President Donald Trump claimed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India would halt Russian oil imports, calling it a "big step." However, India's foreign ministry spokesperson stated he was "not aware of any conversation" between Trump and Modi, or any assurance about stopping Russian oil purchases. Trump had received assurances that India would halt purchases "within a short period of time," as Washington seeks to pressure Russia by cutting Kremlin's energy revenues. Following new U.S. sanctions, India's major refiners are preparing to sharply cut Russian crude purchases, though analysts suggest any cuts would likely be symbolic rather than structural, as Russian oil remains vital for India's economy.

Vice President JD Vance criticized New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani after he spoke about his Muslim aunt feeling unsafe wearing on the subway following the September 11 attacks. Vance wrote on X that "the real victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks." Guy km Mamdani made the remarks during a press conference outside a Bronx mosque, stating he wanted to "speak to the memory of my aunt, who stopped taking the subway after September 11 because she did not feel safe in her hijab." The comments came amid controversy after Andrew Cuomo questioned Mamdani's crisis leadership abilities and made hypothetical remarks about another 9/11-style attack, which Mamdani called Islamophobic. (PC: Newsweek & NBC News)

Bollywood actress Nimrat Kaur visited her late father Major Bhupender Singh's memorial in Kashmir on his 73rd birth anniversary. A year after his first memorial was inaugurated at his birthplace Mohanpura, Rajasthan, a second memorial has been established in Kashmir where he was martyred. She and her mother visited the memorial at Beacon in Srinagar Cantonment and the Titanic View Point on NH 44, dedicated to him. The Border Roads Organization transported his bronze bust over a thousand kilometres from Jaipur despite recent floods. Nimrat expressed gratitude to DGBR Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan and Colonel Chirag Ghura for executing this tribute, honoring her father's sacrifice and legacy.

Five children, including a seven-year-old thalassemia patient, tested HIV-positive after receiving blood transfusions at Chaibasa Sadar Hospital in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district. The issue surfaced when a family reported that HIV-infected blood had been transfused to their child. Investigations revealed that four more children, all thalassemia patients, were similarly affected. Preliminary findings point to serious lapses in the hospital’s blood bank, including inadequate testing and poor record-keeping. The Jharkhand government has deployed a five-member medical team to probe the incident, while the blood bank now operates only for critical cases. The High Court has sought a detailed report from health authorities. (PC: India Today)    

A survey of over 44,000 households across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad found that 75% of families report at least one member suffering from ailments such as sore throat or cough (42%) and burning eyes, headache or disturbed sleep (25%) owing to worsening air pollution. Despite a 77.5% decline in stubble-burning incidents in nearby states, pollution levels remain severe, with PM2.5 hitting 488 µg/m³ — over three times the pre-festival level. About 44% of households are curtailing outdoor exposure and boosting immunity via diet & indoor air purifiers. (PC: X)

U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that India is “cutting back completely” on Russian oil imports as Washington tightens sanctions on Moscow. He also voiced optimism about achieving a “complete deal” with China covering trade, technology, and raw materials. However, Indian officials clarified there has been no such move, emphasizing that energy purchases from Russia align with national interests. Trump’s remarks come amid efforts to balance U.S. foreign policy between Moscow, Beijing, and New Delhi, signaling renewed geopolitical maneuvering over global energy supply chains and trade relationships. (PC: AP)  

A 29-year-old woman doctor from Satara, Maharashtra, was found dead in a hotel room, leaving a suicide note on her hand accusing techie Prashant Bankar of mental harassment and Sub-Inspector Gopal Badane of rape. Police arrested Bankar near Pune and Badane later surrendered. The doctor and Bankar were reportedly in a strained relationship, with frequent arguments noted in call records. Earlier, she had complained of coercion by police and political interference. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis called the incident deeply tragic and assured strict action, while the accused officers were suspended amid ongoing investigation. (PC: NDTV)  

Australia secured top spot in the Women's World Cup league stage after defeating South Africa by seven wickets, confirming a semifinal clash with India at Navi Mumbai on Thursday. Leg-spinner Alana King produced a masterclass performance with career-best figures of 7/18 in seven overs, the best-ever by an Australian bowler in WODIs and best individual bowling performance in Women's World Cup history. King bowled South Africa out for 97 in just 24 overs, with victims including Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, and Nadine de Klerk. Beth Mooney (42) and Georgia Voll (38 not out) shared a 76-run partnership as Australia overhauled the target with 199 balls remaining, extending their unbeaten run. (PC: India Today & The Indian Express) 

Two Australian Women's World Cup cricketers were molested in Indore on Thursday when Aqeel Khan, riding a bike, followed and inappropriately touched them while walking from their hotel to a café. Khan was arrested after an eyewitness noted his motorcycle number. He faces charges under Section 74 (outraging woman's modesty) and Section 78 (stalking), with police confirming prior criminal cases against him. The incident sparked political controversy, with opposition leaders criticizing Madhya Pradesh's BJP government over law and order failures. Congress chief Jitu Patwari blamed CM Mohan Yadav, calling it "proof of government failure" that "tears apart 'Atithi Devo Bhava' spirit." BJP defended swift arrest, promising strict action and new preventive laws.

Virat Kohli won hearts with a patriotic gesture at Sydney Cricket Ground after spotting an Indian flag dropped on the ground by a fan. The 36-year-old quickly picked up the tri-colour and handed it back while speaking to the supporter, with the moment going viral on social media. This came after Kohli's match-winning 74-run knock against Australia, ending his seven-month international cricket hiatus following two consecutive ducks. His 168-run partnership with Rohit Sharma, who scored 121, secured India's nine-wicket victory. Kohli also broke records, becoming ODI cricket's second-highest run-getter and surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's white-ball cricket tally, likely marking his final Australian appearance.