File photo (Picture credit: ANI)

KOLKATA: Foreign courts can hear divorce and maintenance proceedings of a marriage solemnised in India if one of the spouses resides in that country, the Calcutta high court has said while setting aside a lower court order putting an injunction on a UK district court order in favour of the wife.In its December 15 ruling, a division bench of justices Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya and Supratim Bhattacharya held that under the Hindu Marriage Act, it is specified a petition can be heard by “district court with the local limits” of the residence where a couple last resided. The bench clarified that though under a different section of the same law, “district court” means Indian courts and not foreign courts, “taken in its true spirit and in a liberal perspective”, the UK family court can have jurisdiction if prima facie the wife resides there and at least “the parties last resided together as spouses in the UK.”“It cannot be said outright that the judgment which might ultimately be passed in the divorce suit of the wife in the UK would be inconclusive in India,” the judges said.The couple got married in Kolkata on December 15, 2018. The husband first filed for divorce on Sept 4, 2024, at Alipore court. On October 10, 2024, the wife moved the UK court for divorce and the next day for maintenance. She said she had been residing in the UK since 2015 on student and work visas with occasional visits to India and they last stayed as a married couple in the UK.On May 16, 2025, the UK family court directed the husband to pay maintenance. However, on Nov 1, Alipore district court put an injunction on that order saying the wife cannot proceed with her case in the UK.The Alipore court reasoned that the husband had moved the divorce suit first and held that the UK court had no jurisdiction in the case as the wife was not a permanent resident of the country. It said the maintenance amount granted by the UK court was “onerous and oppressive” as it exceeded the earnings of the husband.The woman challenged the order in the high court which heldeven if the pleas were filed by the wife later, the husband filed a response and adduced evidence in the UK court. “Prima facie, it is not credible that the husband is not in a position to contest the wife’s divorce proceedings and alimony application in UK”, the high court said.

Kane Williamson (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: New Zealand Cricket have announced their squads for the upcoming limited-overs series against India as they keep a close eye on preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will commence soon after the India tour. The series will feature three One-Day Internationals followed by a five-match T20I series, starting January 11.

With the T20 World Cup set to be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7, the selectors have used this tour as a key planning step.The five-match T20I series is seen as especially important for the Black Caps before the World Cup. Playing in Indian conditions will help players adjust to slower pitches and quality spin, something they do not face regularly at home. The team management believes this experience will be crucial ahead of the global event.Mitchell Santner will lead the T20I side as he continues his comeback from injury. For the ODI series, Michael Bracewell has been named captain.Several senior players have been recalled for the tour, while a few young faces have also been rewarded for strong recent performances. Jayden Lennox, Kristian Clarke, Bevon Jacobs and Tim Robinson have all been included after impressing in domestic and A-team cricket. Michael Rae, who recently made his Test debut against the West Indies, also finds a place in the squads.Kyle Jamieson returns in both ODI and T20I squads after recovering from injury. Mark Chapman and Matt Henry are also back in the T20I setup, strengthening the bowling and batting units.At the same time, some key players have been rested or ruled out to manage workloads. Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Jacob Duffy, Will O’Rourke and Blair Tickner will miss the tour due to injury concerns or workload management. New Zealand are balancing their schedule carefully as they also prepare for the World Test Championship cycle.NZ T20I Squad v India: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish SodhiNZ ODI Squad v India: Michael Bracewell (c), Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Will Young

NEW DELHI: India tested an intermediate-range ballistic missile called K-4, which is designed to hit targets 3,500-km away, from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday.There was no official word from the defence ministry on the missile test conducted off the coast of Visakhapatnam from the 6,000-tonne INS Arighaat, which is operated by the tri-service strategic forces command.Sources, however, confirmed the missile was the solid-fuelled K-4, which can carry a two-tonne nuclear payload and is critical for India to strengthen the sea leg of its nuclear weapons triad.“A comprehensive analysis will determine whether Tuesday’s test actually met all laid down technical parameters and mission objectives or revealed some shortcomings. It usually takes several tests for ballistic missiles, especially those launched from submarines, to achieve full operational status,” a source said.After multiple trials from undersea platforms in the shape of submersible pontoons over the last several years, the two-stage K-4 missile was tested for the first time from INS Arighaat in Nov last year.INS Arighaat, the country’s second nuclear-powered submarine with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles (called SSBN in naval parlance), was commissioned on Aug 29 last year. Her forerunner INS Arihant, which became fully operational in 2018, can carry only the 750-km range K-15 missiles.India will commission its third SSBN as INS Aridhaman in the first quarter of 2026 and the fourth in 2027-28 under the secretive over Rs 90,000 crore ATV (advanced technology vessel) programme launched decades ago. These two SSBNs are slightly larger, with a displacement of 7,000 tonnes each, than the first two 6,000-tonne ones.There is also the plan to eventually build 13,500-tonne SSBNs, with much more powerful 190 MW pressurised light-water reactors instead of the existing 83 MW ones on the first four submarines.India’s existing SSBNs, of course, are less than half the size of the ones with the US, China and Russia. The operational deployment of K-4 missiles, which will be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000 to 6,000-km range class, will somewhat help India narrow the huge gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have a range of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).The first two legs of India’s nuclear triad are much more robust, with the land-based ballistic missiles led by the Agni-5 with a strike range of over 5,000 km and fighters like Rafales, Sukhoi-30MKIs and Mirage-2000s capable of delivering nuclear gravity bombs.The SSBNs, however, impart India’s deterrence posture with much more credibility because they are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes in line with the country’s “no first-use” policy.

