Stories for February 28th 2012

Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 20:10 UTC
British cruise avoids Chilean port because of protests and social unrest

Another British cruise vessel had to cancel its visit to a South American port, this time in Chile but not because of political disputes with the UK, but rather as a direct consequence of local protests against the national government.
Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 19:54 UTC
Banning cruise vessels coming from Malvinas, “cheap way of making sovereignty”

The law was ‘misinterpreted’ and “the authorization awarded to cruise vessels by the (Argentine) Foreign Affairs ministry was ignored”, claimed the president of Ushuaia Chamber of Tourism Marcelo Lietti reacting to the weekend decision to bar two red ensign cruises from entering Tierra del Fuego.
Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 19:09 UTC
UK ‘sad and frustrated’ with Argentine decision to turn away cruise vessels sailing from Falklands

The British government has said it is a source of ”sadness and frustrated” that Argentina decided to turn away British tourists wishing to visit Argentina as a result of the ongoing row over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 19:07 UTC
Argentine government takes over train line involved in tragic accident

The Argentine government announced on Tuesday it was taking over two train lines, one of which was involved in last week’s tragic accident in a downtown Buenos Aires terminal which killed 51 people and left another 704 injured.
Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 17:53 UTC
Giant ‘Kariuku” penguins populated New Zealand some 27 million of years ago

Palaeontologists have unearthed fossils of what they say the tallest ever penguin species that lived in what is now New Zealand some 27 million years ago. The he lanky bird that stood as high as 4.2 feet was also slimmer than modern penguins, with a long beak and flippers.
Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 17:49 UTC
Judge Garzón cleared of investigation into murders by Franco forces

Spain's Supreme Court cleared former judge Baltasar Garzón of overstepping his authority when he ordered an investigation into the murders of more than 100,000 people by forces loyal to late dictator Francisco Franco.
Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 17:37 UTC
Santiago de Chile has the tallest building in South America

Santiago de Chile has the highest skyscraper in South America: the Gran Torre Costanera reached this condition when it surpassed the 300 metres height. The 107.125 square metres block has been designed by Chilean architects Alemparte, Barreda & Associates together with Pelli, Clarke, Pelli Architects, responsible for the Petrona Towers in Kuala Lampur.
Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 17:33 UTC
A quarter of people in England support Scotland becoming independent

Just over a quarter of people in England support Scotland becoming independent, a new survey has found. The latest NatCen Social Research British Social Attitudes Survey found 26% of English residents favoured ending the union between the two countries, the highest figure yet in such a survey.
Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 17:23 UTC
Chavez recovering from cancer surgery but no official work on his condition

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez came out of cancer surgery overnight in Cuba and is recovering in a hospital, two sources said on Tuesday, but there was still no official word on the leader's condition.
Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 05:14 UTC
CFK confirms Argentina will attend London Olympics “with our flag up high”

President Cristina Fernández rejected the possibility that a delegation of Argentine sportsmen may not fly to London to attend the 2012 Olympics as part of an Argentine boycott in response to the United Kingdom’s refusal to discuss the Malvinas Islands sovereignty.