Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Chile's sea lions - like this group photographed in Patagonia - are among those likely to benefit

Chile has created a new law protecting the waters along its 6,400km (4,000 mile) coastline.

The outgoing president, Michele Bachelet, signed the decree, which creates nine marine reserves.

President Bachelet, who is ending her term of office this week, said that Chile needed to establish the basis on which it would conserve its marine territory for the future.

This year Chile also signed into law a vast network of nature parks.

"Who we are and who we can be, is inevitably tied up with our 6,400-kilometre coast. This is why it is so important to understand that the sea is vital for our national development," President Bachelet said.

The new legislation will increase the area of sea under Chilean state protection from 4.3% to 42.4 %, and protect marine life in around 1.4 million square kilometres of sea.

One of the new reserves covers the area around the Diego Ramírez Islands, home to sea lions, kelp forests and whales. Another covers the island around the Juan Fernández Islands.

In September last year, Chile opened a huge marine park around Easter Island, which is home to species only found there.

The reserve is about the size of Chile itself and will be co-administered with the indigenous population, who will continue to be allowed to fish there.

During her administration, Mrs Bachelet also signed a deal to create the largest network of natural parks in South America, in Patagonia, after a large private land donation. </s> WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The countries that decide the fate of Antarctica reached an historic agreement on Friday to create the world’s largest marine protected area in the ocean next to the frozen continent.

The agreement comes after years of diplomatic wrangling and high-level talks between the U.S. and Russia, which has rejected the idea in the past.

Proponents of the reserve say it sets a precedent for multiple countries working together to protect a large swath of ocean, which falls outside any single nation’s jurisdiction.

The agreement covers an area about twice the size of Texas in the Ross Sea.

The deal was clinched after 24 countries and the European Union met in Hobart, Australia, this week. Decisions on Antarctica require a consensus among the 25 members, a hurdle which has confounded past efforts.

The U.S. and New Zealand have been pushing for a marine reserve for years. They first submitted a joint proposal in 2012, but it was rejected five times before Friday’s agreement. Ukraine, China and Russia had expressed concerns in the past, with Russia becoming the final holdout before the deal was made.

The marine protected area covers 1.6 million square kilometers (617,000 square miles). There will be a blanket ban on commercial fishing across about three-quarters of that area. In the remaining ocean zones, some commercial fishing will be allowed.

A small amount of fishing for research purposes will be allowed throughout the protected area.

Several countries fish in the waters surrounding Antarctica for lucrative toothfish, which are often marketed in North America as Chilean sea bass.

Evan Bloom, who led the U.S. delegation in Hobart, said that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has been a passionate advocate for the reserve and has been pushing for it in high-level talks with Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin.

Bloom said he was “thrilled” with the result.

“We’ve been working on this for so many years and had so many disappointments trying to get here,” he said. “This is a real win for marine conservation.”

In a statement, Kerry said the agreement “will safeguard one of the last unspoiled ocean wilderness areas on the planet — home to unparalleled marine biodiversity and thriving communities of penguins, seals, whales, seabirds, and fish.”

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the final agreement included some concessions to Russia, including adjusting the reserve’s boundaries and allowing a little more commercial fishing outside the no-take zone.

Nevertheless, he said, he was pleasantly surprised that Russia and the U.S. had managed to reach any kind of agreement, given the current tensions over Syria.

“It goes to demonstrate that you can never jump to conclusions,” he said. “Every now and then you get lucky.”

Andrew Cavanagh, who directs Antarctic and Southern Ocean work for The Pew Charitable Trusts, said the reserve had become a passion project for Putin’s former chief of staff, Sergei Ivanov.

“We couldn’t be happier about this result,” she said. “This is history. This has never been done before.”

She said she hoped the agreement represented the first step in what would become a worldwide network of marine reserves that would help protect the Earth’s oceans.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. </s> Boats sit on the beach at Bahia Almirantazgo, in Antarctica, on Jan. 27, 2015. The countries that decide the fate of Antarctica agreed on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016, to create the world's largest marine protected area in the ocean next to the frozen continent.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The countries that decide the fate of Antarctica's waters reached an historic agreement on Friday to create the world's largest marine protected area in the ocean next to the frozen continent.

The agreement comes after years of diplomatic wrangling and high-level talks between the U.S. and Russia, which has rejected the idea in the past.

Proponents of the reserve say it sets a precedent for multiple countries working together to protect a large swath of ocean, which falls outside any single nation's jurisdiction.

The agreement covers an area about twice the size of Texas in the Ross Sea.

