Argentina Law Of Action

e Law of Action ARGENTINA Thousands of Argentinian workers took part in a nationwide strike against President Javier Milei’s divisive economic reforms Wednesday, in what is being called the first test for the new leader and his “shock therapy” plan to lift Argentina out of a deep economic crisis, CNBC reported. The country’s largest labor union, the Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT), called a general strike in opposition to Milei’s far-reaching measures aimed at deregulating Latin America’s third-largest economy. The demonstrations come just over a month after Milei – a self-described “anarcho-capitalist” – took office after winning a presidential run-off following a campaign promising to change decades of economic malaise. Argentina is facing a profound economic crisis with an annual inflation rate exceeding 211 percent – the highest in 32 years – with two in five citizens living in poverty due to state financial mismanagement. Milei’s proposals include plans to dollarize the economy, abolish the central bank and privatize the pension system. Soon after taking office, he issued a decree that included defunding Argentina’s film institute, privatizing state enterprises, and prohibiting state intervention in controlling the prices of essential goods. But that move sparked widespread opposition, with Wednesday’s strike following two mass protests since Milei assumed power in December, according to El País. While analysts believe the strike may not immediately impact Milei’s policies, there’s concern about the labor union’s potential to grow in size and potency, posing a future challenge to economic stability. Meanwhile, Milei’s administration responded unfavorably to the strikes, threatening to dock a day’s pay from each striking public servant and establishing a toll-free line to report “threats and pressure” on workers to stay away from their jobs. Despite the strike being seen as a political test for Milei, economists and analysts noted that the demonstrations could tarnish the credibility of the labor unions – referring to their unwillingness to strike during the previous administration.

The Amazon Was Once An Urban Jungle

Doors Wide Shut CANADA Canada will impose a two-year cap on the intake of foreign students after explosive growth in recent years has resulted in a worsening housing crisis in the country, Reuters reported. Minister of Immigration Marc Miller unveiled plans to issue around 364,000 visas this year, which would cut the number of intakes by nearly a third. Last year, the country issued almost one million study permits – roughly three times more than a decade ago. The new proposals will also set limits on post-graduate work permits for foreign students, in an effort to encourage them to return home. However, students pursuing masters’ or post-doctorate programs will be eligible for a three-year work permit. The permits are seen as an easier path to permanent residency. Meanwhile, the government plans to reassess the acceptance of new study permit applications in 2025, Miller added. Miller explained that the measures are “not against individual international students,” but are meant to ensure future students receive the “quality of education that they signed up for,” the BBC noted. However, observers said the caps come as Canada has become a popular destination for international students which has led to a huge shortage of rental apartments and rising rents across the country. The affordability crisis has caused a dent in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s popularity ahead of next year’s general elections. Even so, others noted that the changes will negatively impact educational institutions and various sectors, causing labor shortages in businesses such as restaurants and retail. International students contribute $16.4 billion annually to the Canadian economy, mainly benefiting Ontario, the most populous province. During the pandemic, Canada sharply felt the economic loss of immigrants and foreign students when it shut its borders. When they were reopened, the government stepped up measures to accept foreign workers and students.

Huge Ancient City Found In The Amazon

Huge ancient lost city found in the Amazon 11th January 2024, 11:08 PST Share By Georgina Rannard Science reporter, BBC News Stephen Rostain Scientists found evidence of 6,000 mounds thought to be the basis for ancient homesStephen Rostain Scientists found evidence of 6,000 mounds thought to be the basis for ancient homes A huge ancient city has been found in the Amazon, hidden for thousands of years by lush vegetation. The discovery changes what we know about the history of people living in the Amazon. The houses and plazas in the Upano area in eastern Ecuador were connected by an astounding network of roads and canals. The area lies in the shadow of a volcano that created rich local soils but also may have led to the destruction of the society. While we knew about cities in the highlands of South America, like Machu Picchu in Peru, it was believed that people only lived nomadically or in tiny settlements in the Amazon. "This is older than any other site we know in the Amazon. We have a Eurocentric view of civilisation, but this shows we have to change our idea about what is culture and civilisation," says Prof Stephen Rostain, director of investigation at the National Centre for Scientific Research in France, who led the research. "It changes the way we see Amazonian cultures. Most people picture small groups, probably naked, living in huts and clearing land - this shows ancient people lived in complicated urban societies," says co-author Antoine Dorison. The city was built around 2,500 years ago, and people lived there for up to 1,000 years, according to archaeologists. It is difficult to accurately estimate how many people lived there at any one time, but scientists say it is certainly in the 10,000s if not 100,000s. The archaeologists combined ground excavations with a survey of a 300 sq km (116 sq mile) area using laser sensors flown on a plane that could identify remains of the city beneath the dense plants and trees. Graphic showing map of settlements connected by roads This LiDAR technology found 6,000 rectangular platforms measuring about 20m (66 ft) by 10m (33 ft) and 2-3m high. They were arranged in groups of three to six units around a plaza with a central platform. The scientists believe many were homes, but some were for ceremonial purposes. One complex, at Kilamope, included a 140m (459 ft) by 40m (131 ft) platform. They were built by cutting into hills and creating a platform of earth on top. Stephen Rostain Roads, paths and canals were found connecting the platforms suggesting a large area was occupiedStephen Rostain Roads, paths and canals were found connecting the platforms suggesting a large area was occupied A network of straight roads and paths connected many of the platforms, including one that extended 25km (16 miles). Dr Dorison said these roads were the most striking part of the research. Archaeologists discover scoreboard for ancient Maya ball game Ancient mummy found under rubbish dump Mass grave found in ancient Peruvian city "The road network is very sophisticated. It extends over a vast distance, everything is connected. And there are right angles, which is very impressive," he says, explaining that it is much harder to build a straight road than one that fits in with the landscape. He believes some had a "very powerful meaning", perhaps linked to a ceremony or belief. The scientists also identified causeways with ditches on either side which they believe were canals that helped manage the abundant water in the region. There were signs of threats to the cities - some ditches blocked entrances to the settlements, and may be evidence of threats from nearby people. Researchers first found evidence of a city in the 1970s, but this is the first time a comprehensive survey has been completed, after 25 years of research. It reveals a large, complex society that appears to be even bigger than the well-known Mayan societies in Mexico and Central America. "Imagine that you discovered another civilisation like the Maya, but with completely different architecture, land use, ceramics," says José Iriarte, a professor of archaeology at University of Exeter, who was not involved in this research. Some of the findings are "unique" for South America, he explains, pointing to the octagonal and rectangular platforms arranged together. The societies were clearly well-organised and interconnected, he says, highlighting the long sunken roads between settlements. Not a huge amount is known about the people who lived there and what their societies were like. Pits and hearths were found in the platforms, as well as jars, stones to grind plants and burnt seeds. The Kilamope and Upano people living there probably mostly focussed on agriculture. People ate maize and sweet potato, and probably drank "chicha", a type of sweet beer. Prof Rostain says he was warned against this research at the start of his career because scientists believed no ancient groups had lived in the Amazon. "But I'm very stubborn, so I did it anyway. Now I must admit I am quite happy to have made such a big discovery," he says. The next step for the researchers is understanding what lies in an adjoining 300 sq km (116 sq mile) area not yet surveyed. Archaeology Amazon rainforest Ecuador