welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm mariko oi. the headlines. as warnings grow about china's threat to taiwan, we report from the island's front line. this is one of the wealthiest cities in china. and behind me is the taiwanese military outpost called lion rock. the future of the british prime minster hangs in the balance as liz truss battles to regain her authority. president biden promises a national law on abortion congress in november.

rights if democrats keep control of congress in november. and with your support, i will sign a law codifying roe in january. together, let's remember who we are, we are the united states of america, and there's nothing beyond our capacity. fears for the safety of an iranian athlete who took part in a climbing competition without a hijab. and as the bbc celebrates its 100th anniversary, we look ahead at the challenges it faces. hello and welcome to the programe.

in taiwan, a retired military commander has told the bbc the island would be unable resist the use of force by an increasingly assertive china. it follows a warning by the us secretary of state anthony blinken that beijing is pursuing unification on a much faster timeline than previously thought. our correspondent rupert wingfield—hayes has been to front—line taiwanese island ofjinmen, a few kilometres off the chinese coast, to assess the growing threat. tannoy the island ofjinmen is so close to china, they used to blast anti—communist propaganda from these giant speakers to people living on the chinese coast. it all looks peaceful today, a tourist curiosity. but twice in the last 70 years, china has tried to cross these narrow straits. the island is still a fortress covered in tunnels, bunkers and lookouts.

so the main island of taiwan is 150 kilometres away across the taiwan strait, but this is the real frontline between taiwan and mainland china. across there is a chinese city, one of the wealthiest in china, and this behind me is the taiwanese military outpost lion rock, and it's from here that a chinese drone drone flew over the top of the outpost on september 1st and they shot it down. the last time chinese troops tried to come up these beaches, they were no match for taiwan's forces, but this retired colonel says today it would be completely different. translation: now it's the opposite, the gap l between china's military power and taiwan's is getting bigger and bigger, their military power is getting stronger and stronger. if xijinping is determined to use military force,

taiwan couldn't stop them. injuly, taiwan put on this huge military drill, aiming to show how well—prepared the island is to fend off a chinese attack. instead, critics say it showed how vulnerable taiwan's forces are to a bigger, more modern, more heavily armed foe. one of the fiercest critics used to command taiwan's armed forces. if we remain unchanged, we will be defeated, certainly, no doubt. i urge the government, you have to take action. you have to take action right now. we don't have time to consider or research and study, again and again, time is not on our side. he's not the only one to feel a sense of urgency. thousands of civilians are joining training programmes like this one, to learn how to fight if war comes.

like all the young men here, this man has done his military about real fighting. no, we didn't learn anything about rifles or guns, no. but you learn about the concept, but i never touched a gun in 11 months. when you live with a threat so close for so long, it's easy to become complacent, to believe it won't happen. but as admiral li put it to me, no country can rely on the kindness of its enemy. jennifer hsu is a research fellow at lowy institute, and shejoins me now from sydney. thank you forjoining us. we

heard that report from rupert, president xijinping previously said he didn't want to take taiwan by force, but he also said china would never renounce the right to use force. so what do you think it would take for that line to be crossed? i think china and xi jinping think china and xijinping would much rather a peaceful reunification. he hasn't ruled out force, but he refers to the use of force from the perspective of those who are trying to stoke up instability within the region, those external to greater china. a veiled reference to the us and allies of the us in the region. it's been widely reported how china might be looking at russia's invasion of ukraine closely. do you agree with that? i

closely. do you agree with that? 4' ,, ., that? i think the russia ukraine _ that? i think the russia ukraine war _ that? i think the russia ukraine war holds - that? i think the russia i ukraine war holds lessons that? i think the russia - ukraine war holds lessons for china and xijinping as he thinks about the issue of taiwan for china. we know that the west, nato, have rallied and provided arms, imposed sanctions on russia, provided weapons for ukraine. so i think there's a lot of consolidation of views and values around what the ukrainians are trying to do, and that is to deter the russians, to push them out. but for the west, they say a western liberal democratic value under threat. when that is under threat, it poses a lot of questions. so the issue of taiwan is definitely on the mind, having seen how drawn—out the russia ukraine war has been. they are playing close

