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☆ Judge assigned to US antitrust case against Amazon recuses himself
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

The judge assigned to the US Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust lawsuit against Amazon.com has recused himself from the case, according to a court document filed on Wednesday. Senior Judge John Coughenour was assigned to the case on Tuesday, when the antitrust lawsuit was filed against Amazon in federal court in Seattle. Coughenour, an appointee of Republican former President Ronald Reagan, did not cite a reason for dropping off the case in the court filing. The case has been re-assigned to US District Judge John Chun based on rotation, according to the document. Amazon is facing a series of similar but smaller private consumer cases filed in recent years that are pending in the same US federal court with Judge Ricardo Martinez and the FTC has argued its case should be assigned to the same judge to avoid duplication or conflict.

Persons: John Coughenour, Ronald Reagan, John Chun, Chun, Joe Biden, Judge Ricardo Martinez Organizations: US Federal Trade, Amazon.com, Amazon, Republican, US, Washington, Court of Appeals, FTC Locations: Seattle

☆ Up in the air: Brazilian firefighters make unusual trip to salvage organ transplant
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Patient Ricardo Medeiros de Oliveira reacts after a kidney transplant at the hospital Santa Casa de Juiz de Fora, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil September 25, 2023. REUTERS/Michelle Cafiero Acquire Licensing RightsRIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 26 (Reuters) - When it comes to organ transplants, every second counts. But without immediate communication with Oliveira, firefighters decided to pick him up directly. "He would have lost this organ if he had not gotten to the hospital in time," firefighter spokesperson Major Fabio Contreiras said. Reporting by Sergio Queiroz; Writing by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ricardo Medeiros de Oliveira, Michelle Cafiero, Oliveira, Fabio Contreiras, Sergio Queiroz, Carolina Pulice, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, DE, Thomson Locations: de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, DE JANEIRO, Rio de Janeiro

☆ Up in the Air: Brazilian Firefighters Make Unusual Trip to Salvage Organ Transplant
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - When it comes to organ transplants, every second counts. But without immediate communication with Oliveira, firefighters decided to pick him up directly. "He would have lost this organ if he had not gotten to the hospital in time," firefighter spokesperson Major Fabio Contreiras said. Oliveira was able to arrive in time to the hospital and his surgery succeeded. "It was a huge mix of emotions, I didn't know whether to laugh, whether to cry, whether to believe," Oliveira said.

Persons: Ricardo Medeiros de Oliveira, Oliveira, Fabio Contreiras, Sergio Queiroz, Carolina Pulice, Jamie Freed Organizations: RIO DE, Reuters Locations: RIO DE JANEIRO, Rio de Janeiro

☆ Amazon.com faces an array of US consumer, state antitrust lawsuits
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Mike Scarcella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

In the California case, Judge Ethan Schulman in San Francisco Superior Court in March ruled against Amazon's bid to dismiss the lawsuit. CONSUMERS' PRICE INFLATION CLAIMSAmazon faces a pair of consumer lawsuits in Seattle federal court. The consumer plaintiffs, Chun wrote, "allege the type of conduct that antitrust law is intended to prevent." E-BOOKSIn Manhattan federal court, a prospective class action from consumers accuses Amazon of artificially inflating the price of retail trade e-books on the site. U.S. District Judge Gregory Woods has not yet ruled on objections from Amazon and the plaintiffs to Figueredo's report and recommendation.

Persons: Benoit Tessier, Rob Bonta, Ethan Schulman, Amazon's, Schulman, Richard Jones, Jones, John Chun, —, Chun, Ricardo Martinez, Valerie Figueredo, Gregory Woods, Mike Scarcella, Chris Sanders, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Amazon.com, Big Tech, FTC, GENERAL, District of Columbia, Walmart, Costco, Amazon, San Francisco Superior Court, District, U.S, Thomson Locations: Bretigny, Paris, France, CALIFORNIA, WASHINGTON, GENERAL California, District, Washington ,, California, Columbia, San Francisco, Seattle, U.S, Maryland, Manhattan, Washington

