised $500 million under the Saudi Oil facility at a planned rate of $100 million per month.

Reliance on bilateral and multilateral lenders

Inflows from bilateral and multilateral lenders totalled $2.066 billion in the first five months, compared to $1.73 billion in the same period last year, according to Dawn.Pakistan received $1.258 billion from multilateral lenders and $808 million from other bilateral lenders. Remittances from overseas Pakistanis also rose to $966 million, exceeding the annual target of $609 million.The IMF’s support comes amid Pakistan’s heavy reliance on external financing. The country narrowly avoided default in 2023 and is now among the Fund’s largest borrowers after Argentina and Ukraine.

Current IMF disbursement and support

Earlier this month, the IMF approved a $1.2 billion disbursement under Pakistan’s ongoing Extended Fund Facility and Resilience and Sustainability Facility programmes.This latest move lifts Pakistan’s total inflows from the IMF to roughly $3.3 billion and will be reflected in official accounts in the coming weeks.IMF officials have highlighted that Pakistan’s policy implementation has remained broadly consistent with programme goals, even after the recent monsoon floods that killed more than 1,000 people.The Fund observed that fiscal discipline, including maintaining a primary surplus of 1.3% of GDP in FY25, helped preserve macroeconomic stability. Gross reserves reached $14.5 billion at the end of FY25, up from $9.4 billion a year earlier and are expected to expand further in FY26.The Fund also stressed that Pakistan’s ongoing reform measures, including tax policy adjustments, energy sector restructuring and governance improvements, are critical to maintaining financial stability and supporting medium-term growth.

IMF imposes new conditions

As part of ongoing support, the IMF has imposed 11 new conditions on Pakistan, bringing the total to 64 over 18 months. These measures address governance flaws, corruption, tax reforms, the power sector and structural inefficiencies. Key directives include:

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has officially signaled a transitional phase for their white-ball squads, announcing a mix of seasoned leaders and fresh faces for their high-stakes tour of India in January 2026. With the T20 World Cup 2026 looming in February, the tour serves as the ultimate litmus test for the Black Caps in subcontinent conditions. While the T20I side sees the return of established stars, the ODI squad has been designed to test depth, featuring two uncapped players and a new captain at the helm. This dual-squad announcement highlights NZC’s careful management of player workloads, balancing franchise commitments and injury recoveries against the need for a full-strength World Cup preparation.

The leadership shift in New Zealand squad: Split captaincy for the India series

In a notable move, New Zealand have appointed separate captains for the two legs of the tour to manage injuries and individual schedules. Michael Bracewell will lead the ODI side, stepping in for Mitchell Santner, who is being rested for the 50-over format as part of a managed return-to-play plan following a groin injury.

Bracewell, who has become a vital all-round cog for New Zealand, will be supported by an experienced leadership group including Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell. However, Santner will return to his leadership duties for the five-match T20I series, a format where his tactical acumen on spin-friendly Indian tracks is considered indispensable. Head coach Rob Walter emphasized that the T20I series is the priority, stating that exposure to subcontinent conditions is vital before the world event begins in February.

“Jayden has been an identified player of interest for some time and has some good New Zealand ‘A’ experience under his belt. He’s consistently been one of the top performers in white-ball cricket domestically for a number of seasons. Playing in the sub-continent is obviously very different to what we’re used to in New Zealand, so any opportunity we can get to expose our guys to those conditions can only be a good thing, especially prior to a T20 World Cup in the subcontinent. Rob Walter, NZ Head Coach, was quoted as saying by Blackcaps.

New Zealand’s white-ball squads for the India series

The squad announcement is headlined by the inclusion of Central Districts left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox, who has earned his maiden international call-up for the ODI series alongside the uncapped Kristian Clarke. Their inclusion follows standout domestic seasons where they were identified as key prospects for subcontinent conditions.

Meanwhile, Kyle Jamieson makes a highly anticipated return to both white-ball squads after a lengthy injury layoff. The T20I squad also welcomes back Matt Henry and Mark Chapman, both of whom are returning from recent calf and ankle injuries. These squads reflect a clear strategy of prioritizing T20 readiness while blooding the next generation of ODI talent during a busy international window.

