'Ups and downs' in Bonn talks
Koenigswinter (Germany), Nov. 28. Mr. Frencesc Vendrell, United Nations Deputy Special Envoy on Afghanistan, today tempered initial optimism over the talks in Bonn to find a political solution for Afghanistan saying: ``It's early days yet. I don't want to speculate on the length of these talks. The atmosphere has been very good so far but it does not mean that it will necessarily remain very good. There will be ups and downs... A full agreement may not be possible.''

Sehwag in 14-member squad
Jaipur, Nov 28. The National selection committee made some sweeping changes to give the seam attack a new look as it picked the side for the first Test against England at Mohali.

Opposition firm: no questions to Fernandes
New Delhi, Nov. 28. The Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr. G.M.C. Balayogi, has decided to consult party leaders tomorrow to resolve the issue related to the censure motion against the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, even as a determined Opposition continued to embarrass the Minister, refusing to put any questions to him.

SC deadline to States on BPL families
New Delhi, Nov. 28. The Supreme Court today directed all the States and Union Territories (UTs) to identify by January 1 next, families living below the poverty line (BPL) as well as the beneficiaries under the various Centrally-sponsored schemes for giving them relief.

16 Pak. soldiers killed, 17 bunkers destroyed
Srinagar, Nov. 28. At least 16 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 17 bunkers destroyed when Indian troops retaliated to ``heavy and unprovoked'' firing from across the border in the Poonch sector last night.

Islamabad denies report
Islamabad, Nov. 28. Pakistan today dubbed as ``total lies'' the claim made by the Indian forces that their soldiers were killed and bunkers destroyed in retaliatory firing and shelling in the Poonch sector.

Opposition demands statement on U.S. 'breach of regulations'
New Delhi, Nov. 28. The Lok Sabha today witnessed uproarious scenes during zero hour over the violation of Indian air space in Chennai by a reconnaissance helicopter of the U.S. Navy on Monday. Angry Opposition members charged the Government with turning a ``blind eye'' to the country's security and staged a walkout.

All Delhi Ministers quit
New Delhi, Nov. 28. In a sudden development, all the six ministers in Sheila Dikshit-led Delhi Government submitted their resignations to the Chief Minister today to enable her revamp the ministry.

LS passes education bill
New Delhi, Nov. 28. The Lok Sabha tonight unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill to make education for children in the age group of 6-14 years a fundamental right.

ICC deadline rejected
Jaipur, Nov. 28. Continuing its defiance of the International Cricket Council, India today included batsman Virender Sehwag in the 14-member squad for the first test against England starting on December 3 at Mohali raising a question mark over the three- match series.

Maoists killed
Kathmandu, Nov. 28. Maoist rebels today attacked military barracks and clashed with security forces as the army stepped up operations against the guerrillas killing over 60 of them, official sources said here.