LIVE: Droupadi Murmu surges ahead of Yashwant Sinha in Presidential polls

Of total 748 votes of MPs, NDA's Droupadi Murmu gets 540, Opposition's Yashwant Sinha gets 208, says Returning Officer

3:17 PM

Droupadi Murmu will be elected as the President: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

3:10 PM

Prez poll: 15 votes of MPs found invalid during counting, says Returning Officer

3:06 PM

Droupadi Murmu surges ahead of Yashwant Sinha in Presidential polls

3:00 PM

Nearly 159,000 people recruited for govt jobs during COVID-19 pandemic period: Centre

Nearly 159,000 people were recruited for government jobs during the coronavirus pandemic period of the last two years, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.

 

Recruitment in central government is a continuous process. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) have been conducting their examinations duly complying with all COVID-19 safety protocols, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply.

 

2:55 PM

AstraZeneca, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines offer high protection 6 months after second dose: Study

Two doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines provide high protection against severe COVID-19 up to six months after the second shot, according to a study published in The BMJ.

 

The team led by researchers at the University of Bristol, UK, analysed the National Health Service (NHS) health record data on over seven million adults, finding protection in people aged over 65 years, and in clinically vulnerable adults.

 

They also analysed how quickly vaccine effectiveness waned over time in adults without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and who received two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine compared with unvaccinated individuals.

2:49 PM

Stay or go? Ronaldo's future uncertain at Manchester United

The weekly social media posts published by Cristiano Ronaldo this offseason typically have shown the soccer superstar half-dressed, muscles bulging, either working out or promoting one of his many brands.

 

Remaining relevant and highly visible is clearly so important to the player who, along with Lionel Messi, is the greatest of his generation. That also extends to the final years of his career on the field, too.

 

It's why, for the 37-year-old Ronaldo, playing for Manchester United — still one of the world's most famous sports teams, despite their recent trophy drought — just isn't enough. He wants to be competing on the biggest stage, winning the biggest trophies while he can.

 

Hence the current standoff with United, which is becoming more damaging and disruptive as the days go by and the new season looms.

2:44 PM

Mario Draghi resigns as premier, throwing Italy into political chaos

Prime Minister Mario Draghi offered his resignation to Italy’s president, in a move that will raise the prospect of snap elections as soon as early October.

 

The former European Central Bank chief announced his decision to President Sergio Mattarella in a meeting Thursday morning, according to a statement by the president’s office. The government will continue as a caretaker to handle ongoing business. 

2:32 PM

'Can't deny abortion if woman is unmarried', SC allows plea to terminate 24-week pregnancy

In a significant decision, the Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the examination of a 24-week pregnant unmarried woman by an AIIMS medical board to determine whether the pregnancy can be safely terminated without endangering her life.

 

A bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said letting an unmarried woman suffer an unwanted pregnancy will be contrary to the object and spirit of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.

 

The top court noted that after the 2021 amendment, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act uses the word "partner" instead of "husband" in the explanation to Section 3. It added that it shows legislative intent to cover unmarried women under the Act.

2:23 PM

Kejriwal promises up to 300 units of free electricity in Gujarat if AAP comes to power

Aam Aadmi Party's national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday promised that his party will provide free electricity up to 300 units per month if voted to power in Gujarat where polls are due this year.

 

Addressing people at a town hall meeting in Surat, the Delhi chief minister also guaranteed uninterrupted power supply without any cuts.

 

"I am giving you a guarantee. If you find any fault later, you are free not to vote for AAP in the next election. We will fulfil all the guarantees once we come to power in the state," he said.

 

2:10 PM

Those who had no role in country's Independence struggle are now trying to rewrite India's history: Mamata

Those who had no role in country's Independence struggle are now trying to rewrite India's history: Mamata Banerjee at TMC rally.

2:09 PM

Nagaland civilian killings: SC stays criminal proceedings against 30 Army men

The Supreme Court has stayed criminal proceedings against 30 members of the 21 Para Special Force, including a Major, in connection with the alleged botched Army operation in Oting-Tiru area of Nagaland's Mon district in 2021 that claimed lives of 13 civilians.

 

A bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and V Ramasubramanian noted that previous sanction as required under Section 6 of the Armed Forces (Special 4 Powers) Act, 1958 has not been obtained.

