05/03/2012 World News Today

This is World News Today. Inside Syria we have a special and

harrowing report based on eyewitness accounts from Homs. A

residents fleeing the city tell the BBC's reporter of atrocities

allegedly committed by government forces. We managed to cross the

checkpoint but two of my brothers were detained. I managed to save

one but they took one with them and killed him.

As the UN atomic watchdog warns of Iran's nuclear capabilities,

Israel's Prime Minister tells Barack Obama he will not hesitate

to defend his people. My supreme responsibility as Prime Minister or

Israel is to ensure that Israel remains the master of its fate.

Now Vladimir Putin is going back to where he thinks he belongs, the

Russian presidential office, how will he cope with a new and

emboldened protest movement? Also coming up in the programme,

the struggles in Somalia. We report from by dollar, the town that was a

key stronghold of the militant group. Now it has fallen to

Ethiopia and Somalia troops. And getting ready for a royal visit,

but are Jamaicans heading for a Welcome. People fleeing homes have

accused the Syrian security forces of committing atrocities in the

city. They talked of intimidation, disappearances, murder and other

crimes against humanity like cutting the throats of prisoners.

Troops and paramilitary took full control of the neighbourhood of

Homs over the weekend, which had been under bombardment for a month.

Our correspondent and cameraman send his exclusive report on the

outskirts. -- from the outskirts.

On a road out of Homs... Just part of the exodus from Baba Amr. They

endured weeks under bombardment and then fled, panicked, before troops

arrived. A TRANSLATION: We have no armed gangs!

We and our children are forced to free our homes under the cover of

darkness! People are terrified of what government forces will do now.

This group and walked for three days to avoid the soldiers. Here's

why. Whoever is taken at a checkpoint will be cured, he says.

-- will be killed. They took a husbands, they took them at the

checkpoint, he cries. Everyone shares the same fear - that there

has beens are not coming back. -- that their husbands are not

coming back. For now, they're on their own with nothing. It is

absolutely freezing here and these kids have got a night in a house

with no heat and no electricity, and more than that, they are

wondering what on earth has happened to their father. This

family say they witnessed a massacre. On Friday, troops took 36

men and boys from one district. They killed them all.

TRANSLATION: My son's throat was cut. He was 12. They butchered four

people. The soldiers were using knives and killing people like this.

The victim's hands were tied up. -- the victims' hands.

TRANSLATION: Will manage to cross the checkpoint but two of my

brothers were detained. I managed to save one but they took the other

and killed him. My father's life isn't worth more than that of the

young people we have lost. Can such horror stories be true? These men

defected from an elite army unit only last week. They told me that

civilians were targeted, prisoners killed. A lieutenant gave us the

orders, he says. We were told in this operation, should at anything

that moves. Civilian or military, you should at it. -- you should.

Orders were given to tell people we were about to execute. This is the

price of freedom you are fighting for. People killed for no reason

The people of Baba Amr say they are victims of a crime. The outside

world will want proof. Briefly, they defied the regime. Now, they

are scattered, their uprising crushed. There is international

outrage. But no agreement about how That special report there. Now

let's take a look at some of the other news. Iran has announced the

official results of its parliamentary election. Iran's

Interior Minister said that the turnout was 64%. Supporters of the

Supreme Leader have made significant gains from conservative

rivals who back the President. The vetting process and should

reformists were virtually absent from the ballot.

Authorities in Congo have appealed international help after a series

of explosions at an arms capital -- arms depot in the capital. As many

as 1,500 were injured and 150 killed. They are trying to find

survivors in collapsed buildings. The trial of the former Prime

Minister of Iceland has begun. He is accused of negligence in his

handling of the 2008 crisis which severely undermined the Icelandic

economy. He is the first leader to face criminal charges arising from

the financial turmoil. There was never any doubt that

Vladimir Putin would win Roger's presidential election. He told his

supporters he had won an open and on his battle. International

monitors said that while he was a clear winner, however, there were

irregularities. Official figures show him gaining 64% of the vote

bhangra, but one Russian monitoring organisation believe he won just

over 50%. This evening in Moscow, supporters and opposes held rallies.

Opposition groups asked -- are staging what they say will be the

first of many protests against his victory. In Moscow, police have

arrested a number of protesters. In an interesting move, the part --

the current President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered a review of

the case involving be oil tycoon. He was convicted in trials that he

says what punishment for political ambition. He was Russia's riches

man when he was arrested for tax evasion.

