
President Nestor Kirchner administration is the most corrupt ever in Argentina claimed former president Carlos Menem in an interview with Chile's El Mercurio.

Former President Carlos Menem was easily defeated by an incumbent governor of a western province on Sunday, ending a comeback bid by the 77-year-old who governed the country from 1989 to 1999.

Argentina announced Friday custom duties and tariffs to restrict imports of certain goods that are having a negative impact on its industry. Sectors benefited include tires, bicycles, foot wear, auto parts, leather goods, toys and textiles.

The Argentine economy expanded 8.4% during the first half of 2007 compared to a year ago reported Friday the country's Statistics and Census Office, Indec. President Nestor Kirchner also announced that unemployment in the second quarter of 2007 dropped to 8.5% of active population.

Argentine Economic Crimes Federal Judge Marta Novatti issued Thursday an international arrest warrant for Venezuelan businessman Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson who last August 4th tried to illegally introduce in Buenos Aires, traveling on an Argentine government chartered jet, a suitcase containing almost 800,000 US dollars in cash.

About 39 Argentine war veterans from the 1982 Falkland/Malvinas conflict with Great Britain are expected to file a lawsuit before a federal judge in Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego, accusing their officers of torture during the war.

Argentina's Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Foods (SAGP&A) established strict limits on common hake (Merluccius hubbsi) catches with the purpose of safeguarding the species fisheries.

A drop in hake catches, international prices coupled with problems arising from the several weeks strike in Mar del Plata (Buenos Aires province), when workers blocked access to port facilities protesting low salaries, have all had an impact on Argentina's fisheries industry.

The New York Times published Tuesday a long, critical article about the cash-stuffed suitcase which has the potential to split Venezuela and Argentina warm ties and left President Nestor Kirchner and his wife scrambling to contain any potential damage to her bid to succeed him as president.

Emphasizing unity by conviction and not necessarily party affiliation Senator Cristina Fernández de Kirchner (Victory Front-Buenos Aires) and Mendoza Radical Governor Julio Cobos were officially launched Tuesday night as the Argentine government's presidential ticket for the coming election next October 28.