19/03/2012 BBC News at Ten

Tonight at Ten: A major terror alert in south-west France after

yet another gun attack. Three Jewish children and their teacher

are shot dead at a school in Toulouse. The authorities say the

same gunman was also responsible for killing three soldiers earlier

this month. This act is odious and cannot remain unpunished, all

measures, all possible measures will be taken to put this criminal

out of action. We will have the latest from Toulouse on the hunt

for the gunman. Also tonight: New plans to ask private companies

to build and maintain roads in England.

Let me be clear, this is not about mass tolling. As I have said, we

are not tolling existing roads. It's about getting more out of the

money that motorists already pay. The footballer Fabrice Muamba shows

signs of recovery after collapsing on Saturday.

From Libya a special report on the thousands of people still missing

after the uprising. And, zig-zagging across Britain,

the route of the Olympic torch is unveiled.

Later in the hour on the news channel I will be here with the

sport as Dylan hartley is cited as biting an Ireland player at

Good evening. All campaigning in the French presidential election

has been suspended following the murder of three Jewish children and

one of their teachers at a school in Toulouse. Police say the same

gunman killed three soldiers in similar incidents last week.

President Sarkozy has tonight placed the entire region on the

highest terror alert. Let's join our correspondent Christian Fraser

in Toulouse. Good evening. Police have confirmed

tonight in Toulouse they are hunting a serial killer and they

know they have to act quickly to catch him before he strikes again.

Today's attack on a Jewish school in the heart of this Jewish

community bother all the hallmarks of previous attacks, two previous

attacks in the region in eight days. A gunman that's prepared to shoot

victims at close range in broad day daylight and without any mercy,

even for the smallest children. The Monday morning school run that

descended into panic and terror. As parents were dropping children

at the gates of the Ozar Hatorah high school this morning a lone

gunman pulled up on a zoo scoot -- scooter and opened fire. He shot

everyone in front of him said the parents and then chased the

terrified children into the school grounds.

Among the four dead was a 30-year- old rabbi, Jonathan Sandler and his

two sons, aged three and six. The fourth victim was also a child, an

eight-year-old daughter of the school principle. This man told me

he had just finished chatting to his friend at the gates, seconds

later the rabbi was dead. TRANSLATION:

At first he shot one bullet into the air. He hit the tree. After

that he shot the father in front of him, then the two children. I

didn't even turn around. I ran straight into the school but he

followed us and then opened fire again. When he left he started

shooting again. Eyewitnesses said one of the gunmen's weapons jammed,

it may have saved some of those who fled. TRANSLATION:

I had just arrived when we heard shooting, weapon all frightened and

shocked. This evening the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy,

returned from Toulouse to speak to the nation from nation. He has

called for a minute's silence in all French schools across the

country and has placed the south- west under the highest possible

terror alert. TRANSLATION:

This act is odious and cannot remain unpunished. All measures,

absolutely all possible measures will be taken to put this criminal

out of action. Police profilers are now building a

detailed picture of the suspect and his movements. There have been two

similar attacks in the last week in Toulouse and neighbouring Montauban

in which three soldiers have been killed. Tonight they revealed that

the gun used in all these attacks is the same. On each occasion the

gunman has escaped on a black scooter. His face hidden by the

advisor of the helmet. Anti- terrorist police have now taken

over this investigation and shifting through hours of film from

CCTV that captured the attacks and the escape. The gunman's knowledge

of the roads say police suggest that he is local. One One witness

revealed the man has a tattoo on his face, the motive, well that's

less clear. All the victims so far have opinion of Jewish, black or

north African descent. The police know they're now working against

the clock. Surveillance and armed security has been stepped up

although all Jewish schools and places of worship while soldiers

have been told not to wear uniform outside their base. The identity of

the gunman remains a mystery. But local police speculate they're

searching for a man or men with links to the far right and with

considerable military training. We are hearing that one possible

line of inquiry tonight might focus on three paratroopers who were

recently dismissed from a local base for links to far right

extremism and one of those soldiers was said to have an identifying

tattoo on his face, which could corerespond to that tattoo

identified by a key witness. Thank you very much. Private

companies could take over the running, and possibly the

construction, of major roads in England under plans outlined by

David Cameron today. The Prime Minister said he wanted to attract

investment to improve the road network and tackle congestion which

he said was costing the economy billions of pounds a year. But he

insisted it wasn't about mass tolling, as our political editor

Nick Robinson reports. Congestion from junction four,

delays... Traffic congestion, gridlock, what's the solution? The

Prime Minister suggested today it might involve privatising England's

A roads and motorways, asking companies to build and run our

roads. How do we do more, frankly, when there isn't enough money? I

think we need to look at innovative approaches to the funding of our

national roads. We need to look urgently at the options for getting

large-scale private investment into the national roads network. Just

because roads might be run by private companies, the Prime

Minister insisted today you wouldn't necessarily have to pay to

drive on them. Let me be clear. This is not about mass tolling.