☆ Renault to maintain mixed ethanol combustion engines in Brazil
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Renault is seen at the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, France, June 15, 2023. "It still pays to invest in combustion in Brazil," top executive Ricardo Gondo said at an event, adding that the industry will need more federal incentives to accelerate its EV transition. Renault is planning to launch Brazilian sales of an electric version of its French-made Kangoo van in October, when it will also launch its Kardian combustion engine SUV, set to be manufactured locally. Earlier this month, Renault CEO Luca de Meo warned a "very competitive" industry in China and that it will need to "catch up fast". ($1 = 4.9256 reais)Reporting by Alberto Alerigi Jr.; Writing by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Sarah Morland and Marguerita ChoyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gonzalo Fuentes, Ricardo Gondo, Gondo, van, JAC, Luca de Meo, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Jair Bolsonaro, Alberto Alerigi Jr, Carolina Pulice, Sarah Morland, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Renault, Viva Technology, Porte de, REUTERS, SAO PAULO, EV, Wall Motor Co, Chery, Qualcomm, Nissan, Brazilian, Thomson Locations: Porte, Paris, France, Brazil, French, Parana, China

☆ California lets insurers factor wildfire risks in rates to widen coverage
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A house is fully engulfed by flames at the Dixie Fire, a wildfire near the town of Greenville, California, U.S. August 5, 2021. REUTERS/Fred Greaves/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Liberty Mutual Group Inc FollowSept 21 (Reuters) - California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara took steps on Thursday to allow property insurers to factor in climate risks including wildfires in rate prices, if they increase underwriting in at-risk areas to wean consumers off state-funded coverage. The measures by the state's insurance regulator follow an executive order by Governor Gavin Newsom urging regulatory action to expand coverage in underserved areas, account for catastrophe risks in rates, and keep the FAIR Plan solvent. The continued retreat of larger insurance carriers from the California residential property insurance market signals ongoing regulatory constraints, rising cost inflation, and higher catastrophe losses, credit rating agency Fitch said in a note earlier this year. Reporting by Deep Vakil in Bengaluru; Editing by Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Fred Greaves, Ricardo Lara, Lara, Gavin Newsom, Gallagher, Fitch, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Companies Liberty Mutual Group, California Insurance, State Farm, Liberty Mutual, FAIR, Gallagher Re, Thomson Locations: Greenville , California, U.S, California, Florida, Bengaluru

Here's a look at what California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara proposed and how it would affect the state's insurance market:WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES? It said insurance companies had to get permission from the state Department of Insurance before they could raise their rates. When setting their rates, insurance companies cannot consider current or future risks to a property. Insurance companies also buy insurance themselves, a process known as reinsurance. The process includes lots of time for insurance companies and consumer groups to give their input.

Persons: Ricardo Lara, They've, Lara Organizations: California, of Insurance, Insurance, Companies, California Department of Forestry, Protection . Insurance, . Insurance, FAIR, Consumer Locations: SACRAMENTO, Calif, California, ratepayers

☆ California paves way for more insurance coverage in disaster-prone areas
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Cheri Mossburg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —California will now let insurance companies consider climate change when offering policies, in exchange for a mandate requiring them to offer coverage in wildfire-prone areas, state leaders announced on Thursday. “We are at a major crossroads on insurance after multiple years of wildfires and storms intensified by the threat of climate change,” California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said in a statement. Insurance companies will give priority to homeowners and businesses who have taken steps to harden their properties to disasters like wildfires, floods and windstorms. Regulators believe that will help Californians to move off the FAIR plan. It is critical that California’s insurance market works to protect homes and businesses in every corner of our state,” Newsom said in a statement.

Persons: “, Ricardo Lara, ” Lara, Gavin Newsom, Lara, “ We’re, ” Newsom Organizations: CNN, FAIR, California Gov, Insurance Locations: California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A new plan from California's insurance commissioner aims to stop the nation's top insurers from leaving the wildfire-prone state by letting them consider climate risks when setting their prices. Unlike most states, California tightly restricts how insurance companies can price policies. Companies aren't allowed to factor in current or future risks when deciding how much to charge for an insurance policy. It’s one reason why, in the past year, seven of California’s top insurance companies have paused or restricted new business in the state. On Thursday, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said the state will write new rules to let insurers look to the future when setting their rates.

Persons: aren't, Ricardo Lara, ” Lara, Denni Ritter, Amy Bach, United, “, Ken Sweet Organizations: First Street Foundation, California, American, Casualty Insurance Association, Consumer Watchdog, Associated Press Locations: SACRAMENTO, Calif, California, Florida, New York

☆ Olive Garden and Cracker Barrel are still seeing a decline in older customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Even the unlimited breadsticks at Olive Garden and wooden rocking chairs at Cracker Barrel can’t seem to lure back the baby boomers. Now, some older customers are still staying away, exacerbating a foot traffic problem faced by restaurant chains. Darden Restaurants (DRI), which owns Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and others, noted during an analyst call Thursday that it, too, is seeing declining visits from older customers. The largest of Darden’s franchises by far, Olive Garden is about “more and more and more,” as Cardenas said Thursday. For Cracker Barrel, which has also been trying to attract younger consumers but has traditionally appealed to an older clientele, the pullback from older customers is a bigger deal.

