Real World News

Prison officer injured in Belfast bomb attack dies 15 March 2016 From the section Northern Ireland Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption The man was injured after the booby-trap device exploded under his van A prison officer injured in a bomb attack in Northern Ireland earlier this month has died. The 52-year-old man was seriously hurt after a booby-trap d…

HS3 rail link needs 'kick-starting', report concludes 15 March 2016 From the section Business Image copyright Getty Images HS3, the planned fast rail link between Manchester and Leeds, needs 'kick-starting' as part of a broader plan to improve transport links in northern England, a report has concluded. The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) also called for improvements on the most congested part of the M62 to be sped up…

Myanmar parliament elects first civilian president in decades 15 March 2016 From the section Asia Myanmar's parliament has elected Htin Kyaw as the next president, the first civilian to lead the country after more than 50 years of military rule. Htin Kyaw is a close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept to victory in historic elections in November. He beat another NLD candidate and one put forward by the military. Ms Suu Kyi is barred from the post due to a constitutional clause, but has said she would be above the president. …

Childcare fees for under-threes 'may rise' By Sarah Bell & Jim Reed Victoria Derbyshire programme 15 March 2016 From the section Education & Family Image copyright Getty Images The cost of sending one and two-year-olds to nursery may have to increase substantially when free childcare for older children doubles, charities warn. Free care for three-and four-year-olds is to rise from 15 to 3…

Anita Brookner, Booker Prize-winning author, dies age 87, Times announces 14 March 2016 From the section UK Image copyright PA Image caption Anita Brookner photographed in 1984 when she won the Booker Prize for her novel Hotel du Lac Anita Brookner, the Booker prize-winning British author and renowned art historian, has died at the age of 87, according to a n…

Syria conflict: Russia's Putin orders 'main part' of forces out 14 March 2016 From the section Middle East Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the military to withdraw the "main part" of their forces in Syria, saying they had largely achieved their goals. He told a meeting at the Kremlin that the pullout would start on Tuesday. The comments come amid fresh peace talks in Geneva aimed at resolving the Syrian conflict. Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Its entry into the Syrian civil war tipped the balance in favour of the Syrian go…

Migrant crisis: Scores cross from Greece into Macedonia 14 March 2016 From the section Europe Image copyright Reuters Image caption Dozens of migrants have been seen trying to cross a river to get into Macedonia Hundreds of migrants have crossed from Greece into Macedonia after finding a way through the border fence. Earlier, some 1,000 migrants, including c…

Commonwealth Day: Queen arrives at Westminster Abbey 14 March 2016 From the section UK Media captionCommonwealth Day: Queen's message to focus on inclusivityThe Queen has arrived at Westminster Abbey for a Commonwealth Day service. The Duke of Edinburgh, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry are all attending the event. In a message in the programme for the service, the Queen said people of the Commonwealth should "support those in need" and others who "feel excluded". The principal reflection wil…

Low-income households 'need energy cap' 10 March 2016 From the section Business Millions of low-income households could see power bills cut after a watchdog's report into the UK's energy sector. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has proposed a price cap for all households using pre-payment meters. It has also proposed that the regulator, Ofgem, keeps a database of customers that have been on a standard rate for three years. This database will then be opened up so these customers can be targeted directly by other suppliers. The proposals are designed to …

Migrant crisis: Migrants 'beaten in boat' off Turkey 12 March 2016 From the section Europe Image caption The men with sticks are heard speaking Turkish The BBC has been given a video that appears to show Turkish coast guards beating migrants on a rubber boat as they sail from Turkey to Greece. The footage was sent by a volunteer on the Greek island of Lesbos, who says the incident happened on Saturday. …

Ankara bombing: President Erdogan vows to bring terror 'to its knees' 14 March 2016 From the section Europe Media captionFootage shows the chaotic aftermath of the blast in the Turkish capital, AnkaraTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to bring terrorism "to its knees" after an attack in the capital Ankara that killed at least 34 people. Mr Erdogan said the suicide car bomb would serve only to strengthen the resolve of Turkey's security forces. The explosion, in Guven Park in the Kizilay distri…

Budget 2016: Low-paid workers to receive savings bonus 14 March 2016 From the section Business Image copyright Thinkstock Millions of low-paid workers who put aside savings could receive a top-up of up to £1,200 over four years, the government has announced. Employees on in-work benefits, such as tax credits, who put aside £50 a month would receive a bonus of 50% after two years - worth up to £600. That could then be continue…

Germanwings crash: Pilot confidentiality 'should be relaxed' 13 March 2016 From the section Europe Image copyright Reuters Image caption The plane crashed in the French Alps almost a year ago French investigators have called for medical confidentiality to be relaxed for pilots, in the wake of last year's Germanwings disaster. Co-pilot Andreas Lubitz was urge…

Turkey explosion: Ankara car bomb kills at least 27 13 March 2016 From the section Europe Media captionFootage shows the chaotic aftermath of the blast in the Turkish capital, AnkaraA car bomb has exploded in the Turkish capital Ankara, killing 27 people and wounding another 75, the city governor's office has said. The explosion happened in Guvenpark in the Kizilay district, a key transport hub and commercial area. Several vehicles at the scene were reduced to burned-out wrecks, including at least one bus. …

Junior doctors strike: NHS braced for 48-hour strike By Nick Triggle Health correspondent 9 March 2016 From the section Health Image copyright AFP Hospitals in England are braced for the third strike by junior doctors in their contract dispute with the government. The walkout gets under way at 08:00 GMT and lasts 48 hours - the longest one so far - but medics will once again provide emergency cove…