this is bbc news. i'm simon pusey. our top stories... senior british cabinet minister amber rudd resigns, accusing prime minister boris johnson, of an assault on decency and democracy over his handling of brexit. the conservative party, that is such a force for good in government in this country, no longer has a place for people who have different views of the european union and i can't stand by that. the aid effort in the bahamas is intensifying in the wake of the devastating hurricane dorian. the released iranian tanker is apparently spotted off the syrian coast — britain says it's "deeply troubled" by the reports. the canadian teenager, bianca andreescu, beats serena williams to win the us open women's singles title.

hello and welcome to bbc news. a senior british government minister, amber rudd, has resigned, accusing the prime minister of an assault on decency and democracy in his handling of brexit. it follows boris johnson's decision to expel 21 mps who have refused to back a ‘no deal‘ brexit, including two former finance ministers. ms rudd said she couldn't stand by while good, loyal, moderate conservatives are expelled from the party. our political correspondent jonathan blake reports. amber rudd has served at the heart of government. she campaigned to remain in the eu referendum and was home secretary under theresa may. she survived the clear out of like—minded colleagues when boris johnson became prime minister and was made work and pensions secretary.

among others, almost all brexiteers. just this week, amber rudd expressed concern about the prime minister's strategy of throwing mps out of the party for voting against the government. i think we have some very valued colleagues, who have made a very different choice. in her letter to the prime minister, amber rudd said resigning was a difficult decision but wrote, "i do not believe that leaving with a deal is the government's main objective. the government is expending a lot of energy", she wrote, "to prepare for no deal but i have not seen the same level of intensity going into our talks with the european union, who have asked us to present alternative arrangements to the irish backstop." i knew and i accept that the prime minister should be able to leave no deal on the table, but what i had expected to see was a huge government centred effort to get a deal and at the moment, there is a lot of work going on into no deal and not enough going into getting a deal. then on top of that,

i've seen 21 of my colleagues, good, strong conservative mps with true, moderate, progressive values, excluded from the party. amber rudd's resignation will come as a blow to borisjohnson at a critical time for his premiership. her reasons reflect the concerns others in government share. jonathan blake reporting and he's been telling us more about what this means for boris johnson's government. a big blow to the prime minister at a crucial time. he has lost members of his own party in the last week, having thrown them out of the party for voting against the government. he is facing an attempt by opposition parties, who now outnumber his minority government in parliament to thwart his strategy to ta ke parliament to thwart his strategy to take the uk out of the european union, come what may buy the current deadline of october the 31st. amber rudd, who has resigned, is seen as something of a moderate in the

conservative party and survived when many of her like—minded colleagues who backed remain in the referendum campaign, were purged from the government when boris johnson campaign, were purged from the government when borisjohnson came in as prime minister. she has been ever since, has expressed concerns in recent days about the minister's tactics of throwing her colleagues out of the party who disagreed with the government. in her resignation letter we can see she is also concerned about the prime minister's intentions when leaving the eu. she said leaving the eu doesn't seem to be the intention of the government with leaving with a day. she said she hasn't seen the same amount of effort going into negotiations with the eu and there will be others in government who share those concerns. jonathan blake, speaking earlier. even before this latest blow, borisjohnson was under increasing pressure to make it clear that he'd abide by legislation requiring him to seek a further brexit extension

if there's no deal with the eu. a group of conservative mps are preparing legal action if the prime minister refuses to carry out the instruction, which is expected to become law on monday. duncan kennedy reports. another stand—off in westminster. protest and counterprotest today. over the prime minister's plans to suspend parliament and mps‘ attempts to delay to brexit. borisjohnson has spent the week in campaign mode. preparing for an election he wants but opposition parties won't allow. many of that opinion will say content. content. to the contrary, not content. the contents have it. but parliament has now passed a bill compelling the prime minister to ask for a delay of a new deal can't be reached. the law means borisjohnson has until the 19th of october to get a deal with brussels. if not, he must write and request more time until at least the 31st of january.

