Sri Lanka, Syria, Philippines.
Today's three stories you should know.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s persistent anti-government protests over the country’s unprecedented economic crisis have been mentioned in several previous newsletters. Today, major developments. After days of speculation, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as violence escalated across the country. The properties of government officials were burned to the ground, pro- and anti-government demonstrators clashed and an MP was killed after he fired on protesters. But Mahinda Rajapaksa stepping down won’t calm things. The real focus of the protest movement is his brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The Rajapaksa family has ruled Sri Lanka on and off for decades.
More from BBC here.
Syria
Several Syrian human rights groups today appealed to the UN to investigate an apparent massacre carried out by government forces in the capital Damascus in 2013. The killing of 41 civilians came to light this week in gruesome leaked footage. Soldiers can be seen laughing as they force blindfolded and handcuffed people to run into a ditch just in front of them. They are then filmed shooting the men before pouring gasoline on them and burning their bodies. The footage has caused outrage and heartbreak, with some Syrians saying they recognized their relatives.
More from Al Jazeera here.
Philippines
A remarkable story is unfolding in the Philippines. The son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos is on the cusp of being elected president in a landslide. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, who is 64, has an unassailable lead in unofficial tallies and looks a virtual certainty to win. Marcos Jr’s father was overthrown in 1986 after 21 years in power by a popular uprising dubbed the “People Power” movement. In a further twist, the daughter of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte is on course to be elected as his deputy. It is an extraordinary return to power for the political dynasty.
More from AP here.