Bolivia's government expelled&nbsp;Mexican&nbsp;and&nbsp;Spanish&nbsp;diplomats on Monday, escalating a&nbsp;diplomatic&nbsp;dispute after Mexico's embassy in La Paz granted asylum to allies of&nbsp;Bolivia's former socialist president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/morales-victim-of-coup-mexican-president-amlo-265630">Evo Morales</a>.

Bolivian caretaker President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-recognises-jeanine-anez-as-bolivias-interim-president-261929">Jeanine Anez</a> said her administration had asked&nbsp;Mexican&nbsp;ambassador María Teresa Mercado and several&nbsp;Spanish&nbsp;officials&nbsp;to leave the country within 72 hours and called them "persona non grata".

Shortly after, Mexico's foreign ministry said it would recall Mercado to ensure her safety and branded&nbsp;Bolivia's move as "political in nature".

In Madrid, Spain's foreign ministry said it would expel three&nbsp;Bolivian&nbsp;diplomatic&nbsp;staff over the matter.

Bolivia's disputed October election sparked widespread protests and Morales resigned last month in the face of growing civil and military pressure. Anez took over by default and has made sharp policy shifts away from his socialist government, fraying ties with leftist allies in the region.

Morales, meanwhile, claimed he was toppled in a right-wing "coup" and many of his allies have rallied behind him with the country headed for new elections in 2020. He fled the country and was granted asylum in Mexico. He is now in Argentina.

Mexican&nbsp;officials&nbsp;said the government aims to&nbsp;uphold ties with&nbsp;Bolivia&nbsp;and has not declared the&nbsp;Bolivian ambassador to Mexico persona non grata.

"For now, the foreign ministry does not have the intention of breaking&nbsp;diplomatic&nbsp;relations with&nbsp;Bolivia," Interior Minister Olga Sanchez told reporters. She added that tension between the two nations was nevertheless undeniable.

On Friday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexicos-next-government-to-weigh-legalising-drugs-152482">Mexico's governmen</a>t said&nbsp;Bolivian authorities harassed and intimidated its&nbsp;diplomatic&nbsp;staff and impeded the departure of&nbsp;Spanish&nbsp;officials&nbsp;visiting its embassy in the capital where a number of Morales' allies had holed&nbsp;up.

Anez said the&nbsp;Bolivian government would not tolerate people "trying to cover&nbsp;up&nbsp;and protect criminals who have committed crimes of sedition, armed&nbsp;uprising and terrorism" and that&nbsp;Bolivia&nbsp;would not be a "colony" of any other country.

According to&nbsp;Bolivia's government, a former senior aide to Morales, Juan Ramon Quintana, is among nine people who have taken asylum in the&nbsp;Mexican&nbsp;embassy.

Mexico said last Thursday that it was asking the International Court of Justice to mediate the dispute.

Mexican&nbsp;Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/migrants-will-pay-the-price-of-mexicos-tariff-deal-with-trump-226455">Marcelo Ebrard</a> said in a Tweet that Mercado had "fully represented Mexico and its cause in favor of asylum and peace". Mercado wrote in a post in response she was proud to&nbsp;uphold Mexico's "principles and tradition of asylum."

Bolivia's government expelled Mexican and Spanish diplomats on Monday, escalating a diplomatic dispute after Mexico's embassy in La Paz granted asylum to allies of Bolivia's former socialist president Evo Morales.

Bolivia's government expelled Mexican and Spanish diplomats on Monday, escalating a diplomatic dispute after Mexico's embassy in La Paz granted asylum to allies of Bolivia's former socialist president Evo Morales. Bolivian caretaker President Jeanine Anez said her administration had asked Mexican ambassador María Teresa Mercado and several Spanish officials to leave the country within 72 hours and called them "persona non grata". Shortly after, Mexico's foreign ministry said it would recall Mercado to ensure her safety and branded Bolivia's move as "political in nature". In Madrid, Spain's foreign ministry said it would expel three Bolivian diplomatic staff over the matter. Bolivia's disputed October election sparked widespread protests and Morales resigned last month in the face of growing civil and military pressure. Anez took over by default and has made sharp policy shifts away from his socialist government, fraying ties with leftist allies in the region. Morales, meanwhile, claimed he was toppled in a right-wing "coup" and many of his allies have rallied behind him with the country headed for new elections in 2020. He fled the country and was granted asylum in Mexico. He is now in Argentina. Mexican officials said the government aims to uphold ties with Bolivia and has not declared the Bolivian ambassador to Mexico persona non grata. "For now, the foreign ministry does not have the intention of breaking diplomatic relations with Bolivia," Interior Minister Olga Sanchez told reporters. She added that tension between the two nations was nevertheless undeniable. On Friday, Mexico's government said Bolivian authorities harassed and intimidated its diplomatic staff and impeded the departure of Spanish officials visiting its embassy in the capital where a number of Morales' allies had holed up. Anez said the Bolivian government would not tolerate people "trying to cover up and protect criminals who have committed crimes of sedition, armed uprising and terrorism" and that Bolivia would not be a "colony" of any other country. According to Bolivia's government, a former senior aide to Morales, Juan Ramon Quintana, is among nine people who have taken asylum in the Mexican embassy. Mexico said last Thursday that it was asking the International Court of Justice to mediate the dispute. Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said in a Tweet that Mercado had "fully represented Mexico and its cause in favor of asylum and peace". Mercado wrote in a post in response she was proud to uphold Mexico's "principles and tradition of asylum."

Bolivia expels Mexican, Spanish officials as diplomatic standoff heats up

Argentine workers fired without just cause over the next 180 days will be paid double the normal exit package under a decree announced over the weekend, as the new government breaks with the pro-business stance of the previous administration.

The "Decree of Need and Urgency" says in cases of dismissal without just cause during the term of the decree, "the affected workers will have the right to receive double the corresponding compensation in accordance with current legislation".

Peronist President Alberto Fernandez was sworn in on Tuesday, promising an end to outgoing leader Mauricio Macri's pro-business policies, as inflation roars at above 50%, poverty increases and economic growth sputters.

The new economy minister on Wednesday said Macri's fiscal tightening measures had failed, and that the new administration would emphasize economic growth over the deficit reduction program that was at the heart of Macri's push to re-integrate Argentina with the international financial markets.

Argentina's unemployment rate rose to 10.6% in the second quarter of 2019, a percentage point higher than a year earlier, the government said in a press release announcing the decree.

Young people were especially hard hit, it said, with young women suffering a jobless rate of 24%.

"By decision of President Alberto Fernandez, the public emergency in occupational matters is declared in view of the need to stop the aggravation of the labor crisis," the press release announcing the decree said.

Argentine workers fired without just cause over the next 180 days will be paid double the normal exit package under a decree announced over the weekend, as the new government breaks with the pro-business stance of the previous administration.

Argentine workers fired without just cause over the next 180 days will be paid double the normal exit package under a decree announced over the weekend, as the new government breaks with the pro-business stance of the previous administration. The "Decree of Need and Urgency" says in cases of dismissal without just cause during the term of the decree, "the affected workers will have the right to receive double the corresponding compensation in accordance with current legislation". Peronist President Alberto Fernandez was sworn in on Tuesday, promising an end to outgoing leader Mauricio Macri's pro-business policies, as inflation roars at above 50%, poverty increases and economic growth sputters. The new economy minister on Wednesday said Macri's fiscal tightening measures had failed, and that the new administration would emphasize economic growth over the deficit reduction program that was at the heart of Macri's push to re-integrate Argentina with the international financial markets. Argentina's unemployment rate rose to 10.6% in the second quarter of 2019, a percentage point higher than a year earlier, the government said in a press release announcing the decree. Young people were especially hard hit, it said, with young women suffering a jobless rate of 24%. "By decision of President Alberto Fernandez, the public emergency in occupational matters is declared in view of the need to stop the aggravation of the labor crisis," the press release announcing the decree said.

Argentina issues decree making it harder for businesses to fire workers

Bolivian ex-President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/morales-victim-of-coup-mexican-president-amlo-265630">Evo Morales</a> arrived in Argentina on Thursday seeking refuge under the country's new leftist government after he left his homeland last month following a disputed election.

Morales was granted asylum in Argentina and was on his way to "definitive refugee status," the Argentine interior ministry said in a statement. Center-left President Alberto Fernandez, a Morales ally, was inaugurated on Tuesday.

Four former members of Morales' government have also been granted asylum, including his former health minister Gabriela Montano, the ministry said.

Morales had previously been in Mexico where he was granted asylum after his resignation in the wake of a presidential election which the Organization of American States <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivia-election-rigging-in-favour-of-morales-was-overwhelming-oas-final-report-266281">(OAS) says was rigged</a> in his favor.

Both Morales and Montano signed a petition upon arrival in Buenos Aires that complied with the "conditions of their refugee status," the Argentine government said, without detailing the conditions.

Argentina's new foreign minister, Felipe Sola, said on an Argentine TV station that the government wanted a commitment from Morales to not make political statements while in the country.

Morales, an iconic socialist leader in Latin America who had been in power for nearly 14 years, thanked Argentina and Mexico for their "support and solidarity" in a tweet after arriving in Argentina.

"My eternal thanks to President (Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador) and the government of Mexico for saving my life and for sheltering me. I felt at home with Mexican sisters and brothers for a month," Morales said in the tweet.

Morales resigned as president on November&nbsp;10 after the OAS declared there were serious irregularities during the Oct. 20 election, prompting political allies to quit and the army to urge him to step down.

There was no meeting planned between Morales and Fernandez, but they could talk on the phone, Sola said.

A senior US&nbsp;official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Morales' presence in Argentina was "not welcome news."

"We will not accept any attempt or action by Morales to meddle or use Argentina as a staging ground to stoke violence or unrest or to undermine a democratic transition in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivia-reforges-us-ties-as-political-alliances-redrawn-264972">Bolivia</a>," the official said.

Morales, who was Bolivia's first indigenous president, insisted on seeking a fourth term in office, in defiance of term limits and a 2016 referendum in which Bolivians voted against him being allowed to do that. After he resigned, interim President Jeanine Anez was appointed.

Bolivian Foreign Minister Karen Longaric said in La Paz on Thursday that she hoped Argentina would restrict Morales from making political statements.

"We hope that Argentina rigorously complies with the principles and rules of the right of asylum and the right of refuge and that what happened in Mexico - that had an open microphone, an open arena for policy making - does not occur," Longaric said.

Bolivian ex-President Evo Morales arrived in Argentina on Thursday seeking refuge under the country's new leftist government after he left his homeland last month following a disputed election.

