TSA approves cannabis-containing epilepsy drug for flights

The Transportation Security Administration will now permit a pediatric epilepsy drug containing cannabis on flights, according to the agency’s guidelines.

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Its guidelines now say that, subject to “special instructions,” “products/medications that contain hemp-derived CBD or are approved by the FDA are legal as long as it is produced within the regulations defined by the law under the Agriculture Improvement Act 2018.”

TSA confirmed the updated rules to Marijuana Moment, noting that “possession of marijuana and certain cannabis-infused products” remains illegal under federal law, but said the agency “was made aware of an FDA-approved drug that contains CBD oil for children who experience seizures from pediatric epilepsy.”

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the non-psychoactive component of marijuana. It has been legal at the federal level since the passage of the farm bill in December but only when it is extracted from hemp.

The anti-seizure medication in question, Epidiolex, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

“To avoid confusion as to whether families can travel with this drug, TSA immediately updated TSA.gov once we became aware of the issue,” the agency told Marijuana Moment.

The TSA’s website notes that its security officers “do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but if any illegal substance is discovered during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.”

New measles cases reported in outbreak that touches 26 states

U.S. officials reported 60 new measles cases last week amid an outbreak of the disease that has reached 26 states. 

The number of measles cases rose 6.8 percent during the week ending on May 24, Reuters reported on Monday, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

There are now a total of 940 confirmed cases this year, the highest number since 1994 and since officials declared that the disease was eliminated from the U.S. in 2000, the news service noted. 

Public health authorities have blamed the increase in cases on the circulation of misinformation about vaccines. 

Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed a bill last Friday ending most non-medical exemptions for mandatory childhood vaccines, just days after the first confirmed measles case hit the state.

The law eliminates religious and philosophical exemptions in Maine, local ABC affiliate WMTW reported.

Under the new law, only doctors and pediatric primary care givers can determine if a child should receive a medical exemption.

The Hill has reached out to the CDC for comment. 

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Chinese state TV airs 'Daily Show' clip of Trevor Noah joking US banned Huawei because it is behind in tech

China’s state television network reportedly aired a clip from Trevor NoahTrevor NoahChinese state TV airs ‘Daily Show’ clip of Trevor Noah joking US banned Huawei because it is behind in tech Trevor Noah defends joke about ‘African-ness’ of French World Cup team after criticism Trevor Noah: Trump’s danger-ranking system is Democrat, then alleged pedophile MORE’s “The Daily Show” in which the host joked that the United States banned Huawei products because Beijing is so far ahead of Washington when it comes to 5G technology.

CCTV aired the segment Monday during its national lunchtime news, according to The Associated Press.

In the clip from the show’s regular “If You Don’t Know, Now You Know” segment, Noah jokingly says, “while America is developing its own 5G, China’s 5G is so far ahead. They’re basically going to set the trends. So, this is a race many people are already saying America has lost.”

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The original clip aired last Wednesday. CCTV reportedly aired a short snippet of the more than 7-minute segment, in which Noah detailed the advancement of 5G technology.

A Chinese CCTV host introducing the clip by saying, “recently, famous American talk show host Trevor Noah expressed his views on America’s relentless suppression of Huawei,” the AP notes.

Huawei has been at the center of controversy and caused increased tensions between the U.S. and China. 

The Trump administration decided to delay the blacklisting of products from the Chinese telecommunications giant by 90 days.

At that time, U.S. companies would be banned from working with Huawei due to national security concerns.

Huawei has long been a subject of increased scrutiny over its close ties to the Chinese government and the sheer size of its business and looming dominance in the 5G sector.

Following the clip of Noah, CCTV aired an interview with Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, who said the company is prepared for a “long-term battle” with the U.S., according to the AP.

Illinois House to take up bill loosening abortion restrictions

A bill loosening restrictions on abortion cleared a Illinois House committee Sunday and will now be debated in front of the full body, ABC’s Chicago affiliate reported.

The Reproductive Health Act (RHA) was approved along party lines in the state’s Human Services Committee, where it had been stalled for months.

The legislation would repeal both the state’s Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act and the Illinois Abortion Act of 1975.

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Repealing those two laws would lessen restrictions on abortions later in pregnancy and remove criminal penalties for physicians that perform them.

The new bill would also expand insurance coverage for procedures and contraception.

“RHA codifies our existing practices and — and this is critical — treats abortion care just like any other health care, because it is,” state Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D), the bill’s sponsor, said, per ABC.

The bill to expand abortion access comes amid a slew of bills in Republican-controlled states to constrict it.

Kentucky and Georgia have passed bills that ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, around six weeks of pregnancy, while Alabama recently passed the strictest abortion law in the country, banning the procedure with few exceptions.

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Trump weighs in on Netanyahu's efforts to form new Israeli government: 'A lot more to do!'

