Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Philippines, Peru lauded for child health progress

The Philippines and Peru are doing the best job of vaccinating children and treating them for critical diseases compared to other developing nations, Save the Children reported on Tuesday. With 84 percent of its children having these basic health needs unmet, Ethiopia placed on the bottom of the list in the report issued by the U.S.-based humanitarian group. (Reuters - click here to read complete article by Will Dunham)


Peru putting human rights at risk, groups say

President Alan Garcia is jeopardizing Peru's human rights gains in his drive to turn the economy into a regional powerhouse through free-market reforms, activists say. Garcia recently issued a decree that will make it easier to use the military to arrest protesters. He also called a respected human rights activist a traitor for saying the government was using the threat of terrorism to clamp down on protests. (Reuters - click here to read complete article by Jean Luis Arce and Terry Wade)


Peru Upgrade Follows Strong Growth

The investment grade of Peru by Fitch ratings follows years of solid growth. Peru, the seventh-largest economy in Latin America, was recently granted investment-grade status by Fitch Ratings. This action can be expected to be followed by the other two international rating agencies. Peru thus joins a very exclusive regional club, up to now only consisting of Chile and Mexico. (Latin Business Chronicle - click here to read complete article by Claudio Loser)


Massive cocaine bust in Peru

Peruvian police have found two tons of cocaine in a warehouse at the port of El Callao in Lima. The drugs had been hidden amongst bentonite, a clay used in the paper and metal-casting industries. Investigators said the shipment was about to be sent to Italy. (ITN - click here to read complete article)


Volcano in 1600 May Have Put World Into Deep Freeze

The effects of a massive volcanic eruption in Peru more than 400 years ago might have significantly impacted societies and agriculture world-wide, according to a new study of historic records. Huaynaputina erupted in southern Peru on Feb. 19, 1600, driving volcanic mudflows that destroyed villages for many miles around and spewing a huge column of smoke and ash into the atmosphere. (Fox News - click here to read complete article by Andrea Thompson)


Building digital life lines

"Mom, where are you calling from? Your voice is trembling, are you sure everything is alright?" These were the first words Carmen Hernandez heard after getting through to her son on the phone following the massive earthquake that struck Peru in August 2007. Mrs Hernandez lived in Pisco, where the quake hit hardest. (BBC News - click here to read complete article by Jonathan Fildes)