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Trump signs bill to keep tough sentences for fentanyl traffickers

Trump signs bill to keep tough sentences for fentanyl traffickers

The law places fentanyl on the Drug Enforcement Administration's list of most serious drugs with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. The list includes drugs such as heroin, cocaine and LSD. Fentanyl has been temporarily assigned to the Schedule 1 category since 2018. The law makes the designation permanent.
The law also makes permanent mandatory minimum penalties of five years in prison for trafficking 10 grams of fentanyl and 10 years for 100 grams.
"It doesn't sound like much, but it's a big deal," Trump said.
The Department of Homeland Security seized 27,000 pounds of fentanyl and arrested 3,600 criminal suspects in 2024.
More than 105,000 people nationwide died of drug overdoses in 2023, including nearly 73,000 from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
The crackdown on fentanyl distribution is also at the heart of current U.S. trade disputes with China, Mexico and Canada. Trump imposed tariffs on those countries, citing the threat of cross-border fentanyl trafficking.
"We are delivering another defeat for the savage drug smugglers and criminals and the cartels," Trump said.
Parents of several people who died after overdosing on fentanyl spoke at the event.
Anne Fundner, whose 15-year-old son Weston died of an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2022, previously spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last year.
"It is a lifeline for families across America for keeping our families safe," Fundner said of the legislation. "This is what we voted for, Mr. President."
Gregory Swan, whose 24-year-old son Drew died of fentanyl poisoning, started a group known as Fentanyl Fathers, in which parents tell their story to high schools across America.
"His passing ruined, I thought, my life," Swan said. "There's despair and there's hopelessness. But we've been able to find some repose in going out and advocating."
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Why is Trump visiting the UK?
Why is Trump visiting the UK?

The Independent

time17 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Why is Trump visiting the UK?

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Several MPs and campaigners have also spoken out against the state visit invitation, arguing that Mr Trump's divisive political views mean he should not receive the honour. In April, Labour MP Kate Osbourne wrote to Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle asking him to prevent Mr Trump from addressing parliament. The Newcastle MP also tabled a parliamentary motion, signed by 19 other MPs, which states it would be 'inappropriate for President Trump to address parliament' due to his record on "misogyny, racism and xenophobia'. However, White House sources have said the president had not planned to address parliament. The timing of his visit also coincides with when parliament is in recess, likely removing the possibility. When was Trump's last official visit to the UK? Donald Trump 's first official state visit to the UK took place from 3 to 5 June 2019, around two years into his first presidential term. 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The National newspaper front page as Donald Trump visits Scotland
The National newspaper front page as Donald Trump visits Scotland

The National

time17 minutes ago

  • The National

The National newspaper front page as Donald Trump visits Scotland

THE National's front page on Friday is a nod towards the US president's upcoming visit to Scotland. Donald Trump is set to land in Scotland on Friday evening, and will spend the next five days in the country. During this time, he is set to meet both UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Scotland's First Minister John Swinney. READ MORE: LIVE: Latest updates as Donald Trump set to arrive in Scotland He is also set to be welcomed off the plane by Scotland Secretary Ian Murray. Friday's front page pays tribute to the US president - without actually naming him. Scotland National newspaper Donald Trump front page The headline of the front page reads: "Convicted US felon to arrive in Scotland". It then goes on to say: "Republican leader, who was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation, will visit golf courses." In 2023, Trump was convicted of 34 felonies for falsifying business records related to hush-money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in order to buy her silence, as well as facing sexual assault allegations dating back to the 1970s. Why is Trump going to Scotland? The US president is primarily visiting Scotland to open a new golf course. Trump will open an 18-hole course in Menie, Aberdeenshire. He will also visit his Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire. Although it's been branded a "private visit", Trump is set to meet both Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney.

Trump and Powell row over building work but Fed chief's job is safe
Trump and Powell row over building work but Fed chief's job is safe

Times

time27 minutes ago

  • Times

Trump and Powell row over building work but Fed chief's job is safe

President Trump clashed with Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chairman, during a rare presidential visit to the US central bank. He criticised the cost of renovating two buildings at its headquarters in Washington that were built nearly a century ago and continued to press for lower interest rates. The encounter between them became heated after Trump told reporters that the project was now estimated to have cost $3.1 billion, significantly above the Fed's official estimate of $2.5 billion. 'I am not aware of that,' Powell said, shaking his head. Trump handed him a piece of paper, which Powell examined. 'You just added in a third building,' the Fed chief said. He said Trump had included the cost of renovating the Martin Building, which was done five years ago and is not part of the current project. Russell Vought, the White House budget director, and James Blair, Trump's deputy chief of staff, who have spearheaded criticism of the renovation as overly costly and ostentatious, later told reporters that they still had questions about the project. Trump, who called Powell a 'numbskull' earlier this week for failing to heed the White House's demand for a large rate cut, wrapped up his visit by saying he did not intend to fire Powell, as he has frequently suggested he would. 'To do so is a big move and I just don't think it's necessary,' Trump said after the visit. In a post later on Truth Social, Trump said of the renovation: 'It is what it is and, hopefully, it will be finished ASAP. The cost overruns are substantial but, on the positive side, our country is doing very well and can afford just about anything.' The president has repeatedly demanded that Powell slash rates by 3 percentage points or more. His criticism of Powell and his comments about firing him have previously rattled financial markets. 'I'd love him to lower interest rates,' Trump said as he wrapped up the tour, as Powell stood by, his face expressionless. Powell typically spends the Thursday afternoon before a rate-setting meeting doing back-to-back calls with Fed bank presidents as part of his preparations for the session. The two-day meeting starts next Tuesday and the Fed is widely expected to leave the benchmark interest rate in the 4.25 per cent to 4.50 per cent range. The visit came as Trump battles to deflect attention from a political crisis over his administration's refusal to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reversing a campaign promise.

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