International

Kamala Harris and Michelle Obama ally to warn about the danger of choosing Trump

Vice President Kamala Harris and the former first lady of the United States. Michelle Obama joined forces this Saturday to warn voters that “there is a lot at stake” in the November 5 elections, especially for women’s health and reproductive rights, if Donald Trump reaches the Presidency again.

In a crowded rally in Kalamazoo, in the key state of Michigan, the Democratic candidate and the former first lady raised their voices to charge against former President Donald Trump, between 2017 and 2021, and the setbacks in rights that, in her opinion, the United States has experienced.

“There is a lot at stake in this election,” Harris said, stressing that the current race for the Presidency is “en even more important” than that of 2016 or 2020.

Kamala Harris: “It is clear that Trump has become increasingly deranged”

“In the last eight years, Donald Trump has become more confused, more unstable and more angry, and it is clear that he has become increasingly deranged,” Harris accused.

Harris also used a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that granted partial immunity to the former president for the case of the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. “Imagine Donald Trump without a barrier to stop him,” he stressed.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

Kamala Harris again criticized her opponent for saying that she wanted generals like those of Adolf Hitler during his tenure in the White House and threatening to use the army against those who disagree with him.

Michelle Obama follows the questions to Trump

Obama was not left behind in criticism of Trump by confessing that she is “a little angry because we are indifferent to his erratic behavior, his obvious mental deterioration, and his history as a convicted criminal,” when comparing the Republican candidate with Harris.

The first lady also dedicated a good space of her speech of more than 40 minutes and anteroom to Harris to list the failures of the Trump Administration in describing the response to the COVID-19 pandemic as poor, when it discredited scientists and spread false information.

A message focused on women’s reproductive rights

The rally in Michigan also served for Harris and Obama to appeal to the vote of women and warn them about the risks of allowing the Republican to return to the White House.

“I ask you from the depths of my being to take our lives seriously,” Obama said. “We need you to vote for the only candidate in this race who will protect our lives. Kamala Harris will fight to restore our reproductive freedoms and defend our health,” he added.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

They invite women to vote

The former first lady challenged women to keep their vote private, regardless of the political opinions of the men in her family and told them that voting for Trump or a third-party candidate “would bring collateral damage” to their wives, sisters and daughters.

For her part, Kamala Harris recounted how the three Supreme Court members elected by the Republican in his mandate helped repeal the Roe vs Wade sentence that protected abortion nationwide.

“They did what he wanted and now one in three women in the United States lives in a state where Trump prohibits abortion, and many of them have no exceptions in cases of rape and incest,” the candidate said.

Both Harris and Obama urged voters to cast their vote in advance.

Key support in Michigan

“I think Donald Trump is a not very serious man, but the consequences of him becoming president again are brutally serious,” Harris said.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

The appearance of the former first lady at this Saturday’s rally is fundamental for the Democratic campaign that seeks to consolidate itself in the so-called “blue wall”, to which Michigan belongs, a state that offers 15 electoral votes to the winner.

Michigan is one of the seven competitive states in the United States that will decide the election in ten days.

Harris has leveraged great and recognized figures in the final stretch of his campaign. This Friday he performed in Houston (Texas) with Beyoncé, and on Thursday he shared the stage with former President Barack Obama (2009-2017) in Atlanta (Georgia).

International

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Policy Allowing Deportations to Third Countries

A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that the policy of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration allowing immigration authorities to deport foreign nationals to third countries without prior notice or the opportunity to object is unlawful. The decision marks another legal setback for the administration on immigration matters.

Judge Brian Murphy of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts struck down the regulation issued last year, which stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was not required to notify migrants if they were to be sent to countries other than the one listed in their removal order, provided that receiving nations offered assurances they would not face persecution or torture.

Murphy ordered the measure vacated but granted a 15-day delay before the ruling takes effect, giving the Trump administration time to file an appeal.

In his decision, the judge concluded that the policy violates federal immigration law and migrants’ due process rights. He also questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the alleged assurances provided by receiving countries, stating that “no one really knows anything about these supposed ‘assurances.’” He added, “It is not right, and it is not lawful.”

The ruling follows several legal disputes involving deportations to third countries. Last year, the executive branch deported more than 200 Salvadorans to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, invoking an old wartime law. The White House also held talks with Costa Rica, Panama, and Rwanda about receiving migrants who are not citizens of those countries.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

In May, the same judge determined that the government violated a court order when it attempted to remove a group of immigrants with criminal records to South Sudan without prior notice or an opportunity to raise claims of fear of persecution.

Although President Donald Trump took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which temporarily allowed the deportations to resume while a final decision was pending, the White House is expected to again appeal to higher courts to overturn this latest judicial ruling.

International

Cocaine Production Surges 34% in 2023 as Market Expands into Africa and Asia

The global cocaine market is the fastest-growing among all illicit drugs worldwide, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) warned on Thursday in its annual report presented in Vienna.

The body attributes this expansion to the sustained rise in production in South America — particularly in Colombia — as well as increasing demand in emerging regions such as Africa and Asia.

According to the report, global cocaine production surpassed 3,700 metric tons in 2023, marking a 34% increase compared to 2022. This growth is largely driven by the expansion of illicit coca cultivation in Colombia and the greater production capacity of clandestine laboratories.

The INCB noted that the market has not only grown in volume but has also diversified and become more globalized. While Europe and North America remain the primary destinations, trafficking routes now reach “all regions of the world,” including Africa — traditionally considered a transit zone — and Asia, where the presence of cocaine was previously marginal.

In Western and Central Europe, for the fifth consecutive year, seizures in 2023 exceeded those in North America, consolidating the region as the leading destination market. Between January 2019 and June 2024, more than 1,826 metric tons of drugs bound for European ports were seized, of which 82% was cocaine, equivalent to 1,487 metric tons.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

The report also highlights that seizures in Africa rose by 48% in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting the expansion of the market on the continent. Globally, the number of cocaine users increased from 17 million in 2013 to 25 million in 2023.

International

Clinton Accuses Republican Committee of Using Epstein Case to Shield Trump

Former U.S. Secretary of State and former First Lady Hillary Clinton denied on Thursday before a congressional committee that she had ever met convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in person or had any knowledge of the crimes he committed.

Clinton testified behind closed doors from New York before the House Oversight Committee. The wife of former President Bill Clinton — who is scheduled to testify on Friday — accused the Republican-controlled committee of summoning her in order to “distract attention” and “cover up” the activities of President Donald Trump, who had past ties to Epstein.

“I do not recall ever meeting Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane nor visited his island, his homes, or his offices. I have nothing further to add,” she stated.

The former Secretary of State emphasized that she “had no idea about the criminal activities” of the financier, who died in prison in 2019. “Like any decent person, I was horrified when I learned of his crimes,” she said.

Clinton described the Epstein case as “a tragedy” and “a scandal” that deserves “a thorough investigation,” but criticized the committee for failing to summon what she called the truly relevant individuals.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

“Instead, you have asked me to testify, knowing that I have no knowledge that would serve your investigation, with the purpose of distracting from President Trump’s activities and shielding him despite the legitimate demand for answers,” she said.

The questioning, conducted behind closed doors in Chappaqua, New York — where the Clintons reside — took place one day before former President Bill Clinton was scheduled to appear at the same location.

Although the Clintons initially declined to testify before Congress, the threat of being held in contempt ultimately led the former presidential couple to agree to appear and explain their relationship with Epstein.