Real World News

Heterosexual couple lose civil partnership challenge 21 February 2017 From the section UK Media captionRebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan: "There's everything to fight for"A heterosexual couple have lost their Court of Appeal battle to have a civil partnership instead of a marriage. Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, from London, challenged a ruling that said they did not meet the legal requirement of being the same sex. The judges said there was a potential breach of their human rights, but the government should have more time to decide the future of civil partnership. The…

Heterosexual couple lose civil partnership challenge 21 February 2017 From the section UK Media captionRebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan: "There's everything to fight for"A heterosexual couple have lost their Court of Appeal battle to have a civil partnership instead of a marriage. Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, from London, challenged a ruling that said they did not meet the legal requirement of being the same sex. The judges said there was a potential breach of their human rights, but the government should have more time to decide the future of civil partnership. The…

US unveils sweeping orders to deport illegal immigrants 21 February 2017 From the section US & Canada Image copyright Reuters Image caption The memos expand the number of undocumented immigrants subjected to deportation The Trump administration has issued tough guidelines to widen the net for deporting illegal immigrants from the US, and speed up their removal. Undocumented immigrants with a criminal record will be targeted f…

Hospital cuts planned in most of England By Nick Triggle and Rachel Schraer BBC News 21 February 2017 From the section Health Plans have been put forward to cut hospital services in two-thirds of England, a BBC analysis shows. The proposals have been put forward by local NHS bosses as part of a national programme to transform the health service and save money. They include everything from full closures of hospitals to cutting some specialist services such as accident and emergency and stroke care. Ministers argue…

'No reason to fear' Vauxhall job losses, Clark says 20 February 2017 From the section Business Image copyright PA Image caption Greg Clark answers MPs questions in Parliament The business secretary, Greg Clark, has told MPs that Vauxhall workers in Luton and Ellesmere Port have no reason to fear for their jobs. His assurance came as he answered questions about the possible takeover of General Motors' European operations, including…

'No reason to fear' Vauxhall job losses, Clark says 20 February 2017 From the section Business Image copyright PA Image caption Greg Clark answers MPs questions in Parliament The business secretary, Greg Clark, has told MPs that Vauxhall workers in Luton and Ellesmere Port have no reason to fear for their jobs. His assurance came as he answered questions about the possible takeover of General Motors' European operations, including…

NHS trusts overspent by nearly £900m By Nick Triggle Health correspondent 20 February 2017 From the section Health NHS trusts in England have racked up a deficit of nearly £900m in the first nine months of this financial year despite the extra money being ploughed into the service, the BBC understands. The sum is down from the record overspend of £2.45bn in 2015-16. And regulators believe the deficit could actually be cut slightly before April to between £750m and £850m. But this has only been achieved because of…

Council tax to rise while services cut, says LGA By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News website 20 February 2017 From the section UK Nearly every local authority in England is planning to raise council taxes this year but council leaders are warning services still face "deep cuts". The Local Government Association says funding care for increasing numbers of elderly people is forcing up bills. It says many councils are planning tax increases of up to 4.99% but that cuts to libraries, bin collections and other services will still be needed. The govern…

Council tax to rise while services cut, says LGA By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News website 20 February 2017 From the section UK Nearly every local authority in England is planning to raise council taxes this year but council leaders are warning services still face "deep cuts". The Local Government Association says funding care for increasing numbers of elderly people is forcing up bills. It says many councils are planning tax increases of up to 4.99% but that cuts to libraries, bin collections and other services will still be needed. The govern…

Kraft Heinz drops Unilever takeover bid 19 February 2017 From the section Business Kraft Heinz "amicably" agrees to withdraw plans to merge with Anglo-Dutch giant Unilever This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. If you want to receive Breaking News alerts via email, or on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App then details on how to do so are available on this help page. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on Twitter to get the latest alerts. …

Brexit: Mandelson urges Lords not to 'throw in towel' 19 February 2017 From the section UK Politics Image caption The peer said the public weren't aware of the terms of Brexit when they voted Former Labour minister Lord Mandelson has urged peers not to "throw in the towel" when they debate legislation paving the way for Brexit. He said the Lords should amend a bill to protect the rights of EU citizens to ensure a "meaningful" vote on the final deal before Britain leaves the E…

Brexit: Mandelson urges Lords not to 'throw in towel' 19 February 2017 From the section UK Politics Image caption The peer said the public weren't aware of the terms of Brexit when they voted Former Labour minister Lord Mandelson has urged peers not to "throw in the towel" when they debate legislation paving the way for Brexit. He said the Lords should amend a bill to protect the rights of EU citizens to ensure a "meaningful" vote on the final deal before Britain leaves the E…

Prison officers in 31 jails set for pay rises of up to £5,000 19 February 2017 From the section UK Image copyright PA Prison officers at 31 jails in London and south-east England are in line for pay rises of up to £5,000, under a £12m package announced by the government. The increase means new starters could receive up to £29,500 a year. Ministers said they wanted to attract the "best talent". Prisons with recruitment issues are being targeted. Jails have been hit by staff strikes and rising viole…

Donald Trump begins overhaul as first executive orders signed 21 January 2017 From the section US & Canada Image copyright Reuters Image caption Donald Trump intends to roll back many of his predecessor's policies Donald Trump has taken his first steps as president, signing an executive order which targets the signature health care reforms of his predecessor. His proclamation ordered agencies to ease the economic burden of th…

Vauxhall deal: PM set to meet Peugeot boss 18 February 2017 From the section UK Image copyright Vauxhall Prime Minister Theresa May has agreed to meet the head of France's Peugeot Group to discuss the planned takeover of Vauxhall in the UK. Peugeot wants to buy General Motors' loss-making European arm, which includes Vauxhall plants at Luton and Ellesmere Port. There are fears that the deal could lead to job losses. Peugeot boss Carlos Tavares is also set to hold talks with Unite union leader, L…