14/04/2012 BBC Weekend News

The UN Security Council backs plans for international observers to

enter Syria. But the vote comes just as the ceasefire appears to be

in danger of collapsing in some parts of the country. There is an

important opportunity to stop the violence and the bloodshed, and

begin a transition towards stable and democratic Syria.

The government presses ahead with contingency plans for a fuel strike,

despite a breakthrough in the tanker drivers' dispute.

One of the closest races in Grand National history - Neptune

Collonges wins by a nose. But there's tragedy as well as triumph

- the Gold Cup winner Synchronised Good evening. The United Nations

Security Council has voted unanimously in favour of sending a

team of observers into Syria. They're expected to start arriving

there within the next 24 hours. It comes amid reports the ceasefire in

Syria appears to be in danger of collapsing in some parts of the

country. This is what the ceasefire looked like in Syria just hours

before the UN voted to deploy international observers. In the

city of Homs, sporadic shelling developed into a full-scale battle

with rocket and tank fire from government troops. The pictures

can't be verified, but her voice calls out, "where his Kofi Annan?

We want intervention." in New York, there was consensus for the first

time. The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. Russia had

approved a revised text of the revolution so the council voted

unanimously in favour of sending a monitoring mission without delay.

We are under no illusions. Just this morning, Syrian forces resumed

their brutal shelling of Homs and opened fire on mourners, raising

renewed doubts about the sincerity of the regime's commitment to a

ceasefire. Syria's ambassador said he supported the observer force but

he was alarmed about what he heard. Totally unpleasant language,

provocative language, irresponsible language while talking about the

Syrian government. Sir am of the advanced team of up to 30 unarmed

military observers could be in Syria within 24 hours. They will

initiate contact with both sides, government and opposition. Their

primary task will be to oversee and report on the implementation of the

ceasefire, and the UN intends to increase the deployment to 250

observers, though that will need further approval. Activists said

security forces opened fire in Aleppo during a funeral protest.

State television blamed rebel fighters. Observers will have to

move fast to save the ceasefire from complete collapse.

Our UN correspondent Barbara Plett is live in New York for us tonight.

How significant is this vote to send in observers? It is

significant because it will get at least a small international

presence on the ground within hours and that is becoming more urgent as

the ceasefire continues to crumble. It also strengthens the

international community's support for the police -- peace plan. I

think crucially it is significant because this is the first time the

security council has been able to agree on a legally binding

resolution on the serious crisis and they have been able to do that

because they can at least agree the violence just stop and the Syrian

government should keep to its ceasefire commitments. Until now,

the Syrian government has pointed to the toes of revolution to say

the international community was divided. Now it will not be as easy

to do so. The government will carry on making

contingency plans for a possible fuel strike, that's despite a

breakthrough in the tanker drivers' dispute. Last night the Unite union

said it would put a potential deal to its members. Fears of strike

action caused panic buying at petrol stations last month.

This apparent breakthrough might mean these fears of a fuel shortage

were just that, fears, but there are still a possibility tanker

drivers might go on strike so the government says it will continue to

draw up contingency plans, and that has angered the unions involved.

have got to be honest, it is not helpful to me or my members, trying

to negotiate a settlement on this dispute going forward.

government's contingency plans had included training military tanker

drivers to step in if needed. The approach from ministers remains

cautious. A spokesman for the Department for energy and climate

change said they were still taking sensible measures to plan for a

possible strike and will continue to do so until a final agreement is

reached. Last night the proposed deal was finalised at the

conciliation service after days of talks. We don't know what the deal

is. Unite members will meet next week to decide whether to accept

the offer. What is this dispute about? Drivers want a minimum

standard for wages, pensions and safety, but the delivery firm say

they have excellent safety records, their training is good, and the

drivers are well paid, on around four to �5,000. Simply the union

winning the votes for strike action triggered panic buying a few weeks

ago. Any threat to fuel supplies makes the public feel very

vulnerable. The government's critics say it has dented the

coalition's credibility. How do you say don't panic without people

doing exactly that? The United States says there was a

positive atmosphere in talks with Iran over its controversial nuclear

problem. The negotiations ended with an agreement to meet again

next month. Last time Catherine Ashton met,

they agreed on almost nothing. They may have negotiated for an entire

day, but decades of mistrust will not be resolved in just one session.

Tonight, the sides agreed to meet again next month in Baghdad.

discussions on Iranian nuclear issue have been constructive and

useful, reflecting the terms and spirit of our recent exchange of

letters with Iran. Speak in after the meeting, Iran's chief

negotiator said there were differences of opinion but also

important points of agreement. Events over the last year may have

compelled the sides to explore proper negotiations. Earlier this

year Iran began work at a new enrichment facility in a fortified

bunker. In turn, the EU and the US have imposed new sanctions and

Israel has suggested it is considering carrying out its own

military strike. So this is what negotiators may talk about next

time they meet, the nuclear activities shown off by President

Ahmadinejad. Iran has suggested it is ready to talk in detail about

its nuclear programme. Talking is one thing, agreeing is something

else. Sport now, and a full round up of

all the day's action. Thank you, Ben. Good evening. For the second

year running, the Grand National was marred by fatal injuries to two

horses, including Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised. The race

itself was the closest finish in history with Neptune Collange

winning by a nose. Drama and danger - rarely have the Grand National's

hallmarks been so exposed. Before the start, Synchronised unseated

his jockey, Tony McCoy. He eventually lined up with the others

but the offences took their toll. The course have made safety changes

after last year, but only 15 of the 40 starters finished. On the second

circuit, one fence had to be bypassed. The climax of the race

was remarkable. Seabass had threatened to make Kate Walsh the

first female jockey to win, but it came down to Neptune Collonges,

Sunnyhillboy, and the closest finish in Grand National history.

