THE WEEK IN REVIEW Stories that caught our eye: April 19 to 26 Yesterday 20:21 A selection of stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
Foreign relations & diplomacy Top officials to meet People's Bank of China chief amid swap talks Yesterday 17:20 Argentina’s Central Bank Governor Santiago Bausili and Finance Secretary Pablo Quirno are scheduled to meet with People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng in Beijing on Monday.
VINTAGE BEAUTY 60-year-old Miss Universe hopeful challenges age-old beauty norms 25-04-2024 16:26 Sixty-year-old Alejandra Rodríguez, from La Plata, hopes to compete in the Miss Universe pageant that will take place in Mexico City later this year – but first, she needs to win Argentina's domestic crown.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Argentina, 17 other nations to call on Hamas to release Israeli hostages 25-04-2024 12:55 Argentina signs joint statement calling for the release of the hostages held in Gaza; Casa Rosada's release says nation is aligned with "nations of the free world."
EU-MERCOSUR DEAL Mercosur deal is ‘absolute priority’ for the EU, says chief negotiator 24-04-2024 15:36 Rupert Schlegelmilch, the EU’s chief negotiator for a free-trade deal with Mercosur bloc, says he is hoping to close this deal “as soon as possible,” pinpointing “June or July” as a possible date.
AMIA BOMBING PROBE 'Illegal': Iran slams Argentina bid to arrest minister over AMIA attack 24-04-2024 15:21 Tehran condemns "illegal" Argentine request for Interpol to arrest Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi over his alleged involvement in the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires.
AMIA BOMBING INVESTIGATION Argentina seeks arrest of Iranian minister over 1994 AMIA bombing 23-04-2024 23:11 President Javier Milei's government calls for Interpol to assist in the arrest of Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, in connection with the bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre in 1994.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Diana Mondino heads to China, Europe on investment quest 23-04-2024 20:52 Argentina’s foreign minister will set off on Sunday for a 10-day tour of China, France, Belgium and Portugal, accompanied by a “large business delegation.”
HUMAN RIGHTS Young activists call on states, tech firms to uphold digital rights 23-04-2024 18:01 Amnesty International’s Global Youth Summit convenes in Buenos Aires as rights campaigners discuss intricacies of life online. by Girah Lundy-Joseph
INTERVIEW James Rubin: 'China is supporting Russia's war in Ukraine and repeating its crazy arguments' 20-04-2024 05:24 China is supporting “materially, diplomatically, and even repeating Russia’s crazy arguments for this war,” says James Rubin, the United States’ top diplomat in charge of battling disinformation abroad. by Agustino Fontevecchia
TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Information warfare threatens integrity and freedom 20-04-2024 05:13 While some nations embrace transparency and open dialogue, others view information as a means of exerting power and control over their citizens. by Sofia Rodriguez
TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Disinformation hackathon battles manipulation, takes fight to fake news 19-04-2024 12:06 Journalists, programmers, data analysts and designers meet in Buenos Aires to debate and design tools to combat disinformation at an event organised by Fundación Perfil.
CRISIS IN MIDDLE EAST Global calls for calm after reported Israeli strike on Iran 19-04-2024 10:55 World leaders appealed for calm on April 19 after reported Israeli retaliation against Iran added to months of tense spillover from the war in Gaza, with Iranian state media reporting explosions in the central province of Isfahan.
CRISIS IN MIDDLE EAST Israel launches strike against Iran, reports US media 18-04-2024 23:55 Israel has launched a strike against Iran in retaliation for its weekend attack, US media reported Thursday night.
RELATIONS WITH CHINA Central Bank chief Bausili among top officials headed to China 18-04-2024 18:02 Top government officials are preparing to visit China in the next few weeks as President Javier Milei ditches his aggressive rhetoric against Beijing in a bid to deepen ties with a key trade partner.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Argentina formally asks to become ‘global partner’ of NATO 18-04-2024 16:09 Defence Minister Luis Petri delivers letter of intent to authorities from transatlantic military alliance, seeking Argentina's approval as a "global partner" of NATO.
GEOPOLITICAL ROW Argentine delegation inspects Chinese space station in Neuquén 18-04-2024 14:42 Group of government officials, scientists and experts visit controversial deep space station run by Beijing; Inspection comes after heavy pressure from Washington.
NEW STREAMING SERIES New series shows how Máxima became a Dutch queen 18-04-2024 14:01 Delfina Chaves takes the lead in the biopic mini-series charting the life of the Argentine queen of Dutch King Willem-Alexander, entitled simply 'Máxima.'
