India aim to avenge the iconic 2016 ICC T20 World Cup semi‑final loss to West Indies, when Lendl Simmons’ unbeaten 82 led the Caribbean side to a stunning seven‑wicket victory at Wankhede Stadium, ending India’s campaign in dramatic fashion. Nearly a decade later, both teams meet in a crucial 2026 Super 8 showdown in Kolkata with semi‑final qualification at stake. India, stronger on paper and familiar with home conditions, seek to rewrite history, while West Indies carry fond memories of past success in T20 World Cups and Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. (PC: PTI)

In Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, two men convicted of murdering a man by running him over were sentenced to life imprisonment by Additional District and Sessions Judge Nijendra Kumar. Moments after the verdict, the convicts threatened the judge, telling him they knew his address and village and warning they would harm him, officials said. The chilling threat inside the courtroom has raised serious concerns about judicial safety and courtroom decorum. Police and court authorities are now reviewing security measures for the judge and taking the incident seriously. The victim, Pukhraj, was killed in the Dhampur area in 2024.

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)

Japan has pledged support for infrastructure and connectivity projects that will link Northeast India to the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Horii Iwao said during the KIZUNA‑6 India–Japan Intellectual Conclave. He emphasised Tokyo’s commitment to boosting regional integration and development under the broader India–Japan strategic partnership, including encouraging private‑sector cooperation in economic and clean energy sectors. The initiative aims to strengthen transport and trade links from landlocked northeastern states toward maritime routes, enhancing economic opportunities and strategic ties in the Indo‑Pacific. Japan also stressed people‑to‑people cooperation and sustainable growth. 

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)

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."