10/12/2017 World News Today

This is BBC World News Today.

I'm Geeta Guru-Murthy.

Our top stories...

Protests continue against

President Trump's recognition

of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The Israeli Prime Minister

says Palestinians have

to accept the decision.

I think the sooner the Palestinians

come to grips with this reality, the

sooner we move towards peace.

Britain's Foreign Secretary

Boris Johnson leaves Iran

without agreement on the release

of the dual national

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe -

but her husband tells the BBC

he thinks there may now be

more chance of her being

home for Christmas.

I've got reasonable hopes. It feels

to me that I can see light at the

end of the tunnel. I just don't know

how long the tunnel is.

Heavy snow fall causes disruption

across much of the UK,

bringing problems on the roads,

railways and at airports.

Hello and welcome

to World News Today.

There have been more protests

in the Arab and Muslim world

against President Trump's decision

to recognise Jerusalem

as the capital of Israel.

Violence flared near the US embassy

in Beirut, and thousands gathered

to express their anger

in the Moroccan capital Rabat,

as well as in Cairo and Istanbul.

It comes as US Vice President Mike

Pence strongly criticised

the Palestinian Authority,

saying it was "unfortunate" that

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas

was declining to meet Mr Pence

on his forthcoming

trip to the region.

With the latest,

here's Sebastian Usher.

Tear gas was fired into a crowd of

around 1000 protesters in Beirut as

they tried to reach the US Embassy

this morning. Effigies of President

Trump and US flags were burned by

angry groups of Palestinian refugees

and Lebanese activists. We are here

to tell the US embassy, the Embassy

of the aggressor, that Jerusalem is

Arab, was Arab and it will stay

Arab, this man says. Large rallies

have been held in the Moroccan

capital, Rabatts. And in Cairo too.

Protesters tried to build momentum

across the region against President

Trump's decision. In Istanbul,

thousands turned out to hear

President Erdogan launched a

blistering attack on President Trump

and Israel.

TRANSLATION:

Israel is a terrorist

state. We will not abandon Jerusalem

to the mercy of a state that kills

children.

That lent him a fierce

riposte from the Israeli Prime

Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, who

said he wasn't used to receiving

lessons from morality on a leader

who bombs Kurdish villages. He also

had a message on Jerusalem.

It has

always been our capital. The sooner

the Palestinians come to grips with

this reality, the sooner we move

towards peaceful is white as clashes

again broke out near the fence

between Gaza and Israel, many fear

that President Trump's move will

reignite violence.

To discuss the reaction that we've

seen to President Trump's

announcement and what

the consequences for

the region might be,

I'm joined by Khaled El Gindy,

a fellow at the Brookings

Institution and a former advisor

to the Palestinian leadership.

Thanks for joining us. Would it not

be better for the Palestinian

leaders to meet the Vice President

of the United States now?

Clearly

they have calculated that it's not

better for them. I think the

calculation probably goes something

like this - if they meet with the

Vice President, they will be very

negatively received back home, and

probably thoroughly discredited,

even more so than they are in the

eyes of their people. If they do go

back and meet with the Vice

President, or re-engage in an

American led peace process, they

probably have very, very little to

gain in terms of a future

Palestinian state or some kind of

credible peace agreement. Since we

have some idea as to what is in the

Trump peace initiative.

That are the

hopes of president Abbas really

dashed now? Some are saying the two

state peace solution, that there is

no hope for that, that we are

looking at a one state solution in

many quarters?

That is certainly the

view among younger Palestinians,

which is why this is such a huge

blow to our bass's leadership. They

are a generation who have staked

their political future and their

credibility for more than 25 years

on a 2-state solution. And not only

on that, but on an American peace

process that will get us there. So

that US led peace process has been

discredited, even in the eyes of

Mahmud Abbas, who was its main

champion up until a few days ago.

World this effectively promote a

different set of leaders with more

extreme views within the

Palestinians now?

It is possible.

There is a real leadership vacuum in

the Palestinian national movement.

Both of the two main factions, Hamas

on the one hand, and Fatah of

President Abbas on the other, seem

to have failed in their respective

programmes. There doesn't seem to be

an alternative at this moment. So we

are likely to see a lot of

introspection happening over the

next several years.

And what do you

make of the response in the Arab

states and the Muslim world in

general? Is there a real commitment

to the Palestinian cause, or is it

just rhetorical? The Saudi US link

is strong under President Trump.

