Ben Duckett of England during a nets session. (Getty Images)

England’s managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key has said the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will investigate reports of excessive drinking by players during their mid-Ashes break, after videos circulating on social media raised fresh questions about the team’s conduct on tour.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!England have already lost the Ashes after defeats in the first three Tests, allowing Australia to retain the urn in just 11 days of on-field action. Attention has now shifted off the field following the squad’s stay in Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast between the second and third Tests — a long-planned stop intended to help players relax during the gruelling tour.

A video that emerged on Tuesday appeared to show opener Ben Duckett struggling to remember how to return to his hotel while speaking to members of the public. In the clip posted on X, Duckett is asked whether he knows how to get home, to which he appears to reply, “No,” before continuing the conversation in a disoriented manner. Another video showed batter Jacob Bethell dancing in a nightclub, though Bethell has not featured in the Test series so far.The ECB said in a brief statement that it was aware of the content circulating online but would not comment further until the facts were established.Speaking in Melbourne ahead of the fourth Test, Key said he would not tolerate over-indulgence if evidence emerged. “If there’s things where people are saying that our players went out and drank excessively, then of course we’ll be looking into that,” Key said. “Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for an international cricket team is not something that I’d expect to see at any stage.”Key added that initial feedback suggested the players had behaved responsibly. “From everything that I’ve heard so far, they actually were pretty well behaved. Very well behaved. They sat down, had lunch, had dinner, didn’t go out late… had the odd drink. I don’t mind that. If it goes past that, then that’s an issue.”Duckett’s form has dipped sharply during the Ashes, managing a top score of 29 across six innings after arriving in Australia with strong credentials. Key also revealed he had previously looked into reports of players drinking on the eve of a one-day international in New Zealand, calling it a “wake-up call”.“I don’t mind players having a glass of wine over dinner,” Key said. “Anything more than that, I think is ridiculous.”

Top stocks to buy (AI image)

Stock market recommendations: According to Mehul Kothari, DVP – Technical Research, Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers, the top stocks to buy today are: CEAT, Endurance Technologies, and HPL Electric & Power.CEAT – Reversal from Fibonacci Demand ZoneBuy near: ₹3,940–₹3,900 | Stop Loss: ₹3,765 | Target: ₹4,300 | Time Frame: 30–60 DaysCEAT has undergone a healthy corrective phase, declining nearly 17.6% from its recent peak of ₹4,438 and moving into the ₹3,930–₹3,900 zone. This region coincides with the 50% Fibonacci retracement of the prior rally, indicating the presence of a potential demand pocket.The technical structure is showing early signs of stabilization, with falling trendline breakout indications visible on both price action and RSI, suggesting flattening momentum and a possible reversal setup. As long as ₹3,765 remains protected, the risk–reward remains favourable for a recovery move toward ₹4,300.ENDURANCE – Base Formation at Key Moving Average SupportBuy near: ₹2,680–₹2,650 | Stop Loss: ₹2,545 | Target: ₹2,850 | Time Frame: 30–60 DaysEndurance Technologies has corrected approximately 14.5% from its peak of ₹2,986 and is currently trading near the ₹2,680–₹2,650 zone, where the stock is showing signs of stabilization. This zone aligns with the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement, the 200-DEMA, and a prior breakout region, indicating strong confluence support.Additionally, positive divergence on both RSI and MACD points toward weakening downside momentum and the possibility of a near-term trend reversal. Sustaining above ₹2,545 keeps the structure constructive for an upside move toward ₹2,850.HPL Electric & Power – Trend Reversal After Deep CorrectionBuy near: ₹405–₹400 | Stop Loss: ₹375 | Target: ₹460 | Time Frame: 30–60 DaysAfter a sharp 42% correction since July 2025, HPL has approached a key demand zone last seen in February 2025, where strong buying interest had previously emerged. The stock has now taken out its prior swing high, signalling a potential trend shift rather than a mere relief bounce.This improvement is further supported by the daily RSI breaking above its previous swing levels, indicating strengthening momentum and renewed accumulation. If the stock holds above ₹375, the structure supports continuation toward ₹460 in the coming sessions.(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)

