this is bbc news broadcasting in the uk and around the world. i'm ben brown. our top stories. the battle to become britain's next prime minister. two former health secretaries — sajid javid and jeremy hunt — join the growing list in the conservative leadership contest. with tax emerging as a central issue in the race. sri lanka's deepening economic crisis — the us appeals to politicians to act swiftly — as the president says he'll step down after huge demonstrations. voters injapan are choosing members of the country's upper house of parliament — in elections overshadowed by the assassination of former prime minister, shinzo abe. and in the tennis — defending champion novak djokovic faces nick kyrgios in the men's

final at wimbledon later today. hello and welcome to bbc news. the battle to become britain's next prime minister is intensifying. eight candidates have now announced they will stand in the contest to replace borisjohnson as leader of the conservative party. the former health secretaries, sajid javid and jeremy hunt, are the latest to come forward — with both pledging to cut taxes. the foreign secretary, liz truss, is expected to declare in the coming days. our political correspondent, jonathan blake reports.

the two newest entrants to the race are the first to set out detailed plans and both focus on economic policy. jeremy hunt, who lost to borisjohnson in the final two last time round promises to cancel a planned rise in corporation tax and reduce it further. he also would cut business rates to zero in the most deprived areas. sajid javid his resignation triggered the prime minister's final downfall, said he would scrap the recent rise in national insurance, cut income tax and are then planned and reduce fuel duty further. the plans set the two apart from the early frontrunner, the former chancellor richey sunak who suggested that tax cuts would have to wait. yet to formally enter the contest is liz truss, the foreign secretary. supporters of hers say she would move swiftly to ease the cost of living. the new chancellor announced he was running yesterday along with the transport secretary. the list of candidates is likely to get longer still before

tory mps whittle it down to a final two for a vote by conservative party members. we're joined now by our political correspondent, david wallace lockhart who's at westminster. david, we're expecting more contenders to throw their hats into the ring in the coming days — any early favourites? very much the issue. yes. and it is a dizzy field — very much the issue. yes. and it is a dizzy field were _ very much the issue. yes. and it is a dizzy field were looking _ very much the issue. yes. and it is a dizzy field were looking at - very much the issue. yes. and it is a dizzy field were looking at so - a dizzy field were looking at so far. four candidates in the last 12 hours or so declaring and tax seems to be a big issue in this leadership contest. all the candidates have declared so far severed of them saying they will make cutting taxes a priority. the former health secretary also promising to reverse a tax increase thatjust came in april specifically to help deal with nhs waiting times when he was health

secretary. he said it is no longer needed and he has a plan which means he can go forward without it. these candidates are setting themselves up against rishi schumacher was chancellor until this week when he resigned to to get rid of boris johnson. he is, of course, the former chancellor until very recently so there is an element of him having to defend current tax policy and he is saying he can't promised to make tax cuts at a point where the economy is in a very difficult situation and the russian invasion of ukraine. his allies are saying he is the one who is fiscally responsible and can see the country through this but, as you say, probably more candidates to come in at this leadership contest and more tax cuts to be promised. in at this leadership contest and more tax cuts to be promised.— tax cuts to be promised. in the meantime. _ tax cuts to be promised. in the meantime, boris _ tax cuts to be promised. in the meantime, boris johnson - tax cuts to be promised. in thei meantime, boris johnson stays tax cuts to be promised. in the i meantime, boris johnson stays in meantime, borisjohnson stays in number ten until there is a winner. and we don't quite know the rules yet in terms of how long this

leadership contest is going to take and then, as a result, how long mr johnson is going to stay at number ten. . , , ~' , ten. that is right. so it is likely he has got _ ten. that is right. so it is likely he has got some _ ten. that is right. so it is likely he has got some time - ten. that is right. so it is likely he has got some time left - ten. that is right. so it is likely he has got some time left in i ten. that is right. so it is likely - he has got some time left in number ten yet. we will hear tomorrow from the exec of what is called the 1922 committee. there was a senior conservative mps who will come up with the rules for this leadership contest. what is likely as there will be a threshold of support that any candidate needs to get from fellow mps. a certain number of backers they need to have an order to get onto the first round of the ballot paper. the mps will then probably whittle the candidates down to the final two. that final two will be put to the conservative party membership. they will travel the country a bit. they will probably do hustings when they speak to party members and there is thought to be about 180,000 conservative party members and they will be selecting the next prime minister. what we're hearing is

