News of union

Death toll in South Africa unrest climbs to 72 as violence spreads

14-07-2021 09:42 Stores and warehouses in South Africa hit by looters for a fifth day running, despite deployment of troops by President Cyril Ramaphosa to quell unrest that has claimed 72 lives.

MERCOSUR IN DISARRAY

Mercosur’s glitch-plagued summit puts spotlight on trade divide

09-07-2021 02:58 Luis Lacalle Pou's new trade strategy unable to win broad support among bloc's members. Parallel initiative backed by Brazil and Uruguay to reduce Mercosur's common external tariff also fails to advance.

Covid-19 Vaccine

Germany's CureVac Covid vaccine just 48% effective

30-06-2021 19:01 Final trial results showed the coronavirus vaccine had an efficacy rate of just 48%, far lower than those developed by mRNA rivals BioNTech and Moderna. The outcome had been expected after poor interim results were released earlier this month.

European Politics

Asylum applications in EU dived under Covid curbs

29-06-2021 15:36 The number of asylum applications lodged in the EU plummeted by a third last year because of border restrictions thrown up by the coronavirus pandemic, the bloc's asylum assistance agency said on Tuesday.

INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO

UIA leader Daniel Funes de Rioja: ‘I want ideas, not an ideology'

19-06-2021 09:30 Daniel Funes de Rioja, who currently serves as president of the influential Argentine Industrial Union (Unión Industrial Argentina) business group on inflation, economic policies and his ‘Triple C’ strategy.

by Jorge Fontevecchia

IN-DEPTH: MERCOSUR

Mercosur’s future up for debate at key meeting

01-05-2021 00:21 Member nations agree to debate ‘flexibilisation’ of bloc’s rules at key meeting in May. Uruguay continues to push for liberalisation of tariffs, rules on free-trade deals.

RUGBY

Pumas skipper Matera to join Super Rugby's Crusaders

30-04-2021 12:09 Argentina captain Pablo Matera will play Super Rugby next year with New Zealand heavyweights the Canterbury Crusaders, the Christchurch-based club said Friday.

MERCOSUR BLOC

Uruguay presents plan to make Mercosur trade talks more flexible

26-04-2021 15:19 According to the draft document released by the Foreign Ministry in Montevideo, the proposal would allow member states, under some conditions, to initiate negotiations "either as a group or individually."

MERCOSUR AT 30: ANALYSIS

Thirty years on since its founding, Mercosur faces uncertain future

27-03-2021 07:17 Regional bloc celebrates its 30th birthday weakened by differences, with its partners unprepared for post-pandemic world.

MERCOSUR SUMMIT

Trade and Covid-19 vaccines top agenda for Mercosur summit

23-03-2021 13:22 Mercosur’s member nations will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the bloc's founding at a key summit this Friday, with the clear differences between them more than evident.

by Mariano Beldyk

EU-MERCOSUR DEAL

More than 450 NGOs, groups condemn ‘obsolete’ EU-Mercosur trade deal

16-03-2021 17:26 More than 450 civil society groups, associations and NGOs call on Mercosur, European Union to “abandon” controversial free-trade deal.

Coronavirus Pandemic

WHO approves Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine

12-03-2021 14:17 The World Health Organisation on Friday approved Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine, after the single-dose jab won approval from the European Union on Thursday.

Global Pandemic

EU to propose vaccine 'digital green pass' for safe movement

01-03-2021 12:37 This month, the European Commission will propose rules for an EU "Digital Green Pass" showing proof of Covid-19 vaccination and test results.

CRISIS IN VENEZUELA

Venezuela expels EU ambassador over fresh sanctions

24-02-2021 16:38 Venezuela on Wednesday expelled the European Union's ambassador to Caracas in response to new sanctions, giving the Portuguese envoy 72 hours to leave the country and raising the bloc's renewed ire.

APPS & WORK

UK top court shakes up gig economy with ruling against Uber

19-02-2021 14:19 UK's Supreme Court rules Uber drivers are entitled to breaks, holiday pay and minimum wage, in what has been described as "another nail in the coffin" for the gig economy.

