NEWS & NEWS IN SPANISH
A bomb rigged to a bicycle followed by a dozen mortars tore through a crowded outdoor market south of Baghdad on Saturday, killing at least 18 people, police said.
Oct 21, 2006
After the bicycle exploded, at least a dozen mortars rained down on the market in Mahmoudiyah, which was crowded with shoppers ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday, said army Capt. Oday Abdul Ridha. Such dual attacks are frequently employed by armed groups to inflict additional damage on crowds that form after the initial bombing.
Lt. Hayder Satar of the Mahmoudiyah police said 18 people were confirmed dead and 52 injured in the attack on the city about 20 miles south of Baghdad.
Earlier in the day, gunfights broke out in Hamza al-Gharbi, about 60 miles south of Baghdad, after a bomb exploded near the offices of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, a leading Shiite political party that sponsors the Badr Brigades militia.
President Bush was meeting Saturday with top military officials over refining tactics after commanders said the two-month-old campaign to stabilize Baghdad had largely failed.
"The last few weeks have been rough for our troops in Iraq, and for the Iraqi people," Bush said Saturday in his weekly radio address. "The fighting is difficult, but our nation has seen difficult fights before."
In addition to the market bombing, at least 21 people were killed in violence around the country, including seven who died in a suicide bombing on a Baghdad bus and four killed in clashes Friday between Shiite and Sunni tribes just south of Baghdad. Five tortured bodies were found dumped along roads or in the Tigris River.
Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and Theraflu(R) Host Largest U.S. Nationwide Flu Vaccination Event During Last Two Weekends of October
- Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and Theraflu offer customers and members convenient access to affordable flu vaccinations at more than 3,800 locations nationally
- Available over two weekends from October 21-22 and October 28-29
Oct. 19 -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Sam's Club are partnering with Theraflu(R) to host the nation's largest flu vaccination event to immunize up to one million people in the US.
For two weekends, October 21-22 and October 28-29, Fluvirin(R) influenza virus vaccines will be available at 3,349 Wal-Mart and 458 Sam's Club locations.
The vaccinations will be administered by certified health care professionals from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time at each location. No appointment is necessary, but customers are encouraged to come early as vaccinations will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis while in-store supplies last. The vaccinations will be competitively priced. Medicare Part B and Humana participants with a valid card and picture ID will not be charged for their flu vaccination. Educational resources and sample products will also be available to help people manage their health during cold and flu season.
"The CDC recommends annual vaccination each fall as the single best way to help protect yourself and your loved ones from contracting influenza," said Suzanne Mintz, President/Co-Founder of the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA). "It's important for people to get vaccinated and protect themselves each year because influenza is contagious, can cause mild to moderate illness, and at times can cause death, especially in high- risk persons, such as those with complex chronic conditions."
According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from influenza and its complications, while about 36,000 people die from influenza and its complications during each influenza season. This period can begin as early as October or November and continue through April.
While most healthy people can recover from influenza without complications, some individuals, such as people 50 years and older and people with certain chronic health conditions such as heart and lung disease, are at high risk for serious complications from influenza. The CDC recommends those considered to be at high risk and their close contacts, such as family caregivers, health care and childcare workers, be vaccinated annually. For a complete list of CDC influenza recommendations visit www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm.
"Theraflu is excited to be a sponsor of these flu vaccination events. Together with Wal-Mart and Novartis Vaccines, we are committed to help educate and protect as many people in America from influenza as possible this season by making flu vaccination easy and accessible," said Brian McNamara, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Novartis Consumer Health OTC, makers of Theraflu. "One of the easiest, most convenient ways to help protect yourself from getting influenza this year is to stop by Wal-Mart or Sam's Club to get your Fluvirin vaccine administered."
Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and Theraflu are committed to educating consumers about influenza and helping to protect public health by providing convenient, affordable access to influenza vaccines across the country. For a full list of participating Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Markets and Sam's Club locations in your area or more information about the flu vaccination events, visit www.theraflu.com, www.walmart.com, www.samsclub.com or call the Wal-Mart Flu Vaccine Hotline at 1-888-881-0372.
"Wal-Mart and our division Sam's Club, together with Novartis Consumer Health and Theraflu, are providing the opportunity for convenient and affordable access to flu vaccinations to our customers, especially for those who might not be able to visit a doctor's office this season," said Ron Chomiuk, Vice President, Pharmacy Operations, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "The 2006 vaccination effort illustrates our continued commitment to the overall health and well-being of our customers, as well as our associates who will have access to the program."
Pregnant women, children under nine and those who have egg allergies or have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) cannot get vaccinated for influenza at this event. They should visit their physician for further information on how they can help protect themselves this influenza season.
The CDC recommends the following actions to help prevent the spread of influenza:
-- Cover mouth and nose. When coughing or sneezing, use a tissue whenever possible and discard it in the trash. -- Clean hands often. Make every effort to wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing. Hand-washing stops the spread of germs. Alcohol-based gels and wipes also work well. -- Remind family members to practice healthy habits. Germs that cause colds, coughs, influenza and pneumonia can spread easily among those in close contact. Institute healthy practices in the home to prevent the spread of illness to other family members. -- Share information about healthy habits with co-workers. Healthy habits can help reduce illnesses and sick days in the workplace as well. -- Avoid spreading influenza. Influenza can make some individuals very ill. It is important to stay home when sick with the flu to avoid spreading it to others. See a doctor when necessary.
