International
The Supreme Court of Brazil decriminalizes the carrying of marijuana for personal use
The Supreme Court of Brazil decriminalized on Tuesday the carrying, cultivation and consumption of marijuana for personal use, so that this is considered just as an illicit act of an administrative nature.
A majority of magistrates interpreted that drug use is not a crime because the current law, passed in 2006, has already decriminalized it and those convicted of it only face minor punishments such as the provision of community services.
“Consumption is not punishable by detention or imprisonment, therefore, it is not a crime. The user should not be criminalized, it must be treated with public health and socio-educational policies,” said Judge José Antonio Dias Toffoli during the discussion.
In addition, Toffoli pointed to the “stigma” associated with criminalization, which can keep users away from asking for the help they need.
However, and in the face of the criticisms made in recent months by legislators of the conservative majority in Congress, the magistrates insisted that consumption is not being legalized, a measure that is the responsibility of the Legislative Branch.
“The use of illicit drugs is a bad thing and the role of the State is to combat trafficking and treat dependents,” said the president of the court, Luís Roberto Barroso.
Most of the magistrates agreed on the need to set an amount of marijuana to distinguish the user from the trafficker, who does face prison sentences, because the current law does not establish it.
The absence of a limit opens the doors to arbitrary behavior by the police and judges, which according to the magistrates can lead to cases of discrimination that mainly affect poor blacks.
According to data cited during the debate in the Supreme Court, 20 grams of marijuana are enough for a young black and illiterate to consider himself a trafficker, while in the case of a white man with studies the amount is 58 grams on average.
“We want to avoid that discrimination between rich and poor, we want a rule that is the same for everyone,” Barroso said during a session last week.
The magistrates have proposed amounts ranging from 10 to 60 grams, although a minority within the court has pointed out that Congress should be the one who established it.
International
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.
During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.
“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.
“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”
Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.
On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.
International
Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition
he Vatican’s post offices and select collector shops began selling special edition stamps this week to mark the period between the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor.
Known as “Sede Vacante” stamps, they feature an image used on official Vatican documents during the interregnum between popes — two crossed keys without the papal tiara. These stamps went on sale Monday and will remain valid for postal use only until the new pontiff appears at the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
Until then, they can be used to send letters, postcards, and parcels. “Once the new pope is elected, the stamps lose their postal validity, but their collectible value rises,” said Francesco Santarossa, who runs a collectors’ shop across from St. Peter’s Square.
The Vatican has issued the stamps in four denominations: €1.25, €1.30, €2.45, and €3.20. Each is inscribed with “Città del Vaticano” and “Sede Vacante MMXXV” — Latin for “Vacant See 2025.”
International
Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
The conclave, which in the coming weeks must choose the successor to Pope Francis, will strictly follow a precise protocol refined over centuries.
The 135 cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, will cast their votes four times a day — except on the first day — until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. The result will be announced to the world through the burning of the ballots with a chemical that produces the eagerly awaited white smoke, accompanied by the traditional cry of “Habemus Papam.”
The start date for the conclave could be announced today, as the cardinals are set to hold their fifth meeting since the pope’s passing. Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich suggested it could begin on May 5 or 6, following the traditional nine days of mourning. According to German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the conclave could last only “a few days.”
Although the late Argentine pontiff appointed the majority of the cardinal electors, this does not necessarily ensure the selection of a like-minded successor. Francis’ leadership style differed significantly from that of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, a German theologian who was less fond of large public gatherings. It also marked a contrast with the popular Polish pope, John Paul II.
The Argentine Jesuit’s reformist papacy drew strong criticism from more conservative sectors of the Church, who are hoping for a doctrinally focused shift. His tenure was marked by efforts to combat clerical sexual abuse, elevate the role of women and laypeople, and advocate for the poor and migrants, among other causes.
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition
Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International5 days agoCardinals seek a “unifier” as they prepare for conclave to elect new pope
-
International5 days agoTrump and Zelensky hold “very productive” meeting in Rome during Pope’s funeral
-
International2 days agoColombia sees deadliest surge in violence since FARC peace deal
-
International4 days agoNine dead after driver runs over crowd at Vancouver Street Festival
-
International4 days agoKing Charles III expresses deep sadness after Vancouver festival tragedy that left nine dead
-
Central America2 days agoGuatemala sees road blockades amid protests against lawmaker pay hikes
-
International2 days agoSpain’s PM calls for calm and patience amid ongoing blackout
-
International2 days agoConclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
-
International2 days agoMexican activist who exposed pornography ring found dead in Veracruz
-
International2 days agoMadrid carries out 286 elevator rescues amid massive blackout
-
International15 hours agoVatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition
-
International15 hours agoKristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president