BILATERAL RELATIONS

Don’t expect ‘carnal relations’ between Alberto and Joe Biden

23-01-2021 08:31 One actor could tilt the scales, though: Pope Francis. Biden is the second Catholic president of the US, preceded by John F. Kennedy. How much will the Peronist leader of the Holy See nudge Biden our way?

by Agustino Fontevecchia

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.

BLOOMBERG

Merkel’s party must finally settle on a new leader and is torn

11-01-2021 08:19 Angela Merkel has been a pillar of stability for Germany and the western world for the better part of two decades, but the party that kept her in charge of Europe’s biggest economy is grappling with the power vacuum she’s leaving behind.

AS I SEE IT

Sorry, capitalism is not about to die

02-01-2021 09:07 Capitalism of one kind or another has been with us for millennia. It was there in ancient Greece and China. All attempts to stamp it out have had disastrous consequences.

by James Neilson

BREXIT

British, Euro leaders sign Brexit deal as MPs approve ratification

30-12-2020 14:15 Britain and the European Union sign post-Brexit trade deal, setting their seal on a drawn-out divorce just hours before the looming deadline.

BREXIT

UK-EU agree historic post-Brexit trade deal

26-12-2020 10:20 Britain and the European Union struck a post-Brexit trade deal on Christmas Eve that they hope will cushion the economic blow of the UK’s imminent departure from the bloc after months of tortuous negotiations.

EDITORIAL

This Sputnik has really gone to the moon

19-12-2020 10:16 In recent weeks the Sputnik vaccine has become something of a fetish for this government, while at the same time demonised by opposition media in particular, but neither extreme is justified.

Mercosur

'Distrust' of Brazil stalls EU-Mercosur trade deal

13-12-2020 19:45 Concerns over Amazon deforestation under Bolsonaro are delaying the ratification of a two-decades long negotiated trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur.

RUGBY

Pumas dump rugby captain Matera, two other players over xenophobic posts

01-12-2020 00:08 Argentina rugby skipper Pablo Matera was stripped of the captaincy and suspended over "discriminatory and xenophobic" tweets on Tuesday. Two other players, Guido Petti and Santiago Socino, were also punished.

EU-MERCOSUR DEAL

Without environmental guarantees, EU-Mercosur trade deal faces uncertain future

23-11-2020 15:51 Historic free-trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur regional bloc, announced more than a year ago after more than two decades of negotiations, stuck in limbo due to environmental concerns.

RUGBY

Pumas revel in All Blacks shock after emotional virus-hit journey

15-11-2020 07:48 Argentina into Saturday's Tri Nations clash in Sydney having not played a Test in 13 months, while enduring coronavirus lockdowns in their homeland and in neighbouring Uruguay before quarantining for two weeks in Australia.

International rugby

Gutsy Pumas endure 'epic adventure' to play in Tri Nations

28-10-2020 07:57 Argentina's build-up for the Tri Nations has been hellish, with months of coronavirus bubbles and lockdowns, players testing positive for Covid-19 and a lack of match-time badly hampering preparations.

BREXIT

Brexit talks' fate hangs in balance at EU summit

14-10-2020 17:38 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared himself disappointed in the progress of post-Brexit trade talks Wednesday, but he will wait for news from an EU summit before deciding whether to pull the plug.

EU-MERCOSUR DEAL

Brazil rejects deforestation concerns on EU-Mercosur deal

23-09-2020 16:12 Brazil hits back at European reluctance to finalise EU-Mercosur trade deal, saying a French report on environmental concerns is motivated by "protectionist interests."

EU-MERCOSUR DEAL

Key EU states fear Mercosur pact may hurt Amazon

21-09-2020 08:22 EU commissioner admits not all EU nations "are aligned" on trade deal with Mercosur nations, as fears historic accord could hurt the Amazon grow.

EU-MERCOSUR DEAL

France says opposes EU-Mercosur trade deal over deforestation concerns

18-09-2020 10:38 France opposed to free-trade deal in its current form due to "major" concerns about deforestation in the region, the government said on Friday.

