News (Noticias) Tagged ‘Uruguay’

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) proudly announces its support of a new PaycardUSA program that will offer its business members the convenience of paying their workers through the La Moneda (The Coin) Card Prepaid MasterCard.

“As a business owner in the construction industry we employ hundreds of Hispanic workers. I was so excited when we discovered how the PaycardUSA payroll cards worked for us and our workers, our company invested in PaycardUSA. We are honored to be endorsed as the USHCC payroll card and will work diligently to keep bringing critical financial services to workers — using the card as the registration and payment vehicle.” James Hammer, owner WestCor Construction & PaycardUSA.

The La Moneda Card is essentially a prepaid MasterCard card, allowing workers to avoid check cashing lines and fees and offering key benefits such as:

– Easy on-line bill pay
– State of the art mCash mobile commerce application
– The ability to purchase special discounted goods and services
– Additional cards can be ordered for other family members, allowing the employee to move funds to the family card. No more wiring fees to send family members money or having to send cash with family members on vacation.
– Workers have the freedom to rent movies, purchase online, or make everyday purchases without having to walk around with a lot of cash.

“The USHCC is proud to support PaycardUSA as it provides our business members with a system that will truly meet the most pressing needs of Hispanic workers,” said Elizabeth Gallagher, USHCC Vice-Chair. “The La Moneda Card Prepaid MasterCard is the preferred solution for our business members’ Hispanic workforce and we recommend the card for any worker.”

A Paycard saves small and medium size businesses both time and money as it is less costly to pay workers through a Paycard than paper checks. As a modern twist for “pay day,” it is a much more efficient and safer way for employees to receive their paycheck.

“It is costly for employers to pay workers by writing checks, money that businesses can save using the Paycard,” said Rafael Sanchez, USHCC Board Finance Chair. “The ROI calculator website feature is an easy tool that will allow you to calculate your savings per employee per year based on check printing and bookkeeping.”

For more information on the partnership and the La Moneda Card Prepaid MasterCard program, please visit www.paycardusa.net/lamonedacard or www.ushcc.com .

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of more than 2.5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate more than $388 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia and Uruguay.

About PaycardUSA, LLC
PaycardUSA offers payment solutions that allow you to pay dozens, hundreds or even thousands of employees with a single transaction that takes mere minutes. With the paperless PaycardUSA MasterCard(R) Payroll Card program, you can make your payroll process simple and easy and save your company money while providing your employees the benefit of a Prepaid MasterCard card. PaycardUSA is a registered MSP of Palm Desert National Bank. The La Moneda Card Prepaid MasterCard is issued by Palm Desert National Bank pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Incorporated.

MasterCard is the registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated. “

Yahoo! Telemundo today announced its Top 10 Searches for the month ending July 31 (http://yahootelemundo.com/lomasbuscado), which include the Top 10 in overall searches, image searches, as well as the most searched for Men for the month of July, as established by the millions of Yahoo! Telemundo users.

Top Trends in Search for July include:

Top 10 Overall Searches

1. Without Breasts There Is No Paradise (Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso)

2. Miss Universe 2008

3. Animals

4. Monica Bellucci

5. Love and Sex

6. Aracely Arambula

7. Galilea Montijo

8. Marijuana risks

9. Ingrid Betancourt

10. Organic Foods

Sin Senos No Hay Paraíso (literally, Without Breasts There Is No Paradise), is a Spanish-language telenovela that debuted on Telemundo on July 16. A hit in Colombia, the telenovela tells the story of an attractive young prostitute who seeks massive breast implants to attract a rich cocaine smuggler. The show was one of the network’s most-watched premieres ever and, not surprisingly, nabbed this month’s number one spot on the Top 10 Overall Searches. Also topping the list was a group of beautiful women, including Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza, Italian actress Monica Bellucci, and Aracely Arambula, who just announced she is pregnant with boyfriend Luis Miguel’s second child. Rounding out the list was former FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) captive Ingrid Betancourt, whose recent rescue after six-and-a-half years of captivity created a worldwide media frenzy.

Top 10 Image Searches

1. Tattoos

2. Adriana Lima

3. Sceneries

4. Gemma Atkinson

5. Eva Longoria

6. Galilea Montijo

7. Barbara Mori

8. Vanessa Guzman

9. Isabel Madow

10. Naruto

Top 10 Image Searches (cont.)

The number one most searched for image on Yahoo! Telemundo in July was Tattoos – tattoos have experienced a resurgence in popularity in many parts of the world, particularly in North America, South America and Europe. A survey published by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 24% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 50 have a tattoo.

