Daily Headlines: September 30, 2016

* Brazil: Children's rights groups urged the International Olympic Committee to compensate minors who they claim were victims of police violence during the Rio Olympics and the security crackdown prior to the games held in August.

* Cuba: The campaign of United States (US) presidential candidate Donald Trump is under fire over alleged secret and illicit business dealings with Cuba’s government in 1998, while the Cuban state media blasted “subversive” US-funded programs.

* United States: The OneOrlando Fund commenced distribution this week of donations to some of the families and survivors of the June 12th massacre during a Latino-themed night at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando.

* Venezuela: Representatives of thirty countries led by Paraguay at the Untied Nations Human Rights Council called for a “timely and effective dialogue” in Venezuela and advocated the freeing of all political prisoners.

YouTube Source – ITV News (Uploaded on August 2, 2016: “As battles between security forces and drugs gangs rage ahead of the Rio Olympics, innocent bystanders are getting caught in the crossfire.”)
 
Online Sources – BBC Sport, Newsweek, McClatchy, Latina, Reuters

Daily Headlines: March 12, 2010

* Ecuador: Ecuadorian officials vowed that their environmental damages case against Chevron will continue despite a U.S. judge ruling yesterday that the oil firm may seek international arbitration.

* U.S.: Whether President Barack Obama deserved the Nobel Peace Prize is still up for debate but at least part of cash award will go to several worthy charities including the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

* Argentina: The government has pointed the finger at Royal Dutch Shell and Brazil's Petrobras for allegedly causing a gasoline shortage.

* Panama: While construction continues on an expanded Panama Canal officials expect a “modest rise” in revenue this year.

Image – New York Times (“An open oil pit near La Joya de los Sachas, Ecuador.”)
Online Sources- Reuters, The Latin Americanist, USA TODAY, UPI, Wall Street Journal

Haiti’s aftermath: Prosthetics wanted

As a person with a disability I’ve often argued with friends and strangers alike that what disabled people often prefer are not handouts but rather empowerment. It’s a daunting task to convince others that pity has its limitations and can at times even be harmful. Give us the tools to overcome daily obstacles and permit us to become important members of society.

These thoughts come to mind after reading that several prosthetics companies have been donating their products to Haitians recently amputated from January’s deadly earthquake. Foreign firms are trying to assist as many as an estimated 7000 new Haitian amputees. "If you're farmer and only have one arm, you're in really bad shape. That's why a prosthesis is so important," said one board member of Haiti’s Hospital Albert Schweitzer to the press.

The demand to help Haiti’s newly disabled has also led to “scores” of physical and occupational therapists from countries like Canada to volunteer their efforts in Haiti. As the executive director of Christian Blind Mission Canada told the Canadian Press, disabled Haitians want to erase the stigma often labeled against the disabled:

"It's easy to stereotype them as cursed or - and there was that - less than human," (Ed) Epp says of pervasive attitude in Haiti towards the disabled.

"And they're still being hidden. We walked through one of the (homeless) camps and we're ... trying to find people with disabilities. And we had a hard time finding them, even though we knew they were there."

The late disability rights activist Henry Viscardi once wrote, “I seek opportunity, not security.” This is what disabled people in Haiti (and for that matter, the Americas) ask for on a daily basis, the chance to shatter stereotypes and demonstrate their personal worth.

Image- The News (“Andy Lambert of Hanger Orthopedic Group in Richland shows used artificial limbs Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010 that local residents have donated for earthquake victims in Haiti.”)
Online Sources- Norwich Bulletin, Pittsburghlive.com, Canadian Press, New York Times

Today's Video: A few drops in the bucket

One week after a giant earthquake shook Chile a national telethon was held in order to raise funds for reconstruction. The 25 hour "Chile aids Chile" telethon was able to raise $59.2 million, a figure that was reportedly twice the goal of the event's organizers. Donations were made not only in Chile but around the world via the telethon's website.

The event featured musicians from Chile and the Americas; one of them was Argentine Diego Torres whose presentation included his signature song "Color Esperanza":

Online Sources- BusinessWeek, YouTube, Xinhua

Daily Headlines: March 5, 2010

* Mexico: Hundreds of gay couples lined up in Mexico City’s registry yesterday after a groundbreaking gay marriage law went into effect.

* Latin America: First it was Colombia. Now Coca-Cola may be sued for “negligence and complicity in violence aimed at union activists” in Guatemala.

* Brazil: In a bad sign for the Brazilian economy the country’s inflation rate rose to its highest point in nearly two years.

