News of argentina

Handout photo released by the Presidency shows President Alberto Fernández speaking through video-call with the director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva at the presidential residence in Olivos on January 21, 2021.

President Fernández holds talks with IMF chief Georgieva

Today 02:25 The government is hoping to renegotiate repayments on a US$44-billion loan granted to the Mauricio Macri administration by the Fund in 2018.

Coronavirus vaccine

President Fernández receives first dose of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine

Yesterdat 16:31 President Alberto Fernández becomes one of world's first leaders to receive first dose of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine.

Handout picture released on January 20, 2021 by the CTyS-UNLaM Science Outreach Agency showing a palaeontologist during an excavation in which 98 million-year-old fossils were found, at the Candeleros Formation in the Neuquen River Valley, in southwest Argentina. Scientists have unearthed massive, 98-million-year-old fossils in southwest Argentina they say may have belonged to the largest dinosaur ever discovered. Human-sized pieces of fossilized bone belonging to the giant sauropod appear to be 10-20 percent larger than those attributed to Patagotitan mayorum, the biggest dinosaur ever identified, according to a statement Wednesday from the National University of La Matanza's CTYS scientific agency.

DINO DISCOVERY

New Patagonian dinosaur may be largest yet: scientists

Yesterdat 12:11 Scientists have unearthed massive, 98-million-year-old fossils in southwest Argentina they say may have belonged to the largest dinosaur ever discovered.

Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney and Argentine president Alberto Fernández

Beatle in Buenos Aires?

Alberto: 'If Paul McCartney plays Blackbird in my office, I’ll stop eating meat'

20-01-2021 14:11 During meeting with Argentine Vegan Union (UVA), President Alberto Fernández tells campaigners he'll give up eating meat if Beatles singer Paul McCartney turns up and plays a tune in his office.

In this August 13, 2020 file photo, Barcelona's Lionel Messi waves as he arrives at the the team's hotel in Lisbon, Portugal.

TRANSFER SPECULATION

PSG's Pochettino guarded over Messi move

20-01-2021 10:59 Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino played his cards close to his chest when tackled on Spanish radio over a potential move for Lionel Messi.

Players from Boca Juniors' women's team celebrate winning the Transicion 2020 title, after defeating River Plate 7-0.

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Boca thrash River to claim Argentina's inaugural women's pro football title

20-01-2021 08:07 Boca Juniors thrash arch-rivals River Plate 7-0 to claim inaugural professional women's football championship title.

A nurse receives the first dose of 'Gam-COVID-Vac' also known as Sputnik V vaccine in Argentina on December 29, 2020.

Coronavirus vaccine

Argentina begins administering second Sputnik V doses

19-01-2021 22:43 The government began administering second doses of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine Tuesday after receiving another shipment of 300,000 shots at the weekend.

View of the an Argentine flag by the reception desk of the mAbxience biosimilar monoclonal antibody laboratory plant where an experimental coronavirus vaccine will be produced for Latin America in Garin, Buenos Aires Province.

Covid-19 vaccine

Argentina sends Mexico supplies to produce Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine

19-01-2021 17:59 Argentina has sent Mexico the first active ingredient necessary for the development of around one million doses of the British Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

An image released by the Agencia San Juan shows damage from the quake.

EARTHQUAKE

Magnitude-6.4 quake strikes San Juan and other provinces

19-01-2021 09:08 A 6.4-magnitude earthquake shook western and central Argentina late Monday night. At least three individuals were hospitalised as a result.

An Aerolíneas Argentina plane carrying 300,000 doses of the second shot of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine arrives at Ezeiza International Airport.

Coronavirus Pandemic

Second delivery of Russia's Sputnik vaccine arrives in Argentina

18-01-2021 18:13 Flight carrying second doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine arrived at Ezeiza over weekend. Shots will be distributed to recipients in coming weeks.

The headquarters of state-run energy firm YPF.

Bloomberg

Oaktree, BlackRock are among YPF creditors organising

18-01-2021 17:25 Investment firms including Oaktree Capital Management and BlackRock Inc are organising into two groups to negotiate with YPF SA after the state oil producer proposed a debt swap that would saddle them with losses.

Students in a classroom wearing face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus Pandemic

Parents demand return of face-to-face classes at schools

16-01-2021 17:39 Group of parents pressure government, organising themselves via social media to demand restoration of face-to-face classes and a meeting with Education Minister Nicolás Trotta.

