Argentina scored twice in the first eight minutes but could not withstand Colombia’s second-half pressure as the hosts rallied for a 2-2 draw in a thrilling World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made five changes from the team that drew 1-1 with Chile last week and his side got the best possible start when Cristian Romero, playing in just his second international, headed home from a free kick inside three minutes.

Leandro Paredes made it 2-0 five minutes later when he dribbled through a pack of Colombian defenders and slipped the ball past the keeper.

Argentina controlled the first half but their dominance waned just before halftime after their goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was taken off the field on a stretcher with a possible head injury following a goalmouth clash.

Argentina struggled to contain Colombia's Juan Cuadrado as the hosts started to create more opportunities, with Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata both missing chances.

But they did get on the board five minutes into the second half after Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi used an arm to flatten Mateus Uribe and Muriel converted the penalty.

Argentina too had chances but found Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina in inspired form, twice making great saves to thwart Lionel Messi.

“I think we had the chances,” said Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul. “They have a great goalkeeper. We’re not happy with a draw.”

Just when it looked like Argentina would hold on, substitute Miguel Borja grabbed a deserved equaliser when his header squirmed under the body of replacement goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin deep into stoppage time.

“Unfortunately, we leave with one point when we deserved all three,” said Scaloni.

The result leaves Argentina in second place behind Brazil in the 10-team South American qualifying group. The top four teams qualify automatically for Qatar 2022 and the fifth-placed side go into an intercontinental playoff.

Earlier on Tuesday, Peru got their first victory of the campaign with a 2-1 win in Ecuador. Christian Cueva put Peru ahead after 63 minutes and Luis Advincula made it 2-0 with a minute remaining.

Gonzalo Plata scored in added time for the home side, who had a penalty award rescinded by the Video Assistant Referee early in the second half.

Hosts Venezuela held Uruguay to a 0-0 draw, the point leaving them joint bottom on four points with Peru and Bolivia, who

Argentina scored twice in the first eight minutes but could not withstand Colombia’s second-half pressure as the hosts rallied for a 2-2 draw in a thrilling World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

Argentina scored twice in the first eight minutes but could not withstand Colombia’s second-half pressure as the hosts rallied for a 2-2 draw in a thrilling World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made five changes from the team that drew 1-1 with Chile last week and his side got the best possible start when Cristian Romero, playing in just his second international, headed home from a free kick inside three minutes. Leandro Paredes made it 2-0 five minutes later when he dribbled through a pack of Colombian defenders and slipped the ball past the keeper. Argentina controlled the first half but their dominance waned just before halftime after their goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was taken off the field on a stretcher with a possible head injury following a goalmouth clash. Argentina struggled to contain Colombia's Juan Cuadrado as the hosts started to create more opportunities, with Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata both missing chances. But they did get on the board five minutes into the second half after Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi used an arm to flatten Mateus Uribe and Muriel converted the penalty. Argentina too had chances but found Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina in inspired form, twice making great saves to thwart Lionel Messi. “I think we had the chances,” said Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul. “They have a great goalkeeper. We’re not happy with a draw.” Just when it looked like Argentina would hold on, substitute Miguel Borja grabbed a deserved equaliser when his header squirmed under the body of replacement goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin deep into stoppage time. “Unfortunately, we leave with one point when we deserved all three,” said Scaloni. The result leaves Argentina in second place behind Brazil in the 10-team South American qualifying group. The top four teams qualify automatically for Qatar 2022 and the fifth-placed side go into an intercontinental playoff. Earlier on Tuesday, Peru got their first victory of the campaign with a 2-1 win in Ecuador. Christian Cueva put Peru ahead after 63 minutes and Luis Advincula made it 2-0 with a minute remaining. Gonzalo Plata scored in added time for the home side, who had a penalty award rescinded by the Video Assistant Referee early in the second half. Hosts Venezuela held Uruguay to a 0-0 draw, the point leaving them joint bottom on four points with Peru and Bolivia, who

Football: Colombia score in added time to grab 2-2 draw with Argentina

The captain of Brazil’s soccer team said the players will wait until next week to comment on reports they are opposed to Brazil hosting the Copa America, with Casemiro saying any decision would be made jointly by the players and coach.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympic-100m-hurdles-champ-brianna-mcneal-banned-for-5-years-for-doping-violation-aiu-389506" hreflang="en">Olympic 100m hurdles champ Brianna McNeal banned for 5 years for doping violation: AIU</a>

Brazil was unexpectedly chosen to host the Copa America after Argentina withdrew because of a surge in COVID-19 cases. Multiple news reports in Brazil have said the players are upset at not being consulted about the decision as well as the possible public health consequences.

"We can’t talk about the issue (but) everyone knows what our position is regarding the Copa America," Casemiro said after Brazil beat Ecuador 2-0 in a World Cup qualifying game in Porto Alegre.

"It's impossible to be clearer. We want to express our opinion after the game against Paraguay.

"There are hierarchies that we have to respect. Of course we want to give out opinion, lots of things have happened, but respect exists."

Brazil have won all five of their World Cup qualifiers so far and are top of the 10-team South American qualifying group for Qatar 2022.

“We don’t want to lose our focus because this for us is the World Cup,” Casemiro said after Richarlison and Neymar scored in Porto Alegre. “Today we won a World Cup match.”

Far-right president Jair Bolsonaro announced on Monday that Brazil would host all 28 games between June 13 and July 10. Over 460,000 people have died from the virus in Brazil, more than anywhere outside the United States.

The captain of Brazil’s soccer team said the players will wait until next week to comment on reports they are opposed to Brazil hosting the Copa America, with Casemiro saying any decision would be made jointly by the players and coach.

The captain of Brazil’s soccer team said the players will wait until next week to comment on reports they are opposed to Brazil hosting the Copa America, with Casemiro saying any decision would be made jointly by the players and coach. ALSO READ: Olympic 100m hurdles champ Brianna McNeal banned for 5 years for doping violation: AIU Brazil was unexpectedly chosen to host the Copa America after Argentina withdrew because of a surge in COVID-19 cases. Multiple news reports in Brazil have said the players are upset at not being consulted about the decision as well as the possible public health consequences. "We can’t talk about the issue (but) everyone knows what our position is regarding the Copa America," Casemiro said after Brazil beat Ecuador 2-0 in a World Cup qualifying game in Porto Alegre. "It's impossible to be clearer. We want to express our opinion after the game against Paraguay. "There are hierarchies that we have to respect. Of course we want to give out opinion, lots of things have happened, but respect exists." Brazil have won all five of their World Cup qualifiers so far and are top of the 10-team South American qualifying group for Qatar 2022. “We don’t want to lose our focus because this for us is the World Cup,” Casemiro said after Richarlison and Neymar scored in Porto Alegre. “Today we won a World Cup match.” Far-right president Jair Bolsonaro announced on Monday that Brazil would host all 28 games between June 13 and July 10. Over 460,000 people have died from the virus in Brazil, more than anywhere outside the United States.

Football: Brazil captain says to delay formal comment on Copa America controversy

Lionel Messi scored a first-half penalty for hosts Argentina before Chile's Alexis Sanchez equalised as their World Cup qualifier ended 1-1 on Thursday.

Messi converted from the spot midway through the first half after Guillermo Maripan brought down Lautaro Martinez in the box. Chile striker Sanchez levelled in the 37th minute, finishing off a cut back from Gary Medel.

Chile keeper Claudio Bravo made a world class save to keep the scores level just before halftime, tipping a Messi free kick round the post.

Messi also saw a free kick come off the woodwork in the second half.

The match in Santiago del Estero was Argentina’s first competitive outing since November and both sides looked rusty.

Argentina pushed forward as the game went on but Chile's rearguard was solid, even without their talismanic holding midfielder Arturo Vidal, who missed out after contracting COVID-19.

Messi almost snatched all three points in the last five minutes but his shots could not find a way past Bravo.

The draw means Argentina are unbeaten at home against Chile in 35 matches, and have gone 12 games without defeat since losing to Brazil in the 2019 Copa America semi-finals.

"The positive aspect is that this team always stands up to be counted, tries to attack," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. "They (Chile) practically never created any chances."

Argentina are second in the 10-team South America qualifying group for Qatar 2022 with 11 points from five games, a point behind Brazil, who play Ecuador on Friday.

