New Delhi - India's benchmark Sensex index rose 3.67 per cent Friday, its biggest rise in the past four weeks, as traders bought up stocks after the country's inflation rate declined.

New Delhi  - At least six policemen were killed Friday in a landmine blast triggered by suspected Maoist rebels in the central Indian state Chhattisgarh, a news report said.

The incident occurred on a state highway in the southern Narayanpur district when a team from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was conducting an operation against the Maoists.

CRPF spokesman Ajay Chaturvedi told the PTI news agency the vehicle carrying the CRPF team was destroyed in the explosion and most of the policemen died on the scene.

New Delhi, Aug 29 : The Union Cabinet on Friday approved the introduction of a new Companies Bill in Parliament to incorporate far-reaching changes, including scrapping the minimum paid-up capital requirement and setting up special courts to try offences.

The new bill, which is to replace the existing Companies Act, 1956, would be introduced in the coming session of the Parliament in October.

The Companies Bill 2008 mandates 33 per cent independent directors on the board of a company, which will have to follow SEBI norms if it gets listed.

New Delhi  - India on Friday carried out one of the biggest evacuation operations in its history, rescuing nearly 1 million people marooned in the flood-hit eastern state of Bihar, officials said.

The floods came when heavy monsoon rains caused the Kosi River to breach its banks as it entered the state from Nepal in the north and change its course. At least 57 people have died in the floods.

More than 3.5 million people have been displaced by the floods, nearly 2 million of them in the five worst-affected districts of Madhepura, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria and Katihar.

New Delhi, Aug. 29 : The Monsoon has traditionally been a lean season for tourism in India and now it’s time to change this perception. This was the overriding thought at the National Seminar on Monsoon Tourism, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), here today.

Leena Nandan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, said that the ministry is working with States to develop promotional packages for monsoon season, and added that these packages will be announced soon.

New Delhi, Aug 29 : The Central Government on Friday favoured a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the violent incidents that claimed at least ten lives in the communally sensitive Khandhmal District of Orissa following the killing of a VHP leader and four others.

Expressing serious concern over the communal violence in Orissa, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said: "We would have liked ideally that this matter be handed over to the CBI because those responsible should get justice immediately as judicial probe takes longer time,"