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Haiti's Prime Minister Garry Conille Ousted After Six Months

Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille has been removed from office after just six months, following a decision by the country’s transitional ruling council. The council, composed of eight of its nine members, appointed businessman and former Senate candidate Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as Conille’s successor.

Conille, a former United Nations official, had been brought in to guide Haiti through a deepening security crisis caused by gang violence and to pave the way for the first presidential elections since 2016. He described his dismissal as "illegal," stating in a letter that it raised serious concerns about the country’s future stability. According to Haiti’s constitution, only the parliament has the authority to dismiss a sitting prime minister, and Haiti currently has no functioning parliament.

The decision comes amid escalating violence in the country, with over 3,600 people killed since January, and more than 500,000 displaced due to ongoing gang wars. The UN has warned that Haiti is facing extreme hunger, with nearly half of its population lacking enough food.

The transitional presidential council was formed in April after Conille’s predecessor, Ariel Henry, was forced from office following a violent gang takeover of Port-au-Prince. The country has been without a president since the assassination of Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Gangs have taken advantage of the power vacuum, extending their control over large parts of Haiti.

Amid this chaos, Haiti has received international assistance, including the deployment of Kenyan police forces to help stabilize the situation. However, the country remains deeply divided and faces a challenging path toward restoring order and democratic governance.

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Brazil’s First Lady Swears at Elon Musk During G20 Event

Brazil's First Lady, Janja Lula da Silva, caused a stir at a pre-G20 event in Rio de Janeiro when she swore at billionaire Elon Musk during a discussion on social media regulation. While advocating for stricter rules on platforms to combat disinformation, Lula da Silva appeared startled by a loud noise and jokingly remarked, "I think it's Elon Musk." She then added, "I'm not afraid of you," before swearing at Musk, who owns Tesla and the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Musk, who has had a complicated relationship with Brazil’s left-wing government, responded to the incident by reposting a video of it, captioning it with "lol." He followed up with another post, featuring laughing emojis, stating, "They are going to lose the next election," seemingly referring to Brazil’s Workers Party and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration.

Earlier this year, X was briefly banned in Brazil after the platform failed to comply with the country’s laws regarding disinformation. It was reinstated after paying a fine of $5.1 million.

Musk’s relationship with Brazil is further complicated due to his ties with former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who was found guilty of undermining the country’s electoral system after his 2022 election loss. Despite an eight-year ban from running for office, Bolsonaro has announced his intentions to run again in the 2026 elections.

Bolsonaro shared the video of the exchange between Lula da Silva and Musk, commenting, "We now have another diplomatic problem." As world leaders prepare for the G20 summit, this incident has added a new layer of tension to Brazil’s political landscape.

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Yamandú Orsi Wins Uruguay's Presidential Election

Yamandú Orsi, a left-wing former history teacher, has emerged victorious in Uruguay’s presidential election. Orsi won in a decisive run-off, defeating Álvaro Delgado, the candidate from the ruling conservative coalition, by more than three percentage points.

Following the defeat, Delgado conceded and extended congratulations to Orsi and his Broad Front coalition, which will now return to power after a five-year hiatus. The Broad Front previously governed Uruguay for 15 years from 2005 to 2020 before being ousted by current President Luis Lacalle Pou. Under Uruguay’s constitution, Lacalle Pou was unable to run for a second consecutive term in this election.

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Canada, Mexico, and China Respond to Trump’s Tariff Threats

Officials from Canada, Mexico, and China have strongly criticized U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose significant tariffs on their goods, warning that such measures could disrupt the economies of all four countries.

Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, warned that retaliatory tariffs would follow Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods, and 10% on Chinese imports, escalating the trade dispute and potentially endangering shared business interests. "One tariff will lead to another, and so on, until we put our common businesses at risk," Sheinbaum stated.

Trump announced the tariffs on Monday evening, claiming the move was necessary to address issues such as drug trafficking and illegal immigration. In response, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had immediately reached out to Trump following the announcement and was planning a meeting with provincial leaders to discuss how Canada would respond to the proposed tariffs.

Meanwhile, China has also expressed concerns about the potential economic impact of the tariffs, with officials stating that they could provoke a trade war with widespread consequences for global trade.

