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CARACAS, July 6 (Reuters) - Venezuela is planning to introduce new regulations on courier shipments of food, medicine and other products in an effort to raise more taxes, one government and two private sector sources said on Thursday. The government provides no official figures on the volume of such shipments, which arrive by boat and plane. But in a bid to raise tax revenue amid U.S. sanctions and a faltering oil industry, the government is preparing to regulate them, the sources said. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and other officials met with business people in late June to discuss regulation, but no specific measures came out of the meeting, the two private sector sources said. This week several courier companies, who are generally local outfits, said on social media they would suspend shipments as they await official action.

Persons: Delcy Rodriguez, Mayela Armas, Vivian Sequera, Julia Symmes Cobb, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Retailers, Thomson Locations: CARACAS, Venezuela, United States

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

Kenyan shipments of tea - its major export - have fallen by a fifth over the last year, according to the local regulator. The spike in global interest rates has already tipped Sri Lanka and Ghana into defaulting. Reuters GraphicsBLACK MARKETAlthough the dollar's share as a global reserve currency has dropped to 59% from 70% over a decade, it continues to dominate global trade. Nigeria has long had a web of multiple exchange rates which it is now trying to untangle, having also devalued its naira currency again last week. A plunge of around 70% in Bolivia's reserves has spawned queues at banks and currency exchange shops as some merchants stopped accepting local currency.

Persons: Wilson Muthaura, KTDA, Charlie Robertson, Muthaura, David Willacy, Ojo, Chaucer, Ronal, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Kristalina Georgieva, William Ruto, Duncan Miriri, Marc Jones, Macdonald Dzirutwe, Monica Machicao, Mayela Armas, David Sherwood, Catherine Evans Organizations: Bank, FIM Partners, Reuters Graphics, Workers, REUTERS, La Paz, West, Reuters, JPMorgan, Monetary Fund, IMF, Fund, Thomson Locations: NAIROBI, LONDON, Pakistan, COVID, Russia, Ukraine, London, Islamabad, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Tunisia, teetering, Nigeria, Kenya, StoneX, Nigeria's, Lagos, British, Cuba, Venezuela, Githunguri, Kiambu County, United States, Lebanon, Turkey, Ethiopia, China, India, Johannesburg, Saudi Arabia, Africa, Argentina, Nairobi, La Paz, Caracas, Havana

☆ Bringing Sexy Back to the Movies, With a 2023 Twist
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Leah Greenblatt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Critics and audiences have long despaired: Where have all the romantic comedies gone? Though what hard-R shenanigans look like in 2023 — post-#MeToo, post-pandemic, mid-online culture wars — may necessarily be a very different thing than in 1993, or even 2013. Still, there’s novelty in seeing the Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence sign on to a libidinous goof like “No Hard Feelings,” due June 23. She stars as a financially strapped Uber driver who agrees, for a fee, to seduce the awkward teenage son of a wealthy New York couple. The red-band trailer surpassed 45 million views in its first 24 hours online — a testament, perhaps, to moviegoers’ too-long-untapped appetite for cheerfully slapstick set pieces and “Can I touch your wiener?” jokes.

Persons: Bridget Joneses, Nancy Meyers, Jennifer Lopez, Josh Duhamel, Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Reese Witherspoon, Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Lawrence, ’ Organizations: Netflix, New Locations: ”, New York

In this article LGF.A Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTKeanu Reeves stars in "John Wick: Chapter 4." LionsgateWhat started with a retired hitman avenging his murdered dog has turned into a billion-dollar blockbuster movie franchise for Lionsgate . This week, the John Wick series, comprised of four films starring Keanu Reeves in the titular role, crossed $1 billion at the global box office. The first "John Wick" was widely praised by critics and audiences for its highly choreographed fight sequences, which were often shot in long, single takes to convey the action. The milestone for its "John Wick" franchise comes as Lionsgate has been exploring its options for the two key parts of its business – its film studio and Starz cable and streaming unit.

