Cease Fire Deadline

• Kofi Annan 'shocked' by mounting violence in Syria

  Peace envoy Kofi Annan said today he was shocked by mounting violence in Syria ahead of a United Nations (UN) deadline for regime forces to cease fire, as Damascus said its troops will not withdraw from protest hubs without written guarantees.

• Bengal on edge, as ceasefire deadline for Maoists approaches

  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's deadline to Maoists to cease fire ends on Saturday. The West Bengal Chief Minister had said last week: ''I don't want trouble in Junglemahal. So I am giving you seven days.''