Brazils Really Are Not Ready inMany, Many Ways

Olympic Official: Brazil’s Games ‘Really Are Not Ready in Many, Many Ways’ The vice president of the International Olympic Committee has called the delayed, disorganized and controversial preparations for the 2016 games in Brazil the .
he has ever experienced. And for the first time in the history of the modern Olympics, IOC’s experts will embed in the host city’s organizing committee to guarantee that the games proceed.
“We’ve become very concerned, to be quite frank,” said John Coates, vice president of the IOC, during an Olympic forum in Sydney. “They really are not ready in many, many ways,” he added, saying that Rio de Janeiro’s preparations are worse than the 2004 games in Athens, which were described by many as chaotic.
Coates, who spoke next to a large poster with the words “Rio: Best Planned, Prepared, Performed” on it, said work has not begun at Deodoro, a venue that will host eight Olympic events.
He also said that water pollution was a major concern, affecting sports like sailing and canoeing. “The city also has social issues that need to be addressed,” said Coates.
Brazil, which is also hosting the World Cup this summer, has evicted several thousand families in Rio to make way for new infrastructure projects related to these sporting events. The IOC did not provide details on which projects and venues are on schedule and which are delayed or nonexistent.
Instead, media relations manager Sandrine Tonge forwarded excerpts from a press release detailing the results of a recent executive board meeting during which the preparation delays in Brazil were discussed.
To support the Rio organizers, IOC advisers will increase the frequency of their visits and appoint a dedicated joint task force with Rio 2016. They will also create a high-level decision-making body bringing together the IOC and Brazilian government officials. Finally, they agreed to recruit a local construction project manager. Preparations for the Rio 2016 games have been plagued with problems.
In 2013, Rio’s chief operating officer, Leo Gryner, said that $700 million in public funds would be required to balance the budget, though it turned out that unexpected income from local sponsorships resolved that matter, at least temporarily.
Shortly after, Marcio Fortes, the head of Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Public Authority, resigned after complaining about his office’s waning influence. Earlier this month, Maria Silvia Bastos Marques, the president of the Municipal Olympic Company, in charge of preparing Rio de Janeiro for the games, stepped down.
Also this month, approximately 2,000 workers assigned to the Olympic Park staged a two- week strike, seeking increased salaries and improved benefits.
Despite these setbacks, the games—the first in South America—must go on, says the IOC. “There can be no plan B,” said Coates. “We are going to Rio.
We’ve just got to make sure that we help the organizing committee deliver games that will enable our athletes, the athletes of the world, to perform to the best of their ability.”
Source: newsweek.com

The last thing a 3-year-old Syrian said before he died: “I’m gonna tell God everything”

The last thing a 3-year-old Syrian said before he died: “I’m gonna tell God everything”

And that’s equally haunting.  It’s impossible to verify but the picture tells a story about the pain and suffering that exists in Syria right now.  There are many in the media who would like to say this is because president Bashar al-Assad is a ruthless killer.  And that’s half true.  Like other government leaders – he has engaged in war and with that war has come the death of tens of thousands and the displacement of over 1 million Syrians now living in refugee camps.

But this hasn’t always been the case.  This is the inevitable result of a covert war being waged by the U.S., Israel and other Sunni countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia.  Our interests in taking down the Syrian dictator al-Assad are all about geo-politics.  If we take out Syria – we neuter Iranian influence in the region.  It has gotten so bad that al-Qaeda is now fighting on the same side as the United States government and Bashar al-Assad and his government are fighting al-Qaeda.  And Syrians are all the victim of this massive global covert proxy war.

It has gotten to the point where we don’t even know if the chemical weapons that were used in Syria were the result of al-Qaeda or the Syrian government.  When it comes to matters of intelligence and propaganda – it’s very hard to discern truth from fiction.  But no one can deny that Syria was a very stable country until we decided to go in all guns blazing.  We’re not bringing democracy to the world – that’s the sound of imperialism baby.The last thing a 3-year-old Syrian said before he died: “I’m gonna tell God everything”

And that’s equally haunting.  It’s impossible to verify but the picture tells a story about the pain and suffering that exists in Syria right now.  There are many in the media who would like to say this is because president Bashar al-Assad is a ruthless killer.  And that’s half true.  Like other government leaders – he has engaged in war and with that war has come the death of tens of thousands and the displacement of over 1 million Syrians now living in refugee camps.

