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☆ For the first time, New Zealand has more female lawmakers than male
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — For the first time in New Zealand’s history, a majority of lawmakers are women. With the resignation of another male lawmaker, it has tipped the balance in Parliament to 60 women and 59 men. “Whilst it’s a special day for me, I think it’s historic for New Zealand,” Peke-Mason told reporters. The milestone places New Zealand among a half-dozen nations in the world that this year can claim at least 50% female representation in their parliaments, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union. New Zealand has a history of strong female representation.

☆ Biden targets Nicaragua’s gold in new move against President Daniel Ortega
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

Previous rounds of sanctions have focused on Ortega, his wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo, and members of their family and inner circle. Together with the Treasury Department’s simultaneous sanctioning of Nicaragua’s General Directorate of Mines, the order all but makes it illegal for Americans to do business with Nicaragua’s gold industry. The Biden administration’s targeting of the gold industry could sap Ortega’s government of one of its biggest sources of revenue. According to Nicaragua’s Central Bank, the country exported a record 348,532 ounces of gold in 2021 and the country’s mining association projects exports totaling 500,000 ounces in 2023. Nicaraguans began fleeing their country in 2018, initially to neighboring Costa Rica, after Ortega violently put down massive street protests.

☆ U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Nicaragua’s Authoritarian Regime
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( José De Córdoba | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

President Biden increased the pressure on Nicaragua’s authoritarian regime Monday, sanctioning the country’s gold industry and imposing visa restrictions on more than 500 key supporters of President Daniel Ortega . The sanctions are the latest round of U.S. moves directed against Mr. Ortega’s government, which has dismantled virtually all political opposition, closed down all critical media and imprisoned scores of political foes, students, journalists, civic leaders and Roman Catholic priests.

☆ U.S. mining sanctions take aim at Nicaragua's Ortega
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks about student debt relief at Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware, U.S., October 21, 2022. REUTERS/Leah MillisOct 24 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's administration ratcheted up economic pressure on Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's government on Monday through a series of steps targeting the country's mining, gold and other sectors. Biden signed an executive order that includes the authority to ban U.S. companies from doing business in Nicaragua's gold industry, while U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions the head of Nicaragua's mining authority, along with another top government official, the department said in a statement. The order's expanded sanctions powers could also be used to block new U.S. investment in certain other sectors in Nicaragua, the importation of certain Nicaraguan products or the exportation of certain items to Nicaragua, it added. The two sanctions announced on Monday target Nicaragua's General Directorate of Mines, a unit of the Nicaraguan Ministry of Energy and Mines that manages most mining operations in the country, and Reinaldo Gregorio Lenin Cerna Juarez, a close Ortega confidante, Treasury said.

☆ Florida's Hispanic voters back DeSantis over Crist, support Martha's Vineyard migrant flights
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Marc Caputo | Noah Pransky | Marc Caputo Is A Senior National Political Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

Florida’s Hispanic voters back Gov. “There are lots of Hispanic voters in this state who really like the governor’s style, this strongman who won’t back down. And Crist has no mojo,” said Coker, who conducted the bilingual survey of 625 likely Hispanic voters from Oct. 17-22. And other Hispanic voters from throughout Latin America also side with Crist over DeSantis by a narrower percentage, 53% to 43%. Both DeSantis and Crist receive strong support from voters registered with their respective parties, but DeSantis has slightly more intense intraparty support than Crist, and the governor is leading among independent Hispanic voters by a 22-point margin.

☆ Cuba shouldn't be on sponsor of terrorism list, former U.S. officials say
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Ed Augustin | Ed Augustin Is A British Journalist Based In Havana Who Has Written For The New York Times | The Guardian | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

HAVANA — Along with Iran, Syria and North Korea, Cuba is listed as a “state sponsor of terrorism” by the U.S. Department of State. Cuba has called the sponsor of terrorism designation "illegitimate and immoral," arguing that it deprives it of financing and credit sources. “‘Cuba is not a state sponsor of terrorism’ was a mantra from the moment I walked into the State Department to the moment I walked out,” he said. Throughout the 1980s, Cuba shared intelligence with, trained and apparently supplied weapons to revolutionary movements fighting military dictatorships in Central America. Cuba will once again be a “guarantor state.”The Biden administration has provided no evidence that Cuba sponsors terrorism.

