the president of sri lanka flees the country. the first round of voting takes place later in the race to be britain's next prime minister. more details emerge about last year's storming of the us capitol, and how donald trump tried to cling on to power. and hundreds of complaints of sexual assault at the controversial running of the bulls festival in pamplona. hello and welcome. sri lanka's president, gotabaya rajapaksa, has fled the country with members of his family, following months of mass protests over the island's economic crisis.

his formal resignation is expected to be announced at some point today. the bbc understands the president's military jet has landed in male, the capital of the maldives. he had been in hiding after protestors stormed his residence on saturday. our south asia correspondent rajini vaidyanathan sent this report from colombo. many sri lankans feel that leaving is their only option, in a crisis defined by endless waits. hundreds queue for passports. a chance to leave their troubled homeland in search of something better. many trying to make it to the middle east, like vasana, whose hoping she'll find work as a cleaner to support her six—year—old. how do you feel about wanting

to leave sri lanka? your heart is in sri lanka? she says she's going because she's struggling to even get food and that's one of the reasons why she's trying to find work in kuwait. me, i'm planning to go to uk. we don't see any future. so that's basically we want to move on this country for our kids, not for us. there's been a lot of pressure for president rajapaksa to step down. did you vote for him? vote for him. and we never expected this. actually, we thought he's our saviour. and it's notjust these crowds who are trying to leave the country. the very people who are blamed for creating this economic crisis, president gotabaya rajapaksa and his family members, are also trying to flee the island. this video is believed to have been recorded at the airport as formerfinance minister basil rajapaksa was stopped at immigration. he finally left, said to be heading to america.

his brother, president gotabaya rajapaksa, has now also fled. a ruthless politician accused of brutality and corruption, part of a family dynasty which has ruled sri lanka for decades — once popular, now parodied. gotabaya rajapaksa is blamed for the country's economic woes. he's brought this country to its knees. we have no food to eat. we have no food. the basic, the basic human necessities are missing. and that's thanks to these people and this one family, which has been basically draining all the sources of income that we have. lining up for a peek inside the presidential palace days after gota baya rajapa ksa fled his home, he's now left the country.

we will be live in colombo in half an hour to assess the political crisis and the economic consequences. conservative mps will today have their first chance to vote for which of the eight candidates they want to replace borisjohnson as the party's leader, and british prime minister, as balloting begins to find his successor. after nominations for the contest closed on tuesday evening, the eight leadership hopefuls took part in a hustings event to try to secure support from their colleagues. and if you'd like to find out more about those candidates and the contest, then do head over to the bbc news website, as you can see there's plenty of coverage and analysis there. that's also where you'll find the results of those ballots when they take place — bbc news online and the bbc news app.

in washington, the committee investigating the storming of the us capitol last year has heard how donald trump incited far—right extremists in a last—ditch bid to remain in office. members of his inner circle explained how mr trump ignored their advice to concede the election, and instead summoned a mob to washington. here's our north america correspondent peter bowes. piecing together the events that led up to the riot at the us capitol. this latest hearing focused on the role donald trump played in the days and weeks after he lost the 2020 election tojoe biden, including claims the former president encouraged far right extremists to create chaos on capitol hill. donald trump, his legal team and outside advisers are said to have clashed over the former president's refusal to admit defeat. hours later, mr trump urged his supporters in a tweet to descend on washington

on january 6th for what he promised would be a wild rally. that, according to one committee member, was a call to arms for some of mr trump's supporters. at1:1i2am on december 19th, 2020, shortly after the last participants left the unhinged meeting, trump sent out the tweet with his explosive invitation. the panel then heard from this man, a one—time supporter of mr trump, who face criminal charges over his actions on january 6th. he said he went to washington and illegally entered the capitol building because he thought the result of the election could be overturned. for me, personally, i was pretty hardcore into the social media — facebook, twitter, instagram. i followed president trump, all of the websites, you know. he basically put out, come to stop the steal rally, you know? and ifelt like i needed

to be down here. another former ally of the president told the committee he was worried about what could happen at the next us election. as tragic as it is what we saw on january 6th, the potential was so much more. again, all we have to look at is the iconic images of that day, with the gallows set up for mike pence, for the vice president of the united states. donald trump has repeatedly branded the select committee a political witch hunt. this latest hearing ended with a statement by one of its leading members, the republican liz cheney, who said mr trump had apparently attempted to contact a witness whose name has not been made public. she said the committee would take any effort to influence witness testimony very seriously, but only the department ofjustice has the power to prosecute any individuals suspected of breaking the law. peter bowes, bbc news. well, we can speak to the us political analyst max kutner.

