Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump during a White House meeting. Machado said the gesture recognised Trump’s support for Venezuela’s freedom struggle. Trump thanked her publicly and called the meeting an honour. The Nobel Committee later reiterated that a prize cannot be transferred, though a medal may change hands. Trump did not endorse Machado as Venezuela’s new leader and continues to engage with acting authorities in Caracas. Machado said dialogue with Washington would continue and described the meeting as historic for Venezuelans. (PC: BBC)

Counting of votes began for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections after polling across 227 wards in Mumbai. Early results showed candidates from the BJP, Shiv Sena and Congress winning initial seats, with the Mahayuti alliance leading overall. Voter turnout stood at about 53 percent. Shiv Sena candidates won three wards, while the BJP secured two and Congress registered its first victory from Dharavi. Officials said results are being declared in phases at 23 counting centres. The polls were held after a delay of more than three years. Along with Mumbai, results are due for 28 other civic bodies across Maharashtra. (PC: HT)

European troops began arriving in Greenland as Denmark increased its military presence amid tensions with the United States over the Arctic island’s future. France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands sent or pledged small troop deployments to show support for Denmark. Germany said it would deploy a 13-member reconnaissance team. Danish officials said the move aimed to strengthen security cooperation with allies. U.S. officials described talks on Greenland as technical discussions on a possible acquisition, while Denmark and Greenland rejected any transfer of sovereignty. Greenland’s leaders said dialogue would continue, stressing the island is not for sale. (PC: X)

Suspected Pakistani drones were sighted hovering over the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch and the Ramgarh sector of Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting Indian security forces to activate anti-drone systems and remain on high alert. The sightings occurred Thursday night as troops monitored aerial movements along the sensitive border, deploying counter-unmanned aerial systems in response. Earlier this week, similar drone occurrences were reported in the region, underlining ongoing border security challenges and concerns over possible surveillance or infiltration attempts. Forces continue vigilance to protect against further incursions. 

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Oregon, United States, on Thursday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) reported, with its epicentre about 10 km deep beneath the Pacific Ocean. Authorities said no immediate reports of damage or casualties have emerged, and there are no tsunami warnings in effect. The quake occurred in a seismically active offshore region near the Oregon–California border, where tectonic movements are common, and officials are monitoring the situation closely as further assessments continue. The event is part of recurrent Pacific Northwest seismic activity. (PC: Reuters)

Iran halted 800 planned executions of protesters after direct warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House confirmed, as Tehran faces international outrage over its deadly crackdown on nationwide anti-government demonstrations. The halt in executions came after Trump communicated to Iranian authorities that “grave consequences” would follow if killings continued, adding that all options remain on the table, including possible military action. The protests, triggered by economic hardship and political repression, have led to a severe internet blackout and thousands of deaths according to rights groups. Iran denies plans for executions despite conflicting reports on trials and repression. (PC: India Today)

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has served a legal notice to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) after it summoned Captain Varun Anand, nephew of the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, in connection with the Air India Flight AI-171 crash investigation. FIP argues Anand has no professional or factual link to the flight, its planning, or the accident and was not at the crash site, calling the summons unwarranted and legally baseless. The pilots’ body cited international norms that prohibit involving family members without relevance, though Anand is willing to cooperate via video. The AI-171 probe continues. (PC: ANI)

India is very close to finalising a long-awaited trade deal with the European Union, Trade Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said, marking what would be New Delhi’s largest trade agreement yet as it seeks expanded market access amid stalled talks with the United States. Agrawal noted that most negotiation chapters are wrapped up and both sides are exploring whether the pact can be concluded ahead of an India-EU summit in New Delhi later this month, with EU leaders attending Republic Day events. The deal aims to open India’s huge market to European goods. Remaining issues include carbon tax concerns and sensitive sectors, while agriculture has been kept outside the scope to ease political sensitivities. If finalised, it could reshape global trade dynamics and deepen economic ties between India and the EU. (PC: Reuters)

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented U.S. President Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal during a White House meeting, calling it a “wonderful gesture of mutual respect” and recognizing his support for Venezuelan freedom. Trump publicly thanked Machado for the symbolic gift, though the Norwegian Nobel Institute stressed that the award cannot be officially transferred and Trump is not a Nobel laureate. Machado, who won the 2025 Peace Prize for promoting democracy in Venezuela, made the gesture amid ongoing political uncertainty and Trump’s mixed stance toward her leadership prospects. (PC: NDTV)

The Embassy of India in Israel issued an advisory Thursday urging Indian nationals to remain vigilant amid escalating regional security tensions. Citizens must strictly follow safety guidelines from Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command, while avoiding all non-essential travel to Israel until further notice. Emergency helplines (+972-54-7520711 or +972-54-3278392) are available 24x7. Separately, India has drawn contingency plans to evacuate nationals from Iran amid ongoing unrest, though sources clarified execution is not immediate following latest ground assessments. The Indian Embassy in Tehran urged students, pilgrims, businesspeople, and tourists to exit Iran using commercial flights, requesting they keep travel documents readily available and contact the embassy for assistance. (PC: AP)