but yesterday he said this... some fear the prime minister is looking for wiggle room and preparing a legal challenge. to write a letter on that day to donald tusk, it specifies the wording that he must use in the letter to apply for an extension. i am very, very concerned and troubled by the fact the prime minister is going up and down the country saying that he will never ask for an extension. either we have the rule of law in this country or we don't. opposition parties have shown they can wield power against boris johnson's minority government but the prime minister's supporters say he is right to pursue his own path. normally governments legislate and are held for account legislation but now in a position where parliament is legislating, how can the government be held to account for legislation that neither sponsored nor wanted 7 in aberdeenshire today in a traditional spectacle

of the highland games, the queen arrived having hosted the prime minister at balmoral overnight. constitutional crisis caused by brexit is sure to have been discussed although not resignation of amber rudd. that shock tonight shows just how unpredictable these political times continue to be. duncan kennedy, bbc news. conditions in the bahamas are said to be "rapidly deteriorating", six days after hurricane dorian ripped through the islands. tens of thousands of people are homeless — many are now desperate to flee the destruction in the abaco islands and grand bahama. cruise liners, private planes and helicopters are all being used to help those still trapped. the official number of dead still stands at 43, but that's expected to rise as the situation becomes clearer. jenelle eli is a spokesperson for the international federation of red cross and red crescent societies. she's in nassau in the bahamas.

you have been to the worst hit areas, can you describe, can you describe the words to describe how bad things are there? when i landed on the island of abaco for the first time, it was amazing just from the air, to see the trees uprooted, trees just snapped in air, to see the trees uprooted, treesjust snapped in half. as you get closer it is houses without roofs. still flooded areas. there is a lot of devastation here. i spoke with families who spoke of horrific tales of three days trying to survive. there was one mother, who told me she was so devastated that she lost her home and everything she's ever owned, but she was really proud that she was able to keep her kids alive and she was grateful there were neighbours helping neighbours. this is the situation right now. can you tell us some of the challenges you are facing in getting aid to those areas most

affected 7 getting aid to those areas most affected? certainly. as with any disaster there are logistical challenges to getting aid in. things like flooded airports and roads to teller connectivity. right now, access to the islands are slowly opening up so humanitarian relief is getting on, including red cross humanitarian relief which is on its way to the hardest—hit areas. that includes emergency shelter materials, hammers, tarpaulin, nails, why are so people can have some shelter. it includes things like water purification and jerry cans. because water sanitation is really important during this critical time. we have seen in water and sanitation is not taken care of it can lead to secondary humanitarian needs. a lot of people also evacuating the islands. they are coming to nassau, staying with family and government evacuee shelters. it is a continually

unfolding situation. what more would you say the international community can do that they are not already doing? i would say this is a major humanitarian relief effort and people don't just need humanitarian relief effort and people don'tjust need aid now, they will need it in the mid—term and even the long term. ijust want people to keep people in the bahamas in their minds and also go to their local red cross society, whether it is the british red cross, the american red cross, the turkish red crescent and donate to help people in need here in the bahamas. i also would encourage people just in need here in the bahamas. i also would encourage peoplejust to in need here in the bahamas. i also would encourage people just to take this time to think about their own emergency plan. there are disasters all over the world and this is the time to remember that you need to prepare yourfamily. time to remember that you need to prepare your family. think about taking first aid classes, think about what your evacuation plan would be because disasters can happen anywhere and there are certain things you can do to mitigate your risk. it is obviously a traumatic time for you and

eve ryo ne a traumatic time for you and everyone involved, thank you indeed for taking the time to speak to us and update us on that story. thanks for having me. after ravaging us coastlines, hurrican dorian is now closing in on canada's atlantic coast. the slow—moving storm that's regained its category 2 strength is expected to make landfall in the coming hours. damage has already been reported in nova scotia with strong winds and rain lashing the region. let's get some of the day's other news... president trump has revealed that he cancelled peace talks with afghanistan's taliban leaders, after the group said it was behind an attack in kabul that killed an american soldier. in a tweet, the us president said if the taliban could not agree to a ceasefire, they would not be able to negotiate a meaningful agreement. a us congressional committee is investigating another posisble conflict of interest between donald trump's role as president and his businesses. it wants to know why an airport on the west coast of scotland, close to a golf course owned

