Argentinian President Javier Milei has bypassed Congress to appoint Manuel García-Mansilla and Ariel Lijo to the Supreme Court by decree. This decision aims to fill vacancies and normalise the court's function, as Milei's office claims the Senate has stalled the nominations. The appointments are "provisional" until the end of the next legislative period, but the Senate can still reverse the decree. The move has sparked controversy, with critics deeming it unconstitutional and raising concerns about Lijo's past. Milei's government defends the action by citing constitutional authority and Senate inaction. Both nominees have notable backgrounds, with Lijo having handled sensitive cases and García-Mansilla being a constitutional law expert, however the Senate is responsible for either approving or rejecting the nominations based on an assessment of suitability.

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We focus on Argentinian President Javier Milei's speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Milei, known for his austerity measures and chainsaw symbolism, urged support for shrinking government size, drawing parallels to the approaches of Donald Trump and Elon Musk. He also met with Trump and gifted Musk a chainsaw, referencing their shared ideologies on reducing state power. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni affirmed Europe's relationship with the U.S., while Trump engaged with foreign leaders like Poland's president. The article also mentions the Associated Press's role as a factual and unbiased news source.

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We chat about reports on the outpouring of prayers and support for Pope Francis in Argentina, his native country, as he battles a serious lung infection in a Rome hospital. Catholics have attended masses and projected messages onto monuments expressing their concern for the pontiff's health. The article highlights the significance of Francis being the first Latin American pope and his impact on the Church's focus on serving the poor. Latin American leaders have also conveyed well wishes and appreciation of Pope Francis. The Pope acknowledged the support, expressing gratitude for the messages and prayers he has received from across the globe. The Associated Press is an independent global news organisation dedicated to factual reporting.

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