We are joined by a Russian journalist and former adviser to

Boris the odds in an Vladimir Putin. And also a member of the endowment

think-tank. Alexander, Vladimir Putin may have won but surely at a

cost to his legitimacy? I don't think it was at a cost because, to

be quite honest with you, I was expecting more problems. I was

expecting their position to come up with some specific facts about vote

rigging. At the moment, we don't really see any specifics of the

facts and 63% is 63%. You cannot read that. So it was by Russian

standards a small -- a smooth election. Good evening. Many say

that to focus on that count and the result is maybe not the right thing

to do. You should look at the race in the first place, and anybody who

was a truly credible opposition figure could not stand. You

basically have to get presidential approval? I think the result of the

elections is and was very expected. As we know, the provenance was that

Vladimir Putin would get something around 60% and he did it. Finally.

So we don't believe there is real opposition. The real opposition can

continue its struggle. And even more, sometimes it seems to me that

next week, next month, maybe we will observe a certain revenge of

Vladimir Putin because he was so disappointed with the mass protests

and manifestations, the mass media. So I think in large, in April, in

May, we will see very interesting situations and maybe a

confrontation between Vladimir Putin and his team and those who

are against him and it will be deeper than now. Breathing that is

right or will Vladimir Putin have to come to terms with the fact that

Russian society is changing? -- do you think that is right? I think

this election was the last Soviet- style election in the history of

Russia because we have come to a point when the new generation is

coming on, and I think we will see the disappearance of some of those

so-called candidates. And I think it is time for the opposition to

find a United figure. Somebody who could unite everybody. Somebody

like the Liberal candidate, but he could not stand? Well, he probably

would have received quite substantial votes, but I think he

is also part of the old system. Part of the old government...

might arise? A will not give names now but... For the former Prime

Minister? Christie and of his part of the old system. He is not

somebody new or somebody people would like to be associated with. I

think in the next few years, we are bound to see the emergence of new,

dynamic politicians. Let's see what our man in Washington has to say

about that. I rather agree. The problem is that Vladimir Putin and

his team, we have to understand that finally society in Russia has

drastically changed. If they don't understand that and if they will

not understand it, I am afraid that they will continue to carry out

their politics by the same methods. And it's very dangerous because it

could lead to some, I would say, not revolution but some deep

misunderstanding between the ruling elite and the rest of society. And

as far as a new government, I don't know, because in that election, we

observe the activity of many. But I don't know if they will be

successful. A very briefly, Alexander, do you think Vladimir

Putin realises things have changed? We have seen the review of this

case. What do you make of that? think he is gradually and slowly

realising things are changing. He is feeling uncomfortable about it

and is not really sure how he should handle the situation. And I

think he needs to change, otherwise he will not be able to continue.

Thank you to you both. It is a balancing act that is

likely to tax even President above's was careful speech writers.

How to respond Israel's concerns posed by Iran's nuclear weapons

without ratcheting up the pressure for military action. -- Barack

Obama. Both Israel and the US have accused Iran of trying to develop

nuclear weapons, something Tehran denies. However, the two differ

over how to respond. Binyamin Netanyahu says time is running out

a military action should be considered against nuclear sites.

Obama says that while all options remain on that have -- on the table,

a new type of diplomacy should be given a chance to work first.

regime has to make a decision to move in that direction, a decision

they have not made so far. And as I emphasised, even as we will

continue on the diplomatic front, we will continue to tighten

pressure when it comes to sanctions. I reserve mm-hm options. And my

policy here is not going to be one of containment. It is prevention of

a rank obtaining nuclear weapons, and as I indicated yesterday in my

speech, when I say all options are at the table, I mean it. For his

part, Binyamin Netanyahu reiterated his appreciation for US support but

stressed that his country's security comes first. Israel has

the sovereign right to make its own decisions. I believe that is why

you appreciate, Mr President, that Israel must reserve the right to

defend itself. And that is the very purpose of the Jewish state - to

restore to the Jewish people control over our destiny. And that

is why my supreme responsibility as Prime Minister of Israel is to

ensure that Israel remains the master of its fate. Joining us now

from Tel Aviv is the former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations,

who is a member of Binyamin Netanyahu's Pardew. When you hear

Binyamin Netanyahu speak like that,... I and sorry. Former

ambassador to the United States. Did I say United Nations?! Sorry!

It is OK! When you hear Binyamin Netanyahu speak like that, do you

get the impression he genuinely believes that Israel could take

some sort of action against Iran on its own even if America didn't back

it? And that is not the case, is Israel is not against sanctions.

