Venezuela's ruling party wins surprise victory in regional elections

Candidates in Venezuela aligned with the movement founded by the late President Hugo Chávez have claimed most of the country's governorships, despite projections that the opposition would win. The results were likely to result in fresh unrest in the troubled nation.

Reporting from Caracas, NPR's Philip Reeves says: "Polls said Venezuela's opposition were going to be big winners in these elections. Instead, the ruling Socialist Party are now celebrating what Maduro calls 'a decisive victory,' after taking 17 of the country's 23 state governorships."

Opposition politicians are refusing to recognize the results of the poll, Philip reports.

"Maduro's critics want to know how his unpopular government secured this outcome amid an economic crisis that's produced chronic shortages of food and medicine and the collapse of the currency," he says.

The results were announced late Sunday by Tibisay Lucena, president of the National Election Council.

At: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/16/557977291/venezuelas-ruling-party-wins-surprise-victory-in-regional-elections

Drone hits commercial airliner in Canada; no injuries

Source: Reuters

A drone hit an airplane landing at a Quebec City airport this week, the first time an unmanned flying object has collided with commercial aircraft in Canada, Transport Minister Marc Garneau said on Sunday.

No injuries were reported in the incident, which happened on Thursday at Jean Lesage International Airport and involved a plane belonging to Quebec-based Skyjet Aviation.

Drones are not allowed within 5.5 km (3.4 miles) of Canadian airports, helipads and seaplane bases. Operators who put aircraft at risk face steep fines and jail time under Canadian law.

Drone usage has soared in North America, Europe and China, raising privacy concerns and fears of collisions with commercial jets, and prompting the United Nations’ aviation agency to back the creation of a single global drone registry.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-transport-drones/drone-hits-commercial-airliner-in-canada-no-injuries-idUSKBN1CK0TW

Pro-Trump states most affected by his health care decision

President Donald Trump's decision to end a provision of the Affordable Care Act that was benefiting roughly 6 million Americans helps fulfill a campaign promise, but it also risks harming some of the very people who helped him win the presidency.

Nearly 70% of those benefiting from the so-called cost-sharing subsidies live in states Trump won last November, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. The number underscores the political risk for Trump and his party, which could end up owning the blame for increased costs and chaos in the insurance marketplace.

The subsidies are paid to insurers by the federal government to help lower consumers' deductibles and co-pays. People who benefit will continue receiving the discounts because insurers are obligated by law to provide them.

But to make up for the lost federal funding, health insurers will have to raise premiums substantially, potentially putting coverage out of reach for many consumers.

Some insurers may decide to bail out of markets altogether.

At: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/pro-trump-states-affected-health-care-decision-50479492
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So much for the "forgotten man."

Argentine political prisoner Milagro Sala reimprisoned, flouting IACHR ruling

Argentine Indigenous leader Milagro Sala has been removed from house arrest this morning and taken to prison, in what her lawyer describes as an abduction done without notification or knowledge of the defense.

Her reinmprisonment flouts a July 28 ruling by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) ordering officials to comply with a formal UN request to release Sala from prison. IACHR rulings are legally binding in Argentina.

Sala's defense attorney, Elizabeth Gómez, described the move as an "abduction" by police forces against the elected lawmaker and activist. "It is an absolute illegality, reminding us of the darkest times of our country."

IACHR President Francisco Eguiguren condemned the decision, comparing it to the case of Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López, who was arrested on incitement charges in 2014 and who following international appeals was transferred to house arrest this July.

House arrest

Sala had been transferred to house arrest on August 31 pursuant to the IACHR ruling a month earlier.

Jujuy Province Governor Gerardo Morales, who ordered Sala's detention, resisted the IACHR ruling and then "complied" by having her moved to an abandoned house lacking doors, windows, basic amenities, or connections to public utilities.

Following the governor's refusal to fund improvements, private donations were raised for its refurbishment.

The Sala case

Sala, now 53, was ordered arrested on January 16, 2016, by Governor Morales on unsubstantiated charges of “inciting violence” — a charge that was later dropped.

She was charged nearly a year later with embezzlement, extortion, and conspiracy related to government earmarks for housing projects managed by the Túpac Amaru Association and related charges.

Critics note that prosecutors have offered no proof to substantiate charges, relying only on hearsay from individuals including an illiterate man who was later awarded a public contract and an ex-convict who was released despite serving a sentence for murder.

Citing lack of evidence and serious irregularities such as the use of bribed witnesses, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled on October 21, 2016, that Sala's detention is in fact arbitrary, and urged President Mauricio Macri (a close ally of Morales) to release her immediately. The IACHR did likewise on December 4.

At: https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Milagro-Salas-Transfer-Was-An-Abduction-Attorneys-Claim-20171014-0010.html

Trump will scrap critical Obamacare subsidy

Source: Politico

President Donald Trump plans to cut subsidy payments to insurers in his most aggressive move yet to undermine Obamacare after months of unsuccessful repeal efforts on Capitol Hill, according to two sources.

The subsidies, which are worth an estimated $7 billion this year and are paid out in monthly installments, may stop almost immediately since Congress hasn’t appropriated funding for the program.

Scrapping the funding is likely to provide another jolt to the already fragile Obamacare markets. The impact may be cushioned by the fact that many insurers had priced next year's plans higher than they otherwise would have, fearing this decision. Others have already fled the Obamacare markets, which are set to begin open enrollment in Nov. 1 for the 2018 plan year.

Insurers rely on the subsidies to reduce out-of-pocket costs for low-income Obamacare customers. They’re still on the hook to provide the discounted rates to their members under the law, despite no longer receiving the federal funding.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/12/trump-obamacare-subsidy-243736

Argentina's Macri revealed to keep "black list" of 562 public figures

The leading Buenos Aires news daily Clarín revealed the existence of a "black list" being kept by President Mauricio Macri that includes political leaders, judges, trade unionists, businessmen, and even bishops whom he wants to see in prison.

