Real World News

Donald Trump hints US 'One China' policy could end 11 December 2016 From the section US & Canada Image copyright AP Image caption Donald Trump ruffled feathers in Beijing by speaking to Taiwan's leader in a phone call President-elect Donald Trump has questioned whether the US should continue its "One China" policy. US policy since 1979 has respected China's stance on Taiwan, which it sees as a breakaway province. But Mr Trump…

UK man accused of photographing 49 women changing in Australia 12 December 2016 From the section Australia Image copyright Thinkstock Image caption File image of fitting rooms A British man has been accused of secretly photographing 49 women as they changed in fitting rooms in Australia. The 28-year-old man was arrested at a swimwear store on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on Saturday afternoon, police said. They allege videos and m…

Media playback is unsupported on your device Raising the curtain on Liverpool's new theatre company 12 December 2016 Last updated at 07:12 GMT The Everyman Theatre in Liverpool has formed its first repertory company for 25 years. Fourteen resident members will get to tread the boards at the recently revamped theatre. View the full article

Ministers consider council tax rise to cover social care funding 12 December 2016 From the section UK Image copyright Getty Images The prime minister is understood to be considering plans to allow councils in England and Wales to increase council tax to fund the social care system. It follows warnings that the system could "topple at any moment" leading to pressure on the NHS as patients cannot be released from hospital. Local councils have suffered more than a 40% reduction in government grants s…

Ministers consider council tax rise to cover social care funding 12 December 2016 From the section UK Image copyright Getty Images The prime minister is understood to be considering plans to allow councils in England and Wales to increase council tax to fund the social care system. It follows warnings that the system could "topple at any moment" leading to pressure on the NHS as patients cannot be released from hospital. Local councils have suffered more than a 40% reduction in government grants s…

Mental health and relationships 'key to happiness' 12 December 2016 From the section UK Image copyright Thinkstock Image caption A co-author of the report said the state needed to focus on the wellbeing of its citizens rather than their wealth Good mental health and having a partner makes people happier than doubling their income, a new study has found. The research by the London School of Economics looked at responses from 200,0…

Mental health and relationships 'key to happiness' 12 December 2016 From the section UK Image copyright Thinkstock Image caption A co-author of the report said the state needed to focus on the wellbeing of its citizens rather than their wealth Good mental health and having a partner makes people happier than doubling their income, a new study has found. The research by the London School of Economics looked at responses from 200,0…

Liverpool Everyman theatre unveils first rep company for 25 years 12 December 2016 From the section Entertainment & Arts Image caption Emily Hughes (left) and Melanie La Barrie are part of the new company Liverpool's Everyman theatre has named the 14 actors who will form its first repertory company for 25 years. The venue is hoping to replicate the success of its famous 1970s company, which included future stars like Julie Walters, Bill Nighy and Jonathan Pryce. It did a…

Liverpool Everyman theatre unveils first rep company for 25 years 12 December 2016 From the section Entertainment & Arts Image caption Emily Hughes (left) and Melanie La Barrie are part of the new company Liverpool's Everyman theatre has named the 14 actors who will form its first repertory company for 25 years. The venue is hoping to replicate the success of its famous 1970s company, which included future stars like Julie Walters, Bill Nighy and Jonathan Pryce. It did a…

Media playback is unsupported on your device Ricky Gervais reacts to David Brent fans' Facebook jokes 12 December 2016 Last updated at 03:33 GMT Ricky Gervais has reacted with hysterics to a Facebook group set up in homage to his cringeworthy character David Brent. The BBC showed the actor an example of some of the laughs fans were having at the socially-awkward Slough company manager online. The page is entitled, Do You Not Know Who Eric Hitchmough Is, after a quote from the series about a character who never appears on screen. Fans post pictures, videos and news stories which play on scenes from The Office TV series…

Media playback is unsupported on your device Ricky Gervais reacts to David Brent fans' Facebook jokes 12 December 2016 Last updated at 03:33 GMT Ricky Gervais has reacted with hysterics to a Facebook group set up in homage to his cringeworthy character David Brent. The BBC showed the actor an example of some of the laughs fans were having at the socially-awkward Slough company manager online. The page is entitled, Do You Not Know Who Eric Hitchmough Is, after a quote from the series about a character who never appears on screen. Fans post pictures, videos and news stories which play on scenes from The Office TV series…

School nativity plays: Dire or delightful? By Judith Burns Education reporter 12 December 2016 From the section Education & Family Image caption School nativity plays divide opinion but leave a host of memories The school nativity season is in full swing, with pupils having the chance to be part of one of the greatest stories ever told - but for many parents and teachers, the plays can become "torture". Yet many people love them. "I absolute…

School nativity plays: Dire or delightful? By Judith Burns Education reporter 12 December 2016 From the section Education & Family Image caption School nativity plays divide opinion but leave a host of memories The school nativity season is in full swing, with pupils having the chance to be part of one of the greatest stories ever told - but for many parents and teachers, the plays can become "torture". Yet many people love them. "I absolute…

Coventry - is the UK's 'motor city' still driving forwards? 12 December 2016 From the section Coventry & Warwickshire Media captionCoventry's car-making heyday rememberedThe last Peugeot to be made at the company's Coventry plant rolled off the production line 10 years ago. It could have been the death knell for the city's automotive industry, but new technology is inspiring confidence once more in the UK's "motor city". Ten years ago the mood in the city was sombre, certainly at the Peugeot plant, near Ryton, where production was ending. Jim O'Boyle, union convenor and Peug…

Coventry - is the UK's 'motor city' still driving forwards? 12 December 2016 From the section Coventry & Warwickshire Media captionCoventry's car-making heyday rememberedThe last Peugeot to be made at the company's Coventry plant rolled off the production line 10 years ago. It could have been the death knell for the city's automotive industry, but new technology is inspiring confidence once more in the UK's "motor city". Ten years ago the mood in the city was sombre, certainly at the Peugeot plant, near Ryton, where production was ending. Jim O'Boyle, union convenor and Peug…