Times of India

Former Chelsea star Frank Lampard, a decorated player and manager, has achieved significant success in football. His wife, Christine Lampard, is a highly recognized and versatile TV presenter. Despite their public profiles, the couple prioritizes their children, maintaining a combined net worth estimated at £100 million through their respective careers and investments.

A farmer in Agra was allegedly subjected to brutal custodial torture, including being hung upside down and severely beaten, resulting in fractured legs. The State Human Rights Commission has registered a case, and a parallel probe is underway. Three police personnel have been suspended, and an ACP removed for negligence.

Vancouver Canucks forward Evander Kane and his partner Mara Teigen shared heartwarming pictures of their Christmas celebrations. The couple featured their children, gifts, and a decorated tree. Teigen posted the photos on Instagram, showing their family enjoying the holiday season. Kane and Teigen have been together for over a decade and are engaged. They have three children together.

Manvendra Singh, an IIT graduate living with cerebral palsy, achieved an All India Rank of 112 in the ESE 2025 exam on his first attempt. His journey, marked by overcoming physical and societal challenges since childhood, highlights immense willpower and determination.

In a surprising display of solidarity, families of both the accused and the victim stood together after a man allegedly stabbed his neighbour multiple times on a moving train. The victim, Siraj Shaikh, is out of danger, while the accused, Rajesh Arunvihari, remains at large.

Indian Railways has announced a fare "rationalisation" effective December 26, aiming for affordability and operational sustainability. Suburban services and season tickets remain unchanged. Short-distance ordinary journeys up to 215 km are also unaffected. Mail/Express and AC/Non-AC ordinary services will see modest increases, with specific graded hikes for non-suburban ordinary journeys.

A Dadar businessman has been convicted for feeding pigeons in a public place, marking the first such conviction following a Bombay High Court ban. The metropolitan magistrate court found the act posed a public health risk and violated government orders, imposing a fine of Rs 5,000.

R Ashwin questioned the growing quality gap in Indian domestic cricket after Bihar smashed a record 574 runs against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. While praising Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ashwin said such one-sided matches hurt competition and confidence. He also lauded Ishan Kishan’s comeback, highlighting how hard work and form revived his career.

At least seven Hindu families in Bangladesh have had their homes burnt down in targeted attacks over the past five days amidst national turmoil. One family narrowly escaped a fire by cutting through their walls, with police arresting five suspects and vowing to track down others. These incidents follow two recent lynchings of minority members, sparking outrage over safety concerns.

Delhi's air quality saw a welcome improvement for the second day, moving from 'severe' to 'poor' levels. While some areas experienced 'moderate' air, others remained in 'poor' or 'very poor' categories. Vehicular emissions and neighbouring NCR districts were identified as major pollution sources. Forecasts suggest a potential return to 'very poor' conditions soon.

Delhi schools have ended hybrid learning and resumed normal physical classes for students of Classes 6 to 9 and 11 after GRAP 4 measures were lifted. The Directorate of Education issued directions to government and private schools to implement the change immediately. The decision followed an improvement in air quality, with authorities continuing GRAP stages 1 to 3 while monitoring conditions closely across the capital.

China has strongly refuted a US Pentagon report alleging it's using eased border tensions with India to undermine US-India ties. Beijing insists its defence policy is misrepresented and aims to sow discord. China maintains its border situation with India is stable and seeks to advance a sound bilateral relationship, while dismissing US claims as biased and confrontational.

Karisma Kapoor's children, Samaira and Kiaan, honored their late father, industrialist Sunjay Kapur, on their first Christmas without him by wearing jerseys from his Aureus Polo team. This poignant gesture follows the Delhi High Court concluding proceedings in a Rs 30,000 crore estate dispute involving Sunjay's will and his widowed wife, Priya Sachdev.

Bangladesh faces renewed criticism after a second lynching, this time of Amrit Mondal, just days after worker Dipu Chandra Das was killed. Mondal was allegedly beaten to death by villagers after demanding extortion money. These incidents highlight growing concerns over the safety of minority communities amidst ongoing unrest.

Teachers are increasingly hearing anxiety and emotional fatigue instead of academic doubts in classrooms. The Student Sync Index 2026 reveals that student stress is constant, with mental health concerns now outweighing academic pressure. While teachers recognise this shift and respond with empathy, the roots of stress are often externalised, leaving school systems largely unchanged.

Jalen Brunson has been cleared to play on Christmas Day against the Cleveland Cavaliers after managing an ankle issue. His availability is crucial for the Knicks' primary scorer and decision-maker in this closely watched Eastern Conference matchup. Brunson's strong December performance, including a 47-point game, makes his presence a significant factor.

Hardik Pandya stayed calm after a fan hurled abuse while he was leaving a restaurant with girlfriend Maheika Sharma following a Christmas dinner. The video went viral, drawing praise for his restraint. On the field, Pandya starred in India’s T20I series win over South Africa with explosive knocks, including a 16-ball fifty.

A viral LinkedIn post by a Microsoft engineer sparked outrage by suggesting a plan to eliminate C and C++ code by 2030 using AI-assisted refactoring to Rust. Microsoft clarified that this is a research project, not a Windows rewrite.