WASHINGTON/CARACAS, May 18 (Reuters) - The U.S. has assured the United Nations that it will shield a proposed UN-administered Venezuela humanitarian fund from creditors, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday, removing a key obstacle to getting the money flowing. Representatives of Maduro and the opposition announced agreement on the fund in brief negotiations in Mexico late last year meant to advance efforts to organize free elections in Venezuela. The fund is meant to aid ordinary Venezuelans suffering from economic and humanitarian crises. According to the four sources familiar with the matter, the U.S. notified the UN earlier this month that the funds would be safe from creditors. Dinorah Figuera, head of the Venezuelan opposition's legislature, said the U.S. move "opens the possibility that funds will reach the United Nations and open the door to negotiations."

☆ Chevron export earnings boost supply of US dollars in Venezuela -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Mayela Armas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Companies Chevron Corp FollowCARACAS, May 2 (Reuters) - Some of U.S. oil major Chevron Corp's (CVX.N) export earnings from its Venezuela operations are bolstering supplies of U.S. dollars in the South American country, three sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. Chevron operates in Venezuela, which is under U.S. sanctions, with special authorization from Washington. The central bank also sells dollars, mostly the product of oil sales. According to local consulting firm Sintesis Financiera, the central bank offers between $40 million and $50 million per week. The central bank did not respond to requests for comment.

☆ 'Ghosted' review: Chris Evans and Ana de Armas reunite in a spirited action comedy
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —“Chris Evans and Ana de Armas” is about all that’s required to make the sales pitch for “Ghosted,” a spirited if familiar action-based romantic comedy, where the sparring banter generally outshines the muscular stunts. Throw in clever cameos and this Apple TV+ movie delivers on its promise of unpretentious fun. Unlike the needy Cole, “Ghosted” doesn’t ask for anything more than a couple intermittently attentive hours of your time. Thanks to Evans and de Armas, it’s the sort of invitation that’s pretty hard to ignore. “Ghosted” premieres April 21 on Apple TV+.

☆ ‘Ghosted’ Review: Chris Evans Falls For Ana de Armas’s Spy
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( John Anderson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Chris Evans and Ana de Armas Photo: AppleTV+Aside from the real classics of cinema, Hollywood tradition has been largely about extremely attractive people doing extraordinarily silly things—which makes “Ghosted” an old-fashioned movie. Ghosted Friday, Apple TV+It is also, it turns out, a spoof of those movies and of entire genres, notably the spy thriller and the rom-com of the hate-at-first-sight variety. Cole Turner ( Chris Evans ), a self-described “farmer” who lives outside Washington (with his parents), sells his honey at a D.C. sidewalk market; Sadie Rhodes ( Ana de Armas ) is a CIA operative who wings her way around the world firing automatic weapons at bad guys. The gender flip, such as it is, is less clever than it once would have been; likewise the fact that their meet-cute isn’t cute at all. Thanks for the tip.

☆ ‘Ghosted’ Review: A C.I.A. Meet Cute
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Calum Marsh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

“Ghosted,” a frothy spy-thriller rom-com in the tradition of “Romancing the Stone” and “The Jewel of the Nile,” is one of the least convincing movies I have ever seen. I mean that “Ghosted” barely seems like a real movie. It has movie stars, in the figures of Ana de Armas and Chris Evans (and, as the villain, Adrien Brody). It has a competent director, Dexter Fletcher, whose hit “Rocketman” wasn’t half-bad. But this tedious, unfunny, screamingly unoriginal romantic adventure film is so flimsy and so insubstantial that it’s practically vaporous.

