From the heart of sri lankas capital, colombo. Im outside the president ial office, and today, its Pristine Exterior is well guarded. But six months ago, angry antigovernment protesters stormed this building, as well as the president ial palace, forcing the president to flee the country. They were angry at just how desperate their Economic Situation had become, and they blamed Government Corruption and mismanagement for it. Sri lanka is saddled with heavy debt, soaring inflation and impossibly high food and fuel costs. And its become something of a bellwether for other lower income countries. World leaders are looking to see whether sri lanka can overcome its worst economic crisis for more than 70 years, and whether its experience marks a growing trend of civil unrest. Applause. Welcome to the magnificent National Museum here in colombo, which charts the history of this beautiful island, as it marks 75 years of independence from britain, and weve got a top panel here from sri lanka who
Now on bbc news, its time for a special programme. Global questions the taiwan, china conflict. Hello, welcome to global questions with me, zeinab badawi, from Liberty Square in taipei, the capital city of taiwan. The main island of taiwan lies about 160 kilometres across the waters from china. In the past few months, china has stepped up its military exercises, and fired missiles over taiwan, in growing tensions with the government here. The chinese president , xijinping, has reiterated the claim that taiwan belongs to china, and he says he does not rule out the use of force to take it over. Meanwhile, the United States, which supports taiwan, has hardened its position with President Biden saying he would send american troops to defend it. So, if china did invade taiwan, it would be a conflict with huge global dimensions, one that involves the two superpowers, the United States and china. That is global questions, taiwan, a flashpoint with china and the world . Applause welcome to the
Wales lose to argentina. And its the end for jonny sexton and ireland, too, as theyre narrowly beaten by new zealand in paris. A rather chilly start to the day. Touchy frost this morning as well. For many of us it will be dry. Some sunshine as well. I will have the details shortly. Its sunday, the 15th of october. Our main story the Israeli Military says its planning an attack on gaza by air, sea and land, as the countrys Prime Minister warns The Next Stage of the war with hamas is coming. More thani million palestinians living in north gaza have been told by israel to evacuate south ahead of the expected Ground Offensive. The World Health Organization has condemned the Evacuation Order, and warned forcing Hospital Patients to relocate would be tantamout to a Death Sentence. Just over a week ago hamas, designated as a Terrorist Organisation by many western governments including the uk, killed 1,300 people in israel and took more than 120 hostage. The Palestinian Health authority says m
Stories coming up in a few moments but let s pause and have a look at the sport. Each of the rugby word cup quarterfinals pits a Northern Hemisphere team against one from the south. And it s so far argentina who have started things off well for those from the southern hemisphere. Now new zealand can join them in reaching the last four in france. The three time winners are playing world Number One Team ireland in paris. 1310 is 13 10 is the latest score in favour of the all blacks. They have played just under half an hour at the stad to france. So the winner of that match will face argentina, who beat wales, coming from behind twice to make the last four. Wales led 10 6 at half time and looked in control, but argentina fought back in the second half to lead 12 10 and then 19 17, before securing victory with a second try late on to win 26 17 and reach the semifinals for only the third time in their history. Argentina are tough, they stayed in the fight and i ve got to give them credit, c