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☆ Venezuela presidential opposition hopefuls call for unity, private investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The debate, the first between opposition hopefuls since 2011, was held as they await a ruling by the country's top court which could suspend the Oct. 22 nominating contest. Venezuela's often divided opposition is seeking to dislodge President Nicolas Maduro, who has ruled the country since 2013. Three of the most high-profile of the 14 opposition hopefuls, Maria Corina Machado, Henrique Capriles and Freddy Superlano, have already been barred from holding public office. "We need leadership who will take the fight to the end." The hopefuls said private investors must feel confident returning to Venezuela, whose economy contracted for eight consecutive years until 2022, when it showed incipient growth which is already waning.

Persons: Maria Corina Machado, Tamara Adrian, Andres Caleca, Cesar Perez Vivas, Carlos Prosperi, Read, Luis Ratti, Nicolas Maduro, Maduro, Henrique Capriles, Freddy Superlano, Universidad Catolica Andres Bello, Machado, Superlano, Capriles, Delsa Solorzano, Vivian Sequera, Mayela Armas, Deisy, Julia Symmes Cobb, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: la, Movimiento por Venezuela, Centro Democratico, Accion Democratica, Universidad Catolica, Thomson Locations: CARACAS, United States, Venezuela

Machado, a 55-year-old industrial engineer and former lawmaker, is leading polling for the 13-candidate primary, convened to select a unity candidate to face socialist President Nicolas Maduro in a 2024 election. A previous ban placed on her has been expanded because Machado supported sanctions by the United States on the Maduro government and backed former opposition leader Juan Guaido, the letter said. The ban does not affect Machado's ability to run in the primary because the opposition is holding it without state support. The opposition has said for years that bans are used by the ruling party to prevent political change. Machado's fellow primary candidate Henrique Capriles, who has twice run for president for the opposition, was barred from public office for 15 years in 2017.

Persons: Maria Corina Machado, Machado, Nicolas Maduro, Juan Guaido, Jose Brito, Maria Corina Machado Parisca, Brito, Henrique Capriles, Mayela Armas, Vivian Sequera, Julia Symmes Cobb, Daniel Wallis, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Venezuelan, American States, U.S, Thomson Locations: CARACAS, United States, Venezuela, Washington

CARACAS, June 30 (Reuters) - Ex-lawmaker Maria Corina Machado, a favorite to win the Venezuelan opposition's nomination for president in an October primary, is barred from holding public office for 15 years, the controller general said in a letter to a lawmaker. Machado, a 55-year-old industrial engineer, is leading polling for the 13-candidate primary, convened to select a unity candidate to face President Nicolas Maduro in a 2024 election. A previous ban placed on her has been extended because Machado supported sanctions by the United States on the Maduro government and backed former opposition leader Juan Guaido, the letter said. Machado's fellow primary candidate Henrique Capriles, who has twice run for president for the opposition, was barred from public office for 15 years in 2017. Reporting by Mayela Armas and Vivian Sequera; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Maria Corina Machado, Machado, Nicolas Maduro, Juan Guaido, Jose Brito, Maria Corina Machado Parisca, Brito, Henrique Capriles, Mayela Armas, Vivian Sequera, Julia Symmes Cobb, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Venezuelan, U.S, Thomson Locations: CARACAS, United States, Venezuela, American

☆ Reddit sent messages to its protesting mods threatening to boot them if they don't get in line and end their virtual protest, The Verge reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Verge reported that Reddit admins reached out to protesting mods to urge them to work or be removed. Critics argue the move is punishing users for protesting changes to the platform. Reddit administrators sent messages to protesting moderators threatening to kick them out of their roles if they don't get in line and end their virtual blackout, The Verge reported. Rathschmidt told Insider that mods currently being removed from their posts were being removed for violating the code of conduct, not for protesting. As if the mod code of conduct is some kind of moral or legally binding document.

Persons: Reddit, Tim Rathschmidt, That's, Redditors, Rathschmidt, Reddit's, Casey Newton, Newton

☆ Social Security, Medicare reform fight shows divisions among Trump, DeSantis and Pence
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

DeSantis has since reversed himself, assuring in recent months that Republicans are "not going to mess with Social Security." Tens of millions of U.S. seniors depend on Social Security and Medicare benefits, and that number is growing as the population ages. Strong majorities of U.S. adults across the political spectrum consistently say they oppose cutting Medicare and Social Security benefits. But many others, including party leaders, have bristled at accusations that the GOP wants to gut Social Security and Medicare. "Social Security, I would do the same thing," he added.

