News (Noticias) Tagged ‘united nations’

Many argue that El Salvador has come a long way towards trying to repair its disabled past by declaring itself mine-free in 1994, implementing the 2001 National Disability Rights law and ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007. The Permanent Table of the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights (PDDH) and disability rights civil society organizations such as the Landmine Survivors Network have led the struggle in Central America to promote the rights of people with disabilities and guarantee them “free and equal access to services” through the construction of accessible infrastructure and much-needed legislation. “*

The Rev. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, an outspoken leftist critic of the United States and a former foreign minister in Nicaragua’s Sandinista government, was elected president of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

Mr. d’Escoto, 75, an American-born Roman Catholic priest, said he would not use his new position as a platform to disparage the United States, but wasted no time at taking a few oblique swipes at Washington.

In his inaugural speech, he said member states had to unite against “acts of aggression, such as those occurring in Iraq and Afghanistan.” And, without naming the United States, he said no countries should act as if collective agreements applied to all but them.”*

Victims of some of the worst cases of police brutality in United States history will join the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Puerto Rico to address issues of police brutality and racial discrimination at the Fourth Annual Congress on Civil Liberties in Puerto Rico beginning today.

“In light of what seems to be an ongoing systemic problem with policing in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, this year’s ACLU workshop will examine the ongoing plague of police violence against mostly unarmed young men of color and indigent homeless,” said William Ramírez, Executive Director of the ACLU of Puerto Rico. “In Puerto Rico, the government continues to insist, in case after case of violent police behavior, that each case is an isolated incident perpetrated by a few rotten apples, and refuses to recognize that there are systemic failings that must be aggressively attacked.”

Abner Louima, a Haitian native who, while living in New York City, was the victim of one of the worst cases of non-fatal police brutality in U.S. history, and Iris Baéz, who witnessed the killing by asphyxiation of her son at the hands of a police officer, will address workshop attendees. Other speakers include human rights experts, activists, and attorneys.

“In the wake of the Sean Bell case and countless other instances of police brutality, we continue to be reminded that the U.S. government has been fundamentally unwilling or unable to hold human rights abusers accountable,” said Chandra Bhatnagar, staff attorney with the ACLU Human Rights Program. “It is time to reinforce the fundamental principle that human rights begin at home.”

The ACLU workshop is in anticipation of a visit later this month to the U.S. by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Racism, Doudou Diène. Diène will tour the U.S., including Puerto Rico, at the request of the government to study and report on forms of racism and racial discrimination.

The ACLU Human Rights Program submitted a December 2007 report to the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) highlighting systemic and structural racism in America, including police brutality, and testified before the committee in February 2008. In March, the committee recommended that the U.S. “increase significantly its efforts to eliminate police brutality and excessive use of force against persons belonging to racial, ethnic or national minorities.”

More information about the Congress on Civil Liberties in Puerto Rico is available online at:
www.aclu-pr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Events/Events.htm

More information about the ACLU’s report to CERD is available online at: www.aclu.org/intlhumanrights/racialjustice/cerd.html

Goya Foods, the family-owned Latin American food company, proudly announced that it has pledged 125,000 pounds of food for families and children on the occasion of the first visit by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI to the United States. The food donation will allocate 85,000 pounds of food to the nation of Haiti which recently experienced riots brought on by food shortages and economic hardship. The products directed to Haiti will be donated through Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and will originate from Goya facilities in New Jersey, Miami and the Dominican Republic, which neighbors the country on the island of Hispaniola. “This very generous donation will allow CRS to supplement our food distributions to some of the most vulnerable populations in Haiti,” said Bill Canny, CRS country representative in Haiti. “We thank Goya for their assistance and look forward to our continued relationship as we help those who have been adversely affected by the current spike in food prices.”

An additional 40,000 pounds of food will be donated domestically to regional food banks in Richmond, Virginia, courtesy of the Goya facilities in Prince George County. “Goya Foods is privileged to welcome His Holiness and can think of no better way to honor the legacy of the Holy Father than by helping those less fortunate,” stated Robert Unanue, Goya Foods President. “The donation we are making to Haiti represents our commitment to the Haitian people, not only in Haiti, but in Miami, New York and the rest of the United States.”

