tagged w/ Latin America
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Fears are growing for the future of water supplies in one of Latin America's fastest-growing urban areas - Bolivia's sprawling capital of La Paz and its twin El Alto.
Scientists monitoring the glaciers high in the Andes mountains - a key source of water - say the ice is showing signs of shrinking faster than previously forecast.
Faced with a booming population and a combination of glacial retreat and reduced rainfall, the governor of the La Paz region is even contemplating moving people to other parts of Bolivia.
Water is already in short supply among the poorest communities and has become a cause of tension.
It's a problem that begins now but will become more serious as other, much larger glaciers melt as well
Dr Edson Ramirez
In pictures: Bolivia glaciers
In El Alto's District 8, I watched 13-year-old Christian Muraga fill a bucket from a communal tap shared with 80 families.
I asked if the tap always produces water.
"No, there isn't water every day from this tap, sometimes nothing."
The nearest alternative is nearly one kilometre away. Campaign groups say as many as one quarter of the city's population do not have ready access to water.
Sergio Criales of Oxfam told me: "The problem is getting worse because of climate change and because they don't have enough water to cover all their demands."
Water battle
The tap was established illegally and draws water from the scarce mains supply running in a neighbouring district.
Christian's father Macario said that there are often disputes over access to water and that fights occasionally break out.
Water has become so precious that we even found a group of women cleaning plastic bags in a heavily contaminated stream that stank of raw sewage.
When I asked why they were doing this, one replied that she had no alternative.
La Paz (BBC)
Much of the city's water supply comes from glaciers
"There is no other water to use. I know it is dirty and I am worried about my children. But what can I do?"
The shortage of fresh water is partly the result of the influx of tens of thousands of people to El Alto every year leaving the authorities unable to cope.
But another factor is a rise in temperature that's faster than the global average and its effect on the snow-capped peaks that dominate the skyline.
Click Picture to see video.Fears are growing for the future of water supplies in one of Latin America's... more
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CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday he could nationalize private banks unless they comply with the law, adding he had "no problem with that because the banks don't want to extend credit to the poor."
In a broadcast from nationalized farmland in central Venezuela, he said: "To all the country's private bankers ... (I'm saying) he who slips up loses; I'll take over the bank, whatever its size."
"You want me to nationalize the banks?" he said during the broadcast of his weekly TV show "Alo Presidente."
"I have no problem with that because the banks don't want to extend credit to the poor, they don't comply, they don't want to comply with the bank's purpose for existence, and that is the law."
Chavez said the purpose of banks was not to enrich a small group of people but "should be to collect funds and savings to help aid the country's development by making loans, extending credits for housing."
In power for a decade, Chavez has nationalized broad swathes of the economy.
His banking nationalization threats on Sunday appeared to be broader in scope than his well-publicized warnings in recent years to nationalize Spanish-owned banks in Venezuela.
He repeatedly threatened to seize Spanish bank subsidiaries in Venezuela unless Spain's king apologized for telling him to "shut up" in November 2007 at a regional summit where Chavez branded a recent ex-Spanish prime minister a fascist.
But the only major private bank, foreign or Venezuelan, to fall into state hands under Chavez's rule was Spain's Banco Santander unit Banco de Venezuela, sold to Venezuela in July for $1.05 billion.
The government's last banking takeover was on November 20, when it seized four small banks, accounting for about 6 percent of Venezuela's deposits.
Finance Minister Ali Rodriguez then said the move stemmed from concerns about credit portfolios, problems explaining the source of funds and failure to comply with some obligations.
BANKERS NOT IN COMPLIANCE - CHAVEZ
Chavez spoke Sunday from the countryside behind a table strewn with a jumble of books, maps and documents, against the background of farmland growing black beans.
Addressing the banking theme, he said unnamed bankers "are not complying, they do not want to comply with the function for which a bank should exist (such as) that is in the law.
"This is occurring right now with a group of private banks, that's a demonstration that those private banking sectors don't want to learn, they don't want to accept that there is a constitution ... and that there are laws."
Venezuela's banking sector is dominated by 10 banks that control 70 percent of the total funds.
Chavez said he ordered the nation's chief prosecutor to investigate why a state bank, Banfoandes, deposited "a giant amount of resources in private banks."
"How is it that state resources, which belong to the people ... end up being placed in private banks?" he asked in his broadcast. "This is counterrevolutionary."
The four banks seized on November 20 were Banco Confederado, Banco Canarias, Banco Provivienda and bolivar Banco.