It's about getting more out of the money that motorists already pay.

The idea the Government's examining is to invite private companies to

build a new road or improve an old one, to lease and manage it for say

20 years, to be paid per driver using the road, with that money

coming either from tolls paid by the driver, or from our taxes paid

by the Government. There already is privately built and privately run

road in Britain, the M6 toll near Birmingham. Pay �5.50 and you can

drive 27 miles in peace. Don't pay and you go on the old M6 and risk

sitting in a jam. I don't mind paying a little bit to get

somewhere quicker. You have the toll road, the M6 toll and not many

people use it. It's worth looking at. Loots of countries that's the

norm. -- lots of country that's the norm. The A14 in Suffolk is a

candidate to be privately built and run. Ministers say they'll consider

tolling the road, if new money can be raised to improve it. The mere

mention of road pricing risks lighting a fuse on a potential

political explosion, when the last Labour Government toyed with the

idea it faced an e-petition signed by more than 1.7 million people.

The Labour leader says the priority now is not adding to the squeeze on

ordinary families, so he is anti- road pricing. But interestingly, he

doesn't reject outright the idea of privately built and run roads.

we can get more investment in that's fine. But if it means that

in the end what happens is that individual motorists end up paying

tolls to use our roads on top of having to pay record prices at the

fuel pump, on top of seeing living standards cut, that will be the

wrong thing to do. Most drivers tell politicians that they want

more spent on the roads. But they also tell politicians they don't

want to pay more in tax, and they tell politicians they don't want to

pay road tolls or congestion charges. No wonder politicians are

scratching their heads looking for a solution.

Will this proposed way forward prove any more popular than the

last one? If not, the Government and you might find yourselves in

another jam. Details of the Chancellor's scheme

to boost lending to small businesses, the National Loan

Guarantee Scheme, or as credit easing, will be unveiled tomorrow.

In effect, it's a taxpayer subsidy for small business finance that

could be worth �200 million a year. Our business editor Robert Peston

is with me. It's Budget week, how is this meant to fit in and work?

Well, it's the big initiative to get cheaper money through to small

businesses that are regarded as so vital to turning this weak economic

recovery into something stronger. It's called credit easing. You have

heard of quantitative easing, the creation of �325 billion of new

money to keep interest rates down in general. This is about providing

over two years, �20 billion of cheaper loans to smaller businesses,

by in effect, subsidising the borrowing made by the banks. I have

learned that five banks will sign up for this scheme, not HSBC

because it doesn't need the subsidy, but the other four big banks, plus

a little one called Aldermore and �50 billion will be -- �5 billion

will be made initially over the first six months with a further �15

billion in 18 months if all goes to plan. Now, I don't think small

businesses are going to complain about about being offered cheaper

loans but what some will say is this doesn't address the

fundamental problem as they see it, which is that the banks aren't

prepared to take bigger risks in lending to them and so some will

fear yes there will be more in the way of cheap finance, but not o

enough additional support for this vital sector of the economy. Thank

you. The Government's planned reforms of

the NHS have moved a step closer to becoming law tonight. The Health

Bill cleared its final stages in the House of Lords, despite a

Labour attempt to block it. The measures, which include giving

family doctors more control over their budgets, will now return to

the Commons. Russia has called on Syrian

government and opposition forces to agree to daily ceasefires to allow

humanitarian aid into areas affected by recent violence. The

Russian foreign ministry made the request after holding talks with

the International Committee of the Red Cross. And, as our diplomatic

correspondent James Robbins reports, the call comes on a day which saw

even more violence in Damascus. The nighttime firefight seems to

have been one of the fiercest inside Damascus. Opposition

fighters say they were targeting the home of a Syrian army General,

apparently trying to show they can bring the uprising close to

President Assad's power base. After weeks in which his forces have

driven them out of some key bases, particularly in Homs.

