News updates: PM Modi to visit landslide-affected sites in Kerala's Wayanad on Aug 10

Catch all the news developments from around the world here

9:37 PM

PM Modi to visit landslide-affected sites in Kerala's Wayanad on Aug 10

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit landslide-affected sites in Wayanad on August 10. In a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, the Chief Minister said that the state has requested the central government to declare this as a national disaster and a severe calamity. Massive landslides hit Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad on July 30 creating widespread devastation. "In this regard, the central government has appointed a nine-member committee to submit a report. The committee chairman visited today and we hope to receive central assistance for rehabilitation," the Chief Minister said. "We expect the Prime Minister to understand the situation firsthand and adopt a favourable stance," he added. The Chief Minister said that the post-mortem procedures of 420 bodies have been conducted so far in Wayanad and added that the search operations will continue. "Officially, 225 deaths have been confirmed. The body parts of 195 individuals have been found in various locations. DNA samples of these body parts have been sent for testing. The search is still ongoing. Post-mortems have been conducted on 420 bodies, 178 bodies have been handed over to relatives, and 233 burials have taken place," he said.

9:02 PM

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus takes oath as head of Bangladesh's interim government

6:04 PM

Multiplier effect of capital spending has helped India become world's fastest growing economy: FM in RS

4:51 PM

Kerala govt forms task force to aid Wayanad landslide survivors claim insurance for losses

The Kerala government on Thursday formed a task force to assist survivors of the July 30 Wayanad landslides in claiming insurance for their various losses. The special team headed by Revenue Recovery Deputy Collector K Gopinath has started functioning, the CMO said in a release.

4:44 PM

In touch with Bangladesh authorities to ensure safety of Indians residing in that country: MEA

"The situation is evolving. It has been reported that this evening there will be a swearing-in of the interim government. Once those things take place, I would like to emphasise one thing, for the government and the people of India, the interest of the people of Bangladesh is foremost in our minds," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said today.

 

4:31 PM

We do not have any update: MEA on ex-Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Hasina's plans

As far as India is concerned, interests of people of Bangladesh are foremost in our mind, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

4:27 PM

Hope for early restoration of law and order, says Ministry of External Affairs

The situation in Bangladesh is still evolving, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said today.

4:20 PM

News update: Manu Bhaker met Cong leaders Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda in Delhi earlier today

4:10 PM

Centre's forceful interference in religious matters against Constitution: Mayawati on Waqf Bill

The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister stated that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day, should be sent to the Standing Committee of the House for better consideration. "The forceful interference of the central and UP governments in the matters of mosques, madrasas, and Waqf, and taking excessive interest in religious matters like temples and monasteries is against the Constitution and its principle of secularism. Is such narrow and selfish politics necessary? The government should fulfil its national duties," Mayawati said in a series of posts on X.

 

4:01 PM

Have to look at the efficacy and motive behind each clause, says Cong MP Karti Chidambaram on Waqf Bill

"Good that it is being sent to JPC; let the JPC be formed, we have to look at the efficacy and motive behind each clause," says Congress MP Karti Chidambaram  on government proposing to send Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 to Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

3:40 PM

Mizoram, Assam to hold border talks on Friday

Mizoram and Assam will hold ministerial-level talks on Friday to address a longstanding border dispute between the two northeastern states, an official said. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the state guest house in Aizawl at 4 pm, they added. The Mizoram delegation will be led by Home Minister K. Sapdanga, while Assam's team will be headed by Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora, officials said.

3:36 PM

‘Not right to associate MPs with any religion,’ says Kiren Rijiju

"It is not right to associate Members of Parliament with any religion. We are not saying that people of different religions should be made a part of Waqf board. We are saying that a Member of Parliament should be a member (of the Waqf board). Now, if the MP is a Hindu or Christian, then what can we do about it.? Now, if an MP is added to Waqf Board by the virtue of him/her being an MP, then should we change the MP's religion?" Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated in the house, wile speaking on the debate on  the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

3:18 PM

Waqf Bill has been brought to give rights to those who never got them: Kiren Rijiju

 "This bill being brought today is based on the report of Sachar committee (which called for reform) which you made (Congress)," Union minister Kiren Rijiju said.

3:13 PM

Parliament session LIVE news: Akhilesh Yadav slams Waqf Bill in Lok Sabha

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on the BJP today morning over the proposed amendments to 44 sections of the Waqf Act of 1995.

