World
In the weeds: Germany’s plan to legalise cannabis in 2024 in doubt
Germany’s plans to legalise hashish consumption in 2024 are wanting more and more unlikely because it has but to submit its proposals to the European Fee, the well being ministry confirmed to Euronews.
The ministry stated in an electronic mail on Thursday that its draft regulation for the legalisation of hashish is “at the moment being drafted” inside the federal authorities.
“A lot of authorized and operational questions regarding implementation should be answered and coordinated between the ministries in cost” earlier than it may be submitted to the European Fee, it added.
Berlin unveiled its daring venture to legalise hashish in October 2022. Below the plan, German shoppers could be allowed to purchase as much as 30 grammes of hashish for personal consumption with provides cultivated and distributed by way of a managed market.
German adults would even be allowed to domesticate three hashish vegetation every.
“The Federal Authorities’s goal of managed allotting is to greatest shield client well being, guarantee youngster and youth safety in addition to to scale back drug-related crime and curtail the black market”, the German Federal Ministry of Well being additionally informed Euronews.
It’s an unprecedented venture within the EU and it’s at the moment going through excessive scrutiny from Brussels, which has the ability to interrupt it or make it.
The place does Europe stand on weed legalisation?
Europe has lengthy taken a conservative strategy to the legalisation of weed. The drug is prohibited to promote and devour throughout Europe, apart from Malta, the place it turned authorized for private use in 2021.
A number of European nations, together with Austria, the Netherlands and Portugal, have decriminalised the possession of small quantities of hashish. Luxembourg introduced plans to legalise in 2018, however needed to backtrack after arising in opposition to EU legal guidelines. There’s an opportunity this might turn out to be Germany’s destiny too.
Whereas the Netherlands has turn out to be recognized for its relaxed angle to smoking weed, with the federal government tolerating the sale of the drug in its “espresso retailers”, its use and cultivation nonetheless stay unlawful in vast society. Subsequently, the Dutch mannequin technically nonetheless respects EU regulation.
Germany’s plans may push the EU to alter this historical past of hashish conservatism, and if it manages to take action, different nations may shortly observe go well with.
On its platform, the Finnish Inexperienced League Celebration stated it’s going to “utilise the experiences of Germany” for its weed insurance policies sooner or later.
What are the following steps?
For now, Germany and the Fee are in preliminary discussions.
Berlin has proposed the paper to the European Fee for a pre-assessment and can solely draft the regulation as soon as the Fee sanctions the plan. German well being minister Karl Lauterback stated the laws will solely go forward whether it is appropriate with EU regulation and that Berlin is dedicated to “particular person modifications/ updates at EU degree” to accommodate its coverage.
Nevertheless, given Europe’s present geopolitical agenda, with a battle in Ukraine and a value of dwelling disaster, the subject is unlikely to be given diplomatic precedence.
Berlin’s liberalisation is not going to be easy. Germany is a member of Europe’s border-check-free Schengen Zone and at the moment, laws prohibit the import of unlawful medication over European borders. Subsequently, Germany should show it might probably tightly monitor border crossings and never undermine its neighbour’s personal drug insurance policies.
By legalising leisure hashish, Germany doesn’t solely threat breaching EU regulation, however worldwide regulation as nicely. The 1961 UN Single Conference on Narcotic Medication prohibits the legalisation of leisure hashish, because it bans states from cultivating and trafficking hashish exterior of medical or scientific functions.
To keep away from breaching worldwide regulation, Berlin may both withdraw from the conference, which may take as much as a 12 months, or select to disregard it, like Canada, which has not confronted any critical penalties for its hashish coverage thus far.
Are there well being issues?
In addition to authorized and regulatory points, Berlin may even want to deal with questions of public well being – that are a part of a long-standing debate.
Lauterbach stated the main focus of the legalisation could be the protection and safety of use as it might goal to “management high quality, stop commerce of contaminated substances and assure the safety of minors”.