Argentina has recorded more than one million Covid-19 infections since the pandemic began.

Global pandemic

Argentina detects first case of British coronavirus variant

16-01-2021 16:24 Argentina has detected its first case of a British-identified coronavirus variant that appears to be more infectious, authorities said Saturday.

The full story of Resolution 125 is as slippery as its sliding scale – something which has much to do with the youthful economy minister making the announcement, Martín Lousteau.

AND THAT REMINDS ME...

Grain means pain, corn meets scorn

16-01-2021 09:13 Maize in a maze would be as good a way as any of describing the government’s slapdash suspension of corn exports early in this new year.

by Michael Soltys

President Alberto Fernández (center) past thursday at Museo Bicentennial with ministers Vilma Ibarra, Santiago Cafiero, Elizabeth Gomez Alcorta and Ginés González García.

ABORTO LEGAL

Es ley: Abortion becomes legal in Argentina

16-01-2021 08:39 Campaigners celebrate culmination of a decades-long fight, as President Alberto Fernandez signs Congress-approved bill into law.

What the State spent funds on (in millions of pesos).

ANALYSING BUDGET

Budget 2020: 60% used to pay pensions, social plans or subsidies

16-01-2021 08:26 Six out of every 10 pesos in last year’s Budget went to paying for pensions, social plans or business subsidies. Both government and private calculations estimate last year’s primary deficit to be around 6.5% of GDP.

by Gabriel Ziblat

A woman at a vaccination post in Buenos Aires.

THE WEEK

What we learned this week: January 9 to 16

16-01-2021 08:19 The key stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.

Máximo Kirchner, the 43-year-old son of two former presidents.

Politics, power & Peronism

Plan Máximo: First the province, then the presidency

16-01-2021 08:03 Máximo Kirchner, 43-year-old son of two former presidents, aims to head the Buenos Aires provincial branch of the PJ movement, before using it as a launching-pad for the 2023 elections. The ultimate goal? The Casa Rosada.

by Carlos Claá & Rodis Recalt, Noticias

OBRA SOCIALES

CGT airs concerns over CFK call for ‘integrated’ health reform

16-01-2021 07:46 Trade unionists seek greater funding for obras sociales healthcare schemes, as leaders express concern over vice-president’s call for ‘integral reform’ of public and private sectors.

Empty classrooms: we need an urgent education reform.

EDITORIAL

Too cool for school, or too hot?

16-01-2021 07:27 Education is the real orphan of the debate on systemic change.

First flight carrying doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine.

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Officials preach ‘prevention and care’ as fatalities surpass 45,000

16-01-2021 07:15 More than 200,000 citizens now vaccinated against Covid-19, says Health Ministry; Second flight carrying doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine due to arrive in Buenos Aires today.

DIPLOMACY

Alberto Fernández to visit Chile's Piñera in Santiago this month

16-01-2021 06:56 President Alberto Fernández will travel to Santiago on January 26 to meet with Chilean President Sebastián Piñera.

Coronavirus Pandemic

Covid patient who took chlorine dioxide dies in hospital

15-01-2021 18:25 Outrage after judge compels private clinic to administer chlorine dioxide to 92-year-old coronavirus patient in a case medical doctors labelled "a scandal."

BLOOMBERG

Crop U-turn peeves importers, lays bare Argentina's infighting

15-01-2021 17:01 Argentina’s chaotic reversal on corn exports could hurt its standing among the world’s top grain suppliers as buyers get exposed to the unpredictability of government feuding.

Ángel Cabrera

Brazil arrests Ángel Cabrera, fugitive golfer accused of abuse

15-01-2021 14:19 Ángel Cabrera, wanted by Interpol on domestic violence charges, was arrested in Rio de Janeiro Thursday, and will be extradited to Argentina to stand trial.

President Alberto Fernandez (C), speaks next to Cabinet Chief Santiago Cafiero (L) and the Minister of Women, Genders and Diversity, Elizabeth Gomez Alcorta, during the promulgation ceremony of the abortion law known as Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy Law (IVE in Spanish) in Buenos Aires, on January 14, 2021. Fernandez sign the law that allows voluntary terminations up to 14 weeks of pregnancy, which was passed by the senate on December 30, 2020.

