17/01/2012 World News Today

Welcome. Abandoning ship before the passengers as more bodies are found

on the Costa Concordia, takes emerge of the furious row between

captain and Coast Guard. TRANSLATION: Get back on board. I

am co-ordinating. You must send somebody on board.

Ratcheting up the pressure on Hungary, the EU launches

proceedings against new undemocratic laws. Hungary is a key

member of the European family. We do not want a Shadow of doubt in

the respect of democratic values to remain over the country any longer.

Locked up with no prospect of trial, the fate of thousands of Gaddafi's

loyal fighters in Libya. Also coming up in the programme,

the boxer whose words packed as much as his punch. I injured Ayston,

I hospitalised a brick. I'm so bad, I made medicine sick. Muhammed Ali

turns 70. And the brutal world of destination

branding as South Tyneside decides it's no longer Catherine Cookson

Hello and welcome. Angry exchanges between the captain and the

coastguard in the hours immediately after the Costa Concordia ran

aground in Italy have emerged, offering an insight into the panic

and chaos as the cruise liner started to sink. On the recording,

the coastguard is heard repeatedly ordering Francesco Schettino to

return to the ship he'd already abandoned, and find out how many

people remained on board. Schettino's lawyer denies his

client abandoned ship, insisting his actions saved hundreds of lives.

Divers have now found five more bodies inside the ship, raising the

confirmed number of dead to eleven. Matthew Price reports from the

scene. Surrey, we join our correspondent

in Italy now. On this cold and calm night, the

work on the wreck behind me, it continues. In the course of this

day, some fresh footage emerged, and as my colleague Matthew Price

reports, it gave us a fuller sense of the nature of the drama that

unfolded in this place on a night for the ship sank.

In the darkness, scared and disorientated, they moved in their

hundreds. Down the side of the ship. Each one dwarfed by the Costa

Concordia as it lay, listing. Past the gash in ship's hole, where the

water had a -- flooded in. At round about the same time, this

astonishing conversation was taking place between the ship's captain

And here is the captain and, Francesco Schettino, the focus of

police inquiries. He was remanded in custody again today, taken back

to the cell where he is being held. Many believe it was his actions

alone that caused this disaster. His lawyer says not. TRANSLATION:

The captain defended his role on the direction of the ship after the

collision in which the Captain's opinion saved thousands of lives.

They Blues small holes in the side of the vessel to try to get better

access. One priority, secured the ship's fuel surprise. -- fuel

supply. This is the dining room, busy when the ship hit land. From

above, it looks peaceful, but inside, in the darkness, bodies

float along flooded corridors. We have just been told they have

discovered five more bodies inside the ship. Four men and a woman, and

although the rescuers say they still hoped to find survivors, that

is now looking increasingly unlikely. More than 20 people are

still believed to be missing. Among them this couple. A retired couple,

parents will four from Minnesota. And this 5-year-old. Her father,

who failed to make it to shore, had taken her up on the cruise as a

special treat. And, somewhere in the vastness of his ship, she is

waiting to be found. Let's go back to Alan. Are they

hopeful they will find more survivors?

Just before we came on air, the coastguard spokesman said they are

very, very close now to completing the circle that half of the hole

that you see sticking out of the water. The next denied the report

that search had been completed. If that is the case, I think we are

going to have to conclude very soon that there really are no more

survivors on board. It really is unimaginable that anybody could

have survived underneath the water. And in the course of the day, five

bodies were found in the flooded area of the ship. These were four

men, and a woman. It seemed they had gathered or were in some kind

of master area where they were hoping to board a lifeboat. Earlier

in the day, there were these controlled explosions in order to

give rescue workers easier access to those key gathering points where

they are finding bodies. Thank you very much.

The EU has launched legal proceedings against Hungary for

changes to the constitution which they say threatens the independence

of the central bank, data protection and the judiciary.

Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso says the disputed reforms

breach the letter and spirit of EU law, and if Hungary doesn't make

amendments, it will face court action. And the pressure isn't just

political. Hungary needs a new credit line from the EU and IMF.

