World Watch: Swatting malaria away

* World: According to a report supported by the World Health Organization the number of malaria cases worldwide continue to decrease and could reach near-zero deaths by the end of 2015.

* Egypt: The ruling military council will widen a state of emergency days after a group of protesters attacked the Israeli embassy in Cairo.

* U.S.: President Barack Obama continued pushing for a jobs plan that will soon be presented to Congress.

* Russia: Alexander Galimov, the last surviving member of the Yaroslavl Lokomotiv team that died in a plane cash last week, succumbed to his injuries and passed away today.

Image – The Guardian

Online Sources- Reuters, Los Angeles Times, AFP

Latino hockey pioneer retires

Generally Latinos are associated with sports like baseball and soccer. Yet a few hockey players are of Latino background and perhaps one of the most famous Latino players to lace the skates decided to call it quits.

Earlier today Bill Guerin announced that he would retire after an extraordinary eighteen-season career. Guerin, who is of Nicaraguan descent, played for eight different teams and played in four National Hockey League (NHL) All-Star Games. He also was part of the 1996 U.S. team that would upset Canada in the World Cup and the 2002 silver-medal winning team. He was the first player to score at least a twenty goals per season with seven different teams.

Guerin won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995 and with the Pittsburgh Penguins last year. Though Guerin may be best remembered as a member of the successful mid-1990s Devils sides, his brief time with Pittsburgh cannot be understated. Acquired at the 2009 trade deadline, Guerin scored twenty-six goals including a pair of game-winners in the playoffs and his invaluable leadership helped the Penguins win the title.

It’s unknown what Guerin’s immediate future will hold; for now, he expressed his immense gratitude towards his family in his retirement speech:

“There's not much I can actually say because I couldn't put into words what you mean to me, what you've sacrificed and how much you guys have done for me. I love you incredibly. I'm looking forward to spending more time with you, and doing all the things I've dreamt about for a long time. I'm looking forward to the second half of my life and you guys being the focal point. I love you guys. Thank you.”

Other Latino players currently playing in the NHL are Scott Gomez (Colombian and Mexican background) and Raffi Torres (Mexican and Peruvian descent). In addition, defenseman Francis Bouillon’s father was originally from Haiti.

Image- Jamie Sabau/Getty Images via CBC (“Bill Guerin will be honored by the Pittsburgh Penguins in an on-ice ceremony before Monday night's game.”)
Online Sources- Official websites of the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils, Wikipedia, Sporting News, USA TODAY

Today’s Video: Were they chanting “Boo” or “Boo-urns”?

The following video is not Latin American-related per se, yet it involves a Latino athlete. (A possibly tenuous connection but please bear with me!)

The Philadelphia Flyers season home opener was Saturday night and before the game the ceremonial dropping of the puck was held. Visiting New York Rangers captain Scott Gomez (of Colombian and Mexican heritage) and Mike Richards lined up at center ice with special guest Sarah “hockey mom” Palin. As you can see below the Philly fans were less than thrilled but not before fellow Alaskan Gomez gave a special greeting to the V.P. candidate:


For the record, Gomez had an assist as the Rangers won 4-3 and continued their unbeaten start to the season.

(Hat tip: Deadspin. Post title reference: Urban Dictionary).

Sources- nhl.com, Slap Shot, SI.com, YouTube, Deadspin, Urban Dictionary