#argentinian offices

[upinteriors]

Moreno 2681 by palca estudio

The project is located in Balvanera, a central neighbourhood of Buenos Aires that presents a heterogeneous built profile with a strong commercial presence and an identity characterised by cultural diversity. This pattern is further consolidated when understanding its direct link with the building of the Argentine National Congress, with the large number of hotels distributed throughout the area or with the Miserere Square, that acts as a hub for trains, buses and subways. Balvanera could be interpreted as a neighbourhood of national identity.

Architecture as identity. The assignment originates from the clients' need to have administrative offices in new building that determines their identity as an institution. These offices had to be complemented by apartments to be used by people travelling from the provinces of Argentina to Buenos Aires for a certain period of time. Among the clients' initial demands was the use of a glass façade as an image towards the city, which for us was an essential part of the initial program.

The potential of mixed uses. The initial idea was to locate work and domesticity in the same block. This option was rapidly discarded after the first tests when the incompatibility of the circulation dynamics was verified. Taking advantage of the long proportion of the site (7.60 x 47.60 m) it was then decided to divide the uses into two independent blocks: the office one in the front, more exposed to the street and the domestic one in the back, more reserved in the centre of the block. In this way, a daily relationship is generated between all the people who inhabit the building while providing privacy in each of the parts.

Adapt to the given conditions. Both blocks adjust their buildable profile to the limits determined by the internal front line. This imaginary line is determined by the Government of the City of Buenos Aires to delimit a non-buildable area in the centre of the block. Instead of looking for alternatives to deal with this restriction, the project adapts to the resulting silhouette. In this way, two individual blocks are proposed to take advantage of all the possible footprint and are developed with the necessary height to deal with the proposal.

The void as a meeting place. Both building blocks are connected through a central void that works as a meeting point. This void is projected through a garden of organic shapes, white stones and growing vegetation that aims to generate meeting places for the people who work and inhabit the building.

Versatile and timeless from the beginning. The office block is planned on four levels with open spaces that allow to deal with the constant changes in today's work dynamics. Each level has outdoor spaces materialised by balconies on the lower floors and a terrace on the upper floor. The domestic block is also planned on four levels but made up of two stacked duplex apartments. Each one of them operates as an individual unit designed with the minimum elements necessary to be temporarily inhabited.

How to be efficient in the Argentine context. In an economic context as complex and variable as the Argentine one, it is necessary to be rational and efficient in the materialisation of architecture. In that sense, the construction of the building is proposed in a synthetic and traditional way through the implementation of few elements, but optimising their use. To do this, we proposed a reinforced concrete skeleton and lightweight masonry walls, textured white anodised aluminium frames in the windows and airtight double glazing for greater thermal efficiency. In this way, we make it easier to deal with suppliers while achieving efficiency and durability in the use of the elements.

A new way of perceiving the environment. Faced with a complex and heterogeneous urban context, the project is created from synthesis as contrast. Pure lines, geometric composition and white elements characterise a building that aims to communicate order and timelessness.

Design: palca estudio Location: Balvanera, Buenos Aires, Argentina Year: 2023 Photography: Javier Agustín Rojas

[stairnaheireann]

Eamon Bulfin, the Irish-Argentinian who hoisted the Green Flag of the Republic over the GPO.

Eamon Bulfin was an Argentine-born Irish republican. A former pupil at Pádraig Pearse’s school St Enda’s (Sgoil Éanna), in Rathfarnham, Dublin. Bulfin was a member of the Irish Volunteers and the IRB and along with some fellow St Enda’s students created home-made bombs in the school’s basement in preparation for the Easter Rising. He was stationed in the GPO for the Rising and raised one of the…

[a-dotrivenitupontop]

omg im almost on the s7 halloween episode of the office and my dads in the room how am i supposed to be Normal when there’s zach woods doing drag as lady gaga hELP

[bloodpen-to-paper]

So to recap (July 2022 edition) we got:

- 4th of July shooting in Highland Park + a shooting in Chicago

- anyone with a uterus has less rights than an assault rifle in the U.S.; right-wing Scotus can get hit by a plane

- Edit: Native Americans have been added to the list of people with less right than an assault rifle in the U.S.

