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.
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
Climate-driven rains trigger one of Indonesia’s deadliest flood emergencies in years
A torrential monsoon season, compounded by two unusual tropical cyclones, has triggered intense rainfall in several regions since last week, including southern Thailand, northern Malaysia, and large parts of Indonesia.
Climate change has recently intensified rainfall patterns, as a warmer atmosphere is able to hold more moisture. In Indonesia, desperation is growing among those affected by the disaster due to the slow pace of rescue operations and the distribution of humanitarian aid.
Relief agencies warned that the scale of the emergency is nearly unprecedented, even for a country accustomed to frequent natural disasters.
Across the island of Sumatra, the death toll was revised downward to 770 fatalities and at least 463 people still missing as of Wednesday night. Earlier, the national disaster management agency had reported 804 deaths.
Gathering accurate information on the ground remains difficult, as many regions are still cut off due to flood damage, widespread power outages, communication failures, or a combination of all three.
International
Russian authorities ban Roblox citing child safety and moral concerns
Russia has blocked access to the U.S.-owned game creation platform Roblox, accusing it of distributing extremist materials and what authorities described as “LGBT propaganda,” state media reported on Wednesday.
The country has repeatedly threatened to ban certain foreign digital platforms, a move that human rights organizations view as part of broader efforts by authorities to tighten control over internet use.
In a statement released through Russian news agencies, the federal communications watchdog Roskomnadzor accused Roblox of hosting “inappropriate content that can negatively affect the spiritual and moral development of children.”
“The game exposes minors to sexual harassment, tricks them into sharing intimate photos, and encourages them to commit acts of depravity and violence,” the regulator claimed.
Last week, the same agency also threatened to ban WhatsApp, the country’s second most widely used messaging app, accusing it of failing to prevent criminal activity.
Roblox, which is owned by the U.S.-based Roblox Corporation, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to company data for 2024, the platform has around 100 million daily users worldwide, nearly 40% of whom are under the age of 13.
Other countries, including Qatar, Iraq and Turkey, have also restricted or banned Roblox, mainly over concerns about the safety of underage users. In the United States, the states of Texas and Louisiana have filed lawsuits against the platform on similar grounds.
International
El Chapo’s son Joaquín Guzmán López pleads guilty to U.S. drug trafficking charges
Joaquín Guzmán López, one of the sons of notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, pleaded guilty on Monday to drug trafficking charges in a U.S. court, months after his brother Ovidio reached a similar plea agreement, according to local media reports.
The defendant appeared before a federal court in Chicago early Monday afternoon and changed his previous plea in the case, the Chicago Tribune reported. U.S. authorities accuse him of forming, together with his three brothers, the cartel faction known as “Los Chapitos.”
The group is believed to have continued the operations of El Chapo, who has been serving a life sentence in the United States since 2019.
Guzmán López, 39, was arrested after landing in Texas in a small aircraft alongside cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.
Juan Orlando Hernández’s family takes time to decide next steps after surprise U.S. release
Climate-driven rains trigger one of Indonesia’s deadliest flood emergencies in years
Russian authorities ban Roblox citing child safety and moral concerns
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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