19/12/2015 World News Today

This is BBC World News Today, broadcasting in the UK

The Headlines: Funerals are held for 10 Iraqi soldiers mistakenly

killed by a US air strike in Fallujah.

Washington says mistakes were made by both sides.

The push to stop the war in Syria 5 years after it started -

we get reaction to a plan agreed by the UN Security Council.

Also the eye will have all of the sport including Chelsea asserting

the post-millennial era with a win as the new boss watches from the

stands. for a bargain on the final

weekend before Christmas. Funerals have taken place for some

of the ten Iraqi service personnel who were accidentally

killed in an airstrike The US military said it happened

"despite co-ordination with Iraqi The incident took place

near the city of Fallujah - in response to Iraqi requests

for air support to help soldiers Iraq's defence minister said

both the US and Iraq TRANSLATION: It is a very

regrettable incident, and our losses where nine soldiers and a breather

army officer. Our air force was not able to fly due to the bad weather

and the coalition forces were covering the advance. There was an

air strike on the advancing heroes and they were martyred.

Investigations by the Iraqi and American 's are ongoing.

Speaking aboard an American aircraft carrier in the Middle East,

the US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said the incident was regrettable.

I had the opportunity to speak to the Prime Minister at this morning

and I was conveying our condolences on the loss of the lives of Iraqi

service personnel last night. I explained to him I regret, he and I

agreed that this was an event that we both regretted and that there

would be an investigation that, but that these kinds of things happen

when you are fighting side-by-side as we are and we have recommitted

ourselves to that campaign against Isis. The US Defence Secretary

speaking earlier. And you can get more on that

story, and the fight against Islamic State

in Iraq and Syria, by going There's been fierce

fighting in northwest Yemen between government troops

and Houthi rebels. At least 68 people are reported

to have been killed. The clashes have been in an area

where government forces captured the town of Harad, near the Saudi

border, two days ago. The fighting comes despite

a ceasefire being declared to coincide with peace

talks currently taking There are reports that three people

have been killed in a car-bomb and gun attack in the Somali

capital, Mogadishu. Witnesses say gunmen opened fire

and detonated the bomb Local police say the victims

were pedestrians. It was not immediately clear

who was behind the attack. A boat with more than a hundred

passengers on board is in trouble off the coast of the Indonesian

island of Sulawesi. Authorities say they lost

contact with the vessel The chief of Indonesia's National

Search and Rescue Team Agency said a team of rescuers was

trying to reach the ship. A judge in Brazil has frozen the

assets of BHP Billiton and veil over the collapse of a dam last month.

The damages could exceed $5 billion. The dam was used to hold waste water

from Ireland mining, the collapse flooded a vast area killing at least

13 people. Tens of thousands of people have been protesting in

Poland against the country's new Conservative government which they

accuse of undermining democratic checks and balances. Demonstrations

took place in more than 20 cities. It is the second week in a row that

the demonstrations have taken place. More than 10,000 people gathered

outside of the Polish parliament building, they waved both Polish and

European Union flags and chanted we are defending reconstitution. People

here are concerned that the government which took office just a

month ago is trying to neuter the Constitutional Court. The tribunal

has the power to block its programme. TRANSLATION: I never

thought there would be a need to gather again to defend absolutely

basic values of our motherland, freedom and democracy. An election

is in agreement with society, and the Law and Justice party have won

the election and have given the people something completely

different. Smaller similar demonstrations took

place in cities across the country. Provisional results show that

Rwandans have or nominally voted to change the country's Constitution,

allowing the president to run for a third term.

But western governments, especially the United States,

From Kigali, Catherine Byaru-hanga reports.

Most people expected the Rwandans to vote yes, and a figure of 98% of

firms the ruling party's position that any plans to change the

constitution had always been because of the will of the people. But

opponents of the government say that the process was not free and fair

because first of all who were only given one week's notice of the vote

and their -- and they were not allowed to campaign. We asked a

member of Rwanda's National electoral commission whether the

figures of 98% are really believable, for a voter turnout and

the US fought. He said yes because in previous elections, for example

presidential elections, President Paul Kagame had often gotten over

90%. All eyes are now on Mr Kagame himself, will he announced that he

is standing for a third term? Most people believe that yes he will add

it is just a matter of time before he makes that announcement.

