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WORLD NEWSFriday 19 February 2016
Colombian media’s airing of secret sex tape stirs debate
JOSHUA GOODMAN
Associated Press
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)
— The broadcast of a se-
cretly shot video in which
a prominent Colombian
politician discusses sexual
encounters with other men
is prompting a fierce de-
bate about homophobia
and journalistic ethics in this gota.
conservative South Ameri-
can country.
President Juan Manuel
World Bank sees modest economic drag from Zika
JOSHUA GOODMAN
Associated Press
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) —
The spread of Zika will have
a modest drag on econo-
mies in Latin America, with
tourism-dependent Carib-
bean nations most at risk,
the World Bank said Thurs-
day. It made $150 million
immediately available to
help fight the virus.
The World Health Orga-
nization has declared a
global health emergency
in response to the Zika out-
break and the U.S. is urging
pregnant women to avoid
travel to the 26 nations and
territories in the Americas
where Zika is present be-
cause researchers have
identified possible links be-
tween the virus and rare
birth defects.
But despite the scare, the
World Bank says the im-
US health officials seek more funding for Puerto Rico
DANICA COTO
Associated Press
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico
(AP) — U.S. health officials
said Thursday that they are
pushing for Puerto Rico to
receive equal treatment
under federal health care
programs, hoping that will
help the island during a
deep economic crisis.
The U.S. Department of

Santos and other figures allegations of misconduct Palomino’s name is never cal position. In an interview
have sharply criticized ra- that included a subaltern’s mentioned in the recording Wednesday with Blu Radio,
dio station La FM for broad- accusation that the chief, and there is no apparent Ferro sidestepped ques-
casting an eight-minute ex- high-ranking officers and discussion of the alleged tions about the video’s
cerpt of a video recording even members of con- male prostitution ring inside content but blasted La
in which former Sen. Carlos gress abused their positions the police force, which FM’s star anchor, Vicky Da-
Ferro and a police captain to demand sexual favors Colombian media have vila, saying she irresponsibly
discuss sex in crude details with young cadets. In an- dubbed the “Community aired a private conversa-
and trade kisses while driv- nouncing an administrative of the Ring.” Ferro, who tion that he had no idea
ing together in a car in Bo- investigation into the alle- resigned as deputy Inte- was being recorded and is
gations, Inspector General rior minister as soon as the now part of judicial inves-
On Wednesday, Gen. Ro- Alejandro Ordonez cited video went viral Tuesday, tigation. He also accused
dolfo Palomino resigned the hidden-camera video has denied any wrongdo- the captain behind the re-
as head of the police over as evidence in the case. ing or abuse of his politi- cording of laying a trap.q

Students joke around, reacting to a city worker arriving to spray work, while anti-mosquito and wedding cancella-
insecticide to kill mosquitoes at the end of their school day in efforts will strain already tions, hotels were booked
Cucuta, on Colombia’s northeastern border with Venezuela. The tight national budgets. full and the mood as fes-
city worker didn’t start spraying until all the children had left. In smaller island-states, the tive as ever during this
Norte de Santander is the state with highest cases of Zika virus impact could reach as month’s Carnival celebra-
cases in the country. high as 1.6 percent of GDP, tion in Brazil, the epicenter
the multilateral lender said. of the epidemic. Carib-
(AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) Bahamas, Barbados and bean nations are similarly
Antigua and Barbuda are unfazed about economic
pact from the epidemic is 0.6 percent of the region’s among the nations most at losses, with officials on Tues-
likely to be small. gross domestic product. risk, it said. day forecasting tourist ar-
In a report, it estimates That would come from re- The forecast assumes the rivals to the region would
that lost revenue will total duced travel to the region regional and international increase about 5 percent
only $3.6 billion, or about and sick employees missing response to the virus is swift this year from nearly 29
and well-coordinated. million visitors in 2015. Kim,
“Our analysis underscores who in 2014 harshly criti-
the importance of urgent cized the world’s response
action to halt the spread of to the West Africa’s Ebola
the Zika virus and to protect outbreak, said additional
the health and well-being support is available if coun-
of people in the affected tries needed. The $150 mil-
countries,” Jim Yong Kim, lion funding available now
president of the World is based on current coun-
Bank, said in a statement. try demands for financing
While a number of coun- and follows consultations
tries have reported a rash with several governments
of business conference across the region. q

Health and Human Services the department’s secre- inequalities are sinking the inequalities are sinking the
said Congress needs to in- tary. island’s health care system. island’s health care system.
crease federal investment, Federal health care plans In addition, Federal health officials said
eliminate a Medicaid fund- serve nearly 70 percent of the Medicaid matching U.S. Congress should ap-
ing cap and expand eligi- the population in Puerto rate is 55 percent, much prove legislation soon so
bility for Puerto Ricans in Rico, lower than that of U.S. that Puerto Rico is treated
the U.S. territory. where Medicaid and Medi- states and current eligibility more like a U.S. state.
“Legislative action is des- care reimbursements are is 50 percent of the federal “The (Medicaid) cap is
perately needed ... espe- far lower than those on the poverty level instead of 100 not in place in the rest of
cially with Puerto Rico’s U.S. mainland. percent. the country,” Martin said.
Medicaid program,” said Local government officials Local government officials “It’s time to end it in Puerto
Katie Martin, counselor to have said these and other have said these and other Rico.”q