Argentina still searching for defensive answers under Batista

here is no place for Carlos Tevez or Sergio Aguero in the Argentina squad that coach Sergio Batista brings to New York for Saturday's friendly against the U.S.

Injury has kept Aguero out of some recent squads -- he has not played for his country since coming on as a substitute and scoring against Spain last September. But he is currently fit. Tevez has picked up a minor injury, but only after the squad was called up. The official line, it seems, is that he is being punished for pulling out of the squad to face Brazil last November, only to play for Manchester City a few days later.

Conspiracy theorists may have noted that the two strikers have close connections with the previous regime. Aguero is married to Diego Maradona's daughter, while Tevez and Maradona share a "poor kid born on the wrong side of the Buenos Aires tracks" bond.

Sacked after last year's World Cup, Maradona was never likely to go quietly. He campaigned in an effort to keep his job, and then attacked his old teammate Batista, who was originally appointed on a caretaker basis.

Indeed, Batista was anxious from the start to differentiate himself from Diego. He said that the players favored a low profile coach, an obvious dig at Maradona's flamboyance -- Diego's retort, funny but a little harsh on a World Cup winning midfielder, was that it is easy for Batista to be low profile, since outside Argentina he is a virtual unknown.

Those who Maradona had controversially left out of his World Cup squad (Javier Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso and Ever Banega -- whose omission kicked up less of a fuss but was arguably the most glaring of the three) were brought straight into the team by his replacement. By leaving out Tevez and Aguero for the matches against the U.S. and Costa Rica, is Batista taking further steps to distance his regime from that of Don Diego?

Perhaps, though there is some tactical logic behind his choices. "I like 4-3-3," said Batista toward the end of last year, "with the two other midfielders close to the holding midfielder in the middle. I always think about having three up front, but I have some variations. I can have two in midfield and push the other one forward to link midfield with attack."

This is a fair description of what he has done so far. The basic system has been 4-3-3, with Banega and Cambiasso either side of captain Javier Mascherano in the midfield line. The relationship between Banega and Lionel Messi is especially interesting, promising to become as important for the national side as the Xavi-Messi partnership is for Barcelona.

For November's 1-0 win against Brazil the absence of Cambiasso made way for the introduction of Javier Pastore to play the more advanced link role that Batista mentioned. Mascherano and Banega held central midfield, Messi and Angel Di Maria dropped slightly either side of Pastore, and Argentina went with 4-2-3-1, with Gonzalo Higuain as the lone out and out striker.

Higuain took the target man role in the 4-3-3 formation used in Batista's first games in charge -- Diego Milito started in October's 1-0 defeat to Japan, but picked up an injury and was replaced by Higuain. Both are injured at the moment, allowing Batista to repeat against the U.S. the experiment that he tried last month against Portugal.

"We're going to base our game around Lionel [Messi]," said Batista in December. "We can use him anywhere up front or in midfield. We have to identify the weak point of the opposition and use him against it."

In an imitation of the role he now plays for Barcelona, Messi played as a free ranging forward against Portugal, dropping back to combine with Banega, surging forward in search of a breakthrough. Maximum space is created for Messi if he is flanked by a pair of quick strikers adept at working in wide spaces. This is where Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria come in. One is right footed, the other left, both are comfortable on either flank and can therefore swap positions and keep setting different problems for the opposing defense. Lavezzi and Di Maria are more suited to this role than Tevez or Aguero, and look set to gain another chance to form Argentina's attacking trident with Lionel Messi against the U.S. In the 2-1 win against Portugal they combined beautifully for Argentina's first goal. Sergio Batista, then, has another opportunity to judge whether this type of attack, rather than one with a traditional center forward, is the way to get the best out of Messi in an Argentina shirt.

But the coach will also be glancing anxiously at the other end of the field. In attack Batista has plenty of options. His task is to choose the most effective. In defense he is not so blessed. His problem is one of personnel.

Despite a proud tradition in the position, the goalkeeping post has been a problem for Argentina for a while now. Over the last 18 months the promising but occasionally untidy Sergio Romero has emerged as first choice. Injury keeps him out this time, and so there is a chance for Mariano Andujar, safe but not outstanding, to stake his claim.

In front of him, both the center back and the full back positions have question marks hanging over them. In recent times Argentina have found it very difficult to produce top class full backs, making Javier Zanetti's exclusion for the last two World Cups very hard to understand. Zanetti is still around, though he will surely not make the 2014 World Cup -- and the reserve right back against the U.S. is Marcos Angeleri, all the way from the Sunderland substitutes bench.

Marcos Rojo was given his debut at left back against Portugal. A tall figure, he attacks with purpose but looks vulnerable defensively. This match will be an important occasion in his quest to establish himself as first choice.

