Update: 13:00

Islamic students shun study in UK and US
Britain and the United States have slumped as first choices for study among young people from predominantly Islamic countries, according to a British Council survey. But the council believes political factors including September 11 were not significant. While the US and the UK remain the two most popular choices, their share has fallen to 35 per cent and 22 per cent respectively, compared with 49 per cent and 32 per cent in 1999-2000. More students identified Australia, Canada and Japan as alternatives in the Connecting Futures research published by the British Council today.

Aimhigher roadshow boosts HE aspirations
The government's widening participation roadshow Aimhigher is raising young people's aspirations to higher education, it was claimed today. Higher education minister Margaret Hodge, who launched the roadshow in Nottingham, said that data showed that half of 13 to 19-year olds aspired to higher education prior to attending the roadshows and that this climbed to 71 per cent afterwards. The data are based on a sample of more than 3,500 young people. There have been more than 370 roadshow events so far, attended by nearly 43,000 young people.

Richard Peto wins US cancer research prize
Oxford professor Sir Richard Peto, who documented the growing worldwide impact of smoking as a cause of death, has won a top award for his "outstanding" contribution to cancer research. The professor of medical statistics and epidemiology was awarded the $250,000 (£170,000) Charles S. Mott Prize, given annually by the US-based General Motors Cancer Research Foundation.

Missing student living at Welsh campsite
A 22-year-old student Sheffield University chemical engineering student who disappeared almost a month ago amid fears he was worried about his dissertation has been found safe and well at a campsite in North Wales, police said today. Ross Edmond did not return to the family home in Eaglescliffe, Teesside, after having left to buy a newspaper on May 16.

Shakespeare retains cultural relevance
Young people think William Shakespeare is still important in British culture. More than a third of 15 to 35-year-olds polled for the Royal Shakespeare Company say Shakespeare is still relevant today and per cent believe his plays have had an important impact on the English language.