today at five — britain has raised the threat level for uk shipping in iranian waters in the gulf to its highest level. it comes as a royal navy warship warned off iranian gunboats — which were trying to intercept a british tanker in the straits of hormuz. obviously very concerning developments but i am also proud of the royal navy and the role they played in keeping british assets, british shipping safe. we'll be discussing the growing tensions in the gulf with the former chief of the royal navy admiral lord west. the other main stories on bbc news at 5. a public inquiry concludes this father of two was shot dead after a catastrophic series of failings by greater manchester police. tommy robinson — founder of the far—right english defence league —

is jailed for nine months for contempt of court. a coroner raises concerns about levels of support for politicians who are sacked — it follows the death of carl sargeant, who killed himself after being dismissed from the welsh cabinet. severe storms in greece kill six tourists, including two children — with more than a hundred others injured. and england on the verge of a place in the cricket world cup final — after a dominant performance against australia at edgbaston. it's five o'clock. our main story. amid rising tensions in the gulf, britain has raised the threat level for uk shipping in iranian waters

to its highest level. it comes as a royal navy warship has been involved in a confrontation with three iranian gunboats that were trying to intercept a british oil tanker. the new advice to shipping includes travelling during daylight hours and at a faster pace. our defence correspondent jonathan beale reports. iran's revolutionary guard regularly patrol the narrow waterways in and around the strait of hormuz. a major highway for oil and international shipping. these pictures, taken earlier this year of an iranian exercise, show the type of fast boat that harassed a british tanker last night in what is being viewed as an attempt to seize it. the tanker, british heritage, was entering the strait of hormuz from the gulf when it was approached by three armed, fast iranian boats. the incident began near the disputed

island of abu musa, claimed by iran. british officials say the iranian boats tried to force the tanker to change course into iranian waters but a royal navy warship rushed to its aid, positioning herself right next to the tanker and exporting her to safety. the frigate, hms montrose, was already there providing reassurance. an american military surveillance aircraft above watched and filmed the incident. the us said hms montrose trained its weapons on the iranian boats. the mod says it issued warnings over the radio. no shots were fired. obviously very concerning developments but also i'm very proud of the royal navy and the role they played in keeping british assets, british shipping safe. we are continuing to monitor the situation very, very carefully. tensions have been rising in the gulf, with iran already accused of targeting

vessels. the us says it was responsible for placing mines on two tankers last month. and then last week, british royal marines seized a tanker off gibraltar loaded with iranian oil, prompting iran's president to issue this warning. translation: you, britain, are the initiator of insecurity and you will realise the consequences later. now you are so hopeless that when one of your tankers wants to move in the region you have to bring your frigates to escort it because you are scared. there is a special place in iranians‘ thoughts for america as the great satan. they always see us as the little satan and they always feel that they lose face if they back down against either us or the united states, so i think it is an ongoing issue. america, which has taken a much harder line on iran and its nuclear programme, has already reinforced its military presence in the region. it has sent an aircraft carrier with several warships. the question now is whether britain will have to send more

as well, and would that risk deepening the crisis? as you saw in that report, last week british royal marines helped sieze an iranian oil tanker off gibraltar that was suspected of breaking eu sanctions. well, now police in gibraltar say the captain and chief officer of the tanker have been arrested for breaching sanctions. the grace one is believed to have been transporting iranian oil to syria. police say they have seized documents and electronic devices from the ship. iran has denied that the tanker was heading for syria. our north america correspondend, barbara plett—usher joins us now from washington.

what is the american view because it looks like tension is rising to a dangerous level right now in the golf? we have had a response from saint colm, the military saying that international freedom of navigation requires an international response. —— mike centcom. the global economy relies on free movement and the main response for this, a plug for what the americans have been trying to do, putting together a multinational operation to provide protection for commercial vessels in the gulf. they have been trying to recruit other countries to send vessels to control and escort and so on. we don't know the details of what they have come so the details of what they have come so far but there has been a certain relu cta nce so far but there has been a certain reluctance from countries in asia and europe to participate in such an operation because they don't want to appear hostile to iran or they feel the americans have started this chain of events by pulling out of the nuclear deal to begin with, but

perhaps at this british ship has been targeted that might change some minds. we have just been targeted that might change some minds. we havejust had a been targeted that might change some minds. we have just had a tweet from president trump in which he says it seems the brits, the french and germans are starting to see that iran is up to no good after all. thank you very much. admiral lord west — former first sea lord and chief of naval staffjoins me now from central london. thank you forjoining us. how dangerous do you think this confrontation we saw in the gulf is, with a worship having to warn of three iranian gunboats. with a worship having to warn of three iranian gunboatslj with a worship having to warn of three iranian gunboats. i think it is very dangerous. i am certain that iran and probably the us president don't want a war, because a war would be catastrophic, but both sides are pushing away and the iranians are suffering hugely from the oil sanctions. the fact that 2 billion barrels of oil that they had

