17/09/2011 BBC Weekend News

Specialist mine inspectors examine the colliery in South Wales where

four men died. As investigations begin at the site in the Swansea

Valley tributes are paid to those who were killed.

Nick Clegg says he won't let the 50 pence tax rate be scrapped in the

short-term as the Liberal Democrats annual conference begins in

Birmingham. Irish eyes are smiling.

And Ireland pull off a win over Good afternoon.

Specialist mine inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive are

examining the colliery near Swansea were four miners died. The men were

trapped 300 feet underground on Thursday when a shaft flooded a

minute's silence has been held at Swansea's football match this

afternoon. We will go live to to to Colette Hume.

Well, just behind me is the entrance to the mine and for much

of the afternoon the mine's owners have been interviewed by

investigators and the owners told the BBC they are dreadfully upset

by happened and their hearts go out Laying flowers close to the place

where they died. The tributes to husbands, fathers, sons and

brothers, tell a heartbreaking story of grief and loss.

This tragedy touched the entire community, even those who didn't

know the miners. It is just really quite heart wrenching. We just feel

like we've lost friends. That's basically the reason to come up and

give a mark of respect really. This afternoon fans at Swansea's

match observed a minute's silence. At first light, South Wales Police

and a team from the Health and Safety Executive arrived at the

Gleision mine to begin their investigation. Their task, to find

out how the men died. This entrance leads to a maze of

tunnels inside the mine. The bodies of the four were found close

together after the shaft flooded. Three other miners managed to

escape. One is still seriously ill. What the survivors remember of what

happened on Thursday could prove crucial to the investigation team.

I spoke to a miner who had escaped and to all the families. None of

them reported any any safety concerns, but the investigation

which has already begun, up in the pit now, will establish what has

happened. As this community prepares for the

funerals of the miners, the families could face a long wait for

An appeal set-up this morning to support the families has already

raised �10,000. Mean Meanwhile churches and chapels across the

Swansea Valley will hold special The Liberal Democrat leader, Nick

Clegg, said he won't let the 50 pence top rate of tax be scrapped

in the short-term. Speaking as delegates gathered for the party's

annual conference, the Deputy Prime Minister said the focus of the

party needs to be helping low and middle income earners first. From

Birmingham, Vicky Young reports. It has been a rollercoaster ride

for the Lib Dems as the euphoria of being in Government faded and they

have been batteredered at the polls. Nick Clegg arrived in Birmingham

determined to show his party is fighting its corner.

REPORTER: What are you are you hoping to achieve? What the Liberal

Democrats have been doing in Government for the long-term

benefit of the country. One area of dispute with the Tories

is the 50 pence rate of tax. Lib Dems say abolishing it now would

destroy public support the hole tax system. They insist it is a matter

of fairness. The difference between us and the

Tories, we concentrate on the people at the bottom end of the

income scale and spent time time worrying about the people in the

City of London who have done nicely, thank you.

The two parties may not be as far apart as it seems. Both say the

priority is to cut income tax on earnings under �10,000. And the Lib

Dems would be willing to ditch the 50 pence rate as long as the

wealthy were made to pay. We have always made it clear if

there were a good alternative tax on high value property for example,

that is something that could be considered. The Treasury are having

a look at what the 50 pence tax does and in the light of that we

will decide what to do next. Nick Clegg has to find a way to

trumpet his party's achievements without thrashing his colleagues.

The sight of of Lib Dem ministers claiming they are the ones fighting

for fairness is sure to infuriate Conservative MPs.

Forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi are continuing to hold out in two of

their shong holds. In Bani Walid they fired rockets at anti-Gaddafi

fighters. There There have been clashes around Gaddafi's hometown

of Sirte. The front-lines in the desert war

for Sirte are shifting. The heavy guns are moving forward when they

can. The National Transitional Council troops advanced many miles

in just a day. The fighting continues all around

Colonel Gaddafi's birthplace. This, the picture to the south. But Sirte

is well defended, taking the city could be costly for those outside

and inside the city walls. Yesterday they were spotting

targets for their guns and being fired on themselves. You can see

the Gaddafi forces from here? No. They were in clear view, he

told me, but have been pushed back over the horizon.

This is what they were aiming at. A day ago this was a pro-Gaddafi

position, but not only have they come through here, they are

continuing, 10 kilometres up the road on their push towards Sirte.

We pushed forward as far as we dare. They had just taken another village

and were searching house by house for snipers. It may look chaotic,

but it is organised, steady Investigators in America are trying

to work out out why a World War II fighter plane crashed at an air

show killing three people and This was the moment tragedy struck

at an Nevada air display. Did you see that? He crashed.

Watched by thousands, the plane had been racing other World War II

fighters when it spiralled out of control.

OK, folks, please stay where you are.

It twisted and turned and wham and it was all brown smoke and debris.

When it started coming down, it looked like he must have been

pulling hard on the stick to get as far away from the stands as

possible. As well as those killed, dozens

were injured, many critically. An investigation has begun. It is

believed the tragedy may have been caused by mechanical failure.

There appear to be some air flight problem with the aircraft that

caused it to go out of control and we all know what the end result was

on that. The pilot, Jimmy Leeward, a former

Hollywood stuntman was killed. Yesterday he was interviewed for a

pre-view of the race. Right now, I think we've calculated,

we are as fast as anybody in the field and or maybe even a little

faster. The the the The race has a history

Ireland pulled off a win over Australia at the Rugby World Cup.

The Irish stormed to the top of Pool C by winning the group's match

against the Tri-Nations champions and tournament's second favourites.

Andy Swiss reports. It was Auckland, but it felt more

like Dublin. Thousands of Irish fans, the

soggyest of nights and a passion to warm the cockles, Australia barely

knew what hit them, enveloped by a sea of green, they were outmuscled

and outbooted. It was 6-6 all the break. Johnny Sexton with Ireland's

breaks. Two penalties took Ireland clear. Back came Australia, but at

the vital moment they kept throwing it away before one final moment of

thrilling drama. Only the length of the pitch lay between Tommy Bowe

and rugby folklore, and it seemed he might get there. Fatigue caught

up with him along with some angry Australians, not that they got a

huge amount of sympathy. The number of Kiwis among other

nations that would have been in the crowd getting behind Ireland as

well, it felt like a home game and hopefully we can continue with