Victoria’s Secret Supermodel Adriana Lima, an ever-popular name on the Top Searches lists, is still making headlines after it was announced that she and basketball star boyfriend, Marko Jaric of the Minnesota Timberwolves, will be tying the knot. Following in Lima’s footsteps – four more models were among the most searched for images in July: British lingerie model (and reality TV star) Gemma Atkinson; Uruguayan-Mexican actress/model Barbara Mori, star of the hit telenovela remake, Rubi; as well as model Isabel Madow, known for her appearances on the Mexican edition of Big Brother VIP. Mexican actress and model Vanessa Guzman (a former Miss Mexico) also peaked users’ interest as she recently went public with information that she and boyfriend Uberto Bondoni, an actor from Uruguay, were blackmailed for a sex tape that was allegedly taken from their home in Mexico.

Top 10 Men Searches

1. Thomas Beatie

2. Chespirito

3. Lil wayne

4. Don Omar

5. Luis Miguel

6. Vicente Fernandez

7. Juanes

8. Cristiano Ronaldo

9. Tito El Bambino

10. Ricardo Arjona

Ironically, the most searched for man this month is really a woman. Thomas Beatie, the world’s first person to conceive a child after a gender-reassignment operation, gave birth this past month to a healthy baby girl. Mexican television icon Roberto Gómez Bolaños, known to the world as Chespirito, also topped the list. Bolaños, best known for his roles as “El Chavo del Ocho” and “El Chapulín Colorado,” has been touring Latin America to present his play “11 y 12.”

In the number four slot, Puerto Rican Reggaeton star Don Omar has been cleared of all drug and weapons charges in relation to an incident dating back to 2004.The 30-year-old has been on trial in a court in Carolina, Puerto Rico for the last two weeks, after he was arrested in September 2004 by drug enforcement officers, who claim to have found him and two pals smoking marijuana. The agents also allegedly found a gun and $1,200 in cash in his possession. Portuguese footballer and heartthrob Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for Manchester United, has also generated interest amidst speculation about a move to Real Madrid. Last but not least, Guatemalan singer-songwriter, Ricardo Arjona, also generated buzz as he officially launched “Fundación Adentro,” an initiative to teach music to poor children in his native Guatemala.

Every month the Yahoo! Telemundo Top 10 Searches showcases the diverse interests and concerns of U.S. Hispanics around the net, from gorgeous celebrity sightings and salacious political news to funny jokes and the latest consumer obsessions.  The monthly list includes a recap of the Top 10 Overall Searches, Top 10 Image Searches and Top 10 Searches in a revolving category, which changes monthly.  To come up with the Yahoo! Top Searches list, Yahoo! scans anonymous query logs from Yahoo! Search across a variety of categories to see what themes and trends bubble up to the surface. Individual searches are never used to develop these lists.  For more information on Yahoo! Telemundo’s Top 10 Searches, visit www.yahootelemundo.com/lomasbuscado.

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About Yahoo! Telemundo:
Yahoo! Telemundo (http://www.yahootelemundo.com), is a commercial venture between Yahoo! Inc. and Telemundo Communications Group, Inc., and is a leading online media and services community for Hispanic consumers in the U.S. This comprehensive and engaging online community for U.S. Hispanics brings together Yahoo!’s leading technology, Internet tools and services with the online assets and original television content of Telemundo, connecting the U.S. Hispanic community to their passions, their communities and the world’s knowledge.

This is an abridged version of a speech by Eduardo Galeano on July 3 in Montevideo, Uruguay, on being accorded the title of the First Distinguished Citizen of the region by the countries of Mercosur. Paradoxically, the only Mercosur President not to congratulate him was his own, Tabare Vazquez of Uruguay.”*

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), the leading advocate for the more than 2.5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States, proudly welcomes Dale A. Crowell as the organization’s new Director of Communications. Crowell brings to the USHCC more than 13 years of experience working in media and public relations, public affairs, project management, brand management, and international development.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dale into the USHCC family,” said USHCC Chairman David C. Lizárraga. “His experience with the national and local media as well as legislators and other public officials will be an invaluable asset to our organization. He and his team will play a key role as we promote exciting new partnerships, upcoming national events, and other programs and initiatives.”

Most recently, Crowell served as Director of Public Relations for Bethesda, Maryland-based Honest Tea, the nation’s best-selling organic bottled tea company. While there, he helped the company greatly increase its earned media exposure in leading consumer outlets, trade publications, national daily newspapers, television and radio shows, and web-based media. Before Honest Tea, Crowell was the Director of Communications and Public Outreach for the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) where he managed overall communications and outreach initiatives for projects and field offices in seven countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. At PADF, Crowell also conducted outreach and developed relationships with members of Congress, corporate donors, public officials, partner organizations, and media outlets. He has also served as the Director of Communications for the Office of Congressman José E. Serrano [D-NY].

