LIVE news updates: EC issues certificate of election to Droupadi Murmu

Live news updates: The certificate will now be sent to the Union Home Secretary

9:06 AM

China poised to welcome first foreign leader since Olympics

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is set for the first visit to China by a foreign leader since the Olympics in February, a sign the diplomatic isolation of the world’s No. 2 economy due to its Covid Zero strategy may be easing.

 

Jokowi will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang during the July 25-26 trip for “an in-depth exchange of views focusing on bilateral relations and major regional and international issues,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Thursday at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

8:58 AM

Prez poll: EC to issue certificate of election to Droupadi Murmu on Friday

The Election Commission will on Friday issue a 'certificate of election' to NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu who has emerged victorious in the presidential poll.

 

The certificate is issued after the returning officer hands over the result to the poll panel. It will be signed by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey.

 

The certificate will then be sent to the Union Home Secretary who will read it out at the oath-taking ceremony of the 15th President of India which is likely to take place at the historic Central Hall of Parliament House on July 25.

 

The term of incumbent President Ram Nath Kovind ends on July 24.

8:58 AM

Imran Khan warns of 'uncontrollable public anger' if Punjab CM's polls get hampered

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has warned institutions of severe "consequences" if the public mandate was "stolen" in the Punjab Chief Minister's election on Friday.

 

Addressing the nation on Thursday, Imran Khan said that he won't be able to "hold back" the public if their vote was "disrespected".

 

He made the remarks during an address to the nation on Thursday, Dawn newspaper reported.Lambasting the incumbent Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja, Imran Khan said that his party "will never" contest general elections under the current CEC, as he called him "dishonest and anti-PTI".

8:56 AM

Sonia Gandhi, Mamata, Pawar congratulate Droupadi Murmu on election as 15th President

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and NCP leader Sharad Pawar were among the opposition leaders who congratulated Droupadi Murmu on her election as the country's 15th President.

 

"I send my congratulations and best wishes to the President-elect Smt. Droupadi Murmu. I look forward to meeting her soon as well," Sonia Gandhi said in a message.

 

Party leader Rahul Gandhi also congratulated Droupadi Murmu.

 

"Congratulations and best wishes to Droupadi Murmu ji on being elected as the 15th President of India," he said in a tweet.

 

Mamata Banerjee said the country will sincerely look up to Droupadi Murmu to protect the ideals of our Constitution

 

"I would like to congratulate President-elect Droupadi Murmu. The country will sincerely look up to you as the Head of State to protect the ideals of our Constitution and be the custodian of our democracy, especially when the nation is plagued with so many dissensions," Banerjee said in a Twitter post.

 

Sharad Pawar wished Droupadi Murmu success in her new role.

 

"Heartfelt congratulations Droupadi Murmu on being elected as the President of India. My best wishes to you as you prepare to take up the responsibilities and charge of your esteemed office. Wishing you success in your tenure as President," Pawar said in a tweet.

 

Opposition Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha also congratulated his contender Droupadi Murmu.

 

"I heartily congratulate Droupadi Murmu on her victory in the Presidential Election 2022. I hope -- indeed, every Indian hopes -- that as the 15th President of India she functions as the Custodian of the Constitution without fear or favour. I join my fellow countrymen in extending best wishes to her," he said.

8:50 AM

'Iran to gradually eliminate dollar in trade with Russia'

Iran's chief banker said the US dollar will be gradually eliminated from Iranian-Russian economic transactions, the country's official news agency has reported.

 

The trade volume between Iran and Russia stood at $4 billion, which can be conducted through the Iranian currency rial and the Russian ruble, said Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Ali Salehabadi in a televised interview, Xinhua news agency reported, citing IRNA.

 

The two countries have exchanged a memorandum of understanding to use their national currencies in small-scale trade transactions, he added.

8:49 AM

China tests PHL-16 Multiple Launch Rocket System near Indian border along LAC

China's People's Liberation Army recently tested an advanced Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) at an altitude of more than 5,300 metres in the Xinjiang Region close to the Indian border that could hit critical Indian military bases.

 

China's state media reported that China is likely to deploy the PHL-16 MLRS on the Sino-Indian border.

 

China's PLA conducted a live-fire training assessment for a new type of rocket mine-laying vehicle, in the Xinjiang Region close to the Indian border of the Xinjiang Military Region. The multiple launch rocket system is expected to be deployed in the Himalayas, local media reported.

8:49 AM

India, UK NSAs discuss regional security, cooperation in defence sector

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met his United Kingdom counterpart Stephen Lovegrove here on Thursday and discussed a wide range of subjects of bilateral and global significance, government sources said.

 

They said the key points discussed included cooperation in cyber security, maritime and Indo-Pacific, regional security, and dealing with violent extremism.

 

The focus was on specific and substantial outcomes to take the partnership forward in line with the vision of the India-UK Roadmap 2030, government sources said.

8:49 AM

Dinesh Gunawardena likely to be Sri Lanka's next Prime Minister

Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was sworn in President of Sri Lanka on Thursday, is expected to appoint long-time Rajapaksa loyalist and senior politician Dinesh Gunawardena (pictured) as Prime Minister, a source close to the President’s office said.

 

Further, Wickremesinghe will continue with the last-appointed Cabinet until Opposition parties are “ready to cooperate” in an all-party government, the source said, requesting anonymity.