Goya Foods has a long history of giving aid to Hispanic and Caribbean communities such as Haiti as well as participating in global efforts during times of natural disasters and times of need. Most recently, Goya has provided food relief to flood victims in the Dominican Republic and Mexico in addition to earthquake victims in Peru. As part of its salute to the Papal visit, a Goya spokesman indicated that the company is also sponsoring 50 commemorative banners to be displayed throughout Manhattan and the Bronx during the month of April. The banners will be prominently placed in the area of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, on Third Avenue from 90th to 96th Streets and in the areas surrounding Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, site of the highly anticipated Papal Mass on April 20th.

The papal visit to New York, which will include an address to the United Nations, a prayer at Ground Zero and masses held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Yankee Stadium, is viewed with special reverence by many Americans. “Goya Foods has a well established tradition of helping people in need,” said Peter Unanue, Executive Vice President, Goya Foods. “Our welcoming of Pope Benedict through this donation and the sponsorship of commemorative banners reflects the importance of His Holiness to the United States and our support of his message of charity to the world-at-large,” concluded Unanue.

ABOUT GOYA: Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures packages and distributes over 1,500 high-quality food products from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world; their combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient preparation make them ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com “*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Hola, America, we’re going global, pronto.

By the watercooler, in the boardroom, around the cafeteria, a new multilingualism is burgeoning, sparked by a swelling immigrant population and our deepening ties to the world economy. Nearly 20 percent of Americans over age 5 speak a language other than English at home, up from 14 percent in 1990. That means say “hola” - hello - to a rising linguistic diversity that is spilling into the workplace “pronto” - or right now.

Yet when workplaces begin to sound like mini-United Nations, much can get lost in the translation. Co-workers can feel excluded when others chat in a different language. Managers must balance a bottom-line need for workers to speak English to get the job done with a growing demand for language skills. And workers with scant English struggle at home and work to cope with routine tasks, from attending a school meeting to reading a medical bill. The result: a cacophony of work-life needs and wants.”*

*From: http://www.boston.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

A Mexican reporter who has been a target of death threats, sabotage and police harassment because of her work uncovering prostitution and child pornography networks was today designated the laureate of a press freedom prize by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, will award the Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize to Lydia Cacho Ribeiro in a ceremony to be held on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May, in Maputo, Mozambique.”*

*From: http://www.un.org
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

The latest blowup came over the weekend. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson’s endorsement of Obama on Friday provoked an unusually harsh response from James Carville, one of Hillary Clinton’s informal advisers. Carville told the New York Times that Richardson had committed “an act of betrayal” and said it “came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic.”

Richardson fired back on Fox News Sunday: “I’m not going to get in the gutter like that. And you know, that’s typical of many of the people around Senator Clinton. They think they have a sense of entitlement to the presidency.” Richardson was energy secretary and United Nations ambassador for President Bill Clinton, and the Clintons seem more than a little angered at his endorsement of Clinton’s rival.”*

*From: http://www.usnews.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson came under fire this weekend over his endorsement of Barack Obama for president.

A number of people criticized his decision on Sunday morning talk shows, including Democratic political strategist James Carville, who worked with Richardson in the administration of former President Bill Clinton. Carville compared Richardson’s actions to Judas betraying Jesus.

Richardson has a long history of ties to the Clintons. He worked as Energy Secretary and as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations during the Clinton administration.”*

*From: http://www.koat.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

As the highest-ranking Hispanic in the Democratic Party, Richardson’s endorsement is being aggressively sought by the Clinton and Obama campaigns. California, Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico are among the 22 states voting next week, and each have sizable Hispanic electorates. Richardson, who cruised to re-election as New Mexico governor in 2006, is a popular figure in the Hispanic community.

