Friday, May 28, 2010

The tragic fates of "Arnold", "Willis" and "Kimberly"

Despite the huge success of the series American Black & White (Diff'rent Strokes) in the late '70s and early '80s, the protagonists seem to suffer more than enjoying the time. The luck did not accompany Dana Plato, who died in 1999, or Todd Bridges, addicted to drugs and alcohol. Now, with the death of Gary Coleman, seems to close the tragic circle accompanied for more than two decades.

In the late '70s, the series starring three young, who embodied the children of a millionaire who lived New York, rose to fame for having as topic the integration of blacks and whites in the same family.

But the boys, with their angelic faces, were far from living a life as idyllic as in the television series. Dana Plato, who played Kimberly, the biological daughter of Mr. Drummond, had to leave the series after six seasons of success, to get pregnant.

In 1991 he was arrested for robbing a video store in Las Vegas and a year later was convicted of falsifying a prescription for a thousand doses of Valium. Despite having received a month in jail and five other parole, Justice took the custody of his son.

When leaving the series in 1984, landed unsuccessfully for Playboy magazine and away from returning to the small screen was devoted to making pornographic films. The redhead died in May 1999 from an overdose of drugs in the trailer where he lived for 34 years.

For its part Todd Bridges, Willis in the series, the older brother of Arnold and Drummond adoptive family, confessed that he began taking drugs at an early age and with their effects recorded episodes.

"I was only 12 years and my agent was abusing me, but my father stood beside him," Bridges told in an interview with Fox News, where he also acknowledged that his life fell apart at the end of the series.

Also with drug and alcohol problems, Bridges was convicted of illegal possession of weapons and for having stabbed a tenant. In 1989 he was tried and acquitted for attempted murder.

At one point, Willis decided to end his addiction. "One day I woke up and said this must change," he said. At that time, facing a trial for drug possession and the judge gave him to choose between prison or rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, Gary Coleman, who played the youngest of the adopted children, Arnold, went from being the prominent cheeks nice boy to a man with violent characteristics, also addicted to alcohol and drugs.

Suffering from kidney dysfunction that prevented him from growing, the actor's first controversial decision was to break ties with his adoptive parents and to sue for having stolen money from your bank account.

Away from television, in late 1998 a picture of him in his new work swept the world: he was responsible for supervision of a Shopping Center in California. Then hit a fan who asked for an autograph, so you got a sentence of 90 days in jail. He was also accused of beating his wife, and in recent months was seen insulting a television in a live program.

However, not all the protagonists of the series ran the same fate. Ironically, the eldest, who played the father of these three angels, was still working after the hit TV show.

Conrad Stafford Bain not only worked with Woody Allen in Bananas film, but also continued to perform roles in other movies and series, including with his twin brother Bonar, who is also an actor. With its 87 years, Bain lives with his wife Monica Sloan, who has been married since 1945 and had three children.

Presented the progress in reducing child and maternal mortality

"Preventing maternal and infant death is the best company we can take, but it is a task that can not face alone, so glad that the plan we are presenting is the result of work agreed with the provinces," said Manzur at Sala Pablo Picasso Paseo La Plaza, opened the conference "From strategy to action", organized by the national health portfolio in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Fund for Children (UNICEF).

The event was attended by the Resident Coordinator of UN System in Argentina, Santiago Martín, the secretary of health policies and programs of the Ministry of Health, Maximum Diosque and Community Health Undersecretary of the ministry, Guillermo Gonzalez Prieto. Present were also the ministers of Health in Santiago del Estero, Luis Martinez, Formosa, Anibal Gomez, Misiones, Jose Guccione, Chaco, Jujuy Francisco Baquero, Victor Urbani, Tucumán, Paul Yedlin and La Rioja, Gustavo Graselli .

