Daily Headlines: March 7, 2014

* South Africa: Brazil may have romped South Africa 5-0 in an international soccer friendly on Wednesday but the big winner was a five-year-old boy who entered the field and received a warm reception from the verdeamarela players.

* U.S.: Florida’s Supreme Court ruled against granting undocumented immigrants licenses to practice law in a case whose plaintiff entered the U.S. from Mexico at the age of nine, and later graduated from law school and passed the state bar exam.

* Colombia: Famous Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez celebrated his 87th birthday by greeting journalists and well-wishers outside of his Mexico City residence.

* Nicaragua: Senior Nicaraguan government officials denied rumors that Russia would build a military base in the Central American country.

Video Source – YouTube user Neymar Junior
 
Online Sources - Huffington Post; Russia & India Report; seattlepi.com; Fox News Latino

Latin American Leaders Pay Tribute to Mandela

Former South African president, anti-apartheid activist and humanitarian Nelson Mandela died on Thursday at the age of 95.

“Our nation has lost its greatest son,” current South African leader Jacob Zuma said in a televised speech announcing the death of the man his followers referred to as Madiba.

Numerous Latin American heads of state joined in the countless number of tribunes to Mandela who passed away after a lengthy illness.
“Humanity has lost a tireless fighter for peace, liberty and equality.  Rest in peace Nelson Mandela,” declared Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto via Twitter.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff praised Mandela as the “greatest figure of the twentieth century” and “a warrior who transformed the paradigm not only for the African continent” but for the entire world.
 
“Nine months after the death of our commander (former Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez) another Giant of the Global Community has left us,” tweeted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro who also declared three days of mourning.  (A statement from the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable praised Mandela as “an example, guide and inspiration for all those who want to live in freedom and peace.”)  

Maduro’s Nicaraguan counterpart, Daniel Ortega, also declared three days of mourning and added, “We know that his legacy will prevail, and that his life will continue to inspire those who believe that a better world is possible.”  Juan Orlando Hernández, the recent president-elect of neighboring Honduras, said that he was “highly moved by the death of Nelson Mandela.”

“We deeply regret the death of Nelson Mandela.  His legacy serves as our guide to attain peace,” tweeted Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in reference to his government’s negotiations with the FARC guerillas.  (Santos’ predecessor Álvaro Uribe also referred to the discussions when he tweeted “Mandela vindicated democratic rights in contrast to the narcoterrorists who destroy them.”)

London Calling: Alan's Golden Sprint

On Saturday and Sunday numerous Latin American athletes including Argentine judo competitor Jorge Lencina and Mexican weightlifter Amalia Pérez captured medals at the London Paralympics.  But the most noteworthy result from the weekend took place in front of 80,000 spectators at the Olympic Stadium.

Brazilian sprinter Alan Oliveira won the gold medal T43/44 men's 200-meter event with a blistering time of 21.45 seconds.  His victory was by a razor-thin 0.07 seconds ahead of South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius who last month became the first amputee runner to compete at the Olympics:
  
Sadly, Olivera’s win came under controversy after the race when a disappointed Pistorius criticized the length of the Brazilian’s artificial legs or blades.

“You can't compete on stride length. You saw how far (Alan) came back so, you know what, we're not racing a fair race here, but I gave my best on a great night,” said Pistorius on Sunday night.

Oliveira to his immense credit took the comments by his “idol” in stride:

De Musica Ligera: Sugar Man of Steel

This year’s version of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York started one week ago today and will end this Sunday. One of the most focused upon news stories of the event has been the disappearance (and possible defection) of two Cuban actors who starred in a “One Night,” a film featured in Tribeca about Cuban migrants journeying to the U.S.

Among the films in Tribeca focusing on Latinos and Latin America is “Searching for Sugar Man” a documentary on the Mexican-American folk singer simply known as Rodriguez.

Rodriguez may not be a household name in the country of his birth, yet his soulful and politically-conscious music of the 1970s made an impact in numerous nations thousands of miles away. One of these countries was South Africa where his songs resonated with a younger generation opposed to Apartheid and the government’s authoritarianism.

