MUMBAI: A digital calculator that can predict a tuberculosis (TB) patient’s risk of death awaited a national rollout for several months, even after a branch of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommended its inclusion in India’s TB elimination programme. The tool reduced total TB deaths by 20% to 30% in 2024 in its home state of Tamil Nadu. Across the country, more than three lakh people die of TB every year. Of these, between 1,000 and 2,000 deaths occur in Mumbai, the highest in Maharashtra, where a few thousand die of TB annually. The city reports an estimated 5,000 drug-resistant cases every year.

The web-based calculator, called ‘TB SeWA’ (Severe TB Web Application), is currently specific to Tamil Nadu. After waiting for the Central TB Division to act for several months, ICMR-NIE last month announced on X (formerly Twitter) that it would release its death prediction calculator as open-for-all in the public domain. “Contribution of Tamil Nadu Kasanoi Erappila Thittam (Tamil Nadu Tuberculosis Death-Free Project) to India,” it said.A senior doctor from ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) said that for patients with severe illness, most early deaths happen within the first two months. “If you need to save them, their cases must be treated as emergencies, with immediate triage.”Tamil Nadu started this model in 2022 as a pen-and-paper system to detect severe illness. Trained community health workers identified a severe TB case using five simple checks. These include whether a person is too weak to stand, has low oxygen levels on a finger monitor, is dangerously thin, has swollen feet, or is breathing too fast.The model showed results. The state saw a 20% dip in early TB deaths in the first six months of its launch and 10% in overall deaths. A further reduction in total deaths by 20-30% was seen in 2024nIn July last year, ICMR added another feature and took the model online: along with severe illness, the risk of death could now be predicted using the five indicators.For patients falling within these indicators, their estimated mortality risk ranges from 10-50%. They are then prioritised for treatment accordingly, reducing their risk of dying by 1-4%.An official from the Central TB Division told TOI it “considered” the triaging model and that the national programme is “all-inclusive”.

Oil and energy firm shares began the week in green amid ongoing geopolitical concerns in surrounding South American oil producing nation, Venezuela. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) soared 1% to its 52-week high of Rs 1,611.20 while other oil stocks also added up to 2% on Monday. The rise came even as global crude prices remained mostly flat due to supply surplus concerns.Hindustan Petroleum led the gains, rising 1.85% to an intraday high of Rs 508.45. ONGC advanced 1.16% to Rs 246.80, Indian Oil Corporation added 1.03% to Rs 168.79, and Oil India rose 0.47% to Rs 432.45. This follows the dramatic removal of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, in a large-scale US military operation over the weekend. The duo was transported to America where they will be facing many charges, including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. US President Donald Trump has vowed to “run the country” until there is a “proper” transition of power, introducing fresh uncertainty for Venezuela’s oil industry and its international partners. ONGC is expected to remain under the spotlight due to its direct exposure to Venezuelan assets through its overseas arm, ONGC Videsh, which holds equity stakes in two projects in the country. Market interest has intensified amid speculation that a US-led restructuring of Venezuela’s oil sector could potentially unlock long-pending cash flows. Global brokerage house Jefferies, as cited by ET, said that ONGC may be close to recovering around US$500 million in unpaid dividends from its Venezuelan upstream investment. “ONGC has not been paid its share of dividends from production at San Cristobal, totaling more than US$500mn,” the brokerage said, adding that “with the US stepping in, ONGC may stand to recover these unpaid amounts,” subjected to a possible easing of sanctions and changes in control and marketing of Venezuelan crude. The unpaid dividends are linked to ONGC Videsh’s investment in the San Cristobal field. While the asset has been producing, the repatriation of profits has been blocked by US sanctions on Caracas, forcing ONGC to continue carrying the receivable on its books and leaving investors uncertain about when, or if, the funds would be realised. Jefferies said that any recovery from Venezuela would come in addition to ONGC’s existing cash generation. The company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 571 billion in FY24, with free cash flow to firm of Rs 473.6 billion and a double-digit free-cash-flow yield. The stock is trading below book value, with a FY24 price-to-book multiple of 0.9 times and an earnings yield of 18.1%, according to ET. The brokerage also flagged potential upside from ONGC’s second Venezuelan asset. “It might also be able to develop the Carabobo field in Venezuela’s Orinoco belt; ONGC has an 11% equity stake in the field,” analysts wrote, adding that the stalled capital expenditure plans might be revived if operating conditions improve. Jefferies valued ONGC’s consolidated operations at 8.2 times its December 2026 forward earnings. The brokerage has maintained a ‘Buy’ call on the stock, setting a target price of Rs 310, which implies a potential upside of 28% from its last closing level of Rs 241.50.However, the brokerage warned, “lower Brent, lower crude/gas price realizations, and/or lower-than-expected production from KG 98/2 are key downside risks,” while identifying the potential US$500 million dividend recovery as a medium-term catalyst, ET reported. Another company under the radar is Oil India. The firm, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Oil India Sweden AB, owns 50% of Indoil Netherlands BV, which holds a 7% equity stake in Petrocarabobo SA, the joint venture behind Project Carabobo-1. Reliance Industries is also expected to remain in spotlight, as the company has been buying Venezuelan crude. However, reports in March last year said that it may halt such imports after the US announced a 25% tariff on countries purchasing oil from Venezuela. Indian Oil Corporation may attract attention as well, as its subsidiary, IOC Sweden AB, functions as an investment company for exploration and production projects in Venezuela, alongside a battery technology venture in Israel.Meanwhile, crude prices showed limited movement. Brent crude futures edged up 0.2% to $60.87 as markets weighed the US intervention in Venezuela against an OPEC+ decision on Sunday to keep oil output unchanged.(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)

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.