Real World News

Electoral fraud: Voters will have to show ID in pilot scheme 27 December 2016 From the section UK Image copyright PA Image caption The pilot will be rolled out for the local elections in 2018 Voters will have to show proof of identity before being allowed to vote in a government pilot scheme to reduce electoral fraud. A number of councils in England, including Birmingham and Bradford, will trial the scheme at local elections in 2…

George Michael's philanthropy comes to light after his death 27 December 2016 From the section UK Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Stories of the singer's generosity have appeared alongside the tributes Tales of George Michael's philanthropy have come to light in the wake of his death on Christmas Day - including how he funded a couple's IVF treatment. Former Deal or No Deal producer Richard Osman, who now co-presents P…

Ex-Wham singer George Michael dies 25 December 2016 From the section UK Singer George Michael dies at 53, publicist says 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. View the full article

Russian plane 'disappears from radar' near Sochi 25 December 2016 From the section Europe A Russian plane has disappeared from radar just minutes after take-off from the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russian media say. They are quoting a source at the emergency ministry as saying the missing aircraft is a Tu-154. Between 70 and 100 people are reported to be on board the plane. Unconfirmed reports say the aircraft belongs to the defence ministry, flying to Syria's Latakia province. Russian officials have so far made no comment. Interfax news age…

Chief nurse: 'Cut hospital beds to increase care at home' 27 December 2016 From the section UK Image copyright PA Image caption The NHS should spend cash on care at home rather than on hospital beds, according to Professor Jane Cummings Cutting hospital beds and using the money for care at home could mean better treatment for patients, according to NHS England's chief nursing officer. Prof Jane Cummings writes in the Daily Telegra…

Chief nurse: 'Cut hospital beds to increase care at home' 27 December 2016 From the section UK Image copyright PA Image caption The NHS should spend cash on care at home rather than on hospital beds, according to Professor Jane Cummings Cutting hospital beds and using the money for care at home could mean better treatment for patients, according to NHS England's chief nursing officer. Prof Jane Cummings writes in the Daily Telegra…

Electoral fraud: Voters will have to show ID in pilot scheme 27 December 2016 From the section UK Image copyright PA Image caption The pilot will be rolled out for the local elections in 2018 Voters will have to show proof of identity before being allowed to vote in a government pilot scheme to reduce electoral fraud. A number of councils in England, including Birmingham and Bradford, will trial the scheme at local elections in 2…

Electoral fraud: Voters will have to show ID in pilot scheme 27 December 2016 From the section UK Image copyright PA Image caption The pilot will be rolled out for the local elections in 2018 Voters will have to show proof of identity before being allowed to vote in a government pilot scheme to reduce electoral fraud. A number of councils in England, including Birmingham and Bradford, will trial the scheme at local elections in 2…

Japan PM Shinzo Abe in Hawaii for landmark Pearl Harbor visit 26 December 2016 From the section Asia Image copyright AP Image caption Shinzo Abe will pay tribute to the dead at the naval base Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has landed in Hawaii, ahead of a visit to Pearl Harbor, the US naval base attacked by the Japanese in 1941. Mr Abe will be accompanied by US President Barack Obama, making the visit the first by the leaders …

George Michael: Tributes for pop superstar 26 December 2016 From the section UK Media captionIn video: His most famous tracksTributes have poured in from across the world for singer George Michael, who has died at his home at the age of 53. Former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley said he was "heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend", while Sir Elton John mourned a "brilliant artist". Paul Young, who performed on the Band Aid hit Do They Know it's Christmas? with Michael, told the BBC his voice "cuts straight through your heart". Michael's publicist said he had died peacefull…

George Michael: Tributes for pop superstar 26 December 2016 From the section UK Media captionIn video: His most famous tracksTributes have poured in from across the world for singer George Michael, who has died at his home at the age of 53. Former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley said he was "heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend", while Sir Elton John mourned a "brilliant artist". Paul Young, who performed on the Band Aid hit Do They Know it's Christmas? with Michael, told the BBC his voice "cuts straight through your heart". Michael's publicist said he had died peacefull…

Ex-Wham singer George Michael dies 25 December 2016 From the section UK Singer George Michael dies at 53, publicist says 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. View the full article

Queen to miss Christmas Day church service 'due to cold' 25 December 2016 From the section UK Image copyright Reuters Image caption The Queen leaving the service at Sandringham in 2015 The Queen will not attend church on Christmas Day because she is still suffering from a heavy cold, Buckingham Palace has said. Crowds have already gathered in Sandringham, her Norfolk estate, in expectation of members of the royal family attending …

Queen to miss Christmas Day church service 'due to cold' 25 December 2016 From the section UK Image copyright Reuters Image caption The Queen leaving the service at Sandringham in 2015 The Queen will not attend church on Christmas Day because she is still suffering from a heavy cold, Buckingham Palace has said. Crowds have already gathered in Sandringham, her Norfolk estate, in expectation of members of the royal family attending …

Queen's Christmas message: 'I draw strength from unsung heroes' 25 December 2016 From the section UK Image copyright PA Image caption The Queen's Christmas address will praise Olympians and Paralympic athletes after an impressive summer in Rio The Queen will say she draws strength from "ordinary people doing extraordinary things" in her annual televised Christmas Day address. Volunteers, carers, community workers and good neighbou…