by president trump, has been paid $11 million forfuel by the us military since he took office. the committee says the fuel would have been cheaper at a us military base. el salvador wants to put a woman, cleared of murdering her newborn child on trial for a third time. 21—year—old evelyn hernandez‘s baby was found dead in a toilet in 2016 after she fainted. she said she had been raped by a gang member and didn't know she was pregnant. prosecutors in the country, known for its hardline stance on abortion, are appealing the acquittal in a bid to send her back to jail. an iranian oil tanker, which was seized by royal marines injuly, has been spotted outside a syrian port. the ship had been held in gibraltar, suspected of carrying oil to syria in breach of eu sanctions. it was only released after assurances from iran that it was not bound for syria. however satellite photographs reveal it is now sitting at anchor, outside the port of tartus. our diplomatic correspondent james landale reports.

this is the iranian oil tanker at the heart of the row. the grace 1, now known as the adrian darya—1, which was detained injuly by gibraltar with the help of british marines. it was suspected of heading for syria in breach of eu sanctions, but released in august after iran gave written assurances that this was not the case. but look at this. new satellite images through the clouds appearing to show the tanker moored just a few miles from the syrian port of tartus, potentially there to off—load its cargo. this is hugely disappointing and demonstrates again why the united kingdom government was right to impound the vessel in gibraltar and wrong to release it. in a terse tweet clearly pointed at european allies, the us national security adviser john bolton said anyone believing the ship was not headed for syria was in denial. tehran thinks it's more important to fund the murderous assad regime than providing for its own people, he said.

this is tricky for the foreign office because they trusted iran on this, just when the american said don't. a spokesman he has said it was deeply troubling to hear reports of the tank being off syria and said any breach of iran's assurances would be morally bankrupt and a violation of international norms. so far there has been no comment from tehran, which is desperate to evade tough us sanctions curbing its ability to export oil. iran also announced today a further breach of the deal agreed in 2015 to curb its nuclear programme. a spokesman said it would start using advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium nuclear fuel bringing the country one step closer to developing weapons grade material. yet again, iran remaining defiant in a stand—off with the west that few expect to be resolved soon.

james landale, bbc news. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: thejoker, starring joaquin phoenix, takes the top golden lion prize at the venice film festival. freedom itself was attacked this morning and feeding will be defended. the united states will hunt down and punish those responsible. bishop tutu now becomes spiritual leader of 100,000 anglicans here, and the blacks in soweto townships as well as the white in their rich suburbs. we say to you today, in a loud and clear voice, enough of blood and fears. enough. the difficult decision we reached together was one that required great and exceptional courage.

it's an exodus of up to 60,000 people caused by the uneven pace of political change in eastern europe. lam free. this is bbc news, the latest headlines a senior british cabinet minister, amber rudd, has resigned, accusing the prime minister, borisjohnson, of an assault on decency and democracy over his handling of brexit. the aid effort in the bahamas is intensifying in the wake of the devastating hurricane dorian. russia and ukraine have exchanged dozens of prisoners, in a move which the ukrainian president described as the first step to ending the war between them. a man allegedly implicated in the downing of a passenger plane in 2014 was one of those in the group flown to russia.

jonah fisher reports from kiev. this swap had been rumoured for weeks. so when the plane finally touched down from moscow, relief echoed across the tarmac. the families of 35 ukrainian prisoners had come to see their loved ones return. among them, high—profile detainees like film—maker oleg sentsov, and 2a sailors, like andre, who was captured in the black sea late last year. and we are happy too but we can't even understand that this has already happened. this is clearly a very emotional moment for the relatives of these ukrainian prisoners, but it is also politically significant. it opens the door for meaningful talks between ukraine and russia and the prospect of an improvement in relations between the two countries. and we haven't said that much in the last five years.

