New Years Eve in Abu Dabi

Shakira, the Colombian pop singer with Lebanese roots, will star in the biggest New Year’s Eve show to be staged in Abu Dhabi — a Latino-themed extravaganza at the Emirates Palace hotel.

Ticket sales for the show have been capped at 10,000 to ensure a “more intimate occasion”, the organiser, Flash, said yesterday. Previously, 20,000 fans were expected. “Shakira’s a huge name and absolutely perfect for the event,” said John Lickrish, the managing director of Flash. “She is just the kind of artist we wanted to encapsulate the Latin feel. With Shakira being half Lebanese, she’s the perfect artist to bring here, reaching out to her fans in the region and adding the Latin twist to the evening.”

It will be the second performance in the UAE by the Colombian-born Shakira, whose New York-born father is of Lebanon descent. She sang at the Dubai Autodrome last year to an audience of 25,000.Other New Year’s Eve events in the capital will include an outdoor party at Al Bateen Marina with international DJs Saeed Murad and Artful Dodger.

Source: The National

Shakira selected as “Humanitarian of the year”

Shakira on the cover of the latest issue of People en Español.

People en Español has elected Shakira as the Humanitarian of the Year in the latest edition of the magazine which will be on shelves November 10th. She was recognized for all of her charity work with impoverished children through her own foundation Pies Descalzos and Latin America in Solidarity (ALAS).

“What’s most important is not how much we can give, it’s how,” said Shakira in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE en Español.

“There are people sometimes who help the most just by giving a few words of encouragement, a priceless gesture of love towards a child, which is more valuable than donating money with indifference.”

The singer learned about poverty early on when her family went bankrupt, and her parents showed her that they were far better off than most families who lived harsh lives and orphans who would whiff gasoline and chemicals to forget their hunger and misery. “We had a comfortable life, and then one day I was shown something else. From that day on, I became obsessed to vindicate my family, my family’s economic situation, and to one day help those kids that I saw on the streets,” says the singer.

Be sure to pick up the latest copy of People En Español on news stands November 10th!

Shakira: `I’m quite pregnant’–with her album

NEW YORK (AP) — Shakira revealed Wednesday that she is, in fact, expecting. But it’s not what you may think.

“I’m quite pregnant with my album,” the Colombian pop star told a reporter by phone — between laughs — when asked whether her foundation work on behalf of Latin American children has made her want to become a mother.

“Yes, I have plans, but not yet,” said Shakira, 31. “I’m pregnant with my songs. But someday, yes.”

The singer-activist plans to ask about 20 Latin American presidents at a regional summit in El Salvador on Thursday to direct more resources to poor children and to put early childhood development at the top of their agendas. She will appear on behalf of ALAS (Latin America in Solidarity Action) Foundation, a nonprofit coalition she helped create.

Asked whether she plans to write a song about ALAS, translated as “Wings” in Spanish, the Grammy winner and United Nations goodwill ambassador said it’s out of her hands.

“I can’t control my muses,” she said.

Source: Associated Press (AP)

Shakira: Pretty In Paris!

Shakira Pretty In Paris

Getting some fresh air in the City of Lights, Shakira was spotted on her way out of Le Hotel Meurice in downtown Paris, France earlier today (October 17).
The “Hips Don’t Lie” songstress looked cute and casual in a purple v-neck sweater teamed with a pair of vintage wash jeans and some black high-heeled boots.

Source: Here

Also, I just wanna introduce myself. I’m Minnie and I run several sites on the WWW and am now going to be helping Devin out with ShakiraDaily! Like Devin, I’m very busy with school. But I will be making updates when possible. Also, possibly this weekend I will be uploading some photos of Shakira from past events and such! So look out!

Plunge into Poverty Made Her a Better Person

Pop superstar SHAKIRA went from spoiled rich kid to hardship when her father’s jewellery business went bankrupt - and the change in fortunes gave the singer a first-hand view of a life she’d never have known if her family hadn’t failed. In a telling essay Shakira has written for the upcoming issue of Newsweek magazine, the star recalls the family upheaval, which helped to turn her into a champion for the poor in her native Colombia.

