Argentine president defends economic policies, takes aim at unelected judges

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – President Cristina Fernandez has opened congress with a marathon, 3.5-hour speech describing the accomplishments of her government's "victorious decade" in power and defending her management at a time of falling confidence in Argentina's economy.

She also announced a major effort to reshape Argentina's judiciary, an idea that worries opponents who have depended on court injunctions to protect their interests.

And she defended the joint Argentine-Iranian "truth commission" she hopes will solve Argentina's worst terrorist attack, a diplomatic effort that deeply concerns Jewish leaders.