Bolivian ex-President Evo Morales arrived in Argentina on Thursday seeking refuge under the country's new leftist government after he left his homeland last month following a disputed election. Morales was granted asylum in Argentina and was on his way to "definitive refugee status," the Argentine interior ministry said in a statement. Center-left President Alberto Fernandez, a Morales ally, was inaugurated on Tuesday. Four former members of Morales' government have also been granted asylum, including his former health minister Gabriela Montano, the ministry said. Morales had previously been in Mexico where he was granted asylum after his resignation in the wake of a presidential election which the Organization of American States (OAS) says was rigged in his favor. Both Morales and Montano signed a petition upon arrival in Buenos Aires that complied with the "conditions of their refugee status," the Argentine government said, without detailing the conditions. Argentina's new foreign minister, Felipe Sola, said on an Argentine TV station that the government wanted a commitment from Morales to not make political statements while in the country. Morales, an iconic socialist leader in Latin America who had been in power for nearly 14 years, thanked Argentina and Mexico for their "support and solidarity" in a tweet after arriving in Argentina. "My eternal thanks to President (Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador) and the government of Mexico for saving my life and for sheltering me. I felt at home with Mexican sisters and brothers for a month," Morales said in the tweet. Morales resigned as president on November 10 after the OAS declared there were serious irregularities during the Oct. 20 election, prompting political allies to quit and the army to urge him to step down. There was no meeting planned between Morales and Fernandez, but they could talk on the phone, Sola said. A senior US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Morales' presence in Argentina was "not welcome news." "We will not accept any attempt or action by Morales to meddle or use Argentina as a staging ground to stoke violence or unrest or to undermine a democratic transition in Bolivia," the official said. Morales, who was Bolivia's first indigenous president, insisted on seeking a fourth term in office, in defiance of term limits and a 2016 referendum in which Bolivians voted against him being allowed to do that. After he resigned, interim President Jeanine Anez was appointed. Bolivian Foreign Minister Karen Longaric said in La Paz on Thursday that she hoped Argentina would restrict Morales from making political statements. "We hope that Argentina rigorously complies with the principles and rules of the right of asylum and the right of refuge and that what happened in Mexico - that had an open microphone, an open arena for policy making - does not occur," Longaric said.

Bolivia's Morales arrives in Argentina, to get refugee status

Alberto Fernandez was sworn in as president of Argentina, vowing to restore growth and redistribute wealth by reversing the austerity policies of his pro-business predecessor, Mauricio Macri.

Peronism returns to Argentina as Alberto Fernandez sworn in as President

European stocks opened higher on Wednesday, recovering some of the losses made in the previous session when US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-stocks-rattled-after-donald-trump-says-no-deadline-on-us-china-trade-deal-266025">Donald Trump</a> surprised world markets by saying a trade deal with China could wait until after the 2020 presidential election.

US&nbsp;stocks sold off for a third consecutive session overnight, while Asian shares extended losses as hopes for a quick preliminary agreement between the world's two biggest economies were dashed.

A full-blown global trade war is currently seen as the biggest threat to world markets. Fresh US tariffs on Argentina and Brazil, plus a threaten to impose duties on French goods, are fuelling fears that risks are tilting towards an escalation of the crisis.

"Any doubts about the vulnerability of equity markets to the mood of the US&nbsp;President should have been dispelled, as his recent tweets and comments have nearly wiped out the entirety of November's gains," said Ian Williams, economics &amp; strategy analyst at Peel Hunt.

The pan-European equity index STOXX 600, which had slumped 2.2 per cent&nbsp;since the beginning of the month, rose 0.4 per cent&nbsp;but futures markets were still pointing to a slightly negative open on Wall Street.

The mood on the European trading floor is subject to change, with investors awaiting a salvo of surveys on the health of the service sector of major European countries.

"For some months now there has been a concern that the weakness in the manufacturing sector might start to weigh on services activity and there has been some evidence of that in recent months, though not quite to the same extent," wrote Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, to clients.

The latest trade war scare has put the brakes on a rally that had lifted the S&amp;P 500 since early October when top diplomats from China and the United States met and outlined an initial agreement that Trump said he hoped could be sealed within weeks.

US&nbsp;Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said that if no substantial progress was made soon, another round of duties on Chinese imports including cell phones, laptops and toys would take effect on December 15.

The US&nbsp;House of Representatives' passage of a bill proposing a stronger response to a crackdown on Muslims in China's west also added yet another layer of tension, drawing swift condemnation from Beijing on Wednesday.

Beijing's handling of civil unrest in Hong Kong has also drawn criticism from Washington.

"The market was too complacent, thinking both superpowers would be able to compartmentalize these issues away from the broader trade narrative," Stephen Innes chief&nbsp;Asia market strategist at AxiTrader,&nbsp;said in a note.

In currency markets, the euro was flat against the dollar at 1.1081. The Japanese yen and Swiss franc, seen as safe havens stood during market storms were making gains, up 0.17 per cent and 0.13 per cent&nbsp;respectively.

European yields continued their descent on Wednesday as investors continued to fret about the impact of America's trade war, falling between one and two basis points.

The yield on benchmark 10-year US&nbsp;Treasuries fell as low as 1.6930 per cent&nbsp;overnight, the sharpest fall since May and was trading at 1.7105 per cent&nbsp;on Wednesday.

Gold XAU= rose 0.4 per cent&nbsp;to $1,482.9 per ounce.

Brent crude futures were up 0.58 per cent at $61.17 a barrel while US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate crude gained 0.52 per cent&nbsp;to $56.39 per barrel.

European stocks opened higher on Wednesday, recovering some of the losses made in the previous session when US President Donald Trump surprised world markets by saying a trade deal with China could wait until after the 2020 presidential election.

European stocks opened higher on Wednesday, recovering some of the losses made in the previous session when US President Donald Trump surprised world markets by saying a trade deal with China could wait until after the 2020 presidential election. US stocks sold off for a third consecutive session overnight, while Asian shares extended losses as hopes for a quick preliminary agreement between the world's two biggest economies were dashed. A full-blown global trade war is currently seen as the biggest threat to world markets. Fresh US tariffs on Argentina and Brazil, plus a threaten to impose duties on French goods, are fuelling fears that risks are tilting towards an escalation of the crisis. "Any doubts about the vulnerability of equity markets to the mood of the US President should have been dispelled, as his recent tweets and comments have nearly wiped out the entirety of November's gains," said Ian Williams, economics & strategy analyst at Peel Hunt. The pan-European equity index STOXX 600, which had slumped 2.2 per cent since the beginning of the month, rose 0.4 per cent but futures markets were still pointing to a slightly negative open on Wall Street. The mood on the European trading floor is subject to change, with investors awaiting a salvo of surveys on the health of the service sector of major European countries. "For some months now there has been a concern that the weakness in the manufacturing sector might start to weigh on services activity and there has been some evidence of that in recent months, though not quite to the same extent," wrote Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, to clients. The latest trade war scare has put the brakes on a rally that had lifted the S&P 500 since early October when top diplomats from China and the United States met and outlined an initial agreement that Trump said he hoped could be sealed within weeks. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said that if no substantial progress was made soon, another round of duties on Chinese imports including cell phones, laptops and toys would take effect on December 15. The US House of Representatives' passage of a bill proposing a stronger response to a crackdown on Muslims in China's west also added yet another layer of tension, drawing swift condemnation from Beijing on Wednesday. Beijing's handling of civil unrest in Hong Kong has also drawn criticism from Washington. "The market was too complacent, thinking both superpowers would be able to compartmentalize these issues away from the broader trade narrative," Stephen Innes chief Asia market strategist at AxiTrader, said in a note. In currency markets, the euro was flat against the dollar at 1.1081. The Japanese yen and Swiss franc, seen as safe havens stood during market storms were making gains, up 0.17 per cent and 0.13 per cent respectively. European yields continued their descent on Wednesday as investors continued to fret about the impact of America's trade war, falling between one and two basis points. The yield on benchmark 10-year US Treasuries fell as low as 1.6930 per cent overnight, the sharpest fall since May and was trading at 1.7105 per cent on Wednesday. Gold XAU= rose 0.4 per cent to $1,482.9 per ounce. Brent crude futures were up 0.58 per cent at $61.17 a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 0.52 per cent to $56.39 per barrel.

Stocks in tentative rebound after Trump's trade war scare

France will be "pugnacious" over the latest US tariff threats on French products and will not go back on its digital tax plan, junior economy minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said on Tuesday.

On Monday, the US government said it may slap punitive duties of up to 100% on $2.4 billion of imports from France of champagne, handbags, cheese and other products, after concluding that France's new digital services tax would harm US tech companies.

"It is very clear that we do not need to go back on this, with regards to a topic that economically speaking makes sense," Pannier-Runacher told Sud Radio, referring to the digital tax.

"We need to be pugnacious on the subject," she added.&nbsp;

France will be "pugnacious" over the latest US tariff threats on French products and will not go back on its digital tax plan, junior economy minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said on Tuesday.

France will be "pugnacious" over the latest US tariff threats on French products and will not go back on its digital tax plan, junior economy minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said on Tuesday. On Monday, the US government said it may slap punitive duties of up to 100% on $2.4 billion of imports from France of champagne, handbags, cheese and other products, after concluding that France's new digital services tax would harm US tech companies. "It is very clear that we do not need to go back on this, with regards to a topic that economically speaking makes sense," Pannier-Runacher told Sud Radio, referring to the digital tax. "We need to be pugnacious on the subject," she added.

France will be 'pugnacious' over new US tariff threat: Minister

Wall Street stocks dipped early Monday after US President Donald Trump announced tariff actions on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/effective-immediately-us-to-restore-steel-aluminum-tariffs-on-brazil-argentina-trump-265754">Brazil and Argentina </a>and China retaliated for a US bill supporting protesters in Hong Kong.

Trump said he was reinstating tariffs on steel and aluminium from the South American countries due to a devaluation of their currencies. The United States had previously exempted some countries, including Argentina and Brazil, which agreed to quotas on the metals.

Meanwhile, China suspended US warship visits and sanctioned American NGOs after Trump signed into law a congressional measure supporting pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

Some analysts rated the Chinese measures as mostly symbolic but said they were potentially important in light of ongoing trade talks between Washington and Beijing.

About 15 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average stood at 28,038.17, down 0.1 per cent.

The broad-based S&amp;P 500 dropped 0.2 per cent to 3,135.43, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index shed 0.4 per cent to 8,633.53.

US stocks are still within shouting distance of all-time highs following records last week that were fed by optimism over the US-China trade talks, upbeat expectations for the holiday shopping season and moves by the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates and loosen monetary policy.

Key events this week include updates on the manufacturing and services sector, as well as the November jobs report.

Wall Street stocks dipped early Monday after US President Donald Trump announced tariff actions on Brazil and Argentina and China retaliated for a US bill supporting protesters in Hong Kong.

Wall Street stocks dipped early Monday after US President Donald Trump announced tariff actions on Brazil and Argentina and China retaliated for a US bill supporting protesters in Hong Kong. Trump said he was reinstating tariffs on steel and aluminium from the South American countries due to a devaluation of their currencies. The United States had previously exempted some countries, including Argentina and Brazil, which agreed to quotas on the metals. Meanwhile, China suspended US warship visits and sanctioned American NGOs after Trump signed into law a congressional measure supporting pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. Some analysts rated the Chinese measures as mostly symbolic but said they were potentially important in light of ongoing trade talks between Washington and Beijing. About 15 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average stood at 28,038.17, down 0.1 per cent. The broad-based S&P 500 dropped 0.2 per cent to 3,135.43, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index shed 0.4 per cent to 8,633.53. US stocks are still within shouting distance of all-time highs following records last week that were fed by optimism over the US-China trade talks, upbeat expectations for the holiday shopping season and moves by the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates and loosen monetary policy. Key events this week include updates on the manufacturing and services sector, as well as the November jobs report.