Abortion rights

Abortion becomes legal in Argentina as Chile starts a debate

15-01-2021 13:12 President Alberto Fernández signs bill allowing abortion until 14th week of pregnancy into law.

COPA LIBERTADORES

Libertadores: River's heroics fall just short, timid Boca fail to get going

15-01-2021 01:25 Any hopes (or fears) of a repeat of 2018's Superclásico Copa Libertadores were extinguished over the course of 48 hours this week.

by Dan Edwards

Global pandemic

Evo Morales: Fernández offered Covid-19 treatment in Argentina

14-01-2021 23:50 Former Bolivia president Evo Morales, who has tested positive for the coronavirus, said on Thursday he has received treatment offers from allies Argentina, Venezuela and Cuba.

Coronavirus pandemic

Government set to authorise re-opening of the cinemas

14-01-2021 23:19 Culture Ministry officials agree coronavirus protocols with business chambers, unions and film industry staff to allow the re-opening of cinemas.

The INDEC national statistics bureau, pictured in Buenos Aires.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

INDEC reveals inflation reached 36.1% in 2020

14-01-2021 19:44 Argentina registered cumulative inflation of 36.1% in 2020, with product prices rising fast in the final months of the year.

A passenger walks through Heathrow terminal in London, England.

Global pandemic

UK to ban South American, Portugal arrivals over Brazil virus strain

14-01-2021 15:47 Britain bans all arrivals from South America, Panama, Cape Verde and Portugal over fears of importing a new coronavirus variant from Brazil.

A poster calling for 'Aborto Legal 2020' is pictured on a street in Buenos Aires.

Abortion law

Legal abortion set to become a reality in Argentina

14-01-2021 09:03 At a special event at the Museo del Bicentenario, President Alberto Fernández will today sign historic bill into law that allows for terminations in the first 14 weeks of gestation.

Many now are working and studying from home to limit the spread of the new coronavirus, one that's testing how productive people can be in a pandemic.

Working from home

Pandemic-driven shift to home work carries risks, UN says

13-01-2021 23:47 Issues facing home workers and their employers need greater attention, including better safeguards and more awareness of the rights and risks involved, warns United Nations.

COPA LIBERTADORES

Santos beat Boca to secure all-Brazil Copa Libertadores final

13-01-2021 23:40 Santos defeated Boca Juniors 3-0 to set up an all-Brazilian Copa Libertadores final after a one-sided semi-final victory in São Paulo on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump and visiting Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro speak during a news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House, Tuesday, March 19, 2019, in Washington.

BRAZIL UNDER BOLSONARO

Brazil's Bolsonaro increasingly isolated as Trump departs

13-01-2021 23:32 When Jair Bolsonaro took office in January 2019 he nurtured relationships with other like-minded, far-right governments, but as the political tide turns he now finds himself and his country increasingly isolated.

President Alberto Fernández visits a laboratory at the Universidad de San Martín, as doctors show him the results of a new blood plasma clinical trial.

Coronavirus pandemic

Scientists prove that Covid-19 survivors’ plasma could reduce deaths

13-01-2021 16:43 Study led by Argentine scientists concludes blood plasma from recovered Covid-19 patients can reduce chances of patient’s becoming seriously sick from virus.

Experts say the danger to global corn production is clear and present.

ANOTHER U-TURN

Government removes maize-export cap, says it will ‘monitor supplies’

13-01-2021 12:27 Alberto Fernández administration U-turns on decision to slap export limits on maize exports, agreeing with producers to instead set up new monitoring system.

This photo taken and handout on January 13, 2021 by The Vatican Media shows Pope Francis (Rear R) holding a live streamed weekly private audience in the library of the apostolic palace in The Vatican.

GLOBAL PANDEMIC

Reports: Pope Francis receives coronavirus vaccine

13-01-2021 12:05 Pope Francis, 84, was given the coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday, according to media reports.

COPA LIBERTADORES

Palmeiras into Libertadores final after VAR thwarts River

13-01-2021 10:19 River dominate semi-final second leg at a empty Allianz Parque stadium in São Paulo, but are twice denied a legendary comeback by controversial VAR decisions.

Coronavirus pandemic

Police raid swingers party – and guests confuse officer with stripper

11-01-2021 19:08 In scenes that seem to have been ripped straight out a comedy movie, police officers in Buenos Aires Province raided a secret swingers’ party this weekend – only for attendees to mistake one officer for a stripper.