- a third of the British Parliament resigning from various government positions cause of how much everyone hates Boris Johnson

- Edit: Boris Johnson has now resigned cause of how much everyone hates Boris Johnson

- Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan, got shot while giving a speech

- Edit: *Former Former Prime Minister... he got Lincoln’d

- a far-right French politician accidentally pinned the assassination of Shinzo Abe on popular video game designer Hideo Kojima, which a major Greek news outlet relayed, only furthering the idea that Kojima did it

- the war in Ukraine is still going on

- the state of Canada can be summarized by this image:   https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/862558639735046146/995130724791365652/unkown.png

- Hunter Biden got trending on twitter for the hundredth time and nobody gives a shit seriously who gives a shit conservatives get him trending for literally breathing why is this still happening-

- Edit: ... Users of the well known “incel” website 4chan supposedly hacked the iPhone of U.S. President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden and allegedly exposed the both of them as pedophiles, among many other things. Sweet shitting Christ almighty, if this is true, I have been proven incorrect in possibly the most cursed way imaginable, and it is a testament to my willpower and spite that I have not fallen in alcoholism from this news piece alone 

- Baymax is a Leftist

- the U.S. House Select Committee began holding live public hearings for the January 6 insurrection and no one noticed

- Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of the popular anime and playing card game Yu-Gi-Oh!, passed away (R.I.P., may he finally be free to kick Shinzo Abe’s ass without consequence in that great dueling arena in the sky...)

- the Argentinian economic minister has resigned (an announcement that was made not through any official news outlets, but via a Tweet) following an inflation crisis that is crippling the country, but all you’ll find on Twitter is people excited about the new futbol jersey for the next World Cup (no one is surprised by this)

- Elon Musk backed out of his deal to purchase Twitter for $44 billion; it was believed he didn’t know the meaning of the term “pulling out” so this was quite the surprise

- Edit: Twitter is now suing Elon Musk for not buying Twitter

- the President of Sri Lanka (not to be confused with the Prime Minister, because they apparently have both) pulled a Ted Cruz and has fled the country after citizens stormed the presidential palace in a mass riot following the announcing of the country being officially bankrupt (which the Prime Minister, not to be confused with the President, totally didn’t cause via corruption in office). The citizens involved in the protest then stormed the house of the PM, and took a swim in his pool promptly before sacking and burning the place, thus proving the month of July is truly a Hot Girl Summer

Edit: Both the PM and President of Sri Lanka have agreed to resign their positions; that is two world leader resignations and one former world leader assassination in one week; I now have the sudden urge to drink myself into 2040

[zvaigzdelasas]

21 Dec 23

[probablyasocialecologist]

Poverty levels skyrocketed to 57.4% of Argentina’s 46 million people in January, the highest rate in 20 years, according to a study by the Catholic University of Argentina. The findings quickly unleashed accusations between Argentina’s former Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and the government of President Javier Milei, who came to power announcing a series of shock measures aimed at tackling the country’s severe crisis. About 27 million people in Argentina are poor and 15% of those are mired in “destitution,” meaning they cannot adequately cover their food needs, according to the study released over the weekend. The UCA’s social debt observatory is considered an independent and prestigious research space whose reports on poverty cover a larger geographical area than those conducted by Argentina’s national statistics agency, INDEC. It also applies a methodology that addresses the problem with a more multidimensional approach and its findings are seldom questioned by politicians and economists. According to the center’s latest report, the increase in poverty levels in January was partly due to the devaluation of the Argentine peso applied by the Milei government shortly after taking office on Dec. 10. This resulted in an increase in the price of the country’s basic basket — which includes food, services and non-food goods — and the basic food basket. Working- or middle-class households that do not receive benefits through social programs experienced the greatest impact, the study concluded. Eduardo Donza, a researcher with the social debt observatory, told The Associated Press that although inflation could slow in the coming weeks, the incidence of rising prices will continue to impact Argentinians and poverty would hit at least 60% of the population around March.

[1americanconservative]

Argentinian President Javier Milei has cut approximately 45,000 federal workers from the government payrolls since he took office.

He’s only been in office for 53 days.

That’s nearly 1,000 federal workers cut from the payroll per day.

