Argentina chose libertarian outsider Javier Milei as its next president on Sunday. Milei received over 56% of the vote, compared to the 44% his opponent, Peronist Economy Minister Sergio Massa, received. Reports suggest that Argentina is banking on an outsider with radical beliefs to repair an economy hit by triple-digit inflation, a predicted recession, and rising poverty.
US President Joe Biden declared on Saturday that the Palestinian Authority should eventually control the Gaza Strip and the West Bank following the Israel-Hamas conflict. “There must be no forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, no reoccupation, no siege or blockade, and no reduction in territory,” Biden stated.
Eleven US Democrats in the House of Representatives, led by Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Greg Casar of Texas, have written a letter to US President Joe Biden asking to withhold military assistance to Pakistan till free and fair elections are conducted in the country. The letter expressed concerns about reports of “human rights abuses, including restrictions on freedom of expression, speech, and religion and belief, as well as enforced disappearances, military courts, and harassment and arrest of political opponents and human rights defenders” in the South Asian country. Additionally, the representative highlighted reports suggesting that former Pakistani PM Imran Khan, currently imprisoned and facing a secret trial, potentially faces the death penalty.
The India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial dialogue will take place in New Delhi on Monday. Australian Deputy PM and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong will participate from the Australian side, with their counterparts, Rajnath Singh and Dr S Jaishankar, representing India. The dialogue is expected to discuss the upcoming Quad summit and ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the ministers will cover “bilateral, regional and global matters of mutual interest” during the 2+2 dialogue.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Saturday that a Chinese warship had attempted an “unsafe and unprofessional” interaction with an Australian navy vessel, injuring Australian military divers. “While diving operations were underway a PLA-N destroyer (DDG-139) operating in the vicinity closed towards HMAS Toowoomba,” Marles said in his statement, referring to a vessel belonging to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy. Despite the Australian vessel notifying the Chinese warship of the diving operation and requesting that it maintain a safe distance, Marles said the destroyer approached “at a closer range.”
During a meeting on Friday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, discussed ways to reduce tensions in the South China Sea and restore Filipino access to fishing grounds in the area. Both countries agreed to continue communication and keep open sea lanes and airways over the South China Sea.