News In Brief

THANKS, DEAR. NOW BUZZ OFF

Hoping to nab some nibbles from that box of candy you'll be giving your Valentine? A dubious strategy, the American Boxed Chocolate Manufacturers say. Their survey found 1 in 4 Americans admits to hiding chocolates from family and friends; one-third of women prefer to consume their sweets alone. And if you're looking for a little luvin' in return for a heart-shaped box, your prospects are worse yet. Only 16 percent of respondents said chocolate puts them in a romantic mood.

DON'T WORRY, I STILL LOVE YOU

Speaking of affection, there's a new debate in Britain over whether Queen Elizabeth II's has shifted. From her famous Welsh corgis, that is. People Who Keep Track of Such Things say she increasingly appears with her five cocker spaniels more than with the yappier corgis. She also loaned her country estate for a cocker championship contest. But a royal spokesman called the cockers "working dogs," whereas her corgis are "companions."

Beijing is the early favorite for 2008 Summer Olympics

With its first decision on where to site the Summer Games since last year's devastating bribery scandal, the International Olympic Committee could well choose an Eastern Hemisphere city. Eight of the 10 would-be hosts submitting preliminary applications by last week's deadline are there, with Beijing considered the early favorite - since it fell two votes short to Sydney for the 2000 Games. But before any are considered official bidders, they will undergo a rigorous review - one of the reforms instituted after the scandal. The final decision will be made in July of next year. The applicants:

Bangkok, Thailand

Beijing

Cairo

Havana

Istanbul, Turkey

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Osaka, Japan

Paris

Seville, Spain

Toronto

- Associated Press/ Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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