Page 3 - Argentina

Argentina's unions protest president's cutbacks, deregulation and austerity

Thousands of union members and activists took to the streets of Argentina's capital on Wednesday to protest a decree from President Javier Milei that imposes sweeping deregulation and austerity measures meant to revive the country's struggling economy. Unions had asked a court for a prior injunction to block measures lifting some labour protections, but a judge rejected the appeal, noting the decree had not yet entered into effect. It does so on Friday. Argentine labour activists question whether Milei, a self-described anarcho-capitalist who has long railed against the country's political caste, can impose the measures by way of an emergency decree bypassing the legislature where his party has few seats. We do not question the president's legitimacy ... but we want a president who respects the division of powers, who understands that workers have the need to defend themselves individually and within the framework of justice when there is unconstitutionality, said Gerardo Martnez, .

Argentina's new president lays off 5,000 government employees hired in 2023

The administration of Argentina's new President Javier Milei said on Tuesday that his government won't renew contracts for more than 5,000 employees hired this year before he took office. The move was part of a sweeping plan of cutbacks and devaluations announced by the right-wing libertarian since he took office on Dec. 10 to transform Argentina's struggling economy. The contracts for other government employees, who were hired prior to 2023, will be reviewed, authorities said. The 2023 cutoff is apparently meant to target the practice of outgoing presidents padding the payrolls in their final year. With inflation expected to reach about 200% by the end of the year, Milei has pledged to reduce government regulations and payrolls, and allow the privatization of state-run industries as a way to boost exports and investment. The cutbacks have already drawn protests but Milei has vowed to forge ahead. The goal is (to) start on the road to rebuilding our country, return freedom and ...

India set to acquire five lithium blocks in Argentina spotted by KABIL

"Talks are in the final stages, and a proposal has been submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for approval," said government officials aware of the development

A year in politics: A recap of all key global events that shaped 2023

From geopolitical conflicts to historic political shifts, 2023 has been a year of significant milestones. Dive into the key political events that left an indelible mark on the world stage

Crypto wrap: Bitcoin gains on Argentina's endorsement, ETF anticipation

Experts suggest that Bitcoin may soon reach the $48,000 level if the momentum persists

Indictment against Hezbollah figure says he helped plan Argentina bombing

A high-ranking member of Hezbollah's Islamic Jihad Organisation was charged with terrorism offences, including the bombing of a building in Argentina in 1994 that killed 85 people, in an indictment unsealed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court. Samuel Salman El Reda, 58, who remains at large and is believed to be in Lebanon, was described by federal authorities as the leader of terrorist activity carried out by Hezbollah since at least 1993. From 1993 to 2015, he conspired to support terrorists in Lebanon, Argentina, Panama, Thailand and elsewhere, the indictment said as it listed six aliases for El Reda, including Salman Ramal, Sulayman Rammal, Salman Raouf Salman and Hajj. He faces conspiracy charges and a count alleging he provided material support to a terrorist organisation. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G Olsen said in a release that El Reda nearly three decades ago helped plan and execute the heinous attack on a Buenos Aires Jewish community centre that murdered 85 ...

Thousands protest austerity measures of Argentina's new president Milei

Protests began Wednesday against the austerity and deregulation measures announced by Argentina's newly elected President Javier Milei, whose government had also warned against blocking streets. For years it has been common for protesters in Argentina to block streets for long periods of time; while Milei's administration has said it will allow protests, it threatened to cut off public aid payments to anyone who blocks thoroughfares. Marchers began gathering in Buenos Aires, the capital, and set out toward the iconic Plaza de Mayo, the scene of protests dating back to the country's 1980s dictatorship. Police struggled to keep marchers from taking over the entire boulevard. Eduardo Belliboni, one of the march's organisers, said demonstrators faced an enormous repressive apparatus. Belliboni's left-wing Polo Obrero group has a long history of leading street blockades. Belliboni claimed marches wouldn't fit on the sidewalks. This (the street) is where people move around all over the .

There is no money: Argentina begins shock remedy to jolt stagnant economy

Total spending cuts will amount to 2.9% of gross domestic product, a senior government official said later. The goal is to eliminate the primary budget deficit

Argentina to devalue peso by more than 50% to help its struggling economy

In recent years, Argentina's central bank has printed more of the peso to help the country's government avoid defaulting on its debt. That has resulted in skyrocketing prices

Ukraine Prez Zelenskyy in Argentina to win support from developing nations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Buenos Aires to witness the swearing-in on Sunday of Argentina's new president, Javier Milei. It is the Ukrainian leader's first-ever trip to Latin America as Kyiv continues to court support among developing nations for its 21-month-old fight against Russia's invading forces. Milei welcomed Zelenskyy at the presidential palace after his inauguration. The two shared an extended hug, exchanged words and then Milei, who has said he intends to convert to Judaism, presented his Ukrainian counterpart with a menorah as a gift. They were expected to have a longer one-on-one meeting later on Sunday. A political outsider who has railed against what he calls entrenched official corruption in Argentina and promised to uproot the political establishment, Milei ran on a pro-Western foreign policy platform, repeatedly expressing distrust of Moscow and Beijing. Zelenskyy phoned Milei shortly after the Argentinian's electoral victory, thanking him