It's fair to say there is a

rhetorical commitment to the

Palestinian cause among Arab

leaders, but there are reasons why

they have to at least be seen to be

supportive of the Palestinians, and

that is because it's an issue that

resonates very deeply with Arab

people across the region, regardless

of sex or religion, and even beyond

the Arab world, as we have seen in

many capitals around the world. --

regardless of Qatar or religion.

They have to to at least be seen to

be serious on this issue, but

because their people care very much

about it, I think the premise of

your question is correct. They are

not going to sacrifice the

relationship with the United States,

or possibly whatever relations

particular states may have with

Israel.

Thank you for joining us.

Thank you.

The family of Nazanin

Zaghari-Ratcliffe says a court

appearance scheduled for today has

been postponed following a visit

to Iran by the British Foreign

Secretary, Boris Johnson.

But the court denies that

a trial was planned.

The British-Iranian woman is serving

a five-year jail sentence in Tehran.

Mr Johnson met the Iranian

President, Hassan Rouhani earlier

today where it's believed he pressed

for her release.

Our Diplomatic Correspondent

James Robbins reports.

Boris Johnson spent nearly an hour

with Iran's president.

That access itself

seen as a good sign as

improving relations.

The Foreign Office

says both sides spoke

forthrightly about obstacles

in the relationship

and the need to make progress.

Boris Johnson raised the case

of dual nationals in Iranian

prisons, including

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliff.

The Foreign Secretary met some

of her family in Tehran.

In London, her husband Richard

is much happier, showing me

pictures of his Iranian family,

and delighted by the fact she didn't

have to face a possible

court appearance.

He told me about the family

meeting with Boris Johnson.

The Foreign Secretary also met

with Nazanin's father

and had a long chat

with him, talked and said,

I have raised her case

with everyone I have met.

I'll keep worrying

and battling for her.

Don't worry, we will do what we can.

They came away pretty hopeful.

If there has been

progress, where might

it have been made?

The Foreign Secretary

has been careful to say

nothing publicly while in Iran.

But a Foreign Office

statement says the

two sides discussed the full range

of issues, including banking matters

and concerns about the consular

cases of dual nationals.

Those banking matters include two

major Iranian grievances.

One, that no UK bank will open

an account for Iran's

embassy in London,

fearful it could put them in trouble

with US authorities.

There are signs that

could be sorted soon.

Second, the Iranians

want Britain to pay

a long-standing debt of

around £400 million.

A way to do that without breaching

sanctions looks closer.

Both sides say these

issues are not linked

to prisoner releases,

but giving one side something

it wants often helps

the other to give in return.

One gift to Britain would be

the reunion of Nazanin

with her three-year-old daughter,

seen here just before her arrest

in April last year.

The family is feeling

much more positive.

The Foreign Office delegation

left Iran sensing both

sides wanted to resolve

the difficult issues

in the relationship.

Later in the programme we will be

hearing more from Richard Ratcliffe,

who came in and told me his hopes

going forward.

Heavy snowfall across much

of the UK is causing

disruption on the roads,

to air travel, and on the railways.

Hundreds of flights have been

cancelled or delayed

at a number of airports,

while some roads are described

as hazardous, with the police

warning motorists to travel

only if absolutely necessary.

Meteorologists say it's the heaviest

snowfall to hit the affected

areas in four years,

as Richard Lister reports.

Much of Britain looked

like a Christmas card today.

Scotland and northern England

had been expecting snow,

but this was Buckinghamshire,

and it wasn't pretty.

Breakdowns and blizzard conditions

on the M25 near Gerard's Cross

made for slow going.

On the A34 near Newbury - two stuck

lorries, and the southbound

carriageway had to be closed.

In Wales, some smaller communities

were cut off entirely and thousands

of people had lost power.

This is by far the worst

I have ever seen.

It's probably the worst snow

I've ever seen, to be honest.

It's about a foot deep.

In the Midlands, they had hoped

gritters would keep the roads safe,

but needed snowploughs in Redditch.

It's been a long day for breakdown

services like the RAC,

which is getting five

calls a minute.

I had problems starting it.

I tried starting it last

night and this morning.

Mark says everything he's dealt

with today has been weather-related.

Only travel if you have to.

If you are going to travel,

make sure you have a fully charged

phone and warm clothing in case

you get stuck for hours.

This car, at least, got going again.

This is one of an estimated 25,000

breakdowns across the UK today,

15% more than usual.

Everything from flat

batteries to people stuck

in their drives because of snow.

It's not just motorists who've

been having problems.

70 flights were cancelled

at Heathrow, and Luton and Stansted

had problems as well.