Persons: Mike Pence's, Ron DeSantis, Pence, Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden, DeSantis, Trump pollster, Donald Trump's, Steven Teles, Teles, Andrew Caballero, reynolds, We're, Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen, Tim Scott, meanwhile, Biden, Sen, Rick Scott, Mitch McConnell, Scott's, Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Elise Stefanik, Jonathan Ernst, Andrew Bates, Paul Ryan, Ryan, Mitt Romney's, Barack Obama, Lady Casey DeSantis, Peter Zay Organizations: Social Security, Republican, Florida Gov, GOP, Great Society, White, Republican Party, Johns Hopkins University, Niskanen, Team Trump Volunteer Leadership, Grimes Community, AFP, Getty, Social, Medicare's, Insurance, Former South Carolina Gov, Republicans, Senate, U.S . Rep, U.S, Capitol, Reuters, Anadolu Agency Locations: Grimes , Iowa, South Carolina, Ky, Washington , U.S, Congress, Lexington, SC

CNN —Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and 2024 Republican presidential contender, sharply criticized the party’s top-polling candidates in a CNN town hall in Iowa on Sunday. “This is bigger than Ukraine,” Haley said during the CNN town hall, “this is a war about freedom and it’s one we have to win. “I don’t trust the government to deal with red flag laws. Red flag laws or “extreme risk protection orders,” as Michigan Gov. On the trail, Haley has called for raising the retirement age for people currently in their 20s and limiting Social Security and Medicare benefits for wealthier Americans.

Persons: Nikki Haley, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, ” Haley, Haley, “, DeSantis, Vladimir Putin –, that’s, Trump, Kim Jong, don’t, ”, Biden, “ We’ve, CNN Haley, you’ve, Gretchen Whitmer, we’re, ’ Haley, I’ll, DeSantis ’, –, we’ve, China Haley, Joe Biden’s, Michael’s, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, South, Sunday, United Nations, Capitol, Florida Gov, Disney, United, Trump, Ukraine, Russia, North, Health, WHO, Putin, Democratic, Republicans, Michigan Gov, Social Security, GOP, Medicare, Congress, Democratic National, Republican, Florida Republicans, South Carolina Army National Guard Locations: South Carolina, Iowa, Florida, United States, Russia, Haley’s, Ukraine, Afghanistan, ”, China, Taiwan

☆ Ted Cruz accused JD Vance of empowering 'the radical Green Movement' by aligning with Democrats on a bill to prevent rail disasters like the East Palestine crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Ethan Dodd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

JD Vance, a Republican senator from Ohio, proposed the Rail Safety Act in March. "All of us were moved by the testimony of the witnesses" from East Palestine, Cruz said. "We cannot undo the psychological, economic, and physical toll of the derailment in East Palestine," Vance noted, but "there will be another East Palestine in this country if we do not pass the Railway Safety Act." "I earnestly hoped that we would reach a bipartisan consensus," Cruz said, but "this bill is overly and needlessly prescriptive." Nonetheless, Cruz doubted the bill would pass the Senate with 60 votes, let alone the House.

☆ Explainer: Tax cuts, balanced budget: What's not in Republican McCarthy's debt plan?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Some House Republicans have called for balancing the budget within 10 years, but McCarthy's proposed cuts would almost certainly not hit that goal. McCarthy's plan would not repeal two tax hikes secured by Democrats in last year's Inflation Reduction Act: a 15% minimum tax on large corporations and a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks. It also does not try to make permanent the temporary individual tax cuts contained in the 2017 Republican tax-cut package that are due to expire in 2025. His former budget director, Russell Vought, called for cuts to housing, education and health programs in a proposal released earlier this year. McCarthy's plan would not repeal Obamacare, or roll back enhancements secured by Democrats in 2021 and 2022.

☆ Trump-aligned PAC rolls out Ron DeSantis 'Pudding Fingers' ad, mocking his rumored eating habits and hitting him on Medicare and Social Security
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A Trump-aligned super PAC attacked DeSantis over his eating habits in a new ad. The ad makes fun of a story in which DeSantis ate pudding with his fingers. Ron DeSantis for his record on Medicare and Social Security — and his rumored eating habits. On Friday, Make America Great Again, Inc. released a new ad titled "Pudding Fingers." "Tell Ron DeSantis to keep his pudding fingers off our money," the ad ends, showing a pile of empty pudding cups on the table.

☆ Why Blackouts, Power Outages Are Becoming More Common
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Taylor Dorrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Power outages have increased 64% from the early 2000s, and weather-related outages — many driven by the worsening climate crisis — have increased 78%. A record-breaking blizzard in Buffalo, New York, this winter caused power outages throughout the city, resulting in the deaths of 47 residents. In 2021, a heat wave led to power outages and the deaths of hundreds in the Pacific Northwest. While regional organizations might use fees to penalize companies for power outages, it's now much harder to pinpoint and hold a person or entity responsible. In the meantime, the climate crisis will continue to wreak havoc on an aging grid system that puts profits over reliability.