On Friday, a court acting on prosecutors' request banned travel abroad of 16 executives -- eight from Confederado, six from Provivienda and two from bolivar Banco.
Chavez said if it were up to him, he would have jailed the 16 executives due to flight risk. "They have (their own) light aircraft and private airports and (can) leave."
Chavez also criticized what he termed as excessive spending by state entities in the private medical sector.
"We have made a gift of millions and millions of bolivares this year to the bourgeoisie, which owns the private clinics, the great insurance companies," he said. "Enough already."
He said those funds should go directly to "the people."CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday he could... more
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A rash of military coups could be triggered across Latin America if the world fails to stand up to the illegal regime in Honduras, a close aide of the ousted president Manuel Zelaya warned this week.A rash of military coups could be triggered across Latin America if the world fails to... more
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Some people seem to think illegal immigration isn't a problem, not to sound like a bitch but you wouldn't if you or your parents were illegals and if they weren't your grandparents. And what's with everyone saying that this country was built on the backs of immigrates, i didn't know slaves migrated to this country it was built on slavery and free labor that's the truth. Wanting a better life is great but it's hard to say i want better life and can't get to where i come from and then claim you deserve to be a citizen because all you want to do is work and have a life for your family and kids. What about the guy who's family knows nothing else besides America and also wants a better life but can't achieve that because someone says i'll do the work cheaper and longer with no health coverage and no benefits, cash only.
In no other country can illegal immigrates demand anything, only in the great USA, so i say give them their citizenship, you want to claim to be true American citizen then pay taxes, you believe you have a right to the same health care and rights then you should pay for it. If we registered every illegal immigrate and then taxed them out the ass, set in place laws that had harsher penalties like actual jail time instead of a free trip home, i bet you people would think twice about running across the border or coming to America for vacation and staying. I'm just wondering why people feel if you say "you don't deserve shit and the fact you get taken advantage of is your own fault", their a racist and that America and should be open for any and everyone.
But it is your fault you get paid low wages and have no health care and get taken advantage of, since when is anything in this world for free..? why do you think that what you go through in your country gives you a right to come to another and make it hard on another man. Mexico's president even stated to the world "that illegals take the jobs that not even blacks want"
and he's damn right we've worked them since 1506 for FREE and the little bit of minimum wage blacks fought and died for won't go up cause someone with no papers will work for anything. Rules are set in place for a reason, they might suck but you can't make a change if your willing to be happy eating shit all you do is make it stink for the rest of us.
Not only would it help us out with our hugh debt, create jobs and force us to over haul the entire system cause you know someones gonna get mad and swear a great injustice but wheres the justice for us actual tax paying, social security card carrying citizens...?
i love George Lopez but he's an idiot to think that illegal immigration only upsets white people as if AMERICANS don't need a job. He represents his country to the fullest yet we as Americans don't have the same right?. If we flooded his country and under cut his fellow men,push them out of jobs then tell them you really don't want to work this job let me do it as well as stressed the medical system and basically did what we wanted in Mexico they claim the capitalist Americanos were destroying his homeland and we'd just continue to be the big mean super power.
i think any time people think it's OK for any group of people to break the law to better your self, at the expense of others.....your the true capitalist, liar, cheat and thiefSome people seem to think illegal immigration isn't a problem, not to sound like... more
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Latin America is home to the "B" in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) quartet of leading emerging economies, but is still relatively small as a regional telecom service market, accounting for only 10 percent of total global revenues. A combination of large geographical size and population, economic resources, growth, telecom liberalization and investment are moving the market forward. Big international carriers such as Telefonica and BT certainly see the region’s potential with large acquisitions in the area.
Led by Miguel Angel Garay – CEO Central America, AMNET Telecommunications, a consortium of over fifty world telecom leaders united this week in Panama at the illustrious NGT Summit and outlined the ethos that innovation is the key to exploit the inevitable growth.
A committee set up by the NGT, featuring Pedro Planas, CTO Latin America, Telefonica Media; Humberto Roca, CTO, Antel; and Robert Masse, CTO, Telefonica Del Sur, gave their viewpoints on Latin America Market Environment, turning challenges into opportunity through innovation.
“Nowadays, service providers face a more and more challenging market environment.” Stated the panel “Current macroeconomic ecosystems, competitive pressures and more demanding customers push service providers to differentiate by being more innovative”.
But will integrating value-added services into their portfolios keep high efficiency and profitability levels as demanded by their shareholders? Or will it redistribute wealth to software developers as it has in more saturated markets such as Europe?
