London - The Bank of England (BoE) said in a report published Tuesday that losses suffered by global financial institutions since the credit crunch are estimated at 1.8 trillion pounds (2.8 trillion dollars).

Governments around the world have spent more than 750 billion pounds so far in coming to the aid of banks, the bank's biannual Financial Stability Report (FSR) said.

It warned that while pressure in money markets had eased slightly since the major government bail-outs, risks remained from highly borrowed hedge funds, which might have to sell assets quickly to meet rising costs, and insurers whose capital base could be eroded by falling share prices.

London - Oil giant British Petroleum (BP) Tuesday reported third-quarter profits of 6.4 billion pounds (10 billion dollars) on the back of record oil prices.

London, Oct 27: Nearly a third of Brit teens have already had sex before the age of 16, according to a new survey.

While the average age to lose virginity is considered to be between 16 and 17, around a quarter of 14 to 15-year-olds confessed to having enjoyed a romp, while 12 per cent of the children under 13 confessed to having had sex.

Young Brits are losing their virginity aged just 12.

“There are indications that Brits are losing their virginity earlier,” the Daily Star quoted a researcher, as saying.

“Among the 65-plus age group the average age when people lost their virginity was 19. But among those aged between 16 and 24 it was 15,” the researcher added.

London, Oct 27: A drink that claims to offer the same nicotine fix as cigarette is set for a launch in Britain.

The soft drink, containing 15 per cent nicotine, will offer smokers an alternative to shivering outside bars and restaurants.

Even the cans of Liquid Smoking look similar to red and white cigarette cartons.

"We''ve got a product that has the same effects as nicotine, but which you can drink in restaurants and on flights," the Independent quoted Martin Hartman, of the United Drink and Beauty Corporation, as saying.

However, Liquid smoking has been criticised by anti-smoking groups as it may promote smoking.

London, Oct 27: Much before she starred with Daniel Craig in the new 007 flick, new Bond hottie Olga Kurylenko was showing off her moves in a 2005 sex film.

A rather sensational clip of the sex film ‘The Ring Finger’ has been leaked ahead of its DVD release, scheduled for November 3.

In the film, Olga plays a lab worker who enters into an X-rated relationship with her shady boss.

Meanwhile, in an interview, the 28-year-old Ukranian claimed that she spent six months getting in shape for her latest role as Craig''s sexy sidekick in ‘Quantum of Solace’.

London, Oct 27: A new study by researchers at Cambridge University in the UK is trying to change the traditional view of Vikings as “illiterate warring thugs”, and recast them as “new men” with an interest in grooming, fashion and poetry.

According to a report in the Telegraph, academics claim that the old stereotype is damaging, and want teenagers to be more appreciative of the Vikings’ social and cultural impact on Britain.

They said that the Norse explorers, far from being obsessed with fighting and drinking, were a largely-peaceful race who were even criticized for being too hygienic.