13/11/2011 BBC Weekend News

After a day of political wrangling, Italy has a new Prime Minister.

Mario Monti is asked to form a Government and starts urgent talks

to pullly country out of crisis. The outgoing Silvio Berlusconi says

he will lend his support but vows to fight on in politics. The Queen

leads the nation in remembering those who have lost their lives in

armed conflict. Governments supporters take to the streets in

Syria as the country comes under pressure from its ash neighbours.

Hamilton is back. And in Formula One Lewis Hamilton wins the Abu

Good evening. A day after the resignation of Silvio Berlusconi,

one of Europe's most colourful and controversial leaders, Italy has a

new Prime Minister. Mario Monti a former European Commissioner has

been asked to form the next Government. His main task will be

to bring the country back from the bring of economic crisis, by

tackling Italy's massive debt. Thank you. A few hours ago he left

the Presidential palace for meetings with the leader of the

lower House and the Senate. And then he went for dinner with Silvio

Berlusconi. Who tells him he will give his sup for for a limited

period, dependent on his agenda, and the Cabinet he chooses. A

warning, there is flash photography in this report. A weekend of high

drama that ended this've thing with Mario Monti's arrival at the

Presidential palace. In 24-hours, and before markets re-open tomorrow,

Italy has moved full speed towards an impartial technocrat Government.

And the unelected official who tonight was invited to lead it says

that is merely the beginning. TRANSLATION: We aim to solve the

financial situation. And to resume a path to growth. It is time to

build a future of digtive and hope forfor our children. He will be a

leader in stark contrast to Silvio Berlusconi. A well-respected

economist, he is known in Italy as supermarrow for his intellectual

rigour. He was President of a university in Milne. Renowned for

training the brightest economists. From 1994 to 2004. He was a

European Commissioner, in Brussels, where he developed a reputation as

a tough negotiator. He has always been a staunch defender of the euro.

But he will require the support of the man he replaces. Silvio

Berlusconi still has the loyalty of the biggest party in Parliament,

and behind the fixed smile, there is anger at the way he has been

treated. He still harbours ambition, though tonight pledged to work in

the enterss of the country. Let me say it was sad to see that

responsible and, if you allow me generous gestures such as my

resignation was greeted with boos and insults. Throughout the day, a

procession of party leaders were summoned to the Palace as 86-year-

old President napednaped fought to secure that working majority, that

Mr Monti will need. Every party has to think, every political party has

to think in the next hour, the next couple of days what is the

alternative? The alternative could be call for new elections. It like

giving the market an answer and say wait until February or March.

Despite deep divisions in Parliament they had no option but

to follow Mr Monti. He must act quickly the package they approved

is a pale imitation of what is needed to tackle the debt. Mr Monti

must go wider and cut much deeper. Though carrying the Parliament

seems to be the biggest challenge of all. Let us pick up with

Christian. A big task, how receptive do you think Italy will

be to what Mario Monti needs to do? Well, they are optimistic, they

like the look of him, but will they like the look of an unelected

official when he raises that are takess or he cut theirs jobs or

their local services? That is very much open to question. Then there

is the issue of Mr Berlusconi, all powerful, the former head of the

news said he reminded her of a dead donkey. You think he is dead then

he kicks you. So Mario Monti will be well advised to watch where he

walks in the next few weeks. On the bright side, he is independent, he

is not behold on the a party Mount Everest. He is -- manifesto, he is

determine and a smart guy. So I think that goes in his favour. They

will let him go with the economy, but I think when he starts to touch

things like power, and privilege and the vested interests of

Parliament, metaphorically speaking this long length of rope they let

him run away with he they might try to use and hang him. Here the

Chancellor said he will bring forward plans to promote economic

growth. He told the BBC the Government nodes to do more for

investment in construction and small businesses. Ed Balls say the

strategy is failing. How do ministers get the balance right?

Deficit reduction plans have reasureed the market bus the UK's

sluggish growth has become a problem. Now the Treasury wants to

boost private sector investment. Ministers hope the road to recovery

will be paved with money held by opinionion funds, which usually

invest in Government bonds, but might get a better return from

infrastructure projects. Today, the Chancellor insisted he had been

right to get public spending under control, but he did have a plan for

growth. I fully accept we need to go further, we need to have more

initiatives and more Government plans to help stimulate housing,

get homes being built, help construction, help with more

infrastructure, help small businesses get credit. I accept all

of that and we are going to announce plans for all those things

in the coming weeks, let us not forget. You are not interviewing a

Finance Minister who is terrified he can't sell his country's debt

tomorrow. Labour say it is about time the Government constructed a

growth strategy, but this one is flawed. It has to have a stimulus

for the economy, and George Osborne is talking about �50 billion. As

far as I can see he is saying that is coming from private investment.

We have had it for a year, this idea you could cut public jobs and

investment an the prielth sector will take over. They have not done

it. With growth faltering and unemployment rising, some fear that

things could get worse before they get better. The Queen has led

ceremonies to mark Remembrance Sunday laying a wreath at the

Cenotaph in Central London. A two minute silence was observed across

the UK, and at British military bases round the world. To remember

those who have lost their lives in armed conflict. Our royal

correspondent reports. It is the nation's unchanging commitment to

remember. The formal tribute attended both by those who are

familiar with the occasion, and some for whom this was a first, to

those who gave their lives in the World Wars, and in more recent

conflicts. An obligation made sharper by the casualties suffered

by today's generation of servicemen and women in Afghanistan. At one

minute to 11, the Queen led senior members of the Royal Family to

their positions at the Cenotaph, for the two minute silence,

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 54 seconds

observed in Whitehall, and at war LAST POST PLAYS At the seven faff

after the sounding of the Last Post the Queen laid her wreath in

tribute to more than one million men and women from Britain and the

Commonwealth who have given their lives in war over the past century.

