Wednesday, April 4, 2012

10:48 AM 4/4/2012 | Mike Nova's starred items

via CARIBBEAN BUSINESS's Facebook Wall by CARIBBEAN BUSINESS on 4/3/12
#Forbes: OSJ among prettiest US towns. Read more: http://ow.ly/a3o8v http://ow.ly/i/xRww


HootSuite Photos

via Primera Hora : Noticias on 4/3/12
El portal de la revista Forbes incluyó al Viejo San Juan entre las ciudades más bellas de América.

via Puerto Rico News - Archive Links's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News - Archive Links on 4/3/12
8:48 PM 4/3/2012 | Municipalities slow to accept Internet gift – Puerto Rico Daily Sun – April 3, 2012 - Robert McCarroll: “Maybe it is time to throw the uncaring, selfish, incompetent bums out of office.... ???? ....” – Bob | US agents dismantle Puerto Rico drug organization led by Santero priest - By Associated Press


8:48 PM 4/3/2012 | Municipalities slow to accept Internet gift – Puerto Rico Daily Sun – April 3, 2012 - Robert McCarroll: “Maybe it is time to throw the uncaring, selfish, incompetent bums out of office.... ???? ....” – Bob | US agents dismantle Puerto Rico drug organization led by Santero priest - By Associated Press
Tuesday, April 3, 2012 via Puerto Rico Daily Sun - Timely news about Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and the world on 4/3/12 Tuesday, April 3, 2012 http://www.prdailysun.com/news/Municipalities-slow-to-accept-Internet-gift Municipalities slow to accept Internet gift – Puerto Rico Daily Sun – April 3, 2012 By John McPhaul Of the Daily Sun staff Despite the importance of technological development to the economic future of the island, the great majority of mayors in Puerto...

via Puerto Rico Daily Sun - Timely news about Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and the world on 4/4/12
Wednesday, April 4, 2012

This post has been generated by Page2RSS

via Puerto Rico News on 4/4/12

Despite the importance of technological development to the economic future of the island, the great majority of mayors in Puerto Rico are dragging their feet in accepting a gift from the island's Telecommunications Regulations Board of free Internet centers and Wi-Fi (wireless Internet access), said Sandra Torres, the board's president.
The problem appears to be a lack of vision of many of the island's mayors, said Torres.
"The mayors do not act rapidly, not even giving them something for free," she said. "This has been like a plea on our part."
Conscious of the value of broadening Internet access to Puerto Rico's economic development, the Legislative Assembly passed Law 101 in July of 2010 to provide each municipality with an Internet center where the public can go online free and use Wi-Fi (wireless Internet access) in every public central plaza on the island.
In order to close the "digital divide" between low-income families and families who can afford Internet service in the home, the law intends to extend easy Internet access to every corner of the island.
"Unfortunately, in Puerto Rico many families, especially those of scarce economic resources, don't have the necessary capital to afford the provision of technology or information equipment in their homes," the law states.
The penetration of the Internet in Puerto Rico at 35 percent lags well behind the United States at 70 percent and some European countries which have up to 90 percent, said Torres
The Telecommunications Regulations Board earmarked $3 million for the purpose of preparing and equipping the centers and providing the Wi-Fi, giving the board $40,000 to $45,000 dollars per municipality, said Torres.
The only thing that the municipalities have to do is to provide space for the Internet center with water, lights and bathrooms, she said.
Administration of the centers would initially fall on the municipalities to later be handed over to nonprofit organizations.
The board provides everything else for the center: a minimum of 10 computers (depending on the population of the municipality) equipped with content filters, printers, security cameras, furniture and materials for small repairs; and for the Wi-Fi: wireless Internet antennae and content filter.
[Continue in Extended Entry section.]

via Caribnews's Facebook Wall by Caribnews on 4/4/12
AHORA: Fallece el expresidente del Senado Roberto Rexach Benítez - ENDI http://ow.ly/a4u7p


Fallece el expresidente del Senado Roberto Rexach Benítez - El Nuevo Día
ow.ly
Fue representante por acumulación por el Partido Popular Democrático y luego senador por el Partido Nuevo Progresista

via Puerto Rico Newswire on 5/7/10
Hispanic women in Puerto Rico who have triple-negative breast cancer share similar disease characteristics with Hispanic women in California, suggesting that race plays a significant role in the presentation of triple-negative breast cancer among Hispanic women.

via puerto rico - Google News on 4/4/12



Interop Technologies Successfully Delivers CMAS Messages in Tsunami Drill
MarketWatch (press release)
In the drill, Interop Technologies' CMSP Gateway successfully forwarded the test messages initiated by the National Weather Service to a set of test handsets in Puerto Rico. In an actual emergency, CMAS alerts will be forwarded to all CMAS-enabled ...