The consortium announced the importance of new technologies, such as the much talked about LTE to push the network and reduce the risk of operators being relegated to the sidelines as bit-pipe providers.
“A meeting such as this is crucial for the developing market in Latin America. Investment in new technologies and infrastructure in the region will increase employment and will send a strong message to foreign investors." Paul Southwell – Director for Latin America at the NGT Summit.
This is an exciting time for the region, and to capitalize on such growth opportunities requires the entire industry to pull together, and as such a secondary meeting has been agreed with the NGT Summit on May 11th 2010.Latin America is home to the "B" in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and... more
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Since 2006, McKesson has partnered with humanitarian organization World Vision to provide more than 175,000 World Vision Caregiver Kits to local community caregivers who care for those living with AIDS in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The Company's expertise and infrastructure in distributing medical-surgical supplies have allowed McKesson to negotiate dramatic discounts with suppliers on the kits' contents, passing these savings on to the community groups — schools, churches and businesses — that purchase materials and assemble the kits for World Vision to distribute in remote areas of developing countries.
http://3blmedia.com/theCSRfeed/McKessons-Community-Investment-Work-Leverages-Power-Employee-Engagement-Healthcare-Expert#Since 2006, McKesson has partnered with humanitarian organization World Vision to... more
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Amid all the news out there this Monday morning (health care bills, awakened Ft. Hood shooters, menacing Gulf hurricanes, over-bonused bankers) this little gem caught my eye.
From the AP: Chavez to troops: Prepare for war with Colombia
"President Hugo Chavez ordered Venezuela's military on Sunday to prepare for a possible armed conflict with Colombia, saying the country's soldiers should be ready if the United States attempts to provoke a war between the South American neighbors. "The best way to avoid war is preparing for it," Chavez told military officers standing at attention during his weekly television and radio program."
Chavez is worried about the influence the US exerts over Colombia, their military cooperation, and argues that the Obama Administration could try to stir up a conflict between the two South American nations (because they're not busy enough?). From the Venezuelan perspective a new military pact between the US and Colombia threatens the region's stability.
"According to Francisco Javier Arias, deputy Foreign Minister of Venezuela, Colombia signed a pact with the U.S. allowing the Americans to freely use Colombian military bases and airports to secure the "continuity of the empire." "President Uribe is putting the region at risk to secure his re-election, dragging an elephant like the United States into a china shop, with the idea of solve problems that this northern country is not interested in," the official told Colombian Caracol Radio.
Chavez ordered 15,000 additional Venezuelan troops to the border. Colombian President Alvaro Uribe plans to appeal to the UN Security Council.
From the News Blog: http://blogs.current.com/news/2009/11/09/chavez-prepare-for-war/
Sources: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hlP2MozD95CjZl6e_B6X-kVCZqCwD9BRHBOG1
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/6780-uribe-uses-venezuela-to-secure-re-election.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5A80B020091109
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/70745
(h/t FP Passport)Amid all the news out there this Monday morning (health care bills, awakened Ft. Hood... more
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over 1200 youth gathered from all over Latin America for the International Conference of the Americas in the Dominican Republic last week.
Part Model UN, part UN conference, the students and guest speakers discuss salient topics in international development, the MDGs and share the challenges and successes associated with global issues.
Most notably, CILA took part in the "Seal the Deal" campaign for climate change - part of the UNs outreach program on climate related issues as they gather momentum for the Copenhagen Climate Change summit in December.
As part of an International Student Journalism program Tyler Batson (UCLA) and Sandra C. Roa (CUNY Journalism Grad School) produced this video to demonstrate how youth at the CILA 2009 conference are dealing with climate change issues.over 1200 youth gathered from all over Latin America for the International Conference... more
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PCI-Media Impact, a New York-based non-profit with 25 years experience using communications for development, is initiating its sixth year of the My Community program on November 2 with an international training on Entertainment Education and Social Marketing in Lima, Peru.
The 32 selected participants – including radio hosts, journalists, community activists, and professors– representing Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, will participate in a five-day hands-on training and learn how to design, produce and broadcast entertaining radio soap operas that address urgent community needs.
