At least 30 people were wounded this morning after a 109 bus crashed into a building on the corner of Paraguay and Agüero in the Buenos Aires neighbourhood of Palermo around 8.00am.

Although there were no fatalities, at least three people are reported to be in critical condition. Those with serious injuries have been transferred to local hospitals; others were treated at the site of the accident.

Witnesses described a dispute between the driver and a passenger who lacked the correct fare as the cause of the accident. Alfredo Traverso, head of transit for the 109 line, confirmed these reports: “There was a discussion with the passenger, who hit the driver and knocked him out. The driver lost control [of the vehicle] as a result, which caused the collision with the building,” he told local media.

Passage on all buses in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area costs between $1.10 and $2.00 with an electronic SUBE card and between $2.00 and $4.00 with coins, depending on the length of the journey.

Traverso described the driver as “experienced”, having worked for the company for at least five years. He is among those hospitalised.

Since the crash, both Paraguay and Agüero have been temporarily blocked to traffic; municipal and federal police are using Gallo and Mansilla as detour routes.

Buenos Aires is a city that loves fashion almost as much as steak. Style conscious portenas alight the subte in towering platforms, while their male counterparts stroll the city streets in shiny brogues and sharp suits.

We took to the streets for a little sartorial stalking and each month, will be bringing you the best in boots, bags and belts from various barrios around the city.

This week we travelled to up-market Palermo to catch up with some fashionable locals. Among the designer boutiques and inviting restaurants we snared this group of style conscious locals to talk about fashion in Buenos Aires.

Name: Erica

Age: 40

What do you do? Work in a University of Art

What are you wearing today? ”My coat is from Nadine Zlotogora, I’m also wearing Religion, Kostüme.”

What do you think of fashion in Buenos Aires? ”I like shopping here. There are some places that are interesting but a lot of people here look exactly the same. I like to have my own style but a lot of girls here just want to look like Barbie. It’s hard to find really interesting things that don’t cost a lot. I like to buy original things but there’s a lot that’s very uniform. That doesn’t interest me.”

Favourite brands/ designers? ”I really like Religion and Nadine Zlotogora”

Name: Jenny

Age: 26

What do you do? Actress and model

What are you wearing today? ”My shoes (creepers) are from We Love Meme. I’m also wearing trousers from Jazmin Chebar, a sweatshirt from Josephine B, bag from Clara Ibarguren. My jacket and shirt are vintage.”

What do you think of fashion in Buenos Aires? ”I love it. I’m fanatical about fashion generally and I love the fashion you find here in Buenos Aires. Palermo is a great place to shop.”

Favourite brands/ designers: ”I love these shoes which are by We Love Meme.”

Name: Augustina

Age: 25

What do you do? Fashion manager for Groupon

What are you wearing today? ”Today I’m wearing fuschia and coral striped leggings from Maria Cher, they’re my favourites. My coat, shoes and sweater are all from Delaostia.”

What do you think of fashion in Buenos Aires? ”I love it, it’s really colourful and I like the designers here. Palermo Hollywood is my favourite place to shop.”

Favourite brands/ designers: Maria Cher

Name: Vera

Age: 21

What do you do? Study photography and work in a dermatology clinic

What are you wearing today? ”I’m really interested in fashion but I like to wear things that represent me best – I like wearing tights and always wear skirts and dresses.”

What do you think of fashion in Buenos Aires? ”In Buenos Aires you can get everything, there is a lot of fashion from outside Buenos Aires but here I think people look really distinctive, which I like.”

Favourite brands/ designers? ”I love Rapsodia, Mishka and Paula Cahen D’Anvers…I like so much it’s hard to choose. I really love clothes!”

Name: Chloe

Age: 26

What do you do? Part of the Bolivia family (Argentine designer) and a painter.

What are you wearing today? ”Everything I’m wearing is Divina Bolivia or Bolivia mens. My favourite bit is the elephant appliqué V neck sweater because it’s a one off.”

What do you think of fashion in Buenos Aires? “People like to dress well here. The mainstream can look a bit commercial but then you get individuals who do something a bit different and really enjoy doing something different so it gets a bit more creative. So you see some really interesting things here too.”

Favourite brands designers? ”Bolivia, I also really like what Trosman is doing with prints at the moment.”

Name: Alfredo

Age: 31

What do you do? Singer in a rock band, and work in a fashion shop in Palermo.

What are you wearing today? ”All my clothes from Bolivia apart from my shoes, which are Hush Puppies.”

What do you think of fashion in Buenos Aires? ”It‘s good because you can mix styles and put vintage things with newer pieces. In Buenos Aires you can wear loads of colour and no one says anything!”

