welcome to newsday. reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines... president biden says hurricane ian could be the deadliest storm that's ever hit florida. the danger is real, to state the obvious. please obey all warnings and directions from emergency officials. russia prepares to celebrate the annexation of territories in ukraine after a series of referendums dismissed as farcical by the west. no change, says uk prime minister liz truss, as she stands by the widely—criticised economic policy. and three weeks after the queen's passing, the cause of death is given officially as old age.

live from our studio in singapore... this is bbc news. it's newsday. it's six in the morning in singapore, and 6 pm in the us, where the state of florida has been hit by one of the most powerful hurricanes in the history of the united states, with winds of up to 150 miles an hour. hurricane ian has torn a path of destruction through towns and cities, leaving more than 2 million homes and businesses without power, and experts warning of life—threatening flooding. it could cause more damage — as it heads north into the carolinas, the storm system has regained hurricane strength. our north america correspondent, john sudworth, reports from fort myers. florida had been told to brace for a life—threatening event

and the city of fort myers was the first to feel the hurricane�*s power. boats were piled on top of each other, parts of the harbour pushed up onto the shore. at their peak, wind speeds reached over 150 mph. residents who had ignored warnings to evacuate were told to shelter in place. with the biggest risk coming from the storm surge, well over six feet in places, that left homes and businesses quickly flooded. you're looking at a storm that has changed the character of a significant part of our state. i mean, this is going to require years of effort. some chose to ignore the evacuation warnings, despite the authorities making it clear that the hurricane would put emergency help beyond reach.

this is a storm surge that we talked about, but weren't sure about. with conditions too difficult or dangerous for rescue workers. ian fits the pattern of increasingly powerful hurricanes in recent years as a result of warming sea temperatures. scientists monitoring them say man—made climate change is having an effect. never seen that much turbulence before. . today's flight was certainly| the roughest that i've been on in my six years of doing this. the worst of the onslaught may now be over, but for the state of florida, the task of assessing the cost has onlyjust begun. there is confusion tonight about the human cost. the sheriff of lee county earlier suggested that the debacle could run into hundreds —— the death toll. the federal government is still suggesting that people might want to brace for more grim news. all we can say from here

is that there are no credible reports of a rapidly rising death toll. john sudworth reporting there. let's speak to the mayor of fort myers, kevin anderson. he's on the phone. thank you so much in the first instance, mr mayor, forjoining us at a time that must be extremely troubling and busy for you. just going from what we've seen and my colleague's report, talk us to the descale of the devastation that you've seen so far.— descale of the devastation that you've seen so far. well, we have robabl descale of the devastation that you've seen so far. well, we have probably 80% of _ you've seen so far. well, we have probably 80% of our _ you've seen so far. well, we have probably 80% of our city - you've seen so far. well, we have probably 8096 of our city is - you've seen so far. well, we have| probably 8096 of our city is without probably 80% of our city is without power and another 70% is probably without water. we had some severe flooding along the river in residential sections. as well as our downtown area. mr mayor, i understand that we are expecting the governor of the state of florida to speak relatively soon.

do you have a sense of any new information that might come from him, particularly in terms of the damage, but also the number of people who've lost their lives? well, and the city of fort myers, we have no reported loss of life as of yet, so we're very happy with that. i'm hoping we will hear from the governors. his continue commitment to assist us so we can restore our city to back it was —— where it was. fort myers took a direct hit. what's your sense of how this compares to other storms you've experienced? i've been a resident here for about 40 i've been a resident here for about a0 years, 25 of those i worked as a police officer in fort myers, so i've had exposure to many storms. this is by far the worst storm i have witnessed here in fort myers.