attention to what may potentially be their fate should they decide to embark on something short of invasion or conflict. i something short of invasion or conflict. ., ., ., , ., conflict. i want to ask you about china's _ conflict. i want to ask you about china's zero - conflict. i want to ask you about china's zero covid l about china's zero covid policy, mentioned by president xi in a speech at the congress. how long do you think he will hold on to it given how it has been affecting the country's economy?— been affecting the country's economy? been affecting the country's econom ? ~ , ., , economy? absolutely, so in many wa s, he economy? absolutely, so in many ways. he has _ economy? absolutely, so in many ways, he has staked _ economy? absolutely, so in many ways, he has staked his _ ways, he has staked his legitimacy and his strength as a leader by imposing this zero covid policy, protecting the people. in his report to congress on the weekend, he said the party, his party, is to protect the chinese citizenry. there was no mention of letting go or relaxing the zero covid policy. going soft

up zero covid policy. going soft up on the policy, i think it would challenge his legitimacy and the strength of his leadership. —— going softer. thank you so much forjoining us. let's take a look at some of the stories around the world. russia's new military commander in ukraine has said he's preparing to evacuate people from the occupied city of kherson. general sergey surovkin has been put in charge of trying to hold back ukraine's counter—offensive, but has admitted that the situation on the ground is difficult. a new york court has ordered a french cement company to pay nearly $780 million for its payouts to the so—called islamic state group during the war in syria. la farge admitted that it had paid the terrorist organisation and other armed groups money in exchange for protection of its staff at its plant in kobane.

aid workers in somalia say children suffering from severe malnutrition are being admitted for medical treatment at the rate of one a minute. the un fears many thousands more have been unable to get help because of insecurity caused by islamist militants. the worst drought in a0 years has left nearly half the population needing help. the british prime minister liz truss has spent the day battling to regain her authority amid unrest within her party. at cabinet this morning, ministers were told to find savings within their department to help plug the gap in the uk's finances. conservative mps have been to see liz truss to try and be

reassured by what she had to say. it's the last couple of days, so graham brady, the senior backbencher in terms of working out whether a prime minister has the confidence of the party, has not only seen the party, has not only seen the prime minister but also the chancellor. that is described as routine, and these meetings do happen routinely, but routine left the building a long time ago and hasn't been seen since, so i think we have to see it in that context. then there is the next set of rows bubbling, about spending cuts and where they happen. 0ne and where they happen. one example is the idea that perhaps pensions won't increase in line with prices. even the prospect of that is unnerving some conservative mps, and plenty more examples where that came from in the coming weeks. and these ongoing conversations about who might replace liz truss, were she to go. a backbencher said to me, rishi should put up or shut up, a reference to the former chancellor. he was seen, fairly

or unfairly, to be the guy who helped bring down the last prime minister, so to be seen bringing down this one seems unlikely. penny mordaunt, ben wallace, both in the cabinet so how do they deal with all of this? putting together an answer to who comes next is very difficult to pull off. talking of a very difficult, prime minister in front of prime minister in front of prime minister's questions tomorrow which i suspect could be humiliating for her. you're watching newsday on the bbc. it's three weeks to the crucial us midterm elections and the battle for power in capitol hill is heating up. we'll have the latest on the campaign trail. a historic moment that many of his victims have waited forfor decades. the former dictator in the dock older, slimmer and, as he sat down, obedient enough. dawn, and as the sun breaks

through the piercing chill of night on the plane, it lights up a biblicalfamine — now, in the 20th century. the depressing conclusion — in argentina today, it is actually cheaper to paper your walls with money. we've had controversies - in the past with great britain, but as good friends, _ we have always come to a good and lasting solution. concorde bows out in style after almost three decades in service. an aircraft that has enthralled its many admirers for so long taxis home one last time. this is newsday on the bbc. i'm mariko 0i in singapore. 0ur headlines.

a retired military commander has told the bbc that taiwan would be unable resist the use of force by an increasingly assertive china. the future of the british prime minster hangs in the balance, as liz truss battles to regain her authority. it's just three weeks to go till the crucial us midterm elections, which could see the balance of power change in washington. republicans are hoping to retake both the house and the senate. president biden has been out in the last few hours talking about an issue the democratic party see as key to getting people to vote for them — abortion. your right to choose, it rests with you. and if you do your part and vote democratic leaders to congress, i promise we will do our part. i will do my part. and with your support, i will sign a law codifying roe in january. together, let's remember who we