and more »

via puerto rico - Google News on 4/3/12

USA TODAY


Lopez suspended by Puerto Rican commission; Arum rips decision
Crave Online (blog)
by Lem Satterfield Juan Manuel Lopez is planning to appeal his license suspension by the Professional Boxing Commission of Puerto Rico, whose move Lopez's co-promoter, Bob Arum, has called, "reprehensible." The professional license of former WBO ...
Juan Manuel Lopez loses boxing license for one yearUSA TODAY
Juan Manuel Lopez loses licenseESPN
Arum Erupts Over Juama Lopez's One Year Boxing BanBoxingScene.com

all 24 news articles »
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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

8:48 PM 4/3/2012 | Municipalities slow to accept Internet gift – Puerto Rico Daily Sun – April 3, 2012 - Robert McCarroll: “Maybe it is time to throw the uncaring, selfish, incompetent bums out of office.... ???? ....” – Bob | US agents dismantle Puerto Rico drug organization led by Santero priest - By Associated Press

 

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

via Puerto Rico Daily Sun - Timely news about Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and the world on 4/3/12

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

http://www.prdailysun.com/news/Municipalities-slow-to-accept-Internet-gift

Municipalities slow to accept Internet gift – Puerto Rico Daily Sun – April 3, 2012

By John McPhaul

Of the Daily Sun staff

Despite the importance of technological development to the economic future of the island, the great majority of mayors in Puerto Rico are dragging their feet in accepting a gift from the island’s Telecommunications Regulations Board of free Internet centers and Wi-Fi (wireless Internet access), said Sandra Torres, the board’s president.

The problem appears to be a lack of vision of many of the island’s mayors, said Torres.

“The mayors do not act rapidly, not even giving them something for free,” she said. “This has been like a plea on our part.”

Conscious of the value of broadening Internet access to Puerto Rico’s economic development, the Legislative Assembly passed Law 101 in July of 2010 to provide each municipality with an Internet center where the public can go online free and use Wi-Fi (wireless Internet access) in every public central plaza on the island.

In order to close the “digital divide” between low-income families and families who can afford Internet service in the home, the law intends to extend easy Internet access to every corner of the island.

“Unfortunately, in Puerto Rico many families, especially those of scarce economic resources, don’t have the necessary capital to afford the provision of technology or information equipment in their homes,” the law states.

The penetration of the Internet in Puerto Rico at 35 percent lags well behind the United States at 70 percent and some European countries which have up to 90 percent, said Torres

The Telecommunications Regulations Board earmarked $3 million for the purpose of preparing and equipping the centers and providing the Wi-Fi, giving the board $40,000 to $45,000 dollars per municipality, said Torres.

The only thing that the municipalities have to do is to provide space for the Internet center with water, lights and bathrooms, she said.

Administration of the centers would initially fall on the municipalities to later be handed over to nonprofit organizations.

The board provides everything else for the center: a minimum of 10 computers (depending on the population of the municipality) equipped with content filters, printers, security cameras, furniture and materials for small repairs; and for the Wi-Fi: wireless Internet antennae and content filter.

The board even provides model letters which municipalities can use to request the service.

“If they have problems with the paint, we will paint the center. If they have electrical problems, we’ll send an electrician. If they have problems with cement we’ll send a contractor,” said Torres. “I don’t know what else they want. The issue with them is a lack of interest.”

Torres noted that the Wi-Fi would cover areas in the close vicinity of the public plazas in addition to the plaza themselves, posing the possibility of creating businesses which cater to laptop-carrying students and professionals in a manner done with great success by Starbucks.

Meanwhile the mayors, it appears, are stuck in the last century.

“There are mayors who send everything by fax. They refuse to use technology,” said Torres. “They don’t see the opportunity they have for their constituents and for themselves in the use of technology.”

The municipalities which currently have Internet centers are Moca, Toa Alta, San Sebastian, Manati, Aguada and Gurabo.

The center in Loiza is ready for inauguration.

The rest of the municipalities are in at various stage of the process of fixing up centers, installing the Internet and choosing the locale of the centers, among others.

The sluggishness of the mayors contrasts with the advance the central government in providing Internet access to various commonwealth agencies.

On the Internet citizens can look up tax debts, pay taxes, obtain birth certificates, obtain penal records and pay water and electric bills, among other services.

Robert McCarroll

Bob%20jpeg[1]
http://www.facebook.com/robert.mccarroll1?__adt=2

“Maybe it is time to throw the uncaring, selfish, incompetent bums out of office.... ???? ....” – Bob

Robert McCarroll also recommends this site and articles:

Puerto Rico Statesman

BUSINESS
New Cidra rum distillery
$40M DuPont Manati investment

NEWS
PR rebirth of shining star
Holocaust musuem opened
SEC investigate primary vote
Flood warning in south
US Agents seek gang members

*

Robert McCarroll

Keeping the focus on ourselves....

If any of my friends in the fellowship has Felix’s email address,

please forward this to him. This question of being bothered by

people not worth wasting our time on has been a topic at a lot

of meetings this month.

A lady who had Dr. Bob as her sponsor often visited the

Mustard Seed back in the 1970’s. She was wonderful. I

one day asked her what is the greatest advice she could

give me. Here is her advice:

“Mind my own business and it is not my business if others

are trying to mind my business.”