Chile are sixth, with five points from five games.

The top four teams qualify automatically for Qatar while the fifth-placed side goes into an intercontinental play-off.

Colombia got their second win in the qualifiers, a 3-0 victory at last-placed Peru.

Yerry Mina put the visitors ahead five minutes before the break and Peru's task became even harder when Miguel Trauco was sent off for a second yellow card offence on the stroke of halftime.

Mateus Uribe made it 2-0 just four minutes into the second half and Luis DIaz added a third six minutes later.

Colombia moved into sixth while Peru remain the only one of the 10 teams still to record a win.

Earlier in the day, Bolivia beat Venezuela 3-1 at home and Uruguay and Paraguay drew 0-0 in Montevideo.

Lionel Messi scored a first-half penalty for hosts Argentina before Chile's Alexis Sanchez equalised as their World Cup qualifier ended 1-1 on Thursday. Messi converted from the spot midway through the first half after Guillermo Maripan brought down Lautaro Martinez in the box.

Lionel Messi scored a first-half penalty for hosts Argentina before Chile's Alexis Sanchez equalised as their World Cup qualifier ended 1-1 on Thursday. Messi converted from the spot midway through the first half after Guillermo Maripan brought down Lautaro Martinez in the box. Chile striker Sanchez levelled in the 37th minute, finishing off a cut back from Gary Medel. Chile keeper Claudio Bravo made a world class save to keep the scores level just before halftime, tipping a Messi free kick round the post. Messi also saw a free kick come off the woodwork in the second half. The match in Santiago del Estero was Argentina’s first competitive outing since November and both sides looked rusty. Argentina pushed forward as the game went on but Chile's rearguard was solid, even without their talismanic holding midfielder Arturo Vidal, who missed out after contracting COVID-19. Messi almost snatched all three points in the last five minutes but his shots could not find a way past Bravo. The draw means Argentina are unbeaten at home against Chile in 35 matches, and have gone 12 games without defeat since losing to Brazil in the 2019 Copa America semi-finals. "The positive aspect is that this team always stands up to be counted, tries to attack," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. "They (Chile) practically never created any chances." Argentina are second in the 10-team South America qualifying group for Qatar 2022 with 11 points from five games, a point behind Brazil, who play Ecuador on Friday. Chile are sixth, with five points from five games. The top four teams qualify automatically for Qatar while the fifth-placed side goes into an intercontinental play-off. Colombia got their second win in the qualifiers, a 3-0 victory at last-placed Peru. Yerry Mina put the visitors ahead five minutes before the break and Peru's task became even harder when Miguel Trauco was sent off for a second yellow card offence on the stroke of halftime. Mateus Uribe made it 2-0 just four minutes into the second half and Luis DIaz added a third six minutes later. Colombia moved into sixth while Peru remain the only one of the 10 teams still to record a win. Earlier in the day, Bolivia beat Venezuela 3-1 at home and Uruguay and Paraguay drew 0-0 in Montevideo.

Football: Messi scores penalty but Argentina held by Chile in 2022 qualifier

Lionel Scaloni has referred to injury and fitness worries as the explanations behind not picking Juventus star Paulo Dybala in the international squad for the forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers.&nbsp;

In an interview with a Juventus-based website, Lionel Scaloni said he feels frustrated about excluding Dybala from his crew. Nonetheless, Dybala's absence of structure and injury concerns were too gigantic to even consider disregarding. He said:

"There’s no one more sorry for Dybala than me. Paulo is a player that I adore. But we need people who are ready and in a good shape. He had a difficult season, injuries prevented him from playing continuously. He came back too late, among other things in a complicated moment for Juve."

With Dybala out of Argentina's crew for the World Cup Qualifiers, it is safe to expect that Lionel Scaloni won't pick the 27-year-old forward for the impending Copa America all things considered.&nbsp;

Regardless of not picking Dybala in his squad, Scaloni said that he had the freedom to pick a 26-man Argentina crew he would have chosen the assailant as he actually rates the Juventus forward rather exceptionally. Scaloni added:&nbsp;

“If we had 26 players I would have brought him, but faced with such a narrow and complicated list we had to make this decision. But his value remains out of the question. I hope he’ll soon recover his form and return to the national team."

Lionel Scaloni is dazzled by the number of Argentine players who are right now playing in Italy's first class. Scaloni accepts that Serie A will be an extraordinary way to quantify the footballing nature of Argentinians as there are such large numbers of them playing in Italy. Scaloni said:&nbsp;

"As an Argentine, I can tell you that the Italian championship is always a point of reference for me. In Italy, we have many Argentines who perform at a good level and that’s why we call them, in addition to the fact that all of us on the staff are attracted by the model and culture of Serie A."

Serie A has a gigantic measure of Argentinian ability available to it. Alongside Paulo Dybala, the association additionally has energizing players like Rodrigo de Paul and Cristian Romero who are at present a piece of the Argentina crew. 
&nbsp;

Lionel Scaloni has referred to injury and fitness worries as the explanations behind not picking Juventus star Paulo Dybala in the international squad for the forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers.

Lionel Scaloni has referred to injury and fitness worries as the explanations behind not picking Juventus star Paulo Dybala in the international squad for the forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers. In an interview with a Juventus-based website, Lionel Scaloni said he feels frustrated about excluding Dybala from his crew. Nonetheless, Dybala's absence of structure and injury concerns were too gigantic to even consider disregarding. He said: "There’s no one more sorry for Dybala than me. Paulo is a player that I adore. But we need people who are ready and in a good shape. He had a difficult season, injuries prevented him from playing continuously. He came back too late, among other things in a complicated moment for Juve." With Dybala out of Argentina's crew for the World Cup Qualifiers, it is safe to expect that Lionel Scaloni won't pick the 27-year-old forward for the impending Copa America all things considered. Regardless of not picking Dybala in his squad, Scaloni said that he had the freedom to pick a 26-man Argentina crew he would have chosen the assailant as he actually rates the Juventus forward rather exceptionally. Scaloni added: “If we had 26 players I would have brought him, but faced with such a narrow and complicated list we had to make this decision. But his value remains out of the question. I hope he’ll soon recover his form and return to the national team." Lionel Scaloni is dazzled by the number of Argentine players who are right now playing in Italy's first class. Scaloni accepts that Serie A will be an extraordinary way to quantify the footballing nature of Argentinians as there are such large numbers of them playing in Italy. Scaloni said: "As an Argentine, I can tell you that the Italian championship is always a point of reference for me. In Italy, we have many Argentines who perform at a good level and that’s why we call them, in addition to the fact that all of us on the staff are attracted by the model and culture of Serie A." Serie A has a gigantic measure of Argentinian ability available to it. Alongside Paulo Dybala, the association additionally has energizing players like Rodrigo de Paul and Cristian Romero who are at present a piece of the Argentina crew.

Football: 'No one is more sorry for Dybala than me': Lionel Scaloni on the striker's omission

The South American&nbsp;Football&nbsp;Confederation (CONMEBOL)&nbsp;said on Sunday (May 30) that Argentina would no longer host the Copa America, throwing the troubled tournament into doubt just 13 days before it was due to kick off.

The tournament between ten South American nations was scheduled to be held in Argentina and Colombia between June 13 and July 10 but Colombia was removed as co-host on May 20 and Argentina has now followed due to what CONMEBOL said was "the present circumstances."

CONMEBOL did not disclose the nature of the circumstances that led to the decision but Argentina is currently suffering from a surge in COVID-19 cases.

"CONMEBOL is analyzing offers from other countries that have shown interest in hosting the continental tournament," it said in a short statement. "Updates will be announced soon."

Sunday's decision was announced shortly before 11 p.m. in Argentina and comes as yet another blow to a tournament that was held over from 2020 due to the pandemic.

This year's Copa America was to be the first featuring joint hosts but Colombia was removed as co-hosts after a wave of protests demanding social and economic change spread across the country.

CONMEBOL said the 15 games scheduled for Colombia would be moved either to Argentina, which was due to host the other 13 matches, or somewhere else.

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Sunday (May 30) that Argentina would no longer host the Copa America, throwing the troubled tournament into doubt just 13 days before it was due to kick off.

