European leaders meeting in Brussels say they are willing to compromise to try to keep Britain in the Union, but they stressed any deal mustn't break core EU principles. At the summit, the British Prime Minister spelled out his demands for continue membership. Laura Kuenssberg reports. David Cameron said there was good progress in his talks. But that changing the rules of the European Union will be very difficult. Again and again, he emphasized how much hard work there were have to be to get a deal done. There was no a new detail of how it might work no specifics but what Prime Minister described as at least a pathway forward. So without any final solutions, a deal in February is not at certain. But the President of the European Council Donald Tusk said at least he felt optimistic.
Rwandan's voting in a referendum on changing the constitution to allow Paul Kagame to stand for third-term's president. Here's Catherine Byaruhanga. Rwandans are expected to vote overwhelmingly in favor of changing the Constitution. The main objective is to overwrite the current 2-time limit which the otherwise prevent President Paul Kagame from standing at the next election. He is praised at home and aboard for bringing about development and economic growth. But his critics accuse him of heavy-handed rule and human rights abuses. President Paul Kagame himself have said he will wait to hear the voice of the people before announcing whether he will stand for a third-term.
A friend of the couple involved in killing 14 people in the US city of San Bernadino in California earlier this month has been charged with conspiring commit crimes of terrorism. Enrique Marquez is charged with the unlawful purchase of the 2 rifles used by Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik. James Cook reports. During 11 days of FBI interviews, Marquez's said to have admitted his role in plotting Islamic terror attacks with his next door neighbor Syed Rizwan Farook. They are alleged to have used the internet to view Al-Qaeda videos and lectures and bomb making instructions as they conspired in 2011 and 2012 and murder students and commuters. In the end, the pair apparently drifted apart and Farook and his wife attacked his office Chrismas Party instead. Marquez is accused of purchasing 2 high-power weapons which were eventually used in that attack and of entering into a sham marriage.
The so-called Islamic State Group has mounted its first serious assault in Iraq in five months. The US General in the country said hundreds of IS militants had attacked three towns north and east of Mosul on Wednesday. They were repelled by Kurdish forces and coalition air strikes. This is the world news from the BBC.
It's the last day of campaigning before Spain's general election which polls suggest could be the closest contest in a generation. The conservative Popular Party of the Prime Minster Mariano Rajoy hopes to win re-election on Sunday on the back of Spain's economic recovery. It's been challenged by the socialist as well as at least 2 new parties. A national movement that grew up out of opposition to Catalan independence could represent a significant force. The left-wing Podemos has softened some of its radical policies.
The authorities in China capital city Beijing have issued a second red alert for pollution less than 2 weeks after the first ever such warning. China's National Meteorological Center predicted that from Saturday until next Tuesday pollution levels would be severe with choking smoke affecting a wide area from Xian in central China to Haerbin in the northeast.
Britain's last deep coal mine will cease production on Friday as falling prices,falling global demand and environmental concerns, put an end what was once the country's most important industry. 450 workers will lose their jobs at the Kellingley mine in York shore in northern England. Deep coal mines once employed more than a million workers in Britain.
Scientists say they can reduce dangers posed by wild elephants to African villages by scaring the animals away with ground shaking sonic rumble. The study by Wits University in south Africa suggests seismic signals are effective way of keeping elephants from coming into contact with humans. Professor Sue Webb is one of the researchers involved in the project. They actually rumble on command. So I will say,talk,talk. And the elephant signaled hoooo. And he gets a little self-powered. So we are able to place the elephant where we want them and ask them to speak and then recall the signal. BBC news.