Latin America

• Friday, November 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Sunken Explorer's fuel spill endangers mating penguins

  

  An estimated 2.500 penguins in Antarctica are endangered by an oil spill from the sunken cruise vessel Explorer, impeding access to their mating and nesting places. The oil spill is 1.500 meters long by 200, according to experts from the Chilean Antarctic Institute.

• Friday, November 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Ecuador begins drafting “citizens' revolution” chart

  

  Ecuador's Constitutional assembly meeting in Montecristi, 500 kilometers from the capital Quito, was officially inaugurated Friday by President Rafael Correa amidst warnings from the opposition that democracy in the country was at risk.

• Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Chavez breaks off relations with Colombia's Uribe

  

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez broke off relations with Colombia on Wednesday, vowing not to restore ties as long as President Alvaro Uribe is in power after the collapse of mediation talks with leftist rebels.

• Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Chile implements an early red tide alert system

  

  Chile is implementing an early alert system to detect Red Tide (mr-SAT) that should be operational beginning January 2008 was announced Wednesday by the country's National Fisheries Service (SERNAPESCA).

• Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Guyana offers to trade millions rain forest hectares for aid

  

  Guyana has offered to preserve its entire rain forest with control going to a British-led international group in return for economic aid.

• Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  “Explorer” accident raises environment concerns in Chile

  

  Chilean scientists and environmentalists said Wednesday they hope to determine within the next few days the extent of environmental damage resulting from recent the sinking of the cruise ship S/M Explorer.

• Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  A fractured Bolivia heading at full speed to the cliffs

  

  Opposition leaders in Bolivia have promised a fresh wave of protests and “civil disobedience” against a new draft constitution. Their call follows a strike on Wednesday that closed banks, schools and public transport in six of Bolivia's richest provinces.

• Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  British Airways daily flight to Gibraltar in smaller craft

  

  British Airways will operate one daily flight to Gibraltar using a 737 300 which is likely to feature up to 30 club seats and 89 economy. And, as the EasyJet takeover of GB Airways remains to be completed, flights on the current GB Airways schedule are still being sold into the spring in addition to the BA flights. But it is not clear that these will be sustained.

• Tuesday, November 27th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Bolivia's Morales and opposition ready for more violence

  

  Bolivian President Evo Morales lashed out at opponents on Monday after five people were killed and hundreds injured in violent protests against his reforms and opposition leaders renewed threats to secede from the central government.

• Tuesday, November 27th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Six of Bolivia's richest provinces on 48 hours protest strike

  

  Six of Bolivia's nine provinces, which hold 80% of the country's wealth, have called a 48 hours general strike for Wednesday in protest at a new draft constitution.