this is bbc news. the headlines at 8: hundreds more people are urged to leave their homes in lincolnshire because of flooding brought on by heavy rain. going around to people, knocking on the door and then dropping sandbags, just basically helping people and doing what we can do. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, the british—iranianjailed in iran, begins a new hunger strike in protest against her imprisonment. her husband gives his full backing. i said, well, if you are going on a hunger strike i think it's time that i should as well. i'm not going to leave you alone in it. police are investigating after three people were killed in separate attacks in london in the last 2a hours. a mass is held at notre—dame cathedral for the first time

since a fire destroyed the roof and spire two months ago. and four—time tour de france winner chris froome posts this picture from his hospital bed and says he's fully focused on getting back to his best after his high—speed crash. with the cricket world cup in full swing, we meet the kings of kabul — the team from afghanistan hoping to transform their lives through sport. that's here on bbc news in half an hour's time. good evening. hundreds more people have had to leave their homes due to severe flooding in wainfleet in lincolnshire. two months of rain has fallen on the area in just two days.

the raf was deployed after fears that repairs to banks of the river steeping were giving way. from there, luxmy gopal has sent this report. from the air, you can see the vast extent of the flood waters, the river steeping swollen after two months of rain fell in two days. more flooding is expected, and around 600 homes have been evacuated. this is the second time rebecca and jodie have had to move. you have got where all the electrics have to dry out, because you can't put them back on, so it is like being in emergency accommodation that you are going to be setting up a new home, when you know that your home is under water. and it is so hard. it is horrible. the environment agency says the river could breach at points where its flood defences are vulnerable. an raf chinook returned today to help shore up the bank. it is this stretch of the river steeping

that is expected to burst its banks, and that is why the raf chinook behind me has been flying back and forth with bags of sand and gravel to try to plug any breach. volunteers have travelled for miles to help the flood defence operations. for the past three days, we have just had to rescue a 97—year—lady, as i say, just drop in sand bags on the door, dropping sandbags, just basically helping people, doing what we do. emergency crews will continue to monitor the river levels, but for now residents don't know when they or their families, four—legged or otherwise, will be able to return home. luxmy gopal, bbc news, wainfleet. earlier, i spoke to the local mp matt warman. he told me he had spoken to the environment secretary, michael gove, about the situation and has been promised help. what michael's said is that anything that the environment agency wants,

or the armed services want, we will have. and if i'm honest, that is what has been delivered so far. we're currently building one of the biggest pumps in the country. we've got two of them here — the sort of thing that was used at the somerset levels to start hopefully pumping some of the water away. extraordinary weather like this is nothing new. it's becoming a regular occurrence. for many of the residents, it would be nice if there weren't flooded in the first place. is the government and your party going to look at the wider picture when it comes to these floods? i think we have to see what could have been done better. for here, that means primarily saying, could the banks of the river steeping have been better maintained so that there weren't breaches? ultimately, we did have an extraordinary amount of water, two months' worth in two days — that is an extraordinary amount of rain. it's reasonable to say that a system has to be able to cope with extreme events, but we do have to look at what more

we could do to enhance the system that we have so that it could have coped with a really extreme event like what we've seen over the last few days. when you read that three raf chinook helicopters dropped 27i—tonne bags of ballasts to repay the bank of the river and then had to return, as that wasn't holding the water back, it does leave you wondering if this took the local rescue services and emergency services and authorities by surprise. would that be an unfair assessment, in your view, matt? from what i've seen, i think that would be unfair. this time yesterday, we were very confident, the experts were very confident that they had more than done enough. they've been cautious and overcompensated, if you like, and what happened over the next few hours was that the edges of the repairs that they had done started to look like they were not going to hold, and so they took again a cautious approach to try and see if more needed to be done,

and those repairs did then hold. it's sensible to take that approach and put the investment... sorry, you can hear some rather noisy kit coming past. it's normal to take that approach does a better safe than sorry. you are right, obviously and could more of it have been done on day one, but we have seen huge amounts of resources put into this area by the environment agency taking a better safe than sorry approach. and we'll find out how these story — and many others — are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30pm this evening in the papers — our guests joining mew tonight are broadcaster, penny smith and john rentoul, chief political commentator, independent.