International governments, especially the United States, which

funds a large portion of the Rwandan government budget, have urged Mr

Kagame to step down, they say he needs to set an example in a

continent where many readers, African leaders, have often stayed

on to long in office. The US Secretary of State,

John Kerry, says a UN plan for Syria is a "milestone" in the efforts

to end the conflict there. He said the plan gave

Syrians a "real choice On Friday the UN Security Council

unanimously agreed a roadmap to peace in Syria, but left out any

mention of the future role of Syrian President

Bashar al-Assad. Western countries have called

for the departure of the Syrian leader, but one of Bashar al-Assad's

key allies is Russia. It says Moscow can work

with all sides involved but that the proposal should not

lead to President al-Assad TRANSLATION: My counterparts say

let's start the political process that those who want to post Assad

are giving -- given some hope that this may happen. It is very sad that

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

become hostage to one personality. Syria's other ally, Iran,

welcomes the proposal. TRANSLATION: I hope that what has

been decided will be converted into action and not just remain as words

on a paper. We can see what is happening in Syria and if we do not

help the Syrian people now the problem will not only spread to the

Arab countries but also to Europe. to the Arab countries

but also to Europe. We can now talk to Mark Katz,

who is Professor of Government and politics at the George Mason

University in Fairfax, Thank you very much for joining us.

The first question everybody wants to know the answer to but there is

no answer, is what does this agreement mean for president Assad?

We do not know what it means, that is the design of the agreement that

it is not specific, that those who hope he stays in power can continue

to hope so and those who hope that he will eventually leave power can

hope that as well but one thing is clear, he will not be leaving power

any time soon. So this timetable for talks, which is due to begin in

January, how unrealistic is that? I do not think it is unrealistic there

are just some any opposition groups and parties involved that I think it

will be very difficult for them to actually agree on the other hand I

think that now that the process is starting I think there is some hope

that something might take place but it is not guaranteed by any means.

You talk about all the different parties, we are talking about the

Assad government, the opposition parties, but also other players in

the region, Iran and other Gulf states as well. How will everyone in

this agreement and the people who were not included in the agreement

actually feel bound by it? I am not sure they will, I suppose that it

isn't everyone's interests to say that they respect the agreement but

I think everyone will do their level best to make sure that they have the

strongest position on the ground. I would imagine that different

external parties will continue to aid their respective allies inside

Syria. Let's talk about Russia, Russia signed up to this agreement

but still a very close ally of Assad. What change does this mean

for Russia and how can the continued to put pressure on Assad when he is

a clear ally of theirs? I am not sure that they need to change

course, the fact that the resolution does not call for Assad to leave at

the western Gulf Arabs have previously called for, I think that

the Russians can retrieve this as something of a victory, at the other

parties have come around to the way of thinking, that this issue has to

be decided by the Syrian people. I think of course we all have very

different views on what the Syrian people will ultimately decide but

the Russians do not see themselves as having made much of the

concession. Ultimately countries like the US want Assad is the goal.

Yes and I think someone like John Kerry thinks that if in fact these

free elections are actually held then Assad will not win them so I

think that he can at least think that the process has begun whereby

Assad might leave. Thank you very much for your insights.

The leaders of India's opposition Congress party,

Sonia Gandhi and her son, Rahul, have been granted bail after a court

appearance in connection with a corruption case in Delhi.

The case was brought by a member of the governing BJP,

who has accused them of misusing Congress party funds to acquire

It was the first time that members of India's famous Gandhi dynasty had

appeared in court for 35 years. Hundreds of Congress party members

massed outside Delhi's court to show their support for the mother and son

leaders who are often regarded as royalty in India. Sonia Gandhi and

her son are accused of -- by the ruling BJP party by -- of choosing

Congress funds to illegally acquire a newspaper company and its property

assets worth more than $300 million. After a hearing that lasted only

several minutes of Sonia and her son were granted bail. They deny the

allegations. They call them a political vendetta against them.