Unhappy passengers at

East Midlands Airport.

A bit frustrated.

They could have told

us when we checked in

that the flight was cancelled.

We've been waiting around

for six, seven hours.

A P&O ferry with 300 passengers

on board ran aground

in Calais due to high winds.

No one was hurt and it

was refloated, but this

was a day to stay at home.

Listen to me!

Where we live,

we never get any snow.

Just sleet.

I like snow because you can make

snow angels and snowmen,

and I find it really fun.

And maybe do some of this.

It's been a great day for snowmen,

sledging and snowballs,

but what looks like fun on Sunday

afternoon could look very different

on Monday morning at rush hour.

Gritters are out in force

as the roads ice up,

ready for a difficult day tomorrow.

Stay with us on BBC World News.

Still to come...

Why the winner of the Nobel Peace

Price believes the world could be

just a moment of panic away from

nuclear war.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are

to separate. A statement from

Buckingham Palace said the decision

had been reached amicably.

Protests continue against

President Trump's recognition

of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The Israeli prime minister

says Palestinians have

to accept the decision

as a recognition of reality.

The British Foreign Minister,

Boris Johnson, has left Iran,

after pressing for the release

of imprisoned dual national

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

The British Prime Minister -- the

British Foreign Minister has left

Iran now without any agreement on

the release of Nazanin

Zaghari-Ratcliffe. I have been

speaking to Nazanin's husband about

what he felt about the meeting.

I

fear it has been a good weekend for

us. The Foreign Secretary was in

Tehran. We were worried because a

court case was due to happen

yesterday, and it didn't happen, and

it seemed to be as a consequence of

him being there and his

representations to a rainy

officials.

What does it mean, the

fact that the court case didn't

happen?

Formally, the court case was

postponed, so it could still happen.

She has been assessed by medical

conditions, we have heard, and that

she could be released on medical

grounds, but then we hear that she

is being accused of being a spy. We

have possibilities of good news and

bad news, but today we feel that the

possibility of good news is higher.

He was not able to meet Nazanin, but

he was able to meet her family, so

he was able to reassure them that

everything is done with regard to

her case. He was very clear that he

is doing all he can for her case,

and they came away much more

hopeful.

Did he go into specifics?

There's been talk of this huge sum

of money that Britain owes to Iran,

and that paying that will help.

He

didn't say that specifically. I am

going to meet with the Foreign

Secretary tomorrow or Tuesday for a

full debriefing. He is the Foreign

Secretary and there's lots of issues

between Iran and the UK, involving

bank accounts and all sorts of

things, and no doubt those will have

been discussed. My concern is

Nazanin. His job was to reassure us

that he is doing all he can.

So

Boris Johnson went to your in laws'

house?

No, he went to the ambassador

's residence. It was with her father

and her brother was there to

translate. Our daughter had to be

looked after by our granny.

You then

spoke to the family. Can you tell us

more about the meeting and what they

felt?

They felt quite hopeful. The

Foreign Secretary didn't give any

guarantees. He said, I can't promise

you the world, but I promise you I

am doing my best. They came away

certain that she was his priority.

He spent nearly an hour with

President Rouhani, but whether that

is the right part of the Iranians

regime and thethe internal politics

are very complicated.

One of the

good things about the visit is that

he went round lots of different

parts, meeting with the chair of the

National Security Council, with

people from Parliament, people from

the atomic agency. It wasn't just

the Foreign Ministry. So all of that

can help.

And you have spoken to

your wife today?

Yes. When I spoke

to her in previous times, she was

obviously quite distraught and we

were looking with trepidation at

this court case. So today, she was

just so relieved. Still looking to

me for reassurances as to whether

she would be home for Christmas.

She's in prison, which is not a

great place, but there was a lighter

tone to have voice.

Did she feel

upset that Boris Johnson wasn't able

to see her and has come home without

a deal?

When I spoke to her he

hadn't left. Obviously, we were

hoping he would be able to see her

but we were not expecting it. We

were dreading the court case, and we

didn't get that. If we had to choose

one thing that didn't happen today,

it would be no court case.

Do you

think she is coming home for

Christmas?

I think there is a good

chance. The Foreign Secretary, when

we met him a month ago, was clear

that he couldn't make any promises.

I have a reasonable hopes and it

feels I can see light at the end of

the tunnel.

Do you have faith that

Boris Johnson is the right person to

handle this, given his previous

error?

