for doping violations. clive... many thanks. that's it. there's more throughout the evening on the bbc news channel, and i'll be back with the late news at 10pm. now on bbc one, time for the news where you are. bye for now.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 7.00 —

record—breaking temperatures are set to hit the uk next week. transport services could face "significant disruption" ministers are taking steps to ensure hospitals and ambulances are prepared, while schools are given guidance to help them remain open. the long—term forecast is showing the possibility of quite a warm summer, and there is also the possibility that this kind of short episode can occur. and we'll be speaking to a public health specialist on the challenges of helping the most vulnerable cope with extreme weather emergencies. heathrow is pushing ahead with plans to force airlines to reduce passenger numbers to help the airport cope with staff shortages. russia orders all its forces to step up operations in ukraine, as moscow's missiles strike cities right across the country. ireland make rugby union history with their first—ever series win in new zealand.

hello, welcome to bbc news. the government has held an emergency cobra meeting, to discuss how to respond to the record temperatures, expected to hit parts of the uk next week. a national emergency has already been declared, after the met office issued a red extreme heat warning for the very first time, meaning there's a risk to life. an amber warning has been announced for tomorrow, affecting parts of england and wales, and that extends to scotland on monday. then the red warning will come into effect, 0ur correspondentjon donnison has the very latest. it is without doubt weather for mr

whippy. it is without doubt weather for mr whi - . , , , , it is without doubt weather for mr whiu. _, m it is without doubt weather for mr whiu. _, ' it is without doubt weather for mr whiu. __ ' .,, whippy. very busy, working 12 hours every single — whippy. very busy, working 12 hours every single day _ whippy. very busy, working 12 hours every single day in — whippy. very busy, working 12 hours every single day in the _ whippy. very busy, working 12 hours every single day in the heat, - whippy. very busy, working 12 hours every single day in the heat, and - every single day in the heat, and among and tuesday next week, it looks like it will be unbearable. here we go. looks like it will be unbearable. here we 90-— looks like it will be unbearable. here we go. keeping cool will be ke . here we go. keeping cool will be key. temperatures _ here we go. keeping cool will be key. temperatures are _ here we go. keeping cool will be key. temperatures are expected| here we go. keeping cool will be i key. temperatures are expected to reach the high 30s and even a0 celsius. reach the high 30s and even 40 celsius. �* u, . reach the high 30s and even 40 celsius. �* _, . ., , ., celsius. i'm concerned about my dog so i will celsius. i'm concerned about my dog so i will get — celsius. i'm concerned about my dog so i will get her _ celsius. i'm concerned about my dog so i will get her a _ celsius. i'm concerned about my dog so i will get her a paddling _ celsius. i'm concerned about my dog so i will get her a paddling pool, - so i will get her a paddling pool, try to keep her inside as much as possible, but also my mother is in a nursing home, so that concerns me. i have a meeting today to find out what they are going to do to make sure that the residents are kept cool sure that the residents are kept cool. ., , ., ., ., sure that the residents are kept cool. ., ., ., , sure that the residents are kept cool. ., , ., ., ., , ., cool. doctors have one that is not 'ust be cool. doctors have one that is not just be vulnerable _ cool. doctors have one that is not just be vulnerable at _ cool. doctors have one that is not just be vulnerable at risk- cool. doctors have one that is not just be vulnerable at risk from - cool. doctors have one that is not i just be vulnerable at risk from such extreme heat. the uk health security agency is a far more moderate heat wave last summer led to over 1,600 excess deaths. and all of this comes with hospitals already under mounting pressure because of the