are, we are the united states of america, and there's nothing beyond our capacity. so vote, vote, vote! is president biden focusing because of his less than favourable ratings? i5 because of his less than favourable ratings? isis not ureat, favourable ratings? isis not great. and _ favourable ratings? is is not great. and it— favourable ratings? isis not great, and it hasn't - favourable ratings? isis not great, and it hasn't been . favourable ratings? isis notj great, and it hasn't been for some time, but the president is doing everything he can to get voters to help his party, the democrats, retain congress. because that is crucial to him as president for the next two years, to achieve his agenda. abortion is close to the top of that agenda. it is one of those issues that traditionally isn't an election issue, elections are generally fought on the economy, and probably will be this time. a lot of people in

the country hurting because of the country hurting because of the cost of living crisis, because of rising inflation, and the challenge for the president and for the democrats is to get people to balance their concerns, and clearly abortion is a big concern for many women in this country. what the president is promising to do, as hejust said, is to codify into law the rights of women to have an abortion if they choose, across this country. it will be an uphill task to get the votes in november but this is why he is doing it, three weeks ahead of polling day, to focus minds on that issue. polling day, to focus minds on that issue-— that issue. you mentioned inflation, _ that issue. you mentioned inflation, the _ that issue. you mentioned inflation, the cost - that issue. you mentioned inflation, the cost of - that issue. you mentioned inflation, the cost of living j inflation, the cost of living crisis and so on. how big of an issueis crisis and so on. how big of an issue is that for the voters, compared to issues like abortion? i compared to issues like abortion?— compared to issues like abortion? ~ , abortion? i think it's a very big issue- _ abortion? i think it's a very big issue. people - abortion? i think it's a very big issue. people are - abortion? i think it's a very i big issue. people are hurting every day. you've only got to drive past a petrol station and look at the price of a gallon

of gas in this country. it continues to rise. there was a bit of a lull a few weeks ago but prices seem to be rising again. those kinds of concerns, can i pay the rent at the end of the month, the mortgage payment? those issues motivate people traditionally at elections. foran people traditionally at elections. for an incumbent democrat in the white house, it would be expected that that party would probably lose seats in congress at that year's mid—term elections. same applies to republicans. so it is challenge for the democrats. interesting that this country continues to be divided. i am speaking to you from california, there is a race here where an incumbent republican is battling to keep his seat from a democrat who has been campaigning strongly on the abortion issue. an iranian athlete who competed in a climbing event in south korea

without her hijab says it dropped off by mistake. some saw the move as a gesture of solidarity with the recent protests against the compulsory hijab laws in iran. a post on elnaz rekabi's instagram account says it was "unintentional" and that she is on her way back to iran with the rest of the team. bbc persian�*s rana rahimpour reports. this iranian climber has become a symbol for the protest movement, for not wearing the mandatory headscarf. elnaz rekabi was representing her country in south korea, when she made what appears to be a very public show of support for women back home, who are fighting against the compulsory hijab. to the alarm of her family and friends, elnaz rekabi then vanished from her hotel. there are reports her phone was confiscated. this post then appeared on her instagram.

bbc persian understands she was sent home early, with one theory that the authorities wanted to avoid protestors gathering at tehran airport refused to cover her hair at an international competition. i was asked exactly to write an apology letter on my instagram, and to apologise publicly and i was given a list of things to do. she later sought asylum in the uk. the biggest anti—government protests in more than a0 years started after the death of a young kurdish woman in morality police custody, for allegedly not wearing her headscarf properly. human rights groups say at least 200 people have been killed and thousands detained. women continue to protest, whatever the risks. rani rahimpour, bbc news.

indonesia has announced plans to demolish the football stadium where at least 131 fans died and hundreds were injured in a stampede earlier this month. presidentjoko widodo said the kanjuruhan stadium in malang would be rebuilt according to safety standards set by the sport's governing body fifa.

queen elizabeth ii. do we have the go? yeah. a few moments ago, - buckingham palace announced the death of her majesty queen elizabeth ii. - 0pt in. for 100 years now, the bbc has been a mirror to the nation. from the announcement of war... this country is at war with germany. ..reflecting every aspect of our lives... ..from sporting glory... the lord mayor of leicester...

in exchanging a glance. along the way, the bbc has made a habit of laughter. throughout its century, technological innovation has powered the bbc, from the birth of collective

eavesdropping known as radio to alexandra palace here in north london where the first public television transmissions were made, new technologies allow the bbc to reach ever bigger audiences and secure its emotional contract with the people. but today's new technologies, the internet, smartphones, social media, have weakened the bbc�*s grip on our culture, together with political pressure, threatened its future. in an age of super—abundant choice there is a generational divide in consumption of bbc shows. older people remain deeply attached, and mostly, willing to pay. young people, less so. the next tonight will be tomorrow night. goodnight. britain has changed almost beyond recognition over a century, and so has the bbc. this is the bbc television service. to remain relevant, vital and loved, it needs to use the latest technology to secure a new contract with the people, and persuade them that it is worth paying for.