Wall Street stocks dip over US tariff action on Brazil, Argentina; China retaliation on US bill

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/effective-immediately-us-to-restore-steel-aluminum-tariffs-on-brazil-argentina-trump-265754">Donald Trump </a>struck back Monday at what he called unfair policies by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazils-president-blames-leonardo-dicaprio-for-financing-amazon-fires-offers-no-evidence-265337">Brazil </a>and Argentina, saying he is reinstating tariffs on steel and aluminium from those countries.

"Brazil and Argentina have been presiding over a massive devaluation of their currencies," which is hurting American farmers, he said on Twitter.

"Effective immediately, I will restore the Tariffs on all Steel &amp; Aluminum that is shipped into the US from those countries."

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Brazil and Argentina have been presiding over a massive devaluation of their currencies. which is not good for our farmers. Therefore, effective immediately, I will restore the Tariffs on all Steel &amp; Aluminum that is shipped into the U.S. from those countries. The Federal....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1201455858636472320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump last year announced global tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium but later approved exemptions for some countries, including Argentina and Brazil which agreed to quotas.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who considers himself an ideological ally of Trump, said he would not hesitate to open a direct line to the White House to resolve the issue.

"I am going to talk to (Economy Minister) Paulo Guedes," Bolsonaro told reporters in Brasilia, adding that if needed "I have an open channel with" Trump.

Brazil is the second-largest supplier of steel to US markets behind Mexico.

And Brazil and Argentina have benefitted from the US trade war with China since they have stepped in to replace American exports of soybeans and other agricultural goods.

Bolsonaro earlier this month met with China's President Xi Jinping in Brasilia and said the Asian economic power is "becoming more and more part of Brazil's future."

Economic impact&nbsp;

Jose Urtubey, spokesman for Argentina's powerful UIA industrial lobby, said producers in the country will be harmed immediately by the tariffs.

With Argentina's "lack of competitiveness" as a producer, the fact that the United States had the lowest steel and aluminium tariffs was "beneficial," Urtubey said.

Brazil has teetered on the brink of recession this year and Argentina is again enmeshed in an economic crisis, which has led to the currencies of both countries weakening against the US dollar.

Bolsonaro's ultra-right government has promised to revive the nation's flagging economy with a massive stimulus plan, as well as pension and tax reforms, and the central bank has cut the key interest rate more than a dozen times since late 2016.

Trump views those moves as an effort to gain at the expense of the United States.

In his tweets, Trump also called on the Federal Reserve to "likewise act" so other nations no longer "take advantage of our strong dollar by further devaluing their currencies."&nbsp;

Amid a slowing global economy and the impact of Trump's wide-ranging trade offensive, mostly directed against China, the Fed has cut the benchmark interest rates three times this year.&nbsp;

But it has signalled it will stand back before deciding on any further moves.

Despite widespread complaints about the impact of the &nbsp;tariffs on US businesses and consumers, as well as the hit to farmers who have been the target of retaliation from trading partners, Trump claimed in his tweet on Monday that Washington has taken in "massive amounts of money" from the tariffs.

He also claimed that since imposing tariffs at the start of March 2018, US markets were "up as much as 21%." In fact, the benchmark stock index is up 14 per cent.

American steel has continued to suffer with overall employment edging downward and production halted at blast furnaces last month.

President Donald Trump struck back Monday at what he called unfair policies by Brazil and Argentina, saying he is reinstating tariffs on steel and aluminium from those countries.

President Donald Trump struck back Monday at what he called unfair policies by Brazil and Argentina, saying he is reinstating tariffs on steel and aluminium from those countries. "Brazil and Argentina have been presiding over a massive devaluation of their currencies," which is hurting American farmers, he said on Twitter. "Effective immediately, I will restore the Tariffs on all Steel & Aluminum that is shipped into the US from those countries." Brazil and Argentina have been presiding over a massive devaluation of their currencies. which is not good for our farmers. Therefore, effective immediately, I will restore the Tariffs on all Steel & Aluminum that is shipped into the U.S. from those countries. The Federal.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2019 × Trump last year announced global tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium but later approved exemptions for some countries, including Argentina and Brazil which agreed to quotas. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who considers himself an ideological ally of Trump, said he would not hesitate to open a direct line to the White House to resolve the issue. "I am going to talk to (Economy Minister) Paulo Guedes," Bolsonaro told reporters in Brasilia, adding that if needed "I have an open channel with" Trump. Brazil is the second-largest supplier of steel to US markets behind Mexico. And Brazil and Argentina have benefitted from the US trade war with China since they have stepped in to replace American exports of soybeans and other agricultural goods. Bolsonaro earlier this month met with China's President Xi Jinping in Brasilia and said the Asian economic power is "becoming more and more part of Brazil's future." Economic impact Jose Urtubey, spokesman for Argentina's powerful UIA industrial lobby, said producers in the country will be harmed immediately by the tariffs. With Argentina's "lack of competitiveness" as a producer, the fact that the United States had the lowest steel and aluminium tariffs was "beneficial," Urtubey said. Brazil has teetered on the brink of recession this year and Argentina is again enmeshed in an economic crisis, which has led to the currencies of both countries weakening against the US dollar. Bolsonaro's ultra-right government has promised to revive the nation's flagging economy with a massive stimulus plan, as well as pension and tax reforms, and the central bank has cut the key interest rate more than a dozen times since late 2016. Trump views those moves as an effort to gain at the expense of the United States. In his tweets, Trump also called on the Federal Reserve to "likewise act" so other nations no longer "take advantage of our strong dollar by further devaluing their currencies." Amid a slowing global economy and the impact of Trump's wide-ranging trade offensive, mostly directed against China, the Fed has cut the benchmark interest rates three times this year. But it has signalled it will stand back before deciding on any further moves. Despite widespread complaints about the impact of the tariffs on US businesses and consumers, as well as the hit to farmers who have been the target of retaliation from trading partners, Trump claimed in his tweet on Monday that Washington has taken in "massive amounts of money" from the tariffs. He also claimed that since imposing tariffs at the start of March 2018, US markets were "up as much as 21%." In fact, the benchmark stock index is up 14 per cent. American steel has continued to suffer with overall employment edging downward and production halted at blast furnaces last month.

US re-imposes steel, aluminium tariffs on Brazil, Argentina

A German tourist was killed and an Argentine woman injured in a landmine explosion in<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../myanmar-may-have-chemical-weapons- stockpile-us-264480"> Myanmar</a>'s eastern Shan state, local police said Wednesday, days after the country was shamed over its continuing use of the weapons.

The accident happened near the town of Hsipaw, a popular hiking spot for backpackers who often ride the scenic route by train from Mandalay to reach the mountains.

A 40-year-old German tourist was "killed in a mine blast", a duty police officer from Hsipaw township told AFP by phone Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

The explosion happened Tuesday afternoon near the villages of Pan Nayung and Kwun Haung, he said.

"Tourists are not permitted to go to that area."

He confirmed a 39-year-old Argentine woman was also "slightly injured" in the accident.

Local NGO Without Borders, which runs a de facto ambulance service staffed by volunteers, told AFP she had since been discharged from hospital.

Huge swathes of Myanmar's restive borderlands are no-go areas for holidaymakers, with various ethnic armed groups fighting the military for more autonomy in shifting violence that has endured for decades.

Two foreign tourists were injured in a mine blast in 2016 in nearby Kyaukme township, according to local media.

Myanmar was one of the top offenders named in the Landmine Monitor 2019 report published last week.

The watchdog said it was the only country in the world where the use of new antipersonnel mines had been documented over the past year.

Both the military and armed groups stand accused of using mines and the country has so far refused to sign the Mine Ban Treaty.

A German tourist was killed and an Argentine woman injured in a landmine explosion in Myanmar's eastern Shan state, local police said Wednesday, days after the country was shamed over its continuing use of the weapons.

A German tourist was killed and an Argentine woman injured in a landmine explosion in Myanmar's eastern Shan state, local police said Wednesday, days after the country was shamed over its continuing use of the weapons. The accident happened near the town of Hsipaw, a popular hiking spot for backpackers who often ride the scenic route by train from Mandalay to reach the mountains. A 40-year-old German tourist was "killed in a mine blast", a duty police officer from Hsipaw township told AFP by phone Wednesday on condition of anonymity. The explosion happened Tuesday afternoon near the villages of Pan Nayung and Kwun Haung, he said. "Tourists are not permitted to go to that area." He confirmed a 39-year-old Argentine woman was also "slightly injured" in the accident. Local NGO Without Borders, which runs a de facto ambulance service staffed by volunteers, told AFP she had since been discharged from hospital. Huge swathes of Myanmar's restive borderlands are no-go areas for holidaymakers, with various ethnic armed groups fighting the military for more autonomy in shifting violence that has endured for decades. Two foreign tourists were injured in a mine blast in 2016 in nearby Kyaukme township, according to local media. Myanmar was one of the top offenders named in the Landmine Monitor 2019 report published last week. The watchdog said it was the only country in the world where the use of new antipersonnel mines had been documented over the past year. Both the military and armed groups stand accused of using mines and the country has so far refused to sign the Mine Ban Treaty.

German tourist killed in Myanmar landmine blast

An Argentine court on Monday convicted two Roman Catholic priests and the former gardener of a church-run school for deaf students in the province of Mendoza on 28 counts of sexual abuse and corruption of minors.

Priests Nicola Corradi and Horacio Corbacho were sentenced to 42 and 45 years in prison, respectively, while the school employee, Armando Gomez, got 18 years. The sentencings by Judges Carlos Diaz, Mauricio Juan and Anibal Crivelli of the Collegiate Criminal Court No&nbsp;2 were live-streamed in Argentina.

The sentences cannot be appealed. The accusations against the three had been made by more than 20 alumni of Mendoza's Antonio Provolo Institute for the deaf.

Monday marked three years since the first complaints in the case were announced.

Earlier this month an Argentine prosecutor requested the arrest of a Roman Catholic bishop after officials said he ignored repeated calls and emails relating to an investigation of sex abuse allegations against him.

The bishop, Gustavo Zanchetta, had been living in Vatican City, where he previously held a position in a church financial department, according to the prosecutor's office.

An Argentine court on Monday convicted two Roman Catholic priests and the former gardener of a church-run school for deaf students in the province of Mendoza on 28 counts of sexual abuse and corruption of minors.

An Argentine court on Monday convicted two Roman Catholic priests and the former gardener of a church-run school for deaf students in the province of Mendoza on 28 counts of sexual abuse and corruption of minors. Priests Nicola Corradi and Horacio Corbacho were sentenced to 42 and 45 years in prison, respectively, while the school employee, Armando Gomez, got 18 years. The sentencings by Judges Carlos Diaz, Mauricio Juan and Anibal Crivelli of the Collegiate Criminal Court No 2 were live-streamed in Argentina. The sentences cannot be appealed. The accusations against the three had been made by more than 20 alumni of Mendoza's Antonio Provolo Institute for the deaf. Monday marked three years since the first complaints in the case were announced. Earlier this month an Argentine prosecutor requested the arrest of a Roman Catholic bishop after officials said he ignored repeated calls and emails relating to an investigation of sex abuse allegations against him. The bishop, Gustavo Zanchetta, had been living in Vatican City, where he previously held a position in a church financial department, according to the prosecutor's office.

Argentina: Two priests sentenced to more than 40 years in sex abuse case

Several factions of Argentina's bondholders are jostling for influence ahead of restructuring talks with incoming president Alberto Fernandez as Latin America's third-largest economy tries to avert a default, more than a dozen sources familiar with the process said.