-- Bob McC.

*

http://www.queerty.com/update-incriminating-photo-of-couple-arrested-on-gay-cruise-surfaces-20120330/

Humping on deck dock side instead of ocean side.... How stupid!!!

*

http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/news03.php?nt_id=69916&ct_id=1&ct_name=1

Issued : Monday, April 2, 2012 05:34 PM                                  

PR autism rates outpace mainland – Caribbean Business online

By CB Online Staff

cbnews@caribbeanbusinesspr.com

The Puerto Rico Autism Center will officially open its doors in San Juan this week to serve young children on an island where the prevalence of the disorder outpaces rising rates in the U.S.

Gov. Luis Fortuño and first lady Lucé Vela cut the ribbon on the facility near the Río Piedras Medical Center on Monday. The center will start operations on Tuesday, serving children up to five years old who have been diagnosed with autism or shown signs of the disorder.

“This ailment touches everyone at some point and it is up to all of us to be part of the solution,” Fortuño said. “As a father, I know that there is nothing tougher than having a child who is suffering and not knowing why.”

A recent survey found that 1 in 62 children in Puerto Rico suffer from autism or a related disorder. The rate of U.S. cases rose to about 1 in 88 children, federal health officials said last week. The previous estimate was 1 in 110.

The rise is largely due to wider screening and better diagnosis, health officials said.

“Our situation is more severe than in the U.S. Fortuño said.

The center will initially focus on early intervention to be able to diagnose potential autism cases and provide educational services to parents. Future plans call for the establishment of longer term care.

“We want to develop a research center. We are committed to understanding the neefds of these children and their families to be able to find solutions,” said Annie Alonso, director of the Developmental Deficiencies Institute at the University of Puerto Rico’s Medical Sciences campus.

Parents welcomed the opening of the new center, which fills a gap in Puerto Rico’s health care system.

Comptroller Yezmín Valdivieso recounted how she felt compelled to move to Florida to get care for her autistic son, who is now 20.

 

“Autism will eventually reach your door because it is on the rise,” event producer Martiza Casiano said. “This is not the neighbor’s problem, it is everyone’s fight.”

 

The government-funded Mi Salud (Medicaid) health care covers autism treatments, as do many private insurance plans.

 

The new federal figure is from the latest in a series of studies that have been steadily increasing the U.S. government’s autism estimate. This new number means autism is nearly twice as common as officials said it was only five years ago, and likely affects roughly 1 million U.S. children and teens.

 

Health officials attribute the increase largely to better recognition of cases, through wide screening and better diagnosis. But the search for the cause of autism is really only beginning, and officials acknowledge that other factors may be helping to drive up the numbers.

 

“We’re not quite sure the reasons for the increase,” said Coleen Boyle of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

Autism is diagnosed by making judgments about a child’s behavior; there are no blood or biologic tests. For decades, the diagnosis was given only to kids with severe language and social impairments and unusual, repetitious behaviors. The definition of autism has gradually expanded, and “autism” is now shorthand for a group of milder, related conditions, including Asperger’s syndrome. Meanwhile, there’s been an explosion in autism-related treatment and services for children.

 

As in the past, advocacy groups seized on the new numbers as further evidence that autism research and services should get greater emphasis. The new figures indicate “a public health emergency that demands immediate attention,” said Geraldine Dawson, chief science officer for the advocacy group Autism Speaks.

 

The CDC study released last week is considered the most comprehensive U.S. investigation of autism prevalence to date. Researchers gathered data from areas in 14 states — Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin.

 

They looked specifically at 8-year-old children because most autism is diagnosed by that age. They checked health and school records to see which children met the criteria for autism, even if they hadn’t been formally diagnosed. Then, the researchers calculated how common autism was in each place and overall.

 

An earlier report based on 2002 findings estimated that about 1 in 150 children that age had autism or a related disorder such as Asperger’s. After seeing 2006 data, the figure was revised to about 1 in 110. The estimate released Thursday, based on 2008 data, is 1 in 88.

 

The study also found that autism disorders were almost five times more common in boys. And that an increasingly large proportion of children with autism have IQs of 85 or higher — a finding that contradicts a past assumption that most autistic kids had IQs of 70 or lower.

 

Also, higher autism rates were found in some places than others. For example in Utah, as many as 1 in 47 of the 8-year-olds had an autism spectrum disorder. In New Jersey, 1 in 49 did.

 

Alabama was at the other end the scale, with only about 1 in 210 identified as autistic. The difference was attributed to less information out of Alabama. Researchers were not able to access school information in that state and a few others, and as a result believe they have a less complete picture.

 

That’s a reasonable explanation, said Zachary Warren, director of an autism treatment and research institute at Vanderbilt University.

 

“How you go looking for something is going to affect what you find,” he said.

 

In the early 1990s, only a few out of every 10,000 children were diagnosed with the condition, based on some small studies in individual states or cities. But the numbers began to change dramatically after 2000, when Congress directed federal health officials to do more autism research, and CDC started the larger study to see how common autism is.

