I count myself among the fortunate immigrants that have been lured to this country not by the prospect of a job but by the opportunity for a quality education. Mine was a far more privileged entry point, for sure, especially considering that many jobs taken by newcomers are among the worst, while the education available to international students is second to none.

For those who got to know Alvaro Uribe during his eight years as Colombia’s President it was evident that he would, in his words, “work, work, work” until the last minute of his last day in office. Slowing down and walking quietly into the sunset wouldn’t have been his thing.

Starting this year and continuing over the next 14, countries throughout Latin America will host extensive festivities to commemorate 200 years since the end of Spanish rule and the advent of independence.

In many respects the bicentennial celebrations could not have come at a more appropriate time. Latin America has successfully weathered the worst financial crisis in decades, fairing better than most other regions and far better than it has in previous crises.

World leaders want the Chinese to buy more and save less. You won't hear them say that outright, but that is what statements like the following from President Obama’s June 18 letter to the Group of 20 mean: “A strong and sustainable global recovery needs to be built on balanced global demand.”

I just returned from an extended trip to see my parents in Colombia. Their health has deteriorated this last year and by the time I arrived my father was in the hospital looking extremely thin and having difficulty breathing. As he puts it, in nine months he went from feeling 60 to turning 80.

As the seemingly unstoppable gusher entered its sixth week, spewing 12,000 to 19,000 barrels of oil daily deep in the Gulf of Mexico, leaders in the Americas continue to focus their attention on the lessons to be drawn and the measures to be taken to prevent a similar disaster.

Brazilian experts have traveled to the area to take note, U.S. and Cuban officials have opened new channels of communication to discuss a coordinated response and President Obama ordered a suspension of virtually all offshore oil drilling activity pending a comprehensive safety review.

On May 8, her first day in office, Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla fulfilled a campaign promise and created a national anti-drug commission to combat drug trafficking and reduce the consumption of illegal substances in Costa Rica. The day before, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera flew over Santiago on board a spy plane that helped seize more than 300 kilograms of illicit drugs and disband two criminal organization involved in drug trafficking.

As Birmingham, Ala. became the flashpoint for sweeping civil rights legislation in 1964, Arizona is becoming the locus for events that could force the federal government to finally fix its dysfunctional immigration system.

Arizona has been tempting federal action for some time, and now by enacting SB 1070 it may have crossed a line. The law will allow authorities to demand proof of legal entry from anyone merely suspected of being in the country illegally. Even if no crime or violation has been committed, police will be able to stop an individual and demand proper paperwork.

The International Monetary Fund believes it. Politicians, economists and consumer groups the world over believe it. And the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, South Korea and the United States have said it: the ongoing recovery from the world's worst economic crisis in decades may thwart efforts to reform the financial system that created the mess.