New Zealand ODI Squad:

Michael Bracewell (c), Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay (wk), Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Will Young.

New Zealand T20I Squad:

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wk), Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi.

Also READ: Australian Cricket Awards 2026: Will the event be scrapped? Here’s everything we know

Reason behind New Zealand stalwart Kane Williamson and Jacob Duffy’s absence

The biggest talking point of the announcement is the absence of former captain Kane Williamson from the ODI series. NZC confirmed that Williamson is unavailable for the 50-over matches due to his commitments with Durban Super Giants in the SA20 league, which directly clashes with the Indian tour.

Similarly, Tom Latham will miss the ODI series to remain in New Zealand for the birth of his third child. These absences have opened the door for emerging players like Bevon Jacobs and Tim Robinson, both of whom were rewarded for prolific domestic seasons. The T20I squad will be bolstered further later in the series by the arrival of players like Lockie Ferguson and Finn Allen as soon as their respective franchise commitments are complete.

“Kane Williamson is unavailable for ODI selection due to commitments in the SA20 league. Mitch Hay will keep wicket for the ODI series, whereas Devon Conway will take the gloves for the T20Is. Jacob Duffy and Rachin Ravindra will both sit out the ODI series to allow them to rest after being involved in all cricket since the start of the home summer. Ben Sears has returned from his stint in Melbourne, but was not considered for selection in ODI cricket as he works through his return to play program. Sears is progressing well and is on track to be available for the Super Smash.” New Zealand Cricket said in an official statement.

Also WATCH: Ben Duckett’s drunk video goes viral amid Ashes 2025–26 setback

In moments where danger feels real and immediate, the human body behaves very differently from how it does in daily life. Thought often drops into the background. Instinct steps forward. People who have lived through accidents, violent encounters, natural disasters, or sudden medical emergencies often say the same thing later. They were not thinking. They were reacting. Some felt oddly calm. Others felt disconnected or unusually alert. None of it felt planned.This happens because survival switches the brain into a different operating mode. Normal priorities like comfort, politeness, or careful reasoning lose importance. The body focuses on one goal only, staying alive long enough to escape the threat. Actions happen first. Understanding comes later. That gap between reaction and awareness is what makes these experiences feel so strange in hindsight.

A peer-reviewed review published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience describes how acute stress can rapidly reshape brain activity. Within moments, systems linked to threat detection become more active, while pain awareness, memory formation, and complex thinking are dialled down. This biological shift helps the body respond quickly when survival is on the line.

How the human body behaves during life or death situations

When danger is perceived, the nervous system releases a surge of stress hormones. Adrenaline and cortisol move through the body, activating neural circuits that evolved long before modern life existed. These responses are fast and automatic. They do not ask permission from conscious thought, which is why they often feel unfamiliar or out of character.

Time feels distorted

During life or death situations, many people notice that time stops behaving normally. Everything may seem to slow down, or the event may pass in a blur. This effect comes from the brain taking in more information per second than usual. Later, when those details are recalled, the moment feels longer than it truly was.

Pain disappears

In extreme danger, the body can temporarily mute pain. Serious injuries may not register until the threat has passed. Endorphins are released, and pain signalling pathways are suppressed so the body can keep moving. Once safety returns, pain often arrives suddenly and intensely.

Vision narrows

Tunnel vision is another common reaction. Awareness of the surroundings fades while attention locks onto whatever feels most dangerous or most useful for escape. This sharp focus can help in the moment, but it also explains why people later realise they missed obvious details around them.

Strength increases suddenly

Some individuals experience short bursts of unexpected physical strength during emergencies. Adrenaline allows muscles to work harder by reducing fatigue signals and recruiting more muscle fibres. This effect is temporary. When it fades, the body often feels drained or shaky.

Memory becomes fragmented

After surviving a life threatening event, memories can feel incomplete or jumbled. Stress hormones interfere with the hippocampus, which normally organises experiences into clear sequences. As a result, memories are stored as fragments rather than a smooth narrative.

Shaking or trembling suddenly

Once the danger has passed, shaking often begins. Hands tremble. Legs feel weak. This is not panic setting in late. It is the nervous system releasing built up stress chemicals. Shaking helps the body return to balance after extreme activation.

