INTERNACIONAL
Blue cities U-turn on distributing drug supplies to addicts after progressive policies fail to stem epidemic
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At least two major West Coast cities are rethinking their so-called harm reduction policies that have sought to address addiction, signaling that these areas are overhauling their strategy to combat the drug crisis as addiction challenges persist.
While cities including San Francisco and Seattle have previously adopted policies to distribute «safer» drug supplies like clean foil and pipes that could be used to smoke fentanyl or other substances, these cities are now implementing a new approach that imposes new limitations on the distribution of these supplies.
Seattle’s City Council passed its 2026 budget in November and included a provision that will «preclude any City support for the purchase or distribution of supplies for the consumption of illegal drugs, with the exception of needles.»
The provision was championed by City Council Member Sara Nelson, who said that while she supports needle exchange programs because they reduce the spread of diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C, she said she doesn’t see the benefit in using public resources to «help people get high» by distributing certain drug supplies.
Several packages containing drugs, possibly laced with fentanyl, displayed on a bed. (U.S. District Court of Rhode Island)
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«I fail to see, however, the harm that’s being reduced by distributing supplies such as pipes and foil that are used to consume deadly drugs like meth and fentanyl,» Nelson said during a Nov. 16 budget committee meeting. «To me, it feels like it’s giving a loaded gun to somebody who is suicidal.»
Seattle isn’t the only city taking such steps to scale back how it distributes «safe» drug supplies to its community.
Earlier in 2025, San Francisco unveiled a new policy that would require individuals to receive treatment counseling — or be connected with such services to receive treatment options — before receiving any drug use supplies from the city or city-funded programs. Additionally, the new policy barred providing these supplies in public spaces.
San Francisco unveiled a new policy that would require individuals to receive treatment counseling before receiving any drug use supplies from the city or city-funded programs. (Jeff Chiu, File/The Associated Press )
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The policy went into effect April 30, and applied to any city-funded public health program that provided drug use supplies like sterile syringes and smoking kits.
«We can no longer accept the reality of two people dying a day from overdose. The status quo has failed to ensure the health and safety of our entire community, as well as those in the throes of addiction. Fentanyl has changed the game, and we’ve been relying on strategies that preceded this new drug epidemic, which ends today,» San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said in a statement in April. «Our new policy will connect individuals to treatment quickly, and that is a big step toward reclaiming our public spaces.»
Seattle’s City Council elections and San Francisco’s mayoral races are officially nonpartisan. However, both cities have strongly backed Democrats in state and local elections.
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Meanwhile, these drug policy changes aren’t popular with proponents of «harm reduction» policies. For example, Laura Guzman, executive director of the National Harm Reduction Coalition, said there may not be enough resources to comply with San Francisco’s new rule.
«It’s mandating or putting as a condition for people to receive life-saving supplies, to actually have long conversations about treatment that may not be available,» Guzman said in April, according to CBS News. «People who know in the field — researchers, doctors — are saying this is not good policy. We’re actually going against the grain because what we’re trying to do is have the perception that there is no drug use on the streets. But it’s not public health, it’s not science-based. It’s exactly the opposite of what we know works.»
The Seattle skyline is pictured from a Washington State Ferry in Seattle, Washington. (Jason Redmond/Reuters )
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Although both Washington’s King County, which includes Seattle, and San Francisco had fewer drug overdose deaths in 2024 than in 2023, the numbers for both cities are higher in comparison to 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
For example, 635 people died due to accidental drug overdoses in 2024 in San Francisco — down from the 810 that died in 2023, but up from the 441 that died in 2019, according to the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Drug overdose deaths are also down nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in February a nearly 24% decline in drug overdose deaths in fiscal year 2024, in comparison to the previous fiscal year.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has taken an aggressive approach to combat the influx of drugs into the U.S. For example, President Donald Trump signed an executive order in December designating illicit fentanyl a «weapon of mass destruction.»
drug and substance abuse,addiction,white house,blue city crime,san francisco
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An explosive fire at a bar in the Swiss Alps killed multiple people and injured others during New Year’s celebrations, police said.
