Real World News

Pro-EU Conservatives launch campaign 17 January 2016 From the section EU Referendum Image copyright PA A campaign group of pro-European Conservatives is to make the case for Britain to stay in a reformed EU. Conservatives for Reform in Europe (CRE) is being led by former minister Nick Herbert, who says if changes to Britain's membership can be agreed then it is better to stay within the bloc. But he says without such reforms …

Flint, Michigan water contamination: Obama declares emergency 17 January 2016 From the section US & Canada Image copyright Jake May/The Flint Journal - MLive.com via AP Image caption Film-maker Michael Moore, who is from Flint, attended a rally in the city on Saturday US President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in Flint, Michigan, where th…

Coastal zones: UK's protected 'blue belt' expanded By Claire Marshall BBC Environment Correspondent 17 January 2016 From the section Science & Environment Image copyright BBC / Richard Sowersby Image caption The Needles, off the Isle of Wight, are among the areas designated as a Marine Protection Zone The UK government has ex…

Iran nuclear deal: International sanctions lifted 16 January 2016 From the section Middle East Media captionWhat will the lifting of sanctions on Iran mean?International sanctions on Iran have been lifted after its compliance with obligations under its nuclear agreement with world powers was certified. The EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said the sanctions were lifted in accordance with the deal "as Iran has fulfilled its commitment". The international nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, said its ins…

Migrant crisis: Switzerland defends asset seizure law 15 January 2016 From the section Europe Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Asylum seekers in Switzerland are required to declare their assets on arrival The Swiss government has defended its law requiring asylum seekers to hand over assets in excess of $1,000 (£700; €900) following international cr…

Tsai Ing-wen elected Taiwan's first female president 16 January 2016 From the section Asia Media captionTsai Ing-wen said people in Taiwan wanted a transparent governmentTsai Ing-wen has been elected Taiwan's first female president. Ms Tsai, 59, leads the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that wants independence from China. In her victory speech, she vowed to preserve the status quo in relations with China, adding Beijing must respect Taiwan's democracy and both sides must ensure there are no provocations.…

Burkina Faso hotel siege 'over' amid reports of new attack 16 January 2016 From the section Africa Image copyright AP Image caption Security forces guarded the Splendid after the attack A siege is over at a Burkina Faso hotel seized by suspected Islamist gunmen, the government says, but reports say a nearby hotel is now under attack. In all, 126 hostages wer…

Jeremy Corbyn to warn businesses over 'unfair' pay 16 January 2016 From the section UK Politics Image copyright Reuters Image caption Mr Corbyn will address a conference of the Fabian Society in London Jeremy Corbyn is to say that a Labour government could ban companies from paying dividends to shareholders unless they pay workers the living wage. He will sa…

Tim Peake spacewalk ends early By Paul Rincon Science editor, BBC News website 15 January 2016 From the section Science & Environment Image copyright NASA Image caption The spacewalk was terminated after four hours because of the helmet leak Nasa has ended the spacewalk involving UK astronaut Tim Peake after his US colleague …

Two US military helicopters collide near Hawaii 15 January 2016 From the section US & Canada Two US Marine helicopters have collided near the Hawaiian island of Oahu, each with six people on board. The crash occurred during a night-time training mission late on Thursday but it is unclear why. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Sara Mooers said debris was seen in the ocean. Marine Capt Timothy Irish told the Associated Press news agency that a search and rescue was unde…

One in coma after clinical trial in France 15 January 2016 From the section Europe Image copyright AFP Image caption The health minister is due to visit a hospital in Rennes A clinical trial of a new drug in France has left one person brain-dead and another five people in hospital, in a serious condition. The oral trial was conducted by a private laboratory …

Lord Janner 'abused 12 at children's homes' By Tom Symonds & Daniel De Simone & Noel Titheradge BBC News 15 January 2016 From the section UK Image copyright PA Image caption Lord Janner pictured in 2005 Twelve former residents of children's homes say they were abused by Lord Janner, a BBC investigation has found, as crimi…

Al-Shabab seizes African Union base in Somalia 15 January 2016 From the section Africa Image copyright AFP Image caption African Union troops in Somalia are supporting the UN-backed government Al-Shabab militants have overrun an African Union military base outside the southern Somali town of el-Ade. The Islamist group says it has taken "complete control" of …

Jakarta attacks: Bombs and gunfire rock Indonesian capital 14 January 2016 From the section Asia Media captionEyewitness Jeremy Douglas: "We heard a third [explosion]...a fourth, a fifth, a sixth"A series of explosions has rocked the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, with gun battles on the streets. The blasts were centred around Thamrin Street, a major shopping and business district close to foreign embassies and the United Nations offices. Police say the situation is now under control, with five suspected atta…