police are investigating after 3 people were killed in separate attacks in london. a man in his 30s died after being stabbed in tower hamlets earlier this afternoon. it follows the deaths of 2 teenagers yesterday evening. it comes after police made 14 arrests following 4 separate attacks in london which left 2 teenagers dead and 3 men injured in the space of 12 hours. elena noel is a mentor the co—chair of the anti—knife crime forum for southwark borough. anyone that knows the southwark borough knows it is a hotspot, it is a problem. why is it a hotspot for the knife crime? goodness! there are lots of good things to say about southwark. but there is disadvantage, lack of opportunity, lack of employment, young people

feel very disengaged, they feel excluded, and they want the things that other people have, they lack education, contacts and networks. and they see their friends on the streets dying and are angry. has criminality and gang crime become a normality in impoverished areas? i am notjust normality in impoverished areas? i am not just talking normality in impoverished areas? i am notjust talking about london. as you know, sections have been placed on nearly all major towns and cities in the uk which will stay in place as far as the home office is content for the next year. normality? i will never want to see knife crime and violence being a normality, but young people are terrified, parents are terrified, they want solutions and answers. and it should not be a normality, they want to be safe unlike other people but, for some,

it isa unlike other people but, for some, it is a normality. did they come to people like yourself and say, i won out? yes, i am entering someone who has donejust out? yes, i am entering someone who has done just that and has been out now. . . has done just that and has been out now... and there are many young people, some who have we heard about the news and others, myself and my collea g u es the news and others, myself and my colleagues talk about, who want out but unfortunately do not know the way out and do not have any connections to get them out because of the situations and violence they are in. but there are lots of community organisations such as the anti—knife crime forum, there are many positive charities who are on very small amounts of funding and supported by the local council, southwark does a lot, to support young people and organisations to achieve change. i remember reporting

on the stabbing... understanding of dharma lola taylor. i also remember reporting on the death of a young qpr, his father is now a campaigner and outreach worker, that was a long time ago. that was 2000. has anything changed ? time ago. that was 2000. has anything changed? what i am saying and asking for, i will be really honest with you. there has been a lot of focus on activities on the street. i have been saying for almost 20 years, what needs to happen is a programme that gives young people proper employment, opportunities, networks to change their lives around. and hope. so i wa nt to their lives around. and hope. so i want to see corporate companies in southwark, across london in the uk, iam southwark, across london in the uk, i am deliberately putting that

call—out now, a different mindset needs to happen for use on the street and the perception of black youths on the street. what you are asking for is the basic right of every child, which is an education inajob? so every child, which is an education in a job? so why in areas where you work are children not getting an education and not getting a job?m isa education and not getting a job?m is a particular mindset about what youths involved in crime can achieve. as someone who has mentored young people who are on the fringes of knife crime and violence and those that have been seriously involved in it, they are some of the brightest, most intelligent young people that i have met. is it because they are born into an impoverished area, the colour of their skin? it is all of those issues. it is also about the policy that has been made as well. i said 20 years ago, i want a policy in the

process in place that gives young people those very rites we have been speaking about. employment, youths on the street say to me, if they had a job on the street say to me, if they had ajob and training on the street say to me, if they had a job and training and someone who could support them through that journey, keep them on the straight, ta ke journey, keep them on the straight, take them off the street at night time, take away that nocturnal lifestyle... is that not the responsibility of parents as well? absolutely, some parents do need help and support and it is identifying them, identifying them at the right time, projects do that, many projects in southwark in london are engaging parents, but parents alone, some parents have to do three jobs, low income, to support their families. in my view, it needs more ofa families. in my view, it needs more of a governmental commitment for

about ten years to bring in a multi—agency approach as we have had in scotland to assist that and reduce crime. wouldn't it be nice if we are not having this conversation again in18 years' we are not having this conversation again in 18 years' time? some of the youths i have been working with their parents, positive change has happened. keep up the good work, you area happened. keep up the good work, you are a wonderful person. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, the british—iranian mother jailed in iran on spying charges, has begun a new hunger strike in protest at her imprisonment. she's been held since 2016 and denies any wrongdoing. her move comes at a time of escalating tension with the united sates accusing iran of a series of attacks on oil tankers in the gulf of oman. our world affairs correspondent, caroline hawley, reports. these are the moments before nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe's arrest more than three years ago at tehran airport. she thought she was heading home with her young daughter when she was approached by iran's revolutionary guard then

accused of espionage than sentenced to five years in jail in a case that has been called a mockery of justice. just a few days earlier, they'd been enjoying a holiday together with herfamily in iran. hello, sweetheart! today in london, friends and relatives gathered to celebrate gabriella's fifth birthday, with her on the phone from tehran. # happy birthday, gabriella # happy birthday to you... but richard ratcliffe won't be eating the cake himself as hejoins his wife in solidarity on an open—ended hunger strike. she called him from jail this morning to say she'd started to refuse food. she had been quite tense and distressed and angry in previous phone calls, distraught. actually, today she was quite calm, she'd made the decision, she'd sent a letter due

to the judiciary, and she was quite nervous, but also calm. this is a desperate move by an ordinary couple caught up in extraordinarily complex international politics. their case is intricately connected to the difficult relationship between the uk and iran — a relationship that has got even more fraught. two days ago, two oil tankers were attacked in the gulf of oman, one of the busiest waterways in the world. the us and britain are blaming iran, tehran denies any involvement, the labour party says the evidence behind it is not clear, but it has dramatically ratcheted up tensions in the region. our message to iran is, whatever the disagreements you might have with the united kingdom, there is an innocent woman at the heart of this, she just wants to get back together with her daughter, gabriella, to reunite that family, please show that you have humanity, show that you have a heart, let nazanin come home. this morning, jeremy hunt met richard ratcliffe.

