09/09/2011 BBC News at Six

Americans brace themselves for a credible terrorist threat ahead of

the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It comes 10 years after the Twin

Towers were destroyed on a day that changed the world. Police launched

a major security operation to prevent what intelligence suggests

could be a car bomb plot. Al-Qaeda, again, is seeking to harm Americans.

And in particular to target new York and Washington. We will be

live at Ground Zero as Americans prepared to remember the thousands

that died. Also tonight: A fresh warning from the IMF on the global

outlook. The Prime Minister insists we are on the right track. These

are difficult times. The Government is absolutely focused on taking the

right long-term decisions so we emerge from this with a strong

economy and jobs for our people. And in an exclusive interview,

David Cameron says some of the state schools are closing --

coasting at he wants Eton to set up a new one. The inquest into the

death of Raoul Moat hears a dramatic account of his last

moments in his stand-off with police. And will car insurance

costs come down after a ban on the sale of personal details to so-

called ambulance-chasing lawyers? had not been injured. They wanted

me to say I had been injured so I would make a claim. It was going to

be worth about �3,500. Coming later in Sportsday on BBC News, big

changes afoot at Manchester City. Chief-executive Garry Cook has

resigned his post following the leak of a controversial e-mail

concerning the murder of a player. Good evening, welcome to the BBC

News at Six o'clock. Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11

attacks, New York City and Washington DC are facing a credible,

but unconfirmed terrorist threat according to US officials.

President Barack Obama has ordered a redoubling of counter-terrorism

measures. A major security operation is under way in both

cities to prevent what intelligence suggests could be a car bomb plot

in tunnels or bridges. Here, the Foreign Office has warned British

travellers in the US to be vigilant. Laura Trevelyan is at Ground Zero.

Well, as the city prepares to mourn its dead 10 years on, cross-town

the police have set up checkpoints in response to this latest

intelligence. Good morning, America. Breaking news, terror plot revealed.

His Al-Qaeda planning to set off car bombs in New York and

Washington DC? This is what America woke up to this morning. Police

officers in Manhattan have already started searching trucks in

response to what officials say is a specific, credible but unconfirmed

threat. The measures in place suggest that officers are trying to

guard against the possibility of a vehicle bomb. The US administration

justified its decision to make the details of the plot public. We are

taking this threat seriously. Federal, state and local

authorities are taking all steps to address it. Of course, making it

public, as was done yesterday, is intended to enlist the millions and

millions of New Yorkers and Americans to beat he eyes and ears

of vigilance. For New Yorkers going to work, the increased security was

yet another reminder of how much life has changed since the 9/11

attacks. Fatly, I don't think Al- Qaeda has the resources to launch a

co-ordinated attack. I'm not worried. I think we are all worried,

but we have to move on, let our lives the way we have always done.

In this country can come and go as you please, people have to worry

about those looking to disrupt our way of life. The ten-year

anniversary of monumental lost is approaching and it is an emotional

time for relatives of the death -- dead. Charles Wolf's wife Catherine

was killed in the attack on the World Trade Center. I miss my best

friend. After 10 years, you continually move on. I said, they

may have gotten my wife, but they are not getting the rest of my life.

I said that shortly afterwards. I refused to let these terrorists

take over my life in a negative way. New Yorkers are on their guard.

Against what, it is not clear. The exact nature of the threat is still

unconfirmed. And the police are watching bridges and tunnels that

lead into Manhattan very closely, as counter-terrorism officials try

to assess how real or otherwise Well, amid the scenes of terror on

that day 10 years ago, White House officials struggled to comprehend

the magnitude of what was happening. President George Bush was visiting

a school in Florida when he was given the news by an aide

whispering in his ear. Mark Mardell has been to the school to talk to

those that were there. This looks like it is some sort of

a concerted effort to attack the World Trade Center... Oh, my God!

