Tropical storm Ida is gaining strength in the southwest Caribbean, prompting a hurricane watch for the eastern coast of Nicaragua and storm warnings for two Colombian islands.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the ninth tropical storm of the season took shape Wednesday afternoon. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph (100 kph).
Forecasters say it could approach hurricane strength before making landfall early Thursday.
The storm’s center is about 65 miles (100 kilometers) east of Bluefields, Nicaragua. It is moving toward the west-northwest near 6 mph (9 kph).
Storm warnings were in effect for the Colombian islands of San Andres and Providencia.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
MIAMI (AP) — Tropical storm Ida has formed in the southwest Caribbean, quickly adding muscle and prompting storm warnings for the coast of Nicaragua and two Colombian islands.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the ninth tropical storm of the season took shape Wednesday afternoon. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph (95 kph).
The storm’s center is about 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of Bluefields, Nicaragua. It is moving toward the northwest near 6 mph (9 kph).
Storm warnings were in effect for the eastern coast of Nicaragua and the Colombian islands of San Andres and Providencia.
This past week in Nicaragua, demonstrators hurling fireworks chased the U.S. ambassador from a university fair because of his criticism of a Supreme Court ruling letting President Daniel Ortega seek another term. Thousands of Nicaraguans pelted the US embassy with rocks and home-made explosives and sprayed Sandinista slogans on the exterior walls of the diplomatic compound.This past week in Nicaragua, demonstrators hurling fireworks chased the U.S.... more
Despite a constitutional ban on consecutive presidential re-election, six Sandinista Supreme Court magistrates in Nicaragua loyal to Daniel Ortega ruled Oct. 19 that the law barring re-election is unconstitutional. The opposition, business leaders and social groups have all criticized the ruling as illegal and issued statements claiming they don't recognize the verdict.
The U.S. State Department and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee have both come out strongly against Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's questionable efforts to perpetuate in power after his term ends in 2011.Despite a constitutional ban on consecutive presidential re-election, six Sandinista... more
A ruling by the constitutional chamber of the Nicaraguan Supreme Court declaring "inapplicable" a constitutional article placing term limits on the president, vice president and mayors, "is written in stone and is unappealable," says Ortega.A ruling by the constitutional chamber of the Nicaraguan Supreme Court declaring... more
http://www.triponadeal.com We scour the New York Javits Center convention floor for the best adventure trips at this year’s “Adventure’s of Travel Expo” and find trips to Iran, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the North Pole and much more.http://www.triponadeal.com We scour the New York Javits Center convention floor for... more
The Obama administration must take note. Ahmadinejad’s regime promises to have strategic repercussions in America’s neighborhood. The expansion of Iranian influence in the Western Hemisphere — diplomatic, economic, military and terrorist infrastructure — has been rapid.
In little more than two years, the number of Iranian diplomatic representatives in the region has increased from six to 11 and the number of diplomatic personnel has grown proportionately. This multiplication of Iran’s ties with Latin America has been the result of a strategic convergence.
Tehran sees its penetration in the region as essential to its efforts to weaken Washington international influence. The radical leftist governments of Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua view Iran as a partner with whom they share common ground: hostility towards the U.S. The result is an anti-American alliance in the heart of the Western Hemisphere.
The growth of political ties has been followed by an expansion of economic interests. Iran has invested in a huge array of industries in Venezuela, ranging from car factories to cement production plants. The Islamic Republic has agreed to build a refinery and a petrochemical plant in Ecuador. Tehran is also making efforts to increase its commercial and cooperation ties with Mexico and Brazil.
Furthermore, Iran is seeking to develop military ties with Venezuela. In 2007, Tehran signed an agreement to collaborate on defense matters, which has already resulted in the provision of a dozen Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). At the same time Tehran has become a key partner in the development of the space program and the nuclear projects of Caracas and announced plans to build a munitions factory in the Venezuelan state of Carabobo.
The most worrisome Iranian activity in Latin America, however, is the establishment of terrorist infrastructures linked to Iran. Tehran employs a combination of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — Vahidi was the head of IRGC’s Quds Force — and the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah in its covert operations. The presence of both organizations in Latin America has substantially increased in recent years.
