Pak to buy 70 F-16s
US team to finalise $ 3-billion deal
Islamabad, March 28
Pakistan plans to buy from the USA about 70 F-16s of the latest variety costing $3 billion. A team of US defence experts is expected to be in Islamabad shortly to discuss the modalities of the sale of the fighter aircraft.

F-16s to Pakistan to hit peace process: Pranab
Kolkata, March 28
Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee has accused the Bush administration of disturbing the on-going peace process between India and Pakistan. India would want the peace process to continue for the larger interest of both countries.

Nation page: India to discuss F-16 offer with US

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Sports page: Inept batting display costs India series We were a bit too defensive, says Ganguly Pakistan players celebrate their victory over India in the third and final Test match in Bangalore on Monday. — PTI

Powerful quake rocks Sumatra
Jakarta, March 28
A massive 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra tonight, close to where a quake triggered a tsunami that left nearly 3,00,000 persons dead or missing across Asia, residents and officials said.

Nation page: President confers Padma awards Film actor Shah Rukh Khan is presented the Padma Shri by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at an investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday. — Tribune photo by Mukesh Aggarwal

CPI may review support to UPA government
19th party congress opens today 
Chandigarh, March 28
The Communist Party of India will take several crucial decisions, including review of its support to the UPA government at the Centre, and the strategy and tactics it should follow for the next three years at the 19th party Congress beginning here tomorrow.
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Cong unhappy over NCP support to Joshi
New Delhi, March 28
The Congress finds itself in a delicate position with NCP strongman and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar inclined to back the candidature of former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi for the Rajya Sabha following the resignation of Sanjay Nirupam from the Upper House of Parliament.

General exhorts corporate houses to help war widows
New Delhi, March 28
The Chief of Army Staff, Gen J.J. Singh, today exhorted captains of the Indian industry to come forward and look after interests of wounded soldiers and war widows. He was speaking at a function organised by the War Wounded Foundation of India.