OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the company has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of War to deploy its advanced AI models on the department’s classified network, marking a significant step in integrating commercial AI into military infrastructure. The deal includes core safety principles, such as bans on domestic mass surveillance and requirements for human oversight of force and autonomous weapons systems, which both sides agreed to embed in the contract. OpenAI plans to build technical safeguards and run the models on secure cloud systems, and has urged similar terms for other AI firms. This development comes amid tensions with rival AI company Anthropic over Pentagon AI use policies. (PC: AI)

A Bolivian Air Force C‑130 military cargo plane carrying newly printed banknotes crashed on Friday near El Alto, close to the capital La Paz, killing at least 15 people and injuring around 30 others, officials said. The aircraft veered off the runway during landing and struck several vehicles on a busy avenue, scattering currency across the crash site, footage showed. Police used tear gas and water hoses to disperse people attempting to collect the scattered banknotes, which were being transported for the Central Bank. El Alto International Airport temporarily suspended operations as rescue and investigation efforts continue. (PC: AFP)

The Taliban released videos showing attacks on Pakistani military positions following Islamabad’s airstrikes on Afghan territory. The footage highlights Taliban fighters targeting convoys and checkpoints in retaliation. Former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly praised Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their handling of the escalating conflict, calling it a “strong response to cross-border aggression.” The exchange of strikes has heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, raising concerns of broader regional instability. International observers urge both sides to pursue dialogue to prevent further civilian casualties and escalation.

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)

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.

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)

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)

Afghanistan's Taliban-led military claimed its Air Force and drones carried out retaliatory strikes on Pakistani military targets, including sites near Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Nowshera, Jamrud and Abbottabad roughly 200 kilometres from the Durand Line. The strikes were described as retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes on Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia that allegedly killed civilians. Pakistan has not officially confirmed aerial bombardment on its territory. The Taliban's Air Force remains severely under-resourced, inheriting limited equipment post-2021 US withdrawal with no advanced fighter jets. Taliban's repeated reference to Pakistan as a "military regime" deliberately delegitimises its civilian leadership. Independent verification of the scale, casualties and actual impact of Afghan aerial operations remains unavailable. (PC: AP/Rahmatulla)