Batista is well aware that there is a need for renewal in the center back positions as well, hence the fact that he has stopped calling up the likes of Martin Demichelis and Gabriel Heinze in order to have a look at younger defenders. One of his favorites, Nicolas Pareja, is unavailable through injury. Last month against Portugal he went with a combination of Nicolas Burdisso and Gaby Milito. It is not clear, though, whether either of them will still be around for the next World Cup -- Milito, for example, is injury prone and already past 30.

This could be the moment to test the new generation. Nicolas Otamendi, unwisely used by Maradona at right back, could feature in his true position, while also in the squad are the giant Ezequiel Garay and lanky 2007 World Youth Cup winner Federico Fazio.

There are places up for grabs, not only in the next World Cup but also in July's Copa America on home ground where Argentina will hope to win its first senior title in 18 years. The U.S. can do Sergio Batista a real favor on the way, putting Argentina's new defenders under pressure in New York and allowing its coach to judge if they are good enough for the challenges ahead.

Argentina and Australian group open ‘world’s largest’ lithium carbonate plant

rgentine authorities and from Australia’s mining group ADY Resources opened this week the ‘Salar del Rincon’ plant, the “largest in the world” for the production of lithium carbonate in the north of Argentina.

The slat flats in the Atacama and Bolivia hold the largest proven reserves of lithium

The plant designed by Argentine engineers was set up in the province of Salta, bordering with Chile and Bolivia, and next to the Andes cordillera in a region rich in lithium deposits and 3.000 metres above sea level.

ADY Resources has promised a total investment of 300 million US dollars plus the 75 million already disbursed for the plant, which was described as “the largest of its kind in the world” by the Argentine Mining Secretary in a release.

‘Solar del Rincon’ is generating 100 new jobs in one of the highest and most remotes locations of Argentina.

Lithium is a rare mineral which is strategic for the manufacturing of rechargeable batteries, for the digital industry and pharmaceutics.

The mining secretary office said in the release that of the ten million metric tons of proven reserves in the world, almost nine million are in Latinamerica in an area shared by Argentina, Chile and Bolivia.

Argentina exports lithium to the US, UK, Germany, China, Russia, Japan and Holland.

According to Canadian sources the largest salt-brine lithium reserves, which out of all the naturally occurring reserves, is where lithium can most easily be acquired, are found in salt flats in Chile, South-western Bolivia and North-western Argentina.

Currently, Chile is the world’s largest lithium producer and the Atacama salt flat is by far the most competitive in the world. Argentina is also producing and has attracted a variety of junior miners that are carrying out studies to begin developing new areas. Bolivia has one of the largest lithium deposits in the world and promises to be one of the main players in securing a future lithium supply.

However on 2 March 2011 the Governor of Jujuy Province, Argentina, declared lithium a strategic mineral. The declaration asserts that environmental approval of exploration and exploitation projects in the province will have to be reviewed by a committee that will include representatives from the Ministry of Production, the Argentinean Research Council, the University of Jujuy, the Provincial Parliament, the Provincial Environmental Agency and the Mining Department. Permits granted for exploration and exploitation will be reviewed after this commission is formed in 30 days.

Argentina's Steel Output Rose 15.1% On Year To 437,900 Tons In February

BUENOS AIRES -(Dow Jones)- Argentina's steel production rose 15.1% on the year to 437,900 metric tons in February, according to industry trade group Acero.

"The outlook for 2011 indicates that growth in production will continue to the degree that conditions favorable to the development of the industry continue," Acero said in a statement Thursday.

Iron production rose 15.8% on the year to 351,000 tons last month.

The production of hot-rolled products jumped 54.9% to 384,600 tons, while cold-rolled output more than doubled to 125,100 tons.

Argentina's steel production in 2010 totaled 5,138,400 tons, up 28% on the year, but still below the 5,541,400 tons produced in 2008.

Acero said wages in the sector are expected to have increased 54% between April 2009 and April 2011, and upcoming salary negotiations with unions will "increase that amount in a notable way."

Unions are demanding salary increases this year of around 30% as they seek to preserve the purchasing power of their constituents from double-digit inflation.

Most private sector economists say inflation is running at about 25%, while the government said earlier this week that inflation as measured by its consumer price index eased to 10% at the end of February.

The administration of President Cristina Fernandez has long downplayed inflationary pressures in the economy, though last week it took the unusual step of fining at least three economic research firms for publishing consumer price information the government says is misleading to the public.

BA City goes green for St. Patrick's Day party

nos Aires

Thousands of St Patrick’s Day festivity followers will be joining in the party today, for another anniversary of the death of the Irish patron saint. The area of Retiro is determined to be the busiest party area, with the many Irish pubs filling to the brim with beer thirsty St Paddy fans.

Year after year the number of people who celebrate the Irish tradition rises, and this year is no exception, promoted still by bars offering a variety of special offers on food, beer, and live music shows.

Saint Patrick (386-493) is the patron saint of Ireland, and national apostle who is attributed with the extension of Christianity in the country.