and in terms of the rescue effort, how? as you point out, this is the worst storm you've ever experienced. what about the conditions for people who are trying to get out of their homes or who have been trapped or left behind? we homes or who have been trapped or left behind?— homes or who have been trapped or left behind? ~ . ,. , ., , left behind? we have rescued upwards of 200 peeple- — left behind? we have rescued upwards of 200 people. now, _ left behind? we have rescued upwards of 200 people. now, we _ left behind? we have rescued upwards of 200 people. now, we couldn't - left behind? we have rescued upwards of 200 people. now, we couldn't do i of 200 people. now, we couldn't do that until after the storm had passed because our emergency crews do not go out if the winds are a5 and a5 mph or more. 50. do not go out if the winds are as and as mph or more.— do not go out if the winds are as and as mph or more. so, where do you no from and as mph or more. so, where do you go from here? — and as mph or more. so, where do you go from here? what _ and as mph or more. so, where do you go from here? what is _ and as mph or more. so, where do you go from here? what is the _ and as mph or more. so, where do you go from here? what is the plan - and as mph or more. so, where do you go from here? what is the plan in - go from here? what is the plan in terms of rescue and re—halla build —— rehabilitation? it’s terms of rescue and re-halla build -- rehabilitation?— -- rehabilitation? it's now the recovery. _ -- rehabilitation? it's now the recovery. the _ -- rehabilitation? it's now the recovery, the restoration. - -- rehabilitation? it's now the recovery, the restoration. our -- rehabilitation? it's now the - recovery, the restoration. our city crews have been working tirelessly today and they will work continuously until they get the roads all cleared up, all the downed trees picked up. we will work very

closely with florida power to get the electricity restored and crews are working to get the water restored. from then, it's do what we can to support those businesses and homes that have been affected by the flooding to help them get back on track. kevin anderson, mayor of fort myers florida, i wish you the best of luck in your efforts in terms of rebuilding and thank you so much for joining us. rebuilding and thank you so much for “oininr us. ., ~ rebuilding and thank you so much for “oininr us. . ,, i. rebuilding and thank you so much for “oininr us. ., ~' ,, . , joining us. thank you, and my wife and i joining us. thank you, and my wife and l were — joining us. thank you, and my wife and i were actually _ joining us. thank you, and my wife and i were actually there _ joining us. thank you, and my wife and i were actually there in - and i were actually there in december. we were looking forward to it. mr; december. we were looking forward to it. y ,, m december. we were looking forward to it. my goodness. we're going to leave the situation _ it. my goodness. we're going to leave the situation in _ it. my goodness. we're going to leave the situation in florida - it. my goodness. we're going to leave the situation in florida forj leave the situation in florida for now. the us senate has approved more than $12 billion in new economic and military aid for ukraine. it had already authorised $5a billion in two previous packages. the measure is part of a short—term extension of the federal budget which the house is expected to pass quickly, because it's needed to keep the government in kyiv funded

past a friday deadline. president putin will hold a signing ceremony on friday to annex territories under russian occupation in ukraine. a stage has been set up in moscow's red square, with billboards proclaiming the areas as part of russia. it follows hastily—arranged so—called referendums that were held in luhansk and donetsk in the east, and in zaporizhzhia and kherson in the south, which have been dismissed as a farce by ukraine and its allies. the un secretary—general has warned the annexations would mark a dangerous escalation, as our russia editor, steve rosenberg, reports. and a warning — it contains some graphic details. for months, war felt so far from russia's capital. it's feeling much closer now. moscow mobilised. the special operation advertised on bus stops and billboards. russia calls them heroes,

but it needs more, so more men are ordered to the call—up centres and sent to ukraine. conditions are basic. these draftees have no beds. these do, sort of. and he says his group is being sent straight to ukraine without any military training. and the president? he's escalating this conflict. tomorrow, vladimir putin is expected to start the annexation of 15% of ukrainian territory. there's little excitement about that on the streets of moscow. i feel negative about it because it's the territory of ukraine. i think it is historically russian territory. i think it's a total disaster, not only for ukraine, - but for the russians. but also for the russians. what's more, the kremlin call up has

sparked widespread fear. what's more, the kremlin call—up has sparked widespread fear. in all the years i've been covering russia, in all the places i've been, there's one phrase more than any other i �*ve heard from people here — than any other i've heard from people here — "we must avoid war." this country knows very well the cost of war. millions of people were killed here fighting nazi germany, and yet today, the russian leadership is calling up and sending its citizens to the front line and annexing and look what can happen to those who oppose war — like artem, who read out an anti—war poem. police raided his flat and the nightmare began. his fiancee, sasha, was there when the police burst in. translation: they dragged me across the floor by my hair. - they started super—gluing stickers to my face. they threatened to glue my mouth up.