BENGALURU: In a shocking incident that had its roots in prolonged marital discord, a 40-year-old software professional allegedly shot his estranged wife dead on a busy road in West Bengaluru during the evening rush hour on Tuesday, before walking into a police station with the pistol and surrendering.The victim was identified as Bhuvaneshwari, 39, an assistant manager at Union Bank of India’s Basaveshwaranagar branch. The accused, Balamurugan, 40, worked at a private IT firm. Both are natives of Salem district in Tamil Nadu. Police said the shooting occurred around 6.30 pm on 1st Main Road in the Rajajinagar Industrial Area. Preliminary investigations revealed that Balamurugan fired four rounds at close range. Two bullets struck Bhuvaneshwari on the head, while the remaining two hit her left hand, causing fatal injuries. The gunshots triggered panic among hundreds of commuters and pedestrians in the area, who ran for cover. Passers-by found Bhuvaneshwari lying in a pool of blood and alerted the police. She was rushed to a private hospital but was declared brought dead. Bhuvaneshwari had been living with the couple’s two children – a 12-year-old son and an eight-year-old daughter – in a rented house in Rajajinagar. Balamurugan was residing separately and working in Whitefield. The couple, married in 2011, had been living apart for about 1.5 years following frequent quarrels. Police said the accused suspected his wife of having an affair, though this claim has not been substantiated.According to investigators, Bhuvaneshwari had sought legal separation, which Balamurugan was unwilling to accept. Six months ago, she was transferred from the Whitefield branch of the bank and moved to a new rented residence with her children without informing her husband. About four months ago, after tracing her new address, Balamurugan allegedly quit his IT job and shifted to Cholurpalya in Kempapura Agrahara to stay closer to her.Police said matters escalated further about a week ago when Balamurugan received a divorce notice from Bhuvaneshwari. Enraged, he allegedly decided to kill her. On Tuesday evening, while Bhuvaneshwari was returning home from work, he spotted her near Basaveshwaranagar police station and shot her on the road. After the incident, Balamurugan walked into a police station and surrendered along with the pistol. DCP (West) S Girish said the weapon had been seized and police were verifying whether it was licensed. While the accused claimed to have fired five rounds, police recovered only four empty cartridges from the scene.Bhuvaneshwari’s parents in Tamil Nadu have been informed.

Bangladeshi journalists say they are facing death threats, targeted surveillance, and intimidation in the run-up to Feb 2026 national elections — a crisis that deepened after mobs attacked and set fire to offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star on Dec 19, trapping more than two dozen media personnel inside. No journalists were killed, but those present said they were left with little doubt about what the attackers intended.Staffers described how they were forced onto the rooftop as smoke from the arson filled the buildings. Phone signals were weak, and help took hours to arrive. “We weren’t sure we would survive the night,” said a senior journalist at The Daily Star, speaking to TOI from Dhaka. “And since then, it hasn’t felt like we got out of it. The fire was just the beginning.”A total of 28 people, mostly journalists and staffers, were eventually rescued by firefighters and army personnel. Press freedom organisations later said the mob appeared intent on burning the journalists alive, and in some cases, actively blocked emergency responders. While those statements describe the level of threat, no deaths have been confirmed.What followed the attack has been quieter, but no less insidious. Reporters from both national and international publications told TOI that they are now being tracked online, receiving anonymous warnings, and in some cases, being surveilled in person. Some have gone off social media altogether. “They watch our posts to see whose side we’re on,” said a journalist from Sylhet. “Especially if you’re a minority or write with any liberal perspective, you’re marked. These next two months will be dangerous.”The attacks were sparked by protests over death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi but quickly spiralled into a broader assault on the press. Offices were ransacked. Computers and equipment were looted or destroyed. In The Daily Star’s newsroom, editors and reporters said they had minutes to evacuate before flames reached their desks. “We could hear them breaking things downstairs,” said one editor. “We left without shutting down our systems. We didn’t look back.”No arrests have been made. No formal investigation has reached those responsible. Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Access Now, have condemned the incident, warning that it signals a deeper erosion of civic space in Bangladesh. Their joint statement also criticised the state’s failure to act on rising hate speech and online harassment directed at journalists.Chief advisor Muhammed Yunus has condemned the arson and promised to ensure safety for media professionals. But journalists on ground say the promises feel detached from reality. “It wasn’t just vandalism,” said one reporter at Prothom Alo. “It was theatre. And the State was part of the audience.”In Dhaka, the newsrooms that were torched are operating from makeshift setups. Reporters are still filing stories, but fewer are signing bylines. “We do this job knowing there are costs,” said a Daily Star journalist. “But we were never meant to do it without protection — not from the State, not from the law, not even from the public.”In Nepal, too, media offices have come under fire this year. During anti-govt demonstrations in Sept, protesters vandalised and set fire to the headquarters of Kantipur Media Group. A senior editor there told TOI that the trend is unmistakable: “It starts with undermining reporters, then moves to surveillance, and finally turns violent. This is not isolated. This is coordinated tolerance for impunity.”

