Real World News

North Korea 'executes' army chief of staff Ri Yong-gil 10 February 2016 From the section Asia Image copyright Reuters Image caption Gen Ri had reportedly not been mentioned in North Korean media since mid-January North Korea has executed its army chief of staff Ri Yong-gil, according to unconfirmed South Korean media reports. Senior officials in North Korea …

Several dead in 50-vehicle Pennsylvania pile-up 13 February 2016 From the section US & Canada Image copyright AP Image caption Drivers have been urged to use caution amid cold weather and drifting snow A number of people have died in a motorway pile-up involving more than 50 vehicles in Pennsylvania, authorities say. The crash, 120km (75miles) north-west…

EU referendum: US wants 'strong UK in strong EU' 13 February 2016 From the section EU Referendum Image copyright AP Image caption John Kerry spoke about the EU while at a security conference in Munich The US has a profound interest in a "strong UK staying in a strong European Union", says the US Secretary of State. John Kerry said many Europeans felt "overwh…

Auschwitz: Reinhold Hanning to go on trial in Germany 11 February 2016 From the section Europe Image caption Time is running out for prosecuting the few Auschwitz guards still alive A 94-year former Nazi SS guard at the Auschwitz death camp is due to go on trial in Germany over the murder of at least 170,000 people. Prosecutors say Reinhold Hanning met Jewish prisoners as they arrived at the camp in occupied Poland and may have escorted some to the gas chambers. Mr Hanning has admitted being a guard but denies involvement in mass murder. He will be tried in the city of De…

Al-Shabab 'carried out' Somalia plane attack 13 February 2016 From the section Africa Image copyright Harun Maruf Image caption A huge hole in the fuselage appeared close to the wing Somalia's Islamist militant group al-Shabab says it carried out a bomb attack on a plane that blew a huge hole in its fuselage earlier this month. In an emailed statement, al-Sh…

Australian hospital refuses to discharge asylum baby 13 February 2016 From the section Australia Image copyright Reuters Image caption Protests have been held around Australia in recent weeks against the government's offshore detention policy Protesters have gathered at an Australian hospital to support doctors that have refused to discharge a baby facing dep…

Polluted air causes 5.5 million deaths a year new research says By Jonathan Amos BBC Science Correspondent, Washington DC 13 February 2016 From the section Science & Environment Image copyright Reuters Image caption It is hoped the statistics will be a spur to greater ambition More than 5.5 million people worldwide are dying …

Trident lets UK punch above weight - US defence secretary 13 February 2016 From the section UK Image copyright PA Image caption HMS Vanguard is one of the four UK submarines carrying Trident missiles Britain must keep its Trident nuclear weapons system if it wants to play a significant role in the world, the US defence secretary has said. Ash Carter told the…

21st Century US 'dustbowl' risk assessed By Jonathan Amos BBC Science Correspondent, Washington DC 13 February 2016 From the section Science & Environment Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The 1930s witnessed a deep drought in the US that resulted in huge agricultural losses US scientists have modelled how a 1930s-li…

EU referendum: UK will never 'retreat from world' says Cameron 12 February 2016 From the section EU Referendum Media captionDavid Cameron: "I never want us to pull up the drawbridge, and retreat from the world"David Cameron has said Britain will never "retreat from the world" and it is in Europe's interests for the UK to stay in a reformed European Union. Speaking in Hamburg, the PM said changes he was seeking to UK membership would make Europe "more outward-looking, competitive and dynamic". In an upbeat s…

Pope Francis in historic talks with Russian Orthodox leader 12 February 2016 From the section Latin America & Caribbean Image copyright AP Image caption The two leaders embraced when they met at Havana airport Pope Francis has begun a historic first meeting with Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, in Cuba. The meeting is the first betw…

MyShake quake app invites public testing By Jonathan Amos BBC Science Correspondent, Washington DC 12 February 2016 From the section Science & Environment Image caption For its release, MyShake is available for Android devices; an iOS version will likely come with time A new app that turns a smartphone into a mobile seismometer is being rolled out by California scientist…

Kenya's Ruto wins ICC witness ruling 12 February 2016 From the section Africa Image copyright Getty Images International judges in the case of Kenyan Vice-President William Ruto have barred the use of recanted testimony. The decision means prior recorded witness statements cannot be used by prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in this case. Key witnesses in the case changed their statements, which prosecutors…

Firms forced to reveal gender pay gap 12 February 2016 From the section Business Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The new rules will apply to companies that employ more than 250 workers Companies that fail to address pay differences between male and female employees will be highlighted in new league tables under plans announced on Friday. Those wit…