Nine Malaysians who were detained in Pyongyang returned home on Friday, following an agreement between the two countries to end the diplomatic conflict sparked by the death of North Korean leader's half-brother Kim Jong-nam.

Three employees of the Malaysian embassy in Pyongyang and six relatives, arrived at the Kuala Lumpur airport early morning 24 days after being banned from leaving the country, Efe news reported.

The diplomatic dispute was resolved after the Malaysian government authorised the return of Kim Jong-nam's body to Pyongyang and allowed the North Koreans in Malaysia to leave the country.

The Counsellor of the Malaysian Embassy in North Korea Mohd Nor Azrin Md Zain said that after the ban on leaving the country was implemented, the nine Malaysians had to rely on aid, including food, provided by other embassies in Pyongyang and had to continue with their usual tasks.

"We were not harassed by the North Korean authorities, they told us that life would continue as normal," the Counsellor told The Star daily.

"But the fact we weren't allowed to travel home was concerning," he added.

North Korea banned the departure of Malaysians in response to the expulsion of its ambassador in Kuala Lumpur, after he criticised the investigation into the death of Kim Jong-nam and accused Malaysia of conspiring with Pyongyang's enemies.

Malaysia responded with the cancellation of its visa-waiver programme with North Korea and the ban on the departure of the North Koreans in the country, exacerbating the escalation of tensions between the two.

Kim Jong-nam died in February after being attacked at the Kuala Lumpur airport by two women, an Indonesian and a Vietnamese, who sprayed his face with a toxic VX nerve agent, deemed by the UN as a weapon of mass destruction.

The movement of commuters and goods in Kerala was hit on Friday as a 24-hour strike called on by the Coordination Committee of Motor Transport Vehicles' Organisation began at midnight.

The strike has been called to protest against what is termed the indiscriminate hike of insurance premium and other fees, besides the decision by the Regional Transport Authority to insist on fixing speed governors and the strict rules that are in force for transporting sand, limestone and other construction material.

Auto rickshaws, taxis, lorries, private buses and other forms of public transport are also off the road.

However, the state-owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses are operating at most places.

In Kerala, except for the Bharatiya Janata Party's trade union Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, all the other trade unions are participating in the strike.

The movement of commuters and goods in Kerala was hit on Friday as a 24-hour strike called on by the Coordination Committee of Motor Transport Vehicles' Organisation began at midnight.

The strike has been called to protest against what is termed the indiscriminate hike of insurance premium and other fees, besides the decision by the Regional Transport Authority to insist on fixing speed governors and the strict rules that are in force for transporting sand, limestone and other construction material.

Auto rickshaws, taxis, lorries, private buses and other forms of public transport are also off the road.

However, the state-owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses are operating at most places.

In Kerala, except for the Bharatiya Janata Party's trade union Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, all the other trade unions are participating in the strike.

Actor-TV host Rannvijay Singha, who has mostly been a part of reality TV shows, says he wants to explore the world of fiction on the small screen.

Asked why he doesn't do fiction much, Rannvijay told here: "I only do things that I love or enjoy doing. I did a season of a fiction show called 'Pukaar'…24 episodes and it took eight-nine months and I have 10 films out of which three are Punjabi and the rest are Hindi." 

Rannvijay, who is currently seen as a gang leader on the youth-based reality show Roadies Rising on MTV, added: "It's not like I don't want to do fiction…I want to do fiction, but only when I want to do something…It's not a need for me. I have my own thing." 

He is currently seen as a part of the shows Squadrann and Rannvijay Rann. He is also hosting Splitsvilla. 

Actor-TV host Rannvijay Singha, who has mostly been a part of reality TV shows, says he wants to explore the world of fiction on the small screen.

Asked why he doesn't do fiction much, Rannvijay told here: "I only do things that I love or enjoy doing. I did a season of a fiction show called 'Pukaar'…24 episodes and it took eight-nine months and I have 10 films out of which three are Punjabi and the rest are Hindi." 

Rannvijay, who is currently seen as a gang leader on the youth-based reality show Roadies Rising on MTV, added: "It's not like I don't want to do fiction…I want to do fiction, but only when I want to do something…It's not a need for me. I have my own thing." 

He is currently seen as a part of the shows Squadrann and Rannvijay Rann. He is also hosting Splitsvilla. 