max, welcome to the programme. with every day goes by, there are more revelations, more testimony. talk us through this latest testimony that we've been hearing, and what impact it has. i been hearing, and what impact it has. ~ , it has. i think the big takeaway _ it has. i think the big takeaway today - it has. i think the big takeaway today was l it has. i think the big - takeaway today was regarding president trump in that these allegations of witness tampering, if we can call it that. apparently former president trump had attempted to intimidate a future witness out of testifying. president trump has denied this, or his spokesperson has denied it, but i think this is majorfor two reasons. first, this brings the issues that the committee is talking about to the present date. the committee had come under some criticisms by trump supporters, the republicans, saying that, we are talking

about events from a year and a half ago, we should move on and talk about more relevant things like the economy. but like i said, this brings these issues into the present day, talking about something president trump apparently did very, very recently. the other reason why this matters, sally, is because there had been a lot of debate over what the point of this committee... the committee was reportedly split on what it should be doing, whether it should be doing, whether it should issue criminal referrals orjust acting for a legislative purpose. which is the written reason why these committees exists, to come up with legislative recommendations. but apparently the committee referred president trump to the department ofjustice for potential prosecution, and a criminal referral, over this alleged witness tampering. this really shows this committee is notjust really shows this committee is not just about legislative

action, and it really does have teeth. in action, and it really does have teeth. , ., ., , teeth. in terms of how people are digesting _ teeth. in terms of how people are digesting this _ teeth. in terms of how people are digesting this in _ teeth. in terms of how people are digesting this in the - are digesting this in the united states, is split, polarised? do you have those who are anti—trump who think this committee and the daily coverage is critical and very important, and then do you have the trump followers who just want to move on? we the trump followers who 'ust want to move on?* the trump followers who 'ust want to move on? we are seeing something — want to move on? we are seeing something interesting _ want to move on? we are seeing something interesting after- something interesting after this hearing in particular. the first hearing was in prime time a couple of weeks ago, a lot of trump allies came out of the woodwork to defend the president and say it was old news. today i noticed it was radio silence, it seems the trump allies are taking the position ofjust ignoring position of just ignoring what's position ofjust ignoring what's happening in these hearings. i was recalling... they might be taking a page out of the trump playbook. i recall seeing that he would only say, you never want to comment on something, because that makes it a two day story, let it

pass. it seems that's what republicans are doing after the hearing in recent hours. anti—trump folks have been treating this news as major news, as earth—shattering, world stopping news. that the tactic they have taken throughout these hearings, throughout these hearings, throughout these hearings, throughout the russia investigation, the impeachment trial. these democrats and anti—trump folks think everyone should pay attention to what's happening at these hearings. but ultimately, as you say, the committee itself has been looking into its purpose and aims, what will be the end result, but will the end result be that former president trump cannot run in the next election? is that the ultimate goal? election? is that the ultimate coal? ., election? is that the ultimate oal? ., . ., election? is that the ultimate coal? ., , ., election? is that the ultimate coal? ., , goal? that could be a pie in the sky dream _ goal? that could be a pie in the sky dream of _ goal? that could be a pie in the sky dream of some - goal? that could be a pie in i the sky dream of some people goal? that could be a pie in - the sky dream of some people in the sky dream of some people in the hearings, but i don't think thatis the hearings, but i don't think that is the goal of this committee. these committees come up with recommendations

