Topic: Alcohol

Why Russia finally decided that beer is alcohol

Until Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the new law today, beer was considered the same as soda and sold just about anywhere.

WikiLeaks: The five strangest stories...so far

The release of US diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks contains some serious stuff. Other cables are not so earth-shaking, but they nonetheless reveal personalities and events that are comical, surprising, or just plain weird. Here's our top five.

Why sin taxes don't work

Parliament might create a minimum price for alcohol in the UK. Like 'sin taxes' in any country, this plan has obvious benefits, but hidden costs.

Policeman's binge drinking death in China: One official banquet too far?

The binge drinking death of a policeman at an official banquet in Shenzhen, China, has provoked fresh scrutiny of a culture of heavy drinking. Central and local government authorities are trying to rein in lavish spending on such events.

A message in proposed ban on British alcohol ads

Alcohol consumption has increased alarmingly in the UK, and around the world.

Russia vows to take on vodka consumption

Alcoholism is a "national disaster," President Dmitry Medvedev said in a recent statement. But past efforts to curb abuse of vodka in Russia have proven politically unpopular.

Review: 'My Sister's Keeper'

Adapted from Jodi Picoult's bestselling novel, the high-brow tear-jerker raises some complex medical ethics issues.

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Colleges take on drinking age

A call to examine the age-21 threshold has sparked heated debate on campuses.

Battle of the binge

Colleges that want to lower the drinking age need to first try innovative prevention.

India's health minister hits at on-screen drinking

But others see hypocrisy in last month's call for a Bollywood ban.

Brazil alcohol ban hard for retailers to swallow

Government tries to limit TV advertising and sales along highways