Favourite brands designers? “I love Bolivia and Lovers and Fuckers.”

Property prices in the fanciest neighborhoods of Buenos Aires are on the increase, and buying a house in Recoleta, Palermo or Núñez now costs, respectively, 8.1%, 5.2% and 6% more than last year.

The report, based on apartment prices calculated in US dollars, focuses on a set of fourteen Buenos Aires districts. It has been published in print media and on the Internet and says that the value per square meter in the case of brand new properties ranges from US$2,637 for a house in Belgrano and US$3,257 in Recoleta.

It only considered finished building complexes in good condition, without garages, in areas where the sample of properties allowed estimating a representative average price. Experts therefore laid their eyes on over 6,000 properties.

The districts surveyed were: Recoleta, Palermo, Belgrano Nunez, Caballito, College, Barry, Almagro, Villa Urquiza, Saavedra, Balvanera, San Telmo, Boedo and Flores.

It’s Friday (the 13th) again!

And while we’re all horrified by the lack of cup sleeves at the local Starbucks because of import restrictions, at least your friendly (and not-so-friendly) emails put a smile on my face.

Let’s take a look at this week’s submissions, shall we?

• “Friday wasn’t just a guy in Robinson Crusoe.” – Steven L.

• “Facepalm Fridays!” – Agustín C.

• “Your weekly dose of basic, dumbed down knowledge is here!” – Kate A.

• And a special mention for Gaspar C., whose submission didn’t really qualify as an opener because it’s an image, but made me laugh out loud when he closed his message with: “Kiss my ass if you don’t like it.”

Alright, no more fucking around. This is what you need to know:

• 

  You’re probably wondering why there’s a photo of a choripán vendor here. Now, now, don’t be anxious. Keep reading and you’ll understand. (Photo/Wikipedia)

  Phew, man! It’s a good thing that the whole Malvinas/Falklands debacle has quietly faded into the night, because now we’re at war with Spain. That’s right, first the United Kingdom and now Spain! It’s the 1800′s all over again! Because… you know what happened in the 1800′s right? RIGHT?! Seriously, I don’t even know why I keep trying with you. It wouldn’t kill you to learn at least some BASIC Argentine history! This is where you’re living, after all! OK, cue the elevator music from this episode of The Simpsons because you’ve got some Wikipedia to read. First, in 1806, the British army invaded the Spanish colonies located in the Rio de la Plata region, waaaaaaay before they were called “Argentina.” Well, actually just four years. Then, for some reason that I’m sure is clearly described in that Wikipedia article that I just linked this to, the British army lost and went back to whatever country they came from. But then, in 1810, the Argentines all decided they didn’t want to be a part of Spain any more and hence the War of Independence came. (Spoiler alert: Argentina won).

• There, now you understand the joke. Too bad that having to explain it totally kills the mood and now it’s not funny anymore.

• But I digress. Where was I? Right. War with Spain. Well, the thing is that Argentina is pissed with Repsol YPF, a Spanish oil company that holds a large part of its assets in Argentina after it bought local oil producer YPF in 1999. Apparently the Fernández de Kirchner administration is upset because the company is not investing enough in local exploration and exploitation, so they are threatening with nationalization. Spain, my home country, is going through a lot of shit right now so it’s not time to lose more money. Their response? WAR!! Well, maybe not war but they’re angry. Let’s just hope I don’t get deported or locked up as a prisoner of war.

• But hey, not all is dark on the horizon. President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner yesterday announced that very soon the delicious Swiss Milka chocolates (which are anything but Swiss since until now they were being manufactured in Brazil and belong to global Kraft Foods, Inc.) will be manufactured in Argentina. See? There’s always a silver lining for everything. You just need to keep it positive.

• As thousands of people in the City and the Greater Buenos Aires areas were still trying to recover physically and mentally from the unexpected attack of what scientists later confirmed was a pseudo-tornado, Mayor Mauricio Macri went missing last week. Literally. No one had any idea of where he was! As his Cabinet was trying to deal with the aftermath of one of the worst storms to hit Buenos Aires in like, ever, Macri was MIA. #DondeestaMacri was the No.1 Trending Topic on Twitter, and the scandal spawned an endless string of internet memes that went from Where’s Waldo? to Missing Children spoofs. After a few days of despair, anxiety (and excitement, maybe) Macri reappeared safe and sound. Turns out he was just vacationing in San Martín de los Andes! And that is a totally fair excuse, come on everyone. It was only 17 people who died. To cut your holidays short you need at least fifty! That is why it was perfectly correct to be outraged about Cristina’s disappearance after the Once railway tragedy (51 died) but not OK to yell at Macri over this one. Coherence, people!

