Buenos Aires

Adulterated cocaine kills 16 in Buenos Aires

Investigators believe the illegal drug was either laced with some kind of poison or "cut" with another substance.

The regional security minister called on any users who had bought cocaine in the past 24 hours to throw it away.

Reports suggest the drugs were bought in the same shantytown, and nine arrests have been made.

Investigators are awaiting the results of post-mortem examinations to compare drugs seized in raids with those consumed by the victims.

Lionel Messi statue in Buenos Aires vandalised again

The bronze statue was chopped off just above the ankles, with the main "body" left lying on the pavement.

It is the second time the statue, which was unveiled in June 2016, has been targeted by vandals. Police said the motive was unclear.

Messi recently saved Argentina's 2018 World Cup place when he scored a hat-trick against Ecuador in October.

Argentine media tweeted pictures of the vandalised statue.

VIDEO: Thousands evacuated after heavy flooding in Argentina

Following a break after the weekend, it began to rain again late on Wednesday, causing increased concern as overflowing rivers turned streets into waterways and caused (m) millions of US dollars-worth of damage.

In the city of Lujan, 70 kilometres (40 miles) from Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, the local river reached its highest level in 25 years, according to authorities.

Former Argentine president on trial for bombing cover-up

The bombing represents the South American nation's worst terrorist attack.

On a day of heavy rain, several of the 13 men charged in the cover up were ushered into the court. Menem, president between 1989 and 1999, was absent. It wasn't immediately clear where the now 85-year-old was or if lawyers would represent him at this point in the trial, which is expected to last several months.