I was critical of his

comments before and the consequences

they had. The problem was his

comments were being used by the

judiciary, but that now seems to

have stopped. I asked him to go to

Iran, and he's done that. It feels

like he's on the case and doing what

he can, and that's all one can ask.

Richard Radcliffe, whose wife is in

Iran still. We will keep you updated

on that.

Let's get the latest sports news

now, with Gavin Ramjaun.

Hello.

It's only December -

but Manchester City look

like they've already got one hand

on the Premier League Trophy.

A 2-1 victory on Sunday afternoon,

against Manchester United

in the derby - has taken them

11 points clear of United now

at the top of the table.

Marcus Rashford

scored United's goal.

But strikes from David Silva

and Nicolas Otamendi earned City

a record 14th straight league win.

So - do the managers think the title

is done and dusted?

Impossible. Of course you have 11

points and you are so happy for

that, plus the goal difference, but

it is not yet. It's just in

December, so you have a lot of

things, a lot of games still to do.

It's important for our confidence,

of course.

Probably yes, but I think

everyone of us, Chelsea, Tottenham,

Liverpool, Arsenal, every of us with

the ambition that probably you feel

it a bit damaged because of the

distance to Manchester City, but I

think everybody is going to fight

for the points every match until

mathematically it's impossible.

Also in English Premier League -

Liverpool were held to a 1-1

draw by Everton, in

the Merseyside derby.

Mohammed Salah opened

the scoring for Liverpool.

Wayne Rooney got

Everton's equaliser.

Arsenal drew 1-1 away

at Southampton, thanks to

a late Olivier Giroud equaliser.

Elsewhere - in La Liga -

Barcelona remain top of the table.

They are 1-0 up at Villa Real in the

Late Kick Off there.

Atletico Madrid move into third,

jumping above city rivals Real.

Atletico beat Betis 1-0.

Malaga are off the foot

of the table - they beat

Real Sociedad 2-0.

In Italy - Napoli missed

the chance to go top again.

They were held to a 0-0 draw

at home to Fiorentina.

Roma stay fourth, after their

goalless draw with Chievo.

And in the late game -

AC Milan versus Bologna.

They are leading 2-1, AC Milan. They

are mid-table at the moment.

Dutch Eredivisie league leaders

PSV Eindhoven were beaten 3-0

by arch-rivals Ajax on Sunday.

David Neres opened the scoring.

Just three minutes later,

Lasse Schoene doubled Ajax's lead.

And Donny van de Beek

later made it 3-0.

PSV's lead over AZ Alkmaar has been

trimmed to five points.

Third placed Ajax are now seven

points adrift of PSV.

In the German Bundesliga -

Borussia Dortmund have sacked

Peter Bosz as head coach.

He was dismissed just hours

after Dortmund's 2-1 home defeat -

to relegation strugglers

Werder Bremen.

After holding a five-point

lead at the top of the

Bundesliga in September.

Dortmund have since dropped

to seventh, now 13 points behind

current leaders Bayern Munich

and have been knocked out

of the Champions League.

Bosz has been replaced

by Peter Stoeger, who himself

was fired from Cologne

last weekend.

The Joburg Open Golf -

will be decided on Monday

after play was abandoned

at the Randpark Golf Club,

due to to thunderstorms.

Overnight leader -

India's Shubankhar Sharma

continues to lead -

his advantage now four shots

with 11 holes to play.

He was only able to play seven shots

on Sunday and birdied two of them -

before play was suspended.

American skier Lindsey Vonn

was forced to miss Sunday's racing

at the World Cup in St Moritz

after compressing her spine

in the Super G on Saturday.

She said it was mainly

a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile Austria's Marcel Hirscher

got a record 14th podium

on the slopes in Val D'Isare.

He overcame the tricky

conditions to win the slalom.

It's his 47th World

Cup slalom victory.

And Ronnie O'Sullivan has won the UK

Snooker championship, beating Shaun

Murphy in the final. He made three

centuries during the match. 10-5 the

score, in what was a dominant

performance from the man known as

the rocket. The win equals the

record of six UK titles set by Steve

Davis.

And that's all the sport for now.

Venezuelans are voting

to choose mayors for more

than 300 towns and cities.

20 million people are eligible

to vote but turnout

is expected to remain low.

Major opposition parties

are boycotting the elections.

They allege the voting system

is rigged in favour of President

Nicolas Maduro's candidates.

The winner of this year's Nobel

Peace Prize has warned that the

world could be just a moment of

panic away from a nuclear war.

Beatrice Fihn was accepting the

award on the half of her

organisation, the International

campaign to abolish nuclear weapons.