Who are Denny Hamlin’s parents? NASCAR star’s father dies after North Carolina house fire leaves mother critical (Image via Getty)

NASCAR icon Denny Hamlin has shared an emotional update after a devastating house fire turned his family’s life upside down. The fire broke out at his parents’ home in North Carolina on Sunday night. His father, 75, Dennis Hamlin, sadly died from injuries suffered in the blaze. Hamlin’s mother, Mary Lou, was also inside the house when the fire started. The 69-year-old was left in critical condition and rushed to the hospital. After days of concern, Hamlin has now confirmed that her condition is improving. The family continues to grieve the loss of his father while holding on to hope during his mother’s recovery.

Denny Hamlin thanks supporters as his mother shows signs of recovery

Denny Hamlin took to social media to address fans and well-wishers. He thanked people for the messages sent after his father’s passing. He also shared that his mother is steadily getting better. Hamlin said the family is grateful for the support and asked for privacy as they deal with the tragedy.It later emerged that Mary Lou showed incredible bravery during the fire. She reportedly managed to pull her terminally ill husband out of the burning house before firefighters arrived. Both were found outside the home with serious injuries. Sadly, Dennis did not survive despite medical efforts.Fire officials said the situation was difficult when crews reached the scene. Nearly half of the two-story home was already on fire. It took close to two hours to fully put out the flames. While some valuable items, including cars and racing memorabilia, were saved from the garage, the damage to the house was extensive.Emergency services confirmed that they were called to the scene shortly after 6:15 PM. Several fire agencies responded together. Authorities later stated that both Dennis and Mary Lou Hamlin suffered life-threatening injuries while trying to escape the fire.Tributes have poured in from fans across the NASCAR world. Hamlin has often spoken about how important his parents were to his career. They were regular supporters throughout his rise in the sport. Hamlin drives the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. He remains one of the most successful and highest-paid drivers in NASCAR. In the 2025 season, he finished second overall, just three points behind Kyle Larson. He recorded six wins and finished in the top five in 14 races.Also Read: Formula 1 2026 chaos begins early as Ferrari challenges Mercedes’ new engine power advantage

Representative image (AP)

Russia said on Thursday it had recovered and decoded data from a Ukrainian drone shot down earlier this week, which it claimed showed the drone was targeting a Russian presidential residence. Moscow said it would share the relevant information with the United States.“Decryption of routing data revealed that the final target of the Ukrainian drone attack on December 29, 2025, was a facility at the Russian Presidential Residence in the Novgorod region. These materials will be transferred to the American side through the established channels,” Russia’s defence ministry said through a post on Telegram. The CIA earlier rejected Moscow’s claim about the alleged attack, US officials said. They added that CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed US President Donald Trump on the assessment on Wednesday.Moscow on Monday accused Kyiv of attempting to attack a residence of President Vladimir Putin in Russia’s northern Novgorod region using 91 long-range drones. It said the incident would be taken into account while reviewing its negotiating position in ongoing US-backed talks to end the Ukraine war.Trump initially voiced sympathy for Russia’s claim, telling reporters on Monday that Putin had informed him of the alleged incident and that he was “very angry” about it. By Wednesday, however, Trump appeared more sceptical, sharing on social media a New York Post editorial accusing Russia of obstructing peace efforts in Ukraine.Ukraine has denied carrying out any such attack, calling the accusation part of a Russian disinformation campaign aimed at driving a wedge between Kyiv and Washington following a weekend meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Zelenskyy called Russia’s claim “a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well as Russia’s own refusal to take necessary steps to end the war.”The episode followed shortly after Trump hosted Zelenskyy at his private Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. While both sides struck a positive tone after the meeting, little headway was made on key issues, including security guarantees for Ukraine and Russia’s demand that Kyiv cede territory.Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on Wednesday that he and other senior officials had spoken with Ukraine’s defence minister Rustem Umerov and several European national security officials as part of efforts to end the war.

The rupee slipped 10 paise to close at 89.98 against the US dollar on Thursday, marking a weak start to the first trading session of 2026, as sustained foreign fund outflows and a subdued domestic equity market weighed on investor sentiment, PTI reported.Forex traders said the USD/INR pair moved in a narrow range during the session, with support from easing crude oil prices being offset by a firmer US dollar index and continued outflows by foreign investors. The domestic currency has remained under pressure after ending 2025 with a nearly 5% decline.At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 89.94 against the dollar, touched an intra-day low of 89.99 and a high of 89.93, before settling at 89.98 (provisional), down 10 paise from its previous close, according to PTI. On Wednesday, the rupee had depreciated 13 paise to end at 89.88.In 2025, the rupee slumped around 5% amid persistent foreign capital outflows and elevated dollar demand from importers, making it one of the worst-performing Asian currencies.Meanwhile, the dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, was trading 0.09% higher at 98.32. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.78% to $60.85 per barrel in futures trade.Market participants said the currency continued to face pressure due to a risk-off sentiment, driven by capital withdrawals by foreign investors ahead of the holiday period and sustained demand for dollars from importers.On the domestic equity front, benchmark indices ended the first trading session of the year on a flat note. The Sensex slipped 32 points to close at 85,188.60, while the Nifty edged up 16.95 points to 26,146.55.Foreign institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 3,597.38 crore on Wednesday, exchange data showed.On the macroeconomic front, gross GST collections rose 6.1% to over Rs 1.74 lakh crore in December 2025, compared with over Rs 1.64 lakh crore in December 2024, reflecting slower growth in revenues from domestic sales following recent tax cuts, government data released on Thursday showed

