What the papers say - August 13, 2007

Increasing global demand for champagne means there could soon be a worldwide shortage - with Britons likely to be the first to miss out. Vineyard owners in eastern France are refusing to sell tens of millions of bottles stocked in their cellars because they see them as their retirement "nest-eggs". The result is that the most prestigious French champagne houses are having trouble keeping pace with rising demand in the US and emerging markets such as Russia, China and India - Daily Mail​

More than 3.5 million over-65s experience mental health problems, but most of those with depression or dementia are not even diagnosed, according to an extensive inquiry into services. The report reveals the alarming extent of illnesses, including schizophrenia, stress and alcohol abuse, predicting that by 2021, one in 15 Britons will be an older person suffering a mental health problem - The Guardian​

Andrew Schneider, of New York University, is currently developing a pair of solar-panel covered shorts called iDrink. With the extra sun-capturing area, he predicts these will be capable of generating enough charge to chill a beer - The Guardian​

Two 16-year-olds have been recruited as community support officers, it has been confirmed. The teenagers are undergoing training after passing their assessments, said a Thames Valley Police spokesman. Depending on their role, the teenagers will have the authority to detain suspects until a police officer arrives, issue penalty notices, deal with minor offences and guard crime scenes - Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph​

Britain was put on a storm warning yesterday amid fears that our brief summer is over already. There are new fears of flash-flooding in areas that are still battling to recover from last month's record downfalls - Daily Express​

A worrying number of Britons still do not realise that eating a lot of junk food could but them at risk of cancer, a survey has found. Almost half of respondents were unaware that a poor diet could increase their risk of developing certain tumours. The poll was commissioned by World Cancer Research - Daily Express, Daily Telegraph, The Sun​