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COLUMN-In Drug War, old ideas never die: Debusmann

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Here is a stern warning to the states of Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. A UN agency is upset with liberal laws on the medicinal use of marijuana. Very dissapointed. United Nations (UN) rarely disagrees with internal affairs of its member states and e1000ven less with the United States. But this is just what you”ve done the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) in its latest annual report published this week. Not to mention the name of the 14 states where the Marijuana is legal for medical purposes, the 149-page report follows: “Although under federal law of the United States the use and cultivation of cannabis, except for scientific purposes are illegal activities, several states have enacted laws authorizing the #39; therapeutic use #39; of cannabis. The control measures applied in these states for the cultivation of cannabis plants and the production, distribution and use of cannabis away from the control requirements under the Convention of 1961 (on narcotics )”. “The Board is deeply concerned that those poor control provisions have contributed greatly to increased illicit cultivation and abuse of cannabis in the United States. Moreover, this new regulatory regime is that other countries will form a misconception. ” Board”s concerns do not end here. It is also distressed by “the ongoing debate in several federal states about the legalization and use tax levy #39; recreational #39; of cannabis.” California, the most populous state U.S., stands out in this discussion. In mid-February, a California legislator, Tom Ammiamo, introduced a bill that would tax and regulate marijuana (which by most estimates is by far the largest crop in the state) in the same way alcohol. In addition, those who support the legalization of marijuana in California said they had collected over 700,000 signatures for a referendum to be held in November. There is no slightest hint in the UN report the growing support for more liberal laws on marijuana, the most widely used illicit drug in the world. U.S. The latest poll on the issue in January showed that eight in 10 Americans support the legalization of marijuana for medical use and about half are in favor of legalizing drugs in small quantities for personal use. Countries who have done this have been reprimanded by the INCB, which refers to Mexico, Argentina and Brazil have sent “the wrong message” to pass legislation to decriminalize the possession of drugs and replacing prison sentences with treatment and education programs. UN passes the line In the eyes of two centers of liberal advisers, the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) and the Transnational Institute, lecturing the United States, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil on the way they manage the use of narcotics beyond its mandate. (continue reading…)

U.S. advances crucial to the future appointment of Obama”s health reform

“I hope (the meeting) is not to criticize a political spectacle in front of cameras,” Obama said to install the meeting at Blair House, the residence next to the White House where guests typically stay prominent agent. Obama urged lawmakers interested in the points of agreement rather than by the differences. “We all know that this is urgent, and unfortunately last year ( …) became a very ideological battle, in a highly partisan battle, and I think that the policy ended up surpassing common sense, “he added. Obama outlined the health reform as of its major objectives for the beginning of the second year of its mandate, and called for it to this meeting, which could last for six hours in which the differences quickly surfaced. Obama and Republican Lamar Alexander discussed the cost of reform. “I”m pretty sure that”s not my fault,” he said at one point in his speech by asking the senator to not be interrupted. The White House framed the discussions on four themes, each one of them will be presented by senior government, while Obama, Joe Biden and his deputy health secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, led the discussions. The points are the control cost, insurance reform, deficit reduction and the extension of health coverage, according to a White House official. (continue reading…)

EU strengthens its anti-piracy mission off the coast of the Indian

Defense European leaders began a two-day reunioninformal in the Spanish city of Palma tourist deMallorca, along the Mediterranean, in the absence of laAlta EU Representative for Foreign Policy and deSeguridad, Catherine Ashton, caused unease in some countries yaque was the first such meeting since his appointment, according to diplomatic sources said. The Spanish Presidency of the EU excused her absence viajeque to Moscow today for talks with rusasy authorities in attendance Thursday at the inauguration of nuevopresidente Ukraine, Victor Yanukovich. The British Ashton replaced in late November at the Spanish cargoal Javier Solana.

Ministers endorsed comandantede strengthen the functions of the mission against piracy, Peter Hudson, who will control the ports poderespara from those known lasembarcaciones departing from the pirates and their mother craft to intercept, announced the Spanish Minister of Defensa, Carme Chacon delencuentro host.

They have also supported the launch of a mission deadiestramiento strength of the Somali security forces, which take place in Uganda about 200 European trainers, led by Spain . It is hoped that they may form elobjetivo thousand Somali troops lay the foundations of security structures in African esepais departing pirate groups.

