BEST strike continues

Shiv Sena’s BEST union, which boasts of a membership of 11,000 out of the 35,000-strong workforce of the transport utility, had withdrawn support to the strike on the second day. Its leaders had said 500 buses would be back on the roads. However, the claim fell flat, with the workers continuing the strike. This was a a clear indication that the party-affiliated union had little support among the workers, 99% of whom are Marathi.

De Gea’s saves help United beat Tottenham in Premier League

Manchester United's Paul Pogba plays a high ball as Tottenham's Moussa Sissoko, right, runs to block the pass during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Wembley stadium in London, England   | Photo Credit: AP

David de Gea's goalkeeping performance protected a 1-0 victory in the Premier League on Sunday after Marcus Rashford’s first-half strike, giving Manchester United a sixth successive victory in all competitions since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho. Paul Pogba sent a long, high diagonal pass to Rashford who controlled the ball with one touch and then sent it low beyond goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. - AP

Chennai celebrates Bhogi

Old clothes, pieces of wood, gunny sacks, broom sticks, mats etc being burnt in a Bhogi bonfire   | Photo Credit: M. Karunakaran

Chennai was was covered in a thick blanket of smog as residents in many areas burnt garbage, old mats and clothes to “celebrate” Bhogi, the first day of Pongal. Smoke from these fires mixed with the fog and the lack of winds let the smog remain in the ambient air till as late as 9.30 a.m. Many residents suffered from breathing difficulties.