World News Australia - South America

Venezuela explodes border bridges

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:36:23 +1100

Colombia says it will complain to the UN Security Council in relation to Venezuela - this time for blowing up two small footbridges crossing the border between the countries.

Bluefin tuna 'facing extinction'

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:54:34 +1100

Environmentalists have warned bluefin tuna is on its way to extinction after international fishery officials trimmed catch quotas but upheld continued hauls of the fish.

Maradona slapped with two month ban

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:33:10 +1100

Argentina coach Diego Maradona has been banned for two months over his outburst at last month's decisive World Cup qualifier in Uruguay.

Fewer trees cut down in Brazil's Amazon

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:13:42 +1100

Brazil's sprawling Amazon jungle this year lost 7,000 square kilometres of rain forest, a 45 per cent drop from 2008 losses, an official reported on Thursday.

Brazil divided on 'mini-skirt' expulsion

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:12:25 +1100

Brazilian officials are investigating the harassment of a 20-year-old woman at a Sao Paulo university whose short dress provoked jeers and insults by students.

SBS uncovers Brazilian radio hoax

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:54:47 +1100

A Brazilian comedy show has been exposed impersonating Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvaat Portuguese radio stations around the world.

Ida hurricane watch for Mexico's coast

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:06:28 +1100

Officials readied storm shelters along Mexico's Caribbean coast and told fishermen and tour operators to pull in their boats.

Paraguay leader sacks army chief

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:34:56 +1100

President Fernando Lugo sacked the commander of Paraguay's armed forces amid rumours of a potential coup, government sources said.

US urges Hondurans to return to talks

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:34:49 +1100

The US has urged both sides in Honduras' political showdown to return to negotiations and forge a reconciliation government after the collapse of a deal.

Gilmore on target for third title

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:15:09 +1100

Australian surfer Stephanie Gilmore has cruised through the opening round of the Peru Classic, posting the highest score of the day.

Mexican doctors accused of selling babies

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:35:53 +1100

Doctors allegedly told mothers that their babies had died after selling them on.

Colombian volcano threatens to erupt

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:49:38 +1100

Officials in southern Colombia have issued a code orange alert for the newly-active Galeras volcano which they say could erupt in a matter of days or week.

End to Honduran crisis near

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:53:59 +1100

Honduras' de facto leader Roberto Micheletti and ousted President Manuel Zelaya have reached a deal aimed at ending the political crisis that has paralysed the country.

Uruguay's Mujica to face run-off poll

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:28:06 +1100

Former guerrilla Jose Mujica came out on top in Uruguay's presidential vote but fell short of the 50 per cent needed to avoid a run-off, exit polls suggest.

Chavez urges short showers to conserve water

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:34:17 +1100

CARACAS (Reuters) - Leftist President Hugo Chavez called on Venezuelans on Wednesday to stop singing in the shower and to wash in three minutes because the oil-exporting nation is having problems supplying water and electricity.

Brazil cracks down on drug gangs

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:02:17 +1100

Military police are carrying out a manhunt in Rio de Janeiro slums to find the gunmen who shot down a police helicopter on Saturday.

Brazilian tribe reduced to five

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:54:12 +1100

Brazil's indigenous Akuntsu tribe has been whittled down to five people after the group's oldest member, Ururu, died, a native rights organisation, Survival International, said.

Rio de Janeiro parties like it's 2016

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 07:54:21 +1100

Tens of thousands of Brazilians have celebrated on Copacabana beach, as Rio de Janeiro won their bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

British Navy seizes record cocaine haul

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:28:15 +1100

Britain's Royal Navy says has intercepted a frigate off the South American coast carrying more than five tonnes of cocaine.

Venezuela gets billions in credit for arms

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:12:05 +1100

Venezuela president Hugo Chavez says Russia has opened a $US2.2 billion line of credit for Venezuela to purchase armoured vehicles and surface-to-air missiles.