Nicaragua: strike talks break down

Talks in Nicaragua between government negotiators and the organisers of a transport strike, which began earlier this week, have broken down.

The strike was called in protest at the government's decision to cut fuel subsidies as part of an IMF-backed austerity programme.

The organisers are threatening to intensify their protests say they'll only return to the negotiating table if the president, Arnoldo Aleman, agrees to meet them face-to-face.The government has so far refused to back down, saying the measures are necessary if they're to avoid an all-out recession.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service