across the nations and the regions for the news where you are, goodbye. amol rajan, bbc news. (tx) if you have a sweet tooth, we have found something you will adore, and art gallery offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy a massive amount of cake, without putting on an ounce. everywhere you look, there is lavishly decorated cakes with lashings of frosting and huge dollops of whipped cream. it may make your mouth water, but none of it is real.— none of it is real. everything is fake, it — none of it is real. everything is fake, it needs _ none of it is real. everything is fake, it needs to - none of it is real. everything is fake, it needs to look - is fake, it needs to look beautiful. i can't maintain everything, i've got to use acrylic instead of sugar, otherwise there will be bugs everywhere and we don't want that. , ., ., , that. the exhibition contains 3000 cherries _ that. the exhibition contains 3000 cherries and _ that. the exhibition contains 3000 cherries and around i that. the exhibition contains i 3000 cherries and around 250 gallons of frosting, which has

been lovingly piped onto the the walls are of with thousands of swarovski scott has never baked crystals. scott has never baked a cake in his life, but his childhood obsession with "'%ol>}i’hfa;”’ £677" w "$5523!" to— w " of one as to 2,2 7 7 of one of to 2,2 7 7 7 ' w "’i>f’&hé’&f’£h’eeq—ei%e’ w ' ' creation of one of the strangest installations ever. i love the dark rooms and the creepy— love the dark rooms and the creepy things mixed with the happy— creepy things mixed with the happy things. it's bizarre. it's — happy things. it's bizarre. it's awesome, there is so much detail, — it's awesome, there is so much detail, the _ it's awesome, there is so much detail, the experience - it's awesome, there is so much detail, the experience is - detail, the experience is immersive, _ detail, the experience is immersive, a _ detail, the experience is immersive, a beautiful. immersive, a beautiful exaerience _ immersive, a beautiful experience.— immersive, a beautiful experience. cakeland was founded _ experience. cakeland was founded in _ experience. cakeland was founded in 2020 - experience. cakeland was founded in 2020 and - experience. cakeland was founded in 2020 and its l experience. cakeland was - founded in 2020 and its creator keeps adding more and more pieces. some are stunningly beautiful, others are creepy and bizarre, and locals and tourists are lapping it up. that looks amazing, but i personally prefer a salty food

version of that! stay with bbc world news. hello again. yesterday, once the early morning mist and fog patches cleared out of the way, most parts of the uk had plenty of sunshine but there was a big contrast in temperatures from north to south. across england and wales, very mild weather and parts of of sussex had temperatures as high as 20 degrees. even though we have sunshine across the northern uk and scotland, here it was much cooler, with shetland just reaching 10 degrees. the reason was a cooler air mass underneath the area of high pressure, which will be slipping eastwards over the next few days. the low pressure to the south west really is going to dominate, and will be very slow moving.

transition to even more unsettled weather conditions, taking place right now. we are seeing rain arrived with strengthening winds, and towards the start of wednesday morning, the end of the night, temperatures of 16 in plymouth, higher than they should be during the middle of the afternoon let alone the end of the night. the rest of wednesday, the bands of rain will work their way northwards erratically, and a bit further eastwards through the day. parts of east anglia, north—east england, scotland will stay dry, but more more cloud. a windy day, 30 mph gusts, but still mild, 15—19 in england and wales, temperatures a bit below average for scotland and northern ireland. thursday, more rain, heavier, with rumbles of thunder as it swings across the country. it tends to clear, this guy will brighten but further heavy showers late in the day from the south. temperatures still

mild, 16-19 the south. temperatures still mild, 16—19 for england and wales. —— the sky will brighten. still close to average in scotland. low pressure still firmly in charge on friday, plenty of showers, potentially merging to give lengthy spells of rain but parts of wales, western england and northern ireland, closest to the centre of low pressure. mild again, temperatures rising a little in scotland, with highs of 15 through the central belt. the low pressure sticks with us for the weekend, so a case of further rain and showers, but it does stay on the mild side.

ukraine has proved its resilience and resolve in the eight months since vladimir putin launched his all—out invasion. but this war of survival keeps throwing up new challenges right now, the biggest threat comes from russia's

missile and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure. spreading terror and threatening winter energy supplies.