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday appreciated the efforts of Indian envoy in South Sudan, Srikumar Menon, in the release of two Indian engineers abducted there by rebels earlier in March.

"I am happy to inform about the release of two Indian nationals Midhun and Edward who were abducted in South Sudan. I appreciate the efforts of Indian Ambassador in South Sudan…," the minister tweeted. 

The two men, Midhun Ganesh, 25, and A. Edward, 40, were abducted by the Sudan People's Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) on March 8 when they were on field work.

They are employed in the Operations and Maintenance Department of Dar Petroleum Production Company, South Sudan and belong to Tamil Nadu.

News of the release was tweeted on Thursday night by Ajay Raja, Production Operator at the company, who thanked the Minister for the release.

On March 9, Raja had appealed to Sushma Swaraj for her intervention following the abduction.

"Our 2 Indians kidnapped by criminals @SouthSudan while in field work since March 8, 17… Help mam."

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday appreciated the efforts of Indian envoy in South Sudan, Srikumar Menon, in the release of two Indian engineers abducted there by rebels earlier in March.

"I am happy to inform about the release of two Indian nationals Midhun and Edward who were abducted in South Sudan. I appreciate the efforts of Indian Ambassador in South Sudan…," the minister tweeted. 

The two men, Midhun Ganesh, 25, and A. Edward, 40, were abducted by the Sudan People's Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) on March 8 when they were on field work.

They are employed in the Operations and Maintenance Department of Dar Petroleum Production Company, South Sudan and belong to Tamil Nadu.

News of the release was tweeted on Thursday night by Ajay Raja, Production Operator at the company, who thanked the Minister for the release.

On March 9, Raja had appealed to Sushma Swaraj for her intervention following the abduction.

"Our 2 Indians kidnapped by criminals @SouthSudan while in field work since March 8, 17… Help mam."

Suffering from common cold? Take larger doses of Vitamin C, which may significantly help in reducing the duration of the viral infection, a study shows.

The findings showed that people who consumed six-eight grams of Vitamin C per day during their cold helped them reduce its duration. 

Vitamin C administration does not decrease the average incidence of colds in the general population, yet it halved the number of colds in physically active people, the researchers said. 

"Given the consistent effect of Vitamin C on the duration of colds, and its safety and low cost, it would be worthwhile for individual common cold patients to test whether therapeutic eight gram per day Vitamin C is beneficial for them," said Harri Hemila from the University of Helsinki, Finland.

"Self-dosing of Vitamin C must be started as soon as possible after the onset of common cold symptoms to be most effective." Hemila added, in the paper published in the journal Nutrients.

Vitamin C is also rich in food such as bell peppers, dark leafy greens, kiwi fruit, broccoli, berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, peas, and papayas.

Various animal studies have found that Vitamin C significantly prevents and alleviates infections caused by diverse bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. 

However, the practical importance of Vitamin C in human infections was not yet known.

For the study, the team analysed two randomised trials which investigated the effects of two Vitamin C doses on the duration of the common cold.

The results showed that people who had six gram per day dose of Vitamin C shortened the duration of cold by 17 per cent, while the eight gram per day dose shortened the duration of cold by 19 per cent.

Suffering from common cold? Take larger doses of Vitamin C, which may significantly help in reducing the duration of the viral infection, a study shows.

The findings showed that people who consumed six-eight grams of Vitamin C per day during their cold helped them reduce its duration. 

Vitamin C administration does not decrease the average incidence of colds in the general population, yet it halved the number of colds in physically active people, the researchers said. 

"Given the consistent effect of Vitamin C on the duration of colds, and its safety and low cost, it would be worthwhile for individual common cold patients to test whether therapeutic eight gram per day Vitamin C is beneficial for them," said Harri Hemila from the University of Helsinki, Finland.

"Self-dosing of Vitamin C must be started as soon as possible after the onset of common cold symptoms to be most effective." Hemila added, in the paper published in the journal Nutrients.

Vitamin C is also rich in food such as bell peppers, dark leafy greens, kiwi fruit, broccoli, berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, peas, and papayas.

Various animal studies have found that Vitamin C significantly prevents and alleviates infections caused by diverse bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. 

However, the practical importance of Vitamin C in human infections was not yet known.

For the study, the team analysed two randomised trials which investigated the effects of two Vitamin C doses on the duration of the common cold.

