No third-party role in ties with Pak: India
Sharp reaction to US move to make China monitor
New Delhi, November 18
New Delhi today reacted sharply to the US attempt to give a monitoring role to China in South Asia, making it clear once again that there was no room for third-party mediation in resolving issues between India and Pakistan.

Nation page: Nothing evil in US-China statement: Congress
Editorial: A matter of concern

HK Dua nominated to Rajya Sabha
New Delhi, November 18
One of the senior-most journalists of the country and Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune group of newspapers, HK Dua, has been nominated by the President to the Rajya Sabha. HK Dua has served as editor for over 15 years in four leading national dailies. He has been the Editor of the Hindustan Times, Editor-in-Chief of The Indian Express and Editorial Advisor of The Times of India.
HK Dua, Editor-in-Chief, The Tribune group of newspapers

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US: Bring 26/11 attackers to justice
New Delhi, November 18
Impressing upon Pakistan the need to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure and bring to justice the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks, the United States today said expanding cooperation in counter-terrorism would be the cornerstone of the discussions between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the latter’s upcoming visit to Washington.

Rajnath defers retirement
New Delhi, November 18
BJP president Rajnath Singh has put off his plan of early retirement following a counsel from his confidants in the party and the Sangh, who reportedly told him that he should not disturb the balance in the organisation lest it should jeopardise the party’s prospects in the Jharkhand assembly elections scheduled to be completed in five phases on December 18.

Tougher air quality norms unveiled
New Delhi, November 18
India has revised its National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), discontinuing the old practice of different air quality standards for different land-use classes like residential and industrial areas. The country will now have uniform health-based NAAQS with uniform standards for all areas, whether residential or industrial.