Argentina is once again buckling under the weight of its sovereign debts, which total around $100 billion, and Fernandez needs to urgently agree a deal with creditors to ease the burden and give his government space to try to revive the economy.

Several investors told Reuters they are growing increasingly annoyed by a lack of clarity on the plans of the new government, which is set to take over on December&nbsp;10. Fernandez has not yet named his economic team or said how he will deal with the debts, which have become painfully costly after the collapse of the peso.

"The general frustration is how slow the incoming administration has been to name people and get the ball rolling," a source at a large fixed-income investor that holds Argentine debt said, adding that with more clarity things could change "fairly quickly".

Fernandez this week told the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) head Kristalina Georgieva he has a "sustainable" plan to meet creditor obligations as well as maintain growth, without giving details.

A media representative for Fernandez did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

A creditor committee of at least 20 members was formed last month as bondholders look for ways to avoid losses, which could reach tens of billions of dollars, on their holdings.

A second group is now being assembled, led by US-based emerging markets-focused investment manager Gramercy, three sources said, amid differences over the way forward.

A third group of mostly hedge funds holding bonds restructured after a prior Argentine default was also being brought together, sources said.

Gramercy has previous experience in Argentina, where its distressed debt chief investment officer Robert Koenigsberger was involved in debt talks in 2009.

Several bondholders said a range of proposals for bundling creditors were circulating, although some said they would rather stick to a larger single group controlling a bigger debt slice.

The process of organising creditors is still in the early stages and it is not clear how much of Argentina's debt each grouping represents at this stage.

Gramercy's proposal, which also involves emerging markets investment manager Macrosynergy Partners, has put together a number of possible scenarios, three sources familiar with the plans said.

One of these includes an extension of maturities to ease the pressure on Argentina's struggling finances, but no write-down.

"The group's preferred scenario is to get a five-year extension, but there is no haircut," one of the sources said.

The IMF says that until the new government sets an economic path it cannot decide if private creditor haircuts are needed to keep its $57 billion bailout programme in place.

"In the absence of the whole macroeconomic strategy it is very hard to judge how their operation would lead to a sustainable debt position," Alejandro Werner, head of the Western Hemisphere Department at the IMF, said on Wednesday at an event in New York.

"Once you have the policy proposals you can judge what kind of debt operation is consistent with those policies," he added.

The last major default by Argentina in 2001 tipped the country of 44 million people into years of recession and economic crisis from which it only emerged in 2015.

Argentine bonds, almost 80 per cent&nbsp;of which are denominated in foreign currency, were given a small lift by Fernandez's comments this week, but they are still trading at less than half their face value.

And the peso is the world's worst-performing currency this year, despite being propped up by capital controls put in place in September, weeks after Fernandez's shock victory in a primary election sparked financial market panic.

Several factions of Argentina's bondholders are jostling for influence ahead of restructuring talks with incoming president Alberto Fernandez as Latin America's third-largest economy tries to avert a default, more than a dozen sources familiar with the process said.

Several factions of Argentina's bondholders are jostling for influence ahead of restructuring talks with incoming president Alberto Fernandez as Latin America's third-largest economy tries to avert a default, more than a dozen sources familiar with the process said. Argentina is once again buckling under the weight of its sovereign debts, which total around $100 billion, and Fernandez needs to urgently agree a deal with creditors to ease the burden and give his government space to try to revive the economy. Several investors told Reuters they are growing increasingly annoyed by a lack of clarity on the plans of the new government, which is set to take over on December 10. Fernandez has not yet named his economic team or said how he will deal with the debts, which have become painfully costly after the collapse of the peso. "The general frustration is how slow the incoming administration has been to name people and get the ball rolling," a source at a large fixed-income investor that holds Argentine debt said, adding that with more clarity things could change "fairly quickly". Fernandez this week told the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) head Kristalina Georgieva he has a "sustainable" plan to meet creditor obligations as well as maintain growth, without giving details. A media representative for Fernandez did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. A creditor committee of at least 20 members was formed last month as bondholders look for ways to avoid losses, which could reach tens of billions of dollars, on their holdings. A second group is now being assembled, led by US-based emerging markets-focused investment manager Gramercy, three sources said, amid differences over the way forward. A third group of mostly hedge funds holding bonds restructured after a prior Argentine default was also being brought together, sources said. Gramercy has previous experience in Argentina, where its distressed debt chief investment officer Robert Koenigsberger was involved in debt talks in 2009. Several bondholders said a range of proposals for bundling creditors were circulating, although some said they would rather stick to a larger single group controlling a bigger debt slice. The process of organising creditors is still in the early stages and it is not clear how much of Argentina's debt each grouping represents at this stage. Gramercy's proposal, which also involves emerging markets investment manager Macrosynergy Partners, has put together a number of possible scenarios, three sources familiar with the plans said. One of these includes an extension of maturities to ease the pressure on Argentina's struggling finances, but no write-down. "The group's preferred scenario is to get a five-year extension, but there is no haircut," one of the sources said. The IMF says that until the new government sets an economic path it cannot decide if private creditor haircuts are needed to keep its $57 billion bailout programme in place. "In the absence of the whole macroeconomic strategy it is very hard to judge how their operation would lead to a sustainable debt position," Alejandro Werner, head of the Western Hemisphere Department at the IMF, said on Wednesday at an event in New York. "Once you have the policy proposals you can judge what kind of debt operation is consistent with those policies," he added. The last major default by Argentina in 2001 tipped the country of 44 million people into years of recession and economic crisis from which it only emerged in 2015. Argentine bonds, almost 80 per cent of which are denominated in foreign currency, were given a small lift by Fernandez's comments this week, but they are still trading at less than half their face value. And the peso is the world's worst-performing currency this year, despite being propped up by capital controls put in place in September, weeks after Fernandez's shock victory in a primary election sparked financial market panic.

Argentina creditors jockey for lead ahead of $100 billion debt talks

The inauguration of Argentina's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/argentinas-president-elect-vows-to-make-good-on-debt-without-austerity-measures-263268">president-elect Alberto Fernandez</a> next month has reignited a debate over the legalization of abortion, a year after conservatives narrowly blocked its decriminalization, leaving the country bitterly divided over the issue.

Fernandez, a leftist Peronist, pledged last week he would move to legalize abortion as soon as the new government takes over on December 10.

"I am an activist for an end to the criminalization of abortion," Fernandez, 60, said in an interview, adding that he would send a bill to Congress.&nbsp;

However, he did not say whether he would seek to decriminalize abortion or legalize it as demanded by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/abortion-effectively-decriminalised-in-australia-as-new-south-wales-passes-new-bill-252101">feminist movements</a>.

Fernandez already appears to have nailed his colors firmly to the mast on the issue. He recently attended the launch of "We are Belen" a book telling the story of a young woman who ran afoul of Argentina's strict anti-abortion laws.&nbsp;

After suffering a miscarriage, Belen was jailed for 29 months for an abortion, before eventually being acquitted by a court.

In a foreword for the book, Canadian author Margaret Atwood said Argentina "provided some of the real-life practices that I included in The Handmaid's Tale, especially the theft of babies perpetrated during the military dictatorship."

"How many other Belens are there in the world? How many women have died because they were afraid of going to a hospital because of an abortion, spontaneous or provoked, terrified of the possibility of being accused of murder?"

At the book launch in Buenos Aires, Fernandez posed for pictures with pro-abortion activists and their emblematic green scarves, a clear gesture of support.

Last year, a bill to decriminalize abortion up to the 14th week of pregnancy was narrowly adopted by the Chamber of Deputies but defeated in the Senate, under strong pressure from the still-powerful Catholic Church.

Argentina novelist and activist Claudia Pineiro, said "abortion is back at the center of debate because Alberto Fernandez is disposed to legalizing it."

"I think he has to decriminalize it and legalize it, but to do that he has to proceed in stages: maybe he should first consider decriminalization and then legalization."&nbsp;

"You can't go fight with all your guns blazing at once, because there are very powerful forces lined up on the other side."

In Pope Francis's homeland, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gay-marriage-abortion-laws-liberalised-in-northern-ireland-257395">abortion</a> is punishable by up to four years in prison, and allowable only in cases of rape or if there is a risk to the life of the mother.

Fernandez taking a position has irked conservatives, like the Archbishop of La Plata, Victor Manuel Fernandez.

"If I could talk to Alberto, I would ask him if it's worth starting his mandate off with an issue that has been so divisive for Argentinians,"&nbsp;the archbishop wrote in an open letter.

Fernandez's abortion plan is "unfortunate," said Ruben Proietti, head of the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches in Argentina, ACIERA.&nbsp;

Proietti last year helped mobilize half a million people onto the streets to counter the feminist pro-abortion lobby as both sides held rival mass protests. The pro-abortion activists wore green scarves to symbolize their cause, and the anti-abortion groups wore baby blue.

Proietti promised to bring "even more than before" onto the streets if Fernandez follows through on his plan.

Feminist groups, which have grown in power in Argentina over the past year, say they will not give up the fight.

"The strategy is to continue to put pressure, to continue the campaign," said Martha Rosenberg, a leader of the pro-abortion movement in Argentina.

"We have work to do," she said.

According to NGOs, between 370,000 and 520,000 clandestine abortions are performed every year, more than 1,200 a day.

Kena is one of the many women who were left "on the verge of death" after having a clandestine abortion.

"I am poor and I have six children. I couldn't have a seventh," she told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"My partner told me feeding seven is the same as feeding six, and I told him, no, there won't be seventh eating."

Although she had the abortion more than 20 years ago, it left her "suffering a lot".&nbsp;

"I want abortion to be legal. I saved myself, but there are thousands of women who don't save themselves."

According to the latest survey on beliefs and attitudes in Argentina, the number of people who believe abortion is a woman's right has doubled from 14.1 per cent in 2008 to 27.3 per cent in 2019.

The inauguration of Argentina's president-elect Alberto Fernandez next month has reignited a debate over the legalization of abortion, a year after conservatives narrowly blocked its decriminalization, leaving the country bitterly divided over the issue.

