Policing the police II
Friday, October 7, 2016 Policing the police IIIn his successful electoral campaign last year, President Mauricio Macri identified three top priorities — “zero poverty,” the fight against drug-trafficking and national reconciliation. The government remedy continues to be parading numbers but it is quality which needs attention, not size — policy-making is also woefully inconsistent. The new City force only underlines these flaws — paid over twice as much with superior educational requirements and a focus on detective work instead of going on the beat. Elsewhere Buenos Aires province Security Minister Cristian Ritondo praises his hard-line predecessor Alejandro Granados one day and echoes Governor María Eugenia Vidal’s reform intentions the next — in contrast, national Security Minister Patricia Bullrich is not so much inconsistent as permanently disconnected. No more space to list problems but evidently Macri needs to sort out his police ahead of any crime-fighting plans.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
October 07, 2016 04:29 UTC
Soy oil sales to China plunge 97%
Friday, October 7, 2016 Soy oil sales to China plunge 97%Beijing halts nearly all purchases from Argentina, as domestical processing of crop risesChina has halted its soy oil purchases from Argentina, raising concerns over the future of one of the country’s main exports, soy-based products. According to sources in the sector, exports of soy oil to Beijing have plunged in 2016 so far, though other sales of other soybean products continue. Argentina, on the other hand, saw its soy oil exports plunge from 525 million tons in 2015, when it was the main provider of soy oil to China with 65 percent of the market. Egypt, Peru, Bangladesh, Algeria and Iran have also been buyers of local soy oil this year. Demand for soybean per se would not necessarilly be affected by decisions on soy oil.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
October 07, 2016 04:18 UTC
More cash, but more poor clubs too
This column mentioned before that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) hung onto this money for a time, possibly earning interest on it from banks, and then paid clubs with post-dated cheques which the clubs, needing cash urgently, had to cash at certain places which then a percentage off the top. AFA, then under the control of now deceased president Julio Grondona, lent a lot of money to clubs. Of 170 clubs directly affiliated to AFA only 30 clubs are debt-free. This will mean that clubs will receive even less money, but the old saying that, “A rich AFA and poor clubs,” is no longer true. All lower division clubs have joined them, but then some C Division clubs decided to play.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
October 07, 2016 04:18 UTC
Judges keep CFK treason case alive
Yesterday, Prosecutor Germán Moldes appealed the decision by a separate Appeals court to not re-open the case. Bonadio has also summoned former Foreign ministers and diplomatic officials for testimony and has rejected requests from Timerman’s lawyers to close the case. Bonadio has accepted that Luis Czyzewski and Mario Averbuch, fathers to two of the AMIA victims, be considered as plaintiffs in the case. The complaint carried out by Prosecutor Nisman was dismissed ab initio, without any evidence measures being considered. Defence lawyers for Timerman had argued that no two judges should both rule on the same set of events, recalling language in the appeals court ruling that confirmed Rafecas’ decision not to open the Nisman complaint.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
October 07, 2016 04:18 UTC
Priest found dead after clashing with local drug traffickers
Investigator points to suicide but neighbours suspect murder Thursday, October 6, 2016 Priest found dead after clashing with local drug traffickersJuan Heraldo Viroche, a priest who led rallies against the advance of drug trafficking in the province of Tucumán, was found hanged yesterday in his home at a small church in La Florida, a village located 70 kilometres away from the provincial capital. Judicial sources disclosed opposite versions regarding hypothesis for the cause of Viroche’s death. But many neighbours disagree, saying that the priest had received threats over the last few days and that murder was likely. The Argentine Episcopal Conference (CEA) also issued a press release expressing “sorrow and dismay” about Viroche’s death, and demanding an investigation. Local press reported that the priest’s neighbors believed that he could have been killed due to his complaints against drug trafficking and insecurity in the village.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
October 06, 2016 04:06 UTC
Uribe demands changes to Colombia peace deal
Thursday, October 6, 2016 Uribe demands changes to Colombia peace dealColombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos talks during a press conference after a meeting with former president and Senator Álvaro Uribe at Nariño Palace in Bogotá, yesterday. Without giving any concrete proposals, Uribe, 64, said Santos had shown he was disposed to changes. Uribe, a former lawyer and cattle rancher, opposed Santos’ peace talks from the start and said the final deal, which was reached in August after four years of painstaking negotiations in Havana, gave too many concessions to the rebels. A senior US State Department official said yesterday the government and rebels are committed to dialogue to reach agreement. The official also said it was too soon to discuss US plans to send Colombia hundreds of millions of dollars in aid intended to support the country as the peace deal went into effect.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
October 06, 2016 04:06 UTC
Argentina, without Messi, faces Peru today
Soccer — South American World Cup qualifiers Thursday, October 6, 2016 Argentina, without Messi, faces Peru todayArgentina''s Gonzalo Higuaín (left) with Paulo Dybala at the end of their training session in Lima. LIMA, Peru — Argentina’s national team, without its star and captain Lionel Messi, will visit Peru today at 11.15pm (Argentine time) at the Nacional del Peru stadium in Lima for a ninth-round match of the South American World Cup qualifiers. Apart from Messi’s absence, Argentina will not have Lucas Biglia either, as the Lazio midfielder suffered an injury a couple of weeks ago. We prepare for the match without him and that’s why Agüero, Dybala and Higuaín will play,” said the coach. Peru has not played a World Cup since Spain 1982.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
October 06, 2016 04:06 UTC
World Bank: 2016 recession to hit 1.5%