2:57 PM

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus returns to Bangladesh from Paris to take charge of interim government

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus on Thursday today returned to Bangladesh from Paris to take oath as the head of Bangladesh's interim government. Yunus, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work on microlending, was designated head of the interim government after President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved parliament on Tuesday.

2:48 PM

Judicial custody of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal extended till Aug 20 in liquor policy case

The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Delhi liquor policy case. The high court said the chief minister could approach the trial court for relief.

2:22 PM

Olympic bronze medallist Swapnil Kusale gets grand welcome in Pune; visits famous Ganesh temple

Shooter Swapnil Kusale, who won a bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, arrived in Pune city of Maharashtra on Thursday, where he was accorded a grand welcome. Kusale clinched the first ever Olympic bronze in 50m rifle 3 positions event last week. He arrived at the Pune international airport in the morning, where he was received by people amid the beating of traditional dhol-tasha drums. Kusale, who hails from western Maharashtra's Kolhapur, then visited the famous Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati temple located in the heart of the city, where he offered prayers.

2:17 PM

Did not 'get the support I should have received': RS Chairman Dhankhar

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar stopped presiding over the House for a brief while and left the House saying that he did not "get the support he should have received."  "Making this sacred House a centre of anarchy, attacking Indian democracy, tarnishing the dignity of the post of the Speaker, this is not just indecent conduct, this is conduct that crosses all limits... What I have been seeing in recent days and the way the challenge is being given through words, letters, through newspapers, how many wrong comments have been made," he added.

2:14 PM

Waqf amendment bill not anti-Muslim: Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh

Janata Dal (U) leader and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan' on Thursday said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was aimed at bringing transparency in the functioning of the Waqf Board and not an attempt to interfere with running of mosques. As opposition leaders opposed the introduction of the bill, the JD(U) leader stood up to speak amid uproar by opposition members. "JD(U) is a party here whether it is opposing or supporting, I have to record my view here," Singh said.

2:09 PM

Waqf bill is both discriminatory and arbitrary: AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi

"This bill violates the principles of Articles 14, 15 and 25 of the Constitution. This bill is both discriminatory and arbitrary...By bringing this bill, you (the Central govt) are doing the work of dividing the nation not uniting it. This bill is an evidence of the fact that you are an enemy of the Muslims," AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said.

1:32 PM

Directy violates Article 30, targets Muslims, says DMK MP Kanimozhi

 "It is a direct violation of Article 30 which deals with minorities to administer their institutions. This bill targets a particular religious group," DMK MP Kanimozhi said today.

1:26 PM

It's draconian, fundamental attack on Constitution: Congress leader Venugopal on Waqf Bill

The Congress MP opposed the introduction of Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha.

1:15 PM

Parliament session LIVE news: Centre tables Waqf Bill in Lok Sabha

1:10 PM

News update: Would have sent Vinesh Phogat to Rajya Sabha from Haryana if I had the numbers, says Hooda

11:59 AM

Parliament LIVE news update: Opposition stages walkout in Rajya Sabha

Opposition parties staged a  walkout in the Upper House after the Rajya Sabha Chairman did not allow them to raise the issue of Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Olympics.

11:56 AM

News update: Supreme Court to hear tomorrow petition to postpone NEET-PG 2024 exam

11:48 AM

News update: Former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee passes away at 80

11:29 AM

Bangladesh crisis: Muhammad Yunus-led interim govt to be sworn in today

Bangladesh is set to welcome a new interim government under the leadership of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus on Thursday. This transition follows weeks of intense student protests that led to the resignation and departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Read here for more details.

11:27 AM

Amid tight security, Indo-Bangla trade resumes from Petrapole land port

Trade between India and Bangladesh through Petrapole land port in West Bengal, resumed Thursday morning amid tight security, officials said. The two South Asian neighbours' trade came to a halt on August 5 following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh and it partially resumed on Wednesday through several land ports in West Bengal, except Petrapole.

11:26 AM

Cong, allies oppose Waqf Amendment bill, seek review by standing committee

Congress Lok Sabha MP KC Venugopal on Thursday submitted a notice to oppose the introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha. Congress MP Mr Hibi Eden also gave notice to oppose the bill. The Samajwadi Party will also oppose the Waqf Bill in Parliament.