Iceland declared a state of emergency Friday after nearly 800 earthquakes rattled the Reykjanes peninsula in just 14 hours, warning a volcanic eruption could be imminent. According to preliminary Icelandic Met Office figures, the biggest tremor had a magnitude of 5.2, north of Grindavik. Over 24,000 tremors have hit the area since October. On Friday, two major quakes were felt 40 km away in Reykjavik. Authorities said the intense seismic activity could lead to an eruption within days. The town of Grindavik near the epicenter is evacuating as a precaution. The Icelandic Met Office said magma is accumulating underground about 5 km down, and if it reaches the surface an eruption would likely take days. With 800 quakes in 14 hours, Iceland is on high alert as the rattled peninsula may soon erupt.

In response to French President Emmanuel Macron's statement on the Gaza war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Saturday: "The responsibility for any harm to civilians lies with Hamas - ISIS and not with Israel." He said Israel entered the war because the "terrorist organisation" murdered hundreds of Israelis and holds over 200 hostages. Netanyahu claimed Israel tries avoiding civilian casualties but "Hamas - ISIS is doing all it can to prevent them from moving to safe areas and uses them as human shields." He accused Hamas of "cruelly holding our people hostage - women, children, the elderly." Netanyahu warned, "The crimes being committed today by Hamas - ISIS in Gaza will be committed tomorrow in Paris, New York." He urged world leaders to condemn Hamas, not Israel. In a Gaza aid conference in Paris on Thursday, Emmanuel Macron said a "humanitarian pause" and "ceasefire" are urgently needed in Gaza to protect civilians. Macron further stated that "civilians must be protected" which is "indispensable and non-negotiable."

Police are bracing for one of the largest political protests ever in Britain on Saturday, with organizers expecting up to 500,000 marching in London for Palestinian rights. Counter-protest groups are also mobilizing, prompting police to deploy 1,850 officers over concerns of serious violence between the sides. Police warn they are prepared to use force if necessary to control movements and maintain order. Officers anticipate flashpoints as splinter groups could disrupt the march and far-right activists exploit events. With emotions high over the Israel-Hamas war, the massive demonstration poses major challenges for security services aiming to prevent disorder and attacks on the protesters.

Police are investigating a fake social media video falsely portraying London Mayor Sadiq Khan prioritizing pro-Palestinian marches over Armistice Day events. The clip, circulated by far-right groups ahead of Saturday's controversial march, could inflame tensions. Concerns are high about potential violent clashes between marchers and far-right counter-protesters wanting to protect war memorials on Armistice Day. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called the pro-Palestinian march "provocative." Khan's spokesperson says the video is fabricated and police counter-terror experts are probing it. The march has already ignited a political row, with Interior Minister Suella Braverman attacking police's handling of it. The fake Khan video aims to further stoke divisions before the charged demonstrations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and expressed deep concern over the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict in West Asia. Both leaders shared worries about the terrorism, violence and civilian casualties. They called for urgent efforts to resolve the tense situation peacefully. PM Modi conveyed India's full support to Brazil for the success of its upcoming G20 presidency. The two leaders also discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across all sectors, building on their recent meeting at the G20 summit in India. This comes after PM Modi's conversations with leaders in the West Asia region including Iran, UK and UAE where he emphasized ending the crisis and stopping loss of innocent lives. 

After enduring its longest stretch of hazardous air quality this year, Delhi's air quality improved significantly on Friday following overnight rainfall and strong winds. The city's 24-hour average Air Quality Index dipped over 150 points from Thursday's 'severe' levels to 279 ('poor' category), as per Central Pollution Control Board data. The rain starting late Thursday washed away pollutants, with real-time PM2.5 levels plunging from 398 micrograms per cubic meter at 1 AM to as low as 37 by morning, well within national standards. The rainfall provided respite after Delhi gasped under toxic air quality for days. The meteorological factors helped dissipate the pollution accumulation, leading to clearer skies.

The Delhi Police has registered an FIR over a viral deepfake video of actor Rashmika Mandanna. The video shows a woman's face edited using AI to resemble Mandanna inside an elevator. Mandanna expressed hurt and concern over the misuse of technology. The police case cites charges including identity theft and privacy violation under the IT Act. This comes after the Indian government issued a stern reminder to social media platforms about legal provisions governing deepfakes. Deepfakes use AI to digitally replace a person's likeness in media. Mandanna, known for films like 'Pushpa', spoke out against her video, prompting police action. 

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has expressed "full backing" for the Metropolitan Police ahead of pro-Palestine protests in London this weekend, despite earlier accusing the force of "playing favourites" with left-wing protesters. Braverman met with Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley after her critical comments sparked a Conservative party row, with some calling for her resignation. In an apparent reversal, Braverman now says she has "full confidence" the police will handle the protests robustly. The climb-down follows pressure on PM Rishi Sunak to take action over Braverman's remarks, which she made without Number 10's approval. Sunak has been warned to tread carefully in the ongoing Braverman controversy.

The celebratory song "Abundance in Millets" featuring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been nominated for a 2024 Grammy Award. Created by musician Falu and producer Gaurav Shah, the track aims to raise awareness of millets, an ancient nutritious grain cultivated in India. It was produced in support of the UN's "International Year of Millets" initiative promoted by the Indian government and 72 other countries. This surprise nomination recognizes the song's global appeal and social impact in highlighting millets as a solution for food security. If it wins, it would mark a historic achievement for India.

Lebanon faces the looming threat of war with Israel as Hezbollah engages in a tit-for-tat conflict near their shared border. Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, credited for resolving the 2006 war, states Lebanon cannot endure another conflict amid existing crises. Siniora criticizes the international community's inaction in the face of the Gaza situation. While both Siniora and Hezbollah express anger over Gaza, they differ on solutions. Siniora urges swift international intervention, while Hezbollah sees public exasperation as leverage, hinting at the potential for a broader regional conflict.