Stories for December 26th 2009

Sunday, December 27th 2009 - 06:40 UTC
Countdown for 2010 Argentina-Chile Dakar rally which takes off Jan first

The countdown for the 2010 Argentina-Chile Dakar rally has begun with the arrival in Buenos Aires of all the participants and the over 400 vehicles registered for the grueling competition that will extend until January 17 in some of the most challenging terrains in Argentina and neighboring Chile, including climbing the mighty Andes cordillera .
Sunday, December 27th 2009 - 06:34 UTC
Dutch dredger operating in Tierra del Fuego bunkers in Falklands

An unusual visitor to the Falkland Islands last week was the Prins der Nederlanden, which anchored in Port William for the second time to receive fuel, reports the local Penguin News.
Sunday, December 27th 2009 - 06:23 UTC
Car sales in Chile indicate the country is on road to recovery

A November report shows a 27.3% spike in new car sales in Chile, making it the largest sales increase the country has seen in two years. The last similar increase of 29.9% was before the recent financial crisis, in January 2008.
Sunday, December 27th 2009 - 06:13 UTC
Argentine scientists confirm significant decline of multi-specific coastal species

The biomasses and sizes of the main species that conform “multi-specific coastal” species along areas of the South Atlantic continue falling due to excessive catches, contend the latest studies carried out by Argentina’s National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development, (INIDEP).
Sunday, December 27th 2009 - 06:07 UTC
UK Nigerian student allegedly responsible for Detroit’s “attempted terrorist act”

A Nigerian student reported to have links to al-Qaeda is being questioned after an attempted act of terrorism on a plane arriving in the city of Detroit, according to US officials.
Sunday, December 27th 2009 - 05:53 UTC
Central Chile has lost 38% of forests between 1975 and 2008

A study of satellite images released this week confirmed a 38% decrease in Chile’s Central Valley forest cover between 1975 and 2008. Forests that used to grow between the coast and the central valley have been replaced either by urban growth or agricultural activity. In some cases the forests have become arid lands.
Saturday, December 26th 2009 - 13:36 UTC
Peru begins to discuss political reform to make Congress more accountable

Peruvian president Alan García said he had no intention of perpetuating in office but openly supported the proposal to have the one house Congress renewed by halves, “so people in mid term can decide if lawmakers are making a good job or not, as happens in most developed presidential countries”.
Saturday, December 26th 2009 - 13:30 UTC
Ecuador begins legal actions against Air Comet; thousands still stranded

The Ecuadorian government filed an appeal against Spain's Air Comet for alleged fraud and requested board directors be put under preventive custody, announced Migration Ministry Alexis Rivas during a press conference in Quito.
Saturday, December 26th 2009 - 13:27 UTC
Low cost, no frills ceremony planned for Mujica’s March inauguration

Uruguayan president elect Jose Mujica anticipated that the inauguration ceremony next March first will be in the open, paid by “friends” with no military parade, but with numerous music and dance groups playing to make it a real popular celebration, according to several reports in the Montevideo press.
Saturday, December 26th 2009 - 13:23 UTC
FARC linked news agency justifies kidnapping and killing of Colombian governor

A news agency close to FARC Colombian rebels justified the recent killing of provincial governor Luis Francisco Cuellar although it did not fully attribute responsibility of the abduction and murder to the Revolutionary Colombian Armed Forces.