18/12/2015 BBC News at Ten

An in-out referendum on Britain's membership of Europe looks set

for 2016, the Prime Minister signals.

Speaking after talks in Brussels, David Cameron said he was a step

closer to getting the reforms he wanted.

I believe that 2016 will be the year we achieve something really vital.

Fundamentally changing the UK's relationship with the EU and finally

addressing the concerns of the British people

But with some member states still needing to be persuaded,

we'll be asking if Mr Cameron can win them over in time.

Also tonight: In the last hour the UN Security Council agrees

a peace plan for Syria - but without addressing the future

High emotion as the UK's last deep-coal mine at Kellingley

is closed - some families had been there for generations.

I've been in the industry 38 years, my dad was in 44 years,

my grandad before him, so very privileged to go down

The miracle-worker - Mother Teresa is likely to be made

a saint, after the Vatican rules she healed a man dying

..Tim Peake in acrobatic mode on the International Space Station.

Later on BBC London: A police video about what to do in a terrorist gun

attack is shown to hundreds of businesses.

And the imam denied travel to the States -

he fears they've brought in a ban on Muslims,

The Prime Minister has given his strongest hint yet

that the referendum to decide whether Britain remains a member

of the European Union could be held next year.

David Cameron had promised a vote by the end of 2017.

But today, he appeared to suggest an earlier timetable -

saying he believed that 2016 would be the year "we achieve

He was speaking after talks with EU leaders, where he set

But there remains disagreement, and critics have questioned

From Brussels, our political editor Laura Kuenssberg reports.

..in 24 languages, in just two months.

61 full days until David Cameron wants a deal to be done,

changes to Europe's rules he believes will guarantee

He wants agreement in February and you to vote as early as June.

I believe that 2016 will be the year we achieve something really vital,

fundamentally changing the UK's relationship with the EU and finally

addressing the concerns of the British people

Then it will be for the British people to decide whether we remain

You've just given a very clear hint that the vote on our membership

of the European Union will be in 2016.

How can we be confident that changes you want,

if they are a big deal, can be done in two months?

Obviously I want a deal in February but I set a deadline

for the referendum as the end of 2017.

I always wanted to give myself time to get this right.

What matters is the substance, is getting it right,

This is a massive decision for our country.

I think we are better off standing together with our allies

The seeming confidence comes after a tense private dinner

These are the conclusions to last night's vital meeting.

The document is only two sentences long, but it's an important promise

on paper from the rest of the EU that they will try to find a deal.

But even getting this vast machine to agree this much has taken time,

so can David Cameron really get complicated lasting changes

The Prime Minister and his key negotiators are trying to set

the pace, but most in Brussels believe they are asking a lot.

Protections for the pound against the euro, a clear message

that Westminster, not the EU, is in charge, leaner rules

and regulations for business - not easy to sell around this table.

And cutting back benefits for EU workers in the UK -

despite Cameron's personal pleas, there's stiff resistance.

Three other countries almost refused to sign up to find a solution,

A lot of work and a lot of brainstorming and also to find

some wiggle room for compromise over the next four or five weeks.

But David Cameron's audience at home isn't much easier.

For many in his own party, whatever he brings back

Yet he may have just started to make new friends here.

He'll need them to convince you in the months ahead.

Let's talk now to our Europe correspondent Chris Morris,

After the summit, is there more sympathy for David Cameron's

I think the overall message is pretty consistent. There is a lot

still to do. There are concerns to be addressed, but they do want to

deal with Britain early next year, and at a time when the European

Union is facing the migration crisis and other issues, they don't want to

deal with the prospect of Britain leaving. Of course, there will be

bumps in the road. I understand right at the end of last night's

talks three countries, Belgium, breach -- Greece and Portugal,

almost held up the release of the statement calling for progress

because of their concern about David Cameron's demand the ban migrant

workers from receiving UK benefits for four years. That proposal is

clearly unacceptable to a number of leaders, so I think the lawyers and

technocrats are going to have to find creative ways to come up with

an alternative, which achieves the same objective of relieving pressure

on the UK welfare system, but also doesn't breach EU principles of

non-discrimination. I think one thing that helped last night is

David Cameron's tone. He had gone in promising to battle for Britain, but

I think if he banged his fist on the table and said I want my policies

backed, that could have ended badly. Instead, he was very inclusive, I'm

told. He wanted other people to understand this wasn't just about as

domestic priorities but the reform could be good for the whole of the

European Union. Chris Morris, thank you.

