Tamil interests safe: Lanka
Killing of fishermen unacceptable: Manmohan
New Delhi, October 18
With political climate in Tamil Nadu deteriorating due to the military action in the island nation, Prime Minister today firmly asked President Mahinda Rajapaksa to instruct the Sri Lankan Navy to desist from firing on Indian fishermen, emphasising that the safety and the security of civilians must be safeguarded at all costs.

PM assures just and fair treatment
to minorities
New Delhi, October 18
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to make a statement in Parliament, possibly next week on terrorism which would aim at reassuring the minorities that the UPA government would be fair and just on all issues pertaining to minorities, including the recent incidents of terror attacks.

Progress in N-cooperation with China,
says Pak
The US may not be interested in extending civilian nuclear cooperation to Pakistan, but Beijing certainly is. Islamabad on Saturday said progress had been made in civilian- nuclear cooperation with China to go ahead with Chashma-III and Chashma-IV nuclear plants to generate additional 680MW electricity and meet the country’s growing power demand.

The Tribune Dehradun, here we come! We are happy to announce that The Tribune, one of the most independent newspapers of the country, is launching another edition: This time from the celebrated city of Dehradun. The Dehradun Edition, to be launched on Monday, will meet the long-felt need of the readers of the city and the region around. — H K Dua Editor-in-Chief

Maya gives back land for rail factory
Lucknow, October 18
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, reversing her government's earlier decision, today decided to hand over 189.25 hectares in Rae Bareli for the Rail Coach Factory. A decision to this effect was taken by the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mayawati and announced at a press conference at the CM's secretariat later in the evening.

After Dada’s sweet 16, bowlers push Aussies back Retiring stalwart Sourav Ganguly notched up his 16th Test century while stand-in skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni missed the mark by a whisker before their bowling colleagues landed late blows on Australia to put India in the box seat on day two of the second cricket Test in Mohali on Saturday. (Details on Sports page)
	Sourav Ganguly on way to his century on the second day of the second Test between India and Australia in Mohali on Saturday. — Tribune photo by Vinay Malik

Premature retirement in Army not an easy affair now
New Delhi, October 18
Faced with requests for premature retirement from its officers, the Army headquarters, in a confidential move has now decided to be more stringent in agreeing to such requests. With this, the forces hope to tide over the shortage of officers. On other hand, it will make it tougher for those who want to opt out of the forces and use their experience in other fields.