Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20171223

Here on bbc news, the travel show looks back at its best stories from around the globe in 2017. Good morning and welcome to bbc news. More than 70 firefighters have been tackling a blaze this morning at london zoo. The fire reportedly broke out in a cafe and shop near to the petting area. These are the pictures as we received them from a viewer first thing this morning, at about 6am when it is dark. Quite a significant fire, at least at that part of the zoo. Fire, at least at that part of the zoo. Fire engines are attending the blaze. 70 firefighters. There are no reports of any injuries and the fire is now under control. Bad news, though, im afraid for those hoping to go to the zoo, it will be closed today. At least until further notice. This is what london zoo had to save themselves we will hopefully talk to Jane Frances Kelly outside london zoo at the moment. She is monitoring the fire and following developments. We will catch up with her later. The good news is, london fire brigade tell us the fire is under control, the bad news if you were hoping to ta ke the bad news if you were hoping to take the kids to the zoo today, as alternative to shopping, it is closed. They hope to notify us, but at the moment it is closed. A man is due in court this morning charged with murdering a woman as she worked in a supermarket. Neville hord, who is 44, will appear before york magistrates over the death ofJodie Willsher in skipton. 0ur north of england correspondent Judith Moritz reports. Malcolm and Jodie Willsher looking forward to a family christmas. Now he is left grieving, paying tribute to her as a doting mother and loving wife. Jodie willsher was getting ready for the holidays, wearing her festive jumper while serving supermarket shoppers. Jodie had worked at the skipton aldi since it opened two years ago. The store was full when she was stabbed. Trolleys were abandoned as fearful shoppers scattered, while several staff and customers rushed to help. There was chaos inside the shop as people realised what had happened. And asjodie lay dying, the first person to intervene was a man in his 60s, who grappled with the attacker for a long time as he tried to restrain him. Despite efforts to savejodie, she died on the shop floor. The supermarket became a crime scene, forensics staff and Police Officers taking evidence away. The shop was closed, with customers coming instead to leave tributes for the popular member of staff. Whenever ive shopped in aldi, shes always been friendly, pleasant, you know, a lovely, lovely girl, and itsjust. What a shock, you know, an absolute shock, really. The community here is small and tight knit. Jodie willsher worked at its heart, well known and well liked. A 44 year old man has been charged with her murder. Judith moritz, bbc news, skipton. Thats returned to the fire london zoo that blazed four hours before brought under control. 0ur correspondent Jane Frances Kelly is there now. What we know about the circumstances that led to the fire . We dont know what caused it, but you can still see smoke billowing from the adventure cafe and shop. London fire brigade say they will be here for several more hours to dampen down any flames, to cut away any affected areas. They were called shortly after 6a m areas. They were called shortly after 6am this morning, it all looked very dramatic, but they managed to contain it, and it hasnt spread, as far as we know. There is now a petting area within this area, which contains smaller animals, guinea pigs and so on. We have been told, or we have learned, reportedly, that there are no larger animals that have been affected, but we are aware that the staff are doing and inventories of the smaller animals, to ensure that none have been killed. But obviously, that has not been confirmed. We are waiting to hear from not been confirmed. We are waiting to hearfrom london zoo. They will come out to give the latest. They also say, very sadly, that they are going to be closed today, which i know will be of huge disappointment for people that have pre booked or people planning to come. This is an extremely popular destination, around i million visitors a year. Clearly disappointing for people today, but obviously, huge relief that the fire didnt spread and that it was actually contained within this area. We have got an update coming through to us from london zoo, they say that in fact, they started and the fire was spotted immediately, a number stay on site. In assessing, one aardvark is missing. That doesnt count as a small animal you were talking about. They say a number of zoo staff have been treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and shock. It was quite an extensive london fire brigade operation, by the look of things. Yes, unofficial reports that the Ambulance Service were ceiling to staff on the scene, but there were no serious injuries see into staff. Seeing to staff. It doesnt appear to have gone and affected any of the large animals, thatis affected any of the