But this hasn’t always been the case.  This is the inevitable result of a covert war being waged by the U.S., Israel and other Sunni countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia.  Our interests in taking down the Syrian dictator al-Assad are all about geo-politics.  If we take out Syria – we neuter Iranian influence in the region.  It has gotten so bad that al-Qaeda is now fighting on the same side as the United States government and Bashar al-Assad and his government are fighting al-Qaeda.  And Syrians are all the victim of this massive global covert proxy war.

It has gotten to the point where we don’t even know if the chemical weapons that were used in Syria were the result of al-Qaeda or the Syrian government.  When it comes to matters of intelligence and propaganda – it’s very hard to discern truth from fiction.  But no one can deny that Syria was a very stable country until we decided to go in all guns blazing.  We’re not bringing democracy to the world – that’s the sound of imperialism baby.

Source World Observer 

A Leap of Faith: 8 Religious Ceremonies from Around the World

travelpulse.com. A Leap of Faith: 8 Religious Ceremonies from Around the World

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock

For many people religion provides a sense of belonging, a reason to dance and sing or even light a ship on fire.  That’s where these eight festivals come in. Their traditional celebrations create a once-in-a-lifetime event that encourage tourists to join in on the action. Whether you’re captivated by the vibrancy that encompasses these eight festivals or the passion of the believers, you’ll have to admit that they make for one great show.

Ethiopia: Meskel Festival

The day is Sept. 26, which marks the first day of the Meskel Festival, with bonfires set throughout the villages of Ethiopia. However, many of the country’s inhabitants migrate to Meskel Square, where a huge fire just beneath a a cross glistens amid a crowd of dancers and singers who also seem hypnotized by the intensity of the flame.  This two-day orthodox celebration takes place in honor of Queen Helena (mother of Constantine the Great) for finding the holy cross on which Christ was crucified. In the midst of celebrating the heroic queen, the participants anxiously hope that the rain will come and extinguish the bonfires, signifying a prosperous year ahead.

The following day, long after the fires have simmered into black ash, calls for spending time with family while eating and drinking, but abstaining from meat. Many worshippers are also seen sporting crosses on their foreheads made from the ashes of the blaze.

Taiwan: Ghost Festival

You don’t have to wait for Halloween to dress up in your scariest costume because in Taiwan the spirits of the dead are celebrated for an entire month. On the seventh month on the lunar calendar, formerly known by the Chinese as Ghost Month, ghosts leave hell to rejoin their families and run amok throughout the area. 

In order to please them, the Ghost Festival provides the spiritual beings with a feast as well as a ceremonial welcoming with an elaborate street parade adorned with fireworks, floats and music to ease their pain and most importantly delight their dead souls. Occurring on the 15^th day of the month, this gives believers more than enough time to appease the deceased before their ghostly bodies return to hell on the last day of Ghost Month. 

Bolivia: Carnaval de Oruro

From the bright costumes and traditional dancers lining the streets, you may think this colorful celebration is one wild party. This is not far off, as evidenced by the dancing devils taking over Carnaval de Oruro.  Eight days before Ash Wednesday, music sounds through the streets of Bolivia as the traditional diablada (devil’s dance) means the show has officially begun. 

Soon after, dozens of devils frolicking in haunting masks decorated with eyes bulging out of their sockets, long hair and huge teeth — scary enough to give anyone nightmares — move rhythmically through the large crowd.  This sight is typically met with the mesmerizing dance of the devil’s wife, China Supay, who unleashes her best moves in an attempt to seduce the Archangel Michael.  Along with historical performances, plays are reenacted to depict the triumph of the Conquistadores as well as the Archangel Michael’s victory over the devils, which also convey the powerful message that good always trumps evil.

Morocco: Fes Festival of World Sacred Music

What’s celebrating religion without music?

At the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, these two go hand-in-hand as cultures collide to put on one enchanting, mystical experience. From June 13-21, Morocco’s landscape will be rocked by international artists like Nomadic Voices of the Steppes and the Mountains, El Gusto, Ladysmith Chicago Gospel Experience and Françoise Atlan and the Al Quds Ensemble.

As these many musicians join forces to create one universal language through the art of music, the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music becomes an amazing journey into a world powered by spirituality, artistry and above all unity.

India: Navaratri Festival

This nine-day celebration is devoted to Goddess Durga to honor the energy that flows throughout the earth. The Navaratri Festival combines food, folk dancing and local music to worship every characteristic of the Hindu deity equally.  The first three days are devoted to Durga, which keeps her worshippers on a narrow path by cleansing them of their impurities and other sins. Lakshmi is adored on the next three days among those hoping to become prosperous, and the last days of the festival are celebrated in honor of Saraswati who bestows wisdom on her loyal subjects.