Persons: It’s, …, ”, Sandra Cochran, ” Cochran, Burger, Scott Olson, Raj Vennam, Vennam, Ricardo Cardenas, Darden, ’ ” Cardenas, we’ve, Cardenas, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Darden, Olive Garden, Longhorn Locations: New York, Olive, Orlando , Florida, Lebanon , Tennessee

New York CNN —Disney is greatly expanding its investment into theme parks and cruises, the company said Tuesday. The investment comes at a time the company is facing revenue challenges in its streaming services, movie and television assets — almost everywhere but its international theme parks. The theme park, which was announced in 2019, is set to include restaurants, hotels and, of course, rides. It will become the third theme park within the Universal Orlando Resort, stepping up its rivalry with Walt Disney World’s four theme parks. Trouble at homeDisney said Tuesday that it is focused on “expanding and enhancing” its theme parks, in the US and internationally, along with its cruise lines.

Persons: That’s, Walt Disney, Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda, Alicia Stella, didn’t, ”, Josh D’Amaro, Wakanda, Disney, Horacio Villalobos, Corbis, Kevin Lansberry, Bob Iger, ” Iger, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, “ Disney, Stella Organizations: New, New York CNN, Disney, Disney Parks, SEC, Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando Sentinel, Tribune, Service, Star Wars, Getty, Parks, Walt Disney, Florida Governor Locations: New York, Parks, Orlando , Florida, Orlando, Anaheim , California, Asia, ”, Florida

☆ The Reactions to Coco Gauff’s U.S. Open Win Exemplify What’s Gone Wrong with the U.S. Open - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Rowan Ricardo Phillips | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Last Saturday’s final between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka exemplified some of the very best and very worst of the tournament. Their contrast of styles was on display for all to see: Sabalenka’s power and single-mindedness against Gauff’s ability to endure and problem-solve. Gauff’s win, however, was immediately understood as symbolizing American core values such as determination, grit and self-belief. This reflexive American triumphalism turns any final into little more than a prologue, with more and better promised in the future. It just sells the product; a grasping for greatness in the moment instead of simply letting the moment be.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Sabalenka, Chris Evert couldn’t, Evert, Bianca Andreescu, Emma Raducanu Organizations: Gauff, U.S Locations: U.S

☆ Hundreds leave Dominican Republic ahead of Haiti border shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Paul Mathiasen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Members of the National Army guard the bridge between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, after the shared border was closed when Haiti's President Jovenel Moise was shot dead by gunmen at his private home in Port-au-Prince, in Dajabon, Dominican Republic July 8, 2021. REUTERS/Ricardo Rojas Acquire Licensing RightsSANTO DOMINGO/OUANAMINTHE, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Hundreds of Haitians returned from the Dominican Republic on Thursday after the Dominican president announced an imminent total border shutdown amid a conflict over the construction of a water channel from a shared river. Harold Estimable, director of the national migration office in Ouanaminthe, said some 250 to 300 Haitians had been arriving daily from the Dominican Republic in "very bad shape." The Dominican Republic, which threatened to shut the border last week, argues construction works off the River Massacre violate a 1929 treaty. The U.S. Embassy, which has called on its citizens to leave Haiti, said on its website that those planning to leave for the Dominican Republic would need to make other arrangements.

Persons: Jovenel Moise, Ricardo Rojas, Rights SANTO, OUANAMINTHE, Harold Estimable, ", Luis Abinader, Santo Domingo, Abinader, Paul Mathiasen, Octavio Jones, Harold Isaac, Aida Peleaz, Sarah Morland, Leslie Adler, Stephen Coates Organizations: National Army, REUTERS, Rights, Dominican, United, United Nations, Local airline Sunrise Airways, U.S . Embassy, Thomson Locations: Dominican Republic, Haiti, Port, Dajabon, Ouanaminthe, Caribbean, Dominican, Haitian, Santo, U.S, Santo Domingo, Fernandez, Mexico City