Richardson’s torn. He served in the Clinton White House, first as ambassador to the United Nations, then as Clinton’s Secretary of Energy. “I have a history with the Clintons,” Richardson said. “And I’ve always liked her. She always seems very genuine.” But Richardson considers Kennedy, who’s long been respected by Hispanics, as “a mentor.” In 1982, when Richardson ran for Congress for the second time — he lost two years before — Kennedy flew to Santa Fe and campaigned for him. “That might have been the reason I was elected,” Richardson said. And he said he likes Obama, telling a story about how Obama saved him during one of last year’s Democratic debates:”*

*From: http://blog.washingtonpost.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Want to see America unraveling? Come here, to Thomas Road and 35th Street, to M. D. Pruitt’s furniture store. Come on Saturday morning and stand near the eight delivery trucks barricading the parking lot, like the wall of an urban Alamo.

For the last seven weeks, a sidewalk protest here by Latino immigrants has blossomed into a feverish reality show, attracting Minutemen, mariachis, children dancing in Mexican folk costumes, white racists, United Nations observers, Phoenix police officers and Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies.”*

*From: http://www.nytimes.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Nov. 17, 2007 in Valencia, Spain, more than 2,500 of the world’s greatest climate scientists spoke with one voice. Their spokesman was Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, a U.S.-educated industrial engineer, energy expert, and former board member of Indian Oil Corporation Limited. Pachauri chairs the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a voluntary group of climate scientists working with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the World Meteorological Organization1 (WMO).The Nobel Foundation catapulted the IPCC into the media limelight in October 2007 by awarding them the 2007 Nobel Peace prize, an honor they share with former U.S. Vice President Albert Arnold Gore Jr. While Mr. Gore is the star of the Academy Award-winning film, An Inconvenient Truth, it is the IPCC members who provide the intellectual foundations for his arguments.”*

*From: http://americas.irc-online.org
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

The Indigenous Peoples’ Border Summit of the Americas 2007 began with a human rights delegation visit to the border and after four days of activities concluded with a vow to “bring down the wall.”

Indigenous delegates to the border on Tohono O’odham Nation land took a tour of conditions along the U.S.-Mexico border here and returned in outrage.

“We saw it all firsthand in America,” said Bill Means, Lakota and cofounder of the International Indian Treaty Council on Nov. 8. He is also a member of the Indigenous delegation on the border here south of Sells, Arizona, charged with the mission of documenting human rights abuses for a report to the United Nations.”*

Azteca America, the fastest-growing Hispanic television network in the United States, is proud to have featured the Gira Vive Sin Drogas drug prevention campaign on the Nov. 26 transmission of “Issues: Caras y Voces” (Issues: Faces and Voices), a political forum hosted by veteran Latino journalist Armando Guzman.

The Vive Sin Drogas Tour was launched in Mexico in 1999 to spread the message of living drug-free. To date, Fundacion Azteca has held 70 tours in Mexico to a combined audience of 250,000 people. The event targets Latino adolescents and their parents, with the goal of creating awareness about the consequences of drug, alcohol and food abuses. The United Nations granted the Vive Sin Drogas campaign its Vienna Civil Society Award in 1999 for its contribution to the betterment of society.”*

Eight out of 10 murders of women in Mexico were committed by family members, Mexican President Felipe Calderon said Monday, as he marked the International Day Against Gender Violence. “The facts speak for themselves. Opinion polls reveal that over 30 million Mexican women suffered some kind of violence last year, and that over 80 per cent of the homicides of women are perpetrated within their own homes,” Calderon said.

The president also signed a law to prevent and punish the trafficking of human beings, that joins legislation against gender violence signed in February.

The illegal trade in human beings “is the third most profitable crime, according to the United Nations, and over 80 per cent of the victims are g”*

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. donated $600,000 (€409,864) Thursday toward flood relief efforts in southern Mexico, as the world’s largest retailer struggles to find 430 of its employees there.

Wal-Mart officials said their Mexican subsidiary will try to leverage a matching grant from the United Nations Development program, meaning $1.2 million (€820,000) could go to those in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Tabasco.

