The United Nations help the rural communities in western and southern Nepal suffering from serious food insecurity caused by increasing food and fuel prices, the effects of long-term conflict and the destruction of food stocks and crops by the recent floods. Around 1.5 million populations in the remote areas also require urgent help, the U.N. said in a statement late on Wednesday. The United Nations Central Emergency Response fund (CERF) has allocated NPR 247 million (US $3 million) to help them.

Prominent OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal was on Friday named as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra by the Sharad Pawar-led NCP.

Bhujbal, besides taking charge of Deputy CM’s post will have an additional responsibility of Home Ministry.

"Our state legislature party has decided that Chhagan Bhujbal will be the leader," NCP supremo Sarad Pawar said.

Bhujbal succeeds RR Patil, who had quit owning moral responsibility for the Mumbai terror attacks.

Researchers have found a new drug, which could ease jet lag and reset the body's natural sleep rhythms. According to Shantha Rajaratnam from Monash University's School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, the drug testimelteon works on melatonin receptor in the brain and helped troubled sleepers nod off quicker and stay asleep for longer.  

According to an Italian research, obesity among children may damage their thyroid as it creates a vicious cycle of metabolism and overweight. Researchers conducted the study on 186 obese children who were overweight. They tested their thyroid hormone levels, thyroid antibodies and imaging the thyroid gland by using ultrasound for about three years. These tests suggested that their weight might be linked to structural changes in the thyroid.

The fourth phase of polling for J&K assembly will be held on Dec 7, Sunday.

As many as 12 constituencies located in north Kashmir’s Baramulla and central Badgam districts will go to the polls on that day.

There are 902,951 eligible voters including 518,964 voters of Baramulla district and Badgam has 383,987.

The fate of as many as 13 senior politicians and former ministers will be decided on Sunday. In all, 176 candidates are in the fray in seven constituencies of Baramulla and five of Badgam.

Ace Bollywood beauty Katrina Kaif has been selected as the cover girl for December 2008 issue of the Vogue Magazine.

Moreover, Britain-born actress also gives a special interview for her gossip hungry lovers, and discusses about how she managed to balance her professional as well as personal life.

For all those who are Bollywood challenged, Katz is currently dating Bollywood biggie, Salman Khan.

Both of them share an excellent rapport because they have worked together in a number of movies.