World Cup Qualifier: ARG beat BRA 1-0 after crowd violence delays start

Many fans came to the Maracana Stadium to watch Lionel Messi in his likely last match in Brazil, a superclasico in World Cup qualifying against the hosts. Instead, they saw Nicols Otamendi score the only goal in a 1-0 win for Argentina after a brawl between fans that delayed the start of the game. The World Cup champions inflicted the first home defeat on Brazil ever in World Cup qualifying. It was Brazil's third consecutive loss in the round-robin tournament another negative mark for new coach Fernando Diniz. Messi left the pitch in the 78th minute amid a mixture of jeers and applause from Brazil fans. Dozens of children arrived at the Maracana wearing the shirts of Barcelona, the star's previous club, and Inter Miami. The Argentine star wasn't able to end one of his last barriers in the sport at the Maracana, though, to score against the Brazilians in a World Cup qualifier. Argentina will return home not only atop the South American qualifying standings but also having given it

Meet Javier Milei, Argentina's President-elect who promised radical changes

Known as 'Argentina's Trump', Milei secured a landslide victory in the presidential election and promised radical changes

Far-right Milei wins Argentina presidential elections amid inflation rage

Provisional results so far show Milei with over 55 per cent of votes (13,781,154) with more than 94 per cent of votes counted

Messi's Argentina lose 1st match since World Cup, Colombia beat Brazil

Lionel Messi could not help Argentina extend its unbeaten streak since its World Cup title. Uruguay beat Argentina 2-0 at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires on Thursday in a World Cup qualifying match, its biggest victory so far under new coach Marcelo Bielsa. Argentina hadn't lost a competitive match since its group-stage opener against Saudi Arabia during last year's World Cup in Qatar. Brazil continued its so far poor campaign in qualifying with a 2-1 loss at Colombia, its second consecutive defeat in the round-robin competition. Striker Luiz Diaz scored twice on headers to lead an impressive turnaround at the Metropolitano Stadium in Barranquilla, with his father celebrating in the stands only days after being released by kidnappers. Argentina still leads the 10-team South American qualifying group with 12 points from five matches. Uruguay is second with 10 points. Colombia has nine and Venezuela eight. Brazil will host the World Cup champions at the Maracana Stadium in Rio d

Football legend Lionel Messi wins Ballon d'Or award for record eighth time

Aitana Bonmati, the Spanish footballer representing Barcelona and the winner of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup got the Women's Ballon d'Or award, which was presented by Serbian tennis legend Djokovic

World Cup Qualifiers: Messi doubtful starter; Vinicius back with Brazil

Lionel Messi is again a doubtful starter for Argentina in the next World Cup qualifying match against Paraguay. The Argentina captain scored in the opening 1-0 win over Ecuador but skipped the 3-0 win at Bolivia last month because of muscular pains that have also sidelined him from several matches for Inter Miami in the MLS. The World Cup champions are due to host Paraguay on Thursday at Buenos Aires. Vinicius Jr missed Brazil's first two games in South American qualifying but is back in the starting lineup after recovering from an injury. The Selecao will take on Venezuela in Cuiaba. Argentina and Brazil are 2-0 in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after victories last month. The continental archrivals are due to meet in November. Colombia is in third spot in the 10-team standings with four points. Uruguay and Venezuela each have three points, followed by Paraguay, Peru and Chile with one point each. Ecuador hasn't registered a competition point despite its 2-1 win over Uruguay

Women's Reservation Bill: Where else have seats been reserved for women?

Parliament special session: In 2018, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) report, only 24 per cent of parliamentarians were women

US judge orders Argentina to pay $16 bn for expropriation of YPF oil co

A US judge ruled that Argentina must pay USD 16.1 billion to minority shareholders of state-controlled oil company YPF due to the government's 2012 nationalization of a majority stake in the firm. US District Judge Loretta Preska in New York issued final judgment Friday detailing the dollar amount that the South American country would have to pay. Preska on Friday ordered Argentina to pay USD 14.38 billion to Petersen Energa, including USD 7.5 billion in damages and USD 6.85 billion in interest and USD 1.7 billion to Eton Capital, including USD 897.75 million in damages and USD 816.58 million in interest. Interest will continue to accrue if Argentina fails to pay, Preska said. Argentina, which is currently suffering dire economic woes that include a low level of Central Bank reserves, rising poverty and a galloping inflation of more than 100 per cent per year, has vowed to appeal the ruling. A week earlier, Preska had made clear it was siding with the plaintiffs in the long-running

Dollarisation of a different kind

Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures. Hence, the proposed dollarisation in Argentina

New Delhi-Buenos Aires ties solid: Argentina prez on defence partnership

Prez Alberto Fernandez, who is in the national capital and is attending the G20 Summit, further praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi a leader who has been recognized across the world