It can be done, America. He’s proving it

[julianalvarez9]

miscommunication, pt. 2 / christian pulisic

summary: the silent treatment continues. two certain players try to bring you back to your senses, but you’re still not convinced. maybe you need to talk to certain american to clear it all to you.

author's note: pleasantly surprised at the positive reaction part 1 had! one last part left, this one is kinda enzo x reader centered but we'll get the talk next!!

warnings: the translation is not word-for word accurate, i tried to make it make sense in both languages so sorry if it confuses you kajskaj

word count: 1.1k

“what happened here?” was all you could mutter up. enzo hadn’t quite catched upon what you had perceived, so once you elbowed and reprimanded him for continuing to giggle at whatever media was still ongoing on his phone, he questioned the guys too. “you should ask your boyfriend here” said mason, staring down at christian. without saying another word, not even waiting to hear what his american friend had to say, he picked his stuff, ready to go home after the training journey had ended.

safe to say that things between christian and you got quite… difficult, after that afternoon. 

in fact, they were worse than they had ever been. he was, without a doubt in mind, evading you every chance he got, making it difficult to fulfill your job, which was taking photographs of everybody on the team, and certainly, the one player everyone wanted to see: the one that wore the number 10 on the field.

you had tried to talk to mason about what he meant when he referred to christian as 'your boyfriend', thinking that maybe he was mad with you for not denying it, but he just laughed it off. above all, mason was a good guy, so he gave you an apology for making you feel uncomfortable with the joke. the truth was, that the quip hadn’t pissed you off, quite the opposite indeed. instead, it was the american's reaction that made you angry. or maybe, his lack of.

two months had passed and you still didn't know for sure what you had done to make christian resent you that much, since he didn’t dare to speak to you. the most difficult part about losing a best friend so suddenly and without a warning was that you missed your jokes, your coffee talks, him hiding in your office when he wanted to avoid the coach on a special hard day at training. you started doubting every move or thing you said before the fallout. had he noticed how you looked at him? it’s certainly different from how you saw his teammates. had he noticed it too? had mason joked about it because he knew?

“¿cómo están saliendo las fotos?” (how are the pics turning out?) asked enzo, in a clear attempt at putting a smile on your face. today was being particularly hard, and due to this, you were zoning out too much, not concentrating enough on the task at hand: film little snippets of training to make a little video for the team’s socials. you only nodded, not changing the seriousness in your face, and it wasn’t appreciated by the argentinian that his powers of making you laugh clearly weren’t doing the job today.

"¿qué pasa entre ustedes dos?" (what’s going on between you two?) he insisted, having to jog a bit to catch you since you had continued your path while he stayed behind. you didn’t understand who he meant, or tried not to assume, so he tilted his head signaling at the american player that was just coming into the training pitch after changing on the lockers. you tried to dissipate his question, shooting another one at him. "nada, por qué?" (nothing, why?)

he just laughed, like you had said the funniest joke, and you furrowed your brows in confusion at his reaction. he explained, shrugging his shoulders while doing so. "no parece ‘nada’. cada vez que me acerco a vos, siento que quiere arrancarme la cabeza" (doesn’t seem like ‘nothing’. every time i get close to you, i feel like he wants to take my head off).

you nervously laughed, shaking off his assumption. "estás viendo cosas. no me quiere de esa forma" (you’re seeing things. he doesn’t like me like that). enzo raised his brows in question, like he knew something you didn’t. "yo le preguntaría" (i’d ask him). you were now walking off the pitch, having enough content to edit for the video. kepa, one of the first players that had reached up to you when you arrived at chelsea all those years ago, was listening to the exchange and wanted to contribute his two cents to the cause. pointing to enzo, he said "tiene un punto" (he’s got a point), and you huffed at his remark. "vos también?" (you too?).

smiling, the goalkeeper raised his hands, trying to hide the mischief that was dancing on his features away from your interrogative eyes. "yo le preguntaría si fuera tú" (i'd ask him if i was you). enzo kept pushing you too, knowing that you just needed a bit of courage before confronting the american player. "tenés que hablar con él, aclarar las cosas. no pueden seguir así" (you have to talk to him, clear shit out. you two can’t keep going like this). feeling like the two chelsea players were blaming you for the fallout didn't quite feel right to you, knowing that you weren't at fault for whatever shit that was going on in christian's head. angrily, you spoke. "no le debo nada. no fuimos nada nunca. aparte, por qué yo? por qué no puede hablar él?" (i don't owe him nothing. we never were a thing. also, why me? why can't he speak?).

kepa, who thought that at least one of the two was coming to his senses, rubbed his hands on his face, trying to shake the frustration away. "you better than anyone should know he never talks about his feelings". enzo looked at him like the goalscorer had said something horrifying. pointing at him, he asked you, "¿qué dijo?" (what did he say?). you only giggled, knowing that you had been in charge of teaching enzo the basics of english, and that's why you two had gotten so close since he had arrived to the club: he was better now, the language barrier not as strong as before, but clearly still present. "deberías entender esa frase, otherwise i'm doing a shit job" (you should understand that sentence).

