Morning bird: Rutte is ready to take over the leadership of NATO after Stoltenberg. Brazilian court ruled on the decriminalization of marijuana

Mark Rutte to take over NATO after Stoltenberg

 NATO will formally decide today on appointing the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as its next leader, while a war rages on its doorstep in Ukraine and uncertainty hangs over the future stance of the United States towards the transatlantic alliance.

According to diplomats, it is expected that the ambassadors of 32 NATO countries at the North Atlantic Council meeting, the main decision-making body of the alliance, will choose Rutte to succeed Norway's Jens Stoltenberg as Secretary General, reported Reuters agency.

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Decriminalization of marijuana possession may reduce the number of prisoners in Brazil

The Brazilian Supreme Court on Tuesday voted to decriminalize the possession of marijuana for personal use, making the country one of the last in Latin America. With this decision, the country could reduce the number of prisoners. After the final Tuesday vote, a majority of the eleven-member court pronounced in favor of decriminalization since the start of deliberations in 2015.

The judges still have to determine the maximum amount of marijuana that would be characterized as intended for personal use, and when the decision will take effect. It is expected that this will be done already on Wednesday. All the judges who voted in favor stated that decriminalization should be limited to possession of marijuana in an amount suitable for personal use. The sale of drugs will remain illegal, reported the AP agency.

Trump's presidency could cause widespread inflation in the US, warn Nobel laureates

Sixteen Nobel laureates in economics signed a letter on Tuesday warning that if Republican nominee Donald Trump wins the US presidential election in November, it would hurt both the American and world economies. The main cause is Trump's plans to impose tariffs on foreign goods.

In the jointly signed letter, first reported by Axios, it is stated that the economic program of US President, Democrat Joe Biden, is "significantly better" than Trump's program, the former Republican President seeking a second term, wrote Reuters agency.

Shooting at demonstrators in Kenya

Kenyan President William Ruto on Tuesday condemned protests that resulted in a parliament break-in and at least five people being shot dead as "treasonous," but did not mention growing outrage against a controversial finance law that sparked widespread demonstrations. Kenya is wracked by nationwide protests against proposed tax increases, culminating in Tuesday's "total shutdown" of the country, which quickly turned violent as police used tear gas and live rounds against demonstrators.

The controversial proposal of the law on finances has sparked widespread protests from a movement promising "7 days of wrath". Last week, the government cancelled some tax increases, including the proposed 16% value added tax on bread along with taxation of motor vehicles, vegetable oil, and mobile money transfers. However, these concessions were not enough to suppress protests amidst rising living costs, reported CNN on the situation.