this is bbc news. i'm carole walker. the headlines at eleven: the united states is to impose sanctions on russia in response to the nerve agent attack on a former russian spy and his daughter in salisbury. senior conservatives strongly criticise boris johnson for his comments about muslim women wearing the burka. a nine—year—old girl has died after suffering a serious head injury following a rock slide at staithes in north yorkshire. also coming up — 100 years on — remembering the battle of amiens. a ceremony is held to commemorate the campaign which helped bring about the end of the first world war. and at half past eleven, we ll be taking an in—depth look at the papers with our reviewers, jessica elgot from the guardian and michael heaver from westmonster. stay with us for that.

the us says it will impose new sanctions on russia, in response to the nerve agent attack in salisbury, on the former russian spy sergei skripal and his daughter yulia. the us state department says it's decided the russian government had used chemical or biological weapons, in violation of international law. moscow denies any involvement in the attack. our north america editorjon sopel has more from washington. it has come from the state department, and so far there has been no comment from the white house, no comment from donald trump.

it is also surprising and some is that this has happened, because if you cast your mind back to when this originally occurred, america expeued originally occurred, america expelled 60 diplomats, but it has its own legislation and to the chemical and biological weapons at, and asa chemical and biological weapons at, and as a result, new sanctions are going to be opposed on russia. russia has 90 days to prove it has no chemical weapons programme. the spectre of american chemical whether us weapons spectre of american chemical whether us weapons inspectors going to moscow to look for weapons factory seems unlikely, so it seems probable they will be another wave of sanctions against russia. it is hard not to be struck by this dish —— the disjunction between the conventional behaviour of this administration and decidedly unconventional behaviour of the president when it comes to russia. several senior members of the conservative party, have strongly criticised borisjohnson for his comments that muslim women wearing full face veils, "look like letter boxes," and "bankrobbers."

the leader of the scottish conservatives, ruth davidson, said his words in a newspaper article were "gratuitously offensive," while the former attorney general, dominic grieve, said he'd quit the conservative party if mrjohnson ever became leader. the former foreign secretary has so far made no comment since the controversy began. here's our political correspondent, ben wright. boris johnson remains unapologetic for saying muslim women who wear niqabs look like letterboxes and bank robbers. he doesn't want a ban on face veils, but said in his telegraph newspaper column they look ridiculous. while his comments have ignited a political row about their wisdom and motivation, one woman who chooses to wear the niqab said mrjohnson should have been more careful. the problem is the language that he used. i absolutely have no problem with anyone disagreeing with my choice to wear it and criticising it. i don't have a problem with that. but when you demonise and dehumanise a minority who happen to be women,

muslim women of colour, i have a problem with this. mps are away from westminster, but their criticism of boris johnson has been growing, with demands for an apology by the prime minister and other senior tories. what boris might want to do now is consider whether some of the language that he used was inappropriate and, if he chooses to apologise, i have no doubt that will be welcomed. but i don't think we should take from this incident that people are prohibited from discussing this subject. sources close to borisjohnson insist he is simply speaking up for liberal values, and he has allies in his party. i think there are a lot of people who are out there to make controversy, truthfully, and to read into things that aren't there. i don't think he was out to make any personal attacks, he was just giving his view. a politician saying, "oh, this is boris". oh well, that's ok then? he can say what he likes. this guy's a buffoon. the phone—ins are hot for this, but just 5% of the population are muslim, and most muslim women in the uk are not veiled. like most mps, borisjohnson is away

on holiday and not around to take part in the argument he has started or deal directly with calls to apologise. perhaps that is what he intended. but people here in his uxbridge constituency are certainly talking about the issue, and him. ijust think he is saying what a lot of us are actually saying. i think it's intimidating to be completely covered up. i don't think he should upset a large community at all and i think they are quite out of order comments actually. he says he's arguing that we should not have a ban of any sort like they do in denmark. so why does he make the comments? it's not necessary. i think he's right. yeah, so do i. we don't know who's behind them masks. exactly. it could be a man, it could be anyone. he says it as it is. i've always liked him. really? so he increases his standing in your eyes by saying things like this? yeah. and that's the suspicion of many tories — that the ever—ambitious borisjohnson is choosing to talk about an issue that resonates well with the grassroots of the tory party.

