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)

A video circulating on social media claims that General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon of the Pakistan Air Force was shot down by Afghan forces amid escalating border clashes with Afghanistan, showing wreckage with Pakistani markings and serial number “85510.” � However, the authenticity of the footage and claim remains unverified by credible international news outlets. Analyses suggest the shape and size of the wreckage don’t match an F‑16, and independent verification is lacking. Pakistan has confirmed conducting airstrikes on militants but denies that any of its aircraft were lost. Experts say the viral clip may be misleading or manipulated, underscoring the role of misinformation amid rising tensions between the neighbours. 

India and Israel have agreed to elevate their long-standing “time-tested” relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership, reaffirming deep trust and shared democratic values during Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel. The two leaders announced plans to soon finalise a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to expand economic cooperation, alongside boosting collaboration in defence, technology, digital payments (including UPI use in Israel), critical minerals and innovation. Talks also covered regional stability and counterterrorism cooperation. This marks a significant strengthening of bilateral ties, expected to enhance trade and strategic engagement. (PC: ANI)

Afghan forces opened fire on multiple Pakistani military posts along the disputed Durand Line, triggering a fierce two-hour exchange of gunfire between the two sides. Security officials said heavy weapons were used during the clash, raising tensions in an already volatile border region. Pakistan’s military stated it responded “effectively” to what it called unprovoked firing, while Afghan authorities accused Islamabad of earlier aggression. Casualty figures remain unclear, with both sides offering conflicting accounts. The latest confrontation underscores the deepening security crisis between the neighbours, fuelling fears of further escalation and prolonged instability in the region.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage after the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square was defaced with red paint and graffiti. Slogans including “Zionist war criminal”, “Stop the Genocide”, “Free Palestine”, and “Globalise the Intifada” were sprayed on the bronze monument in the early hours of Friday. Metropolitan Police officers arrived within minutes and made an arrest. Heritage wardens cordoned off and began cleaning the statue. Officials condemned the vandalism, noting the landmark has been targeted several times during past protests.

Afghanistan’s Taliban-led authorities say they have launched large-scale offensive attacks against Pakistan’s military positions and installations along the disputed Durand Line border in response to recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory. Kabul claims its forces hit multiple posts and inflicted casualties, while Pakistan insists its troops delivered an “immediate and effective response” and inflicted heavy losses on Afghan fighters. Both sides report conflicting casualty figures and accusations of aggression as tensions soar following repeated exchanges of fire and air operations. The violence marks a significant escalation in the long-running security crisis between the two neighbours.