Central & South America

Port-au-Prince Haiti probes mystery paralysis cases

OVER a dozen people perish after a voodoo ceremony and a deadly spate of paralysis strikes recovering cholera patients.

Port-au-Prince Government probes mystery paralysis cases

OVER a dozen people perish after a voodoo ceremony and a deadly spate of paralysis strikes recovering cholera patients.

Rio de Janeiro Over 1,300 feared dead in Rio flooding

MORE than two weeks after deadly flooding in Brazil, officials fear the heavy rains have claimed 1,348 lives.

Brazil Man kept wife locked up for 16 years

POLICE in southeastern Brazil said they have arrested a man for allegedly keeping his wife locked in a cellar for 16 years.

Colombia Four miners still missing after blast

DOZENS of rescuers scrambled overnight to locate four miners missing and feared dead after the bodies of 17 others were recovered from a coal mine in northeastern Colombia.

Colombia 21 workers killed in Colombian mine blast

AN explosion likely caused by a methane gas build-up has ripped through an underground coal mine in Colombia, killing 21 workers, officials say.

Colombia Four dead, 13 trapped in coal mine

FOUR miners were killed and 13 trapped after an explosion in a coal mine in northeastern Colombia, the mayor of the town of Sardinata said today.

Buenos Aires Woman survives 23-storey fall, lands on cab

A 33-year-old woman fell from the 23rd floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, landed on a taxi cab parked on the street below and survived.

First cholera death in Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic officials report the first death from a cholera outbreak that spread from neighbouring Haiti.

Rio de Janeiro Brazil mudslide death toll climbs to 800

THE official death toll country's worst natural disaster continues to climb with hundreds of people still missing.

Rio de Janeiro Brazil mudslide death toll rises above 800

THE official death toll from Brazil's mudslide disaster has risen to 803 as more bodies are recovered.

Nuevo Laredo 10 die in Mexican stand-off

TEN alleged drug cartel members were killed in a clash with Mexican soldiers in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas.

Havana Cuba suspends mail services to US

CUBA has suspended indefinitely all mail service to the United States, extending a ban announced in November and expanding it to cover letters as well as packages.

Haiti to probe Duvalier abuses

Haiti will probe crimes against humanity committed during the 15-year rule of ousted strongman Jean-Claude Duvalier, who recently returned from exile.

1000 feared lost in Brazil

THE number of people killed in a flooding disaster near Rio de Janeiro last week could top 1000.

Lima 85 million-year-old fossil found in Peru

PALEONTOLOGISTS say they have discovered an 85-million-year-old fossil of a previously unknown squid species from the Cretaceous era in northeastern Peru.

Lima 85 million-year-old fossil found in Peru

PALEONTOLOGISTS say they have discovered an 85-million-year-old fossil of a previously unknown squid species from the Cretaceous era in northeastern Peru.

NY governor to lay off 10,000

NEW YORK Governor Andrew Cuomo is weighing plans to lay off more than 10,000 government workers.

Palin tests waters in Iowa

FORMER Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has joined a growing list of potential 2012 Republican presidential candidates who have begun to test the waters in Iowa.

La Paz Bolivia seeks to overturn coca leaf ban

BOLIVIA'S bid to legalize the coca leaf was due to be challenged today in a formal objection by the US.

Itaipava Brazil flooding deaths over 700 and rising

THE death toll from catastrophic mudslides in Brazil last week rose today to 702 as more bodies were recovered.

Bogota Colombian police nab drug-smuggling pigeon

POLICE were investing a flighty smuggling operation today after they nabbed a pigeon carrying drugs to a prison.

Port-au-Prince Duvalier taken to court in Haiti

HAITIAN police today whisked former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier away to court.

Rio de Janeiro Brazil flood death toll climbs to 640

THE death toll from Brazil's devastating floods and landslides has risen to 640 as the military steps up efforts to reach isolated communities near Rio de Janeiro.

Nova Friburgo More rain hampers Brazil flood rescues

MILITARY sends troops and helicopters to rescue stranded survivors of floods and landslides that killed more than 625 people.

Safe Seven skiers rescued from avalanche

AN avalanche swept seven skiers nearly 300 metres, with just one of the group being taken to hospital.