early september, probably, for them to take overfrom early september, probably, for them to take over from borisjohnson. thank you very much indeed. joining me now is mo hussein, former special adviser to amber rudd as uk home secretary and former no10 downing st — chief press officer under david cameron. is very much indeed for being with us. as we were just hearing there it is already a pretty crowded field and it is going to get more crowded and it is going to get more crowded and it is going to get more crowded and it could potentially get quite bloody, couldn't it? in terms of the personal attacks from the contenders on each other. personal attacks from the contenders on each other-— on each other. yeah, it really could. there _ on each other. yeah, it really could. there is _ on each other. yeah, it really could. there is already - on each other. yeah, it really i could. there is already reports, dossiers being compiled with background in each of the candidates, personal details, financial affairs and i think more and more of this will come out because partially this is part of any campaign. it is high—stakes. a lot of people, think it is fair to say, been waiting for a while and have been frustrated for a while

with the current prime minister and are looking at the top job so that they will have a real go at trying to get it. the risk of course, is a lot of blue on blue action and ultimately, whoever becomes the prime minister does need to form a government try to bring the party and bring the country together rather than the attack lines with the opposition parties for campaigning materials to the next general election. i campaigning materials to the next general election.— general election. i know a lot of --eole at general election. i know a lot of peeple at this — general election. i know a lot of people at this stage _ general election. i know a lot of people at this stage talk - general election. i know a lot of people at this stage talk about | people at this stage talk about favourites and frontrunners but the truth is pretty much impossible to know who is the frontrunner, isn't it? ., , ~ , _, know who is the frontrunner, isn't it? ., , , it? yeah, it is. as you said, it is a crowded _ it? yeah, it is. as you said, it is a crowded field _ it? yeah, it is. as you said, it is a crowded field already. - it? yeah, it is. as you said, it is a crowded field already. you - it? yeah, it is. as you said, it is i a crowded field already. you have it? yeah, it is. as you said, it is - a crowded field already. you have to remember who the audience is here. the first stage of this as conservative mps and then conservative mps and then conservative party member so it is not the general public so it is quite easy to think somebody with a big brand, with high name recognition isjust big brand, with high name recognition is just going to win be the clear frontrunner. that is not always the case. people who may not

be household frames but are quite popular with members and quite popular with members and quite popular with members and quite popular with mps. so when you see and hear a lot of the details on the candidates it is worth remembering who they are trying to appeal to in the first instance.— the first instance. having said it is very hard _ the first instance. having said it is very hard to _ the first instance. having said it is very hard to pick _ the first instance. having said it is very hard to pick out - the first instance. having said it is very hard to pick out a - is very hard to pick out a frontrunner, who is your money on? well, i'm glad that we see a cynic and studied javid both put in the rings. i think they're both quite credible candidates and someone like surjit has a what experience of a wide range of government departments what a bad day to see hear more from penny mordant and liz truss because there is not of talk around cutting taxes and that is something that is very consumer friendly and conservative and the as well and would welcome in a cost of living crisis but how are they then going to pay for public services and the cost of the pandemic? given what has happened and this series of errors that have led to the demise of the

current prime minister and the situation, people really need honesty and they need integrity so beyond the sound bites that are quite easy to produce and manufacture, details of how they will take things forward in a credible and measured way are going to be quite important. you credible and measured way are going to be quite important.— to be quite important. you think you ever it is, to be quite important. you think you ever it is. the _ to be quite important. you think you ever it is, the winner— to be quite important. you think you ever it is, the winner of _ to be quite important. you think you ever it is, the winner of this - to be quite important. you think you ever it is, the winner of this race - ever it is, the winner of this race and therefore the next by minister of this country will be a very different prime minister from boris johnson and it will be a very different downing street? yes, i think so. and _ different downing street? yes, i think so. and i _ different downing street? yes, i think so. and i think _ different downing street? yes, i think so. and i think it _ different downing street? yes, i think so. and i think it needs - different downing street? yes, i think so. and i think it needs to | different downing street? yes, i i think so. and i think it needs to be for the sake of the conservative party and for the sake of the election going whoever it is has to then quite quickly switch from beyond just appealing to mps and conservative party members to appealing to the general public. a lot of people vote conservative are not and the challenge will be how do they keep this coalition, of quite a broad base together, new voters in the red wool and also the more conservative seats and how did they move on from this agenda? we've