hoped to get to syria and get money for isn't going there is a terrible impact for them. they are not able to sell the oil they have and get the money they need, and they are looking at ways of making britain, the eu, probably russia and china, all put pressure on the united states to stop the sanctions, which have happened after trump's disavowal of the agreement. britain, we have heard in the last few minutes, has raised the threat level for uk shipping in iranian waters in the gulf to its highest level. what do you make of that? has that inevitable that the advice is being given? i think it is absolutely timely and i have to say, i was advising that over a week ago, bearing in mind what had already happened, that we should have done that. the number of uk flagged ships in the gulf is not that large. this ship that was threatened today

as a bp tanker, probably only around eight ships with the british flag, maybe if you more, but we do run global shipping from london and an awful lot of the other tankers are involved in insurance in the uk, british firms are involved, so it is very important. it is right we should raise the threat level and we should raise the threat level and we should think about joining should raise the threat level and we should think aboutjoining with allies to escort ships, because clearly they are under threat. we did a similarthing clearly they are under threat. we did a similar thing during the tanker wore during the 1980s which was hotter than this, but there are very real risks that something could escalate. iran has a track record of trying to take hostages, there was the dreadful incident in the northern gulf, and that would not lessen the tension, and we have to be very clear that whilst we want diplomatic efforts and lines of communication, we must have sufficient military, because at the end of the day if they capture a british ship in british

people, or managed to damage your worship, that raises tension to a level that a war might start, and i am very concerned because i think there are factions within israel, and saudi arabia and the united states, who are very misguidedly believe that a large attack, a knockout blow against iranian air bases, etc, would cause a toppling of the government, and it wouldn't. it would lead to the most awful conflict across the middle east with huge unforeseen circumstances. you say british tankers and ships need protection but does the royal navy have a big enough presence to protect all the shipping there is? the answer, the a nswer shipping there is? the answer, the answer is no. we have one ship, the montrose, only a few years ago we had three frigates. the next nearest is the other side of suez. a couple of weeks ago

i suggested that in the old days, the commander—in—chief would start moving ships towards the sound of the guns, not to escalate, but the great joy as you sound of the guns, not to escalate, but the greatjoy as you can move them into the region, you certainly have more ships, but we do not have enough today. we have effectively ate frigates we can deploy and this isa ate frigates we can deploy and this is a great maritime nation and it is a dreadful indictment of successive governments reducing our navy. so we really have to focus, but it is our job to look after them and we must do it. thank you very much indeed. we can take you straight to edgbaston because england, as we we re edgbaston because england, as we were saying, are edgbaston because england, as we were saying, are on edgbaston because england, as we were saying, are on the verge of a place in the cricket world cup final. they have been taking on

australia, the one the ball and chose to bat. three early wickets forjust 14 runs, chose to bat. three early wickets for just 14 runs, england chose to bat. three early wickets forjust 14 runs, england then went into bat and now theyjust need three more runs. we can head to edgbaston amid all the excitement. england have very nearly done it? you will have to tell me when they do it because i know it is very close. three runs to secure their place in the world cup final against new zealand at lord's on sunday. england have been absolutely brilliant, first thing this morning lost the toss, and we thought it would be crucial. australia won it and predictably went into bat but lost three early wickets, finch, warner and hanscombe, and at one point were 14—3. they recovered with steve smith putting on a decent run of 103 and that gave australia a bit of 103 and that gave australia a bit ofa of 103 and that gave australia a bit of a chance. they managed to see off the tail and smith was run out and

then response they were brilliant. jonny bairstow and lloyd put on a partnership of 124. jonny bairstow was lbw by mitchell starc. they wasted that review because jason roy wasted that review because jason roy was at the crease a few moments later. he was bowled by pat cummings and said it caught behind but england wasted that review and he was ushered off back to the pavilion. that is relevant because england about to book their place in the final. they have lost all three previous finals, most recently a 1992. this is the first time they are going to wind a knockout game at are going to wind a knockout game at a world cup in 27 years, since they beat south africa in sydney, 1992. the likes of ian botham playing in that match. you can see the rain coming down now, it won't affect this result, but we were told there would be rain earlier in the day but it wasn't to be and this has been england's day. they will be in

the world cup final. i can hear the fans behind me singing, crickets coming home. we had the torment last summer but the semifinal has been put to bed and england will be in the final. there it is, the cheers behind me. england and that final, sunday, lord's. they have just done it with a boundary there. a fantastic performance by england. they are into that world cup final, as you say, against new zealand, and they will fancy their chances because new zealand were surprise winners against india? absolutely, some fryer crackers going off behind me as the rain continues to come down but what a match that was yesterday on the day before because the semifinal between india zealand went over two days with rain in manchester, and new zealand got to the final last time out against australia and australia

