U.S. carries out 'heaviest' air strikes
Washington, Oct. 27. With the air strikes against Afghanistan entering the fourth week, the U.S. today stepped up its attacks, believed to be the heaviest since the start of the campaign.

We will protect minorities: Khaleda
Dhaka, Oct. 27. Mr. Brajesh Mishra, National Security Adviser and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, has completed his short but significant visit to Bangladesh, emphasising the need for ``more cooperation at all levels'' to strengthen bilateral relations.

Pak. for 'political strategy'
Islamabad, Oct. 27. The Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has reiterated the need for the United States to take greater care in bombing raids in Afghanistan to ensure minimum possible civilian casualties and talked about the need to switch to a `political strategy' to attain the goals of nabbing terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden and his associates and formation of a broad-based Government in Kabul.

PM calls all-party meet
New delhi, Oct. 27. The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, has called an all-party meeting on Tuesday to discuss the fast- changing situation in the region, especially in the context of the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan.

Flutter in Advani's residence
Security personnel at the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani's residence went into a tizzy tonight with the appearance of two persons, one of whom was posing as the Minister's son-in-law.

Uttaranchal CM to go
New Delhi, Oct. 27. The Uttaranchal Chief Minister, Mr. Nityanand Swami, was today given marching orders, clearing the decks for induction of a younger and dynamic leader with an eye on the coming Assembly elections in the State due early next year.

U.S. Supreme Court closed
Washington, Oct. 27. The U.S. Supreme Court building was ordered shut down for anthrax testing, the latest symbol of American majesty and might to fall victim to a bioterrorism threat that sent fresh shudders through the nation's 227-year-old mail service.

Anthrax threat to Krishna
Bangalore, Oct. 27. There was an ``anthrax scare'' in the Vidhana Soudha here today when it was found that a postal envelope addressed to the Chief Minister, Mr. S.M.Krishna, contained white powder and a threatening letter.

RDX-laden truck seized
Ahmedabad, Oct. 27. A truck laden with RDX and firearms was intercepted at Varaahi in north Gujarat's Patan district on Friday night by CBI sleuths. The quantity of the explosives and firearms seized from the truck was still not known.