Last Friday, the Argentine government announced that natural gas prices may rise as much as 30 percent for the wealthiest Argentines.According to the Associated Press, the rise will affect only the residencies, businesses, and industrial buyers who consume the most fuel and should impact only half of the 6.5 million homes connected to a natural gas pipeline.This announcement, made by Planning Minister Julio de Vido, comes as a response to some doubts from abroad as to whether or not President Kirchner will be able to pay the debt.The hike will also allow the government to cut the price of natural gas canisters from 7 dollars to 5 dollars for 13 million of the nation’s poorest people.

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Cruises are a popular way to explore the southern coast of Argentina, and currently travelers can buy a cruise with Norwegian Sun at a large discount.According to MSNBC, the discount is for a 14-day cruise that begins off the coast of Argentina, goes through the Strait of Magellan, traverses the Chilean fjords, and ends in the town of Valparaiso, Chile.The cruise is currently discounted by 66 percent, meaning that by reserving a cabin now, travelers can potentially save around $1,600 off rack rates. This deal, promoted by Sherman’s Travel, is for cruises beginning in December and going though February of 2009, making them an excellent option for a summer vacation in Argentina.

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Minimum wage in Argentina is going up 27 percent, first from to 980 pesos a month to 1,200 pesos a month in August and then up to 1,240 pesos ($400) a month in December.According to The Economic Times,this increase was negotiated between labor unions, industry leaders, and the government. Despite the fact that the government calculates the annual inflation at around 9 percent, independent analysts believe that it prices have been increasing around 20 to 25 percent.The decision to increase minimum wage so much more than the reported inflation perhaps reflects both the general awareness in Argentina of the high inflation and the desire of President Cristina Kirchner to move on from the recent Senate vote against soy taxes.

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