then i heard the beating from the room where artem was. they forced him to undress. i heard how they were talking about raping him. they filmed everything they did to artem. they grabbed me by the hair and showed me a photo of him naked and beaten up, covered in blood. russia's invasion is having devastating consequences for ukraine and for russia, too. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. sweden's coastguard says it has discovered a fourth hole in the nord stream pipeline that runs under the baltic sea between russia and europe. nato says the breaches have been caused by deliberate and reckless acts of sabotage. russia has denied responsibility. with the latest, here's our diplomatic correspondent, james landale. it's four days now since these

underwater pipelines were damaged, and these images of the latest leak filmed by the swedish military, showing that gas continues to escape undetected. some experts say it might take many days before it stopped. the leaks are happening here in the baltic sea, in the southern end of pipelines that stretch 700 miles. initially, there were reports of three leaks here, with the dalian island —— danish island of bornholm. german security authorities are reported to be blaming massive explosive devices. the pipelines are largely owned and controlled by russian state corporation that hasn't stopped western ministers blaming the kremlin, saying it's trying to test european resilience. translation: we don't know precisely what happened but there's no doubt that it's the planned explosion. we don't know who's behind it, but it's very

serious. ., ., ., , ., ., . serious. the nato military alliance blamed what _ serious. the nato military alliance blamed what it _ serious. the nato military alliance blamed what it called... _ serious. the nato military alliance blamed what it called... and - blamed what it called... and promised a... but russia's foreign ministry suggested that american intelligence was responsible, saying if the nord stream pipelines close, than the us could sell more of its gas to europe. translation: there was a clear beneficiary and the situation. of course, it's washington. putting gas pipelines out of— washington. putting gas pipelines out of action. please, our western partners. — out of action. please, our western partners, share the information with us because — partners, share the information with us because we never seen anyone but you there _ us because we never seen anyone but you there engaging in provocations and shams. the you there engaging in provocations and shams. , you there engaging in provocations and sham-— you there engaging in provocations and shams. , ., ._ and shams. the truth is that it may be some days _ and shams. the truth is that it may be some days before _ and shams. the truth is that it mayj be some days before investigations begin and even longer before responsibility is established. but many countries are beefing up their

defences. that was james landale reporting on that story. here in the uk, a 3a—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of nine year old olivia pratt—korbel. she died after being shot in the chest in her home in liverpool when a gunman chased a convicted burglar into the house. her mother, cheryl korbel, was also injured. the man arrested is being questioned by detectives and police continue to appeal for information. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme: an investigation by the bbc uncovers the scale of undeclared emissions of greenhouse gases by the oil industry. we have a special report from southern iraq. 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. of europe's biggest and richest nation.

i'm karishma vaswani in singapore. no change — that's the essence of the british prime minister's response to the widespread criticism of her government's economic policy. liz truss was speaking for the first time since the mini—budget last week, which led to a collapse in the value of the pound, higher interest rates and extreme volatility on the financial markets. the prime minister was interviewed by a range of local radio and television journalists, who repeatedly asked our political correspondent, alex forsyth, listened to the exchanges. the prime minister, liz truss. time to face the microphones. this morning, liz truss took to the airwaves in a series of interviews on bbc local radio, and it was no easy ride. the pound has dropped to a record low, the imf has said that you should re—evaluate your policies and the bank of england has had to spend £65 billion to prop up the markets because to spend £65 billion to prop up the markets because of what they describe as a material risk. where have you been? we had to take urgent action to get our economy growing, get britain moving and also

