South Sudan, Haiti, Sri Lanka.

Today's three stories you should know.

Jul 14, 2022

South Sudan

At least 150 people have been killed in ethnic violence in South Sudan, the governor of the country’s Eastern Equatoria state told the BBC. The battles broke out over cattle raids and grazing rights, he said. Violent confrontations over livestock and land are relatively common in South Sudan as farmers and nomadic communities compete for scarce resources. The world’s youngest country, which won independence from Sudan in 2011, has been beset by war, hunger and corruption since it was established.

Haiti

Things are deteriorating fast in Haiti. At least 89 people have been killed in a week of gang violence in the capital Port-au-Prince, according to a human rights group. The National Human Rights Defense Network also said 16 people were missing and 74 had gunshot or knife wounds. Police - outgunned - stood by and allowed the rival gangs to fight it out as terrified residents hid inside their homes, unable to go out for food and water. Haiti is on a pronounced downward spiral with soaring food and fuel prices adding to its troubles, prompting many to flee to the Dominican Republic or the US.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the country this week after protesters overran his house and demanded he step down, has submitted his formal resignation. The news was confirmed by a spokesman for the parliamentary speaker and the resignation is expected to be accepted on Friday. Speculation is already rife about who will replace him. Reuters today published a useful rundown of contenders.