beat them. new zealand are a decent team, rated high up in the rankings, england the number one and australia ranked number one and australia ranked numberfourand number one and australia ranked number four and that showed today. it will be a great final but certainly from an england point of view this is a great chance to get hands on the trophy for the first time. the fireworks going off at edgbaston. england have won by a crushing eight wickets and into the final. thank you. a public inquiry has blamed greater manchester police for a ‘catastrophic‘ series of errors which led to an unarmed man being shot dead. anthony grainger, a 36—year—old father of two from bolton, was in a stolen car in cheshire seven years ago when police shot and killed him with a submachine gun. they believed he was planning an armed robbery. but thejudge heading the inquiry has concluded that the police operation was planned incompetently. our correspondent, danny savage is at liverpool crown

court. very strong condemnation of the tactical firearms unit at greater manchester police surrounding what happened, back in 2012. anthony grainger was happened, back in 2012. anthony graingerwas in happened, back in 2012. anthony grainger was in the front seat of a stolen red audi part in a car park when armed police swept in, boxed in the car and one of the first officers quickly fired a single bullet through the windscreen killing anthony grainger. that police officer believed anthony grainger was reaching for a gun and today thejudge said grainger was reaching for a gun and today the judge said actually it appears he may have been reaching for the door handle at the time, so thatis for the door handle at the time, so that is what led to this long investigation into what went wrong surrounding his death. he was in a stolen car and had a criminal record but there was no intelligence to suggest he had a gun. this is what the chairman of the enquiry had to say today.

i have concluded that greater manchester police is to blame for the death of anthony grainger because it failed to authorise, plan 01’ because it failed to authorise, plan or conduct the firearms operation in such a way as to minimise recourse to the use of lethal force. firearms commanders authorised and planned the operation incompetently and in breach of national guidance. i have made a number of recommendations that i hope to reduce the chance of such a catastrophic series of failings and errors are being repeated. nothing that could be said today will bring him back to his family. many were in court today in tears. they acknowledge that he had a criminal record but theyjust questioned why on earth did he have to be shot that day? they are now taking today's findings forward and will go to the crown prosecution service to see if anyone should face some criminal charges about what happened on that saturday in march

2012. i have been talking to anthony grainger‘s mother about what happened. for seven years foi’ seven years we for seven years we have fought for justice for anthony. it has been a very long and emotional journey justice for anthony. it has been a very long and emotionaljourney to the truth. as a family we are shocked to hear of the dangerous levels of incompetence on the part of gmb. greater manchester police have responded to the findings and they see many changes have already been made locally, regionally and nationally since the death of anthony grainger. they say they will continue to strive to maximise the safety of all policing operations, but perhaps one of the most worrying criticisms directed at greater manchester police today is that he questions whether or not the tactical firearms unit has learned from its mistakes that it made back in 2012 and questions whether a cultural change from within can actually make the difference. he has

questions about whether it is just hotair questions about whether it is just hot air when police say we have learned from our mistakes. that is something greater manchester police will no doubt have to respond to in time, but thejudge will no doubt have to respond to in time, but the judge still questioning the fact whether the firearms unit has actually changed over the last seven years. thank you. labour's deputy leader tom watson has written tojennie formby, the general secretary of the party, expressing deep concerns following the panorama documentary — which heard claims that some ofjeremy corbyn's closest allies tried to interfere in disciplinary processes involving allegations of anti—semitism. labour rejects any claim that the party is anti—semitic. our political reporterjess parker is at westminster for us. how damaging has this programme been for the labour party and what is the fallout from its broadcast last night? one of the immediate fallouts has been comments from

tom watson, he first took to twitter last night to express his dismay about what he saw in the panorama programme and he talked this morning and now he has put his concerns in writing to the general secretaryjennie formby and one of the things he talks about is those people, former officials are used to work for the labour party, making these claims. the labour party has described those individuals is disaffected. tom watson clearly concerned about this. he says the way they have been smeared encoding by labour spokespeople is deplorable. even if some people did not want to hear what they had to say, it is unacceptable what they had to say, it is u na cce pta ble to what they had to say, it is unacceptable to attempt to undermine their integrity and character in this manner. as you mentioned a moment ago, labour have absolutely denied that any senior labour figures tried to interfere in disciplinary processes around cases of anti—semitism, but tom watson also talks about the ongoing

equality and human rights commission enquiry into the labour party and allegations of anti—semitism. he hasn't seen, as the deputy leader, the labour party submission to that enquiry. he addresses that and says, i also feel given the gravity of the allegations, i insist once again that you publish labour‘s contribution to the equality and human rights commission. he says, only son site can cleanse labour of anti—semitism now. we haven't had a response yet from jennie formby, the pa rty‘s response yet from jennie formby, the party's general secretary. we also haven't heard from jeremy corbyn himself, who is facing direct calls again to address this issue from those who are concerned about allegations of anti—semitism. and who want to see stronger disciplinary processes. and until he comes out and speaks about this you will continue to face changes but my questions about what has

