Breaking News, August 8 | HIGHLIGHTS

A total of 1,69,028 applications have been received from women in Mumbai's island city for the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana as on Thursday, an official said. Of these, a total of 1,38,971 were found valid, a release quoted Mumbai collector Sanjay Yadav as saying.

South Delhi BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri on Thursday slammed the AAP government over damaged roads in the city, accusing it of making projects on paper only. Bidhuri claimed that roads across the city were in a dilapidated condition even through the Kejriwal government promised London and Paris-like thoroughfares in the city, a statement said.

 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.

The Rouse Avenue court extended the judicial custody of CM Arvind Kejriwal till August 20 in Delhi Excise policy CBI case. He was produced through video conferencing from Tihar Jail.

Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju moves Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says, "Government of India has instructed the state government to secure the Indo-Bangladesh border completely so that no one can come inside the country. Accordingly, the Assam government is maintaining strict vigil in the border area and as of now, no one has entered our country except those who have valid passports and visas and genuine and bonafide citizens of this country. However, I do hope that the government of India will do everything possible and I am sure that the PM is already doing it to ensure the safety and security of the Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist and Christian people in Bangladesh."

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who is presently in Delhi for a meeting with the I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders ahead of the assembly elections in his state, met Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Thursday (August 8).

Ahead of the presentation of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in Parliament, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav strongly criticized the BJP, accusing the party of advancing schemes that benefit its members. On Thursday, taking to X (formerly Twitter) Yadav lashed out at the ruling party, calling the proposed bill "another link in the chain of schemes for the benefit of BJP members."

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the former Chief Minister of West Bengal, passed away at the age of 80. His family confirmed the news of his demise on Thursday.

Vinesh Phogat on Thursday bid adieu to her international wrestling career, saying she doesn't have the strength to continue anymore. The 29-year-old, who was disqualified for being 100gm overweight ahead of her 50kg category gold medal bout in the olympics on Wednesday, announced her decision on social media, seeking forgiveness from everyone who supported her.

The RBI keeps the growth projection unchanged at 7.2 per cent for the current financial year.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said, "Inflation after remaining steady at 4.8 percent during April and May increased to 5.1 percent in June."

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said, "Manufacturing activities continue to gain ground on back of increasing domestic demand, services sector remains buoyant."

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said, "RBI decides to continue with withdrawal of accommodative monetary policy stance."

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said, "...The Monetary Policy Committee decided by a 4:2 majority to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 6.5%. Consequently, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate remains at 6.25%, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the bank rate at 6.75%..."

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters of New Zealand called on President Droupadi Murmu. 

The Samajwadi Party led by Akhilesh Yadav to oppose Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to be introduced in Parliament today: Party Sources

 On Haryana CM's announcement to confer all the benefits to Vinesh Phogat that a silver medalist gets, her uncle Mahavir Phogat said, it's a good initiative and i thanked the Haryana CM. 

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini tweets, "...Our government has decided that Vinesh Phogat will be welcomed and felicitated like a medalist. All the respect, rewards and facilities that the Haryana government gives to the Olympic silver medalist will be gratefully given to Vinesh Phogat as well."

President Droupadi Murmu met with Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro of New Zealand. They hailed the warm and friendly relationship between India and New Zealand and discussed cooperation across various sectors.

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Wellington, New Zealand on the second leg of her three nation visit. She was warmly received by Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro at Government House.