christian clenched his fists while seeing the interaction, even if he was far away and couldn't tell what you two were saying: seeing you smile like you did when you were with enzo, brighter and louder than you ever did with him, made him furious. he was aware of kepa’s presence in the conversation, but the difference in your behavior with the two guys was enough proof for him that there was something different between you and the argentinian player.

mason had told him that this couldn’t go on any longer, and even if he never wanted to agree with his fellow teammate, he knew he needed to do it. and if he wanted to understand why he felt the way he did, christian needed to talk to you about it.

still doubtful, he made his way across the pitch to the three of you, where you still were all joking around, clearly blocking the way back to the lockers. since christian hadn’t even looked your way lately, you thought that you were in his way, and hurried the boys to get out of his path. “that’s not what i’m here for” he said, awkwardly moving his weight from one foot to the other, clearly nervous. “can we talk? please?” he tried again, in a low tone, trying to avoid the other two players from hearing, even if they had given you two a bit of space since his arrival. enzo was looking attentively at the exchange, wanting to make sure you were alright with the interaction. you nodded, part to answer to what christian had asked you, and part to assure the argentinian that you were okay with this.

[hurtcomfortficstilltheend]

Mateine is the new caffeine

Wednesday Addams x gn! argentinian! Reader

Summary: Wednesday tries mate for the first time, by the hand of her partner, Reader.

Warnings: None! Only fluff! There is no use of "(Y/N)".

If you are not argentinian or southamerican, I explain the whole "mate" thing at the end. You just need to know that it's a very popular (non alcoholic) social drink in some countries in Latin America.

(Also, you don't need to be latinamerican to read this ofc)

A/N: Very self indulgent as always ;D Soft!Wednesday ahead!

Word Count: 1178

Your eyes were locked to the screen of your tiny laptop, your fingertips tapping incessantly on the keyboard, and your headphones on tight, blasting Brahms' second symphony. You had left a super important essay for the last minute (you were upset but not surprised), and now you were fighting against the clock to finish it on time for the first lesson tomorrow morning. Or today. 

After a quick wrist watch check- 3:54. Great. For the first lesson today then.

Your hand reaches instinctively for your hot water flask and serves another mate. You reread the last paragraph written on the open docs while sipping the lukewarm beverage. You swallow the liquid with a slight wince and keep writing.

You had once been ashamed that it took this amount of different sourced input to get anything school related done, but after some time, you just accepted that mateine, loud instrumental music, and leg bouncing was your only way, and that was okay.

Once you reread the whole thing again (and whisper a prayer to any coherence-and-cohesion god out there), you adjust the format of the document and send it to print in the principal’s office. Very proud of yourself for actually finishing it on time, you pick up your mate set to remake, get up with a jump and turn around-

-to find Wednesday standing right behind you, staring at you like you owe her something. As expected, you let out a squeak and accidentally drop the mate on the wooden floor. You hold on to the thermos like a lifeline, fully opened eyes pointing to the floor and then up to your girlfriend again.

“Mierda. Carajo.” Wednesday just stands there unmoving, as you throw yourself to the floor to pick up the yerba mess. The plant stains very bad, very quickly, so you end up (once again) in a rush against time itself to get some wet tissue paper and scrub the floor before it is too late. 

Now, with the headphones resting uncomfortably on your neck and the floor as-clean-as-it's-gonna-get, you take a deep breath and stand in front of the waiting girl. “Hi” After a beat, you lean closer to her and plant a small kiss on her cheek for good measure.

She blinks once, and you understand that’s her way of greeting. “What is that?” With a subtle head movement she points to the mate set now resting undone on your desk. 

“That’s the mate set my dad brought me from Argentina for parents’ weekend. The super cool gift I told you about?” It doesn’t seem to ring a bell. “Come on, I’ll show you how to make the best mates ever”

“Do you even know what time it is?” She asks with a slightly arched eyebrow.

“I have no forking idea, now come on” You guide her to your bathroom, and your makeshift kitchen counter.

.

“You have to put cold water first, so the leaves don’t burn, and then pour the hot water on the little hole we made” You guide Wednesday through the steps until you are only left with the last one. 