gone on. growing numbers of people in england are struggling to get hold of their gp, according to a survey of more than three quarters of a million people. one in three said it was not easy to get through on the phone, with a similar number unhappy with the appointment times available. but the survey showed high satisfaction rates and trust when patients did get an appointment. it comes as the numbers waiting for hospital care in england hit an all—time high, with 4.39 million people waiting for routine treatment in may. this a coroner has called on the welsh government to provide more support for sacked ministers, after ruling that a welsh assembly member killed himself after being dismissed. carl sargeant was found hanged in 2017 after being sacked over claims of inappropriate behaviour towards women. following the hearing, mr sargea nt‘s family criticised the conduct of the former first minister carwynjones. our wales correspondent, tomos morgan is in ruthin for us.

just tell us a bit more about what the coroner has been saying. the coroner came to a formal conclusion of suicide and said the evidence he heard over the course of this inquest clearly showed no arrangements had been put in place to provide support to carl sargeant after his sacking, and that was despite the probability that carwyn jones knew that mr sargent had had a history of mental health vulnerabilities. subsequently, since carl sa rg ea nt‘s vulnerabilities. subsequently, since carl sargeant‘s death, vulnerabilities. subsequently, since carl sargea nt‘s death, the vulnerabilities. subsequently, since carl sargeant‘s death, the now first minister has been safeguarding changes so that any ministers that could be dismissed in any further cabinet reshuffle is would be provided with some sort of safeguarding help, but the coroner says that he still has concerns that future first ministers would provide the same level of care so has written to the welsh government asking for actions to be taken to

prevent further deaths from happening in the welsh government saying they would consider the report carefully and respond in the field. as you mentioned, following the verdict here, the family gave a scathing attack against the former first minister carwynjones. asafamily as a family during these proceedings we have been subject to underhand tactics, delays and opportunism engineered by the former first minister. we recognise the murkiness, the coroner referred to during his summing up. it has also been a thoroughly distressing and dehumanising process and that has added to our heartbreak. for an inquest that is focused on mental health, very little thought has been given to our own mental health. at times it seemed to be forgotten that this was an inquest into the death ofa this was an inquest into the death of a dearly beloved husband, father, son and brother.

instead, it has felt more like a criminal trial. all too often politics has been at play with the sole aim of blackening a dead man's name to protect another. where is the humanity in that? following the coroner's decision here, carwynjones has issued a statement and said, this has been a difficult time for everyone, the family most of all and i offer my deepest condolences for their loss thatis deepest condolences for their loss that is inevitably still incredibly painful. the process is driven an unnatural wedge between people who remain united in their ongoing shock, trauma and grief, adding that nobody wanted this and nobody could have foreseen it. suicide is a shattering experience and i hope some healing can now begin. although this inquest has come to

an end, an investigation is now pending into how carwyn jones investigation is now pending into how carwynjones handled the sacking of carl sargea nt how carwynjones handled the sacking of carl sargeant back in 2017. tommy robinson — founder of the far—right english defence league — has beenjailed for nine months for contempt of court. robinson — whose real name is stephen yaxley—lennon — and seen here arriving at court this morning, was found guilty after a two—day hearing at the old bailey last week. the charges came after he filmed men accused of the sexual exploitation of young girls — and live—streamed the footage on facebook, breaking reporting restrictions. the bbc‘s dominic casiani was in court. this has been a terribly long and complicated saga involving the founder of the english defence league, stephen yaxley—lennon, who goes by the name tommy robinson. it is part of his campaigning against islam and other causes which he says

are of concern. in short, today he has been jailed for nine are of concern. in short, today he has beenjailed for nine months are of concern. in short, today he has been jailed for nine months for two co nte m pt has been jailed for nine months for two contempt over the course of a year. the first in canterbury in 2017 and the second in leeds, the more serious one, last may 2018. the complicating factor is although it is nine months in practice he will only serve about ten weeks in jail because of time already served. he was initially jailed for because of time already served. he was initiallyjailed for all of this last year before the court of appeal released him so the whole case could be reheard. today, victoria sharp, the most senior criminaljudge in england, has been looking after this case and she said while stephen yaxley—lennon's broadcast outside the crown court had disrupted the trial of nine men who were facing sexual grooming gang allegations, it hadn't prejudiced the jury. however, it had impeded the trial, it had effectively disrupted the

