4 Pak nationals detained
New Delhi, November 28
The Israeli security agencies have detained four Pakistani nationals who are alleged to have links with Al-Qaida network of Osama bin Laden, well-placed sources disclosed here today.

Nepal army kills 13 Maoists
Kathmandu, November 28
At least 13 Maoists were killed and five others arrested by Nepal’s army two days after the declaration of a state of emergency in the Himalayan kingdom, the Nepalese Defence Ministry said today.

• PM assures King of help

POTO: unanimity eludes Vajpayee
New Delhi, November 28
Seeking the support of all NDA partners for the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) is turning out to be delicate and uphill task for Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and his senior ministerial colleagues.

BJP gears up to face book row
New Delhi, November 28
In a determined bid to convert the issue of the deletion of certain portions from the school books of history into an election issue, the BJP is holding its Parliamentary Party meeting on December 5 to plan a countrywide strategy.

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

• Cong pack quits to secure Shastri’s exit 
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Relaxations in house tax
Chandigarh, November 28
The Haryana Government today announced certain relaxations in its controversial house tax policy. According to an official release, the state’s “first ever objective policy on house tax” gave a substantial package of concessions to all categories of urban property owners.

Punjab to scrap octroi from Dec 1 Chandigarh, November 28 The Punjab Council of Ministers today decided to abolish octroi in the state from December 1 next. The Minister of Local Government, Mr Balramji Das Tandon, told TNS that octroi would continue on two items: electricity consumption in cities and additional excise duty on liquor.