"Continue on the path of decreasing maternal and infant mortality in the country is our duty but also are two of the goals posed by the Millennium Development Goals, established in the framework of the World Health Organization," said Manzur -and we are moving forward with technical rigor, scientific and political support to achieve the success of the initiative. "

He added that "we know that these goals are not achieved from one day to the other and is also a fact that these indicators, infant mortality are inversely proportional to the level of schooling that mothers have, so the task is immense and cuts across all state policies. "

For its part, the UN representative in the country celebrated the "effort of Argentina" by submitting a plan to reduce maternal and infant death, a cause which he said "killed more than half a million women in the world complications of childbirth. " He added that "worldwide is producing about 20 million births per year in bad conditions, situations that kill 15 percent of mothers and of the 175 million pregnancies each year, more than half are unwanted."

In Argentina, the results of maternal health, children, adolescents and women are still not satisfactory when compared mortality rates with other nations in the region. In turn, the distribution of mortality in the country is very uneven: a newborn or a pregnant woman are more likely to live in Patagonia or the city of Buenos Aires in the Northwest (NOA) and Northeast ( NEA). For example, in the province of Neuquén neonatal mortality is half the national rate, while other districts triple those numbers.

The infant mortality rate in Argentina fell from 13.3 per thousand live births in 2007 to 12.5 per thousand live births in 2008. Regarding the maternal mortality rate, which reflects the risk of death of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period and is calculated every ten thousand live births rose from 4.4 per ten thousand live births in 2007-4 ten thousand live births in 2008.

The picture in the provinces is dissimilar and that is why each has its own goals within the framework of implementing the plan.

2007
2008
2011 Target

Chaco
2.21

18
7.13
Santiago del Estero
8.13

4.10
10
Formosa
9.22

2.19
5.15
Missions
6.14

9.13
10.9
Jujuy
2.15

14

11










To reduce these rates, the plan promoted by the national health portfolio, through the Ministry of Health Promotion and Programs, focuses on identifying the main causes that trigger the death of women, adolescents, boys and girls in the country to act on them and has as main objectives the reduction of infant mortality (in its two components: neonatal and post neonatal), maternal mortality, teenage pregnancy unplanned, the incidence and mortality from cervical cancer and expenses hospital for abortion.

In general, the aim is to focus on management processes, human resources, supplies and infrastructure that are an obstacle to proper care for the population in each province. This involves the coordinated work between the Ministry of Health of the Nation and provincial ministries.

During the day today, officials of national health portfolio detailing the progress in relation to in-service training, progress in the diagnosis of cervical cancer and perinatal building networks.

Also addressed the "Strategies implemented to reduce access barriers in sexual health and responsible procreation."

Finally, the Center for the Study of State and Society (CEDES) has planned the launch of the Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Health (OSSyR) from Argentina.

Optimism grows in Argentina as World Cup nears‎

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Thousands of Argentines cheered on the national team as it departed for South Africa on Friday on their quest to win the country's third World Cup.

The send-off marked the latest sign of growing confidence in coach Diego Maradona, who has had a turbulent tenure since taking over the team more than 18 months ago.

Chanting fans crowded a highway leading to the Buenos Aires international airport as a bus carrying the team moved slowly toward their flight.

"We're all with Diego," said Martin Bertaina, a 39-year-old horse trainer who rode his horse 20 kilometers to see the team.

"Maybe a few months ago we weren't, but Argentines are like that. One day we love you, the next we don't. But Maradona is special."

Argentina, World Cup champions in 1978 and 1986, are widely seen as one of the tournament's most talented teams led by striker Lionel Messi, who was voted Europe's player of the year.

Maradona, one of the game's greatest players, had a wobbly start as coach. His side advanced to the World Cup finals after winning their last qualifying match, narrowly avoiding a playoff.

However, two wins in friendlies against Germany and Canada, and strong showings by many of the team's top players with their club teams in Europe, have raised expectations for the team in South Africa.

World Cup 2010: Diego Maradona to run naked through Buenos Aires if Argentina win

The Argentina coach, whose country struggled to qualify for the finals, made the promise during an interview with FM Metro radio station.

"If we win the World Cup, I will run naked around the EL Obelisco in the centre of Buenos Aires," Maradona said live on air. The Argentine press is sure Maradona will keep his promise as he earlier posed naked for the El Grafico magazine.

