Children as young as 12 claimed they drank the equivalent of 19 glasses of wine per week when questioned for a UK-wide survey of 83,000 school pupils.

Syrian tanks shelled a district in Homs, killing at least three people, activists say, as President Assad warns of an "earthquake" if the West intervenes.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg warns it would be "economic suicide" for Britain to "retreat to the margins" of Europe.

The government's refusal to allow expansion at London's main airports will damage the UK economy, according a Tory peer and former airline owner.

An Israeli man has been killed by a rocket attack from Gaza after Palestinian militants were killed by Israeli air strikes on the south of the Gaza Strip.

Tributes are being paid to DJ, TV presenter and charity fundraiser Jimmy Savile, who has died at the age of 84.

Australian PM Julia Gillard calls for an end to industrial action which has seen Qantas ground all its international and domestic flights.

Ships sailing under a British flag will be able to carry armed guards to protect them from pirates, the prime minister announces.