Loss of bladder control

In some cases, extreme fear leads to loss of bladder or bowel control. This response is involuntary. During survival mode, the body redirects energy away from systems that are not immediately necessary, prioritising alertness and movement instead.

Understanding these life or death reactions

None of these responses mean something went wrong. They mean the body did exactly what it was designed to do. Learning how the body reacts in life or death situations can ease shame and confusion after trauma. Your body was not failing you. It was trying to keep you alive.Disclaimer: This content is intended purely for informational use and is not a substitute for professional medical, nutritional or scientific advice. Always seek support from certified professionals for personalised recommendations.Also read| Best foods to eat if you have insulin resistance to improve blood sugar control and long-term health

Protein has become the golden child of social media wellness. Every reel seems to shout, “Eat more protein!” But blindly chasing high protein can actually backfire. Protein is important—no doubt. But health doesn’t come from extremes. It comes from eating enough, not excess, and letting protein work with the rest of your plate, not overpower it.“It seems like protein is the nutrient that everyone is crazy with these days. You can find an infinite stream of protein bars, smoothies, and powders on Instagram and YouTube. The advice is clear: “Eat more protein!” But is more really better?,” asks Charu Dua, Clinical Nutritionist, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad. The expert has debunked this common myth and has shared inputs on how to use protein safely.

The expert debunks common myth on protein

Protein is important for health since it helps repair tissues, boosts immunity, and keeps muscular mass. However, the body works best when it is balanced, not when it is too much or too little. Extra protein doesn’t instantly change into more muscle or improved health once you’ve met your protein needs.For most healthy persons, the required amount of protein is not too high. Indians need roughly 0.8 to 1 gram of protein for every kilogram of body weight every day. For instance, a person who weighs 65 kg would need between 52 and 65 grams of protein every day. Even athletes, older people, or people who are getting better from an illness just require a little more protein. The idea that eating twice or three times as much protein, as seen on social media, can help you build muscle or improve your health is wrong.The body doesn’t have a place to store extra protein. Anything that it doesn’t need is broken down, and the nitrogen part has to be gotten rid of by the kidneys. This makes their job harder. People with renal illness, diabetes, or high blood pressure, which are common in India, can speed up kidney damage by eating too much protein.Also, eating too many protein-rich foods like meat, protein shakes, and bars might push out foods that are high in nutrients and fiber, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This can cause constipation, bad gut health, high cholesterol levels, and a lack of nutrients, all of which protein alone can’t address.

A balanced approach to the protein we really need

The Indian Dietary Guidelines say that protein is important for development, repair, and overall health, but it’s important to get the right amount. To work well, the body needs a moderate amount of protein.

1. General protein consumption:

The Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for healthy people is 0.66 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 0.83g per kg of body weight per day, which is enough for 97.5% of people. This is about 43g (EAR) or 54g (RDA) of protein per day for an adult who weighs 65 kg.Most adults get enough protein from this amount. Too much protein beyond what you need won’t help you build muscle or improve your health, and it can put a burden on your kidneys.

2. The Protein Energy (P:E) Ratio:

10 to 15 percent of the calories you eat each day should come from protein. If you eat 2000 calories a day, this indicates that 200 to 300 of those calories should come from protein.Like all nutrients, protein functions best when it is balanced with the right amount of carbs and fats. Your body requires carbs and lipids to get the energy it needs to use protein to repair and develop muscles. If you don’t eat enough carbs and fats, your body can use protein for energy instead of developing muscle. This makes protein less effective at helping muscles grow.

3. The quality of protein:

Not all proteins are the same. Animal proteins, like meat, eggs, and dairy, are complete proteins. This means that they have all the amino acids your body requires.Plant-based proteins, such as pulses, beans, and grains, may be missing some important amino acids, but they can still give you good protein when you mix them well. For instance, mixing cereals and pulses in a 3:1 ratio makes sure that all the amino acids are present, which makes plant protein just as good as animal protein.

