News brief: Big stories of the day

News brief: Big stories of the day

Mamata Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee a 'speed breaker' in Bengal's development: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Wednesday that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had to go for the betterment of the state. He said she was a "speed breaker" in the state's development.

Modi was speaking at an election rally in Siliguri in West Bengal.

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"'Didi' (Mamata Banerjee) is a speed breaker in the path of West Bengal's development," Modi said.


Sensex snaps 4-day winning streak, drops 180 points

Breaking its four-day rising streak, the BSE Sensex dropped about 180 points Wednesday on profit booking and forecast of below-normal monsoon this year.

Despite a strong rally in global equities, Indian market failed to sustain at lifetime highs led by losses in oil and gas, telecom, metal and healthcare stocks.

After swinging nearly 450 points, the 30-share Sensex settled 179.53 points, or 0.46 per cent lower at 38,877.12.


Former Pakistani IB chief, who reportedly helped Osama bin Laden, sworn in as minister

Despite objections from the Opposition, Pakistan's former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Ijaz Shah, who reportedly helped Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, was sworn in as Minister for Parliamentary Affairs on Tuesday by President Arif Alvi here.


This is the photograph Sonia Gandhi wanted on Congress manifesto cover

Sonia Gandhi, after going through the Congress manifesto, suggested that the photograph published on page nine could have been used as the cover picture. The photograph showed Congress president Rahul Gandhi sitting with a group of rural women wearing ghoonghats (veils).


Malaysia Open: Saina Nehwal knocked out in first round after losing to Thailand's Chochuwong

Saina Nehwal Wednesday registered a major upset as she lost to Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong 22-20, 15-21, 10-21 in the first round of the Malaysian Open.