Argentine Scientists Present Key Findings in Fight Against Cancer: A group of Argentine scientists led by Dr. Daniel Rabinovich presented a discovery that could become a step forward in the fight against cancer. The scientists, from the Institute of Biology and Experimental Medicine (Ibyme) at Conicet, had their findings published in leading molecular biology publication Cell. They were able to identify a mechanism that can be used to treat certain tumors that are resistant to conventional treatments. “This is a great celebration for us (…) since this work was completely financed by Argentine funds, there were no foreign agencies involved in financing,” said Rabinovich, talking at a press conference yesterday where the findings were presented. The $1.8m project follows a “national line of work (…) It is not simply adding to an already developed international investigation,” highlighted Science and Technology Minister Lino Barañao.
Mendoza Farmers Denounce Intimidation: A group of families from the district of Lavalle, in Mendoza, have accused a former police superintendent of attempting to illegally evict them from their land. In a statement published on their website, the Landless Rural Workers’ Union of Cuyo (UST) have denounced that a former superintendent with the Mendoza police has been trying to evict a group of residents from their community land, claiming to work for a multinational company which would have purchased the land. However the purchase, according to UST, would be illegal. The statement indicates that the ex police officer “and his hitmen have repeatedly tried to bring in shacks, bulldozers [into the property] and to set up fences, with the aim of keeping the ancestral land of the peasant communities.” The UST claims this is being done in connivence with the local police and the prosecutor’s office, and that they went as far as shooting a 16-year old resident -who did not suffer any injuries- over the weekend.
Argentina to Send Aid to Bolivia: The Argentine government, through its ambassador to Bolivia, offered to send the neighbouring country a team of humanitarian aid volunteers to help assist people affected by the recent flooding. “The White Helmets -as the aid agency is called- are preparing to come and stay in Bolivia” and contribute with local authorities to assist up to 50,000 families, said ambassador Ariel Basteiro. “We activated the administrative and operative channels [on Wednesday] so that the Argentine Air Force can transport the necessary materials to face an emergency of this kind,” he added. The Argentine embassy in Bolivia will organise a campaign to collect clothing, food, “and everything our fellow citizens who want to actively show solidarity with the Bolivian people can bring.” Heavy rains have caused floods in the Bolivian Amazon in recent weeks, killing over 50 people.
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