* Colombia: Shakira’s charitable efforts had recently caught the attention of the White House and now the International Labor Organization who honored her this week.

Image – CBC (“A lesbian couple kiss after beginning the legal process towards marriage in front of a city government building in Mexico City, Thursday.”)
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, Vancouver Sun, Guardian UK, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, LAHT, Bloomberg

Please help El Salvador!

The wild weather of the past few weeks has wrecked havoc in parts of Latin America from flooding in Mexico to the rationing of electricity in Ecuador. Yet as we mentioned today, no country has been hit as hard as El Salvador where at least 130 people have died and a state of emergency has been declared:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Several countries as well as the U.N. have mobilized to send relief to the Central American country but so can you. Event the tiniest bit of aid can go a long way in getting much needed funds and supplies to El Salvador. There are several ways you can help:

• ReliefWeb provides updates and links to different organizations helping El Salvador such as the Red Cross.
• The Comité Cívico Salvadoreño de New York is mainly seeking donations; they can be reached via e-mail at desastredeida@yahoo.com or you can click here to obtain their phone number.
• Salvadoran expats in Los Angeles helped create a bank account solely for the use of sending donations to their countrymen.
• Lastly, Chicago’s Mexican community has helped via the historic Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. (Click here for more details).
  

If you know of any other charitable efforts please don’t hesitate to let us know; leave a comment to this post or write to us at ourlatinamerica@yahoo.com. Let’s do our share to help those in need!

Online Sources- ReliefWeb, MSNBC, El Diario/La Prensa, El Financiero, La Opinion, The Latin Americanist, AP, LAHT

Daily Headlines: June 5, 2009

* Guatemala: Authorities in Guatemala are desperately trying to contain the spillover effect of violence related to drug gangs in neighboring Mexico.

* Colombia: The New York Times takes a look at Colombian singer Shakira and the work she does for the ALAS charity.

* Latin America: Chile and Argentina were confirmed as co-hosts of the famed Dakar Rally in 2010 for the second straight year.

* Venezuela: Plans are under way for the nationalization of petrochemical projects by the Chavez administration.

Image- Los Angeles Times (“Miriam Ramirez Amador, center, mourns her brother Roberto Amador, an anti-drug agent, during his funeral in Guatemala City on April 25. Roberto Amador was killed along with four other agents in a shootout with alleged drug traffickers.”)
Online Sources- RTE, UPI, New York Times, Bloomberg

Today’s Video: Tragedy in Italy

Update:

According to Italy's government the death toll has increased to 207 people though that number is expected to rise. (Link via Guardian UK).

Original Post:

It only took a scant twenty seconds. But in that brief span of time the earth shook violently today in central Italy and has thus far cost the lives of 150 people:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Several groups have established relief efforts where you can help those affected by this terrible tragedy. Here are two organizations which would appreciate any help you can provide:

• GlobalGiving
• National Italian American Foundation
  

If you know of any other ways to help the victims of the earthquake in Italy please mention them in the comments to this post. (We will subsequently add them to this post.)

Online Sources- MSNBC, BBC News, GlobalGiving, National Italian American Foundation

Wyclef Jean joins Haitian immigration rally (includes update)

Update

Speaking of immigration protests, several thousand people rallied in Arizona against the harsh crackdown under controversial Sheriff Joe Arpaio. (Link via Reuters).

Original Post

Critically acclaimed musician Wyclef Jean and his brother, Melky, were two of approximately 250 people present at a protest in Florida against mass deportation to Haiti. According to CaribWorldNews.com:

Pointing to the widely discriminatory immigration policy in the U.S. that favors some over others, Jean said, `It's important that Haitians get the justice that our Cuban brothers and sisters get. This is not a Haitian cause, it's a human being cause.''

And he added, `To help Haiti you can't deport 30,000 people. It's like putting more sand on the beach. It's not right that people that have been here for 20 years get deported and are sent away from their kids. They deserve a fair chance.”

Protestors at the rally held outside an immigration deportation center also called for the granting of temporary protected status to Haitians, a move that was rejected in January by then-Homeland security head Michael Chertoff.

An estimated 30,000 Haitians await deportation despite a worsening political and economic situation there. U.S. and Haitian officials have butted heads over the immigration situation, especially after Haitian authorities refused last month to accept additional deportees.

Wyclef helped create and run Yéle Haiti- a charitable organization that organizes projects such as distributing food to storm victims and granting scholarships for children.

