India

Allahabad HC denies maintenance to woman living with second man without divorcing first

The Allahabad High Court dismissed a woman's maintenance claim against Santosh Kumar, a man she had been living with without legally divorcing her first husband, Sharda Prasad. The court took note of the woman's own admission that no Hindu marriage rituals were conducted with Santosh Kumar. Since no valid marriage was established, her claim for personal maintenance was rejected. However, the court upheld maintenance for the couple's daughter, based on evidence from a DNA report. Santosh Kumar's petition was partially allowed as a result of the ruling.

BJP Minister Nitesh Rane Invokes 'Love Jihad' Over Aamir Khan's Third Marriage

Maharashtra BJP minister Nitesh Rane has publicly questioned actor Aamir Khan's recent marriage to Gauri Spratt, which took place on July 5 in Mumbai. Rane framed the union through the lens of 'love jihad', a contested term often used by right-wing groups to allege religious motives behind interfaith relationships. The minister called on Hindu society to reconsider its support for celebrities like Khan. This is Khan's third marriage, following his previous unions with Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao.

US inmate in Tihar Jail seeks special diet, court hearing set for July 21

American Matthew VanDyke, arrested by the NIA on terror charges linked to alleged drone training activities, has requested permission to prepare his own meals inside Delhi's Tihar Jail. The former war correspondent claims the jail's standard food is unsuitable for him and has reportedly been on a hunger strike in protest. Tihar Jail maintains a fixed dietary plan for its population of over 20,000 inmates, leaving little room for individual exceptions. A Delhi court is scheduled to hear VanDyke's plea for a special diet on July 21.

China's J-16 Fighter Jet Gets Heavy Weapons Upgrade, Raising Military Concerns

China's J-16 fighter jet has been equipped with an enhanced weapons loadout, significantly boosting its combat effectiveness. The new configuration positions the aircraft as a potent missile platform in air-to-air engagements. This development is part of a broader modernization drive by the People's Liberation Army Air Force. China is simultaneously upgrading its long-range support capabilities, including transport and aerial refueling assets. Analysts see these moves as reflecting a deliberate strategic push toward greater military dominance.

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.

China develops EUV lithography prototype, may achieve chip mass production by 2030

China has reportedly built a working prototype of an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography system, a critical technology used in advanced semiconductor manufacturing. The development has surprised Western observers who had largely doubted China's ability to produce such sophisticated chip-making equipment. The prototype was achieved through a combination of domestic technological breakthroughs and indirect procurement of foreign components. Analysts believe China could scale the technology to mass production levels by 2030. The advancement signals a potentially significant shift in global semiconductor supply chain dynamics.

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.

Nifty Realty Index: How India's Listed Real Estate Sector Is Tracked and Benchmarked

The Nifty Realty Index, managed by NSE, monitors the stock performance of India's listed real estate companies. It consists of ten firms chosen based on free-float market capitalization, with the portfolio reviewed and rebalanced every six months. Major players such as DLF, Phoenix Mills, and Lodha Developers carry the highest weightage in the index. Eligibility for inclusion requires companies to meet defined thresholds for trading volume and market capitalization. The index functions both as a sectoral benchmark and as a foundation for developing financial products tied to the real estate industry.

US Strikes Dozens of Iranian Targets to Protect Strait of Hormuz Shipping

The US military launched fresh strikes against Iran on Sunday, targeting dozens of locations with precision munitions. US Central Command (Centcom) stated the strikes were aimed at degrading Iran's capacity to attack international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The operation hit multiple sites simultaneously as part of ongoing efforts to secure a critical global trade route. Iran, in turn, claimed it had destroyed a US military drone fleet based in Bahrain in retaliatory strikes.