NEW DELHI: The record-breaking vehicle sales in the city in 2025 come with a warning — the growth is overwhelmingly driven by private vehicles, not public or shared transport.Of the 8,16,051 new registrations, around 7.2 lakh were private vehicles, highlighting that most buyers added personal vehicles rather than choosing public transport. About 75% of these vehicles run on petrol, including 3.89 lakh petrol-only and 1.99 lakh petrol/ethanol vehicles.

Amit Bhatt, India managing director at International Council for Clean Transportation, said, “While we were able to minimise diesel, petrol is still there and the EV push needs to be strengthened. This heavy reliance on personal petrol vehicles also suggests that while overall sales are rising, Delhi’s congestion and pollution challenges are likely to worsen rather than improve.”“More vehicles on the road, regardless of fuel type, inevitably increase congestion. However, internal combustion engine vehicles also place additional pressure on air quality. The sheer rise in overall vehicle registrations indicates that public transport systems are still not attractive or reliable enough for people to leave their private vehicles at home or avoid purchasing new ones,” he said.Anil Chhikara, faculty at Asian Institute of Transport Development, said, “With the govt mandating ethanol blending, most new petrol vehicles sold today are ethanol-compatible by default, which means that a large number of people are still using petrol.”“So petrol and petrol–ethanol should be read as 1 category. Buyers are not making a separate decision; they are complying with norms,” he said. “There is a need to give a better push to EV policy.”Even though electric and CNG vehicles are increasing, their share remains small compared to petrol-powered private vehicles. A month-wise break-up shows relatively stable sales between Jan and Sept, mostly in the 50,000-70,000 range. The standout month was Oct when registrations spiked to 1.14 lakh vehicles, followed by a strong Nov at 88,804. Officials and experts attributed this surge to the festive season, year-end discounts, new model launches, GST cuts and easier financing. Oct–Nov alone contributed over a quarter of the annual sales.Motorcycles and scooters dominate Delhi’s vehicle landscape, accounting for over 5.31 lakh registrations, or nearly two-thirds of total sales. Four-wheelers, including cars and SUVs, followed at 1.9 lakh, reflecting rising aspirations and greater affordability among middle-class households. Electric rickshaws (44,362) and goods carriers also saw notable numbers, pointing to growth in last-mile mobility and urban logistics. In contrast, sales of buses (2,810) and maxi cabs (174) remained marginal. Electric mobility continues to gain ground but remains secondary to petrol. Diesel’s decline reflects regulatory pressure, age caps on diesel vehicles in the NCR and growing consumer reluctance amid pollution concerns. Hybrids, while emerging, remained niche.So why did 2025 break all records? Economists and transport planners cite rising household purchasing power, easier access to auto loans, and aggressive festive discounts as key drivers. First-time buyers and upgraders alike entered the market, especially in two-wheelers and compact cars. “Another factor is the post-Covid shift away from shared mobility. Health concerns and reliability issues pushed many commuters towards private vehicles, a trend that did not fully reverse,” said Bhatt.Chikara argued that equally significant was the inadequate pull of public transport. Despite metro expansion, last-mile connectivity remained limited, prompting commuters to invest in second or even third vehicles, he said. Delhi’s 2025 vehicle boom, therefore, reflects economic confidence but also underscores the need for stronger public transport, cleaner mobility policies and congestion management if the city is to avoid paying a high environmental price for a record-breaking year.

