A latest research conducted at the University Laval in Quebec has revealed that excessive thinking can add excess pounds.

The researchers observed the food intake of 14 students after they were assigned three different types of tasks. These included relaxing in a sitting position, reading and summarizing a text, and finally, completing a series of memory, attention, and vigilance tests on the computer.

It was found that despite the low energy cost of intellectual work, students consumed 203 more calories after summarizing a text, and 253 more calories after the computer tests as compared to the consumption of calories after relaxing in the sitting position.

Washington - Two separate avalanches have claimed the lives of a skier and snowboarder in British Columbia, just days after eight snowmobilers met a similar fate on the perilous slopes of Canada's westernmost province, the Toronto Star reported Friday.

The 26-year-old snowboarder died Thursday while snowboarding solo on a part of Whistler Mountain that was closed to the public. Whistler is to host events during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

A 37-year-old skier was buried in sliding snow late Wednesday on nearby Blackcomb Mountain, the newspaper reported.

Mexico City/Washington  - The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is completing 15 years as an economic crisis, with its epicentre in the United States, has shaken its three pillars: commerce, investment and employment.

The anniversary coincides with the worst moment in several decades for the world economy, and as the White House is set to be occupied by Barack Obama, a fierce critic of NAFTA during the US presidential campaign who has pledged to renegotiate it.

The pact between the United States, Mexico and Canada - the flagship of several free-trade agreements in Latin America - took effect January 1, 1994 when Carlos Salinas de Gortari and Bill Clinton were presidents of Mexico and the US.

New York/Calgary  - The body of an eighth snowmobiler was found Tuesday in the Canadian province of British Columbia two days after being caught in an avalanche, local media reported.

A search team found the 28-year-old man under metres of snow about 300 kilometres south-west of winter sport resort Calgary, CTV reported.

The group of 11 snowmobilers encountered two avalanches Sunday afternoon about 20 kilometres east of Fernie town in the Canadian Rockies. The men had been in the Harvey Pass area, a popular destination for snowmobilers.

New York/Calgary  - The bodies of seven snowmobilers were found Monday in the Canadian province of British Columbia, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed.

Rescuers suspended their search for the eight victim because of heavy snowfall and dense, low clouds. The search was to continue Tuesday.

The group of 11 snowmobilers encountered two avalanches Sunday afternoon about 20 kilometres east of Fernie town in the Canadian Rockies. The men had been in the Harvey Pass area, a popular destination for snowmobilers.

New York/Calgary  - The bodies of six snowmobilers were found Monday in the Canadian province of British Columbia, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.

Rescuers were continuing to look for two more snowmobilers from the group who went missing following two avalanches. Three other men managed to escape with minor wounds.

All 11 men encountered two avalanches Sunday afternoon about 20 kilometres east of Fernie town in the Canadian Rockies. The men had been in the Harvey Pass area, a popular destination for snowmobilers.