Another measure has been supported expanding the acuerdosexistentes with third countries in the region to judge the pirates seized suterritorio.

The new countries with such agreements to be negotiated sonTanzania, South Africa and Mauritius. Already exist with Kenya and IslasSeychelles. The mission Atalanta was launched by the EU at the end de2008 to avoid pirate attacks and kidnappings against buquesmercantiles and fisheries, which have proximasa routes that pass through the coast of Somalia. The ministers also agreed today to set up and non-executive lamision the EU in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which supondrauna transition from the current operation Althea deasesoramiento another single Defense Ministry deadiestramiento this country and its armed forces, said the minister. (continue reading…)

U.S. military leaders hesitant to remove limits on gays

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The leaders of the Army and U.S. Air Force expressed doubts Tuesday about lifting restrictions on homosexuals in the armed forces, in a debate in Congress over whether to support the president”s idea of allowing gays serve openly. Both the Army Gen. George Casey as the Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz told lawmakers who were concerned about the impact of this change on an American military that is under stress after years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. His caution contrasted with the view of leading the nation”s uniformed officer, Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, who made a strong call this month to allow gays to serve openly in the U.S. Army. The U.S. president, Barack Ob1000ama, called for the repeal of the policy known as “do not ask, do not say “(” don #39; t ask, don #39; t tell “) last month. Defense Secretary Robert Gates then launched a review which could take up to one year, steps will be taken to fully integrate homosexual members of the Armed Forces. Activists gay rights were frustrated that Obama had not acted earlier to fulfill their campaign promise to repeal the law. (continue reading…)

How To Choose A Forex Broker

Full development of Internet caused the appearance of profession of broker, which enabled the exchange business to be carried over at the office or at home. Over the past years interest in electronic trading become bigger, especially trading stocks and currency through Internet. Banks and currency brokers offer he electronic platforms which enables everybody to trade on financial markets. Thus a new and unknown way of life starts for everyone of us. And now everyone can start their online investing activity.

Execution. Here’s the question will the brokers use real prices from their platforms when it comes to the moment of Buy or Sell transaction? You can check this out only by opening a demo account and testing them this way. You will also find out the the speed of execution. It may be crucial when every second is important for confirming the order! (continue reading…)

The EU condemns the use of European passports in the murder of Mabhuh but without mentioning Israel

EU foreign ministers tried today of murder in Dubai on 20 January, and several expressed their “concern” about the use of European passports to his Israeli counterpart, Avigdor Liberman, who was visiting Brussels. Liberman avoided ruling on the alleged involvement of the Israeli Mossad in the assassination, and asked about it after meeting with European Parliament president, saying only: “I think you all are too James Bond films. According to a statement released in Jerusalem by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Lieberman said “there is no report linking Israel with the incident” and stressed that ” if there is alternative information beyond the press, Israel will respond, ” The sta1000tement agreed by EU Ministers today said that” the EU strongly condemns the fact that those involved in this action have used passports and credit cards from EU Member States. He added that the assassination of Al Mahbuh “is an activity which can lead to peace and stability in the Middle East” although there is no formal condemnation of the act. The agreed text contains no mention of Israel, the prime suspect in the murder, because that country has not officially acknowledged its participation. “There is a recognition of the facts,” he said at a news conference after the meeting of chief ministers of European diplomacy, Catherine Ashton.

The Dubai authorities have identified eleven suspects in the killing of Mahmoud al Mabhuh, who traveled to the Gulf emirate with passports from the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Germany.

These passports and credit cards were “acquired through identity theft of EU citizens,” said the European Union in its text. The EU also ensures that EU passports are still ” of the safest in the world “as they include various security measures” to prevent forgery and misuse “. (continue reading…)

