18/09/2011 BBC Weekend News

Liberal Democrats make a push against tax cuts for the wealthy,

insisting that their policies are making a difference in the

coalition. Nick Clegg describes the Lib Dems as a party of the head and

a harp. A un appeal for flood victims in

Pakistan - 7 million people are now affected.

Church services remember the four miners killed in a South Wales

colliery. And England make it two wins out of

Good evening. Tax cuts are still dominating the Liberal Democrats'

conference in Birmingham, with senior figures insisting that the

50 pence rate must not be scrapped without an alternative tax on the

wealthy. The deputy prime minister Nick Clegg also made a renewed

appeal to Middle England, saying his was the party of those who

worked hard, paid their taxes and followed the rules. This report

contains flash photography. His party is scoring low in the

opinion polls, but Nick Clegg's target is clear. He wants the

Liberal Democrats at the centre ground of British politics, a party,

he says, of the head as well as the heart, but offers voters not just a

fair society, but also a strong economy. It is a pitch he hopes

will resonate job and -- not just with the party members, but with

voters as well. My concern is what happens to those millions of

ordinary low and middle incomes. They are often overlooked in this

debate. He insisted that the wealthiest should continue to pay

the 50 pence top rate of tax. not think it is morally or

economically right to unilaterally lower the tax burden on the very

wealthiest, when we have not made much more progress on lowering

taxes for millions of people on lower incomes. He said the 50 pence

rate should be scrapped only if it were replaced by another tax on the

ridge that raised the same amount of cash, a figure the Treasury

estimated at more than �2 billion. We should look at other ways in

which the rich pay the amount we expected through the 50 pence rate.

Mr Clegg's promise of fairness, alongside a new crackdown on tax

evasion and a �500 million fund, cut little ice with those

demonstrating against the spending cuts. I do not trust him at all. He

made so many promises before he was voted in, and he has gone back on

them. I am judging them on what they are doing, not what Mr Clegg

is saying. Liberal Democrat ministers are the guarantors of

fairness in a government that would be an absolute nightmare without

them. So Nick Clegg's aim is to show that his party is competent

and compassionate. That is the first step, with a long way to go.

James Landale joins us now from the conference. How would you sum up

the tone the Lib Dem leadership are striking today? Are they sounding

more assertive? Yes, more assertive on tax and in bringing their own

drum and in criticising the Conservatives. We just had a bit of

the party's President, Tim Farron, he also referred to witness knee-

jerk populism from the tourism and reactionary Tory drivel. They are

allowed to do that. Tim Farron and Mr Clegg and the others basically

support the central policy that holds this coalition together,

namely cutting government spending so that you can bring down the

deficit. What Mr Farren referred to as horrible decisions to avoid a

catastrophic alternative. So you have the Liberal Democrats letting

off steam and being more assertive, but you are also seeing the

beginnings of a strategy for the next election, saying they are more

competent than Labour and fairer than the Conservatives.

Opposition forces have again encountered intense resistance from

royalist fighters in Libya as they try to take control of two of

Colonel Gaddafi's last strongholds, Sirte and Bani Walid. Almost a

month after opposition forces swept into Tripoli, ousting the former

dictator, pro-Gaddafi fighters remain firmly dug in.

Advancing on Sirte, the former rebels have been met with stiff

resistance. There has been fierce fighting on the outskirts of the

city, birthplace of Muammar Gaddafi. Fighters loyal to him remain, it

seems, well-armed and determined. And the rebels have been taking

casualties. TRANSLATION: Gaddafi's soldiers are

wearing civilian clothes. They are not in army uniforms.

Meanwhile, there are lots of civilians as well. We are now in

control of half of the city, and we are securing Sirte from all sides.

Fee in all, 900 armoured vehicles have been involved in the assault,

and this is only one of the front lines in Libya's continuing

conflict. At the edge of Bani Walid this morning, mortar fire. Again,

forces loyal to Libya's fugitive leader are fighting back. Outside

the town, the former rebels have had to regroup. But they are still

confident that victory is not far away.

