RAIN BRINGS NORTH INDIA TO ITS KNEES

Torrential rains pounded several parts of north India on Sunday with 19 people killed in landslides and other rain-related incidents, while most rivers, including the Yamuna in Delhi, were in spate.

In cities and towns across the region, many roads and residential areas were submerged in knee-deep water with the civic system unable to hold on in the face of record rains.

Frightening images of the chaos unleashed by the rains -- vehicles floating like paper boats on inundated roads, muddy waters gushing into residential areas, temples and other structures submerged on the banks by the swollen rivers and land cave-ins -- were shared online by people from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi, among other places.

Heavy downpour warnings have been issued for certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, while in Delhi, which recorded its highest rainfall in a single day in July since 1982, authorities have cautioned over rising water level of the Yamuna.

The Delhi government issued a flood warning, saying that Haryana had released over 1 lakh cusecs of water into the Yamuna from two locations.

With normal life paralysed, schools in Delhi and its adjoining NCR cities of Gurugram and Noida will be closed on Monday.

SUPREME COURT TO HEAR DELHI GOVT'S PETITION, TODAY

The Supreme Court will today hear the Delhi Government’s petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Delhi Services Ordinance, 2023 that gave wider powers to the Centre/LG with regard to control over bureaucracy in the national capital.

The Centre had on May 19 promulgated the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, to create an authority for transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi.

The ordinance, which came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi excluding police, public order and land to the elected government, seeks to set up a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the the Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Civil) Services (DANICS) cadre.

Terming the promulgation of the Ordinance as an “unconstitutional exercise of executive fiat” that attempted to “override” the Supreme Court and the basic structure of the Constitution, the AAP Government has sought its quashing.

Noting that the real power of administration must rest with the elected arm of the government, the Supreme Court had on May 11 ruled that the Delhi Government has control over ‘services’ in the National Capital Territory, excluding the matters relating to public order, police and land.

RAVI UNFIT TO BE TN GOVERNOR, LOOKS TO TOPPLE GOVT: STALIN TO PREZ

Governor RN Ravi is unfit to hold the gubernatorial office as he functioned as a political opponent and looked for 'opportunities to topple the state government', Chief Minister MK Stalin has conveyed to President Droupadi Murmu, the government said on Sunday. In a letter to President Murmu, Stalin said that Ravi has violated the oath of office he took under Article 159 of the Constitution, the government said in an official release.

The letter goes on to say: A Governor who looks for 'opportunities to topple the state government' in a state ruled by a party opposed to the party in power at the Centre could be regarded as a mere agent of the Union government. Such a course of action pursued by a Governor would destroy the Indian democracy's basic tenets by damaging the principle of federalism. Governor RN Ravi is 'a good example' of such a behaviour.

ARMY’S ‘STOP PENSION’ WARNING TO VETERANS TARNISHING FORCE’S IMAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The Army has warned its ex-servicemen of stern action, including stopping their pension, if they raised on social media issues that were false and had the potential to tarnish its image or cause disharmony within the force.

The ex-servicemen have been reminded about the provisions of the Indian Penal Code and also those under which their pension could be stopped. The local military commanders have been asked to keep an eye on the developments.

A letter in this regard was sent in the last week of May to all seven Army commands for further action. The letter has now percolated down to the formations at various locations across the country.

“In the recent past, several instances have come to light where the conduct of some ex-servicemen has tarnished the Army’s image,” the letter mentions. The instances include use of social media for creating propaganda and spreading canards about the Army, especially targeting the officer cadre, it says. “Some posts aim at inciting and converging public opinion on matters related to service life, conditions and privileges.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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BIDEN RULES OUT UKRAINE’S NATO MEMBERSHIP FOR NOW

President Joe Biden said in an interview that aired Sunday that Ukraine was not ready for membership in Nato and that it was “premature” to begin the process to allow Ukraine to join the alliance in the middle of a war. In an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Biden said that he did not “think there is unanimity in Nato about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the Nato family now,” and that the process could take place only after a peace agreement with Russia was in place.

The president began a trip to Europe on Sunday that will include attending a Nato summit in Lithuania, where Russia’s war in Ukraine — and a decision last week by the US to supply Ukraine with weapons that are banned by most of its allies — will be a main focus.

Biden said in the interview that he had warned President Xi Jinping of China about growing too close to Russia. He added that after the Chinese leader met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in March, Biden spoke with Xi and reminded him that scores of US corporations had pulled out of Russia since the war began. “He didn’t argue,” Biden said. “And if you notice, he has not gone full-bore” on Russia.

Biden also defended his decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, which are outlawed by many of America’s closest allies. He said it was a difficult decision, but with artillery supplies dwindling, it was a choice between supplying the weapons or leaving Ukraine defenseless.

IMRAN BEHIND ‘VILE’ DRIVE AGAINST PAK ARMY CHIEF, SAYS PM SHARIF

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday slammed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman and former PM Imran Khan for launching a “vile, sinister and malicious” social media campaign about an assassination attempt on army chief General Asim Munir.

