NOIDA: A 47-year-old man from South Korea, employed with a logistics company in Greater Noida for the past 10 years, was allegedly stabbed to death by his girlfriend at their Sector 150 flat in the early hours of Sunday after an argument over his drinking habits. The woman then called his driver and, along with him, took the bleeding man to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. She has been detained for questioning.Duck Hee Yuh of Cheongju-si in South Korea and Lunjeana Pamai (22) from Bishnupur in Manipur were in a live-in relationship and stayed in a flat in ATS Pious Hideways.On Sunday morning, police received information about Hee’s death from Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), where he was taken to after being stabbed.

“A team reached the hospital and learnt that the South Korean national was in a live-in relationship with his girlfriend for the past two years,” said Sudheer Kumar, ADCP (Greater Noida).Girlfriend took Korean man to hospital with his driverInitial investigation revealed that the two had met at a party in Gurgaon before entering the relationship. While Hee worked in Greater Noida, Pamai was not employed yet.Asked about the trigger behind the fight, Kumar said Pamai had told cops that Hee had been drinking since Saturday morning, which angered her. “According to her, Pamai tried to stop him from drinking between 3am and 4am. She asked him to have dinner and go off to sleep. But Hee became aggressive, which led to a heated argument between the two. It soon escalated into a physical fight, and Hee thrashed Pamai badly. In retaliation, she picked up a knife from the dining table and stabbed Hee a number of times in the chest,” the officer said.As Hee slumped to the ground, Pamai called his driver, Mandeep Singh. “She asked him to come to the flat. When Singh arrived early in the morning, Pamai told him everything. Singh called an ambulance and took Hee to hospital along with Pamai. By the time they reached GIMS, Hee had died. When his girlfriend came to know about Hee’s death, she quietly left the hospital without informing anyone,” the ADCP said.According to police, Hee’s family in South Korea has been informed and they are on their way to Noida. Singh lodged a complaint, following which a case was registered against Pamai under Section 103 (murder) of the BNS at Knowledge Park police station.Quoting the driver, another police officer said the two fought frequently, often over “trivial matters”. Singh also referred to an incident from last month, when Hee allegedly became aggressive all of a sudden and abused his girlfriend.“We have initiated an investigation into the sequence of events that led to the man’s murder. Pamai has been detained for further questioning,” the officer said.

The International League T20 (ILT20) 2025-26 season reached a dramatic conclusion at the Dubai International Stadium on January 4, 2026. While the final was a spectacle of elite franchise cricket, the match was momentarily overshadowed by a high-voltage confrontation between two of the game’s most intense competitors: MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard and Pakistan‘s pace spearhead, playing for Desert Vipers, Naseem Shah.

The heated face-off during ILT20 final: Kieron Pollard and Naseem Shah’s verbal spat

The friction between the two stars ignited during the 11th over of the Emirates run chase. After Pollard played a defensive stroke to a well-directed, good-length delivery, the ball rolled back toward Naseem. The young pacer, seemingly enjoying the tactical upper hand against the veteran, picked up the ball and let out a visible, mocking chuckle directly at the captain.

Pollard, known for his no-nonsense on-field persona, was visibly incensed by the gesture. He immediately abandoned his crease and marched toward the bowler, sparking a fiery verbal altercation that stopped the game for several minutes. As the two players stood inches apart trading barbs, Naseem refused to retreat, matching Pollard’s intensity. The situation became so tense that on-field umpires and Vipers fielder Jason Roy had to physically intervene to separate them. The confrontation served as a turning point in the match’s psychological battle, as Naseem’s refusal to be intimidated seemed to galvanize the Vipers’ bowling unit.

Here’s the video:

Also READ: “They do not want him in the ODI team”: Mohammed Shami’s childhood coach slams Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel

Naseem’s three-wicket masterclass and title victory for Desert Vipers over MI Emirates

Despite the mid-pitch drama, Naseem ensured he had the definitive final laugh through his performance with the ball. He had already set the tone early in the innings by removing dangerous openers Andre Fletcher and Tom Banton, but his most satisfying moment came in the 16th over. With MI Emirates needing a miracle, Naseem returned to the attack and dismissed Pollard for a struggling 28 off 28 balls, effectively ending any hopes of an Emirates comeback.

Naseem finished with elite figures of 3/18 in his four overs, playing a starring role alongside David Payne to bundle out MI Emirates for 136. The Vipers, led by an unbeaten 74 from Sam Curran, secured a comprehensive 46-run victory to lift their first-ever ILT20 trophy. The victory was particularly sweet for Naseem, who not only outplayed his rival but also proved instrumental in helping the Vipers win $700,000 in prize money and the prestigious Black Belt.

