International
Biden confirms his support to reclassify marijuana as a low-risk drug
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, confirmed his support for marijuana to be reclassified as a low-risk drug. And, in turn, he announced the official start of the procedures for the process to be completed.
Through a video on social media, the US president stated that “no one should be in jail simply for using or possessing marijuana” and that there were “too many disturned lives” for “a failed approach to marijuana.”
“I am committed to correcting those mistakes,” said the 81-year-old president, who will be eligible for re-election in the presidential elections next November and will presumably face former Republican President Donald Trump (2017-2021).
With this measure, Biden points to the young population at a time when the Democrat’s campaign is worried about losing much of his support for the unconditional help that the United States has given to Israel in the Gaza War.
A senior official of the Administration told the press that the formal step for reclassification has already been taken, the presentation of the Proposed Regulatory Notice (NPRM) to the Federal Registry Office (OFR) in which it is proposed that marijuana move from Annex I to III.
Currently, marijuana is classified at the same level as drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine, while with this change it is sought to be considered at the same level of risk of prescription drugs such as anabolic steroids.
The government source recalled that this step comes after, in 2022, Biden asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health to review how marijuana is classified, a process in which they were “guided by science and evidence.”
After the presentation of the NPRM, it will be published in the Federal Registry and a 60-day public comment period will then begin.
After that, the administrator of the United States Anti-Drug Agency (DEA), Anne Milgram, may assign an Administrative Law judge to make a final recommendation and, based on this, the DOJ must make a decision.
Since his arrival in the Government in January 2021, the official source recalls, Biden has opted to approve measures to prevent citizens from going to prison for possession of marijuana, including a pardon for federal crimes of possession.
Currently, marijuana with recreational uses and limited to those over 21 years of age is legal in 24 states. While marijuana for medicinal purposes is legal in 13 states, in addition to those where its use is allowed for pleasure.
On May 1, a group of Democratic senators re-presented a bill that seeks to decriminalize the use of marijuana at the federal level.
The initiative is unlikely to prosper because Senate Republicans oppose decriminalization and, although they have a majority in that chamber, the Democrats would need their support to pass the law.
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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