Real World News

Libya exposed as an epicentre for migrant child abuse By Paul Adams BBC News 28 February 2017 From the section Africa Image copyright Unicef / Romenzi The United Nations has warned that large numbers of children are still risking their lives to make the dangerous journey from Libya to Italy. Unicef says almost 26,000 children - most of them unaccompanied - crossed the Mediterranean last year. In its new report, Unicef says many children suffer from violence and sexual…

Tunisia terror attack: Inquest into death of 30 Britons to finish 28 February 2017 From the section UK Image copyright Reuters The inquest into the deaths of 30 Britons in a terror attack at a Tunisian resort is to conclude later. A total of 38 people were killed when an Islamist gunman opened fire at a hotel in Sousse on 26 June 2015. The inquest examined whether the UK government and travel firms failed to protect British tourists. But the coroner will explain later why he has rejected a reque…

Tunisia terror attack: Inquest into death of 30 Britons to finish 28 February 2017 From the section UK Image copyright Reuters The inquest into the deaths of 30 Britons in a terror attack at a Tunisian resort is to conclude later. A total of 38 people were killed when an Islamist gunman opened fire at a hotel in Sousse on 26 June 2015. The inquest examined whether the UK government and travel firms failed to protect British tourists. But the coroner will explain later why he has rejected a reque…

Tunisia terror attack: Inquest into death of 30 Britons to finish 28 February 2017 From the section UK Image copyright Reuters The inquest into the deaths of 30 Britons in a terror attack at a Tunisian resort is to conclude later. A total of 38 people were killed when an Islamist gunman opened fire at a hotel in Sousse on 26 June 2015. The inquest examined whether the UK government and travel firms failed to protect British tourists. But the coroner will explain later why he has rejected a reque…

Blood tests spot ovarian cancer early By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News website 28 February 2017 From the section Health Image caption Caroline Presho took part in the trial and believes the blood test would be an enormous benefit to women A blood test every four months could help women at high-risk of ovarian cancer find tumours early, say doctors. There is currently no screening programme for the disease, so high-risk wom…

Blood tests spot ovarian cancer early By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News website 28 February 2017 From the section Health Image caption Caroline Presho took part in the trial and believes the blood test would be an enormous benefit to women A blood test every four months could help women at high-risk of ovarian cancer find tumours early, say doctors. There is currently no screening programme for the disease, so high-risk wom…

Trump lays out hike in military spending 27 February 2017 From the section US & Canada Image copyright Reuters US President Donald Trump is seeking to boost defence spending by $54bn (£43bn) in his proposed budget plan for 2018, which is about a 9% increase. The blueprint, sent to agencies on Monday, also calls for cuts to foreign assistance and environmental budgets. But Mr Trump's plan leaves large welfare programmes such as Social Security and Medicare untouched, despite Republican calls for…

Insurance premiums 'to soar' after compensation changes By Brian Milligan Personal Finance reporter 27 February 2017 From the section Business Image copyright Getty Images Car insurance premiums could increase by an average of £60 a year, following changes to the formula for calculating injury compensation payments. The insurance industry has called it a "crazy decision" by the Ministry of Justice. The move - reducing the so-called discount rate - could also cost the D…

Child sex abuse inquiry public hearings to start 27 February 2017 From the section UK Media captionChild sexual abuse victim's '60 years of hate'The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse will hold its first public hearings on Monday. It will start by examining the cases of British children sent to Australia between 1945 and 1974. The inquiry will eventually investigate claims against councils, religious organisations, the armed forces and public and private institutions. The inquiry, set up in 2014, has been dogged by controversy and is now on its fourth chairwoman. How…

Child sex abuse inquiry public hearings to start 27 February 2017 From the section UK Media captionChild sexual abuse victim's '60 years of hate'The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse will hold its first public hearings on Monday. It will start by examining the cases of British children sent to Australia between 1945 and 1974. The inquiry will eventually investigate claims against councils, religious organisations, the armed forces and public and private institutions. The inquiry, set up in 2014, has been dogged by controversy and is now on its fourth chairwoman. How…

Child sex abuse inquiry public hearings to start 27 February 2017 From the section UK Media captionChild sexual abuse victim's '60 years of hate'The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse will hold its first public hearings on Monday. It will start by examining the cases of British children sent to Australia between 1945 and 1974. The inquiry will eventually investigate claims against councils, religious organisations, the armed forces and public and private institutions. The inquiry, set up in 2014, has been dogged by controversy and is now on its fourth chairwoman. How…

Business rates a 'ticking time bomb' for small firms 27 February 2017 From the section Business Image copyright Getty Images Business rates are a "ticking time bomb" for small companies in England which should be offered emergency help, the shadow business secretary has said. Labour's Rebecca Long-Bailey said many firms faced "cliff-edge" rises when new valuations take effect in April and that the process had been mishandled. The government says it has established a £3.6bn transitional fund to help…

Business rates a 'ticking time bomb' for small firms 27 February 2017 From the section Business Image copyright Getty Images Business rates are a "ticking time bomb" for small companies in England which should be offered emergency help, the shadow business secretary has said. Labour's Rebecca Long-Bailey said many firms faced "cliff-edge" rises when new valuations take effect in April and that the process had been mishandled. The government says it has established a £3.6bn transitional fund to help…

Disability benefits: PIPs should be for 'really disabled' 26 February 2017 From the section UK Disability benefits should go to "really disabled people" not those "taking pills at home, who suffer from anxiety", a key Theresa May aide says. No 10 policy unit head George Freeman said personal independence payments (PIP) reforms were needed to roll back the "bizarre" decisions of tribunals. Ministers say the changes will save £3.7bn but leave a "strong safety net". But disability charity Scope criticised Mr Freeman's "crude" distinction between…

Jeremy Corbyn 'determined to finish job' 26 February 2017 From the section UK Politics Image copyright AFP/Getty Images Jeremy Corbyn says he takes his "share of responsibility" for the Labour Party's recent by-election loss, but he is "determined" to stay on as leader. Writing in the Sunday Mirror, he says the party could "turn back the Tory tide" if members worked together. Mr Corbyn is set to give a speech to the Scottish Labour conference in Perth on Sunday. Deputy party leader Tom Watson to…