
The International Monetary Fund reached an agreement with Argentina that will allow release of the next US$5.4 billion disbursement under the loan program intended to help stabilize the nation’s economy.

Argentina’s energy secretary says improper reprogramming of the electricity system following the installation of a bypass on a major transmission line caused the power outage that left tens of millions of people in three nations without power.

Fisheries exports from Mercosur member countries which now face tariffs ranging from 8% to 15% in the European Union will see them gradually disappear during a seven-year period, according to the terms of the wide-ranging strategic trade and cooperation agreement signed this week between the two blocks.

Millions of sky gazers were left in awe on Tuesday as the moon blocked out the sun over Chile and Argentina -- a celestial event that drew worldwide attention. The eclipse was only visible across the southern Pacific Ocean and South America, but people from around the world tuned in to watch it on NASA TV.

Day will turn into night on Tuesday afternoon as the sun, moon and Earth align perfectly during the first total solar eclipse since 2017. The eclipse will only be visible across the southern Pacific Ocean and South America, but can be seen anywhere from around the world online through NASA TV.

One year since its start, it has become clear that the IMF program in Argentina has failed to deliver on its promises to fix the economy while protecting the most vulnerable. Despite the worsening economy, large human costs, and a significant downward adjustment of growth projections, the IMF is doubling down on its austerity approach and requiring additional spending cuts to meet budget targets.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Sunday that it could take up to three years for the free-trade deal agreed by the European Union and Mercosur to come into force, as it depends on approvals by lawmakers of all countries involved.

After months of joint investigations with the United States, Argentina last week made the largest weapons seizure in the country’s history. Details of the bust and transnational investigation are coming to light sparked by a couple of packages that caught the attention of customs officers in Miami last October.

“Now I only have to recover the Malvinas Islands” said Argentine foreign minister Jorge Faurie, following the trade and association agreement reached on Friday in Brussels between Mercosur and the European Union.

The European Union and Mercosur reached on Friday a political agreement for an ambitious, balanced and comprehensive trade agreement. The EU is the first major partner to strike a trade pact with Mercosur, a bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil Paraguay and Uruguay.