A moderate earthquake measuring struck near the coast of Venezuela Friday, the US Geological Survey said, just three days after massive quake devastated Haiti.
NASA's considerable Earth-observing and data analysis and distribution capabilities have been mobilized to provide information to support disaster recovery efforts in Haiti after the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is appealing to the international community for 550 million US dollar to meet Haitian earthquake victims' most urgent needs. Some three million people have been affected by the quake and Red Cross officials estimate the death toll at 45,000 to 50,000. Right now, the most important priority is to get water, food and tents to the survivors.
Rescuers dug out 23 survivors out of the rubble of the biggest hotel in Haiti's capital, which collapsed in this week's quake, the head of a Chilean team at the site said Friday.
The Red Cross estimates 45,000-50,000 people have died in Haiti's devastating earthquake, as rescue teams race against time to find survivors. The US is sending up to 3,500 troops and 2,200 marines but correspondents say aid is so far only trickling in.
Seismologists have known for years that a devastating earthquake was likely to hit Haiti. They just did not know when. Although Tuesday’s devastation was wreaked by the most severe quake to hit Port-au-Prince since 1751, the island has been the victim of major seismic activity several times since.
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez cancelled energy rationing in Caracas after a chaotic first day of staggered blackouts angered his supporters, but the measures will continue across the country.
Haitian President Rene Preval has said thousands of people are feared dead following a huge quake which has devastated the country's capital. Mr Preval said the UN mission chief in Haiti was among the dead. It said at least 14 other UN staff had died and 56 were injured.
Uruguay’s inflation in 2009 was on target, 5.9%, but nevertheless it was the highest in Latinamerica behind Venezuela, Jamaica and Argentina, according to data from Uruguay’s central bank. Overall the global slowdown impacted on the region with lower inflation rates.
With only four days left for the Chilean presidential election run-off next Sunday the former independent hopeful Marco Enriquez-Ominami, MEO, publicly announced his support for incumbent candidate Eduardo Frei, although not mentioning his name once.