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☆ EPA designates two ‘forever chemicals’ as hazardous substances
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Mira Cheng | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The US Environmental Protection Agency designated two widely used “forever chemicals” as hazardous substances under the United States’ Superfund law on Friday. This ruling will allow the EPA to investigate and clean up leaks and spills of these harmful chemicals, according to the official news release. Exposure to “forever chemicals” has been linked to cancers, heart and liver disease and immune and developmental damage to infants and children, according to the news release. There are more than 12,000 forms of PFAS chemicals in the environment. The designation comes just weeks after the EPA announced new limits for “forever chemicals” in drinking water in the United States.

Persons: Michael S, Regan, Dr, David Andrews, ”, Sanjay Gupta, ” Lisa Frank, Harris, CNN’s Jen Christensen Organizations: CNN, Environmental Protection Agency, United, EPA, Environmental, CNN Health, PIRG, Fund, Environment America Research, Policy, Biden Locations: United States, U.S, Washington

☆ Massive genocide trial reopens old wounds in Guatemala, 40 years after indigenous slaughter
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Tara John | Ivonne Valdés | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

In 2018, a Guatemalan court ruled that the army committed acts of genocide, but no one was convicted. Lucas García, 91, was meant to face trial this year with former military intelligence chief Manuel Callejas y Callejas. Robert Nickelsberg/Archive Photos/Getty ImagesBurt said this “expression of racism is extremely profound,” and its knock-on effects are evident in Guatemala today. Survivors from the civil war gather outside the Supreme Court, prior to a hearing in the Ixil Genocide trial, in Guatemala City, Guatemala March 25, 2024. When the trial was due to start at the end of March, Lucas García’s lawyers announced their resignation.

Persons: CNN — Juan Brito López, Brito López, Manuel Benedicto Lucas García, Lucas García, Benedicto Lucas Garcia, Johan Ordonez, Lucas García’s, AJR, Fernando Romeo Lucas García, “ Lucas García, Manuel Callejas y, Callejas, Jesús Silvio, Romeo Lucas García’s, ” Jo, Marie Burt, ”, Robert Nickelsberg, Burt, Efrain Rios Montt, Tiziano Breda, Claudia Paz y Paz, CICIG, ” Silvio, ” Will Freeman, Cristina Chiquin, Bernardo Arévalo, Public Ministry –, Consuelo Porras , hasn’t, Michelle Liang, “, Brito López’s, Catarina Chel, tormenter, Silvia, ” CNN’s Tara John, Ivonne Valdés Organizations: CNN, United, Getty, Association for Justice, Reconciliation, Human, Washington Office, UN, Guatemalan Army, “, Central American, International, Commission, Council, Foreign Relations, Reuters CNN, Public Ministry, US, Network, Solidarity, ” CNN Locations: Pexla, Guatemala City, United Nations, Guatemalan, Guatemala, America, ”, Santa Cruz de Quiche, of Guatemala, New York, Mexico City

The group is now waiting in Mexico City to get an appointment so they can legally cross the U.S.-Mexico border. They are biding time in Mexico City until they have enough money for a phone so they can use CBP One. Mexico deported only about 429 Venezuelans during the first two months of 2024, meaning nearly all are waiting in Mexico. Many fear that venturing north of Mexico City will get them fleeced or returned to southern Mexico. She said they were robbed by Mexican officials and gangs and returned several times to southern Mexico.

Persons: it's, ” Daniel Ventura, Biden, —, Joe Biden, Andres Manuel López Obrador, ”, López Obrador, Yessica Gutierrez, “, Jose Alberto Uzcategui, Stephanie Brewer, Maria Victoria Colmenares, Colmenares, Alejandro Mayorkas, Torrealba, ___, Gonzalez, Rebecca Santana Organizations: MEXICO CITY, U.S, United, Migrants, Washington Office, CBP, . Homeland, Associated Press, Washington , D.C Locations: MEXICO, U.S, Colombia, Panama, Mexico, “, Darien, Fort Atkinson , Wisconsin, Guatemala, Venezuela, Ecuadorians, United States, Mexico City, Venezuelan, Trujillo, Panamanian, America, The U.S, Tijuana, San Diego, Matamoros, Brownsville , Texas, Nicaragua, Washington ,

☆ U.S. Mends Fences With El Salvador's Bukele as China Lurks
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

Now, more than ever, the U.S. needs Central American nations like El Salvador to curb migration to the southern border. In October, the State Department's top Latin America diplomat, Brian Nichols, visited El Salvador and posed for photos with Bukele. WAITING IN THE WINGSAt the same time, there are growing ties between China and El Salvador. Although of limited commercial importance in itself, El Salvador offers China a foothold in Central America, and in 2017 broke relations with Taiwan in favor of China. "El Salvador wants to do trade with everyone," Bukele said during his victory speech on Sunday night.