large animals, that is what i was told earlier. As i say, it is a fast developing story. Thanks very much. The United Nations Security Council has passed new sanctions on north korea that will cut oil supplies vital for pyongyangs missile and nuclear programs. The measures, which were drafted by the us, also force north koreans working overseas to return home. The bbcs nada tawfik is at the un. This is the tenth Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on north korea. None before it has convinced kim jong un to abandon his nuclear programme, but diplomats hope this resolution will bite hard enough to change the regimes calculus, or at the very least, restrict its ability to carry out Additional Nuclear and missile tests. President trump specifically asked president xi of china to cut oil to pyongyang, believing it would be a pivotal step. According to the united states, north korea imported 4. 5 Million Barrels of Refined Petroleum in 2016. This resolution now caps it to 500,000 barrels a year, a nearly 90 cut to a vital lifeline of the regime. Mr trump celebrated the adoption of new sanctions, tweeting, the world wants peace, not death americas un Ambassador Nikki Haley warned there would be repercussions if pyongyang continued on its course. Todays resolution achieves an 89 total reduction of the kim regimes ability to import gasoline, diesel and other refined products, and should the north korean regime conduct another nuclear or Ballistic Missile test, this resolution commits the Security Council to take even further action. The Chinese Ambassador repeated beijings call for dialogue. Translation china urges the prnk to take seriously the demands of the international community, abide by and increment the Council Resolutions and refrain from conducting any further Nuclear Missile tests. The resolution also requires countries to expel north koreans working abroad within 2a months in an effort to cut off an important source of revenue. 15 north korean officials in the ministry which manages logistics for the army will now be added to the un blacklist. And to counter sanctions evasion, the resolution requires countries to seize ships caught smuggling banned items. Nada tawfik, bbc news, new york. A former us marine has been arrested in San Francisco for allegedly plotting a christmas terrorist attack in the city. Court documents say 26 year old Everitt Jameson was planning to target a busy tourist area with an attack inspired by the so called Islamic State group. He denies the charges. Peter bowes reports. One of San Franciscos most popular tourist attractions, pier 39, packed with shops and restaurants. The fbi says everittjameson planned to attack the area on christmas day. Using explosives, he wanted to funnel the crowds into a location where he could inflict casualties. The alleged plot came to light after someone reported jameson for suspicious activity on facebook. He liked posts sympathetic with the so called Islamic State group, and he voiced support for the halloween attack in new york city when a lorry was driven on to a crowded bike path, killing eight people, and the mass shooting in San Bernardino in 2015. Jamesons home was raided on wednesday. Investigators found several weapons and ammunition, and a will. Agents believe the attack was to be a suicide mission. And there was a note that referred to Donald Trumps recent announcement that the us would recognisejerusalem as the capital of israel. Its really unbelievable, its just hard to fathom right now. I really dont know what to say, what, you know, how to feel, really. Itsjust shocking, you know . Thats my son. In a statement, the us attorney generaljeff sessions said the fbi says the public in San Francisco were never in imminent danger. This time, the fbi got his man, but the concern is how many could there be out there that are not on the fbis or local law enforcements radar . And thats what keeps us up at night. The former marine has appeared in court. Through his lawyer, he denied the allegations. If convicted, he faces a fine and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Peter bowes, bbc news, los angeles. The authorities in the phillipines say more than 100 people are known to have died after a Tropical Storm hit the south. The philippines second largest island, mindanao , bore the brunt of the storm, which caused flash floods and landslides; one village was completely buried. Dozens are still missing. The government is starting a 12 week consultation on which key a roads in england will benefit from new funding. The roads will be eligible for money under the new roads fund, as our Business Correspondent jonty bloom reports. Many a roads around the country are run and maintained by local councils, even when theyre important parts of the nations infrastructure. But the government is aiming to change that by providing money for improvements from a new central fund. That will be paid for with money raised from vehicle excise duty, improve thousands of miles of a roads, and provide up to £100 million for