World Organisation for Animal Health Argentine veterinarian looks to conquer French multilateral bastion 18-04-2024 00:23 Luis Barcos, the Argentine candidate to be the next director-general of the World Organisation for Animal Health, is looking to become the first non-French person to lead the ex-Office International des Epizooties.
FOREIGN POLICY & ECONOMY Mondino: Mercosur must open up to ‘agreements with other countries’ 17-04-2024 17:16 Argentina's Foreign Minister Diana Mondino calls for modernisation of Mercosur rules and backs push for free-trade deal with China.
DIPLOMACY Bullrich sparks row with Bolivia, Chile with Hezbollah claims 17-04-2024 16:36 Bullrich alleges the presence of Iranian-linked forces in Bolivia and Chile, along with Triple Frontier; Arce’s administration calls for “end of provocation,” while Boric demands respect.
PRESIDENTIAL U-TURN Milei will no longer fly commercial for security reasons, says spokesperson 16-04-2024 17:22 Javier Milei reverses previous decision to travel by commercial airliner on foreign trips abroad; Decision follows recommendation by Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, who has asked that President’s protection be stepped up.
RESEARCH Probe to determine if sunken sub off Argentina’s coast is Nazi U-boat 16-04-2024 17:00 Investigative mission to identify wreckage of sunken submarine found off coast of Necochea, Buenos Aires Province, in 2022 begins with deployment of underwater cameras and ROVs; According to naval research group Eslabón Perdido, the remains are likely those of a scuttled Nazi-era U-boat.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IMF ups global growth forecast but signals medium-term pessimism 16-04-2024 13:25 International Monetary Fund slightly raises outlook for global growth this year to 3.2%; Multilateral lenders reiterates forecast that Argentina's GDP will fall by 2.8% and that inflation in 2024 will be 150%.
DEFENCE SPENDING Petri hails Milei's leadership as he inks deal for F-16 jets in Denmark 16-04-2024 12:52 Argentina’s Defence Minister offers gushing praise for President Javier Milei as he visits a Danish air base to finalise future purchase of 24 F-16 fighter jets from Denmark.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Milei proclaims Argentina's 'unwavering commitment' to Israel 15-04-2024 16:07 Argentina’s government expresses its “solidarity and unwavering commitment" to Israel in the face of weekend attack by Iran.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY President Milei cuts short international trip over Mideast crisis 13-04-2024 21:56 President Javier Milei is ending his international trip early to handle his country's response to the crisis in the Middle East.
AGRICULTURE & ECONOMY World’s top fertiliser maker plans exit from Argentina, Chile 13-04-2024 16:59 Nutrien, the world’s largest maker of fertilisers, says it is looking to sell its retail operations in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.
MILEI MEETS MUSK President Milei meets Elon Musk at Tesla factory in Austin 12-04-2024 14:52 Argentina’s President flies from Miami to Texas for a meeting with SpaceX boss Elon Musk at his Telsa factory in Austin; X owner gives Javier Milei tour of building as photos of encounter go viral online.
Bloomberg Tech giant with 30,000 employees has no return-to-office policy 12-04-2024 14:17 Software company Globant SA’s sleek office in downtown Buenos Aires are quite the attraction, but Chief Executive Officer Martin Migoya is choosing not to adopt a return-to-office policy for his nearly 30,000 employees across 33 countries.
EU-MERCOSUR DEAL EU commission expresses 'frustration' over stalled EU-Mercosur trade deal 12-04-2024 09:41 European parliamentary delegation responsible for relations with Mercosur has failed to seal deal, much to the “frustration” of EU lawmakers.
AMIA BOMBING RULING AMIA bombing: Argentina court holds Iran, Hezbollah responsible 11-04-2024 19:28 Court blames 'terrorist state' Iran for 1990s attacks; Ex-judge Galeano’s sentence reduced, opening the door to lawsuits in international courts, judges ratify attack as crime against humanity.
MILEI, MIAMI & MUSK Milei reveals Jewish family tale as he visits US for Musk meeting 11-04-2024 14:12 Libertarian leader, who was joined in Miami by his girlfriend Fátima Florez, reveals previously unknown familial tie to Jewish faith as he receives award from religious organisation; High expectation ahead of meeting with Elon Musk in Texas as plans are drawn up for mogul’s 2025 visit to Argentina.
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND IMF faces pressure to cut billions in fees for large borrowers 09-04-2024 16:51 IMF releases statement saying that “a number” of its board members were open to reviewing policies around surcharges, a move that could benefit Argentina, among other nations.