proceedings, and the only option open to her was a custodial sentence. an update on the tory leadership contest. the bbc understands that fewer than half of conservative activists have so far returned completed ballots. there had been speculation that most of the party membership would have voted by now. jeremy hunt says that it is still all to play for. time for a look at the weather. here's nick miller with the forecast. summer thunderstorms around particularly in northern and eastern parts of scotland. we have seen one 01’ parts of scotland. we have seen one or two parts of scotland. we have seen one ortwo in parts of scotland. we have seen one or two in north—east england but there are a few showers and it could turn thundery down towards east anglia as we go through the next few hours, but this is where we are seeing the heavier downpours where there could be some disruption in there could be some disruption in the risk of flash flooding. enter tonight, any showers and storms will fade but a few showers in northern scotla nd fade but a few showers in northern scotland and most places dry, and some spots holding on to the mid

teens, so rather warm and muggy night to come. tomorrow, a fine start across much of the uk but we see a few showers, some could be thundery developing, parts of eastern scotland running down through northern and eastern england particularly deeper into the day. elsewhere, variable cloud and sunny spells, a breeze coming down from the north and it will take more of a track towards the north sea coast in the coming days so will cool things compared with what it will be inland, but the temperature in the low 20s and a few spots approaching the mid 20s, so feeling pleasantly warm especially when you get to see some sunshine.

this is bbc news, the headlines. it comes as a royal navy warship warned off iranian gunboats — which were trying to intercept a british tanker in the straits of hormuz very concerning developments but i am very proud of the royal navy and the role they played in keeping british assets and shipping safety. a public inquiry concludes this father of two was shot dead after a catastrophic series of failings by greater manchester police. tommy robinson — founder of the far—right english defence league — is jailed for 9 months for contempt of court. a coroner raises concerns about levels of support

for politicians who are sacked — it follows the death of carl sargeant, who killed himself after being dismissed from the welsh cabinet. severe storms in greece kill six tourists, including two children — with more than a hundred others injured. time for the sport. the fans making their way out of the ground here in birmingham, england fa ns ground here in birmingham, england fans with big smiles on their faces because they have absolutely thrashed their old rivals australia by eight wickets and booked their place in the world cup final. what thatis place in the world cup final. what that is on sunday against new zealand at lord's that is on sunday against new zealand at lords and you would back them to go all the way. england the number one ranked sides, new

zealand number one ranked sides, new zealand number three one above australia. australia won the toss and we thought it would prove a good one because the wicket was looking good, expected to deteriorate later but australia lost three early wickets including their star man at david warner cut byjonny including their star man at david warner cut by jonny bairstow. including their star man at david warner cut byjonny bairstow. they lost peter handscomb as well and at that stage it was 14—3 for australia. steve smith came into the batting line—up and steadied the ship, got australia back into the picture and eventually was run out for 85 but put on a good 103 with alex kerry. england skittled through the australia tale, three wickets for then the england response, and came jason roy and jonny bairstow who

have been so good in recent matches, jonny bairstow eventually going for 34, the decision reviewed lbw and jason roy had three consecutive sixes fell eventually bowled by pat cummings. annoyed he didn't have the review, definitely not out. then eoin morgan and joe root, the one—day captain and test captain got england over the line and into the final, winning by eight wickets, absolutely thrashing the australians and interestingly the ashes start in three weeks you that edgbaston, jason roy put his name into the line—up to open the batting. the one—day team doing really well and you imagine they will give new zealand a really good game at lord's on sunday where they will hope to get their hands on the trophy.

that's all for now, let's go over to wimbledon. it is ladies semifinal day today and serena williams has booked a place into yet another final here, and 11th final for her after winning in straight sets. signs that she is starting to hit peak form at just the right time signs that she is starting to hit peak form atjust the right time as she came through 6—1, 6—2 and going foran she came through 6—1, 6—2 and going for an eighth wimbledon title which would pull her a level with margaret court pots level of 24 grand slam titles which she wants to equal and also move past. this is what she has to say. i need matches and every match i know i am improving and i needed to feel good and i said no that i feel good i can do what i do best which is play tennis. she

has had many matches this year playing alongside andy murray in the mixed doubles, that run is over but it helped her get through to the final she will play simona halep, former world number one and french open champion, she came through equally co mforta bly champion, she came through equally comfortably winning 6—1, 6—3. her first final at wimbledon but her fifth grandson final, a huge improvement when she was not out in the semifinals five years ago. serena williams against simona halep saturday. some british interest today, andrew lapthorne is through to

the quad wheelchair final. but it has not been a good day for the brits saw hopes of further success in the doubles but andrew lapthorne safely through. that is just about it, more on sports day at 630, reflecting on those big talking points today. let's return now to the incident in the gulf today when three iranian vessels attemped to seize a british tanker. relations between iran and the uk, us and other western countries have become increasingly strained in recent weeks. on 12th may four tankers were sabotaged off the coast of the united arab emirates — saudi arabia says two of their ships were "significantly damaged". the us blamed iran. iran blamed "israeli mischief". a month later two tankers were attacked in the gulf of oman.