The United Nations Security Council has adopted a peace plan for Syria.

It's the first time 15 countries have agreed settlement. The document

stopped short of addressing key differences, such as who will be

included in the opposition delegation and what role if any

President Assad should play. The US secretary of State John Kerry

addressed the UN Security Council. This council is sending a clear

message to all concerned that the time is now to stop

the killing in Syria and lay the groundwork for a government

that the long-suffering people of that battered

land can support. After four and a half years of war,

this is the first time we have been able to come together

at the United Nations in the Security Council

to embrace a road forward. Let's talk now to our

North America editor, Jon, a significant

step diplomatically - but so much still stands in the way

of resolving Syria? I think you have to see this as a

glimmer of hope in a pretty dark sky, because at last the UN Security

Council has been able to agree unanimously on a road map for the

future of Syria. Cast your mind back to September, when Vladimir Putin

and Barack Obama met at the UN and it was just icy stares at each

other. What we have got is a road map which says peace talks should

start at the beginning of January, so next month. Within six months,

there should be credible, inclusive and nonsectarian government plans

put in place. And within 18 months, there should be free and fair

elections. But as you said, the price of unanimity is to say nothing

about the future of Bashar al-Assad and that is a pretty big omission

and a lot of people will say, how can you do any kind of credible deal

without addressing that central issue? That said, this is a small

step rather than a giant leap, but given the history of Syria and the

impossibility of making progress, it is significant. Jon Sopel, thank

you. Miners at the UK's last

remaining deep-coal mine The closure of their pit -

Kellingley Colliery - marked an end to centuries

of deep-coal mining in Britain - an industry that once employed over

a million people. The miners sang as they were brought

up for a last time from the coal Our industry correspondent

John Moylan was there. The final shift at

Kellingley Colliery. These are Britain's

last deep coal miners. Like generations before them

they've spent their working These men are made of strong stuff,

but today, their hearts are broken. Some saying goodbye

for the last time. My dad was in 44 years,

my grandad before him. So very privileged to go down

and mine coal for the last time. It's in your blood,

man and boy, 38 years. I hope there's a job

out there for me. We're brought up to work hard

and provide our families, that's what I want

to carry on doing. Many of these men have worked

in this pit for decades, but today, they are hanging up

their lamps for the very last time. It's the end of centuries of deep

coal mining in Britain. The coal cut here today

is going to a local power station, but they've kept this -

now a piece of history. Known as the Big K, Kellingley

was a Yorkshire super pit that NEWS ARCHIVE: And beneath this land

lie more than 200 million The mine opened in 1965

an era when coal was king. The fuel had powered

the Industrial Revolution, heated millions of homes and has

helped keep the lights NEWS ARCHIVE: The coal

from Kellingley will flow like a black river for the rest

of this century and beyond. Kellingley became a flash point

during the miners' strike. The bitter year-long dispute tore

families and communities apart. It was the beginning

of the end for the industry. A decision to close the pit

was taken earlier this year. There is still plenty

of coal here at Kellingley. In fact, there are millions

of tonnes of the stuff deep But there it will stay,

because global economics means that this place simply can't compete

against cheaper coal That coal will be transported past

here on trains to be burned at power Tomorrow, the community plans

to celebrate those who worked at the mine, but some

are fearful of what lies ahead. I mean, a lot of people have

moved with the mines, so they moved over here and now

there's nothing for them, He now works in an indoor ski centre

built on a former mine. When the pit was closing

I kept my eyes and ears open. I decided to grab a chance

to retrain, which I hope lots of people are going to be

inspired by what I've done. Back at Kellingley a handful of men

now face a grim task, to make the mine safe

and close it down. My father was part of the team,

he was foreman of the team And you're helping to

close Kellingley down. I'll be sealing the

fate of Kellingley. There's nothing we can do now

to change anything now. In this corner of Yorkshire

an important chapter in our industrial history has ended,