Though Rodriguez was a superstar in South Africa he was unaware that he gained such a status. Thus, an urban legend grew amongst his fans in that country where it as rumored that he committed suicide by going onstage and either lighting himself on fire or shooting himself in the head.

“Searching for Sugar Man” follows two of his South African fans determined to find out the true fate of their musical hero. This brief clip from the documentary provides a glimpse at how Rodriguez’ music taught thousands of South Africans that it was “okay to protest against society”:

“Searching for Sugar Man” will be screened this Friday night at the Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 7 in New York City.

The film is planned for release in New York and Los Angeles on July 27, with more cities to follow.

(Hat tip: Brooklyn Vegan, which also reveals if the urban legend on Rodriguez’ death is true or not).

Video Source – YouTube via MovieclipsCOMINGSOON

Online Sources – Official websites for the Tribeca Film Festival and “Searching for Sugar Man”, Brooklyn Vegan

World Watch: Commemorating World AIDS Day

* World: A United Nations report released on the eve of World AIDS Day concluded that the world is "finally in a position to end the epidemic" but more funding is needed from global donors.

* U.S.: The results of a new HIV treatment on lab mice could be key in developing a vaccine against the disease.

* South Africa: President Jacob Zuma launched a National Strategic Plan to promote AIDS prevention and slash the number of new HIV infections at least by half.

* China: According to the state press, about 780,000 people in China will be infected by AIDS by the end of 2011 including approximately 48,000 new cases in this year alone.

Video Source – YouTube via euronews

Online Sources- Voice of America, CBS News, Reuters, NPR

World Watch: Visa denied

* South Africa: Much to the chagrin of Bishop Desmond Tutu the Dalai Lama cancelled his planned trip to South Africa due to visa problems.

* Saudi Arabia: Officials blamed a “foreign country” for provoking unrest amid growing protests in eastern Saudi Arabia.

* Syria: Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would’ve placed sanctions against Syria.

* Italy: In the latest blow to the European economy Moody’s slashed the Italian government’s credit rating.

Video Source – euronews via YouTube (“Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has had to cancel a trip to South Africa because his visa didn't arrive in time.”)

Online Sources- Voice of America, CNN, MSNBC, BBC News

World Watch: Deadline

* Libya: Rebels gave besieged leader Muammar Gaddafi a deadline of the Saturday to "peacefully surrender."

* Asia: The Food and Agriculture Organization warned of a possible resurgence of the H5N1 avian flu virus in several Asian nations.

* South Africa: Police in Johannesburg clashed with backers of Julius Malema, the head of the African National Congress' youth wing.

* India: A court ordered the postponement of the execution of three people convicted of participating in the 1991 assassination of ex-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Image Source - AP via MSNBC ("Libyan rebel fighters prepare to patrol the village of Heisha on Tuesday.")
Online Source - BBC News, Al Jazeera English, Sydney Morning Herald, CNN

Aristede arrives in Haiti after exile (Updated)

Update (12:00 pm): From the AP (via NPR):

Former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide returned home from seven years in exile to a celebrity welcome Friday, mobbed by close allies and journalists outside his private plane before being hustled into an airport VIP lounge as crowds of supporters rallied in the streets outside the terminal.

Aristide waved and blew a kiss to the small crowd at the runway, then began to deliver a speech in which he thanked his chanting, jubilant supporters. His wife, Mildred, wept.

"This man is our father, without him we haven't lived,'" said 31-year-old Sainvil Petit-Frere, one of about 3,000 cheering and chanting supporters in a quickly growing crowd. "This is the doctor who will heal the country.'"

Update (10:30 am): According to the AP a plane carrying ex-president Jean-Bertrand Aristede and has family landed safely minutes ago in Haiti.

Former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide is on his way back to the Caribbean country according to several news reports.

Aristide, who was exiled after a 2004 uprising, boarded a plane in the South African city of Johannesburg along with "his wife, Mildred, their two daughters and U.S. actor and political activist Danny Glover, The Associated Press reported." He departed on Thursday night and is scheduled to arrive in Haiti around noon local time.