each major new scheme such as road junctions, more dual carriageways and improved safety. This is typically all about bypasses for small towns where they have got an a road going through the middle, lots of heavy lorries and gets congested, lots of pollution. Everyone says there needs to be a bypass this is about making sure those bypasses can be delivered. It is important for regional connections, its important for new housing, but its also important to make life better for the people who live on those roads. The plan is that by providing Central Government money, regions of england will be able to cut congestion, remove bottlenecks and boost economic growth. But critics say that the money would be better spent maintaining the current road network, and improving public transport. Jonty bloom, bbc news. With me is bridget fox, sustainable transport campaigner for the campaign for better transport. Thanks for being with us again on bbc news. Let me ask you first of all about how this is supposed to work on a is local authorities bidding forfunding. Work on a is local authorities bidding for funding. Do you think thatis bidding for funding. Do you think that is the best way to apportion this money . We think every local authority could do with more money to maintain the roads weve got. At the moment, government road funding goes to the top 2 of road, motorways and some a roads. 0ther roads are operated by local authorities, already struggling with budgets, setting budgets in the new year. What everyone says is needed is money to maintain the roads weve got. There is a £12 million pothole backlog. At least this is at knowledge in that these roads have in the past been neglected, because they do these are substantial route, not meandering temp bree temp bree. There is a mismatch between the funding and the importance of some roads a roads. To the south, you have the a 30, maintained by the local authority, important a roads, and that mismatch of funding has been a problem. We are glad there is more money for local councils, but we think the low local councils should prioritise. There is as you say a significant backlog of repairs, some of that in time will be dubbed with local authorities, but this funding is coming from, effectively, the vehicle excise fund, or vehicle road tax. 0ne consequence is people might see a direct connection between the money they feel they are giving out every year to the treasury, and improvements on the roads. There is some benefit to that, and making that link. Absolutely. At the moment, roads maintained from general taxation that we pay. Some people may feel they are paying for something that causes them a nuisance if they have traffic past their homes that they do not benefit from. From 2020, vehicle excise duty will be ring fenced for roads. And it is right that goes on local roads as well as strategic roads. Moving toa as well as strategic roads. Moving to a pay as you go approach, we are used to that in london with the congestion charge, and when we travel by bus or train, and lorries have long played a levy to try to mitigate the wear and tear on the roads, so that seems to be a suitable way to go. Chris grayling when interviewed this morning said that he saw no option in the foreseeable future will wear the government would look at getting it effectively to pay for the number of miles we travel, on particular roads we use, that idea was too, frankly, controversial with the public. But the government is looking at this for commercial vehicles, at least. Do you see, in your campaign, that there would be benefits to this . How would you overcome what is likely to be quite a lot of suspicion and downright hostility from motorists . We think this is something that will happen over time anyway, because vehicle excise duty is currently levied on petrol and diesel vehicles. At some point, they will find a new mechanism to fund roads, and we have some of the worst congested roads and some of the highest public transport fares in europe. There is an imbalance there. Next week, train fares go up again, but fuel duty has been frozen. There isa but fuel duty has been frozen. There is a mismatch here. It makes much more sense, it is fairer and delivers funding we need fall our transport systems if there is a pay as you go system, and it encourages people to make smarter choices on how they travel. Bridget fox, campaignfor choices on how they travel. Bridget fox, campaign for better transport, thank you for being with us this morning. Happy christmas to you. The headlines on bbc news the london fire brigade says a blaze at london zoo which broke out early this morning has been brought under control. A man is due in court in york this morning charged with the murder of 30 year old supermarket worker, Jodie Willsher. The attack happened in a branch of aldi in skipton, west yorkshire. Fresh sanctions on pyongyang, the United Nations Security Council votes unanimously to limit north koreas imports of petrol and oil by as much as 90 . Sport now, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, heres