31/12/2013 BBC News at One

Doctors treating former Formula one champion, Michael Schumacher, saying

his condition has improved. It follows a second operation to

relieve pressure on his brain after a skiing accident. Cannot say he is

out of danger but we have gained a bit more time in the development of

his injuries and the hours to come are still critical. After the

Christmas storms, bosses from the big energy companies are to be

summoned by MPs to explain their response to the power cuts.

George, this one is on me. By incest. Money, J. Dame Penelope

Keith, in recognition of her good life. One of the many women awarded

a New Year is on. -- New Year is on.

Neurosurgeons in France who are treating Michael Schumacher say he

is showing a slight improvement following a second operation last

night to relieve pressure on his brain. The situation is said to be

better controlled although the former world F1 champion is not out

of danger. Michael Schumacher is a seven time

Formula one World Champion. A man with 91 Grand Prix victories to his

name, but loved by millions of fans around the world. He is also a

father, husband and brother and today, his family continued their

vigil here at the University Hospital in Grenoble after doctors

performed that second operation overnight. A quiet Sunday morning

skiing with his son. As these pictures show, Racal Schumacher had

to be flown by helicopter for emergency treatment after falling

and sustaining a blow to the head. An injury that has left him fighting

for his life. Doctors operated for a second time overnight. They say it

has believed pressure on his brain but for now, they are taking it hour

by hour. TRANSLATION: The situation is better controlled than yesterday.

We cannot say he's out of danger but we have now gained more time in the

development of his injuries and the hours to come are still critical.

Schumacher is no stranger to rest. A love of speed, danger and living

life on the edge led him to be described by his closest rival in

motor racing folklore as the greatest adventurers. This area of

France is a paradise for skiers but accidents on slopes leave the

neurologist Ward at this hospital a busy place at this time of year.

Mary's husband suffered a brain haemorrhage after a skiing accident

last week. He is on course to make a full recovery and return to

Britain, with his wife grateful for the care they received. On the

minute of his accident, the care has been superb. From the transfer to

the first hospital and onto here, it has been so efficient and caring.

Michael Schumacher transcended his sport in a way that few drivers

really do. Now he faces his toughest fight yet, with doctors unable to

give a long-term prognosis at this stage.

Doctors say that they will only provide updates as and when they

can, so that agonising wait for family and for those willing him to

pull through this continues. And that will continue, it seems, for

days and weeks to come. The bosses of the UK's energy

distribution companies are to be summoned before MPs following the

Christmas storms which left thousands of homes without

electricity, some for days. Their response to the power cuts were

unacceptable according to the chairman of the Commons energy

Select Committee, Tim Yeo. He says the compensation is inadequate.

It has been a miserable Christmas for many as floods and storms meant

150,000 households saw their electricity cut off at some point in

the past week. More than 20,000 homes were without power on

Christmas Day itself. The company that looks after the power lines

says that everyone affected over the Christmas period has now been

reconnected. Though some are still their electricity from generators

will stop at the performance of these distribution firms has come in

for sharp criticism and MPs now plan to call them to account. Generally,

it was not satisfactory. Too many consumers were left without power

for too long and without information of when it would be restored. At a

time when people are dependent on a continuous supply of electricity, to

be left without power overnight or for more than two days, that is the

unacceptable. One of the companies has said that it will increase

compensation for those affected on Christmas Day. And in a statement,

the company said: The Prime Minister has already said

that lessons will have to be learned after he was confronted last week by

one angry resident in the Dulwich of holding in Kent. Fresh storms are

expected to sweep across Wales, the South and south-east of a one later

tonight, and the environment agency still has eight flood warnings in

place with 29 in Scotland. People are racing themselves for more

trouble ahead. The government has urged political

parties in Northern Ireland to continue their efforts to find a

solution to a number of divisive issues in the peace process after

months of talks failed to produce a final agreement. The five main

parties met overnight in an effort to settle differences over parades,

flags and how to deal with killings committed during the troubles.