The blaze happened in the Alpine ski resort municipality of Crans-Montana, Switzerland, police said.
«The fire started around 1:30 a.m. this morning in a bar called ‘Le Constellation,’» police spokesperson Gaëtan Lathion said. «More than a hundred people were in the building, and we are seeing many injured and many dead.»
EXPLOSION AT PENNSYLVANIA SENIOR HOME PROMPTS MASS CASUALTY RESPONSE
Rescuers and fire-fighters work at the site of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026. (MAXIME SCHMID / AFP via Getty Images)
Investigators were working to determine the cause of the fire, police said.
«We’re just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is an internationally renown ski resort with lots of tourists,» Lathion said.
A police officer walks near ambulances at the site of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026. (MAXIME SCHMID / AFP via Getty Images)
A reception center and helpline have been established for impacted families, Lathion said.
Rescuers are seen at the site of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026. (MAXIME SCHMID / AFP via Getty Images)
A news conference was scheduled by police for 10 a.m. The community is in the heart of the Swiss Alps, about 25 miles north of the Matterhorn.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
world,europe,disasters
INTERNACIONAL
Taiwán afirmó que defenderá “firmemente” la soberanía de la isla ante los ejercicios militares del régimen chino
El presidente de Taiwán, Lai Ching-te, advirtió este jueves sobre el aumento de la presión ejercida por el régimen chino sobre la isla y convocó a reforzar la defensa y la resiliencia democrática en su mensaje de Año Nuevo, donde apeló a la unidad interna frente a un entorno regional cada vez más tenso.
En su discurso, difundido por la Oficina Presidencial, el mandatario describió un contexto internacional marcado por turbulencias, cambios en el orden económico y comercial global, y un aumento de los conflictos.
A su vez, señaló especialmente el avance de las “ambiciones expansionistas” del líder chino Xi Jinping. Ching-te recordó los recientes ejercicios militares de gran escala que Beijing realizó en torno a Taiwán, territorio que China reclama como propio.
El presidente taiwanés subrayó que la comunidad internacional observa la determinación de la sociedad taiwanesa para defenderse y reiteró su compromiso de “defender firmemente la soberanía nacional” y fortalecer la capacidad de disuasión de la isla. Consideró que una defensa nacional sólida es fundamental y pidió a todos los partidos colaborar en la aprobación del presupuesto de defensa.
Ching-te mencionó la implementación de 17 estrategias de seguridad contra la infiltración, la reforma de leyes vinculadas a la seguridad nacional y el lanzamiento de un presupuesto especial de defensa de ocho años, equivalente a unos 39.829 millones de dólares, que comenzará a ejecutarse gradualmente a partir de este año.
En el plano económico, el político y médico taiwanés destacó el crecimiento más alto en quince años, con una tasa estimada del 7,37%, nuevos récords en el mercado bursátil, y una tasa media de desempleo del 3%, la más baja en 25 años.
También mencionó el aumento sostenido del salario mínimo y mejoras salariales para militares, funcionarios y docentes.
El mandatario repasó otros avances, como el lanzamiento del satélite Formosat-8, la apertura de nuevas infraestructuras en el aeropuerto internacional de Taoyuan, la entrega de patrulleras de guardacostas y el progreso del puente de Tamsui. En salud, resaltó la creación de un fondo para nuevos tratamientos oncológicos y el cumplimiento anticipado de la meta de la OMS para la eliminación de la hepatitis C.
De cara a 2026, Ching-te identificó como prioridades reforzar la seguridad, avanzar hacia una economía más inteligente, promover un desarrollo equilibrado y fortalecer la unidad democrática.
Por otra parte, criticó los bloqueos legislativos y defendió la importancia de respetar la Constitución y los derechos fundamentales, al tiempo que agradeció el respaldo internacional recibido por Taiwán, incluyendo apoyo de Estados Unidos, Japón, el Reino Unido, la Unión Europea y recientes ventas de armamento estadounidenses.
En el mensaje de fin de año, concluyó apelando a la unidad y al esfuerzo colectivo, asegurando que su gobierno seguirá trabajando para proteger el sistema democrático y el modo de vida en Taiwán.
