this is bbc news. the headlines at six... labour opens its annual conference as its leader, sir keir starmer, prepares to set out the dividing lines between his party and the new conservative government. he tells the bbc he would reverse the government's cut to the top income tax rate. we do need to grow our economy, that has been the single biggest failure of the last 12 years of tory government, but we need to recognise who grows this economy. the head of the rmt union describes talks with the new transport secretary as a �*good start�* — the next strike is planned for the first of october. voting is under way in italy's general election, which polls suggest may result in the country's most right—wing government

since the second world war. the iranian president threatens "decisive action" to stop the wave of anti—government protests sweeping the country. and two months ahead of the men's football world cup in qatar, concerns there may not be enough affordable accommodation for fans. good afternoon. sir keir starmer has said a future labour government would reinstate the 45% top rate of tax — which the government has announced it is cutting — but that they would keep the one pence cut in basic rate tax also announced by the chancellor. as the labour party conference got

underway, sir keir said the party would take a very different approach to economic growth, partly by promoting green energy. he dismissed the government's strategy — announced on friday — of cutting taxes to make the uk more attractive to business and investors. here's our political correspondent, ben wright. for the first time in years, labour gathers for its conference believing power might be in sight. the party now confronts a new prime minister borrowing billions to cut taxes, in a dash for economic growth — a strategy labour's leader slammed this morning as "wrong—headed". i see a very big political divide because you've got the conservative party now saying the future of this country is one where the rich get richer and we offer nothing meaningful to working people. you've got the labour party saying we do need to grow our economy, that's been the single biggest failure of the last 12 years of this tory government, but we need to recognise who grows this economy. developing green energy is key

to labour's long—term strategy, but what about the government's plan for tax cuts now? sir keir said scrapping the 45p top rate of income tax was wrong. it is hugely risky, it's hugely divisive and i would reverse it. and would you support the government cutting the basic rate of income tax from from 20p down to 19p? yes, i've long made the argument that we should reduce the tax burden on working people. but not everyone here agrees with all of that and, this morning, labour's mayor for greater manchester, andy burnham, said the basic rate of income tax should be kept where it is. tax is now a major battleground in politics, and this morning the conservative chancellor suggested he wasn't done yet. there's more to come. we've only been here 19 days. i want to see, over the next year, people retain more of their income, because i believe that it's the british people that are going to drive this economy. this is a labour party feeling pretty chipper. yes, there are activists and union

leaders arguing the leadership should be standing squarely behind public—sector workers, demanding inflation—matching pay rises, and the labour movement rarely sings with one voice, but greater unity has certainly returned. # send him victorious...#. and this morning, a first — the national anthem at the start of conference, in honour of the late queen. a moment intended to show the labour party has changed and deserves another hearing from voters. our political correspondent jonathan blake in in liverpool for the labour party conference. the first full day. what have you made of it?— made of it? really, if you take a step back. _ made of it? really, if you take a step back. the — made of it? really, if you take a step back, the most _ made of it? really, if you take a step back, the most significant i step back, the most significant moment was the one we saw at the end of ben's report, when the conference open, very unusually come up with the singing of the national anthem.

the first time that anyone can remember that happening, and a minute's silence and a tribute to the late queen from the party leader, sir keir starmer. most people accept and acknowledge that that was the right thing to do, and the respectful thing to do, coming so soon after the death of her late majesty the queen, but there are some who raise their eyebrows and wondered if it really fitted with the labour party and its ethos, and its values, and whether it really sat well. but certainly those close to sir keir starmer and see the fact that it went off without a hitch, the fact that the party was able to come together as it did here in liverpool and sing the national anthem and hold a minute silence without any dissenting voices in the heart marks as far as they are concerned, proof that the labour party has changed, and it is able to present itself to voters in a united fashion in that way under sir keir