mike bushell. How are you . Very good, gearing up for christmas like the football. Much had been made of the history of this friday night fixture. The only thing up for grabs tonight, fourth place in the premier league. It finished 3 3. Overall, we didnt give up and the spirit in the team is absolutely fantastic and you have to acknowledge that and on that front im quite proud of the players, who responded and showed the strong mentality. Usually with arsenal if you get a point thats an ok result. For most teams in the world its pretty unlikely to get it. We deserved more, we got only one, but thats how it is and, yeah, it feels not too good at the moment. All the other sides are playing today, Manchester City take their 11 point lead at the top of the table, into a home match against bournemouth, whore dangerously close to the relegation zone. Rangers are away to kilmarnock today, and the big one is between the top two. Celtic, five points clear at the top, take on aberdeen, and the visitors are confident they can like hearts, did last week also cause an upset. We know weve got to be our best. We know that. But weve got players who can do that. Weve got a squad that well call upon and we will make sure we are putting in our best chance to win the game. Weve done a lot of work and we will make sure we use that confidence that the boys have got from the last two performances and go into the game looking to get that win. England all rounder ben stokes is returning home to the uk for what he called family reasons, after a month long spell with the new zealand side canterbury. He signed as an overseas player and flew outjust after england had lost the first ashes test, sparking speculation he could be about to return to the side, but hes still suspended following his arrest in september. The british sprinter nigel le vyne, has failed a drugs test. Hes alleged to have tested positive for the banned asthma drug, clen buterol, and according to the daily mail, he is waiting for the result of his b sample. Levine is 28 and won gold at the european championships three years ago, as part of the 400 metre relay team. He broke his pelvis in a motorbike crash injanuary and although hes returned to training, he hasnt competed since. Thats all the sport for now. Worn all those stores, more on the darts at ally pally, that is on the bbc sport website. More for you in the next hour. The Homeless Charity crisis is warning of the growing problem of the hidden homeless thats someone who sleeps in a train, car, bus or tent rather than in a doorway on the street. Anisa kadri is at a homeless shelter in north london for us. People have been queueing around the cornerfor people have been queueing around the corner for crisis for christmas in north london. These centres are expecting more than 4000 people through their doors over the next eight days. They are notjust offering food, which you may be able to see behind me, there are queues forming forfood, it to see behind me, there are queues forming for food, it for english write ups, tea and drinks, and snacks. There are other services, as well as advice, board games are set up, hairdressing services and also a truck outside offering dental services set up for the Homeless People who walk through the doors here. For many of them, this is the difference between spending christmas alone and spending christmas alone and spending christmas with people, with comfort, with food, with warmth, with laughter and chatter around them. 0ne laughter and chatter around them. One of the people joining laughter and chatter around them. One of the peoplejoining me now is homeless and has been for the last six months. Ian, thank you for speaking to the bbc. What does an event like crisis at christmas mean to you . It makes a difference between being in somewhere and having friendly people to talk to, and being alone, really. That makes and being alone, really. That makes a difference to me. Were you worried you might be alone this christmas . Yes, iwas, actually you might be alone this christmas . Yes, i was, actually from. You might be alone this christmas . Yes, iwas, actually from. I you might be alone this christmas . Yes, i was, actually from. I didnt know what i was doing for christmas. Ididnt know what i was doing for christmas. I didnt have any plans, i didnt make no plans to stop i have never been to crisis, before, this is a first time experience. Been to crisis, before, this is a firsttime experience. Can you tell me about the events that led to you becoming homeless . me about the events that led to you becoming homeless . I lost my mother earlier on this year. Shortly after that, i became homeless, and it really, really unsettled me. And basically, i have been homeless ever since. Today, crisis has leased figures saying that more than 9000 people are sleeping on buses, trains, tens, does any of that sound familiar to you . A sickly, yeah. I have slept intents, subways, underground, wishes, doorways, i dont know if i have slept on a bus, but i