Daily Headlines: May 13, 2013

* Brazil: An Associated Press analysis concluded that Brazilian-made cars are “dangerous” since they’re made with materials of inferior quality and a lack of safety features.

* Guatemala: Several hundred supporters of ex-dictator Efrain Rios Montt gathered outside a Guatemalan military prison and protested his conviction on Friday on genocide charges.

* U.S.: Sesame Street will add a new Latino, Spanish-speaking character named Armando for the upcoming 44th season of the classic children's TV series.

* Mexico: According to a recently released report the number of homicides related to organized crime dropped 18% during the first five months of President Enrique Peña Nieto’s administration.

Video Source – YouTube via user autobr

Online Sources- LAHT; New York Daily News; Huffington Post; Boston.com; The Latin Americanist

Daily Headlines: June 1, 2012

* Honduras: Ten people were arrested this week in the murder of journalist Alfredo Villatoro, the twenty-fourth member of the media killed in Honduras over the past three years.

* Ecuador: Lawyers for Ecuadorian plaintiffs in a multibillion-dollar environmental damages lawsuit against Chevron have filed legal briefs against the oil firm in Canada.

* Cuba: Is music from “Sesame Street” being used to punish detainees at the U.S.-run military prison at Guantanamo Bay?

* Venezuela: Venezuela is the least competitive country for business according to a survey by the IMD business school.

Video Source – YouTube via videosproceso (The funeral for Honduran journalist Alfredo Villatoro was held last month in Tegucigalpa).

Online Sources- GlobalPost, Houston Chronicle, Huffington Post, BusinessWeek

Today’s Video: Viva Italia

On previous Columbus Days we've pondered whether the day ought to be renamed for a different Italian explorer with a less checkered past than Christopher Columbus. Ultimately, however, today is really an occasion in which to celebrate the rich Italian culture and the many contributions Italian migrants have brought to the U.S. and other parts of the Americas.

On a lighter note, here is the following Columbus Day-themed video from a vintage episode of "Sesame Street":

Video Source - YouTube user sawing14s

Online Sources - The Latin Americanist, Migration Information Source

Today’s Video: Sponsored by the number "cuarenta y uno"

We'll resume our regular posts tomorrow on several news stories including the latest mining drama out of Chile and whether a Colombian proposal is discriminatory against gays.

In the meantime, did you know that today is the 41st-anniversary of the premiere episode of "Sesame Street"? In recognition of the pioneering kids show is the following video that we've featured twice before on this blog (and just so happens to be a personal favorite of mine) - Grover as the flamenco-dancing waiter:

Online Source - history.com
Video Source - YouTube

Today's Video: Flamenco Grover never gets old!

In recognition of the fortieth season of "Sesame Street" here's the charming Grover as a waiter peeving off Fat Blue for the umpteenth time:

I said it before and I'll say it again -"I prefer the uno with tostones and congri, thanks."

Online Sources - YouTube, ABC News, The Latin Americanist

Sesame Street not sponsored by the letters G, O, P

Actress Sonia Manzano- best known as Maria on “Sesame Street”- penned an opinion piece on the presidential campaign in today’s El Diario/La Prensa.

In an article entitled “The Struggle of Families” Manzano argued in favor of Barack Obama’s candidacy for the U.S. presidency. Writing that she had to “take a break from teaching Elmo how to count in Spanish”, the actress of Puerto Rican background claimed that the Republican campaign “becomes more and more against children and families.” She concluded with the following endorsement:

The complex world we live in needs intelligent men like Obama, not irrational mavericks like McCain. Obama will make health Insurance work for people -- not insurance and drug companies, and he will protect home ownership. A sign of civilization is how it takes care of its youngest citizens. Vote for yourself. Vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

New York’s main Spanish-language daily endorsed Obama’s candidacy though today’s edition also featured a pro-McCain opinion article. In “Why Latinas support John McCain”, the author contended that McCain is the better candidate in terms of areas like education, taxes, and “family values.” The article goes on to support McCain’s gestures towards Latin America on topics like free trade and immigration.

Image- Library of Congress
Sources (English)- imdb.com, Vivirlatino
Sources (Spanish)- El Diario/La Prensa

Today’s Video: Bert and Ernie talk politics

It’s silly.

It’s juvenile.

It has no direct relation to Latin American affairs.

Yet it’s funny:

For the record, I’m not gung-ho on any of the presidential candidates.

(Hat tip: Wonkette).

Sources- Wonkette, YouTube

Video of the Day: “Granadaaaaaa!”

Let’s sing the chorus together:

“Granadaaaaaa!

Granada, Cadiz, Sevilla.

Red butter is called mantequilla.

You’re treated so fine

When you come here and dine

I’m already lucky to see ya.

Olé! Olé! Olé! Olé!”

(Video link):

By the way, I prefer the uno with tostones and congri, thanks.

Source- YouTube

Video of the Day: Kermit and Columbus

Later today we'll delve into the controversy surrounding honoring Christopher Columbus with his own holiday including which historical figures may be more deserving of the honor.

In the meantime, we have a quasi-exclusive video of Columbus departing from Spain (video link):

Amazing how one could find a talking frog with a microphone in 15th-century Spain, huh?

Sources- Vivirlatino, YouTube