The inauguration of Argentina's president-elect Alberto Fernandez next month has reignited a debate over the legalization of abortion, a year after conservatives narrowly blocked its decriminalization, leaving the country bitterly divided over the issue. Fernandez, a leftist Peronist, pledged last week he would move to legalize abortion as soon as the new government takes over on December 10. "I am an activist for an end to the criminalization of abortion," Fernandez, 60, said in an interview, adding that he would send a bill to Congress. However, he did not say whether he would seek to decriminalize abortion or legalize it as demanded by feminist movements. Fernandez already appears to have nailed his colors firmly to the mast on the issue. He recently attended the launch of "We are Belen" a book telling the story of a young woman who ran afoul of Argentina's strict anti-abortion laws. After suffering a miscarriage, Belen was jailed for 29 months for an abortion, before eventually being acquitted by a court. In a foreword for the book, Canadian author Margaret Atwood said Argentina "provided some of the real-life practices that I included in The Handmaid's Tale, especially the theft of babies perpetrated during the military dictatorship." "How many other Belens are there in the world? How many women have died because they were afraid of going to a hospital because of an abortion, spontaneous or provoked, terrified of the possibility of being accused of murder?" At the book launch in Buenos Aires, Fernandez posed for pictures with pro-abortion activists and their emblematic green scarves, a clear gesture of support. Last year, a bill to decriminalize abortion up to the 14th week of pregnancy was narrowly adopted by the Chamber of Deputies but defeated in the Senate, under strong pressure from the still-powerful Catholic Church. Argentina novelist and activist Claudia Pineiro, said "abortion is back at the center of debate because Alberto Fernandez is disposed to legalizing it." "I think he has to decriminalize it and legalize it, but to do that he has to proceed in stages: maybe he should first consider decriminalization and then legalization." "You can't go fight with all your guns blazing at once, because there are very powerful forces lined up on the other side." In Pope Francis's homeland, abortion is punishable by up to four years in prison, and allowable only in cases of rape or if there is a risk to the life of the mother. Fernandez taking a position has irked conservatives, like the Archbishop of La Plata, Victor Manuel Fernandez. "If I could talk to Alberto, I would ask him if it's worth starting his mandate off with an issue that has been so divisive for Argentinians," the archbishop wrote in an open letter. Fernandez's abortion plan is "unfortunate," said Ruben Proietti, head of the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches in Argentina, ACIERA. Proietti last year helped mobilize half a million people onto the streets to counter the feminist pro-abortion lobby as both sides held rival mass protests. The pro-abortion activists wore green scarves to symbolize their cause, and the anti-abortion groups wore baby blue. Proietti promised to bring "even more than before" onto the streets if Fernandez follows through on his plan. Feminist groups, which have grown in power in Argentina over the past year, say they will not give up the fight. "The strategy is to continue to put pressure, to continue the campaign," said Martha Rosenberg, a leader of the pro-abortion movement in Argentina. "We have work to do," she said. According to NGOs, between 370,000 and 520,000 clandestine abortions are performed every year, more than 1,200 a day. Kena is one of the many women who were left "on the verge of death" after having a clandestine abortion. "I am poor and I have six children. I couldn't have a seventh," she told AFP on condition of anonymity. "My partner told me feeding seven is the same as feeding six, and I told him, no, there won't be seventh eating." Although she had the abortion more than 20 years ago, it left her "suffering a lot". "I want abortion to be legal. I saved myself, but there are thousands of women who don't save themselves." According to the latest survey on beliefs and attitudes in Argentina, the number of people who believe abortion is a woman's right has doubled from 14.1 per cent in 2008 to 27.3 per cent in 2019.

Argentina's leftist president-elect reignites abortion debate

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alberto-fernandez-wins-argentina-presidential-election-258405">President-elect Alberto Fernandez</a> said Tuesday he will make good on Argentina's debt payments but without new austerity measures because people in his country are already hard-pressed financially.

"We cannot make more fiscal adjustments because the situation is enormously complicated," Fernandez, a centre-left Peronist, said in a statement after speaking with IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva.

Fernandez's predecessor Mauricio Macri last year negotiated a $57 billion bailout from the IMF to halt a devastating currency skid.

The economy is in recession and expected to shrink by 3.1 per cent this year, according to the IMF. More than a third of the population lives below the poverty line. Inflation is running at 42 per cent.

Watch: Alberto Fernandez wins presidency

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-argentina-elections-alberto-fernandez-wins-presidency-258567/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Fernandez, with former president Cristina Kirchner as his running mate, defeated Macri in October elections.

The return of the Peronists had prompted fears that Argentina might not live up to its debt obligations.

The government has important debt payments coming up next year, both principal and interest.

The government says that as of the second quarter of this year Argentina's debt totalled $336 billion, or 80 per cent of GDP.

President-elect Alberto Fernandez said Tuesday he will make good on Argentina's debt payments but without new austerity measures because people in his country are already hard-pressed financially.

President-elect Alberto Fernandez said Tuesday he will make good on Argentina's debt payments but without new austerity measures because people in his country are already hard-pressed financially. "We cannot make more fiscal adjustments because the situation is enormously complicated," Fernandez, a centre-left Peronist, said in a statement after speaking with IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva. Fernandez's predecessor Mauricio Macri last year negotiated a $57 billion bailout from the IMF to halt a devastating currency skid. The economy is in recession and expected to shrink by 3.1 per cent this year, according to the IMF. More than a third of the population lives below the poverty line. Inflation is running at 42 per cent. Watch: Alberto Fernandez wins presidency Fernandez, with former president Cristina Kirchner as his running mate, defeated Macri in October elections. The return of the Peronists had prompted fears that Argentina might not live up to its debt obligations. The government has important debt payments coming up next year, both principal and interest. The government says that as of the second quarter of this year Argentina's debt totalled $336 billion, or 80 per cent of GDP.

Argentina's President-elect vows to make good on debt without austerity measures

In Argentina's sunny Mendoza province, officials had been preparing to break ground on the Vecaso solar park, a 115-megawatt project costing $90 million. The culmination of nearly four years of planning, Vecaso was one of several ambitious projects to take root under a renewable energy push by the government of President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/argentina-president-mauricio-macri-requests-new-search-for-footballer-emiliano-sala-192898">Mauricio Macri</a>.

But that project is now in limbo, along with at least two other clean energy investments totalling half a billion dollars - victims of political and economic uncertainty that has crimped cash flow into Argentine industries from shale drilling to cars.

Latin America's no. 3 economy is facing default fears following a sharp market crash and has imposed stricter capital controls to protect the peso after an election last month that saw business-friendly Macri beaten by opposition candidate Alberto Fernandez.

Once a sector that represented more than $4.5 billion in investments and 9 per cent&nbsp;of the country's total generation, the clean energy projects have ground to a halt as companies and financial backers wait for signals from Fernandez on his approach to energy and economic policy.

"The idea was to start construction before the end of the year, but with the current uncertainty we have been forced to adjust," said Ramiro Marquesini of Verano Capital, the Latin American company responsible for building the Vecaso solar park.

Marquesini said he hopes the construction will not be delayed beyond June of next year if the situation has stabilized by then.

Fernandez' vice president will be firebrand former President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/argentina-inflation-expected-at-53-in-december-2019-treasury-officials-249184">Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner</a>, known for interventionist economic policies during her two terms between 2007 and 2015. The return of the Peronists to power from next month has prompted investor fears that Argentina could be headed again in a more protectionist direction.

A spokesman for Alberto Fernandez did not respond to request for comment for this story.

The political uncertainty - not to mention inflation running at nearly 51per cent - has put up a barrier to finishing renewable energy projects in development, like the Vecaso solar park, industry executives told Reuters.

Further complicating the landscape are capital controls imposed by Macri's government that require financing institutions to convert investment dollars into pesos upon entering Argentina.

"Development banks and export credit agencies all just stopped making disbursements," said Gustavo Castagnino, communications director for Genneia, an Argentine energy firm that suspended the development of four wind farms representing a total of 200 megawatts.

Marcelo Alvarez, president of the Argentine Chamber of Renewable Energies (CADER), told Reuters in an interview that the situation was affecting "one of the few sectors that had real investments in recent times," adding that projects requiring a large initial investment were particularly affected.

In northwestern Argentina, a planned solar park in Jujuy province - already home to South America's largest solar farm - stalled after the results of the August primary election indicated that Macri was on his way out, according to a source with direct knowledge of the project.

Those behind the project had been in talks with European development banks for $100 million in funding to build a 96-megawatt solar farm. The paperwork and due diligence was in advanced stages, according to the source, who declined to be named due to the political sensitivity of the issue.

Then, Fernandez trounced Macri by a wider-than-expected margin, sending the peso and markets tumbling.

"We had an informal 'ok,' but when they were presenting the project to their steering committees, after the results of the primary, they didn't say no - they told us they were going to wait until things were more stable," the source said.

The project leaders are now looking into alternative funding options, the source said.

In Argentina's sunny Mendoza province, officials had been preparing to break ground on the Vecaso solar park, a 115-megawatt project costing $90 million. The culmination of nearly four years of planning, Vecaso was one of several ambitious projects to take root under a renewable energy push by the government of President Mauricio Macri.

In Argentina's sunny Mendoza province, officials had been preparing to break ground on the Vecaso solar park, a 115-megawatt project costing $90 million. The culmination of nearly four years of planning, Vecaso was one of several ambitious projects to take root under a renewable energy push by the government of President Mauricio Macri. But that project is now in limbo, along with at least two other clean energy investments totalling half a billion dollars - victims of political and economic uncertainty that has crimped cash flow into Argentine industries from shale drilling to cars. Latin America's no. 3 economy is facing default fears following a sharp market crash and has imposed stricter capital controls to protect the peso after an election last month that saw business-friendly Macri beaten by opposition candidate Alberto Fernandez. Once a sector that represented more than $4.5 billion in investments and 9 per cent of the country's total generation, the clean energy projects have ground to a halt as companies and financial backers wait for signals from Fernandez on his approach to energy and economic policy. "The idea was to start construction before the end of the year, but with the current uncertainty we have been forced to adjust," said Ramiro Marquesini of Verano Capital, the Latin American company responsible for building the Vecaso solar park. Marquesini said he hopes the construction will not be delayed beyond June of next year if the situation has stabilized by then. Fernandez' vice president will be firebrand former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, known for interventionist economic policies during her two terms between 2007 and 2015. The return of the Peronists to power from next month has prompted investor fears that Argentina could be headed again in a more protectionist direction. A spokesman for Alberto Fernandez did not respond to request for comment for this story. The political uncertainty - not to mention inflation running at nearly 51per cent - has put up a barrier to finishing renewable energy projects in development, like the Vecaso solar park, industry executives told Reuters. Further complicating the landscape are capital controls imposed by Macri's government that require financing institutions to convert investment dollars into pesos upon entering Argentina. "Development banks and export credit agencies all just stopped making disbursements," said Gustavo Castagnino, communications director for Genneia, an Argentine energy firm that suspended the development of four wind farms representing a total of 200 megawatts. Marcelo Alvarez, president of the Argentine Chamber of Renewable Energies (CADER), told Reuters in an interview that the situation was affecting "one of the few sectors that had real investments in recent times," adding that projects requiring a large initial investment were particularly affected. In northwestern Argentina, a planned solar park in Jujuy province - already home to South America's largest solar farm - stalled after the results of the August primary election indicated that Macri was on his way out, according to a source with direct knowledge of the project. Those behind the project had been in talks with European development banks for $100 million in funding to build a 96-megawatt solar farm. The paperwork and due diligence was in advanced stages, according to the source, who declined to be named due to the political sensitivity of the issue. Then, Fernandez trounced Macri by a wider-than-expected margin, sending the peso and markets tumbling. "We had an informal 'ok,' but when they were presenting the project to their steering committees, after the results of the primary, they didn't say no - they told us they were going to wait until things were more stable," the source said. The project leaders are now looking into alternative funding options, the source said.

Argentina's political uncertainty and debt crisis torpedo green energy push

Argentina's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/messi-goal-gives-argentina-1-0-win-over-brazil-262481">Lionel Messi</a> scored an added-time penalty to salvage a 2-2 draw with Uruguay as they twice came from behind in an entertaining friendly match in Israel on Monday.

Argentina, now unbeaten in six games since a disappointing Copa America, had the better of the early play but fell behind in the 34th minute when Edinson Cavani stabbed home from close range after a nice build-up by Luis Suarez and Lucas Torreira.

The crowd in Tel Aviv cheered Messi throughout and it was the forward who helped Argentina draw level in the 63rd.

