Biden in Middle East, Sri Lanka president flees, vote for UK PM begins

Headlines for Wednesday, July 13th include:

President Biden begins Middle East trip: President Joe Biden began efforts to reaffirm and recalibrate U.S. relationships in the Middle East during his first trip to the region since taking office. It won’t be easy in a corner of the world that’s asking fresh questions about the future of American influence.

Leaving Wednesday night, President Biden was set to spend two days in Jerusalem before his visit to Saudi Arabia on Friday. In Israel, discussions regarding Iran’s ability to become a nuclear power are a priority. In Saudi Arabia, the White House has said there will be discussions regarding a possible increase in oil production.

Sri Lanka President flees the nation: Sri Lanka’s president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country without stepping down Wednesday, compounding issues for a country already reeling from economic chaos and political turmoil. Over the weekend, protesters seized the president’s home and office and the official residence of the prime minister following months of demonstrations that have all but dismantled the Rajapaksa family’s political dynasty, which ruled Sri Lanka for most of the past two decades.

On Wednesday morning, Sri Lankans continued to stream into the presidential palace, unhappy with the president’s latest political move, to put the prime minister in power while he is out of the country. Despite the president saying he would resign, as of Wednesday morning, President Rajapaksa has not stepped down.

Candidates vying to replace PM Boris Johnson: Immediately following the announcement last week of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s resignation, a large pool of Republican candidates looks to replace him. A vote in the UK to shrink the number of potential candidates was set for Wednesday afternoon.

The last-placed candidate and/or any others who fail to get 30 votes from the 358 Tory legislators would be dropped off the list. Further rounds of voting will take place Thursday and, if needed, next week. The final two contenders will face a runoff by about 180,000 Conservative Party members across the country. The winner is scheduled to be announced on Sept. 5 and will automatically become prime minister, without the need for a national election.

AP Newsroom contributed to this article.