Persons: Diego Oré, Sarah Kinosian, Nelson, Nayib Bukele, Jean Manes, Bukele's, Brian Nichols, Antony Blinken, Bukele, Manes, Ana Maria Mendez, Salvadorans, El Salvador, El, Margaret Myers, Diego Ore, Nelson Renteria, Christian Plumb, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: SALVADOR, Reuters, El Salvador, Central American, U.S, U.S ., Central, State Department's, El, U.S . State Department, Washington Office, U.S . Customs, USAID, The U.S, Inter, Huawei, Washington, Diego Locations: United States, U.S, El Salvador, Latin America, America, China, Honduras, Washington, China's, San Salvador, Central America, Taiwan, Mexico City

☆ Guatemala's Arevalo Due to Assume Presidency With Difficult Path Ahead
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

The attorney general has tried to strip Arevalo and his Vice President-elect Karin Herrera of legal immunity, suspend his Semilla party and annul the election. "Problems are not over for Arevalo," said Roberto Alejos, former Guatemalan Congressional and political analyst. Giammattei's conservative Vamos party and UNE, the party of former first lady Sandra Torres who Arevalo defeated in the election hold a combined greater power. The government of Arevalo and Herrera will have to carefully balance demands by the United States to stem migration amid record-high remittances that keep the local economy afloat. After winning the presidency, Arevalo said he will expand relations with China, which could imply a change in policy for Guatemala's diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a move that could anger the United States.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Alejandro Giammattei, Arevalo's, Arevalo, Karin Herrera, Roberto Alejos, Sandra Torres, Ana Maria Mendez, Consuelo, Porras's, TAIWAN Arevalo, Juan Jose Arevalo, Herrera, Sofia Menchu, Diego Ore, Cassandra Garrison, Diane Craft Organizations: Sofia Menchu, Sofia Menchu GUATEMALA CITY, Arevalo, Guatemalan Congressional, Washington Office, American Affairs, TAIWAN, Central, Reuters Locations: Sofia, Sofia Menchu GUATEMALA, Guatemalan, Guatemala, Central America, Arevalo, United States, CHINA, China, Taiwan, Guatemala City

A person rides a carriage as snow falls in Central Park, New York City, U.S., on Jan. 6, 2024. Snow, sleet and rain struck from Virginia to Pennsylvania on Saturday as a weekend winter storm moved up the East Coast and promised to bring more of the same to New York City and Boston. By early Saturday evening, a trace of snow was measured in nearby Newark, New Jersey, the weather service said. A winter storm warning was in effect from New York City to New England. Boston was likely to see heavy snowfall late Saturday night, the weather service said, with accumulations of 6 to 8 inches possible.

Persons: Will Redman, Garrett Pingol, Snow, Kathy Holchul, we've, Ned Lamont, It's, We've Organizations: Weather Service, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, Public, The Virginia Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, New York Gov, WCBS, New, York City's, Baltimore, Connecticut Gov Locations: Central Park , New York City, U.S, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York City, Boston, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Virginia , Maryland, Baltimore, Washington, Loudoun County , Virginia, Maryland, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Newark , New Jersey, New England, York

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The head of Mexico’s immigration agency has ordered the suspension of migrant deportations and transfers due to a lack of funds amid a record-setting year for migration through the country’s territory. Mexico’s finance ministry suspended payments to the National Immigration Institute in November due to end-of-year budget adjustments, according to the memo. Deportations had precipitously dropped in April following a fire at a migrant detention center in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas. The tragedy threw the immigration agency into chaos and it temporarily closed dozens of its detention centers. Deportations had just picked up again in October, when Mexico began sending migrants back to their countries, including flights to Cuba and Venezuela.