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Sunday (May 30) that Argentina would no longer host the Copa America, throwing the troubled tournament into doubt just 13 days before it was due to kick off. The tournament between ten South American nations was scheduled to be held in Argentina and Colombia between June 13 and July 10 but Colombia was removed as co-host on May 20 and Argentina has now followed due to what CONMEBOL said was "the present circumstances." CONMEBOL did not disclose the nature of the circumstances that led to the decision but Argentina is currently suffering from a surge in COVID-19 cases. "CONMEBOL is analyzing offers from other countries that have shown interest in hosting the continental tournament," it said in a short statement. "Updates will be announced soon." Sunday's decision was announced shortly before 11 p.m. in Argentina and comes as yet another blow to a tournament that was held over from 2020 due to the pandemic. This year's Copa America was to be the first featuring joint hosts but Colombia was removed as co-hosts after a wave of protests demanding social and economic change spread across the country. CONMEBOL said the 15 games scheduled for Colombia would be moved either to Argentina, which was due to host the other 13 matches, or somewhere else.

Football: Argentina no longer hosting Copa America: CONMEBOL

Argentina on Saturday entered a phase of strict lockdown which will last until May 30 to slow the spread of COVID-19.The decision was made through a presidential decree published on Saturday in the Official Gazette, and includes the restriction of movement from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am&nbsp;and the suspension of all non-essential activities.

About 11,500 troops were deployed throughout the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area to ensure compliance with the restrictions.

The government announced that, between May 22 and 30, all in-person social, economic, educational, religious and sports activities are suspended, with only essential businesses allowed to remain open.

"We have already been having controls for several weeks. Now they are going to be more intense, 24 hours a day, which requires a greater effort," Security Minister Sabina Frederic told state news agency Telam. Frederic said that residents should stay "with their family group and not break that bubble so as not to amplify the number of contacts, which is what accelerates the number of sick people."

As of Saturday, Argentina had registered 3,514,683 cases and 73,688 deaths from COVID-19, according to the latest report from the health ministry.

Argentina on Saturday entered a phase of strict lockdown which will last until May 30 to slow the spread of COVID-19.The decision was made through a presidential decree published on Saturday in the Official Gazette, and includes the restriction of movement from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am and the suspension of all non-essential activities.

Argentina on Saturday entered a phase of strict lockdown which will last until May 30 to slow the spread of COVID-19.The decision was made through a presidential decree published on Saturday in the Official Gazette, and includes the restriction of movement from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am and the suspension of all non-essential activities. About 11,500 troops were deployed throughout the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area to ensure compliance with the restrictions. The government announced that, between May 22 and 30, all in-person social, economic, educational, religious and sports activities are suspended, with only essential businesses allowed to remain open. "We have already been having controls for several weeks. Now they are going to be more intense, 24 hours a day, which requires a greater effort," Security Minister Sabina Frederic told state news agency Telam. Frederic said that residents should stay "with their family group and not break that bubble so as not to amplify the number of contacts, which is what accelerates the number of sick people." As of Saturday, Argentina had registered 3,514,683 cases and 73,688 deaths from COVID-19, according to the latest report from the health ministry.

Argentina begins strict lockdown to slow spread of COVID-19

Argentina's COVID death toll mounts amidst a new wave. They are threatening a strike if they are not vaccinated.

Argentina's Gravediggers are pleading for vaccines

The Argentina&nbsp;government has agreed with opposition parties to postpone primary and mid-term elections due to take place from August for five weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

Argentina's ruling center-left "Frente de Todos" coalition is seeking to defend a majority in the Senate and its strong position in the lower house, where it is the largest block.

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"We were able to reach an agreement with the different (legislative) blocs to push back this year's elections, putting the health and lives of the people first," Interior Minister Enrique de Pedro said in a statement.

Mario Negri, from opposition coalition Together for Change, said the decision had been made to wait until more people were vaccinated.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Argentine president to head to Europe as IMF debt weighs heavy">Argentine president to head to Europe as IMF debt weighs heavy</a>

There are 127 seats up for grabs in the lower Chamber of Deputies out of 257 in total, and 24 in play in the Senate out of the chamber's 72 seats.

Pollsters expect the government to lose seats in the election, though the challenge may fall short of erasing its Senate majority.

Primary elections, which were due to be held on August 8, will be delayed until September 12 while the mid-terms, due to be held October 24 and will now be held November&nbsp;14.

Argentina, with a population of about 45 million people, is now recording the highest number of COVID-19 infections since the start of the pandemic last year. As of Friday, 3.1 million cases have been confirmed and 66,872 people have died.

So far, at least 8.95 million people have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 1.31 million have received two.

The Argentina government has agreed with opposition parties to postpone primary and mid-term elections due to take place from August for five weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The Argentina government has agreed with opposition parties to postpone primary and mid-term elections due to take place from August for five weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Friday. Argentina's ruling center-left "Frente de Todos" coalition is seeking to defend a majority in the Senate and its strong position in the lower house, where it is the largest block. Also read | Argentina: People take to streets in Buenos Aires to protest lockdown "We were able to reach an agreement with the different (legislative) blocs to push back this year's elections, putting the health and lives of the people first," Interior Minister Enrique de Pedro said in a statement. Mario Negri, from opposition coalition Together for Change, said the decision had been made to wait until more people were vaccinated. Also read | Argentine president to head to Europe as IMF debt weighs heavy There are 127 seats up for grabs in the lower Chamber of Deputies out of 257 in total, and 24 in play in the Senate out of the chamber's 72 seats. Pollsters expect the government to lose seats in the election, though the challenge may fall short of erasing its Senate majority. Primary elections, which were due to be held on August 8, will be delayed until September 12 while the mid-terms, due to be held October 24 and will now be held November 14. Argentina, with a population of about 45 million people, is now recording the highest number of COVID-19 infections since the start of the pandemic last year. As of Friday, 3.1 million cases have been confirmed and 66,872 people have died. So far, at least 8.95 million people have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 1.31 million have received two.

Argentina pushes back mid-term elections as COVID-19 rages

Argentina's&nbsp;President&nbsp;Alberto Fernandez will&nbsp;head&nbsp;to&nbsp;Europe&nbsp;and meet Pope Francis in the Vatican as the country looks to secure a repayment deal with the International Monetary Fund.

The crisis-hit South American country is due to start repaying the $44 billion loan this year but in March Fernandez said the&nbsp;debt&nbsp;in its current form was "unpayable."

In recession since 2018,&nbsp;Argentina&nbsp;must also repay a $2.8 billion loan with the Paris Club of creditor countries that provide sustainable solutions to debtor countries.

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Those included three of the countries Fernandez will visit: France, Italy and Spain.

Fernandez is due to arrive in Portugal on Sunday to meet his counterpart, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, while Economy Minister Martin Guzman, Foreign Affairs Minister Felipe Sola, and first lady Fabiola Yanez will also make the trip to&nbsp;Europe.

On Monday afternoon he will&nbsp;head&nbsp;to Spain to meet King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

French&nbsp;President&nbsp;Emmanuel Macron will host Fernandez at the Elysee Palace on Wednesday and the next day fellow&nbsp;Argentine&nbsp;Pope Francis will welcome him to the Vatican before a final meeting with Italian&nbsp;President&nbsp;Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez will head to Europe and meet Pope Francis in the Vatican as the country looks to secure a repayment deal with the International Monetary Fund.

Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez will head to Europe and meet Pope Francis in the Vatican as the country looks to secure a repayment deal with the International Monetary Fund. The crisis-hit South American country is due to start repaying the $44 billion loan this year but in March Fernandez said the debt in its current form was "unpayable." In recession since 2018, Argentina must also repay a $2.8 billion loan with the Paris Club of creditor countries that provide sustainable solutions to debtor countries. Also read | EU releases Indo-Pacific strategy; envoy Ugo reaffirms ties with India Those included three of the countries Fernandez will visit: France, Italy and Spain. Fernandez is due to arrive in Portugal on Sunday to meet his counterpart, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, while Economy Minister Martin Guzman, Foreign Affairs Minister Felipe Sola, and first lady Fabiola Yanez will also make the trip to Europe. On Monday afternoon he will head to Spain to meet King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. French President Emmanuel Macron will host Fernandez at the Elysee Palace on Wednesday and the next day fellow Argentine Pope Francis will welcome him to the Vatican before a final meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

Argentine president to head to Europe as IMF debt weighs heavy

A medical board appointed to investigate the death of Diego Maradona has concluded that the soccer star's medical team acted in an "inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner," according to a copy of the report shared with Reuters on Friday.

