Real World News

Munich got 'specific' warning of IS plot - German officials 1 January 2016 From the section Europe Image copyright EPA Image caption German police got a tip-off from French intelligence German officials say they were right to close two major railway stations in Munich on New Year's Eve, because they had a "specific" tip-off about a possible Islamic State (IS) attack.…

Dubai seeks cause of massive hotel fire at New Year 1 January 2016 From the section Middle East Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Smoke is still billowing from the stricken hotel (right) - the Burj Khalifa is on the left The authorities in Dubai are trying to find out what caused a spectacular fire to engulf a 63-storey luxury hotel in the city centre on New…

Archbishop's new year message focuses on refugees 1 January 2016 From the section UK Image copyright Getty Images People should use the "hospitality of love" to conquer "hatred and extremism", the Archbishop of Canterbury is to say in a New Year's Day message. The archbishop will use his televised broadcast to focus on the plight of refugees and urge people to "welcome the alien and stranger". The Most Reverend Welby will remind peop…

David Cameron pledges 2016 'game-changer' in new year's message 1 January 2016 From the section UK Politics comments Media captionDavid Cameron said extremists "will not defeat us"David Cameron says 2016 will be a "game-changer" for the UK, pledging reforms to home ownership and a crackdown on extremism. In a new year message, the PM says he is determined to "secure our future" with the EU referendum, which could be held this year. Jeremy Corbyn says 2016 will mark the "start of the journey" towards a Labour…

Munich police warn of imminent terror threat 31 December 2015 From the section Europe Police in the German city of Munich have warned of a planned terror attack and have asked people to avoid crowds. The police tweeted that the city's main station and Pasing station had been evacuated and said trains were no longer stopping there. In a Facebook post, authorities said they had "serious information" that the attack had been planned for New Year's Eve. They gave no further details.…

Fire sweeps through Dubai skyscraper 31 December 2015 From the section Middle East Media captionFootage showed flames engulfing the skyscraperA huge fire has broken out in a high-rise hotel in central Dubai close to the world's tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa. Burning debris could be seen falling from the 300m-tall (1,000-feet) building, called The Address, as firefighters arrived at the scene. It was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties. The blaze erupted ahead of a major New Year's Eve fi…

Turkey President Erdogan 'talks man out of suicide' 25 December 2015 From the section Europe Image copyright jupiter grab Image caption The man was led to President Erdogan's car where the president is said to have offered help Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan talked a man out of jumping off a bridge in Istanbul, his office says. The man had climbed over a ra…

New Year: Celebrations begin to mark start of 2016 31 December 2015 From the section World Media captionFootage shows firework displays in New Zealand and AustraliaThe world has begun celebrating the New Year, with revellers in Australia and New Zealand among the first to usher in 2016. Crowds counted down the last seconds of 2015 at Auckland's Sky Tower in New Zealand at 1100 GMT, with a laser show and fireworks display. Up to 25,000 people had been expected to turn up for the festivities. In Australia, fireworks…

Bill Cosby charged with indecent assault 30 December 2015 From the section US & Canada Image copyright AP Image caption Mr Cosby befriended the woman in Philadelphia Prosecutors in the US have charged comedian Bill Cosby with aggravated indecent assault over an alleged incident in 2004. It is the first time Mr Cosby, 78, has been charged with any offence after m…

Death for Bangladesh blogger killers 31 December 2015 From the section Asia Image copyright AFP/Getty Image caption Hundreds of people have rallied against the killing of secular bloggers and activists Two students have been sentenced to death in Bangladesh for the killing of an atheist blogger there in 2013. Six others were convicted of involvement in the murder of…

European capitals tighten security ahead of New Year celebrations 31 December 2015 From the section Europe Media captionA number of European countries are taking extra precautions for their New Year celebrations, as Ben Bland reportsSecurity is being stepped up in major European cities ahead of New Year celebrations, with officials wary of possible terror plots. New Year fireworks and festivities have been cancelled in the Belgian capital Brussels because of an alert. Extra measures are being put in place in other …

South Africa's King Dalindyebo goes to jail 31 December 2015 From the section Africa Image copyright Reuters Image caption King Dalindyebo conducted a reign of terror, judges say A South African king who is a nephew of the late Nelson Mandela has begun a 12-year prison sentence for kidnapping, assault and arson. King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo reported to prison after …

Turbulence on Air Canada flight from China injures 21 31 December 2015 From the section US & Canada Media captionPassengers described blankets and even people "flying" up to the plane's ceilingA Canada-bound airliner was forced to make an emergency landing after severe turbulence injured 21 passengers, including three children, officials said. The Air Canada flight from Shanghai to Toronto was diverted to Calgary after the turbulence hit. Eight passengers suffered neck and back injuries and 13 more were taken t…