Sri Lanka: Protesters burn down Rajapaksa homes

Today's headlines: Marcos is the new president of the Philippines; Thailand's army boycotts leading regional online retailer; Singapore bans a controversial Indian film; Japan waits for the new U.S. economic plan; Candidate opposed to Russian annexation wins South Ossetian elections.

SRI LANKA

Protesters in Sri Lanka burned down the homes of the Rajapaksa family and several other parliamentarians following the prime minister's resignation yesterday. President Gotabaya is still in power. Seven people have been killed and more than 190 injured so far in the clashes. Authorities have extended the curfew in an attempt to quell the violence.

PHILIPPINES

It will still take several days for official results, but Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos will be the new president of the Philippines. According to a still-partial count by the Electoral Commission, the son of the former dictator got about 30 million votes compared to 14 million for outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo.

THAILAND

Thailand's military has decided to boycott e-commerce giant Lazada, the largest online retailer in Southeast Asia, after the release of an advertisement that appears to mock the royal family. Thailand has strict rules against lese majesty that can result in up to 15 years in prison.

SINGAPORE

The city-state government has banned the screening of the film Kashmir Files, which chronicles the exodus of Hindus from the disputed region between India and Pakistan. The screening could "cause enmity between different communities," the Singaporean government said. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised the film while critics said it fuels anti-Muslim sentiments. 

JAPAN - UNITED STATES

U.S. President Joe Biden's upcoming visit to Japan and South Korea - May 20-24 - is expected to coincide with the launch of a new economic strategy for the Indo-Pacific, Japan's ambassador to Washington said. In 2017, Donald Trump had abandoned a trade pact with Asian nations, leaving room for Chinese economic expansionism.

RUSSIA

The formation of a brigade called "Free Russia" within the Ukrainian Armed Forces, composed of Russian soldiers who have switched to the Ukrainian side, is being quickly completed. Among them are also some pilots, who told of having often fired on uninhabited fields, in order not to kill unarmed citizens.

GEORGIA

In the separatist republic of South Ossetia in Georgia the ballot for the presidency was won by opposition leader Alan Gagloev, opposed to annexation to Russia, over outgoing president Anatolij Bibilov, who acknowledged defeat.