BOSTON – Irlan Silva was 14 years old when he first visited America. As a young Brazilian ballet dancer from the most violent favela, or urban slum, in Rio de Janeiro, Silva traveled to New York to compete in the 2005 Youth America Grand Prix. It was his first international dance competition, and he returned home with first prize.
But one award wasn't enough. In 2008, he returned to the competition and earned Best Contemporary Dancer and first place in the Pas de Deux, which is choreographed for two.
GENEVA (AP) — The main Syrian opposition delegation arrived in Switzerland Saturday night, however it remained unclear whether the delegation would actually participate in U.N.-sponsored peace talks aimed at ending Syria's civil war.
The indirect peace talks began here Friday with a meeting between the United Nations envoy and the Syrian government delegation. The main opposition group, the Higher Negotiations Committee or HNC, boycotted that session saying it won't take part until a set of preliminary demands are met: releasing detainees, ending the bombardment of civilians by Russian and Syrian forces, and lifting government blockades on rebel-held areas.