heard about the greatest hits of the johnson administration whether it was getting brexit down, whether it was getting brexit down, whether it was the vaccine roll—out, all of which a valid point but how do they look forward and what is their agenda they want to achieve in the next two years or so before the next election? ,., ., ., next two years or so before the next election? ., ., ,, ., ., ,, ., election? good to talk to talk to ou and election? good to talk to talk to you and always _ election? good to talk to talk to you and always good _ election? good to talk to talk to you and always good to - election? good to talk to talk to you and always good to get - election? good to talk to talk to j you and always good to get your analysis. a former chief officer at number ten. thank you.- analysis. a former chief officer at number ten. thank you. the united states has appealed to sri lanka's politicians to act promptly to resolve their country's economic crisis. an announcement that the sri lankan president, gotobaya rajapaksa, would step down on wednesday, came after protesters seized his official residence and set the prime minister's home on fire. the country is dealing with rampant inflation and food, fuel and medicine imports are drying up. mark lobel reports. burning fury for all to see. the sri lankan prime minister's house set

alight. flames fuelled by protesters anger at economic mismanagement that has left suffering. it has become the norm now to see people staying and sleeping in vehicles, to get fuel in that rangers to three to four days sometimes. many actually walked for hours to get to the protest sites. the president's office was also stormed. there was an impromptu pool party at the palace. it is rumoured the president has taken to the high waters, as his country finds itself politically and economically all at sea. it is time we got all our stolen money back to this country, and also the air—conditioning is running in the presidential palace where people don't have electricity in their homes. it is a far cry from the once—blossoming tourist hotspot. a country of 22 million people,

recovering from a brutal civil war, which has been ruled by two brothers for years. the first is authoritarianism. the second is corruption and that is chauvinism. i now foreign currency is running dry humping imports of food, fuel and medicine and forcing schools to close. at the beginning of april, angry protests prompted a state of emergency. 12 days later, the government could not pay its foreign debt for the first time in its history. the prime minister resigned in may. a month on, the un warned of a humanitarian emergency. now, with the storming of the president's home, parliament speaker had this message from the president. he asked me to tell the country that he will resign on the 13th ofjuly, on wednesday, to ensure a peaceful handover of power. therefore, there is no need

to destabilise the country any longer. these protests have achieved the resignations of both the prime minister and president, but whoever takes over will inherit a humanitarian and law and order crisis as they are urged to restore stability quickly by the united states and the imf so that talks on an economic bailout package can resume. joining me from colombo is our south asia editor anbarasan ethirajan. and you are at the presidential offices there. still huge crowds. we can see them behind you. extraordinary scenes, weren't there, over the weekends? protesters in the pool there. what is going on there right now? pool there. what is going on there riaht now? , ., ., ., ., , right now? these are extraordinary times for sri _

right now? these are extraordinary times for sri lanka. _ right now? these are extraordinary times for sri lanka. just _ right now? these are extraordinary times for sri lanka. just behind - right now? these are extraordinaryj times for sri lanka. just behind me is the president's office and 24—hour is ago, hundreds of people stormed the building. this was one of the most protected buildings here in sri lanka and remember, you can't even come here on this road during the civil war. now there are families, men, women, people who took part in the anti—government protest since april, they are coming here, taking pictures to remember this moment and i was speaking with many of these visitors here and they say, you know, this is a great occasion partially lanky because people's power has one. now we are forced these two leaders, the president gotobaya rajapaksa and thatis president gotobaya rajapaksa and that is a great victory for eyes and a victory for the people of sri lanka and that is why you can see the children, men, women, celebrating this occasion most of these officials in the building are not there even though we saw a group of soldiers, you know, behind those steps but sri lanka is now waking up with a new reality where they believe that they can have a

