Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20171223

Here on bbc news dateline london looks back at a turbulent 2017 in europe, america and the middle east. Good morning and welcome to bbc news. A man has appeared in court this morning charged with murdering a woman as she worked in a supermarket. Neville hord, who is 44, appeared before york magistrates over the death ofJodie Willsher in skipton. Lets get more on this story with our correspondent sarah walton whos outside the court for us now. The attack took place yesterday. We hope to hear more about the case and the man who has been remanded in custody. He is 44 year old neville hord, remanded in custody over the death ofJodie Willsher. The United Nations Security Council has passed new sanctions on north korea that will cut oil supplies vital for pyongyangs missile and nuclear programmes. The measures, which were drafted by the us, also force north koreans working overseas to return home. Nada tawfik reports. 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 inplement 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. 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. 10 fire engines have attended the blaze. There are no reports of any injuries and the fire is now under control. The zoo will be closed today until further notice. 0ur correspondent Jane Frances Kelly is there now. When did this fire break out and do we have any idea what sort of damage has been caused 7 we have any idea what sort of damage has been caused . Well, the london fire brigade were called shortly after six to the adventure cathy shop cafe. A large part of the roof was destroyed so i would say that that area has probably sustained quite substantial damage. It also includes a petting area which has some of the smaller animals and we know that an aardvark is unaccounted for. We have had no confirmation on its feet, but we know that the much larger animals are safe its fate. We also know that some staff who live on site we re that some staff who live on site were on scene very quickly, led animals to safety. They have suffered smoke inhalation and shock. Behind me is the main entrance. We we re behind me is the main entrance. We were talking to people early on who are very disappointed that the actual zoo is not open today. There are not many people. Normally that would be swarming with people. London zoo has about1 million visitors a year and today obviously, its shortly before christmas and a lot of families were hoping to treat their children and a lot were looking forward. I spoke to one couple who were meeting with some friends and had come all the way from nottingham. People will be relieved that no one was injured by this fire. But we still dont know about this aardvark. The zoo itself tweeted a response to tell people what was going on. It said the Zoological Society of london which iu ns Zoological Society of london which runs the zoo is currently dealing with an incident on site after a fire broke out. The five is now under control. The zoo will be closed today until further notice. We will update as quickly as the situation allows. You havent had any suggestion that they will be able to open some point later today. At the moment it looks like it is staying shut for the whole day. I think it will be shut for the whole day because they are due to close at four oclock. The fire brigade said to me that they think they will be here until the early afternoon so that would only leave a fewer hours. Nothing is certain because this is a developing story but my understanding is that the london fire brigade are going to be there. Theyre still damping down various flames although the fire is contained, but i think it is very unlikely that it will be open today. Jane at london zoo, you will bring us more jane at london zoo, you will bring us more educated. Thank you. 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 recognise jerusalem 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. The authorities in the philippines 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. 0ne village was completely buried. Dozens are still missing. More on the murder ofjodie will share Jodie Willsher in skipton. 44 year old neville hord appeared here at York Magistrates Court a short time ago charged with the murder ofJodie Willsher in aldi in skipton on thursday afternoon where she was working. It was a short hearing, about three minutes long. Ina blue hearing, about three minutes long. In a blue t shirt and grey shorts, neville hord spoke only to confirm his name, age and address at a property in bradford. There were no relatives of neville hord orJodie Willsher in court for the hearing. He did not enter a plea but he was remanded into custody and he will appear at Leeds Crown Court on december the 28th. 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 it 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. Lets talk to Pete Williams from the rac. Thanks for being with us from bristol. This must be a busy weekend for you and your colleagues. Perhaps next year or beyond is when these projects will come into force. What do you make of the idea of this fund . I think most motorists will welcome this. We have seen some major investment in our Motorway Network but we are falling well short of our major a roads a roads so we need to bring the standard of these roads up to a parallel with the motorways because oui parallel with the motorways because our rac Research Reveals that journey times are taking longer. 