recent surge in covid cases and there is a particular warning from health bosses today that patients should not be left stocking ambulances in sweltering temperatures while doctors wait for beds to clear inside. —— stuck in ambulances. new health secretary steven barclay said the government is prepared. indie steven barclay said the government is --reared. ~ ., steven barclay said the government is prepared-— is prepared. we are putting in additional _ is prepared. we are putting in additional capacity _ is prepared. we are putting in additional capacity with - is prepared. we are putting in additional capacity with call i additional capacity with call handlers, paramedics on duty, extra capacity in 111 as well, so we are putting that capacity in and working with hospital trust leaders in terms of where we are able to increase bed capacity on the wards. fist of where we are able to increase bed capacity on the wards.— capacity on the wards. at this well street this weekend, _ capacity on the wards. at this well street this weekend, people - capacity on the wards. at this well street this weekend, people were | street this weekend, people were topping up their tans, but by monday and some parts of the uk, it could be 10 degrees hotter than today and the advice is to stay out of the sun. —— at this welsh beach. and forecasters say this is something we

will have to get used to. scientists believe now that we are going to see more extreme heat, and potentially for a longer period of time. we're10% more likely now to see extreme heat as a result of climate change and man—made influence. so the next few days could see records broken and written's weather move into uncharted waters, but scientists say extreme temperatures in the summer are already becoming the new normal. and the heatwave in southern europe is intensifying, with wildfires forcing thousands of people to flee towns and villages. a number of people have already died, and temperatures are predicted to go well above 40 degrees celsius, in parts of spain and portugal. meanwhile, more than 100 square kilometres are ablaze in france's south—western gironde region, from where our europe correspondent jessica parker has sent us this report.

clea n swee p clean sweep in as they try to contain the fire is raging in south—western france. people have to be evacuated from the area today as flames ripped through the forest. a second blaze closer to the coast has seen 10,000 people evacuated. everything went fast, and the fire was big, big, big. my friends got me out, and i was like, 0k, what do i take? ,, . , out, and i was like, 0k, what do i take? ,, .,, ., ~ out, and i was like, 0k, what do i take? ,, ., ~ ., out, and i was like, 0k, what do i take? ,, ., , ., ~ ., ., take? she was working and living at a local campsite. _ take? she was working and living at a local campsite. for— take? she was working and living at a local campsite. for now, - take? she was working and living at a local campsite. for now, this - a local campsite. for now, this conference centre is her home. 0thers wait here for news or the chance to dash back to fetch what they left behind. we are going to try to go back to -et we are going to try to go back to get our— we are going to try to go back to get our cat _

we are going to try to go back to get our cat-— get our cat. the smoke was not billowin: get our cat. the smoke was not billowing out — get our cat. the smoke was not billowing out a _ get our cat. the smoke was not billowing out a couple - get our cat. the smoke was not billowing out a couple of- get our cat. the smoke was not billowing out a couple of hours| get our cat. the smoke was not - billowing out a couple of hours ago, so people who are waiting to be escorted back into the village to fetch pets or personal belongings, that has been put on hold. authorities say around 10,000 hectares of land have been ravaged by the flames in this region. translation:— by the flames in this region. translation: ., , ., ., translation: last night, in order to maintain this — translation: last night, in order to maintain this perimeter, _ translation: last night, in order to maintain this perimeter, there - translation: last night, in order to maintain this perimeter, there was i maintain this perimeter, there was an enormous amount of work, an enormous mobilisation of the fire brigade. enormous mobilisation of the fire briuade. ~ , ., , , ., brigade. with temperatures set to net close brigade. with temperatures set to get close to _ brigade. with temperatures set to get close to 40 — brigade. with temperatures set to get close to 40 celsius _ brigade. with temperatures set to get close to 40 celsius in - brigade. with temperatures set to get close to 40 celsius in the - get close to 40 celsius in the coming days, people watch on and hope soon at the battle against these fires can be won. jessica parker, bbc news. to tell us more about how local councils can help their communities during this extreme heatwave, i'm joined by david fothergill, chair of the local government association's community and wellbeing board, which specialises in public health. can you tell us about the work you're doing right now to help all of us in this heat?—