Acknowledging God as a woman who protects her believers the way a mother nurtures a child, the Navaratri Festival creates a one-of-kind spiritual event that is as colorful as it is captivating.  So if you’re paying a visit to this festival, you’ll want to give her your utmost respect. After all, a woman scorned is nothing compared to the anger of a goddess that controls the flow of energy across the earth.

Philippines: Sinulog Festival

The Sinulog Festival embodies the power of dance to commemorate the deity Santo Nino.  The magnetic dance of the Sinulog conventionally links the past to the present while drums reverberate as beautifully dressed revelers flood the streets to express their love for the beloved god.

Not only is music heard from miles away, but also the boisterous sounds of celebrators screaming “Pit Senor, Senor Santo Nino!” in order to be acknowledged by Santo Nino.  If you too are hoping to grab the god’s attention, then its best you make your presence known by joining in with locals and shouting from the top of your lungs, as well as dancing vigorously to the hypnotic drumming.

Mexico: Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe

If you believe in miracles, you may want to be in Puerto Vallarta during Dec. 1-12 to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe who reemerged in the presence of one of Mexico’s residents.  To remember this glorious occasion, the streets of the city become flooded with pilgrims making their way to the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe where a mass is performed.  

From musicians offering their artistry to worshippers praying in the middle of street, the holiness that encompasses this annual festival will make you follow the large crowd out of curiosity alone. Not only is the Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe one of Mexico’s most important celebrations, it is revered as one of the most sacred as well.

Scotland: Up Helly-Aa

Hell has officially landed on earth by the way these celebrants light up the night with their flamed torches.  The Up Helly Aa is one event that will be worth the visit as Viking-styled Guziers proudly march through the villages of the Shetland Islands singing their hearts out with torches and medieval weapons in hand. 

Beginning every year on the last Tuesday in January, a Guizer Jarl or a chief is appointed who then leads his troop to a ship which set on fire with the torches. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a Viking here is your chance to get carried away in this unique culture where you can dress up, drink, and march to the heritage that only a Viking can provide.

Ethiopia: The lifetime risk of a mother dying during pregnancy

Addis Ababa  (HAN) May 11, 2014  - Global Motherhood Expert Analysis, Your Power & Regional Influence Magazine: Opinion Page By Liya Kebede. I never considered my mother a gambler, but looking back to my earliest days in Ethiopia, I realize that the likelihood of my mother and me both dying during childbirth was alarmingly high.

Geeska Afrika Online Research Study Group presented this note: A lack of awareness of the importance of skilled hospital deliveries in Ethiopia, cultural beliefs, and transport challenges in rural areas are causing a high number of deaths during childbirth, say officials.  “Even though communities are aware of the dangers around childbirth, contingencies for potential complications are rarely discussed or made, such that most families hope or pray that things will turn out well. When things go wrong precious time is lost in finding resources and manpower to assist in the transfer to a health facility,” the study said. Maria Farah outside her ari in Somali national regional state of Ethiopia. photo by Jaspreet Kindra (IRIN).

Liya Kebede Presented her findings to this report:  When I was born, the lifetime risk of a mother dying during pregnancy or childbirth in Ethiopia was about 1 in 14. Fortunately, the odds have improved a lot since then.

In fact, according to Save the Children’s State of the World’s Mothers report,  Ethiopia has made enormous progress in helping mothers and young children survive. Since 2000, Ethiopia has reduced its lifetime risk of maternal death by nearly two-thirds (from 1 in 24 to 1 in 67) – more than any other country on the African continent.

Ethiopia also has reduced deaths of children under 5 by more than half since 2000. Relative to other countries, Ethiopia has leaped over more than a dozen countries in improving survival rates of mothers and young children.

However, with up to 90 percent of all Ethiopian mothers still giving birth at home, we continue to face major health challenges, especially in helping babies survive the first month of life. Nearly 88,000 newborns died in 2012 from largely preventable causes, and Ethiopia ranks among the top ten countries with the highest number of newborn deaths each year.

Importantly, there is some big news coming out of Ethiopia this spring that is cause for hope in reducing newborn deaths. For the first time on the African continent, there is strong evidence that simple, community-based interventions implemented by well-trained health workers can dramatically reduce deaths from infections in babies less than a month of age.