Brexit

EU demands UK drop a planned law that breaches Brexit deal

10-09-2020 16:08 Britain left the political structures of the EU on January 31 and will make an economic break when an 11-month transition period ends on December 31.

BREXIT

Boris Johnson’s move to break international law sparks outrage

08-09-2020 19:16 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s threat to break international law over Brexit was slammed by members of his own party on Tuesday, who warned it will damage the UK's global standing.

IDB vote

United States 'confident' it has votes to win IDB presidency

03-09-2020 13:30 United States' controversial nomination for the Inter-American Development Bank, Mauricio Claver-Carone, has the support from all 'sub-regions' according to US official.

THE WEEK IN ARGENTINA

What we learned this week: August 22 to 29

29-08-2020 09:39 Stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Merkel expresses 'significant doubts' over EU-Mercosur trade pact

21-08-2020 14:12 German chancellor expresses "significant doubts" over landmark EU-Mercosur free trade deal, citing concerns over the devastating deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.

Global pandemic

Chile seeks to end confinement amid global Covid-19 spikes

20-07-2020 14:13 Chilean President Sebastián Piñera announced the "Step by Step" plan to get out of 60 days of quarantine.

EU-MERCOSUR TALKS

EU watchdog opens probe into Mercosur trade deal

10-07-2020 12:16 EU Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly confirms investigation will be opened into historic trade deal with Mercosur, after environmental and rights groups complained that the deal does not respect the EU’s legal obligations.

SUPER RUGBY

Future of Argentina's Jaguares in doubt due to coronavirus

07-06-2020 10:44 With the 2020 Super Rugby season now abandoned due to travel restrictions imposed by the global virus outbreak, the Jaguares' very existence is in doubt.

RUGBY

Beaumont v Pichot as World Rugby chairman election kicks off

28-04-2020 18:13 Voting for World Rugby's next chairman opened Monday, with incumbent 68-year-old former England captain Bill Beaumont facing competition from ex-Pumas skipper Agustín Pichot.

MERCOSUR TRADE BLOC

Opposition slams government's decision to pull out of Mercosur trade talks

26-04-2020 09:34 Citing economic policy priorities and the effects of the Covid-19 crisis, President Alberto Fernandez’s administration has withdrawn from ongoing and future talks involving the Mercosur trade bloc.

Tech giant

Amazon threatens to halt key French centres after court ruling

15-04-2020 09:44 Online retailer Amazon warned Wednesday it may be forced to halt activity at its distribution centres and reduce service in France following a court ruling on measures to slow the spread of the new coronavirus among its workers.

Coronavirus pandemic

Tax on Argentina’s biggest fortunes to fight Covid-19 pandemic on way

15-04-2020 00:07 The tax will apply "to around 200 people and some 200 companies with the biggest invoicing,” Frente de Todos lawmaker Hugo Yasky told Radio Con Vos.

Gruesome discovery

Human remains found at Marcelo Balcedo's property in Uruguay

04-03-2020 12:09 Human remains in a state of decomposition were found at the Punta del Este home of Balcedo, a controversial trade unionist who has been accused of money-laundering, smuggling, and arms-trafficking.

Salary Disputes

Teachers: Main unions reach agreement with government on pay

27-02-2020 16:59 Collective bargaining talks for teachers, frozen since 2017, ends with agreement: 23,000 peso pay-floor from March, rising to 25,000 pesos in July.

BREXITSHAMBLES

UK rejects EU trade demands, threatens to walk away

27-02-2020 15:14 UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government rebuffed EU demands for common trading standards and fishing right, setting out its red lines for trade talks with the European Union.

Asleep at the wheel

Fatal accident on Buenos Aires bus leaves 2 dead, 14 injured

05-02-2020 17:11 The bus driver will be charged with aggravated homicide after falling asleep at the wheel.

STATE OF THE UNION

Trump’s State of union seeks shift from impeachment to economy

04-02-2020 14:22 US leader explained he plans to deliver a “positive” speech - boasting of his achievements in front of an audience that will include as many as five of his potential 2020 opponents - at a time when he has been fuming at Democrats over his impeachment.