2:00 PM

Cong MPs, CWC members court mass arrest outside AICC HQ in show of solidarity with Sonia Gandhi

As Congress president Sonia Gandhi appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED), party MPs and Congress Working Committee (CWC) members "courted mass arrest" outside the AICC headquarters here on Thursday in a show of collective solidarity with her.

 

Gandhi appeared before the ED here for questioning in a money-laundering probe linked to the National Herald-Associated Journals Limited case.

 

The 75-year-old Congress leader arrived at the federal probe agency's headquarters located at Vidyut Lane flanking A P J Abdul Kalam Road in central Delhi a little after noon, escorted by her 'Z+' category Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) security cover.

1:48 PM

Special prayers at Chinnamastika temple for Droupadi Murmu's victory

Special prayers are being offered at the famed Chinnamastika temple at Rajrappa here, recognised as an ancient Shakti seat, on Thursday for the victory of Droupadi Murmu, the NDA presidential candidate who was Jharkhand's former governor.

Priests of the temple, which is located about 70 km from state capital on the confluence of Bhairavi and Damodar rivers, performed special 'aarti' for Murmu's victory.

The counting of votes polled in the July 18 presidential poll is on in Parliament and Murmu is billed to be the winner.

1:39 PM

TMC will win seats outside Bengal in 2024 LS polls: Abhishek

Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday asserted that the party will continue with its expansion plans outside West Bengal and will win seats outside the state in 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The TMC national general secretary, while addressing the party's Martyrs' Day rally here, said tickets for next year's panchayat polls will be distributed "based on merit and not recommendations".

He warned a section of TMC workers against indulging in corruption and said no one is above party discipline.

1:35 PM

Delhi Cong protests outside L-G residence against Sonia Gandhi's questioning by ED

The Delhi Congress on Thursday staged a protest outside Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena's residence here against the Enforcement Directorate's questioning of party president Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald money laundering case.

Several Congress workers and leaders gathered at Raj Niwas and raised slogans against the central government, party officials said.

The Centre is misusing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to harass Congress leaders, they alleged.

1:34 PM

BJP will be swept away from power at Centre by people's mandate in 2024, says Mamata

BJP will be swept away from power at Centre by people's mandate in 2024: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at TMC rally. 

1:28 PM

Vinayak Pai appointed as MD of TATA Projects

TATA Projects on Thursday said it has appointed Vinayak Pai as its Managing Director.

 

The company in a statement said Pai has taken over the reins from Vinayak Deshpande who will retire after being at the helm of affairs for over 11 years.

 

Pai has over three decades of experience with leading engineering and EPC companies where he held key positions across various teams working towards engineering design, technology licensing, project

1:06 PM

Thousands gather for TMC's Martyrs' Day rally

A large number of people from across West Bengal numbering in lakhs have congregated at Esplanade, the city's downtown area, for the mega Martyr's Day rally by ruling Trinamool Congress being held amidst tight security on Thursday.

 

The annual rally is being held after a gap of two years due to the pandemic and enthusiastic party supporters started arriving at the venue from as early as 4 am in trains, buses and private vehicles.

 

Many of them have arrived in the city two days ago for the rally and have been housed in camps. The highlight of the rally will be an address by the feisty TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.

1:01 PM

Kerala CM rejects UDF demand for CBI probe in gold smuggling case

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday rejected the opposition Congress-led UDF's demand for a High Court-monitored CBI probe into the sensational gold smuggling case, in which a prime accused had levelled serious allegations against him, his family members and some top bureaucrats.

 

Replying to a submission by Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan in the Assembly, Vijayan said the smuggling case was completely the Centre's subject and does not come under the purview of the state government and so it cannot make any request about which agency should probe the case.

12:47 PM

Droupadi Murmu vs Yashwant Sinha: Counting of votes underway for presidential election

The counting of votes for the recently-held 15th Presidential election is underway at the Parliament House.

 

The counting of votes commenced at 11 am on Thursday with the results of the contest between BJP-led NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu and joint Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha to be declared today.

 

The results will declare who will succeed incumbent Ram Nath Kovind to become the country's 15th President.

 

Counting is underway in Room No 63 in Parliament House and the result will be declared immediately after the counting. The immediate precincts of Room Number 63 have been declared as sanitised and "silent zone".

 

12:46 PM

Traffic crawls in central Delhi due to Cong protest, waterlogging

Traffic came to a standstill in and around central Delhi on Thursday morning due to diversions put in place owing to a Congress protest and the Kanwar Yatra coupled with waterlogging on arterial stretches.