starmer. that will be chalked up as a win, certainly, by the leadership today. and it does feel overall that the party's gathering here in liverpool in pretty good spirits. sir keir starmer taught very confidently this morning about the party believing that it will win the next general election, notjust hoping that it can. and that will be seen as a confident tone from the leader, but there is also the danger, of course, that if you start saying things like that that it comes across as a bit complacent, so thatis comes across as a bit complacent, so that is a territory he had to navigate. two years out from a general election, may be even less, he is certainly striking a confident tone, and has set the tone for the next few days. there will be descent, there robbie debate, but it seems like he's got the party pretty much where he wants it. let’s seems like he's got the party pretty much where he wants it.— much where he wants it. let's talk about some _ much where he wants it. let's talk about some of _ much where he wants it. let's talk about some of the _ much where he wants it. let's talk about some of the ideas, - much where he wants it. let's talk about some of the ideas, and - much where he wants it. let's talk about some of the ideas, and the | about some of the ideas, and the idea of dividing lines between labour and conservatives. tax is a

big issue, obviously. part of the other ideas that will look into the differences?— other ideas that will look into the differences? ~ ., , , ., differences? many will see what the conservative — differences? many will see what the conservative party _ differences? many will see what the conservative party didn't _ differences? many will see what the conservative party didn't find - conservative party didn't find friday with sweeping changes to the tax system, tax cuts across the board in what labour see as pretty reckless, as something of a gift, because it sets a conservative government apart from that liberal party, and it allows labour to draw a dividing line and say that they will do things very differently. and it is also a challenge because it will increase the pressure on sir keir starmer and labour to put forward one of their policies and more of their offer to voters, as we draw closer to the next general election. we heard him say this morning that he will reinstate the top level of income tax, but not oppose the reduction in the base rate of income tax, so forcing him to put forward labour's policies perhaps sooner he might�*ve done on income tax in that respect. we have

had about pets today on a green energy, a promise to eliminate carbon from energy production in electricity production in the uk by 2030, vastly increasing the capacity of solar, wind and nuclear power as well before then. and also we have heard and found the edges promises to increase the number of police officers by 13,000, including special constables and pscos as well. and also changes to procurement practice. there will also be more difficult moments in the days ahead for the leadership. a debate and vote on changing the electoral system to proportional representation. also it vote on giving public sector workers a pay rise in line with inflation. two things which the labour leadership hasn't gone a full square behind, so there could be some difficult moments as well, is what i think at the moment feels like a conference

thatis the moment feels like a conference that is set to go relatively smoothly for sir keir starmer. thank ou so smoothly for sir keir starmer. thank you so much — smoothly for sir keir starmer. thank you so much for— smoothly for sir keir starmer. thank you so much for that. _ the head of the rmt union has said talks with the new transport secretary were a "good start" in attempts to solve issues that have led to repeated strikes on the railways. the next strike is planned for the first of october. 40,000 rmt members are due to walk out in an ongoing dispute about pay and conditions. our business correspondent marc ashdown gave me this update. anne—marie trevelyan had only been in the post a couple of days when she called this meeting with union leaders, so late last week she met with the rmt�*s mick lynch and aslef�*s mick whelan. very interesting, really. this is a marked departure from the stance of her predecessor grant shapps who refused to meet face—to—face with the unions, he said that was the job of the rail operators, not his. so it is important to point out

here that this might be a sea change in attitude, but she is not going in to negotiate with the unions, but it is a step change in the attitude of the government towards the unions. mick lynch described it as a very pleasant meeting, and said she allowed them to explain in his words everything that is wrong with our transport system and the railways in particular. he called it a good start, but so we now need concrete change to get negotiations with rail operators freely moving forward. he said i'm more optimistic than i was under grant shapps, it is better to have face—to—face dialogue than be locked out of the room, and he hopes anne—marie trevelyan is astute enough to continue this dialogue. and has there been any kind of response to this? the government? yes. the department for transport said they are urging unions to work with the rail companies, not against them, as they put it, to agree a resolution, and they said they wanted them to reconsider what they call this divisive action, by which they are referring to this series of trikes that have been going on sincejune in the dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions. we have had a rolling series

