The Toronto Sun reports that Toronto has now gone 26 consecutive days without a murder, a streak unseen since the summer of 2006. A spokesman for the Toronto Association of Thugs expressed frustration at the dry spell, saying that their group was on track with shootings and stabbings but that their efforts were being stymied by effective medical services.

Speaking of which, the Ontario government announced today that hospitals will be receiving $667.2 million more than last year from the provincial budget, an increase of 4.9%. Normally the funding announcement, and subsequent complaining, come later in the year.

Big bones, not Big Macs—a scientist at an addiction conference in Toronto this week said that as much as 70% of obesity and eating disorders can be attributed to genetic factors rather than diet and exercise. I hope my dad's going to pay to get all my pants let out.

Obesity isn't a problem everywhere. Representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank meeting at a conference yesterday in Washington said that although recession, credit crunch, and stock market meltdowns are excellent problems of great interest, the biggest crisis facing the planet today is the burgeoning food shortage. Global food prices have risen between 50%–150% in the last year, leading to hunger and rioting around the world.

At a news conference yesterday, the Dalai Lama said that "Tibet cannot make any more concessions to China." Chinese authorities expressed surprise at the statement, saying they weren't aware there was a negotiation going on.

In soccer, Toronto FC beat the LA Galaxy 3–2 in California yesterday. LA's David Beckham once again won the "Most Handsome Player" award.

Photo by Mr Kevino from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.