As we mentioned on Tuesday, Aristide's return to Haiti was opposed by U.S. diplomats who worry that his arrival could destabilize Sunday's presidential runoff election. Indeed, it has been reported that U.S. President Barack Obama called his South African counterpart, Jacob Zuma, and urged him to prevent Aristide from leaving. (South African officials previously said that they could not stop him from returning to Haiti).

Despite being out of power for nearly seven years Aristide still has some popular support in Haiti. (Thousands of his backers last month marched in Port-au-Prince and called for his return). Yet he may suffer a similar fate as recently returned ex-strongman Jean-Claude Duvalier who may be formally charged with human rights abuses. Aristide could face criminal charges according to the Miami Herald's website:

Following his ouster, Haiti’s U.S.-backed interim government issued four blistering reports from two government investigative commissions, including one led by Haiti’s current Minister of Justice Paul Denis. The reports alleged that Aristide had embezzled more than $20 million of his country’s meager public funds for the benefit of his private charities, his political party and several private firms that existed only on paper. But the investigations stalled. His lawyers have always denied the allegations.

In a news conference shortly before he left, Aristide wished "a prosperous life and all the best" to his South African followers. It remains to be seen if "prosperity" awaits Aristide after he arrives in Haiti on Friday.

Online Sources - Seattle Times, The Latin Americanist, Reuters, MiamiHerald.com, BBC News, CBC News, Democracy Now
Image Source - Ramon Espinosa/AP via The Guardian ("Jean-Bertrand Aristide's picture is held up by a demonstrator protesting against Haiti's President René Préval.")

World Watch: In limbo

* Canada: Detention hearings began for nearly 500 Tamil migrants seeking refuge in Canada.

* Australia: With days left to go in national elections a recent poll showed a slim lead for the ruling Labor Party and Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

* South Africa: Thousands of government workers have gone on strike seeking a pay raise of about 8.5%.

* China: In the latest tragedy to hit flood-ravaged areas of China at least 67 people are missing after a landslide slid through a mountain town.

Image – CBC (“A translator and lawyers representing the federal government and Tamil migrants sit before an immigration adjudicator in Vancouver.”)
Online Sources- MSNBC, Reuters, CNN, CTV, Bloomberg

World Watch: From Yellow to black

* China: An emergency cleanup operation has been launched in order to contain over 11,000 barrels of crude oil that has spilled into the Yellow Sea.

* U.K.: BP’s alleged role in release of convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi will reportedly be one of the main topics to be discussed during British Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit to the White House.

* South Africa: A three-year study conducted in South Africa found that an experimental vaginal gel cuts the HIV infection rates in 889 women by 50%.

* India: At least 61 people died and nearly 100 were injured after a pair of express trains collided in the eastern part of the country.

Image – MSNBC (“Oil covers the Yellow Sea coast near Dalian, China, on Monday.”)
Online Sources- MSNBC, Xinhua, Reuters, BBC News

World Cup Review: Fabulous “furia”

After Spain played sloppily and lost its first World Cup group game against Switzerland it appeared as if they would once again fall short of their ultimate goal. Six victories later, however, Spain sits on top of the soccer world after winning the sport’s ultimate prize.

“La Furia Roja” captured the crown on Sunday over the Netherlands with a lone goal by Andres Iniesta in the 116th minute of play. Iniesta’s strike came with minutes left to spare in extra time in a game marked by rough play from both sides. Despite a match that included a World Cup finals record fourteen yellow cards the result was a well-deserved reward for a so-called “golden generation” of player including Iniesta, David Villa, Sergio Ramos, and Iker Casillas.

Spain’s first-ever World Cup title will be celebrated later today with a parade through the streets of Madrid. Hundreds of thousands of revelers including some who likely partied all through the night after watching the title game outdoors are expected to give a hero’s welcome to their champion squad:

The Guardian’s Richard Williams described the third-place game between Germany and Uruguay as “a match far worthier to be called a final.” Perhaps he may be right after a thrilling 3-2 German victory where Uruguay fought valiantly throughout the entire match. Goals came from Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan with the latter nearly tying the game but his last-gasp shot ricocheted off the crossbar.