Another plane has hit. I think we have a terrorist act on proportions

that we cannot imagine. We watched the plane fly into the World Trade

Center. The day when a murderous assault killed 2753 people. A day

when history pivoted and the President looked at the world to

weigh different lens. George W Bush was at a Florida school, listening

to seven-year-olds reading. His chief of staff told him what

happened. It could not have been an accident. I made a decision to pass

on two facts, and make one relatively obvious editorial

comment. I whispered into his right ear, a second plane hit the second

tower. America is under attack. George Bush stayed put. A range of

emotions passed across his face. Some said it was odd that he didn't

leave at once. I thought it was right. Number one, he did nothing

to introduce fear to those very young students. They were second

grade As. He did nothing to demonstrate fear to the media, that

would have translated into the satisfaction of terrorists around

the world. This is the school where President Bush was when he heard

that fateful news that changed his presidency and changed America. It

also shape the lives of those seven-year-old that he was visiting

that day. Here I am, right there. One of them, Lazaro de Broc, is now

17. I remember looking up and seeing the President's face, his

expression, changed completely. It was almost downtrodden. It was a

look of dismay. His school sport is wrestling. 9/11 didn't make him

want to take revenge, but to study and international calls to

understand America's enemies. think it caused me to become open-

minded. It didn't change me immediately. But over time, as I

began to understand why they attacked us, I gained new

perspective about the world and all of those points of view in the

world. One of the teachers that was their, Dwana Washington, showed me

a corner of the school devoted to that date. These kids now have a

lot of innocence. We were under attack. Basically, you took on a

war mode. I didn't have to grow up with that, I thought, why should

they have to grow up with that? President left the classroom, spoke

to the head of the FBI on the phone. His team boarded Air Force One

without knowing their destination. Bush wanted to head back to

Washington. His chief of staff and others told him it was too

dangerous. After an uncomfortable argument, the President gave in. He

phoned world leaders, even telling President Vladimir Putin that he

was not blaming Russia, it was not a target. The day gave shape to a

presidency with a new purpose. was going to be about how he

responded to an attack on our homeland. It was a very significant

date. It changed my life, change the President's life, it changed

America's life and the world. was the day the President was

seized by a new sense of mission that allowed few doubts. He led in

America, more patriotic and fearful, into two walls that has still

unfinished today. -- wars that are still unfinished

today. David Cameron says Britain's

economy is facing difficult times. In an exclusive interview he said

the Government was focused on making the right long-term

decisions. It comes as the financial leaders of the seven

wealthiest leaders -- countries have been meeting to try to secure

agreement on the way forward. We keep being told that the global

economy is in trouble. The last time we heard that, this lot came

to London to fix it. Today, the head of the International Monetary

Fund came to say that it was time for leaders to act again. Given the

economic circumstances that we are facing, countries and policy makers

in those countries around the world must act now. They must act boldly

and they must act together. She was sharing a stage with her friend,

the Chancellor, who thinks his budget cuts are bold enough. So

does his boss. These are difficult times. The Government is absolutely

focused on taking the right long- term decisions. So that we emerge

from this with a strong economy and jobs for our people. So, what

exactly is the IMF plan to save the world? In the UK, she says that the

Chancellor should let borrowing go up naturally as a result of slower

growth. But she is not yet calling for a plan B. She does think that

the Bank of England could inject more cash into the economy. In

Europe, the central bank may also need to act. The key, she said, is

for Europe's politicians to finally resolve the problems with the euro

and shore up their banks. In America, well, the head of the IMF

there said that President Obama was right to spend money now to create

jobs, that America needed to cut spending long term. It will provide

a jolt to win the economy that has stalled and give companies

confidence that they invest and higher, then there will be

customers for their products and services. You should pass this jobs

plan right away. The President's $450 billion stimulus plan seemed

to go down last night well. But the market fell again today, on fears

that the Republicans would never actually pass it. The value of the

euro also fell sharply on the news that a key figure at the European

Central Bank had resigned. All of which gives the G7 finance

ministers plenty to talk about in Marseilles tonight. The last time

everyone was worried about the global economy, policy makers

pulled out all the stops to say that. Now, they all have much less

As well as warning about the state of the economy, the prime minister

has accused a number of state schools in England of coasting. To

drive up results, he revealed that he wants Eton, where he was a pupil,

and other top public schools to set up their own public academies and

Free Schools. Nick Robinson spent the day with the Prime Minister.

