News of world

Javier Milei during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, on February 22.

US official quietly visits capital as Argentina pushes for tariff exemptions

Today 15:06 Senior US trade envoy quietly visits Buenos Aires as Argentina’s pushes for exemptions to Donald Trump’s import tariffs.

Argentine cardinal Ángel Sixto Rossi walks after a congregation meeting at The Vatican, on May 5, 2025.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Catholic Church's direction in the balance as conclave looms

Today 13:33 More than 130 cardinals, hailing from 70 countries across five continents, are gathering for a conclave to elect the successor to the late Pope Francis.

As I see it

When the machines stop working

03-05-2025 07:00 A growing proportion of decisions that affect people will be made by artefacts that can be hacked either by individuals working for hostile regimes, religious zealots who disapprove of Western ways or mere mischief-makers who get a kick out of provoking turmoil.

by James Neilson

Anti-IMF and anti-Milei protesters during a CGT rally in Buenos Aires on April 30, 2025.

the week in review

Stories that caught our eye: April 25 to May 1

01-05-2025 17:00 Our (almost a weekly) round-up of what you need to know about Argentina.

President Javier Milei and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping.

ARGENTINA-CHINA RELATIONS

Chinese business interests await gesture from Milei towards Xi

01-05-2025 09:18 Over-enthusiasm for the United States has damaged links with China, hampering political moves towards investment and trade agreements. A presidential trip to the Asian power is the key to smoothing the acrimony.

by Eugenia Muzio

GUEST COLUMN

Batakis: IMF betting on Milei because his failure would also be theirs

01-05-2025 07:42 This is a “political loan,” if not to say a campaign contribution, as in 2018.

This photograph a shows a view of a mozaic portrait of late Pope Francis (R) and an empty space for the next pope to be elected in an upcoming conclave, inside of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome on April 30, 2025.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Crowds flock to tomb of Pope Francis, as eyes turn to conclave

30-04-2025 14:46 Cardinals from around the world will meet under Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel on May 7 to elect a new leader of the Catholic Church after Pope Francis's death.

MINING & INDUSTRY

McEwen weighs Argentina share listing as part of copper unit IPO

30-04-2025 11:53 McEwen Copper is planning an IPO in New York or Toronto to help fund construction of its Los Azules project in San Juan Province.

Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos appears before the lower house Chamber of Deputies to answer questions.

'CRYPTOGATE' SCANDAL

Francos faces Congress grilling over Milei’s links to '$LIBRA' scam

29-04-2025 23:50 Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos says President Milei “does not and did not maintain any link with the” '$LIBRA' crypto scam in lengthy session before lawmakers.

Alvin Holsey, head of United States Southern Command, meets President Milei.

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

US, Argentina deepen ‘strategic’ ties as top military officer visits

29-04-2025 15:12 Alvin Holsey, head of United States Southern Command, meets President Milei as three-day trip to Buenos Aires begins; Admiral will also visit base in Ushuaia.

Geopolitcs & trade

Xi is trying to turn world against US as Trump cuts trade deals

29-04-2025 11:03 Beijing officials are racing to turn foreign governments against the United States inside a 90-day window Trump has granted all nations — except China — to strike trade deals during a tariff reprieve.

POLITICS & ECONOMY

Kicillof demands IMF probe into Georgieva's pro-Milei comments

28-04-2025 15:08 Buenos Aires Province governor and socialist lawmakers call for investigation after IMF chief’s controversial remarks that seemed to back Milei administration ahead of Argentina’s midterms.

Ronnie Scott's funeral at the British Cemetery in Chacarita, Buenos Aires.

COMMUNITY

Ronnie Scott laid to rest at British Cemetery

28-04-2025 15:07 Ronald David Scott remembered with “honour, respect and affection” at service at the British Cemetery in Chacarita.

by Michael Soltys

A man uses a smartphone next to a flag of Argentina as people gather in St Peter's square to attend a holy mass a day after the funeral of Pope Francis, in The Vatican, on April 27, 2025.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Conclave starts May 7, with cardinals saying new pope must tackle abuse

28-04-2025 13:34 Cardinals will begin their conclave to elect a new pope on May 7.