Safe Seven skiers rescued from avalanche

SEVEN skiers were rescued Saturday afternoon after being swept nearly 300 metres by an avalanche at a Canadian resort.

Rio de Janeiro Brazil mourns as flood death toll hits 610

BRAZILIANS are praying for victims of devastating floods near Rio de Janeiro after the death toll from the natural disaster rose to at least 610 and was predicted to climb again.

Rio de Janeiro Brazil mourns as flood death toll hits 610

BRAZILIANS are praying for victims of devastating floods near Rio de Janeiro after the death toll from the natural disaster rose to at least 610 and was predicted to climb again.

Rio de Janeiro Brazil flood, mudslides toll climbs to 610

BRAZIL declared three days of national mourning for at least 610 people killed near Rio de Janeiro this week.

Rio de Janeiro Brazil suffering 'worst natural disaster'

BRAZIL is suffering the "worst natural disaster" it has ever seen after mudslides and flooding near Rio killed nearly 500 people, according to national media.

Teresopolis Over 400 dead in Brazil's floods disaster

TORRENTS of mud and water have swept down crowded hillsides killing more than 430 people.

Rio de Janeiro Nearly 400 dead in Brazil flood disaster

BRAZIL is grappling with its worst natural disaster in more than four decades, a calamitous collapse of rain-soaked hillsides near Rio that has killed nearly 400 people.

Rio de Janeiro Brazil floods leave 335 dead

DEVASTATING mudslides and floods have killed at least 335 people in the mountainous area near Rio de Janeiro, GloboNews television reported, citing local authorities.

Guatemala City Four charred bodies found in Guatemala

THE charred bodies of four women, including one mutilated by dogs, have been found in the outskirts of the Guatemalan capital.

Lima Peru stumped by envoy missing in Russia

PERU diplomat has been missing since shortly after the new year in Russia, where authorities have launched an investigation.

Teresopolis Brazil floods, mudslides leave 237 dead

THE death toll from floods and mudslides near Rio de Janeiro today has risen to at least 237.

Rio de Janeiro At least 109 dead in Brazil floods

DAYS of flooding and mudslides have left at least 109 people dead in southeast Brazil, with a mountainous region near Rio de Janeiro bearing the brunt.

Sao Paulo Brazil floods mudslide claims 33 lives

DEADLY flooding and mudslides in southeast Brazil has worsened with at least 33 people killed as hillsides gave way in towns near Rio de Janeiro, according to authorities

Port-au-Prince Haiti mourns ahead of quake anniversary

HAITI began two days of services today honouring nearly a quarter of a million people who died in an earthquake a year ago.

Port-au-Prince Haiti mourns ahead of quake anniversary

HAITI began two days of services today honouring nearly a quarter of a million people who died in an earthquake a year ago.

Cancun Man beheaded, second shot in drug killing

MEXICAN police found a headless male body and another shot dead in the popular vacation resort of Cancun, after a violent weekend which saw 16 beheadings in Acapulco, on the opposite coast.

Mexico City 51 dead in Mexico, including 15 beheaded

DRUG-related violence over the weekend claimed 51 lives across Mexico, including a record-setting 15 decapitations in Acapulco.

Rio de Janeiro Protests sparked over gay-only toilets

AS Brazil geared up for its annual carnival festivities, a dispute broke out over toilets for the exclusive use of gays and transvestites in samba schools readying for the event.

Santiago Chilean scientists seek alcoholism vaccine

RESEARCHERS say they are developing a vaccine against alcoholism that could be tested on humans starting next year.

Santiago Chilean scientists seek alcoholism vaccine

RESEARCHERS say they are developing a vaccine against alcoholism that could be tested on humans starting next year.

Mumbai India bus crash kills 22

AT least 22 people including six children were killed when their bus plunged into a gorge in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, a police officer said today.

Mexico City Mexico detains leader of 'Holy Death' cult

MEXICO City authorities presented a leader of a sect called "Holy Death" to the media today (local time), along with eight others accused of belonging to a kidnapping gang.

Chihuahua Street clowns killed in alleged drug hit

TWO street clowns found dead alongside messages allegedly from a drug gang accusing them of working as army informers.