GUWAHATI: Violent tribal protests against illegal non-tribal settlement in a constitutionally protected hill region of Assam left two people dead Tuesday – as Sixth Schedule protections and land rights ignited a volatile fault line. Assam DGP Harmeet Singh, IGP (law and order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh and 48 police personnel were wounded after crowds armed with bows, arrows, crude bombs and stones attacked security forces in West Karbi Anglong, a hill district bordering Meghalaya.Police said one tribal protester died in police action, while a non-tribal man died in a fire that gutted shops at Kheroni, a small trading town that has emerged as the epicentre of unrest. By evening, administration suspended mobile internet services indefinitely in West Karbi Anglong and adjoining Karbi Anglong district to prevent escalation. Voice calls and fixed-line broadband remained operational.The two districts are governed by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) under Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which grants tribal regions autonomy over land, forests and local governance to protect indigenous communities. Residents have for over a year protested encroachment by non-tribal settlers on professional grazing reserve (PGR) and village grazing reserve (VGR) lands, demanding evictions.Tensions sharpened after members of Karbi community began a hunger strike on Dec 6. On Tuesday, clashes intensified after police shifted some fasting protesters to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital following health deterioration – a move agitators allegedly misunderstood.State cabinet minister Ranoj Pegu, who met protesters earlier at Kheroni, said the group agreed to call off the hunger strike and join tripartite talks on Dec 26 involving state govt and KAAC. “We assured the Karbi community that the govt is serious about land rights and other tribal issues,” Pegu said, adding that discussions would address “broader issues related to existence of Karbi community”.Despite the talks, shops and markets in Kheroni were set ablaze during the day. Police said an SIT was formed, videos were being examined and efforts were under way to trace the attackers.DGP Harmeet Singh, who was present on the ground along with the IGP, described a coordinated assault. “It was a proper attack by protestors. I was attacked with bows and arrows, which had to be blocked with shields. I was also hit by stones,” he said.Singh said protesters used gas cylinders to torch markets, hurling one at security forces. “Govt is ready to talk. Violence does not achieve anything. We have all the videos and faces. Legal action will follow,” he said, appealing to communities to restrain youths he said were “misguided and being misused”.Assam Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he was monitoring the situation and announced deployment of additional forces in Kheroni, located about 250km east of Guwahati. “It is deeply painful that two persons lost their lives during today’s unrest,” he wrote, offering condolences and assuring support for affected families.

What allegation did Giorgina Uzcategui raise as Ilia Topuria divorce case reached police? Details explored (Image Via Getty)

Ilia Topuria is known to fans for his rise in the UFC and his recent title success. But away from the octagon, a serious personal issue is unfolding. His ongoing divorce has now moved into a more serious phase after his ex-wife took legal action in Spain.Just days before Christmas, the private family matter entered the public eye. Giorgina Uzcategui, Ilia Topuria’s ex-wife, formally approached the police after claiming she received threats and abusive messages online linked to the divorce.

