Bulgaria introduces new Covid restrictions

He highlighted India's role as a "first responder" for the Maldives, emphasising that India's support during critical periods has been fundamental to the stability and security of the island nation.

The US Embassy in Pakistan issued a security alert ahead of the planned large-scale religious processions across the country, noting that the movement of all US personnel will be restricted beginning Tuesday, 12 PM (local time).

EAM S Jaishankar stated that the era of "big deals" between dominant powers is over, as multipolarity is now an irreversible reality. He argued that the Global South is defined by shared historical experiences, while noting a growing "differentiation" within the previously unified Global West.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb, during his keynote address at the Raisina Dialogue 2026 on Thursday, highlighted India's rising global influence, calling it a model for strategic autonomy and proactive international engagement, stating that Europe has "been taught a lesson by India that passivity is not a strategy".

The University of Chicago has honoured Professor Krishnamurthy V. Subramanian with the Alumni Award for Professional Achievement. He is the first Indian economist to receive the 85-year-old distinction, recognised for his "landmark" policy work and leadership in India during the COVID-19 crisis and global economic uncertainty.

France is poised to increase its nuclear warheads for the first time in decades, reflecting growing concerns over Europe's security environment amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and debates over the future of transatlantic defence guarantees, France24 reported.

Abu Dhabi airport, which serves as a critical transit gateway connecting flights across Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa, came to a halt as the ripple effects of the attack spread through global aviation networks.

The report states that Deputy Charles de Courson of the French National Assembly submitted a formal written question to the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, warning about a policy change scheduled for 2026 that would remove Tibetan as a core subject from national university entrance examinations in Tibet.

Underscoring the renewed momentum during his discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the India-Israel-UAE-USA (I2U2) initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emphasised that "peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India's security."

Opening his remarks, he said, "The subject is quite enriching. There is an old Sanskrit is saying 'Prakriti Rakshit Rakshita' which means nature protects when protected." He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced this principle, adding, "An example of the same was given by Dr Viva during the covid time and I must say that while framing this session is what exactly right when we talk about how the wetlands the forest catchments close the run up of the floods the mangroves protect it is necessary to understand how such solution can be scaled in a sustainabale mod so that they thrive using the overall public budget."