during that time, russia has been backing a rebel uprising in eastern ukraine and more than 13,000 people have died. then there was the downing of the passenger plane, mh17. shot down by what investigators say was a russian missile, with nearly 300 people on board. with that in mind, moscow insisted on being given this man, volodymyr tsemakh, as part of today's swap. he was on the ground nearby when mh17 was hit and could have been a key witness to russia's alleged role. the loss of mr tsemakh was clearly outweighed by the possible gains for ukraine's comedian turned president. he appears deadly serious about trying to deliver lasting peace. we have to do all the steps to finish this horrible war. but do you think this is a new chapter in relations between russia and ukraine?

i think this is the first chapter. as the dust settles on a momentous day, it's possible to be cautiously optimistic about russia and ukraine. jonah fisher, bbc news, in kiev. serena williams‘ quest for a 24th grand slam title will have to wait until 2020 at least. the 37 year old has lost the fourth consecutive final she's been in. canada's bianca andreescu beat her in this final in straight sets. it's the 19 year olds first major title — she wasn't even born when her opponent won herfirst us open title back in 1999. joining us now is courtney nguyen, a senior writer with wta insider, the official platform of the women's tennis association. she was at the match in new york. was bianca andreescu too good today over serena not good enough?”

was bianca andreescu too good today over serena not good enough? i would probably say serena wasn't good enough and she was incredibly honest in her assessment of her play today and giving full credit to the 19—year—old and the way she did play. serena williams came into the final and her serve was only broken three times in six matches and tonight she couldn't hold serve, struggled with her first service percentage and gave the canadian a lot of confidence in her return game. serena said i have to find a way to bring serena into these grand slam finals because that is where serena is not showing up. moving to bianca andreescu, only 19, as you say, will she play a central role in women's tennis for many years to come? absolutely and a lot who follow women's tennis belief that when she won indian wells in march, showed a lot of composure in the way she handled herself. the way she plays her tennis and how much

resilience is in her game, she didn't seem like a fluke in march and here we are in september and she isa and here we are in september and she is a major champion. she apologised to the crowd afterwards, obviously many americans for beating serena? she is canadian, that is what they do, they apologise. it was a tough crowd tonight for bianca andreescu to play out. the stadium was backing serena and got her to come back. she saved a match point and levelled it to five dash five and i have very rarely heard that crowd so low. bianca andreescu did well to send to herself and then be a classy one at the end, thank you very much, i am sorry this isn't the result he wanted. serena did take the loss well and she is going for a record equalling 24th major. she is obviously still going to do that, do you think? she will still be putting herself in these positions. she has

made four majorfinal herself in these positions. she has made four major final since she returned last year from starting a family. it is an incredibly difficult thing to do, no one else has done that. she is winning six matches at these tournaments but it is the seventh and as she admits, playing a grand slam final is a different kettle of fish, different level of pressure. especially in new york in her home grand slam, the expectation and desire for these fa ns expectation and desire for these fans who want her so badly to get the record, it is tough to handle. she hasn't been handling it well and today after the match is the first timei today after the match is the first time i have honestly heard her say and express the frustration she is at and she has to go back to the drawing board and see how she gets the best serena to play in the 7th of march in a grand slam. that is all we have time for, but it is interesting to hear about a new u psta rt interesting to hear about a new upstart beating the main lady of the moment and it is going to be interesting to see what bianca andreescu does in the future. for now, thank you for your time. the venice film festival

has drawn to a close — with the golden lion being awarded to the film — ‘joker‘. it's the first time a comic—book movie has won the top prize at a major festival. in second place was ‘an officer and a spy‘ — by the controversial director — roman polanski. a warning — tim allman‘s report contains flashing images. my my mother always tells me to smile and put on a happy face. dark, disturbing. one critic described it as purines, but exhilarate. joker is unlike any other comic book movie you have ever seen. unlike any other comic book movie you have ever seen. these films dominate at the box office, but have a lwa ys dominate at the box office, but have always failed to win the major prizes. until now. joker. the director, todd phillips looked surprised. the origin‘s story of batman's arch enemy, now lauded by one of your‘s top film festivals. he