Coffee queen caught in 'pretty women' smuggling plot

Former Colombian beauty queen Angie Sanclemente Valencia poses in Bogota in this undated handout photo. Valencia, suspected of leading a band of young women who smuggled cocaine from Argentina to Europe, was arrested on May 26, 2010 in Argentina, a judicial source said.

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In Rio de Janeiro, Argentina's president called for the creation of a Palestinian state

The President also said that Israel has the right "to live in internationally recognized borders." It was at the III Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, held in Brazil.

The President listened to talks while Lula Da Silva, and ministers Taiana, Boudou and Giorgi.
During his speech at the III Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, held in Rio de Janeiro, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner called today for the creation of a Palestinian state. He also said that Israel has the right "to live in internationally recognized borders" and "peace building" is linked with "still unresolved desires."

"These are elements that contribute to the alliance of civilizations, a world of peace and subtract ammunition for those who use terrorism as a kind of religious identity that has nothing to do with religion but a political nature," said the President.

The Forum brings together representatives of 160 countries on the theme "Connecting Cultures, Building Peace."

In addition, Cristina said today that "to achieve serious progress in construction and we must root out intolerance, prejudice, but do so in the realization of our communities." "The political issue linked to the redistribution of wealth, access to education, health are things that should not be discussing in this century and continue to be specified in every meeting and when we see the numbers each time there are situations that are worse" , said the President listened while Lula Da Silva, and ministers Taiana, Boudou and Giorgi.

He also recalled an idea of the Spanish journalist and intellectual José Luis Cebrian, who in 2004 questioned whether "The West was not wrong in wanting to establish social institutions and organizations to change organizations and ancient ancient civilizations."

On the other hand, stressed that Latin America is a region free of ethnic and religious conflicts "and gave as an example to Argentina, where" the degree of coexistence is not only a product of tolerance but of the integration and assimilation without losing identities and histories of every life form. " "It is a society with a diversity and plurality rarely seen, which was tested" with the attacks on the Israeli Embassy in 1992 and the AMIA in 1994, facts that would "have unleashed passions, divisions and ruptures but far from Therefore, integration strengthened ties between the communities. "

He also noted as an example "magnificent" the realization of integration ecumenical Te Deum was held on May 25 at the Basilica of Luján to mark the bicentenary of the Revolution of May, with representatives of different faiths.

Cristina Kirchner questioned the discrimination against immigrants and called for peace in the Middle East

The President defended the creation of a Palestinian state and claimed the right of Israel to "live in peace," under the UN meeting in Rio de Janeiro. "South America is a region free of ethnic and religious conflicts," he said and stressed that Argentina "is plural and diverse."

Cristina Fernandez and Lula Da Silva

President Cristina Fernandez cuestionamietno today made a strong discrimination against immigrants and also for peace in the Middle East, in the context of Civilizations Forum taking place in Rio de Janeiro.

The president warned that there are "worrying signs regarding discrimination of immigrants", referring to projects that had an impact particularly in the United States. He said after pointing out that he could not "do political considerations of what is happening in the world."

At the same time, said the desire for peace in the world is connected "with longing and things that are still unresolved."

"The establishment of a Palestinian state and Israel's right to have borders and live in peace would be reasons that contribute to a world of peace and subtract arguments perhaps those who use terrorism as a kind of religious identity that has nothing to do with other religions and that is obviously political in nature, "he said.

For the president, the meeting should take certain points "to achieve a breakthrough in earnest to root out intolerance, prejudice, but doing so in the realization of our communities."

"I prefer integration, and that everyone can live like you want to pray to God that you want and you can dress as you want without being discriminated against by the other," said Cristina.

"This is his big goal that we all have to get there: Integration and coexistence are two basic tools with education, better quality of life and international justice to which all countries can live in their territory with justice and respect for other states "he concluded.

The Head of State was speaking at the plenary of the Forum of Civilizations United Nations Organization, which this year brought together 160 representatives from different countries and taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

On the other hand, the president will meet privately with his counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, which will run from 18:00 to settle the trade dispute. In addition, it will probably also with the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki Moon Korean.

Cristina Fernandez traveled accompanied by Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana, the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Debora Giorgi, and Minister of Economy, Amado Boudou.