Drinking water helps dieting

Scientists from Virginia found that dieters can lose an average of 5 pounds extra if they drink two cups of water three times a day before meals, BBC reported. They tested the theory on 48 adults aged 55 to 75, split into two groups, over 12 weeks. The first group followed a low-calorie diet but did not drink any extra water before meals. The second group followed the same low-calorie diet but drank two cups of water before each meal. Over the course of 12 weeks, those drinking water lost about 15.5 pounds while the others lost about 11 pounds. Dr. Brenda Davy, senior author of the study, from Virginia Tech University, said the reason water may be so effective is because it fills up the stomach with a liquid that has no calories.

9 HK hostages killed in Manila

The hijack of a bus carrying a Hong Kong tour group by a sacked Filipino policeman ended Monday night with the deaths of nine tourists and the hostage taker, Xinhua reports. Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang later criticized the handling of the siege by the Philippine authorities. On Tuesday, all government offices in Hong Kong flew flags at half-mast in mourning for the victims. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said there would be an investigation into what caused the situation to deteriorate, including the role of the media. The violent final stages of the siege were beamed live by global news channels.

4-month dig to free Chilean miners

It will take at least four months to rescue the 33 miners trapped underground in Chile, the BBC reported. Rescuers made contact with the miners 17 days after they were trapped by lowering a probe into the mine. The miners, stuck in a mine shaft shelter some 700m down, sent up a note saying they were alive. The engineer in charge of the rescue operation said a more powerful drill would be needed to dig a new shaft at the San Jose gold and copper mine, and the dig would take at least 120 days. Rescuers plan to send plastic tubes containing food, water, cameras and communications equipment down a narrow borehole already drilled. The men have been trapped since August 5 when the mine's main access tunnel collapsed.

Carter to visit N. Korea to free US man

Former US President Jimmy Carter is planning to visit North Korea within days to secure the release of an American man, Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who was sentenced in April to eight years of hard labor there, the AFP reported citing Foreign Policy. The US has repeatedly voiced concern about the health of Gomes. North Korea state media said in July that Gomes tried to commit suicide and was being treated in hospital. Gomes, a 30-year-old former English teacher in South Korea, was arrested in January for illegally crossing the country's border with China.

Pakistan looks into lynching of brothers

Pakistan's government has launched an inquiry into the brutal killing by a mob of two teenaged brothers in the eastern city of Sialkot, BBC reported. The Aug. 15 lynchings were captured on video and have outraged Pakistanis. In the footage, the youths protest their innocence as they are beaten with sticks and wires by a group of men before being strung up on metal poles. Police officers and other onlookers did nothing. Officials say the mob mistook the brothers for robbers.

No notary for boss and mistress

A construction boss from Xinzhen City in Henan has been foiled in an attempt to register his relationship with his mistress, dahe.cn reports. 45-year-old Mr Zhou, who is married, went to a Xinzhen notary's office last Thursday accompanied by his glamorous 22-year-old mistress, Ms Wang, who is a recent graduate and an employee of his company. They wanted to notarize a deal under which Zhou would help Wang's younger brother through college and buy her an apartment valued at no less than 300,000 yuan. In return, Wang would "work" for Zhou for at least five years. But the notary's office refused the request, saying it not only offended social morality, but also violated the Marriage Law.

Jackson murder case delayed to 2011

A key court hearing detailing the manslaughter charges against Michael Jackson's personal physician, Conrad Murray, has been pushed back to Jan. 4, 2011, Reuters reported.

A key court hearing detailing the manslaughter charges against Michael Jackson's personal physician, Conrad Murray, has been pushed back to Jan. 4, 2011, Reuters reported. The hearing had been expected later this year, but the judge said Monday there were issues related to the availability of witnesses and the ongoing investigation into Jackson's death.

Kwame Brown, Bobcats agree deal

To the surprise of many NBA observers, Kwame Brown and Michael Jordan are together again, ESPN reports. Brown has reportedly signed with Michael Jordan's Charlotte Bobcats in a deal which will earn the 9-year veteran a minimum wage of US$1.3 million next season. In 2001, Brown became the first high-schooler in league history to be drafted No.1 overall when Jordan, then-president of Washington Wizards picked him, but the rookie's subsequent underachievement turned into a disaster for both of them.

Chinese sportswear prices up

Chinese sportswear maker Xtep has raised the price of its shoes by an average of 6.6 percent and its clothes by 13.9 percent, following the example of Lining and Anta earlier this year, China Business News reported Tuesday. Price hikes seem to be becoming the weapon of choice for companies to boost their performance.

Tencent snaps up Discuz!

Tencent announced on Aug. 23 that it has agreed a take-over deal with China's largest online community software company Comsenz. When the more-than US$60 million deal completes, Comsenz will become a fully-funded subsidiary of Tencent, China Business News reported. Comsenz operates Discuz!, the world's most popular platform for online community construction, with more than 1.4 million subscribers.

Bambook to sell for 999 yuan

Shanda Literature, a unit of Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited, announced yesterday that its electronic reader - the Bambook - will go on the market on Sep. 28, and will retail at 999 yuan, Beijing News reports. Shanda said customers can reserve a Bambook by paying a 200 yuan deposit. The average price of big brand e-readers is about 2,000 yuan.

Alligator found crossing the street

A three-foot alligator, sporting a collar around its neck, has been found wandering aimlessly in the city of Brockton, Massachusetts. Firefighter Scott Hurst spotted the out-of-place reptile Sunday as it quietly crossed a street, AP reported. Hurst said he lifted the gator by its collar and tail and used a bungee cord to tie it up in the back of his pickup truck. An animal control supervisor said the alligator is clearly a pet because of its collar, but he doesn't expect anyone to claim it.

(China.org.cn August 25, 2010)