welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines. a game changing election in italy — as exit polls suggest giorgia meloni is on course to become the country's first far right leader since benito mussolini. in the philippines, super typhoon noru is set to sweep through the capital manila with winds of up to 175 kilometres an hour. i evacuated my house because i'm scared, the flood to get really high and i don't want a repeat of what happened before. a trial in hong kong of a cardinal accused of supporting pro—democracy protesters in 2019, he has pleaded not guilty. and two months ahead of the men's football world cup in qatar,

concerns that there may not be enough affordable accommodation forfans. the far right noru are the far right noru are on the far right noru are on course to gain control and giorgia meloni is on course to form the largest... the words olitical form the largest... the words political earthquake _ form the largest... the words political earthquake are - form the largest... the words political earthquake are often | political earthquake are often used and probably overused, but it feels apt tonight, because this is a country that now looks like not only has it elected its first ever female prime minister, but its first

right leader since benito mussolini, the fascist leader that led italy into the second world war and was eventually hanged by anti fascist partisans. it now looks like giorgia meloni, whose party has its roots in neo— fascism, but she said her party has consigned that political creed to history, and she represents a modern conservative right—wing government. it looks like she has won this election. and very decisively. it looks like she will attempt to form a right—wing coalition government for the first time in italy for 12 years, and that she will have a very significant majority in parliament. let's look at the exit polls an hour ago on italian television. they showed giorgia meloni of the far right brothers of italy with a very sizeable lead, a healthy majority for her, 25% of the vote. and then the

leader of the far right brothers of italy, between 8.5% - 12.5%. and the brothers of italy, between 8.5% — i2.5%. and the centre—right party between 6% — 8%. the reason we are showing those three parties together, they are the parties that will form the right—wing coalition that is now likely to be able to form a stable government and a pretty healthy majority at that. giorgia meloni way out in front ahead of her coalition partners, the hardline firebrand former interior minister matteo excel arena, and silvio berlusconi, almost 86 years old, three times prime minister, known as much for his sex parties as for his politics. also be looking to get about 45% if the exit polls become reality in a majority in both houses of parliament. ——

matteo salvini. in both houses of parliament. -- matteo salvini.— matteo salvini. in the last hour, matteo salvini. in the last hour. a — matteo salvini. in the last hour, a senior _ matteo salvini. in the last hour, a senior member. matteo salvini. in the last - hour, a senior member of the democratic party addressed the media, accepting her party's defeat. translation: ., translation: tonight, considering _ translation: tonight, considering what - translation: tonight, considering what we - translation: tonight, | considering what we have translation: tonight, - considering what we have seen so far, we can't deny the right has won, led by giorgia meloni. we think this is a sad night for our country, because for us, this is not a positive outcome. despite this, we are the main opposition party in second party in the country. we will be a strong opposition force because we have a great responsibility in front of europe and in front of our country. fix, europe and in front of our country-— country. a little earlier, i s - oke country. a little earlier, i spoke to _ country. a little earlier, i spoke to someone - country. a little earlier, i spoke to someone from | country. a little earlier, i - spoke to someone from radio 24, spoke to someone from radio 2a, who was at the headquarters in rome where the celebrations were currently under way. it is

a mood of— were currently under way. it is a mood of victory, _ were currently underway. it 3 a mood of victory, giorgia meloni, this new political elections, her party is at the top. 24.9%. the second party, the democratic party of the last coalition. giorgia meloni is the winner of the elections. they are all very happy about this, and saying they have the seats to rule the country. because now the problem is if the right—wing coalition have the right—wing coalition have the number to rule the country, because we know we have to wait until every single vote is counted, in order to know how many seats they have in the parliament.— many seats they have in the parliament. italy's democratic -a has parliament. italy's democratic party has conceded _ parliament. italy's democratic party has conceded defeat - parliament. italy's democratic party has conceded defeat in i party has conceded defeat in the election, saying it would

be the main opposition force. the vice president of the party said they couldn't deny the right has won. how do you see this playing out in terms of politics in italy in the future?— politics in italy in the future? , ., . future? ok, the democratic party and — future? ok, the democratic party and which _ future? ok, the democratic party and which lost - future? ok, the democratic party and which lost the - party and which lost the election, but not only the democratic party. in the right—wing coalition, there is the northern league which is also a loser. of course, the problem with the opposition now, it is very divided. there is the democratic party, but there is the five star movement. they used to rule together, but now they run in different parties... they were not a coalition, and so now