In keeping with Lauterbach, 4 million folks in Germany used hashish in 2021 and 1 / 4 of all 18-24-year-olds within the nation have used it.
Subsequently, he stated that the safety of younger folks already shopping for the drug in black markets and utilizing it in rising numbers is justification for the proposed laws.
Berlin is at the moment conducting an evaluation of the influence of hashish use in nations which have legalised the drug, with outcomes anticipated early this 12 months.
Nevertheless, the EU’s personal findings do exhibit well being dangers. In keeping with a report by the European Monitoring Centre for Medication and Drug Dependancy, round 80,000 folks entered specialised drug remedy in Europe for issues associated to hashish use in 2020, 43,000 for the primary time.
Why is Europe re-evaluating its strategy to weed?
A renewed debate in regards to the legal guidelines prohibiting or allowing hashish use and provide has been happening world wide.
Previously decade, the drug has been legalised in Canada, Uruguay, 21 US states and most just lately, Thailand. Now, Germany needs to legalise the entire worth chain of hashish manufacturing – from cultivation to the patron.
The transfer was one of many key insurance policies agreed upon by Germany’s coalition companions dubbed the “Site visitors Gentle Coalition” – the Social Democrats, Greens and the liberal FDP – once they fashioned a authorities on the finish of 2021.
Germany needs its coverage to tie into EU regulation, Brussels should take a stance. Different EU nations – and the world – might be intently watching how this performs out.
World
Small plane crashes into Brazil town popular with tourists, killing 10
Twin-engine plane crashed in largely residential neighborhood of Gramado shortly after takeoff, authorities say.
A small plane has crashed into a tourist hotspot in southern Brazil, killing all 10 people on board and injuring more than a dozen people on the ground, officials have said.
The twin-engine Piper PA-42-1000 hit the chimney of a home and the second floor of a different house before crashing into a shop in a largely residential neighbourhood of Gramado shortly after takeoff from Canela, Brazil’s Civil Defense agency said on Sunday.
Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite told a news conference that the aircraft’s owner and pilot, Luiz Claudio Galeazzi, was killed along with nine members of his family.
Leite said that 17 people on the ground were injured, 12 of whom were still receiving treatment in hospital.
Galeazzi’s company, Galeazzi & Associados, confirmed that its CEO and Galeazzi’s wife and three daughters had died in the crash.
“Luiz Galeazzi will be forever remembered for his dedication to his family and for his remarkable career as a leader of Galeazzi & Associados,” the company said in a post on LinkedIn.
“In this moment of immense pain, Galeazzi & Associados is deeply grateful for the expressions of solidarity and affection received from friends, colleagues and the community. We also sympathize with all those affected by the accident in the region.”
Gramado, located in the Serra Gaucha mountains, is a popular destination for vacationers, especially during the Christmas season.
The crash comes a little more than a year after Brazil suffered its worst air disaster in nearly two decades when a twin-engine plane crashed in the southeastern city of Vinhedo, killing all 62 people on board.
World
Memes, Jokes and Cats: South Koreans Use Parody for Political Protest
As South Koreans took to the streets this month demanding the ousting of their president, some found an unexpected outlet to express their fury: jokes and satire.
They hoisted banners and flags with whimsical messages about cats, sea otters and food. They waved signs joking that President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law had forced them to leave the comfort of their beds. Pictures of the flags spread widely on social media.
The idea was to use humor to build solidarity against Mr. Yoon, who has vowed to fight his impeachment over his ill-fated martial law decree on Dec. 3. Some waved flags for nonexistent groups like the so-called Dumpling Association, a parody of real groups like labor unions, churches or student clubs.
“I just wanted to show that we were here as part of the people even if we aren’t actually a part of a civic group,” said Kim Sae-rim, 28, who waved the flag of the dumpling group at a recent protest she went to with friends. Some groups referred to other local favorites like pizza and red bean pastries.