 

CDC is also studying the cause of autism, which has remained a mystery.

 

Genetics is believed to play a role. Some parents and others have believed childhood vaccines trigger autism, even though many studies have not found a connection.

 

CDC researchers are looking at other possible factors, including illnesses that mothers had while they were pregnant with children who later were diagnosed as autistic. The researchers also are looking into medications that the pregnant women took and those given to their children took when they were young. The first results of that study are expected next year.

 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

*

http://www.topix.com/world/puerto-rico

Puerto Rico News

News on Puerto Rico continually updated from thousands of sources around the net.

5 min ago | | Upfront Yankee

Are both Romney and Fortuño Etch-A-Sketch candidates? – Puerto Rico Daily Sun – 01/04/12

It has become obvious to most astute voters that Willard Mitt Romney is an Etch-A-Sketch candidate.  All over the United States, he has been trying to convince voters in the local primaries that he is a “conservative” totally against Obama care and other liberal programs for the middle and working class. When he arrived in Puerto Rico, he tried to give the impression that he is a moderate or even liberal. He wanted Puerto Ricans to view him as being for the kinds of liberal programs the Democrats made possible stateside and here in Puerto Rico. Local Republican leaders in Puerto Rico promoted what he had done while Governor of Massachusetts years ago and not the far right-wing Republican image he is now giving when campaigning in the states.

Romney’s  sketch changes with locations and time periods. When he arrived in Puerto Rico, he shook his Etch-A-Sketch image from being conservative tea party to being more for the working people. When he returned to the mainland, he shook  his image board again back to be a way-to-the-right conservative. If he is nominated and runs against liberal Democrat Barack Obama, he will shake his image board to be more liberal and mainstream. He is always changing images and with no permanent or long lasting convictions. He is constantly shaking his Etch-A-Sketch to get votes and not for what is right for the people.

Puerto Rico Luis Fortuño is most certainly an Etch-A-Sketch candidate like Willard Mitt Romney. When among the voters of Puerto Rico, Fortuño sounds a lot like Obama. He is for all those Democrat liberal programs.  When he gets on the plane to visit his GOP cohorts in the states, he shakes his Etch-A-Sketch to become as conservative, tea party as Romney. On the return trip to the Enchanted Island. Forfuño needs to shake his image board again to come across to Puerto Rican voters as being more liberal and for the working people.

Unfortunately for Fortuño, in some areas of being a leader, he is so right-wing and cannot change no matter how much he shakes his image board. For example, he is not for separation of church and state or for gay rights. Thank God, unlike Heir Schatz of the Puerto Rico Senate, he does not give a duck quacking sound to insult his political opponents. It is obvious that Schatz has no  Etch-A.Sketch board.   But we all know who Schatz is and wonder exactly who is Luis Fortuño.

*

Robert McCarroll – Carolina, Puerto Rico:

--- Wait!!! Fortuño is shaking his board again to get more votes or to be liked by mainland right-wingers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 http://www.topix.com/world/puerto-rico/2012/04/are-both-romney-and-fortu-o-etch-a-sketch-candidates-puerto-rico-daily-sun-01-04-12

*

I  posted this on Sep. 24, 2011. The Rum Diary is really about me as an always drunk public relations want-to-be novelist getting chased because of my nasty mouth.   I have more lives than the nine Lives Ever Ready  Cat. -- Bob

Sep 24, 2011 | Posted by: Upfront Yankee

'The Rum Diaries' poster: Johnny Depp shows 'The Hangover' boys how it's done

Full story: insidemovies.ew.com


Enterainment Weekly – September 24, 2011
Bruce Robinson’s adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s novel The Rum Diary won’t hit theaters until Oct. 28, but the newly released poster will prepare you for what is sure to be a wild ride. The film chronicles the drunken life of journalist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) while he works and lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico during the 1950s, and the poster perfectly captures his chaotic trip. Depp’s face isn’t shown, as it’s too busy adjusting to the sunlight after stumbling through what looks to be a very drunken night. We do get to see his sculpted back and trashed hotel room, which is completely littered with things like broken bottles, a gun, bowling pins, and a goldfish. Welcome to Puerto Rico! [Open above link to view original source and comments from EW.com readers.]

*

I wrote this on  Sep. 27, 2011   --- Bob

http://www.topix.com/forum/world/puerto-rico/TU5J69GA832TOD96P

Sep 27, 2011 | Posted by: Upfront Yankee

The San Juan Star returns in time for “The Rum Diary'” movie...