How are you finding this one? at a full six-year-old John, who is

settling into his new school. This isn't just his new school, though.

It's a brand new Free School, of the sort David Cameron wants to

spread around the country. Choice and competition can committee says,

increase standards in all 20,000 English schools. Even though they

awry only 24 Free Schools. And that is needed in the prosperous suburbs,

just as much as the poor inner cities. The truth is this. It is

not just failing schools we need to tackle. It is coasting schools, too.

Once results have plot line or haven't improved as much as they

could have done. -- have flat lined. David Cameron sees himself as

battling and educational establishment that has complacently

accepted poor results. Critics have accused him of pitting one school

against another. If you can get 70% of children to get five good GCSEs,

including English and maths, in parts of inner London, we should be

asking why we are not doing that everywhere in parts of the country

that are wealthy, like Oxfordshire, where I represent. You're saying

that your own constituents are sometimes getting a worse education,

more complacent schools, and the Academy's the Government is setting

up? The figures speak for themselves. To raise the bar we

increase competition and we make sure that schools that are not

doing as well as they should are turned around. In simple schools, -

- simple terms, are you saying that the school system can operate like

a supermarket? That if yours is rubbish, the other one is good, it

is going to improve standards? Schools are not supermarkets. They

are places of learning, vitally important for the future of our

country. But I do believe that choice and competition should not

be dirty words in education. They can help drive up standards. I can

reveal that yesterday representatives of some of

Britain's most exclusive and best known public schools came to

Downing Street to hear the Prime Minister age them to set up new

state schools. I've had the excellent, the best head teachers

of state schools into Number Ten. I've had private schools and

universities into Number Ten to talk about university technical

colleges. The truth is, a problem in our country has been not enough

good school places. Anyone that can play a role in that, private

schools included, is welcome to my daughter talk about how we drive up

standards fall. Eton College was among those schools represented in

Downing Street yesterday. It already has links with local state

schools. But the Prime Minister wants his old school to go much

further. Do you want at school, with all of its history and

privileges, to actually set up a state school? Yes, I think I want

all private schools to engage in this agenda. Today, all private

schools have always had a charitable foundation and purpose.

This is a great way to help deliver that. David Cameron knows he will

be accused of helping the few at the expense of the many. His reply

is that the many have been net down Hundreds of mourners have turned

out for the funeral of Mark Duggan, who was shot by police in London

last month. The 29-year-old's death sparked four days of riots yoos

England. There'll be an independent inquiry. His brother has accused

officers of presiding over a shoot- to-kill policy. An inquest will be

held in December. Police are investigating the deaths

of a number of babies at Furness General Hospital. It follows the

death of Joshua Titcombe, who was just nine days old when he died. An

inquest found midwives had missed an opportunity to spot a serious

infection. A former Taliban fighter has given

four life sentences after being found guilty of inciting to start a

jihad. His co-defendants Matthew Newton and Israr Malik were also

jailed. An inquest into the death of

fugitive Raoul Moat has heard a dramatic account of the last

moments of his live. He was wanted for killing one person and shooting

two others. Danny Savage was at the inquest. You heard some compelling

evidence then? This is the first time we've heard from snb that

tight cluster of people around Raoul Moat that night. He was

referred to in court as A3, a police negotiator. He gave his

evidence from behind a screen. His job that night was to try and

persuade Moat to give himself up. He did this for six hours but he

told the court, of all the suicides I have ever attended, Raoul Moat

was the most determined to get to the goal, to commit suicide. He

said as the evening wore on Moat became less communicative. He

started talking in single words instead of sentences. The witness

talks of a massive change in intensity as Moat started taking

deep breaths. The negotiator shouted, "Raol, this isn't the way

to end it." Shortly after he heard two pops of a gun going off. He

concluded Raoul Moat had shot himself in the head. He award some

of the emotion as well. The witness said it's the first time I've ever

lost somebody like this in this sort of negotiation. I'm devastated.