Messi’s free kick from the left was nodded home by Sergio Aguero to put a more realistic sheen on the scoreline for the Argentines, who had been the more positive side throughout.

However, Suarez gave Uruguay the lead again in the 69th when he scored with a powerful 20-metre free kick that flew past goalkeeper Esteban Andrada into the top corner.

But the last word went to Messi who, three days after he missed from 12 yards against Brazil, made no mistake by coolly side-footing home from the spot to secure a deserved draw.

The fixture was the last international for both teams before they begin their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign in March.

Argentina's Lionel Messi scored an added-time penalty to salvage a 2-2 draw with Uruguay as they twice came from behind in an entertaining friendly match in Israel on Monday.

Argentina's Lionel Messi scored an added-time penalty to salvage a 2-2 draw with Uruguay as they twice came from behind in an entertaining friendly match in Israel on Monday. Argentina, now unbeaten in six games since a disappointing Copa America, had the better of the early play but fell behind in the 34th minute when Edinson Cavani stabbed home from close range after a nice build-up by Luis Suarez and Lucas Torreira. The crowd in Tel Aviv cheered Messi throughout and it was the forward who helped Argentina draw level in the 63rd. Messi’s free kick from the left was nodded home by Sergio Aguero to put a more realistic sheen on the scoreline for the Argentines, who had been the more positive side throughout. However, Suarez gave Uruguay the lead again in the 69th when he scored with a powerful 20-metre free kick that flew past goalkeeper Esteban Andrada into the top corner. But the last word went to Messi who, three days after he missed from 12 yards against Brazil, made no mistake by coolly side-footing home from the spot to secure a deserved draw. The fixture was the last international for both teams before they begin their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign in March.

Messi's late penalty gives Argentina 2-2 draw with Uruguay

Bolivians residing in Argentina filled Buenos Aires' iconic May Plaza on Monday (November 18) to protest the government of Bolivia's interim president Jeanine Anez.

Bolivians in Argentina protest interim government

Lionel Messi returned from international suspension to score the winner in Argentina's 1-0 victory over Brazil in Saudi Arabia on Friday. The Barcelona striker, who missed four games after calling the South American Football Confederation "corrupt," scored after 14 minutes to give Argentina a deserved victory in the so-called Superclasico.

Lionel Messi returned from international suspension to score the winner in Argentina's 1-0 victory over Brazil in Saudi Arabia on Friday. The Barcelona striker, who missed four games after calling the South American Football Confederation "corrupt," scored after 14 minutes to give Argentina a deserved victory in the so-called Superclasico. The result extended Brazil’s winless run to five games since they lifted the Copa America in July, their worst such run since 2013. Brazil beat Argentina 2-0 the last time these teams met in the Copa America semi-finals and they should have taken a ninth minute lead but Gabriel Jesus fired a penalty kick wide after he had been brought down in the box. Argentina were also awarded a penalty five minutes later and although Brazilian keeper Alisson saved Messi's initial effort, the Barcelona striker followed up to put Argentina 1-0 ahead. Messi missed two chances to double Argentina's lead before halftime, with defender Eder Militao and Alisson blocking the opportunities. Brazil, who were without Paris St Germain striker Neymar, had two-thirds of the possession but rarely threatened the Argentine goal in a game that featured 41 fouls and six yellow cards. Argentina, meanwhile, looked more sprightly, even without Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala, both of whom were unused substitutes. Argentina have now won three of the five games they have played since their semi-final exit at the Copa America.

Messi goal gives Argentina 1-0 win over Brazil

Brazil head coach Tite has said that Argentine striker Lionel Messi told him to 'shut his mouth'&nbsp;during the clash between the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/messi-goal-gives-argentina-1-0-win-over-brazil-262481">South American football giants</a>.

Messi returned after a three-month international ban and scored a goal to help Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During the match, both Messi and Tite were seen exchanging words in the first half. The Argentine striker was seen putting his fingers to his lips as Tite complained to the referee.

"I complained because Messi should have been shown a yellow card and he told me to shut my mouth and I told him to shut his mouth. And that was it. I don't want to answer anymore on it. You need a strong referee because he'll swallow you... It should have been a card, I was right to complain," Goal.com quoted Tite as saying.

Earlier this year, Messi was handed a three-month ban for his comments against South America's football governing body CONMEBOL.

On July 6, Chile's Gary Medal and Messi were handed red cards during their Copa America clash in the 37th minute of the match. The video footage showed that Medal was clearly the aggressor and the decision of the referee was challenged by Messi. The Argentine striker, thereafter, walked off the field.

Messi was given his first red-card in a 14-year-long span and this decision did not go down well with the striker as he blasted CONMEBOL, saying the whole tournament was set up for Brazil's win and even went on to say that he did not want to be a 'part of this corruption'.

"There is no doubt the whole thing is set up for Brazil. I hope the VAR and referees don't play any part in the final and that Peru can compete but it looks tough to me. I did not want to be part of this corruption, we shouldn't have to be part of this disrespect we suffered during the Copa America. We could have gone further but we weren't allowed into the final. Corruption, referees and all the rest stopped people from enjoying the football," Messi had said.&nbsp;

Brazil head coach Tite has said that Argentine striker Lionel Messi told him to 'shut his mouth' during the clash between the South American football giants. Messi returned after a three-month international ban and scored a goal to help Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Brazil head coach Tite has said that Argentine striker Lionel Messi told him to 'shut his mouth' during the clash between the South American football giants. Messi returned after a three-month international ban and scored a goal to help Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During the match, both Messi and Tite were seen exchanging words in the first half. The Argentine striker was seen putting his fingers to his lips as Tite complained to the referee. "I complained because Messi should have been shown a yellow card and he told me to shut my mouth and I told him to shut his mouth. And that was it. I don't want to answer anymore on it. You need a strong referee because he'll swallow you... It should have been a card, I was right to complain," Goal.com quoted Tite as saying. Earlier this year, Messi was handed a three-month ban for his comments against South America's football governing body CONMEBOL. On July 6, Chile's Gary Medal and Messi were handed red cards during their Copa America clash in the 37th minute of the match. The video footage showed that Medal was clearly the aggressor and the decision of the referee was challenged by Messi. The Argentine striker, thereafter, walked off the field. Messi was given his first red-card in a 14-year-long span and this decision did not go down well with the striker as he blasted CONMEBOL, saying the whole tournament was set up for Brazil's win and even went on to say that he did not want to be a 'part of this corruption'. "There is no doubt the whole thing is set up for Brazil. I hope the VAR and referees don't play any part in the final and that Peru can compete but it looks tough to me. I did not want to be part of this corruption, we shouldn't have to be part of this disrespect we suffered during the Copa America. We could have gone further but we weren't allowed into the final. Corruption, referees and all the rest stopped people from enjoying the football," Messi had said.

Lionel Messi asked me to shut my mouth: Brazil coach on clash with Argentine giant

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - November 6th, 2019

Chileans and Argentines took to the streets in capital Buenos Aires to protest against Chile's government on Tuesday (November 05).

Argentines and Chileans living in Buenos Aires took to the streets to protest against Chile's government

In South America, Argentina's Peronist Alberto Fernandez has swept back into the power on Sunday by defeating Mauricio Macri in the election results. Watch this video to know more.

South America: Argentina's Peronists swept back into the power

Injury-decimated&nbsp;Germany&nbsp;squandered a&nbsp;two-goal&nbsp;lead&nbsp;to&nbsp;draw&nbsp;2-2 with&nbsp;Argentina&nbsp;thanks to Lucas Ocampos's 85th-minute equaliser in a friendly on Wednesday.

The Germans, missing a dozen players and without a single world champion in the starting line-up for the first time since the 2014 World Cup final, fielded a callow team including newcomers Robin Koch and Luca Waldschmidt.

What they lacked in experience, however, they made up for in enthusiasm in the first half with Serge Gnabry continuing his prolific run with his 10th&nbsp;goal&nbsp;in his 11th international, stabbing the hosts ahead after quarter of an hour.

Gnabry turned provider seven minutes later when he found Kai Havertz in the box to complete a quick move.

Marcel Halstenberg rattled the crossbar with a stunning left-footed free-kick as did&nbsp;Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul with a long-range effort.

Argentina, without suspended world footballer of the year Lionel Messi as well as Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero, cut the deficit in the 66th minute through substitute Lucas Alario who instantly added more pace to their game.

The Germans, who had four players making their debuts, gradually ran out of steam and the visitors completed their comeback when Alario charged into the box to lay off for Ocampos to equalise.

Germany&nbsp;next take on Estonia in a Euro 2020 qualifier on Sunday.

Injury-decimated Germany squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Argentina thanks to Lucas Ocampos's 85th-minute equaliser in a friendly on Wednesday. The Germans, missing a dozen players and without a single world champion in the starting line-up for the first time since the 2014 World Cup final, fielded a callow team including newcomers Robin Koch and Luca Waldschmidt.

Injury-decimated Germany squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Argentina thanks to Lucas Ocampos's 85th-minute equaliser in a friendly on Wednesday. The Germans, missing a dozen players and without a single world champion in the starting line-up for the first time since the 2014 World Cup final, fielded a callow team including newcomers Robin Koch and Luca Waldschmidt. What they lacked in experience, however, they made up for in enthusiasm in the first half with Serge Gnabry continuing his prolific run with his 10th goal in his 11th international, stabbing the hosts ahead after quarter of an hour. Gnabry turned provider seven minutes later when he found Kai Havertz in the box to complete a quick move. Marcel Halstenberg rattled the crossbar with a stunning left-footed free-kick as did Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul with a long-range effort. Argentina, without suspended world footballer of the year Lionel Messi as well as Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero, cut the deficit in the 66th minute through substitute Lucas Alario who instantly added more pace to their game. The Germans, who had four players making their debuts, gradually ran out of steam and the visitors completed their comeback when Alario charged into the box to lay off for Ocampos to equalise. Germany next take on Estonia in a Euro 2020 qualifier on Sunday.

Germany waste two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Argentina

In the hard-up neighbourhood of Claypole on the outskirts of the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, Elena Escobar makes her way to the local Caritas Felices soup kitchen to serve food to street children who scrape by from meal to meal.

Escobar, 53, says the volunteer-run kitchen has seen a surge of kids and families seeking help over the last few months, amid a biting recession and fast-rising prices that have pushed millions of people into poverty.

"There are many children in need, many malnourished, with kids that get to dinner time and don't have any food," said Escobar. The kitchen receives over 100 children each week, up from around 20-30 when it opened its doors in April.

The rise in hunger and poverty creates a complex backdrop for the leaders of Latin America's number&nbsp;three&nbsp;economy, who are in knife-edge talks with creditors to avoid default on billions of dollars of debt amid economic and political upheaval.

Ahead of a presidential election on October&nbsp;27, officials will head to Washington this month to meet with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a major backer that struck a $57 billion funding deal&nbsp;with the country last year.

Those talks are likely to weigh on the current administration of President Mauricio Macri and the next one, likely led by left-leaning Peronist Alberto Fernandez, the front-runner to win the vote.

The Claypole kitchen is far from alone in witnessing rising hardship, with government data showing poverty rates jumped to 35 per cent&nbsp;in the first half of 2019 amid recession and steep inflation, from 27.3 per cent&nbsp;a year earlier.

