Being obese as a child may actually alter the shape of a gland important to growth and metabolism, say Italian scientists.

Burnley dump Arsenal's kids out of the Carling Cup and Derby put Stoke out with a last-minute penalty.

As 2008 turns to 2009 at the end of this month, an extra second will be added to every clock. But who decides exactly what time it is? Professor Brian Cox meets the man in charge of all our timekeeping - the world's director of time.

As you decide whether or not to have children, should you take the world's increasing stack of environmental woes into account?

A genealogist wants to compile a database of those incarcerated in a German prisoner of war camp during World War I.

India thrash England by six wickets in the fifth one-day international at Cuttack.

The UK's Climate Change Bill could cost each family in the UK up to £10,000, warns Conservative MP Peter Lilley.

Eddie Izzard discusses Hollywood, comedy and Barack Obama as his stand-up show opens in the West End.

Despite the environmental now being a mainstream topic, green campaign groups are still as relevant as ever.

Delays with the education maintenance allowance force a college to help students with supermarket vouchers.

As part of BBC Radio 4's In Afghanistan season, Eddie Mair chairs a debate on whether the UK should pull its soldiers out of the country.

You have been sending your views about England's chief medical officer column on how the NHS could learn from department stores, such as John Lewis.

The George Bush presidency has been rich pickings for those in one line of work - comedy. But with Barack Obama's election win steeped in historical significance, America's new leader seems, for the moment, to be beyond comic reproach, says John O'Farrell.

India finish on 43-2 in their second innings after Australia post 577 on the fourth day of the third Test in Delhi.

Most people have heard of the Hippocratic Oath, but what does it actually say and why does it say it?

... you had a sex education lesson? Chances are it involved a teacher trying to be matter-of-fact, some degree of giggling, and a banana.

People are forever complaining about it, but has political correctness had its day and what has it achieved? Broadcaster Clive Anderson considers its value and its future.

A romantic novel telling the story of one of the wives of Islam's prophet has caused controversy among Muslims - and its publication has been indefinitely postponed in the UK. But is The Jewel of Medina actually any good?

Elbot is a computer program pretending to be a person. And this week it won a prize for coming closest to fooling people into thinking it was human. The BBC's Mark Lobel catches him in more a relaxed moment.

Britain's Olympic and Paralympic athletes parade in front of thousands of fans through London.