☆ Failure of Silicon Valley Bank Mirrors the Myth of the Wild West
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

As Silicon Valley Bank went down the tubes, it wasn't surprising that the loudest mouths in Techworld started demanding that the federal government cover everyone's losses. They were pioneers on the frontier of tech and finance, and as such they acted the way pioneers always do. Myths of the frontiersIt's unfashionable for people in the tech industry to dispute the central role that government-funded infrastructure and academic projects have played in the development of Silicon Valley and the digital age. Shout down into Silicon Valley and you'll hear echoes of this same pioneer myth. They see themselves as heroes not of a Western frontier but of space — the Final one — as refracted by the legendary writers of the Golden Age of Science Fiction.

☆ Sao Paulo govt to hire World Bank to study privatizing water utility
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Rodrigo Viga Gaier | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

RIO DE JANEIRO, March 3 (Reuters) - Sao Paulo's state government will hire the World Bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC) in the next few days for studies on the possible privatization of state water utility Sabesp (SBSP3.SA), Governor Tarcisio de Freitas said on Friday. "The privatization of Sabesp is a very complex matter," Tarcisio told Reuters after attending an event in Rio de Janeiro. Freitas said utility would only be privatized "if we reach the conclusion that we are going to increase efficiency, have upsides, reduce tariffs." "I think that all these objectives are possible and I understand that studies will show this," he said. The board of directors of Sao Paulo's state privatization program had earlier this week authorized the body to commission studies on Sabesp's possible privatization.

☆ After being attacked by both Democrats and the GOP, Rick Scott edits his plan to sunset all federal laws every 5 years. He now wants to make exceptions for Social Security, Medicare, and the military.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

He edited the plan on Friday to say he "never intended" to include Social Security, Medicare, and the military. Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, clarifying that the five-year rule was "never intended" to apply to Social Security, Medicare, and the Navy. Scott's plan has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans who have vowed to preserve Social Security and Medicare. That was the Rick Scott plan," McConnell told Kentucky radio host Terry Meiners. He also wants to make any potential cuts to Medicare and Social Security subject to a two-thirds vote from Congress.

☆ How Social Security and Medicare became the latest battleground in Biden's showdown with the GOP
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Social Security and Medicare have taken the spotlight in the battle to raise the debt limit. Then came the big question of what exactly Republicans want to cut, and Social Security and Medicare entered the frame. "So, folks, as we all apparently agree, Social Security and Medicare is off the books now. White House, Biden double down on GOP attacksThe receipts kept coming once Republicans claimed they never proposed cuts to Social Security and Medicare. It noted, though, that Social Security and Medicare "are earned benefit programs that must be saved and strengthened."

☆ Ron DeSantis backed deep cuts to Social Security and Medicare while in Congress. Trump is ready to hammer him for it ahead of 2024.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Trump has made it clear that he will attack DeSantis' past support for changes to Social Security and Medicare. It would have also increased the full retirement age for Social Security to 70 as well. The AARP tore into Ryan's proposal at the time, particularly for its proposed changes to social security. Trump has made it clear that he would not propose cuts to Social Security and Medicare and is ready to attack 2024 nomination challengers who have in the past. Insider couldn't find any comments he made at the time, but he was far from the only Republican or even the only Florida Republican to vote against the bill.

That is a shift from previous budget negotiations, when Republicans suggested raising the retirement age and partially privatizing Medicare. Social Security accounted for 17% of federal spending in the 2021 fiscal year, while Medicare accounted for 13%, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. That would leave another 11% of the federal budget off limits. That would force budget cuts if federal borrowing exceeded a set share of the economy, but he has not said what that limit should be. NO DEBT CEILING INCREASE AT ALLSome hardliners, such as Tim Burchett and Andy Biggs, have said they will vote against raising the debt ceiling, no matter what provisions are attached.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A new private company will take over power generation units owned by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, the public corporation currently in charge of generating energy on the U.S. territory. The power generation equipment in Puerto Rico, plagued by ongoing blackouts and decaying infrastructure, is on average about 45 years old — twice the age of those on the U.S. mainland. The company and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) are currently undergoing a transition process set to last 100 days. Officials in Puerto Rico have been taking steps toward privatizing power generation for some time. Power customers in Puerto Rico have seen seven electric rate increases last year, even though people in Puerto Rico already pay about twice as much as mainland U.S. customers for unreliable service.