but today, a senior conservative said he would quit if mrjohnson got the top job. i've no idea if it enhances his leadership ambition but one thing is quite clear — if he became leader of the party ifor one would not be in it. really? you'd leave? oh yes, without the slightest doubt. why? because i don't regard him as a fit and proper person to lead a political party. so borisjohnson, the front man of brexit, continues to divide. a nine—year—old girl has died after suffering a serious head injury following a rock slide on the beach at the seaside village of staithes in north yorkshire. emergency services were called to the area just after quarter past four this afternoon. the coastguard confirmed that a section of the cliff had fallen. 0ur correspondent peter harris sent this from the scene. well, the ambulance service, they were called here at around about 1l20pm this afternoon to a report that a child had been injured in a rock fall. the police were also called in,

and north yorkshire police confirmed this evening that in a nine—year—old girl has died as a result of that of rock fall. she was treated here at this scene, but unfortunately died. the police tell us that her family are being supported by specialist officers. now, this is obviously a very popular holiday village at this time of year. there were a lot of people about, and clearly for those here this evening, this has come as a terrible shock. they just said there's been an incident on the beach, and that was all we know. it's a tragic thing to happen, isn't it, really? in a place like this, it's mad. there is obviously considerable shock. we spoke to people even from the rnli this evening they were just too upset to talk about what they had seen. but to confirm, the police tell us that a nine—year—old girl has died asa result of the rock fall here. as a precaution, we notice that the beach here has been completely sealed off by the police. usually, this would still be

popular at this time of the evening, but given the rock fall that has taken place, that is now out of bounds to the public for the time being. more now on the us announcing it will imposes sanctions on russia over the nerve agent attack in salisbury. let's get more now from our correspondent in washington, chris buckler. this another significant twist to the extraordinary and rather contradictory relationship between washington and russia. congress have been pushing for a determination from the administration as to whether russia had broken international law. three months ago, that request was put in, and it is supposed to be a two month deadline

for that verdict to be given, but it has taken three commands, but the administration has come back and said, yes, they have broken international law, and the sanctions must come into play. they will not come into play image of the, there isa come into play image of the, there is a notification here. it is only two weeks, and it is the first wave of sanctions. there is potentially a second wave of russia cannot prove to america that this will not happen again, or if it does not allow some kind of independent inspectors to ta ke kind of independent inspectors to take a look and check that they do not produce chemical weapons. russia of course have denied any involvement in this attack. this is clearly going to create a further drive between moscow and washington ata time drive between moscow and washington at a time when donald trump is over defending of the accusations about russian influence in the election campaign. a really extraordinary twist to this relationship. what is

extraordinary and and usual is in some ways almost becoming commonplace, and almost foreign policy in terms of the united states. if you look at not curvier, the us secretary of state sent out a harsh message that they are saying that they are not doing much in terms of working towards denuclearisation, and that they are still building nuclear weapons, and still building nuclear weapons, and still you have messages from donald trump that one towards kim jong—un. we have seen something similar to watch russia. the state department says what russia is involved in is unacceptable, and sanctions will be put in place. at the same ten, good have donald trump being extremely warm towards vladimir putin. the republican senator was only just warm towards vladimir putin. the republican senator was onlyjust in moscow meeting vladimir putin, and he went there with a letter of introduction from donald trump himself. this remarkable set of foreign policy entries from this

white house, it is difficult to get your head open, but it seems there are two different approaches been taken at the same time. on the one hand, a leader been very friendly, and that the same time, and administration saying there is no doubt they were involved in an act thatis doubt they were involved in an act that is completely unacceptable. donald trump is usually very quick to express his views on twitter. anyone from the president?” to express his views on twitter. anyone from the president? i will have to check my feet, but no mention from donald trump. we know exactly what donald trump is thinking at any particular time at this stage, he has not made any comment about saxons whatsoever. many thanks for the latest from washington. three and a half million british gas customers, face another price rise in october. those on the company's standard variable tariff will see their bills go up by around £41; a year on average, and it's the second rise in 6 months. centrica, which owns british gas, is blaming a twenty percent rise in the cost of energy on the wholesale markets.

