Stories for September 16th 2010

Thursday, September 16th 2010 - 22:57 UTC
Poverty rate and number of millionaires in the US soaring

The poverty rate in the United States rose for the third straight year, reading 14.3% in 2009 (one in seven), up from 13.2% a year earlier. More than 43 million people are living in poverty and almost 51 million have no health insurance coverage.
Thursday, September 16th 2010 - 21:50 UTC
Activists show evidence of whale meat trade in the Faroe Islands

For the first time animal activists have shown evidence that an open and a black market in whale meat exists on the Faroe Islands. The animal protection activists Andreas Morlok (Project Whale Protection Action – ProWal) and Juergen Ortmueller (Whale and Dolphin-Protection-Forum – WDSF) (*) discovered on these islands, under the pretext of being anglers, that the pilot whale hunt nowadays has nothing to do with the old traditions which the hunters claim to be following.
Thursday, September 16th 2010 - 21:27 UTC
Efforts to protect ozone layer from depletion have been successful, says UN

International efforts to protect the ozone layer shielding life on Earth from harmful levels of ultraviolet rays have stopped additional ozone losses, potentially averting scores of millions of cases of skin cancer and eye cataracts, according to a new United Nations report released today.
Thursday, September 16th 2010 - 21:25 UTC
Distribution of land deeds among locals defuses conflict in Chile’s Easter Island

Chile’s Interior Ministry Undersecretary Rodrigo Ubilla announced this week that more than 30 Easter Island title deeds will be delivered to Rapa Nui families within the next 60 days.
Thursday, September 16th 2010 - 21:07 UTC
Per capita fish consumption in Brazil increased 40% from 2003 to 2009

Brazilians have increased their annual fish consumption by almost 40% between 2003 and 2009, from 6.46 kilos to 9.03 kg per capita, according to a report from the country’s Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA).
Thursday, September 16th 2010 - 18:35 UTC
Brazil’s presidential candidate Rousseff seems immune to corruption allegations

President Lula da Silva's chief of staff Erenice Guerra resigned over a corruption scandal that the opposition is trying to use to derail his candidate in next month's presidential election.
Thursday, September 16th 2010 - 09:13 UTC
Fisheries and support sectors generate USD 240 billion worldwide

For the first time in history, a new study has been released which evaluates the income of all direct and indirect industries linked to fishing.
Thursday, September 16th 2010 - 05:20 UTC
EU fully committed to reach a free trade agreement with Mercosur

The European Union remains fully committed to reach a free trade agreement with Mercosur said Geoffrey Barrett head of the EU delegation in Uruguay and Paraguay, during a EU sponsored conference in Asunción.
Thursday, September 16th 2010 - 05:15 UTC
Uruguayan economy expands 9.8% in first half over last year

The Uruguayan economy continues to expand strongly having advanced 2.3% in the second quarter over the first quarter and 10.4% compared to a year ago and 9.8% over the fist half of 2009, according to the latest release from the Central Bank.
Thursday, September 16th 2010 - 05:10 UTC
Chile’s first Antarctic base declared National Historical Monument

Chile’s National Monuments Council has unanimously declared Chile’s Arturo Prat research base naval in Antarctica a National Historical Monument. Their decision was based on the historic strategic value of the base and its functional construction for extreme weather conditions.