MUTUAL APPRECIATION SOCIETY President Milei to meet Elon Musk at Tesla factory in Texas 09-04-2024 12:59 After months of online flattery and praise, Argentina’s self-proclaimed “anarcho-capitalist” head of state will finally meet billionaire businessman Elon Musk in-person at Tesla’s factory in Austin, Texas.
CRYPTOCURRENCIES Amid crisis, half-million Argentines give up iris scans for cryptocurrency 08-04-2024 17:26 In recent months, hundreds of thousands of people have stood in front of an orb to scan the iris of their eyes in inflation-hit Argentina. But the Worldcoin cryptocurrency, with a verification system based on iris recognition, is being closely watched by regulators in several countries.
POLITICS & ECONOMY Elon Musk and Latin America: Ideological affinities and business opportunities 08-04-2024 16:33 Billionaire Elon Musk is using his social network X to take communion with the right-wing in Latin America, a region with natural resources that could help make him even richer.
CATHOLIC CHURCH Against abortion, for LGBTQ rights: Vatican defends 'human dignity' 08-04-2024 16:14 Vatican publishes new text condemning "grave violations of human dignity," listing abortion, surrogacy and gender theory alongside discrimination against migrants and LGBTQ people.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Milei: Argentina in talks with Ukraine, military aid a possibility 08-04-2024 12:22 President Milei plans to meet with Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy in mid-June and says talks between two nations includes potential sending of military aid.
CENSORSHIP ROW Brazil judge orders probe of Elon Musk as censorship row erupts 08-04-2024 11:01 Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes opens investigation into comments by Elon Musk after X owner criticises him in row over censorship.
TAX-EVASION SCANDAL 'Panama Papers' trial to begin eight years after tax scandal 08-04-2024 09:20 Twenty-seven people in the dock for money-laundering as the "Panama Papers" case reaches trial, eight years after scandal first broke out.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW Stories that caught our eye: March 29 to April 5 05-04-2024 17:12 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Milei: ‘We must strengthen strategic alliance with United States’ 05-04-2024 17:01 President travels to Tierra del Fuego, where he meets with US General Laura Richardson and commits to forging closer ties with Washington; New aircraft incorporated into Argentina’s Air Force.
OPINION & ANALYSIS Kahneman and Milei 05-04-2024 10:00 Israeli-US psychologist and Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman has shown that people make decisions in contexts of uncertainty, based on feelings of pleasure and pain, interest and boredom, joy and suffering, satisfaction and dissatisfaction. The communication of an election campaign focuses on promises, but people judge governments by hard facts. by Jaime Duran Barba
International Monetary Fund IMF chief Georgieva sole candidate in re-election process 04-04-2024 16:29 IMF Manging Director Kristalina Georgieva poised for a second term as nominations close.
PRESIDENT ABROAD Milei heads overseas: from 'ambassador of light' to the far right 04-04-2024 14:02 The President will travel next week to Miami where “his tireless efforts on behalf of Israel” will be recognised, also meeting with US business leaders. Next month Milei flies to Europe to participate at an event organised by Spanish far-right party Vox.
GEOPOLITICAL CONCERNS Government considers inspection of Chinese space station in Neuquén 02-04-2024 18:43 Echoing concerns of US officials, President Javier Milei's administration believes there are irregularities in contracts signed authorising the Espacio Lejano space station, a Chinese base in southern Neuquén province, as well as its activities.
MALVINAS SOVEREIGNTY DISPUTE Milei vows Malvinas 'road map' as he plays politics with sovereignty claim 02-04-2024 11:19 President Milei slams his predecessors in office and vows "new era of reconciliation with the Armed Forces" at ceremony marking 42nd anniversary of war in South Atlantic.
EU-MERCOSUR DEAL EU-Mercosur trade deal: impossible to achieve? 31-03-2024 15:08 With France continuing to voice strong objections, stalled trade deal looks no closer to reaching fruition.
ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ‘Impossible to hide’ differences with Russia, says Armenia's top diplomat 30-03-2024 18:00 Armenia’s Ararat Mirzoyan highlights security challenges and provides further evidence that Yerevan is embarking on geopolitical realignment; Foreign minister denies nation will look to join NATO. by James Grainger
EU-MERCOSUR DEAL Macron slams 'very bad' EU-Mercosur deal, proposes negotiating new one 28-03-2024 14:48 French President Emmanuel Macron delivers withering remarks about deal that took 20 years to negotiate and suggests ripping it up and starting all over again.