And then some of those with their own memories of duty done marched

past to lay their wrees in memory of comrades who never came home.

Remembrance was given to men and women past and present who gave

life itself. Rescue teams have ended their search for a 79-year-

old man who was flying a light aircraft which crashed into the

English Channel. Ian Dickinson's plane came down off the coast of

Guernsey yesterday. His wife was rescued by a passing ship, and has

been released from hospital. Thousands of Syrian Government

supporters have taken to the streets in protest at their

country's suspension from the Arab League. They took action in

response to Syria's violent response to do democracy protested

and says it plans to talk to opposition groups. Syria's response

to being suspended from the Arab League. Anger an defiance with

massive pro-government rallies encouraged an supported by the

authorities. This was one demonstration Syrian television did

want to show the world. Splitting its screen to show huge crowds in

different cities. In the capital Damascus, mobs gathered outside the

embassy of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Three countries that have

been tough on Syria. They even broke in. No sign here of the gun

fire that is often greeted opposition protests. Icon tacked an

opposition supporter in Damascus by about the own safe means possible.

A computer link up. Thank you for speaking to us. She told me that

most Syrians were delight bd the decision. I think it is so right,

and wise decision, and all the people are so happy. But she told

me of more arrests of opposition supporters and she didn't dare

think what would happen to her if the authorities tracked down this

call. But opposition supporters did go out and protest in the city of

Hama. This footage shows them apparently under attack once good

afternoon by the security forces. At least four protestors chanting

slogans against the President are reported to have been shot dead.

Arab ministers have invited Syrian opposition leaders to meet here at

the Arab League in kier reon Tuesday, so Arab Governments are

openly encouraging just the sort of opposition activists many of them

still try to silence in their own countries.

The tough action by Arab ministers has increased the pace of the

confrontation. It has made Government feel more embattled and

that does not bode well for a peaceful solution in Syria any time

soon. Rival armed groups loyal to Libya's trans-- transitional

Government have clashed. At least 13 people have died in the fighting

raising doubts about the Government's ability to maintain

law and order and disarm thousands of fighters. It is ten years to the

day since the Taliban were driven from Kabul by the western backed

Northern Alliance ch the city is still waiting for peace but there

have been many advances bs, especially in education for girls

which was banned doneer the Taliban. Schoolgirls of Kabul. Free to learn.

Ten years ago, under the Taliban, they were prisoners in their homes.

Now, in the Oxford-model school and college, they rush to classes,

hungry for knowledge. Anita teaches class four. Sometimes her pupils

are distracted by explosions in the distance. Kabul is still insecure.

But this is a class full of hope and ambition.. What do you want to

become? A good teacher. Excellent. And others? Doctor. Excellent.

Others? Doctor. Excellent. A decade on, the Afghan Government and NATO

want a formula for peace. But reconciliation could bring back the

Taliban. TRANSLATION: The Government should

be careful about talking to them. We have to be worried about this.

11-year-old Sanaa shares her concerns.

TRANSLATION: I don't want the Taliban to come back. And close the

girls' schools. The girls here study hard. Harder than the boy,

their headmaster says, and they come to classes without fear. This

school has not been threatened. But their teachers haven't forgotten

the lessons of the past. They know all this could be at risk if the

Taliban are part of the equation. Back in the classroom, more

subjects to conquer. But not far from the capital, the Taliban are

still threatening schools, still stealing the feature. -- future.

Now today's sport, here is Sally. Now he has called it one of the

best drives of his life. Lewis Hamilton returned to form earlier

today with victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, it is his first win

since July. Sebastian Vettel failed to finish, spinning off in the

opening lap. It was the day when Lewis Hamilton rediscovered his

fizz after a troubled few moneys at last a win, a smile and a spot of

lung. The race is under way. Hamilton had begun behind Sebastian

Vettel. He probably expected to finish there too. But out of

nowhere, this. Vettel is off with a puncture. Vettel's back tyre had

burst, with dramatic results. First lap and his first retirement this

season, still with a world title already sown up no complaints. But

the way was now clear for Hamilton and how he took his chance. Easing

clear of Fernando Alonso. His team- mate Jenson Button was in a right

old tussle. Wheel to wheel with Mark Webber, Button clung on the

take third, but there was no doubting the star of the show.

Hamilton is back and so are McLaren. Megajob as always. I want to

dedicate this one to my mum. Happy birthday. Thank you for coming.

looks impressed. Birthday kisses all round and the pride was

palpable. I feel fantastic. It was one of my best races. I am very

happy. I am really happyy to be back here and this is great. I can

get on my flight tonight and be inspired. For Hamilton and his

family a day to savour. His mojo is finally back. In rugby league Wales

were hoping for a surprise win against Australia but it wasn't to

be. It looked like an upset was on the card at one point but the

Kangaroos scored ten tries in total including a hat-trick from Cooper

Cronk. Australia will play England next Saturday in the final. In

Rugby Union's European Cup Toulouse beat Gloucester 21-17 despite

pressure from the English side. Glasgow left it late as they beat

Bath by 26-21. Richie Gray made the most of a bounce of the ball in the

last minute. That try converted by Duncan Weir saw them safely to the

top of pool three. Roger Federer has won the Paris masters for the

first time, beating Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in straight sets. Federer

who had never reached a final here survived two break points before