The results showed that people who had six gram per day dose of Vitamin C shortened the duration of cold by 17 per cent, while the eight gram per day dose shortened the duration of cold by 19 per cent.

Judicial work in the national capital was affected on Friday as lawyers abstained from work to protest against a proposed bill that bars them from going on strike.

"In solidarity with the BCI, Delhi lawyers have resolved to abstain from work in all the district courts," the Coordination Committee of All District Courts Bar Associations of Delhi said.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) called for a countrywide lawyers' strike on March 31, opposing the Law Commission's recommendations.

The strike is being observed in all the six district courts — Patiala House, Tis Hazari, Rohini, Karkardooma, Saket and Dwarka.

"None of the lawyers are appearing before the court as we have decided to abstain from work. The strike is successful," said New Delhi Bar Association President Santosh Mishra.

The Supreme Court lawyers would not join the strike but have extended support.

The Bar Council has urged the government to reject the recommendations of the Law Commission.

Judicial work in Delhi was paralysed on March 23 when 6,000 lawyers struck work to protest suggestions that lawyers should be banned from going on strike and slapped with penalties if they do so.

Judicial work in the national capital was affected on Friday as lawyers abstained from work to protest against a proposed bill that bars them from going on strike.

"In solidarity with the BCI, Delhi lawyers have resolved to abstain from work in all the district courts," the Coordination Committee of All District Courts Bar Associations of Delhi said.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) called for a countrywide lawyers' strike on March 31, opposing the Law Commission's recommendations.

The strike is being observed in all the six district courts — Patiala House, Tis Hazari, Rohini, Karkardooma, Saket and Dwarka.

"None of the lawyers are appearing before the court as we have decided to abstain from work. The strike is successful," said New Delhi Bar Association President Santosh Mishra.

The Supreme Court lawyers would not join the strike but have extended support.

The Bar Council has urged the government to reject the recommendations of the Law Commission.

Judicial work in Delhi was paralysed on March 23 when 6,000 lawyers struck work to protest suggestions that lawyers should be banned from going on strike and slapped with penalties if they do so.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to restore the administrative and judicial duties of Calcutta High Court judge CS Karnan and asked him to apologise unconditionally within four weeks.

A seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar also advised Karnan to file medical records if he thought he was 'not mentally fit' to respond.

Justice Karnan, who on Friday appeared before the top court, sought restoration of his administrative and judicial work and said that he will not appear before the court on the next date of hearing.

"You restore my work or else I will not get back to my normal senses," Justice Karnan told the top court.

"I am also holding a constitutional post. My dignity has been hurt and work has been taken away without hearing me," he added.

The top court on March 10 had issued a bailable warrant against Karnan for failing to appear in a contempt case against him. The top court had issued the notice to him for writing letters casting aspersions on several judges.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to restore the administrative and judicial duties of Calcutta High Court judge CS Karnan and asked him to apologise unconditionally within four weeks.

A seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar also advised Karnan to file medical records if he thought he was 'not mentally fit' to respond.

Justice Karnan, who on Friday appeared before the top court, sought restoration of his administrative and judicial work and said that he will not appear before the court on the next date of hearing.

"You restore my work or else I will not get back to my normal senses," Justice Karnan told the top court.

"I am also holding a constitutional post. My dignity has been hurt and work has been taken away without hearing me," he added.

The top court on March 10 had issued a bailable warrant against Karnan for failing to appear in a contempt case against him. The top court had issued the notice to him for writing letters casting aspersions on several judges.

The Supreme Court on Friday denied urgent hearing on appeal by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on the Ram Temple issue.

The apex court, earlier, agreed to hear Swamy’s appeal to build the Ram Temple on Friday. The appeal has been pending since 2010.

However, the Supreme Court on March 21 termed the Ram Mandir issue "sentimental” and “sensitive" and said that the matter should be settled amicably.

"It is an issue of sentiment and religion. First sit together and sort out. Both sides employ moderators and hold meetings," Chief Justice JS Khehar said.

The apex court suggested that the matter should be settled through discussion and would only step in if the issue is not resolved through talks.

Chief Justice Khehar even offered to act as a mediator between the parties to resolve the decade-old issue.

"Any person of your choice. You want me to mediate (but) I will not hear (on judicial side). You want my brother (Judge). There are issues. You all sit together across the table and decide,” Khehar said.

