Stories for December 2009

Sunday, December 20th 2009 - 08:53 UTC
Face-lift for Rio’s Maracana Stadium which will host World Cup and Olympics

Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium, which is due to stage the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics as well as the 2014 World Cup final, is to get a 300 million US dollars face-lift, announced the city's Secretary of Sports and Tourism.
Saturday, December 19th 2009 - 12:13 UTC
Argentina’s economy “technically in recession” seems to have bottomed out

Argentina's economy shrank for a second straight quarter from July to September, but industrial output jumped in November as auto production surged, indicating a turn in the economy, data showed on Friday.
Saturday, December 19th 2009 - 12:10 UTC
35 crew members missing from sunken livestock transport vessel

The four Uruguayans on board the livestock transport vessel that was lost Thursday night off the coast of Lebanon are among 39 of the 83 crew members and stockmen rescued in the midst of high seas and strong winds.
Saturday, December 19th 2009 - 11:53 UTC
Key states reach “meaningful but modest” agreement at climate summit

Key states have reached what they call a “meaningful agreement” at the Copenhagen climate summit. Five nations, including China and the US, reached a deal on a number of issues, such as a recognition to limit temperatures rises to less than 2C.
Saturday, December 19th 2009 - 07:54 UTC
“Legal insecurity” becomes top issue of Argentina’s political agenda

Top United States official remarks about the lack of “legal security” in Argentina echoed in Copenhagen’s climate conference where Foreign Secretary Jorge Taiana approached Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to about these “unfortunate statements”.
Saturday, December 19th 2009 - 04:50 UTC
Argentina successfully tests locally designed and manufactured missile booster

Argentina announced the successful launching of a missile booster, --identified as Gradicom PCX-2009-- in a firing range in the central province of Cordoba and said the event represented a “qualitative leap” for Argentine missile technology.
Saturday, December 19th 2009 - 04:24 UTC
Uproar of elation for the most beautiful girl in the world: Miss Gibraltar

British Overseas Territory Gibraltar came to a buzzing standstill Thursday afternoon, showered in red and white, and bathed in sunshine, to welcome Miss World 2009 Kaiane Aldorino back home. There were unprecedented scenes of jubilation of enormous magnitude, with an entire population wanting to join in this once in a lifetime celebration, wanting to be a part of history – not just local but world history.
Saturday, December 19th 2009 - 04:02 UTC
Chavez picks on Holland for a verbal exchange; The Hague demands clarification

The Netherlands government on Friday described as “groundless” the claims made by President Hugo Chávez in a speech on Thursday, when the Venezuelan ruler said that the Netherlands was plotting with United States “to target” Venezuela from the islands of Aruba and Curacao.
Saturday, December 19th 2009 - 03:59 UTC
HMS York en route to the Falklands for South Atlantic patrolling

HMS Gloucester is expected Monday in Portsmouth in time for Christmas following a very successful six and half month in the South Atlantic. She was replaced early December by HMS York which is already on route to the Falkland Islands.
Saturday, December 19th 2009 - 03:57 UTC
Uruguay will retain close relations with Venezuela, “but no ALBA”

Uruguay’s next Foreign Affairs minister Ambassador Luis Almagro said that president elect Jose Mujica’s administration will sustain “an important relation” with Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez because it is the country’s main supplier of oil and one of ten leading trade partners.