Also READ: No Mohmmad Rizwan as Pakistan unveils provisional squad for the T20 World Cup 2026

Prices of some top brands can be as much as 14 times higher

NEW DELHI: A citizen-funded quality study of commonly prescribed medicines has found no difference in quality between expensive branded drugs and the far cheaper generics, including govtsupplied medicines, even as prices of some top brands can be as much as 14 times higher for the same drug.The findings come from Citizens Generic vs Branded Drugs Quality Project by Kerala-based non-profit Mission for Ethics and Science in Healthcare, which tested 131 samples of 22 widely used medicines for heart disease, diabetes, liver disorders, infections, pain, acidity, allergies and thyroid conditions.The project was led by Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly known as The Liver Doc, who flagged how fear and mistrust of cheaper medicines — rather than evidence — often push patients to abandon treatment, with serious health consequences.

The study covered top branded drugs, branded generics sold by large pharmaceutical companies, trade or local generics and govt medicines supplied under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana. All samples were purchased from pharmacies.Testing was conducted at a laboratory accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories and US Food and Drug Administration, across five Indian Pharmacopoeia parameters: drug content, dissolution, uniformity, impurities and physical appearance. All genericsmet prescribed quality standards and performed on a par with branded medicines.What stood out was the price gap. The average price per tablet of branded medicines was Rs 11.17, compared with Rs 2.4 for Jan Aushadhi drugs, with several trade generics also being significantly cheaper. For medicines like pantoprazole, atorvastatin and rifaximin, branded versions cost five to 14 times more than the cheapest quality-tested alternatives.Indians incur 62%–69% of healthcare expenditure on medicines. Doctors say high prices often lead to missed doses, irregular intake or treatment discontinuation, especially for chronic illnesses.Senior clinicians said the findings mirror everyday practice. Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant in internal medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said lowercost medicines, including Jan Aushadhi drugs, meet Indian Pharmacopoeia standards and are likely to work as intended. While doctors are comfortable prescribing such options to cost-constrainedpatients, he cautioned that regular monitoring is essential and flagged practical issues such as inconsistent availability, limited dose options, packaging and patient familiarity. Wider availability and assurance of batch-tobatch consistency, he said, would support wider use of such medicines.Dr Sandeep Kharb, senior consultant in endocrinology at Asian Hospital, said the results confirm what clinicians routinely see — that patients do just as well on affordable versions of medicines such as metformin, amlodipine and levothyroxine as on expensive brands. He added that rigorous testing in accredited laboratories addresses most quality concerns and affordability is crucial for long-term adherence to treatment.The study’s authors argue the issue is not price control but transparency and trust. In the absence of accessible quality data, doctors and patients often rely on brand perception rather than evidence — at considerable financial and health cost.

Representative image (AI-generated)

NEW DELHI: Body image anxiety is emerging as a major but under-recognised mental health issue among young Indians, affecting not only those with obesity but also those who are underweight. An Indian study has found that nearly one in two young adults at both extremes of body weight suffer from moderate to severe psychological distress linked to body image.\A recent study published in the Journal of Education and Health Promotion, conducted as part of the AIIMSICMR research programme on weight management in young adults, highlights the depth of this largely hidden crisis. The study of 1,071 young adults aged 18-30 years attending AIIMS outpatient clinics found 49% of obese and 47% of underweight participants reported moderate to severe body image concerns, compared with about 36% among those with normal or overweight status.