there is a problem with the opposition, because it is fragmented.— opposition, because it is fraumented. ., ., opposition, because it is fraumented. ., . ., fragmented. what does that mean in terms of — fragmented. what does that mean in terms of the _ fragmented. what does that mean in terms of the issues _ fragmented. what does that mean in terms of the issues giorgia - in terms of the issues giorgia meloni campaigned on, and how she is going to be considered in italian politics? the problem _ in italian politics? the problem for _ in italian politics? the problem for us - in italian politics? the problem for us now. in italian politics? the problem for us now is| in italian politics? the i problem for us now is to in italian politics? tue: problem for us now is to see what she can do on a political level. but this is very, very easy, because the whole campaign she said she is going to respect the european union. the debt. she is not going to make further debt, to touch the budget. we are very worried about city rights, because she is very, very right wing on that. the issues, you know, a

lot of things that in italy were going on in a way more liberal, but now we say we are going backwards. we liberal, but now we say we are going backwards.— liberal, but now we say we are going backwards. we can show ou the going backwards. we can show you the live — going backwards. we can show you the live pictures _ going backwards. we can show you the live pictures now - going backwards. we can show you the live pictures now at. you the live pictures now at the brothers of italy headquarters. hopefully soon we are going to hearfrom giorgia meloni, the head of that party, set to take 43% of the votes according to the exit polls. if they are confirmed, the first female prime minister in italy, the country's first far right leader since benito mussolini. we will bring you the latest updates on that story as and when we get them. as i say, we are hoping to hearfrom her a little later on. but for now, i would like to move on and tell you about the philippines.

a category three tropical storm has made landfall. super typhoon noru has been lashing the eastern parts of the country with high winds and torrential rain. thousands of evacuations are under way, including in parts of the main island of luzon. president ferdinand marcos junior has suspended work and classes for monday. our correspondent laura bicker has more, from manila: super typhoon noru crashed into the main island of the philippines, which is home to more than 64 million people. there are fears of coastal surges. the torrential rain is already causing river levels to rise. red cross volunteers worked their way through low—lying neighbourhoods, ushering the vulnerable to safety. this country is used to extreme weather alerts, but typhoon noru developed into a super—typhoon with very little warning.

more than 8,000 people have now sought shelter. translation: i evacuated the house i'm living - in because i'm scared. the floods there get really high and i don't want a repeat translation: i evacuated the house i'm living - in because i'm scared. the floods there get really high and i don't want a repeat of what happened to me before. as this storm makes its way over land, people here can only wait and hope they have done enough to stay safe. laura bicker, bbc news, in manila. the number of suspected ebola infections in uganda continues to rise — with the country's health ministry saying there have been 3a suspected cases. health teams are continuing to trace any people who may have come into contact with the virus. this is the fourth ebola outbreak uganda has faced — and neighbouring countries say they are on high alert. banks in lebanon are due to reopen on monday,

after being closed for a week due to a series of armed hold—ups. the raids were carried out by the banks' own depositors. in one case, a woman used a toy gun to force employees to hand over her own savings — to pay for cancer treatment for her sister. the co—founder of pink floyd, rogerwaters, has had a series of concerts in poland cancelled after comments he made, criticising ukraine's actions in the war with russia. in an open letter, waters — who is an anti—war advocate — accused ultra—nationalists in ukraine of provoking russia. he said the west was prolonging the bloodshed by arming ukraine — but failed to mention russia's role in starting the conflict.