Kwon Oh-hyouck, a veteran protester, said that he had first seen such flags emerge during demonstrations in 2016 and 2017 that ultimately resulted in the removal of President Park Geun-hye. Mr. Kwon said that satire was part of the Korean spirit of protest.
“People satirize serious situations, even when those in power come out with guns and knives,” he said. “They are not intimidated.”
In the past month, protesters have come up with a wide range of unorthodox groupings. Some were self-proclaimed homebodies. Still others came together as people who suffered from motion sickness.
Lee Kihoon, a professor of modern Korean history at Yonsei University in Seoul, said that he believed the flags at this month’s protests were an expression of the diversity of people galvanized by the president’s attempt to impose military rule.
“They’re trying to say: ‘Even for those of us who have nothing to do with political groups, this situation is unacceptable,’” he said. “‘I’m not a member of a party or anything, but this is outrageous.’”
Some held signs ridiculing Mr. Yoon, saying that he had separated them from their pets at home and disrupted their routine of watching Korean dramas. One group called itself a union of people running behind schedule, referring to the idea that the need to protest over martial law had forced them to reschedule their appointments.
And of course, there were animals, both real and fake.
South Koreans have shown that protests for serious causes — like the ousting of a president — can still have an inviting, optimistic and carnival-like atmosphere.
“I don’t know if the protesters realize it, but even though they’re angry, they haven’t gotten solemn, heavy or moralistic,” Mr. Lee said. “The flags have had an effect of softening and relaxing the tension.”
On the day that lawmakers voted to impeach Mr. Yoon, protesters who were K-pop fans brought lightsticks to rallies and danced to pop songs blasting from speakers. “Even though this is a serious day,” said Lee Jung-min, a 31-year-old fan of the band Big Bang, “we might as well enjoy it and keep spirits up.”
World
Two US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident: US military
Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in what appeared to be “friendly fire”, the U.S. military said.
The pilots were found alive after they ejected from their aircraft, with one suffering minor injuries.
The incident demonstrates the pervasive dangers in the Red Sea corridor amid ongoing attacks on shipping by the Iranian-backed Houthis, even as U.S. and European military coalitions patrol the area.
The U.S. military had conducted airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels at the time, but U.S. Central Command did not elaborate on what their mission was.
US NAVY SHIPS REPEL ATTACK FROM HOUTHIS IN GULF OF ADEN
The military said the aircraft shot down was a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.
The F/A-18 shot down had just flown off the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, according to Central Command. On Dec. 15, Central Command said the Truman had entered the Mideast, but did not specify that the carrier and its battle group were in the Red Sea.
“The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18,” Central Command said in a statement.
It is unclear how the Gettysburg had mistaked an F/A-18 for an enemy aircraft or missile, particularly since ships in a battle group are linked by radar and radio communication.
US MILITARY CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL AIRSTRIKES ON HOUTHI REBEL FORCES IN YEMEN
Central Command said that warships and aircraft earlier shot down multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile launched by the rebels. Fire from the Houthis has previously forced sailors to make decisions in seconds.
The U.S., since the Truman arrived, has ramped up its airstrikes targeting the Houthis and their missile fire into the Red Sea and the surrounding area. But an American warship group in the region may lead to additional attacks from the rebels.
On Saturday night and into Sunday, U.S. warplanes conducted airstrikes that shook Yemen’s capital of Sanaa, which the Houthis have held for a decade. Central Command said the strikes targeted a “missile storage facility” and a “command-and-control facility.”
Houthi-controlled media reported strikes in both Sanaa and around the port city of Hodeida, but did not disclose details on any casualties or damage.
The Houthis later acknowledged the aircraft being shot down in the Red Sea.
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October of last year, the Houthis have targeted about 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones.
The rebels say that they target ships linked to Israel, the U.S. or the U.K. to force an end to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which began after Hamas’ surprise attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, although many of the ships the rebels have attacked have little or no connection to the ongoing war, including some headed for Iran.
The Houthis also have increasingly targeted Israel with drones and missiles, leading to retaliatory airstrikes from Israeli forces.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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