of strikes over the summer months, 40,000 or so rail workers injobs across the industry, drivers, signalling staff, guards. the bad news is three more strikes on the way in early october, these are the ones that were called off during the period of mourning after the death of queen elizabeth ii, so now we have more strike dates for october the 1st, the 5th and the 8th, and they are likely to disrupt the conservative party conference and the london marathon. the new strike dates have been criticised by the government. the union has hit back, criticising the chancellor for outlining plans to bring in new laws to guarantee a minimum level of service during strikes and to legally oblige the unions to put pay offers to their members, so i think tensions are still there, we are in a tricky period, i hesitate to say this meeting is a breakthrough but there is another planned between the transport secretary and another union, the tssa, so i do think the mood music is starting to soften. marc ashdown there.

long queues have formed outside voting stations in italy, as the country holds its first general election since 2018. it's expected to return the country's most right—wing government since the second world war and pave the way for giorgia meloni to become its first woman prime minister. a right—wing alliance led by her brothers of italy party appeared set for a clear victory when the last opinion polls were published two weeks ago. let's take you live to rome now, and our correspondent mark lowen. the last rays of sunshine are just dipping here over the eternal city, there are some things stay the same, but some things change, and among them politics. italy could be in line for a very big political change tonight, if giorgia meloni does indeed do what all the opinion polls have suggested she will do and come out top in this election, she would become italy's first female prime minister, and its first a far right

leader since mussolini, the fascist leader since mussolini, the fascist leader during the war. she needs a right—wing coalition, she says that her party has consigned fascism to history. it does have neofascist rates, but says she is more like a modern conservative party. she is quite hard line on immigration, anti—lgbt rights, and some of italy's traditional allies in western europe could fear she might turn this country more towards the socially conservative hungary of 0rban. her detractors were think she is about something far darker than god, and homeland. italy looks picture—perfect from afar. a delicious combination of food, fashion and folklore. but close up, things are very frayed around the edges. italians voting today are living through an acute cost—of—living crisis.

many think this woman has the answers — far—right firebrand giorgia meloni. waiting in the wings today are her chosen coalition partners — tycoon silvio berlusconi and anti—immigration populist matteo salvini. though not all voters are convinced. but marizio believes meloni's promise of a better future. translation: meloni stands for more italian sovereignty in europe. - that's better for our business,

our politics, and economy. - she didn't turn up. including outside italy. this country is a key player in the eu and nato. here in rome, liars have their hand bitten off in the mouth of truth — according to medieval legend. voters here know they can't believe every political promise made on the campaign trail. theyjust hope whoever italy's next prime minister is, they're up to the considerable challenge. cathy are talking about the fact that people will be watching from abroad, from nato, for example. giorgia meloni has been supportive of nato. she supports a sending arms

to ukraine, but in her coalition she has matteo salvini of the far right, and ex prime minister silvio berlusconi, both of whom are known to be close to vladimir putin. i think that will cause concerns in western european capitals. let's get the view from up on the northern part of italy come in beautiful verona, where europe reporter jessica parker is. what is the view up jessica parker is. what is the view up there on meloni?— up there on meloni? talking to --eole up there on meloni? talking to people here. — up there on meloni? talking to people here, and _ up there on meloni? talking to people here, and of— up there on meloni? talking to people here, and of course - up there on meloni? talking to people here, and of course in i people here, and of course in vanuatu _ people here, and of course in vanuatu last time around, party triumphed — vanuatu last time around, party triumphed in terms of topping the polls. _ triumphed in terms of topping the polls. but— triumphed in terms of topping the polls, but this time, giorgia meloni. _ polls, but this time, giorgia meloni, brothers of italy, is expected to do well. and when you talk to— expected to do well. and when you talk to people about why they might be backing meloni, a few themes tend to up _ be backing meloni, a few themes tend to up hard _ be backing meloni, a few themes tend to up. hard line on immigration, also _ to up. hard line on immigration, also her— to up. hard line on immigration, also her tax _ to up. hard line on immigration, also her tax cuts plans as well. of course, _ also her tax cuts plans as well. of course, northern italy, where i am,

