Smoking helps body burn fat but....

SAN FRANCISCO. California: Moderate smoking helps the body burn fat. but cannot be recommended as a slimming aid. a new study says, reports AFP.

"Smoking, from a health point of view, is much more risky than weighing those few extra pounds," said Marc Hellerstein, a University of California at Berkeley professor and the study's lead author.

While it had been shown that smoking Increases metabolism — the rate at which food calories are turned into energy — the new research is the first to show that smoking directly stimulates a process called lipolysis, a process that frees lipids, or fats, from cells and carries them Into the bloodstream.

Consequently, people trying to quit smoking can gain an average of 3.6 to 4.5 kilos (eight to 10 pounds) even if they improve bad eating habits they had before going smoke-free.

Some lipids that enter the bloodstream are burned by the higher metabolism. But many of them are converted by the liver into fatty substances called triglycerides, which contribute to artery clogging.

Cat fulfils master's last request

NEWPORT BEACH. California: Fulfilling his master's last request. a cat named Rudi sat in the front row at the man's funeral. reports AFP.

Dick Denio, a retired fisherman, made the wish shortly before dying on Christmas eve at the age of 78.,.

His roommate. Jeni Greenman, said she was left with little choice about the funeral Wednesday.

"1 didn't want to take,Rudi to the service, but its was Dick's last wish and I didn't want to break my promise." Greenman said. "Rudi keeps looking for Dick. I say. daddy’s not coming home.”

Denio died of a stroke after undergoing lung surgery.

"President of the Manila zoo"

MANILA: A 40-year-old woman was wrestled to the I ground and Jailed overnight after pushing her way to President Fidel Ramos and addressing him as "president of the Manila Zoo." police said Friday, reports AP.

Bodyguards thought the incident, which took place during a wreath-laying ceremony Thursday, could have been an assassination attempt.

But investigators later concluded the woman was demented. " police said.

As the woman was lraMged away, reporters asked what had prompted the outburst.

Ask the moon." she replied.,

Campaign to save sex for marriage

NEW YORK: With the mantra True love waits." US churches are teaming up in a campaign to persuade teenagers to save sex for marriage, reports AFP

Designed to help prevent disease and teenage pregnancy — and win chastity pledges from half-a-mlllton youths — the drive is the brainchild of the Conservative Southern Baptist Sunday School board.

But other denominations have jumped on the bartdwagon. Including the 59-mlIlion-member Roman Catholic church, prompting church officials to boast that they may be on the verge of a sexual revolution among teens.

"I hope it Is a clear signal to society that sexual purity prior to marriage is a viable option for teenagers, and one they are willing to stand behind." said Jimmy Hester, the southern Baptist coordinator ol the programme