I thought he failed. Danny, thank you.

Our top story tonight: A major security operation is under way in

New York, after a terror threat ahead of the anniversary of the

9/11 attacks. Coming up: A firework welcome from

the rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Join me live from Monza for inside

F1 as Ferrari red looks to outshine Insurance companies in England and

Wales are to be banned from selling their customers' personal details

to so-called "ambulance-chasing" lawyers. It's thought the practice

has helped push up motor insurance premiums by more than 30% in the

last year alone. The question for drivers now is, will premiums come

down as a result? Chris Buckler has the details. Everyone who has had

an accident while driving is well that were it costs to have a crash.

But for many companies there is cash in claimants. This solicitor's

firm pays �650 for people who give them information about accident

victims. But many insurance companies also trade those details.

Some say they are encouraging a compensation culture that's leading

to higher premiums. I did pay �2,000 and now I pay �2240 800. It

is quite annoying. It is more or less double and I've never had a

-- in years. The average premium in England and

Wales is now about �920. However, in Scotland, with the law

on referral fees much tighter, it is much lower, about �550. And

here's how referral fees work. When you have an accident you will

contact your insurance company, maybe a car hire firm and a local

garage. They sell your details to personal injury lawyers for a

substantial fee. The lawyers contact you, encouraging you to

claim compensation. Phil Riley's car was damaged in a minor accident.

He wasn't injured but he said after he contacted his insurance company

he was bomb barded with texts and calls. I hadn't been injured. They

wanted me to say I had been injury sod I would make a claim. It was

going to be worth about �3,500. That was fairly clearly understood.

There are many legitimate companies involved in helping people to make

claims. Acting legally and in their clients' interests. But even among

accident management companies, you will find people who believe it is

long overdue that the insurance industry dealt with the issue of

referrals. You can't ITV both ways. They want to cut out referral fees

and at the same time they are selling that information for vast

amounts of money. The ban on insurers selling details aren't

likely to come into effect until next year.

In Libya, there's been heavy fighting outside one of the

regime's last strongholds. Anti- Gaddafi forces have been preparing

for an attack on Sirte, Colonel Gaddafi's birthplace, and they've

given regime loyalists there until tomorrow to surrender. Our

correspondent, Paul Wood, was caught up in the fighting close to

the front line, about 40 miles east In a rebel-held town they bury the

dead. But this ceremony is for a Gaddafi loyalist. The mourners all

support the revolution. He was still a Muslim and a Libyan, they

say. They want no bitterness. A fresh start for the country. There

is unfinished business first. A loyalist prisoner is interrogated.

He gives up the names of those handing out weapons, the leaders.

So the rebels decide to let him go. They hope that if loyalist foot

soldiers have nothing to fear, they will surrender. No sign of that in

Sirte. Tribal talks haven't worked. So the rebels are sending forward

heavy weapons. The deadline for surrender is tomorrow. But the

rebels are still a long way from Sirte. 50 miles from here. And, as

they get closer, the casualties mount. We move up to the place the

injured came from. We are at the rebels' most forward position and

all the shouting is because they've just taking quite a bit of incoming

fire. These were positions they thought they had secured, but they

are having to fight for every mile of territory. They are shelling us

so heavily because they are retreating, he says. There is heavy

fighting, he goes on. But he confidently declares, tomorrow we

shall reach Sirte. That is doubtful. But while Sirte may not fall on

their leader's timetable, the rebels are confident it will fall.