the us released footage claiming iran was behind the attack. iran reacted saying it was an ‘iranophobic campaign'. last week the british royal marines detained a tanker off the coast of gibraltar, accused of violating eu sanctions by carrying iranian oil bound for syria. yesterday iran's president — hassan rouhani — said the uk would face consequences over the seizure. before three iranian boats attempted to seize a british tanker in the gulf, before being warned off by an accompanying royal navy ship. joining me now from west london — is aniseh bassiri tabrizi a specialist in iran's foreign and domestic policy at the defence and security think tank rusi. thank you for being with us. how dangerous do you think this escalating tension is?

it is not boding well, we have seen the situation worsened over the last two months and before it seemed to be mainly focusing on tensions between iran and the us, we are seeing now tensions are escalating with other countries in the region and also the uk. i think we are seen more and more the gulf and straight off or moves as being one of the key areas where we will see these tensions play out in the coming weeks and oil being one of the main issues that is going to be at stake. what is a run's strategy in this? we know they are under pressure, is that how we are under pressure, is that how we are seeing the sabre rattling in the gulf with a tax on shipping?

from the iranian point of view that has been a change in the calculation at the beginning of may when oil from the us was suspended and sanctions started to bite. i think from the iranian point of view there has been a statement about the fact that if they are not able to sell their oil then it will be more difficult for other countries to do as well. we have seen already in the past few weeks some sort of move from the iranian side to come through of that statement. what we are likely to see from the iranian side is an attempt to use limited room for manoeuvre that they have to try to demonstrate they are not really content with the situation but also notjust really content with the situation but also not just standby and absorb the maximum pressure without doing anything in return. it

is hard to see how this is de—escalated, there is no prospect of any sort of talks between the united states and iran. at the moment there is not. we know the situation is different with regards to the european side and a run. regards to the european side and a i’ui’i. “ regards to the european side and a run. —— iran. we have seen a worsening in recent weeks on the nuclear front but i would not put the disregard the possibility of de—escalation. i think in the end what is important as it seems nobody really wa nts what is important as it seems nobody really wants a direct confrontation to happen and despite the tension and posturing by both sides the measures that have been taken and the statements indicate that what eran really the statements indicate that what era n really wa nts the statements indicate that what eran really wants is to be heard and

to have something in return for its full compliance with the nuclear deal and the maximum pressure campaign to be lifted. i think there is something that can be done in that regard, i think the european supplied a significant role as mediator in the past particularly regarding the nuclear front and they can still try to message between the us and iran but also have a significant role in this case. thank you. six tourists have been killed and at least 30 other people injured in a violent storm that swept across northern greece. such severe weather is unexpected at this time of year in greece — which is why so many people — including authorities were unprepared when it struck in the halkidiki peninsula. freya cole

reports. it's a long stretch from the usual summer sights in greece. beach resorts, torn apart by a short but ferocious storm. as the wild weather took hold of the region, tourists were forced to huddle and take shelter as gale—force winds and heavy rain threatened to pull apart buildings. the storm was sudden. it caught people unaware and unable to escape its path. police say the two elderly czech tourists living inside this motorhome were killed when their vehicle was swept away by flash flooding. for locals, the tragic loss of life during peak tourist season is devastating. translation: i am 77 years old, i have never seen such a terrible thing in my life.

i never see this. and now residents are left to pick up the pieces and recover both emotionally and financially from this unprecedented event. the german chancellor, angela merkel, has chosen to sit down for military honours in berlin, a day after she was seen shaking involuntarily while standing at a similar ceremony. yesterday's incident was the third time mrs merkel had been seen shaking in public in recent weeks, prompting speculation about her health. she has given no details of her condition, but has said she's fine. she assured journalists she looks after her health, out of responsibility to herself and her office. ramzan karmali reports. angela merkel making headlines but not for the reasons she would want. her public bouts of shaking have fuelled speculation about her

health. first she was seen involuntarily shaking during military honours for the visiting ukrainian president. she later appeared to blame dehydration, saying she felt better after drinking some water. the 64—year—old was then seen shaking two weeks ago, ahead of a trip tojapan and the g20 summit. again she told journalists she was fine. her latest trembling episode took place as she stood next to the finnish prime minister. she insisted there was nothing to be concerned about. translation: to start off i am fine. i have recently said i am working through what happened during the military honours with president zelinsky. this process is clearly not finished yet. but there is progress and i must live with it for a while but i am well and you do not need to worry about me. angela merkel has been a mainstay of german politics since the demolition of the berlin wall.