“I am delighted to join the USHCC. This organization’s history and reputation speak for themselves and as the new Director of Communications I intend to keep that tradition moving forward,” stated Dale Crowell. “I am proud of the confidence that both David Lizárraga and Augustine Martinez have expressed in me and look forward to working with the entire team to promote the Chamber to an even wider audience,” he added.

As Director of Communications for the USHCC, Crowell is responsible for all Internal and External Communications and for developing and implementing the Chamber’s communications strategy. In this key role, Crowell also serves as key Editorial Board member for USHCC’s award-winning TV program, Hispanics Today, and a subscriber publication, Hispanic Enterprise Magazine.

“An excellent communicator, fluent in English and Spanish, Crowell has the necessary experience and proven track record to lead our Communications Team,” said Augustine Martinez, USHCC President and CEO. “In addition to his professional success, Crowell’s passion for working with the Hispanic community makes him a perfect addition to our staff.”

Crowell, of Puerto Rican heritage, lives in Maryland with his family. Crowell attended graduate courses at Georgetown University, Latin American Studies Master’s Program, focused on US foreign policy and Inter-American relations. He graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics with a concentration in International Studies and History.

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of more than 2.5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate more than $388 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia and Uruguay.

About Hispanics Today
Hispanics Today is an English-language television show that highlights the largest and fastest growing segment of the U.S. population — the Latino market — and their impact on American business, politics, and culture. The show reaches 84% of Hispanic television viewers in 165 markets.
“*

Marketwire, a full-service newswire and communications workflow solutions provider, today announces the debut of NoticiasDigitales, the newswire industry’s first real-time business-to-consumer digital news service to publish Spanish-language news on Latin American websites. An enhancement to its Spanish-language press release distribution circuits, Marketwire’s NoticiasDigitales displays press releases on more than 100 leading newspaper, financial and economic news, and media websites and portals that bring corporate news to millions of influential Spanish-speaking viewers across North America, Central America and South America.

“With the rapid growth of social media and ‘citizen journalism,’ the future of the newswire industry depends on leveraging new technologies to offer effective business-to-consumer news delivery solutions,” commented Marketwire Vice President of Emerging Markets Hector Botero. “Ethnic, emerging and international markets represent enormous, untapped opportunities for an online digital news distribution service, and we are extremely excited to launch an industry first to our clients who target Spanish-speaking audiences.”

Participants in the large web network at the core of Marketwire’s NoticiasDigitales include major news media, business, finance and technology websites published in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela. Examples of participating websites are Caracol Radio, Clarín.com, Dinero.com, El Universal.com and Nacion.com.

A 30-day testing period revealed that between June 11 and July 11, 2008, Marketwire’s NoticiasDigitales received more than 4 million total impressions from visitors in 21 countries. Thirty percent, or 1.2 million of those impressions came from visitors in Colombia, an economy growing at 6.8 percent a year (two full points faster than the Latin American average); 29 percent, or 1.18 million of the impressions were from the United States; 13 percent, or 520,000 impressions, came from visitors in Argentina, a country that has experienced four consecutive years of more than 8 percent growth in GDP; and 11 percent, or 431,000 impressions, came from Mexico, a country counting the United States as its largest trading partner.

Now, by adding more than 100 websites and 3 million-plus monthly views to its comprehensive Latin America distribution circuits that, combined, reach more than 80,000 media points in Latin America, Marketwire reinforces its position as the leading Latin American market press release distributor. NoticiasDigitales is included in all of Marketwire’s Spanish-language press release distribution circuits: five Latin America/South America distribution packages; newslines to 17 Latin American countries; and its industry-leading North America Hispanic newsline that reaches more than 5,000 journalists and editors through Marketwire’s NoticiasFinancieras news syndicate generating news for print publications with combined circulation exceeding 3 million daily, and readership, including web properties, exceeding 10 million.

About Marketwire

The only fully integrated North America-based global newswire, Marketwire, Inc. is a full-service partner to IR, PR and MarCom professionals seeking top-tier news distribution, media management, multimedia and monitoring solutions. Marketwire’s customer-centric corporate philosophy focuses on being the best by infusing every aspect of its business with the following core attributes: precision, adaptability, innovation and simplicity.