Wal-Mart’s donation, double the amount of U.S. aid promised by President George W. Bush, comes as Mexico deals with what insurers call the costliest disaster to strike the nation since a hurricane devastated Cancun and Cozumel in 2005.”*

If presidential races were decided on resumes alone, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson would stand a strong chance of winning in 2008.

Along with his nearly five years of executive experience as governor, the Democrat has served as a congressman, ambassador to the United Nations and U.S. energy secretary since breaking onto the national stage in 1983 with his first election victory.

However, it’s been his successes in dealing with some of the world’s toughest leaders — Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, Cuba’s Fidel Castro, despots in Sudan and North Korea — that has elevated his political stock at a time when diplomatic and foreign relations skills are a hot commodity.”*

DTM Magazine announces it’s signature event, the DTM 6th Annual Latino Trendsetter Awards Gala, which recognizes and honors Latino Trendsetters in entertainment, the arts, health, business, sports, education and government. The event will be held on November 5, 2007 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at the United Nations in NYC.

Since 2001, every fall, DTM has been recognizing leaders that hold themselves to the highest of standards, people on the move making things happen and defining the elements of the US Latino experience. These individuals also serve as important role models for Latino youth; they are visible and active in their community and have made a positive impact on Latino culture. A Latino trendsetter transcends boundaries and defines trends that influence both the Hispanic and non-Hispanic culture. They are innovative, courageous, motivated, have vision and compassion. They are trendsetters.

The 20 honorees are as vibrant and diverse as the Hispanic culture itself, stemming from a myriad of fields such as arts, education, entertainment, sports, community and health services, as well as corporate and entrepreneurial leaders. They represent some of the very best thinking, development and implementation of solutions that positively impact everyone from the individual Latino to the largest organizations in their communities.

“We are thrilled to be honoring these stellar individuals at DTM’s 6th Annual Latino Trendsetter Awards Gala,” said Juan Guillen, founder and publisher of DTM Magazine. It is our belief that the current U.S. Hispanic community is driving trends in various sectors of multicultural and mainstream America. It is our vision and mission to connect people, bridge cultures, define trends and emerging leaders in the U.S. Latino community.

Mr. Kenneth Brooks, Regional Marketing Champion for Staples and a major sponsor of the event said, “We are proud to sponsor the Latino Trendsetter Awards Gala and support Juan and DTM’s efforts to identify and celebrate individuals that are making unique and lasting contributions to the Latino experience in the U.S.”

DTM will also recognize seven students whose entrepreneurial spirit is already making significant contributions to the communities in which they live. Each will be presented with a $1000 college scholarship. “We hope our scholarship recipients are further inspired by people like those being honored and will continue to reach their goals no matter the odds.” Said Juan Guillen

This year’s DTM Latino Trendsetters include:

– Robert Abreu, VP/Informational Services, Goldman Sachs
– Rudy Beserra, Vice President Latin Affairs, the Coca-Cola Company
– Wilton Cedeno, Director of Information Services, Consolidated Edison Company of NY
– Lino Garcia, General Manager, ESPN Deportes
– Yvette Baez-Goss, Brand Director, Moet Hennessy
– Dr. Eliscer Guzman, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
– Jay Hershenson, Secretary, Board of Trustees, CUNY Sr. Vice Chancellor for University Relations
– Francisco Jorge, President, National Supermarket Association
– Maximiliano Larroquette, Program Manager, General Motors
– Dr. Guillermo Linares, Commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigration Affairs
– Francisco Lorenzo, Ambassador, Dominican Republic
– Eduardo Juarez, Founder & President of International Immigrants Foundation
– Luis Diaz, President US Hispanic Advocacy Association
– Mario Paredes, Director, Community Business Development, Merrill Lynch & Co.
– Lisa Rudes Sandel, Founder Tummy Tuck Jeans
– Carmen Paulino, Entrepreneur/ owner of five McDonalds
– Rey Polanco, Agency Field Consultant, State Farm Insurance Co.
– Jose Sanchez, President, Generation Plus/North
– Jackie Torres, Director of Marketing and Promotions, La Mega & Amor/SBS