The four FTC commissioners voted three to one to begin the lengthy process of writing rules by seeking comments on the prevalence of fraudulent online reviews and junk fees. These are sometimes labeled "service charges" on phone bills or imposed by hotels as "resort fees." FTC guidelines already say that posting fake reviews and endorsements is illegal. And it has proposed a rule to ban junk fees by car sellers. The commission also voted to begin the process of updating existing rules governing funeral homes.

☆ Madagascar minister fired for voting against Russia's Ukraine annexation
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Foreign Minister of Madagascar Richard Randriamandrato signs a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Jonathan Hordle/Pool via REUTERSANTANANARIVO, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Madagascar's president has fired his foreign affairs minister for voting at the United Nations to condemn Russian-organised referendums to annex four partially-occupied regions in Ukraine, two sources at the president's office said. read moreOf the 193-member General Assembly, 143 countries voted in support of a resolution that also reaffirmed the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. Russia's invasion of Ukraine this year has put many African countries in an awkward diplomatic position. Until last week, Madagascar always abstained during the various votes on resolutions related to the crisis in Ukraine.

☆ In Nicaragua, families of jailed opposition leaders fear for their relatives' lives
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

MEXICO CITY — Families of four well-known opposition figures jailed in Nicaragua fear for their relatives’ lives because of bad conditions at the infamous El Chipote prison. Among the prisoners is former Sandinista rebel commander Dora María Téllez, 65. “We fear that they may die inside that torture center,” the relatives of Téllez and three other inmates said in a statement Monday. They said prison authorities have threatened not to give the inmates bottles of drinking water that relatives supply themselves. Hugo Torres, a former Sandinista guerrilla leader who once led a raid that helped free then rebel Ortega from prison, died while awaiting trial.

The announcement by Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee antitrust panel, and Republican Senator Mike Lee confirmed a previous report by Reuters. A Kroger spokesperson said the company looked forward to the hearing. "We welcome the opportunity to outline how this transaction will benefit America’s consumers by expanding access to fresh, affordable food," the company said in a statement. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterSeparately, Klobuchar and fellow Democrats Richard Blumenthal and Cory Booker released a letter expressing concern about the deal. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by David Shepardson and Diane Bartz; Editing by Franklin Paul, Josie Kao and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW TO VENEZUELANS IN TRANSIT TO THE UNITED STATES? Those in transit may attempt to reach the United States despite the near certainty that they will be sent back to Mexico. It is unclear where Venezuelans waiting in Mexico will stay, as Mexico's migrant shelter system is often overwhelmed. Then in 2014, Venezuela's economy buckled as global oil prices tumbled, and living conditions further deteriorated as stringent price controls created widespread shortages. Remittances to Venezuelans from relatives in the United States or elsewhere help but are insufficient for most.

REUTERS/Lindsey WassonWASHINGTON, Oct 17 (Reuters) - When a Washington state beauty salon charged Simran Bal $1,900 for training after she quit, she was shocked. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterNearly 10% of American workers surveyed in 2020 were covered by a training repayment agreement, said the Cornell Survey Research Institute. The practice, which critics call Training Repayment Agreement Provisions, or TRAPs, is drawing scrutiny from U.S. regulators and lawmakers. While waiting to complete the training, Bal worked at the front desk, which paid less. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters said in comments that training repayment demands were "particularly egregious" in commercial trucking.

From a broader national perspective, a combined Kroger and Albertsons does not pose any major threat to the competitive dynamics of the market." Kroger said it expects to reinvest about half a billion dollars of cost savings from deal synergies to reduce prices for customers. "The merger will accelerate our position as a more compelling alternative to larger and non-union competitors," Kroger Chief Executive Officer Rodney McMullen said. Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse were the financial advisors to Albertsons, while Citigroup and Wells Fargo advised Kroger. Kroger will have to pay Albertsons $600 million if the deal is terminated.