he has praised the family's bravery, but there is concern that the latest trouble in the middle east will do nothing to solve his wife's plight, as they embark on a joint hunger strike aimed at bringing their family back together. caroline hawley, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news: hundreds of homes have been evacuated because of flooding in lincolnshire brought on by heavy rain. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, the british—iranianjailed in iran, has begun a new hunger strike in protest against her imprisonment. police are investigating after three people were killed in separate attacks in london in the last 2a hours. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. evening, there are two matches at the cricket world cup today, and despite some awful weather

around the country, both have been relatively unscathed. australia have moved to the top of the standings after an 87 run victory over sri lanka at the oval. it sounds one—sided but for a while sri lanka looked like they might chase down the australian target of 335 but they lost their last seven wickets for 42 runs. craig templeton reports. time to make amends. but it was a stuttering start from david warner which quickly coughed to a halt. his opening partner aaron finch that was looking much better neck. finch eventually fell for 153, the highest score by an australian any world cup. the target was still an imposing 355. a target that shall anchor set about chasing with pace

and decision, 50. he felt three shots short of this century and shall anchor needed him to stay in because the mitchell starc started doing what he does, and sri lanka could not handle the pace. pat cummins had the final say, but it is 110w cummins had the final say, but it is now australia who lead the way. despite the rain, south africa got their first win of the tournament against afghanistan. imran tahir took 4 wickets as the afghans were bowled out for 125. in reply, the south african opening pair of hashim amla and quinten de kock put on a century partnership as they eased to their revised target of 127. this is how the world cup table looks . australia top with 8 points from their 4 wins out of five matches. it's day seven at the women's world cup in france,

as we head towards to business end of the tournament. today, the netherlands secured their place in the last 16 with a game to spare after beating cameroon 3—1. with a double for arsenal's vivianne miedema, making her her country's all—time record goalscorerer. paul frostick reports. first a0 minutes of benevolence and cameroon‘s first meeting was unforgettable but after an uninspiring start the match exploded into life. —— benevolence. the european champions finally showed their class. they barely had time to celebrate though, less than three minutes later the equaliser, a perfectly timed run exposing the dutch defence. after the break, it was cameroon who were caught sleeping, this time another arsenal player with the easiest of goals.

cameroon had their chances to make it 2-2 but cameroon had their chances to make it 2—2 but this was to be vivian's day, her 60th international goal sending them through to the last 16, and making her the country's all—time top scorer. that game under way, still goalless after 18 minutes there was a big shock in the super league today as bottom side london broncos beat the catalans dragons. rhys williams amongst the try scorers in perpignon, he went over twice. broncos stay bottom but it could prove to be a crucial two points. 30—12 the final score. chris froome says he's focused on getting back to his best after his high—speed crash on wednesday. froome suffered a fracture to his neck as well as a broken leg, hip, elbow and ribs, the collision occurred during a practice ride before stage four of the criterium du dauphine. froome has released a statement today. he has thanked his supporters and

his medical staff. that's all the sport for now. rivals competing to be the next leader of the conservative party and prime minister have dismissed suggestions they should withdraw and allow an uncontested coronation for the frontrunner, borisjohnson. they've been campaigning for the support of party members at a meeting in london. our political correspondent, nick eardley, was there. blink and you'll miss him, boris johnson arrives at the first leadership hustings for tory activists. in here, he told them he is a winner, and he is undoubtedly the man to beat, but his rival say a coronation would be a mistake. that would be a complete disgrace. the public deserve a chance to look at these leaders. mrjohnson‘s opponents insist this is not over. we had a coronation last time, didn't work out well, so let's not make the same mistakes again. michael gove say it's

all to play for. the leadership hustings have been taking place behind closed doors, and that will change tomorrow at the first televised event, when five of the six candidates, minus mrjohnson, will attend, but ultimately those standing for the leadership know that it is people like the ones here, party activists, that they have to convince. do you think the wider membership are listening, or it is boris and that is it? no, i think they are listening. it was always going to be boris johnson for me, but i am now not sure who would be the second option. i had thought i was close to making up my mind, but i have got more of an open mind after today. still listening to your pitch? they were, yes! the fight to be our next pm on. the longer this goes on, the more the underdog gets their shot. to beat this man, though, won't be easy. nick eardley, bbc news. do you have any questions

for the next prime minister? on tuesday, bbc one will be hosting a live election hustings between all the candidates left standing for conservative leader, and one of them will be the person who moves in to downing street. their debate will be shaped by your questions, and we're asking you to submit them in advance. e—mail have your say at bbc.co.uk with your question and include your name and contact number if you're interested in asking it live from your local bbc studio. full special coverage, of course, here on the bbc news channel. the exam board edexcel has launched an investigation into how part of an a—level maths paper was leaked online. blacked—out images of two questions were shared on social media ahead of the exam yesterday. pearson, which runs edexcel, said the images were circulated in a very limited way and that pupils would not have to resit the paper.