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro looks on before a session in the Legislative Assembly of Goias to receive the title of citizen of Goias, in Goiania, Brazil August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRASILIA, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Brazil has formally requested U.S. law enforcement assistance into probes that involve former President Jair Bolsonaro after his ex-aide agreed to cooperate with Brazilian investigators, two Brazilian Federal Police sources told Reuters. Brazil requested U.S. help to corroborate statements by former Bolsonaro aide Mauro Cid about his role in various criminal probes involving Bolsonaro, including into falsified vaccination records and the sale of expensive jewels gifted by foreign governments. Lawyers for Bolsonaro and Cid did not immediately respond to requests for comment. One of the sources said it could take three to six months for Brazil to receive the information it needs from the United States.

Persons: Jair Bolsonaro, Ueslei Marcelino, Mauro Cid, Cid, Bolsonaro, Flavio Dino, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Gabriel Stargardter, Josie Kao Organizations: Legislative, REUTERS, Rights, Brazilian Federal Police, Reuters, Justice Ministry's Department, Asset, Legal Cooperation, Bolsonaro, Thomson Locations: Goias, Goiania, Brazil, Rights BRASILIA, U.S, United States

☆ Brazil Sees Amazon Rainforest International Security Hub Launch This Year
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Ricardo BritoBRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil is preparing to launch a center for international police cooperation to combat environmental crimes and drug trafficking in the Amazon rainforest by the end of 2023, Federal Police officials told Reuters. The center, agreed upon at the summit of Amazon nations in August, will bring together police authorities from the eight countries of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO). Uniting the Amazon countries against criminal activity in the world's largest rainforest is key to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's effort to restore Brazil's environmental credentials after four years of soaring deforestation under predecessor Jair Bolsonaro. "We expect to see a significant reduction in environmental crimes in the area and also action involving the entire Amazon region and not just a few isolated countries," Urquiza said. "There's no point in operating only in Brazil," he said, adding that criminals in the region move around the countries of the rainforest to evade authorities.

Persons: Ricardo Brito, Luiz Inacio Lula da, Jair Bolsonaro, Valdecy Urquiza, Urquiza, Humberto Freire, Ameripol, Freire, Peter Frontini, Timothy Gardner Organizations: Ricardo Brito BRASILIA, Reuters, Federal Police, Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, Federal Police's, Police, Interpol Locations: Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

☆ Portugal chalk up record win with 9-0 thrashing of Luxembourg
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 11 (Reuters) - Portugal enjoyed their biggest-ever win as they thumped Luxembourg 9-0 at Estadio Algarve on Monday to preserve their perfect record in Euro 2024 qualifying. Substitute Joao Felix secured the record victory with a goal two minutes from time after Goncalo Inacio, Goncalo Ramos, and Diogo Jota all scored twice. Portugal's previous record was 8-0, which they achieved three times - twice against Liechtenstein (1994 and 1999) and once versus Kuwait (2003). Portugal have won all six of their Group J matches under Roberto Martinez, who took over in January, scoring 24 goals with none conceded. The result matched the biggest-ever loss for Luxembourg, who have 10 points and are third, three points behind Slovakia.

Persons: Joao Felix, Goncalo Inacio, Goncalo Ramos, Diogo Jota, Ricardo Horta, Bruno Fernandes, Roberto Martinez, Tommy Lund, Ken Ferris Organizations: Estadio Algarve, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Thomson Locations: Portugal, Luxembourg, Kuwait, Slovakia, Gdansk

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The United States won its first match in Gregg Berhalter's second term as coach, beating Uzbekistan 3-0 in an exhibition Saturday behind goals by Tim Weah, Ricardo Pepi and Christian Pulisic. Weah put the U.S. ahead in the fourth minute, Pepi doubled the lead in second-half stoppage time and Pulisic converted a penalty kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time. A son of former FIFA Player of the Year and current Liberia President George Weah, Tim Weah beat goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov inside the far post with an angled right-foot shot from about 15 yards. Weah has scored against a nation from each continent, also getting goals against Wales, Bolivia, Morocco and Jamaica. Pulsiic, making his 50th start, got his 26th goal in 17 appearances after Malik Tillman was fouled by Umarbek Eshmurodov.