one of— course, northern italy, where i am, one of the — course, northern italy, where i am, one of the wealthier areas of the country — one of the wealthier areas of the country. that idea of tax cut seems to have _ country. that idea of tax cut seems to have gone down quite well with people _ to have gone down quite well with people and businesses. and i think there _ people and businesses. and i think there is— people and businesses. and i think there is a _ people and businesses. and i think there is a sense too that in an area for the _ there is a sense too that in an area for the often — there is a sense too that in an area for the often black right—leaning politicians, giorgia meloni seems to have the _ politicians, giorgia meloni seems to have the momentum behind. she seems to be generating the most interest. a couple _ to be generating the most interest. a couple of— to be generating the most interest. a couple of women we have spoken to have talked _ a couple of women we have spoken to have talked about the fact that they would _ have talked about the fact that they would like to see eight women in power— would like to see eight women in power for— would like to see eight women in power for the first time, that they admire _ power for the first time, that they admire her— power for the first time, that they admire her great and determination. of admire her great and determination. of course, _ admire her great and determination. of course, her critics come off as of course, her critics come off as there _ of course, her critics come off as there are — of course, her critics come off as there are some of those here as well, _ there are some of those here as well, very— there are some of those here as well, very worried about what's sheet _ well, very worried about what's sheet may mean for italy if she is to become prime minister. 0ne sheet may mean for italy if she is to become prime minister. one person we were _ to become prime minister. one person we were speaking to yesterday was very worried about her views on lgbt rights, _ very worried about her views on lgbt rights, said— very worried about her views on lgbt rights, said they were concerned that her— rights, said they were concerned that her views, she has spoken out against _ that her views, she has spoken out against her— that her views, she has spoken out against her views about the lgbt lobby. _ against her views about the lgbt lobby. as— against her views about the lgbt lobby, as she calls it, could spread hatred _ lobby, as she calls it, could spread hatred in_ lobby, as she calls it, could spread hatred in society. see still polarising, but a lot of people at least _ polarising, but a lot of people at least taking an interest. there's quite _ least taking an interest. there's quite a — least taking an interest. there's quite a lot— least taking an interest. there's quite a lot of apathy well, though.

very interesting hearing about the support in the north, because she has traditionally been seen as quite roman, and as you know, the north of italy has traditionally been more with matteo salvini's leak. you get the sense that the supporters going over to her, and she has taken the place that he is located. —— that he has located? it place that he is located. -- that he has located?— place that he is located. -- that he has located? ., , , ., , ,, has located? it does seem to be. she is robabl has located? it does seem to be. she is probably a — has located? it does seem to be. she is probably a candidate _ has located? it does seem to be. she is probably a candidate that _ has located? it does seem to be. she is probably a candidate that has - is probably a candidate that has generated the most interest, and of course _ generated the most interest, and of course as— generated the most interest, and of course as you have been discussing, the only— course as you have been discussing, the only leader of a major party who didn't— the only leader of a major party who didn't take _ the only leader of a major party who didn't take part in mario draghi's government of national unity, seems to have _ government of national unity, seems to have benefited that. some voters like the _ to have benefited that. some voters like the fact that she had been critical— like the fact that she had been critical of— like the fact that she had been critical of covid restrictions. they remembered her from speaking out against _ remembered her from speaking out against that, so that seems to have qamered _ against that, so that seems to have garnered her some favour with some voters _ garnered her some favour with some voters as— garnered her some favour with some voters as well. and she is seen as a