☆ Some of Russia's closest allies abstained at the UN rather than support its claim to have annexed parts of Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

UN members voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to condemn Russia's annexation of Ukrainian regions. 143 nations voted in support, agreeing to condemn Russia's annexation, while 35 abstained. Experts say Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed them further from Russia. Russia tried to make Wednesday's vote a secret ballot, which would have obscured which nations voted with Russia. It did so after conducting referendums in the four regions — Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia — which Ukraine and Western nations dismissed as a sham.

☆ 143 countries voted to condemn Russia's illegal Ukraine annexations in key UN vote. Here are the 5 that didn't.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to condemn Russia's annexations in Ukraine. Of the 193-member body, 143 countries supported Ukraine, while 35 abstained from the vote. The vote was sparked by Russia's recent annexation of partially-occupied territories in Ukraine, including the Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions. The 193-member body issued its most staunch support for Ukraine yet during Wednesday's vote, which saw 143 nations condemn Russia's actions and 35 countries abstain from voting. Only five countries voted against the resolution, one of which was Russia itself.

☆ Russia will run out of arms before Ukraine does because it has isolated itself so much, UK defence secretary says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The UK said on Thursday that Russia will run out of weapons before the West does in Ukraine. Defence Minister Ben Wallace said Russia is isolated and its supply chain broken. "They need a supply chain, and large parts of their supply chain were not in Russia, they came from all over the world including in Europe and including, indeed, even in Ukraine," he said. An assessment in September by the Center for Strategic and International Studies listed the stockpile status of five key weapons — including the famed HIMARS — as "limited." Russia has turned to to such pariah states for weapons supplies, with US intelligence claiming that North Korea had supplied it weapons.

☆ Ukraine's UN rep trolls Russia after UN vote it badly lost, using binoculars to spot its 4 allies among 183 nations
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Only four countries against condemning Russia's annexation of Ukrainian regions at the UN. Ukraine's UN representative mocked Russia, sharing a photo of himself at the UN with binoculars. …"Reuters reported that the photo of Kyslytsya using the binoculars was taken in the room shortly before the vote on Wednesday. 143 countries voted in support of the resolution at the at the UN General Assembly to condemn Russia's annexation and demand that it return the territory to Ukraine. Four countries joined Russia in opposing the resolution: North Korea, Belarus, Syria, and Nicaragua.

☆ United Nations condemns Russia's move to annex parts of Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Monitors at the United Nations General Assembly hall display a vote on a resolution condemning the annexation of parts of Ukraine by Russia, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., October 12, 2022. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who said the result showed Russia could not intimidate the world. The General Assembly vote followed a veto by Russia last month of a similar resolution in the 15-member Security Council. 'DOUBLE STANDARDS'The moves at the United Nations mirror what happened in 2014 after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea. The General Assembly then adopted a resolution declaring the referendum invalid with 100 votes in favor, 11 against and 58 formal abstentions.

☆ Julia kills 14 in Central America as it churns toward Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( Nelson Renteria | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Residents clean a mudslide in a road while Tropical Storm Julia hits with wind and rain, in San Salvador, El Salvador, October 10, 2022. REUTERS/Jose CabezasSAN SALVADOR, Oct 10 (Reuters) - The death toll from Tropical storm Julia rose to at least 14 on Monday, officials said, with victims confirmed in El Salvador and Honduras, as the weakening storm dumped heavy rainfall on a swath of Central America and southern Mexico. Authorities in both El Salvador and Guatemala also canceled classes on Monday. In Nicaragua, Julia left a million people without power and heavy rains and floods forced the evacuations of more than 13,000 families. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Nelson Renteria in San Salvador; Additional reporting by Gustavo Palencia in Tegucigalpa and Brendan O'Boyle in Mexico City; Editing by Richard ChangOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Nicaragua asks EU ambassador to leave the country - diplomatic sources
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 28 (Reuters) - Nicaragua has asked the European Union's ambassador to leave the country, three diplomatic sources told Reuters on Wednesday, after officials deemed the representative "persona non grata." European Union Ambassador Bettina Muscheidt was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, where she was declared "non grata" and notified that she should leave the country, one of the diplomatic sources said. Muscheidt is no longer welcome in Nicaragua, according to one of the diplomatic sources who requested anonymity to discuss the decision. Hugo Rodriguez, a nominee to serve as U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua, was denied his post by the government in June. In February, the Vatican's ambassador to Managua, Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag, was declared persona non grata and ordered to leave.