of us in this heat? first of all, vulnerable — of us in this heat? first of all, vulnerable people, _ of us in this heat? first of all, vulnerable people, that - of us in this heat? first of all, vulnerable people, that is - of us in this heat? first of all, vulnerable people, that is a i of us in this heat? first of all, i vulnerable people, that is a vast group, those aged over 75, those with certain medical conditions, those with alzheimer's perhaps that cannot make the adaptations they need to make, and of course the homeless. lots of action going on across all the range of vulnerable people to try to make sure they get the extra support, the extra contact, and they get the extra help that they might need. haifa contact, and they get the extra help that they might need.— that they might need. how are you doin: that they might need. how are you doing that? _ that they might need. how are you doing that? is— that they might need. how are you doing that? is it _ that they might need. how are you doing that? is it face-to-face - doing that? is it face—to—face visits, phone calls? doing that? is it face-to-face visits, phone calls?— doing that? is it face-to-face visits, phone calls? impact of the count , visits, phone calls? impact of the country. it _ visits, phone calls? impact of the country. it will— visits, phone calls? impact of the country, it will be _ visits, phone calls? impact of the country, it will be face-to-face i country, it will be face—to—face visits, in other parts of phone calls, and we do ask people to keep an eye on their particularly vulnerable, and to contact us if there is a problem, and of course we will then get support out to those people. it's really important that we take all the precautions we can. i think everybody has heard the advice over the last day or two, which is to drink plenty of water, to try to stay out of the sun during

the period 11—3, draw your cat is to make sure your house stays a bit cooler, just take all the cautions and do not forget to use some cream, very important. haifa and do not forget to use some cream, very important-— very important. how well-prepared our local councils _ very important. how well-prepared our local councils for _ very important. how well-prepared our local councils for this _ very important. how well-prepared our local councils for this extreme l our local councils for this extreme heat? ~ , , ., heat? well, this is something we are havin: to heat? well, this is something we are having to get — heat? well, this is something we are having to get prepared _ heat? well, this is something we are having to get prepared for, _ heat? well, this is something we are having to get prepared for, and - heat? well, this is something we are having to get prepared for, and of. having to get prepared for, and of course with climate change, it is something that will happen more and more, unfortunately. so i think we will become more and more prepared for it, but we do have the procedures in place, we do have people in place, and we will provide as much support as we can. one other aspect which your viewers might find interesting, some will have seen gritters on the road. no snow or ice is forecast over the next few days, but we are having to get gritters out, because the salt begins to absorb the vitamin which begins to melt at 50 celsius, which road temptress can easily reach, so we're

asking to drive carefully because that can lead to more dangerous situations, but we are spreading the vertical salt to try to make sure everybody can travel safely. taste vertical salt to try to make sure everybody can travel safely. we 'ust had that last — everybody can travel safely. we 'ust had that last year i everybody can travel safely. we 'ust had that last year there i everybody can travel safely. we 'ust had that last year there were i everybody can travel safely. we just had that last year there were 1600 i had that last year there were 1600 excess deaths because of a moderate heat wave. you must be very fearful about what might unfold over the next few days. i about what might unfold over the next few days-— next few days. i think it is a little unknown, _ next few days. i think it is a little unknown, but - next few days. i think it is a little unknown, but we - next few days. i think it is a i little unknown, but we have next few days. i think it is a - little unknown, but we have had plenty of warning this time, we have known of this is coming now for the last week. people have been given a lot of advice. we just need to make sure that people who haven't been able to take that advice on board, particularly vulnerable, we look out for them, particularly vulnerable, we look out forthem, make particularly vulnerable, we look out for them, make contact with them, neighbours pop in to make sure they are safe and well, and we need to take every step we possibly can. so i think this is where the community comes together, this is where local government. is togetherfor comes together, this is where local government. is together for that support, and it is going to be difficult, but in 48 hours we will be through it, and we will be more

prepared next time. is be through it, and we will be more prepared next time.— prepared next time. is there an hinu prepared next time. is there anything you _ prepared next time. is there anything you feel _ prepared next time. is there anything you feel the - prepared next time. is there - anything you feel the government should be doing it to really try to tackle this, what is good to be a fit of an emergency over the next few days? —— going to be a bit of an emergency? few days? -- going to be a bit of an emergency?— emergency? longer term we have to tackle climate — emergency? longer term we have to tackle climate change, _ emergency? longer term we have to tackle climate change, but _ emergency? longer term we have to tackle climate change, but short - tackle climate change, but short term, the important thing is to get information out there, make contact with vulnerable people, make sure people know how to protect themselves. from a local government point of view, we have put in a lot of resources to make sure we are providing that support. ultimately, we need to come up with some sort of financial plan which we hope will come from central government, but in the meantime we have to do the right things to look after people. joining us. -- things to look after people. joining us- -- thank— things to look after people. joining us- -- thank you — things to look after people. joining us. -- thank you for _ things to look after people. joining us. -- thank you forjoining - things to look after people. joining us. -- thank you forjoining us. -

