Argentina

• Thursday, December 27th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine group buys back 15% of YPF with 10% future option

  Repsol-YPF CEO Antonio Brufau and Enrique Eskenazi, Chairman of the Petersen Group, signed Wednesday a binding memorandum of agreement for the acquisition by the Argentine business group of 14.9% of YPF capital stock, according to a release from Repsol.

• Thursday, December 27th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine export boom forecasted to reach 55 U$S billion

  

  Boosted by bull-market prices for commodities, record crops and a surge in industrial shipments Argentina's exports in the first eleven months of 2007 equaled the whole of 2006 and for the first time ever crossed the 50 billion US dollars benchmark.

• Thursday, December 27th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine GDP to expand 7.2% and inflation 11% in 2008

  

  Argentine Central Bank President Martin Redrado announced Wednesday before the Senate that the country's economy will grow 7.2% next year, with inflation averaging between 7 and 11% and exports above 60 billions US dollars.

• Thursday, December 27th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Huge oil slick washes ashore north of Comodoro Rivadavia

  

  A huge oil spill has washed to the shore north of Comodoro Rivadavia in Argentine Patagonia, threatening the rich marine life in the area according to reports from the Argentine press.

• Saturday, December 22nd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentina interested in F16 fighters and US willing to comply

  

  In spite of the current rough bilateral relation, Argentina is interested in purchasing refurbished F16 fighter bombers which the United States apparently is willing to comply with according to Saturday reports in the Buenos Aires press.

• Friday, December 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  C. Kirchner sends conciliatory message to the military

  

  A new chapter of Argentina's first woman president policy of reestablishing normal relations with institutions took place Thursday on graduation day for cadets from the three military services.

• Friday, December 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine economy expanding at an annualized 9.4%

  

  The Argentine economy grew a robust 9.4% in the 12 months ending in October, reported the government on Thursday. A survey of 11 analysts had forecast Argentine growth at a median of 8.9%, with estimates ranging from 8.5 to 9.8%.

• Friday, December 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Antonini allegedly knew his way around Bs. As. Casa Rosada

  

  US-Venezuelan businessman Guido Antonini Wilson, who in August attempted to introduce to Argentina an undeclared suitcase full of cash, was reportedly seen two days later at Government House in Buenos Aires, an Argentine prosecutor said on Thursday.

• Friday, December 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentina puts clocks forward one hour on December 30

  

  The Argentine government disclosed Friday the Rational and Efficient Power Use Plan with the aim of easing daily demand peak and saving water reserves for winter. Federal Planning minister Julio De Vido, also known as the “energy czar” underlined that the plan does not mean “restrictions”.

• Thursday, December 20th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine Congress criticizes the US over suitcase scandal

  Argentina's Congress criticized the United States on Wednesday over an alleged cover-up involving a cash-full suitcase that U.S. prosecutors say was bound for President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner campaign.