Argentina

• Saturday, December 18th 2010 - 19:09 UTC

  Conflicting assessments of Argentina’s defence policy and military capabilities

  

  Conflicting assessments of Argentina’s military capacity, defence policies and future planning were given by the brand-new Defence minister, Arturo Puricelli and a former minister from the opposition.

• Saturday, December 18th 2010 - 03:10 UTC

  Argentine population grows 10.6% in a decade, totals 40.09 million

  

  Argentina has 40.09 million inhabitants, up 10.6% from the 2001 figure of 36.2 million, according to preliminary results from the 2010 National Census of Population, Households and Homes released on Friday.

• Friday, December 17th 2010 - 23:58 UTC

  Venezuela crucial to consolidate “energy front” says Cristina Kirchner

  

  Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner underlined the significance of Venezuela as a full member of Mercosur which should enable the group to consolidate an energy front.

• Thursday, December 16th 2010 - 23:59 UTC

  China and Argentina sign Tax information exchange agreement

  

  China and Argentina signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) in order to improve transparency in the two countries’ bilateral trade and investment.

• Thursday, December 16th 2010 - 23:52 UTC

  IMF technical support for Argentina Statistics Office will continue until next April

  

  International Monetary Fund (IMF) will continue collaborating with Argentina national statistics bureau, Indec, in order to create “a price index with stronger credibility,” the spokeswoman of the organization, Caroline Atkinson, assured in Washington.

• Thursday, December 16th 2010 - 18:28 UTC

  Argentina’s top businessman warns about inflation and Chinese investments

  

  Argentina’s most influential businessman warned about the “inflationary escalade” which, if not contained can lead to an unfavourable climate for investments. Paolo Rocca, Techint group CEO made the statements during an entrepreneurs’ forum where he called for “business responsibility”, “clear rules of the game”, “transparency” and questioned the landing of Chinese oil corporations in Argentina.

• Thursday, December 16th 2010 - 12:05 UTC

  CFK names first Security Minister to address the challenge of “social problems”

  

  In an attempt to cope with what has been described as “social problems”, Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner swore in Nilda Garré as new Security Minister and Arturo Puricelli as new Defence Minister during a ceremony at Government House.

• Wednesday, December 15th 2010 - 22:25 UTC

  Argentina, world’s largest exporter of top football players: 1.800 in 2009/10

  

  Argentina has surpassed neighbouring Brazil as the world's largest exporter of football players, a trend that may not be a good thing for the country's domestic game. Players had become assets to be sold off to repay club debts, one agent said, while the growing exodus of Argentina's best young players is leaving a void in the local game.

• Wednesday, December 15th 2010 - 02:57 UTC

  CFK names professional politician and bureaucrat Defence minister

  

  Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner appointed on Tuesday former provincial governor Arturo Antonio Puricelli to replace Defence Minister Nilda Garre, who will be taking the reins the new ministry responsible for domestic security.

• Monday, December 13th 2010 - 22:48 UTC

  Argentina lifts trade blockade: Paraguay will attend Mercosur summit

  

  Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo will be attending the Mercosur summit this week following on Argentina’s guarantee that the blockade on Paraguayan goods and merchandise imposed by an Argentine maritime union will be lifted, effective Monday.