Sharif, whose term in office ends next month, ordered the authorities to take legal action against those involved in such “malicious” campaigns both at home and abroad. He lashed out at Imran a day after hundreds of Pakistani-Americans had gathered outside the White House in Washington, demanding an end to state and government actions against the PTI chief and workers. He noted that similar minds were involved in the conspiracy of May 9, when PTI demonstrators attacked government and army’s facilities.

According to Sharif, Imran’s trick of using proxies to threaten the army chief by alleging an assassination attempt has been badly exposed.

“The former PM (Imran) was desperately working to coerce his way back into power after failure in a methodically planned attack on the state symbols,” The PTI chief, the PM said, fails to realise that “the time of his politics of intimidation, violence and hatred is over”.

THE REST

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BENGAL SEC ORDERS RE-ELECTION IN 690 BOOTHS AMID VIOLENCE

As sporadic protests and incidents of post-poll violence continued to plague West Bengal, the State Election Commission announced on Sunday that repolling will be held on July 10 in 696 booths where voting for the rural elections has been declared void.

In Saturday's violence scarred panchayat polls, people had cast their votes in 61,636 booths for 2.06 lakh candidates who were in the fray for elections to 73,887 seats in the three-tier panchayat system in the state.

The SEC, which held a meeting on Sunday evening, went through reports of vote-tampering and violence which affected polling in many places, and passed the order, an official said. At least 4 central police force personnel will be posted at each of these booths where re-polling has been ordered.

TEJASHWI MISSING FROM BIHAR POSTERS; RJD SAYS ‘NO POLITICS’

Massive preparations are underway to organise Malmas Mela in Rajgir in Nalanda, the home district of chief minister Nitish Kumar. But what has caught the attention of people is his deputy Tejashwi Prasad Yadav ‘missing’ from the posters and hoardings put up in large numbers by the state government to welcome the visitors.

The posters, banners and hoardings at several places in the town describe this mela— which is held every three years—as a unique confluence of religious faith and tourism, and carry bold photographs of Nitish only. The mela is to begin from July 18.

Tejashwi, however, is not seen in those posters and hoardings, dropping hints about the prevailing relations between RJD and Nitish’s JD(U). The development assumes significance in the light of the CBIchargesheet against Tejashwi in the land-for-railway-jobs scam. Last time in 2017, when his name had figured in another case, Nitish had asked him to explain his position in public before he broke alliance with RJD to form a new government with BJP. However, the scene appears to be a bit different this time. While Nitish himself has gone “silent” over the issue and has not spoken a word over it, his party and cabinet colleagues, such as JD(U) national president Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh and finance minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary have defended Tejashwi.

“Nothing should be read into this. In normal practice, the posters carry the photographs of only those leaders who are attending the functions,” state RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav said.

KHALISTAN RALLIES MSUTER HARDLY ANY SUPPORT

The Khalistan Freedom Rally held in several western cities on Saturday evoked an extremely tepid response, according to video recordings of the gatherings. Most rallies were peaceful, except in Toronto where a scuffle took place between an Indian-origin man and Khalistani supporters over desecration of the national flag.

In Canada’s Surrey, British Columbia, the gathering was of a maximum of 20 protesters and in Toronto, where the scuffle took place, the numbers were marginally higher. The Indian diaspora, which sought to counter-shout them, was similarly small. A banner was put up outside a temple in Brampton, threatening and targeting Indian diplomats in Canada.

The posters at the rallies in Canada were gory, many of them carrying the pictures and names of Indian diplomats allegedly involved in the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In San Francisco, the US, where the Indian consulate has been attacked twice, a Khalistan freedom rally got underway from Berkeley. A procession of vehicles, estimated at 15, reportedly crossed the Bay Bridge and gathered in front of the Indian consulate.

In Australia, there were again few protests in front of the Indian consulate in Melbourne. The group, however, held its peace after there was an attempt at provocation by an Indian-origin man.

A similar scenario unfolded in London. Not more than 30 Khalistanis gathered opposite the Indian High Commission and amid a strong police presence shouted slogans and made speeches for over two hours before leaving.

SC STAYS HC VERDICT ON OLD PENSION FOR CAPFs

The Supreme Court has stayed the Delhi High Court’s verdict that extended the benefit of the old pension scheme (OPS) under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel.

In a notice to the respondents (petitioner CAPF personnel before the HC), a Bench, led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, on July 5 asked them to respond to the Centre’s petition challenging the January 11 verdict of the HC by February next year.

“In the meantime, there will be stay of the operation of the impugned judgment to the extent it directs that the old pension scheme would be applicable to the paramilitary forces,” said the Bench, which also included Justice Bela M Trivedi.

PAU DEVELOPS NEW WHEAT VARIETY TO KEEP BLOOD SUGAR, OBESITY IN CHECK

From “quantity” to “quality” and from “food security” to “nutritional security” — this seems to be the new research focus of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).

