More than 1.5 crore names deleted in third phase of SIR so far

More than 1.5 crore names have been deleted so far from the existing voter lists in the ongoing third phase of the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission. The States and Union Territories where the third phase of SIR is being carried out are Delhi, Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Telangana, Punjab, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Tripura, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

U.S. Vice-President Vance dials PM Modi

U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (August 8, 2026) to discuss expanding the India-U.S. comprehensive global strategic ties in trade, defence and energy security amid rising tensions in West Asia. The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in emerging technologies and critical minerals.

Jharkhand protest: no breakthrough in talks with State, but protesting factions hold firm

As rain continued to fall over Ranchi on Saturday (August 8, 2026), the students’ protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium entered its 15th day with no sign of retreat. A seven-member delegation of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) met the government committee, carrying with it the demands that have kept hundreds of aspirants on the streets since July 25, with no immediate breakthrough in sight.

End corrupt system with love and affection, Rahul Gandhi tells students

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday (August 8, 2026) said India’s youth are the country’s greatest strength, and their potential is unparalleled in the world. Speaking in Prayagraj, he added that the youth of the country have worked to light a lamp in the darkness.

Government examines if Meta recommendation system deciding what-to-show-to-whom fits intermediary status

The Centre’s meetings with Meta have brought into focus a key question — whether the social media giant’s recommendation systems and paid content promotion fit in its status as an intermediary, government sources said adding the key issue is whether the company complies with the provisions under the IT Act or crosses into the role of a publisher by deciding “what content is shown to whom” .Sources further said that the issue centres on whether a platform that actively decides what users see, can continue to claim intermediary status under the Information Technology Act.

Dharmendra Pradhan says he sought PM’s approval to accept protesters’ demands

Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday (August 8, 2026) said he had personally sought permission from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to concede the demands of the protesters led by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) recently at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The PM had agreed and also interacted with the youth, Mr. Pradhan said.

Rahul, Rijiju spar over linking delimitation to women’s quota law

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Saturday (August 8, 2026) sparred over the implementation of the women’s reservation law after a fresh delimitation exercise, with Mr. Gandhi questioning the government’s decision to link the two. The exchange on the social media platform X began after Mr. Gandhi posted a video speaking of harnessing the “energy” of India’s women and freeing them from patriarchy.

Meta restricts post on Kashmir pellet victim Insha Mushtaq in India

Meta has restricted access to a report in India on Kashmir pellet victim Insha Mushtaq from its platform, Instagram. “We restricted access to this content pursuant to legal requirements under India’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules,” reads the message on the link to the post on The Hindu report, as on Saturday afternoon (August 8, 2026).

Abhishek Banerjee’s personal assistant grilled for 10 hours by Bengal police

Two days after the Supreme Court granted the go-ahead to arrest Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee’s personal assistant Sumit Roy, he appeared before the West Bengal Police on Saturday (August 8, 2026) for interrogation. Mr. Roy had been in hiding after the defeat of Trinamool Congress in the West Bengal Assembly polls. Several cases of fraud, including a land grab case at Salboni, were registered against him. He appeared at Bhabani Bhawan, the West Bengal Police headquarters, at 10 a.m. in the morning and was questioned till late in the evening.

Chhattisgarh Christian Forum office-bearer arrested for objectionable social media post

An office bearer of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum has been arrested in Raipur for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by posting an objectionable comment on social media, said the police on Saturday (August 8, 2026). 75-year-old Arun Pannalal, a visible face of the Christian community in the local media, was arrested after a First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against him on the basis of a complaint filed by Amit Chimnani, a spokesperson of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Hamas says still ready to go ahead with Gaza plan

Hamas said on Saturday (August 8, 2026) it remained ready to proceed with a U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan and urged pressure on Israel, which insists it did not agree to the latest part of the deal. Hamas informed U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace that it stood by the latest stage of the plan, under which the militants would hand over weapons to a nascent Palestinian governing committee in the war-battered territory.

Four killed in helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro

Four people were killed in a helicopter crash on Saturday (August 8, 2026) in Rio de Janeiro, including three Colombian tourists from the same family, the country’s consul told AFP .The helicopter went down in Tijuca National Park, a mountainside forest with very dense vegetation. Firefighters confirmed the pilot and three women “burned to death” and released images showing the smoking remains of the aircraft on a steep, hard-to-reach hillside.

Padikkal seals No. 3 spot with stylish hundred as Jaiswal, Pant fail

Devdutt Padikkal assured his spot in India’s playing eleven for the opening Test with a stylish century on the second day of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI, while seasoned Rishabh Pant and his understudy Dhruv Jurel failed to make the most of favourable batting conditions. At the end of the second day, India finished its first innings at 357 for eight in 90 overs. Padikkal’s artistic unbeaten 142 and a gritty 63 (retired out) by veteran Ravindra Jadeja were the highlights, while Manav Suthar (41) also impressed with the bat on his maiden overseas international assignment.

Published - August 09, 2026 06:13 am IST