TRANSLATION: The government is deliberately targeting the

opposition, and it is using government agencies to do that. But

we are not scared. The ruling government denies that this is

anything other than a straightforward corruption case.

Analysts say Congress will use this opportunity to strengthen opposition

in India's Prime Minister and this could be dangerous for him, even

though his BJP party has the majority in the lower house of

parliament it still leaves Congress's support in the upper

house to pass crucial legislation. As lawyers prepare for the next

hearing, said Friday, the political is likely to continue.

Stay with us on BBC world News, still to come: the Force is making a

dent in box office records as the star Wars faithful turned out for

The Labour peer Lord Janner has died following a long illness.

Earlier this month was ruled unfit to stand trial over child

His family denied the claims against him.

Our Political Correspondent Chris Mason has more.

It was a protracted legal tussle over whether or not he was fit to

stand trial, with arguments being made very passionately on both

sides. And in the end there was the conclusion just a couple of weeks

ago from the High Court judge that he was not, as you were saying, fit

to stand trial but what was due to happen in the spring was what is

known as a trial of the facts, where a jury would look at the evidence

that was going to be assembled against him and in his defence but

would not have found him guilty, would not have convicted him but

would have ultimately allowed his alleged victims to appear in court

and make their case about what the alleged.

This is BBC world News today. The latest headlines: funerals were held

for ten Iraqi soldiers mistakenly killed by US air strike in the

ledger. Washington said mistakes were made by both sides. And the US

Secretary of State John Kerry said that a UN plan for Syria is a

milestone in the effort to end the conflict there.

Time for the sport. We will kick off in the Premier League, plenty of

talking points, starting in London where it has been one of the more

turbulent weeks in Chelsea's history. Defeat on Monday was Jose

Mourinho's last match ahead of his sacking. His replacement was

announced, it will be his second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.

He is in the stands alongside the owner as Chelsea beat the Black

that's the-1. Sunderland remain in the relegation zone. Louis van Gaal

admitted this week that he could suffer the same fate as Jose

Mourinho if he did not produce the results the club expected. Neither

the order is not the fans will have been impressed by their 2-1 defeat

at home to Norwich city. United were booed off at half-time trailing 1-0,

knowledge doubled their advantage after the restart through Alex

techie. And Massey al pulled one back for United but they could not

provide an equaliser as the boos rang out again. No wins in six games

for a Louis van Gaal's side. We have never lost a season at home, and we

lose so you can see what confidence is doing to players. And of course

we have lost but now it is very important that everybody sticks

together, the fans, I have to say that the fans were very, very good.

They were still supporting after the second goal of knowledge, I think.

But it was not good enough. Let's look at the results on the day.

Bottom of the table this time last year Leicester City will copy

Premier League table at Christmas, a remarkable transformation continues.

They beat Everton 3-2. Elsewhere Spurs went back to Southampton where

they won 2-0. Celtic have lost ground at the top of the Scottish

premiership losing 2-1 at home to Motherwell, no wins at Celtic Park

in the last four games. Aberdeen took advantage, winning 4-0 away at,

reckoning that is only one point between them and the top table.