For more information about this year’s DTM’s Latino Trendsetters, please visit www.dtmmag.com

About DTM
Dominican Times Magazine was founded in September 2001. In 2005, the publication transitioned to DTM and expanded into the Defining Trends (DTM) Media Group in 2006. Marketing to the U.S. Latino / bilingual audience and consumer, The DTM Media Group, is a multi-media company providing and producing content and publishing DTM Magazine. In its history, DTM has been recognized with Ippie Awards for “Best Article on Immigration Issues/Racial or Social Justice,” “Best Feature” and “Best Overall Design.” “*

“Democratic Presidential Candidate Governor Bill Richardson’s campaign filed its third quarter financial report with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) this evening. The report shows the Governor continues to receive significant grassroots support and is well positioned heading into the final months before the primaries and caucuses begin.

The Richardson campaign’s FEC report shows the campaign raised more than $5.2 million in the third quarter, with a total of nearly $18.7 raised over the first three quarters of 2007. The campaign has nearly $6 million cash on hand.

“Governor Richardson is running an energetic, lean-and-mean grassroots campaign and we’re pleased with the strong financial support we continue to receive,” said Amanda Cooper, the Governor’s deputy campaign manager. “We’re especially excited that more than 22,000 people contributed $200 or less- our grassroots support is growing and those donors can contribute more going forward.”

Governor Richardson is the only major candidate calling for the United States to withdraw all troops from Iraq with no residual forces. “That message is resonating with voters across the country and is a real point of difference,” added Ms. Cooper. “The other major candidates would all leave thousands of residual troops in Iraq for years- they won’t even commit to ending the war by the end of their first term. Governor Richardson would get all US forces out of Iraq by the end of his first year in office.”

The Governor has also proposed comprehensive plans to make the US energy independent, to provide universal health coverage for all Americans, and to dramatically improve the nation’s education system.

Having served as a Congressman, US Ambassador to the United Nations, Secretary of Energy, and now as two-term Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson has a real record of accomplishment and offers both the change and experience America needs in its next President.”*

“Azteca America, the fastest-growing Hispanic television network in the United States, is proud to announce the launch of “Issues: Caras y Voces,” a political forum hosted by veteran Latino journalist Armando Guzman. The weekly forum will begin airing October 1 and continue every Monday during the national newscast of Noticiero Azteca America at 6:30 pm EST and PST/ 5:30 pm CST and 11:00 pm EST and PST / 10:00 pm CST. The forum will also be transmitted on broadcast television in Mexico through Proyecto 40.

The broadcast premiere will feature Governor Bill Richardson, the first Latino Democratic presidential candidate with real possibilities of being part of the Democratic ticket in 2008. His public service history includes US Congressman, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Secretary of Energy and currently Governor of New Mexico.

“The birth of this forum is the result of a dialog with bipartisan members of Congress, who expressed the need for our Latino communities to have issues in Washington communicated in simple, straightforward language through a broadcast television network in both the United States and Mexico,” said Luis J. Echarte, Chairman of Azteca America.

The focus of the segment is the projection and analysis of top leaders that impact the Hispanic community through one-on-one interviews, which will be conducted by Armando Guzman. Covering the White House and the Capitol for almost two decades, Mr. Guzman is one of the most veteran and respected correspondents in Washington.

During ten years as senior anchor and producer of the weekly political news program “Temas y Debates,” Mr. Guzman interviewed numerous heads of state and U.S. political figures. He has interviewed the last four U.S. presidents and vice presidents, as well as world figures such as Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, Lech Walesa, Nelson Mandela, Yasser Arafat, Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair and countless Latin American presidents.

As a war correspondent, he was the first Latino journalist to ever broadcast from the USS Air Carrier Theodore Roosevelt during the 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.

He has been recognized by numerous organizations for his journalistic contributions, including the Edward R. Murrow award in 1996 and the “Premio Nacional de Periodismo,” Mexico’s National Journalism Award, for his coverage of the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Mr. Guzman will also be moderating an immigration forum as part of the activities of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute on October 2. The Plenary Session is titled “Achieving Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Where Do We Go From Here?” and will include participation by Congressman Luis Gutierrez.

