Trump warns of Argentina aid cut if Milei loses election

Trump warns of Argentina aid cut if Milei loses election

WASHINGTON : US President Donald Trump warned Tuesday he could sever struggling Argentina’s financial lifeline if his libertarian ally Javier Milei loses crucial legislative elections later this month. “If he loses, we are not going to be generous with Argentina,“ Trump said as firebrand Milei visited the White House to seek the Republican’s political and economic support. “I’m with this man because his philosophy is correct. And he may win and he may not win -- I think he’s going to win. And if he wins we are staying with him, and if he doesn’t win we are gone.” Trump’s administration has already promised $20 billion to prop up Argentina’s struggling economy but his backing has failed to calm the markets -- or help Milei’s polling ahead of midterms on October 26. The results of the elections, in which Milei’s minority party is hoping to boost its seat tally, will dictate whether Milei can pass tough cost-cutting reforms or will face a legislative brick wall for the next two years of his term. Hailing Milei as a “great leader,“ Trump said he would “fully endorse” his ideological ally in the elections. “He’s MAGA all the way, it’s ‘Make Argentina Great Again,‘” Trump said, referring to his own “Make America Great Again” slogan. Trump has however faced questions about how a big bailout for Argentina tallies with that same America First policy. Asked by reporters what the benefit to the United States was, Trump replied: “We are helping a great philosophy take over a great country. We want to see it succeed.” Acute illiquidity’ With Argentina struggling to stave off yet another financial crisis and Milei’s disapproval ratings rising, the chainsaw-wielding leader has come to right-wing ally Trump for help. Trump has repeatedly voiced political support for Milei, while backing it up with a promise of huge economic aid, but the markets remain spooked by Argentina. In recent weeks, highly indebted Argentina has had to spend more than a billion US dollars to defend the peso, a strategy most economists believe is unsustainable. That prompted Milei’s allies in Washington to step in with a financial bailout. “Argentina faces a moment of acute illiquidity,“ US Treasury Scott Bessent said last week, announcing a deal that would give Argentina access to US$20 billion. “The US Treasury is prepared, immediately, to take whatever exceptional measures are warranted to provide stability to markets.” The announcement sparked a rally in Argentine bonds and stocks and helped ease pressure on the peso. It also marked a rare instance of direct US intervention in Latin American currency markets, underscoring Washington’s strategic interest in Milei’s success. “The United States saw this attack on Argentina, on the ideas of freedom, on a strategic ally -- and that’s why they supported us,“ Milei said in a radio interview Monday. “They know we are a true ally,“ Milei said, referring to Argentina’s alignment with US and Israeli interests. In Argentina, there has been fevered speculation about what Trump might want from Milei in return for his support. Before Milei took power, Argentina -- a major lithium producer -- had been deepening ties with China. The Argentine president’s office said the leaders would discuss “multiple topics.” On Sunday, Economy Minister Luis Caputo ruled out immediate plans to dollarize the economy or alter the floating exchange rate band, amid speculation of post-election changes. - AFP

Ibu bapa ‘overprotective’, lahirkan anak yang tidak boleh disentuh

Ibu bapa ‘overprotective’, lahirkan anak yang tidak boleh disentuh

PETALING JAYA – Keazaman ibu bapa milenial yang lazimnya dibesarkan dalam ketegasan membuatkan rata-rata mereka mahu mengubah corak didikan yang terlalu ‘keras’. Namun menurut Public Health Malaysia (PHM), tanpa sedar ia boleh membentuk generasi selepasnya terlalu manja sehingga sukar untuk dilentur. “Ramai ibu bapa milenial yang lahir sekitar tahun 1980 hingga 1995, membesar dalam suasana ... Read more The post Ibu bapa ‘overprotective’, lahirkan anak yang tidak boleh disentuh appeared first on Kosmo Digital .

Guan Eng dapat semula pasport antarabangsa secara kekal

Guan Eng dapat semula pasport antarabangsa secara kekal

KUALA LUMPUR – Penasihat DAP, Lim Guan Eng berjaya dalam permohonan mendapatkan semula pasport antarabangsanya secara kekal yang sebelum ini ditahan mahkamah. Ini kerana bekas Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang itu dikehendaki pergi ke luar negara atas tugas rasmi selain kapasiti sebagai Pengerusi Kehormat Asean-Chian Association for the Promotion of Industrial Cooperation and Development (ACAPICD). Hakim ... Read more The post Guan Eng dapat semula pasport antarabangsa secara kekal appeared first on Kosmo Digital .

‘Bitcoin Jesus’ to pay $50 mn to resolve US tax case

‘Bitcoin Jesus’ to pay $50 mn to resolve US tax case

WASHINGTON : Roger Ver, an early investor in cryptocurrency known as “Bitcoin Jesus,“ has agreed to pay $50 million to resolve US tax charges, the Justice Department said Tuesday. Ver renounced his US citizenship in 2014 and took up residence in the Caribbean island St Kitts and Nevis. Ver failed, however, to fully report his bitcoin holdings to the US tax authorities at the time of his expatriation and was indicted on federal tax charges. Under a deferred prosecution agreement, he agreed to pay $50 million in back taxes, penalties and interest, the Justice Department said. “We are pleased that Mr Ver has taken responsibility for his past misconduct and satisfied his obligations to the American public,“ Associate Deputy Attorney General Ketan Bhirud said in a statement. “This resolution sends a clear message: whether you deal in dollars or digital assets, you must file accurate tax returns and pay what you owe.” SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk said earlier this year that he was exploring a pardon for Ver from President Donald Trump. - AFP

Hamas serah empat lagi mayat tebusan Israel

Hamas serah empat lagi mayat tebusan Israel

GAZA: Hamas menyerahkan empat lagi mayat tebusan Israel kepada Jawatankuasa Palang Merah Antarabangsa (ICRC). Ia menjadikan jumlah tebusan yang diserahkan dalam keadaan meninggal dunia meningkat kepada lapan orang. Tentera Israel berkata, mayat empat tebusan yang ditahan di Gaza itu sudah dibawa masuk ke Israel, sehari selepas Hamas menyerahkan empat mayat tebusan lain dan membebaskan 20 ... Read more The post Hamas serah empat lagi mayat tebusan Israel appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .

Saya tak sangka, anak saya pendiam, introvert – Bapa suspek kes tikam

Saya tak sangka, anak saya pendiam, introvert – Bapa suspek kes tikam

PETALING JAYA – “Saya betul-betul sangat sedih. Apa-apa yang saya cakap pun dah tak guna, sebab nyawa anak orang dah hilang.” Itu luahan penuh sebak bapa kepada pelajar lelaki yang ditahan dalam kejadian tikaman yang mengorbankan seorang pelajar perempuan di sebuah sekolah di Bandar Utama, di sini semalam. Menurutnya, dia masih terkejut dan tidak menyangka ... Read more The post Saya tak sangka, anak saya pendiam, introvert – Bapa suspek kes tikam appeared first on Kosmo Digital .