09/07/2013 BBC News at One

Concordia goes on trial for multiple manslaughter and abandoning ship.

And can you take any more sport? The biggest battle in cricket gets under

way tomorrow, we take a cut the anticipation and maybe a bit of

sledging head of the Ashes. On BBC London, the Spanish -based

chair of governors at a south London school under investigation over his

Good afternoon and welcome to the BBC News At One. It is already being

called the defining moment for Labour, a party which for more than

a century has been synonymous with the trade union movement. This

morning, Ed Miliband said there should be which could have serious

financial implications for the party. Mr Miliband said it would

make all it takes more trusted and open.

Ed Miliband said he will mend not end Labour's relationship with the

unions, by proposing the biggest change in a generation to the way

his party is funded. Instead of automatically handing over money and

be half of membership... Let me be clear... I do not want any

individual to be paying money to the Labour Party in affiliation fees

unless they have deliberately chosen to do so. Men and women in trade

unions should be able to make a more active, individual choice on whether

they become part of our party. Labour says that union funding

accounts for almost a quarter of the for Ed Miliband. If just one in

three trade unionists decide to hold onto their cash, rather than make a

deliberate decision to hand it over to the Labour Party, they could lose

�3 million. But the Labour leader believes this is a way to get rank

and file trade unionists actively involved in politics. I embrace the

change and look forward to the debates that will take place.

Members of the public to register support for Labour will have a say

in who becomes the next candidate for London mayor. The Conservatives

say the Labour Party will still be dependent on trade union cash. Ed

Miliband believes he is embarking on bold reforms. Critics say he could

cost Labour millions of pounds for head and saying, what is this about?

It is not a knockout fight with the unions, it is a complicated

organisational tussle which will leave many people wondering if Ed

Miliband is actually standing up to the unions. So what happens if the

union simply turn around and say, you know what? We don't want to

change the way we affiliate to the Labour Party. And that could

happen, because Mr Miliband's people said they would not need any rule

changes do ring about these reforms. In other words, they hope to do it

with the co-operation of the trade unions. What happens if the big

unions, and some of them have indicated they do not like these

reforms, the to sit on their hands and say no thanks? The danger is

that Mr Miliband is not able to deliver, and that plays into the

narrative the Conservatives want to push, namely that he is weak and

cannot stand up to the trade unions. Jeremy Bamber, who killed five

members of his own family in the 1970s, has been told his human

rights were violated when he was sentenced to prison with no chance

of being freed. But the judges at the European Court of Human Rights

said their ruling did not mean there was any chance of imminent release

for him and two other killers who brought the challenge. However,

Downing Street said the Prime Minister was very, very disappointed

at the ruling. Shia legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman.

He is one of the country's most notorious multiple murderers. On the

7th of August 1985, Jeremy Bamber shot his adopted parents and sister

and her two young sons. Following his conviction, the trial judge

recommended that he served 25 years, but under the system that

operates at the time, the Home Secretary imposed a whole of life

tariff. He and two other multiple killers have argued that the whole

life tariff, which cannot be reviewed, amounts to inhuman and

degrading treatment and breaches their human rights. The justice

system in England and Wales is highly unusual in that it is one of

the only ones in Europe where someone can be sentenced to prison

for the rest of their natural life. Today the European Court of Human

Rights ruled that people given those sentences were entitled to a review.

The court found that with a life sentence then needed to be both the

possibility of release and review, and that therefore there had been a

violation of human rights in the case of all three men. But it

emphasised that today's ruling meant no imminent prospect of release.

the evidence showed that these people need some hope of review, and

there is a much greater incentive to engage with the prison system, to

work on their behaviour, to behave well. There are currently 49 people

in England and Wales serving whole life sentences, including the worst

of the worst convicted murderers, people like Rose West and the man

who murdered Milly Dowler, Levi Belfield. The Government, already

concerned about rulings from the European Court of Human Rights on

issues such as prisoner voting, had this response. I think the British

people will be deeply frustrated by this. It is not what they want and

what they believe is right. It reaffirms to me my own determination

to see real changes to our human rights laws and to see a real

curtailing of the role of the European Cup in this country.

Government will have to put in place a review of whole life sentences,

including those handed down to some of the most reviled murderers of

modern times. Lets get more from political

correspondent Robin Brant, strong language from Downing Street, I

would imagine Tory backbenchers would express it even more

colourfully. David Cameron is livid, we heard from his official

spokesman that he is very, very, very disappointed in the ruling. He

profoundly disagrees with the decision of the court, and the Prime

Minister is a strong supporter of whole life tariffs, so no doubt

about what David Cameron thinks about the ruling the court has made.