Giorgina Uzcategui reports online threats to Spanish police amid Ilia Topuria divorce

On December 22, 2024, Giorgina Uzcategui appeared at Spain’s National Police headquarters in Madrid. According to journalist Ani Moro from ¡HOLA!, she filed an official complaint over online threats and harassment she says began during the divorce proceedings with Ilia Topuria.The complaint reportedly included screenshots and records of messages. After her statement, the case was forwarded to the Civil Guard, which handles matters in the area where she lives. Authorities have not shared details of the messages, and no criminal charges or protective orders have been made public so far.Giorgina Uzcategui has stayed quiet since the separation became public. In earlier remarks through her team, she said the divorce is a private family issue, especially because a child is involved. The couple shares a daughter born in 2024. Ilia Topuria also has a son from a previous relationship.Her silence, she explained, was not avoidance. It was a choice made to protect her child and respect the legal process. Filing the police complaint marked the first time authorities were formally involved in the matter.Ilia Topuria has not directly addressed the complaint. However, earlier this month, he confirmed that personal and legal problems played a role in his temporary break from competition. He did not name Giorgina Uzcategui but admitted the situation was serious.A few days after the police filing, Giorgina Uzcategui’s legal team released a short public statement. Her lawyer, Cristina Corell Cortina, described the divorce as a “strictly private legal process” involving a minor.The statement asked media and the public to avoid speculation. It rejected what it called harmful interpretations spreading online. The lawyer did not answer Ilia Topuria’s claims point by point and avoided emotional language.Instead, the message focused on restraint. “Respect for the courts and for the child comes first,” the statement said. The legal team also confirmed that no further public comments would be made outside formal legal channels.Because a minor is involved, Spanish law limits what can be shared publicly. Court hearings, rulings, and possible next steps remain confidential. At present, the police filing is regarded as a procedural step rather than as a final result.As Ilia Topuria’s fighting future draws attention, this situation continues quietly in the background, handled through lawyers and authorities rather than public arguments.Also Read: Khabib Nurmagomedov And Patimat Nurmagomedova Combined Net Worth In 2025: Undefeated UFC Career, Earnings, Private Love Story, Family And More

From a familiar presence in kitchens and gym bags to café menus, chia seeds have been widely promoted as an easy addition to support weight control. If you’re trying to make sense of this advice, you may have noticed conflicting suggestions about how they should be consumed. Some swear by soaking chia seeds in plain water; others like to stir them into milk for a thicker, more filling option. These choices aren’t just about taste or texture. The liquid used changes the way chia seeds release nutrients, how they are digested, and how they affect appetite and energy balance. Examining these differences closely might help you figure out how chia seeds can be your way, instead of making assumptions that one method will automatically give you more weight loss.

Why chia seeds behave differently in water and milk

From a functional point of view, chia seeds are highly adaptable; therefore, their application in water-based drinks and milk-based dishes. When soaked in water, they form a gel that is light and neutral in flavour, easily consumed on its own. In milk, whether dairy or plant-based, the same seeds become part of a more substantial preparation, almost like a pudding or a smoothie base. Scientific interest in these forms has focused on how soaking affects nutrient release and functionality. Research into water-soaked chia seeds published in Food Research International has demonstrated the effects of hydration on the release of lipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6, while a separate study on the protein of chia seeds published in Applied Food Research underlines how these seeds interact with protein-rich liquids such as milk. Considering this evidence altogether, there is an indication that both methods are valid but for different nutritional purposes and not necessarily competing against each other.