The main filming location of the tape film "The Rum Diary," which was shot in Puerto Rico with Johnny Depp starring in a building is decorated and labeled with the name "The San Juan Star" which is located in Old San Juan, off the premises of the Office of Management and Budget (OGP).
“The Rum Dairy” movie is about journalists who worked for the San Juan Star in the 1960’s. I am wondering if there is a relationship between the San Juan Star being published again October 4th and the movie being released October 28.. What great publicity if Johnny Depp visited the production line of the revived San Juan Star and said “roll the presses” while the publisher of the San Juan Star visited a Caribbean Cinema and said “turn on “The Rum Diary” projectors”.
It would have been strange to have the movie open here and the paper was dead. It could be a celebration that the film is finally released and the San Juan Star is again hot off the press.
Why does nothing come up when I Google: “San Juan Star returns October 4, 2011”? There have been advertising on the English-language Radio Station WOSO that the San Juan Star will be published Monday through Fridays starting October 4. For now, it seems it will not publish on weekends.

*  *  *

Santero priest targeted in PRico drug operation

via Puerto Rico Newswire on 4/3/12

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - A Santeria leader charged with helping run an organization that allegedly smuggled drugs bound for the U.S. and rigged Puerto Rico's lottery system to launder money was among dozens of suspects arrested Tuesday, according to federal agents.

US agents dismantle Puerto Rico drug organization led by Santero priest - Washington Post

via puerto rico - Google News on 4/3/12

US agents dismantle Puerto Rico drug organization led by Santero priest
Washington Post
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Santeria leader charged with helping run an organization that allegedly smuggled drugs bound for the US and rigged Puerto Rico's lottery system to launder money was among dozens of suspects arrested Tuesday, according to ...
and more »

US agents dismantle Puerto Rico drug organization led by Santero priest

By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, April 3, 5:21 PM

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Santeria leader charged with helping run an organization that allegedly smuggled drugs bound for the U.S. and rigged Puerto Rico’s lottery system to launder money was among dozens of suspects arrested Tuesday, according to federal agents.

Orlando Robles Ortiz is accused of helping the group transport U.S.-bound cocaine from the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Maarten to Puerto Rico and of consulting with a spirit named “Samuel” on which days were best to do so, officials said.

Robles also would consult the spirit before accepting new members to the organization, said Pedro Janer, acting special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Caribbean division.

He noted that while Afro-Caribbean religions have played an important role in drug trafficking here, it is unusual for a Santero priest to help lead such an organization.

By Tuesday afternoon, at least 18 of the 22 suspects had been arrested in San Juan and in New York following a seven-month investigation named “Voodoo Sam.”

“It appears the spirit was on vacation thanks to Holy Week,” Janer said about the group’s failure to recognize that federal agents were closing in thanks to a tip received from authorities in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The organization had operated since 2003 and is accused of earning $127 million distributing at least 840 kilograms (1,850 pounds) of cocaine a year across Puerto Rico and to Connecticut and New York aboard commercial planes, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Mariana Bauza.

Among those accused is a former stewardess for American Airlines, a former local basketball player and the former owner of a local baseball team.

The organization also had developed a contact within Puerto Rico’s lottery office that would give them winning numbers that had not been claimed so they could hide their earnings, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Capo.

The group bought at least 33 tickets for their actual price plus 20 percent commission and then present the ticket as if it were theirs, he said. The lottery office would then write a check for the winning amount, helping the organization launder more than $1.4 million, he said.

The suspects face a maximum of life in prison if found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

HSI arrests *Puerto Rican* community leader for production of child *...*

via puerto rico - Google Blog Search by webmaster@ice.gov (ICE) on 4/2/12

HSI arrests Puerto Rican community leader for production of child pornography. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A community leader in charge of managing the girls' volleyball team at Residencial Alturas de Isabela was arrested at ...

Juan Manuel Lopez loses license - ESPN

via puerto rico - Google News on 4/3/12


TSN

Juan Manuel Lopez loses license
ESPN
AP SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- The commonwealth's professional boxing commission has suspended the license of former WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez for one year for criticizing a referee after his March 10 loss to Mexico's Orlando Salido.
Juanma is Suspended For One Year, Plans To AppealBoxingScene.com
Juan Manuel Lopez loses boxing license fFOXSports.com
Juan Manuel Lopez loses boxing license for one yearMiamiHerald.com
all 13 news articles »

Posted by at No comments:

5:18 PM 4/3/2012

5:18 PM 4/3/2012

Mike Nova's starred items 

caribnews: UN: The world needs a new economic model based around “gross global happiness” rather than simply making money http://t.co/JUlb07Zu

via Twitter / caribnews on 4/3/12

caribnews: UN: The world needs a new economic model based around “gross global happiness” rather than simply making money http://t.co/JUlb07Zu

caribnews: Detienen a dos de los tres sospechosos de golpear a turista en Vieques http://t.co/skqE6uGx

via Twitter / caribnews on 4/3/12

caribnews: Detienen a dos de los tres sospechosos de golpear a turista en Vieques http://t.co/skqE6uGx

caribnews: El número de desempleados alcanzó en España un nuevo récord con 4,750,000 millones de personas http://t.co/HsAKUQ1X

via Twitter / caribnews on 4/3/12

caribnews: El número de desempleados alcanzó en España un nuevo récord con 4,750,000 millones de personas http://t.co/HsAKUQ1X

caribnews: Manuel Morales anuncia que los Reyes de España visitarán a Puerto Rico, en el marco del partido amistoso entre España y Puerto Rico -NotiLuz

via Twitter / caribnews on 4/3/12

caribnews: Manuel Morales anuncia que los Reyes de España visitarán a Puerto Rico, en el marco del partido amistoso entre España y Puerto Rico -NotiLuz

caribnews: Asesinan en asalto a gerente de una tienda de piezas de autos en Carolina - vía @TorresGotay

via Twitter / caribnews on 4/3/12

caribnews: Asesinan en asalto a gerente de una tienda de piezas de autos en Carolina - vía @TorresGotay