BRANDED CONTENT Tax benefits you should know about as a US expat living in Buenos Aires 27-03-2024 13:34 Buenos Aires is home to a large number of US expatriates – it is expected that in 2024 more than 60,000 people from the United States will live in the Argentine capital.
DEFENCE & SECURITY Denmark to sell fighter jets to Argentina following US approval 26-03-2024 22:37 Milei government signs letter of intent with Denmark, agrees to buy 24 F-16 fighter jets in “coming years” at a cost of around US$300 million.
WAR IN MIDDLE EAST UN Security Council demands 'immediate' ceasefire in Gaza 25-03-2024 11:54 UN Security Council demands 'immediate' Gaza ceasefire for first time; Only United States abstains, 14 other members vote in favour.
As I see it The dragon is getting older too fast 23-03-2024 06:32 Not that long ago, many took it for granted that China would soon overtake the United States to become the world's top nation, but there are plenty of good reasons to think they were mistaken. by James Neilson
THE WEEK IN REVIEW Stories that caught our eye: March 15 to 22 22-03-2024 15:35 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
MERCOSUR TRADE DEALS EFTA euro nations eye Mercosur deal before year-end 22-03-2024 15:00 Parliamentary representatives from European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) stop in Buenos Aires as part of regional tour focusing on efforts to secure free-trade deal with the Mercosur bloc. by James Grainger
REGIONAL ROW Venezuela faces criticism over arrests ahead of vote 22-03-2024 00:21 Argentina leads international criticism of Venezuela over its arrest of two top aides to opposition leader María Corina Machado, a surging rival to President Nicolás Maduro.
GUEST COLUMN Purim and the National Day of Memory for Truth and Justice 22-03-2024 00:01 Argentina’s National Day of Memory for Truth and Justice is to be commemorated on the same day that we observe and celebrate Purim in the Hebrew calendar. by Batia D. de Nemirovsky & Ariel Gelblung *
INTELLIGENCE SERVICES CIA chief William Burns travels to Argentina for meetings 21-03-2024 13:03 Cabinet Chief Nicolás Posse meets with the head of the US intelligence services at the Casa Rosada; CIA head latest in a long list of officials from Washington to visit Buenos Aires since President Javier Milei took office.
LENDING BOOM IMF is lending near-record US$150-billion to counter debt and wars 19-03-2024 13:09 The International Monetary Fund is lending around US$151 billion to almost 100 countries, evidence of its growing role as a backstop against the financial and political dangers of the post-pandemic world.
BUSINESS Enel suspends sale of Edesur amid Milei optimism 18-03-2024 22:45 Enel becomes the first major multinational to pivot its strategy in Argentina based principally on Milei’s shock therapy economic plan.
COMMUNITY Irish Embassy celebrates St Patrick’s Day with minister’s visit 18-03-2024 14:09 Irish Embassy combines traditional elements with an original venue for Saint Patrick’s Day celebration. by Michael Soltys
Democrat or dictator? Kremlin hails 'exceptional' Putin win in vote blasted by West 18-03-2024 12:05 In power since the last day of 1999, Vladimir Putin is now on course to become the longest-serving Russian leader in more than two centuries.
UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Biden and Trump gird for marathon White House race 15-03-2024 16:11 US presidential campaign begins in earnest as both candidates win enough backing to secure nominations – but the election is still eight months away.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW Stories that caught our eye: March 8 to 15 15-03-2024 12:50 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
argentine pontiff Girls, rivalries, football in Pope Francis's first memoir 15-03-2024 12:46 Pope Francis' new autobiography, which will be released next week, sees the 87-year-old is storytelling mode, joking around about his past. But he also addresses serious aspects, like his role during Argentina's 1976-1983 dictatorship.
US COURT CASE Argentina sued in United States over unpaid fuel for presidential plane 14-03-2024 18:29 Associated Energy Group files lawsuit against Argentina for failing to make payments to cover fuel costs from the presidential plane during trips by former president Alberto Fernández and current head of state Javier Milei.
AGRICULTURE & ECONOMY US green fuel push threatens Argentina’s main export market 14-03-2024 15:56 Biden administration’s landmark decarbonisation plan has the potential to cause tectonic shifts in global agricultural markets – and deal a damaging blow to Argentina’s troubled economy.
US ELECTIONS 2024 Trump, Biden clinch enough delegates for US presidential nomination 13-03-2024 11:58 Results in four statewide elections, the latest in the months-long march to determine Democratic and Republican candidates, ensure that Joe Biden and Donald Trump have enough delegates to clinch their party nominations and set up a rematch later this year.