Maradona's death in November last year rocked the South American nation where he was revered, prompting a period of mourning and angry finger pointing about who was to blame after the icon's years-long battle with addiction and ill health.

Argentine prosecutors launched investigations shortly after Maradona's death at age 60 from heart failure at a house near Buenos Aires, including ordering searches of properties of his personal doctor and probing others involved in his care.

Maradona, nicknamed "D10S," a play on the Spanish word for god, and "Pelusa" for his prominent mane of hair, had battled alcohol and drug addiction for many years and had undergone brain surgery in November.

In March this year, a medical board appointed by the Justice Ministry met to analyze allegations that members of the health team who attended Maradona did not treat him adequately.

"The action of the health team in charge of treating DAM (Diego Armando Maradona) was inadequate, deficient and reckless," said the medical board report dated April 30 and shared with Reuters by a source close to the investigation.

The report said Maradona had become seriously unwell and was dying for around 12 hours before his death at around midday on Nov. 25.

"He presented unequivocal signs of a prolonged agonizing period, so we conclude that the patient was not properly monitored from 00:30 on 11/25/2020," the report added.

Reuters could not reach prosecutors and lawyers involved in the case for comment on Friday.

Maradona, a world champion with Argentina in the 1986 Cup, played for Barcelona, ​​Napoli, Seville, Boca Juniors and Argentinos Juniors, and is widely heralded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time.

A medical board appointed to investigate the death of Diego Maradona has concluded that the soccer star's medical team acted in an "inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner," according to a copy of the report shared with Reuters on Friday.

A medical board appointed to investigate the death of Diego Maradona has concluded that the soccer star's medical team acted in an "inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner," according to a copy of the report shared with Reuters on Friday. Maradona's death in November last year rocked the South American nation where he was revered, prompting a period of mourning and angry finger pointing about who was to blame after the icon's years-long battle with addiction and ill health. Argentine prosecutors launched investigations shortly after Maradona's death at age 60 from heart failure at a house near Buenos Aires, including ordering searches of properties of his personal doctor and probing others involved in his care. Maradona, nicknamed "D10S," a play on the Spanish word for god, and "Pelusa" for his prominent mane of hair, had battled alcohol and drug addiction for many years and had undergone brain surgery in November. In March this year, a medical board appointed by the Justice Ministry met to analyze allegations that members of the health team who attended Maradona did not treat him adequately. "The action of the health team in charge of treating DAM (Diego Armando Maradona) was inadequate, deficient and reckless," said the medical board report dated April 30 and shared with Reuters by a source close to the investigation. The report said Maradona had become seriously unwell and was dying for around 12 hours before his death at around midday on Nov. 25. "He presented unequivocal signs of a prolonged agonizing period, so we conclude that the patient was not properly monitored from 00:30 on 11/25/2020," the report added. Reuters could not reach prosecutors and lawyers involved in the case for comment on Friday. Maradona, a world champion with Argentina in the 1986 Cup, played for Barcelona, Napoli, Seville, Boca Juniors and Argentinos Juniors, and is widely heralded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time.

Maradona care 'deficient and reckless' before death, medical board report finds

Argentines took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Saturday (April 17) to protest new lockdown measures brought back this week as daily COVID-19 cases surged to record highs.

Starting from Friday (April 16) and set to run to the end of the month, the new measures see an effective curfew after 8pm, indoor activities banned in public spaces, and schools closed.

When the coronavirus first appeared in South America last year, Argentina brought in a strict lockdown that initially kept a lid on cases but choked an already ailing economy in recession for the past three years.

Cases ended up rising regardless as many Argentines were forced out of doors to make a living as poverty rates shot up to 42 percent by the end of the year.

The restrictions have already sparked a battle between the federal government of centre-left President Alberto Fernandez and Buenos Aires' city mayor who strongly opposes the school shutdown and has said he was not consulted on the measures.

Fernandez says the country needs to gain time in the battle against the virus after daily cases hit a record 27,000 earlier this week. The South American country has recorded over 2.6 million cases and is nearing 59,000 deaths.

Argentines took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Saturday (April 17) to protest new lockdown measures brought back this week as daily COVID-19 cases surged to record highs.

Argentines took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Saturday (April 17) to protest new lockdown measures brought back this week as daily COVID-19 cases surged to record highs. Starting from Friday (April 16) and set to run to the end of the month, the new measures see an effective curfew after 8pm, indoor activities banned in public spaces, and schools closed. When the coronavirus first appeared in South America last year, Argentina brought in a strict lockdown that initially kept a lid on cases but choked an already ailing economy in recession for the past three years. Cases ended up rising regardless as many Argentines were forced out of doors to make a living as poverty rates shot up to 42 percent by the end of the year. The restrictions have already sparked a battle between the federal government of centre-left President Alberto Fernandez and Buenos Aires' city mayor who strongly opposes the school shutdown and has said he was not consulted on the measures. Fernandez says the country needs to gain time in the battle against the virus after daily cases hit a record 27,000 earlier this week. The South American country has recorded over 2.6 million cases and is nearing 59,000 deaths.

Argentina: People take to streets in Buenos Aires to protest lockdown

Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez has recovered from the COVID-19. He had contracted with the infection in the beginning of April. Fernandez had received two doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine at the start of the year.

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez recovers from COVID-19

Twelve black-and-white Magellanic penguins have been returned to the chilly seas off the Atlantic coast of Argentina after they were rescued and rehabilitated from health issues including malnutrition and anemia.

Twelve Magellanic penguins waddle back to sea after rehabilitation

Guzman will travel to Germany, France, Italy and Spain, where he will meet his counterparts and other officials to outline Argentina’s restructuring plans during a five-day trip.

Argentina’s economy minister Martin Guzman heads to Europe

President Alberto Fernández of Argentina tested positive for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> on Saturday and was experiencing mild symptoms despite having been vaccinated earlier this year, becoming the latest in a series of world leaders who have contracted the virus.

In a series of tweets sent early Saturday, Fernández said a “light headache” and a temperature of 99.1 degrees had prompted him to take a quick antigen test. Its positive finding was confirmed later Saturday by a more rigorous PCR test, said Dr. Federico Saavedra, the president’s physician.

Fernández’s symptoms were “mild due in large part to the protective effect of the vaccine,” Saavedra said.

The president, who first learned the preliminary result on Friday, his 62nd birthday, said he would remain in isolation. “I am physically well, and although I would have liked to end my birthday without this news, I’m also in good spirits,” the president wrote on Twitter.

Fernández joins a list of world leaders who have contracted the virus, including Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico, Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, Emmanuel Macron of France and Donald Trump of the United States, during the final months of his presidency.

But Fernández appears to be the first of those leaders to test positive for COVID-19 after having been fully vaccinated. He received the first dose of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine on Jan. 21 and the second dose on Feb. 11.

Russia’s Gamaleya Institute, which developed Sputnik V, wished the president well in a statement and said that while the vaccine has an efficacy rate of 91.6%, it is fully effective in preventing critical cases.

“The vaccination ensures quick recovery without severe symptoms,” the institute wrote in a statement on Twitter. “We wish you a quick recovery!”

Word of Fernández’s test results comes shortly after Argentina tightened its borders amid an upsurge of COVID-19 infections. Several neighboring countries, particularly Brazil, are experiencing a sharp increase in cases as new, more contagious variants of the virus engulf the region.

Argentina recently canceled all direct flights with Brazil, Chile and Mexico in an effort to block the new strains.

Argentina was the first country in Latin America to approve the use of the Sputnik V vaccine in late December, but mass inoculations are taking longer than the government had initially predicted amid a global shortage of the vaccine. It has also been administering China’s Sinopharm vaccine and Covishield, the Indian version of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Of the nation’s 45 million people, 683,771 have received two vaccine doses, and there have been 4.18 million doses injected overall.

Argentina said on March 26 it would delay applying the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for three months in an effort to ensure as many people as possible get at least one dose. The country has reported nearly 2.4 million COVID-19 infections and more than 56,000 deaths.

President Alberto Fernández of Argentina tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday and was experiencing mild symptoms despite having been vaccinated earlier this year, becoming the latest in a series of world leaders who have contracted the virus.

