International

US expects timely installation of new Haiti prime minister after Ariel Henry’s exit

Amidst the political turmoil in Haiti, the United States is calling for the swift appointment of a new prime minister following the resignation of Ariel Henry. Henry, who has been serving as interim prime minister since July 2021, announced his resignation amidst escalating violence and pressure from various quarters.

The State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the appointment of a new prime minister should occur “without further delay.” This sentiment was echoed during a CARICOM meeting in Jamaica, where representatives from the US, France, and the UN discussed Haiti’s political future.

Henry’s resignation will only take effect upon the formation of a transitional presidential council, a process expected to unfold within the next 24 to 48 hours. The formation of this council is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition of power and for facilitating the appointment of a new prime minister.

Despite the urgency of the situation, Henry did not attend the CARICOM meeting, remaining stranded in Puerto Rico due to the prevailing violence and mounting pressure for his resignation.

In addition to addressing the political vacuum in Haiti, there were discussions about Kenya’s decision to postpone the deployment of a thousand police officers to lead a multinational mission approved by the UN. While the delay is understandable given the circumstances, the US emphasized the need for the deployment to proceed expeditiously.

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A senior State Department official stressed the importance of swift action, emphasizing that Washington has already reimbursed Nairobi for the costs associated with training the Kenyan forces slated for deployment to Haiti.

As Haiti grapples with political instability and security challenges, the international community, led by the United States, is closely monitoring developments and advocating for a timely and orderly transition of power to ensure stability and security in the country.

International

Trump orders U.S. control of Strait of Hormuz after failed Iran talks

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the United States will take control of the Strait of Hormuz“effective immediately,” following the collapse of negotiations with Iran held in Islamabad.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had ordered the U.S. Navy to block vessels attempting to enter or exit the strategic waterway, a key route for global energy trade.

“The meeting went well, agreement was reached on most points, but the only really important one — nuclear weapons — was not approved,” Trump said, referring to the talks with Iranian representatives.

The president also stated that he had instructed authorities to intercept ships in international waters that had paid tolls to Iran to transit the strait, calling such payments “illegal.” He further accused Tehran of hindering an agreement by deploying mines in the area, describing the move as “international extortion.”

Trump added that the United States will undertake efforts to clear mines from the strait and expressed confidence that a future agreement ensuring free navigation could eventually be reached.

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The announcement came after Vice President JD Vance and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner briefed the president on the outcome of the negotiations, considered the highest-level contacts between the two countries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

While Trump acknowledged that enough progress had been made to maintain a temporary truce, he criticized Iran for remaining unwilling to abandon its nuclear ambitions, calling its position “very inflexible” on the central issue.

International

Child Found Malnourished in Van in France; Father Admits Confinement

French gendarmes discovered a child in a van in Hagenbach, in northeastern France, after a neighbor reported hearing what she described as “childlike noises” coming from the parked vehicle.

After unlocking the van, officers found the boy lying in a fetal position, unclothed and covered with a blanket, surrounded by garbage and near human waste, according to a statement from the Mulhouse prosecutor, Nicolas Heitz.

Authorities said the child appeared pale and severely malnourished. Due to prolonged confinement in a seated position, he was no longer able to walk. He was immediately taken to a hospital in Mulhouse for medical care.

The boy’s father, who lived with his partner and two daughters aged 10 and 12, admitted to keeping the child confined and depriving him of proper care.

According to the prosecutor, the man said he placed the child in the van in November 2024, claiming he wanted to “protect him” because his partner intended to have the boy admitted to a psychiatric facility.

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The suspect also stated that he allowed the child out of the vehicle in May 2025 and permitted him to enter the family apartment around mid-year, when the rest of the family was on vacation.

The man’s partner—who is not the child’s mother—also faces charges, including failure to report abuse. However, she has denied all accusations.

International

Europe Faces Jet Fuel Shortage Risk Amid Hormuz Disruption

The Airports Council International Europe has warned of a potential “systemic shortage” of jet fuel if maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is not restored within the next three weeks, according to a letter reviewed by AFP on Friday.

In the document, addressed to the European Commission and first reported by the Financial Times, the European airport lobby stated that a “systemic jet fuel shortage will become a reality” in the European Union unless stable and significant transit through the strait resumes soon.

The association, which represents around 600 airports across 50 countries, called on Brussels to implement “urgent monitoring of fuel availability and supply” over the next six months.

Jet fuel prices have surged amid the conflict in the Middle East and the ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy transport.

The conflict escalated on February 28 following joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iran.

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In response, Tehran imposed several countermeasures, including blocking maritime traffic through the strait, a route through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil, jet fuel, and gas supply passes.