Persons: Gregg Berhalter's, Tim Weah, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Weah, Pepi, Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson, George Weah, Utkir Yusupov, Carlos Bocanegra, Cint Dempsey, Matt Turner, Tim Ream, Brenden Aaronson, Malik Tillman, Umarbek Eshmurodov, Kristoffer Lund, Hong King, ___ Organizations: LOUIS, United States, FIFA, Wales, McKennie, Juventus, Barbados, U.S, St Locations: Uzbekistan, U.S, Bolivia, Morocco, Jamaica, Brenden, Denmark, Oman, Paul , Minnesota, Iran, Turkmenistan, Bhutan, Hong

☆ Brazilians, battered by tropical cyclone, begin to rebuild their lives
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Diego Vara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Bieleski, 35, is one of many Brazilians in the south of the country struggling to rebuild their lives after being battered by a tropical cyclone this week. Bieleski lives in the town of Lajeado, which was badly hit by floodwaters from the engorged Taquari river. He blamed emergency services for the deaths of his wife and children, saying they had urged him to stay in his home to await help that never arrived. Rio Grande do Sul emergency services did not respond to a request for comment. He said he was worried thieves would ransack whatever belongings remained, and he now lives in his car.

Persons: Miguel Rutigliano Bieleski, Ariel Armani, Yasmin, Miguel Junior, Miguel Rutigliano Bieleski's, Bieleski, Paulo Ricardo Siqueira Santos, I've, Diego Vara, Pilar Olivares, Carolina Pulice, Gabriel Stargardter, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Thomson Locations: Lajeado, Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul

A person holds a photo of late Haitian President Jovenel Moise, who was shot dead earlier this month, during his funeral at his family home in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, July 23, 2021. REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 7 (Reuters) - A retired Colombian army officer pleaded guilty in a U.S. court on Thursday to conspiring and supporting a plot to kill Haitian President Jovenel Moise, shot dead in his bedroom two years ago, a brazen assassination that created a destabilizing power vacuum. The document also says Rivera provided material support, training and personnel to support Moise's kidnapping or murder. Rivera is one of 11 defendants in the case, which includes businessmen accused of helping obtain vehicles and firearms from Florida. Reporting by Sarah Morland; Editing by David Alire Garcia and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jovenel Moise, Ricardo Arduengo, German Rivera, Mike, Moise, Rivera, Ariel Henry, Rodolphe Jaar, Martine Moise, don't, Sarah Morland, David Alire Garcia, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Thomson Locations: Cap, Haitien, Haiti, Colombian, U.S, German, Moise's, Caribbean, Florida, Haitian, Chilean, Miami

☆ Lula to attend Brazil Independence Day parade amid tight security
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Tight security measures have been prepared to contain possible protests by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, some of who stormed government buildings a week after Lula took office in January. During last year's bicentennial Independence Day, in the final stretch of a heated presidential campaign, Bolsonaro mixed military displays with a political rally drawing hundreds of thousands of supporters. In a weekly address on social media on Tuesday, Lula said he was returning the holiday's focus to the armed forces. Police, security and intelligence services have been mobilized to monitor for trouble by Bolsonaro supporters, but officials said they do not expect protests. Reporting by Ricardo Brito; Writing by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Brad Haynes and Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Jair Bolsonaro, Lula, Bolsonaro, Ricardo Brito, Anthony Boadle, Brad Haynes, Jamie Freed Organizations: Army, Police, Thomson Locations: BRASILIA

☆ Brazil's Lula announces cabinet reshuffle
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends a ceremony at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil August 30, 2023. REUTERS/Adriano Machado Acquire Licensing RightsBRASILIA, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced a ministry cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday as he seeks to shore up support for his political agenda from a powerful bloc of lawmakers. Lula named federal lawmaker Andre Fufuca as the sports minister, while lawmaker Silvio Costa Filho will be the ports and airports minister, the government said in a statement. In July, Lula replaced his tourism minister Daniela Carneiro with Celso Sabino. The announcement also seals the entry of the party of lower house speaker Arthur Lira, who was a supporter of former President Jair Bolsonaro, into Lula's cabinet.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Adriano Machado, Lula, Andre Fufuca, Silvio Costa Filho, Marcio Franca, Daniela Carneiro, Celso Sabino, Arthur Lira, Jair Bolsonaro, Ricardo Brito, Carolina Pulice, Andrea Ricci, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Brasilia, Brazil, Rights BRASILIA

