Daily wrap: 35 killed in J&K; Mumbai hit by rains, floods

2 Congress MLAs quit, set the stage for more ‘nataka’ in Karnataka

You can never take nataka (drama) out of Karnataka. The two, like conjoined twins, seem united by birth and destiny. So, in true nataka style, two Congress legislators quit the Assembly on Monday. And, in this theatre of absurd, you can already hear the Doors singing, this is the end, my beautiful friend.

Also read: 2 Congress MLAs resign, keep Karnataka coalition on the edge

35 killed as bus falls into gorge in J&K’s Kishtwar

At least 35 passengers were killed and a dozen were injured after a mini bus rolled down a hilly road and fell into deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Monday (July 1), officials said. The bus, which was on its way to Kishtwar from Keshwan, skidded off the road at Sirgwari and rolled down into the gorge around 7:30 am.

Trains delayed, roads flooded as monsoon hits Mumbai

Life was thrown out of gear after overnight showers hit Mumbai on Sunday and Monday. Water-logging and traffic jams brought the city to a standstill. Bus services were affected and suburban trains delayed due to flooding in the tracks.

According to IMD data, Mumbai has surpassed its required June rainfall by recording 515.1 mm of rain, 10.1 mm above normal.

MTC workers withdraw flash strike in Chennai after talks with govt

Within hours of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) workers going on a flash strike on Monday morning (July 1) over payment delay and alleged salary cut, leaving unsuspecting commuters stranded, the same has been withdrawn.

This came about after the government agreed to meet the demand of the striking workers.

How England reunited the subcontinent for a day

How often have we heard, “padosi hi padosi ke kaam aata hai” (in the hour of need, the neighbour steps up). India while playing against England on Sunday (June 30) was the ‘padosi’, the ray of hope for its neighbours – Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka – for reviving their chances to once again dream of the coveted World Cup.

An Indian win would have eased the pressure on Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. All three were sitting at the bottom of the points’ table and were hoping against hope to make the cut for the semi-final race. Their ray of hope was stamped out, rather ruthlessly by Eoin Morgan and his men when India lost by 31 runs. But some good did come of it eventually.

Also read: World Cup: India lose not just a match to England but also a bit of hope

Dubai ruler’s wife flees with children, seeks political asylum

Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s wife Princess Haya has fled the Kingdom with 31 million pounds and their children, a year after his daughter Princess Latifa fled the UAE and was captured off Goa coast, media reports said.

According to The Sun, the Oxford-educated Princess fled to start a new life and has already filed for divorce from the ruler.

To double farmers’ income, PM Modi should focus on eastern India

In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised his government would strive to double farmers’ income by 2021-2022. Commentators like agricultural economist Ashok Gulati had cautioned that the goal is ambitious and impossible to achieve. But isn’t it good to have an ambition as the adage ‘if you aim for the moon, even if you miss, chances are you might land on the tree-top’ goes?

Growth in agriculture is much more poverty-reducing than growth in manufacturing and services in a country like India, though the number of people dependent on income from farming and animal husbandry is less than what is conventionally thought to be.

DMK goes traditional way, nominates lawyer, unionist to Rajya Sabha

The DMK on Monday announced trade unionist M Shanmugam and senior advocate P Nelson as its candidates for the July 18 Rajya Sabha polls.The polls are being held to replace six members of the Upper House whose term comes to an end on July 24.

Also read: BJP eyes Rajya Sabha seat from Tamil Nadu; DMK, allies have a deal