03/11/2012 BBC Weekend News

Good evening. President Obama and his Republican

rival, Mitt Romney, have begun throw days of campaigning across

several swing states that could decide the outcome of Tuesday's

election. Polls -- poles suggest that the candidates are almost tied

with President Obama slightly ahead in many of the battle states.

We report from the key swing state now of Ohio.

The size of the crowd was overwhelming. A spectacular mega

rally in Owe hoe you -- Ohio last night to launch Mitt Romney's final

sprint. With him, a small army of governors, Senators and Republican

notables, braving the freezing weather to offer their support.

Now you have heard that they have gathered as he are about to fan out

across the entire nation to ensure with we have victory on November

6th. Today, President Obama too was in

Ohio, buoyed up after the leadership of the hurricane.

It is a spirit that says no matter how bad a storm is, or how bad

tough times are, we are in this together.

The likely carve up of the electoral map is clear in most

places. Both candidates are now on a breathless dash to win over swing

states that could go either way. President Obama's schedule loops

from Ohio to Wisconsin and Iowa, fin irning up in Virginia. Mitt

Romney's route leaps from New Hampshire to the midwest and two

stops in Colorado. It is here in the American midwest, that this

election is fought most fiercely. This so-called bell weather state,

which for decades has voted with the winner, but this time, when

there is pressure on people to cast their vote early, when it is

thought that a fraction of voters have made their choice, how much

difference will all of this frantic last-minute campaigning make?

Defence contractor, Derek, know what is he will do on Tuesday.

be voting for Mitt Romney. He, at least, has a plan for turning the

economy around. Getting -- getting the jobs. He has done it before,

but on a larger scale, I would like to give him a chance with the

economy of the country. A retired teacher has two daughters

in the Navy and is a registered Republican.

I am voting for President Obama. He has worked very hard. Maybe he has

not gotten everything done, but he has done a lot.

President Obama may have the edge here, and in other swing states,

but it is very narrow. On Tuesday everlast vote may count.

Mobile petrol stations are being set up around New York city to

distribute free fuel because of the shortages caused by Superstorm

Sandy.00,000 people in the New York area are still without power. Some

underground stations are closed, but most are working. Four the

latest let's go live to Jane Hill in New York. So, New Yorkers are

facing a degree of disruption still? Well, it has been a huge

increasing problem for the authorities here, the electricity

over the last few days. Petrol, people are not just queuing for an

hour or two to fill up their care, we are talking about people queuing

for six to eight hours. Tempers are frayed and there have been

unpleasant scenes. The governor talked to journalists in a couple

of hours -- in the last couple of hours, to say that more gals of gas

are being brought here, 28 million. So asking the people not to panic

buy. Also the problem with the late call

from the Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, to cancel the New York City

Marathon. More than 45,000 runners. Many agree with the decision, but

people are questioning why it was taken so late in the day, not

allowing people time to change their plans.

Teach. -- thank you very much.

Syrian government officials say that their forces have killed a

large number of rebel who is earlier today launched an attack on

a military base in the north of the country. Opposition fighters have

been trying to seize control of the Taftanaz air base, used by the

Syrian army to mount air attacks on the rebels.

The rebel offence i began at first light.

The fighters opened fire on the Taftanaz air base, using multiple

rocket launchers and mortars. The video footage has not been verified,

but it is thought genuine. If the rebels manage to capture the

airport it could be a major development.

This base provides the major route for the Bashar al-Assad to supply

his soldiers. Most of the strategic towns have been captured by the

rebels. This road would be then controlled by the rebels.

Syrian TV today, said that the attack on the airport was repelled.

For some time now, the rebels have been trying to counter the

government's increasing use of airpower. These new pictures appear

to show a jet fighter on a bombing run, close to the Taftanaz air base,

but neither side in the conflict seems capable of delivering a

decisive blow on the battlefield. The uprising in Syria began 19

months ago. Bashar al-Assad still is in power, helped in no small

part by opposition that is fragmented. A presentation is to be

made in the Gulf state of Qatar to bring together these desperate

elements, but there is looking like there could be little progress

towards a united front. On the ground in Syria, the

immediate aftermath after one of the latest attacks. People in panic.

Amidst the chaos, the mood is simply one of desperation.

A man who claims he was sexually abused by a leading Conservative

politician, more than three decades ago is asking for a meeting with

the Prime Minister to call for a fresh investigation. The claims

made in a BBC Newsnight report date back to a scandal, the subject of a

public inquiry into child abuse in North Wales in the 1970s. The

allegations involving someone still alive but not named by the

programme. We were basically sexually abused.

Various things would happen. Drink was involved. It was basically rape.

But there would not be just him, there were other people involved as

well. The Government has said it intends

to tighten rules for doctors providing care to patients thought

be to dying. Under the plans, NHS staff have to consult relatives

before taking decisions for taking pain relief. Some of the methods,

including one called the Liverpool Care Pathway have caused concern as

families say they were not consulted.

An army battalion has become the first in England to be granted the

freedom of the city of Edinburgh. 3Rd Battalion the Rifles has been

based in the city from 2003, but traditionally recruits from the

north of England. They recently returned from an

operation in Afghanistan where they spent six months in Helmand

province. Now the sport. In the Premier

League there were wins for Wigan, Norwich and Aston Villa. Chelsea

drew with Swansea. That means that Manchester United are top of the

table after beating Arsenal at Old Trafford. Robin van Persie playing

his first game against his former club, scored one of the goals in

the 2-1 win. %% Mersey -- Robin van Persie made

many flends here, but there is no time for sent -- sentiments here.

There were unwelcome memories of the last season and the drubbing

that could have resurfaced. United could not capitalise, even when

Hamid Karzai -- Santi Cazorla had a ball in the penalty area.

Wayne Rooney dropped wide. Arsenal improved after the half-time, but

the hopes of a fight back were thwarted after a headed goal by

Patrice Evra. Then by the dismissal of Jack Wiltshire for a second

bookable offence. As they grabbed a stylish late consolation, that was

with the last kick of the match. Then all friends again after all of

the acrimony in the game, it was something to safer.

And McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, is on pole position for the Formula One