Images from the files declassified by Argentina's government.

DECLASSIFICATION DRIVE

Argentina opens up secret Nazi fugitive files to public

28-04-2025 12:19 On orders of President Javier Milei, General Archive of the Nation releases 1,850 files on activities of Nazi fugitives in Argentina; Files, now accessible to the public online, include details of banking operations, intelligence reports and more.

This photograph taken with slow shutter and zooming effect shows cardinals (top) and bishops (bottom) attending a holy mass a day after the funeral of Pope Francis, at St Peter's square in The Vatican, on April 27, 2025.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Diplomacy likely to trump geography in choice of new pope

27-04-2025 10:36 Pope Francis championed far-flung regions long overlooked by the Church and a non-European pope would make sense, given that Catholicism is growing in Africa and Asia.

Italian cardinal and Vatican's Secretary of State Pietro Parolin officiates during a holy mass a day after the funeral of Pope Francis, at St Peter's square in The Vatican, on April 27, 2025.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Continuity or rupture: what direction for the next pope?

27-04-2025 10:30 The question now is whether Pope Francis' successor will walk the same liberal path, or take the Catholic Church in a new direction.

Argentina's President Javier Milei, Presidential Chief-of-Staff Karina Milei and other leaders look on as pallbearers prepare to lift the coffin during late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025.

DEATH OF POPE FRANCIS

Hundreds of thousands mourn Pope Francis at Vatican funeral

26-04-2025 08:55 Coffin of Pope Francis laid to rest at the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome for burial, following his funeral at the Vatican.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the late Pope Francis.

OBITUARY: POPE FRANCIS (1936-2025)

The Pope from the 'ends of the earth' called to 'repair' the Church

26-04-2025 05:00 Jorge Bergoglio enters history as the first American Pope. During his time heading the Catholic Church, he reformed Vatican governance, pushed for peace and reconciliation and guided the Church through some of the darkest moments in recent years, taking measures against child abuse by members of the clergy.

by Darío Silva D'Andrea

As I see it

Goodbye to the Argentine papacy

26-04-2025 05:00 While some of the causes Bergoglio embraced may have been good, by adopting them he blurred the distinction between Catholicism and what most of the “progressive” atheists and agnostics who have long dominated Western culture already take for granted.

by James Neilson

POPE FRANCIS (1936-2025)

Francis: The most important Argentine in history

26-04-2025 05:00 Monarchs, heads of state, religious leaders and the Catholic faithful will descend on the Vatican today in huge numbers as the world bids a final farewell to Pope Francis, the Flores-born kid who ascended to one of the powerful positions in the world.

by James Grainger

Pope Francis and Argentina's recent presidents.

Analysing Argentina

The shepherd who lost his country

26-04-2025 05:00 Argentina electing Milei, just as an Argentine was running the Vatican on a unifying message, is as if John Paul II had seen his Polish compatriots vote for a version of Joseph Stalin, rather than Lech Wałęsa.

by Marcelo J. García

Editorial

More than a nation mourns

26-04-2025 05:00 Rest in peace Franciscus.

Marwan Gill meets Pope Francis at the Vatican.

GUEST COLUMN

Pope Francis and his message of brotherhood

25-04-2025 23:44 Theological, ideological or political differences must not become excuses to distance ourselves from each other. On the contrary, they must inspire us to engage even closer in meaningful dialogue.

by Marwan Gill

Faithful attend an interfaith mass for the late Pope Francis at Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral on April 22, 2025, a day after his death. The Argentine pontiff, 88, died on April 21 after a stroke, less than a month after returning home from five weeks in the hospital battling double pneumonia, and his funeral will be held on April 26, the Vatican announced.

