40 feared dead as bus falls into Bhakra canal near Sirhind
Mishap took place near floating restaurant in wee hours
Three bodies taken out
Sirhind, July 31
Forty passengers were feared killed after an Amritsar-bound Punjab Roadways bus fell off a bridge into the Bhakra canal on the Rajpura-Ludhiana national highway this morning. The accident took place near the floating restaurant in the Sirhind area. The bodies of three victims were taken out by private divers, while the district administration has launched an operation to locate bodies of other victims.

The ill-fated Punjab Roadways bus that fell into the main Bhakra canal near Sondh head, being retrieved on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Hisar, Karnal to have domestic airports
Chandigarh, July 31
Politics in Haryana is getting more competitive as parliamentary polls and the 2014 General Election get closer. After hectic lobbying that lasted months, the Centre has cleared two domestic airports at Karnal and Hisar.

PM reviews rehabilitation work in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand
New Delhi, July 31
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his select cabinet colleagues today reviewed the reconstruction and rehabilitation work being undertaken in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand.

Cash at judge’s door
Framing of charges against Yadav 
on Aug 12
Chandigarh, July 31
The CBI court today ordered framing of charges against all accused, including Justice Nirmal Yadav (retd), in the cash-at-judge’s door case. CBI Judge Vimal Kumar fixed August 12 for framing of charges and directed Yadav along with the other accused to be present in court.

Cong feels Telangana heat as NCP, others renew statehood demands
New Delhi, July 31
The Congress today began to feel the Telangana heat with demands for separate statehood pouring in from allies and others alike and both bouquets and brickbats coming its way from the political circles. The party described its decision to form Telengana state as historical and stuck to its stand saying agitations could not become the basis for the formation of new states.

PC hints at steps to arrest Rs decline, boost FDI flows
New Delhi, July 31
In an effort to boost foreign inflows and check the fall of the rupee, the government is looking at several measures like curbing imports of non-essential consumer items, FDI liberalisation, allowing PSUs to raise funds abroad and tapping NRIs for long-term funds.
(Details on Nation page)

Hate Crime
Gurdwara vandalised in California
Word ‘terrorist’ scrawled on its wall
Los Angeles, July 31 
A gurdwara in California has been vandalised and the word “terrorist” scrawled on its walls in an apparent hate crime, days ahead of the first anniversary of the Oak Creek Gurdwara shooting in Wisconsin.
(Details on World page)

Three convicted of attack on Lt Gen Brar London, July 31 Three persons, including a woman, were today convicted of slashing the throat of Lt Gen Kuldip Singh Brar (retd), the hero of the 1984 Operation Bluestar, here last year. Brar, 78, was attacked as he walked with his wife Meena, in Old Quebec Street, central London, on September 30, 2012.