An armed terrorist group yesterday... Syrian state TV's

English service is reporting what it calls attacks by terrorists.

Security forces stormed the hiding place for terrorists... It also

spoke of massacres and in response, successful security force

operations to kraez men and weapons. This comes after weekend car

bombings which each side blames on the other. What may be most

significant about the latest fighting in Damascus is that it

happened on the regime's doorstep. Here in the relatively wealthy Al

Mezzi district, close to strongholes which help protect

President Assad's huge compound. The President faces renewed

pressure from two quarters, the United Nations team of five

immediate aters has arrived in Damascus, and Russia's foreign

Minister now says his country backs Red Cross pressure for a daily

humanitarian ceasefire across Syria. In Moscow, the head of the

International Red Cross got Sergei Lavrov's crucial support. Russia's

Foreign Ministry is now calling on the Syrian Government and armed

groups to observe a daily truce, allowing access to the wounded and

It is trying to understand. That the wounded have access to medical

care without being frightened as to what will happen to them.

The daily procession of funerals continues.

The apparent political progress in Russia still has to be tested on

the ground. The hospital treating the Bolton

footballer, Fabrice Muamba says he is in serious condition, but

showing a small sign of improvements. The player suffered a

cardiac a arrest playing against Spurs on Saturday. The London Chest

Hospital say that his heart is now beating without the help of

medication. He has been moving his arms and legs.

A remarkable day, a hospital inside which a footballer appears to be

making an extraordinary recovery. Tonight, confirmation from a

vifptor, that Fabrice Muamba has even been speaking.

Yes, we are all happy. Of course, we keep praying for him.

Hopefully he can come back and enjoy his football.

Was he speaking in French and English? Yes.

Speaking French and English now, what Fabrice Muamba arrived here on

Saturday evening, he was not even breathing.

The medical updates from the doctors have gotten better as the

day has gone on. This afternoon we were told that the patient was

moving his arms and legs. This evening came the news he was

breathing without a ventilator and well enough to acknowledge his

family and friends. Throughout the day, there's been a steady stream

of visitors. Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips, amongst those when

came to give support it their fellow footballer.

Other players saw the incident at first hand during the FA Cup

quarter-final. Today the bolt n captain spoke for the first time

about the agonising first minutes when the medical staff struggled to

help Fabrice Muamba. You are powerless. He is colleague,

a friend, a father a son, it all runs through your head. You feel

powerless to do anything about it. Messages of support continue to

pour into Bolton's ground. This afternoon, the entire team turned

up. Fabrice Muamba's progress is being followed by football lovers

around the world. The signs are promising that the outcome could be

the one that everyone desires. Coming up: We talk to Olympic torch

bearers, the youngest and the oldest.

I do think it is something for everyone. As you can see there is

quite a difference in age, but I think it is for everyone. Oh, I do.

It is exactly right. It is, it is for all ages.

Now, as the Libyan authorities try to secure the extradition of

Abdullah al-Senussi from neighbouring Mauritania, details

are emerging about the numbers of people he may have abducted and

killed. He is arguably the most feared man in Libya. There may be

up to 8,000 people missing on both sides of the conflict.

This is why Libya wants Abdullah al-Senussi back for trial. A mass

grave outside of Tripoli, where at least 35 people are thought to be

buried. Protesters shot at the start of

last year's uprising on the direct orders of Waiting For Godot's

former intelligence chief. No-one has lost more than this man.

He has not seen nor heard from his five eldest sons since they were

abducted by Colonel Gaddafi's police last summer.

All five boys went missing on the same day? Yes, at the same time.

Where are they now, do you know? don't know.

I don't know. Isham hopes that the same fate has

not befallen his brother, Tariq. Was your brother a political

prisoner? I think so. The cells are new -- now full of

Colonel Gaddafi loyalists, but what became of the 40-year-old, detained

like so many other doctors. I don't know where he is exactly. I

have to know where is this place. As long as there is a chance that

his brother may be alive, he will try anything. Here, giving his DNA

to a central data bank. There may be 300, 400 people here

from across Tripoli? Across Libya, yes.

There could be up to as many as,000 people missing in Libya.