for the very latest information on how to stay cool, and guard against heat exhaustion and heat stroke, just go to bbc.co.uk/news, or the bbc news app. let's speak to our political correspondent ben wright. do we know what has come out of this emergency cobra meeting? ifiabra emergency cobra meeting? cobra pulls toaether emergency cobra meeting? cobra pulls together ministers _ emergency cobra meeting? cobra pulls together ministers and _ emergency cobra meeting? cobra pulls together ministers and officials - together ministers and officials from across whitehall and all uk nations in this instance, when it is an emergency like this, to go through contingency planning, to make sure all the emergency services are primed, to work out what the tactics should be. cabinet office minister kit malthouse chad today's meeting, and afterwards warned of severe disruption on monday and tuesday. —— chaired today's meeting. there are three key areas where we want to make sure that we are stood up and as ready as we can be. the first is obviously health and social care, where there has been a lot of work, first of all messaging those people who may be vulnerable, and making sure they take steps

to help themselves and protect themselves, but also that hospitals, ambulances, and other areas of that service that may come under pressure are ready and prepared. the second area is schools, where obviously we want to make sure kids do continue to go to school, we think they are safer in schools, but those schools should have more help and guidance and all the support that they need, to keep those kids out of the sun and nice and cool and hydrated. and then thirdly, transport, where we do think there is going to be a significant impact. obviously the transport providers are messaging people that they should only travel if they really need to on monday and tuesday, but also that services are going to be significantly affected. the heat will affect the rails, for example, so trains have to run slower, there may be fewer services. people just need to be on their guard for disruptions to their normal travel patterns, and if they don't have to travel, then this may be the moment to work at home. a strong suggestion that people should work from home. the issue of schools was discussed at some length in this meeting, too. there will not be a blanket school closure, the

view and government as it is better to have children inside schools, particularly children of key workers for instance whose parents need to be at work, or vulnerable children, they do not want them at home during this. they don't want children out potentially playing in rivers or getting into trouble, so schools will stay open, although they have discretion if they choose to close. but they are preparing for significant disruption, as you have there from kit malthouse. labour has criticised the prime minister for not taking part in today's cobra meeting, colin borisjohnson missing in action, saying he is in need zombie government. downing street says the prime minister working from chequers and it is not unusual at all for prime ministers to delegate telling of these meetings to relevant ministers.- telling of these meetings to relevant ministers. away from the weather for _ relevant ministers. away from the weather for a _ relevant ministers. away from the weather for a moment _ relevant ministers. away from the weather for a moment and - relevant ministers. away from the weather for a moment and what i relevant ministers. away from the i weather for a moment and what will happen with that, let's talk about the tory leadership race. we have the tory leadership race. we have the debate last night, what has been happening today? aha, the debate last night, what has been happening today?— happening today? a lull, to be honest. happening today? a lull, to be honest- a _ happening today? a lull, to be honest. a pause _ happening today? a lull, to be honest. a pause as _ happening today? a lull, to be honest. a pause as they - happening today? a lull, to be honest. a pause as they go - happening today? a lull, to be i honest. a pause as they go back through their various attack lines, look at the polling from yesterday,

which was all interesting, building some sort of picture about what people might think about the five candidates in these relatively early stages of a contest that will be over very quickly. we have five still in the running now, but by wednesday we will have two left, so the third round of the balloting of mps is on monday, there will be another on tuesday, and then the final one on wednesday, by which time we will have the final duo who then go forward to a ballad of the wider tory membership, 175,000 conservatives, the course of the summer. the attack lines do not remove yesterday, former chancellor rishi sunak looking likely one of the five who is most cautious about talking about tax cuts. all the others say that some sort of tax cuts are needed now to help people with the cost of living. coming from, rishi sunak is insisting that with only fuel inflation. so i think that remains the big battleground of this contest. he remains ahead, and