our business correspondent, emma simpson reports. i have been with british gas 42 yea rs. i have been with british gas 42 years. ijust i have been with british gas 42 years. i just want to stay with them, purely because i don't want any hassle. so familiar? t .5 million loyal british gas customers like robert from lincolnshire, and default standard variable tariffs. and when the temperature finally kills, the bills will be going up again. we seem to just get the hike year after year, not once a year, twice three times a year. my biggest threat is the blase stop and search of saying, yes we are sorry, it will ha rd of saying, yes we are sorry, it will hard people. but they got on with it. the first entries was in may, adding £60 to the average fuel bill.

0n adding £60 to the average fuel bill. on top of the first, the price will go on top of the first, the price will 9° up on top of the first, the price will go up again by another £44, taking the average british gas bill for a dualfuel the average british gas bill for a dual fuel customer to £1205 for a year. british gas certainly isn't the only energy supplier that has been putting up bills. standard variable tariffs are almost always the most expensive deal, and millions of households are still on them. british gas says it has to raise prices and again because what it pays for energy has been going up. in it pays for energy has been going ary, it pays for energy has been going they it pays for energy has been going up. in january, they could have bought next year's supply of gas for about1.5 bought next year's supply of gas for about 1.5 pence bought next year's supply of gas for about1.5 pence a bought next year's supply of gas for about 1.5 pence a unit. now it is costing about 2p a unit. it has gone up costing about 2p a unit. it has gone up by costing about 2p a unit. it has gone up bya costing about 2p a unit. it has gone up by a third, and costing about 2p a unit. it has gone up bya third, and so i can costing about 2p a unit. it has gone up by a third, and so i can imagine why they feel the need to put the price up. the move comesjust a day after the energy regulator 0fgem announced an entries in the price cap for all vulnerable customers on

prepayment meters due to higher wholesale prices. we are worried that the use the announcement yesterday to justify their own price increase today, and be really want to get across to tumours that if you are on a standard variable tariffs, you can save hundreds of pounds if you can save hundreds of pounds if you just switch. nearly 300,000 british gas customers are ready have this year. robert is staying fat 110w. this year. robert is staying fat now. the energy market is changing fast. there is a government price cap due to take effect at the end of the year. the pound fell today, to its lowest level against the dollar in almost a year. investors are concerned that the uk will leave the european union, without a deal, in eight months' time. sterling is also down against the euro, the yen and the swiss franc. earlier, i spoke to our economics correspondent andy verity, and asked him whether this fall was all about the uncertainties caused by brexit. that's part of the reason. you've got for example liam fox on the weekend saying he thought it was 60% likely that we would leave

the european union without any trade deal. the bank of england governor mark carney saying there is the uncomfortable prospect of a no—deal brexit. the reason that is of concern is if there is no trade deal in place it could hamper economic growth so it is left worthwhile holding pounds. the other reason is that the dollar is strengthening, ironically, the dollar gains when it has a trade war with china because the thinking is that the united states will win that trade war. and it will reduce dependence on chinese imports. but looking at what has happened to the pound in the last year, you can see that it reached its peak here on this chart, in april. you could get about $1.43 for your pound. since then it has sunk, it is just above 1.28 now. if you buy your travel money, you will get about 10% less than you would a few months ago. these are the best rates.

so, the take away from that is maybe you should have got your travel money four months ago! but you can console yourself you would have got even poorer results a few months after the brexit referendum. so not a great deal if you're going to europe on your holiday but quite good for british exporters? potentially it could have a stimulative effect. the pound got down to $1.20 injanuary 2017 and since then it has been growing partly the because economic news has been better than expected. that also means our exports are not as competitive so the new weakness in the pound does have an upside. the headlines on bbc news: the united states is to impose sanctions on russia in response to the nerve agent attack on a former russian spy and his daughter in salisbury. senior conservatives strongly criticise borisjohnson, for his comments about muslim women wearing the burka. a 9—year—old girl has died

