Distorting Iranian-Latin American Relations

According to an article in the Israeli daily Haaretz entitled “Iran, Venezuela plan to build rival to Panama Canal”, the current border dispute between Costa Rica and Nicaragua—in which the former country has accused the latter of sending military troops into its territory along the San Juan River during a river dredging project—is a “trial balloon” for a new Iranian-funded “‘Nicaragua Canal’ linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.” The article takes care to specify that Costa Rica is “a country without an army” but does not suggest whether the announcement earlier this year regarding U.S. naval militarization of the Central American nation might also have constituted a trial balloon for something.

Miss America Latina del Mundo / Miss Latin America of the World

BBC News - Argentina and Uruguay settle seven-year pulp mill row

Argentina and Uruguay both say they are happy after a deal was reached to end their long-running row over a pulp mill on the banks of their shared river.

BBC News - Brazilian police crack international drug network

Police in Brazil say they have arrested 22 people as part of an 18-month effort to break an international drug syndicate.

BBC News - Colombian man shot dead in Medellin church

A Colombian man has been murdered inside a church as he attended a memorial mass for a relative who had also died violently, police say.

Colombia holds interest rate steady at 3%

Colombia's central bank held its benchmark interest rate for a seventh straight month at its monetary policy meeting Friday, citing low inflationary readings and a strong economic outlook.
The central bank's decision to keep the rate at 3% was widely expected by the market, with seven analysts surveyed by

Colombia, US renew human rights agreement

Colombia's Vice President Angelino Garzon and U.S. ambassador to Bogota Michael McKinley on Thursday renewed an agreement to promote human rights in Colombia.
The purpose of the agreement is to "renew a framework for international cooperation" between the Office of the

Russia releases Israeli mercenary

Israeli mercenary Yair Klein has been released from prison in Russia and is being repatriated to Israel despite repeated efforts by Colombian authorities to have him extradited, reports Caracol Radio.

"Klein has been released and is currently en route to Israel," an unnamed source told Interfax news agency.

Gov’t to invest $356 million to develop northern tourism route

Chan Chan

Peru’s government is planning to invest 1.0 billion soles ($356 million) over the next 3 years in the country’s northern regions on infrastructure to develop tourism, Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Eduardo Ferreyros said.
Government tourism promotion agency PromPeru previously announced that it would start a marketing campaign in 2011 to promote tourism to the Moche Route, which includes sites in Lambayeque and La Libertad.

Pizango launches presidential campaign

Alberto Pizango, the head of the Interethnic Association for the Development of Peru’s Jungle (Aidesep), has launched his campaign for the presidential elections in April 2011, daily La Republica reported.
The indigenous leader made the announcement on Thursday backed by representatives from Aidesep. His party, an Alliance for an Alternative for Humanity, or Aphu, will make official his candidacy.
“This morning I assume an enormous commitment and I swear to our ancient spirits to take on this assignment with honour… I promise to make Peru a multicultural state, for which we are organizing our party,” Pizango said.

Peru to receive Yale delegation to discuss Machu Picchu artifacts

A delegation from Yale University is expected to be arriving in Lima by the weekend to meet with local authorities to discuss the return of archaeological artifacts taken from Machu Picchu by American historian Hiram Bingham almost 100 years ago, President Alan Garcia said.

81 million Chinese need aid this winter

BEIJING, AFP - China says more than 81 million of its people will need government relief this winter, after it suffered one of its worst years for natural disasters in two decades.

China has been particularly badly hit by natural disasters this year, experiencing an earthquake that killed nearly 2700 people, the worst inundations in a decade and a huge mudslide that killed 1500.

Monaco princess-to-be in charity wokr plan

PARIS, AFP - Monaco's future princess, South African swimming champion Charlene Wittstock, plans to launch into humanitarian work after her wedding next year, her fiance Prince Albert II said in an interview on Thursday.

Battle of two cities, Fiji

LAUTOKA has taken a surprise lead after Day One of the FMF Chow Games at the tfl National Stadium yesterday.

The Sugar City side bagged seven gold, three silver and one bronze medals heading into the final day today.

Torres seeks Kilili help on nuclear power impact study

Rep. Stanley Torres (Ind-Saipan) has sought Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan's help in pursuing a federal technical assistance grant for the conduct of an impact study to pave the way for a “passive” nuclear power generation for the CNMI.
The Fitial administration has been pushing for the use of eco-friendly and alternative sources of energy, which includes nuclear power generation. With the high cost of fuel, the administration also wants to reduce reliance on fossil fuel.

Medical referral program remains stalled

World Tour and Travel and Wings Travel continue to refuse processing passengers under the CNMI's medical referral program, citing the non-payment of arrears owed them by the government.
Medical referral patients in the CNMI routinely seek treatment in Manila, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. hospitals, paid for by the CNMI government.

SSHS students watch premiere of new 'Potter' film

Over 150 Saipan Southern High School students packed the Hollywood Theaters Friday morning to watch the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
Saipan Southern High School Book Club has been promoting the event through literature connection in Book Club discussions, blog, and Facebook page.

Kyoto Gaidai Nishi cultural exchange this year could be last

Sixty-four students from Japan's Kyoto Gaidi Nishi High School arrived on Saipan yesterday for their annual exchange program with Grace Christian Academy.
The group, which also included four teachers, conveyed to GCA officials that this year could be the last of their annual visit to Saipan, which started in 2003.
They said the decision to stop the cultural exchange program is due to the lack of direct flights from Kyoto to Saipan

Senate kills marijuana bill

The Senate rejected yesterday a controversial House bill that seeks to legalize marijuana in the CNMI for medical and recreational use, but the bill's author said he plans to introduce a separate “medical marijuana” legislation.
House Bill 17-47 was killed on a 7-0 vote during a Senate session held at the Northern Marianas College campus on Rota yesterday afternoon.

Yahoo News, Nov 19, 2010

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Consumers International Blog: Financial consumer protection: a ray of light in the G20 gloom?

CI's Robin Simpson gives a blow by blow account of the G20 commitment to financial consumer protection.
While the world’s press and the financial markets were raining on the G20's parade, we poor toilers at Consumers International (CI) were enjoying a moment of satisfaction at the outcome. Lobbying by our members in the G20 countries seems to have paid off.

Bernanke defends Fed action, calls for unity

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Friday defended the central bank's plans to spur U.S. economic growth, saying they could help reduce unemployment, and -- in a message aimed at China -- urged developing nations to let their currencies gain in value. Nations need to work together to correct global imbalances as the world economy recovers at an uneven pace, the Fed chairman said at a banking conference in Frankfurt, Germany

Oprah considering snapping up new home with a $68 million price tag, Nov 19, 2010

The media mogul is said to have inspected the sprawling Old Frick Estate in the ulta-exclustive suburb of Alpine in New Jersey according to The New York Post.
The five-story English manor style property boasts nineteen bathrooms and 12 bedrooms is valued at a cool $68 million.
See photos of the lavish estate
Winfrey arrived at the property in an entourage  

info@als-alexander.org or interalex1@yahoo.com

Alleged cannibal Nicolas Cocaign's French prison a 'failure'

A PRISONER on trial for allegedly pulling out his cellmate's lung while he was still alive has put France's troubled prison system under new scrutiny. Nicolas Cocaign, 39, is charged with murdering Thierry Baudry by punching him, stabbing him with a pair of scissors and suffocating