Cartagena ( Colombia ), April 14 (IANS/EFE) Colombian singer Shakira announced on the eve of the Americas Summit here an alliance of foundations to fund quality education for low-income children. The alliance, which will invest $24 million during the first two years, comprises the superstar's Pies Descalzos foundation, the Colombian culture ministry and several other NGOs. "It's an alliance specifically for the construction of 13 early-education centres that will benefit 6,200 kids with quality teaching," Shakira said. The artist, a native of the nearby city of Barranquilla, stressed the importance of the alliance, which is already instructing children under six, "the most important years in human life, the ones that most shape their future", she said. At that age "the child's brain, cognitive and motor faculties and the ability to form relationships with others begin to develop, so we're convinced that we have to invest in them, the earlier t...

Shakira will meet with heads of state, including President Obama, at the Summit of the Americas in Colombia. Shakira is already working to provide better education to children. Latin American pop superstar Shakira will be at this weekend's gathering of the Western Hemisphere's leaders advocating for her favorite issues: early childhood development and universal education. Skip to next paragraph The singer and philanthropist will attend the Sixth Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia , and meet with heads of state, including President Obama . She'll also perform the national anthem of her home country, Colombia, at the opening ceremonies. The international celebrity and humanitarian started two groups, the Barefoot Foundation in the United States and Columbia, and the ALAS foundation in Panama , that deal with helping children reach their full potential. She's also serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. In the United States, Mr. Obama appointed her to his Pr...

Pop superstar Shakira helped launch a $36 million education project for Colombian children as part of a series of events linked to the weekend Summit of the Americas . The Colombian singer , who is scheduled to meet with US President Barack Obama , will also sing her country's national anthem at the opening ceremony for the gathering of 33 democratically elected leaders of the Western Hemisphere Saturday in Cartagena. Her appearance Thursday sparked joy among residents of Ciudad Bicentenario, an Afro-Colombian district on the outskirts of Cartagena. Joined by Colombia's First Lady, Maria Clemencia Rodriguez , unveiled "FIRST THINGS FIRST," an initiative in which the Colombian government is contributing nearly $25 million while 18 private institutions are providing another $12 million to build 13 educational centers for 6,260 students. At the summit focused on regional integration, poverty reduction and drugs, Shakira hopes to lobby on behalf of disadvantaged childre...

Fans of Shakira will find out of she ison 2012 Time 100 on April 17. Colombian singer Shakira was nominated to be included in the 2012 TIME 100. Voting for inclusion in the Time 100 issue has closed, and after the publications editors select the final 100, they will be revealed on Tuesday, April 17. Shakira, 35, was nominated for her singing career and philanthropy. According to Time, "she's become a Bono-like figure in a region that desperately needs one. Shakira's ALAS Foundation has done more than dole out charity it has inspired reluctant Latin moguls, not known for their generosity, to get on board with meaningful projects in areas like education and initiatives that promote early childhood development." Related Story: "Girls Rule Twitter's Top 10 Most Followed Accounts, Inlcudes Lady Gaga, Shakira and Selena Gomez" Among her many efforts to give back, in 1995, she founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which helps support schools for poor chi...

Chart Highlights offers a sneak peek at a select group of Billboard charts every Monday. Find out the top songs, Greatest Gainers and debuts on the surveys listed below. All our charts are refreshed on billboard.com every Thursday. Pop Songs *** No. 1 *** "Glad You Came" The Wanted Most Wanted: 'Glad You Came' Crowns Pop Songs Greatest Gainer No. 2 "We Are Young" fun. Featuring Janelle Monae Debut No. 33 "Back In Time" Pitbull Pitbull's "Back in Time" previews "Men in Black III," due in theaters May 25. Will Smith (who's reprising his starring role in the new film), sang the trilogy's first two themes, with 1997's "Men in Black" topping Radio Songs for four weeks. Debut No. 36 "F***ing Best Song Everr" Wallpaper.Debut No. 38 "Climax" Usher Debut No. 39 "Honestly" Hot Chelle Rae Adult Contemporary *** No. 1 *** "Set Fire To The Rain" Adele Greatest Gainer No. 15 ...

DJ Afrojack has revealed that Shakira is really "feeling" dance music while recording her new album. The producer - who is working with the singer on her eighth studio record - said that she is enjoying experimenting with the genre in the studio. Afrojack told Billboard : "I've been in the studio now a couple times with Shakira. She's really nice and that's why we started working together. "She has a unique voice and really loves the new dance thing. Like when a beat drops, she makes this like face. She's feeling it." However, the DJ refused to confirm whether the material is to be included on Shakira's new album, but heavily hinted that it probably would. He added: "I never want to put a name tag on something. I wanna just see what happens, but probably. We'll see." Shakira recently revealed that she has been working on new material in the recording studio with LMFAO, Akon and RedOne . > Britney Spears, Shakira recording ...

by Roby Allas UNICEF's Ambassador Shakira campaigns and supports Sahel's child survival, protection and development worldwide through education, advocacy and fundraising. Watch the video. Share it with friends. Sound the alarm. Right now in the Sahel, the lives of one million children hang in the balance. Crops have failed in eight drought-hit countries, leaving families with almost nothing to eat and at risk from malnutrition. The people of the Sahel are resilient, but they have a limit, and it has been reached. Your support could make the difference. You can take part now in a campaign called #SahelNOW and use Facebook, Twitter and other social media to post messages about the crisis in the Sahel throughout the day and help to raise funds. Addicted To You is Shakira's new single - get it from iTunes For the latest Zamboanga City and Philippine news stories and videos, visit ZamboTimes.com