London, January 27: A letter from a passenger to Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson, complaining about food served during a flight, is being e-mailed globally as the world's funniest complaint letter.

The mail, which also contains seven pictures of items served on board, says that the original writer would have paid over a thousand rupees for a single biscuit following the culinary journey of hell.

"I imagine the same questions are racing through your brilliant mind as were racing through mine on that fateful day. What is this? Why have I been given it? What have I done to deserve this? And, which one is the starter, which one is the desert?" the Telegraph quoted the mailer as writing, while referring to the seven pictures attached.

London, January 26: A survey of 10-year-old children suggests that a 10p pencil is as good as a much expensive Nintendo brain-trainer at stimulating the memory.

The study's finding dismisses the claim in Nintendo''s advertising campaign, featuring Nicole Kidman, that users can test and rejuvenate their grey cells.

"The Nintendo DS is a technological jewel. As a game it''s fine. But it is charlatanism to claim that it is a scientific test," Times Online quoted Alain Lieury, professor of cognitive psychology at the University of Rennes, Brittany, who conducted the survey, as saying.

Peshawar (NWFP, Pakistan), Jan. 26 : At least 278 families in the North West Frontier Province's (NWFP) Upper Dir district have refused to let their children be given anti-polio medicine, describing the drops as ''un-Islamic''.

They have accused the district and health authorities of spearheading a campaign to vaccinate children against the disease as a conspiracy.

London, Jan 24: Parents in the UK were shocked to learn that a primary school teacher who taught their kids was actually a sleazy porn star.

Primary school classroom assistant Helen Starrs, 37, is leading a secret life as X-rated internet `performer' Miss Wantsum?, who charges online punters 19.95 pounds a month to view her sex shows with both men and women.

"Everyone is in utter disbelief and, quite frankly, deep shock," The Sun quoted a source as saying.

Hong Kong  - A taxi driver and five men travelling home to their families in Hong Kong for the Chinese New Year holiday died Friday when their vehicle was crushed by a lorry.

The 41-year-old lorry driver, who was reportedly on the wrong side of the road, failed an alcohol breath test after the accident near Hong Kong's Lok Ma Chau border crossing with China at around 7:30 am.

Washington, January 23: Spitting cobras have an exceptional ability to maximize their chances of hitting the target by spraying venom into the eyes of potential attackers, according to a study.

Bruce Young, director of the Anatomical Laboratory in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, says that the name "spitting cobra" is a bit of a misnomer because these snakes do not actually "spit" venom.