after suffering a serious head injury following a rock slide at seaton garth in staithes in north yorkshire. the democratic unionist mp ian paisley is facing the first ever parliamentary recall petition under rules introduced in 2015 to allow voters to oust politicians. ian paisley is currently suspended by parliament for failing to declare two family holidays which were paid for by the sri lankan government. if 10 percent of his constituents in north antrim sign the petition, which opened this morning, it will trigger a by—election. emma vardy has the latest. recall petitions that the three maignan towns across mr paisley‘s constituency opened at nine o'clock

this morning. they will be open for people to sign for the next six weeks. this is a first for a uk politics. it was all brought about by ian paisley‘s per year to deeply at the luxury holidays he went on paper by this alliance in government. he then later went on to lobby david cameron on behalf of sri lanka. when this came to light last year, the parliamentary standards committee ruled that he was guilty of serious misconduct. so, over the next six bees, if 10% of the electorate in northampton sign those recall petitions, it will force ian paisley to stand down and there will bea paisley to stand down and there will be a by—election. the dup's main rival, sensing, is going to be out campaigning against him, effectively, and began their bed this morning urging people to sign. the report concluded he was involved in serious misconduct, and the people of north antrim has six weeks to sign this petition, and i know

the contact i have had with people over the last number of had that people are very motivated to do so, that this is an issue of integrity in government. it is not, as some people will try to do, turn it into an orange and green issue. this is an orange and green issue. this is an issue about trust in your politicians, that the board did theirjob in politicians, that the board did their job in public politicians, that the board did theirjob in public office with integrity. there are some 75,000 people registered to vote in northampton, so the northern ireland electoral office says that the number two trigger a by—election is 7543 signatures. mps have already voted to suspend mr paisley for 30 sitting days of parliament. if you retained his seat, he will still be suspended until november and may well miss keyboard student this time. that is the longest and has been suspended for over 70 years, so

just a mark of how seriously business conduct is being taken. three thousand people have attended commemorations at amiens cathedral in north eastern france, marking the centenary of the battle, that turned the tide of the first world war. the battle of amiens lasted just four days, but it was one of the most successful for the allies, of the whole conflict. theresa may, and the duke of cambridge were among those who paid tribute to the fallen, and hundreds of descendants of the troops that took, part were also there. robert hall reports. this is a landscape where the course of a terrible conflict was changed. in amiens cathedral, music and personal accounts combined to tell that story. the attack at amiens was a total surprise — at dawn, a huge allied bombardment systemically destroyed german guns. the smoke barely clearing before 500 tanks led men from six countries in an advance which took some

of them eight miles into enemy territory. amiens was symbolic of the entente cordiale... a battle whose significance was underlined by the duke of cambridge. today, we return to learn more about the experience of those involved during the historic summer of 1918. to honour the fallen of all nations. the amiens attacks were planned to the last detail as the clock ticked down, commanders penned their final messages. every man will carry on to the utmost of his powers until his goal is won. to those who fall, i say will you not die, but step into immortality. by lunchtime on the first day, men could hardly believe the contrast with the chaos of previous offensives. the americans swept everything before them and the german resistance collapsed. the sun broke through,

we began to see the countryside that we hadn't seen for quite some time. it was unscarred. all sorts of cultivated land. we began to feel, byjove, the war's coming to an end. at least 30,000 german lives were lost, thousands more surrendered, convincing commanders that that the time had come to consider a ceasefire. age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. at the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. today's ceremony remembered the fallen, but also served to highlight a crucial moment in a long and costly conflict. the entire state of new south wales, which produces about a quarter of australia's

agricultural output, is experiencing drought, and it's one of the worst dry spells for many years, in parts of the country. in the last month, officials say less than ten millimetres of rain have been recorded in some areas. phil mercer reports now from sydney. australia is a land well used to nature's extremes. it's the world's driest inhabited continent, but the resilience of its farming communities is being severely tested. official figures show that australia's most populous state, new south wales, is now entirely in drought. two years ago, there were floods on gary sunderland's farm near the town of condobolin. how quickly things can change. now, it's just the opposite story. the land has gone dry. no feed. stock are dying. some farmers have been carting up to 100,000 litres of water to their livestock since january.

