Hard Numbers: Colombia’s unions strike, Syria’s treasure-hunters hunt, Venezuela's ruling party wins boycotted election, Russian spies learn to samba, and more…
48: Major Colombian unions are planning a 48 hour strike beginning Tuesday, to show support for leftwing president Gustavo Petro’s labor reform, which would limit hours, boost pay, and expand benefits. Lawmakers have recently rejected both the reform itself and Petro’s proposal for a national referendum on the measure.
50: Off and on and now off again. Donald Trump backed off his recent threat to hit the EU with 50% tariffs on June 1st. That means the US-imposed deadline for the two sides to strike a new trade deal reverts to July 9th. The news of Trump's reprieve drove the Euro to its highest value in nearly a month.
83: Venezuela's ruling socialist party said it had won 83% of the vote in Sunday's legislative elections. The main opposition groups boycotted the vote. Why? Opposition leader María Corina Machado joined GZERO media to explain. You can see the full interview here.
9: In recent years Brazilian police have uncovered at least nine Russian spies who had assumed Brazilian identities for the purpose of later conducting espionage in the US, Europe or the Middle East. It seems the Kremlin was using Brazil as a “spy factory”, according to this sprawling investigative piece by the Times.
10,000: If you live in Damascus and have $10,000 to burn, perhaps we can interest you in a … metal detector? Shops in the Syrian capital are reportedly cashing in by selling the devices, as a new new fad of treasure hunting sweeps the post-Assad nation.
243: Don’t break that spell! This week 243 kids will compete in the 100th installment of the famous Scripps National Spelling Bee. The contestants, aged eight to 14, will vie for a top prize of $50,000 and lifetime bragging rights. Last year’s final round, won by 12-year old Bruhat Sona from Florida, featured such doozies such as “heautophany,” “sciniph,” and “giclée.”