Persons: Francisco Garduño, ” Garduño, ”, Adam Isacson Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Associated Press, National Immigration Institute, National Guard, Washington Office Locations: MEXICO, U.S, Mexico, Ciudad Juarez, El Paso , Texas, Cuba, Venezuela, America, Caribbean

☆ Biden interviewed by the special counsel in his classified documents investigation
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Zoë Richards | Molly Roecker | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. President Joe Biden takes questions from reporters on classified documents as he delivers remarks on the economy and inflation in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on January 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. President Joe Biden was interviewed as part of the investigation into his handling of classified documents being led by special counsel Robert Hur, the White House said. In a statement Monday night, White House spokesman Ian Sams said the voluntary interview was conducted over two days, Sunday and Monday. The White House said in January that documents with classified markings were uncovered at Biden's Delaware home and at a Washington office he used after he was vice president. Biden's classified documents case has unfolded as his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, faces charges that he mishandled documents, including allegations that he told a property manager at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida to delete security video.

Persons: Joe Biden, Robert Hur, Hur, Ian Sams, Sams, Biden, Bob Bauer, General Merrick Garland, Trump, Biden's, Donald Trump Organizations: Biden's Delaware, Maryland, NBC News Locations: Washington , DC, Biden's, Washington, U.S, Florida

☆ As Mexico cracks down on migrants, AMLO gains leverage with Washington
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( David Shortell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

And right now that leverage is around migration,” said Andrew Selee, the president of the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. Members of the Mexican National Guard stand on the border between Mexico and Guatemala to prevent the crossing of migrant caravans on October 21, 2022. “The Mexico southern border pretty much was the US southern border,” Meyer said. “What we are looking for is to reach an agreement to confront the migration phenomenon by addressing the causes,” López Obrador said at a news conference. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to Mexico this week along with other cabinet secretaries and meet with López Obrador.

Persons: Biden, ”, Andrew Selee, Stringer, George W, Bush, Vicente Fox, Maureen Meyer, ” Meyer, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Donald Trump, López Obrador, Alicia Bárcena, Bárcena, ” López Obrador, Elizabeth Sherwood, Randall, Antony Blinken, ” Selee, Lopez Obrador, “ López, Arturo Sarukhán, López Obrador’s, Critics, Ned Price, Blinken, ” Price, ” Sarukhán, “, ‘ Organizations: Mexico City CNN, Ciudad, Mexican, Institute, Mexican National Guard, Getty, Washington Office, US, Washington, CNN, Bloomberg, United Nations, Refugees, Mexican Supreme, State Department, White Locations: Mexico, Washington, Guatemala, AFP, Central America, Caribbean, America, United States, Honduras, El Salvador, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, El Paso , Texas, Nicaragua, Cuba, Costa Rica, Mexican

The story evokes images of George Floyd begging for his life under the knee of a Minneapolis officer in May 2020. It’s also the first trial under a 5-year-old Washington state law designed to make it easier to prosecute police who wrongfully use deadly force. After what witnesses said appeared to be a brief conversation between Ellis and the officers, Burbank, in the passenger seat, threw open his door, knocking Ellis down. A third officer, Timothy Rankine, arrived after Ellis was already handcuffed, face-down, and knelt on his upper back as Ellis pleaded for breath. Auburn police Officer Jeffrey Nelson was charged in the fatal shooting of Jesse Sarey in 2019 and is still awaiting trial.

Persons: “, George Floyd, Floyd, Manuel Ellis, hogtied, Ellis ’, Ellis, It’s, Matthew Collins, Christopher Burbank, Timothy Rankine, —, ”, Philip Stinson, they’re, Stinson, ” Collins, Rankine, Collins, Dan Gerl, Jeffrey Nelson, Jesse Sarey Organizations: — Police, Tacoma, Police, Bowling Green State University, Puget Law Group, Associated Press, Auburn Locations: TACOMA, Minneapolis, U.S, Kirkland , Washington, Washington, Burbank, Ohio, American, Pierce

☆ Russia dominated the first space race, but now it can't even land on the moon. Photos show the US and China are way ahead.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

China, Russia, and the US (with its international allies) are all plotting huge new moonshots. Photos of the space efforts of the US, China, and Russia reveal how far behind the former space power has fallen. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe US and China are innovating, while Russia's space tech agesNASA's Space Launch System rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Berger cited other underlying issues that are stifling Russia's space ambitions, like budget cuts, quality control, and corruption. Western sanctions have harmed Russia's space program in other ways, limiting its access to high-quality microchips, the AP reported.

