News brief: Big stories of the day

JD(S)'s Kumaraswamy meets Karnataka Governor, stakes claim to form government

The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy met Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala Tuesday evening, and staked his claim to forming a government in the state. 

12 dead in Varanasi after under-construction flyover collapses, several feared trapped

Over 12 people died in Varanasi on Tuesday after a portion of an under-construction flyover collapsed in the city.

The authorities fear more deaths as several labourers working in the construction site are said to be trapped under the rubble.

PNB posts biggest ever quarterly loss of Rs 13,417 cr in Q4

Scam-hit Punjab National Bank (PNB) today posted the largest-ever quarterly loss of Rs 13,416.91 crore for January-March period, mainly on account of high provisioning for bad loans.

Afghanistan: Floods, heavy rains kill 34 people, damage 900 houses

Heavy rains and flooding have claimed lives of 34 people in Afghanistan, reports said on Tuesday.

The flash floods which are caused by heavy rains continuing from a week also caused serious damage to property as well.

Gazans bury dead after bloodiest day of Israel border protests

Palestinians rallied in Gaza on Tuesday for the funerals of scores of people killed by Israeli troops a day earlier, while on the Gaza-Israel border, Israeli forces took up positions to deal with the expected final day of a Palestinian protest campaign.