According to a survey of young Britons, almost one in three young people admit to having drunken one-night stands, later regretting them. The Sex Factor survey, a part of a report from the charity, YouthNet, into young people's attitudes towards sexual health, polled more than 2,000 young people aged 16 to 24, revealing 32% (the same number) indulged in unprotected sex while under the influence of liquor.

According to the poll:

• "One in five (22%) young people went home with a stranger.
• "15% invited a stranger back to their home.

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.