about an issue that happened, investigate the issue and figure how the us congress should deal with this issue. that's a very different goal than people who might say this should stop president trump from running. it's important to note that president trump still has a lot of support in the us, maybe not all republicans but many. so i don't think that's the goal of this, but the news today of the alleged witness tampering, that is certainly interesting and goes beyond the legislative function. we interesting and goes beyond the legislative function.— legislative function. we shall kee - legislative function. we shall kee a legislative function. we shall keep a close _ legislative function. we shall keep a close eye _ legislative function. we shall keep a close eye at - legislative function. we shall keep a close eye at the - legislative function. we shall keep a close eye at the bbc, | keep a close eye at the bbc, thank you for your time. stay with us on bbc news, still to come. as the open championship nears, we'll hearfrom one of the legends of the game, tiger woods. after months of talks and missed deadlines, a deal has been struck to keep greece within the euro zone.

the immediate prospect of greece going bust in the worst crisis to hit the euro zone has been averted. emergency services across central europe are stepping up their efforts to contain the worst floods this century. nearly 100 people have been killed. broadway is traditionally called the great white way by americans. but tonight it is completely blacked out. it is a timely reminder to all americans of the problems the energy crisis has brought to them. leaders meet in paris- fora summit on pollution, inflation, and third world debt. - this morning, theyjoinedl the revolution celebrations for a show of military might on the champs—elysees. . wildlife officials in australia have been coping with a penguin problem. fairy penguins have been staggering ashore and collapsing after gorging themselves on huge shoals of their favourite food — pilchards. some had eaten so much they could barely stand.

this is bbc news, the latest headlines. after months of mass protests against his rule, the president of sri lanka flees the country. the first round of voting takes place later in the race to be britain's next prime minister. hundreds of protesters gathered in pamplona following multiple complaints of sexual assault, as well as one rape, during the city's bull—running festival. local police have said they are investigating and that no arrests have yet been made. these latest allegations are reminiscent of the notorious wolfpack case, when a woman was gang—raped at the same festival in 2016. the bbc�*s azadeh moshiri has this report. whistles. hundreds of whistles sounding the crowd's anger as, yet again, pamplona's famous bull running festival

is marked by sexual assault. translation: we're here i because a big aggression has been committed, a rape, and it's been denounced. and we're here to tell this woman that we weren't able to stop it. but we are here. our hand is outstretched. and she will have all the resources she needs. spanish authorities confirmed that a woman said she was raped during the event and that several other women also reported they'd been sexually abused. spain has been here before, and these latest attacks have brought back a case that sparked outrage across the country. the so—called wolfpack case. six years ago, five men gang—raped an 18—year—old woman at the festival. but a spanish court ruled they were only guilty of sexual abuse, and sentenced them to nine years each injail. the court ruled neither violence nor intimidation had been used — key conditions in spanish law — and central

to the case was the fact the defendant hadn't said "no" in the video her assailants filmed while they raped her. though the supreme court eventually convicted the men of rape, it was only a few months ago that, after years of public pressure, a draft bill was approved to reform the law. victims would only have to prove that they never said "yes", and therefore never consented. transalation: we owed it to each of the victims. - we owed it to ourselves. and most likely it would be one of the most important rights that we can leave to our daughters for the present and future. 0nly yes is yes, and long live the women's fight. prime minister pedro sanchez has made women's rights a central issue for his government. but these latest attacks are a reminder that that work is not over, and this crowd will be watching how these cases are handled. azadeh moshiri, bbc news.

the us presidentjoe biden is starting his first trip to the middle east since taking office. as our middle east correspondent, yolande knell, reports, his visit looks set to show how peace between the two sides seems as far off as ever. forjoe biden's first visit to the holy land as president, the red carpet is being rolled out. he wants to straighten out us relations in the region. he has been coming here for five decades. but a lot has changed. in israel, the us backed formula for making peace with the palestinians now gets little attention.— the palestinians now gets little attention. when we hear the american _ little attention. when we hear the american administration l the american administration including the president saying a two state solution, everyone makes a kind of smile, what solution? it is completely off the table here in israel. but different — the table here in israel. but different peace _