Persons: Artemis, Russia isn't, hasn't, Russia's Luna, Bill Nelson, Luna, NASA’s, —, Tingshu Wang, Sergei Markov, Russia's, Steve Seipel, Yuri Borisov, Borisov, Bill Ingalls, Eric Berger, Vladimir Putin's, Berger, Xue Lei, landers, Roscosmos, Victoria Samson Organizations: Service, NASA, AP, Soviet Union, Operation, Space Corporation, Politico, New York Times, China National Space Administration, Vostochny, Luna, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight, Arizona State University NASA, Orion, NASA NASA, SpaceX, National Museum, Reuters, Kremlin, Kennedy Space Center, CNN, Russian Soyuz, Baikonur, Future Publishing, Getty, European Space Agency, ESA, Secure, Foundation Locations: Wall, Silicon, China, Russia, Soviet, Soviet Union, China National Space Administration Russia, Russia's Far, India, Russian, Beijing, Ukraine, Florida, Kazakhstan, Washington

☆ Luna 25 crash and Chandrayaan-3 landing attempt may signal another shift in the space race, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Jackie Wattles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The failed landing attempt has experts questioning the future of the country’s lunar exploration ambitions and the geopolitical dynamics that underpin modern space exploration efforts. The spacecraft, Luna 25, lost contact with operators at Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, on Saturday, August 19. Luna 25 was flying alongside India’s Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, which will attempt to land on the moon as soon as Wednesday. “I’m sure China must be really wondering what they saddled themselves with” after the Luna 25 mission, Samson said. Why missions like Luna 25 matterThe Luna 25 spacecraft was intended to land on the moon’s south pole.

Persons: CNN —, Roscosmos, Yury Borisov, ”, Victoria Samson, Borisov, Russia's Luna, Luna, Robert Pearson, Duke University’s, Pearson, “, haven’t, India’s Chandrayaan, Artemis III, ” Samson, “ It’s, it’s, India’s, Samson, ’ ”, Angela Marusiak, hasn’t, ” Pearson Organizations: CNN, Secure World Foundation, Soviet, Roscosmos, Space Corporation, Luna, U.S . Foreign Service, Diplomacy, European Space Agency, Lunar Research, US, NASA, SpaceX, University of Arizona’s, Laboratory Locations: Russian, Russia, Washington, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Turkey, United States, Europe, Russia’s, China, India, Artemis

"We have waited for this moment for many years," said Carlos de Leon Samayoa, 27, as he celebrated on the streets of Guatemala City. Arevalo unexpectedly emerged out of political obscurity to build a large anti-graft movement with his Semilla party, after many other opposition candidates were barred from running. [1/9]Guatemalan anti-graft presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo, of the Semilla political party, poses for a photo during the presidential run-off election, in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 20, 2023. "The ruling pact will likely continue to target electoral officials and Arevalo’s Semilla party with investigations ahead of January’s change in government," she said. POLITICAL TENSIONSBeyond his anti-graft policies, Arevalo said he wants to expand relations with China alongside Guatemala's longstanding allegiance with Taiwan.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo, Sandra Torres, Alejandro Giammattei, revel, Guatemalans, Arevalo's, Carlos de Leon Samayoa, Torres, Guatemala's, Pilar Olivares, Risa Grais, Arevalo’s, Eladio Loizaga, Giammattei, Ana María Méndez, Cassandra Garrison, Sofia Menchu, Herbert Villarraga, Diego, Drazen Jorgic, Stephen Eisenhammer, Miral Fahmy, Stephen Coates, Gerry Doyle Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, Central, Twitter, REUTERS, Eurasia Group, Organization of American States, Central America, Diego Ore, Thomson Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemalan, United States, Guatemala, Americas, Guatemala City, June's, China, Taiwan, Taipei, Honduras, America

☆ Russia’s Luna 25 lunar lander has ‘emergency situation’ during moon approach
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Jackie Wattles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Luna 25 spacecraft reported an “emergency situation on board,” Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, said on Saturday. Russia’s Luna 25 lander mission marked the country’s first attempt at landing a spacecraft on the moon since the Soviet era. The last lunar lander, Luna 24, landed on the lunar surface on August 18, 1976. Luna 25’s trajectory allowed it to surpass India’s Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander, which launched in mid-July, on the way to the lunar surface. Safely landing a spacecraft on the lunar surface would mark a huge step for Russia’s space program.

