Booze News

The NHS Health Scotland report - that examined alcohol sales between 2005 and 2009 - has found that big-drinking Scots have a preference for drinking at home - and is thought to be one factor in making them the heaviest boozers in the UK. The report said that alcohol sold in off-licences and supermarkets is three times cheaper per unit than that sold in pubs and reveal that Scottish adults buy a quarter more alcohol than the rest of Britain. The extra intake equated to about two more pints of beer or two glasses of wine a week, compared to other Britons.

Arrest Follows Deaths

The bodies of two women - thought to be a mum and daughter - have been found at a house in Manchester. The women, aged 34 and 57, were found at an address on Holdgate Close, Hulme, just before 7.30pm on Tuesday. A 57-year-old man has been arrested and is being questioned by detectives from Greater Manchester Police on suspicion of murder and the area has been sealed off while forensic teams search the scene and police officers carry out inquiries in the area. Post mortem examinations are due to be carried out later.

Rain Halts Trains

Torrential downpours have caused flash floods across Merseyside. The rain, which started at about 11am on Tuesday, left residents with damage to their homes after the fire service said they have had nearly 200 calls in just 18 hours. Even Merseyrail was forced to close its Northern Line for a time.

Cameron Boosts 'Society'

PM David Cameron has travelled to Liverpool in the first of a series of public events on the Big Society. Speaking to an audience of local community groups, charities and community leaders, the PM will set out how the Big Society will be 'the biggest, most dramatic redistribution of power' from the state to individuals. He said: "It's time for something different, something bold - something that doesn't just pour money down the throat of wasteful, top-down government schemes." Mr Cameron also announced the creation of a Big Society Bank, which will be financed using dormant bank and building society account money.

Fourth Murder Arrest

Detectives investigating the murder of a 54-year-old man in Lewisham have arrested a fourth person in connection with the investigation. The man in his 30s and is currently in custody at a south London police station. Police were called at around 11.50pm on Saturday 17 July, to reports of two men stabbed in Downham Way, Downham and one of the victims was taken to a south London hospital but pronounced dead. The second man, aged in his late 20s, was taken to a separate south London hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition. Earlier, two men and a woman were arrested in connection with the investigation and have since been bailed to dates in August pending further enquiries.

NASA TV Takes Off

NASA have now launched a new full-time High Definition (HD) channel. NASA Television can be accessed by media, cable and satellite service providers for news content and coverage of agency missions and programmes. The channel will deliver high definition video exclusive to NASA, such as live launch coverage of space shuttles and other spacecraft. Daily programme 'ISS Update', covering the activities of the on-orbit International Space Station crews, is now available for viewing on the channel. HD video of the Earth shot by crews on the station and from NASA satellites is also available.

(BMcC/GK)