• This week, in News You Couldn’t Care Less About: The embezzlement case against Vice-President Amado Boudou is seemingly spiraling out of control and has already claimed its first political victim. Prosecutor-General Esteban Righi has tendered his resignation. Now that we’ve cleared that out of the way, let’s move on to happier, less concentration-demanding news.

• In what could probably be considered the worst on-off relationship since Ross and Rachel, US president Barack Obama has once again asked to meet privately with Cristina when they both cross paths in Colombia this Saturday to attend the Summit of the Americas. We still don’t know what he wants to talk about, but considering that our favorite deranged-yet-adorable Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez will also be attending the summit, I can totally see the three of them running around the hotel at night, causing mischief and dealing with double entendres in front of the Secret Service. Then when Obama questions Cristina for engaging in “shady businesses” with Chávez for so many years, she can always argue that they were on a break.

• If you’re still trying to get that joke, clearly you didn’t watch enough television in the 90′s. Don’t blame me for such a cryptic pop culture reference. This is totally your fault.

• [UPDATE] Unfortunately President Hugo Chávez couldn’t attend the Summit due to health-related issues. But hey, at least we got this, which is ten times better.

• Now, this story may sound like a joke but I swear to God it’s not. Córdoba city, that beautiful, progressive, always-sunny, expat-friendly place has decided they’re not gonna take it anymore and finally banned the selling of Choripan during the day. That’s right, people. If you are a choripán vendor in Córdoba (chances are you aren’t), you will only be able to sell them to drunk, overdosed teenagers trying to detox their bodies from the liters of fernet poisoning their blood by absorbing pounds of disgusting, bacteria-infested fat in the middle of the night. The funniest thing is that no one is really sure as to why the Córdoba legislature voted in favor of such a ridiculous piece of legislation. So there. No more choripán for you.

• Oh, please! Stop shaking your head, as if things like that didn’t happen in your home country (I’m looking at you specially, American readers. Don’t make me embarrass you by showing this to people. And yes, that is an actual law).

• [UPDATE] After billions of angry citizens threatened to democratically assassinate all Córdoba lawmakers if they didn’t “release the choripanes,” the city’s Legislature has agreed that vendors will be able to sell them during the day, but they will need a special permit for that. The reason for the ban is that last week the Córdoba Health services shut down two choripán stands after they were found to be infested with rats. So there. Fancy a choripán now?

• You’re still listening to that “Land of Chocolate” music, aren’t you? You
  

  I don’t know who this person is. (Photo/Wikipedia)

  were supposed to turn it off minutes ago. Just saying.

• Great news, people addicted to prostitution! A City court has decided that having a Zona Roja (Red Zone) in the Bosques de Palermo area is absolutely legal. Defined by some as “a mined field of used condoms,” the Zona Roja is a place for the whole family. During the day, the children get to run around the park while mommy spreads a blanket on the grass. During the night, daddy shows up and spreads the legs of a prostitute while he smokes some grass. So remember that next time you head over to El Rosedal to work on your abs. That thing stuck on your hair may not be a balloon.

• Remember a couple of weeks ago when a guy killed himself in Plaza Francia, right in front of the children? Well, this week another guy with suicidal tendencies decided it would be a good idea to cut his veins in Plaza de Mayo. The good news is the police persuaded him not to do it, much to the chagrin of the bystanders who were totally hoping for the blood to start splattering their faces, as you can see in this video. So, wanna bet which is going to be the next plaza ruined by a weapon-wielding maniac? My money is on Parque Las Heras. There’s just so much happiness in that place, it’s disgusting.

• If you’re still shaking your torches and pitchforks in the air over the price of Yerba Mate, then I have some good news for you. The President has warned that if producers don’t lower the price of the much-coveted product, she will have no choice but to enact the Supply Law, a law passed in 1973 that establishes that producers who speculate with essential goods could be fined or even arrested. Like I said last week, I don’t like mate so I really don’t care if you’re going through yerba mate withdrawal. But good news for you, I suppose.

• A premature baby in Chaco made the news around the world this week when, 12 hours after being declared stillborn, she was found alive in the morgue by her mother. It is still unclear how five different doctors who checked the baby failed to notice she was breathing, but fortunately they have all been suspended and there is an ongoing investigation. Since yesterday, according to the local media, the “miracle baby” is not doing so good. So fingers crossed for you, little girl.