“So, I’ll do this, so you don’t gross out too much” You take the first two sips through the straw and immediately spit it out in the sink. She makes no comment, and both of you head out to your bed. The sun is starting to come up.

You get comfortable on top of your quilt and so does Wednesday. You pour the first mate and drink it yourself as an act of mercy. “What brings you here, by the way?”

“I was planning on silently watching you sleep until you woke up, so then we could go to class together, but I see you haven’t slept at all” She says matter of factly. You hand her the mate, but she doesn’t take it, as if waiting for instructions.

“Just try it out, if you don’t like it, no worries. It tastes bitter and it might be too hot, so be careful” She goes to grab it with both hands and you giggle, rambling about an ongoing joke in your family, of newbies using the bombilla as a gearshift.

You get yourself into the rabbit hole that is explaining the social rules of mate in gatherings, and how some people from Argentina and Uruguay drink it as often as coffee, or even more. You fail to notice your girlfriend’s face starting to morph into a frown. When you look up you feel like you messed up big time. 

“Oh god, you hate it. Let me get you some water. Do you want toothpaste?, I have som-” as you’re standing up to get a glass, you are stopped by Wednesday softly grabbing your wrist. Her eyes glint with something as close to fascination as you’ve seen on her. 

“It’s… magnificent. There is not a trail of sweetness, I could even guarantee it’s as bitter as my dark and cold soul” You can’t stop the huge and shining smile that takes over your face.

“So you like it?!” You pour yourself a mate and drink it before leaving the set in your nightstand and jumping up from your bed. “I’m so excited! I haven’t asked principal weems if I can take it to class, but I bet she will have no problem! My mom used to tell me that a good mate is the best companion for studying, it’s been so long since I’ve shared mate with someone!” 

A small smile starts to creep its way onto Wednesday’s face when seeing you so excited about your culture. She turns to look at your direction, still sitting on the edge of your bed. “You are clearly sleep deprived, and I’m certain this drink is going to trigger an insomnia episode if you remain drinking it at such ungodly hours, but-” 

“You’re gonna be my mate buddy?!”

“It’s whatever.” You can almost see a blush covering her cheeks. Almost. “Now, breakfast starts in five minutes, so get ready if you wish to be there on time. And don’t think you’re about to get away with an all-nighter. After lunch you’re getting rest willingly, or I’ll make you”

You roll your eyes playfully and hand her the basket with the set inside. “So bossy..” You give her another peck on the cheek and change into your school uniform in a flash.

.

Bonus: 

Enid finds you and Wednesday sharing mates at the library a few days later, and after insisting that she’s gonna surely love it, she pulls such a grimace when the drink touches her tongue that you almost feel offended. 

You appear the next day with two different sets: one of mate, for you and your girlfriend; and one of tereré for Enid. Your friend likes the sweet and cold version so much better, and from then on asks you very often to prepare it for her.

You also show them and the gang the wonders of dulce de leche, Rogel cake, and every single argentinian tea time good you can get your hands on.

.

A/N: I totally devoured the series, and I'm obsessed, so expect more of Wednesday to come. Comments are greatly appreciated as always, I want to know what you think!

About the "Mate" depicted in this fic: It's a weird kind of infusion (here's a pic for reference)

that seems to be prepared backwards (you have a cup with the herb -yerba mate- to which you pour hot water, opposite from tea I guess), you have to sip through that metal straw -called bombilla- that has a filter, and it's usually drunk in groups or social events, or as a way to replace the caffeine that coffee may provide. It's highly energetic and bitter, although some people add sugar or sweeteners to taste.

The first mate is usually the most bitter one, cause it's filled with the dust of the yerba, so drinking the first mate yourself can sometimes be an act of heroism lol.

I also mentioned "Tereré", which is similar, but (where I live) only drunk in hot weather. It's prepared with cold juice instead of hot water and it's definitely less bitter.

Yerba mate also stains like a bitch, even linolium floors, so if you are to spill some, you have to clean it up quickly before it dries.

By the way, we use mate(s) as a countable AND uncountable noun, so don't come at me about grammar please hahdghfkv

I hope you liked this crash course of mates!

