Daily Headlines: May 25, 2012

* Brazil: Defending champions Santos will face fellow Brazil club Corinthians in the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores while Universidad de Chile will try to upset six-time titleholders Boca Juniors of Argentina.

* Latin America: According to a new study alcohol consumption in Latin America is far lower than Europe and the U.S.

* Argentina: Researchers were able to identify the remains of a body found in a Uruguayan cemetery as those of an Argentine man who disappeared thirty-six years ago during the “Dirty War.”

* Ecuador: Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said that Ecuador will buy $400 million of fuel from Iran.

Video Source – YouTube via paulkiske

Online Sources- SI.com, Bernama, CNN, Bloomberg

Daily Headlines: December 30, 2011

* Mexico: A court ordered that five Mexico City policemen stand trial after amateur video footage caught them torturing a suspect last month.

* Argentina: Former Dirty War-era dictator Reynaldo Bignone was sentenced to another fifteen years in prison for rights abuses committed under his repressive rule.

* Puerto Rico: Gov. Luis Fortuño gave his approval to a nonbinding referendum that will be held next year on Puerto Rico’s political status.

* Chile: Universidad de Chile’s annus mirabilis included capturing the Copa Sudamericana last month and winning the Chilean soccer championship yesterday.

Video Source – YouTube user MYUH10 (The alleged abuse occurred after a shootout between police and suspects last November 19th).

Online Sources- MSNBC, Monsters and Critics, New America Media, Yahoo! Eurosport

"Futbol": Maradona wins in coaching debut

Diego Maradona’s first game at the helm of the argentine men’s national soccer team started on the right foot. Maxi Rodriguez’ 8th-minute tally was the lone goal of the match in Argentina’s victory over Scotland in an international friendly.

In other news briefs from the world of soccer:

• Mexico is on thin ice and is obligated to win under what will be harsh circumstances in Honduras. A loss and a blowout win by Jamaica over Canada could force Mexico to embarrassingly miss qualifying for the World Cup for the fist time since 1990.
• Over a year ago, we wrote about soccer club Universidad de Chile who had fallen on hard times despite being one of the country’s most popular teams. Since then, the team’s fortunes have slowly changed and earlier this week the team raised nearly $15 million via an initial public offering. “La U” became the county’s second team to be on the Santiago exchange behind Colo Colo (a.k.a. Maegan’s favorite club!)
• Will Brazilian striker Ronaldo retire? The rumors that he will hang up his cleats intensified today after he rejected offers to play for mid-level Italian club Siena.
• Lastly, it’s never fun when the “beautiful game” becomes marred by violence yet that’s precisely what occurred in Uruguay on Sunday as fans of Danubio and Nacional engaged in fisticuffs:

Sources- The Latin Americanist, Bloomberg, Vivirlatino, YouTube, BBC News, Guardian UK, Los Angles Times, Reuters, FOX Sports

From glory to the struggle for survival – U. de Chile’s soccer troubles continue

A memorable 1996 Copa Libertadores run. Twelve time Chilean First Division champions. Notable ex-players such as Marcelo Salas, David Pizarro, Faustino Asprilla, and Flavio Maestri.

These are a few of the distant memories of the Universidad de Chile soccer team which is currently going through its lowest moments. Despite its history, “La U” has put up with dismal results, bankruptcy, and even a cancelled match due to termite infestation. Uncertainty now roams the club after zero bids were placed yesterday to buy the beleaguered club. Creditors are undergoing intense negotiations today in order to seek a resolution before a June 12^th or the club will be dissolved.

Links (English)- Wikipedia, ESPN Soccernet, The Latin Americanist

Link (Spanish)- El Mercurio

Image- La Nacion (Players of “La U” seek the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel)