Iran has agreed never to possess nuclear material capable of producing a bomb, marking a potential breakthrough in stalled U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said. The mediator described the commitment as unprecedented and distinct from previous agreements, with Iran also agreeing not to stockpile enriched uranium and to allow full verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Albusaidi said a comprehensive peace deal with the United States is now “within reach” if diplomacy continues. Tehran’s existing enriched uranium stockpiles would be down‑blended and converted into irreversible fuel, he added. Talks are set to continue. 

A Bolivian Air Force C‑130 Hercules military cargo plane carrying newly printed banknotes crashed near El Alto International Airport, close to the capital La Paz, killing at least 15 people officials said. The aircraft veered off the runway while landing and struck vehicles on a busy avenue, injuring others and scattering bundles of cash across the crash site, according to local footage. Police used tear gas to keep crowds from collecting the banknotes, which were being transported for Bolivia’s central bank. Airport operations were suspended and authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, which also damaged several cars.

The Al Jazeera reports that Afghanistan’s Taliban said its leaders are prepared to negotiate with Pakistan amid a serious escalation in border fighting after Pakistan conducted airstrikes on major Afghan cities, including Kabul and Kandahar. Islamabad’s defence minister declared the situation an “open war” following months of tension and tit‑for‑tat clashes over accusations that Afghanistan shelters militant groups attacking Pakistan. Both sides claimed heavy losses, but figures are unverified. The Taliban reiterated its preference for dialogue to resolve the conflict. The violence has drawn international concern over rising civilian harm. (PC: Reuters)

Campaigners have taken a petition with over 20,000 signatures to Buckingham Palace urging King Charles to prevent the closure of Veeraswamy, the UK's oldest surviving Indian restaurant, founded in March 1926 on Regent Street. The Crown Estate, which manages the Grade II-listed Victory House, declined to renew the restaurant's lease citing plans for comprehensive modernisation. Co-owner Ranjit Mathrani called the decision "short-sighted," saying "100 years of history is being relegated to the dustbin." Celebrity chefs Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux and Richard Corrigan signed the petition. Veeraswamy, which received a Michelin star in 2016 and catered twice at Buckingham Palace, described itself as a "symbol of Indo-British cultural connections."

US President Donald Trump signalled implicit support for Pakistan amid its "open war" with Afghanistan, telling reporters he gets along with Islamabad "very well" and that Pakistan is doing "terrifically well" in its border clashes. Trump praised Pakistan's Prime Minister and military leadership while hinting at possible backing without confirming direct intervention. Pakistan carried out its most extensive airstrikes on Kabul and struck Taliban strongholds, claiming over 270 Taliban fighters killed and 400 injured. Afghanistan's Taliban spokesman countered, claiming 55 Pakistani soldiers killed. The conflict escalated after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops Thursday night. Land border crossings have largely remained closed since deadly October clashes killing over 70 people on both sides.

India and the European Union have agreed on a five-year Most Favoured Nation status as part of their landmark Free Trade Agreement, confirmed in a draft released Friday. Under the deal, 93% of Indian exports will enter the 27-nation EU bloc duty-free, while EU luxury cars face reduced import tariffs potentially dropping from 110% to 40%, eventually reaching 10%. The agreement unites the world's fourth-largest economy with the second-largest economic bloc, forming a combined market of 2 billion people representing 25% of global GDP. Negotiations began in 2007, paused in 2013 and resumed in June 2022. The deal was formally announced on January 27 following marathon talks with PM Modi. (PC: India Today)

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee urged embassy staff to leave Israel immediately, shifting the mission to "authorised departure" status allowing non-essential personnel and families to exit at government expense. Huckabee cited rising tensions over a prospective US strike on Iran, warning staff to secure outbound flights from Ben-Gurion Airport without delay. Any US attack on Iran could trigger retaliatory strikes against Israel. Meanwhile, US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva yielded "significant progress" according to mediator Oman, though a deal remains uncertain. Iran rejected US demands to halt uranium enrichment and transfer its 400kg enriched uranium stockpile abroad, calling Washington's demands on its missile programme "excessive" and urging "seriousness and realism." (PC: X)

The Apple Farmers' Federation of India (AFFI) has announced a protest outside Parliament during the Budget Session's second leg in March 2026, demanding the scrapping of the India-US interim bilateral trade agreement. AFFI convener and Jammu & Kashmir MLA M.Y. Tarigami and co-convener Rakesh Singha condemned what they described as the "total annihilation of import tariffs" on Washington apples, reduced from 50% to nil under the agreement. They called it an "unequal treaty" and a "death knell" for India's domestic apple industry. Farmers from Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand will be mobilised for the demonstration, protesting what they term a major surrender of India's economic interests. (PC: The Hindu)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will skip Punjab and avoid Bhangra dancing during his first official visit to India, deliberately distancing himself from predecessor Justin Trudeau's widely mocked 2018 trip. Carney to arrive in Mumbai with the aim of reset strained Canada-India relations, soured after Trudeau alleged Indian government links to the assassination of a prominent Sikh separatist, a claim India repeatedly denied. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand confirmed new measures are in place tracking criminal money, digital threats and diaspora surveillance. Some Sikh groups have criticised Carney's approach. After India, Carney will visit Australia and later meet Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi to explore trade in autos, energy and critical minerals. (PC: The Tribune)

Iran is reportedly nearing a deal with China to purchase CM-302 supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, capable of sinking aircraft carriers, amid escalating US military pressure in the Middle East. The CM-302 has a 290-kilometre range, flies low and fast to evade shipborne defences, and can be mounted on ships, aircraft or ground vehicles. Negotiations accelerated following last year's 12-day Israel-Iran war. Iran is also in talks to acquire Chinese surface-to-air missiles, MANPADS, anti-ballistic and anti-satellite weapons. Experts warn the deal would be a "complete gamechanger" for Iranian strike capabilities. The transfer would defy a reinstated UN weapons embargo and significantly deepen China-Iran military ties against US interests. (PC: AFP & NDTV)