Isro delivers its heaviest punch as Bahubali puts BlueBird into orbit

SRIHARIKOTA: Baahubali sent BlueBird to the heavens. India’s space ambitions gained new heights and heft. Isro capped 2025 with a flawless heavy-lift statement Wednesday, as its LVM3 rocket — nicknamed Baahubali — hurled the US communications satellite BlueBird Block-2 into low Earth orbit, the heaviest spacecraft ever launched from Indian soil.The lift-off came from the second launch pad at Sriharikota at 8.55 am, delayed by a minute to sidestep space debris. Fifteen minutes later, precision prevailed. The 6,100kg satellite was injected into a near-perfect circular orbit, marking another clean chapter for India’s human-rated launcher.The mission extended LVM3’s unbroken streak to nine consecutive successes — a milestone that sharpens confidence for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme and signals India’s arrival as a serious player in the global LEO communications market.Isro chairman V Narayanan called it a standout flight on multiple fronts. The launcher achieved orbital accuracy of less than 1.5km, placing BlueBird at 518.9km against a target of 520km — the best performance by an Indian rocket to date. “With nine consecutive successful LVM3 launches, our confidence in the Gaganyaan mission has significantly increased,” Narayanan said.Beyond mass and accuracy, the launch carried historical weight. It marked Isro’s 434th satellite deployment for 34 countries across 45 years, and the first back-to-back LVM3 mission, executed with a turnaround of just 52 days.Technological upgrades pushed the rocket further. Payload capability rose by more than 150kg after electro-hydraulic actuators were replaced with electro-mechanical systems to control the massive S200 booster motors. “With additional technologies, we have demonstrated that Isro is in a much better position for future missions, including Gaganyaan,” said mission director T Victor Joseph.The flight underscored rising commercial momentum. P Mohan, acting chairman and MD of Isro’s commercial arm NewSpace India Ltd, said interest in the launcher is accelerating. “There is interest for six to 10 LVM3 missions annually, with several global companies seeking up to six launches per year from 2026–27 onwards,” he said.Wednesday’s mission, designated LVM3-M6, was flown under a commercial agreement between NSIL and US-based AST & Science LLC. BlueBird Block-2 forms part of a global LEO constellation designed to deliver direct-to-mobile 4G and 5G connectivity.Shanti Gupta, chief operating officer of AST SpaceMobile, said the company aims to deploy 45 to 60 satellites by the end of 2026 for worldwide coverage and is in talks with space agencies across the globe, including Isro.Industry voices framed the launch as a strategic inflection point. Space Industry Association of India president Subba Rao said India now stands among a select group capable of reliably deploying heavy-class LEO payloads for next-generation telecom networks. “Its significance lies not just in launch success, but in what it signals about India’s industrial readiness, reliability, and ability to support constellations at scale over time,” he said.Indian Space Association director general Lt Gen (retd) AK Bhatt described the mission as a quantum leap. “It exemplifies Isro’s engineering excellence and operational maturity, enabling heavier payloads for global satellite constellations,” he said. “The mission strengthens India’s self-reliance in launch services and positions Isro as a preferred provider for international missions, while accelerating growth across the domestic space ecosystem.”As Baahubali faded into the morning sky, the message lingered on Earth: India is no longer testing the limits of heavy lift — it is defining them.