Around 13 per cent of children and adolescents went hungry in 2018, according to data from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, and rising food prices have become a regular target of popular anger in street protests around the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/argentina-recession-emergency-food-bill-approved-249399">Political leaders know something must be done</a>, but face a complex juggling act: bolstering growth and spending to ease issues such as hunger, while cutting debt and averting a damaging default that would shut off access to global markets.

"We can't live in peace with such a scourge," left-leaning Fernandez said in a speech on Monday in reference to hunger, which he described as Argentina's "greatest shame."

Fernandez, who has been buoyed by support for populist running mate Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, blames Macri and austerity measures agreed with the International Monetary Fund for the rise in poverty and hunger.

Macri's running mate, Miguel Pichetto, meanwhile, said on Monday the way to eradicate hunger was to generate employment and attract "big global companies" to Argentina.

Both sides have said they would honour the country's debts with creditors, including the IMF, though neither has laid out a clear plan for how to do so while boosting spending at home.

Most investors expect some sort of loss.

Indeed, Moody's Investors Service anticipates holders of Argentina dollar bonds will need to write off 10 per cent&nbsp;to 20 per cent&nbsp;of their investments, while Fitch Ratings believes the government will write down local and dollar debt.

Hunger and poverty are not new in Argentina but have risen abruptly over the past two years amid a series of economic shocks that have rattled the grain-exporting nation, famed for its rich arable land and cattle.

The issues have become a lightning rod for anti-government protests and marches, with the hardships of the poor brought into sharp focus as the government has been locked in talks with creditors about repayments on around $100 billion in debts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/argentina-inflation-expected-at-53-in-december-2019-treasury-officials-249184">Driving the problem is stubborn inflation</a>, a tumbling peso and a slump in domestic production and consumption, which have hurt spending power, incomes, and jobs.

"There is just no work," said 46-year-old Isabel Britez, a volunteer at the Los Piletones dining room in Buenos Aires, who said that was the main message she heard from people eating at the kitchen, which serves around 2,000 meals a day.

Macri, looking to revive his election hopes, has rolled out plans to bolster jobs, including tax cuts for employers. He also announced a freeze on some food prices earlier this year.

Sergio Chouza, an economist at the University of Avellaneda in Buenos Aires, said food prices have rocketed nearly 60 per cent&nbsp;over the past year, with basics such as dairy up as much as 90 per cent.

"That results in a deterioration of diets and pushes many people below the poverty line," he said.

Poverty is a key reason for Macri's fall from grace. His economic austerity, part of the $57 billion funding deal agreed with the IMF last year, reined in deficits but hit growth and voters' wallets.

Macri was defeated heavily in a primary election in August. Since then, he has announced lower taxes for the middle class and higher subsidies for the poor along with food aid. The Senate approved an emergency food law last month.

"Perhaps we underestimated the impact of the economic situation on the elections. (The poverty issue) affected the vote for Mauricio," Eduardo Amadeo, a Macri ally and member of Argentina's house of deputies, told Reuters.

"The reforms we launched have stabilised the economy and we have tried to reduce the impact from the devaluation in August on people's wallets," Amadeo said.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Health and Social Development listed official measures to deal with the crisis but declined to comment further on poverty rates.

In the meantime, even as soup kitchens flourish, some volunteers say meals are getting more meagre amid tight funding conditions and as food donations dry up.

"Previously, people donated some meat and chicken; now we only get noodles and rice," said Lorena Nievas, who works at the Abrazando Hogares soup kitchen in the southern Patagonian city of Puerto Madryn.

For many residents, however, there is no choice.

"I have people from the street who come in for their lunch and snacks here. It's all the food they get," she said.

In the hard-up neighbourhood of Claypole on the outskirts of the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, Elena Escobar makes her way to the local Caritas Felices soup kitchen to serve food to street children who scrape by from meal to meal.

In the hard-up neighbourhood of Claypole on the outskirts of the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, Elena Escobar makes her way to the local Caritas Felices soup kitchen to serve food to street children who scrape by from meal to meal. Escobar, 53, says the volunteer-run kitchen has seen a surge of kids and families seeking help over the last few months, amid a biting recession and fast-rising prices that have pushed millions of people into poverty. "There are many children in need, many malnourished, with kids that get to dinner time and don't have any food," said Escobar. The kitchen receives over 100 children each week, up from around 20-30 when it opened its doors in April. The rise in hunger and poverty creates a complex backdrop for the leaders of Latin America's number three economy, who are in knife-edge talks with creditors to avoid default on billions of dollars of debt amid economic and political upheaval. Ahead of a presidential election on October 27, officials will head to Washington this month to meet with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a major backer that struck a $57 billion funding deal with the country last year. Those talks are likely to weigh on the current administration of President Mauricio Macri and the next one, likely led by left-leaning Peronist Alberto Fernandez, the front-runner to win the vote. The Claypole kitchen is far from alone in witnessing rising hardship, with government data showing poverty rates jumped to 35 per cent in the first half of 2019 amid recession and steep inflation, from 27.3 per cent a year earlier. Around 13 per cent of children and adolescents went hungry in 2018, according to data from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, and rising food prices have become a regular target of popular anger in street protests around the country. Political leaders know something must be done, but face a complex juggling act: bolstering growth and spending to ease issues such as hunger, while cutting debt and averting a damaging default that would shut off access to global markets. "We can't live in peace with such a scourge," left-leaning Fernandez said in a speech on Monday in reference to hunger, which he described as Argentina's "greatest shame." Fernandez, who has been buoyed by support for populist running mate Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, blames Macri and austerity measures agreed with the International Monetary Fund for the rise in poverty and hunger. Macri's running mate, Miguel Pichetto, meanwhile, said on Monday the way to eradicate hunger was to generate employment and attract "big global companies" to Argentina. Both sides have said they would honour the country's debts with creditors, including the IMF, though neither has laid out a clear plan for how to do so while boosting spending at home. Most investors expect some sort of loss. Indeed, Moody's Investors Service anticipates holders of Argentina dollar bonds will need to write off 10 per cent to 20 per cent of their investments, while Fitch Ratings believes the government will write down local and dollar debt. Hunger and poverty are not new in Argentina but have risen abruptly over the past two years amid a series of economic shocks that have rattled the grain-exporting nation, famed for its rich arable land and cattle. The issues have become a lightning rod for anti-government protests and marches, with the hardships of the poor brought into sharp focus as the government has been locked in talks with creditors about repayments on around $100 billion in debts. Driving the problem is stubborn inflation, a tumbling peso and a slump in domestic production and consumption, which have hurt spending power, incomes, and jobs. "There is just no work," said 46-year-old Isabel Britez, a volunteer at the Los Piletones dining room in Buenos Aires, who said that was the main message she heard from people eating at the kitchen, which serves around 2,000 meals a day. Macri, looking to revive his election hopes, has rolled out plans to bolster jobs, including tax cuts for employers. He also announced a freeze on some food prices earlier this year. Sergio Chouza, an economist at the University of Avellaneda in Buenos Aires, said food prices have rocketed nearly 60 per cent over the past year, with basics such as dairy up as much as 90 per cent. "That results in a deterioration of diets and pushes many people below the poverty line," he said. Poverty is a key reason for Macri's fall from grace. His economic austerity, part of the $57 billion funding deal agreed with the IMF last year, reined in deficits but hit growth and voters' wallets. Macri was defeated heavily in a primary election in August. Since then, he has announced lower taxes for the middle class and higher subsidies for the poor along with food aid. The Senate approved an emergency food law last month. "Perhaps we underestimated the impact of the economic situation on the elections. (The poverty issue) affected the vote for Mauricio," Eduardo Amadeo, a Macri ally and member of Argentina's house of deputies, told Reuters. "The reforms we launched have stabilised the economy and we have tried to reduce the impact from the devaluation in August on people's wallets," Amadeo said. A spokesman for the Ministry of Health and Social Development listed official measures to deal with the crisis but declined to comment further on poverty rates. In the meantime, even as soup kitchens flourish, some volunteers say meals are getting more meagre amid tight funding conditions and as food donations dry up. "Previously, people donated some meat and chicken; now we only get noodles and rice," said Lorena Nievas, who works at the Abrazando Hogares soup kitchen in the southern Patagonian city of Puerto Madryn. For many residents, however, there is no choice. "I have people from the street who come in for their lunch and snacks here. It's all the food they get," she said.

In farm-rich Argentina, hunger cries ring in leaders' ears amid crisis

Argentine lawmakers on Thursday unanimously approved a draft emergency food law to free up resources for social programs amid a worsening economic crisis.

Argentina lawmakers approve emergency food bill

Spain brushed aside Argentina 95-75 in China on Sunday to win the&nbsp;Basketball&nbsp;World Cup.

Three-time All-Star Marc Gasol became only the second man to win an NBA crown and the World Cup in the same year.

The champions, who survived double overtime against Australia to reach the final, led throughout in Beijing to win international&nbsp;basketball's biggest prize for a second time.

The only previous occasion was in 2006 with the two Gasol brothers, Marc and older sibling Pau, on the team.

Pau did not feature in China because of injury.

The latest triumph was particularly sweet for the 34-year-old centre Gasol, who three months ago also played a key part in the Toronto Raptors' run to the NBA title.

Gasol, who had 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, joins Lamar Odom, a double winner in 2010 with the United States and Los Angeles Lakers.

Surprise finalists Argentina had not triumphed since they hosted the inaugural World Cup in 1950.&nbsp;

As a contest, the final was over by the fourth quarter -- although the Argentines did rally belatedly to reduce Spain's previously mighty lead. &nbsp;

Fans of both teams had made it feel more like a football match, decked out in their national colours, chanting loudly and refusing to sit down.

Spain, for whom Ricky Rubio of the Phoenix Suns has been one of the leading players of the tournament in China, surged into a 14-2 lead.

In front of a capacity crowd, Argentina's 39-year-old talisman Luis Scola could not escape the attentions of Pierre Oriola. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Led by their slick-haired Italian coach Sergio Scariolo, Spain were up 21-14 going into the second quarter and increased their advantage to 43-31 at half-time.

With Rubio prominent, drilling 20 points, Spain never looked like surrendering their lead, repeatedly thwarting Argentina's suffocated offence.

- Australia wait goes on - 
France roared back after half-time to defeat Australia 67-59 and claim a second World Cup bronze in a row -- and extend the Boomers' long wait for a major medal.

Turkish-based guard Nando De Colo led all scorers with 19 points for France and Nicolas Batum had nine points, six assists, three rebounds and three steals.

The French, one of the tallest teams at the tournament, defeated reigning two-time holders the United States in the quarter-finals, but then lost heavily to Argentina.

"For us it's something very, very special and important we did it after a very difficult first half," French coach Vincent Collet said.

"Many teams could have given up, even easy shots we were missing in the first half.

"We started to move the ball better in the second half and that's why we won this game."

It was hard on Australia, who similarly led for long periods in their semi-final against Spain.

It is still the best finish for the Boomers, who had never gone beyond the quarter-finals at 11 previous World Cups, but they are yet to claim a medal at the worlds or Olympics.

Deposed champions the United States, who were missing their elite names, finished seventh, their lowest position in tournament history.

They did, at least, qualify to defend their Olympic title in Tokyo next summer.

With 32 teams, this was the biggest Basketball World Cup ever.