David Chazan reports from Strasbourg.

Welcoming the European Parliament's new President, Martin Schulz, this

is the first session at Strasbourg but the spotlight was on the

European Commission's announcement it was starting action against

Hungary, over its controversial new constitution. The decisions we have

taken today are of a rift -- are a reflection of our determination to

make sure European law, both in spirit and otherwise, are fully

respected. So, what exactly is the Commission objecting to? Its

concern that the Hungarian government can wield undue

influence over the central bank and it is for the independence of the

country's judiciary because hundreds of judges could be forced

to retire, leaving the way clear for government appointees. There

are also concerns that the new Data Protection Authority would not be

independent but subject to government control. When I got the

first draft of this law, I wrote a letter to Hungary, really warning

against putting endanger the independence of the judiciary.

Unfortunately, the warnings were not listened to. Bid protests broke

out on the streets of the Hungarian capital Budapest after the

constitution came into force at the beginning of this month. Now the

government could be fined or prosecuted at the European Court of

Justice, but it seems willing to compromise before it comes to that.

Are you prepared to amend this? have announced during the past

couple of days and weeks we are going to handle it in the European

manner, which is when you have any kind of assumption or you come to a

point where it turns up the legal issue is not in line with European

law, then it should be amended. the commission had to play top to

get the Hungarians to back down. The fact is, Hungary cannot afford

to lose support because it needs a loan to help it repay debt. But

questions remain about whether the concessions will be enough. The

Hungarian Prime Minister is now preparing to address the European

Parliament. The last time he came here, he got a mauling over the

constitution. Even if he is now willing to compromise, it may not

be enough to appease left-of-centre groups.

Now, let's go live to Budapest. Hungry's credit status is drunk

status, so do financial imperatives trump everything else? They are

very important indeed and the government has been putting a brave

face on this today saying it will listen to these criticisms from the

European Commission and will change them as necessary, so it is more of

the same. It is a blow to hungry, but I think what it will do,

especially with the central bank will, the most controversial piece,

I expect it will change it to speed up the process of getting an IMF

loan, although there are talks under way. This threat of

proceedings is pretty rare, isn't it? Viktor Orban has be known as

Europe's Hugo Chavez. How much dissent is there inside Hungary

against these changes? It is important to remember that the

government was elected by a massive majority and a lot of that support

has been ebbed away. There have been anti-government demonstrations

but there are pro-government demonstrations planned this weekend.

The government feels the Commission and the critics are not respecting

the will of the Hungarian people, but the opposition to this current

government is growing within the country as well. Thank you.

Now a look at some of the days other news:

The Syrian government has rejected a call from Qatar for Arab league

troops to be sent in to end the violence. The country's foreign

ministry says the Syrian people reject any foreign intervention or

attempt to infringe their country's sovereignty. An Arab League

observer mission has so far failed to stem the killings. Lawyers for

Hosni Mubarak say he was a just man, not a tyrant. The deposed leader

once again arrived by ambulance to his trial in Cairo where he is

accused of killing unarmed protesters during last year's

protests. He also faces charges of bribes. The BAFTAs have been

dominated by The Artist. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy has had 11

nominations, despite being shunned at the Golden Globes.

Among the problems Libya's new authorities have to deal with is

just what to do with Gaddafi loyalists. No accurate figure

exists about how many have been detained. The UN believes there are

around 7,000 of them. But as our correspondent Mark Lowen reports

from Tripoli, with no functioning legal system, they face an

uncertain future. It's barely three months since

their liberation. Three months since they reduced him to this. A

new order imposed. Their ruler crushed. But the euphoria of that

day has begun to fade. He already goes unnoticed. And it's his

supporters who are left locked up now. For thousands remain stuck in

the country's cramped prisons with no functioning legal system. And

they tell of serious abuse from guards. One shows me the scars

where his arms were smashed with hammers. Put us on trial if

necessary but I don't even know what I'm accused of, he says. "I

don't understand what this revolution is. I'm 60 years old.