relatively— voters as well. and she is seen as a relatively fresh face. she served as a minister— relatively fresh face. she served as a minister for youth and berlusconi was more — a minister for youth and berlusconi was more government ten years ago, so she _ was more government ten years ago, so she has— was more government ten years ago, so she has been kicking around in politics— so she has been kicking around in politics for — so she has been kicking around in politics for a very long time, but hasn't _ politics for a very long time, but hasn't held _ politics for a very long time, but hasn't held a senior position in government. so, people casting around — government. so, people casting around for— government. so, people casting around for who to vote for seem to be interested in giving hera around for who to vote for seem to be interested in giving her a try. but i _ be interested in giving her a try. but i mentioned it before, there isn't _ but i mentioned it before, there isn't actually a kind of overwhelming sense of excitement, an overwhelming sense of excitement, an overwhelming sense of political change — overwhelming sense of political change here. ifanything, a overwhelming sense of political change here. if anything, a lot of people _ change here. if anything, a lot of people seem pretty fed up by having to -o people seem pretty fed up by having to go to _ people seem pretty fed up by having to go to the polls, and a lot of people — to go to the polls, and a lot of people who were speaking to yesterday and this morning still did not know— yesterday and this morning still did not know who they were going to vote for. �* ., ., . for. and that level of undecided voters is what _ for. and that level of undecided voters is what the _ for. and that level of undecided voters is what the centre-left . for. and that level of undecided - voters is what the centre-left hopes voters is what the centre—left hopes that they can tap into to try to peel away her support at the last minute. thank you very much indeed. that desire for change is very much what you hear in this country, where the economy has eventually not gone

for 20 years. there is a massive brain drain. there is a sense that the italy that everyone loves it something is not working here. they have had almost 70 government since the second world war, and it seems at the moment, if the polls are to be believed, if enough italians are willing to try something different, perhaps a leap into the unknown with giorgia meloni. there will be exit when polling stations closed at ten o'clock landing time. we will have the results and analysis light for you here on the bbc news channel. i will hand you back. there's been a further night of demonstrations in iran with clashes between police and anti—goverment protestors now said to have claimed at least a0 lives. the protests were prompted by the death of a young woman in police custody — she'd been detained for allegedly flouting strict rules on wearing the hijab head—covering. the bbc�*s persian service reporter kasra naji has the latest.

the is c's persian service reporter the is whatersian service reporter the is what they] service reporter the is what they] sen up reporter they have been using guns to they have been using their guns to shoot directly into the .. ....... s”... 7st .. .. . s..... if. ......d..eath .. s. if. ......d..eath in iranians are enraged of the death in police custody of a 22—year—old woman, mahsa amini, has spotted the protest 7 7 7 7 protest, the n 7 biggest protest against the for many had detained for allegedly been detained for allegedly not wearing her hijab and showing a bit wearing her hijgb'ama.�* shoal-ting a bit. her hair. not surprisingly, women of her hair. not surprisingly, women have been at the forefront of this process. these women have taken off their scarves into 51.5“ ésfipsééarefi' gfiiééfi' “its the; 915“ 55555555“ 551555 “55 515 of one 5'15ir 55555555“? 55555 “55 5'r55 of one of 5'15ir 555555555“? 55555 “55 5'r55 of one of the streets middle of one of the busiest streets in tehran. theirfaces have been plotted to protect their identities.

in another part of the capital last night, protesters set fire to the picture of iran's supreme leader. these tests are have emerged of a mother and her daughter pleading to be allowed to go. suddenly, a policeman to go. suddenly, replacement policeman throws the daughter hard against the curb. this 20—year—old is the latest victim of the violence. here, joining the crowds of protesters. she was killed soon after with a police pellet gun. eastern canada has been battered by hurricane force winds and driving rain, with up to half a million homes losing power. storm fiona struck in nova scotia and newfoundland, with some coastal properties swept out to sea. this report from frances read contains some flashing images. ripped from the ground

by the wrath of storm fiona. unforgiving to houses that, until yesterday, were people's homes. this was port aux basques in newfoundland, hit by 100 mph winds, and where a state of emergency was declared. anybody that's being told to leave their homes, you need to leave. there's no ifs, ands or buts, you need to leave. 0n islands in quebec, floodwaters reaching the doorways. and in the darkness, sheltering inside, as sparks fly from damaged power lines. hundreds of thousands are without electricity. across the east coast, towns are submerged, and communities now working to remove fallen trees. fiona had already caused major problems on its path through the caribbean, in places like bermuda and puerto rico, but storms like this reaching canada's coasts a re rare. they usually lose power once

