India strongly condemned a deadly suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad, which killed dozens of worshippers during Friday prayers, and offered condolences to the victims and their families. In a statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs called the attack “condemnable” and categorically rejected Pakistan’s allegations of Indian involvement, describing such claims as “baseless and pointless.” New Delhi criticised Islamabad for blaming external actors instead of tackling its internal security challenges and societal issues. India maintained that Pakistan should focus on addressing its own domestic problems rather than deflecting responsibility. (PC: X)  

A 25-year-old bank employee died after falling into an open pit in west Delhi’s Janakpuri while riding his motorcycle late at night, police said. The pit was dug by the Delhi Jal Board on Joginder Singh Marg. Police received a call at 8:03 am and recovered the man and the bike from the site. He was taken to hospital and declared dead. He was identified as Kamal Dhayani, a Vikaspuri resident. A case has been registered under BNS sections. Minister Ashish Sood said, “Instructions for investigation of the incident have been issued, and the guilty will be given strict punishment.” The Delhi government has ordered a probe. (PC: HT)

About half of the aircraft checked by the government for technical issues showed recurring defects, according to data presented in the Lok Sabha. The Civil Aviation Ministry said 377 of 754 planes audited since January last year had repeat snags across six airlines. IndiGo had 148 aircraft with recurring defects out of 405 reviewed. The Air India Group had 191 such aircraft out of 267 checked, including 137 of 166 Air India planes and 54 of 101 Air India Express planes. An Air India spokesperson said checks were done “out of abundance of caution.” An executive said most issues were category D items like seats and screens, not flight safety related. (PC: India Today)

At least 16 laborers were killed and several remain trapped after an explosion at a suspected illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district Thursday morning. Director General of Police I Nongrang confirmed the death toll, stating the exact number trapped is yet to be ascertained. One injured person was referred to Shillong hospital for advanced treatment. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma ordered a comprehensive inquiry, promising strict accountability and legal action. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia from PMNRF for each deceased's kin and Rs 50,000 for the injured. The National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya in 2014 citing environmental damage and safety risks.

Three minor sisters aged 16, 14, and 12 jumped to their deaths from their ninth-floor apartment in Ghaziabad's Bharat City Society early Wednesday. A recovered nine-page diary revealed intense attachment to Korean culture and distress over parental restrictions. The eldest sister allegedly wrote, "Korean was our life," expressing anguish over phone restrictions and fear of arranged marriage. Police linked the tragedy to addiction to a Korean interactive "love game." The girls hadn't attended school for two-three years, remaining confined to their room. Their father had restricted mobile phone usage recently, which may have triggered the decision. Mental health experts warn against excessive online immersion, noting adolescents struggle differentiating virtual from real life. (PC: News18)

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)