Marketwire delivers its clients’ news to the world’s media and financial communities, fulfilling disclosure requirements in North America in compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), and serving as Primary Information Provider (PIP) with the UK’s Financial Services Authority (FSA). With a reputation for technology leadership, Marketwire offers innovative products and services — including Social Media, Search Engine Optimization, Dashboard Mobile Financial, News Dashboard coverage reports, exclusive access to networks such as the Canadian Press Wire Network, Easy IR and Easy PR workflow solutions, and more — that help communication professionals maximize their effectiveness while ensuring accuracy and best practices.

Having merged companies (Market Wire and CCNMatthews) in April 2006, and enjoying a combined history of 25 years of service, Marketwire is now majority-owned by OMERS Capital Partners, the private equity arm of one of Canada’s largest pension funds. Marketwire distributes the majority of press releases issued by publicly traded companies in Canada and serves more than 8,000 clients worldwide through 19 offices on four continents. For more information, visit us at www.marketwire.com. “*

Panama continues to be the fastest-growing tourism market in Latin America, but Uruguay is the winner when it comes to growth in receipts. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic is the country with the region’s highest receipts as a percentage of GDP, according to a Latin Business Chronicle analysis of new data from the World Tourism Organization. “*

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), the leading advocate for the more than 2.5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States, is pleased to announce that Hilda Rayas will serve as Chief Operating Officer for the USHCC. Rayas brings more than 25 years of documented success in global leadership, minority business advocacy and executive level management to the USHCC.

“Rayas is truly a global executive leader whose expertise will be an invaluable asset to our organization,” said USHCC President and CEO Augustine Martinez. “As COO, Rayas’ charisma and international experience offers our organization great leadership as we continue to work toward building and strengthening the Hispanic business community in the United States and globally.”

Most recently, Rayas served as Director of the Interracial Council for Business Opportunities (ICBO) in New York. Her many professional achievements include: obtaining $8B in international consumer long distance revenue in a highly competitive Mexico market, managing budgets up to $160M and a work force of 5,000 employees, and designing and developing an integrated $135M marketing plan for Puerto Rico while strengthening client relations in a competitive Latino market. In almost ten years of working for AT&T, Rayas also navigated complex political situations in both the USA and Latin America/Caribbean resulting in the company’s entry into Spain, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

“The political landscape is rapidly changing and now is the time for immense progress in this arena,” said Hilda Rayas. “I am passionate and excited about the key role Hispanics will continue to play in America’s future. I am honored to be of service to this organization to help move this necessary and important agenda to the forefront of mainstream America.”

As COO of the organization, Rayas is responsible for the financial oversight and all internal operations of the organization. She will serve as Legislative liaison with Members of Congress advocating for and supporting legislation affecting small business owners, specifically Hispanic-owned. Rayas is also one of three major senior management personnel responsible for fundraising for the USHCC and the principal contact person for sponsorship and advertising opportunities for USHCC’s award winning television program, Hispanics Today.

“Rayas is a perfect example of the strong Latina leadership that is so prominent in our Hispanic business community today,” said Martinez. “Rayas joins our organization during an exciting time as we gear up for the 29th Annual Convention and Business Expo in Sacramento, California this September. I couldn’t be more confident that she will help lead and strengthen our events, programs and initiatives in order to better serve our constituents.”

Rayas was born in Ciudad Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico and raised in El Paso, Texas. Rayas has been appointed to various leadership positions for the United States Hispanic Advocacy Association (USHAA), Hudson County Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic B2B Committee. She is a graduate of Executive Level Education Programs including: University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, Dartmouth University, and Harvard University.

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of more than 2.5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate more than $388 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia and Uruguay.

About Hispanics Today
Hispanics Today is an English-language television show that highlights the largest and fastest growing segment of the U.S. population — the Latino market — and their impact on American business, politics, and culture. The show reaches 84% of Hispanic television viewers in 165 markets.

About USHCC Foundation
The USHCC Foundation is committed to the purpose of giving Latino entrepreneurs alternatives for life preparation and life-long learning by developing and implementing initiatives and educational campaigns to awaken and nurture their entrepreneurial spirit. The Foundation leverages corporate and public support to ensure that existing and aspiring Latino entrepreneurs gain access and achieve success in the world of business. Please visit www.ushccfoundation.org for more information on the USHCC Foundation. “

Leaders from the Hispanic business community held a press conference this morning to announce Tampa Bay as the first city in the United States chosen to host the 18th Annual Retailers of the Americas Conference. Present at the press conference to discuss highlights of the event were the following members of the Tampa Bay’s Host Committee:

– Derek Lloyd, President of Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay (CACCTB),
– Augustine Martinez, USHCC President & CEO,
– Julio Fuentes, President of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

“The CACCTB is committed to the growth and development of the Tampa Bay region and Florida.” stated Mr. Lloyd. “We are pleased to welcome our Caribbean, South and Central America neighbors to Tampa Bay and provide a favorable setting which encourages numerous opportunities to promote and expand their business successfully.”

