'Plans for cheap drink clampdown'

A ban on cut-price alcohol could be introduced in Scotland next year under plans to curb alcohol abuse among young people. The Justice Secretary has pledged to set a minimum price for a unit of alcohol to stop supermarkets and shops selling cheap beer, cider and spirits. Kenny Macaskill blamed cheap alcohol for fuelling underage drinking - BBC News​

Youngsters should have to pass a theory test to get a licence to booze, an expert has told the government. Psychiatrist Dr Jonathan Chick also suggests they sign a pledge not to "abuse the privilege and responsibility of being able to purchase and consume alcohol". The Edinburgh University lecturer — a former World Health Organisation adviser on alcohol — believes his plan would offer an alternative to raising the age for buying drink in off licences from 18 to 21 - The Sun ​

A beer has been created that can prolong life and help avoid illness — but it tastes lousy. The genetically-modified ale was produced by student researchers who have named it BioBeer. It is brewed with a specific yeast that produces resveratrol — a chemical in red wine thought to protect against heart disease, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's - The Sun​

It is enough to make the super rich cough into their carefully cellared claret - prices of some of the world's most revered wines are falling sharply. The latest indication that the global economic slowdown is hitting the spending power of even the most wealthy, certain fine wine prices have declined by a quarter since the summer - BBC News​

A popular Oxfordshire pub is hosting a trial by fire. The Ferryman Inn at Bablockhythe, west Oxfordshire, will be welcoming teams of brave charity fundraisers ready to walk across glowing embers. The firewalk on December 4 is being organised by CLIC Sargent, which helps children and young people with cancer. Volunteers will walk over 20 feet of embers in the pub garden next to the river Thames, with experts on hand to show them how to do it - The Oxford Mail​