HAVANA, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Representatives of 14 western creditor nations, grouped in the Paris Club, were in Cuba this week to salvage a debt agreement with the import dependent country which is expected to default on payments for a fourth consecutive year. William Roos, co-chairman of the Paris Club, had said on Wednesday that he proposed a plan which apparently was rejected. The 2015 Paris Club agreement forgave $8.5 billion of the $11.1 billion in sovereign debt Cuba defaulted on in 1986. Cuba, which last reported foreign debt of $19.7 billion for 2020, has restructured debt with Russia, China and some other creditors since then. The Cuba group of the 22-member Paris Club, which manages old sovereign debt, comprises Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Persons: ”, William Roos, Ricardo Cabrisas, Cabrisas, Marc Frank, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Paris Club, Investment, Cooperation, Communist, Gross, Reuters, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Thomson Locations: HAVANA, Cuba, Paris, Russia, China, Caribbean, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies CNIL's checks took place on WednesdayWorldcoin is new project of ChatGPT founderPARIS, Aug 31 (Reuters) - France's data watchdog carried out "checks" at Worldcoin's Paris office this week, amid global regulatory pressure on the digital currency firm co-founded by ChatGPT-founder Sam Altman. France's CNIL watchdog said in July it was investigating Worldcoin as the legality of its biometric data "seemed questionable". "Checks took place at the Worldcoin offices," a CNIL spokesperson said on Thursday, confirming an earlier Politico report that the visit took place on Wednesday. Worldcoin requires users to provide their iris scans in exchange for a digital ID and, in some countries, in exchange for free cryptocurrency. The Worldcoin Foundation, a Cayman Islands-based entity, told Reuters via email: "The team at Worldcoin welcomes any opportunity to address questions regarding the project’s purpose and technology."

Persons: Ricardo Macieira, Annegret, PARIS, Sam Altman, France's, Worldcoin, Sudip Kar, Martin Coulter, Alexander Smith, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, ChatGPT, Politico, Worldcoin, Worldcoin Foundation, Microsoft, Thomson Locations: Europe, cryptocurrency, Berlin, Germany, Worldcoin's, Cayman Islands, London

☆ Brazil soccer star Ronaldinho denies ties to company accused of scam
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Former soccer player Ronaldo de Assis Moreira (popularly known as Ronaldinho Gaucho) attends a session of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) of the Financial Pyramids, at the Chamber of Deputies in Brasilia, Brazil, August 31, 2023. REUTERS/Ton Molina Acquire Licensing RightsAug 31 (Reuters) - Retired Brazilian soccer star Ronaldinho Gaucho on Thursday denied an accusation of involvement in a scam that has drawn national attention for deceiving victims with promises of profitable cryptocurrency investments. Ronaldinho said he signed a contract with the U.S. company 18k Watch Corporation in 2016 to create a line of watches bearing his image, the statement added. The same year, Ronaldinho and his brother were imprisoned in Paraguay for 171 days for using a falsified passport. The soccer star was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 and won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006.

Persons: Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, Ronaldinho Gaucho, Ton Molina, Ronaldinho Comércio, Ronaldinho, Ricardo Silva, Carolina Pulice, Richard Chang Organizations: Parliamentary, Inquiry, REUTERS, National Congress, U.S, Watch Corporation, FIFA, Champions League, Barcelona, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Brasilia, Brazil, Brazilian, Barcelona, Paraguay

☆ Bolsonaro stays silent in police probe of undeclared Saudi, Bahrain jewelry gifts
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Ricardo Brito | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro and his wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, attend a Partido Liberal Mulher event at the Legislative Assembly of the state of Sao Paulo, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, May 6, 2023. After the presidential gifts became a matter of public knowledge, a court ordered the couple to hand them over to the state. His presidential offices, the Supreme Court and Congress were invaded and vandalized by Bolsonaro supporters one week later. Bolsonaro and Michelle Bolsonaro spent the last two days preparing with their team of lawyers and advisers, officials in his political party said. Cid, who handled the Bolsonaro finances, was arrested for his suspected involvement in a scheme to provide Bolsonaro with false vaccine cards during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Persons: Jair Bolsonaro, Michelle Bolsonaro, Carla Carniel, Michelle, Mauro Cid, Bolsonaro, Prosecutors, Alexandre de Moraes, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Cid, Ricardo Brito, Anthony Boadle, Grant McCool Organizations: Partido Liberal, Legislative, REUTERS, Rights, Federal Police, Supreme, Thomson Locations: Sao Paulo, Brazil, Rights BRASILIA, Brasilia, Guarulhos, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United States

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