Stories for August 29th 2005
Ozone layer hole over Antarctica growing
The winter hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica appears to have grown from last year but is still smaller than in 2003, when it was at its largest, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said on Tuesday.
Pemex, leading oil company in the Americas
Mexico government owned Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) is the world's third-largest oil company in terms of production, and Mexico ranks sixth among oil producing countries, according to the company's 2005 statistical report.
Argentina-Chile standing joint force for peace operations
The Chilean and Argentine Armed Forces are considering the creation of a standing combined force for peace operations with a joint command, announced Chilean Defence minister Jaime Ravinet who is hosting his Argentine counterpart Jose Pampuro.
Freedom of Gosport for Falklands Veterans
A hundred and fifty Falklands veterans returned last Wednesday (Aug 24) to Gosport. This is the town on the western side of Portsmouth Harbour, from where many Task Force ships sailed in 1982 to liberate the Falklands.
A quarter of US adult population obese
In ten states of the Union, 25% of the adult population is described as obese, according to a report from the non government organization, Trust for America's Health, which claims the President George Bush is doing very little to revert the epidemics situation.
Brazilian farms feeling impact of political crisis
Obtaining funds to alleviate Brazil's farming sector of its growing indebtness has turned into an uphill race because of the political crisis, admitted this week Brazilian Agriculture minister Roberto Rodrigues.
Twenty million Chileans by 2050
The Chilean population is set to keep growing at least until 2030 and possibly 2050, when it is expected to reach in excess of 20 million according to a Vital Statistics (deaths and births) report released by the country's Institute of Statistics.
Chavez offers poor US residents cheap heating oil
Venezuela will offer heating fuel to United States poor residents at a 40% discount off the going market rate as well as 150,000 eye surgeries, announced President Hugo Chavez on Sunday
Santiago flooded and a cold front with snow
After 70 millimeters of intense rainfall in just 24 hours followed by extensive flooding in the metropolitan area, eastern Santiago, next to the Andes, was exposed on Sunday to hail and then snow for the enjoyment of children unused to such a climatic phenomenon.
Duhalde, head of Mercosur Committee until December
Eduardo Duhalde will continue as head of the Mercosur Standing Representatives Committee until December 26 and will not be involved in the “cheap politics and accusations” of the current Argentine mid term electioneering, revealed a close aide of the former Argentine caretaker president.
