21/05/2013 BBC World News

accounts. The Israelis were first off the mark saying one of their

vehicles on the Golan Heights was hit by gunfire from inside Syria.

Syrian - Israeli forces then responded. It said an Israeli

vehicle crossed the ceasefire line into Syrian territory proper. Then

tried to approach a village in which there were armed terrorist groups.

This vehicle was then fired on by Syrian forces who destroyed it and

its contents, they say. This provoking the Israelis to fire two

rockets back at a Syrian army position in the nearby village.

Quite different accounts, but showing that something did happen

and showing the potential for things. The Syrian statement did

warn that any further, what it called attempt to breach the

country's sovereignty, would attract an immediate response.

For now, thank you. Stay with us. Still to come: As

Learjets celebrates its 50th anniversary, why the age of the

private jet isn't over, even at a time of economic austerity.

Here, plans to legalise gay marriage are just about on track after the

Prime Minister was offered a lifeline by his political rivals in

the Labour Party. Some of his own Conservative MPs had attempted to

derail the measure by trying to extend civil partnerships to

heterosexual couples. On Monday night, the amendment was defeated by

375 votes to 70. THE SPEAKER: Order. Order. The ayes

to the right 70, the noes to the left 375. The noes have it. The noes

have it. This was the moment gay marriages in England and Wales came

closer than they have ever been before. Attempts to water down the

Government's plans, or delay them, had failed. Earlier, the Minister

charged with turning this legislation into law set out why she

thought it was so important. Marriage is the bedrock of society

and providing a stable foundation for families and communities. We

want to ensure that people aren't prevented from marrying because they

love someone of the same sex. means there will be an immediate

review into extending civil partnerships, first introduced for

gay couples, to heterosexual couples, too. More than 100 Tory MPs

registered their objections to different parts of the legislation.

Some in very strong terms. I fear that the playing field is not being

levelled. I believe that the pendulum is now swinging so far the

other way and there are plenty in the aggressive homosexual community

who see this as a stepping stone to something even further. There will

be further debate on the subject in the Commons today and then, it will

be discussed in the Lords. Last night's vote brings gay marriage

ceremonies a step closer. The first could take place as soon as the

summer of next year. The health of the Pakistani

politician now. You will remember he injured his back after falling from

a makeshift platform at an election rally. He has now managed to stand

up and had a spinal brace fitted after a series of x-rays. They are

hoping he could be released from hospital tomorrow.

This is BBC World News. The latest headlines: A giant tornado has cut a

swathe of destruction through Oklahoma City killing at least 91

people, including 20 children. A number of youngsters have been

rescued from the rubble of their schools there. Many others are still

missing. The emergency crews have been

searching for survivors in the rubble in Oklahoma through the

night. The two-mile-wide tornado flattened homes, businesses and

schools. Search and rescue staff say that 24 children are believed to

have been killed in one of the hard-hit elementary schools.

What we were told by one of the leaders of the medical command post

was that all of the children were in the Main Hall way, which is where

they were supposed to be during their tornado drills and the roof

collapsed on top of them. -- the main hallway. They suspected

waterlines broke and they drowned. Do you believe that happened to all

24? Yes, because they were all in that main hallway with debris on top

of them. They were still looking for six people. They did not identify if

those were children or adults, or all adults. They stated one child

was still missing and they are looking for that person at this

point. As far as 10.00, I hadn't heard the child had been recovered

at that point. It is very solemn. Everyone is just doing their best to

continue the recovery efforts, you know. A lot of it doesn't sink in

until after the fact, you know, because we are in there trying to

keep your game face on, so to speak. But, you know, once it's said and

done, it hits you like a tonne of bricks! The firefighters were

taking, they were going in in shifts and there was probably 400

firefighters that were waiting to go in, as others were cutting so they

were taking shifts. As one group is in, they will switch, then another

group would go in. That way, they are not getting exhausted, or

overworked, or hurt because they are being too exhausted with trying to

get the children out. A lot of people are just very sad. I mean, as

you can imagine, having to pull anybody, deceased, whether it be

children or adults is going to be overwhelming for a person. At this

point, when it went from a search and rescue to search and recovery,

the mood over there has changed. Her Majesty the Queen here in London

has sent a message of condolence to President Obama after that tornado.

