Pakistan's Chief of Defence Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, stated the country stands at a juncture where it can achieve its founding purpose. Speaking at Junaid Safdar's wedding reception attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior officials, Munir emphasized Pakistan was created in the name of Islam and now enjoys special status among Islamic nations. A Hafiz-e-Quran, Munir has reshaped Pakistan's armed forces with religious symbolism, framing military roles as defending Islam. He invoked the Two-Nation Theory, emphasizing irreconcilable Muslim-Hindu differences. Munir referenced defence agreements with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, meetings with Trump, and economic improvements, suggesting Pakistan's growing Islamic ummah influence despite recent military setbacks. (PC: India Today)

UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conducted a brief but substantive visit to India on Monday amid heightened West Asian tensions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received Al Nahyan at the New Delhi airport, sharing a ride together in a notable diplomatic gesture. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized the visit's substance despite its few-hour duration. The leaders held discussions in restricted and expanded formats, with multiple documents exchanged. This marks Al Nahyan's third official India visit since becoming UAE President and fifth in a decade. Modi gifted traditional presents including a Royal Carved Wooden Jhula, Pashmina Shawl, and Kashmiri Saffron, symbolizing the strong India-UAE friendship and bilateral ties.

At least seven people were killed and 13 injured in an explosion targeting a hotel in Kabul's commercial Shahr-e-Naw neighborhood on Sunday. The Italian NGO Emergency, operating a hospital in Afghanistan's capital, confirmed receiving 20 casualties, with seven dead on arrival. Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani acknowledged the incident, stating preliminary reports indicated fatalities and injuries, with detailed information to follow. Shahr-e-Naw, considered one of Kabul's most secure areas, houses large office buildings, shopping complexes, and embassies. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast. The attack represents a significant security breach in what is typically regarded as one of the safest districts in the Afghan capital. 

Russia and China criticized President Donald Trump's repeated statements about acquiring Greenland on Monday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested Trump would "go down in history" if Greenland's accession were realized, while Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun accused Washington of using a "so-called China threat" to pursue selfish interests. Trump insisted US control of Greenland is vital for global security, despite existing American military presence and defense agreements with Denmark. European leaders condemned Trump's tariff threats as "blackmail," with the EU scheduling an emergency summit. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejected external pressure, asserting the territory's democratic right to self-determination. Trump previously proposed purchasing Greenland during his first presidential term.

An explosion at a hotel in central Kabul killed and injured several people on Monday, Afghan officials said. The blast occurred in the Shahr-e-Naw area, a busy commercial zone with offices, shopping centres and diplomatic missions. Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani said early reports confirmed multiple casualties, but exact figures were not available. Kabul police spokesperson Khalid Zadran said the hotel was the target of the explosion. Security forces rushed to the area and cordoned it off as investigations began. No group has claimed responsibility so far. Authorities said more details would be shared after the situation is fully assessed.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a Special Investigation Team probe into the death of Yuvraj Mehta in Noida. The three-member SIT will submit its report within five days, officials said. The team will be led by the ADG of Meerut Zone and include the Meerut divisional commissioner and a senior PWD engineer. Mehta died after his car fell into a water-filled pit on a foggy road in Sector 150 on January 16. An autopsy said death was caused by drowning and cardiac arrest. Police are examining road conditions, visibility, and safety measures at the site. (PC: HT)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said US President Donald Trump’s threats linked to Greenland were “completely wrong”. Starmer said the future of Greenland must be decided by its people and the Denmark government. Trump has warned of tariffs on the UK and other countries that oppose his proposal to take control of Greenland. Starmer described the issue as serious but played down the prospect of retaliation. He said a trade war would not benefit any side. Trump has argued that US control of Greenland is needed for security reasons. (PC: BBC)

Security forces on Monday uncovered and destroyed a Jaish-e-Mohammad hideout in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The underground shelter was located at an altitude of about 12,000 feet in the Singhpora area of Chhatroo. It could house several militants and had multiple entry and exit points. Forces recovered food supplies, cooking gas, blankets and other daily-use items from the site. The action was part of Operation Trashi-I, launched after specific intelligence inputs. One army jawan was killed and seven others were injured in an exchange of fire. Search operations are continuing with support from drones and sniffer dogs. (PC: NDTV)

Senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday filed the nomination of Nitin Nabin for the post of national president. With no other candidate in the race, Nabin is expected to be elected unopposed on Tuesday. Union Minister JP Nadda, along with Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, supported his nomination. The 45-year-old is currently the party’s working president. The BJP constitution allows unopposed election if only one nomination is filed. Nabin is expected to formally assume charge after the announcement. (PC: HT)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday received Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport in New Delhi, breaking protocol during the UAE leader’s short visit. The two leaders shared a brief hug before heading for talks. Sheikh Mohamed’s visit lasted about two hours and was held at Modi’s invitation. The Prime Minister later said the visit showed the importance of strong India-UAE ties. The UAE President is on his third official visit to India since taking office. India and the United Arab Emirates cooperate closely in trade, energy, defence and regional security. (PC: India Today)