Daily Headlines: December 1, 2008

* Brazil: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was one of numerous global leaders who condemned last week’s heinous attacks in Mumbai, India.

* Chile: Adios to Chilean soccer star Marcelo Salas who called it quits on Friday after a successful fifteen-year career.

* Ecuador: Is this a good idea? - Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa will make an official visit to Iran this week.

* Nicaragua: First the Sandinista government gets blasted for alleged electoral wrongdoing. Now they’ve had diplomatic relations with Georgia cut off over the Caucasus conflict.

Image- Los Angeles Times (“An Indian soldier stands guard outside the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel following an armed siege in Mumbai, India.”)
Sources- The Latin Americanist, Xinhua, Canadian Press, Monsters & Critics

Video of the Day: The return of “El Matador” Salas

South American teams played their third round of World Cup qualifiers this past weekend with one of the most interesting themes being the rebirth of two veterans: Argentine Juan Roman Riquelme and Chile’s Marcelo Salas. Riquelme continued his marvelous comeback with a pair of wonderful goals (including this beauty) in a 3-0 win over Bolivia.

However, it is Salas who we want to focus on in today’s VOTD; the 32-year-old striker returned from a two year absence with the national side to score twice and help Chile obtain a 2-2 draw away at Uruguay. Below is video from Chilean TV of Salas’ palomita goal which came after a pinpoint accurate cross from teammate Carlos Villanueva.

(Video link):

In other matches over the weekend:

• Luis Fernando Suarez resigned as coach of Ecuador after suffering an embarrassing 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Paraguay.
• Brazil has not won away to Peru since 2000; that streak continued after Sunday’s 1-1 tie in Lima.
• Ruben Dario Bustos’ free kick blast with eight minutes left was enough for Colombia to beat Venezuela by 1-0.

Sources- Wikipedia, The Latin Americanist, CNN, YouTube, Xinhua, International Herald Tribune, FOX Sports, Goal.com