the table here in israel. but different peace deals could be on the table. in a big regional shift, israel has made new alliances with arab states who share concerns over iran. 0thers share concerns over iran. others may soon follow. with saudi arabia _ others may soon follow. with saudi arabia i _ others may soon follow. with saudi arabia i think _ others may soon follow. tn saudi arabia i think something will happen, regardless to biden. pa. will happen, regardless to biden. �* ., ., , biden. a lot of peace agreements - biden. a lot of peace | agreements recently, biden. a lot of peace - agreements recently, and the more. — agreements recently, and the more, the merrier.— more, the merrier. while president _ more, the merrier. while president trump - more, the merrier. while president trump sealed l more, the merrier. while - president trump sealed those agreements, palestinian saw his vision is for peace as biased against them. the biden administration will try to rebuild ties when the president gets to bethlehem. i rebuild ties when the president gets to bethlehem.— rebuild ties when the president gets to bethlehem. i hope biden will take serious _ gets to bethlehem. i hope biden will take serious and _ will take serious and courageous steps towards improving this relation, and considering united states is one of the most important sponsors of the peace process. and i think this is the last chance. .,, and i think this is the last chance. ., ., , chance. close to the nativity church, chance. close to the nativity church. the _ chance. close to the nativity church, the president - chance. close to the nativity church, the president is - chance. close to the nativity| church, the president is sure to see why palestinians say

time is running out to have a state of their own. so much of the land lay claimed for it has been taken up by israeli settlements. and this is how that hillside used to be. the landscape has changed dramatically over the years joe biden has been coming here. but the us isn't pressing for a new peace initiative. i’m the us isn't pressing for a new peace initiative.— peace initiative. i'm not exnecting _ peace initiative. i'm not expecting anything - peace initiative. i'm not| expecting anything from peace initiative. i'm not - expecting anything from him. because he's just going to come and visit the church and other places, and he's going to leave. . , . , leave. palestinians feel excluded, _ leave. palestinians feel excluded, but - leave. palestinians feel i excluded, but washington leave. palestinians feel - excluded, but washington argues that eventually all could benefit as it pushes the new steps towards a wider piece in the middle east. let's get some of the day's other news. the ukrainian authorities say they're increasing the export of grain through formerly disused ports and canals on the danube river delta between ukraine and romania. ukraine's recapture from russia of snake island, in the black sea, means it's now safe for ships to pick up

grain from the delta ports and ship it to world markets. several wildfires have swept across portugal's central region, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people as firefighters struggled to battle the flames. some houses have burned down, and three main highways in the area have been closed. the country is suffering a heatwave, with temperatures of over a0 degrees in many parts. two people have died after a boat capsized in new york's hudson river. the victims are believed to be a seven—year—old boy and a woman in her 50s. around a dozen people were on board the boat near manhattan, a number of them are being treated in hospital. let's get all the latest sports news. hello, i'm mimi fawaz, and this is the latest sports news. it was a winning start for erik ten hag as manchester united boss as his side thrashed liverpool four 4—0 in a pre—season friendly in bangkok, thailand. jadon sancho was first

to score, then there were further goals from fred, anthony martial and facundo pellistri. mo salah came close as he hit the post for liverpool. so a great result for their new manager. we have a lot to do. you see, liverpool is a brilliant team, and when you make mistakes in defending, you get beaten. we had some situations, we did not act well and immediately they have so many speed they play through, and so we conceded some three orfour orfive really good chances against. so we have a lot of work to do. former manchester united and england forward wayne rooney has been appointed head coach of mls side dc united. the 36—year—old, who played for the club from 2018 to 2019, stepped down as manager of derby county last month. dc united are second from bottom in the eastern conference, with 17 points

from as many games. and germany are through to the quarterfinals of the women's euros after beating spain 2—0, while denmark remain in third after a 1—0 win over finland. late on wednesday, the netherlands will play portugal, and they'll be without all—time record goalscorer vivianne miedema, who has tested positive for covid and will be in isolation for the next few days. their head coach admits she'll be missed. unfortunately this has happened. viv is ok, but of course has symptoms. we just care about her now in isolation, taking care of herself like jackie is. and for the rest of us, it's a big, big blow, but we have to move forward. we look ahead to the challenge tomorrow against a very organised portugal team. india's cricketers have the advantage after winning their first one day international against england by ten wickets at the oval. jasprit bumrah was the star of the show for the visitors with figures of 6—19,