[sprinedankle]

antonella/anto. ᤣ९ she/her. 17. esp/eng. argentinian. lesbian. libra sun, taurus moon & rising. taylor swift. boygenius + solo works (esp. phoebe). clairo. fiona apple. ethel cain. lorde. muna. laufey. hozier. blair. mitski. faye webster. alex g. reneé rapp. ○ lover, evermore & midnights girl. julien baker & snoopy lover. sucker for cinema 'n literature. tlou, re4, dbh, lis ++ other games. fleabag, yellowjackets, normal people & the office lvr. ᜑ ⋆

julien to @bithehand's lucy — asks & dms open ♡

letterboxd | spotify | stats.fm | pinterest

want you to tell me that you miss me, want you to hold and hurt and kiss me. 　 ҉ ๋ 🐳 ◯ 𓂂

[collapsedsquid]

The Foreign Office seems to have unlimited sums for imperial gestures. Social care ministers can eat their hearts out. Carriers are sent to the South China Sea, destroyers to the Black Sea and a patrol boat to the Falklands. What on earth for? Quite apart from the hypocrisy of Jeremy Hunt claiming to be short of money, this schoolboy machismo makes Britain look ridiculous. The Falklands appear to “belong” not to Britain but to their inhabitants, or so the defence secretary, Grant Shapps, implies in conceding them all decisions over their future at any cost. A previous Tory government accepted that this cost – then far less – was prohibitive and absurd. It decided that some tiny islands thousands of miles away off the coast of South America would be best advised to forge a relationship with their close neighbour. No sensible observer demurred. The Rowlands, Ridley and Peruvian plans offered the islanders security. The UN and other Latin American countries were to share in guarantees. There was never a need for the expense of the present fortification. The sole reason for London’s refusal to return to negotiation is frankly that the Falklands were Britain’s last spark of military glory. That was 40 years ago. It cannot justify abandoning all common sense.

Now I know the brits want to get rid of them I'm even more convinced that the Falklands remaining British is anti-imperialism

[workingclasshistory]

On this day, 7 March 1970, the Snake Pit gay bar on W. 10th St in New York City was raided by police. Over 160 men were arrested, one of whom, Diego Viñales, was severely injured as he leaped out of a second story window at the police station. An Argentinian national who had overstayed his visa, he was terrified of being deported. Subsequent protests by the gay liberation movement eventually pressured authorities to drop all charges, and reassign significant numbers of officers from persecuting LGBT+ people to other duties. Learn more about the fight for LGBT+ rights in New York City in our podcast about the Stonewall Rebellion: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e21-22-the-stonewall-riots-and-pride-at-50/ https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.1819457841572691/2225216717663466/?type=3

[beardedmrbean]

Traditionally incoming Argentinian presidents give an inauguration speech inside of Congress to other politicians. Javier Milei, a former “tantric sex instructor” turned libertarian economist, symbolically gave his speech with his back to the Congress facing towards the people. 

“For more than 100 years, politicians have insisted on defending a model that only produces poverty, stagnation, and misery,” President Milei said. “A model that assumes that citizens exist to serve politics, not that politics exists to serve citizens.” He also promised an “end a long and sad history of decadence and decline” and promote a new era based on peace, prosperity, and freedom.

Since his headline-making election victory last month, media portrayal of Milei has ranged from dismissive to condescending, often depicting him as an eccentric “far-right populist.” Yet, since taking office, Milei has shelved many of his campaign’s more contentious proposals and begun implementing a radical but, by international standards, orthodox reform plan to revitalize Argentina’s faltering economy.

Milei inherited a challenging situation. Argentina’s economy has shrunk by 12 per cent over the last decade, annual inflation reached an extraordinary 160 per cent in November, while the poverty rate increased to 40 per cent in the first half of 2023.

Argentina has a fascinating economic history that led up to this point. In the 19th century post-independence Argentina adopted a liberal constitution that helped deliver an impressive economic expansion.

By the early 20th century, Argentina was one of the world’s richest countries, driven by agricultural exports. Real wages were comparable to Britain and only slightly below the United States. Millions fled destitution in southern Europe for a new life in Argentina. Buenos Aires has been labelled the “Paris of South America” because of spectacular neoclassical architecture built during this era.

This turned to disaster over the subsequent decades because of collectivist rule – from military dictatorships to avidly socialist leaders. Argentina nationalised industries, subsidised domestic production, limited external trade, and introduced an unaffordable welfare state. This has become known as the Peronism, named after 20th century president Juan Domingo Perón, a leftist populist leader who supressed opposition and controlled the press.