was full of praise for his leading man. he is the fiercest, bravest and most open—minded lineman i know you area most open—minded lineman i know you are a beautiful soul and thank you for trusting me with your insane talents. the grand jury prize went to an officer and the spy telling the story of the dreyfus affair. roman polanski, still wanted in the us for the drugging and raping of a 13—year—old girl, was not present for the ceremony. the acting prizes went to france and italy. both are paying tribute to those risking their lives in the mediterranean. translation: i would like to dedicate this award to all the splendid people who are at sea to

rescue other human beings who are fleeing from situations. thank you. long live humanity and long live love. long live at the joker a great night for comic books and the films they inspire. once dismissed, now honoured. a day before local elections, moscow has been marking its annual ‘city day‘ with celebrations, including what is being claimed as a new highwire—walking record. seven skywalkers took part from russia, germany, france and canada. they performed on a 250 metre cable strung between two skyscrapers — 350 metres in the air. the organisers said it beat the previous record by 100 metres. it marked 872 years

since the foundation of the city of moscow. that is it for now. you can reach me on twitter. hello, after a fine start, sunday will continue on a similar note for most but there are some changes on the way. this view from northern ireland came on saturday. we expect more cloud on sunday because most of us more cloud on sunday because most of us stay under this finger of high pressure giving us sunny spells but this low pressure is moving into it in western scotland and northern ireland. most will start sunday clear and chilly. temperatures in single figures and close to freezing in the coldest parts of eastern scotla nd in the coldest parts of eastern scotland and north—east england where a touch of frost is possible to begin the day. it is chilly on the start line of the great north run in the morning, but after that with a mixture of cloud and sunshine, the temperature not going

up sunshine, the temperature not going up too far, too quickly, perfect conditions for running. good luck to eve ryo ne conditions for running. good luck to everyone taking part. for the rest, sunday is looking at this, wales, england, eastern scotland, lots of sunshine and patchy cloud. may an isolated shower and also to the coast of east anglia and the far east of kent but most stay dry. another nine, northern and western scotland, because of the weather front it is cloudier and your main encounter is like rain and drizzle. not amounting to too much. temperatures similar to what we had on saturday,. anyone hoping for rain on saturday,. anyone hoping for rain on the final day of the test match at old trafford will be disappointed. another cool but dry day is on the way. but there is some rain moving in. but it‘s coming in on sunday night and into monday, as the system comes in from the atlantic. so, as it comes and it brings in more cloud so there will

bea brings in more cloud so there will be a milder start on monday morning with the exception of eastern parts of england overnight and it is still quite chilly here to win the day. during monday we go to take outbreaks of rain a little further east, but more persistent and heavy at times into wales, south—west england and not much reaching eastern part of england. as for the temperatures, around about the mid—teens, it is going to be a cooler feeling day. the mid—teens, it is going to be a coolerfeeling day. the weather system dies a death on tuesday but this is what is left of hurricane dorian, getting close to iceland. with trailing weather fronts coming into the uk, nothing to worry about from that. yes, there will be rain and the winds will pick up as well and the winds will pick up as well and there will be further weather systems coming on as we go deeper into the week. wet at times, not all the time and turning windy, perhaps a little bit warmer towards the end of the week.

this is bbc news. the headlines: a senior member of the british government has resigned over brexit, in a new blow to the prime minister, borisjohnson. amber rudd called mrjohnson‘s expulsion of 21 conservative mps from the party for voting against his brexit policy in parliament ‘an assault on decency and democracy.‘ president trump has cancelled peace talks with the taliban after a deadly attack in kabul, revealing that he‘d been due to hold a secret meeting with leaders of the group at camp david on sunday. a us envoy to afghanistan had reached a draft peace deal with the militant group last week. the canadian teenager, bianca andreescu, has beaten serena williams to win us open women‘s singles title. the nineteen—year old won her maiden grand slam title after beating williams six—three, seven—five. she becomes canada‘s first grand slam champion. there are growing concerns about the number of young people