The Jharkhand government will hold a sixth round of talks with protesting recruitment-exam aspirants after a 16-day agitation over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for nearly a week, experienced a serious health deterioration, with doctors recording his blood glucose at 53. The government’s previous discussions with multiple student groups failed to resolve the deadlock. Protesters are demanding reforms, cancellation of disputed examinations and investigations into alleged irregularities. They have warned of an Assembly march on August 10 if their demands remain unresolved. (PC: X)

A fast-moving wildfire in British Columbia, Canada, has forced more than 20,000 people to evacuate as authorities declared a provincial state of emergency. The Bald Range fire rapidly spread around communities along Okanagan Lake, destroying homes and trapping residents. More than 100 wildfires are burning across the province, with nearly half considered out of control amid hot, windy conditions and prolonged drought. Emergency crews, aircraft and search-and-rescue teams are assisting affected communities, while major roads have been closed. Officials warn conditions remain highly dangerous as firefighters struggle to contain the rapidly expanding blaze. (PC: Reuters)

Toronto police have arrested Abdul Ghafoori, 32, seven months after his Indian-origin partner, Himanshi Khurana, 30, was found dead in a Toronto residence. Khurana was reported missing on December 19, 2025, and officers found her deceased the following morning. Police classified her death as a homicide and had identified Ghafoori as a suspect wanted on a first-degree murder charge. Investigators described the case as an act of intimate partner violence. Ghafoori was located and arrested at Toronto airport on August 7, 2026, following coordination between Canadian and international law-enforcement agencies. He is scheduled to face court proceedings in Toronto. (PC: NDTV)

The Centre has clarified that UPI users will continue to make payments without transaction charges, despite recent legislative changes enabling the introduction of Merchant Discount Rates (MDR). The government said any future MDR would be nominal and restricted to a limited category of merchant transactions above a specified threshold. The vast majority of merchant transactions would also remain free, ensuring small businesses and everyday digital payments are not burdened. The clarification follows concerns after the Lok Sabha passed amendments allowing charges on UPI and other digital payments. The government aims to maintain UPI’s affordability while supporting the sustainability of its payment ecosystem. (PC: The Hindu)

US Vice President JD Vance spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday to discuss strengthening the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The leaders reviewed progress in bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global developments. According to the Indian government, they reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, defence, critical and emerging technologies, energy security and critical minerals. Modi also congratulated Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance on the birth of their son, Alec Neel Vance, born on July 19. The conversation reflected continued high-level engagement and efforts to strengthen strategic cooperation between India and the United States. (AP)

Former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that some people attempted to “mislead” Gen Z during protests over the NEET paper leak controversy. Speaking at GM University in Bhubaneswar, Pradhan defended his resignation, saying he had personally offered to step down and that the ministerial position was never important to him. He resigned as Education Minister on July 25 amid student protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Pradhan also criticised Odisha’s BJD leadership over protests against him. BJD leader Rohit Pujari rejected his claims and blamed the government’s handling of the student agitation. (PC: India Today)

Canada deported 3,323 Indian nationals in the first 6 months of 2026, reflecting a major increase in immigration enforcement. The removals come as Ottawa tightens rules on asylum claims, temporary visas, international students and foreign workers. Indian migrants affected by the crackdown include people whose asylum applications were rejected, visas expired or cases involved alleged document fraud, criminality or violations of immigration conditions. The policy shift has caused concern among Indian families who spent large amounts of money to send students to Canada. Experts say removals could rise further as Canadian authorities work through a large backlog of removal orders.

At least 3 people, including a child, were killed and 3 others injured in overnight Russian missile strikes near Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said. Ballistic missiles hit areas east of the capital, causing fires and damage. The attack comes days after another Russian strike killed 21 people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has again appealed for more US-made Patriot interceptor missiles, saying Ukraine’s supplies have fallen significantly. He warned that Kyiv lacks the financial resources Russia uses to sustain the war. Meanwhile, Ukraine has continued drone strikes against Russian oil facilities, while concerns grow over the conflict spreading into neighbouring countries. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called for a wider military alliance among Islamic countries, similar to NATO, after Pakistan signed a defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Speaking to Geo News, Asif said the agreement should not remain an “exclusive club” and urged Muslim nations to set aside bilateral disputes and work together on defence. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement states that an armed attack on any 1 of the 3 countries would be considered an attack on all. The agreement also covers collective deterrence, defence cooperation, military exercises and personnel training, though full treaty details remain undisclosed. (PC: HT)

Oman said talks with Iran on securing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz were making progress, but Tehran warned that any agreement would not immediately reopen the vital waterway. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations were in their final stages but reopening the strait depended on other conditions, including Iran’s demands from the US. The waterway carries about 20% of global oil and gas supplies. US Vice-President JD Vance said progress had been made but stressed that the negotiations were not over. Tensions also rose after the UAE reported an Iranian missile strike on an oil tanker. (PC: BBC)