Water vs milk: How the nutrition profile of chia seeds shifts

The chia seeds vary in nutritional profile depending on the liquid used. In water, they add fibre, a bit of healthy fat, and some micronutrients while not contributing extra calories or protein, which keeps intake overall modest. In milk, it’s a different equation: Milk adds protein, calcium, and sometimes additional fat, moving the nutritional complete serving up a notch. When it comes to weight loss, protein is useful because it allows satiety and can preserve lean mass, but does raise total calorie intake. The difference isn’t in the chia seeds themselves; it’s just a question of whether one is seeking a low-energy additive or a full, added nutrient component in something.

How different liquids change the way chia seeds digest

Of course, chia seeds strongly act upon digestion due to their gel-forming fibre. This gel, when taken with water, remains fairly intact and slows down the movement of food through the digestive tract. This can prolong fullness and reduce the urge to snack soon after. Digestion becomes more complicated with milk-based preparations. Milk proteins and fats associated with the chia gel result in a more sluggish yet resource-intensive digestion process. This may suit people who require sustained energy over several hours, but it can be heavier for those with sensitive digestion or lower energy requirements.

Do chia seeds affect blood sugar differently in milk?

When it comes to weight loss, blood sugar control becomes one of the central themes. Water-soaked chia tends to have a neutral effect because there are no sugars present, and it dampens carbohydrate absorption from other foods eaten concurrently with chia. This may help establish stable energy levels. Milk adds natural sugars, and depending on the type, more or less fat. Even though protein and fat blunt rapid spikes in glucose, overall glycaemic response will depend on portion size and timing. For those people, preparations with milk help them avoid crashes of energy, while others prefer the minimal input of blood sugar by keeping things as simple as water.

Water or milk: Which fits weight loss better?

The other question is how each one fits into the daily energy balance when weight management is the desired goal. Water-based chia drinks have been used as an appetite aid and can provide some reduction in portion sizes at subsequent meals. Milk-based chia servings function more as small meals and may become a replacement for higher-calorie snacks. Neither approach alone is guaranteed to ensure weight loss. The effect depends on whether the preparation leads to a net reduction in calorie intake over time or simply adds another source of energy to the day.

Water or milk for chia seeds: A quick comparison

Practical ways to include chia seeds in your daily diet

Knowing the effective use of chia seeds involves preparation that matches your routine rather than a single rule. Both water and milk versions can be weight, friendly when used consciously and in the right amounts. In this case, if a better appetite is your main concern, soak chia seeds in water before meals. Use milk, based chia preparations when you are substituting a snack or light meal. Cut back on portion sizes to take into account the extra calories from milk. Depending on whether the question is more about digestion or just an energy need, one option may be better than the others for different times of the day.Also Read | Everyday foods that quietly harm your brain: Sausages, energy drinks, chewing gum and more

JAIPUR: While the buzz around domestic cricket is always a welcome sight, it has become a rarity in recent years. For Jaipur’s passionate fans, that electric atmosphere typically materialises only during the Indian Premier League (IPL) or the rare white-ball international hosted at the Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Stadium.But Wednesday will be special as the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 gets underway, with Jaipur hosting Elite Group C matches.

Mumbai’s campaign begins in the city, and fans are in for a treat: former India captain Rohit Sharma is set to play their opening fixtures against Sikkim (December 24) and Uttarakhand (December 26) at SMS Stadium.Rohit’s participation follows the BCCI’s mandate requiring all centrally contracted Indian players to feature in at least two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches when available, a move aimed at ensuring match fitness ahead of international commitments.The excitement around Rohit, one of India’s biggest sporting icons, is expected to draw large crowds for a domestic fixture that is usually played in front of empty stands.With the ground having seen crowd-control challenges during a Ranji Trophy match last month, the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) is leaving nothing to chance on the security front.“We have arranged comprehensive police security as well as private bouncers. I have personally met the Additional SP (South), who has assured full support. All our security arrangements are firmly in place, as you saw during the practice session as well,” said ad hoc convener Deendayal Kumawat.The RCA has also had the stadium cleaned. “We have readied the stadium so that fans do not face any inconvenience. Wild plants and bushes have been removed, and we will also provide free drinking water. We will initially open the North and East stands, but if needed, other stands will also be opened,” Kumawat added.