This is making us hate the revolution." It's a pattern that is

worryingly widespread, according to human rights campaigners, who say

some Gaddafi supporters have been tortured to death in detention.

this will continue, our community will divide against and with the

government. Like the past. We don't need this in the future. And what

would happen if those divisions continue? We don't know. Maybe

civil war, maybe anything. But the security will be disturbed in the

country. Even the sick are segregated. This floor in Tripoli

Hospital is for the pro-Gaddafi loyalists, while the

revolutionaries are cared for upstairs. It's for their safety.

The splits remain too deep. The fear of reprisal attacks still too

great. That's partly why so many Gaddafi supporters are detained,

according to the Justice Minister, who admits his government is

the one hand, we were afraid of them, that they might do something

against the revolution, and on the other hand because we must protect

them in case somebody attacks them in revenge. It's in these still

staunchly pro-Gaddafi areas that the government's attempt at

reconciliation will be judged. There are no tricolour

revolutionaries' flags flying in this part of Tripoli. Those that

sided with the uprising say they were long abused under the Gaddafi

regime but the fear is that revenge could stalk the new Libya. It will

take time for the wounds of civil war to heal, for a post-Gaddafi

generation to grow up. Libya's ability to unite will be tested and

China's economy is slowing down. Let's have a look at the latest

figures. Growth was at just over 9% last year. That is compared to the

2010 figure of 10.4%. It is still higher than the 8% growth figure of

the Chinese target -- government had set for last year. Let's go

took Washington now and speak to make senior fellow at the

Brooklands institute. The lowest level for 2.5 years. Does this mean

that things are, broadly speaking, on course? Well, yes. The 9% gross

rate is not bad. The Chinese government a more troubled by other

statistics - China's export declined over the past few months,

and also China's domestic situation, in particular the labour cost,

increased also drastically. These are too troubling factors. More

than that, there is a serious concern about the property bubble

in the country. And, also at the inflation rate is going up. The

Chinese economy is not in good shape. What is the ideal figure,

according to the Chinese authorities, in terms of growth?

one hand, China does not want to have overheating, and the Chinese

government wants to slow down the economy. But there is another

situation where you see the outflow of capital, people's confidence

declining. The Chinese government is facing a Dover -- dilemma in

looking at public opinion of how to assess the Chinese economic

situation. It does have an economic implications for the global economy.

Now, both China and the US have serious problems. What other

strategies are being discussed to boost domestic consumption?

thing is to try to have -- increase employment locally, and emphasised

the service sector and also all kinds of service sectors. All these

economic policies may have the side effects, so it is a difficult

period that China is entering. Plus, China will have a leadership

succession. For many he's not only the greatest

sportsman, but also entertainer, of all time. He coined the phrase

"float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" to describe his unorthodox

fighting style and today, Muhammad Ali has reached another major

milestone. Despite his long battle with Parkinson's Disease he's

celebrating his 70th birthday. Our Sports Editor David Bond looks now

at Ali's political and social legacy.

Muhammad Ali in his prime - fast, brave and brash. Even in the early

days, before he was world champion, it was clear he was different. This

is Muhammad Ali at 70. Back in Kentucky to celebrate his birthday

this weekend. Physically diminished by Parkinson's disease, but still

displaying the same courage. Courage is only part of the legend.

His three world titles confirmed his place in boxing history, but he

was also an entertainer. One more time! My only fault is I really

don't and it -- I don't realise how great I really am. Not everyone

found the sun -- funny side. In the 60s, his views on race and religion

were controversial. The world needs a lot more Muhammad Ali's to be

outspoken and brave. He was the boss, he was speaking. It is now

more than 30 years since Muhammad Ali retired from the ring. Yet, he

is still an inspirational figure to anyone in boxing. At 70, he remains

the greatest sporting icon of our age. Young boxers are still in awe

of him. For this group from a club in south London, watching just a

few minutes of a classic Muhammad Ali fight is enough to leave them

mesmerised. He is one of the biggest icons in boxing. He

inspires loads and loads of people. I just watch some of his fights and

I Pickup so much straightaway. Lighting the Olympic flame in

Atlanta in 1996 showed the world his determination to face his

biggest opponent head on. It took a sack full of guts to carry that

Olympic flame up that ramp. The courage that he showed as an older

man struggling with Parkinson's disease. It was perhaps a greater

courage than he showed as a young man. Muhammad Ali has spent his

lifetime defying expectations. His 70th birthday is another example of

why he remains, for many, the greatest.

