Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday congratulated Argentine President Alberto Ángel Fernández on their victory in the FIFA World Cup 2022.  "On behalf of the people of Bangladesh and my own behalf, I have immense pleasure in conveying our heartfelt felicitations and warmest congratulations to you and the friendly people of the Argentine Republic on the spectacular victory of the Argentine football team in the FIFA World Cup 2022," she said in a letter to the Argentine President. She also stated that the affection and love for football, particularly the Argentine football team, profoundly connects people of the two countries. "The people of Bangladesh have demonstrated their admiration and love through the spontaneous celebration of winning the World Cup Football Championship of your national football team." Read more: “Hearts of the people of Bangladesh and Argentina are dearly united by football” Sheikh Hasina said that the unprecedented love and affection between the peoples of two football loving nations have paved the way for solid bilateral relations. She expressed hope to further consolidate the relations by opening Missions in each other's capitals in the coming days. Read more: Vamos Argentina, says Professor Yunus congratulating Messi's team on World Cup win

A man was detained Thursday night after he aimed a handgun at point-blank range toward Argentine Vice President Cristina Fernández in what President Alberto Fernández called a homicide attempt. “A man pointed a firearm at her head and pulled the trigger,” the president said in a national broadcast. He said the gun didn't fire. The president shortly after video from the scene broadcast on local television channels showed Fernández exiting her vehicle surrounded by supporters outside her home when a man could be seen extending his hand with what looked like a pistol. The vice president ducked. The man, who had not been identified, was detained seconds into the incident. Also read: Japan police chief to resign over Abe shooting death Supporters surrounding the person appear shocked at what is happening amid the commotion in the Recoleta neighborhood of Argentina’s capital. "A person who was identified by those who were close to him who had a gun was detained by (the vice president’s) security personnel,” Security Minister Aníbal Fernández told local cable news channel C5N. The minister said he wanted to be careful in providing details until the investigation learned more. Unverified video posted on social media shows the pistol almost touched Fernández’s face. Government officials were quick to describe the incident as an assassination attempt. Also read: 8 Israelis wounded in Jerusalem shooting “When hate and violence are imposed over the debate of ideas, societies are destroyed and generate situations like the one seen today: an assassination attempt,” Economy Minister Sergio Massa said. Ministers in President Alberto Fernández's government issued a news release saying they “energetically condemn the attempted homicide" of the vice president. “What happened tonight is of extreme gravity and threatens democracy, institutions and the rule of law,” reads the release. Former President Mauricio Macri also repudiated the attack. “This very serious event demands an immediate and profound clarification by the judiciary and security forces,” Macri wrote on Twitter. Supporters of the vice president have been gathering in the streets surrounding her home since last week, when a prosecutor called for a 12-year sentence for Fernández in a case involving alleged corruption in public works. Tensions have been running high in the upper class Recoleta neighborhood since the weekend, when the vice president's supporters clashed with police in the streets surrounding her apartment amid an effort by law enforcement officers to clear the area. Fernández, who is not related to the current president, served as president herself in 2007-2015.

Argentine President Alberto Fernández says he had an initial positive test for COVID-19, despite having been vaccinated in January. Fernández sent a tweet late Friday saying took a quick antigen test for the virus after feeling a headache and experiencing a fever of 37.3 Celsius (99.1 Fahrenheit). He said he otherwise has light symptoms, is isolating and is "physically well." He said he is awaiting a confirmation of the result using a more rigorous PCR test. Also read: Global Covid cases top 130 million The president received a dose of the Sputnik V vaccine on Jan. 21 and a second dose a few days later. The Russian Gamaleya Institute that produced the vaccine tweeted that it wished the president a quick recovery, and said the vaccine has a 91.6% rate of effectiveness against infection and 100% against critical cases. Also read: Incumbent president concedes defeat in Argentine presidential election "If the infection is confirmed and occurred, the vaccination assures a rapid recovery without severe symptoms," it said. Argentina recently tightened border restrictions due to an upsurge in cases. The nation of some 45 million people has recorded nearly 2.4 million infections, with 56,000 deaths. It has administed more than 4 million doses of vaccine against the disease.