TRANSLATION: I can tell you now that in the next few days, things

will change. The picture will be completely

different in Bani Walid and insert. I can assure you that the full

liberation of Libya will not take long. It has taken longer than they

had hoped, but despite the setbacks, spirits remained generally high.

They no success may take a few tries.

Doctors at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital confirmed today

that they have successfully separated twins who were born

joined at the head. The Sudanese baby girls Rital and Ritag Gaboura,

who are 11 months old, were separated on 15th August after four

operations. The girls' condition is so rare that doctors are saying

only one in 10 million sufferers survives.

A suspected burglar has been killed following an incident in Greater

Manchester. Police were called to a house in Bramhall near Stockport

last night and discovered a man with a knife injuries. A 39-year-

old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. A second suspected

intruder has been arrested. It was just before 8pm yesterday evening.

We were called to Midland Road in the Bramhall area of Stockport to

reports of two intruders forcing their way into a premises. When

officers arrived, they found a man in his late '30s, injured at the

location, with a knife injuries. The officers rendered first aid and

paramedics attended. But the man died a short time later.

Judge services have been held across South Wales for the four

miners who died in last week's accident in the Swansea Valley. All

four died in the flooded elation colliery near Pontardawe. Their

bodies were discovered after a massive search and rescue effort.

We pray for each home that is touched by this tragedy. A time of

prayer and reflection for a valley community in mourning. Lord, in

Your mercy, hear our prayer. Seven candles, remembering the four

miners killed in Thursday's accident at the Gleision Colliery

and the three men who survived. One is in hospital. Everyone here knows

someone involved in the mining industry. The mood was very sombre.

People in the community here wanted to express how they were feeling.

People were holding back some tears and trying to be strong at a

difficult time. The congregation included family and friends of one

of the miners who died, 45-year-old Phillip Hill. Everybody is so sad.

There was so much love around. The family have had a lot of tragedy.

Beyond belief to think of the blackness and the water. I just

hope it was quick for them at the end and they had some strength.

this is have been held at chapels and churches across the South Wales

valleys as communities come together to remember all those

affected by this tragedy. The police and the Health and Safety

Executive are continuing their investigation into the cause of the

accident. As this community waits for answers, it draws strength from

one another. The United Nations is making an

urgent appeal for over �200 million to help flood victims in Pakistan.

342 people have been killed and more than 7 million affected by

this year's monsoon rains in the southern provinces of Sindh and

Baluchistan. Our correspondent has spent the day touring the region

with Pakistan's Prime Minister. From the air, the magnitude of

Pakistan's new crisis is revealed. For mile after mile in Sindh, there

was nothing but water. We flew over devastated crops and destroyed

villages. On the ground, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani had a

camera complaints. We aren't getting food, these women said, and

our children are sleeping in the open. Among those waiting to see

him, familiar claims of corruption. Ali told us aid was going to ruling

party supporters. We have been starving for the past 15 days, he

said. The Prime Minister promised each family almost �150. A popular

move, but a fraction of what is needed. The prime minister has come

here to show solidarity, to send a message that the Government is

trying to tackle this crisis. Last year, it was castigated for its

response to the floods. This year, with million suffering, it is

facing the same complaints. Nearby, this man told us they had to drink

the same contaminated water as the animals. I asked the Prime Minister

why. Prime minister, is the Government not in a position to

provide clean drinking water to the people here? We are doing it. But

there are more than 7.1 million people who are suffering. Therefore,

it is beyond the capacity of only one government. That is true. Any

government might be overwhelmed. But as the Prime Minister paid

farewell, a lingering question that many here are asking - why were

more lessons not learnt from last year?

Now the sport. England put this week's tabloid

headlines behind them with a 41-10 win over Georgia at the Rugby World

Cup. But afterwards, their manager warned that they would be knocked

out of the tournament unless they improved. Wales are also on course

for the quarter-finals, but only after a late comeback, as they beat

Samoa 17-10. Another big night out for England's

players, and one which will certainly leave a few headaches.