THE WEEK IN REIVEW

Stories that caught our eye: April 17 to 24

25-04-2025 16:16 A selection of stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.

Buenos Aires Province Governor Axel Kicillof.

POLITICS & ECONOMY

Peronist leaders accuse IMF chief of publicly backing Milei

25-04-2025 14:37 Axel Kicillof and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner accuse IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva of publicly backing President Javier Milei's government ahead of key elections.

Mourners attend a rosary prayer in Saint Peter's Square on the day of Pope Francis' death in Vatican City

FUNERAL OF POPE FRANCIS

A simple funeral for Pope Francis becomes conduit to see Trump

25-04-2025 14:26 Funeral for Pope Francis risks being turned into high-profile stage for international diplomacy at a moment of geopolitical turmoil.

A delegation of the Argentine Holocaust Museum takes part in the March of the Living to honour the victims of the Holocaust in front of the main gate with the lettering 'Arbeit macht frei' (Work sets you free) at the Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial and Museum at the site of the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp in Oswiecim, Poland, on April 24, 2025. The March of the Living in 2025 from the former Auschwitz I to Auschwitz II-Birkenau camps is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation of the concentration camps in Nazi-occupied Europe, according to organisers.

REMEMBRANCE

Everyone needs to go to Auschwitz-Birkenau

25-04-2025 14:00 At this potentially dark hour, the Holocaust should serve as a message of what could lie ahead, if we continue fan the flames of hatred and fear.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ahead of an interview in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on April 14.

BLOOMBERG REPORT

Loan to Trump-friendly Argentina went against IMF board concerns

25-04-2025 11:23 Argentina's new loan with the International Monetary Fund was granted despite raising red flags for many of the lender's top decision-markers.

Rabbi Daniel Goldman speaks during an inter-faith mass for the late Pope Francis at Buenos Aires Cathedral on April 22, 2025, a day after his death. The Argentine pontiff, 88, died on April 21 after a stroke, less than a month after returning home from five weeks in the hospital battling double pneumonia, and his funeral will be held on April 26, the Vatican announced.

FAITH & RELIGION

Argentina’s interfaith community celebrates Pope Francis

25-04-2025 11:01 Leaders of Judaism, Islam and several Christian denominations in Argentina poay tribute to Pope Francis’ "commitment to interfaith dialogue."

Cardinals walk near the Vatican in the streets of Rome on April 25, 2025. The Vatican on April 25, 2025, said over 128,000 people have already paid their respects to Pope Francis, whose body is lying in state in St Peter's Basilica ahead of his funeral.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Hope, apprehension and politics: Cardinals search for new pope

25-04-2025 10:30 Catholic cardinals have admitted some apprehension at the responsibility of choosing the successor to the late Pope Francis.

This photograph shows Pope Francis' coffin as he lies in state with French nun Genevieve Jeanningros (Top L) paying her respects during a ceremony inside St Peter's Basilica following the procession of the late Pope's coffin from the chapel of Santa Marta to St Peter's Basilica, in the Vatican on April 23, 2025.

DEATH OF POPE FRANCIS

Sister Genevieve, French nun who broke protocol to see Pope's body

25-04-2025 10:09 Her image has gone round the world. Sister Geneviève broke protocol near Pope Francis’ coffin to remember the man he met following the murder of her aunt during Argentina’s 1976-1983 dictatorship.

A picture of the late Pope Francis is displayed on the altar during a mass at the Buenos Aires Cathedral on April 23, 2025.

Death of pope francis

How Argentina will say goodbye to Pope Francis

24-04-2025 21:41 Argentina will bid final farewell to Pope Francis with a Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, following vigils and pilgrimages to iconic places in the late pontiff’s life.

Carabineri stand guard with a background view of St Peter's Basilica of The Vatican where the late Pope lies in state, in Rome on April 24, 2025. The Vatican on April 24 said some 61,000 people had already paid their respects to Pope Francis, whose body is lying in state in St Peter's Basilica ahead of his funeral.

