a british—iranian woman imprisoned for three years in iran begins a new hunger strike in protest against being jailed. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe was convicted of spying, which she denies. the foreign secretary has urged iran to release her. whatever the disagreements you may 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. it comes as a series of attacks on oil tankers in the region has further strained diplomatic relations with iran. flooding forces hundreds more people from their homes in lincolnshire after two months of rain falls in two days. after a week of mass protests in hong kong, its government backs down from plans to allow extraditions to mainland china.

and the italian film and opera director franco zeffirelli has died at the age of 96. good evening. 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 states, backed by the uk, accusing iran of a series of attacks on oil tankers in the gulf of oman. iran denies any involvement. 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 guards, then accused of espionage and sentenced to five years in jail in a case that's been called a mockery of justice. # wind the bobbin up... # just a few days earlier, they'd been enjoying a holiday together with herfamily in iran. happy birthday! hello, sweetheart! today in london, a celebration for gabriella's fifth birthday, with her on the phone from tehran. # happy birthday to you. # can you blow it out? but no cake for richard ratcliffe, as hejoins his wife on an open—ended hunger strike. she called him from jail this morning. so previous phone calls, she'd been quite tense and sort of stressed and angry and, you know, distraught. actually, today she was quite calm, you know, she'd made the decision, she said she sent her letter due to thejudiciary,

so it's now started, and nervous is how she sounded on the phone, but also calm, and we'll see how things go. 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's just got even more fraught. last month, the us sent an aircraft carrier and warplanes to the gulf, within striking distance of iran. the military build—up came a year after donald trump unilaterally withdrew from a key agreement with iran to curb its nuclear ambitions. tensions have escalated further with a series of recent attacks on oil tankers, including this on thursday in the gulf of oman, one of the world's busiest waterways. the us quickly blamed iran, and britain followed suit. iran categorically denies involvement and has been angered by the british stance. our message to iran is, whatever the disagreements you may 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's praised the family's bravery, but there's 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. our political correspondent ben wrightjoins me now. it isa it is a difficult balancing act for the government, this, in dealing with iran. it really is, a complex diplomatic situation has become more fraught. on the one hand, you have the foreign office appealing for the immediate release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. on the other, the uk saying there is almost certain

evidence, proof that iran or the iranian military was in some way responsible for the attack on those two oil tankers. and that has angered the iranians. today there was a meeting between the british ambassador in tehran and an official at the foreign ministry there, and we understand that iranians displeasure was made quite clear to the ambassador. at the us and uk are pretty certain that the intelligence shows iran is culpable, they believe that. not so jeremy corbyn, shows iran is culpable, they believe that. not sojeremy corbyn, the labour leader, who tweeted today that without credible evidence, the government's rhetoric could increase the threat of war. now, that prompted a huge political spat today, with the foreign secretary, jeremy hunt, calling jeremy corbyn anti—american, called the comments pathetic, predictable, another tory leadership candidates have piled in, but shadow foreign secretary emily thornberry said that the uk had to be really careful about what it does next. there ok, ben, thank you.

almost 600 more homes have been evacuated due to serious flooding at wainfleet in lincolnshire. two months of rain has fallen there in just two days. the raf was deployed after fears that repairs to banks of the river steeping were giving way. from wainfleet, luxmy gopal 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've got where all the electrics have to dry out, because you can't put them back on. so it is finding the emergency accommodation that you are going to be setting basically a new home up, when you know your home's underwater. and it's so hard. sorry. the environment agency says the river could breach at points where its flood defences are vulnerable. an raf chinook has returned today

to help shore up the bank. it's this stretch of the river steeping that's expected to burst its banks, and that's 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. been out for the past three days, we've just had to rescue a 97—year—old lady. as i say, we'rejust dropping sand bags off, rescuing people, knocking on the door, making sure we can... dropping sandbags, just basically helping people, doing what we can 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. the leader of hong kong has suspended the introduction of a new law that would allow extraditions to mainland china. the controversial proposals have led to huge street protests.