Tampa was selected due to leading attributes such as its diverse Hispanic heritage and the opportunities that Tampa Bay region provides globally and locally for its cultural ties, airport facilities, port, industrial centers and distribution of goods. From a business perspective the Tampa Bay region provides more than just theme parks, it provides an industry that parallels the growth in global commerce and communication.

“Tampa holds such a talented cross-section of people, all looking to promote the city and what it has to offer,” said Augustine Martinez. “In our preliminary search for the perfect city to name as host for this one of a kind event, we were blown away by the Tampa community. We highlighted Tampa for the simple fact that, when thinking of how to bring commerce to the U.S., Tampa has it covered. Geographically and culturally, it is the perfect gateway to the Americas.”

“On behalf of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, we show full support of this great conference,” said Julio Fuentes, FSHCC President. “We are excited that the city of Tampa was chosen and extend the invitation to Hispanic businesses in the rest of Florida to participate.”

“Small businesses play a significant and important role in our economy. We need to continue opening markets at home and abroad to raise living standards and consolidate democratic gains in the hemisphere,” said Senator Mel Martinez on the benefit the conference will have on Tampa and the state of Florida.

The 18th Annual Retailers of the Americas Conference, also known as XVIII Congreso del Comercio Detallista de las Americas, will host hundreds of business executives and dignitaries from across Latin America and the United States. The conference, expected to see an attendance of 3,000, will convene in Tampa between November 20 -22, 2008.

The press conference took place at the Embassy Suites (Downtown) at 10:30AM. Speakers also included the Honorable Faye Culp, Florida House of Representatives and Neighborhood Services Administrator Santiago Corrada.

Background:
The mission of the 18th Annual Retailers of the Americas Conference is to integrate the commercial sectors in the western hemisphere in a collaboration effort to develop strategies and initiatives directed at fortifying technological know-how, economic development and the creation of jobs. Previous host countries include, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Panama, Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Chile, Puerto Rico and Argentina.

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of more than 2.5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate more than $388 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia and Uruguay.”*

LANVACATIONS, the vacation division of LAN Airlines, is offering the opportunity to experience Lima in luxury. In collaboration with LAN Peru, this offer allows passengers to indulge in LAN’s super-comfortable and newly redesigned Premium Business Class at a fraction of the regular price.
(Logo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080319/AQW083LOGO)

LAN’s Premium Business is the only business class with 180-degree reclining, full-flat seats on flights between the US and South America. The cabin offers an on-demand entertainment system that only a select number of airlines offer, including 32 movies, 55 TV programs and series, 450 music CDs and 14 games available to play individually or with other passengers.

“This package is perfect for a lavish weekend getaway or can serve as a base for planning your custom-designed dream vacation,” stated Martin Froggatt, President of LANVACATIONS. “In addition, through our strong partnership with PromPeru, Peru’s tourism marketing organization, LANVACATIONS ensures that passengers receive the highest quality vacation and the assurance of traveling with a trusted partner.”

The Lima Premium Business Supersaver package is priced from $1399 and includes roundtrip premium business class flights to Lima, roundtrip airport transfers, 3 night hotel accommodations, breakfast daily, hotel taxes and service charges, and 24 hour emergency telephone numbers. Package price excludes airport taxes and fees. This package departs on certain days and a Saturday night stay is required. Contact one of LANVACATIONS’ South America experts to assist in building an itinerary that best fits your schedule.

For more information about the Lima Premium Business package, travel to South America, and reservations, please visit www.lanvacations.com or call a reservations expert at 1-800-435-3593 (6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. PT Monday - Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Saturday and Sunday).

About LANVACATIONS:
LANVACATIONS offers complete travel experiences to the countries of South America (Chile, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia and Uruguay) and caters to a full range of ages, interests and budgets. From unique tour packages to group itineraries and independent travel programs, LANVACATIONS, the experts in travel to South America, has the perfect South America vacation package for you.

LANVACATIONS was developed due to the dramatic growth of the LAN Airline Alliance network to and throughout the South American region, as well as the tremendous increase in demand for travel to South America. LAN Airlines appointed Europe Express, Inc. to represent the new LANVACATIONS as it continues to surpass travelers’ expectations by providing complete travel experiences to a variety of unique destinations and yet untouched regions throughout the southern hemisphere”*

The consul generals of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay plan to announce the initiative Tuesday in New York City. “*

So when Rodriguez heard about Lee y sers, a national program to help Latino parents teach their children how to read, she jumped at the chance to participate in the free six-week workshop at the Bridgeport Public Library.

