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 • Headlines: Friday, March 29, 7:05 AM   (More news)
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  Immediate action is needed to combat the "cataclysmic situation" in Haiti caused by rampant gang violence, a new report from the United Nations' human rights office states, as it documents how criminal organizations recruit children into their ranks and use sexual violence to brutalize, punish and control their victims. The security situation in the Hispaniola nation has been degrading since President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in July 2021, which has created a political vacuum at the country's helm. Last April, the U.N.'s Human Rights Council directed its High Commissioner to produce a report on the situation of human rights in Haiti. Published Thursday, that report, which covers the period from September to February, states gang violence is the "main driver of human rights abuses and violations" in Haiti and that dialogue leading to free and fair legislative and presidential elections is needed. It also calls for the urgent deployment of a multinational security support mission to bolster the Haitian National Police force and re-establish security as well as create conditions that could lead to free and fair elections. The report states that violence exploded in the country in 2023, with at least 4,451 people killed and nearly 2,000 more kidnapped. In the first two first two months of this year, there were at least 1,436 victims to gang violence, including 686 people killed, 371 injured and 379 kidnapped -- and those figures do not include people involved in the violence with 695 gang members also being killed or injured in that time frame. "Gangs have continued to clash for keeping territories under their control and have intensified their attacks in areas previously considered safe to spread their influence," the report states. "While the capital remains the epicenter of the violence, insecurity has continued to expand beyond Port-au-Prince, especially the adjacent Artibonite Department." The report states corruption has allowed of the illicit trafficking of weapons and ammunition into the country and that the recruitment of children into gangs remains "a critical problem." Male children folded into the criminal organizations are used as lookouts to facilitate kidnappings and robberies while female children perform house chores as well as spy, according to the report, which said that while several children have said they want to leave the gangs they are prevented from doing so for fear of retaliation. Some children who successfully exit the gangs were later executed, it said. Gangs also use sexual violence as a tool to spread fear and as a punishment, it said. The report documents how women and girls have been raped in broad daylight on their way to work and school and how some are forced into exploitative sexual relations with gang members under threat of death if they refuse. "Rape of kidnapping hostages also continues to be used as a tactic to coerce families into paying ransoms," it said. The report adds that due to community stigma, the threat or retaliation and insufficient healthcare and psychosocial services as well as a lack of trust in the justice system, sexual violence "remains severely underreported." Other human rights violations credited to the gang violence in the report includes the international displacement of some 313,900 people. In support of the multinational security support mission, the human rights experts said the local police force lacks adequate capabilities to deter, arrest and disarm heavily armed gangs that tend to have superior firepower and that the porous embargo is permitting illegal trafficking. Since the mission that created the report has ended, the situation in Haiti has seemingly worsened. Early this month, Haiti declared a state of emergency after gangs attacked two prisons, facilitating the escape of nearly 3,600 inmates. Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned on March 11 in an effort to improve the situation as the public was calling for him to step down. "For more than a week, our country has seen an increase in acts of violence against the population. Assassinations, attacks against law enforcement, systematic looting, destruction of public and private buildings," he said. "The government that I lead cannot remain insensitive to this situation. As I have always said, no sacrifice is too great for our country Haiti."
  On this date in history: In 1812, Lucy Payne Washington, sister-in-law of U.S. President James Madison, married Supreme Court Justice Thomas Dodd in the first wedding performed in the White House. In 1886, Coca-Cola was created by Dr. John Pemberton, who produced it in his backyard in Atlanta. In 1951, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage for passing atomic weapons information to the Soviet Union. They were executed in 1953. In 1961, the 23rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The amendment gave District of Columbia residents the right to vote in presidential elections. In 1971, cult leader Charles Manson and three followers (Susan Atkins, Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkel) were sentenced to death in the Tate-Labianca slayings in Los Angeles. The sentences and a fifth death sentence, for Charles "Tex" Watson, were later commuted to life in prison. In 1973, the last U.S. combat troops left South Vietnam (some advisers and others remained), ending the United States' direct military involvement in a war that didn't officially end until 1975. In 1991, six-time Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti quit, opening the way for the country's 50th government since World War II. In 2004, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia joined NATO. In 2006, acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Kadima Party narrowly won the national election, taking 28 seats, forcing it into a coalition situation. In 2010, two suicide bombers killed 39 people in attacks on the Moscow subway system. In 2011, small levels of radiation from Japan's earthquake-tsunami-damaged Fukushima nuclear plant were detected in at least 15 U.S. states, but the Environmental Protection Agency said they posed no threat to public health. In 2021, work crews refloated the jammed container ship Ever Given in Egypt's Suez Canal. It had blocked traffic in the vital trade waterway for nearly a week. In 2023, Britain's King Charles III traveled to Berlin in his first state visit as monarch.