After last week's bar room shenanigans, this week's

entertainment was Georgia, a country with just 700 rugby players.

None of them could lay a finger and Shontayne Hape, as England surged

into an early lead. But then that familiar theme. Discipline. Dylan

Hartley was sin-binned and Georgia got the try they deserved. Just

seven points adrift at the break and still very much in it. But

belatedly, England found their cutting-edge, especially Manu

Tuilagi. His second half -- there were two second half tries for

Chris Ashton. It was comfortable, but far from convincing. Wales,

meanwhile, were up against Samoa, something they rarely enjoy.

Humbled by them twice before, Wales were heading for the World Cup exit

at Samoa thundered into a half-time lead. But after the break, the boot

of Rhys Priestland edged Wales ahead before a timely flash of

inspiration. Leigh Halfpenny found a gap and defence was suddenly

attack. Plymouth and Davies did not quite naked, but for the 55th time

in internationals, Shane Williams did.

Wales had got out of jail, and should now get into the quarter-

finals. Rangers are four points clear at

the top of the Scottish Premier League after an enthralling 4-2 win

over Celtic. The result gives Ally McCoist his first Old Firm derby

victory as manager. As usual in this fixture, the pre-

match niceties were brief and formal. It did not take long for

battle to commence. Charlie Mulgrew would regret this challenge on

Steven Naismith later, but Naysmith dusted himself down to deliver a

deadly response. The champions took the lead. But it did not last. The

Stockport striker Gary Cooper squeezed the ball past Alan

McGregor to level. McGregor played his part in Celtic's second, but it

was a part he would rather forget. Nikica Jelavic got a home side

level just after the break. Car Lafferty pounds to make it 3-2. --

Kyle Lafferty. Then Mulgrew was sent packing. The referee had no

hesitation. Just as he was settling into his early bath... The man who

scored first popped up with the last. So as the Celtic fans file

home, it is the Rangers supporters who celebrate their side victorious

and now four points clear of the rivals in the title race. But more

importantly, they have the bragging In England, Manchester United are

set to stay on top of the Premier League. They are currently playing

Chelsea. United dominated a thrilling first half at Old

Trafford. This stunning effort from Nani helped to put them 3-0 ahead

at the break. Chelsea did pull a goal back thanks to Fernando Torres,

only his second for the club, but with a few minutes left, United

still lead 3-1. At White Hart Lane, Spurs beat

Liverpool 4-0, Luka Modric scoring the pick of the goals. It was a

miserable afternoon for Liverpool, Iraq two men sent off. Manchester

City were held to a 2-2 draw by Fulham.

Floyd Mayweather has retained his to BBC welterweight title overnight.

He returned to the ring after taking more than a year off. May

whether, on the roads in the 4th round, was head-butted by his -- by

his opponent. As the referee stepped in to deduct a point from

Victor Ortiz, who appear to be apologising and therefore was not

on his guard when florid Mayweather landed two decisive punches. --

Floyd Mayweather. Amir Khan has since declared he wants to fight

Mayweather next year. From the world's best athletes to

amateurs dressed as superheroes, more than 50,000 runners have been

taking part in Britain's biggest mast partition -- mass

participation road race, the Great North Run.

The Red Arrows! With the Red Arrows overhead and more than 50,000

people limbering up, the 31st Great North Run was started by Dr M

egging, whose husband Jon Egging was killed flying with the display

team last month -- By Emma egging. Runners from around the world took

part, each with a story to tell. have been running for the hospice

since they opened, 25 years this year. My father died there and I

have continued to support them ever since. This is the third one I have

done in three years and I am running for Help For Heroes. It is

great friend, a great race, we always look forward to it. People

take part for all sorts of reasons but the biggest winner in this

event is charity. 270 causes will benefit and more than �200 million

has been raised so far. Sprinting to the line... The men's race was

won by a Kenyan martinet tatty, who set a new course record -- Martin

matter Taffy. The wheelchair title went to Canadian Josh Cassidy and

Britain's Shelly Woods, who won for the third time. Some of those

running the 30 miles from Newcastle to South Shields were well known,