The deal was clinched after 24 countries and the European Union met in Hobart, Australia, this week. Decisions on Antarctic fishing require a consensus among the 25 members, a hurdle which has confounded past efforts.

The U.S. and New Zealand have been pushing for a marine reserve for years. They first submitted a joint proposal in 2012, but it was rejected five times before Friday's agreement. Ukraine, China and Russia had expressed concerns in the past, with Russia becoming the final holdout before the deal was made.

The marine protected area covers 1.6 million square kilometers (617,000 square miles). There will be a blanket ban on commercial fishing across about three-quarters of that area. In the remaining ocean zones, some commercial fishing will be allowed.

A small amount of fishing for research purposes will be allowed throughout the protected area.

Several countries fish in the waters surrounding Antarctica for lucrative toothfish, which are often marketed in North America as Chilean sea bass.

Evan Bloom, who led the U.S. delegation in Hobart, said that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has been a passionate advocate for the reserve and has been pushing for it in high-level talks with Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin.

Bloom said he was "thrilled" with the result.

"We've been working on this for so many years and had so many disappointments trying to get here," he said. "This is a real win for marine conservation."

In a statement, Kerry said the agreement "will safeguard one of the last unspoiled ocean wilderness areas on the planet — home to unparalleled marine biodiversity and thriving communities of penguins, seals, whales, seabirds, and fish."

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the final agreement included some concessions to Russia, including adjusting the reserve's boundaries and allowing a little more commercial fishing outside the no-take zone.

Nevertheless, he said, he was pleasantly surprised that Russia and the U.S. had managed to reach any kind of agreement, given the current tensions over Syria.

"It goes to demonstrate that you can never jump to conclusions," he said. "Every now and then you get lucky."

Andrea Kavanagh, who directs Antarctic and Southern Ocean work for The Pew Charitable Trusts, said the environment had become a passion project for Putin's former chief of staff, Sergei Ivanov.

"We couldn't be happier about this result," she said. "This is history. This has never been done before."

She said she hoped the agreement represented the first step in what would become a worldwide network of marine reserves that would help protect the Earth's oceans.

The nations are already considering proposals for marine protected areas in East Antarctic waters and the Weddell Sea.

"We are confident that these areas will be protected in the coming years," said Mike Walker, the Project Director of the Antarctic Ocean Alliance.

The agreement will take effect from December 2017 and, for most of the reserve, will last an initial 35 years. </s> The world’s largest marine reserve aimed at protecting the pristine wilderness of Antarctica will be created after a “momentous” agreement was finally reached Friday, with Russia dropping its long-held opposition.

The deal, sealed by the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) at an annual meeting in Hobart after years of negotiations, will see a massive US and New Zealand-backed marine protected area established in the Ross Sea.

It will cover more than 1.55 million square kilometres (600,000 square miles) — roughly the size of Britain, Germany and France combined — of which 1.12 million square kilometres will be a no fishing zone.

“The proposal required some changes in order to gain the unanimous support of all 25 CCAMLR members and the final agreement balances marine protection, sustainable fishing and science interests,” New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said.

“The boundaries of the MPA, however, remain unchanged.”

The Ross Sea is one of the last intact marine ecosystems in the world, home to penguins, seals, Antarctic toothfish, whales and huge numbers of krill, a staple food for many species.

It is considered critical for scientists to study how marine ecosystems function and to understand the impacts of climate change on the ocean.

Moscow was the last government opposing the move, largely due to concerns over fishing rights, after China offered its support last year.

“We had a lot of talks with them. Secretary (John) Kerry reached out to Russian President (Vladimir) Putin and (Foreign Minister Sergei) Lavrov and I think that helped a great deal to convince Russia to come on board,” Evan Bloom, head of the US delegation at the meeting, told AFP.

“This decision is very important not just for the Antarctic but for efforts to promote world marine conservation.”

Moscow has signalled more commitment to conservation in recent times, designating 2017 as the Year of Ecology. It moved in August to significantly increase the size of a protected zone around Franz Josef Land in the Arctic.

While the Ross Sea plan got the go-ahead, time ran out at the meeting to reach agreement on a second proposed protected area — the Australia and France-led East Antarctica sanctuary covering another one million square kilometre zone.

Both reserve proposals have been on the table since 2012 with CCAMLR — a treaty tasked with overseeing conservation and sustainable exploitation of the Antarctic Ocean, also known as the Southern Ocean.

Consensus is needed from all 24 member countries and the European Union.

A third German-proposed plan is also in the works to protect the Weddell Sea, which extends from the southeast of South America over an area of some 2.8 million square kilometres.