  Today is Friday, March 29, the 89th day of 2024 with 277 to follow.The moon is waning. Morning stars are Mars, Saturn and Venus. Evening stars are Jupiter, Mercury and Uranus. Those born on this date are under the sign of Aries. They include John Tyler, 10th president of the United States, in 1790; baseball pitching legend Cy Young in 1867; first lady Lou Hoover in 1874; Rep. Frances P. Bolton in 1885; actor/singer Pearl Bailey in 1918; Walmart founder Sam Walton in 1918; political commentator John McLaughlin in 1927; actor Scott Wilson in 1942; former British Prime Minister John Major in 1943 (age 81); actor Eric Idle in 1943 (age 81); Greek composer Vangelis, born Evngelos Odyssas Papathanassou, in 1943; Ghanian President Nana Akufo-Addo in 1944 (age 80); basketball Hall of Fame member Walt Frazier in 1945 (age 79); musician Bobby Kimball (Toto) in 1947 (age 77); actor Bud Cort, born Walter Cox, in 1948 (age 76); Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in 1952 (age 72); Karen Ann Quinlan, the focus of arguments over the "right to die" when she fell into an irreversible coma, in 1954; football Hall of Fame member Earl Campbell in 1955 (age 69); actor Brendan Gleeson in 1955 (age 69); gymnast Kurt Thomas in 1956; actor Christopher Lambert in 1957 (age 67); musician Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction) in 1959 (age 65); actor Amy Sedaris in 1961 (age 63); model Elle Macpherson in 1964 (age 60); musician John Popper (Blues Traveler) in 1967 (age 57); actor Lucy Lawless in 1968 (age 56); former tennis star Jennifer Capriati in 1976 (age 48); musician PJ Morton (Maroon 5) in 1981 (age 43); actor Ed Skrein in 1983 (age 41).On this date in history:In 1812, Lucy Payne Washington, sister-in-law of U.S. President James Madison, married Supreme Court Justice Thomas Dodd in the first wedding performed in the White House. In 1886, Coca-Cola was created by Dr. John Pemberton, who produced it in his backyard in Atlanta. In 1951, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage for passing atomic weapons information to the Soviet Union. They were executed in 1953. In 1961, the 23rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The amendment gave District of Columbia residents the right to vote in presidential elections. In 1971, cult leader Charles Manson and three followers (Susan Atkins, Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkel) were sentenced to death in the Tate-Labianca slayings in Los Angeles. The sentences and a fifth death sentence, for Charles "Tex" Watson, were later commuted to life in prison. In 1973, the last U.S. combat troops left South Vietnam (some advisers and others remained), ending the United States' direct military involvement in a war that didn't officially end until 1975. In 1991, six-time Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti quit, opening the way for the country's 50th government since World War II. In 2004, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia joined NATO. In 2006, acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Kadima Party narrowly won the national election, taking 28 seats, forcing it into a coalition situation. In 2010, two suicide bombers killed 39 people in attacks on the Moscow subway system. In 2011, small levels of radiation from Japan's earthquake-tsunami-damaged Fukushima nuclear plant were detected in at least 15 U.S. states, but the Environmental Protection Agency said they posed no threat to public health. In 2021, work crews refloated the jammed container ship Ever Given in Egypt's Suez Canal. It had blocked traffic in the vital trade waterway for nearly a week. In 2023, Britain's King Charles III traveled to Berlin in his first state visit as monarch. A thought for the day: "Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science." -- British scientist Charles Darwin
