Now in it’s third year, World Challenge 2007, in association with Shell, is a global competition that seeks out projects and businesses that not only make a profit, but also put something back into the community. Brought to you by BBC World and Newsweek, it is all about rewarding individuals or groups that truly make a difference through enterprise and innovation at a grass roots level. The winner will receive a US$20,000 award from Shell to benefit their project, while two runners-up will each receive $10,000.
Category: "News"
The Amazon Desert
According to some of the climate change models that were reported on the news here some time ago, predictions were made that showed in as little as 50 years the Amazon could dry up to become an arid savannah. The dense tropical forests would be replaced open grassland, and eventually, desert.
Meteorite hits Peru, irradiates hundreds
Locals in towns south-east of the city of Puno, towards the Bolivian border reported seeing a orange-glowing object roar across the sky before plummeting into the earth creating a crater several metres wide. Despite this, and a small earthquake it caused, no-one was immediately hurt and it only became a concern when as many as 500 families, living in and near the town of Carancas where the meteorite hit, reported symptoms of possible radiation poisoning.
Vehicle inspections begin in Lima
It’s been more than 19 years since all forms of vehicle safety inspections were abandoned throughout Peru leading to thousands of unsafe cars, taxis and buses using the countries roads.
Earthquake: One week on
One week after the magnitude-8 earthquake that struck the Ica region, 25 miles off the coast of Chincha and Pisco, current reports have 513 down as killed, 1090 injured with 37,521 homes destroyed. With lots more rubble to clear and some Andean towns still to be visited, these numbers will almost certainly increase.
Adelaide Ramirez – Survivor’s Story
The video story of Adelaide Ramirez, who survived Peru’s deadly 2007 earthquake.
Patrimony destroyed by earthquake
The incompetent INC, that’s Peru’s Instituto Nacional de Cultura or National Institute of Culture, has once again found itself responsible for destroying Peru’s priceless heritage.
Not content with exploiting and destroying Machu Picchu, and despite the vast revenue way into the tens of millions of US dollars they pull in, they had housed precious artefacts in cheaply constructed museums that are not earthquake proof in Ica and Paracas.
Video footage of the earthquake and its aftermath
The first video is of the city of Pisco, now estimated to be 85% destroyed.
The second video is from the moment the earthquake struck in Lima, where I am.
The Aftermath, Earthquake hits Peru
It is Thursday night, 16th of August. At this time images and interviews have finally begun to be shown direct from the areas affected. The towns of Pisco, Paracas and Chincha are devastated. The majority of buildings seem to have collapsed – somehow, miraculously, only causing 510 confirmed deaths so far.
Roads are beginning to be opened south, and people are rushing south to find out what happened to their uncontactable families. At packed bus stations, those who live in the area or have family their that they are able to contact have in the majority been given bad news. There is anger also as the cost of tickets have been raised.
Large Earthquake hits all Peru
Two large earthquakes, in total lasting for two full minutes, have hit all Peru.
The movement began at 6:41pm where for a minute or so, at least here in Lima, it briefly stopped followed by a stronger movement that shattered windows and cracked walls across the city.
Hugo Chavez spreads his influence in Peru
It has been more than a year since the Government of Hugo Chavez attempted to sway the Peruvian election in his favour by providing support to his candidate Ollanta Humala. At a time when foreign investment in the mining industry was and still is carrying almost 50% of the economy the idea was to kick out these investors and nationalise the industry. When Chavez resorted to insulting Humala’s opponents on his marathon TV show this led Peru to cut diplomatic ties in protest. After some months, Chavez came close to apologising when he met with President Alan Garcia and ties were restored.
Pileta del Pisco
Peru’s national drink flowed from Lima’s 357 year old fountain in the Plaza de Armas today in honour of the country’s 186th anniversary of independence tomorrow. Where water flowed yesterday, pure Pisco spirit flowed today. To learn about Pisco, how it’s made and when and where it was invented, see here.
![The Peru Pishtacos [Featured]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/2754485823_cf1f1f1008_m.jpg)
![Peru celebrates Independence Day with fountain of booze [Featured]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/2697186491_f7a74ae0da_m.jpg)
