Day: October 6, 2022

U.S. President Joe Biden overhauls marijuana policy, pardons prior federal offenses

President Joe Biden took steps to overhaul U.S. policy on marijuana on Thursday by pardoning thousands of people with federal offenses for simple marijuana possession and initiating a review of how the drug is classified. Biden said thousands of people with prior federal convictions could be denied employment, housing or educational opportunities and his executive… Read More U.S. President Joe Biden overhauls marijuana policy, pardons prior federal offenses

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U.S. slams sanctions on Myanmar businessman, two others over supply of Russian-made arms to junta

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on a Myanmar businessman and two others involved in procuring Russian-made weapons from Belarus for the junta that seized power in the Southeast Asian country early last year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. The military staged a coup in February 2021, detaining democratic leaders including Nobel laureate… Read More U.S. slams sanctions on Myanmar businessman, two others over supply of Russian-made arms to junta

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U.S. authorities make record fentanyl bust in New York

U.S. authorities seized 15,000 rainbow-colored fentanyl pills hidden in a Lego toy box destined for distribution in New York City, the city’s largest such seizure to date according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin, is among the leading drivers of a nationwide overdose epidemic that… Read More U.S. authorities make record fentanyl bust in New York

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U.S. imposes sanctions on Iranian officials over protests crackdown

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on seven Iranian officials over the shutdown of internet access and the crackdown on peaceful protesters following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of morality police. The nationwide unrest sparked by Amini’s death has spiraled into the biggest challenge to Iran’s clerical leaders in years,… Read More U.S. imposes sanctions on Iranian officials over protests crackdown

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Kenyan telecoms company Safaricom launches network in Ethiopia as first private operator

Kenya’s Safaricom launched its mobile network in Ethiopia on Thursday, becoming the first private operator in one of Africa’s largest telecoms markets. State-owned Ethio Telecom has until now enjoyed a monopoly in Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous country with an estimated 118 million people. Safaricom Ethiopia switched on its network and services in the capital Addis… Read More Kenyan telecoms company Safaricom launches network in Ethiopia as first private operator

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Nigerian military secures release of last hostages from March train attack

Nigeria’s military has secured the release of the remaining 23 hostages from a train attack by gunmen in northern Kaduna state in March, which saw dozens kidnapped and six others killed, a defence official said on Wednesday. The government blamed the attack on Islamist insurgency Boko Haram. The attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train led to… Read More Nigerian military secures release of last hostages from March train attack

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U.S. actor Kevin Spacey faces sexual misconduct civil trial in New York

It has been just under five years since Kevin Spacey’s Oscar-winning career was upended by a slew of sexual misconduct accusations, starting when Anthony Rapp accused him of making an unwanted sexual advance in 1986. Both actors are now facing off in Manhattan federal court for a trial in Rapp’s $40 million civil lawsuit over… Read More U.S. actor Kevin Spacey faces sexual misconduct civil trial in New York

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Thirty-four people killed as former policeman goes on knife and gun rampage at day care centre in northeast Thailand

A former policeman killed 34 people, including 23 children, during a knife and gun rampage at a daycare centre in northeast Thailand on Thursday, police said, before later shooting dead his wife and child at home and turning his weapon on himself. In one of the world’s worst child death tolls in a massacre by… Read More Thirty-four people killed as former policeman goes on knife and gun rampage at day care centre in northeast Thailand

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