Page 11 - ATD10August2015

WORLD NEWS A11
Monday 10 August 2015

Argentines vote in presidential, congressional primaries

PETER PRENGAMAN economic problems. Inde- Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez smiles to photographers before casting her ballot in
Associated Press pendent analysts put in- open primary elections in Rio Gallegos, Argentina, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015. Voters will decide
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina flation at over 30 percent Presidential candidates in their respective parties ahead of the Oct. 25, 2015 general elections.
(AP) — Millions of voters and the Argentine peso
in Argentina braved rains has slid sharply against the (AP Photo/Francisco Munoz)
on Sunday to weigh in on American dollar in recent
what the South American months. A long-standing closely to align their plat- ince and a former vice dealings with other coun-
nation should look like after dispute with U.S. hedge forms to the social welfare president, is Fernandez’s tries. Mauricio Macri, the
the departure of President funds that Fernandez calls policies of Fernandez’s po- successor candidate. He former mayor of Buenos Ai-
Cristina Fernandez, who “vultures” has kept foreign litical movement, known as has praised her policies res and ex-president of the
along with her late hus- investors away. Kirchnerismo. but also promised to make popular Boca Junior soc-
band guided the country Polls show voters deeply Daniel Scioli, the governor reforms where necessary cer club, is the top opposi-
for 12 years with social wel- divided about how, and of the Buenos Aires prov- and be more amicable in tion candidate.q
fare policies aimed at the who, is best to tackle those
poor while often employ- issues.
ing combative rhetoric “We need improvements
and protectionist policies in every area of life,” said
with other nations. Hector Ramirez, a 65-year-
Voters were casting bal- old doorman, who said he
lots in open primaries for was still undecided as he
presidential candidates waited in line to vote at
who have all but sealed an elementary school. “Ar-
the nominations in their gentina is a glorious coun-
respective parties, making try with abundant resourc-
the exercise essentially a es. The problem has always
giant national poll ahead been who is governing.”
of the Oct. 25 elections. The primaries will help the
The nation known for its top candidates judge how
soccer players, tango their campaigns are faring
dancing and choice beef ahead of the general elec-
is struggling with myriad tions — in particular how

Venezuelan opposition stages march against hunger, crime

HANNAH DREIER the nonprofit Venezuelan A woman holds a sign that reads in Spanish: “Against hunger and crime” during an anti-
Associated Press Observatory of Social
CARACAS, Venezuela Conflict. government march in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015. The country’s opposition
(AP) — Critics of Venezu- President Nicolas Maduro
ela’s socialist administra- has called these episodes coalition called for the march after a man was killed and dozens arrested amid the looting of
tion staged a small pro- part of a plot to weaken
test against hunger and the country’s 16-year-old several grocery stores in an industrial town. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
crime in Caracas Satur- revolution, and has ac-
day as the South Ameri- cused the United States of seen in supermarkets, filled with other goods like real, and a wide variety of
can country struggles to helping orchestrate them. the shelves are still mostly rice, beans, cheese, ce- produce.q
control violence in food Many pantry staples have
lines. become scarce here in
The past week saw daily recent years, including
reports of looting in super- flour, refined sugar, cook-
markets and raids on food ing oil and milk, but it’s not
trucks. The country’s op- clear that hunger or mal-
position coalition called nutrition are actually on
for Saturday’s march after the rise. Government sta-
a man was killed and 60 tistics show nutrition con-
were arrested amid the tinuing to improve, and
looting of several grocery officials have rolled out a
stores in an industrial town. campaign to reduce the
There have been 56 epi- country’s 40 percent obe-
sodes of looting and 76 sity rate by half.
looting attempts in the first While several sought-after
half of 2015, according to items are almost never