government without the brothers. aha, government without the brothers. a victory for people power, as you say. at august of the grievances of those people there behind you. what has driven to this point? what has made them so angry? shri has driven to this point? what has made them so angry?— has driven to this point? what has made them so angry? shri lanka is one of the developed _ made them so angry? shri lanka is one of the developed countries, . made them so angry? shri lanka is one of the developed countries, ifl one of the developed countries, if you want to describe, in south asia. the quality of live used to be higher than countries like india and bangladesh. now, the people here, many of them have stood in queues outside the petrol station four days to get petrol or diesel which means they cannot travel anywhere. many drivers have lost their income because there is no diesel. and food prices are escalating. the inflation last month was about 55%. that is hyperinflation. for example, meal prices have tripled in the past months. cooking gas cylinders are not available so people are struggling to cook at home and people have lostjobs. people can't

even go to the hospital. they are sick because there is no vehicle to take them. many doctors are not going to the hospital. they're struggling for health workers are struggling for health workers are struggling even though the government says health workers can get fuel, they cannot get to hospital so we have not realised the real social impact of this economic crisis for the last three months but this itself is a warning to many other developing countries who want to borrow money for infrastructure projects, if they are not enough to repay this debt, they will meet the same fate as sri lanka.— repay this debt, they will meet the same fate as sri lanka. those people there behind — same fate as sri lanka. those people there behind you, _ same fate as sri lanka. those people there behind you, they _ same fate as sri lanka. those people there behind you, they confident - there behind you, they confident that things will change? that their lives will now change for the better? ., , lives will now change for the better? . , , ., lives will now change for the better? . , ., better? that is exactly what i asked one of the women _ better? that is exactly what i asked one of the women who _ better? that is exactly what i asked one of the women who took - better? that is exactly what i asked one of the women who took part . better? that is exactly what i asked one of the women who took part in | one of the women who took part in the protest levels up she said, no, our first the protest levels up she said, no, ourfirst aim the protest levels up she said, no, our first aim was to drive the brothers who have dominated sri lankan politics for 20 years now, the elder brother was the president for two terms in prime minister

before. and we wanted, because the family was responsible for this economic crisis. and there are lots of allegations against them and that is why our first aim is to drive the brothers away. and the government, we have lost faith in this political system. all of the political parties representing parliament i'm not really concerned about the people but we do accept that the economic situation is not going to change overnight. it is going to be a difficult recovery period and the international community will have to come in and help and that is why the un was warning it is an impending humanitarian emergency and people are aware but, for the moment, what they have been campaigning for, they say they have achieved. maw; they have been campaigning for, they say they have achieved.— say they have achieved. many thanks indeed for talking _ say they have achieved. many thanks indeed for talking to _ say they have achieved. many thanks indeed for talking to us _ say they have achieved. many thanks indeed for talking to us and - say they have achieved. many thanks indeed for talking to us and giving i indeed for talking to us and giving us the very latest air from columbo. we can talk more now about the situation in shrill anchor. we can talk more now about the situation in shrill anchor. i'm joined now by ahilan kadirgamar, political economist and senior lecturer at the

university of jaffna. you are at those dramatic protests. what drove you to join those protests and demonstrations? i am protests and demonstrations? i am vice president _ protests and demonstrations? i am vice president of— protests and demonstrations? i am vice president of the _ protests and demonstrations? i—h vice president of the federation of university teachers associations and add yesterday's protest all the trade unions, various peoples movements, all of us came together. we've been trying to mobilise people over the last two months and the last two weeks for this major struggle yesterday and it went beyond our expectations. the people, the messages came in waves and ways despite per trill and diesel shortages, they found whatever fuel they could to get on vehicles packed with trucks and they came and even made the trains that had stopped to run and they came and their voice was heard. yesterday was a great day for democracy in shri banker because the peoples voice was heard. they have been wanting this regime gone