This agenda accelerated in recent decades under self-identifying Peronist leaders, turning Argentina into one of the world’s most closed and heavily regulated countries. The latest Human Freedom Index places Argentina at 163rd in the world for openness to trade and 143rd for regulatory burden. This has culminated in an economy on the precipice of economic disaster.

Not wasting any time, Milei has proposed a mega package of over 350 economic reforms to open the economy and remove regulatory barriers. This includes privatising inefficient state assets, eliminating rent controls and restrictive retail regulations, liberalising labour laws, lifting export prohibitions, and allowing contracts in foreign currencies.

There has been a notable absence of some of most radical ideas – such as legalising organ sales or banning abortion. He has also put on hold plans to dollarise the economy and abolish the central bank. Instead, at least by international standards, the agenda contains several orthodox economic reforms.

Many of the measures – such as cutting spending to get the deficit (currently at 15 per cent of GDP) under control, opening the country up to international trade, and liberalising the airline industry through ‘open skies’ policy – would be required to join the European Union. The government is eliminating capital and currency controls and allowing the peso to devalue – measures that the IMF’s managing director Kristina Georgieva said these are important to stabilise the economy.

There are undoubtedly significant challenges ahead and some darker elements to agenda.

Milei has been, uncharacteristically for a politician, honest that “in the short term the situation will get worse”. The removal of price controls, for example, will increase inflation until demand and supply can stabilise to end shortages. But, he says, “then we will see the fruits of our efforts, having created the foundations of a solid and sustainable growth over time.”

The government is facing significant opposition, with the union movement organising mass protests and threatening a general strike. The government has responded by proposing questionable new anti-protest laws, that include lengthy jail sentences for road-blocking and requirements to seek permission for gatherings of more than three people in a public place. Milei, who could struggle to get much of his agenda through Argentina’s Congress, is asking for sweeping emergency presidential powers until the end of 2025. This raises serious questions about democratic accountability.

Nevertheless, there are some positive early signs. Since Milei’s election Argentina’s flagship stock index has risen by almost one-third and the peso’s value has not collapsed. Argentina could soon benefit from a major new shale pipeline pumping one million barrels of crude a day (helped along by reforms that allow exports of oil and sales at market prices) and the mining of the second largest proven lithium reserves in the world.

Argentina has long served as a solemn reminder that prosperity is neither inevitable nor unassailable. Misguided policies can transform mere challenges into a profound crisis. Milei is offering a glimmer of hope: redemption may just be possible. Let’s also hope that Britain’s leaders can similarly take the path of reform, ideally before things get as bad as Argentina.

Matthew Lesh is the Director of Public Policy and Communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs

[artbykays]

Some Milo and Sweetheart HCs cause I’m a whore for Milo

- SH is definitely taller. Not by a lot max 3 inches.

- SH comes home in that classic buttoned down top, slacks and jacket in their hand. Milo eats that up and finds it vv hot. Like he’s just “…holy shit. They are mine. I’m theirs”

- On the other hand, Milo comes home in a Shaw Security zip up, sweats and a tank top. You’d think he’d come back from the gym, but nah. He just changed at the office so he can easily flop down on couch, bed or in SH’s arms.

- they both speak Spanish. But different types. I see Milo as that New York Puerto Rican, and (my version/art design) Sweetheart is Argentinian. Buuut because there are multiple forms of Spanish, when a word doesn’t match up, they just stare at each other and play a game of hand gestures cause they forgot the English word. Also I think Milo speaks more Spanish than SH.

- when SH comes home from a case that leaves them bruised and battered, Milo pulls the “takes me back to the good ol’ times” like they’ve been married for 50+ years.

- they’ve been together for what 2 years? Milo is already planning on popping the question once the whole Quinn shit ends. He’s already got it planned but also just wants to wing it. Ash has to tell him to chill cause now he’s starting to pace back and forth and oh-oh god he’s a wolf now and whining.

[rolangf]

—OC QUESTIONNAIRE

tagged by jackie @gwynbleidd i love u so much truly 🫶🏻 i’m doing this interview style tag game for my rockstar girlies (gta, rdr 🤭) cs i do not talk abt them at all ever. if u even care (kidding)

tagging: @ravensgard 🌿 @simply-jason 🌿 @sikoi 🌿 @teamhawkeye 🌿 @jackiesarch 🌿 @corvosattano 🌿 @marazhaiaezyrraesh 🌿 @yrlietlanaevyss 🌿 @rosayoro 🌿 @rvchelking 🌿 and you!! 🩷

NAME: agent jennifer daniels of the federal intelligence bureau, los santos sector 😎.