  Those born on this date are under the sign of Aries. They include: -- John Tyler, 10th president of the United States, in 1790 -- Baseball pitching legend Cy Young in 1867 -- First lady Lou Hoover in 1874 -- Rep. Frances P. Bolton in 1885 -- Actor/singer Pearl Bailey in 1918 -- Walmart founder Sam Walton in 1918 -- Political commentator John McLaughlin in 1927 -- Actor Scott Wilson in 1942 -- Former British Prime Minister John Major in 1943 (age 81) -- Actor Eric Idle in 1943 (age 81) -- Greek composer Vangelis, born Evngelos Odyssas Papathanassou, in 1943 -- Ghanian President Nana Akufo-Addo in 1944 (age 80) -- Basketball Hall of Fame member Walt Frazier in 1945 (age 79) -- Musician Bobby Kimball (Toto) in 1947 (age 77) -- Actor Bud Cort, born Walter Cox, in 1948 (age 76) -- Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in 1952 (age 72) -- Karen Ann Quinlan, the focus of arguments over the "right to die" when she fell into an irreversible coma, in 1954 -- Football Hall of Fame member Earl Campbell in 1955 (age 69) -- Actor Brendan Gleeson in 1955 (age 69) -- Gymnast Kurt Thomas in 1956 -- Actor Christopher Lambert in 1957 (age 67) -- Musician Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction) in 1959 (age 65) -- Actor Amy Sedaris in 1961 (age 63) -- Model Elle Macpherson in 1964 (age 60) -- Musician John Popper (Blues Traveler) in 1967 (age 57) -- Actor Lucy Lawless in 1968 (age 56) -- Former tennis star Jennifer Capriati in 1976 (age 48) -- Musician PJ Morton (Maroon 5) in 1981 (age 43) -- Actor Ed Skrein in 1983 (age 41)
  The Biden administration has approved Maryland's request for $60 million in emergency federal funding to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed earlier this week after a cargo ship struck the structure. Maryland had made the request Thursday, with the Department of Transportation stating the quick release Emergency Relief funds were made available to the state within hours. The department described the funds as "a down payment toward initials costs" with additional Emergency Relief program funding to be made available as rebuilding continues. "The federal emergency funds we're releasing today will help Maryland begin urgent work, to be followed by further resources as recovery and rebuilding efforts progress," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. "President [Joe] Biden has been clear: the federal government will do everything it takes to help rebuild the bridge and get the Port of Baltimore back open." Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the $60 million is to pay for initial mobilization, operations and debris recovery from the collapse site. "This initial emergency relief request is needed for our immediate response efforts, and to lay the foundation for a rapid recovery," he said in a statement. The bridge collapsed early Tuesday after a cargo ship lost power and crashed into one of its pillars. Six people were killed in the incident. The collapse has halted all maritime transport to the United State's ninth-largest port, the effects of which could disrupt the U.S. supply chain for weeks. The bridge was also an important roadway, with more than 30,000 vehicles crossing it daily. Following the incident, Biden told reporters during a press conference that he has directed his team to "move heaven and earth" to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge "as soon as humanly possible." "We're going to work hand in hand to support Maryland, whatever they ask for," he said. "And we're going to work with our partners in Congress to make sure the state gets the support it needs." He added that his intention is for the federal government to pay the entire reconstruction cost and that he expects Congress to support him. Federal officials have told Maryland lawmakers that an early estimate to rebuild the bridge is at least $2 billion. It was unclear how much time would be necessary to reconstruct it, but Biden acknowledged it won't be completed any time soon. "This is going to take some time," he said. "And the people of Baltimore can count on us, though, to stick with them at every step of the way until the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt." "We're not leaving until this job gets done." Buttigieg told reporters during the press conference that there is about $950 million available in the emergency relief account, but there is also "a long line of needs and projects behind that." "We may be turning to Congress in order to help top up those funds. But that shouldn't be a barrier to the immediate next few days beginning to get the ball rolling," he said.