About 25% of participants were obese and 11% underweight, most of them students from middle-income households, the study found. Underweight youth were almost twice as likely, and obese youth nearly three times as likely, to experience body image distress compared with those of normal weight.Experts involved in the research said weight-related conditions cannot be managed without addressing mental health . “Weight management goes far beyond losing weight,” said Prof Piyush Ranjan, department of medicine. “Unaddressed emotional concerns are a major reason young people drop out of lifestyle programmes. Integrating psychological screening into routine nutrition care is essential for sustainable outcomes.”The study, led by nutritionist and PhD scholar Warisha Anwar, found that while many young adults begin weight-loss programmes with motivation, disengagement is common as psychological fatigue, body image distress, academic pressure and life-stage transitions set in — highlighting a gap in India’s largely calorie-centric approach to weight management. Distress varied by weight: obese youth showed higher self-consciousness and loss of confidence, while underweight youth reported greater anxiety, loneliness and embarrassment; overall, over half were constantly weight-conscious, one in three felt less confident, and one in four felt judged, with anxiety, isolation and embarrassment most pronounced at both extremes.Behind the numbers are lived experiences. Rohit, 23, underweight since his teens,said routine comments on his appearance made him withdraw socially. “People think they’re being helpful. They don’t realise how exposed it makes you feel.” At the other end, Meera, 20, who gained weight during the pandemic, said: “My body suddenly mattered more than my grades. I didn’t just gain weight. I lost confidence.”Researchers said stigma and unrealistic beauty ideals fuel emotional distress that affects motivation, adherence and long-term health outcomes. The study, funded by ICMR cautions that India’s public health response remains skewed toward obesity, neglecting the psychological burden faced by underweight youth.Prof Naval K Vikram, chief of the metabolic research group at AIIMS, called for person-centred care, including early psychological screening, integrated nutrition services and body-image-sensitive counselling, particularly in educational institutions.

Sikandar Raza of Paarl Royals celebrates getting the wicket of MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan (SA20)

Paarl Royals scripted history at Newlands on Sunday, defeating coastal rivals MI Cape Town at the venue for the first time with a commanding seven-wicket bonus-point win in SA20 Season 4.After suffering three previous defeats under the shadow of Table Mountain, the Royals completed a Western Cape derby double to move into second place on the points table with 13 points, just two adrift of leaders Joburg Super Kings.Zimbabwe allrounder Sikandar Raza continued his stunning start for the Royals, delivering a decisive spell of 4/13 from four overs. The off-spinner followed up his debut figures of 3/27 with another match-winning performance, dismantling MI Cape Town’s batting line-up.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Raza was well supported by teenage rookie Nqobani Mokoena, who impressed with 2/10, and the experienced Ottneil Baartman, whose 2/8 ensured MI Cape Town were bundled out for just 88 — their lowest total in the history of the competition.In the chase, the Royals lost Lhuan-dre Pretorius early to Trent Boult, but a steady 54-run second-wicket partnership between Asa Tribe and Rubin Hermann quickly put the visitors in control. Tribe top-scored with a composed 34, striking three fours and two sixes, while Hermann chipped in with 18.Though both batters fell before the target was reached, Kyle Verreynne and captain David Miller calmly guided the Royals home without further damage, sealing the bonus point and local bragging rights.Raza was adjudged player of the match for his four-wicket haul. “It’s nice to win the game and know your contribution in a win feels more special. I’ve heard great things about this tournament but due to clashes I couldn’t come in year 2 or 3. When I talk to the SA boys in the circuit, they’ve all said good things about it. Can’t ask for more with this POTM award,” said Raza.

“Miller, as a captain, he’s always there when you’re bowling and he’s always calm. It rubs off on the bowlers too. He doesn’t speak much but lets his bat and captaincy do the talking. I’ve played a lot against him. Wonderful to play with him.”Brief Scores MI Cape Town: 88 all out in 18.4 overs (Reeza Hendricks 18; Sikandar Raza 4/13, Ottneil Baartman 2/8, Nqobani Mokoena 2/10)Paarl Royals: 90 for 3 in 13 overs (Asa Tribe 34, David Miller 19 not out; Corbin Bosch 1/9)

Mustafizur Rahman (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Mustafizur Rahman’s recent post on X summed up both his mindset and his response to a turbulent phase in his career. “Pleased to step up when it matters. Glad to contribute in the victory. Onto the next one,” the Bangladesh left-arm pacer wrote after producing a decisive performance for Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The brief message came at a time when Mustafizur has been under intense scrutiny following his controversial exit from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.Mustafizur was bought by KKR for Rs 9.20 crore at the auction last month, a move that underlined his value in T20 cricket.

