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)

A devastating fire at the dormitory of Utumishi Girls Academy in Kenya’s Nakuru County has killed several students and left many others injured, according to local authorities. The blaze reportedly broke out late at night while students were asleep, causing panic as emergency teams rushed to rescue survivors. Kenyan officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, while President William Ruto expressed condolences to the victims’ families and promised accountability. The tragedy has reignited concerns over fire safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools, recalling previous deadly school fires that shocked the nation and prompted demands for stricter safety regulations. (PC: Reuters)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has accused the United States and Israel of attempting to “bring the nation to its knees” as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise. The remarks came amid ongoing conflict, renewed threats over the Strait of Hormuz, and fragile diplomatic efforts involving Washington and Tehran. Khamenei warned that Iran would continue resisting external pressure and retaliate against any aggression targeting the country or its allies. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has signalled that negotiations with Iran are still possible despite military tensions. Regional instability has also intensified fears of wider conflict affecting oil routes, Gulf security, and global markets. (PC: Reuters)

The Trump administration is moving to shut down the USDA’s Bee Research Laboratory at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland, one of the oldest and largest federal bee research facilities in the United States. The lab has played a major role in studying honeybee health, colony collapse and crop pollination. Reports said the closure is part of a wider federal restructuring and budget-cutting exercise. Social media users linked the move to past scientific studies exploring whether bee venom could help kill cancer cells, though there is no evidence the closure is connected to those studies. Scientists and beekeepers have expressed concern over the decision. (PC: X)

Israel launched heavy airstrikes across southern Lebanon after issuing large-scale evacuation orders covering areas south of the Zahrani River. The Israeli military said the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in and around the coastal city of Tyre.   Videos from the area showed collapsed buildings, fires and residents fleeing through smoke-filled streets. Lebanese media reported casualties, including civilians allegedly killed while escaping threatened villages. Shelters in nearby Sidon have reportedly reached full capacity as displacement increases.   The escalation comes despite an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides accusing each other of repeated violations amid growing fears of a wider regional conflict. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan’s Punjab government has put on hold its plan to restore the original historical names of several roads and streets in Lahore after criticism from extremist groups. The Lahore Heritage Areas Revival committee, led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, had earlier approved restoring pre-Partition names linked to the city’s Hindu and Sikh heritage.   However, officials later said no final decision had been taken. According to reports, criticism from hardline groups forced the government to step back to avoid controversy. Historic names such as Ram Gali, Laxmi Chowk and Krishan Nagar were among those proposed for restoration under the heritage revival initiative. (PC: NDTV)