  Authorities in Latvia have arrested a 55-year-old man accused in the United States of participating in a multiyear scheme to illegally export aviation components to Russian companies amid the Kremlin's war in Ukraine. The suspect, Oleg Chistyakov, is the third person to be implicated in the conspiracy that prosecutors said in a 26-count superseding indictment unsealed Thursday began in October of 2020 and ran until March of 2023. Prosecutors said the scheme was centered in the Kansas-based KanRus Trading Company whose U.S. owners Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky and Douglas Edward Robertson would repair, sell and ship U.S. avionics equipment to consumers in Russia and elsewhere that operate Russian-built aircraft, including the Kremlin's principal security agency, the Federal Security Service. According to the court document, Buyanovsky and Robertson concealed the final destinations of their products by misstating the true end users, value and customers by creating false invoices, submitting false information on export documents and failing to file required export paper work. They also worked with intermediaries, such as Chistyakov, to ship product to third-party countries, including Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus and Armenia, where the goods would again be re-exported to their final destination. Prosecutors accuse the trio of continuing to export their products to Russia even after the Kremlin launched its invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and after the United States imposed sanctions to prevent U.S. technology from being used by Russia in its war. In December 2023, the U.S. Department Commerce added several Russian companies to its Entity List, imposing stringent restrictions on them over Russia's involvement in the war. On that list are some companies that were involved in the alleged export scheme, prosecutors said. Chistyakov was arrested March 19 near Riga in his native country and remains in Latvian custody pending extradition to the United States. "As alleged, Mr. Chistyakov facilitated hundreds of thousands of dollars in illicit transactions to funnel sophisticated U.S. aerospace technology to companies in Russia," Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division said in a statement. "This arrest is another example of the Justice Department's unwavering mission to hold accountable those who enable Russian aggression, including those involved in facilitation networks that fuel the Russian war effort." He has been charged with one count of conspiracy, two counts of violation of the Export Control Reform Act and multiple smuggling and money laundering counts. If convicted, Chistyakov faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for conspiracy, 20 years in prison for each export count, 10 years in prison for each smuggling count and 20 years in prison for each money laundering count. Buyanovsky pleaded guilty in December, and agreed to forfeit more than $450,000 worth of avionics equipment and $50,000 in a personal judgement. Robertson has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. The investigation was conducted by the Justice Department's Task Force KleptoCapture, which was launched in March of 2022 to fight efforts to evade sanctions placed on Russia. Last month, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in the two years of the task force, it has restrained, seized and obtained judgements to forfeit nearly $700 million in assents from "Russian enablers" and charged more than 70 people for violating international sanctions and export controls.
  An 8-year-old child is the lone survivor of a bus crash in South Africa that killed 45 worshippers on their way to an Easter festival on Thursday when the driver apparently lost control, according to local authorities. The Limpopo provincial government said the bus veered off a bridge near Mmamatlakala and plunged 164 feet into a ravine before bursting into flames. The child was seriously injured and was reportedly receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital, according to local officials. While a recovery mission is ongoing, many of the bodies were burned beyond recognition and trapped inside the vehicle, authorities said. The bus was traveling from the neighboring country of Botswana to the town of Moria, which hosts a popular Easter pilgrimage, according to local authorities. They said it appeared that the driver lost control of the vehicle and was among the dead. Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga was in Limpopo province for a road safety campaign but changed plans to visit the crash scene, the national Department of Transport said. She said there was an investigation underway into the cause of the crash and offered her condolences to the families of the victims. Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety Florence Radzilani, also at the road safety event, was encouraging motorists to drive safely during the long Easter weekend near the time that the bus crash occurred and visited the scene of the crash. The South African government often warns of the danger of accidents during the Easter holidays, which is an especially dangerous time for road travel in that part of the country. Last year, more than 200 people died in road crashes during the Easter weekend. The Zionist Christian Church is headquartered in Moria and its Easter pilgrimage attracts hundreds of thousands of people from across South Africa and neighboring countries. This year is the first year the Easter pilgrimage to Moria is set to go ahead since the COVID-19 pandemic.