last sunday, it's said more than a million people took to the streets, and another protest was planned for tomorrow. awarning — rupert wingfield—hayes' report from hong kong does contain flash photography. 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 is just

16 miles away across the harbour. somehow they are going to have to learn to live with that fact. rupert wingfield—hayes, bbc news, in hong kong. police have made 14 arrests after five separate attacks in london which left three men dead and three others injured in the space of 2a hours. on friday afternoon, two teenagers were killed in separate incidents in wandsworth and plumstead. a man in his 30s died after he was stabbed in tower hamlets on saturday afternoon. public health england has sought to reassure people after two more patient deaths were linked to a listeria outbreak, saying the overall risk is low. a total of five people are now known to have died. the health secretary, matt hancock, has ordered what he called a "root and branch" review of hospital food. leigh milner reports. two people have died at the manchester royal infirmary, another at aintree hospital, after eating sandwiches and salads containing listeria. it's not yet been revealed

where two other patients died. listeria is a bacterium which typically causes mild food poisoning but can prove fatal if people are already seriously ill. tanya marsden from ashford in kent was at the william harvey hospital having treatments for crohn‘s disease when she became infected with listeria. listeria can be fatal, and that obviously is what's playing on my mind now. i worry about whether there's any lasting implications for me, particularly because my immune system is so suppressed at this moment in time. eight trusts have been affected, but we've not been told which ones. i asked dr yvonne doyle from public health england why. the full details of the investigation and the trusts involved will be available next week. the reason we haven't put that out now is that the clinicians have asked us to give them some time to have those discussions with the patients who are alive

and with the relatives of those who have deceased. well, the health secretary, matt hancock, has called for a review of nhs food. in a statement, he says he's deeply concerned about the issue and strongly believes that a new, radical approach is needed into the way food is served in the nhs. the good food chain, which is being linked to the outbreak, has voluntarily ceased production. as investigations continue, public health england insist any risk to the public remains low. leigh milner, bbc news. 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, boris johnson. they've been campaigning for the support of party members at a meeting in london. our political correspondent nick eardley was there, and his report does contain flashing imagery. blink and you'll miss him — boris johnson arrives at the first leadership hustings for tory activists. in here, he told them he's a winner,

and he's undoubtedly the man to beat, but his rivals say a coronation would be a mistake. that would be a complete disgrace. the public deserve the chance to look at these leaders. mrjohnson‘s opponents insist this isn't over. we had a coronation last time, it didn't work out well, so let's not make the same mistakes again. jeremy hunt insists he can shock everyone and come from behind to win. michael gove agrees it's all still to play for. the leadership hustings so far have been taking place behind closed doors. that will change tomorrow with the first televised event, at which five of the six candidates, minus mrjohnson, will attend. but ultimately those standing for the leadership know that it's people like the ones here, party activists, that they have to convince. do you think the wider membership are listening, or it's boris and that's it? no, i think they are listening, i think they are listening. it always, always, always was going to be borisjohnson for me, but i'm now...less sure who would be the second option.

i had thought i was close to making up my mind, but i've now got a bit more of an open mind after today. i mean, i'd vote raab, i must say, given the chance, but it's going to be boris. are members still listening to your pitch, mr hunt? they were, yes! the fight to be our next pm goes 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. the italian film and opera director franco zeffirelli has died at the age of 96. he was twice nominated for an oscar and is perhaps best known for his adaptations of shakespeare's works. he's said to have died peacefully after a long illness. nick higham looks back at his life. operatic music franco zeffirelli made his name as an opera director, on stage and occasionally on film.