President TrumpDonald John TrumpDemocrats claim victory as Trump gets battered in court Juan Williams: Anti-abortion extremism is on the rise Trump feels squeeze in tax return fight MORE weighed in on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE’s last-ditch attempts to form a coalition, just days before the government is set to dissolve if he fails.

Trump, in a post on Twitter Monday during his visit in Japan, said he hopes the country will be able to form a coalition and threw his support behind Netanyahu, referring to him by his nickname “Bibi.”

“Hoping things will work out with Israel’s coalition formation and Bibi and I can continue to make the alliance between America and Israel stronger than ever,” Trump wrote Monday. “A lot more to do!”

Netanyahu last month was reelected to a fifth term as prime minister but has struggled to form a government while facing potential corruption indictments, as well as disagreements among the right-wing parties his coalition would depend on.

Reuters reports the Israeli parliament decided to dissolve itself in a preliminary vote but are likely to hold a final vote on the matter Wednesday.

If Netanyahu is unable to form a new government by the deadline, Israel would have a second national election in the same year, an unprecedented occurrence, Reuters notes.

Trump and Netanyahu have enjoyed a strong political relationship since Trump took the White House. Trump congratulated Netanyahu on his recent election victory and said it raises the prospects of achieving peace in the Middle East. 

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Trump swipes at Fed during trip to Japan

President TrumpDonald John TrumpPapadopoulos on AG’s new powers: ‘Trump is now on the offense’ Pelosi uses Trump to her advantage Mike Pence delivers West Point commencement address MORE took aim at the Federal Reserve on Saturday during his overseas trip to Japan, lamenting the body’s decision to raise interest rates.

Trump argued that the stock market would be as much as 10,000 points higher had the board kept interest rates steady, saying U.S. growth could have also exceeded 3 percent, CNN reported.

“But they wanted to raise interest rates,” he said, according to the outlet. “You’ll explain that to me.”

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The Federal Reserve announced earlier this month that it would keep interest rates unchanged. The board said it would keep the federal funds rate at a 2.25 to 2.5 percent range given data showing that the U.S. economy remains strong despite concerns of a global slowdown.

Trump has long lashed out at the Fed for raising interest rates, arguing that a cut in rates would help the U.S. secure a win in his trade war with China.

“China will be pumping money into their system and probably reducing interest rates, as always, in order to make up for the business they are, and will be, losing. If the Federal Reserve ever did a “match,” it would be game over, we win! In any event, China wants a deal!” he tweeted last week.

During his remarks at a reception with Japanese business leaders on Saturday night local time, Trump said that he hopes a bilateral trade deal with Japan will “address the trade imbalance, remove the barriers to United States exports and ensure fairness and reciprocity in our relationship.”

“We’re getting close,” he said, adding that “we hope to have several further announcements soon and some very big ones over the next few months.”

Trump also boasted about his “very special” relationship with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe while underscoring the “tremendous” military relationship between the U.S. and Japan as well as their economic bond.

“The relationship with Japan and the United States I can say for a fact has never been stronger, never been more powerful, never been closer. This is a very exciting time for commerce between the two countries that we both love,” he said.

Trump arrived in Tokyo on Saturday for his 4-day state visit to Japan, becoming the first state guest of the country since the coronation of its new emperor.

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Trump presents 'President's Cup' to sumo champion in Tokyo

President TrumpDonald John TrumpPapadopoulos on AG’s new powers: ‘Trump is now on the offense’ Pelosi uses Trump to her advantage Mike Pence delivers West Point commencement address MORE on Sunday awarded the “United States President’s Cup” to a sumo champion during his trip to Japan.

Trump awarded the cup to the champion, Asanoyama, during a tournament at Ryōgoku Kokugikan Stadium in Tokyo.

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“In honor of your outstanding achievement as sumo grand champion I hereby award you the President’s Cup,” Trump said, according to a reporter traveling with him.

Trump and a sumo official then handed the wrestler the trophy, which measures 54 inches tall, weighs between 60 and 70 pounds, and features an eagle on its top.

The reporter added that the president did not clap or offer much reaction earlier in the tournament when wrestlers faced him, threw ceremonial salt or swayed from side to side.

The president was reportedly met with loud applause, mixed with scattered applause, at the stadium.

“That was an incredible evening at sumo,” POTUS said before dinner with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. “Sumo wrestling.”

“We bought that beautiful trophy,” he added, “which you’ll have hopefully for many hundreds of years.”

Trump earlier in the day also played a round of golf with Abe.

This developing report was updated at 8:10 a.m.

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Trump sees ‘great progress’ in trade negotiations with Japan

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Euroskeptics, Greens gain in EU elections as centrist parties lose ground

Early results in the European Union’s parliamentary elections indicate a strong showing for Green parties and positive if below-expectations results for Euroskeptic parties, as establishment centrist parties saw their power in Brussels erode.