Funcionarios de la Fed preocupados por ritmo laboral en EEUU

via Latino.FoxNews.com on 4/3/12

Los responsables de las políticas de la Reserva Federal temen que los recientes avances sólidos en el número de trabajadores contratados en Estados Unidos puedan esfumarse si no se anima el crec...

Sotomayor Gives No Hints On Health Care Decision

via Latino Voices on HuffingtonPost.com by AP on 4/3/12

WASHINGTON -- Justice Sonia Sotomayor is giving no hints on what the Supreme Court is going to do on the question of whether President Barack Obama's signature health care overhaul law is constitutional.

Sotomayor was the featured speaker Monday night at a lecture hosted by the University of the District of Columbia.

The court recently heard arguments on the health care law and is expected to make a decision before the end of June. But Sotomayor made no comment on the widely followed case.

The justice used most of her conversation with Wade Henderson, president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, to explain how the Supreme Court works and how she decided to become a lawyer and a prosecutor.

Sotomayor also said she's a fan of Jeremy Lin, whose NBA career with the New York Knicks has spawned "Linsanity." Sotomayor, a New York native, says "New York loves him" but decried some of the racist comments the Asian-American basketball player has faced as "ugly."

"It's a sad statement people that people still say those words," said Sotomayor, who is Hispanic.

Luis Perez-Simon: The Spies Who Loved Me: Los Cinco, Alan Gross and Faith

via The Blog by Luis Perez-Simon on 4/3/12

And then, there were four.

Unbeknownst to most Americans (and the rest of the world), Los cinco (The Cuban Five) are a group of Cuban intelligence agents caught and incarcerated for spying on U.S. territory in 1998. They are considered national heroes in Cuba, and every man, woman and child on the island knows their story of walking through the Valley of the Shadow, and of fearing no Evil.

One of them, René González, was paroled in October 2011 after serving 13 years in prison. He was freed and given three-year probation to be served in the U.S. On Monday, March 19, a U.S. Judge granted his request for permission to visit his ailing brother in Cuba for two weeks. He arrived in Havana airport on Friday, March 30, two days after Pope Benedict XVI left Cuba.

Alan Gross may be more familiar to most people on both sides of the Florida Straights. The American social (albeit, political) worker was caught and incarcerated for giving away telecommunication equipment to private members of the Jewish community in Cuba. Though the Cuban government has been accused of many things on this case, it has not bee labelled anti-Semitic. You see, satellite and Internet communications are strictly controlled by the State. The crime was civil, not religious. He was sentenced to 15 years for crimes against the State.

For many years now, both governments and assorted international institutions have addressed the fate of both Los cinco and Alan Gross, especially after their corresponding cases reached each country's Supreme Court (the Cubans' appeal was denied in 2009, the American's was confirmed in 2011). In essence, it has turned into a game of Chicken.

You would have expected great fanfare and gloating by the Cuban government once Mr. González touched down in Cuba. Perhaps even a photo-op with Fidel and his González (Elian) and Raúl with his (René). But the subdued reaction was unprecedented: his arrival was reported once he had arrived and left the airport, it was labelled a 'private visit', and it was the very last news item on the program.

Mr. Gross has been largely absent from Cuban media. Once his trial in 2011 took place, there was scant mention of his case. And the little recent attention has been aimed at specifically comparing both cases. Curiously, he is always labelled "the American citizen, Alan Gross," never 'spy' or 'terrorist.' Furthermore, the Cuban government has always expressed their desire to arrive at a humanitarian accord on his case.

The other side of the coin, of course, is what they would like on exchange.

Diplomacy -- Vatican, American and Cuban -- is, perhaps, at work here. There was a flurry of meetings in Rome, Washington and Havana in February and March around Mr. Gross' case. The most public being the visit of Senators Leahy and Shelby to Havana on February 23rd. What options were discussed, no one really knows.

Leniency of any sort, as far as the sentence of Los cinco is concerned, has always been off the table. Unfortunately for Cuba, a sentence handed down by a U.S. court can be appealed to a higher court, but not politically expedited.

Well, not on an election year.

What is much more flexible are the conditions of probation. Judge Joan Lenard's unexpected ruling allowing Mr. González to travel to Cuba is a case in point: there is absolutely nothing but faith to guarantee his return.

Nothing, except the Cuban government.