Coronavirus pandemic

Argentine judge orders chlorine dioxide be given to Covid patient

11-01-2021 16:28 Outrage as judge compels private clinic to administer chlorine dioxide to a coronavirus patient in a case medical doctors have labelled "a scandal."

The president of the Federación Agraria Argentina, Carlos Achetoni.

paro agrario

Agricultural producers begin three-day strike

11-01-2021 15:27 Agricultural producers begin three-day strike in rejection of the government’s move to suspend maize exports for the next two months, despite last-ditch tweaks to measure.

AGRO TENSIONS

Argentina eases protectionist corn curbs by lifting export ban

11-01-2021 09:23 Government ends temporary ban on grain exports and will instead set a daily sales limit to guarantee domestic supply, as producers begin three-day strike

A man walks in front of the national Congress building during the lockdown imposed by the government to tackle the spread of the new Coronavirus, Covid-19, in Buenos Aires on June 9, 2020.

Coronavirus pandemic

Decree details new nighttime restrictions

09-01-2021 16:07 Regional leaders granted power to decide on timeframe of new restrictions. Officials in Buenos Aires City and Province say businesses, food and drink establishments and venues must shut between 1am to 6am, set 10-person limit on social gatherings.

MALVINAS ISLANDS

Filmus renews Malvinas claim with eye trained on Brexit fallout

09-01-2021 09:10 Government official says sovereignty claim over disputed islands is once again “state policy” under President Alberto Fernández

COPA LIBERTADORES

Boca and River fail to get going in Libertadores semi-finals

09-01-2021 08:37 Xeneize retain hopes of advancing, although they will have to up their efforts significantly. For the Millo, only a near-miracle will secure passage to Rio.

by Dan Edwards

COVID-19 VACCINES

Sales of fake Covid-19 vaccines seen on ‘dark web’

09-01-2021 08:32 Rise in computer crimes detected in relation to Covid-19 vaccines.

THE WEEK

What we learned this week: January 2 to 9

09-01-2021 08:24 Our pick of the headlines from the last seven days in Argentina.

EDITORIAL

A freezing summer

09-01-2021 08:04 The government’s actions speak louder than his words – the elections above all else.

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Government restricts nighttime activities in bid to halt virus

09-01-2021 07:55 Following surge in cases, national government moves to restrict night-time activities and movement of people. Number of regions, including Córdoba, Mendoza and Buenos Aires City, push back on limits.

A farmer ploughs a field as the sun sets to prepare for corn planting in Rojas, Buenos Aires Province.

AGRO TENSIONS

Shift to protectionism riles Argentina’s farmers

09-01-2021 07:47 Farm associations call for three-day halt on trading after government slaps ban on maize exports.

Three-day stoppage next week called by three of four main agricultural groups to protest suspension of maize exports.

AGRO TENSIONS

Amid tension, Farming groups call three-day halt to grain trading

09-01-2021 07:37 Three-day stoppage next week called by three of four main agricultural groups to protest suspension of maize exports.

Yours truly has been a columnist in this newspaper since its very first edition in four different incarnations.

NEW SERIES

And that reminds me…

09-01-2021 07:28 Yours truly has been a columnist in this newspaper since its very first edition in four different incarnations. A new year, a new column.

by Michael Soltys

Bloomberg

Putin’s allies are ordering Sputnik vaccine across Latin America

07-01-2021 16:07 Argentina, Venezuela and now Bolivia have all approved Russia's Sputnik vaccine for emergency use. In all, the countries have placed orders for more than 30 million doses.

From left to right: Lionel Scaloni, Claudio Tapia and Javier Mascherano.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM

Mascherano to take up youth development role with Albiceleste

07-01-2021 15:57 36-year-old and national team legend agrees to head up a new department focused on youth development, AFA announces.

YPF's distinctive tower in Puerto Madero.

Bloomberg

YPF to sell flagship office tower to keep shale dream alive

07-01-2021 15:52 YPF SA plans to sell its iconic office tower in Puerto Madero, which could bring in some US$400 million.

A cargo ship remains anchored on the Paraná River in San Lorenzo, just north of Rosario, in the province of Santa Fe, on December 22, 2020, as workers at agro-export ports hold a strike.

BLOOMBERG

Port strikes keep up disruptions in Argentina

07-01-2021 13:40 Strikes by crop inspectors and maritime workers are prolonging disruptions at grain terminals in Argentina, keeping soy traders alert even as other protests from oilseed crushers have abated.

