World
Haiti’s PM Ariel Henry resigns amid threats of war from armed gangs
Ariel Henry, Haiti’s prime minister, has resigned following weeks of escalating violence in the country.
Mohamed Ali, Guyana’s president and the current chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said Henry tendered his resignation after CARICOM leaders held an emergency summit in Jamaica on the crisis in Haiti.
In a video address late Monday, the 74-year-old politician said his government would leave power after the establishment of a transitional council.
“We will be a caretaker government until they name a prime minister and a new cabinet,” Henry said in a video address.
“I want to thank the Haitian people for the opportunity I had been granted. I’m asking all Haitians to remain calm and do everything they can for peace and stability to come back as fast as possible.”
Henry spoke from Puerto Rico where he has been stranded after his plane was denied permission to land in his country.
The embattled prime minister was in Kenya seeking support for a United Nations (UN)-backed Kenyan-led security force for Haiti, as part of efforts to “restore security”.
While he was away last week, the violence worsened.
The rebel group invaded two of Haiti’s main prisons in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, freeing over 4,000 inmates.
The gangs also attacked the National Palace, set part of the interior ministry on fire with petrol bombs, and carried out sustained attacks on the international airport.
Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, the country’s most notorious gang leader, said the violence would not stop until the prime minister resigns.
Haiti has not had an election since 2016.
Henry, who had led the country supposedly on an interim basis since July 2021, following former President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination, had repeatedly postponed elections, saying security must be restored first.
Many Haitians had questioned his governing the country for this long without an elected president and accused him of corruption.
According to the Guyanese president, Henry’s interim successor will be appointed by a presidential council made up of two observers and seven voting members.
Ali added that anyone who intends to run in Haiti’s next elections will not be part of the transitional council.
World
Nigerian lady Clara Chizoba Kronborg certified as world record holder for longest interviewing marathon
The Guinness World Records (GWR) has certified Clara Chizoba Kronborg, the Nigerian social media entrepreneur, as the holder of the longest interviewing marathon.
Kronborg broke the world record for the longest interviewing marathon with a time of 55 hours 24 seconds.
The Nigerian lady, who grew up in Onitsha, held the marathon between March 8 to 10 wherein she interviewed 90 people of various nationalities and occupations.
The conversations were centred on how each guest achieved success in their respective field.
Kronborg was permitted a five-minute break for each hour which she could use to take a nap, bath, or change her clothes.
Speaking about her motivations, Clara said she attempted the record because of her passion for success and to “amplify the voices of hardworking women using their stories to inspire others”.
“This record attempt was about bringing together diverse individuals, sharing their inspiring narratives, and forging meaningful connections on a global scale,” she said.
“I am committed to amplifying voices, particularly those of hardworking women, and using their stories to inspire others facing similar challenges.”
Clara revealed that one of her toughest challenges during the exercise was the pain she battled from her monthly flow.
“Even worse, my period started the same day, and I was already having intense menstrual cramps,” she added.
“At some point, I was literally dripping pee and period stain, but I persevered and kept my eyes on the goal. To anyone who ever reads this, once you find your purpose, go after it with everything you’ve got.
“Recalling everything I went through physically, mentally, financially, emotionally – it feels so unreal.
“I am extremely proud of this accomplishment because I know lives have been touched and changed.
“This achievement is dedicated to all those who dare to dream and persist, regardless of the challenges they face.”
In an official statement on Wednesday, the GWR certified Clara as the current world record holder.
The previous record was 37 hours 44 minutes by Rob Oliver (USA) in 2022.
In December, Amuda Mariam completed a 100-hour marathon to set a new record for the longest television talk show.
World
10 killed as two military helicopters collide in Malaysia
Two Malaysian military helicopters collided and crashed during a training session on Tuesday, killing all 10 crew onboard, the country’s rescue agency said.
Footage shared online showed several helicopters flying low in formation over the Lumut naval base, located about 160 kilometres (100 miles) from the capital Kuala Lumpur.
The helicopters were participating in a flypast rehearsal ahead of Naval Day celebrations in May.
One chopper was seen clipping the rear rotor of another, causing both to go into a tailspin and crash.
“The two helicopters collided during flight training,” said Suhaimy Mohamad Suhail, senior operations commander from the fire and rescue department, adding that all 10 crew members on board were confirmed dead by medical officers.
The two aircraft involved were a Eurocopter AS555SN Fennec and an AgustaWestland AW139, the rescue agency said.
Photos showed the Eurocopter model heavily mangled in the wreckage on the naval base stadium track with rescue personnel surrounding it as well as various debris.
The AgustaWestland helicopter crashed at the naval base’s swimming pool area.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sent his condolences to the families of the victims, saying “the nation mourns the heart-wrenching and soul-wrenching tragedy”.
“I was informed that an immediate investigation will be carried out by the Ministry of Defense, especially TLDM (Royal Malaysian Navy), to find the cause of the crash,” he said.
Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar also shared condolences.
Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar also shared condolences.
“Queen Zarith and I feel very sad over the loss of national heroes in this tragedy,” he said in a social media post.
World
Israel launches counterattack on Iran
Oil prices have surged by nearly 4 percent as Israel launched a missile attack on a target in Iran, according to international media reports.
Explosions were reported in Isfahan province in central Iran, where the country’s nuclear plant is located.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later announced that there was no damage to the plant.
Israel had promised a response to missile and drone attacks by Iran last weekend.
Iran had launched the attacks in response to the April 1 strike that killed its senior security officials at its embassy in Syria apparently carried out by Israel.
A US official told ABC News that Israel carried out a strike inside Iran, confirming reports of the explosion by the Asian country’s media.
There were also reports of blasts in Iraq and southern Syria.
Commercial flights we re-routed as parts of the Iranian airspace were closed.
Iran says it activated its air defence systems.
Israel is not planning further attacks and Iran is not going to retaliate either, according various officials quoted by the media.
Brent crude price is now over $90 per barrel, up from $87 before the strike.
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