and wanted the president and prime minister to resign and i think they will be heard. and now there is the difficult task of trying to rebuild the country. and bring about political and economic stability and thatis political and economic stability and that is going to be a challenge. in the days and weeks ahead. it the days and weeks ahead. it certainly is, more than a challenge. what would you like to see first of all in terms of a new government and secondly in terms of economic reform thatis secondly in terms of economic reform that is actually going to change peoples lives? the that is actually going to change peoples lives?— that is actually going to change --eoles lives? . _ ., , peoples lives? the demand by many organisations _ peoples lives? the demand by many organisations like _ peoples lives? the demand by many organisations like mine _ peoples lives? the demand by many organisations like mine is _ peoples lives? the demand by many organisations like mine is for - peoples lives? the demand by many organisations like mine is for an - organisations like mine is for an interim government save for six months or a year so that the situation stabilises politically and it might well be a minority government because a lot of the parliamentarians have also lost legitimacy. along with this interim government to have a people's

council represented by the people's union, trade unions, associations, to teach keep a check on the parliament along with the abolishing of the executive presidency. that was brought about during an authoritarian time about a0 years ago and we have seen the dangers of so much power centralised on one individual. in the weeks ahead the parliament would have to elect elect a president from one of its members but hopefully that will only be a symbolic president and we will slowly go back to a westminster style parliamentary. in the meantime, sri lanka is facing severe shortages, notjust in fuel but food. they are going to a food crisis and might face famine in a few months�* time so the entire priority should be around food and agricultural production which was

affected by the president�*s policy banning fertilisers. increasing agricultural production and ensuring that food gets to the people. so we need a public distribution system. the immediate concern is that you have to think about economic reforms but that cannot be brought about now and it�*s what is looking like an depression. gdp might shrink by as much as attend this year so it is a very serious situation where people�*s livelihoods are disrupted. their income streams are dwindling so giving relief and ensuring that people get food and the next generation does not get affected by malnutrition is the priority at the moment. ., ., ~' malnutrition is the priority at the moment. ., ., ~ .,, moment. took part in those demonstrations. _ moment. took part in those demonstrations. thank - moment. took part in those demonstrations. thank you | moment. took part in those - demonstrations. thank you very much for your analysis and your time. thank you.

at least 1a people are reported to have been shot dead in a bar in the south african township of soweto. a number of others were wounded, some of them critically. a police commissioner said it appeared that several people had entered the bar at random, and began shooting at drinkers inside. japan�*s governing liberal democratic party looks set to retain control of the upper house of parliament, in an election overshadowed by the assassination of the former prime minister, and leading l—d—p statesman, shinzo abe. 0pinion polls suggest the party is on course to increase the number of seats it holds. 0ur correspondent mariko 0i is tokyo. this is an election like no other because japan is shocked by that assassination. the whole world was shocked by that assassination of shinzo abe. shocked by that assassination of shinzo abe-— shocked by that assassination of shinzo abe. ~ , , �* .,, shinzo abe. absolutely, ben. it has onl been shinzo abe. absolutely, ben. it has only been of— shinzo abe. absolutely, ben. it has only been of course _ shinzo abe. absolutely, ben. it has only been of course two _ shinzo abe. absolutely, ben. it has only been of course two days - shinzo abe. absolutely, ben. it has only been of course two days since | only been of course two days since

that shocking assassination of the former prime minister shinzo abe but today�*s elections have gone ahead as scheduled and we have been speaking to some voters inside and many are still in a state of shock but it has been interesting that many of us told is that while friday�*s attack has not changed to the fateful, it has not changed to the fateful, it has with the reminded them of how important it is to vote and i have been quite a lot of online campaigns on social media that we have noticed with so many hashtags like let�*s go and vote, this is our election. and saying that violence is not the answer to any political disagreement. the ldp is expected to win though it was always expected to win though it was always expected to win even before fridayit is interesting that in terms of the turnout, as of 2pm local time it is a lot higher compared to the last election so maybe the incident on friday has impacted people�*s mindset in that way. it is

friday has impacted people's mindset in that wa . , , ., in that way. it is interesting that shinzo abe. _ in that way. it is interesting that shinzo abe, the _ in that way. it is interesting that shinzo abe, the former- in that way. it is interesting that shinzo abe, the former prime i shinzo abe, the former prime minister, the longest serving prime minister, the longest serving prime minister but very much involved in japanese politics. the fact that he was making that election speech and so very influential when he died in japanese politics.— japanese politics. absolutely. he still had a huge _ japanese politics. absolutely. he still had a huge influence. - japanese politics. absolutely. he still had a huge influence. and i japanese politics. absolutely. he i still had a huge influence. and you read reports about how shinzo abe gave them a call, the prime minister, the current prime minister he would give him a call and seek advice and even as recently as february or march, after russia invaded ukraine, shinzo abe started speaking out about how japan needed to increase military spending so that the country can defend itself. of course, japan still has that of course, japan still has that pacifist constitution that he so wanted to change. a few days after