Muhammad Ali, who is 70. She was a best-selling British

author producing almost 100 novels set in her native South Tyneside,

in the north east of England. But now Catherine Cookson has been

dropped from the county's tourism branding because the council says

it wants to attract new investment. So how important is destination

branding for tourism? Here's Kathy Harcombe.

Catherine Cookson was once at the most borrowed writer in Britain's

libraries. Her hugely popular stories made into countless

television dramas. Her survival tales of plucky characters in

England's industrial north Mater a national literary heroine. For 25

years, her fame was used to draw in tourists to the county of South

Tyneside where she was born. Further south, Nottinghamshire has

long been pulling in visitors with its historic connections to that

champion of the cause, Robin Hood. Let's head east. There is a Robin

Hood Museum, Robin Hood Delors, and a yearly Robin Hood pageant. Of

course, the world of film has had a huge influence on tourism. New

Zealand provided the setting for Sir Peter Jackson's big-screen

versions of the Lord Of the Rings trilogy. The country's breathtaking

landscape was the perfect place to recreate Middle Earth. And, if you

fancy a sightseeing trip to Salzburg, it is hard to escape the

city's connection to the classic Hollywood hit, the Sound of Music.

The story of the family brings hundreds of thousands of tourists

to the Austrian city every year. It might be Mozart but the locals most

revered, but for the visitors, it is the story of the spirited Maria

that really brings the hills are alive.

Kathy Harcombe there. Joining me now from our central London studio

is the travel journalist and broadcaster Alison Rice.

So many of Catherine Cookson's novels were about poverty and

hardship. Not everyone in it South downside is happy that, after 25

years, they had dropped the branding. Tourism, supposedly into

South -- in South Tyneside, is worth �200 million a year. Although

no one can ever workout comes from visitors who went there only

because of Catherine Cookson. But, most areas, most destinations

around the world, and certainly in Britain, like to brand themselves

with someone from my chair or from the movies, or some legend --

someone from literature. We spent most of our best leisure time

watching television, going to movies or reading books. It makes

sense that our most important measure Times, our holidays, we

want to connect somehow with either celebrities all the books, movies

and television programmes that we like. Look at Shakespeare country,

or Scotland, or can it which is about Dickens country. And in

February it is the bicentenary of Charles Dickens, and boy, are they

making a big thing of it. It has really got to sink into the

national Psyche, though, hasn't it? That is the problem with Catherine

Cookson, she is well known here, but a different generation. Robin

Hood is known by everyone. Yes, you are right. Although, Sherlock

Holmes - I live near Baker Street and I can't walk down Baker Street

with that at least some tourist looking for Sherlock Holmes's house.

Of course, the movie that has come out again will only add to the

people who want to see it. Walking down Fleet Street the other month,

some tourists asked me for the Temple Church, which I thought was

rather nice, and I realised it is all part of the Davin she code tour.

And Salzburg for the Sound of Music, I spoke to someone earlier who said

that coachloads of people went to see where the bomb Trapp family

left. Yes, I have seen the The Terrace going to see the tour in

Greece as well from Mamma Mia. People want to walk in the

footsteps. Trust me, if you go to an exotic beach with white sand,

blue skies somewhere in an exotic destination, someone will come up

to you at some point and tell you that they filmed James Bond there.

Yes, exactly! A reminder of our main news... Audio recordings from

the capsized Italian cruise ship, the Costa Concordia, suggest the

captain left the vessel while passengers were still being rescued.

In a heated exchange a coastguard officer repeatedly ordered the

captain, Francesco Schettino, to return to the ship. The captain

denies any wrongdoing. Are in fact, his legal team say he

was responsible for saving hundreds of lives. The European Commission

has decided to take legal action against hungry because of new laws