The sanctions have worked up to a certain point. But sanctions cannot

really be effective unless there is the threat or risk of military

strike involved in that. Otherwise the Iranians will misread that

message. Listening to President Obama's forceful speech yesterday,

the Iranians, everything is in the eye or the year of the beholder,

they may have misunderstood the message and might have thought to

themselves, well, we can continue creating our nuclear option while

we are talking to the big powers, the members of the Security Council

and Germany and so on. I think President Obama tonight, before the

meeting, made an important addition when he said not just not

containment, but he said preventing. That means the United States is

determined to prevent the Iranians having a nuclear weapon. Some you

believe that Barack Obama is really singing to the same tune as

Binyamin Netanyahu when it comes to Iran? Both have the same interest.

Both have interests to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon. But for the

United States cities are very important strategic interest and

political interest. For Israel and some of our Arab neighbours, it is

an existential issues. Therefore, I think President Obama said in his

speech and Netanyahu reiterated that today, that Israel has the

right to defend itself by itself, should determine it is necessary.

Obviously we want to work in co- operation that the US and the rest

of the democratic society, but if this should not be given, and there

is a certain difference of opinion about the time element. How far are

the Iranians with creating a bomb? That is the problem. On that time

element, sanctions are getting tougher all the time against Iran,

give sanctions the time to work. Look at North Korea. Everybody

mentions that. North Korea was able to produce a bomb, they have a bomb

despite of sanctions. The Iranians are much stronger than the North

Koreans. The Iranian people are not at the point of stopping. They may

go about having a democratic, diplomatic talks and continue to do

what they wanted to in building the bomb. In recent months the Somali

militant group Al-Shabab has been severely weakened. As a sign of its

declining military strength, the Al-Shabab stronghold of Baidoa was

recently captured by Ethiopian troops fighting alongside the

Malian soldiers. A rare chance to go deep inside Somalia. A flight to

a town which until just a few days ago was a key Al-Shabab stronghold.

Landing at the airstrip it is immediately clear who controls

Baidoa now. Ethiopian soldiers with plenty of firepower. The visit was

organised by the Ethiopian army, keen to show that it is winning the

war against Al-Shabab. A look inside what was the Islamist

militant's based. On the walls are jihadist graffiti. The images of a

war that has drawn in foreign fighters from across the world. The

weaponry of the Al-Qaeda linked militants. Some of these were

captured, others were abandoned as the Ethiopian and Somali troops

advanced across the country. There was a very small and re ambush but

there was no such problem. A key ally of the West, this is

Ethiopia's second major military offensive in recent years to stop

the Islamists from controlling Somalia. About three years ago,

Somalis were celebrating on the streets of the Ethiopian army

pulled out. Those soldiers are now back. The challenge for Ethiopia is

to ensure this incursion is not as unpopular as the last one. It's not

seen as a foreign military invasion. On the streets many businesses have

stayed shut. Partly because the battle for Baidoa may not be over.

No one knows how long the Ethiopian civil state, so there's a fear that

Al-Shabab could return. In the presence of Ethiopian officials,

Somali elders said they were grateful for their help in tackling

the militants. Sheikh Amin chav do -- Sheikh Amin Abdou said the

fighters would be welcomed back home if they were to come in peace.

The ingredients of terror preferred these days by Al-Shabab. It has

promised blood shed in Baidoa. The militants are weakened but not

finished. Tomorrow in the United States it is the Super Tuesday

contest for the Republicans, when 10 states choose whom they want to

challenge Barack Obama for the presidency. We are looking at the

chances of the final candidates. Adam Brooks profiles Rick Santorum

in a moment. First, Steve Kingston reports on the front runner, Mitt

Romney. If you want to place a bet on who will challenge Barack Obama,

this is your man. Mitt Romney remains the likely nominee. But

he's a fraud front runner whose failed to inspire the Republican

base. In 1985, I helped found a company. At first we had 10

employees, today there are hundreds. His pitch is simple. That troubled

times call for a leader with a proven business record. ACPO for

America. His mission, to reap massive rewards... But his rivals

have sought to turn that record against him. Portraying him as a

heartless venture capitalist, more concerned about profits than people.

For tens of thousands of Americans... Today, Mitt Romney is

worth an estimated quarter of a billion dollars. Well that at times

has made him seem out of touch. 10,000 box. He drives a couple of

Cadillac, actually. On policy, health care is an achilles heel.