NICKNAME: jen (do not call her jenny tho she hates that), agent daniels (sarcastically), eye in the sky, various derogatory terms exchanged between her and pretty much everyone she talks to.

GENDER: she’s One Of The Girlies. a girl’s girl in a world of egomaniacal men. “save me, women. save me!”

STAR SIGN: the most sagittarius woman to ever sagittarius.

HEIGHT: 5’10. without the boots.

ORIENTATION: i actually haven’t thought abt it but now that i am, she’s a bisexual queen, leaning towards women.

NATIONALITY/ETHNICITY: argentinian! born in argentina and has duel citizenship between there and the united states.

FAVORITE FRUIT: pineapple. she eats a metric fuck ton of it, truly. she brings a container of it to work, midnight snack, etc.

FAVORITE SEASON: she’s the most comfortable during a san andreas autumn cs the weather is forgiving towards her wardrobe. —sexy patterned fur coats. knee high boots. she likes the aesthetic and looking expensive and a lot of that is layers and unforgiving textures. summer is good for the other half of her wardrobe tho, being silk button ups. mesh. high heels. low cut blouses.

FAVORITE FLOWER: lupine. she tried to grow a little plot of it at her home in rockford hills but didn’t have the patience to maintain them, so she gets a bouquet delivered once in a while to display.

FAVORITE SCENT: she loves a heady wine scent, like a deep cherry or a gourmand-type. she likes to smell edible.

COFFEE, TEA, or HOT CHOCOLATE: coffee and a cigarette on the balcony every morning. and on her way to work. and when she’s briefing with her colleagues. and when she’s flying. and in her office. and when she’s bothering dave. and when she’s beefing with steve cs she’s bored. and on her way home. and with dinner. and before bed.

AVERAGE HOURS OF SLEEP: like, 10. she needs her beauty sleep or she will be absolutely miserable in the morning, and make it everyone’s problem.

DOGS or CATS: neither. if she’s gonna be around a dog it has to be her size and scary as hell, but not constantly barking— like a mastiff guard dog.

DREAM TRIP: either back to argentina, or somewhere in the southern hemisphere where she can lay in the sun for 18 hours and get absolutely piss drunk in public.

NUMBER OF BLANKETS: she has one silk sheet and a massive down duvet.

RANDOM FACT: she drives a really obnoxious lilac purple pegassi vacca. and it’s unreasonably souped up— neon light kit, spoiler, led headlights, sport tires, custom leather interior, all of it. everything. government money baby. 🤑

NAME: lieutenant eileen carlisle to you 🫵🏻.

NICKNAME: lindy, linds, miss carlisle, the desert hum.

GENDER: she/her, the milfiest milf i have.

STAR SIGN: she’s gotta be a virgo i just feel it in my bones.

HEIGHT: a touch above average for the time, 5’4. but she has the attitude of a woman who is 6 feet.

ORIENTATION: she says she’s straight but that will not stop her from being homoerotic towards women.

ETHNICITY/NATIONALITY: american. she was born in new york city and fled before she was even 18.

FAVORITE FRUIT: she loves a good crispy apple and every byproduct in between.

FAVORITE SEASON: spring, when everything is in full bloom and alive.

FAVORITE FLOWER: wildflowers. entire fields of them. she would sleep in a field of wildflowers— the ground to be her bed, the sky her awning.

FAVORITE SCENT: fresh coffee and leather.

COFFEE, TEA, or HOT CHOCOLATE: she hasn’t been able to get her hands on tea in a long time so she settles for coffee.

AVERAGE HOURS OF SLEEP: fucking zero genuinely. she can’t sleep on a bedroll, she’s a night owl, coffee keeps her up, she can’t sleep through the gang stirring at the break of dawn, she’s a light sleeper in general. no rest for the wicked, she would say.

DOGS OR CATS: dogs; she was always around them so she welcomes the company.

DREAM TRIP: somewhere cozy and quiet. she’s kinda been sold on the tahiti trip if she’s being honest.

NUMBER OF BLANKETS: none. even when she had a bed she would kick it off mid-sleep.

RANDOM FACT: wants to so badly own an orchard and make jams and shit. she wants to be an artisan and make good clean cash :( she thinks it’s too late for her, but she will never not yearn for the fruit.