Daily Headlines: January 21, 2009

* Brazil: Despite being offered $139 million to leave A.C. Milan for Manchester City, Brazilian midfielder Kaká opted to stay put at the Italian club.

* Nicaragua: Days after his money laundering conviction was overturned ex-President Arnoldo Aleman said that he wants to run for the presidency.

* Mexico: Police found three suspected drug smuggling tunnels below the U.S.-Mexico border.

* Venezuela: According to the Los Angeles Times, Venezuelan indigenous leaders claim that Colombian guerillas cross the border and “live openly on or near several Indian reservations”.

Image- The Telegraph
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, Los Angeles Times, MSNBC, Sports Network, AP

Kaká to depart for Man City?

His birth name is Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite but to futbol aficionados he is best known by the moniker of Kaká. The lanky Brazilian is a superstar and was a finalist in the 2008 Player of the Year vote. (He won that honor in 2007).

For the past five years, the midfielder has played his trade for Italian powerhouse A.C. Milan and signed a contract extension with them last February. In the past few weeks rumors have grown that he will bolt Italy for a Manchester team. But if you think he’s leaving for reigning European and world champions Manchester United then think again:

Manchester City have rejected claims that they have signed Brazilian superstar Kaka.

Reports have emerged in the United Arab Emirates this afternoon stating that the 26-year-old AC Milan star has agreed to join City during the current transfer window.

But City have been quick to dismiss the story, citing its origin as the same source that claimed yesterday morning that the deal was off.

Kaká’s transfer fee would reportedly be the world’s largest should he depart to England. That would pay for a lot of “I Belong to Jesus” t-shirts.

Image- sportinglife.com (Kaká would belong to Jesus and Manchester City’s Arab owners should he be transferred from A.C. Milan).
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, Guardian UK, The Independent, Wikipedia, Sky News