Washington - Opium production in Afghanistan has fallen 31 per cent this year, White House drug czar John Walters told reporters on Friday.

Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, said 5,500 tons of opium were produced in Afghanistan this year, down from 8,000 tons in 2007. In 18 of the country's 34 provinces poppy production has been stopped, thanks in part to stepped up efforts by the Afghan government and US and allied troops, he said.

The Government’s announcement making sex education and the dangers of drugs and alcohol compulsory for children as young as five, has family values campaigners up in arms, saying instead of deterring, it will only ‘encourage experimentation’. 

The new curriculum will see children aged five taught body parts and facts about animal reproduction. Two years later, they will be taught the facts of life and about puberty. Age eleven onwards, detailed information about contraception, sexually transmitted infections and abortion will be provided to them. 

European Medicines Agency reports that Acomplia, an anti-obesity drug, with Rimonabnt as its active substance, doubles the risk of psychiatric disorders. 

Licensed in Europe since 2006 and available on the NHS since June 2008, it has been prescribed to 97,000 people in the UK, but as benefits no longer outweigh the risks, doctors have been advised not to prescribe it any longer. 

Berlin - Two of Germany's 16 states were on the verge Friday of gaining new premiers, with politicians striking coalition deals to set up new governments in Bavaria and Hesse.

Both moves, which will require confirmation in the states' legislatures, could usher in a more fractious period in the final year of Chancellor Angela Merkel's federal coalition government before September 2009 elections.

The two state coalitions are likely to be viewed by voters as test subjects for the next federal government.

London - London police gave the all-clear Friday afternoon after a suspicious piece of luggage had earlier forced the evacuation of the London City Airport.

Authorities said there was no connection to terrorist activity.

The airport was evacuated around 1330 GMT after several passengers began coughing and complaining of medical irritations. No passengers fell seriously ill and the airport was re-opened two hours after it was closed. Some flights were canceled or re-routed.

Washington - US sales of existing homes climbed 5.5 per cent in September to the highest level in a year as ongoing price declines have apparently begun peaking the interest of buyers, according to new data released Friday.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said home resales stood at 5.18 million in September, up from 4.91 million in August and 5.11 million a year earlier. The average price of homes dropped 9 per cent from September 2007.