National News
- PM Modi Celebrates Diwali with Security Forces in Bastar, Chhattisgarh
- Continuing his annual tradition of spending Diwali with troops, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited security personnel stationed in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region on 8 November 2026.
- Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited forward posts in Sikkim to mark the festival with armed forces personnel.
- During his address, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the bravery of Indian soldiers and highlighted ongoing developmental progress in previously Maoist-affected areas.
- Delhi Air Quality Deteriorates into 'Severe' Zone on Diwali
- Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 384 on 8 November 2026, with over 11 monitoring stations—including Punjabi Bagh at 452—crossing into the "severe" pollution category.
- Thick smog blanketed the National Capital Region despite existing Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-3) curbs.
- Health authorities issued advisories warning against prolonged outdoor exposure as particulate matter levels spiked.
- Karnataka Launches Statewide Petrol Testing Over Ethanol Blend Complaints
- The Karnataka government initiated fuel quality testing across 67 locations on 8 November 2026 following motorist complaints regarding higher-than-prescribed 31.5% ethanol blending.
- Vehicle owners across the state had reported reduced mileage, drop in engine performance, and mid-journey stalling.
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed the state took serious note of the grievances and ordered strict laboratory verification of fuel samples.
- Punjab Police Secures Deportation of Fugitive Gangster from Ethiopia
- Punjab Police successfully brought back fugitive gangster Gurwinder Singh, alias Afridi Tootawala, from Ethiopia on 8 November 2026.
- The operation marked Punjab Police's first successful deportation of an accused criminal from an African nation.
- He was taken into custody upon landing at New Delhi Airport and transferred to Punjab to face trial in multiple criminal cases.
- The temporary shutdown had been carried out to clean the riverbed and repair canal infrastructure.
International News
- 5.7-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Central Japan, Injuring 22
- A shallow 5.7-magnitude earthquake hit central Japan early on 8 November 2026, with its epicenter located in Shizuoka Prefecture at a depth of about 40 kilometers.
- Tremors were felt across Aichi, Gifu, Nagano, and Yamanashi prefectures, shattering shop windows and prompting evacuations.
- At least 22 people sustained injuries during the panic, though no tsunami warning was issued.
- Saudi Air Defenses Intercept Houthi Ballistic Missile Over Riyadh
- Saudi air defense forces intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile over Riyadh on 8 November 2026.
- Falling debris from the interception damaged several upper floors of the Aramco Tower skyscraper in the Saudi capital.
- Authorities confirmed that no casualties or injuries occurred in the incident.
- Sudanese Army Detains ICC-Wanted Former Official Ahmed Haroun
- The Sudanese Armed Forces detained Ahmed Haroun, a former National Congress Party politician wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes and genocide in Darfur.
- Haroun had been at large since escaping prison during the outbreak of Sudan's civil conflict in 2023.
- International rights monitors called for his immediate transfer to The Hague to face pending charges.
- Train Derailment Near Cairo Kills Seven and Injures Over 120
- A passenger train derailed near El Ayyat in Egypt's Giza Governorate on 8 November 2026, killing at least seven people and injuring 125 others.
- Emergency rescue teams deployed dozens of ambulances to transport the wounded to nearby hospitals.
- Egypt's Ministry of Transport ordered an immediate technical investigation into the cause of the derailment.
- Jon Rahm Claims 2026 Abu Dhabi Golf Championship Title
- Spain's Jon Rahm won the 2026 Abu Dhabi Aldar Golf Championship at Yas Links on 8 November 2026, holding off strong final-round challenges from Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton.
- The triumph marked a major milestone in Rahm's DP World Tour campaign late in the 2026 season.
- Despite finishing short after an earlier two-shot penalty, McIlroy remained in contention for a record-tying eighth Race to Dubai crown.
- Vivaan Kapoor Wins Silver at 2026 ISSF World Shooting Championships
- Indian trap shooter Vivaan Kapoor clinched the silver medal in the men's trap event at the 2026 ISSF World Shooting Championships in Doha on 8 November 2026.
- Kapoor finished ahead of both the reigning Olympic and World champions in a high-scoring final.
- The podium finish added a key medal to India's tally at the global shooting event.
- Rohit Sharma Breaks Shahid Afridi's Six-Hitting Record Against New Zealand
- During the ODI series in New Zealand, Rohit Sharma surpassed Shahid Afridi to become the leading six-hitter against New Zealand in One-Day International cricket, reaching 51 career sixes against the Black Caps.
- He achieved the milestone with two sixes during his 23-run knock in the second ODI at Wellington.
- The feat added another international white-ball batting record to the veteran Indian opener's career.