Thursday, October 6, 2016 World Bank: 2016 recession to hit 1.5%Protestors block traffic at the Corrientes and Callao intersection in downtown Buenos Aires to organize one of many impromptu soup kitchens across the country demanding measures against poverty and joblessness. During a presentation of the World Bank’s report on the regional economic perspective for Latin America, the Bank’s Augusto de La Torre forecast three percent growth in 2017, as investment will rise by 1.8 percent. He was speaking during a conference in Washington DC where the IMF and the World Bank hold their yearly assembly. The World Bank also worsened its forecast for Argentina, although by a lesser margin. Questions over the health of Germany’s largest lender loomed large over the start of the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Washington, dominating a news conference on risks to global financial stability.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
October 06, 2016 03:15 UTC
Miller leads South Africa to victory
Thursday, October 6, 2016 Miller leads South Africa to victorySouth Africa''s David Miller celebrates after winning the match to clinch the series against Australia. Pakistan sweeps ODI series against West Indies in Abu DhabiDURBAN, South Africa — David Miller blasted an unbeaten century as South Africa chased down a massive target of 372 in the third one-dayer against Australia at Kingsmead yesterday to clinch the series. Quinton de Kock made 70 as South Africa reached 217 for five in the 32nd over of its reply but an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 107 between Miller and all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo (42 not out) saw them home against Australia’s inexperienced attack. Azhar made 101, becoming the first Pakistan ODI captain to score three centuries. They were separated in the 39th over, at 232-2, but reasonable expectations of a score of about 350 were undermined by the West Indies bowlers who didn’t give up.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
October 06, 2016 00:56 UTC
Former Portuguese PM Guterres to steer UN after decade of work with refugees
And it paid dividends: after a decade out of power, the Socialists won a 1995 election and went into government with Guterres as their prime minister. Guterres made his name in the 1990s as one of a new European generation of modernizing Socialists that included British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Under Guterres’ leadership, the Socialists jettisoned their leftist policies and became a moderate party occupying the political centre ground. One newspaper described Guterres’ time in power as “a permanent balancing act” of trying not to upset anyone. Guterres unexpectedly resigned as prime minister after the Socialists lost heavily in municipal elections in 2001.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
October 06, 2016 00:56 UTC
Buenos Aires Province Approves Gender Parity Law
The legislature of the province of Buenos Aires has approved a much anticipated gender parity law, establishing equal representation on electoral ballots. This law, which amends Article 32 of the provincial Electoral Act, aims to reduce the proliferation of gender inequality, and increase the participation rate of women in provincial governance. In a few years, they will say ‘look at what the women had to fight for!’” acclaimed Maria del Huerto Ratto, member of the political party Renewal Front. Congresswoman and “Let’s Change” party member Sandra Paris shared similar sentiments: “Today we are making this change in our country and in our province. In La Plata the FIT candidate lists were 70% women, but with this law, that could not happen,” said Kane.
Source:The Argentina Independent
October 05, 2016 20:43 UTC
BA province OKs gender parity on electoral lists
Legislature moves ahead with measure as Congress mulls reform Wednesday, October 5, 2016 BA province OKs gender parity on electoral listsWhile national lawmakers in Congress are still debating a bill that would establish gender parity in ballots across the country, the Buenos Aires Province Legislature yesterday moved forward gender parity in politics with a 50 percent quota for women’s participation. Unlike other countries in the region, Argentina has laws that determine at least 30 percent of candidates on electoral lists for both houses of Congress must be women. Now, the province governed by PRO leader María Eugenia Vidal increased has increased that number to 50 percent. The initiative was introduced by Renewal Front lawmakers with leader Malena Galmarini as one of its main promoters. “Parity is a fact, a right for all women,” said to the press Galmarini (Sergio Massa’s wife) after the bill was approved.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
October 05, 2016 03:35 UTC
Argentina close to hosting 2027 WC
Rugby Wednesday, October 5, 2016 Argentina close to hosting 2027 WCArgentina, the only Latin American country that can compete with the top rugby nations, is a step closer to hosting the World Cup in 2027. Having earlier made the intention known, President Mauricio Macri backed the candidacy by meeting with World Rugby officials late on Monday at Olivos presidential residence. “We are still evaluating the 2023 World Cup venue. It’s interesting for rugby to change venues and it’s good for Argentina to participate in the bidding process,” Beaumont said. To host a successful rugby World Cup in 10 years, we have to start now with better sporting policies and greater infrastructure, not only new stadiums.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
October 05, 2016 03:35 UTC
The politics of healthcare
Apparently, Democratic and Republican doctors don’t just vote differently. The 233 physicians who responded did not know that the survey was about their politics. Now, he hopes it will serve as proof of concept for more work on how party affiliation affects patients in real life, from end-of-life decisions to LGBT healthcare. Until political data can be linked to actual outcomes, though, it won’t be clear to what extent politics affect physicians’ decisions. “Party affiliation should have nothing to do with patient care.”That may be true, but, Hersh says, there are good reasons to check out your doctor’s party affiliation before heading into the office.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
October 04, 2016 23:26 UTC
Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo Find 121st Missing Grandchild
The Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo have revealed that they are ready to announce the 121st grandchild recovered since Argentina’s last military dictatorship. The 121st grandchild – whose identity has not yet been made public – was born in a concentration camp in 1976 and raised by different parents. Menna, born in Italy, and Lanzilloto, of La Rioja, lived in Villa Martelli. Menna and Lanzilloto were taken to Campo de Mayo, where Menna was reportedly executed. The Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo estimate that around 500 babies were born in captivity and abducted during the 1976-83 dictatorship.
Source:The Argentina Independent
October 04, 2016 19:07 UTC