they hit colder waters. these satellite images show the intensity. 0ur government is standing ready to support provinces with any necessary resources. we're seeing reports of significant damage in the region and recovery is going to be a big effort. this is becoming a familiar sight across parts of the world, and infrastructure will need to change here if it's to withstand this happening again. frances reid, bbc news. elliott khashoggi has broken his own marathon record this morning. he beat his old record by 30 seconds, which was set four years ago, also in berlin. with under two months to go until the men's football world cup in qatar, there are concerns over insufficient

accommodation for fans. over a million people are expected to travel to the finals, but many fans say they're being priced out — with too few affordable rooms, as our middle east business correspondent sameer hashmi reports from doha. with less than two months left for the world cup to kick off, the excitement is building up. qatari nationals and residents are bracing themselves for the biggest football carnival. the country is set to become the smallest nation ever to host the tournament. qatar is expecting to attract 1.2 million visitors during the course of the world cup. it has invested billions of dollars to organise the tournament ever since it won the bid in 2010. but with just weeks left for the kick—off, many fans who were planning to come down from different parts of the world are struggling to find accommodation. qatar has a little over 30,000 hotel rooms, out of which 80% have been booked by fifa for officials

and football teams. this has squeezed availability for travelling fans. the organisers say that there will be over 100,000 rooms available for fans across different categories, including empty apartments like this, villas and floating hotels. but the cost of these rooms is proving to be expensive. even tiny prefabricated cabins at fan villages built on the outskirts of the city are listed for over $200 a night, which many fans say is pricey. we weren't given permission to visit the site by the authorities. with no affordable options available, simon whitney was forced to book a room in dubai, where he is paying a fraction of the price compared to doha. i did expect there to be a quick flurry of purchasing accommodation from the beginning, but i thought i'd wait my time to see if there was more accommodation, more variety. but that has not proved to be the case. at no stage has the cost actually come down or become more accessible to the average fan. like simon, thousands of fans

are choosing not to stay in qatar, and are booking their stay in dubai, which is 45 minutes away by flight. we reached out to the organising committee for an interview, but they declined the request. however, the local hospitality industry here is optimistic that travel from dubai will not dampen the world cup experience for fans. if you ask me, i could be a spectator and like they say, hit two birds with one stone. i could go and see dubai, see qatar, both at the same time, and have the opportunity to watch the match and enjoy tourist attractions in both areas. for qatar, thejourney to hosting the world cup has been mired in controversy right from the start. issues like the treatment of foreign migrant workers and anti—homosexuality laws have been under the scanner. given this backdrop, the stakes are high for the tiny gulf state. but with time running out, it needs to resolve the accommodation issues soon to ensure that fans have an enjoyable experience. samir hashmi, bbc news, doha. now it's time for a look

at the weather, with darren. the wind continuing to strengthen, cloud across the uk, a short spell of rain that moves away from scotland and northern ireland this evening. it sprints southwards across england and wales. the wind direction changes, a northerly wind will bring in some showers. not quite as cold as last night, temperatures in eastern scotland and north—east england down to seven degrees. by the time we get to tomorrow morning, the weather front bringing the rain band is in the english channel, and we have this run of much stronger northerly winds across the uk bringing colder air all the way from iceland, a mixture of sunshine and showers, pushed in on those very brisk winds, particularly frequent showers, northern scotland down those north sea coasts, but some further west as well. the winds are going to be very strong and gusty, perhaps touching gale force in northern scotland, temperatures struggling to make double figures, 16 in the far south, but everywhere feeling colder in the strong wind.

hello, this is bbc news with lewis vaughanjones. the headlines: labour opens its annual conference as its leader, sir keir starmer, prepares to set out the dividing lines between his party and the new conservative government. he tells the bbc he would reverse the government's cut to the top income tax rate. the head of the rmt union describes talks with the new transport secretary as a "good start" — the next strike is planned for the first of october. voting is under way in italy's general election, which polls suggest may result in the country's most right—wing government since the second world war. the iranian president threatens "decisive action" to stop the wave of anti—government protests sweeping the country. and two months ahead of the men's football world cup in qatar — concerns that there may not

be enough affordable accommodation forfans.