Acapulco Bullet-ridden bodies found in resort town

FOUR bodies riddled with bullets have been found on a road outside Acapulco in an apparent gangland shooting.

Puerto Rico Man burns family members with blowtorch

A PUERTO Rican man who police say burned his parents and seven other relatives with a blowtorch has been charged with attempted murder.

Santiago 7.1-magnitude quake shakes Chile

A MAGNITUDE-7.1 earthquake has shaken southern Chile, sending hundreds of people fleeing for higher ground fearing it could generate a tsunami like the one that ravaged the coastline last year.

Brasilia New President to follow 'great man' Lula

BRAZIL'S first female president has pledged to build on the policies of her hugely popular predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Bogota Notorious drug lord killed in Colombia

COLOMBIA'S President has hailed the killing by police of Pedro Guerrero, a notorious drug lord known as "The Knife".

Seoul N. Korea wants skinny jeans, human poo

SKINNY jeans, adult films, instant noodles and human excrement are selling "like hot cakes" in North Korea, according to defectors.

New York 'Suitcase slayer' used cooking pan, cord

MAN confesses he stuffed woman's body inside suitcase after he caught her trying to steal his money.

Buenos Aires Festive fireworks injure 100

FIREWORKS from Christmas revellers injured at least 100 people in Argentina this year, fewer than last year.

Celebrations backfire in Argentina

FIREWORKS from Christmas revellers have injured at least 100 people in Argentina this year, but that figure is fewer than last year.

Quito Bus carnage in Ecuador kills 41

A COACH journey by passengers heading home for family Christmas celebrations turned tragic when it plunged off the road.

Manabi Christmas bus plunge kills 32 in Ecuador

AT least 32 people died when a bus packed with passengers traveling over the Christmas holiday plunged into a ravine in southwest Ecuador.

Port-au-Prince 40 people lynched amid Haiti cholera panic

ANGRY mobs lynch "sorcerers" suspected of spreading cholera as toll rises to more than 2500.

Port-au-Prince 40 lynched amid Haiti cholera panic

HAITI'S cholera death toll since the mid-October outbreak in the impoverished Caribbean nation has reached 2591.

San Juan Anna Nicole caused Bahamas havoc - cables

ANNA Nicole Smith hit the Bahamas like a hurricane, spreading scandals that toppled officials, leaked cables show.

Argentina Former dictator defiant ahead of sentencing

Former Argentine dictator Jorge Videla is defiant ahead of sentencing for killing dissidents.

Rio de Janeiro Man kills best man, bride and then himself

BRIDEGROOM announces to wedding guests he has a "surprise" for them before firing loaded gun.

Port-au-Prince Haiti vote recount begins next week

THE OAS begins a vote recount on Monday in Haiti after fraud allegations set off days of post-election violence.

Lakewood Face transplant patient meets donor family

FAMILY decides to reveal face donor, so that others can know the generous woman they loved.

Chile Miners create firm to cash in on rescue

THE 33 rescued Chilean miners plan to form a corporation to capitalise on their near-death experience.

Chile Miners create firm to cash in on rescue

THE 33 rescued Chilean miners plan to form a corporation to capitalise on their near-death experience.

Puebla At least 11 killed in Mexico pipeline blast

A MASSIVE blast on a state-owned pipeline in central Mexico has killed 11 people, injured 12 others and damaged more than 30 surrounding homes.

Resistencia Archbishop tells kids there is no Santa Claus

A ROMAN Catholic archbishop surprised his parishioners in Argentina by telling the children that Santa Claus was not real.

Rio de Janeiro Brazil launches rocket into orbit

BRAZIL has successfully launched a midsized unmanned rocket into space, with hundreds of kilograms in cargo and experiments in tow, space officials said.

Brasilia Brazil launches rocket into orbit

BRAZIL launches midsized unmanned rocket into space, with hundreds of kilograms in cargo and experiments in tow.

Cancun Australia offers Indonesia climate change aid

AUSTRALIA offers climate change assistance for Indonesia as it urged talks to move beyond process disputes and make progress.

Morelia Mexico drug gunfight kills baby

AN eight-month-old boy has been killed when he was caught in the middle of a gunfight between federal police and drug cartel hit men, authorities say.