Whether Uruguay can carry its overachievement in this World Cup into qualifying for Brazil 2014 remains to be seen. For now, however, we should celebrate Uruguay’s great role as the sole Latin American side to reach the semis in this tournament. The international press selected Forlan as the best player of the World Cup; thus, a fitting end to a great Uruguayan run in South Africa.

Online Sources- Too many to individually list

World Watch: Madiba in mourning

* South Africa: We’ll have more detailed coverage tomorrow of the first day’s action in the 2010 World Cup. Despite the great celebrations throughout South Africa, Nelson Mandela mourned in private the tragic death of his great-granddaughter.

* Myanmar: The government denied allegations from defectors claiming that the state is developing a nuclear arms program.

* U.S.: Exactly how large is the BP oil spill? It depends on which expert you ask.

* Kyrgyzstan: At least 46 people were killed as a result of “ethnic riots” occurring in the southern part of the country.

Image – AFP (“Zenani Mandela (in green) was on her way back from a spectacular eve of tournament concert in Soweto” when she was killed allegedly by a drunk driver).
Online Sources- ABC News, BBC News, MSNBC, Reuters

World Watch: Irritable Iranian

* Iran: How did Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad react to the U.N. sanctions passed today? By comparing them to “a used handkerchief that should be thrown in the waste bin.”

* Middle East: U.S. President Barack Obama pledged $400 million in development aid to Gaza while also opening the possibility for peace talks with Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

* South Africa: Local health groups denounced soccer governing FIFA for supposedly “blocking condom and safe-sex information distribution” at World Cup venues.

* North Korea: In a letter to the U.N. North Korean officials denied that their military sank a South Korean warship in March.

Image – The Guardian
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, Christian Science Monitor, MSNBC, CNN, BBC News

Argentine “hooligans” deported from South Africa

Some of the main criticisms against South Africa in the run-up to the World Cup is rampant crime and possible security problems at venues. Sunday’s stampede in Makhulong stadium did little to dissuade those fears yet authorities are not taking any chances regarding potentially violent fans from other countries.

On the same day as the aforementioned stampede immigration officials detained as many as ten Argentine fans who authorities claimed to be “soccer hooligans”. "Intelligence indicated that these persons would commit acts of public disorder, engage in acts of violence and provoke conflict with certain fans of opponent teams and other groups from Argentina during the 2010 FIFA World Cup," said a statement from the South African police. Of the ten arrested (and soon-to-be deported) Argentines caught at Johannesburg's main airport was one man reportedly freed on bail for murder.

The Argentine squad-who we predicted would make it to the championship match- is under very tight security at the camp at the University of Pretoria. Over 200 security agents guard the team’s camp and only a very limited number of guests (“select schools and local dignitaries”) are permitted to visit los albicelestes.

In addition, Argentine police worked with their South African counterparts in order to ensure that rowdy fans from the infamous barras bravas are kept far away from the World Cup matches:

“We searched their rooms, took their photos, and asked them how much money they carried. Since they did not have tickets to Argentina matches we warned them that they are not to be within one kilometer of the stadium. We then left and wished them a safe stay in South Africa,” said Argentine Federal Police commissar Hugo Lompisano. – [ed. Translated text]

South African police have also kept a close eye on potential rabble-rousers from other countries like England.

The World Cup starts this Friday with the host country playing Mexico, followed by Uruguay versus France. Argentina commences their quest for a fourth title with a group match against Nigeria this Saturday.

Image- The Telegraph
Online Sources- AP, The Latin Americanist, The Guardian, World Cup Blog, Reuters, Clarin, Christian Science Monitor, BBC Sport

Today’s Video: Shakira non grata?

On Monday we'll discuss today's May Day marches in the U.S. and throughout the Americas.