Countercurrent: Alain Robert, the lord of the skyscrapers

Alain Robert has no limits. The dreams of French grandeur of this result in reaching the summit of the world”s tallest buildings climbing the walls and windows without any other help that her hands, feet and some talc against sweat, the same as used to meet their next challenge. And this climber is 47 years now aims to climb the newly opened Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world, with 164 floors and 828 meters high, which rises in Dubai. A task that has us accustomed to having already conquered the ancestors of this building. The last time was in September 2009 when Petronas towers crowned Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia ). The daredevil athlete, also known as “French Spiderman”, only took 45 minutes to climb the 88 floors (452 meters), a feat that could not complete on two previous occasions because he was detained. In this third attempt also failed to escape the law, was arrested after stepping off the building. The daring cost him a fine of 400 euros. Five years earlier, in December 2004, Robert also managed to dominate the Taipei 101 in Taiwan, the building that took to the Petronas first place as the world”s tallest tower. Although on this occasion, Robert climbed in nearly four hours the 101-storey building (508 meters) with the aid of ropes, much of the rise, and only with hands and feet in other sections. “Everyone knows me by climbing without safety gear, but this was different,” he said, because the building owners had asked him to wear ropes, which also was necessary because the rain meant that the windows are slippery . The climber said he risked will climb the building without using ropes. The arrest he suffered in Malaysia was not the first. His peculiar way of making a living as an audacious publicity stunt, has led to police stations in several cities in the world on various charges like attempt on his life and that of others, violation of private property or exhibit inappropriate behavior. In June last year, was arrested for climbing the headquarters of Royal Bank of Scotland, a 41-story building located in Sydney, Australia. This recurring problem with the law does not shy away. (continue reading…)

Midwestern Blair hopes to resume talks in weeks –

ABUJA (Reuters) – The envoy of the Quartet of Middle East negotiators, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Saturday he expected the Israelis and Palestinians resume peace talks within weeks, following a break of more than a year. Recently, Washington said that Blair would intensify it1000s work with the U.S. negotiator George Mitchell to mediate the talks. “I hope we can take them up in the coming weeks, but who knows, “Blair told Reuters during a visit to Nigeria. “The Israelis want to enter into negotiations, the Palestinians want to enter the negotiation, the question is under what terms,” he said. Much of Blair”s role as U.S. envoy, EU, UN and Russia is helping to prepare an eventual Palestinian state alongside Israel. Blair said efforts would increase, not only to strengthen the Palestinian economy and allow greater freedom of movement, but also to promote the practice of law on the Palestinian side and ensure a functional criminal justice system. Peace talks have not resumed since the war Israel-Gaza between December 2008 and January 2009, due largely to the Palestinian demand that Israel imposed a total freeze on settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, to which Jerusalem is denied. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has rejected a limited and temporary detention of construction imposed by Israel late last year, calling it inadequate, and want assurances that the new talks quickly seek a final agreement on issues key. (continue reading…)

Minaret collapse leaves 16 dead in Morocco

“I myself counted 13 dead. Their bodies were pulled from the rubble by rescue teams. My colleagues and hospital staff told me there were three more dead,” the lawmaker told Reuters Bouanou Abdallah, who is also a doctor, from the scene. About 35 people were hospitalized, he said. “A man is being rescued alive from the rubble now.”s speaking. I can see and hear as I speak, “he said. MAP The state agency, quoting an official provisional statement said 11 people were killed and 50 injured in the collapse. Up to 80 people were trapped under the rubble, and soldiers are working to reach them, said Khaled Rahmouni, resident in the city of Meknes, where the mosque collapsed. (continue reading…)

Holbrooke praised Pakistan-US cooperation on Taliban

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – The renewed collaboration between the U.S. and Pakistan led to recent successes against the Taliban, among them account capture second in command of the group, said Thursday the special envoy of the White House to the region. Hours after the arrival of the envoy Richard Holbrooke to Islamabad, a bomb in a village in the Khyber area on the Afghan-Pakistan left 30 people dead, underscoring the fragile security environment in the region. Among the dead was a commander of a militant faction that does not belong to the main Taliban alliance in Pakistan, security officials said, adding that th1000e blast appeared to be the result of factional rivalry. Holbrooke praised the capture of top Taliban military strategist Afghan Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar this month, which came as U.S. forces comandan a major NATO offensive against the group. “It is very significant in itself. Very significant,” Holbrooke told reporters. “It represents another peak for the Pakistani and U.S. collaboration. Baradar was arrested in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi in an attack by Pakistani and U.S. agents. Baradar is the most senior Taliban commander arrested in Pakistan. Pakistan, an important U.S. ally, Taliban battle against their native and has taken little action against the Afghan Taliban operating from its territory and not face the Pakistani state. Pakistani Taliban movement supported by Al Qaeda, which is freely associated with the Taliban Afghans launched a series of bombings in Pakistan in retaliation for offensives their strongholds. (continue reading…)