Argentinian Senate rejects controversial grain-export tax package

Argentinian Senate rejects controversial grain-export tax package : Argentina's Senate early Thursday narrowly rejected a grain-export tax package whose proposal has led to nationwide farm strikes and regional food shortages. Lawmakers rejected the government-backed bill by 37 votes to 36 after 17 hours of debate. The vote was tied until vice president Julio Cobos — who is also leader of the Senate — broke the deadlock with a deciding vote against. "I think today is the most difficult day of my life," said Cobos. "They tell me I must go along with the government for institutional reasons, but my heart tells me otherwise. May history judge me, my vote is not for, it's against." Cobos had already expressed concern about the motives behind tying the tax to the value of grain on the international... [read full story]