Labor shortagesAs the pandemic swooped in, air travel was among the industries most affected, as more than 90% of flights were grounded. Today, labor shortages exist throughout the economy, but the problem drags on in the air travel sector, where more extensive employee training is usually required. Steven Senne / APOutdated technology and infrastructureThere is near-universal agreement that the infrastructure underpinning segments of America's air travel system is outdated and vulnerable. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Montana, said the incident highlighted "a huge vulnerability in our air transportation system." Air travel should be predictable and consistent, and you shouldn’t have to wonder if air traffic control is going to be working today as you head to the airport.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The governing board of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, the public corporation currently in charge of energy generation on the island, approved a contract that brings the U.S. territory one step closer to privatizing power generation. Less than 4% of Puerto Rico’s power generation currently comes from renewable energy. Power generation units in Puerto Rico are on average about 45 years old, twice those of the U.S. mainland. As part of the ongoing privatization process, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority relinquished the island’s power transmission and distribution system to Luma Energy. It’s unclear whether privatizing power generation would have any impact on such efforts.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The government of Puerto Rico is a step closer to privatizing power generation on the island despite widespread skepticism among consumers, who crave a reliable source of electricity after decades of random power outages. The contract needs to be approved by the governing board of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and signed by Gov. Power generation units in Puerto Rico are on average about 45 years old, twice those of the U.S. mainland. The system was previously managed by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. The privatization process follows ongoing issues around Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority's bankruptcy.

TORONTO, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Canada's most populous province, Ontario, plans to significantly expand its use of private providers to perform public health services, the premier said on Monday, in a bid to deal with backlogs and delays in a healthcare system strained by the coronavirus pandemic. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston told Global News on Sunday that Canada’s healthcare system is "on the ropes." Canada's publicly-funded healthcare system has in the past been seen by some as a model system. But critics and public health advocates have argued expanding the use of private providers is a step towards privatizing the public health system and risks cannibalizing a healthcare workforce already facing a shortage. The Ford government has said it has no plans to privatize the healthcare system.

☆ Even as the midterm election results were 'positive for seniors,' some worry about Social Security amid debt ceiling negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The midterm elections made two key federal programs seniors rely on — Social Security and Medicare — a topic of national conversation. The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare saw more than 70 of the nearly 100 candidates it had endorsed win, according to its president and CEO, Max Richtman. Some key wins, according to Richtman, included Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly in Arizona over Republican candidate Blake Masters, as well as Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan in New Hampshire against Republican Donald Bolduc. Both Masters and Bolduc had mentioned privatizing Medicare or Social Security during their campaigns, according to Richtman. Yet even as champions for preserving Social Security have been reelected or newly elected, other leaders have called for rethinking how those programs are approached.

☆ Ukraine minister: GDP contraction of 39% expected in 2022 vs earlier forecast of 35%
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Ukrainian economy minister Yulia Svyrydenko said Russia’s destruction of civilian infrastructure in recent weeks was expected to result in a 39% contraction of gross domestic product in 2022, down from an earlier forecast of a 35% drop. Asked about recent comments from Republican leaders in Congress suggesting they would curtail U.S. aid to Ukraine, Svyrydenko said Ukraine's fight against Russia was an existential one, and that the entire world order would change if it lost. She said Ukraine is also seeking a yearlong extension of the suspension of U.S. steel tariffs to help Ukrainian steelmakers, which have been hit hard by Russian missile attacks. Svyrydenko said she discussed the issue with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai during a meeting in Washington earlier on Wednesday. She also met on Tuesday with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who pledged continued strong support for Ukraine, including efforts by the U.S. government and private sector to help rebuild Ukraine's civilian infrastructure.

☆ Twitter staff react to Elon Musk's takeover: 'I am fully expecting him to fire 69% of us on Friday at 4:20 p.m.'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Twitter employees have expressed fear about their jobs after Elon Musk sealed his takeover deal. Musk has reportedly sacked CEO Parag Agrawal and three other top Twitter executives. The billionaire, who's the world's richest person, has fired at least four top executives including CEO Parag Agrawal, Insider and others reported Thursday. It was during this hour-long coffee meeting with about 40 Twitter employees that Musk denied the 75% layoffs figure, according to Bloomberg. Other Twitter employees used the #OneTeam hashtag to express solidarity.

☆ Goldman's Solomon: Undoing 40 years of 'nationalized fixed income' disruptive
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

DUBAI, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said on Tuesday the world "nationalized fixed income markets" for 40 years and is in the process of privatizing them again, which "is disruptive." "If we have a significant recession in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world, we will work through that," but it will take a variety of decisions and time to work through, he said, speaking on a panel at Saudi Arabia's flagship investment conference FII. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Yousef SabaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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