Real World News

Australia town consumed by 'hairy panic' 18 February 2016 From the section Australia Media caption'Hairy panic' tumbleweeds invade Australia townA fast-growing tumbleweed called "hairy panic" is clogging up homes in a small Australian town. Extremely dry conditions mean the weeds pile up each day outside a row of homes at Wangaratta, in Victoria's northeast. Frustrated residents are forced to clear out the weeds for several hours every day, with piles of hairy panic at times reaching roof height. A nearb…

Zika virus: Study supports link to microcephaly By Smitha Mundasad Health reporter 18 February 2016 From the section Health Image copyright AP Image caption A 10-year-old Brazilian boy holds his two-month-old brother, who was born with microcephaly Scientists say a study involving pregnant women in Brazil "strengthens" the theor…

EU summit: 'Crunch time' for Cameron's reform hopes 18 February 2016 From the section EU Referendum Image copyright Reuters David Cameron's bid to win backing for his EU reforms has reached "crunch time", a UK government official says. The prime minister heads for a Brussels summit later hoping to agree a deal on changes that will pave the way for the UK's in/out referendum. It follows months of negotiations between officials…

South China Sea dispute: US attacks China 'militarisation' 17 February 2016 From the section Asia Media captionWhy is sovereignty of the islands disputed and how serious could the row get? Rupert Wingfield-Hayes explainsUS Secretary of State John Kerry says Washington is seriously concerned about increased Chinese militarisation in the contested South China Sea. He was responding to reports Beijing has deployed surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island in the region. China dismissed the reports as "hype"…

Blast hits Ankara military building 17 February 2016 From the section Europe A large explosion at a military dormitory in the Turkish capital Ankara has left several people injured, reports say. A Turkish police official quoted by the Reuters news agency said a vehicle exploded. Photos on social media showed large plumes of smoke rising from the area. Turkey has been hit by a serious of attacks recently, including a suicide bomber that killed 10 people in Istanbul last …

Syria conflict: Two hospitals hit in new air strikes 15 February 2016 From the section Middle East Image copyright MSF Image caption MSF posted a photo showing the aftermath of the air strike on the Maarat al-Numan hospital Two hospitals have been hit in new air strikes in northern Syria, medics and witnesses say, causing a number of deaths and injuries. In …

Bombardier to cut more than 1,000 jobs in NI 17 February 2016 From the section Northern Ireland Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Bombardier announce hundreds of job losses in Northern Ireland The aerospace firm Bombardier has said it will cut more than 1,000 jobs from its Northern Ireland operation. The company said that 580 jobs will go this year wi…

Russian footballer Dmitri Tarasov reveals Putin shirt in Turkey match 17 February 2016 From the section Europe Image copyright AP Image caption Russia-Turkey ties have been tense since Turkey downed a Russian fighter A Russian footballer taunted Turkish fans by pulling off his shirt to reveal a picture of President Putin after a match in Istanbul. Lokomotiv …

Violent domestic abusers to be tackled by new programme By Danny Shaw Home affairs correspondent 17 February 2016 From the section UK Image copyright Thinkstock Men who pose a high risk of domestic violence are to be given one-to-one support to change their behaviour. A new programme, known as Drive, will be aimed at the most dangerous offenders, BBC News has been told. Backed by domestic abuse …

China 'has deployed missiles in South China Sea' - reports 17 February 2016 From the section China Image copyright Google Image caption Previous satellite images of Woody Island show extensive building work including a runway China appears to have deployed surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island in the South China Sea, say reports. Civilian satellite im…

EU referendum: Final day of UK deal talks ahead of summit 17 February 2016 From the section EU Referendum Image copyright EPA Image caption UK Prime Minister David Cameron met with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Tuesday David Cameron is gearing up to meet EU leaders after European officials hold a final day of talks on the UK renegotiati…

Antonin Scalia death: Obama pushes Senate over Scalia seat 17 February 2016 From the section US & Canada Image copyright AFP Image caption Mr Obama said the Constitution is clear on what to do next President Barack Obama has urged the US Senate to act after he nominates a replacement on the Supreme Court for Justice Antonin Scalia. "I expect them to do t…

Canada's missing or killed indigenous women 'higher than thought' 17 February 2016 From the section US & Canada Image copyright Reuters Image caption Ms Bennett said the true figure of missing or murdered women is higher than previously thought The Canadian government has confirmed that the number of missing or murdered indigenous women in the country may…