4. Nitrogen balance and energy use:

Nitrogen is in protein, which is necessary for making amino acids. To develop and repair muscle, the body keeps a balance of nitrogen. When you get enough protein to develop muscle, you have a positive nitrogen balance. When your body tears down muscle to meet protein needs, you have a negative nitrogen balance.For protein to work well for developing muscle, you need to get enough energy from carbs and fats. Your body could burn protein for energy instead of using it to create muscle if you don’t get enough energy from carbs and fats.

What exercise does to help your body use protein

It’s really important to be active so that your body can use the protein you eat to build muscle. This is how:Increased absorption: When you work out, especially with weights, blood flow to your muscles increases. This helps transport protein and other nutrients that help your muscles heal and grow.Regular exercise makes your body better at handling nutrients, which means it can absorb protein better and use it to build and repair muscle.Building muscle mass: When you lift weights, your muscles get tiny tears that need protein to heal and get stronger. The more you move about, the more protein your body will need to help grow muscle.

Keeping your muscles healthy and strong

Keeping your muscles strong is important for your health as a whole, not only for getting stronger. This is why:Lower risk of diseases: Having enough muscle mass lowers the risk of getting diseases including diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. For instance, having more muscle makes your body more sensitive to insulin, which lowers your risk of type 2 diabetes.Better bone health: Strength training and other weight-bearing workouts can help make bones denser and lower the risk of osteoporosis.Metabolism: Muscle tissue burns more calories when you’re not doing anything, which helps you keep your weight in check and improves your overall metabolic health.You won’t be able to properly use the protein you eat to create muscle if you don’t exercise regularly. Instead, too much protein can be used for energy or stored as fat, especially if the body gets more protein than it needed to repair muscles.Protein is important, but getting the appropriate quantity is better than getting too much. Without exercise, protein alone won’t make you healthier or help you build muscle.Exercise, especially strength training, helps the body use protein better to build and repair muscles.To make sure that protein is used to grow and repair muscles instead of being used as energy, it should be balanced with energy from fats and carbs.To have the optimum health and muscle-building results, you need to eat enough protein, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly.In short, more protein isn’t necessarily better. The most important thing is to figure out how much you need based on your age, level of activity, and health goals. Not extremes, but equilibrium.

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and former Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday stepped up his attack on the Modi government over the Aravalli Hills, accusing the Centre of “misleading the public” and pushing through a “fatally flawed” redefinition of the ecologically sensitive range.In a post on X, Ramesh alleged that the Union ministry of environment,forests and climate change was being “economical with the truth” on the Aravalli Hills issue. He claimed that the redefinition being adopted by the government had been “clearly and compellingly opposed” by key statutory and judicial bodies, including the forest survey of India, the central empowered committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court, and the apex court’s own amicus curiae.

Aravalli Hills Row: Why Definition Battle Could Decide Mining Water Security And AQI In North India

“Why is the Modi Govt pushing through a fatally flawed redefinition of the Aravallis?” Ramesh asked in his tweet.Speaking to on Tuesday, the Congress MP had alleged that the government was attempting to “sell the Aravalli Hills instead of saving them”. He argued that changes in the definition of the Aravalli region would open the door for increased mining and real estate activity, further aggravating pollution levels, particularly in and around the National Capital Region.His remarks came in response to Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav’s clarification that only 0.19 per cent, or about 277 square kilometres, of the total 1.44 lakh square kilometres of the Aravalli range would be permitted for mining activities.Questioning the government’s figures, Ramesh said the assessment lacked transparency. “On what basis have they decided the 0.19 per cent of the Aravalli Hills? That 0.19 per cent means 68,000 acres of land. This is a game of figures. The environment should not be changed into a game of figures,” he said.Ramesh also announced that he would approach the Supreme Court in January, challenging the government’s move and seeking judicial intervention to protect the fragile ecosystem spread across Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and Delhi.The Union environment ministry, meanwhile, issued a detailed clarification stating that no new mining leases would be allowed until a comprehensive study is conducted, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s November 20 order.Environmentalists have repeatedly warned that degradation of the Aravalli range, an ancient mountain system that acts as a natural barrier against desertification, could have serious consequences. The hills are the source of major rivers such as the Chambal and the Sabarmati and play a crucial role in supporting agriculture, livelihoods and regional rainfall patterns.