However, the franchise later released him following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) amid political tensions related to minority issues in Bangladesh. The development sparked debate across the cricketing fraternity, placing the focus firmly on the bowler rather than his performances.True to his reputation, Mustafizur has allowed his bowling to do the talking. Turning out for Rangpur Riders in the BPL, the Satkhira-born pacer delivered a match-winning final over against Dhaka Capitals on Sunday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Defending a modest total of 156, Rangpur appeared under pressure as the Capitals needed 10 runs off the final over with six wickets in hand. With Mohammad Mithun having already struck a half-century and Sabbir Rahman well set, the chase seemed firmly in Dhaka’s control.What followed highlighted why Mustafizur remains one of the most trusted death-over specialists in the game. Showing remarkable composure, he conceded just four singles in the final over, turning the contest on its head and guiding Rangpur to a dramatic five-run victory. He finished with figures of 4-0-23-1, a spell that proved decisive despite the Capitals moving to second place on the points table.After the match, Rangpur captain Nurul Hasan Sohan heaped praise on his senior bowler, stressing that the IPL setback had not unsettled him. “For us, Mustafiz is a world-class bowler. He has been proving that for a long time. Everyone has confidence in him. There’s nothing more to say about him—everyone is always impressed,” Sohan said. He added that while some disappointment over the KKR issue was natural, Mustafizur appeared relaxed, calm and focused on performing for his team and country.Earlier in the tournament, Mustafizur had also reached a significant milestone, becoming the fastest fast bowler to claim 400 T20 wickets with a three-wicket haul against the Sylhet Titans.

Umar Khalid returned to Delhi’s Tihar Jail on 29 December.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday pronounced its verdict on Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and several others, rejecting their bail plea in the Delhi 2020 riots case.A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria rejected the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, saying that the two stand on different footing and it can’t be ignored in terms of parity and culpabilty.“Khalid and Imam can pray for bail after one year,” the SC added, saying that that terrorist act under UAPA is not confined to conventional warfare but includes all acts of attacking national integrity and sovereignity.

The accused had challenged a Delhi High Court order refusing them bail in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) linked to the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 north-east Delhi riots.For live updatesThe SC however granted bail to Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmad.

The case so far

Counsel appearing for the accused had argued primarily on the prolonged incarceration of the petitioners and the uncertainty over the commencement of the trial. They had told the court that the accused have been in custody for more than five years despite facing serious charges under the UAPA, and contended that there was no evidence to show that they had instigated violence during the riots even after such a long period.Opposing the pleas, the Delhi Police had maintained that the alleged offences amounted to a deliberate attempt to destabilise the state. It argued that the violence was not the result of spontaneous protests but part of a well-planned “pan-India” conspiracy aimed at “regime change” and “economic strangulation”.The police further submitted that the conspiracy was allegedly timed to coincide with the official visit of the then US President to India, with the objective of attracting international media attention and globalising opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The CAA, it said, was deliberately chosen as a “radicalising catalyst” under the guise of “peaceful protest”.According to the prosecution, the “deep-rooted, premeditated and pre-planned conspiracy” allegedly orchestrated by the accused led to the deaths of 53 people and extensive damage to public property, resulting in the registration of 753 FIRs in Delhi alone. It also claimed that evidence on record indicated an attempt to replicate the conspiracy on a pan-India scale, citing, among other things, the use of various WhatsApp groups, including the Delhi Protest Support Group (DPSG) and the Jamia Awareness Campaign Team.The Delhi Police argued that delays in the trial were attributable to the accused themselves and submitted that, if they cooperated, the trial could be concluded within two years.On September 2, the Delhi High Court denied bail to Imam, Khalid and seven others — Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Meeran Haider, Shadab Ahmed, Abdul Khalid Saifi and Gulfisha Fatima. On the same day, another high court bench rejected the bail plea of co-accused Tasleem Ahmed.In its order, the high court observed that, prima facie, the role attributed to Imam and Khalid in the alleged conspiracy was “grave”, noting that they had delivered inflammatory speeches along communal lines to “instigate mass mobilisation of members of the Muslim community”.