  Israel must without delay ensure Palestinians throughout Gaza have unhindered access to humanitarian aid and services, the World Court unanimously ordered Thursday as famine threatens the Palestinian enclave. The order was issued by the International Court of Justice in The Hague as it considers a genocide case brought over Israel's treatment of Palestinians amid its war against Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza. In January, the World Court ordered Israel to take immediate steps to end atrocities being committed in the Palestinian enclave while it considers a final decision on the case. But then earlier this month, South Africa, who brought the original case before the court, made an urgent request for additional provisions to be added to the Jan. 26 order to reflect the deteriorating conditions in Gaza. The court on Thursday ordered Israel to "take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay ... the unhindered provision at scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians throughout Gaza." The required aid listed was food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation requirements as well as medical supplies and medical care. It suggested Israel could fulfill this order by "increasing the capacity and number of land crossing points and maintaining them open as long as necessary." The 15-judge court said it issued this directed "in view of the worsening conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaze, in particular the spread of famine and starvation. "The court observes that Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, as noted in the Order of 26 January 2024, but that famine is setting in, whit at least 31 people, including 27 children, having already died of malnutrition and dehydration," the Thursday order said. The court's order also directs Israel to ensure "with immediate effect that its military does not commit acts which constitute a violation of any of the rights of the Palestinians in Gaza as a protected group ... including by preventing, through any action, the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance." Israel did not participate in the court proceedings and has rejected the court's order. Following the original Jan. 26 decision, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described that case as a "vile attempt" to deny Israel its right to defend itself that is "blatant discrimination against the Jewish state. The State of Palestine described the Thursday decision in a statement as affirming "the plausibility of genocide in Palestine, recognized the credible risk of irreparable prejudice to the rights of Palestinians in Gaza, as a protected group." It also lashed out at Israel for undermining the court's directives with its "relentless aggression" and at states that have failed to adhere to and implement the court's order. "Today's decision by the @CIJ_ICJ to order additional provisional measures in South Africa's genocide case against Israel highlights the continuing catastrophic deterioration of conditions & the growing threat to Palestinians in occupied #Gaza since the ICJ's last ruling," Amnesty International said in a statement. Israel has been waging war in Gaza since Hamas launched a devastating surprise attack on the Middle Eastern country Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 Israelis and abducting another 253. Israel's air and ground offensive has razed much of Gaza, displacing some 1.9 million of its 2.2 million Palestinians. A climbing death toll from the Palestinian Ministry of Health on Thursday sat at 32,552 Palestinians, mostly women and children, killed. Gaza is dependent on aid, and received some 500 trucks worth of humanitarian goods prior to the war. When it started, aid ceased, and only started to trickle in about nearly two weeks later. But the need has grown as the war has continued, and to circumvent Israel's strict controls over what, when and where aid can enter Gaza, countries, such as the United States, have turned to airdropping supplies. The Biden administration is also rushing to build a pier in Gaza where goods can be delivered. Israel has blamed at least some of the issues over aid on the United Nations, stating it has failed to distribute the humanitarian goods it has, while the Unite Nations has been pointing its finger at Israel, accusing it of preventing aid from getting into Gaza. "Israel blames everyone but itself for the mass starvation in Gaza. The International Court of Justice didn't buy that self-exculpatory lie and ordered Israel to start allowing unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza," Kenneth Roth, former Human Rights Watch executive direct and current visiting professor at Princeton University, said on X following the ruling.
