New Delhi - The Indian government Thursday launched its biggest ever auction of oil exploration blocks even as global energy producers are cutting investments due to the economic slowdown.

The government was offering 70 areas for exploration of oil and natural gas, RS Pandey, the secretary of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, said at a press briefing in the Indian capital.

The areas include 24 deep-water blocks and 28 shallow-water blocks off India's western and eastern shores and 18 land blocks.

New Delhi, Apr 9 : Former Union Minister Jagdish Tytler, who will appear in the Kakardooma Court today in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, said that he will give his reaction on the issue after the court takes notice of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) report.

Tytler, who had recently been given a clean chit by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), said on Thursday, "I will react only after the court''s judgement."

New Delhi, Apr 9 : The Kakardooma Court will today decide the fate of former Union Minister Jagdish Tytler in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

The court may decide on accepting the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) closure report against Tytler and ordering the quashing of charges against him or order fresh investigation into the case.

On April 2, Tytler was given a clean chit by the CBI in the case. De-sealing its final investigation report in a court, the CBI recommended quashing of FIR against Tytler.

New Delhi, Apr. 8 : US President Barack Obama's special envoy Richard Holbrooke has sought Indian involvement and views to support Washington''s new regional strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"We never really had sufficient talks with India about regional and global strategic issues and that was the missing factor. That''s why Admiral Mullen and I have come here to accelerate today. We can't solve issue like Afghanistan and many other issues without India''s full involvement and thereon expressions of views," Holbrooke told reporters in New Delhi.

New Delhi, Apr. 8 : Vice President Hamid Ansari has left for New Delhi after his three-day Kuwait visit during which India and Kuwait decided to take their economic and political ties to a higher level.

Ansari, who became the first top Indian leader to visit Kuwait in last 28 years, sought investment in the energy and infrastructure sectors from Kuwait and other Gulf Cooperation Council members.

On Tuesday, India and Kuwait signed three agreements for cooperation in science and technology, culture and information and education and learning.

After a long wait, Mahindra Retail, the part of diversified US$6.7 billion Mahindra Group, has finally rolled out its flagship store of Mom & Me in South Delhi.

The newly introduced flagship store of Mom & Me, spread over 10000 sq ft, is a one stop store specializing in the sale of a wide range of high quality products and value added services for 'Mother & Child'.