Lower house debates Milei’s labor reform amid general strike
The lower house will debate President Javier Milei’s labor reform in a session that began minutes after 2 p.m. on Thursday at 2 p.m., following a speedy commissions approval on Wednesday. The session comes amid a nationwide 24-hour strike called by Argentina’s largest unions federation, the General Confederation of Labor (CGT, by its Spanish initials) to protest the bill. At least 129 of 257 lower house seats needed to be occupied for the session to start. Changes to the labor reformA great point of contention in the labor reform bill is an article that limited sick leave pay. LLA has agreed to remove that article from the bill after talks with the opposition to guarantee more support.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 19, 2026 23:12 UTC
Get Out!: Indie rock, classic films and Spanglish readings
From indie rock by the river to movie classics at discount prices, bilingual book chats and a massive puzzle meetup, this weekend Buenos Aires offers an array of cultural events for every mood. Buena Vibra FestivalFebruary 22, from 4 p.m.Ciudad UniversitariaAdmission AR$ 80,000 at venti.com.arThe music never stops in Buenos Aires. The Buena Vibra (Cool Vibes, in Spanish) Festival near the River Plate shore is a one-day summer classic for fans of Argentine rock. An intimate and literary way to experience Buenos Aires, the club focuses on Argentine literature. Seats are limited,If you wish to sign up, comment PUZZLE on their Instagram account to get more info and details.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 19, 2026 23:12 UTC
General strike was ‘tremendous,’ with 90% observance, CGT says
A 24-hour general strike in Argentina to protest against President Javier Milei’s labor reform bill was having a 90% compliance rate, the country’s main union leader said on Thursday. “This strike has been widely observed, with more than 90% of activity halted,” said Jorge Sola, one of the three secretaries general of the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), the country’s main trade union organization, in a press conference, to thunderous applause. “All ports are at a standstill, as are transportation and industry,” said Octavio Argüello, another CGT secretary general. “Our colleagues had the tremendous strength and willpower to bring the entire industry to a halt,” he added. “It will not create jobs; no change in the rules between employers and workers creates jobs in and of itself,” Sola said.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 19, 2026 22:32 UTC
Peruvian Congress picks José María Balcázar as new interim president
The Peruvian Congress elected José María Balcázar as the country’s new interim president Wednesday, one day after lawmakers removed his predecessor, José Jerí, amid allegations of misconduct. As interim president, Balcázar is now also head of Congress. In a late Wednesday-night ceremony in Lima, Balcázar vowed to oversee the forthcoming general election and the subsequent transition. Who is José María Balcázar? The election of José María Balcázar as interim president places a seasoned — and at times controversial — figure at the helm of Peru during yet another delicate transition.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 19, 2026 21:13 UTC
Air travel grinds to near halt due to general strike in Argentina
The strike has been supported by unions representing pilots, cabin crew members, and airport workers, including those providing front desk and runway services. Cruise ships have also not been able to enter or leave Argentina since Wednesday due to a 48-hour port workers’ strike. Although bank workers union La Bancaria joined the strike, bank services will be partially operational. Passengers were relocated to the closest flights scheduled to depart once the strike is over, according to the number of available seats. Passengers with flights scheduled for Thursday are recommended to check their e-mails for notifications on cancellations and information on their new flight.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 19, 2026 14:34 UTC
Tire manufacturer shutdown puts Argentine industry on alert
The recent shutdown of Fate, an 86-year-old tire manufacturer that employed more than 900 people, is far from being an isolated case in Argentina. Fate’s closure is part of a wave that is not only affecting small and medium enterprises, but major companies as well. Media reported that the national administration blamed SUTNA for Fate’s shutdown, but Assuna rejected the idea. It was logical for imports to increase, but it was not so logical for local production to fall,” he added. “Some are going to go bankrupt,” said Miguel Boggiano, an economist and adviser to Milei, in an interview withTV station TN.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 19, 2026 08:35 UTC
Argentine football player accused of racist insults at Champions League game
Argentine football star Gianluca Prestianni has landed in a controversy over accusations of using racist slurs in a recent UEFA Champions League match. The incident happened as Prestianni’s Benfica faced off against Spanish giants Real Madrid on Tuesday. In the 50th minute, the Spanish team took a 1-0 lead through Brazilian star Vinicius de Oliveira Jr. The French star later told the press what he heard. The Argentine player posted a story on his Instagram account where he insisted he didn’t use racist language.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 18, 2026 16:43 UTC
Lower House confirms Thursday session to debate labor reform
The Argentine Lower House confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that deputies will convene on Thursday to debate President Javier Milei’s signature labor reform. Wednesday was the last day for the commissions to approve a final version of the labor reform so it can be debated before February ends. Changes to the labor reform billGetting the labor reform approved is key for the government. If the lower house approves the bill on Thursday, it could return to the senate on Friday of next week, one day before the extraordinary sessions period ends. In the decree extending the extraordinary sessions, the government added a bill intended to reform a public university funding law.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 18, 2026 14:07 UTC
