Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, replying to the Motion of Thanks on the Presidential address. He emphasized India's growing global prominence, citing recent trade deals with the EU and US as evidence of the world's confidence in India's economic stability and speed. Modi criticized the Opposition, particularly Congress, for past governance failures and divisive politics. He highlighted his government's "reform, perform, transform" approach and stressed the importance of the current quarter-century as decisive for building 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India). The PM condemned Opposition members for using "pathetic language" against the President and defended his administration's policies on national security, economic progress, and infrastructure development, including completion of the Sardar Sarovar dam.

At least 16 labourers were killed and one seriously injured after a powerful blast inside an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya. The explosion is suspected to have occurred during unlawful coal mining activities, highlighting the continued dangers of banned and unscientific mining practices in the region. Rescue teams rushed to the site to retrieve bodies and assist survivors, while local authorities cordoned off the area. Officials confirmed the mine was operating without legal permission, raising concerns over enforcement failures. An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the blast and identify those responsible for running the illegal mine. (PC: The Hindu)

In Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, three sisters aged 12, 14 and 16 tragically died by suicide after jumping from their ninth-floor home, shocking the nation. Police and family sources say the girls were deeply immersed in Korean pop culture — from K-dramas and K-pop to online games and adopting Korean online personas — and became distressed when their mobile phones were confiscated by their father. An eight-page suicide note revealed their intense attachment to Korean culture and frustration over restrictions, while experts highlight broader concerns about teen screen addiction, emotional isolation, and mental health in a digital age. (PC: NDTV)

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor strongly criticized The Washington Post for laying off his son Ishaan Tharoor, calling the decision “bizarre” and a “perverse act of self-immolation,” given his widely read WorldView column with over 500,000 subscribers. Ishaan, a senior international affairs columnist who launched the newsletter in 2017, confirmed his layoff on X, sharing that he was “heartbroken” for his newsroom colleagues as part of sweeping cuts that affected more than 300 journalists — about one-third of the paper’s staff — amid organisational restructuring and closure of key departments. (PC: PTI)

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said he advised PM Narendra Modi not to enter the House to reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address after receiving information that Congress MPs might surround the Prime Minister’s chair and “do something unexpected” during proceedings, risking an “unpleasant scene.” The House was repeatedly disrupted by opposition protests, with several MPs moving toward the PM’s seat before the scheduled speech, leading to adjournment and cancellation of the address. Birla described the behaviour as inappropriate for parliamentary tradition, while the Opposition has denied the claims and accused the government of avoiding debate. (PC: HT)

A suicide note recovered after the deaths of three sisters in Ghaziabad points to their strong attachment to K-pop and Korean shows, police said. The girls, aged 12, 14, and 16, allegedly jumped from the ninth floor of their apartment building. The note included lines such as “We loved Korean pop music very deeply” and repeated apologies to their father. Police said early claims about a Korean gaming app were not correct. Investigators found the sisters had stayed away from school for two years and ran a social media account later removed by their father. The probe is ongoing. (PC: India Today)

A massive traffic jam on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway stretched into its second day, leaving thousands of commuters stranded for more than 30 hours after a gas tanker carrying highly flammable propylene overturned near the Adoshi tunnel, triggering a major gas leak and closure of the Mumbai-bound carriageway. Vehicles were backed up up to the Khalapur toll plaza, with drivers and passengers, including children and elderly, stuck without food, water or toilets. Emergency teams worked to contain the leak and remove the tanker late Wednesday night, allowing limited traffic to resume, but the ordeal exposed gaps in highway disaster management. (PC: PTI)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared in person before the Supreme Court to argue against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. Wearing a white sari and black shawl, she said the colour marked protest over “more than 100 SIR-related deaths.” Banerjee told the bench she came as an “ordinary person” after sending six unanswered letters to the Election Commission. She alleged the SIR drive was being used “only for deletion” and not fair verification. She raised concerns over micro-observers and mismatch rules affecting women after marriage. The court issued notice to the Election Commission and asked the state to ensure enough officers for verification work. (PC: The Indian Express)

Three minor girls died after allegedly jumping from a ninth-floor flat in Ghaziabad, and police say online gaming influence is a key part of the probe. The victims, aged 16, 14 and 12, were sisters from the same family. Police said they were “highly addicted” to an online Korean task-based game and deeply influenced by Korean culture. Officers said diary notes with an apology were found. “They portrayed themselves as Korean princesses,” an officer said. The girls locked themselves inside a puja room after midnight and jumped using a window, police added. Family members had earlier tried to restrict phone use, officials said. (PC: India Today)

A fresh gunfight erupted on February 4 between Indian security forces and suspected Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists in the snow-bound Chatroo belt of Kishtwar district, Jammu & Kashmir, as part of ongoing Operation Trashi-I. The Army, Jammu & Kashmir Police and CRPF engaged militants in dense mountainous terrain, resulting in one terrorist being neutralised while the search continues amid challenging conditions. The encounter marked the fifth contact in the area over 18 days, highlighting persistent counter-terror efforts in the region. Mobile internet remained suspended to ensure security and curb misinformation. (PC: PTI)