0bviously weve got much more congestion but we need to instil some sort of confidence that we got a good road network and weve got reliable journeys that are going to help business as well as those people who find a car essential to live their lives. Much will depend on the willingness and ability of councils to make a convincing case why their particular scheme should be favoured over an alternative scheme. That is part of the problem, isnt it . This approach is perhaps too reliant on the initiative of the Council Rather than somebody taking a strategic view of these roads which is what the Highways Agency does with the bigger ones and motorways. It is taking a lot from the strategic Investment Strategy and applying it across the major roads that are maintained by local authorities but i think theyre getting well versed now in putting together a case and working with regional transport bodies. They will recognise serious pinch points and problems where we seriously need this investment. Motorists pay over £40 billion a year in taxes so i think they will draw confidence from the fact we have seen a drink fenced for investment in our motorways and we have started to see significant improvements but this approach will actually benefit major roads as well so actually benefit major roads as well so it will help the local economy and help the National Network as a whole. How much money is spent doesnt remove the controversy of bypass projects for example. They will get the noise and the smell and regular disruption of heavy vehicles and then those who are saying that bypasses can destroy the character of the community and take traffic away from the town. In a sense, the government is saying, it is your problem to sort out but he does the money to do it with. How much is this going to need public reassurance about what these schemes are for, what the real purposes . For example to build new houses and homes or purely to get traffic to quicker. I think everybody understands that our roads are massively underinvested. We have had yea rs of massively underinvested. We have had years of poor maintenance and those have suffered significantly where we are almost a third world nation in terms of the quality of some of our roads so terms of the quality of some of our roads so everyone terms of the quality of some of our roads so everyone recognises this is long overdue but to give that autonomy to the local authorities and regional transport groups, they really need to be serious about consulting with local communities and understanding the needs of motorists and businesses locally and making sure that investment is targeted to maximum benefit and to recognise all interests as well. Thanks very much, from the Rac Foundation in bristol. The headlines on bbc news a man has appeared at York Magistrates Court, charged with the murder ofJodie Willsher at an aldi supermarket in skipton. A fire at london zoo which broke out early this morning has been brought under control. A number of staff have been treated for smoke inhalation and shock. Fresh sanctions against pyongyang, the United Nations Security Council votes unanimously to limit north koreas imports of petrol and oil by as much as 90 . More than 4000 people are known to be sleeping rough on the streets this christmas and the Homeless Charity crisis is warning of the growing problem of hidden homelessness. There are some special shelters and dropping areas. We are like that centre north london. Life at a centre. Im in the canteen area of this centre in north london. They are serving hot drinks, tea, coffee, mince pies, they were selling english fry up breakfasts early to the homeless people. These centres a re early to the homeless people. These centres are expecting more than 4000 people to walk through the doors over the next few days. And its not just food and warmth that they offering. They are also advice and there is a truck outside offering dental checkups. There are some board games laid out and that is all to give people a sense of warmth, comfort and company this christmas. People like michael, who is with me now, and enjoying a cup of tea. Michael, where did you think you would be if it wasnt for crisis at christmas this year . I would still be on the streets trying to get myself in accommodation. The housing situation is undergoing some problems. It has been a bit of a struggle for myself and many other people. Hopefully it will be resumed shortly. Michael, youve been homeless for the last ten years. You spend christmas at crisis at christmas before but youve also spent it on the streets. Tell us about those times as well. When i spent it in crisis at christmas, i always have a good time. I meet new people, get to know new friends, sort out any issues that we have the will is medical or a health check or casual things such as journal needs and helping people general needs. Will be using the facilities like the dental service . 0h, will be using the facilities like the dental service . Oh, yes, ill be using the dental service to get my gnashers fixed crisis is talking about the hidden homeless, not the people you necessarily see on the streets by people sleeping on buses, on trains, in tents. Does that sound familiar to you . On trains, in tents. Does that sound familiar to you . Have on trains, in tents. Does that sound familiar to you . Have you experienced that . Yes, ive experienced that . Yes, ive experienced my fair share of homeless situations. Ive been everywhere. Ive slept in bins, ive slept in train stations, coach stations, any sheltered place out from the rain and the called. The cold. Id even slept in shedsjust to get out of the cold. Thatjust gives you an idea of what people like michael have been through and white events like crisis at christmas are taking place, to get people off the streets even just for a few days and give them the ideas and tips they may need to get off on and tips they may need to get off on a more permanent basis. Sport now. A full round up from the bbc sport centre. There was a cracking game at the emirates last night it was the first time arsenal had played liverpool, on a friday night, since the since the title decider, back in 1989. And what a match it turned out