Rugby union and particle or on Saturday in the Champions Cup, a

thriller at the Bordeaux Stadium, the ospreys picking up two precious

bonus points. Chris Ashton picked up a hat-trick of tries with sadness

and scoring the counter, with a bonus points to win. Wasps beaten --

was overturned by's unbeaten run and there is a quarter of an hour left

to play between scallops in Glasgow where the score is 9-3 to Glasgow

although Glasgow have a yellow card. And one of English football's most

influential figures, Jimmy Hill, has died at 87. He was a player, a

manager and as chairman of the footballers Association he led the

campaign for the scrapping of maximum wages or professional

footballers. Good evening and welcome

to Match of the Day... The face of football,

but so much more. Player, manager,

broadcaster and innovator. Few have influenced the modern game

as much as Jimmy Hill. Born in south London,

he first made his name on the pitch Off it, he would soon

have a greater impact. As head of the Players' Union,

he brought an end the ?20 maximum wage cap and for the first time

footballers could cash in. This is Jimmy Hill, Fulham's famous

bearded inside right, As manager of Coventry in the 1960s,

he brought promotion and also He introduced pre-match

entertainment, trains to take fans Having guided them to the top

flight, he suddenly quit At ITV, he created the idea

of having football pundits before he moved to the BBC

and Match of the Day. Good evening and welcome

to Match of the Day. During the 1970s, that famous chin

and distinctive beard turned him into football's biggest

fixture, but all the time He returned to Coventry

as chairman and led He pushed for the introduction

of three points for a win So much of the current game,

not least its wealthy players, A lot of professional footballers

since then have a lot to thank him He stepped in as an emergency

linesman at one game, took up horse riding for a TV

programme, unsuccessfully, and was a regular

target for satirists. He was more than happy

to poke fun at himself. Losing games in football is not

something you want to do. Winning, yes, losing,

you don't want to do that. From his real-life

colleagues, only affection. He was by my side, a reassuring

figure, correcting me quietly He had that kind of personality

and humanity, and a fantastic Most of all, he thought of things

before other people did. Indeed, he was a man

ahead of his time. While his forthright views may

have divided opinion, his impact on modern football

is surely beyond dispute. One of the World's leading

conductors, Kurt Masur, Masur was music director

of the New York Philharmonic He also spent 26 years leading

the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra When Germany was reunited ,

he directed Beethoven's Ninth Well, it's the last weekend before

Christmas and the busiest shopping day of the year, it's known

as Super-Saturday in the US and here in the UK it's

called Panic-Saturday. Many retailers have

started their sales early, rather than wait

until after Christmas. Our business correspondent Joe Lynam

has been out in the crowds Traditionally you always waited

until after Christmas to get your winter sales but now because of the

intense competition on the high street and retail market there are

huge discounts to the God before Christmas, up to 50% we saw today on

Oxford Street so the is huge opportunity and the consumers are

the big winners. You talk about the high street but

how many people are staying at home and logging onto the Internet? Huge

numbers, I get the sense that there is an inflection point happening

whereby people will buy soon more online than they are buying in the

physical high Street. You could call it bricks and clicks, people are

buying on the high Street but also doing their shopping beforehand,

they get to know your product online first. You have been to Oxford

Street, London's Centre for Christmas shopping, what have you

been seeing in terms of London as a destination compared to other places

in the world? London is a superb shopping destination, you will find

that a university study, how retailers do it in the Oxford Street

area, because that is so much expertise the shop windows

accordingly and the staff accordingly and discount accordingly

so people come from all over due to shop in London, but that is thanks

to do with the strength of the euro against the pound but that is

changing. Icelandic people, Nordic people where the currency is very

strong, they find London very affordable so they come in huge

numbers just before Christmas to get their burdens.

Five shopping days left until Christmas.

Star Wars fans have been out in force around the world as global

ticket sales for the new film reached an estimated

The latest instalment of the epic space adventure franchise has

already broken records sales on its opening night

It took 57 million dollars on Thursday, eclipsing the previous

record set by the final Harry Potter movie in 2011.

U.S and Canadian ticket sales rose to an estimated 125

The reminder of the main news. Funerals are held for ten Iraqi

soldiers mistakenly killed by a US air strike in the ledger. Washington

says mistakes were made by both sides.

And the US Secretary of State John Kerry said the UN plan for Syria is

a milestone in the efforts to end the conflict there.

That is all for now, but do remember if you would like to get in touch

with me and some of the team you can through twitter.

I know you have to pinch yourself that it is less than one week until

Christmas Day, it has been another extraordinarily mild day. We have

not broken any