Argentina Extends Controversial Supermarket Price Controls
By Shane Romig      BUENOS AIRES--Argentina's government plans
to extend price controls on 500 basic supermarket items until
the end of the year as it grapples with double-digit inflation
that has caused distortions in the foreign exchange market.
Earlier this year, the government brokered a deal with
supermarkets to keep prices steady on 500 goods, including food,
cleaning and hygiene products. Stores that don't respect the
price accord risk fines or closure.      Those price controls
will be extended "at least until the end of the year," state
news agency Telam reported Friday, citing consumer defense
under-secretary, Maria Lucila Colombo.      A spokesman for the
trade group that represents Argentina's supermarkets couldn't
immediately be reached for comment.      President Cristina
Kirchner's administration has turned to price controls to tame
annual inflation that most private economists say is around 25%,
more than double what the gove