Catch the top news for January 8, 2026, covering major political developments, government initiatives, legal updates, economic growth, civic incidents and international headlines shaping the day.

Top National News

Israeli PM Netanyahu calls PM Modi; briefs on Gaza Peace Plan status

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received a phone call from his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, who shared an update on the Gaza Peace Plan and reaffirmed their shared resolve to fight terror.

Five cops injured in clash during demolition drive near Delhi mosque; Juvenile among 5 held

New Delhi: Violence erupted during an anti-encroachment drive near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan area early Wednesday, with some people pelting stones at police personnel, leaving five of them injured.

Understand the difference: Rahul takes dig at govt over Trump's remarks

New Delhi: In the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's recent remarks on his ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and tariffs, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a swipe at the government and posted an old video in which he had talked about how in 1971 then PM Indira Gandhi had withstood pressure from America.

Venezuela interim leader Delcy Rodriguez follower of Satya Sai Baba, met Dhankhar in 2023: Jairam Ramesh

New Delhi: With Delcy Rodriguez sworn in as the interim president of Venezuela, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said that in August 2023, she had met then Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar "of whom sadly nothing is heard of these days".

IITs to revamp curriculum for MTech, PhD courses; rethink education system for AI advancements

New Delhi: The MTech and PhD courses in the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are set to be revamped following a meeting of the IIT Council, with officials claiming that opportunities being offered by these programmes are underutilised.

Nehru hated Lord Somnath most, glorified Muslim invaders due to blind appeasement politics: BJP

New Delhi: The BJP on Wednesday launched a fresh attack on the Congress, alleging that while the Somnath temple was plundered by Mahmud of Ghazni and Alauddin Khilji in the past but in independent India, the country's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, hated Lord Somnath the most.

Cong suspends 12 newly-elected councillors in Maharashtra's Ambernath for tie-up with BJP

Mumbai: The Congress on Wednesday suspended 12 newly-elected councillors in Maharashtra's Ambernath Municipal Council along with its block president from the party for forging an alliance with the BJP after last month's civic polls.

EC serves SIR notice to Amartya Sen for Jan 16 hearing, TMC calls it 'shameful farce'

Kolkata: The Election Commission on Wednesday served a notice to Nobel laureate Amartya Sen in connection with the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in West Bengal, seeking a hearing of the 92-year-old economist on January 16 at his residence, an official said.

Body of woman murdered in US to be flown to India by Jan 8: Union Minister Kishan Reddy

Hyderabad: Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy on Wednesday said the mortal remains of Nikitha Godishala, who was allegedly killed in the US, are expected to be brought to the country on January 7 or 8.

SC to hear wife's plea challenging Sonam Wangchuk's detention on Thursday

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned to January 8 the hearing of a plea filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, the wife of jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, against his detention under the National Security Act.

After relief from SC to others, another Delhi riots accused files bail plea seeking parity

New Delhi: With the Supreme Court granting bail to five of the accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, another accused has filed a fresh bail application in a court here, contending that he is facing similar charges as one of them and seeking parity.

India's GDP estimated to grow at 7.4 pc in FY26

New Delhi: The Indian economy is likely to grow at 7.4 per cent in 2025-26, up from 6.5 per cent in the previous fiscal, mainly on account of better performance of manufacturing and services sectors, as per the government data released on Wednesday.

International News

Bangladesh expresses 'potential interest' in procuring JF-17 fighter jets, says Pakistan

Lahore: Bangladesh has expressed a "potential interest" in procuring JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan, the military said on Wednesday.

Inquilab Moncho rejects Hadi murder chargesheet, warns of escalation if justice denied

Dhaka: Slain Bangladeshi student leader Sharif Osman Hadi's party has rejected the police chargesheet in his murder case and accused the state machinery of being involved in the killing.