President Alberto Fernández of Argentina tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday and was experiencing mild symptoms despite having been vaccinated earlier this year, becoming the latest in a series of world leaders who have contracted the virus. In a series of tweets sent early Saturday, Fernández said a “light headache” and a temperature of 99.1 degrees had prompted him to take a quick antigen test. Its positive finding was confirmed later Saturday by a more rigorous PCR test, said Dr. Federico Saavedra, the president’s physician. Fernández’s symptoms were “mild due in large part to the protective effect of the vaccine,” Saavedra said. The president, who first learned the preliminary result on Friday, his 62nd birthday, said he would remain in isolation. “I am physically well, and although I would have liked to end my birthday without this news, I’m also in good spirits,” the president wrote on Twitter. Fernández joins a list of world leaders who have contracted the virus, including Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico, Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, Emmanuel Macron of France and Donald Trump of the United States, during the final months of his presidency. But Fernández appears to be the first of those leaders to test positive for COVID-19 after having been fully vaccinated. He received the first dose of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine on Jan. 21 and the second dose on Feb. 11. Russia’s Gamaleya Institute, which developed Sputnik V, wished the president well in a statement and said that while the vaccine has an efficacy rate of 91.6%, it is fully effective in preventing critical cases. “The vaccination ensures quick recovery without severe symptoms,” the institute wrote in a statement on Twitter. “We wish you a quick recovery!” Word of Fernández’s test results comes shortly after Argentina tightened its borders amid an upsurge of COVID-19 infections. Several neighboring countries, particularly Brazil, are experiencing a sharp increase in cases as new, more contagious variants of the virus engulf the region. Argentina recently canceled all direct flights with Brazil, Chile and Mexico in an effort to block the new strains. Argentina was the first country in Latin America to approve the use of the Sputnik V vaccine in late December, but mass inoculations are taking longer than the government had initially predicted amid a global shortage of the vaccine. It has also been administering China’s Sinopharm vaccine and Covishield, the Indian version of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Of the nation’s 45 million people, 683,771 have received two vaccine doses, and there have been 4.18 million doses injected overall. Argentina said on March 26 it would delay applying the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for three months in an effort to ensure as many people as possible get at least one dose. The country has reported nearly 2.4 million COVID-19 infections and more than 56,000 deaths.

Argentina’s President tests positive for coronavirus despite vaccination

Hundreds of Argentine environmentalists held a sit-in protest outside the country's congress on Monday to demand the right to clean water on the occasion of World Water Day.

Argentina: Protesters rally in Buenos Aires on World Water Day

A woman in Argentina has defeated AIDS 'naturally'. Scientists say this discover raises hopes of a cure. Are we a step closer to defeating HIV? WION's Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Woman in Argentina defeats Aids 'naturally'

Argentina's industrial output should grow more than 6% this year versus last year. Argentina's economy as a whole is expected to expand 5% to 6% during the year, based on initial data and depending on how the novel coronavirus evolves.

World Business Watch: Argentina's industrial growth economy contracted

Scientists have unearthed in Argentina's Patagonian wilderness fossils of what may be the oldest-known member of the dinosaur group known as Titanosaurs that includes the largest land animals in Earth's history.

Researchers said on Monday the fossils represent a dinosaur species named Ninjatitan zapatai that lived 140 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. They identified Ninjatitan as a Titanosaur, a group of long-necked plant-eating dinosaurs that walked on four pillar-like legs.

The dinosaur's incomplete skeletal remains were discovered south of the city of Neuquen. The researchers said Ninjatitan demonstrated that the Titanosaurs as a group first appeared longer ago than previously known.

"It is the oldest record known, not only from Argentina but worldwide," study lead author Pablo Gallina, a researcher at the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research of Argentina (CONICET), told Reuters. "Titanosaurs are recorded on various sides of the world, but the oldest-known records were more modern than this find."

At a length of about 65 feet (20 meters), Ninjatitan was a large dinosaur, but much smaller than later Titanosaurs such as Argentinosaurus that reached a length of around 115 feet (35 meters). The researchers also said the presence of such an early Titanosaur in Patagonia supports the idea that Titanosaurs originated in the Southern Hemisphere.

The findings were published in the scientific journal Ameghiniana.

Titanosaurs are part of a larger dinosaur group called sauropods that includes others with similar body designs such as Brontosaurus and Diplodocus that lived in North America during the Jurassic Period, which preceded the Cretaceous Period.

A number of the titanosaurs that inhabited Patagonia achieved gigantic proportions such as Argentinosaurus, Patagotitan and Dreadnoughtus.

José Luis Carbadillo, another CONICET researcher, told a local university publication that the age of Ninjatitan's remains could have led people to assume that the bones belonged to a dinosaur group that pre-dated Titanosaurs.

"In Patagonia, Titanosaurs are only known about from less than 120 million years ago," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have unearthed in Argentina's Patagonian wilderness fossils of what may be the oldest-known member of the dinosaur group known as Titanosaurs that includes the largest land animals in Earth's history.

Scientists have unearthed in Argentina's Patagonian wilderness fossils of what may be the oldest-known member of the dinosaur group known as Titanosaurs that includes the largest land animals in Earth's history. Researchers said on Monday the fossils represent a dinosaur species named Ninjatitan zapatai that lived 140 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. They identified Ninjatitan as a Titanosaur, a group of long-necked plant-eating dinosaurs that walked on four pillar-like legs. The dinosaur's incomplete skeletal remains were discovered south of the city of Neuquen. The researchers said Ninjatitan demonstrated that the Titanosaurs as a group first appeared longer ago than previously known. "It is the oldest record known, not only from Argentina but worldwide," study lead author Pablo Gallina, a researcher at the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research of Argentina (CONICET), told Reuters. "Titanosaurs are recorded on various sides of the world, but the oldest-known records were more modern than this find." At a length of about 65 feet (20 meters), Ninjatitan was a large dinosaur, but much smaller than later Titanosaurs such as Argentinosaurus that reached a length of around 115 feet (35 meters). The researchers also said the presence of such an early Titanosaur in Patagonia supports the idea that Titanosaurs originated in the Southern Hemisphere. The findings were published in the scientific journal Ameghiniana. Titanosaurs are part of a larger dinosaur group called sauropods that includes others with similar body designs such as Brontosaurus and Diplodocus that lived in North America during the Jurassic Period, which preceded the Cretaceous Period. A number of the titanosaurs that inhabited Patagonia achieved gigantic proportions such as Argentinosaurus, Patagotitan and Dreadnoughtus. José Luis Carbadillo, another CONICET researcher, told a local university publication that the age of Ninjatitan's remains could have led people to assume that the bones belonged to a dinosaur group that pre-dated Titanosaurs. "In Patagonia, Titanosaurs are only known about from less than 120 million years ago," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Fossils of Titanosaur, oldest member of dinosaur group, unearthed in Argentina

Argentines bring legend Diego Maradona back to life with mosaics

Thousands of Argentines took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Saturday (February 27) in rejection of a "VIP" vaccine scandal that has shaken up the government of President Alberto Fernandez.

Argentina: Protesters take to streets in Buenos Aires to protest ‘VIP vaccine’ scandal

It wasn’t exactly a sunken treasure.

But that apparently didn’t stop a team of divers in Argentina from going to extraordinary lengths to pilfer 700 liters, or 185 gallons, of artisanal beer that had been left by three local breweries to age, attached to a sunken ship, on the ocean floor.

The owners of the three breweries in Mar del Plata, which had teamed up with a diving school for what they described as a first-of-its-kind monthslong experiment in deep-water beermaking, were left mystified, and heartbroken, upon discovering Tuesday that the barrels were gone.

Watch |&nbsp;

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“I started crying,” said Carlos Brelles, who runs the Thalassa Diving School in Mar del Plata, a coastal city 5 miles from the sunken ship. “Three or four people without morals destroyed the work of so many people who put in so much effort.”

Brelles and the brewery owners said they have no clues that could shed light on the disappearance of the barrels, but they haven’t ruled out an act of sabotage. They asked prosecutors to open a criminal investigation.

It was a bitter end to an idea years in the making that was hatched over casual chats at the diving school.

