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)

US President Donald Trump linked his push for control of Greenland to not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, according to messages confirmed by US media. In a text to Norway’s prime minister, Trump said he no longer felt bound to focus only on peace and argued that US security required full control of Greenland. Norway’s Jonas Gahr Støre said the prize is awarded by an independent committee, not the government. Trump has repeatedly said the US should acquire Greenland and has warned of tariffs and other steps if allies oppose the idea. European leaders have rejected the proposal and called for de-escalation. (PC: BBC)

The Supreme Court of India on Monday asked the Election Commission of India to recognise the stress faced by voters during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal. The court directed the poll body to publish names of voters flagged under the “logical discrepancy” category. It said the list should be displayed at local offices and more time given to submit documents. The court also ordered adequate staff at hearings and receipts for submitted papers. Notices were issued to about 1.25 crore voters for issues such as spelling differences, age gaps, and record mismatches. The case will be reviewed again. (PC: NDTV)

A late-night drive turned fatal for 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta after his car fell into a water-filled pit in Noida’s Sector 150. Police said the accident happened around 12:15 am amid dense fog. Mehta managed to climb onto the car roof and called his father for help. Family members said he remained alive for nearly two hours as rescue efforts struggled. Police said teams used ropes, ladders, lights, and a crane but faced poor visibility and deep water. The car later sank. His body was recovered after extended searches. An FIR has been filed against two real estate firms over alleged negligence. (PC: HT)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday urged Poland to show zero tolerance for terrorism during talks with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in New Delhi. Jaishankar said countries must avoid actions that support terrorist networks in the region. His remarks followed Poland’s reference to Kashmir in a joint statement with Pakistan last year. Jaishankar said Sikorski was familiar with the challenge of cross-border terrorism. Sikorski agreed on the need to counter such threats and referred to recent acts of sabotage in Poland. The meeting also reviewed wider regional and security concerns. (PC: India Today)

China’s birth rate fell to a record low in 2025 as the country’s population shrank for the fourth year in a row, official data showed. The birth rate dropped to 5.63 per 1,000 people, while the death rate rose to 8.04 per 1,000. The total population fell by 3.39 million to about 1.4 billion. The decline comes despite government incentives such as cash payments, longer maternity leave, and relaxed family size rules. China ended its one-child policy in 2016 and later allowed up to three children per couple. Experts warn that an ageing population and falling workforce could strain the economy. The United Nations expects China’s population to keep declining through the century. (PC: BBC)

The European Union is preparing to use its strongest trade retaliation tool against the United States after President Donald Trump announced tariffs on countries backing Greenland. The proposed measures include a 10 per cent tariff from February 1, rising to 25 per cent by June. EU leaders met in Brussels to discuss a response. French President Emmanuel Macron said the bloc could activate its Anti-Coercion Instrument for the first time. The tool allows counter-tariffs, market restrictions, and limits on US firms. EU officials warned the move could further strain US-EU trade ties. (PC: India Today)

A US woman has alleged that she was groped by a teenage boy on the Delhi Metro after agreeing to take a photo with his family. The incident was shared on social media by Gaurav Sabnis, an Indian-origin professor based in the United States. According to the account, the boy’s mother and sister defended his actions and accused the woman of overreacting. The woman later told the professor that the incident left her shaken and unwilling to travel to India or South Asia again. There is no confirmation of a police complaint being filed. Social media users criticised the family’s response. (PC: NDTV)

A 20-year-old woman who was sexually assaulted during the Manipur conflict in May 2023 died at her home in Churachandpur earlier this month, her family said. Her case is still being heard by a special Central Bureau of Investigation court in Guwahati. The family said she had remained unwell since the assault and was under medical care. No immediate cause of death has been confirmed. The assault took place amid ethnic violence in Manipur, which began in May 2023. The investigation led to arrests, and a chargesheet was filed against two accused in May 2025. The trial is yet to begin. (PC: The Indian Express)

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck the Leh–Ladakh region on Monday, according to the National Center for Seismology. The tremor occurred at 11:51 am, with its epicentre located in Leh, Ladakh, at a depth of 171 km. No casualties or damage were reported till the filing of this report. Officials said the situation is being closely monitored and advised residents to remain cautious due to the possibility of aftershocks. The region lies in the seismically active Himalayan belt and frequently experiences earthquakes. The quake comes amid increased seismic activity in the wider region, including recent tremors reported in Afghanistan. (PC: HT)