And now for the chews …

One of the most persistent news items of the day is the story of now six-time winner of the annual Independence Day hot-dog-eating competition on Coney Island, US. Japan's Takeru Kobayashi managed to down 53 3/4 frankfurters in 12 minutes to take the title - nearly two more than second place getter, billed as the "new hope" before the event, Joey Chestnut. For more on the event, check out the Guardian Unlimited article, Horsemen of the oesophagus.