Despite hard work, long days and negotiating through the night,

Richard Haass could not get a deal. Talks broke down before six this

morning but the American chairman said that the process had not been a

failure. I believe that we have made significant progress but this is a

work in progress. Yes, it would have been nice to have come out tonight

and say that we have got all five parties signed on to the text, but

we're not there. Overnight, Dr Haass put final proposals to the five

parties in the Stormont executive. Nationalist politicians were in

favour generally. It is compromise, but short of what we were

proposing. But we think the majority of people will want to see it

embraced. That is why we have taken a positive attitudes towards it. But

Unionists had concerns. We entered this process to come to the right

deal. To get the right deal for the people of Northern Ireland. Not any

deal. So why was there no agreement? A number of areas remain

unresolved including a code of conduct for people involved in

parades. On the issue of the past, it is believed there was

disagreement over the language in proposals of how to deal with

unsolved killings. The discussion has focused on parading, the past

and flags. The matter is left over after years of peace process

negotiations. For now, getting a deal has proved too difficult.

negotiations. For now, getting a Chris joins us from Belfast. Any

date set for a resumption of the process? Although the talks have

broken up, the process has not broken down. Richard Haass has gone

home to America, but it is said he will continue to try to resolve

these issues in the New Year. David Cameron said that although he was

disappointed there was no agreement, he says that he thinks the talks

were successful in generating common ground. The Irish Prime Minister

says that this is not a failure, just a step not taken. There is no

finger-pointing from the parties, which is a good sign, but there is

no doubt that the fact that such intense negotiations chaired by an

experienced, failed to reach an agreement underlines that these

difficult disagreements are difficult to overcome.

Thank you. Shares in Debenhams fell by 10% this morning after the

department store said that trading in the run-up to Christmas had been

disappointing. In a statement, the retailer predicted Roberts of ?85

million before tax for the first half of the financial year, down

from ?115 million the year before. New libel laws aimed at giving

better protection to people expressing their opinions are to

come into force in England and Wales. The government says the

changes will reverse the chilling effect current legislation has on

freedom of expression and debate. Traditionally, it was newspapers who

were sued for defamation. But the Internat, blogs and tweets mean that

we are all publishers now. And all potentially at risk of legal action.

Writers and campaign groups say that the old law made it too easy to sue

for libel. Simon saying was sued by the British chiropractic Association

for a critical article. The eventually dropped their claim. With

the old once, it was very easy for large corporations to shut up their

critics. One say that, I mean not just nationally and in newspapers,

but also citizen journalists. The act introduces a tougher test for

bringing claims. Claimants must prove that they have or will suffer

serious reputational harm. And companies must show serious

financial loss. Those writing in scientific journals are given more

protection, as are those who operate websites.

The new defamation act seeks to tilt the delicate balance between freedom

of expression and the right to protect reputation on the other, in

favour of freedom of expression. But now some legal experts say that the

pendulum has swung too far in favour of free expression. Take a company,

a small company producing organic vegetables. Somebody says of them

that they are not organic at all. That really they are using

chemicals. Unless they can prove that they have because loss, there

is nothing they can do about it. Publishing critical material about

people and organisations remains potentially dangerous. But from

tomorrow, we can all write, blog and post with more confidence that we

will not end up in court. Nearly 1200 people have had their

work and achievements recognised in the New Year Honours. And for the

first time, women make up more than half the list, including the actress

Penelope Keith, who has been made a dame. These is APPLAUSE report

contains flash photography. She has enjoyed the Good Life, and

now she is heading for the palace. If you so much a snigger, I am going

indoors. Penelope Keith comes a dame for services to arts and charity. I

think is a recognition not only for my years as an actress, 54, which is

extraordinary, but also for all the charities with which I am

associated. I think they will be thrilled.

Also becoming a dame, actress Angela Lansbury, for services to drama. It

is a lovely thing to be recognised and given that gnawed of approval by

your own country. Irony cherish it. Award winning sculptor, Antony

Gormley, behind the Angel of the North, receives a knighthood. Ash

library cherish it. A knighthood for market share -- Marcus Tatchell, the

man who oversaw the birth of Prince George.

Ruth Jones is appointed MBE. After their son Jimmy was murdered in

south-east London, Ariane Margaret Mizen set up the Jimmy Mizen

Foundation for young people. They both become MBEs. It is all about

the people who supported us and continue to support us. We will

never give up the work that we do, working for peace for our beautiful

young people. And like most of the names on this list, they are people

not in the public eye who have made a significant contribution to their

community. The maybe a few hours of 2013 left

here, but already thousands of people have started to welcome in

2014. Auckland in New Zealand marked the

New Year with a huge fireworks display over the city's Sky Tower.

And Australia has just marked the start of 2014 with fireworks over

the Opera house and the Sydney Harbour. More than 1.6 million

people are expected to line the harbour for a view of the display

with seven tonnes of pyrotechnics being used.

Quite a display. The next