Briefly

POLAND

Farmers anger Ukraine with border blockade

Protests by Polish farmers sparked anger in neighboring Ukraine on Tuesday, as Kyiv called on the European Commission to take robust action after demonstrators blockaded the border and opened railway carriages to let grain spill out. Warsaw has been a staunch supporter of Kyiv in its fight to repel Russia's special military operation, but protests from farmers complaining of unfair competition have strained ties that were already on edge after truckers blocked border crossings around the turn of the year. Tuesday's protests from farmers marked an escalation from previous demonstrations, with a near-total blockade of all Ukrainian border crossings and disruption at ports and on roads nationwide.

HONDURAS

Ex-president tried in NY for drug trafficking

Former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez went on trial in New York on Tuesday on charges of drug trafficking, including the transfer of 500 metric tons of cocaine through his country to the United States. The 55-year-old Hernandez was extradited to the US in 2022, accused of aiding drug smugglers in return for millions of dollars in bribes. Flanked by his lawyers, Hernandez appeared in Manhattan's Southern District federal court during jury selection on Tuesday morning. Judge P. Kevin Castel predicted the trial would last two to three weeks.

AFRICA

DR Congo PM quits after court judgment

Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Sama Lukonde Kyenge submitted his resignation to President Felix Tshisekedi, DR Congo's presidential office announced on Tuesday on the X platform. Kyenge was appointed prime minister on Feb 15, 2021. On Feb 8, the Constitutional Court of the country rendered the incompatibility of government and legislative functions, asking ministers, provincial governors and members of political cabinets, who are also elected in legislative elections, to resign from their political functions unless they renounce their electoral mandate.

Agencies - Xinhua