Being labelled a "Hero of the Revolution" is both a blessing and a curse. Los cinco's families have been given privileges and responsibilities as a result of their loved ones' sacrifices. Now, perhaps, Mr. González will be asked to be a hero again. As a sign of good faith.

The Holy See has asked for more access to public media in Cuba. They have asked for a higher role in education. They have asked for many things, publicly, except human rights. Theirs is a politics of service, a politics of faith. And yet, diplomatic cables (read Wikileaks) have drawn back the curtain on their approach toward the U.S.-Cuba conflict: speak softly and carry a big cross. This seems to work much better than a stick, it would appear.

Will Mr. Gross see his family soon on humanitarian grounds? We'll have to wait and see.

Will Mr. González return to serve the rest of his probation in the U.S.?

If we consider Heberto Padilla's 1968 poem, "In Hard Times", the answer to the latter question will likely be 'yes.'

TIME Magazine List Of Influential People, Are Latinos Well Represented?

via Latest News by Laura Steiner on 4/3/12

This week, TIME Magazine published it's list of nominees for "The 2012 TIME 100 Poll" of most influential people around the world. The list includes a diverse number of leaders, artists, innovators and icons. Readers can vote for or against anyone in the list. From 195 people, 100 will be declared as the most influential people in the world. Out of the 195 nominees, seven are Hispanic and two are Brazilian.

Colombian singer Shakira was recognized for bridging the gap between Latin American and the rest of the world. According to TIME Magazine, she has "inspired reluctant Latin moguls, not known for their generosity, to get on board with meaningful projects."

Shakira received a nomination for a Prince of Asturias Concord award earlier this year for her humanitarian work. The singer is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and founded the Barefoot Foundation, a non-profit devoted to making education universally available.

Comedian Louis C.K. who is half-Mexican, "has shown what a person can do on his own with technology and sheer talent." The comedian cut a deal with entertainment companies and now sells his comedy show online for $5.

Cuban-American GOP senator, Marco Rubio, is described by TIME Magazine as a shrewd and dynamic campaigner who if chosen to be the GOP's vice presidential candidate, might outshine the presidential nominee.

Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos is recognized for being "the first Latin American head of state to come out for a more open discussion on drug legalization, a Nixon-in-China move."

Also nominated is Brazilian Maria das Graças Silva Foster who was recently named the new CEO of Petrobras, Brazil's oil company. She is the first female CEO and the first woman to run the major oil company.

Das Graças Silva Foster was born and raised in the Morro do Adeus favela, which was until recently one of Rio’s biggest and most dangerous slums. As a child, she collected recyclable paper and cans to help support her family and buy her own schoolbooks. She joined Petrobras as an intern and worked her way up through the ranks. She was appointed for her CEO position by Brazil's first female president, Dilma Rousseff.

Spanish chef Jos&eacute Andr&eacutes is recognized not only for his culinary skills but for his "his collaboration with DC Central Kitchen, which fights hunger and poverty by teaching culinary job skills." The chef launched a non-profit World Central Kitchen - which aims to feed and empower vulnerable people in humanitarian crisis around the world.

Actor Fred Armisen, who's father is Venezuelan, was nominated along side "Portlandia" co-star Carrie Brownstein. TIME Magazine described "Portlandia" as one of the "most innovative things on television" and "the best mainstream expression yet of the beard-friendly, sustainable-everything zeitgeist that's creeping across the nation like free-range kudzu."

Argentinian soccer player Lionel Messi, who has been nominated two years in a row, is recognized this year for breaking the record as the all-time top scorer for Barcelona's soccer club and for becoming the first player in history to score five goals in a Champions League match.

Brazilian businessman Eike Batista is nominated for his crucial role in the Brazilian economic boom. TIME Magazine says "He's rare among Latin America's notoriously uncivic-minded superrich in that he makes a point of giving back to his nation, especially his adopted city of Rio de Janeiro, which he helped to snare the 2016 Olympics."

We congratulate these Latinos for being part of a list that recognizes people who influence the world. We are proud to see these nine individuals beside other who are recognized worldwide for their achievements.

But is the list missing other influential Latinos? Are there other figures who positively represent Latinos and should be recognized for their work? Let us know who you would want to see nominated in TIME Magazine's list in the comment section below!

The complete TIME Magazine 100 list will be chosen by TIME editors and revealed on Tuesday April 7.

Check out some of this year and last year's Latino nominees for TIME magazine Most Influential People:

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Feds Make Shocking Accusation Against Arpaio

via Latest News by AP on 4/3/12

PHOENIX -- Federal authorities trying to settle civil rights allegations against America's self-proclaimed toughest sheriff say the sheriff's office has negotiated in bad faith and risks ending settlement talks.

The U.S. Justice Department tells one of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's lawyers in a letter Tuesday that the sheriff's precondition of not having a court-appointed monitor to help enforce the agreement would result in the cancellation of negotiations.

A Justice Department lawyer says in the letter that Arpaio's lawyer sprung this precondition on federal authorities on Tuesday.

Negotiations were set to resume Wednesday in Phoenix.

