Top stories from DAWNS Digest
Uruguay Poised to Legalize Pot
This could be a groundbreaking moment in Latin America, and is sure to displease US officials who are heavily invested in anti-drug operations on the continent. “Members of Uruguay’s House of Representatives have passed a bill to legalise marijuana. If it goes on to be approved by the Senate, Uruguay will become the first country to regulate the production, distribution and sale of marijuana. The measure is backed by the government of President Jose Mujica, who says it will remove profits from drug dealers and divert users from harder drugs. Under the bill, only the government would be allowed to sell marijuana.” (BBC http://bbc.in/13F51wj)
Mali Election Results Expected Today
Former prime minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is the expected frontrunner, but we should learn more today. “The results of a first round of voting in Mali’s crunch presidential election will be announced on Friday, a day later than expected, the presidency said. No explanation was given for the delay, announced by the presidency’s Twitter account on Thursday, but an official from the ministry of territorial administration said vote-counting had not been completed following Sunday’s poll.” (FoxNews http://fxn.ws/13F4BpR)