About Azteca America

Azteca America is the fastest-growing Hispanic network in the United States. The network is a wholly owned subsidiary of TV Azteca S.A. de C.V., one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television content in the world. Azteca America currently has presence in 60 Hispanic markets, including: Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio, San Francisco, Phoenix, Brownsville-McAllen, Sacramento, Albuquerque, Fresno, San Diego, Denver, El Paso, Orlando, Philadelphia, Tampa, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Austin, Las Vegas, Boston, Tucson, Corpus Christi, West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce, Seattle, Bakersfield, Hartford-New Haven, Portland, Salt Lake City, Monterey-Salinas, Laredo, Yuma, Ft. Myers-Naples, Palm Springs, Raleigh-Durham, Odessa, Colorado Springs, Milwaukee, Santa Barbara, Lubbock, Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Wichita, Reno, Greenville-Spartanburg, New Orleans, Omaha, Tulsa, Boise, Abilene, Chico, Toledo, Chattanooga, Victoria, Twin Falls, Charleston and Sherman.

www.aztecaamerica.com/corporate Azteca America is a Grupo Salinas Company. Visit: www.gruposalinas.com Grupo Salinas Media Contact: Daniel McCosh 011 (5255) 1720-0059 dmccosh@gruposalinas.com
Website: www.aztecaamerica.com/
“

“El Salvadoran President Elias Antonio Saca has addressed the United Nations, discussing issues such as gang activity, economic development and global warming.

Mr. Saca told the U.N. General Assembly about efforts El Salvador is taking to deal with increased gang activity in the country, which he said could threaten the country’s stability.

During his speech, the president said prices of raw materials and increased oil prices are having a negative impact on the country’s development.”

“Honduran President Jose Manuel Zelaya on Tuesday urged the United Nations to include migration in its development agenda, and called for the creation of truly free trade in the world, news reaching here said.

During a speech to the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, Zelaya said that “migration is not, has not been, and should not be considered a crime or a menace.”"

“The Nevada Commission on Tourism is launching plans to develop the lucrative Mexico travel market for skiing, golf and shopping, Lt. Gov. Brian K. Krolicki announced in a salute to Thursday’s observance of World Tourism Day.

“Mexico is Nevada’s third largest international market and a huge potential source of visitors and the revenue they generate for our state’s leading industry, tourism,” Krolicki, commission chair, said. “Our research shows that internationally traveling Mexicans enjoy ski vacations, golf trips, shopping and entertainment, which Nevada offers in abundance.”

Nevada and other destinations around the globe are marking World Tourism Day, Sept. 27, by publicly recognizing the economic contributions of international tourism, which last year delivered nearly 51 million U.S. visitors who spent a record $108 billion on travel and tourism-related goods and services. The United Nations World Tourism Organization developed World Tourism Day to promote tourism’s global impact.

Mexican visitors to Nevada last year numbered more than 368,000 to Las Vegas alone, ranking just behind the United Kingdom at 388,000, with Canada being No. 1 at 1.4 million visitors. When categorizing Mexican visitors by income, the largest group earns $80,000 to $99,000 a year, visits Nevada an average of nearly six nights per trip and spends an average of $1,333 per person.

“International visitors are vital to Nevada’s tourism-based economy, and it is our goal to develop valuable markets such as Mexico and attract as many travelers as we can,” state tourism Director Tim Maland said. “We need to work in the highly competitive tourism marketplace to get the business, which means familiarizing neighboring Mexico’s travel industry professionals with Nevada’s attractions that interest Mexican visitors. It will pay off for our economy.”

Maland recently sent Spanish-speaking Larry Friedman, deputy director for Sales and Industry Partners, to the Visit USA Committee Mexico travel conference in Mexico to establish contacts and build business with representatives of Mexican airlines, travel agencies and tour operators. Friedman also conducted meetings earlier this month with numerous travel agents from Mexico, Central America and South America at La Cumbre Travel Industry Summit in Florida.