The UK Government cannot appeal against this ruling, so this is the

end of it. It has six months to consider what it does next. I have

just been with the primary star's official spokesman, and he was asked

whether he would consider legislation to act in British law

this idea of the whole life tariff. He would not say but there are six

months to consider. It puts into the spotlight the European Convention on

Human Rights, and we just heard from Chris Grayling that they want to see

the end of it. There are plenty on the other side of the coalition who

believe it is an integral part of the modern British justice system,

so despite all the talk from the Conservatives, there will be no

change for the next few years, nothing before the next general

election, but it will be increasingly likely that the

Conservatives will go into that election promising to get out of the

European and, and that could have a serious bearing on membership of the

union. The man found guilty of abducting

and murdering five-year-old April Jones in Machynlleth in mid Wales

has been attacked in prison. Mark Bridger, who was serving a life

sentence, was slashed in the face with a makeshift blade after being

set upon by another inmate at Wakefield prison on Sunday. He was

taken to hospital for treatment. At least 30 people have been injured

in a huge explosion in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. The blast is

thought to have been caused by a car bomb. It happened in the southern

suburbs of the city, a stronghold of Hezbollah, which has been fighting

alongside the forces of President Assad in Syria.

In the last few minutes, a jury has found that an Angolan man who died

while being deported from the UK was killed unlawfully. Jimmy Mubenga had

been restraint by three security guards from the company G4S. He had

become ill on the plane and died shortly afterwards. We can speak to

Matt Prodger, who is at idle with Crown Court for us. Matt, take us

through what has happened in court and reminders of the background to

this case. Jimmy Mubenga was a married father of five who had lived

legally in the UK for 16 years, but a decision was made to deport him in

2010 because he had served a prison sentence for assault. He ended up on

a British Airways flight accompanied by three G4S security guards. A

struggle broke out, and this inquest jury was unequivocal about what

happened next. They say the methods used by the guard to restrain him

amounted to a unlawful killing. Passengers described how, with his

hands cuffed behind his back, Jimmy Mubenga's head had been forced down

and his torso so that his head was between his knees, and he was held

in that position for up to 15 minutes. Another passenger described

how he was saying, you are killing me, I cannot breathe, I cannot

breathe. When the verdict was read out in court, Jimmy Mubenga's widow

wept and cried out his name twice. This, of course, has serious

implications for the way in which people are forcibly removed from the

Matt Prodger, thank you very much. Egypt's interim president has

promised fresh elections early next year after the coup that toppled the

country's first democratically elected president last week. Adly

Mansour says there will be urgent reforms to the controversial

Islamist constitution, but it is still not clear whether he has done

enough to satisfy supporters of the deposed President Mohamed Morsi, who

had been protesting ever since his removal from office. Aleem Maqbool

was in Cairo. The plan for elections has been

announced by Egypt's new president. These supporters of the one that has

just been deposed by having nonpublic. I do not accept the

constitution, says this man. People will not recognise any decisions

this illegitimate man makes. Morsi supporters are still on the

streets, even less willing to cooperate with the army after

shootings at a sit in protest where around 50 Muslim Brotherhood

supporters were killed and over 400 injured.

TRANSLATION: We saw violence in front of the Republican Guard

compound yesterday, and today there was violence in Giza, so it is

obvious the situation won't end easily. Society here is split and

the politics is not working, but it has to soon, otherwise there is a

potential for irrevocable damage, not just in terms of security but in

terms of Egypt's economy as well. Critics accused former President

Morsi of badly mismanaging the economy, and there is no doubt the

political turbulence and the deaths are having an impact on foreign

investment and tourism. From my point of view, we have to stop the

demonstrations, and that can either be through getting common opinion is

that everybody agrees about, or by force, these are the only two

options. But the way things are now, with the gulf between Egyptian so

great, progress is a distant dream, and stopping things getting worse is

the priority. It is 14 minutes past one o'clock,

our top story this lunchtime: Labour leader Ed Miliband outlines changes

to his party's relationship with the unions. And still to come, why

hearts speed in harmony when choirs sing.

Later on BBC London, were going to bed at the same time each night

could help children perform better at school. And reliving the glory

moments of 2012, a new exhibition celebrating the sporting success of

cruise liner Costa Conordia ran aground and killed 32 people. The

captain of the vessel appeared in court today charged with multiple

accounts of man or slaughter and abandoning ship before the 4000

passengers were taken off, charges he denies. As you can see, the ship

is still lying on its side in the shallow waters off the tiny island

it ran aground on. Our correspondence sent this report.

