Outcry over racism after Indigenous couple mocked on live TV
Journalists from ElTrece television channel have been lambasted for racism, xenophobia and discrimination after a clip went viral of them mocking an Indigenous couple during a live report from the Buenos Aires subte (subway). Quechua, technically a family of languages, is the most widely-spoken Indigenous language group in South America. Doman and the columnists in the show’s studio laughed after Rimachi explained that he is a member of an Indigenous community. “We advocate for Indigenous peoples’ rights, and the Indian wants to kick us out,” one of the columnists said. The complaints mainly mention “racism, mockery, discrimination, xenophobia and disrespect for other cultures,” among other issues, the source said.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 29, 2023 00:47 UTC
Translation troubles: send fruit and any vegetable
Mandar fruta/cualquier verdura“Send fruit” and “any vegetable” mean the same thing so we can group them together: it basically means doing something on the fly without taking it seriously. The phrases apparently come from long-distance comforts in the 19th century, with people asking their family to “send them fruit” from home when they moved to other parts of the country. sos un banana, or a descriptor: es re banana (they’re so banana). NaboWith the same sentence structure as sos un banana, the unassuming turnip can also become a bit of a put-down. Share your thoughts and translation hang-ups with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 27, 2023 18:09 UTC
Government to offer compensation to businesses harmed by looting
The government will allocate a AR$700 million budget to compensate businesses all over the country that were harmed by the looting that took place between August 19 and 24, official sources told Télam news agency. Over 40 people were arrested over the long weekend for looting supermarkets and convenience stores in Buenos Aires City and different cities in Mendoza, Córdoba and Neuquén provinces. On Tuesday, close to 100 were arrested for robbery and attempted robbery in supermarkets in several Greater Buenos Aires suburbs. An optional item on the list is the presentation of evidence, such as pictures or video documenting the damage. Also, stores with under 50 employees are automatically eligible to file for compensation, while businesses with more than that amount must be in compliance with the Fair Prices agreement.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 26, 2023 20:17 UTC
Central Bank to start monitoring all exchange houses in real time
“Most of the entities authorized to operate in foreign exchange already use SIOPEL for their operations,” the Central Bank wrote in a communiqué. “Now, exceptions for some exchange houses and agencies have been eliminated.”After last week’s 22% devaluation, the official dollar exchange rate was fixed at AR$350. Differences between the exchange rates (and even inside different iterations of the same exchange rate) allow for different kinds of arbitrage. This month, the government increased restrictions on U.S. dollar bonds and raided informal exchange houses known as cuevas (caves). On Thursday, Customs and Airport Security Police raided 26 businesses in Buenos Aires City, Buenos Aires Province, and Misiones, including exchange houses.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 26, 2023 10:35 UTC
IMF calls for hikes in energy tariffs and limits on public wages and pensions
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) published a press release following the approval of its most recent review of Argentina’s agreement that unlocked a US$7.5 billion disbursement, saying that key program targets were missed due to the historic drought and calling to update energy tariffs and contain public wages and pensions. The statement comes on the heels of an announcement made last Wednesday by Energy Secretary Flavia Royón, who said that the government will raise energy tariffs for high-income homes due to an update in operational costs following the devaluation that took place after the PASO elections. Royón had already said last week that the raise was coming. “The recent realignment of the exchange rate, coupled with the tightening of monetary policy, should continue to help support reserve accumulation while limiting the exchange rate pass through to inflation. Going forward, the rate of crawl will be carefully calibrated to help achieve reserve accumulation and disinflation goals.”
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 25, 2023 14:22 UTC
BorgesPalooza: the festival honoring Jorge Luis Borges’ birthday
“The worst we can do with Borges is to leave him as an inert, fixed matter, like an act of faith,” said organizer Daniel Mecca. According to Mecca, the festival aims to build on an existing base: “Borges is already a ‘pop beast,’” he said, referencing the popular Argentine rock song La bestia pop. “The solemnity around his figure can repel readers, mostly younger ones. But if there is one writer who can blow up your imagination, that’s Borges. According to Mecca, “In the end, in Borges’ work, the future has come a long time ago”.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 25, 2023 13:55 UTC
CFK assassination bid: Lower House authorizes court to seize lawmaker’s cellphone
The Chamber of Deputies approved a judicial resolution enabling police to seize Juntos por el Cambio (JxC) lawmaker Gerardo Milman’s cell phone on Wednesday afternoon. The move comes as part of the investigation into the assassination attempt against Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner last year. Milman is alleged to have said: “When they kill her I’ll be on my way to the coast” two days before it happened. Earlier, Capuchetti’s request for Milman’s cellphone had been unanimously supported by the Constitutional Affairs Committee, which includes members of both opposition and ruling parties. Rodolfo Tailhade, from the Frente de Todos ruling party, supported the authorization although he regretted the delay.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 24, 2023 17:00 UTC
IMF OKs US$7.5 bn disbursement and dollar volatility controls for Argentina
The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) unanimously approved a disbursement of US$7.5 billion to Argentina, albeit with comments from China and Japan. Minutes later, Economy Minister Sergio Massa met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva at the organism’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. The release of the disbursement approved today was the culmination of a process of tense negotiations that continued for longer than expected. This Wednesday, as soon as it received the IMF disbursement, Argentina issued payment orders to return the loans to the CAF and Qatar, as well as putting money back into its currency swap with China. Thus, the government will constantly monitor the gap between the official dollar and the financial dollar rates, although it will also closely follow the MEP and blue chip swap exchange rates.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 24, 2023 03:38 UTC
IMF board approves US$7.5 billion disbursement for Argentina
The executive board of the International Monetary Fund approved on Wednesday the fifth and sixth reviews of its US$44 billion program with Argentina, allowing for the disbursement of $7.5 billion, according to the Argentine government. “The IMF board approved the disbursement of $7.5 billion,” the Economy Ministry said in a statement. On Tuesday afternoon, Massa announced that the World Bank and IDB will loan Argentina US$ 1.31 billion. IMF staff and Argentina had reached an agreement late in July for the fifth and sixth reviews of the program, with the disbursement left pending board approval. You may also be interested in: World Bank and IDB to loan Argentina US$1.3 billion—with information from Reuters
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 23, 2023 17:59 UTC
Messi wins first title at Miami, does he hold the all-time record?
