A study from York University economists has estimated that alcohol related problems cost every adult in Scotland about £900 a year, a figure totalling a tenth of the country's budget, which is a much higher amount than the £2.25bn previously estimated. Ministers have called on MSPs to back the Alcohol Bill to introduce a range of measures including minimum pricing - BBC
50 Cent is hoping to open a string of 50 British style pubs in America, and has said he wants Vinnie Jones to be his business partner. 50 said: "I love the British pub… there is nobody who does a pub quite like England. I would want a British business partner for it to be genuine and Vinnie would be ideal' - The Sun
Britain faces the third Big Freeze of the winter today as yesterday's respite in sub-zero temperatures is replaced with fresh blizzards and up to 12 inches of snow.Temperatures across the UK increased to two or three degrees above freezing yesterday, bringing a much-needed thaw to many roads and pavements - Daily Mail
UK pub operator Mitchells & Butlers moved to diffuse its boardroom tussle Monday, accepting two of the board nominations made by its largest shareholder. The owner and operator of 2,000 pubs said in a statement that the board would recommend the appointment of John Lovering and Simon Burke as non-executive directors. Shareholders will have a vote on the various board appointments at the company's annual meeting on 28 Jan - Wall Street Journal