Persons: ” Roscosmos, It’s, Russia’s, India’s, Jonathan McDowell, ”, Victoria Samson Organizations: CNN, Vostochny, Soyuz, Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian, Roscosmos, Luna, Secure World Foundation Locations: “, Soviet, Russia’s, Oblast, India, Russia, Washington

☆ Fernando Villavicencio assasination: How corruption and gang warfare transformed Ecuador
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Tara John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But the high-profile assassination on Wednesday of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio could be a turning point for the country that has so far struggled to control the bloodshed. Ecuadorean presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio ran on an anti-corruption platform prior to his death. Floundering authoritiesSecurity and state forces have been badly unprepared for the rise of criminal groups in the country. A a car transports the body of Ecuadorean presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio on August 10. Last year, the US withdrew visas from high-ranking officers of Ecuadorian state security forces, alleged to be linked to drug trafficking, as well as several judges and lawyers.

Persons: CNN —, Fernando Villavicencio, ” Juan Pappier, Watch’s, “, Karen Toro, Laura Lizarazo, ”, ” Lizarazo, Ecuador’s, Guillermo Lasso, Lizarazo, Eric Farnsworth, –, Villavicencio –, El, Nayib Bukele, Luisa González, Rafael Correa, Vicente Gaibor del Pino Organizations: CNN, Customs, Border Patrol, Ecuadorian, Reuters, Lobos, of, Americas Society, Security Locations: Ecuador, ”, Peru, Colombia, Europe, Washington, Americas

Ms. Peck, who will stay on as the campaign’s chief strategist, had drawn heavy criticism from Mr. DeSantis’s allies and donors after heavy spending led to a fund-raising shortfall. In response, the campaign had to lay off more than a third of its staff and start holding smaller events — a leaner operation more suited to a candidate who is trailing well behind Mr. Trump. Still, the successive rounds of changes have been an enduring distraction for Mr. DeSantis’s campaign. In 2022, Ms. Peck, 36, oversaw Mr. DeSantis’s overwhelming re-election as governor, making herself an invaluable confidante to the governor and his wife, Casey. Mr. Uthmeier, a member of the Federalist Society, the conservative legal group, served as general counsel to the governor and in the Trump administration.

Persons: Peck, DeSantis’s, Trump, Casey, Uthmeier, Jones, “ James Uthmeier, Generra Peck, Joe Biden, ” Andrew Romeo Organizations: Federalist Society Locations: Washington

[1/10] People attend to cast their vote at a polling station during the first round of Guatemala's presidential election in Chinautla, Guatemala, June 25, 2023. She is up against more than 20 other candidates, including Edmond Mulet, a career diplomat, and Zury Rios, daughter of the late dictator Efrain Rios Montt. "All the young people right now will have a role in politics in Guatemala in 20 years time ... "(The next) four years won't allow time to undo how poorly managed the government has been for so many years," said Andres Nolasco, a 25-year-old accountant from Guatemala City. Reporting by Sofía Menchú in Guatemala City and Diego Oré in Mexico City; Writing by Isabel Woodford; Editing by Daniel Wallis, Chizu Nomiyama and Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sandra Torres, Edmond Mulet, Zury Rios, Efrain Rios Montt, Maximo Santacruz, Julio Valenzuela, Alejandro Giammattei, Carlos Pineda, Pineda, Carolina Jimenez, San Jose del Golfo, Irma Palencia, Andres Nolasco, Torres, Alvaro Colom, Sofía Menchú, Diego Oré, Isabel Woodford, Daniel Wallis, Chizu Nomiyama, Chris Reese Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Young, European Union, Washington, Central American, Thomson Locations: Chinautla, Guatemala, Josue, GUATEMALA, United States, America, WOLA, San Jose, Guatemala City, Mexico City

☆ What to expect from work the next time faraway wildfires poison your commute
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( Cheryl Winokur Munk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

It may have helped Google to make a decision that many other East Coast employers did not that California-based companies have more experience with hazardous air quality issues. But one thing is certain: companies and workers should expect these wildfire-related air quality issues to return. The decisions companies make on these matters have significant legal and employee satisfaction ramifications, especially given the potential for future air quality issues. Air quality is becoming a broad employee health issue Between Covid, wildfires, radon and other environmental issues, there's been an increased awareness among employers and commercial real estate firms of the importance of air quality. Broadly speaking, companies need to be asking whether the systems they have in place are "adequate to ensure protection and safe air during very bad air quality events," he said.