The next one will be in 2023 in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.&nbsp;

Spain brushed aside Argentina 95-75 in China on Sunday to win the Basketball World Cup. Three-time All-Star Marc Gasol became only the second man to win an NBA crown and the World Cup in the same year.

Spain brushed aside Argentina 95-75 in China on Sunday to win the Basketball World Cup. Three-time All-Star Marc Gasol became only the second man to win an NBA crown and the World Cup in the same year. The champions, who survived double overtime against Australia to reach the final, led throughout in Beijing to win international basketball's biggest prize for a second time. The only previous occasion was in 2006 with the two Gasol brothers, Marc and older sibling Pau, on the team. Pau did not feature in China because of injury. The latest triumph was particularly sweet for the 34-year-old centre Gasol, who three months ago also played a key part in the Toronto Raptors' run to the NBA title. Gasol, who had 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, joins Lamar Odom, a double winner in 2010 with the United States and Los Angeles Lakers. Surprise finalists Argentina had not triumphed since they hosted the inaugural World Cup in 1950. As a contest, the final was over by the fourth quarter -- although the Argentines did rally belatedly to reduce Spain's previously mighty lead. Fans of both teams had made it feel more like a football match, decked out in their national colours, chanting loudly and refusing to sit down. Spain, for whom Ricky Rubio of the Phoenix Suns has been one of the leading players of the tournament in China, surged into a 14-2 lead. In front of a capacity crowd, Argentina's 39-year-old talisman Luis Scola could not escape the attentions of Pierre Oriola. Led by their slick-haired Italian coach Sergio Scariolo, Spain were up 21-14 going into the second quarter and increased their advantage to 43-31 at half-time. With Rubio prominent, drilling 20 points, Spain never looked like surrendering their lead, repeatedly thwarting Argentina's suffocated offence. - Australia wait goes on - France roared back after half-time to defeat Australia 67-59 and claim a second World Cup bronze in a row -- and extend the Boomers' long wait for a major medal. Turkish-based guard Nando De Colo led all scorers with 19 points for France and Nicolas Batum had nine points, six assists, three rebounds and three steals. The French, one of the tallest teams at the tournament, defeated reigning two-time holders the United States in the quarter-finals, but then lost heavily to Argentina. "For us it's something very, very special and important we did it after a very difficult first half," French coach Vincent Collet said. "Many teams could have given up, even easy shots we were missing in the first half. "We started to move the ball better in the second half and that's why we won this game." It was hard on Australia, who similarly led for long periods in their semi-final against Spain. It is still the best finish for the Boomers, who had never gone beyond the quarter-finals at 11 previous World Cups, but they are yet to claim a medal at the worlds or Olympics. Deposed champions the United States, who were missing their elite names, finished seventh, their lowest position in tournament history. They did, at least, qualify to defend their Olympic title in Tokyo next summer. With 32 teams, this was the biggest Basketball World Cup ever. The next one will be in 2023 in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Spain beat Argentina 95-75 to win Basketball World Cup

Argentina's inflation rate is expected at 53 per cent in December 2019, but will fall back to 34 per cent the following year, according to projections in the forthcoming 2020 budget, treasury officials said on Wednesday.

The budget also predicts Argentina's economy, Latin America's third-largest, will contract by an average of 2.6 per cent in 2019 but will return to growth of 1 per cent in 2020.

The treasury officials, who shared the figures but asked not to be identified, said the budget would be sent to Congress on September 16.

The much anticipated fiscal plans will figure prominently into Argentina's efforts to stem an economic crisis that has plunged a third of its citizens into poverty and ratcheted up inflation.

Tight monetary policy had helped tame inflation in the months before the August 11 primary election. But the peso crashed along with the country's bonds after Peronist Alberto Fernandez trounced market-friendly president Mauricio Macri, sending consumer prices spiralling again.

The shock result spooked investors, who worry especially about Fernandez's running-mate, ex-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, recalling the interventionist policies she imposed during her two terms between 2007 and 2015.

The peso lost a quarter of its value against the dollar in August and the central bank burned up reserves to stem the decline. Macri ultimately imposed currency controls, and the peso has steadied over the last week.

The 2020 budget predicts the average exchange rate will weaken to 67 pesos per dollar in 2020, from 48 pesos to the dollar in 2019, the treasury officials said.

The current account deficit is expected to hit 0.9 per cent of GDP in 2019, then revert to a surplus of 0.4 per cent of GDP in 2020.

The budget also forecasts a trade surplus of $16.1 bln in 2019, increasing slightly to $17.5 bln in 2020, the officials said.

Argentina's inflation rate is expected at 53 per cent in December 2019, but will fall back to 34 per cent the following year, according to projections in the forthcoming 2020 budget, treasury officials said on Wednesday.

Argentina's inflation rate is expected at 53 per cent in December 2019, but will fall back to 34 per cent the following year, according to projections in the forthcoming 2020 budget, treasury officials said on Wednesday. The budget also predicts Argentina's economy, Latin America's third-largest, will contract by an average of 2.6 per cent in 2019 but will return to growth of 1 per cent in 2020. The treasury officials, who shared the figures but asked not to be identified, said the budget would be sent to Congress on September 16. The much anticipated fiscal plans will figure prominently into Argentina's efforts to stem an economic crisis that has plunged a third of its citizens into poverty and ratcheted up inflation. Tight monetary policy had helped tame inflation in the months before the August 11 primary election. But the peso crashed along with the country's bonds after Peronist Alberto Fernandez trounced market-friendly president Mauricio Macri, sending consumer prices spiralling again. The shock result spooked investors, who worry especially about Fernandez's running-mate, ex-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, recalling the interventionist policies she imposed during her two terms between 2007 and 2015. The peso lost a quarter of its value against the dollar in August and the central bank burned up reserves to stem the decline. Macri ultimately imposed currency controls, and the peso has steadied over the last week. The 2020 budget predicts the average exchange rate will weaken to 67 pesos per dollar in 2020, from 48 pesos to the dollar in 2019, the treasury officials said. The current account deficit is expected to hit 0.9 per cent of GDP in 2019, then revert to a surplus of 0.4 per cent of GDP in 2020. The budget also forecasts a trade surplus of $16.1 bln in 2019, increasing slightly to $17.5 bln in 2020, the officials said.

Argentina inflation expected at 53 per cent in December 2019: treasury officials

Argentine soy farmers and crushers expect a boost in demand next year after the South American grains giant won long-sought approval from China to export soymeal to the world's biggest consumer of the livestock feed.

Crushing it: Argentine farmers cheer China soymeal deal while U.S. growers fret

Argentina's inflation rate is expected at 53 per cent in December 2019, but will fall back to 34 per cent the following year, according to projections in the forthcoming 2020 budget, treasury officials said on Wednesday.

The budget also predicts Argentina's economy, Latin America's third-largest, will contract by an average of 2.6 per cent in 2019, but will return to growth of 1 per cent in 2020.

The treasury officials, who shared the figures but asked not to be identified, said the budget would be sent to Congress on Sept. 16. The much anticipated fiscal plans will figure prominently into Argentina's efforts to stem an economic crisis that has plunged a third of its citizens into poverty and ratcheted up inflation.

Tight monetary policy had helped tame inflation in the months before the August 11 primary election. But the peso crashed along with the country's bonds after Peronist Alberto Fernandez trounced market-friendly president Mauricio Macri, sending consumer prices spiraling again.

The shock result spooked investors, who worry especially about Fernandez's running-mate, ex-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, recalling the interventionist policies she imposed during her two terms between 2007 and 2015.

The peso lost a quarter of its value against the dollar in August and the central bank burned up reserves to stem the decline. Macri ultimately imposed currency controls, and the peso has steadied over the last week.

The 2020 budget predicts the average exchange rate will weaken to 67 pesos per dollar in 2020, from 48 pesos to the dollar in 2019, the treasury officials said.

The current account deficit is expected to hit 0.9% of GDP in 2019, then revert to a surplus of 0.4 per cent of GDP in 2020.

The budget also forecast a trade surplus of $16.1 bln in 2019, increasing slightly to $17.5 bln in 2020, the officials said.

Argentina's inflation rate is expected at 53 per cent in December 2019, but will fall back to 34 per cent the following year, according to projections in the forthcoming 2020 budget, treasury officials said on Wednesday. The budget also predicts Argentina's economy, Latin America's third-largest, will contract by an average of 2.6 per cent in 2019, but will return to growth of 1 per cent in 2020. The treasury officials, who shared the figures but asked not to be identified, said the budget would be sent to Congress on Sept. 16. The much anticipated fiscal plans will figure prominently into Argentina's efforts to stem an economic crisis that has plunged a third of its citizens into poverty and ratcheted up inflation. Tight monetary policy had helped tame inflation in the months before the August 11 primary election. But the peso crashed along with the country's bonds after Peronist Alberto Fernandez trounced market-friendly president Mauricio Macri, sending consumer prices spiraling again. The shock result spooked investors, who worry especially about Fernandez's running-mate, ex-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, recalling the interventionist policies she imposed during her two terms between 2007 and 2015. The peso lost a quarter of its value against the dollar in August and the central bank burned up reserves to stem the decline. Macri ultimately imposed currency controls, and the peso has steadied over the last week. The 2020 budget predicts the average exchange rate will weaken to 67 pesos per dollar in 2020, from 48 pesos to the dollar in 2019, the treasury officials said. The current account deficit is expected to hit 0.9% of GDP in 2019, then revert to a surplus of 0.4 per cent of GDP in 2020. The budget also forecast a trade surplus of $16.1 bln in 2019, increasing slightly to $17.5 bln in 2020, the officials said.

Argentina inflation expected at 53% in December 2019: Treasury officials

Lautaro Martinez netted a hat-trick in just 40 minutes as Argentina blitzed Mexico 4-0 win in a friendly in San Antonio on Tuesday. The Internazionale striker took advantage of shocking defending to fire three angled shots past Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in the 17th, 22nd and 39th minutes.

Lautaro Martinez netted a hat-trick in just 40 minutes as Argentina blitzed Mexico 4-0 win in a friendly in San Antonio on Tuesday. The Internazionale striker took advantage of shocking defending to fire three angled shots past Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in the 17th, 22nd and 39th minutes. Leandro Paredes scored from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute. Argentina dropped the pace in the second period but still faced little resistance from an untidy Mexico side who did not manage a shot on target throughout the 90 minutes. Eight players were shown yellow cards in a match that rarely lived up to its 'friendly' billing, but the game will be remembered largely for the brilliant finishing that brought the 22-year-old Martinez his first international hat-trick. "I'm delighted and emotional," he said. "One has to make a lot of sacrifices to get here and it's not every day that you score three goals wearing this shirt." The result was Mexico’s heaviest defeat since they lost 7-0 to Chile in 2016. It was also the first loss for coach Gerardo Martino, who had guided them to 11 straight wins since taking over in January.

Martinez scores hat-trick as Argentina hammer Mexico 4-0

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina on Tuesday, September 10 to demand economic relief, as Latin America's third-largest economy reels from recession and growing fears of a debt default. Watch this video to know more.

Argentina reels under economic crisis, Protests break out demanding relief

Argentine bond prices fell on Thursday (August 29) and country risk soared to levels not seen since 2005 after the government announced plans to extend maturities on about $100 billion in debt, raising fear of a full-blown financial crisis.

Argentine bond prices fall, country risk soars on debt 'reprofiling' plan

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