Bulgaria on Thursday adopted the euro as its official currency, becoming the 21st country to join the eurozone, a long-anticipated milestone that comes almost 20 years after the Balkan nation entered the European Union, but one that has exposed deep political and public divisions.At midnight, Bulgaria formally gave up the lev, which had been in use since the late 19th century, marking the transition with projections of Bulgarian euro coins on the central bank’s building in Sofia. The country of 6.4 million people joined the eurozone amid New Year celebrations that blended optimism with anxiety over inflation and political instability, AFP reported.“I warmly welcome Bulgaria to the euro family,” European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde said, describing the euro as a “powerful symbol” of “shared values and collective strength”.For some Bulgarians, the switch was tangible and immediate. “Great! It works!” said Dimitar, a 43-year-old, after withdrawing 100 euros from an ATM shortly after midnight.Successive Bulgarian governments have backed euro adoption, arguing it would strengthen ties with the West, boost the economy of the EU’s poorest member and shield the country from Russian influence. But public opinion has remained split, with many fearing that the transition could push up prices and worsen political uncertainty.President Rumen Radev, speaking shortly before midnight, hailed the move as the “final step” in Bulgaria’s EU integration, even as thousands gathered in sub-zero temperatures in Sofia to mark the New Year. He also expressed regret that Bulgarians had not been consulted through a referendum.“This refusal was one of the dramatic symptoms of the deep divide between the political class and the people, confirmed by mass demonstrations across the country,” Radev said.The euro switch comes at a turbulent political moment. Anti-corruption protests ousted a conservative-led government in mid-December, leaving Bulgaria facing the prospect of its eighth election in five years.“People are afraid that prices will rise, while salaries will remain the same,” a woman in her 40s told AFP in Sofia.At major markets in the capital, prices for goods ranging from groceries to New Year’s Eve items were displayed in both levs and euros. “The whole of Europe has managed with the euro, we’ll manage too,” said Vlad, a retired resident.European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone marked “an important milestone”, adding that it would make travel and living abroad easier, improve market transparency and competitiveness, and facilitate trade.Central bank governor Dimitar Radev said the euro represented more than “just a currency — it is a sign of belonging”.However, concerns remain widespread. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, 49% of Bulgarians oppose the switch. Outgoing prime minister Rossen Jeliazkov sought to reassure citizens and businesses, saying he was “counting on the tolerance and understanding” of the public and insisting that inflation was not linked to euro adoption.Official data show that food prices rose 5% year-on-year in November, more than double the eurozone average. “Unfortunately, prices no longer correspond to those in levs,” pastry shop owner Turgut Ismail, 33, told AFP, saying prices had already begun to rise.Analysts warned that any disruption could be politically sensitive. “Any problems with euro adoption would be seized on by anti-EU politicians,” said Boryana Dimitrova of the Alpha Research polling institute.Some business owners complained of difficulties accessing euros ahead of the switch, while critics questioned the timing. “It’s not the right time,” said Stephane, a 64-year-old economist, citing high debt levels in other eurozone countries.The euro was first introduced in 12 countries in 2002, with Croatia the most recent entrant in 2023. Bulgaria’s accession brings the number of people using the single currency to more than 350 million.

Aditya Dhar’s espionage thriller ‘Dhurandhar’ continues its phenomenal run, crossing THIS amount on its 28th day. Meanwhile, Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday’s rom-com ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’ has faltered, earning less than Rs 30 crore by its eighth day, failing to gain traction despite the Christmas holiday.

Aditya Dhar‘s espionage thriller ‘Dhurandhar’ is showing no signs of slowing down at the box office since its release in cinemas. With every passing day, the movie has been breaking records one after another. Today is the 28th day since the film arrived in theaters, and it is still doing way better at the box office than the recently released ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’, starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday. The film has crossed Rs 728 crore at the box office on its fourth Thursday.Dhurandhar Movie ReviewOn the other hand, Kartik and Ananya’s ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’ has fallen flat at the box office. The movie has been earning in single digits since its release in theaters on December 25, 2025. The Christmas holiday didn’t help the rom-com to gain momentum. On its eighth day since the release, the film has not yet crossed the 30 crore mark at the box office.

Let’s take a look at the box office numbers of both films.

‘Dhurandhar’ box office collection day 28 vs ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’ day 8

The Ranveer Singh-led film is in its fourth week since release. According to the Sacnilk report, the movie has raked in Rs 5.12 crore at the box office on its 28th day (fourth Thursday) since the release. With this, the total collection of the spy action drama in India stands at Rs 728.37 crore.Meanwhile, Kartik and Ananya’s film has managed to earn Rs 0.39 crore on its eighth day since the release. As per the report, the total collection of the romantic comedy is now Rs 29.24 crore.

Day-wise collection of ‘Dhurandhar’

Week 1 Collection: Rs 207.25 crore Week 2 Collection: Rs 253.25 croreWeek 3 Collection: Rs 172 croreDay 22 [4th Friday]: Rs 15 croreDay 23 [4th Saturday]: Rs 20.5 croreDay 24 [4th Sunday]: Rs 22.5 croreDay 25 [4th Monday]: Rs 10.5 croreDay 26 [4th Tuesday]: Rs 11.25 croreDay 27 [4th Wednesday]: Rs 11 croreDay 28 [4th Thursday]: Rs 5.12 crore

Day-wise collection of ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’

Day 1 [1st Thursday]: Rs 7.75 croreDay 2 [1st Friday]: Rs 5.25 croreDay 3 [1st Saturday]: Rs 5.5 croreDay 4 [1st Sunday]: Rs 5 croreDay 5 [1st Monday]: Rs 1.75 croreDay 6 [1st Tuesday]: Rs 1.75 croreDay 7 [1st Wednesday]: Rs 1.85 croreDay 8 [1st Thursday]: Rs 0.39 croreTotal: Rs 29.24 croreThe numbers change as the day progresses.

DISCLAIMER: The box office numbers in this article are compiled from our proprietary sources and diverse public data. While we strive for accuracy, all figures are approximate unless explicitly mentioned, offering a fair representation of the project’s box office performance. We are open to feedback and suggestions on toientertainment@timesinternet.in.