it feels that the battle really is on for that second place on the ticket between penny mordaunt and liz truss. it is a volatile contest, no guarantee at all who those final two will be even though we will know in four days' time.— in four days' time. brutal but auick. in four days' time. brutal but quick. thank _ in four days' time. brutal but quick. thank you _ in four days' time. brutal but quick. thank you very - in four days' time. brutal but quick. thank you very much i in four days' time. brutal but i quick. thank you very much for in four days' time. brutal but - quick. thank you very much for now. the headlines on bbc news — record—breaking temperatures are set to hit the uk next week. transport services could face "significant disruption." ministers are taking steps to ensure hospitals and ambulances are prepared, while schools are given guidance to help them remain open. politicians in sri lanka begin the process of choosing a new president, after mass protests drove ex—president rajapaksa to resign and flee the country. 3 people have been killed and 15 others injured in the ukrainian city of dnipro following a russian missile attack on the country's leading space rocket and satellite factory.

ukraine says it needs urgent shipments of long—range artillery and other weapons to slow the advance of russian forces in the east of the country, as our defence correspondent jonathan beale reports. on ukraine's eastern front, they're about to target russian positions. this time, using american—supplied howitzers and ammunition. explosion. ukraine's still vastly outgunned. these help, but they can't hang around. explosion. western weapons like this have given ukraine an advantage in terms of accuracy and range, but they've also become high—value targets, with russia trying to hunt them down. they prepare to move out quickly before they become the target. explosions. go, go, go! explosions. well, that's a russian

reply coming in just now. they fired their shots and, within minutes, russian artillery were responding, shells landing close to us where we are now. gunshot. there's another one. this time, they miss. the howitzers get away. the artillery commander tells me the russians are regularly targeting them because of their western weapons. "because they're precise and effective," he says. ukraine's also having to learn a western way of war, the emphasis on precision. and this one's making a difference — the us himars rocket launcher. ukraine doesn't have many, but it can now strike targets from distance. but it's creating a massive logistical challenge. ukraine's now having to maintain dozens of weapons from dozens of countries,

like these british—supplied armoured vehicles. each one requires separate training and spare parts. and weapons supplied by the west also use a different calibre of ammunition, like these german self—propelled guns. the west still claims its not directly involved in this conflict, but in truth, it's now an essential part of ukraine's war machine. jonathan beale, bbc news, eastern ukraine. airlines are being forced to either cancel or run fewer flights because of staff shortages at heathrow airport. emirates airlines have agreed to cap sales of their flights out of heathrow until mid—august. we can speak now to sally gethin, a journalist covering the airline industry. welcome. earlier this week, welcome. earlierthis week, heathrow announced they would cut the number of people are allowed into the airport, but it seems there still this huge knock—on effect, because the hope was that there would be sufficient warning for people, but

people are still having flights cancelled very last minute. everything is very last minute. operations at heathrow seem to always be teetering, it is last minute meetings and agreements. it went down to the wire with emirates because earlier this week, emirates set off quite a robust critique to heathrow, saying that it was not going to comply. but overnight, the have sat down and have some constructive talks, the upshot is that emirates will not sell any more tickets until mid august. but there's also a bit of a problem with etta had as well. so etta had is refusing to comply, so we have to say, do they have the necessary enforcement action at heathrow? —— etihad. they are prevailing upon airlines to reach these neutral