citizens in cuba have been voting on a referendum called the family code. it includes same—sex marriage. evangelical churches oppose the moves which would give same—sex couples the chance to adopt. would give same-sex couples the chance to adopt.— chance to adopt. among the first devote _ chance to adopt. among the first devote was _ first devote was the cuban president and his wife, who came out in support of raft of changes. the most noteworthy changes. the most noteworthy change was the legalisation of same—sex marriages or civil unions. it also would give the power to gay couples to adopt. the president said he expected the motion to pass, although he did recognise there could be a strong anti—government vote and said that, whatever the result, he felt it had been to the benefit of the nation to have the conversation. this long document had been through more than 22 changes and been

debated at community level town hall meetings. nevertheless, there will be significant opposition to these measures coming from a variety of quarters. 0ne coming from a variety of quarters. one is the growing strength of the evangelical church notjust in cuba but across the caribbean and central america. as well, conservative opinions in society in cuba, people who see this as wrong and have done for decades. don't forget, in the 19605 decades. don't forget, in the 1960s and 1970s, cuba sent homosexual people to re—education camps. and of course, there is opposition strong anti—government activists who say this is simply an effort by the state to clean up its human rights image at a time that it has been clamping down on any form of dissent. it should be a very close result either way, and the final decision should be emerging in the coming hours.

still to come, japan prepares to mark the death of former prime minister shinzo abe with a state funeral. we look at why some injapan don't a state funeral. we look at why some in japan don't feel a state funeral. we look at why some injapan don't feel he deserves this honour. in all russia's turmoil, it has never quite come to this. president yeltsin said today would decide the nation's destiny. the nightmare that so many people have feared for so long is playing out its final act, here. russians are killing russians in front of a grandstand audience. it was his humility that produced affection from catholics throughout the world. but his departure is a tragedy for the catholic church. this man, israel's right—winger ariel sharon, visited the religious compound, and that started the trouble. he wants israel alone to have sovereignty over the holy sites, an idea unthinkable to palestinians.

after 45 years of division, germany is one. in berlin, a million germans celebrated the birth of europe's biggest and richest nation. this is newsday on the bbc. 0ur headlines... a game—changing election in italy — as exit polls suggest far—right giorgia meloni is set to win, and is on course to become the country's first female prime minister. super typhoon noru has hit the philippines with winds of up to 175 kilometres per hour. let's

take you to hong kong, where cardinal zen is due to face trial accused of providing help to pro—democracy protesters in 2019. he has pleaded not guilty. i am joined 2019. he has pleaded not guilty. iamjoined by 2019. he has pleaded not guilty. i am joined by a journalist who has been following the story from the start and joins me now from london. it's great to get you on the programme. remind us what the circumstances were behind this trial.— what the circumstances were behind this trial. cardinal zen was arrested _ behind this trial. cardinal zen was arrested on _ behind this trial. cardinal zen was arrested on a _ behind this trial. cardinal zen was arrested on a national. was arrested on a national security charge for colluding with foreign forces, but then he was charged with something called failing to apply for registration or exemption for registration or exemption for registration within a specific time, which is an administrative charge with a

top fine ofjust $10,000 hong kong. his lawyers have said this is a waste of time of the court, and this surrounds the fact he was a trustee or one of the funds that helped protesters with legal and medical support. cardinal zen, it's fair to _ medical support. cardinal zen, it's fair to say, _ medical support. cardinal zen, it's fair to say, has _ medical support. cardinal zen, it's fair to say, has been - it's fair to say, has been pretty outspoken about his criticism of beijing throughout the years. give us a sense of what he has said.— what he has said. other than bein: a what he has said. other than being a religious _ what he has said. other than being a religious figure, - what he has said. other than being a religious figure, he l being a religious figure, he has been very outspoken in terms of his pro—democracy beliefs. he has been supporting pro—democracy newspapers, activists and politicians in various public events, including marches, rallies, protests. so anything you can

think of about pro—democracy events, cardinalzen think of about pro—democracy events, cardinal zen has been a part of it for many years. iaruiitli part of it for many years. with reaard part of it for many years. with regard to _ part of it for many years. with regard to the _ part of it for many years. with regard to the kind _ part of it for many years. with regard to the kind of- part of it for many years. with regard to the kind of figure he is in hong kong, and how well—respected he is the community, can you give us a sense of how people feel about him and about this trial? cardinal zen is a very well respected figure, particularly in the pro—democracy camp. he is known for going to various prisons to meet protesters, young and old, who have never known him before. he was going to many prisons, travelling a long way each way. to many, particularly those in prisons,

