QUICK HITS

1

New Mexico legalizes

recreational cannabis: State legislators in New Mexico have allowed recreational use of cannabis — hours after New York’s governor signed a bill legalizing marijuana. The new law will eliminate criminal penalties for possession and use of marijuana for adults over 21 years old beginning in 2022.

2

Lee, Jackson statues can go, court rules: Virginia’s Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Charlottesville can take down two statues of Confederate Gens. Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, which became the focus of a violent white nationalist rally in 2017.

3

Palin tested positive for virus:

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she tested positive for COVID-19 and is urging people to take steps to guard against the coronavirus, such as wearing masks in public. The 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee told People magazine that she trusts “it’s better than doing nothing to slow the spread,”

4

Egypt wants compensation:

Egypt is expecting more than $1 billion in compensation after a cargo ship blocked the Suez Canal for nearly a week, according to Lt. Gen. Ossama Rabei, head of the canal authority. He warned that the Ever Given and its $3.5 billion in cargo will not be allowed to leave Egypt if the issue of damages goes to court. Bernard Schulte Ship Management said the ship’s crew was cooperating with authorities.

5

BBC journalist leaves Beijing:

John Sudworth, a China correspondent for the BBC, has left Beijing after coming under intense pressure and being threatened over the British public broadcaster’s coverage of subjects like the origins of COVID-19 and the crackdown on Muslim minorities in Xinjiang.