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Argentina Withdraws Delegates from COP29 as President Milei Prepares for Mar-a-Lago Visit

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Argentina’s government has withdrawn its delegates from the COP29 United Nations climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, signaling a notable shift in its approach to international climate cooperation under President Javier Milei. According to a source from Argentina’s foreign ministry, the delegation, which attended the first two days of the summit, was ordered to return home on Wednesday. Another group of delegates, scheduled to depart for Baku, was also asked not to travel.

Milei, Argentina’s recently elected president, has consistently taken an anti-climate stance, dismissing climate policies as part of a “woke agenda” that imposes an “ideological agenda” on the global stage. During his September address at the United Nations General Assembly, he criticized the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, rejecting it as lacking practical solutions for global issues.

As Milei distances Argentina from traditional environmental commitments, he is expected to travel to the United States to attend a Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) event at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. The Argentine president reportedly plans to meet U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and aims to attend Trump’s inauguration in January 2025.

In recent months, Milei has implemented a series of controversial domestic policies, including significant cuts to public spending. His administration announced a budget freeze for public universities, triggering nationwide protests, and reduced funding for various public services, including the Argentina national press agency Télam, multiple government ministries, and even support for soup kitchens in economically disadvantaged areas.

In line with his ideological position, Milei’s government has also halted the purchase of supplies for abortion access and banned gender-inclusive language in official documents, despite abortion being legalized in Argentina in 2021. This move has raised concerns among human rights organizations, who argue that the right to access safe, legal abortion services has become increasingly restricted.

 

Elon Musk Joins Trump’s Call with Ukraine’s Zelenskiy After Election Win, Reports Say

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Reports reveal that when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called Donald Trump to congratulate him on his recent presidential election victory, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk joined the conversation. The call, lasting around 25 minutes on Wednesday, featured Trump expressing his support for Ukraine, though without specific details, while Musk committed to continuing Starlink satellite support, a crucial resource for Ukraine’s defense network, according to Axios.

The conversation unfolded as Zelenskiy praised Starlink’s role in maintaining internet services amid the war. Trump, reportedly at Mar-a-Lago with Musk, introduced the tech mogul to Zelenskiy, according to the Washington Post. Musk’s role in providing satellite communication through his SpaceX-owned Starlink has been vital to Ukraine’s defense operations, although Musk’s statements on the conflict have occasionally strained relations with Kyiv.

In response to the call, Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of ongoing U.S. support, sharing on the platform X (formerly Twitter) that he and Trump agreed to continue discussions. “Strong and unwavering U.S. leadership is vital for the world and for a just peace,” he added, underscoring the necessity of American involvement in Ukraine’s battle against Russian aggression.

Reports also highlighted Musk’s financial support of Trump’s campaign and Trump’s indication of offering Musk a role in promoting government efficiency if elected. Musk has not publicly commented on the call, and the Trump campaign refrained from commenting on private discussions.

 

Trump’s Golf Empire Flourishes in Florida Despite Legal Troubles and Real Estate Declines

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Former President Donald Trump’s business empire has experienced a significant shift, with his Florida-based golf resorts emerging as a financial lifeline amid mounting legal challenges and a faltering New York real estate market. Trump’s golf clubs, particularly in Florida, now account for the bulk of his company’s cash flow, generating around four-fifths of the estimated $80 million net income for 2024. Once a cash drain, these properties have flourished, capitalizing on Trump’s popularity with affluent supporters, particularly in the state’s pro-Trump strongholds.

Mar-a-Lago, the crown jewel of Trump’s business, is set to generate around $24 million in 2024, while three other Florida properties are also thriving. Trump’s Jupiter and West Palm Beach clubs are set to generate $8.4 million and $10.4 million, respectively. Meanwhile, his largest golf resort, Trump National Doral in Miami, is expected to bring in $10.5 million. These figures highlight a strong recovery for the Trump Organization’s golf operations post-pandemic, positioning the resorts as a reliable cash source.

However, Trump’s broader business dealings face more precarious circumstances. His New York properties, particularly 40 Wall Street, are grappling with a declining commercial real estate market. Trump also faces over $530 million in court judgments and interest from legal battles, including a high-profile fraud case in New York. The Trump Organization has shifted several entities to Florida in an attempt to evade some of these legal hurdles, but a judge blocked the reorganization, keeping the company under close judicial scrutiny.

While Trump’s golf empire flourishes in Florida, the outlook for his New York assets is clouded by a sluggish real estate market, with major debts coming due in 2025. Despite these challenges, Trump remains a potent figure in both the business and political worlds, with his 2024 income projections boosted largely by his flourishing resorts. Florida’s golf boom, combined with Trump’s enduring brand appeal, is keeping his business afloat as he navigates turbulent legal and financial waters.