Death of Pope Francis

Vatican welcomes world leaders for farewell for Francis

24-04-2025 21:34 Some 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs to attend the funeral. Alongside Trump and Milei, they include Brazil President Lula, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Britain's Prince William.

FUNERAL OF POPE FRANCIS

Pope's Argentine nephew donated tickets to travel to funeral

24-04-2025 15:48 Mauro Bergoglio, nephew of Pope Francis, says private donor had paid for him to travel to his uncle's funeral after the government failed to invite him to join officials travelling to Rome.

Death of Pope Francis

Milei set for funeral of 'most important Argentine in history’

24-04-2025 15:10 Javier Milei hails “impressive leader” before departing on flight bound for Rome to attend the funeral of Argentine pontiff at the Vatican; Impossible not to attend “event of this magnitude,” says President.

People hold the flag of Argentina on Via della Conciliazione street with St Peter's Basilica in the background near the Vatican in Rome, on April 24, 2025.

DEATH OF POPE FRANCIS

Thousands line up for second day to bid Pope Francis farewell

24-04-2025 11:49 More than 60,000 people have so far marched past the coffin of Pope Francis to bid him a final farewell.

A woman places a lit candle on an altar in front of the house where the late Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis, lived in the Flores neighborhood in Buenos Aires on April 23, 2025.

LATE PONTIFF'S LEGACY

'Slum priests' take Pope's message to the poor

24-04-2025 11:18 The loss of Pope Francis has deeply affected the Catholic community worldwide, yet, priests from his hometown of Buenos Aires are keeping his legacy alive.

MULTILATERALISM

IAEA chief Grossi voices interest in UN secretary-general post

24-04-2025 00:47 UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi says he is "very seriously" considering a run to become UN secretary-general when the position opens up in 2027.

Carlos Fernández, Paraguay finance minister.

SUPPLY LINES

Mercosur shields Paraguay from Trump tariff pain, says finance chief

23-04-2025 22:29 Membership in one of the world’s most protectionist trade blocs will help shield Paraguay from the worst of near-term disruptions caused by US tariffs.

A banner with the image of Pope Francis hangs from a stand at Pedro Bidegain stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina,

POPE & SPORT

A stadium and a San Lorenzo shirt for Argentina's 'Captain' Francis

23-04-2025 18:11 Tributes to the Argentine pontiff, a lifelong lover of the beautiful game, who died on Monday at the age of 88, have been peppered with football metaphors in his homeland.

Jorge Bergoglio with Néstor Kirchner; Pope Francis with Cristina Fernández de Kirchner; with Mauricio Macri and Julia Awada; and with Alberto Fernández.

THE PONTIFF & POLITICS

A political Pope – probing Francis’ ties with Argentina’s presidents

23-04-2025 11:52 The man formerly known as Jorge Bergoglio recognised himself as being a political figure, long before his arrival in Rome. He once declared: "Christians should not be apolitical." A look at his links with Néstor Kirchner, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Mauricio Macri, Alberto Fernández and Javier Milei.

FUNERAL OF POPE FRANCIS

The world leaders set to attend Pope Francis' funeral

23-04-2025 11:22 The death of Pope Francis has rattled the world. A look at the names of world leaders who have confirmed they will pay their respects at his funeral on Saturday.

People queue to pay respects as the body of Pope Francis lies in state inside St. Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican, on April 23, 2025.

Death of Pope Francis

What we know about Pope Francis' funeral

23-04-2025 11:14 Pope Francis is set to be buried on Saturday, this is what to expect and what we know so far.

The body of Pope Francis lies in state inside St. Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican, on April 23, 2025.

Death of Pope Francis

Tens of thousands say goodbye to Pope Francis lying in state

23-04-2025 09:14 Body of Pope Francis transported to Saint Peter's Basilica, where his body will lie in state for the public to visit and mourn before his funeral on Saturday.