Panama City Rains close Panama Canal for first time in decades

THE Panama Canal has been closed to ships for the first time in over two decades after heavy rains swelled nearby lakes.

Panama City Heavy rains close Panama Canal

THE Panama Canal has been closed to ships for the first time in over two decades after heavy rains swelled nearby lakes.

Chile Fire lit during prison riot leaves 83 dead

POLICE reportedly blocked firefighters from a Chile prison fire which killed 83 and injured 14.

Argentina Cruise ship limps to port

AN Antarctic cruise ship with 160 people aboard has lost an engine in high seas, but is limping safely to its scheduled port, the Argentine Navy said overnight.

San Miguel Fire in Chile prison kills 81 inmates

AT LEAST 81 inmates died tonight when a fire swept through the San Miguel prison in the Chilean capital, police said.

Ushuaia Cruise ship breaks down in Antarctic

A CRUISE ship carrying 160 people on a return trip from Antarctica lost power in one of its engines today in rough weather.

Cancun Climate effort 'insufficent' - Ban Ki-moon

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged countries meeting in Cancun, Mexico, to come up with a "breakthrough".

Buenos Aires More countries recognise Palestine

ARGENTINA and Uruguay say they are joining Brazil in recognising an independent Palestinian state.

Landslide buries up to 200 in Colombia

AS many as 200 people are feared buried in a landslide that swept over 10 houses in Colombia's second largest city.

Mexico will try boy accused of beheadings

MEXICAN judge to try a 14-year-old boy accused of participating in four beheadings for a drug cartel.

Santiago Oldest mine in Americas found in Chile

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have discovered an iron oxide mine from 12,000 years ago in northern Chile.

Port-au-Prince Voter unrest as protesters killed in Haiti

HUNDREDS of people have protested against recent elections in Haiti and several have been killed in factional clashes.

Bogota 174 dead in Colombia mudslides

THE toll from weeks of heavy rains and mudslides across Colombia has risen to 174 people dead and over 1.5 million homeless, the Red Cross said.

Mexico City Mexico arrests 14-year-old 'hitman'

MEXICAN authorities have arrested a 14-year-old boy possibly born in the United States and accused of beheading and mutilating his victims as a drug cartel hitman, officials said.

Mexico City Mexico arrests 14-year-old 'hitman'

MEXICAN authorities have arrested a 14-year-old boy possibly born in the United States and accused of beheading and mutilating his victims as a drug cartel hitman, officials said.

Colombia Laverde Eight years jail for man who killed 4000

FORMER paramilitary commander in Colombia who ordered the killing of more than 4000 people sentenced to eight years in prison.

Colombia Laverde Eight years jail for man who killed 4000

A FORMER paramilitary commander in Colombia known as the "Iguana", who ordered the killing of more than 4000 people, was sentenced to eight years in prison under an amnesty program, justice officials said.

Port-au-Prince UN threatens to leave Haiti over vote

THE international community will stop supporting Haiti if the government fails to honour the outcome of recent elections.

Buenos Aires Sex trafficking spikes in Argentina

ARGENTINA has become a major centre of human trafficking, with about 700 women from various countries forced into sexual servitude over the past year-and-a-half, a new study says.

Caracas Hugo Chavez shelters homeless in palace

VENEZUELAN President gives shelter at the presidential palace to 26 families left homeless by recent heavy rains in the country.

Caracas Hugo Chavez shelters homeless in palace

VENEZUELAN President gives shelter at the presidential palace to 26 families left homeless by recent heavy rains in the country.

Venezuela Floods leave 25 dead

AT least 25 people have been killed and thousands left homeless as torrential rains have caused the worst flooding in Venezuela in the last 40 years, officials said.

Brazil Clown secures Congress seat

A TELEVISION clown elected to Brazil's congress can take up his lawmaker duties after barely passing a literacy test, the judge overseeing the exam says.

Quito Ecuador president says no offer to Assange

ECUADOREAN President dismisses offer of residency made to the embattled founder of the online whistle-blower WikiLeaks.

Venezuela Torrential rain kills 17

TORRENTIAL rains in Venezuela have killed 17 people, closed airports, blocked roads and destroyed thousands of homes in the past few days, sparking regional declarations of disaster, officials said today.