she was made women's minister and 1991 and continued to rise up through the ranks of the ruling christian democrat party. ultimately becoming chancellor in 2005. her work ethic has become the stuff of legend and she has even prided herself on having a camel like capacity to store up sleep, but now her health is likely to come under much more scrutiny. angela merkel is in herfourth and last term as chancellor. she has already indicated she will leave politics when her current term ends in 2021. soon she will go on her summer holidays and hopes to return in rude health. let's go to munich now and speak now to stefan kornelius — journalist and author of angela merkel: the authorised biography. what is going on with her health? this has happened three times, we have had various reports it

was dehydration and psychosomatic, she says she is fine. what do you think? it is all speculation, we do not know, she is keeping it private. i would not know anyone who windows about her closest confidant but no one else. we do not even know who adopts a visitor this is something particularly new in german politics —— we do not even know who her doctor is. there is a public demand that she answers this and she gets under pressure to come up with an explanation when the summer break is over. how much explanation when the summer break is over. how much concern explanation when the summer break is over. how much concern is that about her health in germany? people are extremely confident in her, she was healthy for 14 years, never a day of thejob for health healthy for 14 years, never a day of the job for health reasons, she once broke her hip and did not even go

to the doctor for two weeks so this woman is extremely sturdy and very robust and people are confident that she is not making things up and hiding things. nevertheless the shaking do worry political leaders to wa nt shaking do worry political leaders to want to know about the health of the most powerful woman in your. —— in europe. she is quite stubborn also and mixes public appearances today she sat down. the choice would have been to cancel on the first visit of the danish primer is that which would have caused a greater outcry so she is taking things on which she always has, she commits to it and says she will work on it and trust me but i will not explain. it is not enough but at least that is how we know her. she is due to

stand down into years, there is no talk she might have to stand down early because of these health concerns? she always said she would do the entire term of political circumstances and health permits. political circumstances depend on her coalition partner and health is on displace what is not a given that she will do the full term. thank you. england are through to the cricket world cup final. they beat australia decisively at edgbaston by eight wickets and will play new zealand on sunday at lord's (read on) and will play new zealand on sunday at lord's. let's talk now to former england test captain mark gatting. i bit ofa

i bit of a shaky start for england, are you surprised to well they have done? they had a bit of a midlife crisis, did well to start but i really should task of beating three of the best teams to make it to the final and they have done that so well, it has been unbelievable. i find performance the last three games. what do you put the success down to? in all—round team performance or individuals coming good? today was almost the perfect all—round team performance, bowlers got the early wickets, wickets in the middle when they were needed to keep the pressure on andy opening partnership ofjonny bairstow and jason roy was fascinating and keeps getting better and better and they took us to a fabulous start, very sensibly circumspect to start but once they got over the first

six or seven once they got over the first six or seve n overs once they got over the first six or seven overs they started to take the australian team apart and it was a great pleasure to watch. what mean it to english cricket to win this world cup? we the final is free to airon world cup? we the final is free to air on television on sunday so millions of people can watch it what you think it would mean for the game? it would be huge for english cricket, we have been to finals but never quite cross the line and this has been the most complete team we have ever had for this type of competition and i think the only worry for me as themselves when they are playing is as long as the lie like they have to and the asked three games i cannot see new zealand beating us and i think we are in a very good place with a good team. beating us and i think we are in a very good place with a good teamm was a surprise that new zealand got to the final at

all. i think eve ryo ne to the final at all. i think everyone was hoping for an england and india final which people predicted but new zealand are always tend to come out as dark horses and it is not their first final but something they will be prepared for andi something they will be prepared for and i think as always they deserve to get there, they have beaten a very good side in india and that in the final against a very good england side at lord's. but you fa ncy england side at lord's. but you fancy england on sunday?” england side at lord's. but you fancy england on sunday? i do, the opening partnership is looking amazing. the guys down the order haven't had to do much but we know they are the forget required but at this moment in time i think if we can play as a team as we have done in this match today i think we might come out on top but you must not write off new zealand. thank you.

tonnes of plastic are being removed from a river bed in cumbria. the keekle was lined with plastic around 20 years ago in an attempt to stop the water being polluted by a disused mine nearby. but that plastic is now being eroded and fragments of it are being washed away into the sea. so now the plan is to replace the plastic lining with a riverbed of rocks instead. alison freeman has been to watch the work. at first glance, the river keekle looks like any other, but take a closer look and you can see its dark secret — reams and reams of black plastic. this plastic was used to line the river to protect it from contamination from a nearby disused mine. but over the past two decades, it's deteriorated and it's become the pollutant itself, as well as an eyesore. there's been such a knee—jerk reaction to worry about what the river will do once the coal mine operations

had finished. it was a natural thing — let's just constrain the river, put it in plastic, and then we can walk away and it will be fine. well, in only 20 years, that plastic‘s starting to degrade. we've got to remember that we're not just taking plastic out of a river, rivers go to the sea. so this potentially would end up in the sea. what's happening here is thought to be the biggest river restoration of its kind in the uk. this summer's project is a pilot, with plastic being cleared from a 200m stretch. next year, the rest of the 2.5km will be restored, costing more than £1 million. it'll benefit wildlife as well as people. the plastic isjust a sheer plane, so the water's going down the river very quickly. there's no boulders and cobbles and things to stop that water. so the water's whooshing downstream into cleator area, where there is some flooding of some homes. what are the improvements we are going to see when the plastic‘s gone? it will be a fully functioning river. so it will be meandering, it will work properly,