As many Ethiopians know, the federal government has long supported the development of a strong community-based platform for health services managed by more than 34,000 female Health Extension Workers (HEWs) and an army of community volunteers.

These HEWs provide primary health care services in their community, including hygiene and sanitation, infectious disease control, family health education, and family planning services. They also treat pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria and severe acute malnutrition in small children. Until recently, however, they have not been handling newborn illnesses. That is now changing.

A new study, released in Addis last month and supported by Save the Children, came to two important conclusions:

• Strengthening maternal and newborn services within the community-based program in Ethiopia could greatly improve health benefits for mothers and children;
• Training HEWs properly on how to identify sick newborns and treat them with antibiotics when they cannot be referred to hospitals could reduce newborn deaths after the first day of life by as much as 30 percent.

The five year study also found that care-seeking and newborn care practices were significantly improved through health promotion, counseling and by involving community leaders.

Overall, these results show great promise for the continued expansion of community-based newborn care within the national health system.

Of course, mid-level and high-level health facilities remain the best alternative for health care for mothers and children within Ethiopia whenever possible. But the government deserves credit in bringing health care closer to households and recognizing that thousands of mothers and children do not have access to higher level care and are dependent on the community health system for the services they need.

By strengthening community health services – and training health extension workers to use basic interventions that can save lives – Ethiopia is becoming a global leader in reducing maternal and newborn deaths.

Later this month, in Geneva, health ministers from around the world will gather at the World Health Assembly to consider the Every Newborn Action Plan, an international roadmap to help countries sharpen their plans to address maternal and newborn health.

Our Ethiopian health officials attending the meeting can take pride in knowing they already have a country plan that is well underway. For that alone, my mother and I are both grateful. Sources: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia

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Women in Ethiopia struggleto survive without water

msnbc.com. By Mustafah Abdulaziz and Johnny Simon
In the Konso Region of southern Ethiopia, the struggle for clean, safe water is a daily reality for women and young girls.
“Bringing the water is not a simple task,” says Mariam Bakaule, a mother standing at the edge of the mountaintop village of Jarso. “This is the essence of women. Water and woman are synonymous here.”
The village of Jarso, like many of the others in the area, overlooks a vast valley stretching towards the Kenyan border. Yet the relative greenery of the region is deceptive. For the 13,000 people in Jarso, lack of rain in recent years has caused crops of maize, sorghum and haricot beans to fail.
At the center of this struggle to survive are the women and young girls whose responsibility it is to trek up to five hours a day to reach dry river beds, only to wait in long lines for scant resources.
Uchiya Nallo, an eight-months- pregnant 29-year-old mother, spends half her day climbing a mountainside carrying more than 5 gallons (about 40 pounds) of water.
“The road is very dangerous and I feel tired all the time,” she says. “I am worried because sometimes I fall down and hurt myself. I worry because I feel tired. Now I am almost ready to give birth and I am walking slowly but maybe I will have some problems, I’m not sure.”
The correlation between the risk of maternal mortality for women in the developing world and access to safe water and sanitation is little understood.
When water is gathered for drinking or washing, any contaminants or infectious agents can have a direct effect on maternal health.
Infections and repeated worm infections from unsafe sanitation lead to other risks such as malnutrition, stunted growth and fatal obstructed labor.
And the physical strain from carrying the water is itself dangerous, resulting in a higher risk of spinal injury, uterine prolapse, rheumatism hernia and spontaneous abortion.
In some respects, Ethiopia has made important strides toward the United Nations Millennium Goals of reducing maternal mortality.
Today, just over half the population has access to water, nearly four times the number in 1990.
Yet the country still has a long way to go: While a woman’s lifetime risk of dying during pregnancy and childbirth is 1 in 3800 in the developed world, in Ethiopia it is 1 in 67.
WaterAid, an international non-governmental organization, is one of the groups improving access to clean water among the world’s poor, and has been working in Ethiopia since 1984.
In the late afternoon light of May, villagers in Teshmale gather around a new water point constructed by the NGO.
When the last of the technical difficulties has been solved, the tap is turned on and water gushes forth, first brown and then a pure, unclouded torrent.
It is the first time the children, long used to the dirty red water from the riverbeds, have seen clear water. Mustafah Abdulaziz is a documentary photographer based in Berlin, Germany.
His ongoing project, Water, exploring water issues around the world, has received grants from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, commissions from the United Nations and WaterAid.