ELECTION IN THE UK

UK PM Boris Johnson hails 'powerful new mandate' for Brexit after election

13-12-2019 01:26 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says he would not lead Britain's main opposition Labour party at the next general election, after predictions of a crushing defeat at nationwide polls.

Brexit

Tough talks ahead as UK exit polls predict Boris Johnson victory

12-12-2019 23:07 Exit polls in Britain predict that Boris Johnson's Conservatives will continue in power with a majority government, after Thursday's general election.

News of union

Death toll in South Africa unrest climbs to 72 as violence spreads

Mercosur’s glitch-plagued summit puts spotlight on trade divide

Germany's CureVac Covid vaccine just 48% effective

Asylum applications in EU dived under Covid curbs

UIA leader Daniel Funes de Rioja: ‘I want ideas, not an ideology'

Mercosur’s future up for debate at key meeting

Pumas skipper Matera to join Super Rugby's Crusaders

Uruguay presents plan to make Mercosur trade talks more flexible

Thirty years on since its founding, Mercosur faces uncertain future

Trade and Covid-19 vaccines top agenda for Mercosur summit

More than 450 NGOs, groups condemn ‘obsolete’ EU-Mercosur trade deal

WHO approves Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine

EU to propose vaccine 'digital green pass' for safe movement

Venezuela expels EU ambassador over fresh sanctions

UK top court shakes up gig economy with ruling against Uber

Don’t expect ‘carnal relations’ between Alberto and Joe Biden

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

Merkel’s party must finally settle on a new leader and is torn

Sorry, capitalism is not about to die

British, Euro leaders sign Brexit deal as MPs approve ratification

UK-EU agree historic post-Brexit trade deal

This Sputnik has really gone to the moon

'Distrust' of Brazil stalls EU-Mercosur trade deal

Pumas dump rugby captain Matera, two other players over xenophobic posts

Without environmental guarantees, EU-Mercosur trade deal faces uncertain future

Pumas revel in All Blacks shock after emotional virus-hit journey

Gutsy Pumas endure 'epic adventure' to play in Tri Nations

Brexit talks' fate hangs in balance at EU summit

Brazil rejects deforestation concerns on EU-Mercosur deal

Key EU states fear Mercosur pact may hurt Amazon

France says opposes EU-Mercosur trade deal over deforestation concerns

EU demands UK drop a planned law that breaches Brexit deal

Boris Johnson’s move to break international law sparks outrage

United States 'confident' it has votes to win IDB presidency

What we learned this week: August 22 to 29

Merkel expresses 'significant doubts' over EU-Mercosur trade pact

Chile seeks to end confinement amid global Covid-19 spikes

EU watchdog opens probe into Mercosur trade deal

Future of Argentina's Jaguares in doubt due to coronavirus

Beaumont v Pichot as World Rugby chairman election kicks off

Opposition slams government's decision to pull out of Mercosur trade talks

Amazon threatens to halt key French centres after court ruling

Tax on Argentina’s biggest fortunes to fight Covid-19 pandemic on way

Human remains found at Marcelo Balcedo's property in Uruguay

Teachers: Main unions reach agreement with government on pay

UK rejects EU trade demands, threatens to walk away

Fatal accident on Buenos Aires bus leaves 2 dead, 14 injured

Trump’s State of union seeks shift from impeachment to economy

UK PM Boris Johnson hails 'powerful new mandate' for Brexit after election

Tough talks ahead as UK exit polls predict Boris Johnson victory

US national security advisor set to visit Argentina, Brazil

Argentina makes US$334-million interest payment to IMF

Fishing vessels illegally target marine mammals in South American waters

IMF officially approves increased lending capacity

Fernández to appoint mayoral ally as minister in Cabinet reshuffle

Florencia Peña: "Estoy pensando en demandar a Fernando Iglesias, esto fue demasiado lejos"

Toyota no consigue 200 personas con secundario completo para trabajar en su planta de Zárate

Fernando Iglesias le respondió a Cecilia Nicolini luego de ser acusado de misógino en redes

Piden que Fernando Iglesias sea excluido del Congreso por comentarios "misóginos"

Carlos Rottemberg: "Con Luis Brandoni también fuimos a Olivos a ver a Alberto Fernández"