deal with inflation. we're going to spend more in mortgage fees under what done based on the predictions than we would have saved with energy. i don't think anybody is arguing that we shouldn't have acted on energy. the reaction? she was a bit hesitant, wasn't she? so not quite sure we believe what she's actually saying. i on radio kent... what she's actually saying. time is short, we've see in the bank of england having to intercede time is short, we've seen the bank of england having to intercede because of the measures that your government brought in on friday. this doesn't normally happen. we're working very, very closely with the bank of england. the bank of england... they're putting up your finance, to be fair. the bank of england run an independent monetary policy. and the view from listeners? i'm a bit scared, . if i'm honest, yeah. i'm a bit worried what's going to - happen to the economy and the pound. despite the fallout,

the message from behind both the downing street doors is there's no plan to change course. it's a difficult time. we're facing a global economic crisis brought about by putin's war in ukraine. what was right was that britain took decisive action to help people get through what is going to be a difficult winter. the prime minister's view is that if she holds firm, things will calm and her plan will pay off, but her appearance today setting out that position certainly hasn't eased the nerves amongst some of her own mps. some are urging the government to produce more detail about the public finances earlier than planned to reassure the markets. time is critical now. if the government can do that in a measured, level—headed way, early as possible, certainly before the 23rd of november, then we've got a chance of settling things down, focusing on growth and trying to move on. but a big challenge nonetheless.

with parliament currently on leave for party conferences, the lib dems, snp and labour want mps to be recalled to up pressure on the government to shift position. when i hear the prime minister doubling down, i have to ask myself, what's more important here? the prime minister and the chancellor saving face or saving the mortgage payments of millions of householders? downing street's insisting its plan will keep the economy turning, but expect the questions about choices made here to keep coming. that was our alex ak —— alex forsyth. the bbc has announced plans to cut around 380 jobs in this world service department. it's part of a wider 500 million pound annual reduction in operating costs. the proposals affecting the world service will see seven bbc language services becoming digital only.

the organisation says the cuts are necessary due to a challenging financial climate, high inflation, and the licence fee settlement. some tv and radio programmes will stop under the new plans. an investigation by the bbc has uncovered the scale of undeclared emissions of greenhouse gases by the oil industry. bbc news arabic and the bbc climate and data teams have found dozens of sites involving bp, eni, exxon, chevron and shell, where millions of tonnes of emissions from gas flaring from oil drilling have gone unreported. oil companies say its standard practice to only declare emissions where they're the official operator, even if they own the field. esme stallard reports. these oil fields in southern iraq are amongst the worst culprits for gas flaring in the world. this professor, and environmental scientist, has seen the impact this flaring has had on his home. translation: when i was a child, this was really beautiful. _ if we continue to lose at this rate,

we'll see more climate change. if we continue to pollute at this rate, we'll see more climate change. flaring is when oil companies burn off the gases released from oil drilling. it wastes an expensive natural resource and contributes to climate change. the five major oil companies — bp, annie, exxon mobile, chevron, and shell — are all committed to but oil giants say they get another company to run the day—to—day operations, and it is the other firm's responsibility to report flaring emissions. the bbc found found this oil field in iraq has more flaring than any other site in the world. bbc�*s report makes it look to the investors in the public like it's flaring emissions are going down overall. but because it doesn't count

emissions from sites where it's not the official operator, those aren't included. bp, the lead contractor here, doesn't declare the omissions. neither does the operator which they've jointly founded. bp's global admissions from gas flaring in 2021 were four million tonnes of c02. but if rumaila were included, it would be doubled. bbc news arabic and the bbc climate and data teams investigated how many more sites there were globally when neither the oil company nor the official operator were declaring the emissions. using satellite data, we found dozens of sites globally belonging to the five major oil companies, where flaring emissions are not being reported. this amounted to almost 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide — that's as much as a million cars would produce in a year. in response to our findings, the oil companies said they followed the standard approach to take it across the industry. in addition, shell and any said they do include all of their flaring in addition, shell and eni said