Rodriguez said she and her husband, Ruben, who came to Connecticut from Uruguay seven years ago, “are conscious of the importance of reading for children.” But they weren’t sure how to engage their son in bilingual learning.

The workshops have showed them ways to make reading fun for Sergio, who has already acquired a love for books, Rodriguez said. The Lee y sers program - Read and You Will Be - was created by Scholastic, in collaboration with the National Council of La Raza and the Verizon Foundation.”*

The opposing banks of the River Plate are contrasts in style. They were always that way. Buenos Aires was usually metropolitan and bright, while Montevideo was provincial and sullen. However, now the two sides reversed position, with the northern bank showing an air of vitality and modernity, while the southern bank sinking into a morass of pessimism.

Uruguay is booming. After growing 7.2 percent y/y in 2007, the Uruguayan economy is poised to grow more than 6 percent y/y in 2008. Foreign investment is pouring into the country, taking advantage of its vast natural resources and tourism potential. Despite the tantrums demonstrated by Argentines against Botnia’s new paper mill at Fray Bentos, other multinationals are rushing to develop similar projects on the River Plate. “*

The Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (MHCC) holds the 19th Annual Fiesta Hispana on Friday, May 16, in the Presidential Ballroom of The Ritz Carlton Hotel — Dearborn, at 6 p.m.

The keynote speaker will be Simon Boag, President of Mopar Global Service & Parts, Chrysler, LLC. Boag, who reports to Vice Chairman and President Jim Press, is responsible for global service, international service and parts, global parts marketing, service contracts and global parts supply chain management. He had been Co-Chair of ENVI, an organization within Chrysler, LLC responsible for the development of electric-drive vehicles and related advanced-propulsion technologies. Prior to joining the Chrysler Group, he had been President and Managing Director of General Motors Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. In his keynote remarks, Boag will discuss the current state of the automotive and automotive supplier market especially as it affects the Hispanic business community.

Fiesta Hispana is the Hispanic business community’s premier annual black-tie dinner dance with more than 700 business, civic and community leaders in attendance. The event sponsor is Chrysler, LLC. The reception and afterglow is sponsored by Comerica Bank.

Member tickets are $175 each and non-member tickets are $250, which include the reception at 6 p.m. and the dinner and dance from 7 p.m. till midnight. Sponsorships are still available. For more information about Fiesta Hispana, contact Diadette Mejia, dmejia@mhcc.org or 248-208-9915.

The Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, established in 1989, is a non-profit business organization consisting of over 300 member companies from corporate, small, medium and large businesses, sole proprietors and individuals representing Hispanic-owned enterprises, automotive OEM’s, Tier One suppliers and non-automotive Fortune 500 corporations. In addition, community non-profits, media affiliates, the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Pistons are also represented. Its web site is www.mhcc.org.

The Hispanic business community is the fastest growing business segment in the country, increasing at a rate of 2.5 Hispanics every second — by 2050 one in every four workers will be Hispanic. In Michigan, there are now over 10,000 large, medium and small Hispanic businesses employing over 14,000 persons.

The Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce logo is available at www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3488

EDITOR’S NOTE: THE BIOGRAPHY OF SIMON BOAG IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.MHCC.ORG.

CONTACT: For MHCC
Renee Ahee
586.979.3801
rahee@aheecommunications.com

MHCC
Ray Lozano
248.208.9915

The organization’s recent poll in 18 regional countries found that seven out of ten Latin Americans reject the presence of immigrants in their country. Ecuador and Costa Rica are the most intolerant countries towards newcomers, whereas Uruguay and Nicaragua appear to be highly tolerant towards immigrants.

The study shows that only 35% of Chileans think foreigners should be able to have the same rights as they do. The concept of foreigners living in Chile is supported by 13% of the population, while only 9% of Chileans think that poor people from a different race should be able to come to their country. Additionally, only 28% of all Chileans back the idea of open regional migration in order to promote integration.”*

The 49th Annual Meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which will be held in Greater Miami April 4-8, will bring together high-level government officials, star CEOs and international celebrities, among them U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez.

“I am pleased to participate in an event that is bringing world-class business and government leaders together. With such close commercial and social ties to Latin America, Miami is the ideal venue for this meeting,” Gutierrez said. The Annual Meeting of the IDB is the premier forum on Latin American finance, trade, and economic development.