PALAKKAD: Even as the attack on the children’s Christmas carol group triggered political protests, parents of the children protested against the statement of BJP leader C Krishnakumar, who appeared to justify the attack.Krishnakumar claimed the group members were drinking and described the group as a criminal team that took a band set from the CPM area committee office. Talking to the media on Wednesday, the parents said the children were out caroling, as they do every year, when the incident occurred, and that the group comprised only children aged 10-15, with no adults present. They said both students and their families were affected by the incident, adding that Krishnakumar’s statement was even more distressing. They expressed their willingness to file a complaint over the mental anguish the children faced in the aftermath of the incident.In protest, DYFI announced that carols in protest would be held across 2,500 units in the district. Congress alleged that the attack was retaliation by BJP as it failed to gain support from the Christian community and described it as a deliberate attempt to disturb communal harmony. Police arrested an RSS worker, Ashwin Raj, in connection with the incident on Tuesday. The incident took place when the carol group, comprising children, was visiting the houses in the area on Sunday night. Police said the crime occurred in an area where the RSS is considered to have a strong presence. As per the complaint, the accused confronted the carol group and destroyed their band set and other articles. The official report stated he was intoxicated when he attacked the children.

NEW DELHI: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University has suspended a faculty member from its Department of Social Work following complaints about the content of an end-semester examination paper.The order, dated 23 December, said the university received several complaints regarding the paper titled “Social Problems in India” for the B.A. (Hons) Social Work programme, Semester I, for the 2025–26 academic session. The paper was set by Prof. Virendra Balaji Shahare.

The question asked students to “discuss the atrocities against Muslim minorities in India, giving suitable examples.”Taking note of the complaints, a JMI official said it found negligence and carelessness on the part of the faculty member. “The professor has been put under suspension and an inquiry committee has been set up,” said Saima Saeed, Chief Public Relations Officer, JMI.According to the suspension letter seen by PTI, the vice-chancellor, acting under Statute 37(1) of the Statutes of the University, ordered that Prof. Shahare be placed under suspension with immediate effect pending an inquiry.The office order added that the professor’s headquarters will remain in New Delhi during the suspension period, and he has been directed not to leave without prior permission from the competent authority.The question paper drew criticism on social media.A student-run platform associated with Jawaharlal Nehru University shared images of the paper, questioning the appropriateness of the question and alleging ideological bias.The post objected to the framing of the question and linked it to alleged violence against Hindus in neighbouring Bangladesh.Meanwhile, the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) also circulated the question paper, describing it as a matter of “serious concern”. DUTA alleged that the question promoted a “one-sided” narrative in a centrally funded university and called for an immediate review of the question paper and the syllabus. The association urged the education ministry and the University Grants Commission to take note of the issue.

Australia will be up against England in the fourth match of The Ashes. This article provides details about Australia’s Playing 11 vs England for the fourth match of the series.

Australia Playing XI vs England- 4th Test, The Ashes 2025:

Openers: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald

Australia will look to continue the momentum that they have gained courtesy of a win in the first three matches of The Ashes when they take on England in the fourth game of the series.

The home team, however, will have to make at least three changes to the squad, with the vice captain of the team expected to return for this particular game as the captain in the absence of Pat Cummins, who has been rested for the last two matches.

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Along with Smith, Jhye Richardson, in all likelihood, will be a part of the playing XI in place of Cummins, with Todd Murphy replacing Nathan Lyon, who suffered an injury on the final day of the Adelaide Test.

Smith’s return would mean a rejig in the middle order with Usman Khawaja, who was a last-minute entry into the playing XI in the last Test, expected to bat at number five, meaning Josh Inglis might miss out in Melbourne.

The rest of the batting lineup should remain the same, with Travis Head, who scored his second century in the ongoing series, opening the batting with Jack Weatherald.

Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (c), Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk),

The middle order of Australia will comprise Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, and centurion from the first innings of the previous match, Alex Carey.

Australia would want the middle-order batters to put on a similar performance in the upcoming match as they did in Adelaide when the team lost early wickets.

The pair of Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey formed a vital partnership for the fifth wicket and helped the team get to safety, and were supported by lower middle order batter like Mitchel Starc, who also scored a half century.

The onus will be on the top five batters to score the bulk of the runs for the team and not depend on the lower-order batters to bail them out of trouble.

Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland, Jhye Richardson

Unlike the batting, which won’t experience a lot of changes, Australia’s bowling lineup will be without the services of regular captain Pat Cummins and experienced spinner Nathan Lyon, as mentioned above.

The pair will be replaced by Jhye Richardson and Todd Murphy, respectively, both of whom have been picked in the squad for this particular game.

The team would back the duo to have a good outing and keep up the good work done by other bowlers in the first three matches.

Other than Richardson and Murphy, the bowling attack will include Scott Boland, who will have happy memories of playing at this venue against England in 2021 and would want to replicate the same effort in the next game.

Boland will get the company of Mitchell Starc, who is having an Ashes to remember with both bat and ball, and fast bowling all-rounder Cameron Green.