International
Milei highlights the support of the IMF and the World Bank while denying devaluation pressures
Argentine President Javier Milei stressed the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to its Administration, revealed that Argentina is negotiating a new program with the Fund “to get the economy up and running” and categorically denied the alleged pressures of the body led by Kristalina Georgieva to devalue the peso.
“It is false that the IMF is asking (Luis) Caputo (Minister of Economy) to devalue,” Milei said in an interview on Tuesday with the Todo Noticias (TN) channel in which he referred to the conversations he had with the head of the Fund during the Global Summit on Peace in Ukraine held in Bürgenstock (Switzerland) on June 15 and 16.
“I didn’t talk to her about money,” he clarified.
Milei highlighted what he considered to be economic achievements of his Government. “We have been in financial balance for five months in a row” and “it’s been two months in which salaries and pensions (pensions) beat inflation,” he said.
In addition, he stressed that “wholesale inflation today is 3.5%,” compared to 54% when he assumed the Presidency, while mentioning a new agreement in the making with the International Monetary Fund, and celebrated that “the president of the World Bank decided to support Argentina.”
The president also defended the head of his government’s finances by stating that “(Luis) Caputo is the best Minister of Economy in the history of Argentina. No one is going to achieve Caputo’s achievements,” he said.
The Argentine head of state categorically denied the rumors about pressure from the IMF to devalue the currency.
“It is false that the IMF is asking Caputo to devalue.” However, he acknowledged the pending challenges: “The recovery will take time, but we are on the right track,” he said.
At the political level, Milei accused Kirchnerism of trying to destabilize his Government: “Kirchnerism is trying to strike a blow from the first moment,” he said without providing evidence in this regard.
Milei also reaffirmed his leadership and decision in the election of his cabinet. “I’m not going to touch any minister. I’m the boss,” he stressed.
During the interview, Milei announced that Federico Sturzenegger, former president of the Central Bank known for his liberal approach and architect of the Argentine president’s economic reform proposals, will be fully integrated into his Government.
In addition, he criticized figures who, according to him, misappropriate the papal representation: “There are people who take their representation and do not have it. It should not be sympathetic to Pope Francis that those who claim to protect the poor, steal from the poor,” he added.
Milei also referred to the political opposition and the legislative power, pointing out that “a senator earns more than twice as much” as he earns.
At the international level, the president highlighted his relations with far-right politicians. “We have an excellent link with Santiago Abascal (leader of the Spanish far-right Vox party), with the Bolsonaros, with (Giorgia) Meloni,” Italian Prime Minister, boasted.
In addition, he announced an upcoming visit to France: “Macron invited me to go to Paris. I’m going to Paris for the opening of the Olympic Games” and he also defended his official trips.
“I travel as many times as necessary for my work. How many were invited to be at the G7 table? (…), with my travels I put Argentina at the top,” he said.
In his interview with TN, Milei did not skim on criticism of the media and some journalists, whom he accused of lack of ethics. “There are many journalists who are very dirty,” he said.
Finally, the Argentine president recognized the challenges faced by his Administration
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
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