For example, the IRGC is cooperating closely with Venezuelan intelligence agencies. Tehran sent observers to military exercises organized by Caracas in 2008. Hezbollah has built a network of relations with Venezuelan citizens, making Caracas Hezbollah’s gateway into Latin America. As the U.S. Treasury Department denounced, one Venezuelan diplomat accredited in Beirut, Ghazi Nasr al Din, provided support to Hezbollah, including help with setting up its fund-raising apparatus in Latin America.The Obama administration must take note. Ahmadinejad’s regime promises to have... more
Abortions have been completely banned in Nicaragua, and the Penal Code sentences women who try to get abortions, along with those who try to help, to prison. From Amnesty International: "According to official figures, 33 girls and women have died in pregnancy this year as compared to 20 in the same period last year. Amnesty International believes these figures are only a minimum as the government itself has acknowledged that the number of maternal deaths is under-recorded." Even women whose lives are threatened by their pregnancies are not allowed therapeutic abortions. And teens are being affected in a horrific way: "...there was a recorded rise in pregnant teenagers committing suicide by consuming poison in 2008." (Amnesty International)
I hope that measures will be taken soon to reverse this ban on abortions in the country. Many women's lives could be changed for the better.Abortions have been completely banned in Nicaragua, and the Penal Code sentences women... more
Tensions are high as ousted Honduran president, Manuel Zelaya attempts to return. Crowds of Hondurans, some walking for miles, headed toward the country's southern border to receive the ousted President, but well-armed soldiers and police have blocked their way.
This video is from last week, when Zelaya's first attempt to cross was stopped by government troops. This is what he and his supporters will need to get past in order to even get into the country, much less retake the Presidency.Tensions are high as ousted Honduran president, Manuel Zelaya attempts to return.... more
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Summer's almost here travelers! While most travel businesses are suffering there is one that is thriving in this economy: Campgrounds. 2009 is the summer for camping! So campers this week light up the campfire and listen to our story, "The Tale of the best camping resources available on the net!"
Get all the links to the camping resources at triponadeal.com
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Summer's almost here travelers! While most travel... more
Last year as many as 65 people suffered from Grisi Sicknis - which translates to 'crazy sickness' - in the town of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. This year the strange illness continues to spark cases of extreme fever-like symptoms amongst the local people. Western doctors have found the case puzzling but one natural healer of the village named Doña Porcela, claims to be able to cure those affected, by giving them her special concoction.Last year as many as 65 people suffered from Grisi Sicknis - which translates to... more
Well...if u wanna know more about this awesome project.
After watching this one...you will be totally informed ;)Well...if u wanna know more about this awesome project.
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Intro vid, on how Jimmy The Man tours got started!
By yours truly, Daan & Jaap from Amsterdam!Intro vid, on how Jimmy The Man tours got started!
By yours truly, Daan & Jaap from... more
Two Northern Michigan University students started the New Year learning about Fair Trade during the peak of the coffee growing season in Nicaragua.
Since their return on January 12, Lisa McCarthy and Sarah Swanson have begun a series of presentations at U.P. churches to encourage Americans to buy Fair Trade coffee that ensures poor Nicaraguan farmers don't lose money in the labor-intensive industry of coffee production.
The NMU students among 13 Americans on Lutheran World Relief Study Tour.
In the final part of a three-part video series, The students describe how the women of Nicaragua are treated with respect, the importance of families and the environmental protection efforts of one Nicaragua’s organic farmers.
The group visited the capitol of Managua, and the villages of Matagalpa, Jinotega and La Reyna.
Fair trade ensures fair wages, and protects women's rights and human rights plus fights poverty.
Arriving at the peak of the coffee harvest, the students visited many aspects of the industry including dry mills, wet mills and coffee cooperatives.Two Northern Michigan University students started the New Year learning about Fair... more
Two NMU students - Lisa McCarthy and Sarah Swanson - are giving presentations across the Upper Peninsula on their recent Lutheran World Relief trip to Nicaragua during which they met with coffee farmers and learned about fair trade.
The NMU students among 13 Americans on Lutheran World Relief Study Tour.