In this July 20, 2020 file photo, a man jogs during a government-ordered lockdown to curb the spread of the new coronavirus the first night after the city authorised outdoor exercise as part of rolling back restrictions in Buenos Aires

Coronavirus pandemic

Argentina to introduce night-time curfew to reduce Covid-19 infections

07-01-2021 11:43 The government will today announce an immediate national night-time curfew, lasting from 11pm to 6am, until the number of new Covid-19 infections decreases throughout the country.

Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in the US Capitol Rotunda on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.

GLOBAL REACTION

Fernández joins world leaders in condemning 'assault on US democracy'

06-01-2021 23:27 World leaders and governments react with shock to events in United States, as pro-Trump mob breaches US Capitol. President Alberto Fernández condemns "serious acts of violence" in Washington DC.

COPA LIBERTADORES

Boca, Santos play out tense Copa Libertadores stalemate

06-01-2021 23:16 Xenieze and Santos out a tense 0-0 draw at an empty Bombonera stadium in their Copa Libertadores semi-final first leg tie.

Buenos Aires City Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta.

Coronavirus pandemic

City Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta tests positive for Covid-19

06-01-2021 18:00 Buenos Aires City Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta confirms in tweet that he has tested positive for Covid-19.

COVID-19 VACCINES

China offers to ‘boost cooperation' with Argentina on vaccines

06-01-2021 16:54 Xi Jinping says his country is "ready to work" with Argentina to boost cooperation and advance development of vaccines against coronavirus, as talks to acquire doses of Chinese shots continue.

BLOOMBERG

Corn up to US$5 a bushel and soybeans spike

06-01-2021 14:50 Maize climbed to US$5 a bushel and soybeans rallied for a sixth day, driving both crops to fresh six-year highs, as farmer protests and dry weather pose threat to supplies.

Neo-Nazi sectors organise and attack with the complicity of big platforms and judicial weakness. Three practical lessons for detecting haters. And an open mission.

Data journalism

How to hunt down a hate group on the Internet

06-01-2021 05:00 In the second of two articles on hate speech and online communication, technology expert Julio López explores how to become involved in the fight against messages of discrimination and prejudice on social networks.

by Julio López

A health worker shows a vial of the Sputnik V vaccine at the Centenario Hospital in Rosario, Santa Fe Province,

Covid-19 vaccine

Anger and allegations after loss of 400 doses of Sputnik vaccine

05-01-2021 23:30 The Buenos Aires Province government and Olavarría City Hall swapped angry accusations on Tuesday when 400 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine had to be discarded.

Victoria Donda, pictured in a file photo.

ACCUSED OF WRONGDOING

Domestic worker scandal puts pressure on INADI chief Donda

05-01-2021 23:10 Victoria Donda, head of the government’s anti-discrimination agency INADI, faces allegations she irregularly employed a maid for several years and then sought to solve problem by offering her employee a social plan or a state job.

Legenda: Fascists, negationists and violent individuals have found, in social networks, an extraordinary amplifier for their messages of hate.

Hate & social media

Hate groups flourish on social networks in Argentina

05-01-2021 05:00 In the first of a two-part series on hate speech and online communication, technology expert Julio López explores how easy it is for messages of discrimination and prejudice to spread on social networks.

by Julio López, via PERFIL

Mauricio Pochettino takes a PSG training session.

FRENCH FOOTBALL

Pochettino starts at PSG with no time to waste

05-01-2021 00:00 Refreshed after a year out of the game, Argentine coach has resurfaced at a club where he was a popular player: Paris Saint-Germain.

President Alberto Fernández, pictured at an event in Chapadmalal on Sunday.

Coronavirus pandemic

Fernández: ‘People aren’t being careful… the pandemic is not over’

04-01-2021 14:04 President “concerned” by new surge of infections and calls on citizens, especially young people, to observe preventative measures.

Pope Francis attends an audience with participants of a course on the Internal Forum promoted by the Apostolic Penitentiary Court, in the Pope Paul VI hall, at the Vatican, Friday, March 29, 2019.

ARGENTINE PONTIFF

Pope recalls his youth playing football, dubs Maradona "poet"

03-01-2021 16:16 The first pope from Latin America called Diego Maradona a "poet" on the field, as he weighed in on the joys of sport in an interview with Italian newspaper.