Persons: David Dee Delgado, didn't, Eric Adams, Sedina Banks, Greenberg, Charles Simikian, Sara H, Dickinson Wright, it's, there's, Thomas Brugato, Nathan J, Oleson, Akin Gump, James Carbone Organizations: Summit, Vanderbilt, Getty, Google, New York, Safety, Health Administration, HR Partners, OSHA, Burling, Newsday Locations: Canada, New York, California, Asia, York, East, Maryland, Los Angeles, Washington, Covington, Islandia , New York

☆ Guatemala will vote for new president but critics say many anti-corruption candidates were weeded out
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Tara John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

One of the expelled candidates, the rightwing Roberto Arzú, was a vocal critic of President Alejandro Giammattei. Employees of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) arrange ahead of the general elections in Guatemala City on June 20, 2023. Johan Ordonez/AFP/Getty ImagesIt’s not the first time that Guatemala’s electoral tribunal eliminates presidential hopefuls, but this year’s cycle is happening in rapidly shrinking civic space. Failing battle against corruptionRights groups say graft and impunity accelerated in the country after former President Jimmy Morales dissolved a United Nations-backed anti-corruption commission in 2019. The candidatesThe US and Western allies have raised concerns about the exclusion of presidential candidates in Guatemala.

Persons: CNN —, Sandra Torres, Thelma Cabrera, Carlos Pineda –, ” Will Freeman, Roberto Arzú, Alejandro Giammattei, Cabrera, Pineda, Tik Tok, ”, Johan Ordonez, we’ve, Caren, Jimmy Morales, Consuelo Porras Argueta, Antony Blinken, José Rubén Zamora, Moises Castillo, Porras, –, Kevin López, Giammattei, Freeman, Biden, “, ” Freeman, Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols, Guatemalans, Maria Consuelo Porras, Mulet, Carin, Edmont, Ríos, Torres, Rios, El, Nayib Bukele, Álvaro Colom, Colom, Efraín Ríos Montt, CICIG Organizations: CNN, Council, Foreign Relations, Twitter, “ Corruption, Constitutional, ” CNN, Getty, Americas Society, United, International Commission, Washington Office, Guatemala Human Rights, USA, Prosecutors, US, State, José Rubén Zamora –, . Press, Patrol, Western Hemisphere Affairs, Public Ministry, United Nations, Agence, France Presse, Analysts Locations: Central America’s, Guatemala, America, Guatemala City, Americas, United Nations, Guatemalan, Central America, American, Washington, United States, Haiti, Nicaragua, France

☆ Guatemalan ex-first lady Torres polls first in crowded field ahead of Sunday vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GUATEMALA CITY, June 22 (Reuters) - Former Guatemalan first lady Sandra Torres leads her competitors in the Central American country's presidential race, according to a poll published Thursday by newspaper Prensa Libre, the last before Sunday's election. Diplomat Edmond Mulet trailed Torres with 13.4% support, followed by Zury Rios, the daughter of former dictator Efrain Rios Montt, at 9.1%. Torres, a well-known but polarizing figure, finished first in the first round of Guatemala's 2019 election, but lost to current President Alejandro Giammattei in a runoff. If no candidate earns 50% of the vote on Sunday, the top two will compete in a runoff on Aug. 20. Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sandra Torres, Torres, Alvaro Colom, Edmond Mulet, Zury Rios, Efrain Rios Montt, Alejandro Giammattei, Giammattei, Carlos Pineda, Sofia Menchu, Brendan O'Boyle, Hugh Lawson Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, Central American, Prensa Libre, Torres, Electoral, Washington Office, Thomson Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemalan, America

☆ Fox News stirs outrage after labeling Biden a ‘wannabe dictator.’ The network says it ‘addressed’ the situation
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Fox News on Wednesday acknowledged that an onscreen banner calling President Joe Biden a “wannabe dictator” was inappropriate and said it had taken steps to address the situation internally. “The chyron was taken down immediately and was addressed,” a Fox News spokesperson told CNN in a statement. “WANNABE DICTATOR SPEAKS AT THE WHITE HOUSE AFTER HAVING HIS POLITICAL RIVAL ARRESTED,” the onscreen text read. Biden and his White House have repeatedly stressed that he does not involve himself in Justice Department investigations and have said that the DOJ works independently of the White House’s influence. But Fox is fighting another defamation case from Smartmatic, another voting technology company, which is seeking a staggering $2.7 billion in damages.