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, really charming little kids that can't believe their luck, and they are afraid. will thou take petruchio to be thy lawful wedded husband? his experience proved useful when he made a film with a famously temperamental couple, richard burton and elizabeth taylor. i will not...! his film version of romeo and juliet was nominated for an oscar, but it was controversial. olivia hussey, then just 15, appeared topless. 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 2004, he was given an honorary knighthood. he'd always been an anglophile. i think about england in terms of the country that i would like to see married with my country, italy. and i managed, you know, one way or other, to make this marriage happen with my work and my association with british talent. and such a traditional honour meant a lot to a director renowned for his love of formality, opulence and beauty. franco zeffirelli, who has died at the age of 96. you can see more on all of today's stories on the bbc news channel. that's all from me, good night.

evening. we start with the cricket world cup as australia move to the top of the standings after an 87—run victory over sri lanka at the oval. in the day's other match, south africa recorded their first victory of the competition with a comfortable win over afghanistan. adam wild was watching. blue skies above the overall, the site also like the fans have been waiting to see. their last two world cup matches have been a wash—out and now finally their moment to shine. but if the rain was not spoiling their day the reigning champions we re their day the reigning champions were trying to. australia and in

particular the captain aaron finch was taking aim at those guys are making hay. his century swift and unforgiving. but with steve smith navigating away from the other end, the pair were putting on quite the performance, but after they departed australia lost their way, confusion run out, sri lanka suddenly finding a little hope. it would take a record run chase to get there, but with a start like this there seemed more than a chance that they might just do it. but how quickly the mood can change. the difference between australia and other sites is so often stark, four wickets for mitchell starc and australia finally on top and with victory on top of the world cup table. if that is a familiar sight, so too with this tournament is this, rain in cardiff. but would afghanistan finally resumed, they might have wished they hadn't. a batting collapse left them

all out for 125, south africa no problems reaching that for their first win and the forecast for them at least appearing a little brighter. one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the world cup is at old trafford on sunday — india against pakistan. our sports correspondent, andy swiss, has been with the teams. welcome to old trafford, where i am afraid it is an all too familiar scene at this cricket world cup. once again, the rain has been pouring down, hardly ideal preparations for india and pakistan although india did get some time out in the nets earlier on ahead of what is one of the biggest rivalries in world sport. just to give you an idea, there were more than 500,000 ticket applications for this game — in other words, they could have sold out old trafford more than 20 times, and it is estimated there could be a tv audience around the world of1 billion people. remember, india and pakistan rarely

play each other outside of major tournaments like this because of the political tensions between the two countries, so that only adds to the anticipation, and not surprisingly both teams are looking forward to it. there's always pressure in any game. these games carry the same amount of points, two points. there is a massive hub created by the media. we are prepared, ready, comfortable, we can get out there and perform, and we are so excited about the opportunity tomorrow. any game that you play for your country can be emotional, adrenaline—filled. no one game is more important or more special than the other. as cricketers who have been selected to play for their country, our responsibility is to treat every game equally because you have to be committed to play for your country.

putting all the excitement to one side, india will start as the favourites tomorrow. they are unbeaten in this world cup so far. they had one of the best batsmen in the world in virat kohli. as for pakistan, they have never beaten india in a cricket world cup match, they have only won one of their four matches so far in this tournament, but as they showed in their victory over england, when they do click, they are capable of doing something very special indeed. the only other big factor is the weather. there is the threat of more showers here tomorrow afternoon, but fingers crossed we will get to see what could be one of the matches of this world cup. it's day 7 at the women's world cup in france as we head towards the 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. the first a0 minutes of the netherlands and cameroon‘s first meeting was unforgettable, but after an uninspiring start, the match exploded into life. the european champions finally showed their class as vivianne miedema found the targets. 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 vivianne miedema's day, her 60th international goal sending them through to the last 16 and making of

the country's all—time top scorer. canada are also through to the knockout stage after they beat new zealand 2—0. both goals coming in the second half — jessie fleming breaking the deadlock straight after the break thanks to the pace of michelle prince, who went on to score the second for canada. theyjoin england in the last 16 after their victory over argentina yesterday. it means the lionesses have won both their opening games at a world cup for the first time. here's our correspondent katie gornall. today the england players will be reflecting on that game at le havre and feeling pleased that they were able to get the job done with a game to spare. it had all the ingredients for being a frustrating evening for them in le havre. argentina defend deep, they are physical, they have already taken a point offjapan, and in this game their goalkeeper was having the game of her life, saving a penalty.

