BVenezuela just voted to open its power grid to private money, first time since 2007. That's a bigger story than it sounds.
BOpening a collapsed grid to investors who've watched the state seize everything for two decades. Who's signing up?
BReuters says the National Assembly passed the reform today, broadcast on state TV. The country's running on less than forty percent capacity.
BSo blackouts, no water at times, industry dying. They had no choice.
BInterim President Delcy Rodriguez has been pushing private investment in oil, gas, mining since Maduro was ousted in January. Electricity is the big prize.
BShe calls stable power the top priority. Easy to say when the grid's been state-run into the ground.
BWell, that's the pitch, isn't it? State control since 2007, private investment now. It's a complete reversal.
BBut here's my question. Investors want contracts that hold up, pricing that makes sense. How much trust is left?
BReuters says investor caution remains despite the reforms. So the answer is, not much. But they'll still come for the big industrial users.
BSay what you will, it's a signal the state failed. When you let private money into the grid, you're admitting it.
BYeah, and I'd rather have lights on than ideological purity. Less than forty percent capacity is not a talking point, it's a humanitarian problem.
BNo argument. Chronic blackouts hit water, communications, farms, all of it. Venezuela's problem is trust, not law.
BExactly. You can pass any law you want. The people with the money remember 2007.
BDifferent kind of power struggle here. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin says there has been no conversation with President Trump about changing immigration enforcement policy, and he insists amnesty will not happen.
BZero change, that's the quote. Amnesty off the table, still going after the worst of the worst, and Trump would veto anything soft.
BMullin said there hasn't even been a conversation with Trump about changing enforcement. But Trump told him to talk with Democrats who reach out.
BThat's the real story, Bella. Trump is directing his DHS chief to negotiate. That's not 'zero change,' that's testing the water.
BHe's testing the water without changing enforcement. Those are two different things, Brian. Deportations continue, talks happen.
BTake a step back. The border is the single biggest reason Trump won. If he gives Democrats anything on this, his base reads it as a sellout.
BHis base elected him to fix the border. You don't fix it without some legislative cover, especially when Democrats take the House.
BLegislative cover? He's already using every executive tool there is! He doesn't need Chuck Schumer's blessing.
BHe doesn't need it — but if he wants a deal that survives past January, he does. And he knows it.
BShow me one Democrat who'll vote for amnesty, or even a path, without gutting enforcement. There isn't one.
BMullin said amnesty's off the table. So the dance is about enforcement levels, funding, maybe Dreamers. That's the room.
BIf he touches Dreamers, the base erupts. I'm telling you, this is the third rail. Trump knows that better than anyone.
BWhich is exactly why he sent Mullin out to say zero change. It's a message to the right while keeping a line open to the left.
BFine. But the clip on Fox News is the tell. Ingraham asking, Mullin answering bluntly. That's white-glove treatment for the people who made him president.
BAnd the Washington Post has Trump telling Mullin to work with Democrats who reach out. That side's real too.
BI think the deeper point is who voted against him in the midterms. Suburban moderates bled Democrats this time. Trump wants some of them back.
BBut not at the cost of the base. That's the tightrope. He's walking it in public, which is why this is fascinating.
BFor a guy who says zero change, he sure is making a lot of noise.
BSpeaking of noise, Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton visited the Gaza border. Al Jazeera had the story.
BHamilton's never shied away from politics. What was he doing there?
BThe report says he visited the border. That's what we know. No official statement from him yet on the reason.
BHe's been vocal about human rights for years. This fits a pattern of showing up and drawing attention.
BAnd it'll draw plenty. A seven-time champion at the Gaza border on a Tuesday. Cameras will follow.
BGood for him. Celebrities often tweet from a distance. Actually being there is different.
BOne more quick one. There's a rumor on X that UFC has a Manchester event in March with Lerone Murphy versus Jean Silva as the main event.
BAnd that rumor hasn't been confirmed anywhere I can find.
BRight. It's one account with a screaming breaking news banner. The event isn't official yet.
BMurphy and Silva would be a great fight, don't get me wrong. But you don't announce a main event in a fan post.
BUntil UFC says something, treat it as wishful thinking from Manchester fans.