agreements. airlines to reach these neutral agreements-— airlines to reach these neutral aureements. , , ., agreements. yes, prevailing upon them and frustrating _ agreements. yes, prevailing upon them and frustrating for _ agreements. yes, prevailing upon them and frustrating for the - them and frustrating for the airlines are desperate to recoup the millions they have lost over the last 2.5 years. millions they have lost over the last 2-5 years— last 2.5 years. yes, that it is unprecedented _ last 2.5 years. yes, that it is unprecedented for _ last 2.5 years. yes, that it is unprecedented for an - last 2.5 years. yes, that it isi unprecedented for an airport last 2.5 years. yes, that it is i unprecedented for an airport to last 2.5 years. yes, that it is - unprecedented for an airport to say an airline, you must stop operating. it is like going against the grain, it isa it is like going against the grain, it is a deregulated industry. heathrow is run privately, it is a private organisation, and the same goes for other airlines, although emirates is a state—run airline from dubai. but even so, airlines have always had complete autonomy and how they sell their seats, and i think that act emirates very much when heathrow was a study with income you should cut these flights and these flights. —— i think that irked emirates. even today, right now, passengers are facing huge queues at the airport, there are still problems with getting their bags as well. 50

problems with getting their bags as well, ,, ., ., problems with getting their bags as well. ,, ., ., , problems with getting their bags as well. ., , ., ,, , well. so what rights do passengers have their flights _ well. so what rights do passengers have their flights are _ well. so what rights do passengers have their flights are cancelled - have their flights are cancelled last minute? they need to somewhere urgently. brute last minute? they need to somewhere uraentl . ~ ., ., , ., urgently. we do have some strong laws in the — urgently. we do have some strong laws in the uk _ urgently. we do have some strong laws in the uk and _ urgently. we do have some strong laws in the uk and in _ urgently. we do have some strong laws in the uk and in europe - urgently. we do have some strong laws in the uk and in europe to . laws in the uk and in europe to protect passengers, and they do have a lot of different rates. the best thing to do is to always check with your carrier, also go to the airport website and the regulator in this country, the ukcaa. there is a lot of information out there, and in most cases you will get some compensation depending on how long your delay is. if you are on back—up flights suddenly, you deserve to be booked onto an alternative flight or get a refund. but it is not working out that way. sometimes there are people on the ground looking for a real person to try to help solve the immediate problem. what real person to try to help solve the immediate problem.— real person to try to help solve the immediate problem. what advice would ou rive immediate problem. what advice would you give passengers _ immediate problem. what advice would you give passengers who _ immediate problem. what advice would you give passengers who are _ you give passengers who are preparing to fly over the next few weeks? how can they be confident their plane will go and they will

not just arrive at the airport and their flight will be cancelled? mast their flight will be cancelled? most ofthe their flight will be cancelled? most of the cancellations _ their flight will be cancelled? most of the cancellations are _ their flight will be cancelled? i’j�*if?3ii of the cancellations are happening to short to medium haul flights. of the cancellations are happening to short to medium haulflights. so for example to the mediterranean, some of the destinations that a lot of uk holiday—makers would normally go to. longer haul flights tend to be the most protected, also because airlines need to protect us flights, so when they are looking to cancel, they were cancel where they have a very high frequency, perhaps to a popular more immediate route, and therefore the longer routes tend to be protected. but really, you have to keep in close touch with your airline, andjust to keep in close touch with your airline, and just be prepared, make sure you have checked all your regulations for your destination, because some countries still have covid restrictions, and also pack accordingly. go with hand luggage rather than getting your bags into the hold if you can, because that is where some of the glitches are

happening people are not being reconciled with their bags quickly enough. reconciled with their bags quickly enou . h. ~ , reconciled with their bags quickly enou . h. . , , ., enough. where is the government in all of this? the— enough. where is the government in all of this? the government - enough. where is the government in all of this? the government is - all of this? the government is -auttin all of this? the government is putting out — all of this? the government is putting out the _ all of this? the government is putting out the right _ all of this? the government is putting out the right noises, l all of this? the government is l putting out the right noises, but they are not actually taking action. they are sending lots of letters and coming up with lots of great plans. a few weeks ago, it was a five—point plan, then a 22 point plan. new airlines must do this, airlines like airports must do that. but in reality, it is still a lot of treading carefully, asking mostly, hoping that it will work out. so things are still in limbo, but hopefully we will see a little bit of progress if the aviation industry can come around the table, and also with the government's encouragement potentially enforcement, and bring some resolution to passengers to avoid misery. some resolution to passengers to avoid misery-— some resolution to passengers to avoid misery. and of course we are headin: avoid misery. and of course we are heading into _ avoid misery. and of course we are heading into the _ avoid misery. and of course we are heading into the school— avoid misery. and of course we are heading into the school holidays i heading into the school holidays in the next few days. do we all have to just cross our fingers and hope for