The tourism agency will work to increase its contact with Mexico’s tourism industry and arrange familiarization tours to enable Mexican tour operators and travel journalists to experience Nevada’s attractions first-hand, Maland said. Plans include developing a Spanish language Web site, brochures and printed material and producing a ski familiarization tour to Reno-Lake Tahoe this winter.

“Developing the Mexican tourism market will take a lot of work directly with Mexican travel industry professionals in Mexico if we are to succeed,” Maland said. “In today’s fiercely competitive tourism market, one can’t expect to get the business by staying home and assuming they will come.”

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons promoted tourism to Nevada during an official visit to Mexico in August for meetings with top-ranking government officials. During his visit the governor called for strengthening relationships and improving access to Nevada for visitors from Mexico and other countries.

“I discussed how vital Mexican tourists are to Nevada’s economy during my official visit to Mexico this summer,” Gibbons said. “The efforts by the Nevada Commission on Tourism to cultivate this growing market should be applauded. Nevada will always welcome people from Mexico and around the world to experience the entertainment options and outdoor activities that our state has to offer.”"

“The most popular newpaper in Spain, El Pais, has published what they purport to be a transcript of a meeting between President Bush and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar that took place in Crawford, Texas on February 22, 2003. According to Editor and Publisher, who provide a very rough translation of the transcript, the meeting largely concerned the administration’s plans to invade Iraq. The big reveal: Bush’s admission that he was going to go forward with the invasion “if there was a United Nations Security Council resolution or not…We will be in Baghdad at the end of March.”

This would appear to be something of a major scoop for El Pais, but the story has yet to gain traction in the stateside press. Currently, the USA Today is running a brief item on the story in their “On Deadline” blog, and the Washington Post has a wire report from Reuters that leads with, “Saddam Hussein was prepared to take $1 billion and go into exile before the Iraq war, according to a transcript of talks between U.S. President George W. Bush and an ally, Spanish newspaper El Pais reported on Wednesday.”"

“For the second consecutive year, Siempre Mujer, the Spanish-language lifestyle and service magazine for women, honors “Always Inspiring” Hispanic women in its signature “Siempre Inspiran” feature in the October/November issue. The women – including Carolina Herrera, Adamari López, Candela Ferro, Angélica Vale and Cristina Pérez – were chosen for their hands-on commitment to important causes relevant to the Hispanic community.

Senator Hillary Clinton opens the feature with an introduction that addresses the power of women. She references her groundbreaking “Women’s Rights are Human Rights” speech in Beijing and challenges Siempre Mujer’s readers to become leaders – in their families, their workplaces and their communities. The October/November issue of Siempre Mujer hits newsstands on September 27th.

Siempre Mujer will celebrate this year’s “Siempre Inspiran” honorees at a cocktail reception in Miami Beach at The Raleigh Hotel Penthouse on Wednesday, September 26th with cover star Adamari López. The event, co-hosted by Editor-in-Chief Johanna Buchholtz-Torres and Telemundo’s Mónica Noguera, is sponsored by Home Depot and will feature a silent auction to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

“We’ve poured our heart and soul into this feature and I think it shows,” commented Buchholtz-Torres. “Our 10 honorees represent a cross-section of major Hispanic issues. I’m proud of them, admire them, and hope that their work inspires other women to take action. And to be able to expand the “Siempre Inspiran” program and celebrate these women with an event this year is exciting!”

This year’s honorees are:

– Cover Star Adamari López (Puerto Rican) – The telenovela superstar was diagnosed with breast cancer at 32-years-old and is now cancer-free. As the spokesperson for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, she has helped bring much-needed awareness and education about breast cancer to the Hispanic community. What does she consider the three main characteristics of a successful woman? “Self confidence, patience and dedication,” Lopez tells Siempre Mujer.

– News Personality Candela Ferro (Argentine) – Ferro actively supports various organizations including: the “25 Myths 25 Realities” initiative that tackles AIDS education and prevention; Noche de Paz (“Night of Peace”), which benefits the Special Olympics; and the Live Earth green living campaign. Her work with the Red Cross has raised funds for Hurricane Katrina victims and increased blood donation nationwide.