Secretary Gutierrez will deliver a keynote address as part of a panel on competitiveness in the Americas, which will highlight the IDB’s role in building member nations’ capacity for maintaining and expanding economic activity in an environment of rapidly changing trade conditions.

Others participating in the competitiveness panel include Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete Lopez, president of Telefonica Latin America; Juan Cento, president of FedEx Express Latin America and Caribbean Division; Danilo Astori, Minister of Economy of Uruguay; Rui da Costa, Managing Director for Latin America and the Caribbean of Hewlett Packard; Manu Bhaskaran, a member of the Knowledge Panel at MasterCard; and Andres Velasco, Minister of Economy and Finance of Chile.

According to Jorge L. Arrizurieta, Chairman of the IDB Miami 2008 Host Committee and former Alternate U.S. Executive Director of the IDB, the panel on competitiveness is one of many groundbreaking events scheduled for the Annual Meeting. Others include a seminar on private philanthropy, an event on youth as agents of change, a panel on infrastructure, and a seminar on confronting natural disasters.

“This historic event will again allow Miami to unite the private and public sectors of Latin America and the Caribbean, further highlighting our role as a business center for the region,” Arrizurieta said.

A forum on the role of private philanthropy in development will feature a keynote address from Microsoft founder Bill Gates and remarks by IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno. Preceding these appearances, Alberto Ibarguen, President and CEO of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, will moderate a panel of high-level executives including Emilio Azcarraga, Chairman of Televisa; Christina Gold, President and CEO of Western Union; and Bill Rhodes, Vice Chair Citi. Cesar Alierta, Chairman of Telefonica International, will make a presentation.

“The IDB wants to become the region’s preferred partner in private sector development, bringing additional benefits such as mobilization of private bank funds, improved corporate governance and compliance with environmental standards,” said IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno. “We want to be closer to our customers and build strategic alliances with governments, privates sector companies and NGOs to bring the benefits of growth to the 70 percent of the population who earn less than $3000 a year.”

General Anthony Zinni, Vice President of DynCorp and former CENTCOM Commander, will speak on response and preparedness for natural disasters, a priority of the IDB and an important safeguard of human welfare in the region. Joining General Zinni on the panel will be Roberto Velluntini, Sector Manager, Infrastructure & Environment Dept. IDB; Omar Dario Cardona, a consultant for the IDB on natural disaster issues; Lorenza Martinez Trigueros, General Manager of insurance at the Mexican treasury (Secretaria de Hacienda y Credito Publico); Anne Hassberger, Deputy Head for International Financial Institutions, Federal Dept. of Foreign Affairs, Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation (Moderator).

“Latin America and the Caribbean are a very important partner,” Zinni said. “I am excited to accept the Host Committee’s invitation to share my views on how to prepare and mitigate natural disasters. This is of vital importance to the development and growth of the region and ultimately it impacts people the most.”

As part of the forum Celebrities and Youth as Agents of Change, the IDB and MTV Latin America will present the U.S. premier of their television program on youth as agents of change. The program celebrates youth whose leadership has made a difference in their community. As part of a roundtable discussion led by Generation Engage, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing political awareness among young people, Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson will participate in an iChat dialogue with youth leaders. The President of MTV Latin America, Pierluigi Gazzolo, will speak about the impact of the program.

A panel on opportunities and challenges for private investment in infrastructure in the Americas will bring together a number of distinguished private and public sector leaders, including Robert Mosbacher, President of the Overseas Investment Corporation; Manny Diaz, Mayor of the City of Miami; Felipe Montoro Jens, Head of Project and Structure Finance of Odebrecht; Alberto Aleman Zubieta, CEO, Panama Canal Authority; Carlos Contreras, Executive Managing Director, Caja Madrid; Javier Falces, General Manager, Global Via Infraestructuras; and John Gage, Chief Researcher and Director of the Science Office, Sun Microsystems; Sergio Cabral, Governor, State of Rio de Janeiro; Daniel Scioli, Governor, Buenos Aires; Norman Anderson, CEO, CG/LA Infrastructure; Lic. Federico Patino, Director of the Mexican National Infrastructure Fund. “*

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

Hrithik Roshan will be paired with sultry latino actress Barbara Mori in Anurag Basu’s Next by Rakesh Roshan’s Filmkraft Productions. Kangana Ranaut too features in the film.

Roshan and Basu recently returned from the US after having signed up the 30-year-old Mori, who was born in Uruguay, reports Mumbai Mirror.

