Real World News

UK snow: Severe weather sweeps across country 12 January 2017 From the section UK Media captionDarren Bett: "The weather is much more straightforward across the northern half of the UK"A blast of freezing weather is sweeping across the UK, bringing disruption as commuters try to get home. Large parts of the UK have already been hit by heavy snow, which has now to started to affect southern areas, with warnings over snow and ice during this evening's rush hour. The army is helping evacuate thousands of people from England's east coast, where a tidal surge is expected. Earlier, f…

Ex-MI6 officer Christopher Steele in hiding after Trump memo 12 January 2017 From the section UK Media captionHere's what Donald Trump had to say at his press conferenceAn ex-MI6 officer who is believed to have prepared a memo claiming Russia has compromising material on US President-elect Donald Trump is now in hiding, the BBC understands. Christopher Steele, who runs a London-based intelligence firm, is believed to have left his home this week. The memos contain unsubstantiated claims that Russian security officials have compromising material on Mr Trump. The US president-elec…

Ex-MI6 officer Christopher Steele in hiding after Trump memo 12 January 2017 From the section UK Image copyright AP An ex-MI6 officer who is believed to have prepared a memo claiming Russia has compromising material on US President-elect Donald Trump is now in hiding, the BBC understands. Christopher Steele, who runs a London-based intelligence firm, is believed to have left his Berkshire home this week. The memos contain unsubstantiated claims that Russian security officials have compromising mate…

Hopes for £1.3bn Swansea Bay tidal lagoon backing 12 January 2017 From the section Wales Image copyright BBC/TLP Image caption Charles Hendry started examining the tidal lagoon project's viability in early 2016 Plans for a £1.3bn tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay could take a significant step forward if the scheme is backed by a final report on Thursday. Charles Hendry will publish his report into the viability of the renewable energy t…

Southern rail strike: GTR taking legal case to Supreme Court 11 January 2017 From the section England Image copyright EPA Image caption Southern's parent company Govia Thameslink has apologised for months of misery The owner of Southern rail says it will take the union Aslef to the Supreme Court over its industrial action on the train network. Drivers are continuing a 48-hour strike, with another walkout planned for Friday. Almost…

Southern rail strike: GTR taking legal case to Supreme Court 11 January 2017 From the section England Image copyright EPA Image caption Southern's parent company Govia Thameslink has apologised for months of misery The owner of Southern rail says it will take the union Aslef to the Supreme Court over its industrial action on the train network. Drivers are continuing a 48-hour strike, with another walkout planned for Friday. Almost…

Winds close Forth Road Bridge, cut power to homes 11 January 2017 From the section UK Image copyright @trafficscotland The Forth Road Bridge is closed after a lorry blew over and thousands of homes in northern England lost power as gale force winds swept across the UK. Met Office yellow weather warnings are in place for wind and snow across much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England throughout Wednesday. About 2,300 homes lost power across Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead and Northum…

Football child sex abuse scandal one of FA's biggest crises - Greg ClarkeJunior football clubs in England face suspension from the Football Association if their coaches have not been cleared to work with children. The warning, in a letter to clubs from the FA, follows allegations of historical child abuse in the sport. It is FA policy that all coaches of youth teams must have an FA accepted in-date criminal records check (CRC). The FA says while 99.7% of clubs have been compliant, there are more than 2,500 coaches without an in-date CRC. There are also nearly 5,000 youth teams without a named coach. FA chairman Greg Clarke has written to clubs demanding they update …

Winds close Forth Road Bridge, cut power to homes 11 January 2017 From the section UK Image copyright @trafficscotland The Forth Road Bridge is closed after a lorry blew over and thousands of homes in northern England lost power as gale force winds swept across the UK. Met Office yellow weather warnings are in place for wind and snow across much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England throughout Wednesday. About 2,300 homes lost power across Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead and Northum…

Winds close Forth Road Bridge, cut power to homes 11 January 2017 From the section UK Image copyright @trafficscotland The Forth Road Bridge is closed after a lorry blew over and thousands of homes in northern England lost power as gale force winds swept across the UK. Met Office yellow weather warnings are in place for wind and snow across much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England throughout Wednesday. About 2,300 homes lost power across Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead and Northum…

Barack Obama delivers farewell address in Chicago 11 January 2017 From the section US & Canada Media captionLive: President Barack Obama gives his farewell speech in ChicagoUS President Barack Obama is giving a farewell speech in Chicago, reflecting on his time in office. He said he wanted to return to "where it all started" for him and First Lady Michelle Obama, instead of delivering the speech from the White House. The country's first black president, now 55, was first elected in 2008 on a progressive message of hope and change. His successor, President-elect Donald Trump,…

Girl, 15, charged with Katie Rough murder 11 January 2017 From the section York & North Yorkshire Image copyright North Yorkshire Police Image caption Katie Rough was found with serious injuries on Monday afternoon A 15-year-old girl has been charged with the murder of seven-year-old Katie Rough, police have said. The teenager was arrested after Katie was found with serious injuries in the Woodthorpe area of York on Monday. …

Theresa May promises mental health care overhaul 9 January 2017 From the section UK Politics Image copyright Reuters Theresa May is pledging to help schools and companies in England deal with the "hidden injustice" of mental illness. In a speech, the prime minister will announce extra training for teachers, more online self-checking for those with concerns and a review of services for children and teenagers. She will promise to "transform" attitudes to mental health problems. Mrs May's speech come…

Jeremy Corbyn suggests maximum earnings limit 10 January 2017 From the section UK Politics Jeremy Corbyn says he would like to see a maximum cap on the amount people can earn. The Labour leader said he thought introducing the limit would be "the fairer thing to do". Mr Corbyn said he was "not wedded to a figure" but told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Let's look at it." He said the UK's levels of income disparity were getting worse, saying this cannot go on "if we want to live in a more egalitarian society". "I would like there to be some k…

Deputy First Minister McGuinness to resign 9 January 2017 From the section Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness is resigning as Northern Ireland's deputy first minister in protest over the handling of a botched heating scheme. The Sinn Féin MLA's resignation will take effect from 17:00 GMT. He cited the Democratic Unionist Party's handling of the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, which could cost taxpayers an £490m, as the reason. He said his First Minister Arlene Foster has a "clear conflict of interest" in the scandal. This breaking news stor…