In part two of a three-part video series, the students look at the Fair Trade movement efforts of Lutheran World Relief, Equal Exchange and the Center for Global Education.
A look at Fair Trade Principals including prohibiting child labor, protecting the environment, the need for fair wages and help the entire community not just coffee farming families. The students describe staying with coffee farming families in a small village in a mountainous area, interacting with the children and some of the interesting and inspiring people they met.
The group visited the capitol of Managua, and the villages of Matagalpa, Jinotega and La Reyna.
Fair trade ensures fair wages, and protects women's rights and human rights plus fights poverty.
Arriving at the peak of the coffee harvest, the students visited many aspects of the industry including dry mills, wet mills and coffee cooperatives.
They spoke on January 13, 2008 to a group at the St. Mark's Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Marquette, MI.Two NMU students - Lisa McCarthy and Sarah Swanson - are giving presentations across... more
(Marquette, Michigan) - While Upper Peninsula residents endured an arctic blast, two Northern Michigan University students started the New Year learning about Fair Trade during the peak of the coffee growing season in Nicaragua.
Since their return on January 12, Lisa McCarthy and Sarah Swanson have begun a series of presentations at U.P. churches to encourage Americans to buy Fair Trade coffee that ensures poor Nicaraguan farmers don't lose money in the labor-intensive industry of coffee production.
In part 1 of a three-part video series, the students look at the role of faith communities, Nicaragua coffee farmers, and coffee cooperatives in Fair Trade movement; Northern Michigan University students talk about work that goes into growing coffee including wet mills, dry mills and the process of quality/taste testing called "cupping."
From staring into the mouth of the Masaya Volcano to traveling narrow mountain roads to stay with coffee-farming families to picking beans and participating in all phases of coffee production, the trip was a myth-shattering experience.
The students are the latest of hundreds of faith community representatives traveling to Central American over the last decade with Lutheran World Relief (LWR) to get a quick course on Fair Trade while erasing misconceptions about Nicaragua's hard-working low-income farmers who take pride in their coffee.(Marquette, Michigan) - While Upper Peninsula residents endured an arctic blast, two... more
Northern Michigan University students Lisa McCarthy and Sarah Swanson are giving presentations across the Upper Peninsula on their recent Lutheran World Relief trip to Nicaragua during which they met with coffee farmers and learned about fair trade.
The NMU students were among 13 Americans on Lutheran World Relief Study Tour entitled NICARAGUA: Pour Justice to the Brim from January 5-12, 2009
The group visited the capitol of Managua, and the coffee growing regions of Matagalpa, Jinotega and La Reyna.
Fair trade ensures fair wages, and protects women's rights and human rights plus fights poverty and protects the environment.
At the peak of the coffee harvest, the students visited many aspects of the industry including dry mills, wet mills and coffee cooperatives.
They spoke on January 13, 2008 to a group at the St. Mark's Lutheran Church (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ) in Marquette, MI.Northern Michigan University students Lisa McCarthy and Sarah Swanson are giving... more
Photo by Lisa McCarthy
Two Northern Michigan University students are promoting Fair Trade for Nicaragua coffee farmers and others during presentations at churches across the Upper Peninsula.
In January 2009, the students were among 13 Americans on a Lutheran World Relief trip to Nicaragua during which they met with coffee farmers and learned about Fair Trade.
Fair trade ensures fair wages, and protects human and worker’s rights plus helps fight poverty and protect the environment.
The students, Lisa McCarthy of Greenville, WI and Sarah Swanson of Rapid River, MI, returned from Nicaragua on January 12, 2009 and spoke the next day to a group at the St. Mark's Lutheran Church (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) in Marquette, MI.Photo by Lisa McCarthy
Two Northern Michigan University students are promoting Fair... more
The Underground travels to the barrios of Nicaragua to investigate the recent law that has banned all forms of abortion. Interviews include the families of victims and representatives of the Catholic Church.
Collective Journalism, Current's citizen journalism program, works by combining perspectives from contributors like you around the world. All month until Election Day, CJ will be airing special investigations into the most important issues of this election.The Underground travels to the barrios of Nicaragua to investigate the recent law that... more
