A Russian drone struck a 10-storey apartment building in Galați, eastern Romania, near the Ukraine border, injuring two people and sparking a fire. Romanian authorities said the drone was part of a wider overnight Russian attack on Ukraine and remained in Romanian airspace for several minutes before impact. Around 70 residents were evacuated as emergency teams controlled the blaze. Romania scrambled F-16 fighter jets and summoned the Russian ambassador after the incident. NATO condemned the strike as a dangerous escalation and reaffirmed its commitment to defend alliance territory. Romanian officials called it the country’s most serious security incident since the Ukraine war began. (PC: Reuters)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he directed the Israeli military to increase its control of Gaza from 60% to 70%. Speaking at a conference, he said the move is part of efforts to put more pressure on Hamas.   The announcement comes despite an existing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Indirect talks, backed by the United States, have remained stalled over the next steps of the peace plan.   Meanwhile, Israeli strikes in Gaza have continued. Local health officials reported more deaths in recent days. The conflict began after Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, triggering the ongoing war. (PC: Reuters)

A Russian drone crashed into a residential building in Romania during an overnight attack aimed at Ukraine. Two people suffered minor injuries and several residents were evacuated after a fire broke out. Romanian authorities said the drone entered the country's airspace before crashing in the city of Galati. Fighter jets and a helicopter were deployed in response. Romania called the incident a serious violation of international law and summoned the Russian ambassador. NATO allies also condemned the crash, warning that Russia's actions threaten regional security. The incident has raised fresh concerns about the Ukraine war spilling into neighbouring NATO countries. (PC: AFP)

Blue Origin rocket exploded during a test at its launch pad in Florida on Thursday. The blast created a huge ball of fire and smoke around the test site at Cape Canaveral.   The company said the incident happened during a hotfire test ahead of an upcoming launch. All personnel were accounted for and no injuries were reported. Local authorities said there was no threat to the public.   Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos said it was too early to know the cause of the explosion. Investigations are underway. The company said it will rebuild damaged equipment and continue its space missions.

US Vice President JD Vance said Washington and Tehran are close to reaching a nuclear agreement, although unresolved issues remain regarding Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and uranium enrichment activities. Speaking to reporters, Vance said negotiations were still underway and described the talks as “not there yet”, while adding the United States could significantly set back Iran’s nuclear programme if necessary. According to Reuters sources, the US and Iran also agreed to extend their ceasefire and ease restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, pending approval from President Donald Trump. Vance said discussions continue over specific language in the proposed memorandum of understanding, with both sides still negotiating key provisions before any formal signing. (PC: X)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has directed the Israeli military to take control of 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, marking a significant escalation despite the ceasefire in effect since October. Speaking at a conference in an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces currently control around 60 percent of Gaza, up from 50 percent earlier. Israel says its operations aim to dismantle Hamas infrastructure and weaken the group’s capabilities. According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 900 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began. Israel also claimed it killed Mohammed Odeh, the latest head of Hamas’s armed wing, while Defence Minister Israel Katz reiterated plans to dismantle Hamas rule in Gaza.

US and Iranian negotiators have reached a tentative agreement to extend the ceasefire in the three-month-old conflict by 60 days and begin talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, according to a US official familiar with the matter. However, President Donald Trump has yet to approve the emerging memorandum of understanding. Iran has not officially confirmed the reported breakthrough. The fragile ceasefire faced renewed strain after the US accused Iran of violating it following missile attacks targeting Kuwait after earlier American strikes. US Central Command said Kuwait intercepted Iranian missiles, while Iran described its actions as retaliation for US attacks. Despite repeated accusations, drone interceptions, and military exchanges near the Strait of Hormuz, both Washington and Tehran have continued negotiations without returning to full-scale war. (PC: X)

Russia and Kazakhstan signed a landmark agreement to build the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant, marking Kazakhstan’s first nuclear energy project and a major expansion of Moscow’s regional influence. The deal was signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Astana for talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Russia will reportedly finance nearly 85% of the project’s estimated $15 billion cost through export credit support. The plant, featuring two reactors, will be constructed near Ulken on Lake Balkhash in southeastern Kazakhstan. Despite being the world’s largest uranium producer, Kazakhstan avoided nuclear energy for decades due to Soviet-era testing trauma. A 2024 referendum backed nuclear expansion as Kazakhstan targets 2.4 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2035. (PC: AP)

The United States and Iran have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement to extend their ongoing ceasefire through a proposed 60-day memorandum of understanding, though final approval from US President Donald Trump is still pending. According to Axios, the framework aims to preserve the fragile truce while opening negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. The development follows renewed military escalation after Iran targeted a US base in Kuwait and American forces responded by intercepting drones and striking a drone-control facility in Bandar Abbas. Kuwait condemned the missile attack and urged restraint. The conflict, ongoing since February, has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and heightened regional instability, with Pakistan continuing mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran. (PC: X)

The Pentagon has confirmed that U.S. military personnel deployed in conflict zones are reportedly being tracked and targeted using commercially available location data collected from smartphones and apps. According to documents shared by Senator Ron Wyden, U.S. Central Command received multiple threat reports warning that adversaries could exploit digital location information to monitor troop movements and identify military gathering points. Lawmakers warned that such data could aid missile, drone, or roadside bomb attacks. The revelations have intensified concerns over the global surveillance and ad-tech industry, with calls for stricter protections, including disabling ad IDs and limiting data collection on military devices. (PC: Reuters)