A new study has revealed that pycnogenol, a bark extract from the French maritime pine tree, lessens jet lag in passengers by about 50%.

The two-part study involving a brain CT scan and a scoring system, showed that Pycnogenol lowered symptoms of jet lag such as fatigue, headaches, insomnia and brain edema (swelling) in both healthy individuals and hypertensive patients.

Punjab Government has refused to allow former Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) chief A P Pandey available for a Central posting. Union Government has sent a letter to Punjab in this regard. But the state govt. is not replying to that one.

"We wrote to the state Govt.on September 11, asking if 1974-batch IPS officer AP Pandey, who stands empanelled as Director-General, could be made available for Central deputation. The letter categorically said the Government's response should reach us by September 16. However, we have still not received any reply," said a senior officer in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

A serving army officer Lieutenant Colonel Srikant Purohit was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in connection with the September 29 Malegaon blast.

The Union Government has decided to send a Ministerial committee (GoM) to riot-hit Kandhamal of Orissa to take stock of the situation within a fort night.

Central Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar will head the team. Other members of the team are Social Justice Minister Meira Kumar, Tribal Affairs Minister P R Kyndiah and Transport Minister T R Baalu.

The team, during its visit, would inspect the relief camps and would also discuss the situation with the state Government.

According to sources, the Ministerial team is likely to apprise the Centre of its observation before the beginning of Parliament session. The session is scheduled to begin on 10 December.

The Catholic nun, raped during Kandhamal communal violence, has finally agreed to co-operate Orissa police for test identification parade.

But she has demanded for a change in the venue for parade.

"She is under treatment and therefore cannot travel such a long distance," Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Archbishop Raphael Cheenath said on Wednesday.

"She had undergone a traumatic experience at Kandhamal, therefore she would not like to go there again to identify the culprits," added Chennath.

The catholic nun was allegedly raped during Orissa Bandh on 25 August at Knuagaon.

Violence returned to Kandhamal district of Orissa, after a month with the killing of a Hindu leader by unknown gun men.

Dhanurjay Pradhani of village Kumbharigaon under Brahmanigaon police limits was shot dead by three un-identified armed extremists at a construction site near the village school on Wednesday afternoon.

Pradhani was an activist of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and said to be influential in the locality.

'We suspect Maoist hand in the killing,' Arun Sarangi, deputy inspector general of police, told.

But the locals have blamed Christians for the murder.

SP Praveen Kumar with one company of CRPF personnel has rushed to the spot.