Ieuan Wyn Jones has given his last speech as leader of Plaid Cymru at

the party's annual conference. His party fell to third place in May's

election. He told delegates in Llandudno that the Welsh

nationalists could get a better deal for Wales than the Labour

Government. Labour will try to take us down some sidings, but they'll

hit the buffers. Plaid Cymru has to lead to get Wales back on track. It

won't always be an easy journey. At times it will be a bumpy ride.

We'll have to stop, sometimes as now, for refuelling. But getting

back into the driver's seat we must. The UK Independence Party says

Conservative voters have been let down on issues like immigration and

cuts to the armed forces. Speaking at UKIP's annual conference, party

leader Nigel Farage also criticised the Prime Minister for not holding

a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union.

Our political class are now so hide bound by the European Union and

political correctness that they simply refuse to stand up for the

nation. Their broken promises and failure to deal with real issues

has led to an almost total breakdown in faith and trust in

politics in this country. The leader of the Green Party has

accused the Government of launching a "repressive crackdown" on those

responsible for last month's rioting in England. In Sheffield at

the party's annual conference, Caroline Lucas blamed "unrestrained

capitalism" and a failure to address unemployment and inequality.

The rugby World Cup has kicked off in New Zealand, with an opening

ceremony celebrating the country's Maori heritage. The hosts faced

Tonga in the opening match, with Scotland the first of the home

nations due to play in the early hours of the morning. This report

is from our sports correspondent, Tim Franks. Few countries approach

their rugby quite so passionately, but New Zealand's is an ardor

unrequited for 24 years, the last time they won a World Cup.

Expectation is climbing skyward. After the anthems the hakas. First

Tonga then the hosts. Never mind the words. Feel the eye contact.

And then the all back tide duly battered the South Pacific

islanders, the new boys in the New Zealand back line slicing over the

Tongans for tries one, two and three. The second half proved

harder work, but in the end New Zealand through Ma'a Nonu ran out 2

winners. The All Blacks are the top-rated team, followed by

Australia and South Africa. The home nations fill rankings five to

eight. But for one veteran what they lack in style they make up in

grit. In a World Cup competition when all bets are off it is not

about scoring four tries and through the ball about, it is about

winning games of rug bit. In World Cup time it is atraditional. That's

when the northern hemisphere teams come into their own. After New

Zealand Scotland and England have their opening games tomorrow.

History suggest this tournament doesn't always follow such an

Typical spring weather at the moment in New Zealand. Some intense

autumn weather is heading our way. The winds are going to whip up over

the next couple of days. Strong winds through the weekend. Some of

the strongest are expected on Monday.

There'll be sunny spells around this weekend. It won't rain all

weekend. But there'll be a fair bit of the wet stuff about. It is

turning damp in most places overnight. Maybe not so much rain

over the south-east. A really warm night. Lows of 15-16 for most

places, 18 in the capital. Balmy to start Saturday. The weekend is

going to start pretty grey. Eastern England may brighten up with spells

of sunshine. There'll be rain elsewhere. This band crossing

through England and Wales moves through the Midlands and eventually

arrives across parts of the south- east. Ahead of it in East Anglia we

could see temperatures like today in the low to mid 20s. It will turn

grey here. The outbreaks of rain pushing across the East Midlands.

The East Midlands and north-west England should brighten nicely in

the afternoon. Much of Scotland after a grey, damp start turns

brighter later. There'll be some showers, particularly across the

west. The winds will be a feature here. Picking up in the north-west

later. Getting blustery too in Northern Ireland. Sunny spells but

the wind will bring showers. Across Wales, a few showers in the

afternoon. After a grey start the wind will chase the rain away and

we should see skies brighten. In south-west England, sunny spells

and showers. There'll be showers across the country. Maybe drier

across more central areas. The strongest winds are expected on

Monday. The Met Office have issued an amber alert. We could see big

problems on Monday. It's a few days away. There are some uncertaintys,