this video, taken earlier this year, shows cattle swarming around a water tanker. farmers in the small towns across new south wales are helping each other out with donations. many here say it's the worst they've ever known. all the climate gurus who know all about the weather still don't know when it's going to break. they've got no idea. we've just... we run blind. you know, we'vejust got to plan and hope and pray that it rains. government aid will ease the financial burdens and the prime minister is promising more help. i do understand these water challenges. and clearly, we will work with state and local governments to ensure that water is provided. the fear is that a dry spring will be followed by another hot and punishing summer for australia's farmers. let's speak to adrian

lyons — a farmer from tell us much about your farm and what sort of effective diet is having. this year, we have had 15 millilitres of adrain, so we have had no brain to be able to plant these crops, so basically what i have planted out of 10,000 acres, i have planted out of 10,000 acres, i have planted out of 10,000 acres, i have planted 2000 acres which will probably die over the next couple of weeks if we do not get rain. i have harvested 200 tonnes, and in 2016, i plan to 10,000 acres and produced 18,000 tonnes. we are looking at an

arable farm. there are not livestock produced a feed? i have livestock. i am down to 150 head. we are trying oui’ am down to 150 head. we are trying our best to get it to market, but eve ryo ne our best to get it to market, but everyone is unloading the course taught at the moment, and they are going to market. mainly because the security of fodder is running out, and this is critical. the strain on these farms is extraordinary. we have pretty bad things going on here 110w. have pretty bad things going on here now. the prime minister we have briefly in that report saying he would ensure that water supplies got through to people. have you heard any specific action that the government is going to take to help people like you? they have made some announcement ended last few days, and what is only affecting a percentage of the state. many it is

fodder, but there are definitely water problems. they are helping out with people with groceries, food, security to be able to sustain the household, but there is a lot of initiatives being put in place, but it is critical right note that it is enhanced. as time goes on about the drought, it is going to be 2020 until we receive an income. we have got water and food and fodder shortages, people are unloading the stop. it is pretty bad. you are heading towards this summer. if there is no brain in the coming weeks and months, what would it mean for due and your business? will you be able to survive? sorry? i was asking for that you will be able to survive if the drought continues, one of your business will be able to continue. things are going to come

toa continue. things are going to come to a halt. we have a lot of utilities we had to pay for rates and things. the cold hard cash that goes out of your pocket. it is going too slow to a standstill, and i think the city cousins we have down there are empathetic. there is a lot of media on this at the moment, and i think they are starting to realise how important food producers are. we need support with this. we do not need support with this. we do not need a hand—out, we need a hand up. there is no end to this. if it doesn't rain... it is pretty critical. some places have been in and over seven years and have only just been acknowledged now. we are trying to understand how the government can help us and secure fodder. i think they have to keep this quote was in how they think about it, forward and engage us. we're putting things together to

help them help us, if you get my meaning. thank you very much indeed for talking to us from new south wales. we will take an in—depth look at the papers... with our reviewersjessica elgot from the guardian and michael heaver from westmonster — that's coming up after the headlines at 11:30. now it's time for the weather with helen willetts. hello. i for one was relieved at the dip in the temperatures and the relief from that intensity that we have had just recently. the week started above 30 degrees in some of the eastern areas. they have dropped by some seven or 8 degrees through the course of the past 48 hours, so a much more comfortable low 20s for back where temperatures should be for this time of year. perhaps just a little bit above in the south and east. the reason for the change is the wind direction change. we have lost that continental heat, and instead we are picking up more of

an atlantic influence. it is quite warm, still. we have had temperatures into the mid—20s. but thursday could also bring some welcome rain in southern and eastern areas. there is uncertainty as to how far worse that rain will draft, but it could be quite intense for a time. elsewhere, they will be good deal of sunny weather. quite warm weather, despite only 21, 22 celsius, but they will be a rash of showers in northern western areas. it really could be very windy close to the coast surrounding this area of low pressure. look at those winds, for example, across the low countries further east. it is expected that will pressure to spin out of the way as we go through thursday night into friday, and then we will see the temperatures dipping away further south as well as further norther, as well as further northe, where we have already seen temperatures into single figures in the last couple of nights. as we move into friday, we see the ridge of high pressures trying to build in.