it will shift its gravels, as rivers like to do. and we'll get much more wildlife, there'll be more fish spawning. at the moment, there are hardly any fish in here, because there is no spawning habitat for them. and people will be able to enjoy it much more. catherine and her family live nearby. they welcome the project. the benefit of getting this back to nature for us, as a community, is that we'll be able to spend more time here safely and we'll be able to enjoy more wildlife, because when the river's restored, obviously, the wildlife that lives in it will be increased as well. it will be a better habitat, a more natural habitat for the wildlife. it's just going to be brilliant. and dogs can paddle and there will be so much wildlife and kids can paddle in it. it's just going to be amazing. more rivers have been renaturalised in cumbria than anywhere else in the uk. but the keekle is the most challenging by far. alison freeman, bbc news. a storm in the gulf

of mexico could evolve into a hurricane this weekend, when it is expected to reach new orleans. louisiana's governor has declared a state of emergency, as the us state prepares for as much as 15 inches of rain. cbs correspondent manuel bojorquez sent us this update. up to 18 inches of rain could be on the way for louisiana. combined with the potential storm surge of a tropical system, the concern is it could send this already swollen mississippi river up to 20 feet this weekend. the problem is, that's the same height as some of these levies that protect this city, which has already been hit by flash flooding. officials say they are working to reinforce some of the low—lying areas here. the other question is the drainage pumps in the city. city officials say that all but two are operational right now, but any great amount of rain over a short period of time can overwhelm any system.

time for a look at the weather. no hurricanes here i trust? we are seeing some pretty heavy downpours, excuse me whilst i... there we go. all me that one,. big thunderstorms in the north and east continuing to this evening saw some disruption in some spots then fading away and what we are left with is a mainly dry mate, just a few downpours to the north and temperatures in the mid—teens are still rather muggy. looking at tomorrow, starting with

dry weather, sunshine around and then a few showers was once again showing up in northern and eastern scotla nd showing up in northern and eastern scotland and the east of england which could be thundering, still the chance of heavy downpours. temperatures still into the low 20s, just a few spots and the mid—20s. that is tomorrow, approaching a very important weekend at wimbledon and a slight chance of a shower for a couple of days, looking dry on sunday but for the most part looking fine with decent temperatures applying and spectating. this is how the weekend shapes up, we have had low pressure and now high—pressure moves and and when you see that you think it will be settled and that is how it will be, not necessarily clear blue skies, some areas of cloud and one or two showers picking out across england, fairly light and most out across england, fairly light and m ost pla ces out across england, fairly light and most places avoiding them but pleasa ntly warm most places avoiding them but pleasantly warm sunny spells still to be had although the breeze is

coming in towards north sea coast so maybe here mid to high teens whereas elsewhere looking at low 20s. for the two of the weekend, not a great deal going on, a mix of cloud and sunshine, one or two showers, some patchy rain towards north—west scotland, you little cooler not sea coast scotland, you little cooler not seacoast but elsewhere temperatures in the low to mid 20s. high—pressure stain with us into next week, but showers showing up on enbrel for tuesday, it is tuesday to wednesday low pressure tuesday, it is tuesday to wednesday low pressure once tuesday, it is tuesday to wednesday low pressure once again bringing the potential for showers developing so if you want rain in the garden that is the possibility into next week. high—pressure for the weekend, settling and low pressure for a time they speak again. the mac next week again.

this. the threat level for uk ships — iranian waters in the gulf is raised to its highest level after an incident involving a british tanker. a royal navy frigate that was shadowing a tanker owned by bp had to intervene in the strait of hormuz, one of the busiest oil shipping lanes in the world. three iranian vessels tried to block its passage. the royal navy frigate had to move to protect the british vessel. it comes after iran threatened to retaliate following the seizure of one of its tankers off the coast of gibraltar. we'll be looking at the implications of this latest move. also tonight: shot dead by police in cheshire — a public inquiry says a "catastrophic series of failings" by senior police officers was to blame for the death of an unarmed man. firearms commanders authorised and planned the operation incompetently and in

breach of national guidance. tommy robinson, the former leader of the english defence league, is sentenced to nine months injail for contempt of court. and jubilation as england power into the cricket world cup final for the first time in 27 years after thrashing australia at edgbaston. and coming up on bbc news. simona halep knocks out elina svitolina to reach a fifth grand slam final, herfirst on grass here at wimbledon. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. british ships in one of the busiest oil shipping lanes in the world