Cairo  - Israel's new government will continue negotiations with the Palestinian government and believes that reaching a peace agreement before the end the year is possible, Israeli President Shimon Peres said on Thursday.

"We hope to see an independent Palestinian state to live side by side with Israel in peace and security," said Peres in a press conference during an Israeli-Egyptian summit in the Egyptian Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Peres said the chances of reaching a peace agreement with the Palestinian government were high, without giving specifics.

Bharatpur (Rajasthan), Oct. 23 : At least 22 persons including 12 children died and 35 injured in a tragic explosion that ripped through an illegal fireworks factory at Deeg in Bharatpur region of Rajasthan today.

The explosion took place in a house of a firecracker maker in the Deeg town. The blast caused a major fire, which engulfed a few houses in the neighborhood.

Meanwhile, 10 people allegedly involved in illegal manufacturing of firecrackers were arrested after the explosion at Deeg. The explosion affected six other houses which collapsed due to the impact of blast.

Jaipur, Oct. 23 : There has been a low turn out of visitors to the Jaipur city this time round. And, one of the most affected have been the jumbos whose owners are finding it tough to care for them in this difficult time.

One month into the tourist season has passed but one can find many jumbos standing idle in queue at Hathi stand in Amer village of Jaipur to carry them to historical Amer Fort. The village has about 100 elephants.

It takes about a thousand rupees a day to feed an animal whereas the daily earnings around rupees 300-400.

New Delhi, Oct 23 : Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Prithviraj Chavan on Thursday said that the rate of conviction in cases investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been consistently above 65 per cent.

Chavan in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha said CBI enjoys the thrust and confidence of public, judiciary and the Government and has been playing pivotal role in investigation of important cases.

The Constitutional Courts have in the last three years entrusted 512 cases for investigation, he added.

Chennai, Oct 23 : The activists of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) or Dalit Panthers Party in Chennai on Thursday blocked trains protesting against killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Activists of VCK, an ally of Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK), raised slogans and said that they want to extend their support to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and other leaders against the alleged atrocities on Tamils in Sri Lanka.

"The protest has been held against the Central Government to take action in the Sri Lankan issue and so we blocked trains today. If our demands are not met by October

New Delhi, Oct 23 : BJP''s prime ministerial candidate and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, LK Advani, has initiated Track-II diplomacy with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajpaksa to save the lives of ethnic Tamils living in the island country.

Advani wants Tamils to be safe in Sri Lanka and also wants Rajpaksa to be pragmatic and fully understand Indian concerns over the issue, politicsparty. com reported.