Because Mitt Romney's Massachusetts was the model for the Obama reforms

so detested by republicans. Others have made an issue of the

candidate's Mormon faith, which is viewed with suspicion by some

evangelical Christians. A strong Super Tuesday would make Mitt

Romney the nominee in all but name. But the internal fight has left him

bloodied. Restore America's greatness. Rick Santorum was a

senator from Pennsylvania. He lost back seat in a crushing defeat six

years ago. But now he is back and once the Republican nomination.

Wow! Ladies and gentlemen, I don't stand you to claim to be the

Conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. I stand here to be the

Conservative alternative to Barack Obama. He shocked the Republican

Party by winning races in two key states. That has made him a real

contender, although he has little money and less organisation. Strong

families, strong faith communities. He draws support from social and

religious Conservatives. He believes that Christianity should

have much more prominence in public life. I don't believe in an America

with a separation of church and state absolute. He is critical of

abortion and gay rights. His critics accuse him of imposing his

family values on everybody else. Earnestness and sleeveless sweaters

are his trademarks. But if you want a sense of how vicious this

presidential race is becoming, what Rick Santorum on President Obama's

desire to send more Americans to college. He wants everybody in

America to go to college. What a snob. Rick Santorum is now chief

challenger to Mitt Romney for the Republican ground. But he needs

convincing victories in Ohio and Tennessee to stay credible. The

Queen's grandson, Prince Harry, has been in the Bahamas as part of

eight official visit to the Caribbean. He spent much of his day

in the capital, Nassau, meeting school children. He went on to what

a celebration parade for young people. After the Bahamas, Prince

Harry will be heading for Jamaica. It's part of the celebration to

mark 60 years of the Queen's reign. But the Principles visit to Jamaica

comes at a time when Jamaicans are debated whether to declare a

republic. The gardens are getting a final manicure and the building a

new lick of paint for a very special guest. Workmen preparing

King's House, the official residence of the Queen's

representative in Jamaica - the Governor-General - ahead of Prince

Harry's visit. This is his first trip on behalf of his grandmother.

But he now finds himself in the middle of a debate about the future

of this island and the monarchy. It was here, less than two months ago,

backed the country's war in a new Prime Minister, who made

constitutional change a key policy for the government. We need to

complete the circle of independence. In this regard, we will therefore

initiate a process of our detachment from the monarchy.

Elizabeth II is also the Queen of Jamaica, and has often visited. But

ministers now want a change. It's only the full support of the

government and the opposition, the conversations have already begun

with both sides in favour. We have strong historical links, cultural

links, trade ties. British people must and take this as a slight.

It's not about that, it's just about a country coming of age and

wanting to have an indigenous head of state. The country will then

need to hold a referendum on replacing the Queen that could go

either way. Being a part of the Commonwealth, which includes being

a part of the United Kingdom as well, would be a very great thing

for Jamaica as well. We are never going to know how to actually do it

ourselves if we don't take that first step. With Jamaica battling

high unemployment and debt, some people here wonder whether it is a

priority. I don't know that he not thinking has been put into what

these costs are. The costs on not gigantic but they are heavy enough

to be compared with what could be done with that same sort of amount

of money if it were put into crime- fighting or health care.

process for Jamaica to become a republic could take less than Agger.

An official statement from Buckingham Palace said the issue is

entirely the matter of the Jamaican Our top story. In Syria, people

fleeing Homs have told our correspondent that the security

forces have committed atrocities they including summary executions.

That's all from the programme. Next, If you were lucky enough to have

sunshine today, tonight, with those clear skies, it's likely to turn

cold and frosty. A chilly start for most places first thing tomorrow.

Away from the far south-east and far north-west. For South Eastern

areas, still the legacy of bad weather front tomorrow clearing

away. But from the north-west the weather fronts push in through the

night, bringing a strengthening winds the Northern Ireland and

western Scotland. Rain later in the day with cloud rolling in as well.

For eastern areas it will be a bit cloudier, temperatures perhaps held

up overnight. But for much of northern England and the Midlands,

a cracking sunny start backstays throughout the day. For East Anglia

and the south-east, the wet weather will ease off. A fine start to the

day through south-west England and Wales. In the afternoon the winds

freshening a touch from the West, and little more cloud rolling in.

Nevertheless, still relatively mild. Into Northern Ireland, a cloudy

start for many. The winds will freshen and then the rain arrives

through the afternoon. Freshening winds also bring outbreaks of rain

to western Scotland but more eastern areas will stay dry for a