Lionel Messi won the 2023 Leagues Cup with Inter Miami on Saturday, a hard-fought game against Nashville SC that gave the Herons its first ever piece of silverware barely over a month after the Argentine’s arrival. One issue that garnered attention and has led to some debate is whether this title has made Messi the single most decorated player in football history. Messi can take pride in owning one of the most impressive title counts in the world. The former FC Barcelona and PSG player boasts ten Spanish league titles, four Champions League wins, an Olympic gold medal and the World Cup title among many others. Regardless, Messi sits as the record holder, although for now he shares it with Dani Alves.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 22, 2023 22:12 UTC
Over 40 people arrested for looting in three provinces
Over 40 people were arrested over the long weekend for looting supermarkets and convenience stores in Buenos Aires City and different cities in Mendoza, Córdoba and Neuquén provinces. In Río Cuarto, Córdoba province, at least 15 people were arrested for attempting to loot a supermarket on Sunday night. The group showed up at the store’s front after having organized the looting over social media, police sources told Télam news agency. Seven of them were charged with aggravated robbery and four were let go after testifying, judiciary sources told Télam. The Herald confirmed with TodoRoca that it was in a Neuquén city supermarket, on Río Senguer Street.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 22, 2023 20:02 UTC
Government plans to maintain AR$350 exchange rate until Nov. 15
The national government plans to keep the official dollar exchange rate at AR$350 until November 15, sources in the administration have told the Herald. Between November 15 and 30, the government could adjust the exchange rate by a slightly lower percentage than the rate of inflation from the previous month (October). The current exchange rate of AR$350 was implemented by the government the morning after the August 13 primary elections. The official exchange rate, established by the government, rises every month by a lower percentage than the rate of inflation. Currently, the official exchange rate is AR$350 and applies to imports and exports of goods and services.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 22, 2023 15:39 UTC
Analysts warn that devaluation, uncertainty will affect growth
Analysts warn that the devaluation, added to the uncertainty and high inflation, could have an impact on the economy during the second half of the year. “Key sectors like industry and construction registered a 1.3% and 1.5% monthly seasonally adjusted drop. “Following the devaluation after the 2019 PASO, economic activity between July and the end of that year fell by almost 4% in seasonally adjusted terms. )”“Prospects for economic activity have deteriorated following the depreciation of the exchange rate and the start of massive adjustments regarding prices of goods and services. The contraction effects of these events will translate into more recession and, potentially, a new monthly inflation low.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 22, 2023 14:20 UTC
Massa flies to Washington as IMF board discusses disbursement
Economy Minister Sergio Massa will fly to Washington D.C. on Monday, to be present in the U.S. capital as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) board meets to approve the most recent review of Argentina’s plan with the international lender, triggering a US$7.5 billion disbursement. The IMF board is expected to green-light the staff-level agreement reached on July 28 on the combined fifth and sixth reviews under Argentina’s 30-month Extended Fund Facility arrangement. Massa and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, after the board meeting. On Wednesday morning, Massa will meet Brian Nichols, assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs for the Department of State. You may also be interested in: Sergio Massa: the ‘unity’ candidate facing a perfect storm
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 22, 2023 07:54 UTC
Ecuador candidate backed by Correa will face banana heir in second round
González, a protege of former President Rafael Correa who has promised to revive his social programs, won 33% support, while Noboa, son of prominent banana businessman and former presidential candidate Alvaro Noboa, was a surprise second-place with 24% of the vote. The contest was darkened by the assassination of anti-corruption candidate Fernando Villavicencio earlier this month. The crime is still under investigation, but Villavicencio, who was replaced as a candidate by his friend and fellow investigative journalist Christian Zurita, came third with 16%. Villavicencio’s name appeared on the ballot papers because they were printed before his murder. Noboa seemingly gained support after performing well in the only televised debate of the campaign.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 21, 2023 14:24 UTC