HAITI: Prime Minister Ariel Henry pledged yet again to work towards holding elections as he marked the anniversary of being sworn into office following the president’s assassination.

The speech followed a string of demonstrations across the country in protest against worsening conditions, including gang violence, a severe lack of fuel and soaring inflation.

Mr Henry promised that fuel would soon be available on a regular basis and he rejected accusations he is trying to hold onto power.

THAILAND: An activist was sentenced to two years in prison yesterday for allegedly insulting the queen by wearing traditional Thai attire at a demonstration for reform of the monarchy two years ago.

Jatuporn Saeoueng wore a pink dress while a fellow protester held an umbrella over her at a mock fashion show held in Bangkok in October 2020.

The authorities deemed her to be in breach of the country’s lese majeste law — which makes defaming the monarch or his family punishable by three to 15 years in jail.

UNITED NATIONS: Human Rights Watch called on the UN yesterday to ensure that countries hosting its climate conference commit to meeting human rights standards after it documented instances of repression against environmental groups in Egypt, the host of Cop27 later this year.

The organisation said in a report based on interviews with more than a dozen academics, scientists and activists that government restrictions amount to a violation of basic human rights and throw into question the Egyptian government’s ability to meet basic climate commitments.

US: Nurses in Minnesota launched the largest private-sector nurses’ strike in the country’s history yesterday.

About 15,000 nurses at 16 hospitals across the state walked out on a three-day strike, demanding that employers increase wages and staffing levels.

US left-wing senator Bernie Sanders took to social media to say he stands in solidarity with the workers and their union, the Minnesota Nurses Association.

“Nurses are the backbone of our health care system,” he said. “They understand what’s best for their patients.”