as england were bowled out forjust 110. rohit sharma and shikhar dhawan knocking off the runs injust 19 overs. india, who won the recent t20 series, take a 1—0 lead with two matches to play. and you can get all the latest sports news at our website — that's bbc.com/sport — but from me, mimi fawaz, and the rest of the sport team, goodbye. staying with sport, and in golf tiger woods has delivered a rebuke for some of his fellow professionals for switching their allegiance to a new saudi—backed golf tour called liv golf. speaking ahead of this week's open championship at st andrews — he said the players had "turned their back" on what made them. the bbc�*s tim allman has the story. he is one of if not the biggest name in the history of his sport, so when tiger woods speaks, golf listens. here he was practising ahead

of the 150th open championship at st andrews, but his focus seemed to be elsewhere, namely the controversial liv golf tour and the players who've left the pga and european tour behind. i disagree with it. i think what they've done is they've turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position. the people behind it say that liv golf is an exciting new chapter in the history of the sport — exciting, dynamic and lucrative... very, very lucrative. the saudi government is pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into the game. but its critics say it's sportswashing, a controversial regime trying to improve its image on the back of golf, and tiger woods believes there is a huge problem if players can earn big money not from winning but just from turning up.

what is their incentive to practice? to go out there and earn in the dirt? you are getting paid a lot of money for a few events and 5a holes. liv is the idea of greg norman, a two—time winner of the open, who has not been invited to this week's championship or champions dinner, a decision tiger woods said was the right one. a lot more to come, we will be live injerusalem shortly to live in jerusalem shortly to talk live injerusalem shortly to talk more live in jerusalem shortly to talk more about live injerusalem shortly to talk more about us president biden's trip to the middle east. and one of the idea is to be discussed is a new economic area. hello there. for most of the country, tuesday was a slightly cooler day.

we had much more cloud around. it was thick enough even to give a bit of rain here and there. but despite the cloud, here in london, it was hot. temperatures over 30 celsius again. much further north, preparing for the open at st andrews, it's cooler. temperatures were in the low 20s despite the sunshine. that cooler, cleaner, fresher air is moving down from the north, following this band of cloud that's still bringing one or two spots of rain. so, for much of the country, it will be a more comfortable night. these are the temperatures by the morning. still, that uncomfortable warmth, though, in the southeast of england. and across southern parts of england, could start quite cloudy in the morning, even one or two spots of rain left over. that's slowly moving away. we will see one or two showers for northern ireland and mainly in scotland, sunny spells too. much more sunshine, though, arriving across england and wales than we had on tuesday. those temperatures continuing to slide away ever so slowly, but still another hot day in the southeast and east anglia, and in london 30 degrees not out of the question. heading into thursday, we've

got this west—northwesterly breeze bringing more cloud and more showers to northern ireland, scotland, perhaps a few into northern england, but further south across england into wales, it is still sunny, it is still dry. but those temperatures continuing to just drop away a little. highs of the more manageable 27 celsius in the southeast of england. this area of high pressure is tending to build in across the uk, where we've got this weak weather front arriving from the atlantic, and that will be responsible for more cloud and maybe a bit of rain for northern ireland pushing across scotland, perhaps northern england, that should move away, skies will brighten. once again across more southern parts of the uk, it is going to be fine and dry with light winds. still pretty warm out there, those temperatures typically into the mid—20s. still only around 19—20 through the central belt of scotland. it's into the weekend that really things start to warm up, not so much for scotland and northern ireland, and the far north of england, temperatures typically into the mid—20s, but for many other parts of england and into wales, we are going to find some extremely high temperatures developing over the weekend into the start of next week.

we've got that extreme heat warning from the met office. so in the strong sunshine, those temperatures will really be shooting up. 36 celsius there in london. temperatures could even get higher than that.

and around the world. this is bbc news with this is bbc news with the latest business headlines the latest business headlines for viewers in the uk for viewers in the uk

and around the world. a new era of economic cooperation in the middle east?