☆ Venezuela arrests nine CVG officials over corruption probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CARACAS, April 2 (Reuters) - Venezuelan authorities have taken nine officials from state-owned metals conglomerate Corporacion Venezolana de Guayana (CVG) - including from steel-maker subsidiary Sidor - into custody during corruption investigations, attorney general Tarek Saab said on Sunday. Prosecutors began investigating irregularities at CVG and Sidor on Friday, adding to investigations into alleged corruption at state oil company PDVSA and a government agency overseeing cryptocurrency transactions, both led by Tareck El Aissami who subsequently resigned as oil minister. Nestor Astudillo and Pedro Maldonado, the presidents of Sidor and CVG respectively, are under arrest, as well as four company vice presidents and three managers, Saab said on Twitter. Some 42 people have been arrested as part of investigations into corruption, Saab tweeted on Saturday night, without giving more details. Reporting by Mayela Armas Additional reporting by Deisy Buitrago Writing by Oliver Griffin Editing by Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Venezuela's Maduro suspends PDVSA restructuring committee after minister quits
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Deisy Buitrago | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CARACAS, March 27 (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro suspended a committee he had appointed to restructure state oil firm PDVSA under the supervision of Tareck El Aissami, the oil minister who resigned last week amid an expanding anti-corruption probe into the company and the judiciary. The probe has led to 10 officials and 11 businessmen being arrested and 11 more wanted. PDVSA President Pedro Tellechea was appointed as the new oil minister last week, giving him wide control of the industry. Maduro said last week a new restructuring process must begin in PDVSA, formally known as Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., to audit its accounts and uncover corruption. PDVSA's restructuring commission was created to adopt urgent measures to "protect the industry from imperialist aggression."

He was replaced by Pedro Rafael Tellechea, who had been named to head PDVSA in January. Maduro said that his government was committed to "going to the root" of corruption, calling the probe which began last year "professional, scientific and disciplined." The Finance Ministry, the central bank, and PDVSA did not respond to requests for comment. It is unclear whether the corruption probe and contract review will concretely improve PDVSA's cash flows in the near future. PDVSA last year delayed cash payments in dollars to several of its suppliers because of dwindling income.

Following the events of "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum" (2019), "Chapter 4" sees Wick take his battle against the criminal High Table organization global. Check out the trailer for 'John Wick: Chapter 4'Keanu Reeves reprises his role as legendary hitman John Wick. "John Wick: Chapter 4" also features Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Shamier Anderson, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane. In addition to standard showings, "John Wick: Chapter 4" is playing in IMAX and Dolby Cinema for premium prices. Keanu Reeves in "John Wick: Chapter 4."

☆ Venezuela president names PDVSA head Tellechea as new oil minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Deisy Buitrago | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File PhotoCARACAS, March 21 (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday named the head of state oil company PDVSA, Pedro Rafael Tellechea, as the new oil minister, a day after his predecessor resigned amid an extensive corruption investigation focused on the company. Former minister Tareck El Aissami resigned on Monday after the arrest of several government officials and judges in connection with graft investigations. Sources with knowledge of the issue said more than 20 lower-level PDVSA officials have also been detained over recent days. Tellechea has been head of PDVSA since January and ordered an audit into heavy losses suffered last year as tankers left the country without proper payments being made for cargo. It is not the first time the government has promised a crackdown on alleged PDVSA corruption.

The latest sequel, "John Wick: Chapter 4," hits theaters on March 24. Since 2014, the first three "John Wick" movies have accumulated a collective worldwide box office gross of over $587 million. If you're looking to catch up on the franchise before seeing "John Wick: Chapter 4" in theaters, you're in luck. The first three "John Wick" movies are all available to stream, rent, or purchase online. Where to watch 'John Wick' moviesThough "John Wick: Chapter 4" will be exclusive to theaters when it premieres on March 24, you can watch the first three "John Wick" movies at home right now on Peacock.

[1/5] A Venezuelan flag next to some flags of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA is pictured near the company's headquarters, in Caracas, Venezuela March 20, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez ViloriaCARACAS, March 20 (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro on Monday accepted the resignation of the country's powerful oil minister following the detention of at least six high level officials amid a corruption probe focused on state-run company PDVSA and the judiciary. Arresting government officials for corruption is rare in Venezuela, a country that rights groups such as Transparency International have described as opaque. The sources also said that at least 20 lower level officials at PDVSA have been arrested in recent days. The arrests are the largest recent crackdown on alleged PDVSA corruption.

Cate Blanchett, best actress nominee for "Tar," wore a draped azure top over a black skirt with a train. Several attendees took advantage of the indoor lights to don shimmery silver dresses or gowns encrusted with reflective materials. Ana de Armas, best actress nominee for "Blonde," wore a silver column dress with a flamenco dancer-like flounce on the bottom. Education activist Malala Yousafzai, executive producer of documentary short film "Stranger At The Gate," wore a shimmery silver hooded gown. Several women opted for gowns with high-cut slits, including Nicole Kidman in a shimmery black gown and Cara Delevingne in a dramatic red dress.