In peak season, tomatoes steal the show
Back to 2026, and I attended the fourth Festival ¡Del Tomate!, organised by Dr. Maria Sance at Casa Vigil in Chachingo, Mendoza. (The only thing missing was a bar for Bloody Marys made with Zapotec Pleated heirloom tomato juice.) Her father worked in agriculture, growing tomatoes for processing, and the Sances had a self-sufficient lifestyle out of necessity. Returning to live on the family farm with her winemaker husband Alejandro Vigil, they later founded Casa Vigil together. While we know he enthusiastically became an instant ‘flanatic’ of Ness’ halva flan, let’s assume he also dined on a seasonal staple of an heirloom tomato salad.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 18, 2026 14:07 UTC
Peruvian interim-president José Jerí removed after 4 months in office
Peruvian interim-president José Jerí was removed from his post on Tuesday after only four months in office after Congress approved a motion of censorship against him by 75 votes in favor, 24 against, and 3 abstentions. Parliament is set to convene again on Wednesday to pick a new interim-president to serve out what is left of the 2022-2026 presidential term. Boluarte herself had taken office in 2022 after Pedro Castillo, who had been elected president in 2021, was arrested after trying to dissolve Congress. The first encounter took place on the evening of December 26 at a Chinese restaurant where Jerí arrived wearing a hoodie. The interim-president acknowledged both meetings and apologized for their irregular nature, but denied any wrongdoing.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 18, 2026 14:07 UTC
Argentina’s trade unions call for general strike against Milei’s labor reform
The General Confederation of Labor (CGT, by its Spanish initials) announced on Monday they will hold a nationwide strike. The decision comes as a protest against the government’s labor reform bill, which received Senate approval last week. On Saturday, the United Trade Unions Front — formed by unions representing metallurgical, public-sector, oil and general workers —also confirmed a general strike and a mass rally to Congress. Milei’s labor reformPresident Javier Milei’s labor reform was passed in the Senate last week, with 42 votes in favor and 30 against, following a 12-hour debate. The labor reform modifies existing laws that regulate labor conditions and the operation of unions.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 17, 2026 15:22 UTC
Milei to attend Trump’s Board of Peace inaugural meeting in Washington
President Javier Milei is set to travel to the United States for a one-day stay to attend the first meeting of the Board of Peace on Thursday in Washington, DC. The Board of Peace is an international organization created by U.S. President Donald Trump, which he has said intends to resolve global conflicts, particularly the Gaza war. Milei’s 14th trip to the United States as president comes at a crucial time for his domestic politics. The Board of Peace and Milei’s upcoming international agendaThe Board of Peace was launched by Trump and his administration last month as an initiative that “might” replace the United Nations as an instrument to solve conflicts. Milei is one of the few international leaders that have publicly backed the Board of Peace.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 16, 2026 16:16 UTC
Argentina Open 2026: Cerúndolo crowned in front of home faithful
Third time was the charm for Argentine tennis star Francisco Cerúndolo (19th ATP singles ranked), who beat Argentine-born Italian Luciano Darderi 6-4, 6-2 to win the 2026 Argentina Open after losing twice in the finals before (2021 and 2025). The match remained a blow-for-blow affair until the end, where once again Cerúndolo needed more than one chance to wrap it up. After a row of three successive breaks, Cerúndolo emerged with a 2-1 lead and, most importantly, control of the match. A win a long time in the making“It’s a special win, of course,” Cerúndolo said at the press conference. Cerúndolo remains Argentina’s top-ranked star at 19, with Darderi — who plays under the Italian flag — climbing just a single spot, to 21.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 15, 2026 23:01 UTC
Bad Bunny began his stadium streak in River and celebrated his love for Argentina
During this weekend, salsa, bolero, reggaetón and pop rhythms caused a commotion in Buenos Aires with the arrival of Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, who played on Friday night the first of his three concert trek at 80,000 seat River Plate stadium. Tickets were sold-out in barely a few hours last May, a new record for the singer according to the shows’ promoters. The decision to have Bad Bunny headline the Super Bowl on February 8 spurred controversy, with U.S. president Donald Trump calling the choice “absolutely ridiculous”. I’ve been coming to this beautiful land for many years, and I’ve received so much love from you. Thank you for believing in me, for accepting me as I am, for accepting my music and my culture.”Press photo by Mazza and Dragonetti
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 14, 2026 14:26 UTC
Football under the sun: how extreme heat puts tomorrow’s stars at risk
But extreme heat is putting their well-being at risk. Successive football tournaments in the Americas have drawn criticism for their approach to extreme heat. “We don’t really know the long-term impact of exposure to extreme heat on children,” says the researcher. But more broadly, “the region needs to develop early-warning systems for extreme heat,” says Francisco Chesini, a public health researcher at the University of Buenos Aires and part of the Global Heat Health Information Network. “It is not enough to issue general alerts in the media or on social networks in the event of extreme temperatures.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
February 14, 2026 14:26 UTC