The list, according to Clarín, includes a total of 562 people whom the president, in his alleged words, would like to see "sent up in a rocket to the moon."

The revelation was unusual fare for Clarín, whose support as the country's largest media conglomerate was key to Macri's narrow electoral win in 2015.

The alleged list was denied by Chief of Staff Marcos Peña - though he tacitly admitted its existence by referring to it as "a metaphor."

Macri has faced accusations from both political opponents and human rights NGOs of "weaponizing" the country's judiciary against rivals, while having a string of corruption charges against himself, his family, and his administration dismissed - even in cases, such as the Panama Papers, with documented proof.

Federal prosecutors are investigating at least six cases involving Macri ranging from influence trafficking to money laundering. So far none of the cases has resulted in charges against the president, and he denies wrongdoing; but they've become a headache for his "Let's Change" coalition heading into legislative elections on October 22.

Speaking at a political rally on Monday, the administration's chief political rival, former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, said that she knew she was "at the top of that list."

She called on Macri to "worry less about his black list, and more about the shopping lists of average Argentines" - a reference to a near-doubling in prices since Macri took office two years ago.

At: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hispantv.com%2Fnoticias%2Fargentina%2F356081%2Fcontroversia-lista-negra-dirigentes-politicos-jueces-listas-macri

New convention center with sustainable design opened in Buenos Aires

The new Buenos Aires Exhibition and Convention Centre (CEC) opened on September 28.

One of the city's most important public developments in recent years, its innovative architecture offers versatile column-free exhibition spaces while adding a new, rooftop park.

With a total exhibition space of 18,000 m² (194,000 ft²) and capacity for around 5,000 people, the center's three underground levels include a plenary hall, auxiliary hall, a double-height lobby, and 900 parking spaces.

Located between the University of Buenos Aires Law School and Thays Park, in Buenos Aires' upscale Recoleta section, the center will include a new H-line subway station next year.

Sustainability as a priority

Designed by local architect Edgardo Minond, work began on the CEC in 2014. The CEC replaces the city's antiquated Municipal Exposition Center, built in 1971, and its former parking lot.

The CEC included 5 acres of new park space over the structure, while preserving 100 year-old lapacho (Pau d'arco) trees at the site. Other notable environmental design features include solar panels, numerous skylights, and a system for rainwater collection for watering plants.

The CEC was also welcomed by the city's tourist sector, as Buenos Aires has become a leading convention destination over the last decade. The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) noted that the 103 international conventions and exhibitions held last year - up from 82 in 2015 - made Buenos Aires the top such destination in Latin America.

Cost overruns

The project created some controversy as a result of its sizable cost overruns. Budgeted in February 2014 at 314 million pesos ($39 million at the time), it ultimately cost the city 803 million pesos - roughly $70 million, using the average exchange rate since then.

The city's Ministry of Urban Development, which oversaw the project, blames Argentina's chronically high inflation - currently 26% - but critics note that most construction took place before November 2015, when then-mayor Mauricio Macri inaugurated the center's park and main hall as part of his presidential campaign.

Around 400 million pesos had been spent by then.

At: https://turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar/en/article/buenos-aires-exhibition-and-convention-centre-cec

And: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=es&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lanacion.com.ar%2F2030484-el-nuevo-centro-de-exposiciones-abrira-sus-puertas-en-el-tercer-trimestre&edit-text=

United States misses World Cup for first time since 1986

Source: New York Times

Trinidad and Tobago, whose World Cup dreams ended months ago, stunned the United States, 2-1, on Tuesday night.

The result, combined with just-as-shocking outcomes in two simultaneous games in Honduras and Panama on the final day of qualifying for the Concacaf region, ushered in the unthinkable: The American men, mainstays of the World Cup for more than a generation, are out of next summer’s tournament in Russia.

Instead, Panama, which rallied from a one-goal deficit for a 2-1 win over Costa Rica, will join the Ticos and Mexico in Russia. It will be Panama’s first trip to the World Cup.

The United States’ defeat capped a dramatic final day of qualifying on multiple continents, with France and Portugal locking up World Cup spots from Europe and three South American teams — Uruguay, Colombia and, with a monumental sigh of relief, Lionel Messi and Argentina — doing the same.

“We didn’t qualify for the World Cup,” team captain Bruce Arena said after Tuesday’s loss. “That was my job.”

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/10/sports/soccer/usmnt-trinidad-world-cup.html

The Trump slump again.

Brazilians in the south asked to vote on secession

Voters in the south of Brazil have been asked in an informal vote whether they want to be part of a new country.

The referendum was organised a week after a similar vote in Catalonia by a secessionist movement called "The South Is My Country." The movement said it set up polls in more than 1,000 municipalities across the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná - which together have 30 million of Brazil's 208 million people and one-sixth of its economy.

The group's leader, Celso Deucher, says he hopes to gather three million votes.

At polling stations in Paraná state, voters told local media they were disillusioned with the federal government and a giant corruption scandal that has seen dozens of politicians and members of the business elite jailed or indicted.

Others complained that the south of Brazil saw little return from taxation which mostly benefitted the poorer northern regions of the country who have bigger voting rights than the south.

The south of Brazil has expressed secessionist tendencies before, ever since Italy's Giuseppe Garibaldi helped it achieve a short-lived semi-independence in 1836. Last year a similar vote in October 2016 organised by the same group gathered 617,500 votes; over 95% of voters in the three states said they were in favour of separation.

Few Brazilians believe the separatist movement will succeed, not least because it is forbidden by the constitution.

At: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-41541063

Caution: Men at work