Image- USA TODAY
Online Sources- CaribWorldNews.com, The Latin Americanist, Yéle Haiti, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Cardinals Super Bowl loss is Nicaraguans win

On Sunday the Pittsburgh Steelers captured their sixth Super Bowl crown after a thrilling 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals. While both teams played brilliantly the true winners may be Nicaraguan children.

Much like last year, clothes printing the losing team as Super Bowl champions will be donated to charities for distribution in Central America. Dozens of Nicaraguan children will soon be wearing t-shirts and caps emblazoned with "Super Bowl XLIII Champions" and the Arizona Cardinals logo.

Those clothes should go well with the 2007 BCS National Champion Ohio State University t-shirts:

Because (the Cardinals) lost, licensing agreements forbid Roberts from ever selling the shirts in the United States.

So, he's giving them to charity. One Life at a Time, a non-profit started by Roberts' neighbor, will distribute the clothes to needy schoolchildren in Honduras and Nicaragua. The group did the same thing with about 600 BCS National Champion T-shirts branded with the Ohio State University Buckeyes' logo, printed before the 2007 game at University of Phoenix Stadium. The team was defeated in that year's bowl game by the University of Florida Gators.

Image- azcentral.com
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, Los Angeles Times, azcentral.com

Today’s Video: Do call it a comeback

In September 2006, Uruguayan soccer star Dario Silva had his right leg amputated after surviving a terrible car crash. Despite being forced into retirement from the game he loved Silva still managed to make a phenomenal comeback and has even aspired to represent Uruguay as a rower in the 2012 Paralympics.

Yesterday Silva participated in a charity match for a local charity that helps disadvantaged youths. Silva donned his old number 9 Uruguay jersey as well as an artificial limb for his amputated leg. He converted a penalty in the game, one that would’ve seemed impossible over two years ago when he was knocking at death’s door.

(Video link):

(Hat tip: The Offside).

Sources- The Latin Americanist, The Offside, YouTube, Daily Mail, goal.com

Beyond the Americas: English athletes support Palestine charity

The sport of soccer is sometimes referred to as “the beautiful game”. Beyond glamorous goals and stunning saves, the saying becomes especially true when a charitable effort is involved:

Shirts worn by players in an FA Cup tie tomorrow will be the unlikely advertising hoarding for the plight of Palestinians. Kettering Town will have the slogan Palestine Aid emblazoned on their kit to show their support for Interpal, a charitable organization which distributes aid in the Palestinian territories.

"We are trying to raise awareness and charitable funds for the refugees in Palestine," Imraan Ladak, the Kettering chairman, said of the association with Interpal that began before the escalation last month of the conflict in Gaza.

Ladak, 30, chief executive of a recruitment business based in Milton Keynes, has no personal links with Palestine. "I just think there are certain areas in the world that are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, for whatever reason," he said, "and Palestine is the one that's suffering the most.

Some soccer club uniforms are littered with all sorts of sponsors which makes a player look like a walking billboard. Other clubs (like my favorite team) are actually named after a particular sponsor. Yet in recent years some clubs have opted to enter into partnerships with charitable groups like the case of F.C. Barcelona and Argentine side Boca Juniors with UNICEF.

Image- Guardian UK
Online Sources- UNICEF, The Offside – Red Bull New York, mlsnet.com, Guardian UK, IHT

Daily Headlines: December 20, 2008

* Ecuador: The body of Jose Sucuzhanay was returned to his native Ecuador from New York nearly two weeks after he was targeted in an anti-Latino, homophobic attack.

* Mexico: Mexico joined Canada in an official World Trade Organization complaint against the U.S.

* Cuba: Pentagon officials said that they are pursuing the death penalty against an accused defendant of the USS Cole bombing who is detained at the Guantanamo Bay prison.

* Haiti: First lady of France Carla Bruni-Sarkozy will donate about $330,000 in sales of her latest album to Haitian children's charities.

Image- AFP (“Airport workers unload a box containing the body of slain Jose Osvaldo Sucuzhanay which arrived from New York at the Mariscal Sucre airport in Quito, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008.”)
Online Sources- miamiherald.com, washingtonpost.com, AFP, AP, The Latin Americanist

Today’s Video: R.I.P. Paul Newman

Renowned actor and philanthropist Paul Newman passed away over the weekend at the age of 83. “The Hustler,” “Cool Hand Luke”, and “Slap Shot” were just some of the movies he appeared in though he was also known for his charitable work. His death has been mourned by many from film expert Roger Ebert to the average Iranian.