Brelles, 52, having read news reports about beer that had been aged underwater in other countries, pitched the idea back in 2018 to a friend, Eduardo Ricardo, 40, one of the owners of Heller Brewery. And as the notion spread among beer enthusiasts in Mar del Plata, several took to the idea — but had a twist. Previous experiments had involved shallower depths, so they wanted to test beers made under greater pressure. They spent months securing permits to affix the barrels to the Kronomether, an abandoned Soviet-era ship 66 feet underwater that sank in 2014 and had become a favorite spot of recreational divers.

“No one had ever done this before,” said Juan Pablo Vincent, 43, master brewer at Baum brewery, who was involved in the effort.

The brewers settled on a dark, strong ale with an alcohol level of between 11% and 12%.

It took more than a year to obtain the necessary permits, and then coronavirus quarantine measures slowed down the endeavor, so the team was only able to lower the seven barrels of beer into the ocean Nov. 22.

The plan was to blend the content in the barrels with another beer. If all went according to plan, the brewers expected to be left with 1,000 liters, or 264 gallons, of a custom-made brew that would fill some 2,000 bottles and sell under the name Kronomether.

The breweries intended to donate the proceeds to a local natural science museum.

Brelles dove to check on the barrels Jan. 19, and everything looked fine. He returned this Tuesday, a day before the barrels were going to be brought back to land, and couldn’t believe his eyes: All the barrels were gone.

Vincent said the contents of the barrels would be useless in the hands of people who lack sophisticated beer-making skills, since the purpose of the brew was to mix it with another beer.

“If they stole it for their own consumption, they’re going to have to throw it away,” said Vincent. “It was a lukewarm, gasless liquor that would be very difficult to drink.”

Vincent said he suspects vandals broke the barrels loose.

“I think they broke everything so the barrels would drift away,” Brelles said. “It was malice for malice’s sake.”

Despite the disappointment, they are determined to try again.

Brelles agreed. “We can’t let them win,” he said. “We have to do it again.” 
&nbsp;

It wasn’t exactly a sunken treasure. But that apparently didn’t stop a team of divers in Argentina from going to extraordinary lengths to pilfer 700 liters, or 185 gallons, of artisanal beer that had been left by three local breweries to age, attached to a sunken ship, on the ocean floor.

It wasn’t exactly a sunken treasure. But that apparently didn’t stop a team of divers in Argentina from going to extraordinary lengths to pilfer 700 liters, or 185 gallons, of artisanal beer that had been left by three local breweries to age, attached to a sunken ship, on the ocean floor. The owners of the three breweries in Mar del Plata, which had teamed up with a diving school for what they described as a first-of-its-kind monthslong experiment in deep-water beermaking, were left mystified, and heartbroken, upon discovering Tuesday that the barrels were gone. Watch | “I started crying,” said Carlos Brelles, who runs the Thalassa Diving School in Mar del Plata, a coastal city 5 miles from the sunken ship. “Three or four people without morals destroyed the work of so many people who put in so much effort.” Brelles and the brewery owners said they have no clues that could shed light on the disappearance of the barrels, but they haven’t ruled out an act of sabotage. They asked prosecutors to open a criminal investigation. It was a bitter end to an idea years in the making that was hatched over casual chats at the diving school. Brelles, 52, having read news reports about beer that had been aged underwater in other countries, pitched the idea back in 2018 to a friend, Eduardo Ricardo, 40, one of the owners of Heller Brewery. And as the notion spread among beer enthusiasts in Mar del Plata, several took to the idea — but had a twist. Previous experiments had involved shallower depths, so they wanted to test beers made under greater pressure. They spent months securing permits to affix the barrels to the Kronomether, an abandoned Soviet-era ship 66 feet underwater that sank in 2014 and had become a favorite spot of recreational divers. “No one had ever done this before,” said Juan Pablo Vincent, 43, master brewer at Baum brewery, who was involved in the effort. The brewers settled on a dark, strong ale with an alcohol level of between 11% and 12%. It took more than a year to obtain the necessary permits, and then coronavirus quarantine measures slowed down the endeavor, so the team was only able to lower the seven barrels of beer into the ocean Nov. 22. The plan was to blend the content in the barrels with another beer. If all went according to plan, the brewers expected to be left with 1,000 liters, or 264 gallons, of a custom-made brew that would fill some 2,000 bottles and sell under the name Kronomether. The breweries intended to donate the proceeds to a local natural science museum. Brelles dove to check on the barrels Jan. 19, and everything looked fine. He returned this Tuesday, a day before the barrels were going to be brought back to land, and couldn’t believe his eyes: All the barrels were gone. Vincent said the contents of the barrels would be useless in the hands of people who lack sophisticated beer-making skills, since the purpose of the brew was to mix it with another beer. “If they stole it for their own consumption, they’re going to have to throw it away,” said Vincent. “It was a lukewarm, gasless liquor that would be very difficult to drink.” Vincent said he suspects vandals broke the barrels loose. “I think they broke everything so the barrels would drift away,” Brelles said. “It was malice for malice’s sake.” Despite the disappointment, they are determined to try again. Brelles agreed. “We can’t let them win,” he said. “We have to do it again.”

Aging beer in a sunken ship sounded like a good idea. Thieves thought so too.

Argentina's health minister resigned on Friday after a journalist claimed that he was able to skip the queue for getting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccination</a>.&nbsp;

"Responding to your express request, I present my resignation from the position of minister of health," Gonzalez Garcia said in a letter addressed to the president.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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He will be replaced by Carla Vizzotti, who ensured the use of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, making Argentina the first American country to approve it.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peru-begins-covid-inoculation-argentina-approves-covishield-vaccine-362671">Peru begins Covid inoculation, Argentina approves Covishield vaccine</a>

The scandal came to fore after a 71-year-old journalist said on the radio that he had able to get inoculated before the general population due to his longstanding friendship with Garcia.&nbsp;

Reports say at least 10 people got vaccinated without following proper procedure and the journalist was one of them.&nbsp;

So far, only healthcare personnel have been vaccinated in the country and inoculation for people over 70 started on Wednesday in the province of Buenos Aires.&nbsp;

However, local media reported that people who are in close proximity with the government are able to get vaccinated.&nbsp;

Argentina is not the only country in South America against which such accusations were levelled.&nbsp;

In Peru, some 500 government officials, including former president Martin Vizcarra and top ministers have been accused of receiving coronavirus vaccinations ahead of their turn.&nbsp;

Argentina's health minister resigned on Friday after a journalist claimed that he was able to skip the queue for getting coronavirus vaccination. "Responding to your express request, I present my resignation from the position of minister of health," Gonzalez Garcia said in a letter addressed to the president.

Argentina's health minister resigned on Friday after a journalist claimed that he was able to skip the queue for getting coronavirus vaccination. "Responding to your express request, I present my resignation from the position of minister of health," Gonzalez Garcia said in a letter addressed to the president. Watch | He will be replaced by Carla Vizzotti, who ensured the use of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, making Argentina the first American country to approve it. Also read | Peru begins Covid inoculation, Argentina approves Covishield vaccine The scandal came to fore after a 71-year-old journalist said on the radio that he had able to get inoculated before the general population due to his longstanding friendship with Garcia. Reports say at least 10 people got vaccinated without following proper procedure and the journalist was one of them. So far, only healthcare personnel have been vaccinated in the country and inoculation for people over 70 started on Wednesday in the province of Buenos Aires. However, local media reported that people who are in close proximity with the government are able to get vaccinated. Argentina is not the only country in South America against which such accusations were levelled. In Peru, some 500 government officials, including former president Martin Vizcarra and top ministers have been accused of receiving coronavirus vaccinations ahead of their turn.

Argentina's health minister resigns over VIP treatment to get Covid-19 vaccines

Argentina's health minister has stepped down over the vaccine scandal and the health minister resign after it immerged that many of his friends got inoculated after they skipped the line for a vaccination. Argentina's Prime minister called on the health minister to resign in the wake of the scandal.