The blank spaces are where the dead have been identified with a weak

central government and little expertise, tracing the others will

not be easy. The process of identification is

very collection. It is very time consuming. We are talking about

years. Definitely, this is something that

has to be told clearly to the grief-stricken families.

These are the woods behind the infamous Rixos Hotel in Tripoli

where many journalists stayed during last year's fighting. What I

am watch watching now is a video showing dozens of dead bodies.

AntiColonel Gaddafi activists, murdered and left in the woods,

left to rot in the sun. The gunfire we heard here now explained.

In this broken country, a lonely vigil for AbuSalam, an old man who

just wants his boys to come home. On Wednesday, the Chancellor,

George Osbourne, is to deliver his third Budget and companies across

Britain will be hoping for measures to boost growth. Research from the

BBC reveals big variations in growth over the past two years.

Some areas seeing new start-ups, but others experiencing is drop.

If you look closely at businesses in different parts of the UK

economy it is a mixed picture. Research shows where the growth is,

once you have taken into account start-pus and failures in each area.

Eare talking about one man band, up to larger organisations of up to

250 individuals it is very much about understanding where the

businesses are, where they have started up and where they have been

declined. Here are examples of the strongest

areas of business growth in two years. The Motherlands area of

Staffordshire has seen increase of over 4% in the number of businesses.

Sterling has seen Ann newel increase of more than 2%, the

highest in Scotland, but it is Harlow in Essex that has seen the

fastest growth in the UK, more than 6% for the last two years. So what

is the secret of its success? This decorative glass maker said that

the local business community and the transport links have helped.

The close proximity to London, which is very, very important to us.

You can be in the centre of the city in half an our and Stansted

Airport is up the road. And bridge end in South Wales has

seen its business number decline by 9.5% per year on average. Belfast

seeing its business total fall back by more than 6%. Moseley on

Merseyside has seen the biggest loss of businesses with a fall of

more than 21% on average each year. Experts say that there are a number

of reasons for that. There has been encouragement for new businesses,

but it has been a tough challenge. These things take time. When you

have three generations of the same family whoen is unemployed, you are

talking about getting to the hard core of people.

So, for the policy makers, including the Chancellor, getting

growth growing around the UK is far from straightforward.

For viewers in England there is a special programme about the economy

in your area later on tonight. That is Our Economy, the Debate at

11.05pm on BBC One. The Director-General of the BBC,

Mark Thompson has announced he is stepping down in the autumn. Mark

Thompson has been in charge of the BBC for eight years, he is the

longest-serving Director-General since the 1970s.

The Duchess of Cambridge has made her first public speech during a

visit to Ipswich today. Hoping the Treehouse Children's

Hospice, that she is helping she hopes to be inspired by the Stacey

Hossell. For many this is a home from home,

a life line, enabling families to live as normally as possible during

a very precious period of time. The Duchess of Cambridge in Ipswich

today. Now, the route of the Olympic torch.

Street by street, it's been published along with the names of

more than 7,000 people who will be torch bearers. The youngest 12

years old, the oldest almost 100. It will be zig zagging across the

country, from Land's End to the Giant's Causeway. Practising for

his big moment, 11-year-old, Dominic MacGowan from Birmingham,

one of the youngest Olympic torch bearers. With him, the oldest, 99-

year-old Dinah Gould, modelling her official track suit.

It is a great honour. My mum, if my mum was alive, she would be so

proud. So would my husband. There is a difference in age, but I think

it is for everyone. Oh, I do, it is exactly right.

The flame will travel 8,000 miles as it countries-crosses the UK on

its way to the Olympic Stadium. Today, the route was revealed,

street by street. It's been designed to show off

Britain's most famous landmarks, and to go within ten miles of 95%

of the population. On the 23rd of May, the torch will

cross the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The organisers hope that by

bringing the flame to places like Bristol, they will engage the whole

of the UK in the London Games. On this Bristol estate, most were

surprised that the torch would be passing their front doors.

Through here? Yes. My goodness, I don't believe it!

is a once in a lifetime experience. Do you feel engaged? No, it will

take more to get me engaged, I'm afraid.

He is engaged, David Jackson, a coastguard at Land's End, to be one

of the first to carry the torch. It is overwhelming, really,

unbeliefable, but it is something that the world will look at. It is

good for the local community, good for Cornwall, good for Britain.

Today, nearly 2 million people have looked at the route on the BBC's