he said that we had from the current prime minister talking about military spending so in terms of the influence that shinzo abe had he definitely was one of the very influential figures definitely was one of the very influentialfigures in definitely was one of the very influential figures in the definitely was one of the very influentialfigures in the ruling party. influential figures in the ruling .a . . , influential figures in the ruling .a _�* , , influential figures in the ruling .a .i , , ., influential figures in the ruling .a i , , ., influential figures in the ruling party. just be for, when do we find out the results? _ party. just be for, when do we find out the results? voting _ party. just be for, when do we find out the results? voting closes - party. just be for, when do we find out the results? voting closes at l out the results? voting closes at 8m local out the results? voting closes at 8pm local time _ out the results? voting closes at 8pm local time so _ out the results? voting closes at 8pm local time so in _ out the results? voting closes at 8pm local time so in just - out the results? voting closes at 8pm local time so in just under. 8pm local time so in just under three hours and about midnight local time we should find out the result. take a look at these pictures. it�*s the moment an enormous shark was spotted circling off the coast of south wales. a bike mechanic had been enjoying an evening in his dinghy in tenby, when he filmed this footage of what is thought to be a basking shark —

which is completely harmless to humans. temperatures are continuing to build day on day for the next couple of days for many of us. he�*d wave criteria across many areas. today it is going to feel very warm. warmer than yesterday and some so strong sunshine which is more widespread to the west of today. a big area of high pressure keeping things dry and settled. very little breeze out there as well. we have got a bit more cloud still lingering across parts of northern western scotland. a little bit of cloud for the irish sea coastal areas as well but tending to ban back for the day. a little bit patchy fair weather cloud developing in the south—east as well but it is going to feel warm with temperatures across scotland and northern ireland about 21, perhaps 2a or 25 in the warmest up to

possibly 30 degrees in the south. high levels of uv for many others and moderate levels in the west. it is the minimum final at wimbledon. it is going to be hot with temperatures in the high 20s, possibly 30 degrees with a little breeze, too. warm and dry as we enter the day with some late sunshine for top most of us keep the clear skies overnight. a little bit of mist and though cloud here and particularly enclosed towards the and west. temperatures following 211-16 to the and west. temperatures following 211—16 to the day. another fine mess sunny, hot day. a bit like today will see cvs are developing around the coast so cooler there. inland we will see the hottest of the weather so up to 32 degrees. up in the mid 20s for northern ireland and scotland but turning breezier as this frontal system approaches. bring on the far north—west but as it pushes south through into tuesday it pushes south through into tuesday it is going to be petering out so not much useful rainfall. we have

cloud sitting across england and wales but it is still going to feel hot. pressure for scotland and northern ireland by that weather front with sunny spells and perhaps just the odd shower here. temperatures high teens, low 20s in the north but again, towards the south—east, another temps is above 30 degrees on tuesday. through into the middle of the week, is that weak weather front slips its way slowly south, we�*ll see something a little bit fresher for a time for wednesday into thursday as well. high pressure not far away. a lot of dry, settled weather so much of the week ahead. and that they temperatures will be on the up again towards next week.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the battle to become britain�*s next prime minister — two former health secretaries, sajid javid and jeremy hunt, join the growing list

of candidates in the conservative leadership contest. sri lanka�*s deepening economic crisis — the us appeals to politicians to act swiftly as the president says he�*ll step down after huge demonstrations. voters injapan are choosing members of the country�*s upper house of parliament in elections overshadowed by the assassination of former prime minister shinzo abe. and in the tennis, defending champion novak djokovic faces nick kyrgios in the men�*s final at wimbledon later today. to for more on the tennis and the rest of the sport, it�*s the bbc sport centre. so much to look forward to later at wimbledon later. elena rybakina is waking up this morning as the new

wimbledon champion. she became the first player representing kazakhstan