Close allies of German Chancellor Angela Merkel are claiming victory in Bavarian polls seen as a yardstick ahead of a general election next week.

A blood test which may improve treatment for children born with congenital cataracts has been developed by researchers in Manchester.

British director Steve McQueen takes the People's Choice award as the 2013 Toronto Film Festival closes.

The most senior woman police officer in Afghanistan's troubled Helmand province is shot and injured by unknown gunmen, an official says.

Business lobby group the CBI urges the government to push ahead with big building projects, saying they are essential for economic recovery.

Volunteers from the helpline Childline are planning to visit every UK primary school at least once every two years to teach children about abuse, as part of a new NSPCC campaign.

Business Secretary Vince Cable pledges to end abuse of zero-hours contracts, as he unveils policies to support a "fairer" economic recovery at the Lib Dem conference in Glasgow.

Smaller animals tend to perceive time in slow-motion, helping them to escape from larger predators, a study finds.