and with it a way of life that He blasted off on Tuesday and has

spent the last few days getting used to life in zero gravity on board

the International Space Station. This afternoon the British astronaut

Tim Peake gave his first impressions of the ISS - and performed

somersaults - as he held a press conference in space

with journalists on Earth. Our science editor

David Shukman reports. European Space Agency,

the first British astronaut Since Tim Peake arrived in space

a few days ago we have not really heard how he has been getting

on in his new existence on the International Space Station

as it orbits high above us. In the weightless conditions

of space he is finding his feet, sort of, with a rather

uncertain somersault. In his first news conference

since leaving Earth I ask him if, like many astronauts,

he suffered from space sickness. How are you adapting

to life on board? You do feel disorientated and dizzy,

but I have been amazed at how On my second morning

I woke up feeling fresh, ready to go to work and have

had no problems since. This is a mock-up of

the European Columbus module where Tim Peake will be

doing a lot of research. Far harder, getting used to everyday

life on a space station Many astronauts say it just

changes their lives. Then there is simple things

like where you sleep. Imagine if for the next six months

this was your bedroom. Because there is no up or down,

the sleeping bag has to be fixed to the wall,

along with all of your possessions. One very important question

for Britain's first official astronaut, how does

the tea taste in space? The tea actually tastes

surprisingly good. I have my tea, and my method

of using a teapot and decanting it from one pouch to another

and is working really well. The control room keeps track

of the space station as it races around Earth, as the news conference

is relayed by satellites Despite all the training there has

been a big surprise. We always talk about seeing the view

of planet Earth and how beautiful it is, but when you look

the opposite direction and you see how dark space is,

it is the blackest black, and you realise just how small

the Earth is in that blackness. A thought-provoking moment

after just three days in orbit. David Shukman, BBC News,

at the European Astronaut The energy company npower has been

fined a record ?26 million after it sent out late or inaccurate

bills and failed to deal The industry watchdog Ofgem said

that more than 500,000 customers were affected and warned

they could take the unprecedented step of stopping npower

advertising for new customers. Mike Ashley, the billionaire

founder of Sports Direct, is to be questioned by MPs

about working conditions Mr Ashley is leading a review

of Sports Direct's employment policies, following claims that

agency workers are being paid less than the minimum wage,

and that some fear the consequences The firm has defended its treatment

of its workers and said it will comply with all

its legal obligations. It's Britain's biggest sports

retailer, where they pile 'em high The founder and majority

shareholder is Mike Ashley, the billionaire owner

of Newcastle United. Last week, Sports Direct came under

renewed scrutiny over its treatment of agency workers here at its main

warehouse in Shirebrook in the East Including newspaper claims that

thousands of workers were effectively being paid less

than the minimum wage, and in a recent BBC programme some

spoke of how they were too scared to be sick, for fear

of losing their jobs. Today, Sports Direct hit back

with a lengthy, detailed rebuttal. It said allegations made to date

present an unfair portrayal of the company's employment

practices, and insisted that it takes its responsibilities

towards staff and contractors The fact that there's

a review is welcome. The fact it's being done

by Mr Ashley is questionable, given that he's got a real stake,

quite literally, a massive stake I think it would be better

for all round in terms of the wider public, in terms of stakeholders

and shareholders, if it was done by somebody completely

independent of the company, but these are questions that

hopefully will be asked in the select committee,

because we will invite Mr Ashley in the New Year to come

and give evidence. Sports Direct has enjoyed

stellar sales growth, despite rarely being out

of the headlines in recent years. For instance, it's use

of zero hours contracts. But is it starting

to lose its shine? Recent results have

been disappointing. That and these latest allegations

have led to a sharp fall Sports Direct hopes today's move

will help get it back on the front foot and go some way

to answering its critics. The review will begin

in the New Year. The United Nations has called

for a "massive resettlement" of Syrian and other

refugees within Europe. It said that hundreds of thousands