This photo taken and released on April 23, 2025, by The Vatican Media shows pallbearers carrying the coffin of late Pope Francis during the procession of the late Pope's coffin from the chapel of Santa Marta to St Peter's Basilica.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Pope Francis' coffin carried to Saint Peter's Basilica

23-04-2025 08:54 Funeral preparations of Pope Francis have been initiated with the procession of his coffin to Saint Peter's Basilica.

Ranchers load feed pens for cattle on a farm in Maraba, Brazil.

AGRICULTURE & LIVESTOCK

From meat to grains, trade war is a boon to Brazil and Argentina

22-04-2025 14:38 Escalating tensions between the United States and China have created an opening for Brazil and Argentina to ramp up exports.

FINANCING BOOST?

Bessent signals US willingness to offer Argentina a credit line

22-04-2025 14:34 US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Trump administration would be willing to offer Argentina’s government a credit line if President Javier Milei’s economic turnaround was in jeopardy.

Pope Francis meets Javier Milei in Vatican City, on February 12, 2024.

PRESIDENT TO ROME

Government confirms President Milei will attend Pope’s funeral

22-04-2025 11:36 President Javier Milei will leave on a flight bound for Rome on Thursday night to attend the funeral of Argentine pontiff at the Vatican; Sister Karina among travelling delegation that includes four ministers and spokesman.

PONTIFF'S LOVE OF FOOTBALL

The Pope with 'two left feet' who loved the 'beautiful game'

22-04-2025 10:34 For Pope Francis, football is more than just "the most beautiful game" – it can also be used as a vehicle to educate and spread peace.

Death of Pope Francis

A 'discreet death': Vatican recounts Pope's last hours

22-04-2025 09:35 What we know about the circumstances surrounding the Argentine pontiff's death and what is to follow.

Death of Pope Francis

Pope’s funeral to take place on April 26 in Rome

22-04-2025 09:25 Pope Francis's funeral will be held on Saturday, the Vatican announced, as world leaders from US President Donald Trump to Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky said they would attend to honour the Catholic leader.

Argentine artist Javier Sativa draws the face of the late Pope Francis on a street in front of the entrance of the Buenos Aires Cathedral on April 21, 2025.

DEATH OF POPE FRANCIS

The Pope who never returned – Argentina mourns its national hero

21-04-2025 19:39 Twelve years after celebrating Pope Francis’ coronation, Argentines mourn the death of a national hero who never returned home.

Pope Francis, pictured at the main balcony of St Peter's basilica for the Urbi et Orbi message and blessing to the city and the world as part of Easter celebrations, at St Peter's square in the Vatican on April 20, 2025.

Death of Pope Francis

Pope pushed himself, knew he 'did not have long left' – Vatican source

21-04-2025 16:45 Weakened by five weeks battling double pneumonia in hospital, some in the Vatican suspect the 88-year-old pontiff knew that his strength was abandoning him.

Pope Francis makes a surprise appearance at the end of the mass for Palm Sunday at St Peter's square in the Vatican on April 13, 2025.

DEATH OF POPE FRANCIS

Pope Francis died of a stroke, confirms Vatican in statement

21-04-2025 15:35 Francis died of "cerebral stroke, coma, irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse," says Vatican in a statement.

OBITUARY

Pope Francis, promoter of more compassionate Church, dies at 88

21-04-2025 14:51 Pontiff was praised for focus on poverty and human suffering; Born in Argentina, he was the first pope from the Americas.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

President Milei to travel to Vatican for Pope Francis’ funeral

21-04-2025 13:50 President Javier Milei will travel to Rome to attend Pope Francis' funeral at the Holy See; Government declares seven days of mourning following pontiff's death.

Jorge García Cuerva, Arbishop of Buenos Aires, leads a Mass in homage to Pope Francis at the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral on April 21, 2025.

