Living in Peru : your everyday companion

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Exactly 5,782 baby turtles of the species "taricaya" (Podocnemis unifilis) and 101 of type "charapa” variety (Podocnemis expanda) were released in the Purus National Park, in Ucayali, informed the Environment Ministry.

Park guards and the local indigenous population, joined efforts through the volunteer ranger program, and worked very hard during the months of July and August to collect eggs from 385 taricaya nests, as well as from 1 nest of “charapas.”

Thirteen indigenous communities participated in this project, along the Alto Purus and Curanja river basins. Sandbanks of incubation were reproduced in the primary and secondary educational institutions in Puerto Esperanza.

According to the technical staff and local indigenous communities, the natural population of turtles has been increasing due to these efforts, which began in 2000.

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LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

In a ceremony held yesterday at Association of Exporters (ADEX) at San Borja, the recycling forum was formed, and its members are the Ministry of  Environment, recycling workers associations, solid waste recycle companies, municipalities, the civil organization Ciudad Saludable, and the financial company Caja Nuestra Gente.

Albina Ruiz, executive manager of Ciudad Saludable, informed that Peru produces around 20,065 tons of domestic waste, of which 25% is reusable.

At present, only 15% of this is being recovered, and under inadequate conditions for  recycling workers and other people involved.

Representing the companies, ADEX President, Jose Luis Silva Martinot, said the formalization and association of recycling workers will allow for a direct deal with private companies, which will avoid intermediaries, thus allowing for more profit for recycling workers.

"Nowadays, Peru exports between 10 million and 12 million of PET products or plastic by-products, but it could be done in a better way, and with more profits," said Silva.

Vice-Minister of Environmental Management, Ana María González del Valle, stressed that the recycling campaign is one of the priorities in her sector and added that the regulations of recycling workers.

100,000 families are dependent on recycling activity, according to a study made by Ciudad Posible.

1,800 tons of garbage is the amount of waste they manipulate.

17 municipalities out of 43 hire landfills in Lima.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

The French hotel chain Accor is currently planning the construction of 10 to 15 hotels under the Novotel brand in several Peruvian locations (which would have presence especially in Chiclayo and Arequipa), as well as a new brand, Pullman, who would come to Lima, according to Semana Economica.

Also, by the end of 2010, Accor Ibis hotel will open in Miraflores, a brand that will be developed nationwide later in stores in Lima, Arequipa, Chiclayo and Piura.

After a meeting held with Peru’s President Alan Garcia at the Government Palace, Accor Chairman and CEO Gilles Pelisson said that the investment made by the group in Peru in Ibis and Novotel hotels, brands of Accor Group, represents US$32 million up to now.

They will also build another hotel in Cusco, with US$10 million more.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Another two international airlines are interested in using Peru as a hub for transit of passengers and cargo, because their executives think that the country's location is unique in Latin America, said Peru's Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MTC).

"Two major airlines have asked the MTC to asses the possibility of having a hub at Jorge Chavez International Airport," said Minister Enrique Cornejo.

Currently, Taca and Lan Chile have actually turned Lima into their center of interconnection of passengers with their  destinations.

"Jorge Chavez Airport and is already a hub, that is, that a significant amount of passengers arrive here in transit to other parts of the continent," Cornejo said.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Australian Stephanie Gilmore (21) was the high-scorer today as the Movistar Peru Classic presented by Rip Curl completed Round 1 of competition, netting the highest heat total of the day, a 14.44 out of a possible 20.

Peru's Sofia Mulanovich (26) was another standout today, and advanced directly to Round 3.

Brazilian Silvana Lima (25) survived a closely-fought Round 1 affair, edging past Australian Samantha Cornish (29), and wildcard Peruvian Anali Gomez (21).

While the top seeds took out five of the six Round 1 heats today, the big upset came in the opening affair of the round as current ASP Women's World No. 5, Melanie Bartels (HAW), 27, was relegated to the elimination Round 2 by an in-form Rebecca Woods (AUS), 25, and 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Alana Blanchard (HAW), 19.

Highlights from today's Movistar Peru Classic will be available via www.aspworldtour.com

(Condensed from Surf.co.nz)

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Peru is not only a "prophetic country " but also is the place chosen by aliens to communicate with humans, said today "brother" Antonio Cordova, leader of the group "Alpha and Omega," which believes in the existence of extraterrestrial life.

The Peruvian group, which doctrine blends Christianity, socialism, vegetarianism and beliefs in alien beings from another planets, has organized the Fourth International Congress of UFOlogy, which reportedly reunites in Lima "contactees and researchers from countries like Chile, Ecuador or Brazil."

"Brother" Antonio Cordova, says that Peru has always been a favorite spot for space aliens, and gives as an example the ruins of Caral, the oldest city in America; the Nazca Lines, huge drawings of animals visible only from the air; or the famous Machu Picchu citadel.

"Alpha and Omega," the largest Peruvian group that believes in extraterrestrial aliens, has hundreds of followers.

Their UFOlogy congress will end on November 8th, and lecturers will cover topics such as "the origin of extraterrestrial DNA" or alleged UFO sightings made by Chilean and Ecuadorian military members.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Every year 10,000 Peruvians die due to smoking tobacco, said to RadioProgramas del Peru (RPP) Alberto Saavedra, a member of the International Association of Medicine for Addictions.

According to him, over 80% of smokers in Peru began the habit during adolescence, at the age of 13 and 14 on average.

Regarding to the child population, 11% confirmed they had smoked a cigarette or more before age 10.

Saavedra also stressed that the country's male population addicted to cigarettes amounts to 577,000, while while women amount to 238,000.

He also mentioned that smoking causes 90% of lung cancer cases, 80% of larynx cancer cases and 76% of the esophageal cancer cases.

For his part, Dr. Alberto Matsuno, president of the Peruvian Society of Neumology, proposed as a solution to raise taxes on tobacco and other more drastic measures, since separate non-smoking rooms do not really protect people.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

The Chilean department stores Ripley, with twelve branches in Peru, are looking forward to open two or three more branches in 2010, and then  another two every year, informed the company.

According to a master plan announced on its web page, the company won't open any branches in Chile over the next two years, aiming to concentrate their efforts in the Peruvian market, where 55,2 million dollars are expected to be invested.

From that amount, US $12,4 million dollars will be invested in new branches in 2010, and a similar amount in 2011.

Moreover, another US $16,4 million will be used for restoration of present branches and US $14 million for hiring new technologies.

Chiclayo is the city chosen for the new store to open at the end of present year.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Police captured two suspects who could be related to the death of young accountant Maria Paola Vargas Ortiz, who died two weeks ago.

According to a RPP Noticias information, the Police has detained two members of "Aguante" from Surco, a group of supporters of Universitario de Deportes at Trinchera Norte.

Ronny Ramos Pérez, aka "Bolón" a member of this group, has been accused of pushing her out of the bus, with the aim of stealing her iPod and cell phone.

National Police hasn't revealed the identity of these individuals aiming not to disturb the investigations.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigation is looking forward the capture of 'Bolon', who has time until Friday noon to go to the police to answer the accusations made against him.

Meanwhile, lawyer Manuel Frisancho has asked Defensoría del Pueblo and the Archbishopric of Lima for guarantees for his client, because he is afraid Ramos could be taken under arrest as soon as he goes to the police.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.