St Patrick's Day itself is associated with all things Irish, something green and gold, 4-leaf clovers and luck, but deep down it’s seen as a day of religious and spiritual renovation and prayer for churches around the world.

In the city of Buenos Aires, not only the Retiro area will be bustling with celebrations, as Belgrano and Palermo, amongst others will be serving up the beer with a splendid excuse to party for all.

Traffic Director from the Urban Development Ministry authorised the closing of Paraguay Street and Marcelo T. De Alvear Street, between San Martín and Leandro N Alem. Traffic will be redirected around the area.

At the same time, there will be a St Patrick’s Day parade leaving from Arroyo and Suipacha streets at 7PM, finishing in Plaza San Martín, where leading from there a music show fronted by Mac Manus will be held with Irish dancing (Argentina Celtic group and Emeraldance). There will also be a fancy dress contest of leprechauns, fairies, for children and adults.

New Beatles memento museum opens in Buenos Aires

A new Beatles museum in Buenos Aires, Argentina, features thousands of items related to the legendary band, all from the private collection of 53-year-old accountant and superfan Rodolfo Vazquez.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — A brick from the Cavern Club, a check for 11 pounds signed by Ringo Starr, an “authentic” Beatles wig. These and thousands of other objects related to the “Fab Four” are luring Beatles fans to a new museum in Buenos Aires.

The museum is the product of the “Beatlemania” obsession of Rodolfo Vazquez, a 53-year-old accountant who became a fan at the age of 10 when he got their “Rubber Soul” record. “With the song ‘In My Life,’ I fell in love with the Beatles,” he said.

Vazquez scooped up all the memorabilia he could find in Buenos Aires about history’s most famous rock band, an obsession that grew until he made it into Guinness World Records in 2001 as having the planet’s largest collection.

At that point, Guinness noted that he had 5,612 items in the attic of his home in Buenos Aires. His hoard has grown to more than 8,500 records, gadgets, puppets and games since then, more than 2,200 of which are on display in the Beatle Museum that just opened on Avenue Corrientes, in an area of the capital where tourists throng.

There are Beatles museums in Liverpool, England, and Hamburg, Germany, that display memorabilia along with objects from the band members’ lives. There are other private collections as well — Julian Lennon has many that show the more personal side of the four band members, published in the book “Beatles Memorabilia: The collection of Julian Lennon,” including drawings his late father sent him when the Beatles were on tour.

But this storefront museum stands out for the sheer quantity of pieces, carefully arranged in display cases and on the walls. There are objects for all tastes: a box of condoms with the name of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, a wig that says it adjusts to any head size, and signed pictures of the four musicians.

“The idea is to show my collection permanently. In a year I would like to rotate the items on display with others from my collection,” said Vazquez, who keeps accumulating objects by buying them or trading with collectors around the world. “Otherwise, all of it would be closed into boxes and trunks without anyone being able to enjoy them.”

The Beatles broke up in 1970, but there’s no letup in interest about the band. When their song list was added to iTunes last year, more than 2 million individual songs and 450,000 copies of Beatles albums were sold in the first week.

The Beatles never performed in Argentina, but people here seem to have a soft spot for them, ensuring that cover bands have regular gigs. Many such bands play in Vazquez’s Cavern Club, a bar next to the museum named after the Liverpool nightclub where the band got its start.

Each year, Vazquez organizes a “Beatles Week,” in which cover bands from around Latin America compete to be named the best imitators. The winners travel to a Liverpool music festival.

Vazquez claims he doesn’t know the total value of his private collection, which also includes record covers, autographs, toys, original pictures, concert programs, and cups and plates with Beatle images. Vazquez even has certified copies of the Beatles members’ birth certificates.

He said he has a special fondness for 64 boxes of chewing gum in the form of miniature albums that allude to the 16 Beatles records. Other rarities are four music boxes with figures of each Beatle. There’s also a piece of the floor of Strawberry Fields, a Salvation Army orphanage near Lennon’s boyhood home whose name inspired the 1967 psychedelic rock tune “Strawberry Fields Forever.”

Vazquez said nearly 2,000 people have visited since the museum opened on Jan. 3. Showcasing his treasures for fellow fans is immensely satisfying, he said, but there’s one thing he regrets not being able to do: meet the surviving Beatles themselves, McCartney and Starr.

“It is what would complete me,” he said, “and I would be the happiest collector on earth.”

Orange alert remains in effect due to high temperatures

The National Weather Forecast Service issued an orange alert as a result of the heat wave that affects the City and Greater Buenos Aires. The temperatures have reached 33°C in de the last few days, while the heat index soared to 34°C.

Officials issued the alert since “heat waves can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children, citizens over 65 and people with chronic diseases."

On Thursday, the temperature reached 31°C and the heat index soared to 34°C while porteños suffered heat that is inusual for late summer.

The National Weather Forecast Service informed that Friday , temperatures will range between 23°C and 27°C. On Saturday rain will lower the temperaturas further.