Years from now, when someone asks, "Who was the MC Lyte of the Latin American hip hop scene?" one name will come to mind: Ana Tijoux. Born in France to Chilean parents, the GRAMMY nominated Tijoux is a true pioneer. Her CD, 1977 -- a reference to her birth year -- has helped her conquer the thriving Latin America hip hop scene. Tijoux explains how she got her start: more ›

Sporting Kansas City forward Teal Bunbury buried a penalty kick at the 74th minute to bring the U.S. level with Chile in last night’s friendly at the Home Depot Center. Bunbury and fellow youngster Juan Agudelo entered the match a mere 15 minutes earlier and had an immediate impact on the match. Together, the two helped energize a U.S. squad that had lost its midfield at around the 30th minute mark. more ›

The U.S. Men’s National Team faces its first match of the year against Chile this evening at the Home Depot Center, but it is a team that bares little resemblance to the World Cup 2010 squad. more ›

Around the world, all eyes were on the coverage of the 33 trapped Chilean miners being brought to the surface after a 69-day ordeal; the miners' eyes, however, were shielded from the elements by dark sunglasses by Oakley, an Orange County-based company, who donated 35 pairs, according to an AP report published in the Daily News. more ›

Remember when the enormous Chilean quake earlier this year sped the Earth up? Now scientists are saying the 7.2 Mexicali quake on Easter Sunday shifted the earth's crust 31 inches on the U.S. side. Over on the Mexican side, research indicates a much larger shift: at least 10 whole feet. But the LA Times notes, citing an expert, that "while the numbers sound dramatic, they probably were not noticed by humans immediately after the quake because they occurred in a remote desert area." more ›

File under news that freaks us out: The enormous Chilean earthquake, like all big earthquakes apparently, had a minute affect on the speed of Earth's rotation. Our days just got 1.26 millionths of a second shorter because the mass of the Earth's plates shifted slightly toward further from (?) the equator (a comparison is made to figure skaters spinning faster when they hold their arms in). You science types might find this cool and/or basic knowledge. The rest of us more philosophical types find this completely disturbing. more ›

In response to this weekend's massive 8.8 quake off the coast of Chile, " Los Angeles County Fire’s world-class Heavy Rescue Task Force, has been mobilized for deployment to Chile to help rescue and recover earthquake victims..." more ›

As expected, the North American West Coast is seeing some tsunami activity following this morning's deadly 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Chile. At around midday those in beach communities in Southern California began to see a change in the Pacific as a series of surges hit the shoreline. The activity is hard to uniformly predict, however we're largely looking to experience 2-4 foot surges for a period of about two hours. more ›

While here in Los Angeles and the greater Southern California area are anticipating Pacific wave activity as a result of today's early morning devastating 8.8 quake off the coast of Chile, many are working diligently reach loved ones in South America and regions under more serious tsunami warnings. Additionally, many here might be interested in ways to help out in the relief and recovery in Chile, and as a result, Google has just launched a Crisis Response portal where you can donate funds to the American Red Cross and UNICEF, get updates from news sources, and locate loved ones. To follow relief efforts and opportunities for aid, you can also follow the Red Cross on Twitter. more ›

The massive early-morning quake off the coast of Chile has dozens of Pacific-bordering nations on alert as the shifting of plates are causing tsunami conditions in the water. The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issued an advisory for the North American West Coast, though it is important to note that while the effects can be dangerous, they are not expected to be devastating here:

Tsunami Advisory means that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is imminent or expected. Significant, widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Currents may be hazardous to swimmers, boats, and coastal structures and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival.

A tsunami advisory has been issued for the California coast this morning following the overnight magnitude-8.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Chile, according to the LA Times. "An advisory means there may be strong currents, but that widespread inundation is not expected to occur." more ›