  Jared Triolo sprayed a single just over the infield, scoring Ke'Bryan Hayes for the game-winning run in a 12-inning Pittsburgh Pirates opening day comeback triumph over the Miami Marlins on Thursday in Miami. "I battled at the plate early and throughout the game," the Pirates second baseman said. "It was good just to find some grass." The Pirates, who trailed 5-2 through six innings, came alive late offensively and used a dominant bullpen effort to secure the 6-5 victory at loanDepot park. Pirates relievers combined to allow just one hit and surrendered two walks and no runs over the final 6 1/3 innings. Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez, winner of two-consecutive batting titles, went 0 for 6 for the first time in his career. "This guy is one of the elite hitters in the game," Pirates manager Derek Shelton said of Arraez. "What that says is that, as good of a hitter as he is, our guys did a really good job of executing pitches to him." Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds went 2 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs in the victory. Shortstop Oneil Cruz and pinch hitter Edward Olivares also homered for the Pirates. Marlins third baseman Jake Burger went 3 for 4 with three RBIs in the setback, which was played in front of 32,654 fans, the largest opening day attendance for the Marlins since 2016. "Obviously we've got some things to clean up, but the presence of the fans was felt, for sure," Burger said. "We felt that all the way through the end of the game. It was really exciting for us to have that type of support. We obviously have some things to iron out, but it's 1 of 162 [games]." Right fielder Jesus Sanchez brought in the first run of the night, when he hit the ball up the middle and reached base on a fielder's choice. Fellow Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. scored on that play after Triolo dropped a catch at second base. Two pitches later, Marlins shortstop Tim Anderson smacked an RBI double to right, scoring Burger for a 2-0 lead. But that edge didn't last long, as Reynolds obliterated a Jesus Luzardo sinker to left field for a 400-foot, two-run homer in the top of the third, tying the score. The Marlins responded in the bottom of the inning, with Burger plating Chisholm and designated hitter Bryan De La Cruz with a two-run single. Neither team had a baserunner in the fourth. Burger brought home first baseman Josh Bell with an RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth to push the Marlins' lead to three, an edge they held until the Pirates rallied in the seventh. Olivares tightened the game with a leadoff, 413-foot solo homer. Designated hitter Andrew McCutchen brought in center fielder Michael A. Taylor with a bases-loaded ground out later on in the seventh, cutting the deficit to one. The Marlins failed to score in the bottom of the inning. Cruz then stepped to the plate and hit the Pirates' second leadoff homer of the night. That 384-foot shot to left field off Sixto Sanchez tied the score 5-5 and led to extra innings. Neither team plated a run in the 10th or 11th, despite a rule that puts a runner on second to start each extra inning. The Pirates finally scored the go-ahead run when Triolo hit his RBI single to right field in the top of the 12th. Relief pitcher Jose Hernandez then retired the Marlins in order to earn his first save of the season and clinch the Miami victory. Pirates starter Mitch Keller allowed seven hits and four earned runs over 5 2/3 innings. Luzardo allowed just two hits and two runs over five innings in his first start of the season for the Marlins. Neither pitcher was on record for a decision. "The ultimate thing is a win, and that's what we got tonight," Keller said. "A win is a win and we'll take it and move on." The Marlins (0-1) will host the Pirates (1-0) in the second game of the series at 7:10 p.m. EDT Friday in Miami. The Pirates are expected to start Martin Perez, while the Marlins will likely go with fellow left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk.
  Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday vetoed legislation that would have legalized the sale of recreational marijuana in the state. House Bill 698 and Senate Bill 448 would have allowed the Cannabis Control Authority to begin issuing licenses for the cultivation, selling and testing of marijuana on Sept. 1, with retail sales beginning in May 2025. Those plans, however, were scrapped after Youngkin, a Republican, vetoed both bills, arguing "the proposed legalization of retail marijuana in the Commonwealth endangers Virginians' health and safety." Virginia for nearly three years has been the first southern state to legalize cultivation, possession and recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 and older, but disagreement over policy has stalled the legalization of retail sales. Youngkin previously said he had no interest in marijuana legislation, adding "I've expressed that to people over and over again." State Democrats, meanwhile, have made establishing a legal market one of their biggest priorities and had hoped they could gain leverage in budget negotiations over a proposed $2 billion deal to develop a sports and entertainment district in Alexandria that would be the new home of the Washington Capitals and Wizards. That arena was a high priority for Youngkin, but the final budget enacted earlier by the Virginia Legislature did not contain funding for the project. The arena bill was officially declared dead Wednesday, and Youngkin vetoed both marijuana market bills less than a day later. "Here we are talking about an opportunity to bring 30,000 jobs, $12 billion of economic impact in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the fastest growing most dynamic area, which is sports and entertainment, and you want to talk about putting a cannabis shop on every corner? I don't quite get it," Youngkin said earlier this month. Democratic lawmaker Paul Krizek, the top sponsor of the bill, said Youngkin's decision "allows an already thriving illegal cannabis market to persist, fueling criminal activity and endangering our communities." "This veto squandered a vital opportunity to safeguard Virginians and will only exacerbate the proliferation of illicit products, posing greater risks to our schools and public safety."

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