She writes, “When I was 7 years old, my hardworking father’s jewelry business went bankrupt. I didn’t know what the word ‘bankrupt’ meant, and when my parents sent me to stay with family friends in Los Angeles, while they addressed the situation, I assumed that I would return home to my normal routine.

“But, when I returned, it seemed everything had changed. Our two cars that I had ridden in to school or to play with my friends were gone. The air conditioner that cooled us during the brutally hot Colombian summers had been sold. Our color television had been traded in for a smaller, black-and-white version. Foods that I loved were replaced with the bland staples a mother buys when food becomes sustenance instead of something to be enjoyed.

Source: Contact Music

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New Album Updates

Shakira and producers work in the studio on her upcoming album.

Ramon, the official moderator from Shakira’s official message board has graciously updated us with some new information in regards to Shakira’s highly anticipated 2009 album.

He’s stated that the albums release date will be revealed in a few months exclusively at shakira.com! As you all know Shakira has worked closely with producers Red One and Wyclef and has recorded in a variety of cities worldwide. If you want to stay up to date with the most information, please check out Ramon’s thread on the official message board! He is great with keeping the fans up-to-date with the latest information. I will try to let you know when new updates about the album are available here at ShakiraDaily. If you can, head on over to the official board thank Ramon for keeping us all in tune with what’s happening.

Shakira’s Vote: Barack Obama

Though Shakira will not be able to vote in the upcoming 2008 Presidential Elections in the United States, the Colombian singer has voiced her support for Illinois senator Barack Obama.

She stated, “If I could vote, I would vote for Barack Obamba because I think that he is the person that can bring the world the true American message,” according to the Associated Press.

On November 4, 2008, voters will flock to the polls casting votes for the next President of the United States of America. Barack Obama has been the more popular candidate among young voters and is expected to have a huge turnout among young voters at the polls.

“I feel in my heart that he would be able to reconstruct peace and confidence in the United States, a counter that he appreciates profoundly.”

Shakira also added that Barack’s family background may give him an advantage over his republican opponent John McCain.

Shakira, Alejandro Sanz Plead To Help Poor Children

Latin singers Shakira and Alejandro Sanz urged the presidents of Mexico, Argentina, El Salvador, Panama and Paraguay on Wednesday to reach a regional accord to help poor children in Latin America.

Representing the Panama-based ALAS foundation, which works toward improving the education, health and nutrition of children up to six years old, Shakira warned that more than 50 percent of children in the region lack any kind of preschool learning or stimulation and never have a chance to escape poverty.

“He who is born poor dies poor” in her native Colombia, Shakira said, “and that must change.”

About 32 million children are born into poverty in Latin America, according to ALAS, and lack the necessary education, stimulation and nourishment to develop properly.

The singers asked the presidents to adopt an agreement on combatting child poverty during the upcoming Iberoamerican Summit in late October.

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ALAS at Ccolumbia University

Here are a few videos from the event last night held at Columbia University. If you weren’t able to attend or watch the live web cast that was available, check this out.

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Pictures from ALAS Conference at Columbia

Conference at Columbia University

I hope some of you were able to watch the live Webcast of The Children of Latin America: A Future Without Poverty today! ALAS posted photographs of the event on their official flickr profile! If you want to view these pictures, simply click on the photo above to check them out.

Here is what was written about the event on Shakira’s official blog:

ALAS & Columbia University joined forces

Shakira, Alejandro Sanz and Jeffrey D. Sachs along with Heads of State from Mexico, Argentina, El Salvador, Panama and Paraguay got together on September 24th at Columbia University where they discussed the importance of comprehensive Early Childhood Development In Latin America. Feeding, educating and taking care of our kids is our biggest motive.

La Universidad de Columbia y ALAS unieron fuerzas

Shakira, Alejandro Sanz y Jeffrey D. Sachs junto a los Presidentes de México, Argentina, El Salvador, Panamá y Paraguay se unieron en un mismo escenario este 24 de Septiembre en la Universidad de Columbia, en Nueva York, donde discutieron la importancia de implantar programas de Desarrollo Infantil Temprano en América Latina. Educar, alimentar y cuidar a nuestros niños de 0 a 6 años es nuestra consigna.

Source: Here