they do include all of their flaring in their official emissions reports, but don't report flaring where they're not the operator, and they've not committed to producing that flaring. there are a range of solutions to tackle gas flaring. the first and most obvious is to cap the gas and put into a nearby gas pipeline, which can be initially expensive. but if all the gas was captured, it would be nearly as much as the eu's total gas imports from russia. back in iraq, those living under the polluted skies hope the burning will end. you can find the full bbc news arabic investigation on the bbc news website in search under poisoned skies. three weeks after her majesty the queen died, her death certificate has been published, with the cause of death given as old age. it records that the queen died at ten past three in the afternoon of the 8th of september

at balmoral castle — that's over three hours before the death was announced. the princess royal is registered as the person providing the information about the queen's death. our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell, reports. an extract from an entry in the register of deaths, the equivalent in scotland of a death certificate. it refers to elizabeth alexandra mary windsor. her occupation is given as her majesty the queen. the document discloses that the queen died at 1510 hrs, 3:10pm on the afternoon of the 8th of september. for cause of death it simply says, "old age". the disclosure of the time of death confirms that the group of family members who flew to scotland that afternoon arrived too late. the aircraft, carrying prince william, the earl and countess of wessex and prince andrew, arrived at aberdeen airport at 3:50pm, a0 minutes after the queen had died. the party travelled onto balmoral by road, arriving there just after 5pm.

the duke of sussex, who'd travelled separately, arrived later still. two days before her death, the queen had been photographed inside balmoral castle looking frail but alert as she waited for the arrival of the new prime minister. she was photographed again as she invited liz truss to form a new government. the next day, we were told that she was too tired to host a virtual meeting of the privy council. the day after that, she passed away peacefully. at windsor, the castle reopened this morning to allow visitors to enter st george's chapel. it was here on the 19th of september that the committal service took place and where, later that evening, the coffin was placed in the small king george vi memorial chapel. there it rests, alongside those of her late husband, herfather, king george vi, and her mother. nicholas witchell, bbc news.

that's all for now — stay with bbc world news. thanks so much forjoining me. hello. well, it's fairly clear and calm across most of the uk right now, but later on, we are expecting wind and rain to sweep right across the country a big autumn low is on the way, and here it is on the weather map. a lot of isobars there, and that does mean some very strong winds, especially in northwestern parts of the uk. must have a look at the forecast for the early hours. you can see that broad band of rain sweeping into ireland and western parts of scotland, a good squeeze in the isobars here. that means of strengthening winds, but further east and south, it's a completely different picture. really quite

chilly. 0n those wins, gusting up to 70 mph, really windy down towards the south coast. later on in the afternoon, it'll reach other parts of the uk. but the weather will improve out towards the northwest later on in the afternoon. within the band of rain, it'll be very windy and temperatures will be 12—1a celsius. friday night, that rain turns heavy in east anglia on the southeast, and eventually, it'll sweep into the near continent in early saturday. that low pressure is very broad and it's still driving our weather, the winds will remain brisk on saturday although not quite a strong, but they will blow in some showers off the atlantic. they will be most frequent out towards the northwest. hailand be most frequent out towards the northwest. hail and thunder is quite possible. it southern parts of the uk, it actually shouldn't be too bad

at all. later, saturday night into sunday, another weather front to just brushed southern front of the uk. the thinking is by the time we get to the afternoon, most of us should have a dry day. just before i 90, should have a dry day. just before i go, an update on tropical storm ian. the second landfall is now expected on the south carolina coast. it's likely to cause problems and heavy rain inland as well. bye—bye.

this is bbc news, the headlines. hurricane ian has left devastation in many parts of florida turning out to be one of the worst storms in us history. president biden says early reports suggest it may have caused many deaths. he said it could be the deadliest storm in the state's history. russia is preparing to celebrate the annexation of ukrainian the un is calling it a violation of international law denounced russia's move. antonio guterres said it would be a dangerous escalation that contravened everything the international community was meant to stand for.