Arriving in court on the first day of his trial, captain Francesco

Scittino, called the most hated man in Italy, branded captain of the

cowards by the press, accused of abandoning his sinking ship before

the passengers were safe. He was ridiculed after this recording

emerged of his conversation with a Coast Guard commander at the height

dark of a winter 's night, each of those tiny figures is a terrified

passenger, desperate to reach the safety of the lifeboats. In the sea

around them, people are drowning. More than 30 died. Francesco

Schettino faces multiple manslaughter charges and if found

guilty could be sentenced to up to 20 years in jail. The captain has

already accepted a degree of responsibility for the disaster. In

a television interview he asked for forgiveness, but he denies that he

has committed any crime. He said what happened was an accident, and

he should not take all the blame. The ship still lies stricken on the

rocks off the tiny island. For local people, the wreck is a constant and

painful reminder of the tragedy that unfolded in this beautiful, sleepy

place, and they are desperate to see the ship go. The man accused of

responsibility for all of this, walking away after his trial was

adjourned. But there will be many more days in court for captain

Schettino now. He has much to letup in attacks against NATO troops

in Afghanistan will stop with incidents taking place across the

country and no sign of peace talks taking place in Doha, we have been

to Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan to speak to commanders

on both sides of the conflict about the Caliban. Hear talk of peace

still seems like a mirage in the desert -- the birthplace of the

Talleyrand. We join a US Afghan night patrol to see them attacking

holes of weapons. The fight is far from over. Just two months ago the

Caliban -- Talivban killed troops with a massive soap -- roadside

bomb. There are always going to be problems. I believe it will have to

happen if they don't want the country to go into a full-blown

civil war. Here in a district on a daytime patrol, the Taliban May be

in hiding that they haven't gone away. The US described this as an

active area, meaning they are still very much here. US troops are

keeping a lookout for fighters while the Afghan army is clearing the

village. At a nearby checkpoint, the Afghan police feel vulnerable. One

complains that he does not have enough ammunition. He tells me that

when the Americans leave in 2014 he thinks that the Taliban could retake

the whole of the district in a day. It is perhaps no surprise that many

locals are wary of embracing the foreigners. All the Afghan security

forces that they will leave behind. They are scared of them. They don't

like them, but sometimes they don't have a choice, because they don't

cooperate, they will get hurt or killed. While the Afghan forces have

grown in strength, there is still a strong desire to reach a peace deal

with the enemy. We want peace, because fighting never ends by

fighting. We can only end this if we can sit and talk. There can still be

talks -- hopes that peace talks can place -- that peace talks can place

in Doha. We found seven Afghan policemen being treated back at the

base, injured by another roadside bomb. It is hard to decipher a

desire for peace from the Taliban. Boat we were able to contact a

commander through a trusted source in another province. -- but we were.

He says, we will continue fighting until there is not a single US or

foreign soldier in Afghanistan and leaving, taking with them a lifeline

for the Afghans they have been helping. And with no guarantees yet

held captive in a house in Cleveland, Ohio for a decade have

spoken to the first time and thanked the public for their support. All

three were rescued from a house in May after one of the women escaped

and called for help. The man accused of holding them captive has pleaded

not guilty to the charges. Three young women missing for a decade and

in this house in Cleveland, Ohio, where they had been tied up and

brutalised for years. In the immediate aftermath of their

release, all three sought privacy. Amanda Berry issued a photo of a

reunion with her sister, and alongside her six old daughter who

was born in captivity. None of the captives spoke of their ordeal until

now. First and foremost, I want everyone to know how happy I am to

be home with my family and friends. It's been unbelievable. I am getting

stronger each day, and I pleased to say having my privacy has helped

immensely. I ask that everyone continues to respect our privacy and

diverse time to have a law -- normal life. Jena was just 14 when she was

abducted on her way home from school in 2004. She said little today, but

was grateful to the well-wishers who have donated thousands of dollars to

helping recover her. I would say thank you for the support. Ariel

Castro faces a possible death penalty. None of the women referred

to him today, even Michelle Knight, who said he raped her and forced her

to miscarry. I may have been through hell and back, but I am strong

enough to walk through hell with a smile on my face. And with my head

held high. Given their ordeal here, their positive attitude is

extraordinary. Thank you for all of your prayers. I'm looking forward to

my brand-new life. Thank you. already been an amazing summer of

sport, but for cricket fans it is about to get even better. The Ashes

get underway at Trent Bridge tomorrow. England go into the match

as firm favourite to retain the trophy having won three of the last

four series against Australia, not to mention the recent troubles that

have hit the Australian team since arriving in the UK. Let's cross to

Nottingham and Joe Wilson is there for us. The two captains going

through their final pre-match obligations, meeting the referee,

speaking to the media. Lots of cameras here. In a few moments

Australia will be using these great facilities in Nottingham for their

final training session before the Ashes. They have been forced into

extreme measures already, sacking their coach before the first test.