Argentina's health minister Gines Gonzalez Garcia resign over vaccine scandal

Argentina is protesting against femicide, a term, which broadly means the intentional killing of females. &nbsp;

Protests are on across Argentina after a 19-year-old was stabbed to death by her former boyfriend. The man happens to be a police officer. He has now been arrested but the 19-year-old's victim's mother- wants her daughter's murderer to live. &nbsp;

Protesters wrapped in plastic, sign near protesters that reads 'stop’ in Spanish. These visuals tell a disturbing tale. &nbsp;

Protests began following the murder of a 19-year-old Ursula Bahillo near Buenos Aires. Bahillo was stabbed to death. Her body was found with 30 stab wounds. Her neck, back, torso- all scarred with injuries. In the dock is her former boyfriend. &nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Reports say he is a 25-year-old provincial police officer. Ursula had earlier reported him for violence. The man was issued a restraining order. He has now been arrested. A tougher preventive action, may have kept Ursula alive. &nbsp;

Protesters have gathered holding up placards with a photo of femicide victim. &nbsp;

The 19-year-old's death has also sparked fear. A banner says in Spanish that "We march because we are alive but we do not know until when." &nbsp;

Several protesters have chanted voices against police, holding banner in Spanish "who protects us from the police?" &nbsp;

30 women were murdered in Argentina in January. 12% of these murders were committed by former or current members of the security forces.&nbsp;

Argentina reported 50 femicides during a two-month lockdown. The number was a 10-year-high.&nbsp;

12 women are killed every day in latin America because of their gender. The region is home to 14 of 25 countries with the highest rates of femicide. This is according to the United Nations. &nbsp;

Reports say a vast majority of the femicides go unprosecuted. Ursula Bahillo's mother Patricia Nassutti says she wants her daughter's murderer to live. &nbsp;

Nassutti said, “What I need is for him to live so that he can pay his sentence with life and not with death because it would be much easier for him to die.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

The grieving mother met Argentina's president Alberto Fernandez, who promised that justice will be delivered to her.&nbsp;

Argentina is protesting against femicide, a term, which broadly means the intentional killing of females. Protests are on across Argentina after a 19-year-old was stabbed to death by her former boyfriend.

Argentina is protesting against femicide, a term, which broadly means the intentional killing of females. Protests are on across Argentina after a 19-year-old was stabbed to death by her former boyfriend. The man happens to be a police officer. He has now been arrested but the 19-year-old's victim's mother- wants her daughter's murderer to live. Protesters wrapped in plastic, sign near protesters that reads 'stop’ in Spanish. These visuals tell a disturbing tale. Protests began following the murder of a 19-year-old Ursula Bahillo near Buenos Aires. Bahillo was stabbed to death. Her body was found with 30 stab wounds. Her neck, back, torso- all scarred with injuries. In the dock is her former boyfriend. × Reports say he is a 25-year-old provincial police officer. Ursula had earlier reported him for violence. The man was issued a restraining order. He has now been arrested. A tougher preventive action, may have kept Ursula alive. Protesters have gathered holding up placards with a photo of femicide victim. The 19-year-old's death has also sparked fear. A banner says in Spanish that "We march because we are alive but we do not know until when." Several protesters have chanted voices against police, holding banner in Spanish "who protects us from the police?" 30 women were murdered in Argentina in January. 12% of these murders were committed by former or current members of the security forces. Argentina reported 50 femicides during a two-month lockdown. The number was a 10-year-high. 12 women are killed every day in latin America because of their gender. The region is home to 14 of 25 countries with the highest rates of femicide. This is according to the United Nations. Reports say a vast majority of the femicides go unprosecuted. Ursula Bahillo's mother Patricia Nassutti says she wants her daughter's murderer to live. Nassutti said, “What I need is for him to live so that he can pay his sentence with life and not with death because it would be much easier for him to die.” The grieving mother met Argentina's president Alberto Fernandez, who promised that justice will be delivered to her.

Argentina protests against femicide

The murder of a 19-year-old girl by her ex-boyfriend has triggered protests against Femicide in Argentina. The accused is a police officer who has now been arrested. The 19-year-old's mother says she wants her daughter's murderer to live. WION's Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Protests against Femicide in Argentina

Argentines gathered on Wednesday (February 17) in Buenos Aires to express outrage at the latest teen femicide case in the country and demand justice be done to better protect women from violence.

Argentines demand justice after teen femicide shocks the nation

Argentina received 580,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine Covishield on Wednesday (February 17). Manufactured by India's Serum Institute and developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, the consignment brought the country a step closer to launching a large-scale vaccination programme.

Argentina receives 580,000 doses of COVID vaccine from India's Serum Institute

Argentina's former president Carlos Menem, who marked his country with a neoliberal approach to the economy, died in a Buenos Aires clinic on Sunday at the age of 90.

Menem had been in poor health and was hospitalised several times in recent months for pneumonia.

Incumbent President Alberto Fernandez, who declared three days of national mourning for Menem, tweeted his "deep regret" at the news of his passing and extended condolences to Menem's family.

Menem will be buried Monday in the Islamic cemetery in Buenos Aires next to his son, Carlos Menem, Jr, who died in 1995 in a helicopter accident.

The former president's wake began Sunday night at the Congress building, where Vice President and Senate leader Cristina Kirchner received Menem's family and coffin, draped with the Argentine flag.

An emotional Fernandez and his wife, Fabiola Yanez, arrived an hour later and offered their condolences to the family.

After that, the doors were opened to admit the hundreds of mourners lined up outside.

Born in July 1930 into a family of Syrian immigrants, which earned him the nickname "The Turk", Menem prided himself on never having lost an election.

He served two terms as president, from 1989 to 1999. After withdrawing from the race for a third term, he was elected to the Senate in 2005 and was re-elected several times since.

Menem identified as a follower of Peronism, the leftist movement based on the legacy of former president Juan Peron that today covers a broad spectrum of political leanings in Argentina.

He pursued an aggressive privatization policy that many saw to be in direct contrast to his stated political ideology.

'Argentine miracle'

His name is synonymous with the "Argentine miracle", a period when his decision to fix the exchange rate of the peso to the US dollar brought economic stability and an end to hyperinflation.

But this approach is widely considered to have led to the economic crisis of 2001, when debt stood at $100 billion, the country defaulted on repayment, the currency's value plunged and unemployment skyrocketed.

By the end of Menem's second term, the public deficit stood at $6 billion, unemployment was at 14 per cent and poverty affected a third of the population. But things were to get worse.

Menem cultivated a playboy image, drove a Ferrari, played golf and was a friend of the jet-set.

Despised by the middle class for his flamboyance, the aficionado of luxury watches enjoyed both the admiration of the poor and the self-serving support of the wealthy.

He was widely criticised for extending a presidential amnesty to leaders of the military dictatorship of 1976-1983.

His presidency was tarnished by multiple accusations of corruption and scandals. But while Menem was investigated in several cases, he never served jail time.

In 2001 Menem was ordered held in pre-trial home detention for a case involving arms smuggling to Croatia and Ecuador, but he was freed weeks later under a Supreme Court ruling and ultimately let off.

Menem was also tried for covering up the 1994 attack on the Argentine Mutual Israeli Association (AMIA) in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people, but again was acquitted. &nbsp;

In 2018, he was sentenced to three years in prison for embezzlement, but his parliamentary immunity protected him from going to prison.

Menem had three children from two marriages, the first with Zulema Yoma and the second with former Chilean Miss Universe Cecilia Bolocco.&nbsp;

He fathered a fourth child, Carlos Nair, with a lover.

Menem's daughter, Zulemita, said the former president would be buried next to Carlos Menem Junior -- who died in 1995 in a helicopter accident -- in the Islamic Cemetery in Buenos Aires.

Chile's President Sebastian Pinera paid tribute to Menem on Twitter as a "good friend of Chile."

Argentina's former president Carlos Menem, who marked his country with a neoliberal approach to the economy, died in a Buenos Aires clinic on Sunday at the age of 90.