The proposed tariffs have sparked a tense diplomatic exchange, with Canada, Mexico, and China indicating that retaliation could be imminent, as all three countries seek to protect their economies from what they see as harmful trade policies.

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UK Financial Watchdog Defends Progress Amid MPs' Criticism

The head of the UK's financial regulator, Nikhil Rathi, has strongly rejected recent criticism from MPs accusing the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of failing to reform following years of scandal. In response to a cross-party parliamentary report, Rathi emphasized that the FCA is tackling financial crime on an unprecedented scale in the UK, arguing that the regulator has made significant progress.

The report, published on Tuesday, criticized the FCA’s handling of cases like the Neil Woodford investment scandal and its approach to debanking. MPs claimed that the FCA's culture has worsened over time, calling it "incompetent" and suggesting that the regulator has been too close to the financial institutions it oversees. The report also echoed concerns raised in previous years, such as a 2016 paper by New City Agenda, which described a "deep-seated culture of box-ticking" within the FCA.

In response, Rathi rejected the notion that the FCA had failed to make improvements. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Money Box show, he stated, "It wouldn't be fair to say nothing has happened," highlighting the record number of financial crime prosecutions the FCA has pursued. He also pointed to the UK’s consumer protection regime, which he argued is one of the most advanced in the world.

Rathi acknowledged the need for ongoing improvement but insisted that the FCA is committed to enhancing its operational performance and addressing long-standing issues. Despite the criticism, he emphasized the steps the regulator has taken to evolve and adapt in its role overseeing the financial sector.

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Mauritius Prime Minister Requests Review of Chagos Islands Deal with the UK

Mauritius' newly elected Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam, has called for an independent review of a controversial agreement with the United Kingdom regarding the future of the Chagos Islands. The deal, which has not yet been signed, would see the UK relinquish sovereignty over the archipelago but retain a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, which houses a significant UK-US military airbase.

While Ramgoolam expressed openness to the agreement, as indicated by a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, he also requested a review of the deal’s terms. The review's findings will be evaluated by Mauritius’ cabinet. Ramgoolam, who assumed office two weeks ago, stated in parliament that he had serious reservations, especially given the agreement's controversial nature. When the deal was first proposed, both Starmer and Mauritius’ former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth hailed it as a “seminal moment” in their bilateral relationship and a victory for peaceful dispute resolution and the rule of law.

However, during his election campaign, Ramgoolam and his Change coalition allies criticized the deal, calling it a “sell-out” driven by political desperation ahead of the elections. Arvin Boolell, the new Minister of Agro-Industry and Fisheries, specifically opposed the long lease term on Diego Garcia, which he mistakenly described as 200 years, despite the official term being 99 years.

The deal has faced objections beyond Mauritius. Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, warned in October that the agreement could pose a “serious threat” to U.S. national security by granting the UK control over the islands, an ally of China. Additionally, groups representing Chagossian interests have expressed concern about being excluded from the negotiations.

Despite the criticisms, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy have defended the deal, calling it a "good deal" for both countries. Lammy expressed confidence that the agreement would ultimately be viewed favorably by Mauritians across political lines.

The deal is still under negotiation, with the legal details of the treaty being finalized. It is expected to undergo further scrutiny in the UK Parliament next year before being formally signed.

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Trump's Top Spy Pick Tulsi Gabbard Faces Scrutiny Over Syria Visit and Russia Comments

Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard’s selection by President-elect Donald Trump to oversee U.S. intelligence agencies has raised concerns due to her controversial past statements and actions. Gabbard, who would serve as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), would be responsible for managing 18 U.S. intelligence agencies and advising the president on critical national security matters.

Her past visit to Syria in 2017, where she met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and her outspoken views on Russia's invasion of Ukraine have drawn significant scrutiny. Critics argue that her position, which often challenges U.S. foreign intervention and has been perceived as sympathetic to Russia, could harm intelligence cooperation with U.S. allies.

Lewis Lukens, a retired diplomat, expressed concerns about Gabbard’s “dubious judgment,” suggesting that it might make foreign allies hesitant to share intelligence with the U.S. Gabbard, who recently switched to the Republican Party, has often described her critics as "warmongers" who target anyone opposing Washington's foreign policy.