Below is a clip to “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” where Butch and the Sundance Kid confront Bolivian bandoleros:


For my part, I’m extremely grateful for Newman’s benevolence since I was able to go free of charge with my junior high school classmates to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut. That trip not only allowed me to bond with friends whom I still hold dear today but also allowed me to be a more independent person. Rest in peace Paul, and thanks.

Sources- Chicago Sun-Times, NPR, Canadian Press, Wikipedia, YouTube

Today’s Video: Wanted – Help for Haiti

Haitians have been hit hard since several massive storms walloped the country weeks ago. According to one estimate nearly 500 people are dead and 100,000-200,000 people have had their homes damaged or destroyed. The U.N. says that roughly 10 % of Haiti's population is in need of emergency assistance and donors have given a minuscule amount of what is needed.

As the below video shows, hundreds of orphaned children in desperate need of help:


Recently we listed several aid groups helping in Haiti. If you know of any other charities please mention them in the comments to this post.

Sources- Voice of America, The Latin Americanist, Reuters

Today’s Video: Ike ravages Caribbean

After Hurricane Gustav caused massive material damage on Cuba, Fidel Castro compared the destruction to that of the nuclear bomb that hit Hiroshima in 1945. That comparison may be more appropriate to describe Cuba in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike which cut a path of destruction through the Caribbean:

Nearly 1 million Cubans were evacuated from coastal areas as high winds and tidal waves destroyed residences. In Haiti alone Ike and previous storms have officially killed over 600 people as aid officials estimate that at least 600,000 people in the country sorely need humanitarian relief.
As we mentioned on Saturday, there are numerous charitable groups which you can donate to; if you know of any others please mention them in the comments below.
Sources- The Latin Americanist, Reuters, MSNBC, AFP, Bloomberg

Today’s Video: Charity for the Caribbean

The recent rash of tropical storms through the Caribbean has left a trail of death in Haiti. Haitian officials have estimated at least 500 people dead and roughly a quarter million homeless; a figure likely to increase with the upcoming Hurricane Ike.

The images speak for themselves as is shown in the following slideshow from the American Red Cross of flood-ravaged Gonaives, Haiti:



Relief efforts are underway in Haiti despite security difficulties and a weak infrastructure. Nevertheless, we strongly urge you to donate and help those who could sorely use the aid. Here’s a brief list of organizations that you can donate to:

• AmeriCares
• American Red Cross
• Direct Relief International
• Oxfam America
  

If you know of any other charitable groups or relief efforts to help those in the Caribbean please mention them in the comments to this post.

Sources- AmeriCares, American Red Cross, Direct Relief International, Oxfam America, NPR, YouTube, AFP, Reuters, BBC News

Today’s Video: Abuse by humanitarians

A report published today by a British charity contends that some humanitarian workers have engaged in abusing children in countries they have worked in. The study from Save the Children UK looked at the Ivory Coast, southern Sudan and Haiti and even found cases of abuse by U.N. peacekeepers.

Below is a link to a BBC News report on the study. (Unfortunately the video is not allowed to be embedded). Though most aid workers do not engage in such depravity, it is vital that action be taken against those who exploit innocent children.

BBC News – “Peacekeepers ‘abusing children’”

Sources- CNN, BBC News, YouTube

Today’s Video: Shakira and ALAS

In a video clip (via the Los Angeles Times) Colombian singer Shakira explains what Movimiento ALAS is all about and why musicians like Miguel Bose, Alejandro Sanz, and Paulina Rubio have helped the foundation.

Click here to watch the video

On Saturday, nearly 400,000 people attended a pair of concerts in Buenos Aires and Mexico City in order to raise attention to the plight of impoverished children in Latin America.

(Hat tip: La Plaza).

Sources- Los Angles Times, The Latin Americanist, Reuters, La Plaza

Wyclef Helps Hungry in Haiti

Contributed by Michael Lisman:

This week, Wyclef Jean, a Haitian-born rapper launched the “Together for Haiti initiative” through his own US-based NGO Yéle Haiti, in collaboration with the Pan-American Development Foundation.

Jean’s representatives report that the new initiative will aim to “work with a number of non-government organizations and community groups to address the food crisis by repairing damaged soil and helping farmers to produce larger crops.”

Few countries in the western hemisphere have been hit as hard by the global food shortage as has Haiti. In April, the crisis led to the ousting of Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis.

Sources: Yéle Haiti, Inter-American Development Bank, VOA, Livesteez.com

Image: CBC ("Wyclef Jean gives a gift to a girl during a Christmas gift distribution to about 600 children sponsored by his foundation, Yele Haiti, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Nov. 29, 2006. (Ariana Cubillos/Associated Press)")