It took a photo to separate them. Neptune Collonges by a whisker.

I'll always thought some day I would ride the Grand National

winner and I am glad I have done it now. A after the joy, the news that

two forces had died, Synchronised and According To Pete. Once again,

racing faces serious questions. have to reduce the risk. Talking

about further complex reviews or massive changes is far too early.

We need to remember there are small numbers of horses running in these

races, it is too early to make rash judgments. For racing, a day of

contrasting emotions. One of the most exciting finishes in Grand

National history but once again the safety of this event is under the

most stern scrutiny. They've already won the Carling Cup

and now Liverpool are through to the FA Cup final following their 2-

1 win against Merseyside rivals Everton. The much maligned Andy

Carroll scored Liverpool's late winner at Wembley. Tim Franks

watched all the action. As the Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard

put it, this was not just an FA Cup semi-final, this was a semi-final

against Everton. Before the raucousness, the silence. In 1989,

96 Liverpool fans died at the start of that FA Cup semi-final. In the

first half, Liverpool were subdued. There is a place for politeness,

the penalty box is not that place. Nikica Jelavic scored one of the

most easy goals he will ever collect, advantage Everton. After

the break, Andy Carroll, who has had a grim run in red, could not

miss, but he did. It was not to matter. A half-baked back pass

allowed Luis Suarez to swoop, 1-1. Sylvain Distin distraught. Then, at

last, Andy Carroll on song, back heading Liverpool into the final.

It has been a fit full few months for the Liverpool squad, often

misfiring. Not today. Who knows, if they end up winning the FA Cup they

might even end up calling this season a success.

Match of the Day follows the news with today's Premier League goals

so if you don't want to know the results pop out of the room for a

moment so I don't spoil your fun. Manchester City's Carlos Tevez

stole the show with a hat trick in a 6-1 win against Norwich. City are

now just two points behind league leaders Manchester United. Bottom

of the table Wolves drew at Sunderland. Blackburn remain in the

relegation zone, losing 3-0 to Swansea. And QPR are precariously

poised just two points above the drop zone after a 1-nil defeat to

West Brom. Hibernian are through to the final of the Scottish Cup. They

beat Aberdeen 2-1. With the scores level with just five minutes to go,

childhood Hibs fan Leigh Griffiths slotted home the winner to give

Hibernian hope of lifting the Scottish Cup for the first time in

110 years. Finally, Nico Rosberg will start on

pole in his Mercedes for tomorrow's Chinese Grand Prix, which will be

live on BBC One at 7am. That's all the sport.

Passengers on board a cruise ship retracing the Titanic's ill-fated

maiden voyage a hundred years ago are preparing to remember those who

died in the tragedy. A memorial service is due to be held in the

early hours of the morning on the site where the ship sank a century

ago. Jon Kay is on board MS Balmoral. Six days, 2000 miles

after we sailed out of Southampton, we are fast approaching the spot

where Titanic hit an iceberg. As I stand here, I can feel the

temperature falling every minute. It is not just passengers on board

the ship marking the centenary in the early hours of tomorrow morning,

there are plenty of people back home, like the family's you are

about to meet. Their relatives met 100 years ago tonight. He was a

member of the Titanic crew, she was a Countess travelling first class,

and now, a century later, we will bring their descendants together

for the first time. We have come to Liverpool to meet Neil Jones and

her family. Her father Tommy was on board the Titanic and he rescued

dozens of passengers in a lifeboat. He must have been awful for them.

You don't see these things and forget them. It among the

passengers he saved was the young Countess from Scotland. She helped

Tommy Steele the lifeboat for eight hours until they reached the rescue

ship. They never met again but they stayed in touch for the rest of

their lives. The Countess used to send a letter at Christmas and she

always put a pound chorine in. was not all she gave him. When they

reached New York, she presented tummy with a silver pocket watch to

thank him for saving her life. But 15 years ago, the watch was sold to

raise some cash and they have no idea where it is now. We have got a

surprise for her. I am and Schiller, I am the Countess's great-

granddaughter. And guess what Angela has brought with her. It's

still walks. The family secretly brought back the watch when she

sold it at auction. Isn't that lovely? Yes! Lovely. What a

surprise. We thought it had gone forever. The family have collected

the whole story, which the Joneses have never seen before, including

letters sent between the Countess and Tommy praising each other's

bravery. We were still singing when we saw the lights of the rescue

ship, and then we stopped singing and we prayed. It is extraordinary.

In return for the watch, Tommy gave the Countess the present. The brass

No. 8 which he took from lifeboat number eight when they were rescued.

Angela has promised she will keep the artifacts together to preserve

the story of the Countess and the crewman, and she is happy with that.

This is one of three reeds that will be thrown into the sea for the