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Chad Ends Military Cooperation with France, Moves Toward Reaffirming Sovereignty

Chad has announced the termination of its military cooperation agreement with France, signaling a shift in its defense strategy and a push to assert its sovereignty. This decision will require French troops to leave the Central African nation, marking a significant change in the longstanding relationship between the two countries.

Chad's Foreign Minister, Abderaman Koulamallah, acknowledged France as “an essential partner,” but emphasized that Chad is now a sovereign state that has “grown up” and is deeply protective of its independence. His remarks came shortly after a visit by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, which highlighted the timing of the announcement.

Chad has traditionally worked closely with Western military forces, but in recent years, it has increasingly aligned itself with Russia, signaling a shift in its strategic alliances. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the termination of the defense agreement, which was revised in 2019, would allow Chad to redefine its strategic partnerships moving forward, positioning itself as a more independent player in global affairs.

This move comes amid broader changes in the Sahel region, where several countries are reevaluating their relationships with former colonial powers and moving closer to Russia, as part of a growing trend of political realignment in Africa.

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Iran Faces Leadership Crisis as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s Health Deteriorates

Iran is reportedly facing a leadership crisis as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has held power since 1989, is said to be suffering from a serious illness. At 85 years old, Khamenei's health issues have raised concerns about the future of Iran’s leadership. Reports suggest that Khamenei may step down from his position and nominate his 55-year-old son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his successor.

This potential transition comes at a highly sensitive time for Iran, as the country is embroiled in an ongoing conflict with Israel and tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate. A leadership change at the highest level of government during such a volatile period could have profound implications, both within Iran and in its relations with the international community.

As the head of state and commander-in-chief, Khamenei wields significant power in Iran, with control over both political and military affairs. His leadership has been marked by strong resistance to the West, especially Israel, and a focus on maintaining Iran’s ideological stance in the region. If Mojtaba Khamenei succeeds his father, it could signal a shift in Iran’s domestic and foreign policies, further influencing the already tense situation in the Middle East.

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Kenya Cancels Airport Deal with Adani Group After US Indictments

Kenya has decided to cancel a major deal with India’s Adani Group, which was set to expand Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The deal, which included the construction of a second runway and the upgrading of the airport’s passenger terminal, has been scrapped following the indictment of Adani Group founder Gautam Adani in the United States.

Kenyan President William Ruto made the announcement on Thursday, revealing that he had ordered the cancellation of the procurement process for granting control of the country’s main airport to the Adani Group. The decision came after U.S. authorities indicted Gautam Adani on charges that have raised concerns about the group's business practices and financial dealings.

The proposed deal had been a significant infrastructure project aimed at boosting Kenya’s connectivity and enhancing its position as a regional aviation hub. The expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was seen as a key step in modernizing the airport and accommodating increasing passenger traffic. However, the legal challenges surrounding the Adani Group led to a reevaluation of the partnership by Kenyan authorities.

The cancellation of the deal is likely to have significant implications for both the Kenyan government and Adani Group. It also underscores the impact that legal and regulatory issues can have on international business deals. President Ruto’s decision highlights Kenya’s commitment to ensuring transparency and integrity in its infrastructure projects, especially those involving foreign companies.

As of now, it remains unclear how the cancellation will affect future infrastructure plans or whether Kenya will seek new partnerships for the development of its airport. The U.S. indictment of Gautam Adani has added to the growing scrutiny of the Adani Group's operations, especially in international markets, and could lead to further complications for the company’s expansion plans globally.

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A Look at the Role of Russia’s Prime Minister in Shaping National Policy

The position of Prime Minister of Russia plays a pivotal role in shaping the country’s policies, overseeing the government’s day-to-day operations, and implementing key directives from the President. Unlike many countries where the prime minister is the head of government, in Russia, the President holds the highest executive power, making the Prime Minister’s role more about managing the state apparatus and coordinating with various ministries.

Current Prime Minister: Mikhail Mishustin

Since his appointment in January 2020, Mikhail Mishustin has led the Russian government with a focus on modernization and economic reform. A former tax chief, Mishustin has brought a tech-driven approach to governance, with a particular emphasis on digitalization, streamlining government services, and reducing corruption within federal agencies.