Argentina

• Wednesday, May 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Catholic Church “perceives” growing poverty in Argentina

  Bishop Jorge Casaretto, head of the Argentine Catholic Church Social Pastoral Committee said that perception at the moment ”is that poverty (in Argentina) is increasing”. The statement contradicts a recent Argentine government report indicating that poverty had fallen to 20.7% in the second half of 2007 compared to the previous 23.4%.

• Tuesday, May 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Climatic emergency in Comodoro Rivadavia hit by snow storm

  A “climatic emergency” was declared Monday in Comodoro Rivadavia following strong winds, rain and snow storms which covered most of the Argentine Patagonian province of Chubut with several feet of snow.

• Tuesday, May 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Farmers' conflict: renewed dialogue and markets reopen

  Argentine farmers agreed to lift the 70 days conflict as of Wednesday when discussions over export tax policy with the government, and grain markets activities will resume, although the “state of alert” remains in force.

• Tuesday, May 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine justice investigates collapse of hake fishery

  

  An Argentine federal judge summoned hake fisheries management organizations following a claim from the Mar del Plata Fisheries Chamber, Capemar, which considers government resolutions “unconstitutional” and a contributing factor for the fishery's current critical state.

• Tuesday, May 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  As Aerolineas turns Argentine, air fares again hiked 18%

  

  Argentina's government authorized a new hike in domestic air rates to the tune of 18%, just a month after a similar increase to help airlines face the soaring cost of fuel.

• Sunday, May 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina insists in Peru on humanitarian flight to Falklands

  The Malvinas families' trip to the Falkland Islands for the inauguration of the monument at the Argentine cemetery in Darwin again surfaced during a private meeting of Argentine and British officials last week, in the framework of the European Union/Latinamerican leaders' summit held in Lima, Peru, according to reports in the Argentine press.

• Sunday, May 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine farmers and government prepare to talk

  

  Yielding to pressures from provincial governors and a slowing down of the economy, Argentine farmers are expected to lift the strike on Monday and resume negotiations with the administration of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, which allegedly has also indicated willingness to review some of the most controversial issues.

• Sunday, May 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Spain concerned about its business interests in Argentina

  Spain announced it would defend its interests in Argentina although specific negotiations belong to the private sector, said Spanish president Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, following a meeting with Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

• Saturday, May 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Governors creep into the Argentine farmers' conflict

  Argentine provincial governors, from different angles have called on the striking farmers and the government to resume dialogue as the only way out to the two months stand off over a sliding grain and oilseeds export tax system which is “harming” the Argentine people and institutions.

• Friday, May 16th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine farmers' conflict becoming an attrition process

  Striking Argentine farmers opposed to a hike in export taxes decided on Thursday to extend the stoppage for another week but also sent a letter to President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner requesting an “urgent meeting” following on her Wednesday appeal for a national dialogue.