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 CESC, and Indian Bank. Here’s his view on Nifty, Bank Nifty for the week starting January 5, 2026:Nifty ViewIndian equities kicked off the new calendar year on a strong note, with the Nifty scaling a fresh alltime high. After topping out at 26325 on December 1, 2025, the index slipped into a consolidation phase, where Nifty traded in a narrow range of 633 points, marking its tightest monthly range since August 2023.Over the last four sessions, momentum shifted decisively in favor of the bulls. From the recent swing low of 25878, the index climbed nearly 450 points, largely supported by strength in heavyweight counters. Participation indicators also improved, with Nifty Futures rollover rising to 72.29% in the December series, compared with 68.77% in November and slightly above the three-month average of 72.28%, reflecting continued trader confidence and willingness to carry positions forward.Friday’s robust rally pushed the daily RSI past the 60 level, signaling firming momentum and increasing prospects of further upsides. Reliance Industries played a notable role in the week’s gains, advancing 2.12%.On the sectoral front, metals led the charge, with the Nifty Metal index jumping 5.7% amid broad-based buying across constituents. However, the overall gains were partially capped by a steep decline in ITC, which tumbled 13.39% after the government notified a substantial increase in cigarette excise duties.Looking ahead, based on the current chart setup, the index appears poised to extend its upward move, with potential to test 26500 and subsequently 26700 in the near term. On the downside, the 26150–26100 band is expected to act as immediate support.Bank Nifty ViewBank Nifty continued its strong upward momentum last week, outperforming the headline indices with a solid gain of nearly 2%. The index confirmed a breakout from a falling channel on the daily chart—an important technical development that signalled a shift in sentiment—and followed it up with a sharp upside move. This breakout also helped the index register a new all-time high, underscoring the strength and durability of the prevailing uptrend.The technical setup remains constructive. The daily RSI has climbed to 67.55 and is trending higher, reflecting firm momentum. Meanwhile, the MACD histogram has turned positive, supporting the bullish narrative. The daily Stochastic oscillator is also aligned with the ongoing up move, indicating that buying pressure continues to dominate.In this backdrop, Bank Nifty is expected to extend its upward trajectory in the near term, with upside potential toward 60600 and subsequently 61200. On the downside, the 59700–59600 band is likely to act as immediate support. A sustained hold above this zone should help preserve the positive structure and limit any short-term pullbacks.

Stock recommendations:

CESCCESC has given a decisive breakout above its downward-sloping trendline on the daily chart, with today’s move supported by a noticeable surge in volumes, indicating strong participation from buyers. The RSI has jumped sharply from 39 to 61 over the last four trading sessions, signaling a swift shift in momentum from bearish to bullish.Additionally, DI+ crossing above DI- on the ADX suggests emerging trend dominance by buyers. The stock has also closed above the upper Bollinger Band, highlighting strong bullish momentum and the potential start of an expansionary move. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 176-174 with a stoploss of 165. On the upside, it is likely to test the level of 189 in the short term.Indian BankIndian Bank witnessed a decisive breakout from its 14-session consolidation range of 764–796 on 30th December, supported by a sharp surge in volumes, confirming strong buying interest. Post the breakout, the stock has seen a solid follow-through over the next three trading sessions, indicating acceptance of higher levels and sustained demand. The stock has closed above the upper Bollinger Band for three consecutive sessions, signaling strong momentum and an expansion phase. Momentum indicators remain supportive, with MACD crossing above the signal line alongside rising green histogram bars, while RSI is trending higher and currently placed at 66, reinforcing the bullish outlook. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 862-856 with a stoploss of 830. On the upside, it is likely to test the level of 920 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)

Naseem Shah and Kieron Pollard (Image credit: ILT20)

NEW DELHI: The International League T20 (ILT20) final delivered high drama on Sunday evening at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with emotions running high as a fiery exchange between Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah and MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard took centre stage. The verbal spat, which forced on-field umpires and teammates to intervene, added a combustible edge to an already intense title clash and highlighted just how personal the battle for silverware can become, even in franchise cricket.

The flashpoint came during the 11th over of MI Emirates’ chase. After Pollard solidly defended a sharp delivery back down the pitch, Naseem appeared to direct a few words towards the veteran West Indies all-rounder. Pollard, renowned for his aggressive approach and competitive fire, reacted instantly, charging towards the bowler to voice his displeasure. What followed was a brief but heated confrontation that quickly drew the attention of players from both sides, including Jason Roy, as well as the match officials, who stepped in to defuse the situation before it escalated further.While tempers cooled, Naseem ensured he had the decisive say in cricketing terms. The young fast bowler returned later in the innings to remove Pollard, dismissing him for a valuable 28 and dealing a major blow to MI Emirates’ hopes of mounting a successful chase. WATCH:That breakthrough shifted momentum firmly in Desert Vipers’ favour. Naseem went on to complete an outstanding spell, finishing with figures of 3 for 18, as the Vipers tightened their grip on the contest.His performance proved pivotal as the Desert Vipers surged to a commanding 46-run victory, sealing their maiden ILT20 title in emphatic fashion. The win capped a memorable campaign and underlined the impact of Naseem’s pace and composure under pressure.Reflecting on the triumph after the match, Naseem told the broadcasters: “The pressure of a final is unlike any other. The acknowledgment for this victory belongs to the entire team, both for their batting and their bowling efforts. Our combination worked extremely well; we had excellent options on both fronts, and the team management effectively orchestrated those choices. Each player gave their utmost, and the final result is there for everyone to see.“