Director Anurag Basu was on the lookout for ’someone from abroad, someone Latin American or Brazilian’ for the role.”*

*From: http://news.sawf.org
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Uruguay is not a very high-profile country among North Americans, but that obscurity has an upside.

The country is not overrun by legions of tourists, it does not impose sticker-shock on international travelers, its people are not jaded or blasé when visitors come calling and it has welcome surprises to offer.

Not least among those surprises is the gently crumbling colonial town of Colonia del Sacramento, with its mellow patina of age, tree-lined streets, lively cafes and snug bars, cobblestone plazas and the lovely, vintage architecture that has made it a UNESCO world heritage site.”*

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

The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) today announced that the Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi will deliver the keynote address at the 2008 USHCC Legislative Conference Awards Dinner. Themed “Hispanic Business: Shaping Tomorrow’s Policy,” the Legislative Conference is the nation’s leading legislative forum for the Hispanic business community and will take place in Washington DC, March 11 – 13.

“It is an honor to join the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at their annual Legislative Awards Dinner. The USHCC is a valued partner working with Hispanic businesses across the country, and a powerful advocate for Hispanic families. Democrats in Congress have worked with USHCC to pass landmark legislation that give Hispanic businesses the tools and capital they need to succeed,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The Legislative Awards Dinner will draw Hispanic entrepreneurs and Chamber leaders from across the nation, as well as key representatives from Corporate America and top-level members of Congress and the Administration. Along with Speaker Pelosi’s address, the event will also feature the 2008 USHCC Awards presented to a distinguished group of elected officials who have championed and advanced Hispanic entrepreneurship.

“We could not be more honored to have Speaker Pelosi as our keynote speaker,” said David C. Lizárraga, USHCC Board Chairman. “We are privileged to have such an exemplary national leader stand shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the entire Hispanic business community. Speaker Pelosi continues to lead our country toward realizing the American Dream of homeownership and entrepreneurship by passing laws that provide access to capital for all Americans. Her continued work with the USHCC has proven that, under her leadership, the growing Hispanic business community will continue to advance and contribute to the prosperity of our nation.”

As the keynote speaker for this year’s USHCC Legislative Conference Awards Dinner, Speaker Pelosi joins an illustrious group of past keynoters including Sen. Mel Martinez, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes, and United States Surgeon General Richard Carmona. .

Speaker Pelosi made U.S. history by becoming the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House of Representatives. As the highest-ranking elected woman in American history, she is second only to the Vice President in the line of presidential succession.

The Legislative Conference brings together the nation’s top business owners, Chamber representatives, opinion leaders and key governmental and administration officials for a three-day forum to address the most pressing legislative concerns of the nation’s largest and fastest growing business segment—Hispanic entrepreneurs. Expanding hemispheric relations and trade, telecommunications, energy efficiency, and federal procurement opportunities are among the key issues that will receive top billing at this year’s Legislative Conference.

For a complete list of major events at the 2008 USHCC Legislative Conference, or for more news on the lineup of speakers and dignitaries, special events and registration information, visit www.ushcc.com, the interactive source for all Legislative Conference information.

Note to Journalists:
General press and analyst registration is available at www.ushcc.com/news-legislative18th.html. Journalists are encouraged to submit their media credential applications by Friday, March 7 to take advantage of all the Legislative Conference press events.

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of more than 2.5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate more than $388 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia and Uruguay.

UPCOMING EVENTS

– Briefing on White House Issues*-Tentative
Tuesday, March 11, 2:00 PM
– Latina Leaders Reception*
Tuesday, March 11, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
– Breakfast on the Hill
Wednesday, March 12, 8:00 – 9:15 AM
– Plenary on Immigration
Wednesday, March 12, 9:30 – 10:30 AM
– Workshops
Thursday, March 13, 8:30 AM – 5:10 PM
– Legislative Luncheon*
Thursday, March 13, 12:30 – 2:00 PM
– Legislative Reception*
Thursday, March 13, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
– Legislative Awards Dinner*
Thursday, March 13, 7:00 – 9:30 PM “*

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

IF you like “Ugly Betty,” a certain Mexican-Uruguayan-Japanese actress is hoping that you’ll take a shine to Ugly Bárbara as well. That would be Bárbara Mori, a household name in Mexico for her high-profile turns in “Rubí” and other popular Spanish-language soap operas.

Generously endowed with genetic good fortune, Mori could’ve been one of those comely ingénues who streak across the Mexican prime-time firmament, then vanish into obscurity. But rather than trading on her looks to land another telenovela gig, Mori ditched the soap opera circuit years ago in search of assignments that have stretched her beyond typecasting. “*

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