of migrants must be found homes or Europe's asylum

system would collapse. Almost a million migrants have now

arrived in Europe this year, and many people have voiced

concern about the impact In parts of Germany,

there's been a violent backlash. Fergal Keane reports now

from Dresden, on the far right There is the Dresden of high

culture and pluralism, The rising chorus of the far right,

amplified by resentment over migrants and fear

after the Paris attacks. In a city that's seen

where intolerance can lead, This is the broken glass

and Michael Richter's office. Suspected neo-Nazis also

bombed his car last July. He's a left-wing politician,

outspoken in defence of refugees. I see parallels

with 1933 and Hitler. Again, we have a social movement

that is getting out of control. I'm more afraid of Germans

than I am of the refugees. Here in the industrial suburb

of Freitol, migrants and refugees They've already faced

a right-wing mob protesting Salman is a Kurd who was seriously

wounded fighting against so-called "They use bad language,

they've beaten us", he says. "They come on motorcycles

and speak abusively. "It has increased after

the Paris attacks." Any city confronted

with the immensity of the refugee crisis would struggle with social

and political tensions. But here, the burden of history

accentuates the fear. More so than in the West,

with its decades of experiencing democracy and confronting

the ghosts of the past. In Dresden, catastrophically

firebombed at the end of World War II, the far right has sought

to cultivate a sense of victimhood, manipulating the alienation felt

in a place which emerged from Nazism With thousands of migrants

continuing to arrive in Germany, it's easy to understand how voices

preaching fear find a receptive audience on the anonymous

estates outside Dresden. TRANSLATION: Am I afraid

of the refugees? It's just too much for Europe, there

are too many of them coming here. Our government doesn't understand

what's going on here. What has happened in

Paris will happen here. It will just be the same

as in France and other places. We are afraid to go

to the Christmas market. But others are mobilising

in support of refugees, sometimes drawing more

to their rallies than the far right. And there are other

unexpected encounters. This Islamic centre was sprayed

with the word "murderer" Inside, the Imam

preaches against IS. And in a back room, an Arabic

class for young Germans. They warn against stereotyping

the East as simply a bastion Of course it is, so we

have to deal with it. But there are so many more people

who are helping people from other But the far right unsettles,

not because it can never gain power, The latest Star Wars film has

broken box office records, with cinemagoers in the UK

and Ireland spending almost ?10 million to watch on its

first day of release. It beat the previous first-night

record set by Harry Potter Mother Teresa is expected to be

made a saint next year, after Pope Francis recognised

the healing of a Brazilian man suffering from brain tumours

as a miracle attributed to her. She'd devoted most of her life

to helping the poor Mother Teresa of Calcutta,

as she was known, is now firmly It was the then Pope John Paul II

who began that process, And to become one,

you need two miracles. And it was this Pope, Francis,

celebrating his 79th birthday this week, who today recognised

the second miracle. It was that of a Brazilian man

who had been in a coma with multiple His wife prayed to Mother Teresa

to intercede and the man was healed. Doctors said they could find

no medical explanation. Mother Teresa's lifelong work among

the lepers, the sick and the dying in the slums of one of India's

biggest cities, meant many considered her a saint

during her own lifetime. She died in 1997 owning just two

saris and the bucket Mother Teresa's second miracle has

been recognised in the holy year of Mercy, a year dedicated

by the Pope to forgiveness Catholics here and across the world

say they are delighted that the woman who devoted her life

to the poor and the dispossessed That is great, because she has done

so great a work to the world, especially to the poor

and neglected of society. The humanitarianism she showed

was an inspiration to everyone, whether you are a Catholic or just

a human being. A devil's advocate might well have

pointed out the blessed Teresa's links with earthly dictators,

like the late Enver Hoxha, In life, this tiny figure

with the towering reputation won many hearts, including that

of the Queen of Hearts, The two died within

days of one another. In death, when she is officially

made a saint next year, Mother Teresa will be deemed able

to intercede with God on behalf Her canonisation next September

is likely to draw huge crowds Now it's time for the

news where you are.