For now we'll leave you with the apparent controversy over the official World Cup anthem by South African band Freshlyground and Colombia's Shakira. "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" has been both praised and criticized in South Africa where the World Cup will be held this June. Though I believe that the song is cheesy and an odd choice as an anthem, I won't go as far as one young lady who called on President Jacob Zuma to somehow intervene:

Online Sources- CBC, The Latin Americanist, YouTube

World Watch: Still mourning in Poland

* Poland: Investigators are leaning towards human error as the cause of Saturday’s plane crash that killed 95 people including Polish president Lech Kaczynski and “dozens of Polish political, military and religious leaders.”

* Ukraine: According to White House officials Ukraine pledged to get rid of its stockpile of weapons-grade nuclear material.

* Thailand: The goal of anti-government “Red Shirt” protestors to hold new national elections is closer to becoming a reality.

* South Africa: The murder of white supremacist Eugene Terreblanche has taken a turn towards the weird.

Image – The Telegraph (“A Russian serviceman stands guard near the engine of the crashed Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft.”)
Online Sources- Al Jazeera English, BBC News, MSNBC, CBS News

Weekend World Watch: Mourning in Poland

* Poland: A national week of mourning has been declared in the wake of a Saturday plane crash that killed President Lech Kaczynski, his wife, and 95 others.

* Thailand: At least fifteen protestors died in Bangkok during clashes between police and anti-government protestors.

* U.S.: The death toll rose to 29 due to a West Virginia mine explosion described as the worst coal mining accident in forty years.

* South Africa: The funeral was held for infamous white supremacist leader Eugene Terreblanche who was killed in a pay dispute with two of his workers.

Image – Los Angeles Times (“Mourners stand amid a flood of candles and flowers outside the presidential palace in Warsaw.”)
Online Sources- MSNBC, BBC News, CNN, Voice of America

Weekend World Watch: Seven and fifty

* World: Marches were held around the U.S. on Saturday in protest of the seventh anniversary of the military invasion of Iraq while South Africans are preparing to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre.

* Europe: Outrage over sex abuse scandals in countries like Ireland and Germany continue to put pressure on Pope Benedict XVI.

* Russia: Approximately fifty rallies were held nationwide as part of a "Day of Anger" against the Russian government’s economic policies.

* France: French officials have egg on their face after mistaking five Catalan firefighters on vacation for a group of ETA separatists.

Image – Guardian UK (“The day that changed the course of South African history: on 21 March 1960, police opened fire on thousands of unarmed protesters, killing 69 people. The massacre sparked decades of armed struggle and forced the world to confront apartheid Photograph: Corbis.”)
Online Sources- Washington Post, BBC News, Times Online, Reuters, New York Times

World Watch: 20 years later

* South Africa: Celebrations including a reenactment walk through the gates of Drakenstein prison were held on the twentieth anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s freeing from jail.

* U.S.: Ex-Bill Clinton was reported to be “in good spirits” after being hospitalized in New York to undergo a heart procedure.

* Iran: The country’s Revolution Day was commemorated by the government but also condemned by detractors including a few hundred protestors in Tehran.

* U.K.: British fashion designer Alexander McQueen died of an apparent suicide at the age of 40.

Image – Sky News (“Nelson and Winnie Mandela, on his first day of freedom” twenty years ago.)
Online Sources- Al Jazeera English, CNN, Times Online, BBC News

World Watch: Rising sun

* Asia: U.S. president Barack Obama declared that his country will pursue a “renewed engagement with Asia Pacific nations” but warned countries like China and Myanmar to improve their respective human rights situations.

* Europe: The E.U. has emerged from its worst recession in decades though some countries are still languishing economically according to data released yesterday.

* Pakistan: At least sixteen people died after suicide bombers attacked two locations including the regional headquarters of Pakistan’s intelligence agency.

* South Africa: President Jacob Zuma pledged a crackdown on crime ahead of next year’s World Cup yet also said that “no police officer has a license to kill.”

Image – New York Times (“President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of Japan during a joint press conference in Tokyo on Friday.”)
Online Sources- Voice of America, CNN, MSNBC, New York Times