“This year’s training promises to be one of the best,” said Media Impact Programs Director, Sean Southey. “Between staff, community activists and media leaders, and representatives of current My Community coalitions, we will have representatives from leading NGOs and grassroots social movements in Latin America coming together to discuss how to create global changes beginning at the local level.”
http://3blmedia.com/theCSRfeed/PCI-Media-Impact-Hosts-International-Workshop-Entertainment-Education-and-Social-Marketin#PCI-Media Impact, a New York-based non-profit with 25 years experience using... more
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[From Yoani Sanchez's blog Generation Y, from Cuba]
No one knows the mechanisms of censorship in Cuba better than those who write in the few newspapers of national circulation. The press here has been turned into a delicate profession required to measure adjectives, carefully weigh topics and often to hide personal opinions in order to keep a job. It is a life decision to be a journalist for the official media, I know, but I also know some who have been trapped in the twists and turns of complicity, waiting for the day when they can write what they think.
From the Juventude Rebelde newspaper office where Reinaldo Escobar (His blog: http://www.desdecuba.com/reinaldoescobar/) worked until 1988, there is very little left because most of his colleagues now live in Miami, Mexico and Spain. Others have retired from the profession, disillusioned with the aborted glastnost and the consecutive calls for criticism, which ended up being bait for the most daring. José Alejandro Rodríguez survived all this and carried his personal battle into the “Receipt Requested” section where he published readers’ letters with their complaints and questions. Every time I read his crusade against bureaucracy and poor work, I sense the regressive countdown that will probably culminate in his professional silencing.
A few days ago José Alejandro could take no more. He took everything he has accumulated about the “excessive centralization” that the press on this Island is subject to and condemned the secrecy surrounding government decisions. In his article “Against the demons of kidnapped information” he used the language of an honest man who always believed in the possibility of humanizing the current system through the transparency of information. I respectfully differ with him, because what has been built on a foundation of hiding, condemning and filtering cannot survive the clear light that emanates from an incisive and free journalism.
The three pages of his harangue lasted just a few hours on the on-line version of Juventud Rebelde. The article was kidnapped by the shrewd hawks of orthodoxy, who know well the danger of a Nation that begins to learn everything you have hidden.
A copy of the article “Against the demons of kidnapped information” can be read here (In Spanish only).
http://www.cubaencuentro.com/jorge-ferrer/blogs/el-tono-de-la-voz/juventud-rebelde-y-la-informacion-secuestrada
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BBC Latin America (Spanish) on the sudden disappearance of the article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/america_latina/2009/10/091020_cuba_articulo_ravsberg_jp.shtml[From Yoani Sanchez's blog Generation Y, from Cuba]
No one knows the... more
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The week that the Olympics welcomed South America as its new home Telecom Heavy-weights announce key meeting in Panama
Latin America is predicted to be the strongest region of growth in 2010, Investment is flooding to the area and telecommunications is essential for the region to fulfill its potential. Backed by Government incentives and commercial opportunities figureheads such as Humberto Roca, CTO , Antel, Israel Madiedo, CTO, Cablevision , Claudio Bermudez, CTO Grupo ICE, Peter Jones, VP Technology, LIME , Miguel Angel Gray , Millicom International Cellular CEO Central America , Robert Masse, CTO Telefonica del Sur (Telsur) and Pedro Planas , CTO LA, Telefonica Media Networks SA have agreed to meet in Panama on November 10th this year at the illustrious NGT Summit to discuss technology investment to support market growth.
‘As Latin America continues its socio-economic Growth, development in ICT clearly sends out the right message to Global investors.’ Paul Southwell – NGT LA Summit Director
Massive investments in 3G has been highlighted as operators will start to see an increase in mobile application use and IPTV may finally take hold. The cost of voice services is at such a low point that voice alone is no longer a viable competitive advantage, operators must improve service levels and delivery methods in order to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Partnering with IDC and Pyramid Research the NGT Summit LA is set to outline the path to success in 2010.The week that the Olympics welcomed South America as its new home Telecom... more
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Please join Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) for a moderated panel discussion on Chagas disease, a forgotten illness that threatens over 100 million people throughout the Americas. RSVP on Doctors Without Borders Facebook Event for Chagas Disease http://bit.ly/1jZUd0
Or you can read more about the neglected a.k.a "Kissing Bug" disease here: http://bit.ly/PHnAj
Learn at the event what you can do to help.Please join Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and... more
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Qaddafi and Chavez are working with many other african, and latin american nations in attempts to form an alliance similar to that of NATO.
Do you think that this will benefit their continents, or will it raise world hostility?Qaddafi and Chavez are working with many other african, and latin american nations in... more
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Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya remains cooped up in the Brazilian Embassy in the capital of Tegucigalpa. The Associated Press reports on his conditions saying:
"Honduras’ deposed leader is sleeping on an air mattress. His “roommates” have not bathed, shaved or changed their clothes in three days. Tap water is scarce and dinner is limited to dry biscuits or rice and beans."