Her Majesty was sending "our deepest sympathies to all those whose lives

have been affected". It is a sign of how far Burma has come since the

release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi after many years of

house arrest. The Burmese President has met President Obama for talks in

the White House and the US President took the significant step of using

the new name for Burma, Myanmar, which was adopted by the country's

military rulers in 1989. The first visit by a Burmese leader

in almost half a century. As President Thein Sein arrived at the

White House, he must have spotted the protesters that lined his route.

Eager to show their distaste and anger at this visit. That

controversy would not have escaped President Obama. But he was keen to

reflect on the positives that could be achieved from this meeting.

indicated to President Sein, countries that are successful are

countries that tap into the talents of all people and respect the rights

of all people. I'm confident that if Myanmar follows that recipe, that it

will be not only a successful democracy, but a thriving economy,

too. President Obama has reason to be cautious. Sectarian violence

against ethnic minorities, like these Muslims, have caused deep

concern. The burning, looting and killing has intensified in the

country. It's prompted some human rights groups to accuse the Burmese

government of "ethnic cleansing". President Thein Sein was keen to

stress his commitment to reform. TRANSLATION: We have a lot of

challenges ahead of us. We have to thank the US government and the

people's support and the understanding we will be able to

encounter these challenges as we undertake the reform process in our

country. And that is the message the Obama administration is hanging on

to. The question is if President Thein Sein can deliver on his

promises. Now, the ultimate executive toy

celebrates its 50th birthday today. We are talking about the Learjet.

The aircraft which started the craze for private jets and remains the

ultimate in luxury travel. But be warned, they cost several million

dollars a piece. Our business presenter has been asking whether

there is still a future for the private jet in an age of economic

austerity. For more than 50 years, the Learjet

has come to symbolise luxury aircraft, synonymous with the rich

and famous, it's been the tool of the wealthy business traveller. From

these early models, to ones that we see today, Learjets and private jets

like these are seen as the ultimate status symbol. In these tough

economic times, is this less than austere mode of transport able to

survive? In many, many cases, a business doesn't need to use a

private jet. A business can use a commercial flight. It's a case of

scheduling and organising the travel in the way that can utilise a

commercial flight. Companies that sell and charter jets just like this

one, they are starting to look well beyond those traditional markets in

the US and Europe. That is because the likes of Asia, the Middle East

and Africa are regions that can't get enough of these type of aircraft

and well, that is exactly where this industry sees its future. Shaking

off the image of the past is not easy. A number of high-profile

crashes sparked a series of questions over safety standards. The

US golfer Payne Stewart died in this accident in 1999. There are concerns

about the environmental impact. Private jets leave a sizeable carbon

footprint. I caught up with the CEO who spoke of the benefits of

business jets. I know people see it as there for the rich and famous.

It's really a lot deeper than that. If it was - if we had to rely on

that work, we wouldn't be in business. But like them or loathe

them, people are still buying these planes. In fact, over the next

decade, 10,000 new jets are expected to enter the market. So it does look

as though the likes of the Learjet are in it for the long-haul.

I want to show you some rare images of one of the world's most

endangered animals. These pictures have been released of Java leopards.

They are classified as critically endangered. Amazingly, these are

living less than 100 kilometres from Jakarta.

The top story: These are some of the images that capture the devastation

after a massive tornado struck the small town of Moore in Oklahoma

killing at least 91 people. Two schools were directly in the storm's

path and 20 children are amongst the dead. Residents were given 16

minutes warning as the tornado approached. The search for survivors