the best, orjust accept that the best, or just accept that there will probably be chaos if you are heading into or out of a uk airport? it is difficult to tell, it really depends on the destination, the airline, and airlines are making cancellations as far in advance as they can. but as emirates called it an airmageddon, that is the worst case scenario for when the schools break up, so i think we'll have to hold our nerve at that point, and hopefully the short term pain will be for long term gain, and the rest of the summer will pan out a bit more smoothly.— of the summer will pan out a bit more smoothly. let's all hope so. thank you — more smoothly. let's all hope so. thank you for— more smoothly. let's all hope so. thank you for your _ more smoothly. let's all hope so. thank you for your expertise - more smoothly. let's all hope so. thank you for your expertise and l thank you for your expertise and analysis, sally. the sri lankan parliament has begun the formal process of choosing a new president after mass protests drove gotabaya rajapacksa from power. the prime minister, ranil wickremesinghe, has been sworn in as temporary leader and has the backing of the ruling party. protesters have called for his resignation because of his close ties to the rajapacksa family. mps are expected to vote for mr rajapaksa's replacement on wednesday.

a three—year—old boy has died after a collision with a tractor on a farm in bury in greater manchester. his family flagged down an ambulance this afternoon to say the boy had been injured, but he died before he could reach hospital. police say the driver of the tractor is helping with their inquiries. an investigation involving the health and safety executive is underway. president biden has ended his first tour of the middle east, reiterating us commitment to the region at a summit with gulf leaders in saudi arabia. he's been trying to persuade them to boost oil production during a high—level meeting. this is what president biden had to say a little earlier. the united states is going to remain an active, engaged partner in the middle east. as the world grows more competitive and the challenges we face more complex, it is only becoming clearer to me how closely interwoven america's interests are with the successes

in the middle east. our middle east correspondent anna foster has been speaking to the saudi minister of state for foreign affairs. she began by asking him about critical comments president biden had made about the saudi regime in the past. what happens in a political campaign generally doesn't survive the reality of being in office, because in office, you have access to information, you have access to advisers, you have access to intelligence, and you are governing and conducting the affairs of government. president trump said things about saudi arabia during the campaign, but then, when he was in office, we had a great relationship with him. so what happens in campaigns is what i call happens during the silly season. but disagreement with the regime, dissent, is still frowned upon and ultimately punished, so when will that change? i think we can have a discussion about this, an argument about this. because i think that what you may call a dissident,

we call a terrorist. what you may call someone expressing their opinion, it is incitement. when somebody gives money to a group that murders people, is that expressing their opinion? or is this funding murder? but they are presented outside saudi arabia as if they are activists. or as if they are moderates, wanting to express their opinion. when, from our perspective, they are either inciting people to commit murder, or they are funding murder, or they are actively working to destabilise the kingdom of saudi arabia. for many people, when they think of saudi arabia, they think ofjamal khashoggi and they think of the way that he was lured into the saudi consulate in istanbul, suffocated, his body was dismembered with a bone saw, his body has never been found. which of those crimes that you listed here did he commit to be murdered in such a way, which the cia concluded had been

approved by the crown prince? the argument that his royal highness the crown prince authorised this is ridiculous, or that he knew about this is ridiculous. did george bush organise or know about what happened in abu ghraib? of course not. it was a mistake committed by people who either did it intentionally or exceeded their authority. what did the us government do? exactly what we did. they investigated, they punished and they put in place mechanisms to ensure this does not happen again. and so the argument that we did this, that saudi arabia is guilty as a country or government or as a leadership, to me is ridiculous. can you hold other governments responsible, or presidents, or heads of state, for actions that were committed by people outside the scope of their authority? of course not.