En ese misma línea, el Ministerio de Defensa de Taiwán denunció que “las provocaciones agresivas y militaristas del Partido Comunista Chino ponen en peligro la seguridad y estabilidad regional, y han sido condenadas por aliados democráticos de la comunidad internacional”.
Por su parte, en su mensaje de Año Nuevo, el líder chino Xi Jinping reiteró el llamado a la reunificación nacional. “Los compatriotas a ambos lados del Estrecho de Taiwán están unidos por lazos de sangre más fuertes que el agua, y la tendencia histórica hacia la reunificación nacional es imparable”, afirmó Xi en declaraciones transmitidas por la cadena estatal CCTV.
La cartera informó que en las últimas 24 horas se detectaron 77 aeronaves militares y 25 embarcaciones de la marina y la guardia costera chinas operando en torno a la isla. De ese total, 35 aviones cruzaron la línea media del estrecho de Taiwán.
(Con información de EFE)
Defence,Asia / Pacific,Defense
INTERNACIONAL
Iran in shutdown as protesters storm governor’s office, crowds chant ‘Death to Khamenei’
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Iran ground to a near standstill Wednesday as businesses, universities and government offices closed under a government-ordered shutdown amid protests caused by a growing political and economic crisis.
A 21-year-old volunteer member of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was killed Wednesday in a western province, Iranian state media reported, marking the first death among security forces during the protests.
The death was reported in Kouhdasht, a city in Iran’s Lorestan province roughly 250 miles west of Tehran.
Saeed Pourali, a deputy governor in the Lorestan province, said the guard member «was martyred … at the hands of rioters during protests in this city in defense of public order,» according to Iranian Student News Network.
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Iranian protests force nationwide shutdown as President Masoud Pezeshkian closes businesses and offices across 21 provinces amid mounting public anger. (MEK)
Video footage circulating online and shared by the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) shows intense clashes between protesters and security forces in cities, including Shiraz, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Tehran.
In the videos, protesters chant anti-regime slogans and confront security forces in crowded streets.
Footage included scenes of screaming and apparent gunfire, with demonstrators throwing objects and shouting, «Death to the Dictator» and «Proud Arakis, support, support.»
Additional footage shared by MEK shows crowds chanting, «Death to Khamenei!» and «Shame on you, shame on you!» as anger appears to spread across the country, with a particular focus on bazaar-led protests in Tehran.
Some of the most dramatic scenes were reported in the city of Fasa in south-central Iran. Video circulating online shows demonstrators hurling objects at the gates of a government complex and shaking them until they opened.
Opposition groups also reported that protesters stormed the governor’s office, prompting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces to open fire, per Reuters.
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Widespread protests grip Iran as President Pezeshkian faces mounting economic and political crisis. (MEK)
Military helicopters were seen flying over the city, apparently to intimidate residents and prevent the unrest from spreading.
In Kermanshah, in western Iran, bazaar merchants were seen confronting security forces while chanting, «Dishonorable, dishonorable,» according to video footage.
The one-day shutdown affected 21 of Iran’s 31 provinces, including Tehran, as President Masoud Pezeshkian sought to contain mounting public anger fueled by inflation, currency instability and declining living standards.
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Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sitting next to a senior military official in Iran. (Getty Images)
Demonstrations, strikes and clashes with security forces continued for a fourth consecutive day in cities across the country.
The unrest has unfolded alongside a series of high-level leadership changes that have added to uncertainty.
On Wednesday, Pezeshkian appointed Abdolnaser Hemmati, a former economy minister, as the new head of Iran’s central bank after the resignation of Mohammad Reza Farzin.
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State media quoted the president as acknowledging the role was «extremely difficult and complex,» warning that the new central bank chief would face intense pressure and criticism amid ongoing economic turmoil, according to IRNA.
Separately, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced the appointment of IRGC Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as deputy commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guards.
iran,world protests,middle east,government shutdown,armed forces
Explosive fire kills multiple people at Swiss Alps bar during New Year’s celebrations
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