Loneliness is painful and potentially deadly, according to new research at the University of Chicago that found animals, gadgets and spiritual beliefs - not just friends - ease the sense of being alone. "It's actually a greater risk for morbidity or mortality than cigarette smoking is," says Nicholas Epley, Assistant Professor of Behavioral Science at the university's Graduate School of Business and lead author of an article on the subject in the February issue of the journal Psychological Science.

Nine years after taking up his first dance lessons, John Lowe made his debut as a ballet dancer at the age of 88. Lowe, who hails from Witchford, said he took up his dancing at the age of 79 when his daughter Alison become a professional dancer.

A woman was charged Tuesday with contributing to the delinquency of a minor after being found responsible for posting on the Internet a video of a two-year old child smoking a cigarette. Authorities said 33-yaer old Sandra Venery, who was apprehended Sunday, posted the video on the popular social networking website MySpace.

lthough smoking is known to cause numerous health problems, including a shortened life-span, one London woman seems to be immune to the perils of cigarettes. Winnie Langley, who turned 100 on Tuesday, celebrated her century-marking birthday by lighting up her 170,000th cigarette-a feat most would consider to anathema to a long life. However, not for Ms. Lamgley, who has been smoking since 1914, when she was just seven years old.

A north Vancouver condo owner is taking her neighbor to the British Columbia Supreme court for smoking cigarettes on her own patio, which is located beneath the plaintiff's apartment. Maureen Nicholson claims her neighbor's 10 cigarette-a-day habit causes "toxic, noxious, carcinogenic and pungent smoke" to enter her home. She says she has asked her neighbor to stop smoking and has complained to the condominium council in the building.