• This week, in “the football”: Diego Maradona (who else) said Pelé was “stupid” because he said Neymar (I don’t know who that is) is a better football player than Lionel Messi (I do know who that is but don’t hold it against me). And yes, that is all I have to say about football this week. If you are looking for information on matches, and tournaments, and stuff you’ve come to the wrong place, my friend.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Send Adrian your comments, thoughts or tips at adrianbono@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @AdrianBono

¡Gracias a Dios es viernes!

Oh, God, that’s terrible.

You can blame reader Javier V. for that one, a lame Spanish variation of the now infamous TGIF, which as I’ve said countless times, is absolutely forbidden.

Also please stop sending me links to Rebecca Black’s “Friday” music video as if it were some kind of awesome discovery.

It’s not. It’s just not.

It is also very 2011, which means it fails to qualify as a “hot, new thing.”

However, keep sending me what you think should be the new opening for this column so we can replace that dreadful “It’s Friday again!”.

It’s so cheery it makes me sick.

Here are some of your most recent suggestions:

• ¡Por Dios es viernes! (PDEV) – Suggested by English Undergraduate
• Ready for a depressing read? Ready, set, go! – Suggested by Ryan P.
• Otro viernes de mierda! – Suggested by Emma A.
• Your column fucking blows, man. – Suggested by Disgruntled Reader

Police disclosed today that two young men were found dead nearby the woods in Palermo. One of the victims suffered a bullet wound to the chest and the other was found with several stab wounds.

One of the young men has been identified as a street vender who regularly sells DVDs of movies and videogames, while the other has yet to be identified.

A police spokesman stated that the bodies were found about 100 metres apart from one another.

The tip was pursued after a 911 call from a pedestrian who spotted one of the bodies while walking along the Tres de Febrero park. Both victims were dead by the time responders arrived.

Investigators believe that the deaths may have occurred as a result of a fight between the two victims, but they are also fully exploring the possibility of involvement by a third party. Neither a knife nor a gun has been found at the scene, supporting the theory that another person may have been involved.

The incident will remain under investigation by personnel from the police station 51a.

Eight passengers travelling on the General San Martín train were hurt yesterday after colliding with a bridge railing at the crossing of Roldán Street in Palermo.

The accident occurred at 6:15pm when the legs of a 30-year-old man, who was riding on the running board of the train, crashed into the bridge railing. Doctors say the man is in danger of losing his leg. In a domino effect, seven more people also suffered injuries.

The train, which had departed from Retiro Station 15 minutes late due to a technical problem in the track, was travelling with an overload of people and in the opposite train track because of repairs being done to the regular track.

The impact caused several people to fall off the train. The train stopped briefly to allow some to get back on, and then continued to the station in Palermo. One man, who was seriously injured, was left behind and taken away by helicopter.

“The bridge is in an area where they are lots of trees, that is inaccessible to ambulances,” said a spokesman from Ugofe, the company that manages the San Martín line. “That is why the lesser injured people got back on the train”.

All the doors of the trains can be opened manually, which allows passengers to ride on the steps, running board, or even the roof.

Two buses collided early this morning in Palermo causing one of them to crash into the entrance of a building.

The driver of one of the buses, who was trapped by the wreckage, had to be rescued by firefighters. He is said to be in serious condition. Five other passengers were also injured.

The accident, which happened at 5:10am at the intersection of Arévalo and Luis María Campo, involved bus lines 15 and 55.

The injured were taken to the Rivadavia, Pirovano and Fernández hospitals.

A boiler has exploded in a flat in Palermo, severely injuring the flat’s owner.

The 50 year-old man suffered burns and has been taken to the hospital Fernández.

The incident took place at 10am this morning, on the 8^th floor of the apartment building on Charcas 3184 which is situated between the streets of Gallao and Sánchez de Bustamente. The man was trying to fix his boiler when it exploded in his face.

Experts are examining the exact cause of the explosion.

Due to the presence of the fire brigade and other emergency services, there are problems with traffic in the area

A 24 year-old man was shot three times this morning on the corner of Santa Fe Avenue and Ravignani Street, in Palermo.

The violent act happened around 6 in the morning after the victim argued with two men in a car while he was walking with a friend. Appearing to have left after the fight, the suspects then came back to the scene a few minutes later.

One of the men got out of the vehicle and shot the victim three times in the back. The suspects then escaped through Santa Fe Avenue and witnesses called the police immediately.

Investigators are searching for the criminals and collecting statements from the bystanders to determine the reasons for the attack. The young man is now being treated at Hospital Fernández and is in critical condition.