Real World News

Julian Assange to be questioned by Sweden 13 December 2015 From the section Latin America & Caribbean Image copyright Reuters Image caption Julian Assange has been taking refuge in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London since 2012 Ecuador has agreed to allow Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to be questioned by the Swedish authorities at the Ecuadorean embassy in London…

Donald Trump urges ban on Muslims coming to US 7 December 2015 From the section US & Canada Image copyright AFP Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has called for a "total and complete" halt to Muslims entering the US, in the wake of the deadly California shootings. He said that polling showed a "hatred" by Muslims towards Americans that could put the nation at risk. The border shutdown should remain "until our country…

COP21: Climate deal 'final draft' reached in Paris 12 December 2015 From the section Science & Environment Image copyright Reuters Image caption The goal is to keep the rise of global temperatures to 2C Organisers of the climate talks in Paris say a final draft text has been reached after nearly two weeks of intensive negotiations. An official in the office of F…

The annual report by Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseni Yatseniuk before the Supreme Rada (Parliament) provoked a fight between allied political parties and protests close to the host of the Parliament in this capital Friday http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4428681&Itemid=1

EU referendum: PM 'to continue with benefit demands' 13 December 2015 From the section UK Politics comments Image copyright AP Downing Street has insisted that David Cameron will continue with demands for a curb on in-work benefits for EU migrants in the UK. Several newspapers suggested the prime minister was to back down on the demand for a four-year wait for such benefits. They cite government sources suggesting he may be f…

France elections: National Front seeks second round breakthrough 13 December 2015 From the section Europe Image copyright Reuters Image caption French regions have wide powers over local transport, education and economic development France is holding the second round of regional elections in which the far-right National Front (FN) is seeking to consolidate its gains …

IMF: UK's economic performance 'very strong', but risks remain 11 December 2015 From the section Business Media captionChristine Lagarde: "The housing sector is a perennial potential risk"The UK's recent growth, employment progress and deficit reduction have been "strong", the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said. Underlying economic vulnerabilities have been addressed, and steady growth looks set to continue, it said. But high household debt, a "strikingly large" trade deficit and high government debt are st…

Burundi crisis: At least 34 bodies found in Bujumbura 12 December 2015 From the section Africa Image copyright Reuters Image caption Bodies have been found in several districts of the capital At least 34 bodies have been found in Burundi's capital after the worst night of violence in recent times. Most of the bodies found on the streets of Bujumbura appear to be you…

Heathrow airport delay gutless, says business group 11 December 2015 From the section Business Image copyright Getty Images Business groups have reacted with anger to the government's delay in reaching a decision on whether to build a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said it was "gutless", while another group said it would have business leaders "tearing their hair out". They argue tha…

Tampon tax: France MPs back VAT cut on sanitary products 11 December 2015 From the section Europe French MPs have voted to cut the VAT on sanitary products from 20% to 5.5% despite previously blocking the move. The government opposed the change in October as it would reduce tax receipts in 2016 by €55m (£40m, $60m). But Prime Minister Manuel Valls said after the latest vote in the National Assembly that the government had "found the money" to back to measure. Campaigns have bee…

Gaddafi's son Hannibal freed after kidnap in Lebanon 12 December 2015 From the section Middle East Image copyright AFP Image caption Hannibal Gaddafi, pictured here in 2010, was known for his lavish lifestyle Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's son Hannibal has been freed after being briefly kidnapped by an armed group in Lebanon, security sources say. In a video s…

Corbyn defies calls to shun Stop the War dinner 11 December 2015 From the section UK Politics Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Mr Corbyn, seen here arriving at the dinner, recently stood down as Stop the War chairman Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has addressed a fundraising dinner for the Stop the War coalition, despite calls from some of his MPs not to atten…

North Korea's Kim Jong-un 'in H-bomb claim' 10 December 2015 From the section Asia Image copyright Reuters Image caption Mr Kim made the comments touring a historic site in Pyongyang North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has appeared to suggest his country possesses a hydrogen bomb, in comments published on state media. The country was "ready to detonate a self-reliant A-…

Putin vows 'extremely tough' action on Syria threats 11 December 2015 From the section Europe Image copyright AP Image caption Mr Putin said "terrorists" in Syria posed a direct threat to Russia President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian military to take "extremely tough" action against any threat to its forces in Syria. Such targets must be "immediately destr…

Burundi crisis: Military bases attacked in Bujumbura 11 December 2015 From the section Africa Image copyright Reuters Image caption Protests erupted in Burundi earlier this year against President Pierre Nkurunziza's third-term bid Heavily armed attackers have launched co-ordinated assaults on at least two army barracks in Burundi. Eight people, including some attack…