– Fashion Designer Carolina Herrera (Venezuelan) – As a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Malnutrition, she works to counter malnutrition and its negative impacts, especially in the developing countries. What would Herrera like her legacy to be? “I’d like for my daughters to remember me as a good mother, and that the work says I was a good person and a designer that left a mark,” she says.

– Singer, Actress and Comedienne Angélica Vale (Mexican) – This star of La Fea más Bella, one of the precursors to Ugly Betty, works with World Vision to better the lives of poor children and families across the globe. She explains: “My dream is to become a full-time mom and work behind-the-scenes in the theater.”

– Fox-TV Judge Cristina Pérez (Colombian) – Through her work with the American Immigration Law Foundation, Perez strives to embed law school curriculums with fundamental human values like tolerance and acceptance.

– Actress and Model Patricia Velásquez (Venezuelan) – This daughter of a Mestizo father and a mother from the WayÚu tribe created the WayÚu Taya Foundation, which improves the lives of Latin-American indigenous people through education, health programs and more. Velásquez is also a UNESCO Artist for Peace, dedicated to promoting compassion worldwide.

– Hillary for President Campaign Manager Patti Solí­s Doyle (Mexican-American) – Solis Doyle is striving for a simple legacy: helping elect the first woman President in the United States. Her job, she says, “is a labor of much love. I’m doing the best for my country.”

– President and Founder of the Imagen Foundation Helen Hernández (Mexican-American) – Her Imagen Awards have spurred on the positive portrayal of Latinos in all media and increased Latino representation within the entertainment industry.

– Creator and Artistic Director of the Ballet Hispanico Tina Ramí­rez (Venezuelan) – For almost 40 years, Ramirez’s Ballet Hispanico School of Dance has encouraged students to express their pride in their Latino heritage through dance.

– Founder of Zubi Advertising Teresa Zubizarreta (Cuban) – This Hispanic advertising pioneer recognized the power of the market during the male-dominated 1970s and created one of the most important agencies in the country. Zubizarreta, who passed away this year, was actively involved with the Miami community through organizations like the United Way of America and Facts about Cuban Exiles (FACE), which she co-founded.

PHOTOS AND BROLL FOOTAGE ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. PLEASE CONTACT: MARIELA AZCUY, 212.551.6955, mariela.azcuy@meredith.com

About Siempre Mujer
Launched in September 2005, Siempre Mujer is a Spanish-language lifestyle and service publication for women living in the United States. Published by Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP), Siempre Mujer reflects the lifestyles, aspirations and dreams of Hispanic women who keep their traditions alive and embrace new American values. Siempre Mujer helps the Hispanic woman navigate this new culture by covering the worlds of: Home décor; fashion and beauty; food and entertaining; family and parenting; culture and entertainment; relationships and self-development; health and fitness; and finance. The bi-monthly national magazine has a rate base of 375,000. “

“BILL RICHARDSON is the strongest second-tier contender for the Democratic nomination, and the only one with any hope of challenging the big three””Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards. He has two main selling points. One is his resumé””which includes an incident in which he offended Saddam Hussein by showing him the sole of his shoe. The other is that, despite his name, he is Hispanic. (His mother is Mexican and, though he was born in California, he lived in Mexico until he was a teenager.)

Mr Richardson’s resumé certainly sounds presidential. After 14 years in Congress, he was America’s ambassador to the United Nations. He has run a large federal bureaucracy (as Bill Clinton’s energy secretary), and a state (he is currently the governor of New Mexico). The contrast with the big three is striking. Neither Mr Obama nor Mr Edwards has ever run anything much, and Mrs Clinton’s main qualification””eight years as the unofficial chief adviser to a president””is marred for some voters by the fact that she was married to him. One of Mr Richardson’s more amusing campaign ads shows him at a job interview where the interviewer shrugs: “For what we’re looking for, you might be a little over-qualified.””