International
Rising Argentine inflation ends 2021 over 50%
AFP
Argentine inflation continued to rise in 2021, ending the year at more than 50 percent, the state statistics institute said on Thursday,
It was grim news for the South American country, given cumulative inflation in 2020 — a year when the economy was almost paralyzed by the Covid-19 pandemic — was just 36 percent.
The largest price increases in 2021 were in hotels and restaurants (65.4 percent), transport (57.6) and food (50.3).
“During 2021, the government tried to anchor inflation and to do so basically used the regulation of the price of utility rates and the exchange rate,” Hernan Fletcher of the Argentine Center of Economic Policy, told AFP.
“Although it certainly was not a success, without this, inflation would have been higher.”
Since 2019, Argentina has imposed ever stricter currency exchange controls, meaning citizens can only withdraw $200 a month at the official rate.
For 2022, the government predicted in its budget — which was rejected by the opposition-dominated parliament — an inflation of 33 percent.
Opposition figures derided the budget as unrealistic.
According to a Central Bank survey, inflation in 2022 will be 55 percent.
The news comes with the government embroiled in a tricky renegotiation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the repayment structure of a $44 billion loan agreed in 2018.
Argentina is due to pay back $19 billion to the IMF this year, another $20 billion in 2023 and $4 billion the following year.
Yet analysts estimate that the country has just $4 billion in international reserves.
“A deal with the IMF could improve the economy in terms of expectations, but in terms of inflation I don’t see 2022 being very different to 2021,” said economist Pablo Tigani.
International
Missile attack hits Kharkiv homes, leaving 13 wounded
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that a Russian missile attack on residential buildings in the eastern city of Kharkiv has left at least 13 people injured, according to local authorities.
“A horrific Russian attack on Kharkiv,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram, explaining that two missiles were fired, striking residential areas and causing “a number of casualties that is still being clarified.”
Local officials later confirmed that 13 people were injured in the attack, six of whom were hospitalized, including one woman in serious condition.
International
Sheinbaum evacuates National Palace after 6.5-magnitude earthquake hits Southern Mexico
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo evacuated the National Palace on Friday along with journalists and federal government staff after the seismic alert was activated during her morning press conference, triggered by a 6.5-magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in the south of the country.
The alert sounded while the president was speaking from the Treasury Hall, forcing the immediate interruption of the event and the activation of established safety protocols.
“Oh, it’s shaking,” Sheinbaum said as she noticed the tremor, before urging those present to remain calm.
According to preliminary information, the earthquake struck the state of Guerrero, one of Mexico’s most seismically active regions. The National Seismological Service (SSN) reported that the quake occurred at 7:58 a.m. local time (13:58 GMT).
Sheinbaum led the orderly evacuation of the historic building, accompanied by reporters covering the briefing and federal government personnel. Images released afterward show the president waiting in the central courtyard of the National Palace as she awaited guidance from Civil Protection authorities on whether it was safe to resume activities.
International
Canada’s prime minister Mark Carney to join Ukraine peace talks in Paris
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Friday that he will take part in peace negotiations on Ukrainescheduled to be held in Paris on January 5 and 6.
In a statement, the Canadian government said the meeting will bring together countries belonging to the so-called Coalition of the Willing, and aims to “accelerate efforts toward a negotiated peace” in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, supported by robust security guarantees.
Carney said Canada is working closely with its allies to achieve a “just and lasting peace,” stressing that the Coalition of the Willing must both deter further aggression and reinforce security guarantees, while ensuring that Ukraine is able to rebuild, recover and lay the foundations for genuine prosperity.
The Coalition of the Willing is made up of around 30 countries, the vast majority of them European, all of which are allies of Kyiv.
On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that a meeting of the Coalition, alongside other European leaders, will take place in Paris on January 6, focusing on security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a future peace agreement with Russia.
Missile attack hits Kharkiv homes, leaving 13 wounded
Sheinbaum evacuates National Palace after 6.5-magnitude earthquake hits Southern Mexico
Canada’s prime minister Mark Carney to join Ukraine peace talks in Paris
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International5 days agoMan accused of killing nine in Paramaribo dies by suicide in police custody
-
International3 days agoMexico’s President Visits Victims After Train Derailment Kills 13 in Oaxaca
-
International3 days agoOne Dead, Three Injured in Shooting at Cree Nation in Saskatchewan
-
International5 days agoSix killed, including baby, in armed attack near tourist beach in Ecuador
-
International1 day agoBrazil’s Bolsonaro Returns to Prison After Supreme Court Denies House Arrest
-
International15 hours agoMissile attack hits Kharkiv homes, leaving 13 wounded
-
International3 days ago
Regional mexican music mourns the death of Banda Gota de Oro singer Giovanni Vera
-
International15 hours agoCanada’s prime minister Mark Carney to join Ukraine peace talks in Paris
-
International15 hours agoSheinbaum evacuates National Palace after 6.5-magnitude earthquake hits Southern Mexico