the health secretary, matt hancock, has ordered what he called a root and branch review of hospital food after two more patient deaths were linked to a listeria outbreak. a total of five people are now known to have died. production has been halted of the sandwiches and salads thought to have caused the outbreak. leigh milner reports. five people have now died after eating hospital sandwiches and salads containing listeria. two lost their lives here at the manchester royal infirmary, another at aintree hospital. it's not yet been revealed where the other two patients died, but public health england has confirmed that seven trusts across the country have been affected. the food standards agency ourself are trying to identify how this could have got into the food chain. that is going to take some time to do. but what we have done is taken steps to make sure that the product is no

longer distributed and therefore the public and the nhs patients are safe. the health secretary, matt hancock, has now called for a review of nhs food. in a statement, he said... listeria typically causes mild food poisoning, but can prove fatal if people are already seriously ill. the first patient affected showed symptoms on the 25th of april. suspect salads and sandwiches were withdrawn on the 25th of may. public health england first warned about the outbreak on the 7th ofjune. the good food chain, which is being linked to the outbreak, has since voluntarily ceased production. as investigations continue, public health england insist any risk to the public remains low. leigh milner, bbc news. the leader of hong kong has suspended the introduction of a new law that would allow extraditions to mainland china.

the controversial proposals prompted huge street protests, including one last sunday where organisers said more than1 million people took part. from hong kong, rupert wingfield hayes reports. fellow citizens and members of the media... as she stood alone at the podium, carrie lam must have known every pair of eyes in hong kong was watching her. after a week of mass street protests and running battles between protesters and police, would she or wouldn't she back down and drop the widely hated extradition bill? i now announce that the government has decided to suspend the legislative amendment exercise. not a withdrawal, then. so is this just a trick to pacify the protesters? it has nothing to do with an intention or wish to pacify. how could i restore, as fast as possible, the calm in society, and how could i avoid any more law—enforcement officers and ordinary citizens being injured? the fear of more angry protesters

returning to these barricades is what has prompted carrie lam and her administration to make what is clearly a major climb—down. this is not a temporary pause to the extradition bill — this is an indefinite suspension. nevertheless, it may not be enough to prevent very large crowds from coming out here again on sunday for another huge show of discontent. on wednesday, the police just... this young protester and many of his friends will be out there, and possibly thousands more like them. they want the bill completely withdrawn, but for them it is about so much more. we don't trust the government. we don't need a small victory. we want to cancel the bill, but not temporarily. and i don't want to see hong kong to be invaded by a totalitarian government. the problem for passionate young hong kongers like this is that communist china isjust 16 miles

away across the harbour. somehow, they're going to have to learn to live with that fact. rupert wingfield—hayes, bbc news, in hong kong. amanda knox has spoken of the pain of what she called being tried by the media over the murder of the british student meredith kercher in italy in 2007. an emotional ms knox told a conference in modena that she feared being attacked and even charged again. it is ms knox's first trip to italy since being cleared of the murder afterfour years injail. the italian film and opera director franco zeffirelli has died at the age of 96. in a career which spanned over 60 years, some of his best known work included the taming of the shrew starring elizabeth taylor and richard burton, and hamlet with mel gibson and glenn close. lizo mzimba looks back at his life. operatic music

franco zeffirelli made his name as an opera director, on stage and occasionally on—screen. opera taught him how to deal with highly strung and highly talented performers. it is a simple as that, holding their hands. really dealing with vulnerable people. very charming little kids. they can't believe their luck and they are afraid. his experience proved useful when he made a film with a famously temperamental couple — richard burton and elizabeth taylor. his film version of romeo and juliet was nominated for an oscar but was controversial.

olivia hussey, then just 15, appeared topless. franco zeffirelli, who'd started out as a stage and screen designer, was sometimes attacked for self—indulgence and for sentimentality. but jesus of nazareth, made for television, showed a different and more austere side to his work. if my kingdom were of this world, my followers would have fought to prevent me from being captured. in 200a, he was given an honorary knighthood. he had always been an anglophile. in terms of the country i would like to see married with my country, with italy. and i managed to make this marriage happen with my work. such a traditional honour meant a lot to a director renowned