19/12/2015 BBC Weekend News

There are fresh hopes that the end of the war in Syria

Last night a peace plan got the unanimous backing

of the United Nations Security Council.

It calls for a nationwide ceasefire and formal talks

But there is no mention of what to do about President Assad.

Our chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet, reports.

Nearly five years of fighting have left Syria in ruin. Torn between a

vast array of rebel forces, battling President Assad's army.

The so-called Islamic State has taken territory too. And that is

widened the war even further. The bitter battle over Syria's

future blocked the UN Security Council for years, but now at last,

the deadlock here was broken. The time is now, to stop the killing

in Syria, lay the ground work for a government that the long suffering

people of that bat evered land can support.

The new road map is hugely ambitious. Syria talks are set for

January. Along with efforts to reach a ceasefire. The goal is a

transitional national unity Government, within six months.

And UN supervises elections a year later. To achieve this they had to

put aside the biggest dispute. President Assad's political future.

Not only for moral reasons because of the destruction he has unleashed

on his own people, but also for practical reasons, because it will

never be possible to bring peace and unity to Syria, as long as he is

remains. But Russia's new military

intervention in Syria is strengthening President Assad's

forces, on the front line and Security Council. My counterparts

say let's start a political process that those who went to oust Assad

are getting some hope that might happen. It is very sad that once

again, our common task, that is putting an end to terrorism, has

become hostage to one personality. This is no longer just Syria's war.

But millions of Syrians are paying a terrible price. That is why millions

have fled. Syria has been called the humanitarian test of our time. Now

it is the greatest of political challenges.

President Obama has praised the strength of the families

of the San Bernardino massacre victims, after spending an evening

He said he was moved by the relatives' emphasis

14 people were murdered in the shootings which is being

On Air Force One, en route to their regular Christmas holiday

in Hawaii, the President and First Lady stopped

The Presidential motorcade took them to the library

of the Indian Springs High School in San Bernadino, where Barack

and Michelle Obama spent nearly three hours talking to the relatives

It was a wearily familiar experience for the President,

who spoke of the families' strength, unity and love.

Despite the pain and the heartache they are feeling, they could not

have been more inspiring, and more proud of their loved ones,

and more insistent that something good comes out of of this tragedy.

14 people were killed on December 2nd.

They had been at their office Christmas party when

They worked at the San Bernadino County Public Health Department.

As did Syed Farook, who has been identified as one of the attackers,

The FBI is investigating their action as an act of terrorism.

Both died in a gun fight with police in the aftermath of the shootings.

The authorities say the couple pledged their allegiance

to Islamic State, moments before carrying out the shootings.

In this community, where the shock and upset is raw, the Presidential

The families have been through so much, and the whole city,

For the President of the United States to come

As the President left to begin his family holiday,

he said the visit had given him a sense of pride and hope.

The management company representing Jose Mourinho says the former

Chelsea boss - who was sacked by the club on Thursday -

will not be taking a sabbatical from football.

In a statement it says he is "very positive

Straight now to our sports correspondent, David Ornstein,

David, this is suggesting an imminent return to top flight

Very interesting, Gavin. Life after Jose Mourinho starts here for

Chelsea today against Sunderland. It is a 3.00 kick off. It is expected

that Guus Hiddink will be in charge on a temporary basis. He maybe in

the stands with Steve Holland and Eddie Newton on the bench. Jose

Mourinho remains the talk of Stamford Bridge because of this

statement from his management company, in which he thanks, the

fans, he makes no mention the hierarchy, the staff or players, he

says he will not be looking to take a sabbatical. He isn't tired. He

doesn't need it. He is very positive and is looking forward so could he

be set for an immediate return to management? There are suggestions

that could be at Manchester United, if Louis van Gaal is sacked. So,

Jose Mourinho maybe gone, but he certainly is not forgotten. We will

Weather experts believe that the record for the mildest

December night in England may have been broken.

Unconfirmed data suggests that the lowest temperature last

night was 14.2 Celsius at Chivenor, in North Devon, beating the 13.7

The warmer weather has encouraged many more swimmers to dive

into the Serpentine in central London.

Today is expected to be the busiest shopping day of the year,

as retailers kick off their sales early on the last Saturday before

Experts are predicting a rush of last minute bargain hunters,

with more than 12.5 million Britons expected on the high street

for what's become known as "Panic Saturday".

You can see more on all of today's stories on the BBC News Channel.

The next news on BBC One is at 5.25.

Hello again. Last night we saw temperatures rising through the

night in a number of places and it has been an exceptionally mild start

to day. It feels like the start to a summer day. In the last hour,

Gravesend has popped up to 17 degrees, now the English maximum

temperature record for this time of year is 17.7 so we