Persons: Joe Biden, ”, Fox, KAI, ron, Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, “, Brian Kilmeade, Tucker Carlson, 4u3meRzXUY — Oliver Darcy, Hillary, Carlson Organizations: New, New York CNN — Fox, Fox News, CNN, Department, DOJ, Fox, MSNBC, Trump, National Archives, Dominion Voting Systems Locations: New York, Biden’s Washington, DC, Wilmington , Delaware, Washington

☆ Fact check: Seven of Trump’s false or unsupported claims on the documents investigation
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Daniel Dale | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

Here is a fact check of seven of the claims Trump has made about the investigation since the FBI raided his Mar-a-Lago resort and residence in August 2022. The Presidential Records Act says that, the moment a president leaves office, NARA gets custody and control of all presidential records from his administration. Bush all took millions of documents; he repeated the claim that Obama took documents at the CNN town hall in May. In Trump’s case, the presidential documents found in haphazard amateur storage at Mar-a-Lago, including documents marked classified, were in Trump’s possession despite numerous attempts by both NARA and the Justice Department to get them back. The claim that Biden has been “totally uncooperative” with the investigation into his handling of official documents is transparently false.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, –, you’re, “, Trump’s, ” Jason R, Biden, ” Timothy Naftali, Richard Nixon, ”, Naftali, Obama, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W, Bush, George H.W, Ronald Reagan, Clinton, Reagan, ’, Christina Bobb, John Solomon, Trump “, don’t, ’ Trump, Joe Biden Organizations: CNN, FBI, Presidential Records, National Archives, Records Administration, Fox, Presidential, NARA, Trump Administration, Mar, New York University, Richard Nixon Presidential, Trump, Society of, Obama, Justice Department, ASK, Department, Oval, ”, White, White House, Intel Community, DoD, Intel, Armed, Senate, University of Delaware Locations: Lago, United States, Mar, Delaware, Washington

☆ From Fairly Low Expectations, a Wonderful Surprise
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Valeriya Safronova | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

He had low expectations. When he arrived at Barcelona Wine Bar, he saw Jessica Carter Altman and threw his plans out the window. “I just said I’m going to let the night take me where it’s going to take me,” Dr. Uhrich said. Ms. Carter Altman had also expected a quick drink. “We spent the first hour talking over water because we couldn’t stop talking long enough to look at a menu,” Ms. Carter Altman said.

Persons: Ross Martin Uhrich, Jessica Carter Altman, ”, Uhrich, Carter Altman, Gibson, Dunn, Crutcher, “, Ms Organizations: Barcelona Wine Bar Locations: Washington, Barcelona

☆ Harvey Pitt, S.E.C. Chair Who Resigned Amid Scandals, Dies at 78
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Rob Copeland | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Harvey Pitt, a legal wunderkind who lasted just 18 months as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission under President George W. Bush, died on Tuesday in Washington. His death, in a hospital, came after a sudden illness, according to his family, which did not specify the ailment. Mr. Pitt’s career had three consecutive legs, any one of which alone might have been the pinnacle on a lesser résumé. He began his career at the S.E.C. After only three years, he left to represent corporate clients for the powerful law firm Fried Frank.

Persons: Harvey Pitt, George W, Bush, Pitt’s, Fried Frank, Sen, Charles Schumer, Pitt Organizations: Securities and Exchange Commission Locations: Washington, firm’s Washington, New York, U.S

☆ Stephen Schwarzman says Blackstone has dumped office investments. Another corner of the firm kept lending billions.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Daniel Geiger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Blackstone Mortgage Trust's $8.2 billion portfolio of office loans leaves it exposed to the sector. The Blackstone-managed firm issued about $3.3 billion of US office loans since the pandemic began. Even as clouds began to gather, Blackstone Mortgage Trust continued to lend to the office sector. In addition to managing the mortgage trust, Blackstone is among its largest shareholders. A Washington office complex shows how far values have fallenThere are ongoing issues, however, in Blackstone Mortgage Trust's portfolio.

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