he was a figure for spiritual support and he has been a role model in terms of pro—democracy pursuits in hong kong. so again, very well respected. in his old age, still doing a lot of things to support the pro—democracy camp in hong kong. pro-democracy camp in hong kona. ., ., pro-democracy camp in hong kona. . ~' pro-democracy camp in hong kona. ., . ., kong. thank you so much for “oininr kong. thank you so much for joining us- — japan is preparing to hold a state funeral forformer prime minister shinzo abe, who was shot dead during an election rally injuly. political leaders from across the world are set to attend. shouting. the message from these protesters is simple. shinzo abe does not deserve a state funeral. most of these people are pacifists. they believe that when he was prime minister,

mr abe trashed japan's pacifist constitution, and that he did so illegally without a proper vote. translation: abe made japan able to go to - warand fight again. that is why i'm against abe and his state funeral. after his killing injuly, there was an outpouring of sympathy forjapan�*s longest—serving prime minister. but when it was announced he would be given a state funeral, the mood changed. i'm actually surprised that the opposition to the state funeral has gone up so much more. you know, as the weeks passed, and now it's like over 60% of the people. i think it has most to do with the fact that abe is seen as somebody who is not accountable to his people. and so whatever he did, he did it against the constitutional principles. he did against the principles of democracy. the scale of these rallies opposing shinzo abe's state funeral show what an incredibly divisive political figure he

remains, even after his death. to these people, he was a corrupt warmonger who wanted to drag japan back into the past. but to his supporters, he was an international statesman who saw the threat from china coming and was determined that japan must prepare for it. mr abe's supporters say he understood that to fend off a rising china, japan needed to deepen its alliance with america. but to do that, he also knew japan must be ready and able to fight alongside its ally. abe had a very, you know, a futuristic vision. he had this idea that the china will rise and the united states will retreat from the region. so in order to get the united states involved in the region, we need to have the power on ourselves to defend ourselves. but the japanese people were never asked if they agreed to that change. nowjapan�*s ruling party

is preparing a state sendoff for its fallen leader. and once again, the japanese people have not been asked. but they will not stay silent. rupert wingfield—hayes, bbc news in tokyo. 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 forfans. 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. 0ur our top story, the headquarters of the brothers of italy, where we expect the head giorgia meloni to speak any moment now, in the next few minutes. many people sitting down there. if the exit polls are to be believed, she will be the first female prime minister and the country's first far right leader since mussolini. stay with us on bbc news.

a changeable week in terms of sunshine one minute, showers the next, in the first half of the week, and then something quite nasty later on. a warm weather front clearing to the south. that opens the door to a north/north—westerly weather front, bringing arctic air our way, but it's september so still a bit of warmth in the atmosphere. the morning feels fairly fresh, but temperatures higher on sunday morning. inaudible.

wherever you are, quite a breezy day compared to recently. the strongest winds in the west, may be 50 mph. cool afternoon, temperatures at 16, lowerthan cool afternoon, temperatures at 16, lower than recently. distinctly chilly in the north—east of scotland, 8 degrees cooler than sunday afternoon. monday night and tuesday, we continue with the strong wind. showers in parts of scotland. a bit cooler where you have shelter, southern scotland and eastern england, but enough of a breeze to stop a frost forming on tuesday. the weather system planning to move down on tuesday towards the south—west. the chance of cloud, outbreaks of rain close to devon, but otherwise sunshine and showers. showers more westerly, some areas will stay drierfor longer more westerly, some areas will stay drier for longer before the showers. temperatures

11-15, the showers. temperatures 11—15, it will feel cool. the winds starting to ease down a bit. longer spells of rain. one or two showers in the west, but overall western areas looking drier and brighter, even if it does feel chilly, it won't feel cold given the wind. inaudible.

this is bbc news. the headlines and may news stories at the top may of the hour. across the british media. m hour. hello. hello. the queen's funeral was the the queen's funeral was the culmination of days of coverage culmination of days of coverage across the british media.

"phenomenal" and "spot on". so, did the media get the tone right? were a range of views about the monarchy represented? and amid the pageantry and commentary, was there room forjournalism? i'm joined by marcus ryder, who's head of external consultancies at the lenny henry centre for media diversity, baroness stowell, who's conservative chair of the house of lords communication and digital select committee, lord vaizey, a former culture secretary who was in the david cameron government at the time of the 2012 olympics, emily bell, professor of professional practice at the columbia university correspondent of germany's die welt newspaper.