Live news: 63 pilgrims from Maharashtra's Beed stranded in Amarnath rescued

Latest Live news updates: Amarnath yatra rescue operations, EAM on Sri Lankan crisis, PM addresses Natural Farming Conclave, and more

11:07 AM

PM Modi wishes Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on his birthday

11:00 AM

Eid Al-Adha: BSF, Pakistan Rangers exchange sweets at Attari-Wagah border

10:20 AM

Abe killer wielded homemade gun, grudge over mother's financial ruin: Police

10:11 AM

President Ram Nath Kovind greets the nation on eve of Eid Al-Ada

9:58 AM

Antony Blinken to pay condolence to Abe in visit to Japan next week

9:49 AM

Opportunity to resolve crisis peacefully now available: Sri Lankan Army chief

Army chief General Shavendra Silva on Sunday said that an opportunity to resolve the current political crisis in a peaceful manner is now available and sought the people's support to maintain peace in the island nation, hours after embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa agreed to step down on July 13.

 

In a brief statement, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Silva said that an opportunity has arisen to resolve the current crisis in a peaceful manner.

 

He requested all Sri Lankans to support the Armed Forces and the Police to ensure that peace is maintained in the country, Colombo Gazette news portal reported.

9:44 AM

US urges Sri Lankan political fraternity to work quickly to achieve economic and political stability

The United States on Sunday urged Sri Lanka's political fraternity to come forward and work quickly to achieve long-term economic and political solutions to address the people's discontent, after thousands of irate protesters stormed the official residence of embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and forced him to offer his resignation on Wednesday.

 

Rajapaksa would resign on July 13, Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said on Saturday night, while Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has already expressed his willingness to resign amidst the worst economic and political crisis in the country.

The United States calls on “the Sri Lankan parliament to approach this juncture with a commitment to the betterment of the nation — not any one political party,” a US State Department spokesperson said on Sunday.

9:36 AM

Rescue operations underway in Amarnath; no movement of devotees ahead of base camps

9:01 AM

India logs 18,257 new Covid cases, 42 deaths

India on Sunday reported 18,257 new cases of Covid-19, taking its tally to 43,622,651. With 42 new deaths due to coronavirus infection, the nation's toll has now reached 525,428. India's tally of recovered Covid-19 cases now stands at 42,968,533 after 14,553 people were cured from the disease on Sunday.

8:30 AM

PM Modi wishes nation Eid Mubarak

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishes Eid, says, "Eid Mubarak! Greetings on Eid-ul-Adha. May this festival inspire us to work towards furthering the spirit of collective well-being and prosperity for the good of humankind."

8:28 AM

IMF hopes for resolution of Sri Lanka crisis to allow bailout talks

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it is hoping for a resolution to Sri Lanka's political turmoil that will allow a resumption of talks for a bailout package after a violent day of protests.

"We hope for a resolution of the current situation that will allow for resumption of our dialogue on an IMF-supported program," the IMF said in a statement.

8:06 AM

Mizoram: Heroin worth Rs 13 lakh seized near Myanmar border

Heroin worth Rs 13 lakh was seized near the Myanmar border in Mizoram's Champhai district, the Assam Rifles said on Saturday. Acting on a tip-off, personnel of the Assam Rifles in a joint operation with state police seized 26 grams of heroin from a woman at Zokhawthar-Melbuk road on Friday, it said. The woman, suspected to be a peddler, was arrested, it added.

7:52 AM

Iran tightens entry rules amid increasing Covid-19 cases

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has said that passengers can only gain entry to Iran upon submission of negative Covid-19 test results and full compliance with Iranian health protocols, citing the recent increase in infections. In his address to a meeting of the national anti-coronavirus task force on Saturday, Raisi called for stricter compliance with the health regulations and instructions at all land, air and sea entries to Iran, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Iranian presidency's website. He highlighted the necessity of receiving a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccines, noting those with underlying medical conditions should particularly take precautions.

7:31 AM

Covid: 146 new cases in J-K

Jammu and Kashmir recorded 146 new Covid cases on Saturday that took the infection tally to 4,55,953, officials said. Of the new cases, 90 were reported from the Jammu division while 56 were from the Kashmir valley, they said. The death toll stands at 4,758. No Covid-related fatality was reported, officials said. There are 754 active cases, while the overall recoveries has reached 4,50,431, they added. There were 51 confirmed cases of mucormycosis (black fungus), officials said.

7:25 AM

Gas lines and scuffles: Sri Lanka faces humanitarian crisis

Chamila Nilanthi is tired of all the waiting. The 47-year-old mother of two spent three days lining up to get kerosene in the Sri Lankan town of Gampaha, northeast of the capital, Colombo. Two weeks earlier she spent three days in a queue for cooking gas - but came home with none.

 

I am totally fed up, exhausted,'' she said. I don't know how long we have to do this.''

 

A few years ago Sri Lanka's economy was growing strongly enough to provide jobs and financial security for most. It's now in a state of collapse, dependent on aid from India and other countries as its leaders desperately try to negotiate a bailout with the International Monetary Fund.