Stories for February 26th 2009
Survey of massive mountain range below Antarctic ice
A massive yet enigmatic mountain range as big as the Alps lying deep beneath Antarctica's ice has been surveyed in detail for the first time. The expedition, one of the most ambitious and challenging during International Polar Year, has captured the first clear picture of the mysterious Gamburtsev sub-glacial mountains.
Dengue spreading in South America; kills 19 in Bolivia
Bolivia suffering one of its worst dengue epidemics in decades reported 19 deaths of the more extreme variant haemorrhagic and 30.000 cases of the mild classic disease transmitted by mosquito bites.
US Lower House passes bill easing travel to Cuba
The US House of Representatives passed on Wednesday a bill that should lead to the easing of restrictions on Cuban-Americans wanting to travel to Cuba. The provisions are part of a spending bill and must pass in the Senate - where it faces some opposition - before it becomes law.
Milestone ruling for Malvinas war veterans victims of abuse
Malvinas war veterans and human rights groups hailed a ruling from an Argentine federal magistrate who stated that acts of torture and abuse committed against Argentine soldiers by their officers during the 1982 South Atlantic conflict with Britain do not prescribe since they are “crimes against humanity” and “war crimes”.
Suicides and traffic accidents main causes of death in Uruguay
According to a report by the United Nations Development Programme, suicides and accidents are the cause of the greatest number of violent deaths in Uruguay. Homicides came in third place.
Argentina's January exports drop 36%; trade surplus 27%
Argentina's exports plunged 36% in January and the trade surplus shrank 27% compared to a year ago according to the latest figures released Wednesday by the country's Statistics Office, Indec.
Samba school Salgueiro crowned Rio Carnival champs
Samba school Salgueiro was crowned champion of Rio's fiercely competitive Carnival parades on Wednesday, knocking off a powerhouse rival and overcoming a shooting that left three dead outside its headquarters just months ago.
Princess Royal to visit Falkland Islands in March
TWO years after her last visit HRH The Princess Royal will be returning to the Falkland Islands.
Italian cruise vessel suffers minor accident in the River Plate
The Italian flagged cruise Costa Romantica with 1.400 passengers remained on Thursday midday anchored seven miles off the Uruguayan sea resort of Punta del Este after having suffered last night a brief blackout caused by a fire in the generators room.
Top level meeting between Latam and Obama presidency
Brazil defended political diversity in Latinamerica and the change of attitude of the region towards the Cuba issue during the first official meeting in Washington of a Latinamerican representative with the highest ranking officer of President Barack Obama administration, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
