An avalanche in the Alps has claimed the lives of five people, including a 42-year-old German man and his 16-year-old son, according to police reports.

German manufacturer TK Elevator predicts a rise in demand for lifts, attributing this to ageing populations who are increasingly reluctant to use stairs.

Volkswagen's plan to cut costs by 20% is seen as an indicator of a broader industrial crisis facing Germany's economy.