☆ Venezuela rejects U.N. report detailing rights abuses, torture allegations
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Hector Constant Rosales, Venezuela’s ambassador in Geneva, rejected the report released last week by the experts working for the U.N.’s Human Rights Council as a “pseudo report” that masked “obscure interests” opposed to the South American country. The government had not previously responded to the report — the third in a series from the council’s fact-finding mission on Venezuela. It also said Maduro had ordered torture in some cases, but provided no details of specific instances. The main targets included opposition leaders, students, journalists and people working for nongovernmental organizations, it said. Maduro’s government has not allowed the U.N.-backed experts to enter Venezuela or responded to over 20 letters they sent to authorities.

☆ Border chief says GOP governors are worsening crisis by 'lying' to migrants
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Julia-Ainsley-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Julia Ainsley | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also criticized Republican governors for sending migrants to other cities in an interview with José Díaz-Balart on MSNBC. Migrants line up after having arrived by bus in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday. Magnus said that despite the releases and the busing of migrants to Northern cities, the Border Patrol is managing the influx. El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser said the city’s shelters are full, which is why he, like Republican governors, has begun busing migrants out of the city. Unlike Republican governors, Leeser is notifying cities that will be receiving migrants from El Paso.

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to approve a bill aimed at allowing news organizations to band together to negotiate with Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) Google and Meta's (META.O) Facebook and win more revenue. The bill passed the committee by a vote of 15 to 7, according to a congressional aide. On Thursday Klobuchar won support for an amendment that specified that prices for use of content was the issue. "The goal of the bill is to allow local news organizations to get compensation when major titans, monopolies like Facebook and Google, access their content," she said at a committee session to vote on the bill. Also opposing the bill are two technology industry trade groups that Facebook and Google belong to: the Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice.

☆ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to deliver dramatic UN speech after Putin moves to mobilize troops
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Amanda Macias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pictured during his regular address to the nation, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine. UNITED NATIONS — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will deliver dramatic remarks to world leaders Wednesday, hours after Russia moved to mobilize hundreds of thousands of troops for its months long assault on Ukraine. But on the second day of diplomatic choreography in the iconic green-and-gold draped United Nations General Assembly hall, Zelenskyy will be the only president to address world leaders from screens hanging above the vast room. The international forum voted last week to allow Zelenskyy to offer pre-taped remarks to the annual gathering of world leaders, making an exception to its requirement that all leaders speak in person. Belarus, Cuba, Eritrea, Nicaragua, North Korea, Russia and Syria were the seven countries that voted against Zelenskyy's request.

☆ Migrants From Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua Drive Border Arrests
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Michelle Hackman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON—Migrants from Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua are driving the continued record pace of illegal migration at the southern border, with more than three times as many migrants from those countries arrested so far this year as at the same point in 2021, government data show. Border Patrol agents made about 181,000 arrests of migrants crossing the southern border illegally in August, putting the total this year just shy of two million with a month still to go in the government’s 2022 fiscal year. Migrants who want to ask for asylum at the border must be arrested by a Border Patrol agent to start the process. Separately, Customs and Border Protection, which includes the Border Patrol, took 22,473 people into custody at legal border crossings. Combined, CBP has recorded nearly 2.2 million encounters along the southwest border since October.

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