“For the first time, countries have put aside their differences to protect a large area of the Southern Ocean and international waters,” said Mike Walker, project director of the Antarctic Ocean Alliance, calling the outcome “momentous”.

“Although there was not a decision on the proposed protection of the Weddell Sea and the East Antarctic this year, we are confident that these areas will be protected in the coming years, adding to the system of marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean.”

The Ross Sea is named after British explorer Sir James Ross and his great, great, great granddaughter Phillipa Ross said the family was thrilled it was safeguarded.

“The Ross family are euphoric that our family legacy has been honoured in the 175th anniversary year since James first discovered the Ross Sea, thanks to the individuals and organisations who have poured their hearts and souls into campaigning for its protection,” she said.

It culminates years of pressure by conservationists, including a campaign by the global civic movement Avaaz which was kickstarted by Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio.

“There’s massive momentum in the world right now to protect our oceans,” said Avaaz campaign director Luis Morago. “The Ross Sea is just the start.” – AFP </s> The countries that decide the fate of Antarctica reached an historic agreement on Friday to create the world's largest marine protected area in the ocean next to the frozen continent.

The agreement comes after years of diplomatic wrangling and high-level talks between the U.S. and Russia, which has rejected the idea in the past.

Proponents of the reserve say it sets a precedent for multiple countries working together to protect a large swath of ocean, which falls outside any single nation's jurisdiction.

The agreement covers an area about twice the size of Texas in the Ross Sea.

The deal was clinched after 24 countries and the European Union met in Hobart, Australia, this week. Decisions on Antarctica require a consensus among the 25 members, which has confounded past efforts.

The U.S. and New Zealand have been pushing for a marine reserve for years. They first submitted a joint proposal in 2012, but it was rejected five times before Friday's agreement.

The marine protected area covers 1.6 million square kilometers (0.62 million square miles). There will be a blanket ban on commercial fishing across about three-quarters of that area. In the remaining ocean, some monitored commercial fishing would be allowed.

A small amount of fishing for research purposes would be allowed throughout the protected zone.

Several countries fish in the waters surrounding Antarctica for lucrative toothfish, which are often marketed in North America as Chilean sea bass.

Evan Bloom, who led the U.S. delegation in Hobart, said that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has been a passionate advocate for the reserve and has been pushing for it in high-level talks with Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin.

Bloom said he was "thrilled" with the result.

"We've been working on this for so many years and had so many disappointments trying to get here," he said. "This is a real win for marine conservation."

In a statement, Kerry said the agreement "will safeguard one of the last unspoiled ocean wilderness areas on the planet - home to unparalleled marine biodiversity and thriving communities of penguins, seals, whales, seabirds, and fish." </s> Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has introduced a bill to legalise gay marriage, the latest in a series of recent reforms in a country long regarded as one of Latin America’s most socially conservative.

Bachelet signed the proposal, which will be sent to lawmakers, at a ceremony in the presidential palace. She said the measure seeks to expand the definition of marriage between a man and a woman and would also expand rights for gay couples, allowing them to adopt children.

“We can’t let old prejudices be stronger than love,” Bachelet said.

Chile approved civil unions for same-sex couples in 2015 and decriminalised gay sex in 1999. The bill comes a week after Chile’s Constitutional Court upheld a measure that would end the country’s absolute ban on abortions. </s> SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has sent Congress a bill to legalize gay marriage, the latest in a series of recent reforms in a country long regarded as one of Latin America's most socially conservative.

Bachelet signed the proposal Monday, sending it to lawmakers. She said it would also expand rights for gay couples, allowing them to adopt children.

Chile approved civil unions for same-sex couples in 2015 and decriminalized gay sex in 1999.

Joaquin Flores, left, and his boyfriend, pose for a photo as they wait for the ceremony where Chile's President Michelle Bachelet is expected to sign a proposal for a same-sex marriage bill, at La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago, Chile, Monday, Aug. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

The bill comes a week after Chile's Constitutional Court upheld a measure that would end the country's absolute ban on abortions. </s> President Barack Obama created two new national monuments on Wednesday, setting aside 1.65 million acres in southeastern Utah and southern Nevada, a move sure to anger Republicans who have sought to curb the power the outgoing president has wielded to protect record amounts of sensitive and historic lands and waters.

Obama's aggressive use of the Antiquities Act to create national monuments has drawn scathing criticism from Republicans, who say the White House has abused the law to override local opposition and restrict development and usage of the lands. The new Bears Ears monument in Utah, in particular, has been at the center of those complaints, with local officials and conservative groups decrying pressure from conservationists and tribes on the White House to protect the site.

