National

Mumbai, Oct 18 (IANS) Private equity (PE) activity in the country rose by 182 per cent to $7.22 billion worth of transactions, a report said on Tuesday.

Kolkata, Oct 17 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered an interim stay on the withdrawal of central armed police forces from Darjeeling hills in West Bengal.

New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) Delhi Police on Tuesday seized over 1,200 kg firecrackers and arrested 29 people for selling firecrackers illegally in the national capital.

New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) A 37-year-old man working as a cook at BJP MP Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar Singh has been arrested for stealing Rs 22 lakh from the politician's official residence in central Delhi, police said on Tuesday.

Kolkata, Oct 17 (IANS) Elaborate security has been put in place for Kali Puja and Diwali festivals in the city on October 19, when more than 3,500 community pujas are slated to be held, Kolkata Police said on Tuesday.

New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said organisations like Harijan Sevak Sangh are doing "yeoman service" and deserve a helping hand from philanthropists.

New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) Protesting against the apex court order banning firecrackers due to air pollution concerns around Diwali, 14 persons including three women were detained on Tuesday for bursting firecrackers in front of the Supreme Court here.

Bengaluru/New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) After the BJP asked the Congress to explain alleged links of party President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra with arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, the Congress on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can get "any investigation" done in the matter.

New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) The Election Commission on Tuesday launched a new application to be used by electoral officers for efficient management of the poll process.

Ghaziabad, Oct 17 (IANS) Former Uttar Pradesh MLA Amar Pal Sharma, wanted for the killing of a BJP leader, surrendered in a court here on Tuesday, police said.

New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) The Delhi High Court's disapproval of contempt proceedings by the state Assembly against the Chief Secretary was because it was misled into believing "fallacious contentions" in the case, the Deputy Speaker said on Tuesday.

New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) A two-day Asian regional consultation of international experts on reform of UN Human Rights treaty bodies has urged significant changes to the UN mechanisms to improve and monitor implementation by member countries.

Chandigarh, Oct 17 (IANS) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday that India wanted cordial and peaceful relations with Pakistan and "expected reciprocity" from Islamabad.

Bhubaneswar, Oct 17 (IANS) Ahead of Diwali, the Odisha government on Tuesday announced a hike in the monthly remuneration of agitating Anganwadi workers.

Chennai, Oct 17 (IANS) Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said that M.S. Subbulakshmi remained an unsurpassed phenomenon in Carnatic music and an epitome of grace, respected by one and all.