After hearing the Supreme Court’s response, Swamy said it is a strenuous effort to make both the contradicting parties sit together and judicial judgment is required.

The dispute started when hundreds of RSS karsevaks in 1992 demolished the 16th century Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, claiming that the mosque was built in the holy birthplace of the Hindu deity Lord Rama.

The Supreme Court in 2010 put a freeze on the Allahabad High Court order in the same year, saying Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya and Hindus have the right to build a temple and worship there.

The Supreme Court on Friday denied urgent hearing on appeal by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on the Ram Temple issue.

The apex court, earlier, agreed to hear Swamy’s appeal to build the Ram Temple on Friday. The appeal has been pending since 2010.

However, the Supreme Court on March 21 termed the Ram Mandir issue "sentimental” and “sensitive" and said that the matter should be settled amicably.

"It is an issue of sentiment and religion. First sit together and sort out. Both sides employ moderators and hold meetings," Chief Justice JS Khehar said.

The apex court suggested that the matter should be settled through discussion and would only step in if the issue is not resolved through talks.

Chief Justice Khehar even offered to act as a mediator between the parties to resolve the decade-old issue.

"Any person of your choice. You want me to mediate (but) I will not hear (on judicial side). You want my brother (Judge). There are issues. You all sit together across the table and decide,” Khehar said.

After hearing the Supreme Court’s response, Swamy said it is a strenuous effort to make both the contradicting parties sit together and judicial judgment is required.

The dispute started when hundreds of RSS karsevaks in 1992 demolished the 16th century Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, claiming that the mosque was built in the holy birthplace of the Hindu deity Lord Rama.

The Supreme Court in 2010 put a freeze on the Allahabad High Court order in the same year, saying Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya and Hindus have the right to build a temple and worship there.

Microsoft has announced that the next major update to Windows 10 — the Windows 10 Creators Update — will begin rolling out to the 400 million monthly active devices worldwide on April 11.

The company will also launch Surface Book and Surface Studio devices in new markets soon.

Surface Book and Surface Studio are available for pre-order in new markets, including Britain, Austria, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. The devices will be available for purchase on April 20.

The easiest and most effective way to get the Creators Update is through the Windows Insider programme. 

The new capabilities coming with the Windows 10 Creators Update include faster Microsoft Edge browser, additional security and privacy protections, simpler game broadcasting with Beam, and 3D designing for everyone.

In Microsoft Edge, the Creators Update will deliver better tab management features designed specifically to address the chaos and clutter of the web and the fear of losing tabs.

With these tab management features, a user can also preview visual thumbnails of all opened tabs at a glance, and set a group of tabs aside in an instant to get a fresh start, removing all distractions and providing a clean browser feel.

The company has said that Microsoft Edge is safer and more secure than ever, providing protection from phishing and malicious software.

The Creators Update will bring more extensions to Microsoft Edge such as Ebates, Intel TrueKey, Read & Write, Ghostery, and RoboForm among others. Microsoft Edge is the only browser with Cortana built-in.

Now users can play Netflix movies and content in 4K Ultra HD resolution. Microsoft Edge is the only browser making this possible. 

With Windows Ink in the Creators Update, users will now be able to do things like draw or write on your photos and videos with a variety of pens, create 3D objects from scratch on Paint 3D, and write or draw directly on a Microsoft Edge webpage. 

Using your digital pen, you can also markup digital documents on Microsoft Word just like you do with a paper and a pen.

The company also provided more power to Cortana making it easier for the users to complete their day-to-day task easily.

Microsoft also upped the security and privacy in the new update that let a user choose the experience with Windows.

In the Creators Update, Microsoft added Beam broadcasting technology making it easier for users to broadcast gameplay on Windows 10 and Xbox One. With Game Bar, a gamer can take screenshots and record gaming moments. 

Game Mode is another new Windows 10 feature arriving with the Creators Update that optimises Windows 10 PC to provide a better, more consistent gaming experience. 

With 3D in Windows 10, a user can experience and create amazing things in a new dimension using an ecosystem of 3D apps built into your Windows 10 device.

The new Paint 3D app makes it easy to create or modify 3D objects. Easily change colour and texture, or turn 2D images into 3D objects. Then share on Remix3D or print in 3D.

Microsoft also added improvements across a suite of built-in apps for music, maps and photos that work across Xbox and HoloLens.