We posted a video of protests earlier in the week, and Current.com user Juas, claiming he had recently been in Honduras reported:
“I was there.
We are going towards a civil war. Please keep your eyes on us.
Police are murdering people as I speak right now. We have lost all our constitutional warranties. We have 48 hours or curfew, people are hungry.
The president is in danger.
Please keep your eyes on us.”
At least one person has died in clashes with the police thus far and with Zelaya refusing to give himself up and the Honduran military agreeing not to storm the Brazilian embassy, the siege looks likely to drag on.
If you, like Juas, have a local perspective, let us know over here on Current News.Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya remains cooped up in the Brazilian Embassy in... more
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Talk like a communist, walk like a democrat. That has been the paradoxical strategy pursued by Latin America's new radical left - at least until now. Venezuelan President Hugo ChÁvez will gush effusively in the presence of Fidel Castro one moment, then just as earnestly he'll remind the world that he submits to the kind of free elections and free speech that Castro and his brother, Cuban President RaÚl Castro, still forbid.
But in recent months, ChÁvez and his allies from Argentina to Nicaragua have taken steps that critics say make them walk too Cuban for comfort - especially when it comes to independent media, an institution critical to the region's modernization. ChÁvez's socialist Bolivarian Revolution recently revoked the broadcast licenses of 32 private radio stations and two television stations - it plans to take more off the air soon - and just passed a sweeping and often vague new education law outlawing media material that "produces terror in children" or "goes against the values of the Venezuelan people."
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More at the link.
Really? So vague is the idea of "Produces terror in children" that they could banned Bozo the Clown from showing in syndication there.
He elimated term limits. haha.....KING ChavezTalk like a communist, walk like a democrat. That has been the paradoxical strategy... more
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Tonight on Max and Jason: Still Up
Top-shelf videos featuring:
Bug Eater
Max and Jason serve a friend scorpions, beetles and crickets, all local Thai delicacies. Find out which one was the tastiest.
http://current.com/items/76399822_bug-eater.htm
Pheromones
In a quest to uncover the rules of attraction, Jason and Max roam Rodeo Drive testing the affects of a pheromone enhanced lotion on the local ladies.
http://current.com/items/76297522_pheromones.htm
Catch the whole show. Tune in every weeknight at midnight/11 central for Max and Jason: Still Up.
http://current.com/max-and-jason-still-up/
Original air date: 09/10/09Tonight on Max and Jason: Still Up
Top-shelf videos featuring:
Bug Eater
Max... more
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A commercial airliner carrying 104 passengers has been hijacked on the tarmac at Mexico City's airport, CNN affiliate TV Azteca reported Wednesday.
Three abductors aboard the Boeing 737 Aeromexico jet have threatened to blow it up if their demand to speak to President Felipe Calderon is not met, the station said.A commercial airliner carrying 104 passengers has been hijacked on the tarmac at... more
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A French filmmaker who made a documentary about gangs in El Salvador has been shot dead on a road near the capital, police said.
The body of Christian Poveda, 54, was found on Wednesday in El Rosario county along with documents he was carrying close to his vehicle, a National Civil Police spokesman told AFP.
President Mauricio Funes said he was "dismayed" by the photographer and journalist's killing, which he "strongly condemned."
The Central American leader called on authorities to "conduct all necessary investigations so that those responsible are brought to justice". He called on the country to unite to "combat together" the scourge of violence hitting El Salvador.
Poveda, police say, was on his way back from filming in gang-controlled La Campanera, a poor suburb north of San Salvador.
The French-Spanish journalist has published reports in numerous journals including The New York Times, Le Monde, El Pais, Paris Match and Stern, mostly on Latin American affairs.
His documentaries have been broadcast around the world and featured at film festivals.
One of his most recent documentaries, "La Vida Loca" (2008), followed the Mara 18 gang of heavily tattooed Salvadoran youths who engage in drug trafficking and extortion.
Salvadoran journalists expressed outrage at the killing. "It is a sad loss. The cruel hand of violence has taken him from us," said Juan Jose Dalton of the Foreign Correspondents Association of El Salvador.A French filmmaker who made a documentary about gangs in El Salvador has been shot... more
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In a backlash against the US 'war on drugs', Latin America turns to a more liberal policy
The economic and social cost, plus European moves towards liberalisation, have emboldened some Latin American states to try new approaches.In a backlash against the US 'war on drugs', Latin America turns to a more... more
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