Recent survey revealed that Scotland has the eighth-highest level of alcohol consumption in the World. Neilsen Company, on the behalf of the Scottish Government conducted a survey on the sales of alcohol.

Survey revealed that Scots consumed equivalent to 11.8 litres per person over 16, in 2007. This amount is two litres more than in England and Wales where the average was 9.9 litres per person.

Recent study revealed that the pressure of being perfect and flawless at the workplace is responsible for increasing popularity of binge-drinking culture despite the government warning to limit number of drinks.

Research team led by Dutch-born Professor Anna van Wersch in the Teesside University analyzed data collected from interview of 32 men and women living in north east England aged 22 to 58. Most interviewees believed that binge-drinking helps them to revitalize for the working days.

Prof van Wersch said: "People in England are more high achievers than the Dutch. The quality of their work has to be perfect and their performance is much higher. "

Cologne, Germany - Carnival celebrations in Germany have been marred by brawls, police said Friday as the festivities shifted into high gear in a band of cities along the Rhine valley.

The annual celebrations are set to reach a climax on Monday with nationally televised parades of papier-mache floats through the streets of Dusseldorf, Cologne, Mainz and other towns.

Rio de Janeiro - Three days before its "official" beginning, the world-famous Brazilian Carnival started Thursday in the historic city of Salvador, in the northeatern state of Bahia.

According to municipal tourism body Salvatur, over 650,000 tourists were expected in the city for the event, where hotels showed an occupancy rate of over 90 per cent.

Rio de Janeiro  - Young foreign tourists who travelled to Brazil for the world-famous Rio de Janeiro Carnival were facing an unexpected threat Thursday: the raids of criminal gangs on youth hostels in the city.

In just 24 hours, police investigated two such raids, affecting at least 50 tourists, most of them foreigners.

London, Feb 19: White wine