Ukrainian Drone Strike Ignites Fire at Russia's Stavropol Industrial Zone

China Pushes Back as 14 Nations Reject Its South China Sea Claims on Ruling Anniversary

Fourteen countries, including Japan, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines, jointly reaffirmed that China's broad maritime claims in the South China Sea have no legal standing under international law. The joint statement marked the 10th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration's 2016 ruling, which had invalidated Beijing's expansive territorial assertions. China responded by accusing Japan of interfering in regional affairs and destabilizing peace and stability in the area. Beijing maintained that its claimed sovereignty over the disputed waters remains unchanged, dismissing the decade-old tribunal decision. The incident has intensified diplomatic tensions between China and the coalition of nations supporting the arbitration ruling.

Watch: US missiles rain down on Iran as Middle East tensions explode

South Korea's Kospi drops 7% as Middle East tensions unsettle global markets

South Korea's benchmark Kospi index fell sharply by 7% on Monday amid escalating Middle East tensions and a spike in global oil prices. The sell-off was led by major technology stocks, with semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix among the hardest hit. The decline heightened investor concerns about stretched valuations in AI-linked chip companies. The broader global market was also rattled as rising geopolitical risks dampened risk appetite. Despite the steep single-day loss, the Kospi still ranks among the best-performing stock indices globally for the year.

Gwalior CA, 70, Defrauded of Rs 21 Crore in WhatsApp Investment Scam

A 70-year-old chartered accountant from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, lost over Rs 21 crore to an elaborate online investment fraud. Scammers posing as investment advisers contacted him through WhatsApp and convinced him to part with the funds. The money was siphoned off over a period of approximately six months. Authorities are investigating the case following a complaint by the victim.