Korean Air Lines, South Korea's leading air carrier, said it will acquire a 10 percent stake in WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, in a bid to strengthen its presence in the North American market.

The South Korean airline's board approved the US$220 million deal earlier in the day, the company said in a press release. Delta Air Lines, Korean Air's joint venture partner in the United States, will also purchase a 15 percent stake in WestJet for $330 million, reports news agency.

Founded in 1994, WestJet operates a fleet of over 180 aircraft and serves more than 100 airports globally. Korean Air has maintained a codeshare partnership with WestJet since June 2012.

Korean Air emphasized that the equity investment is aimed at deepening the codeshare alliance and expanding connectivity in Canada and the broader North and Latin American markets.

The company noted that the stake acquisition does not entail a management takeover or a merger with WestJet.

US President Donald Trump has called for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, stating that he is committed to securing peace between both nations. He warned that any kind of violations of the ceasefire would lead to sanctions.

"Talks with Russia/Ukraine continue. The US calls for, ideally, a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. Hopefully, an acceptable ceasefire will be observed, and both Countries will be held accountable for respecting the sanctity of these direct negotiations. If the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions," he wrote in Truth Social on Friday.

"Thousands of young soldiers are dying on a weekly basis, and everybody should want it to STOP. I do, and the United States of America does, also. As President, I will stay committed to securing Peace between Russia and Ukraine, together with the Europeans, and a Lasting Peace it will be! This ceasefire must ultimately build toward a Peace Agreement. It can all be done very quickly, and I will be available on a moment's notice if my services are needed. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he further added.

Two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others seriously wounded in two separate attacks in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday, according to a statement from the Israeli military released Friday.

In the first attack, Sergeant Yishai Urbach, 20, a combat engineer, was killed when Hamas militants fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at a building in Rafah, where Israeli forces were stationed. Two other soldiers were injured in the assault, with one sustaining serious wounds. The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to a hospital in central Israel.

Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, representing India at Russia's 80th Victory Day celebrations marking the end of World War 2 in Moscow, also met Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit.

Seth expressed India's gratitude for Russia’s continued support in the global fight against terrorism.

Taking to social media, the Indian minister shared photos of his interaction with President Putin and other moments from the Victory Day event.

“I am honoured to meet President Vladimir Putin during my visit to Russia. Represented India at the banquet organized on the occasion of the 80th Victory Day anniversary. Expressed gratitude for Russia's support in India's fight against terrorism led by Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji", he said on his X handle.

The Pakistan government and its Army have found themselves at the receiving end of their citizens and Parliamentarians, after getting beaten in the war of nerves with their Indian counterpart and also losing face globally, over their brazen support to terror.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif faced major embarrassment after a Parliamentarian in his country called him out over his "cowardice", saying the former couldn't stand up to his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi.

The video of the Pakistani lawmaker making personal remarks on the Sharif has gone viral on social media and is evoking many likes and comments.

"Pakistan PM is a coward, he can't even take the name of Narendra Modi," the MP is heard saying in the video.

He made the statement while speaking in Pakistan Parliament, a day after its Army launched a volley of missiles and drones on India, however, utterly failing to hit any intended targets.

United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday called Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the administration led by US President Donald Trump made a fresh attempt to de-escalate tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi.

During the phone call, Sharif strongly condemned India’s missile and drone strikes in Pakistan, which have claimed at least 31 lives and injured 57 others.

"Pakistan reserves the right to act in self-defence, in accordance with Article-51 of the UN Charter," maintained Sharif.

The stock markets in Pakistan further tanked on Thursday, as trading was halted at the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Karachi Stock Exchange fell more than 6 per cent on Thursday before the trading was halted. The stock exchange has been witnessing a continuous decline since the barbaric Pahalgam terror attack.

The main index, Karachi Stock Exchange 100 Index (KSE-100), has slipped by more than 13 per cent since April 22 when the terror attack happened, killing 26 people, most of them tourists.

On April 22, the KSE-100 index was at 1,18,430, which has now dropped to 1,03,060.

Former Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid has left the country on Thursday, months after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the violent July uprising, according to local media reports.

Hamid, an Awami League leader, was the President for two consecutive terms from 2013 to 2023 during the Hasina-led government.

Hamid departed for the Thai capital, Bangkok, on a Thai Airways flight, the leading Bangladeshi daily, reported, quoting sources.

After fall of Awami League government, a case was filed against Hamid, along with Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed (Joy), daughter Saima Wazed (Putul) and several others in connection with the attack and firing on a demonstration in Kishoreganj during the countrywide student movement, local media reported.

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Thursday suspended flight operations in all major cities, including capital Islamabad, Lahore, Sialkot and Karachi, as fear and panic gripped the country following India's decisive Operation Sindoor strikes.

As per details, PAA announced that it has suspended all flight operations in Lahore, Sialkot and Karachi till 6 pm today due to prevailing tensions with India and operational considerations.

Emergency alarms were also heard in the federal capital Islamabad after Pakistan Army claimed that it has shot down Harop drones in Rawalpindi and multiple cities across the country.

"The suspension at Lahore and Sialkot were implemented in light of the current security situation following heightened tensions between Pakistan and India," the PAA stated.

Russia has suspended combat operations in following the Victory Day ceasefire announced by President Vladimir Putin, which came into effect on Thursday.

Putin announced the 72-hour ceasefire on April 28, in its ongoing 'Special Military Operation' in Ukraine, on account of the Victory Day celebrations.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia's position on the May ceasefire is well-known and there have been no new instructions on the matter.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops staged a large-scale drone attack on Russian cities in the early hours of Wednesday. However, the Russian air defence forces repelled the attack, state-run news agency reported.

According to Moscow city's mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, nine drones were shot down near Moscow.