Argentina declares state of emergency

Argentina's president has signed an order declaring a state of emergency in a bid to end violence in the capital and other major cities across the country.

The move by Fernando De la Rua comes after a day of looting which left five people dead and more than a hundred injured.

Rioters have looted supermarkets and some government buildings in protest at austerity policies.

It is not known whether the powers will be nationwide or limited to hotspots around the country.

The unrest marks a troubled new chapter in the financial crisis that has tormented Argentina for more than four years.