The film dominated nominations for major categories, showing up in the fields of best picture, best director, best actress, best supporting actress, best supporting actor and best original screenplay. Throughout the awards season, "Everything Everywhere All at Once" has snared wins for acting, directing and best picture from various groups. Many expect it to sweep best picture, best director, best actress and best original screenplay. Yeoh, 60, is the first Asian-identifying woman nominated for best actress. Ana De Armas is the first Cuban actress to be nominated for best actress for her role as Marilyn Monroe in Netflix movie "Blonde."

LOS ANGELES, March 11 (Reuters) - In the 2022 "Elvis" film, Tom Hanks' depiction of Elvis Presley's real-life former manager, Colonel Tom Parker, is cruel, corrupt, and according to the 2023 Razzie award results, deserving of worst supporting actor and worst screen combo awards. loadingBefore celebrating the best films of the season during the Oscar ceremony on Sunday, the Razzie Awards called out the worst on Saturday. The Razzies named Hanks worst supporting actor and worst screen combo for the actor and his "latex face" in the film. Joining Hanks, biographical drama "Blonde," starring Ana de Armas as Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe "won" Razzies for both worst picture and screenplay. Both win for worst actor and worst supporting actress.

Resurgent inflation is devouring the income of Venezuelans - even the relatively privileged ones like Mendoza who have access to U.S. dollars. That is leaving them hungry and struggling to buy food and medicine, they told Reuters. "Neither dollars or bolivars are enough. Many Venezuelans were left to scour through garbage to find food, and millions fled the country to build new lives across South America and beyond. "Whether you pay in bolivars or dollars it is not enough," Lochunga said, sitting in front of his stall.

☆ Venezuelan liquor cocuy is winning awards, but producers face hurdles
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Keren Torres | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Venezuela's cocuy producers, however, say limited wild crops and the labor-intensive process of making the drink without additives - the prize-winning version of the liquor - are complicating efforts to increase output. Producers say there is no data on annual national production or sales because much of cocuy output is made for local consumption. A liter of 100% agave cocuy can sell for between $18 and $60, while its production costs average about $12 without commercialization costs. Of the 365 cocuy producers in Lara, whose arid and semi-arid climate makes agave abundant, just 70 make the liquor with 100% agave. The difficult production process begins by cutting back the plant's leaves to reach its "head," said Siquisique producer Nelson de la Rosa.

☆ Norway's Pettersen named Europe captain for 2024 Solheim Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 21 (Reuters) - Suzann Pettersen will return as captain of the European team at the Solheim Cup in 2024, the Ladies European Tour (LET) announced on Tuesday, with the Norwegian saying the move will offer players "more consistency". Pettersen is already serving as captain for the 2023 European team that will face the United States at the Sept. 22-24 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia, Spain. "I love the Solheim Cup and it's such a unique honour to be asked to captain Team Europe again in 2024," Pettersen said. Europe are champions after edging the United States 15-13 at Inverness Club in Ohio in 2021 to retain the Solheim Cup. Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia, will host the 2024 Solheim Cup.

☆ Venezuelans say credit cards that were once lifeline now 'useless'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Mayela Armas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"They are useless," administrator Lina Pereira, from the central city of Valencia, said of her two credit cards, which both have low limits. "My parents bought appliances and computers with their credit cards, but that's a memory for Venezuelans." As incomes have fallen and living costs have grown, credit cards have become vital for many people to make everyday purchases in supermarkets and pharmacies, even as credit limits stagnate and some banks eliminate the cards altogether. In 2012 that figure was 12% in Venezuela, while in countries like the Dominican Republic and Bolivia credit cards currently account for 5% of banks' credit portfolios, according to those country's regulators. "With the limit on cards you can't even pay for lunch," said Gregorio Afonso, a 53-year-old university professor who has two local credit cards and an income of $20 monthly.

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