Argentina's former president Carlos Menem, who marked his country with a neoliberal approach to the economy, died in a Buenos Aires clinic on Sunday at the age of 90. Menem had been in poor health and was hospitalised several times in recent months for pneumonia. Incumbent President Alberto Fernandez, who declared three days of national mourning for Menem, tweeted his "deep regret" at the news of his passing and extended condolences to Menem's family. Menem will be buried Monday in the Islamic cemetery in Buenos Aires next to his son, Carlos Menem, Jr, who died in 1995 in a helicopter accident. The former president's wake began Sunday night at the Congress building, where Vice President and Senate leader Cristina Kirchner received Menem's family and coffin, draped with the Argentine flag. An emotional Fernandez and his wife, Fabiola Yanez, arrived an hour later and offered their condolences to the family. After that, the doors were opened to admit the hundreds of mourners lined up outside. Born in July 1930 into a family of Syrian immigrants, which earned him the nickname "The Turk", Menem prided himself on never having lost an election. He served two terms as president, from 1989 to 1999. After withdrawing from the race for a third term, he was elected to the Senate in 2005 and was re-elected several times since. Menem identified as a follower of Peronism, the leftist movement based on the legacy of former president Juan Peron that today covers a broad spectrum of political leanings in Argentina. He pursued an aggressive privatization policy that many saw to be in direct contrast to his stated political ideology. 'Argentine miracle' His name is synonymous with the "Argentine miracle", a period when his decision to fix the exchange rate of the peso to the US dollar brought economic stability and an end to hyperinflation. But this approach is widely considered to have led to the economic crisis of 2001, when debt stood at $100 billion, the country defaulted on repayment, the currency's value plunged and unemployment skyrocketed. By the end of Menem's second term, the public deficit stood at $6 billion, unemployment was at 14 per cent and poverty affected a third of the population. But things were to get worse. Menem cultivated a playboy image, drove a Ferrari, played golf and was a friend of the jet-set. Despised by the middle class for his flamboyance, the aficionado of luxury watches enjoyed both the admiration of the poor and the self-serving support of the wealthy. He was widely criticised for extending a presidential amnesty to leaders of the military dictatorship of 1976-1983. His presidency was tarnished by multiple accusations of corruption and scandals. But while Menem was investigated in several cases, he never served jail time. In 2001 Menem was ordered held in pre-trial home detention for a case involving arms smuggling to Croatia and Ecuador, but he was freed weeks later under a Supreme Court ruling and ultimately let off. Menem was also tried for covering up the 1994 attack on the Argentine Mutual Israeli Association (AMIA) in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people, but again was acquitted. In 2018, he was sentenced to three years in prison for embezzlement, but his parliamentary immunity protected him from going to prison. Menem had three children from two marriages, the first with Zulema Yoma and the second with former Chilean Miss Universe Cecilia Bolocco. He fathered a fourth child, Carlos Nair, with a lover. Menem's daughter, Zulemita, said the former president would be buried next to Carlos Menem Junior -- who died in 1995 in a helicopter accident -- in the Islamic Cemetery in Buenos Aires. Chile's President Sebastian Pinera paid tribute to Menem on Twitter as a "good friend of Chile."

Ex-Argentine president Menem dies aged 90

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America.&nbsp;

It has recorded around 1.2 million cases and more than 42,000 deaths from Covid-19 among its population of 33 million.&nbsp;

Hospitals are overrun with almost 13,800 Covid patients while they have also reported a lack of oxygen to treat those with breathing problems.&nbsp;

Healthcare workers at several hospitals in the capital Lima were the first to receive the vaccine on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

Armed forces airplanes left the capital to take vaccines to the worst-hit regions of the country, such as the jungle area of Huanuco, some 350 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Lima.&nbsp;

Peru will receive another 700,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine on Sunday. It has agreed to purchase 38 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and another 20 million of the Pfizer/BioNTech one.&nbsp;

Other deals have been made to purchase 14 million AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines and 13.2 million Covax jabs.&nbsp;

Authorities are yet to announce when immunization of the wider population will begin, but the country plans to vaccinate 26 million people.&nbsp;

The government of President Francisco Sagasti has received harsh criticism over the delays in unrolling an immunization programme compared to neighbours Chile and Bolivia.&nbsp;

Sagasti himself was vaccinated on Tuesday evening at a Lima hospital.&nbsp;

"Don't be afraid of the vaccine," he said, adding that he hoped all "Peruvians are vaccinated this year."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Argentina announced it has approved the emergency use of the Indian-made Covishield vaccine.&nbsp;

The Covishield vaccine is essentially the same as the British developed AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine that previously received approval in late December.&nbsp;

Argentina has also approved the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, having already received 820,000 doses.&nbsp;

It began its immunization programme on December 29 and has so far only used the Sputnik V vaccine.

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday. The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America.

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday. The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America. It has recorded around 1.2 million cases and more than 42,000 deaths from Covid-19 among its population of 33 million. Hospitals are overrun with almost 13,800 Covid patients while they have also reported a lack of oxygen to treat those with breathing problems. Healthcare workers at several hospitals in the capital Lima were the first to receive the vaccine on Tuesday morning. Armed forces airplanes left the capital to take vaccines to the worst-hit regions of the country, such as the jungle area of Huanuco, some 350 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Lima. Peru will receive another 700,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine on Sunday. It has agreed to purchase 38 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and another 20 million of the Pfizer/BioNTech one. Other deals have been made to purchase 14 million AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines and 13.2 million Covax jabs. Authorities are yet to announce when immunization of the wider population will begin, but the country plans to vaccinate 26 million people. The government of President Francisco Sagasti has received harsh criticism over the delays in unrolling an immunization programme compared to neighbours Chile and Bolivia. Sagasti himself was vaccinated on Tuesday evening at a Lima hospital. "Don't be afraid of the vaccine," he said, adding that he hoped all "Peruvians are vaccinated this year." Meanwhile, Argentina announced it has approved the emergency use of the Indian-made Covishield vaccine. The Covishield vaccine is essentially the same as the British developed AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine that previously received approval in late December. Argentina has also approved the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, having already received 820,000 doses. It began its immunization programme on December 29 and has so far only used the Sputnik V vaccine.

Peru begins Covid inoculation, Argentina approves Covishield vaccine

Tax on Argentina's richest people came into effect on Friday (local time). The tax has been levied in order to make fund provisions for medical supplies and relief to businesses in a global economy battered by coronavirus pandemic. The law passed by Senate in December last year approves the tax on Argentinians who have assets exceeding 200 million pesos (around 2.3 million USD)

The center-left government of President Alberto Fernandez hopes to raise about $3 billion from taxing the richest 12,000 of Argentina's 44 million inhabitants.&nbsp;

As per the law, taxable individuals will pay up to 3.5 per cent of the assets declared in the country and upto 5.25 per cent assets abroad.

The proceeds will be used to buy medical supplies, aid small and medium enterprises, fund social aid, and to provide natural gas to people off the energy grid.

Argentina's center-right opposition has criticised the taxes and has called them 'confiscatory'.

Argentina has been badly hit by the coronavirus, with more than 1.9 million confirmed cases of infection and more than 47,000 deaths.

The pandemic has exacerbated the already high poverty rate in a country which has been in recession since 2018, and has an unemployment rate of 11.7 percent.

In its annual report on economic inequality, Oxfam said Monday the world's 1,000 richest people had recouped their coronavirus-related losses within nine months, while it could take the world's poorest more than a decade to recover from the impacts of the global health crisis.

(With AFP inputs)

Tax on Argentina's richest people came into effect on Friday (local time). The tax has been levied in order to make fund provisions for medical supplies and relief to businesses in a global economy battered by coronavirus pandemic.

Tax on Argentina's richest people came into effect on Friday (local time). The tax has been levied in order to make fund provisions for medical supplies and relief to businesses in a global economy battered by coronavirus pandemic. The law passed by Senate in December last year approves the tax on Argentinians who have assets exceeding 200 million pesos (around 2.3 million USD) The center-left government of President Alberto Fernandez hopes to raise about $3 billion from taxing the richest 12,000 of Argentina's 44 million inhabitants. As per the law, taxable individuals will pay up to 3.5 per cent of the assets declared in the country and upto 5.25 per cent assets abroad. The proceeds will be used to buy medical supplies, aid small and medium enterprises, fund social aid, and to provide natural gas to people off the energy grid. Argentina's center-right opposition has criticised the taxes and has called them 'confiscatory'. Argentina has been badly hit by the coronavirus, with more than 1.9 million confirmed cases of infection and more than 47,000 deaths. The pandemic has exacerbated the already high poverty rate in a country which has been in recession since 2018, and has an unemployment rate of 11.7 percent. In its annual report on economic inequality, Oxfam said Monday the world's 1,000 richest people had recouped their coronavirus-related losses within nine months, while it could take the world's poorest more than a decade to recover from the impacts of the global health crisis. (With AFP inputs)

Argentina's 'millionaire tax' comes into effect

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