Argentina

Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies passes controversial labour reform bill

Unions have slammed the reforms as an effort under libertarian President Javier Milei to erode protections for workers.

In Argentina, locals are taking loans to buy food

Argentinians are taking on loans, selling their belongings, and living on credit cards to pay for basics including food.

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From: NewsFeed

Argentinian security forces fire water cannon and tear gas at protesters

Security forces in Buenos Aires fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon at protesters opposing labour reform.

Police use a spray cannon against labour protesters

Riot police deploy water cannon against union members protesting outside the National Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on February 11, 2026. [Martin Cossarini/Reuters]

Protesters chant during a pro-labour demonstration

Protesters chant during a march against a labour reform bill proposed by President Javier Milei's government on February 11, 2026. [Gustavo Garello/AP Photo]

Police with crowd control weapons approach protesters during the demonstrations against the labour reforms. [Gustavo Garello/AP Photo]

Police carry a protester by his hands and feet after he was detained during a march led by trade unions. [Rodrigo Abd/AP Photo]

A molotov cocktail explodes near a group of riot police

A Molotov cocktail bursts into flames in front of police in Buenos Aires, Argentina, amid protests over the labour reforms. [Rodrigo Abd/AP Photo]

A protester with an Argentine flag being sprayed with a water cannon

A protester waves an Argentinian flag as police spray a water cannon to disperse demonstrators. [ Rodrigo Abd/AP Photo]

A drone view shows union members marching in downtown Buenos Aires to show their outrage at austerity measures and efforts to restrict labour rights. [Martin Cossarini/Reuters]

Protesters behind a barrier as they throw a molotov cocktail towards police

A demonstrator, huddled behind a makeshift barrier, prepares to throw a Molotov cocktail towards police. [Cristina Sille/Reuters]

women try to cover their faces as they walk through a cloud of tear gas during a labour demonstration

Women run through a cloud of tear gas deployed against pro-union protesters. [Cristina Sille/Reuters]

A demonstrator holds a sign calling for a general strike

A demonstrator wearing a Guy Fawkes mask holds a sign that reads 'General strike now' outside Argentina's Congress. [Cristina Sille/Reuters]

an aerial photo shows a march in downtown Buenos Aires

Union members gather outside the National Congress as the Senate debates labour reforms that would curtail collective bargaining rights. [Martin Cossarini/Reuters]

Wildfires devastate Argentina's Patagonia, threaten ancient forests

A firefighter battles a forest fire raging through the mountainous terrain of Epuyen, a remote area in Chubut province in Argentina's Patagonia region. [Tomas Cuesta/AFP]

The largest fires are ravaging southern Chubut province, where at least 450sq km (175sq miles) of forest have been consumed by flames since mid-January. [Gonzalo Keogan/AFP]

Hundreds of firefighters are battling to contain the blazes before they reach populated areas. [Tomas Cuesta/AFP]

The wildfires are among the most severe to strike the drought-stricken Patagonia region in decades, compelling thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate. [Gonzalo Keogan/AFP]

The crisis, unfolding with the bulk of Argentina's fire season yet to come, has rekindled public outrage towards libertarian President Javier Milei. His severe austerity measures over the past two years have drastically reduced funding for programmes and agencies that combat fires, protect parks, and prevent blazes from igniting and spreading. [Tomas Cuesta/AFP]

"There has been a political decision to dismantle firefighting institutions," says Luis Schinelli, one of just 16 park rangers responsible for protecting the 2,590sq km (1,000sq miles) of Los Alerces National Park. "Teams are stretched beyond their limits." [Tomas Cuesta/AFP]

When lightning ignited a small fire near a lake in the remote northern reaches of Los Alerces in early December, firefighters faced significant challenges in their response. The isolated location severely hampered access while a shortage of aircraft prevented them from transporting crews and effectively extinguishing the hillside flames. [Tomas Cuesta/AFP]

A 2023 National Park Administration report recommended deploying at least 700 firefighters to adequately protect lands under its jurisdiction. Currently, the agency employs 391 firefighters, having lost 10 percent of its workforce through layoffs and resignations during Milei's two years in office. [Gonzalo Keogan/AFP]

Budget cuts to the National Fire Management Service have reduced both training capacity and available equipment, according to firefighters, forcing many to depend on secondhand protective suits and donated gear. [Gonzalo Keogan/AFP]

Officials at Los Alerces emphasised that funding constraints have been a persistent challenge regardless of which administration is in power though they firmly maintained that sufficient resources were available to combat the fire. [Tomas Cuesta/AFP]