Argentina police searches prominent fugitive convicts

The security forces in Argentina have launched a major operation to arrest three prominent convicts who escaped from a high security prison on Sunday. Victor Schillaci and brothers Cristian and Martin Lanatta were serving life in prison for kidnapping and murdering three businessmen in 2008. They escaped from one of the country's most secure prisons using a fake gun to threaten one of the guards. The Buenos Aires province governor has sacked the prison system chief. Maria Florencia Piermarini had been appointed to the post by former Governor Daniel Scioli, who was defeated in November's presidential election. Advertisement "There was complicity from the prison system in their escape," said Governor Maria Eugenia Vidal. An ally of new President Mauricio Macri, Ms Vidal has been in power for less than a month. The Lanatta brothers and Victor Schillaci began their escape at 02:30 local time on Sunday (05:30 GMT).

Argentina activist reunited with 'wrong granddaughter'

A 92-year-old Argentine activist who spent nearly half of her life looking for her missing granddaughter will need to resume her search after a case of mistaken identity. Maria Isabel Mariani, known as Chicha, announced on Thursday that she had finally met her granddaughter. Clara Anahi Mariani Teruggi was abducted by the military in 1976. But a prosecutor working on the case said Ms Mariani had been introduced to the wrong woman. The announcement on Thursday was hailed as another triumph for the campaign group Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, which was formed to reunite families with their missing children. Advertisement Even President Mauricio Macri celebrated the news on his Twitter account. But two days later DNA tests were released showing that the woman Ms Mariani met was not her missing granddaughter. "There is no genetic match between Ms Mariani and her alleged granddaughter," said prosecutor Pablo Parenti, Head of the Attorney General's Unit for Cases of Child Appropriation.

Flooding 'worst in 50 years', as 150,000 flee in Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay

Vast areas in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil are being hit by the worst flooding in 50 years, forcing the evacuation of more than 150,000 people. Days of heavy rains brought on by El Nino have caused three major rivers to swell, and authorities have reported at least six weather-related deaths. A state of emergency is in force in Paraguay, the worst hit nation, where 130,000 people have fled their homes. In northern Argentina, some 20,000 people have left their homes. Dry weather is forecast for the Brazil-Uruguay border region in the next few days, but in Paraguay and Argentina water levels are still expected to rise.

Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay flooding displaces 150,000

More than 150,000 people in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil have been driven from their homes by some of the worst flooding in years. Heavy summer rains have caused rivers to swell across a vast area. In Paraguay, the most affected country, President Horacio Cartes declared a state of emergency, freeing up $3.5m (£2.3m) in relief funds. The Paraguay river in the capital, Asuncion, is just 30cm (12in) away from overtopping its banks. That could lead to widespread flooding in the Asuncion area. Advertisement And it could affect thousands of other people who live by the Paraguay - the country's main river - the authorities said. Image copyright AFP Image caption Some 130,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Paraguay alone Image copyright AP Image caption Tens of thousands of people in Paraguay have been sleeping in temporary shelters Nearly 200 electricity pylons have been damaged or destroyed by strong winds. Four people were killed in the country by fallen trees. In northern Argentina, some 20,000 people have been evacuated. At least two people have died in the floods, which have mostly affected the provinces of Entre Rios, Corrientes and Chaco.