The Justice Department has accused Arpaio's office of racially profiling Latinos and basing immigration patrols on racially charged citizen complaints that alleged no crime.

The sheriff's office has denied the allegations.

What's Buzzing in Latino Entertainment - Fox News

via latino - Google News on 4/3/12


Fox News

What's Buzzing in Latino Entertainment
Fox News
It was awards galore here on "What's Buzzing" as our Latino celebs were recognized for their contributions in music and in films. Selena Gomez is a Fashionista! Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Print Email ...

Facebook contrademanda a Yahoo y la acusa de "miope"

via Latino.FoxNews.com on 4/3/12

Facebook intensificó el martes su disputa con Yahoo sobre uso de patentes, al interponer una demanda contra el golpeado portal de internet.

Promueven nacionalización de latinos de cara a elecciones

via Latino.FoxNews.com on 4/3/12

Una coalición de organizaciones pro inmigrantes anunció el martes una campaña que animará a latinos a solicitar la ciudadanía este mes, con el fin de que puedan votar en las próximas elecciones.

Here’s the Trailer for ‘Bel Ami’

via Latino-Review.com by Philip Sticco on 4/3/12

There’s a trailer out for Bel Ami, and you can see it below. If you choose to, that is, I chose not to. I just can’t muster any interest in anything Robert Pattinson does post Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. He just seems to be making awful choice after awful choice.

The synopsis from IMDB:

A chronicle of a young man’s rise to power in Paris via his manipulation of the city’s most influential and wealthy women.

So, take a look and tell me what you think.

Bel Ami is directed by Declan Donnellan, Nick Ormerod from a script by Rachel Bennette, which she based on the novel written by Guy de Maupassant. Pattinson stars alongside Uma Thurman, Christina Ricci and Kristin Scott Thomas.

Bel Ami hits theatres June 8th. Look out Prometheus, you have some competition for the weekend box office.
SOURCE: Apple

New Poster for ‘The Dictator’

via Latino-Review.com by Philip Sticco on 4/3/12

Empire has a new poster for Sacha Baron Cohen’s new film The Dictator, which you can see below. In the film Cohen plays the dictator of a fictional country in the middle east. He comes to America and craziness ensues.

I liked the first trailer for The Dictator, but the second just turned me off. We get a little more of the plot in the second trailer and it looks like another dumb fish out of water comedy.

I’m a little bored with Cohen and his shtick lately. It was funny on The Ali G Show and Borat was hysterical, but I think Bruno showed us it was time for him to move on. I think he should stick to taking smaller parts in different types of films like he did in Hugo and will again in Django Unchained.

The Dictator hits theatres May 11th.

SOURCE: Empire

The Trailer for Woody Allen’s ‘To Rome With Love’

via Latino-Review.com by Philip Sticco on 4/3/12

Head down below to check out the trailer for Woody Allen’s latest comedy To Rome With Love. It’s a decent trailer, but Allen’s trailers are always just decent. I never feel like they really do his films justice.

It looks like a typical Allen film. Lots of characters played by notable actors who have lots of good one-liners and get into comedic situations. I’m not saying this to disparage Allen, it’s just like I said; the trailers for his films just don’t get into what makes his movies good.

But that’s just my opinion, watch it and let us know what you think.

To Rome With Love hits theatres April 20th.

SOURCE: Yahoo! Movies

Behind the Scenes Video from ‘Total Recall’

via Latino-Review.com by Philip Sticco on 4/3/12

Entertainment Tonight had a chance to go behind the scenes of the new Total Recall. You can check out the video below.

We get Colin Farrell talking about the sets, Jessica Biel talking about how fun it is to work with Farrell and Kate Beckinsale talks about playing a bad guy for the first time. So, yeah, there’s a lot of talking.

What do you think of the trailer that was released over the weekend? Personally, I liked it.

Total Recall hits theatres August 3rd.
SOURCE: Entertainment Tonight

‘Battleship’ Arrives In Select International IMAX Theatres in April

via Latino-Review.com by Kellvin Chavez on 4/3/12

IMAX Corporation and Universal Pictures today announced that Battleship will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® format and released in more than 100 select IMAX® theatres internationally, in countries including China and Russia, beginning on April 12. The epic-scale action-adventure is directed and produced by Peter Berg and stars Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker, Asano Tadanobu and Liam Neeson.

Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment said:

“We’re excited to partner with Universal Pictures to bring this Hasbro property to life in select international IMAX theatres. Battleship’s powerful action and incredible visuals are a great fit for the IMAX format and will offer those IMAX fans an edge-of-your seat, mind-blowing experience they simply won’t want to miss.”

Universal Pictures Chairman Adam Fogelson and Co-Chairman Donna Langley said:

“With Battleship, IMAX audiences across the globe will feel like they are on these enormous ships with our international crew as they battle alien invaders. The scope and scale of this film is awe-inspiring, and we are excited to partner with IMAX to give moviegoers a one-of-a-kind experience at the theatre.”

The IMAX release of Battleship will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

Source: IMAX Corporation

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