to be liverpool took a 2 0 lead. The premier leagues top scorer, mo salah with this one. But arsenal hit back with an incredible three goals in five minutes. What a spectacle for the home fans. Liverpool werent finished, though Roberto Firminos strike, just too fierce for petr cech to keep out 3 3 it finished. We didnt give up and the spirit in the team is absolutely fantastic. You have to acknowledge that and on that front i am quite proud of the players, the way they responded shows a strong mentality. Usually at arsenal, if we get a point its an ok result for most teams. Its pretty unlikely to get it and we deserved more, we only got one, but thats how it is and 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. And who could have envisaged at the start of the season that at christmas, burnley would be above tottenham in the table . Well, thats exactly how things stand ahead of the two teams meeting at turf moor this evening. Burnley boss shaun dyche says he wants to calm expectations. Were not getting overly carried away. Were enjoying it and the fans are certainly enjoying it but there has to be a reality, too. We know every game is important and the next one is most important. We are focusing on that. But in the big picture i am happy we are in a better position than what we were and year on year, if we keep edging forward , and year on year, if we keep edging forward, its not easy to make massive strides in the premier league but if we can keep edging forward , league but if we can keep edging forward, thats a real good sign a progress. The big match in the scottish premiership is between the top two. Celtic, five points clear, 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 but we are equipped with players that can do that, ask what we can call upon and we will make sure were putting our best chances to win game forward and weve done a lot of work into that and we make sure we use that confidence 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. Le vyne 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. Now for the weather with matt taylor. Hello, no snow and ice over the next day or two but for something more festive, it will stay mild and cloudy and quite breezy and they will be some wet weather in the lead up will be some wet weather in the lead up to christmas day. Christmas day might bea up to christmas day. Christmas day might be a touch cold but its not cold today, best of the sunshine is in the east of scotland and northeast england. Rain through scotla nd northeast england. Rain through scotland through the day through the day and it is staying three and misty. If youre travelling this afternoon you could experience some hill fog over the murders and mountains but to the east of high ground over the moors. Some sunshine to the east and Northern Ireland and eastern scotland will get a boost in temperature, 15 celsius possible but the highlands and islands have outbreaks of rain which through tonight will push into southwest scotland, Northern Ireland for a time southwest scotland, Northern Ireland fora time and southwest scotland, Northern Ireland for a time and then edged its way back northwards and become more extensive once again. We could see rain into Northern England now and again. The odd spot of drizzle in the breeze. Breezy across many parts tonight and its a mild breeze, temperatures holding up for most well above where they should be by day, never mind by night. Into christmas eve, in two parts of western europe, that is dense fog problems around and there will be so continually. We have a breeze which should clear the fog but we also have weather fronts across scotland and Northern Ireland, which day for scotla nd and Northern Ireland, which day for scotland and into Northern Ireland. A lot of spray on the roads. Brightening up in scotland later, brightening in the far north of england but other than the odd spot of light rain and drizzle, mostly dry with a better chance of sunny brea ks dry with a better chance of sunny breaks every now and again and again, itll stay mild. Christmas day, a mild, breezy day across england and wales, turning wet from the west. Heavy rain across wales and west england during the afternoon but after overnight rain in scotland and Northern Ireland, things brighten up and it will be wintry flurries on the mountains. Hello and a warm welcome to dateline london. Im jane hill. Today were taking time to reflect on 2017 as it draws to a close the highs and lows in europe, america and the middle east. Lets find out what my guests have made of a turbulent year. With me, the british political commentator and columnist steve richards, the American Writer and broadcasterjef mcallister, marc roche from frances le point magazine and also belgiums le soir, and the arab affairs qriter abdel bari atwan. Welcome to you all. What a year in british politics. An election that didnt need to be called, a reduced majority for theresa mays conservative party, the rise of laboursjeremy corbyn. And what of policy and legislation . Thats on the back burner. To adapt the famous american political phrase, its all about brexit, stupid. Steve, did you think theresa may would still be Prime Minister this christmas . To be honest, i did. British political journalism is punctuated ona political journalism is punctuated on a daily basis that a Prime Minister with speculation that the Prime Minister is about to fall and they usually stay. So i am not surprised. She is dog eared and determined. Im told that even after the election trauma, she did not contemplate going. But at the same time, that election changed everything in british politics. It was as significant as the 1979 election when Margaret Thatcher appeared on the scene. Because even though theresa may is still on the scene, it has changed the dynamics of brexit, it has falsified the idea that a left wing