They seem more at ease with themselves as a consequence. But

remember, this is an Australian team that comes here having lost their

last four matches. There are some who would rather predict the trend

freezing over in July than Australia winning the Ashes. -- the River

Trent. The reason is part banter, part hard reality. The Australian

team that govern in Nottingham can no longer weaken the opposition

through reputation. It's a far cry from Glenn McGrath. 563 test

wickets, and he has had a predictable formula with the Ashes,

predicting a 5-0 victory, now he hopes they can thrive on being the

underdogs. A lot of pressure on England, they are expected to win.

The Australian team have nothing to lose. Hopefully they will go out and

give it everything they have got. With all of its history, England

against Australia is a series which sells itself and sells out grounds,

but that does not stop the hype. The fact is, after the Lions rugby, and

Andy Murray at Wimbledon, the bar of success has been raised high.

fantastic. We hope to do the same. There is a feel-good factor that

comes from the nation doing well, and we hope to tap into it, and in

six weeks times we can be up alongside those guys as a victorious

English team. In his career so far, Alistair Cooke has risen to every

challenge, but in England captain expected to win the Ashes is a rare

position that could just become a vintage have said that they thrive

as underdogs. Admittedly they have frozen a bit when favourites. As for

Michael Clarke, he said he is inspired rather than intimidated by

Andy Murray's success at Wimbledon. What else could he say? We will see

the result here tomorrow morning. Greatly looking forward to it. It is

not just the voices of choir members that are in harmony. According to

scientists in Sweden it seems that singing together also synchronises

heartbeats. They found that when people sing in unison their pulses

go up and down at the same rate. Let's speak to our Welsh

correspondent who is at the International musical Eisteddfod.

The choirs come to compete here from around the world and they know that

they have two fine tune their performances. But any choir

conductor will tell you they also have booby on the beat, and the

research suggests something physiological helps them do it. This

choir from Indonesia are preparing the next song, so let's have a word

with the Eisteddfod director. What do you make of the research? I think

there is something in it. The idea of them moving together and

breathing together is vital. Sometimes in rehearsals you do not

have to give a beat, the choir will do it together. The more choir gets

to know each other, yes, they do find shoes with each other. They use

their ears and breathing. -- they do find -- fine tune with each other.

They will also look at the health effects of singing. They looked

lively onstage. Is there something in that? Definitely. When you go to

a choir rehearsal it should be joyful, something you enjoy doing.

They are showing what you do. It is a community and the people come

together and enjoy. That's what it's all about. Enjoy the rest of the

Eisteddfod. We will leave you with and our reporter in perfect harmony

with them. Time for a look at the parts of the country tomorrow, and

we will see that at the test match, in actual fact. Today, we have

sunshine and temperatures higher than they were yesterday. We are

looking at around 2627d. Tomorrow with more cloud around it will feel

a good deal cooler. We started with a low cloud and misty weather this

morning in the Midlands, and across Wales. That quickly burned off and

the sunshine has been lifting the temperatures, 27 in Durham at the

moment, one of the warmest places in the country and significantly warmer

here than yesterday. There is some cloud on the far north of Scotland

but away from here little if any cloud around the door, so with the

sun beating down temperatures will continue widely, 26 to 28 Celsius.

Maybe a bit cooler around the coast, a gentle breeze in Norwich, four

example. And in Scotland with the cloud cover temperatures will be

lower. We have a weak weather front bringing in the cloud in northern

Scotland. As it pushes towards the south, some low cloud in the south,

so misty, murky and some drizzle as well. Further south and further

west, clearer skies, and after the heat of the day it could be an

uncomfortably warm night tonight. Changes tomorrow, particularly for

northern and eastern areas of the UK. The weather front is bringing

little or no rain. It drags much more cloud to the south. The cloud

may thin and break up early in the day. For some parts of the UK,

temperatures much lower compared with today's value. Although we

could see late sunshine across East Anglia and northern England, the

north-east will be significantly cooler. 17 degrees for example is

expected in Newcastle tomorrow. For many in northern and eastern areas

of Scotland, those temperatures will be lower as the fresh air comes in.

Across South Wales and southern England and Northern Ireland where

we have the sunshine for longer, temperatures should not be far off

those values today. As we had further north and east, the

temperatures will be noticeably lower. Probably by six or seven

degrees. As we head through Thursday, a bit more cloud around.

Some will retreat back to the eastern coastal areas. Sunny spells

developing more widely. Temperatures typically in the low to mid 20s,

probably a cooler and fresher feel across the south-east. But still

high pressure on the shore, so very little if any rain at all. The week

weather front may arrive in the North West on Friday will stop with

high pressure building back in over the UK it will break up a lot of the

cloud, so a lot of sunshine on Friday and the temperatures rising

as well. Across the northern half of the UK we will see increasing cloud

dropping the temperatures on Saturday, to the south, temperatures

lunchtime. Ed Miliband has set out what he called historic changes of