The Ludhiana-based institution, which played a pivotal role during the Green Revolution to make India surplus in foodgrains by developing high-yielding strains, has bred a new wheat variety with high amylose starch content, known to reduce risks of type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Eating chapatis made from this wheat — called PBW RS1, with RS being short for resistant starch — won’t cause an immediate and rapid rise in glucose levels. The high amylose and resistant starch, instead, ensure that glucose is released more slowly into the bloodstream. Being slower to digest also increases a feeling of satiety; a person consuming 4 chapatis from normal wheat would now feel full after having just two.

DISCOUNTS ON RUSSIAN CRUDE SHRINK 87% TO $4 PER BARREL

The love affair with Russian oil appears to be losing its charm for Indian refiners as discounts have shrunk to a mere $4 per barrel from peaks of $25-30.

Russian crude now accounts for about 40% of India’s total oil imports, up from about 2% before the Ukraine conflict. Indian refiners began lapping up Russian crude when sellers started offering hefty discounts as Western buyers shunned those barrels with the US and the EU slapping sanctions on Russia, including its energy exports.

Indian refiners buy Russian oil on delivered basis, where the seller arranges shipping and insurance, to avoid falling foul of the sanctions. This aspect became more important after the G7 slapped a price cap of $60 for seaborne Russian energy exports, Russians have been charging $11-19 per barrel, or nearly double the normal, while invoicing the crude at $1-2 less than the price cap.

FPIS INVEST ₹22,000 CR IN 1 WEEK IN JULY

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) continue their liking for Indian equities with a net infusion of nearly Rs 22,000 crore in the first week of this month due to resilience of the domestic economy amid an uncertain global macro backdrop.

If this trend continues, investment by FPIs in July will exceed the figures recorded in May and June, which were Rs 43,838 crore and Rs 47,148 crore, respectively, V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said.

According to data from the depositories, FPIs have been continuously buying Indian equities since March and poured Rs 21,944 crore this month (till July 7).

Before March, overseas investors pulled out Rs 34,626 crore collectively in January and February.

ENGLAND WIN LEEDS TEST

A superb 75 from Harry Brook and some big hitting from tailender Mark Wood earned England a pulsating three-wicket victory in the third Ashes test on Sunday, dragging the hosts back into contention in the series in breathless fashion.

The omens were good for England as they looked to resurrect their Ashes campaign, given that the last five international Test matches at Headingley had all been won by the team fielding first, with three of those spectacular fourth-innings run chases.

Needing 224 more runs at the start of day four therefore seemed like a more than gettable total to secure the win to stop Australia retaining the Ashes with two matches to spare.

After Joe Root departed prior to lunch, followed by captain Ben Stokes early in the afternoon session, the writing appeared to be on the wall, but Brook's brave innings got England within touching distance.

Wood's 16 from eight balls and the steadying head of Chris Woakes saw the hosts home, sparking dramatic scenes of celebration in Leeds after a match where the pendulum swung hour by hour.

Each Test in this series has been gripping in its own right, with day four at Headingley no different. England are still up against it in their attempts to win the Ashes, with no side coming back to win the series after being 2-0 down since 1936-37.

Scores: Australia 263 & 224; England 237 & 254/7

DISAPPOINTED WITH ROHIT SHARMA’S CAPTAINCY: SUNIL GAVASKAR

When Rohit Sharma took over India’s captaincy last February, after a tumultuous end to Virat Kohli’s reign, the legendary Sunil Gavaskar was among those who expected much from him. Since then, India failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup final in Australia, lost the World Test Championship final, and did poorly in a Test series in South Africa.

The series of reverses has left Gavaskar disappointed with Rohit’s captaincy and he has also asked for more accountability for the coaching staff of Rahul Dravid, Vikram Rathour and Paras Mhambrey.

Speaking at The Indian Express Idea Exchange earlier this week, Gavaskar said, “I expected more from him (Rohit). In India it is different, but when you do well overseas that is really the test. That is where he has been a little disappointing. Even in the T20 format, with all the experience of the IPL, hundreds of matches as captain, with a mix of best IPL players not being able to get to the finals has been disappointing.”

The former Indian skipper also wanted to know if a proper review of India’s losses was done by the selectors and BCCI. Talking specifically about India’s World Test Championship loss to Australia last month, he said coach Dravid and captain Rohit should have been asked to explain the decisions they took.

“They should be asking questions, ‘Why did you field first?’ Okay, it was explained at the toss that it was overcast and all. The question after that should be, ‘You didn’t know about Travis Head’s weakness against the short ball?’ Why was the bouncer employed only when he had scored 80 runs. You know, the moment Head came in to bat, in the commentary box, we had Ricky Ponting saying, ‘Bounce him, bounce him.’ Everyone knew about it but we didn’t try.”

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are to some extent a gift. Good Character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece...by thought, choice, courage, and determination. - John Luther

OFF TRACK

An absent-minded husband thought he had conquered his problem of trying to remember his wife's birthday and their anniversary.

He opened an account with a florist, provided that florist with the dates and instructions to send flowers to his wife on these dates along with an appropriate note signed, "Your loving husband."

His wife was thrilled by this new display of attention and all went well until one day, when he came home, kissed his wife and said offhandedly, "Nice flowers, honey. Where'd you get them?"