CM Naidu visits Pawan Kalyan in Mumbai post shoulder surgery, recovery on track

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu visited Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan in Mumbai following his shoulder surgery. Kalyan underwent a successful operation on his right shoulder, with doctors confirming the procedure went smoothly. Recovery is reported to be progressing well, according to Naidu after the visit. Medical professionals have recommended three weeks of physiotherapy as part of Kalyan's rehabilitation plan. The Deputy Chief Minister is said to be keen on returning to his official duties at the earliest.

Telangana Police Officer Booked After 6-Year-Old Granddaughter Drives in Traffic

A Telangana police officer has been booked after his 6-year-old granddaughter was allowed to drive a car on a busy public road. The incident was reportedly staged as an attempt to secure a Guinness World Record. Authorities filed a case against the officer for endangering the child and other road users. The video of the young girl driving in live traffic drew widespread attention and concern.

Sensex Drops 660 Points as US-Iran Tensions Drive Oil Prices Higher

Indian stock markets opened sharply lower on Monday, with the Sensex falling 660 points at the opening bell. The decline was triggered by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, which rattled global investor sentiment. Crude oil prices surged around 3% in response to the geopolitical developments, pushing Brent crude above the $78-per-barrel mark. Rising oil prices are a key concern for India, which is heavily dependent on crude imports, making markets sensitive to such global developments.

Four Minors Feared Drowned in Delhi's Yamuna; Search Enters Day Two

Four minors are feared to have drowned in the Yamuna river in Delhi, according to reports from July 13, 2026. Search operations were launched after the incident and continued into a second day. Authorities have been conducting efforts to locate the missing children in the river. The full circumstances surrounding the incident have not been detailed in available reports.

Meghalaya MTET 2026 Admit Cards Released for July 24 Exam

The Directorate of Educational Research and Training (DERT), Meghalaya, has officially released the MTET 2026 hall tickets for the upcoming teacher eligibility examination. The exam is scheduled to be held on July 24 in offline mode, covering both Paper I and Paper II. Candidates can download their admit cards from the official portal using their registration number and password. Those encountering technical difficulties while downloading are advised to contact DERT directly or visit their respective district DIET centres for support.

China bets on non-invasive brain-computer interfaces for mass adoption

China is focusing on non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) technology as a key future industry, avoiding surgical implants used by rivals like Neuralink. Neuracle Medical Technology has secured regulatory approval to commercially deploy its non-invasive BCI device. Chinese startups are advancing ultrasound and sensor-based neural technologies to make the field more accessible and affordable. The country's coordinated industrial ecosystem is supporting adoption of these technologies in rehabilitation and assistive care sectors.

Sooryavanshi attends Wimbledon final alongside mentor Yuvraj Singh

Teenage Indian cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was present at the Wimbledon men's singles final on Sunday, where Jannik Sinner claimed his second Wimbledon title. Sooryavanshi attended the event alongside former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who has been a guiding figure for the young player. Cricketer Abhishek Sharma also joined the group and shared his own admiration for Yuvraj. Sooryavanshi expressed gratitude for the mentorship and support he has received from both Yuvraj and Sharma.

How to Claim Crypto Tax Refund in ITR 2026: Key Steps Explained

Indian taxpayers who earned gains from cryptocurrencies must disclose them under Schedule VDA when filing their income tax returns. Depending on the taxpayer's profile, either ITR-2 or ITR-3 is the applicable form for reporting virtual digital asset income. Correctly filing under the right form is essential to ensure eligibility for any applicable tax refund. Missing or incorrectly reporting crypto gains can result in loss of refund claims or potential tax notices.

Rohit Sharma, Kohli train hard at Edgbaston ahead of first ODI vs England

India captain Rohit Sharma underwent an intensive match-simulation batting session in the nets at Edgbaston as the team prepared for the first ODI against England. Virat Kohli also trained rigorously, facing deliveries from both pace and spin bowlers during the session. Kohli additionally took time to share guidance with young fast bowler Gurnoor Brar, offering the pacer valuable insights. The training session indicated that India's preparations for the ODI series opener are well underway.