Death of Pope Francis

Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva: ‘We’ve lost the Pope of the poor’

21-04-2025 12:26 Archbishop of Buenos Aires pays homage to Pope Francis as he leads Mass at cathedral; “We’re lost the father of all humanity,” declares Jorge García Cuerva.

DEATH OF ARGENTINE PONTIFF

Who am I to judge? Pope Francis in quotes

21-04-2025 11:42 Pope Francis, who will go down in history as a radical pontiff and a champion of underdogs, died on Monday at age 88, having forged a more compassionate Catholic Church.

Pope Francis greeting the crowd at a celebration marking the end of the Jubilee of Mercy in 2016.

Catholic Church

Pope Francis has died – what happens next?

21-04-2025 11:39 After the official announcement of Pope Francis' death, a few steps need to be followed. To properly mourn and bury him, and to select his successor.

Faithful attend a mass at Buenos Aires Cathedral on April 21, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis in the Vatican.

REACTION IN ARGENTINA

'We are orphaned': Argentina mourns loss of papal son

21-04-2025 11:27 Mourners gather at Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral to collectively mourn the loss of their late pontiff, compatriot and hero, Pope Francis.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 21: Mourners gather at St. Patricks Church in New York to pay respects to Pope Francis on April 21, 2025 in New York City.

Catholic Church

Faith foes: Pope Francis' fight with the Catholic right

21-04-2025 11:25 Pope Francis made many radical changes to the Catholic Church, arousing both fervour and fury with his reforms.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Pope Francis's delicate ties with politics in Argentina

21-04-2025 07:15 Buenos Aires-born pontiff undertook dozens of foreign visits, including trips in South America to Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and Peru – but he never returned to the beloved city where he was schooled.

Pope Francis is silhouetted during a private audience at the Vatican.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, dead at 88

21-04-2025 06:30 Pope Francis has died, confirms Vatican in statement; Pontiff aroused both fervour and fury within the Church with reforms aimed at opening up centuries-old institution to the modern-day faithful.

Pope Francis greets the crowd from the popemobile after the Easter mass, at St Peter's square in the Vatican on April 20, 2025.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Frail Pope Francis takes to popemobile to greet Easter crowd

20-04-2025 09:17 Pope's convalescence from pneumonia has kept him away from most Holy Week events but Francis made a major effort Sunday, greeting the faithful from his popemobile for nearly 15 minutes.

Nur Azman Rahim, Ambassador of Malaysia to Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

GUEST COLUMN

Malaysia’s capital control (cepo) success – a journey beginning in Buenos Aires

19-04-2025 06:03 Malaysia’s success highlights the importance of policy credibility, clarity of purpose and exit strategy in the use of capital controls.

Milei and the International Monetary Fund.

POLITICS & ECONOMY – ANALYSIS

Milei dreams of re-election – with IMF's help

19-04-2025 06:00 Whether signing an IMF deal represents a “day of liberation” or one of mourning, it lifts a cloud of uncertainty and allows the political ecosystem to focus on upcoming elections.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

A demonstrator gestures as he is being arrested by members of the Argentine Federal Police during a protest called by retirees demanding an increase in pensions and against economic adjustment by the government of President Javier Milei in front of the National Congress in Buenos Aires on April 16, 2025.

the week in review

Stories that caught our eye: April 11 to 18

18-04-2025 17:29 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina – including some pretty big announcements last Friday...

Ronald David Scott – more commonly known as Ronnie Scott – has died at the age of 107.

OBITUARY

Ronnie Scott, beloved World War II veteran, dies aged 107

17-04-2025 19:41 An inspiration to much of the local community, Ronald David Scott – who volunteered from Argentina to join the Allies’ war effort in 1942 – passes away in his 108th year.

by Michael Soltys

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador in the Oval Office of the White House April 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

El Salvador becoming 'black hole' for US deportees, critics fear

17-04-2025 17:22 Notorious CECOT prison is becoming a dangerous destination that Trump has been utilizing for his mistreatment of US deportees.