Real World News

Turkey denies troops entered Syria and 'has no plans to deploy' 15 February 2016 From the section Middle East Image copyright AP Image caption Turkey's defence minister says there is "no thought of Turkish soldiers entering Syria" Turkey has denied reports that some of its soldiers have entered Syria, the state-run Anadolu news agency says. Defence Minister …

John Paul letters reveal 'intense' friendship with woman 15 February 2016 From the section Europe Image copyright Photograph provided by Bill and Jadwiga Smith Image caption Cardinal Wojtyla and Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka on a camping trip in 1978 Hundreds of letters and photographs that tell the story of Pope John Paul II's close relationship with a married wom…

Ex-chief of Russian anti-doping 'dead' 15 February 2016 From the section Europe Image copyright Reuters Image caption Kamaev had resigned his post only two months earlier The former executive director of Russia's anti-doping agency, Nikita Kamaev, has died, Tass news agency reports. His reported death comes two months after he resigned his post at Rusada fo…

Syria calls for UN action on Turkish attacks on Kurds 15 February 2016 From the section Middle East Image copyright AP Image caption Smoke from Turkish attacks on Kurdish targets in northern Syria was clearly visible on Sunday Syria has condemned Turkish military action against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria described it as a violation of its sovereignty.…

UK band Viola Beach 'killed in Swedish car crash' 14 February 2016 From the section UK Image caption The four-piece Warrington-based band released their debut single Swings & Waterslides last year Five British nationals have died in a car crash in Sweden, the Foreign Office has said. It is understood all four members of the indie band Viola Beach died in the accident, which happened on Saturday near…

Japan's economy contracts in fourth quarter 15 February 2016 From the section Business Image copyright AFP Image caption Until December, Japan's exports were growing, thanks to a lower yen Japan's economy contracted in the three months to December by 0.4% quarter on quarter, adding to a string of setbacks for the government's economic reform policy. Expecta…

HSBC to keep headquarters in London 14 February 2016 From the section Business Image copyright Getty Images UK banking giant HSBC has announced it is to keep its headquarters in London. Concerns about stricter UK regulations led Europe's biggest bank to launch a review into whether to move elsewhere, with Hong Kong the most likely option. But the bank said it had decided unanimously against the move and that London "offered t…

Five Palestinians killed 'after attacking Israelis' 14 February 2016 From the section Middle East Image copyright AFP Image caption A knife and a purse at the scene of what Israel says was an attempted stabbing attack in Hebron Five Palestinians, three of them teenagers, have been shot dead after trying to attack Israeli security forces, Israeli officials say…

Google boss becomes highest-paid in US 9 February 2016 From the section Business Image copyright Getty Images The chief executive of Google, Sundar Pichai, has been awarded $199m (£138m) in shares, a regulatory filing has revealed. It makes him the highest-paid chief executive in the US. Mr Pichai became chief executive of the search engine giant following the creation of its parent, Alphabet. The founders of Google, Larry P…

Afghan civilian death and injuries 'reach record high' 14 February 2016 From the section Asia Image copyright AFP Image caption Children accounted for one in four casualties in 2015 The number of people killed and wounded in conflict in Afghanistan rose in 2015 to the highest level yet recorded, the UN mission in the country says. There were 11,002 casualtie…

Junior doctors' contract set to be imposed By Nick Triggle Health correspondent 11 February 2016 From the section Health comments Image copyright AFP Ministers are expected to impose a contract on junior doctors in England later after a final offer was rejected by the British Medical Association. It comes as negotiator Sir David Dalton advised ministers to do "whatever necessary" to end the…

Spanish civil servant's six-year absence from work not noticed 12 February 2016 From the section Europe Image copyright File pic (Manuel Vazquez) A Spanish civil servant has been fined €27,000 (£21,000; $30,000) after not going to work for "at least" six years. Joaquin Garcia's absence was only noticed when he became eligible to collect a long-service award. The 69-year-old, whose job was to supervise the building of a waste …

Syria conflict: Powers divided over ceasefire 11 February 2016 From the section Middle East Image copyright AFP Image caption A surge in fighting in Syria's Aleppo province has displaced about 50,000 people A US push for an immediate ceasefire in Syria has run into Russian opposition ahead of talks aimed at reviving peace negotiations on the conflict. Russia…

Antonin Scalia, conservative US Supreme Court justice, dies 14 February 2016 From the section US & Canada Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Justice Scalia was the first Italian American to serve on the high court US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia - one of most conservative members of the high court - has died. Justice Scalia's death could …

Trump and Cruz trade blows ahead of Republican debate 13 February 2016 From the section US & Canada Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The contest between the two men to lead the Republican field is growing ever more acrimonious Donald Trump and Ted Cruz have clashed ahead of a debate between the remaining Republican contenders for president. Mr …