have slept on a train. What are you hoping the next year brings for you . Stability, really. Employment, stability, basically. Im looking forward to maybe getting a studio flat in the new year. With us a studio flat in the new year. With us also isjohn from crisis, you can help people like ian and point them in the right direction. That is right. We know christmas can be a difficult time for most people. People enjoy the company of family and friends, Homeless People still deal with the daily struggle of finding somewhere safe and stable. We opened 13 centres this year, firstly, to provide security and safety, but then, meals and other services, medical services and so on, but also it can be the first step they take to get out of homelessness. We make sure we provide advice, support and guidance over the next eight days. You have released figures today, more than 9000 people, you say, sleep on buses, trains and in tents, and it will get worse over the next few yea rs if will get worse over the next few years if steps are taken, what are you calling for . As well as over 9000 people sleeping on the streets, this Research Tells Us that another 9000 sleep in tents, trains and cars, and so on. You are quite right, we think this will grow by 50 in the next ten years if we dont change our approach. We know the policies that cause and stop homelessness. We need more investment in social housing, greater affordability and access to rented properties in all sectors, a welfare system that actually supports people into work and into a place to live, and good prevention activity by local authorities. Thanks very much, john from crisis, and ian, who is homeless this christmas. This centre in north london has given him a place to spend christmas in warmth with food and with company. Thanks very much. Let me bring you some breaking news coming into us, and that is with regards to the killing ofJodie Willsher, the supermarket employee who was stabbed yesterday, 44 year old neville hord from bradford has appeared at York Magistrates Court charged with the murder of dodi wilshere at aldi in skipton. He will appear next at Leeds Crown Court at the 28th december. The man charged is neville hord, age 44, from bradford. The chimes of big ben are ringing out over london again this morning as they are reinstated for the festive period. The bongs were silenced this summer while restoration work takes place on parliaments elizabeth tower. The repairs on the 157 year old clock arent due to be completed until 2021. Lets get more on this story from our correspondent ricky boleto whos at big ben for us now. He has the famous view right behind him. Good morning, the famous landmark, officially called the elisabeth towle, but to me and millions of tourists, it is big ben. Tourists are here taking pictures, but they have not experienced the full effect of big ben, because it has been silenced since august, because extensive renovations are being carried out to bring it into the 21st century. In order to do that, they had to make big ben silent, imagine working inside the tower when it chimes on the hour. It would be deafening and quite dangerous for the workers there. The decision wasnt taken lightly. Some mps and even the Prime Minister theresa may did criticise the move to keep it silent up until 2021, but the engineers that work here, and the engineers that work here, and the people in charge of the clock tower, say it is important they do that. It is pretty much the only way they can fix the tower, which needs a lot of repair work from the roof all the way down to the very bottom of the tower. But it is back in action at 9am this morning, it rang and it went smoothly. Everything took place. They reinstated big ben, and it will continue to chime up until the 1st of january at 1pm and it will continue to chime up until the 1st ofjanuary at 1pm in the afternoon, and it will fall silent again. I am joined by steve, the keeper of the clock, tell us about the renovations. This year, we have built a scaffold almost to roof level now. I expect that to be completed by the early part of next year. Then work can progress with the conservation of the tower. As pa rt of the conservation of the tower. As part of the team, i am proud to play a part in this. What we will do with my staff is we will dismantle the clock itself and dropped it down stairs. Very quickly, paul, what has it been like working here without hearing the chimes . It has been a shame not to hear it, with it being cove red shame not to hear it, with it being covered up, but we owe it to future generations to do everything and preserve it for them to enjoy. It is work that has to be done. It is a big job, costing up to £60 million, and it will chime all the way through until the 1st of january. Thank you very much. We will now ta ke thank you very much. We will now take a look at the weather prospects and heading up onto the balcony would need our reindeer and our sledge but i dont think weve quite got the technology for that i feel like saying happy christmas but that