In creating the Bear's Ears National Monument in Utah and Gold Butte National Monument in Nevada, Obama said in a statement he was protecting desert landscapes that contain "some of our country’s most important cultural treasures, including abundant rock art, archeological sites, and lands considered sacred by Native American tribes."

Obama has used his power under the Antiquities Act to to protect more land than any previous president, from underwater canyons and mountains off Cape Cod to the vast Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Pacific Ocean. With the nearly 2,600 square miles he added Wednesday, he's added at least 757,578 square miles to the nation's protected lands.

For Obama, creating the monuments is part of his environmental legacy, and one that's likely to be more permanent than his administration's regulations to fight climate change, like EPA's Clean Power Plan, which is likely to be gutted under the Trump administration.

“The Antiquities Act gives the president the authority to create monuments but does not provide explicit authority to undo them,” said Christy Goldfuss, managing director at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, when asked by reporters whether she was concerned the Trump administration would scrap the Bears Ears monument.

The designations, Goldfuss said, would block any new mining or oil and gas development on the land.

Lawmakers from Utah have been among the president's most vocal critics on monuments. Rep. Rob Bishop, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, has blasted the Antiquities Act as "past its prime" and philosophically and intellectually wrong, while the state's GOP Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee introduced legislation (S. 3317) in September that would prevent presidents from using the Antiquities Act in their state.

But retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid told reporters in Las Vegas in August that Gold Butte was expected to get the president’s blessing.

In his statement, Obama said the new designations were designed to preserve the sites and give tribes a voice in their management.

"Today’s actions will help protect this cultural legacy and will ensure that future generations are able to enjoy and appreciate these scenic and historic landscapes. Importantly, today I have also established a Bears Ears Commission to ensure that tribal expertise and traditional knowledge help inform the management of the Bears Ears National Monument and help us to best care for its remarkable national treasures."

The Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition — a partnership between the Hopi, Navajo, Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute, and Zuni governments — welcomed the new designation for the site, which lies between Canyonlands National Park and the San Juan River and is named for twin buttes that resemble a bear raising its head above the horizon.

“Our connection with this land is deeply tied to our identities, traditional knowledge, histories, and cultures. We look forward to working with the current and future administrations to fully and properly administer these lands for all to enjoy,” Alfred Lomahquahu, vice chairman of Hopi Tribe and co-chairman of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, said in a statement.

Mathew Gross, spokesman for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, said the tribes' joining together on the issue was itself historic.

In the 110 years of the Antiquities Act, "it’s the first time that tribes have come together to ask the president to use the act on sacred sites on their behalf," he said. </s> VALPARAÍSO, Chile: Conservative billionaire Sebastian Piñera was sworn in Sunday to his second term as president of Chile, replacing socialist Michelle Bachelet in the office for the second time in eight years.

An emotional Bachelet helped Piñera put on the sash of office, gave him a kiss and then left Congress with members of her government.

Piñera, who was president from 2010-2014, has promised to stimulate growth and create jobs.

He made a strong call for national unity in his first speech, delivered from a balcony of the La Moneda presidential palace late Sunday, promising a “healthy culture of dialogue, agreements and collaboration.”

“We are committed to being a government of progress and solidarity, which will allow us, within eight years, to transform Chile into a developed country without poverty,” said Piñera, joined on the balcony by his wife Cecilia Morel.

The 68-year-old communications magnate is assuming the presidency just as Chile’s economy is showing signs of rebounding from a period of sluggish growth due to low prices for copper, the country’s biggest export.

“The good times are coming,” his supporters chanted after he was sworn in.

Bachelet was cheered by supporters as she capped a second term in office in which she saw through an ambitious package of reforms aimed at eliminating the institutional legacy of the 1973-1990 dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

Leaders from neighboring Latin American countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico and Peru—as well as the former king of Spain Juan Carlos—attended the inauguration ceremony at the congress in the coastal city of Valparaiso.

Later, the billionaire president chose a shelter for at-risk children in a depressed district of Santiago to announce his first measures as president, the reform of state protection for vulnerable children.

The new president called for a national agreement on the care of children, and said his new cabinet would for the first time include a minister for children.

He said some 1,313 minors had died in centers run by the National Service for Minors over the last decade. More than half the young people who pass through the state centers later become delinquents, according to Piñera.

The new president pledged to increase resources and subsidies to help tackle the problem.

In his speech at La Moneda, he also highlighted as a priority his quest for peace in the tense southern La Araucania region, the epicenter of a conflict with Mapuche indigenous communities.
Outgoing Chilean President Michelle Bachelet signs a new law which creates nine marine reserves. The new legislation will increase the area of sea under state protection from 4.3% to 42.4%.