Pro-EU parties are still projected to win about two-thirds of the 751-seat parliament, according to CBS News.

The anti-immigrant, Euroskeptic National Rally party led in France, according to Sunday exit polls, just ahead of President Emmanuel MacronEmmanuel Jean-Michel MacronParis authorities investigating explosion as possible terror attack Response to ‘Christchurch Call’ must define violent extremism, include civil society Lessons from Australia: Voters put pocketbooks over climate change, again MORE’s center-left coalition.

Macron’s office noted that while the results were disappointing, pro-European Union parties remained in the majority, according to CNBC.

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The newly-formed Brexit Party led in the U.K. over the Conservative and Labor parties, shortly after Conservative Party Leader Theresa MayTheresa Mary MayThe end of May — another Brexit victim Why history will be kinder to Theresa May than her critics Trump to meet with Prince Harry during UK visit MORE announced Friday that she would resign as prime minister. 

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s center-right alliance secured the most parliamentary seats in Germany, at 28 percent, with the Greens in second place at 21 percent and the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party projected to finish fourth.

The Greens also performed well in France and Ireland and are projected to win 71 seats, up from 52 in the least election, according to CBS News.

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In Italy, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini’s anti-immigration Lega party won about 28 percent of the vote, compared to 17 percent in last year’s national election, beating its coalition partner, the populist Five Star Movement, which won around 20 percent of the vote, down from 32 percent in the 2018 national election and 21 percent in the last EU vote in 2019, according to CNBC.

 

GOP Armed Services senator breaks with Trump: I find North Korean missile tests 'very disturbing'

Sen. Joni ErnstJoni Kay ErnstSenate defense bill would make military sexual harassment standalone crime Congress, White House near deal on spending, debt limit Trump mulling visit to ethanol refinery later this month: report MORE (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Armed Services committee, broke with President TrumpDonald John TrumpPapadopoulos on AG’s new powers: ‘Trump is now on the offense’ Pelosi uses Trump to her advantage Mike Pence delivers West Point commencement address MORE on Sunday over North Korean missile tests.

Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Ernst said she finds recent missile tests from the regime “very disturbing” and warned that she wouldn’t trust North Korean leader Kim Jong UnKim Jong UnTrump says ‘I have confidence’ after past North Korea missile tests Trump aide: North Korean missile tests violated UN resolutions North Korea: Nuclear talks with US won’t resume without new approach MORE.

“I find them very disturbing, and certainly wouldn’t trust Kim Jong Un,” Ernst said. “I think we need to keep our eyes on North Korea, I understand the president wants to maintain a relationship … so that we can work with them. However, those strikes are disturbing.”

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The comments come in response to a Saturday tweet from Trump in which the president dismissed concerns about missile tests and said he has confidence in Kim.

“North Korea fired off some small weapons, which disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me,” he tweeted. “I have confidence that Chairman Kim will keep his promise to me.”

When asked whether she found Trump’s comments, made while in Japan for a diplomatic visit, disturbing, Ernst on Sunday replied: “Certainly.”

“I think Japan does have reason to be concerned, and I am concerned as well,” the senator said. “We need to see north Korea back off of those activities, and we need to take a very strong stance on that.

Ernst added that she understands Trump “has a job to do on negotiating,” but urged for a stronger “pushback” on North Korea to ensure that the regime is following United Nations guidelines prohibiting it from firing ballistic missiles.

“We can’t continue to let them further develop any type of weapons systems,” she said.

Trump has touted his friendly relationship with Kim as a step toward denuclearization on the Korean peninsula, but after two in-person summits, the two leaders have failed to reach a deal on nuclear negotiations and sanctions.

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Iraq offers to mediate between US and Iran

Iraq on Sunday offered to meditate between Iran and the U.S. amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Mohammed al-Hakim, the Iraqi foreign minister, made the offer during a news conference with Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was in Baghdad,  The Associated Press reported.

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Tensions between Washington and Tehran have been high since the Trump administration pulled out of the Obama-era nuclear deal.

They have escalated more recently, as the U.S. sent a carrier strike group and bomber taskforce to the Middle East, though the White House has not publicly identified a specific threat from Tehran.

On Friday, President TrumpDonald John TrumpPapadopoulos on AG’s new powers: ‘Trump is now on the offense’ Pelosi uses Trump to her advantage Mike Pence delivers West Point commencement address MORE announced he would send about 1,500 troops to the Middle East to bolster force protection for those already in the area.

At the same Sunday press conference, Zarif said Iran would defend itself against “war efforts.”

Iranian officials announced last Monday that they have increased their capacity to produce enriched uranium.

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