29.03.2024

Haiti prime minister resigns amid violence

Jouthe had served as prime minister since March 2020. He did not provide an explanation for his resignation and could not be immediately reached for comment.

Haitian Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe announced early Wednesday that he has resigned as the country faces a spike in killings and kidnappings and prepares for an upcoming constitutional referendum and general election later this year.

Jouthe previously had tried to submit his resignation, but President Jovenel Moïse at the time had rejected it.

This time, Moïse accepted it and nominated Claude Joseph as Haiti’s new prime minister. Joseph previously served as foreign minister. A spokeswoman for him did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Haiti has long had a high turnover of prime ministers, with eight of them appointed to the position since 2015.

Derek Chauvin defence claims force is ‘not attractive’ but is ‘necessary part of policing’

The trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of murdering George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, is regarded as one of the most important civil rights case in a generation.

But Mr Chauvin’s attorneys argued in opening statements on Monday that despite the widespread protests the death inspired, the case isn’t about racism or politics, but a reasonable use of force amid a lengthy, contentious arrest.

“There is no political or social cause in this court room,” attorney Eric Nelson told the court. “But the evidence is far greater than 9 minutes and 29 seconds.”

Mr Floyd resisted officers’ commands, he said, and had ingested drugs, prolonging and escalating the arrest.

“This was not an easy struggle,” Mr Nelson said, but argued the former officer was within reason to detain Mr Floyd the way he did.

“Derek Chauvin did exactly what he had been trained to do over his 19-year career,” Mr Nelson added. “The use of force is not attractive, but it is a necessary part of policing.”

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