Even showers are a luxury in Venezuela now: Weekend Reads

Balance of Power From FOLLOW US SUBSCRIBE   While Donald Trump's European trip and threats to impose tariffs on Mexico dominated headlines this week, you might have missed these tales of life in crumbling Venezuela, of the plight of ultra-Orthodox Israeli men and of rising nationalism in Poland.  Catch up on these and other stories with the latest edition of Weekend Reads. – Kathleen Hunter Crowds gather at Victoria Park in Hong Kong for a candlelight vigil to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Click here for more of Bloomberg's best political photos from the past week.  Photographer: Justin Chin/Bloomberg Forced to Bathe With Bucket Water, Juan Guaido Soldiers On Like millions of Venezuelans – Juan Guaido – the man dozens of countries recognize as the legitimate leader of his broken nation – can't rely on the taps to run. Trump's Tariffs Have Wiped Out Most Families' Tax Cut Gains The president's trade wars have already wiped out all but $100 of the average American household's windfall from Trump's 2017 tax law. And that's just the beginning, Laura Davison reports. Orthodox Army Debate Splits Israeli Right, With New Vote Looming Israel's policy allowing ultra-Orthodox men to pursue government-subsidized religious studies instead of army service is facing new scrutiny as the country gears up for its second general election in the space of a few months, Ivan Levingston reports.  Defending Walesa's Legacy Just Got Tougher in Divided Poland Marek Strzelecki and Wojciech Moskwa report from the opposition stronghold of Gdansk, where there's resignation that the ruling nationalists will win again in another key election for Europe.  UN Chief Laments He Can't Sell Manhattan Mansion to Raise Funds The UN's cash flow problems are so severe the secretary-general says he wishes he could sell his official residence in Manhattan's stately Sutton Place neighborhood. But he can't even do that, David Wainer reports.   Putin urged the U.K. to get over last year's deadly nerve agent attack in the southern city of Salisbury, saying it is time to get down to business. Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg How the Tory Rivals for PM Reckon They Can Fix Brexit Alex Morales and Robert Hutton break down the views of the 11 contenders.  Wall Street Comes to DC Asking What Kind of Populism Is Up Next Blindsided by Trump, investors are turning to Washington analysts to understand how volatile politics might affect their portfolios. Craig Torres takes a closer look.  Road Toll Rage Is Threatening Norway's Conservative Coalition Norway is having its own Yellow Vest moment, Sveinung Sleire writes, as a growing backlash against road tolls threatens to overwhelm the political establishment.  And finally… After decades playing supporting roles in sci-fi fantasies such as The Jetsons and Blade Runner, robotaxis are poised to work their way into everyday life. A host of companies has flown autonomous or semi-autonomous electric aircraft that can take off vertically from almost anywhere, and the first commercial models are scheduled to hit the market next year. Richard Weiss and Stefan Nicola take a look at a half-dozen that might soon fly you to the office, airport, or a night on the town. The EHang 216 is guided via a connection between a passenger's smartphone and the company's command center. Source: EHang    You received this message because you are subscribed to the Bloomberg Politics newsletter Balance of Power. You can tell your friends to sign up here.   Unsubscribe | Bloomberg.com | Contact Us Bloomberg L.P. 731 Lexington, New York, NY, 10022