 

The Congress on Wednesday said its leaders will march towards the Enforcement Directorate office and protest outside the Raj Bhawan here against the agency's questioning of party president Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald money-laundering case.

 

The Delhi Traffic Police have blocked key stretches in central Delhi in view of the protests.

12:45 PM

ECB to join rate hike club with big move under discussion

The European Central Bank will raise interest rates for the first time in 11 years on Thursday with a bigger-than-flagged move seen as increasingly likely as policymakers fear losing control of runaway consumer price growth.

 

With inflation already approaching double-digit territory, it is now at risk of getting entrenched above the ECB's 2% target, requiring rate hikes even if that slows - or crashes - an economy suffering from the impact of Russia's war in Ukraine.

 

But policymakers appear far from united on just how fast the ECB should move with some arguing that it is already a long way behind the curve, especially compared to global peers like the U.S. Federal Reserve, while others point to a looming recession that the ECB risks exacerbating.

 

The bank until recently was signalling a 25 basis point increase to be followed by a bigger move in September, but sources close to the discussion said a 50 basis point increase would also be on the table on Thursday as the inflation outlook is deteriorating quickly.

12:39 PM

Rahul Gandhi arrives at ED office where his mother Sonia Gandhi is being probed

12:39 PM

Congress leaders hold protest in support of Sonia Gandhi

12:38 PM

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot and others detained

12:32 PM

Sonia Gandhi appears before ED for questioning in National Herald money laundering case

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) here for her questioning in the National Herald money laundering case.

 

Gandhi, 75, arrived at the federal probe agency's headquarters located at Vidyut Lane flanking A P J Abdul Kalam Road in central Delhi a little after noon escorted by her Z+ category CRPF security cover.

 

Gandhi, who was diagnosed with Covid recently, was seen wearing a mask and was accompanied by her children Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi.

12:32 PM

Amid heavy rains, 4,700 pilgrims leave for Amarnath cave shrine from Jammu

Braving heavy rains, a fresh batch of over 4,703 Amarnath Yatra pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district on Thursday, officials said.

 

The pilgrims left in a convoy of 156 vehicles escorted by the Central Reserve Security Force (CRPF), they said.

The officials said 2,001 pilgrims headed for Baltal were the first to leave the Bhagwati Nagar camp in 54 vehicles, followed by the second convoy of 102 vehicles carrying 2,702 pilgrims to Pahalgam.

 

With this, a total of 1,24,714 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the Valley since June 29, according to the officials.

12:30 PM

Karnataka, Telangana, Haryana bag top 3 ranks among major states in Niti's innovation index

Karnataka, Telangana and Haryana have been ranked as the top three states among major states in Niti Aayog's third innovation index.

 

Niti Aayog's India Innovation index 2021 examines innovation capacities and ecosystems at the sub-national level.

 

The index, released by Niti Aayog's Vice Chairman Suman Bery in the presence of Chief Executive Officer Parameswaran Iyer on 

Thursday, has been developed on the lines of the Global Innovation Index.

12:16 PM

Competition issues: Paytm's Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Oyo's Ritesh Agarwal to meet parliamentary panel

Top executives of eight domestic tech firms, including Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma and Oyo founder Ritesh Agarwal, will appear before a key parliamentary panel on Thursday to discuss the market behaviour of technology platforms amid rising anti-competition concerns.

 

BJP leader and former Union Minister Jayant Sinha-chaired Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has been looking into various aspects of competition in the marketplace, especially with respect to technology majors.

 

Sinha told PTI that the panel has decided to ask representatives of various technology platforms, e-commerce players and gaming entities to appear before it soon, and they will be mainly asked about their market behaviour.

12:08 PM

'Green Panel' recommends CRZ clearance for 8,100-km India-Singapore Submarine Cable System

The Expert Appraisal Committee under the Ministry of Forests has recommended Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) clearance for the 8,100-KM long Myanmar/Malaysia-India-Singapore Transit (MIST) Submarine Cable System connecting Mumbai and Chennai in India.

 

MIST is an international submarine cable communication network. Cable will traverse undersea to connect India with other Asian countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

 

MIST cable system will provide secure reliable, robust and affordable telecom facilities in Asia. The main trunk route is from Tuas (Singapore) to Mumbai (India), the EAC said in its minutes of meeting held on July 6.