Catherine Osborne

A Buenos Aires electronics store put out an unusual announcement last week.

Prove your visa for the World Cup was rejected and win a free television so you can watch from home.

On Wednesday, people lined up for hours in front of the store.

The first 100 got free 32-inch TVs.

Argentina is the defending World Cup champion, and fans hope to travel to see star Lionel Messi's last tournament.

But a World Cup ticket alone was not enough to guarantee a visa, U.S.

authorities have said.

Argentina's first game is in Kansas City next Tuesday.

For NPR News, I'm Catherine Osborne in Rio de Janeiro.

Rising fuel prices and government austerity have led to a drop in popularity for center-right president Rodrigo Paz after only seven months in office.

His election was part of a right-wing wave in Latin America, but the global spike in fuel costs made his economic plans more complicated.

Opposition activists and unions have blockaded streets in major cities.

Ten people have died in the unrest, officials say.

Until now, the president has mostly held back from using security forces to clear roads, but lawmakers back stronger presidential powers to do so after key services like hospitals remain blocked from traffic.

For NPR News, I'm Catherine Osborne in Rio de Janeiro.