jodie taylor came to the rescue after finishing off a slick move. that was her first goal in 1a months. it was enough to put england through with a game to spare. afterwards, players were talking about it, steph houghton said it was about putting in a disciplined performance. going into this game today, we knew it would be a tough test, argentina would be physical, well organised and hard to break down. we had to show some patience and we did that. it could have been even more than one goal, but it does not matter, we just wanted to get the three points and qualify for the round of 16 and look forward to playing japan. the england players that did not play last night trained this morning in le havre. good news from the camp is that toni duggan took part. she has missed the first couple of games with a thigh injury. now they will travel for the final game in the group againstjapan. still plenty to play for even though

they are through to the knockout stages because a point or a win againstjapan will see them top the group and have a more favourable route in the last 16. they could avoid the likes of canada and the netherlands, for example. they will want to top the group. the third round of the us open is underway at pebble beach. the leaders teeing off in the next half an hour. england's justin rose is in the final pairing with gary woodland, the american who tops the leaderboard by two strokes. earlier, i asked our golf correspondent iain carter who is at pebble baech whether woodland can maintani that lead. if you think back to the pga championship of last year, he was in a very similar position and faded away but he says he has learnt an awful lot from that. he brings a lot of momentum into this third round today given the way he finished later on yesterday. three birdies in the last five holes, a monster putt

on that closing hole, and of course that gives an awful lot of confidence going forward but he needs to adapt that into what will bea needs to adapt that into what will be a very testing circumstance, the us open, and of course the greens will get harder as the week and goes on. a big test for gary woodland, nine under par, two shots clear of the field. we know that justin rose is capable? absolutely. justin rose has won a us open before, he has done on a classic well in 2013. but rory mcilroy is another big threat out there at five under par with just four shots behind. this is the most comfortable i have seen him at the us open since 2011 and that was of course when he won his first major title back at congressional. it was a very soft wet golf course on that occasion, this will be firmer to the weekend, still

overcast and chilly, but he is planting his chances over the weekend. 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. don't forget you can listen to live commentary of the us open on bbc radio 5 live sports extra from 10:a5. that's all the sport for now. more in the next hour. ona day on a day where there has been frequent showers and longer spells of rain, let's find some sunshine. lyme regis this afternoon when the places which manage to find sunshine for a few hours. the scene was frequent showers, longer spells of rain. through the midlands and northern england, we see those showers merging to give a longer speu showers merging to give a longer spell of rain as a frontal system

has worked its way eastwards across the uk. frequent showers across northern ireland, northern and western scotland. they continue across northern and western scotland overnight. elsewhere, they will tend to fade before showers return across wales, southern and western england later in the night, clear skies elsewhere in temperature 6—9dc. holding up in double figures across wales and southern england. as we going to sunday, high pressure is tantalisingly close but we are still under the influence of this area of low pressure and another frontal system working its way across which will introduce more showers across much of england and wales to the day, some of them heavy and thundery, more showers across northern ireland and western and northern scotland, eventually working their way eastwards. it looks like parts of east anglia in south—east england single in the way of sunshine to the afternoon, gusty winds though associated with those showers and a rumble of thunder embedded in the heavier ones. in the

sunshine, 21 celsius. where we have the showers, mid—teens. we keep the show was going to the evening and overnight. once again, they will fade but we keep some lingering across north—west england into northern ireland and parts of western scotland as well. as we go into monday, we have this area of low pressure to the north—west of the uk keeping the showers close by across scotland and northern ireland. showers on monday across wales, northern and north—west england, where the south and east mainly dry with spells of sunshine but some of the showers across scotla nd but some of the showers across scotland and northern ireland on monday could well be heavy and thundery, slow—moving as well bringing rain in a short amount of time. 20 or 21 celsius where we get the sunshine, mid to high teens. many of us will see a respite on tuesday, spells of sunshine, a few showers scattered around, heavy rain overnight into wednesday.

hello, this is bbc news. we'll be taking a look at tomorrow morning's papers in a moment.