Real World News

Ministers 'free to campaign for both sides on EU vote' 5 January 2016 From the section EU Referendum comments Image copyright AFP/Getty David Cameron is to allow ministers to campaign for either side in the referendum once a deal is reached on the UK's relationship with the EU. BBC 5 Live chief political correspondent John Pienaar said the PM would announce the move later. The prime minister is currently renegotiating the UK's…

Chris Gayle fined in Big Bash League reporter 'sexism' row 5 January 2016 From the section Australia Media captionChris Gayle: "There wasn't anything meant to be disrespectful or offensive"West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle has been fined A$10,000 ($7,200; £4,900) by his club for "inappropriate conduct" after he asked a TV reporter for a date in a live interview. Gayle was speaking to journalist Mel McLaughlin during a Big Bash League T20 match in Hobart on Monday. "To see your eyes for the first time is nice. Hopef…

Islamic State video suspect thought to be Briton Siddhartha Dhar 4 January 2016 From the section UK Image copyright Twitter Image caption Siddhartha Dhar is a Muslim convert who uses the name Abu Rumaysah The chief suspect in the latest propaganda video by so-called Islamic State (IS) is thought to be British man Siddhartha Dhar, the BBC understands. Mr Dhar is the …

Rafa Benitez managed Real Madrid's second team for two years from 1993 4 January 2016 Last updated at 19:36 Rafael Benitez has been sacked as manager of Real Madrid after just seven months in charge at the Bernabeu. The 55-year-old Spaniard was relieved of his duties following a meeting of the club's board on Monday. Real's B team coach Zinedine Zidane, 43, has been promoted to the role of first-team boss. Frenchman Zi…

VW sued by US justice department 4 January 2016 From the section Business Image copyright Getty Images The US justice department is suing Volkswagen over the emissions scandal that saw the German car giant fit software in millions of cars to cheat emissions tests. In September last year, following an investigation by US regulators, VW admitted fitting the so-called defeat device on 11 million vehicles globally. The scandal has hit sa…

Denmark responds to Swedish border checks with own controls 4 January 2016 From the section Europe Image copyright AFP Image caption Denmark has introduced new border controls at crossing points with Germany Denmark has tightened its border controls with Germany, hours after Sweden imposed similar measures to deter migrants entering from Denmark. Danish Prime Minist…

Stock markets in rocky start to 2016 4 January 2016 From the section Business Image copyright Getty Images Share markets fell, while oil and gold prices rose, as rising tensions in the Middle East and more poor Chinese economic data spooked investors. Europe's main stock markets followed Asian exchanges lower, with the FTSE 100 down 2%, Germany's Dax 3.3% lower and France's Cac losing 2.1%. Worsening relations between Iran and Saudi …

China share trading halted after 7% plunge 4 January 2016 From the section Business Image copyright AFP Trading on China's mainland benchmark index - the Shanghai Composite - was suspended after the market dramatically plunged 7%. Trading was initially halted for 15 minutes after the stock market fell by 5%, triggering an automatic 15-minute trading suspension under a new system created to curb volatility. But shares continued to f…

Islamic State video scrutinised by UK security services 4 January 2016 From the section UK Image copyright IS video The UK's security and intelligence agencies are examining a video by so-called Islamic State, to identify a man and young boy with British accents. The video purportedly shows the killing of five men who IS says were spying for the UK. The authorities will also be carrying out voice-print analysis to match what is heard…

Migrant crisis: Sweden border checks come into force 4 January 2016 From the section Europe Image copyright Oresundsbron Image caption Denmark and Sweden are joined by the longest road-rail bridge in Europe Sweden has introduced identity checks for travellers from Denmark in an attempt to reduce the number of migrants arriving in the country. All travellers wanting…

Mexico mayor shooting: Morelos governor takes over local police 4 January 2016 From the section Latin America & Caribbean Image copyright Reuters Image caption Mexican soldiers guarded the area where the mayor was killed The governor Mexico's Morelos state, Graco Ramirez, has taken command of police services in 15 towns and cities following the murder of a newly-…

Islamic State video 'shows killing of five men it says spied for UK' 3 January 2016 From the section UK Image copyright IS video Islamic State militants have released a video, featuring a man and young boy speaking with British accents, purportedly showing the killing of five men who it says were spying for the UK. In the 10-minute film, the man threatens attacks in the UK and says this is a message for David Cameron. A boy later app…

Obama to take unilateral action on US gun violence 2 January 2016 From the section US & Canada Media captionObama to use executive powers over gun controlPresident Obama has said he will take unilateral action to tackle the problem of gun violence in the US. In his first weekly address of 2016, Mr Obama said he would meet Attorney General Loretta Lynch to discuss actions he could take. He said he was using his executive powers as president because the US Congress has failed to address the problem. Analysts sa…

India mission in Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif comes under attack 3 January 2016 From the section Asia Explosions and gunfire have been heard at the Indian consulate in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif. Officials said the attackers had tried to enter the compound but had not been able to and were now in an adjacent building. Security forces reportedly cordoned off the area. Indian diplomatic missions have come under attack from militants in the past in Afghanistan. In…

Deadly IS attack on Iraq ex-US Camp Speicher base 3 January 2016 From the section Middle East Media captionThe BBC's Thomas Fessy watched as Iraqi forces attempted to drive out the remaining IS fightersAt least 12 members of the Iraqi security forces have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on the former US base of Camp Speicher, outside Tikrit. There were reports of about five bombers at the camp's western gates. So-called Islamic State (IS) said it carried out the attack. Most of the dead were police recruits. …