New Delhi, Apr 2 : Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari is leaving on a three-day visit to Kuwait on Saturday.

Strengthening cooperation in the energy sector will be focus of his discussions with Kuwaiti leaders.

Ansari will hold talks with the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al Jaber Al Sabah on a wide range of issues. Welfare of Indian community in Kuwait and fostering greater encomic partnership will figure prominently in the talks.

New Delhi, Apr 2 : The Chief Justice of India K. G. Balakrishnan on Thursday announced to set up 60 new Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) courts across the country.

"A recent survey shows 9000 cases involving the CBI are pending in various courts. After keeping that on mind, 60 new CBI courts will be set up across the country," Balakrishnan said while delivering the 10th D. P. Kohli Memorial Lecture here.

The lecture was based on the "Criminal Justice System- Growing Responsibility in the face of Challenges in modern Society".

New Delhi, Apr 2 : In view of the upcoming general elections, the Election Commission on Thursday advised the Union Ministers to avoid press conferences.

"Now that the Model Code of Conduct is in force throughout India in view of the upcoming general elections, the Commission would like to advise that such press conferences should be avoided, as far as possible," the Commission said in a letter to the Cabinet Secretary.

New Delhi, Apr 2 : Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday assured an up-to-mark security for the politicians in the run up to the general elections.

Talking to reporters here today, Chidambaram said, "There is no need for any panic. There is no need for any alarm... We have deployed enough security forces in the run up to the elections. We have taken all measures that are required to ensure polling takes place peacefully."

New Delhi  - India's federal investigation bureau on Thursday cleared former federal minister Jagdish Tytler of allegations that he led the deadly 1984 anti-Sikh riots that followed the assassination of former premier Indira Gandhi, news reports said.

More than 3,000 Sikhs were killed by rioting mobs of Congress Party sympathizers and leaders after Gandhi was shot by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.