Even with a vaccination to help protect you from the flu this season, you may still catch a cold this winter. Theraflu has a full line of products that provide fast, powerful relief from cold symptoms, including new Theraflu(R) Warming Relief Severe Cold Daytime and Nighttime Liquids. For more information visit www.theraflu.com. Other vendor partners of the Flu Vaccine Event include Triaminic(R), Lysol(R), Kleenex(R), Abreva(R) and Cold-FX(R).
Novartis Vaccines is the world's second-largest manufacturer of seasonal flu vaccines, including Fluvirin. Full Fluvirin prescribing information is available at www.novartis-vaccines.com.
Important safety information for Fluvirin influenza virus vaccine
Fluvirin vaccine is not indicated for children younger than age 4. The most common side effect of vaccination with Fluvirin vaccine is soreness at the injection site. Less common side effects include fever, malaise, myalgia and allergic reactions. Fluvirin vaccine should not be administered to anyone with a history of hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine, including eggs, egg products or thimerosal. As is the case with most drugs and vaccines, there is a chance that a serious allergic reaction, serious illness or even death could occur as a result of vaccination with Fluvirin vaccine. Generally, persons should not be vaccinated during an acute febrile illness. Vaccination should be delayed in persons with an active, unstable neurological disorder, but should be considered when the disorder has been stabilized. The occurrence of any neurological symptoms or signs following administration of any vaccine is a contraindication to further use. Fluvirin vaccine is not indicated for use in children under four years of age. Persons should consult with their healthcare providers if they are pregnant and/or are taking other medications. Fluvirin vaccine may not protect 100% of individuals who are susceptible to influenza. Before administering Fluvirin vaccine, please see full prescribing information.
About Novartis
Novartis is a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure disease and improve well-being. Our goal is to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the quality of life. Novartis is the only company with leadership positions in both patented and generic pharmaceuticals. We are strengthening our medicine-based portfolio, which is focused on strategic growth platforms in innovation-driven pharmaceuticals, high-quality and low-cost generics and leading self-medication OTC brands. In 2005, approximately USD 4.8 billion was invested in R&D across all businesses. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 99,000 people and operates in 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com/.
DHS Deploys e-Passport Readers to Additional Airports
Biometric security features advance border security and further reduce fraudulent document use
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced that e-Passport readers are now in place and processing travelers with e-Passports at additional airports, including: Chicago-O'Hare International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Country Airport, Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, Miami International Airport, Tampa International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Installation of the new readers is the next in a series of deployments that began at the San Francisco International Airport in September and will continue at U.S. airports in preparation for an October 26, 2006, deadline requiring that U.S. ports of entry have the capability to compare and authenticate data in e-Passports issued by Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries. Since deploying e-Passport readers at San Francisco International Airport nearly a month ago, DHS has processed more than 12,885 e-Passports.
Deployment of e-Passport readers is another step in a process to further enhance the security of international travel documents while continuing to facilitate the flow of legitimate travel and trade to the United States. An e- Passport securely identifies the person, defends against identity theft, protects privacy and makes it difficult for travelers to cross borders using fraudulent documents.
The e-Passport carries the international e-Passport symbol on the cover and contains a contactless chip with the passport holder's biographic information and a biometric identifier, such as a digital photograph of the holder. All e-Passports being issued by VWP countries and the United States have critical security features which prevent the unauthorized reading or "skimming" of data stored on the chip.
DHS requires that passports issued by VWP countries on or after October 26, 2006, must be e-Passports to be valid for entry into the United States without a visa. These e-Passports must comply with technical standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
When applying to enter the United States, travelers who have a valid machine-readable passport with a digital photograph, issued before October 26, 2006, do not need to obtain a new e-Passport until the existing passport expires.
The inspection process at a U.S. port of entry does not change for an e- Passport holder. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers will have the ability to read the e-Passport's chip at inspection booths displaying the international e-Passport symbol.
During the past two years, the U.S. government has been involved in efforts to work with VWP countries to test technical standards making e- Passports interoperable with readers at U.S. ports of entry.
The 27 countries participating in the VWP include: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Approximately 13 million people each year travel to the United States under the VWP to study, conduct business, visit family or tour the country.
Visitors who wish to verify whether or not their passports meet the requirements and deadlines for VWP travelers, can find details at http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/vwp_travelerguide.pdf or contact a U.S. consular office in their country.
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security's US-VISIT Program
California's Competitive Slide Could Get Worse With Proposition Outcome Says Small Business Group Chief Economist
Raymond J. Keating, chief economist for the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council), says California's competitive slide could get worse if various propositions on the California ballot are advanced by voters on November 7. Many of these would impact the environment for small business, entrepreneurship and the economy.
"California does a good job at chasing away people and businesses. And various propositions on the state ballot this year seem intent on accelerating this process," says Keating.
Keating, who has been analyzing public policy in the states for more than a decade and a half, observes that: "Policymakers at state and local levels of government make it too costly to live, work, invest, build a business, and create jobs and economic opportunity in California. Consider that California ranked a pathetic 50th on the 2005 'Small Business Survival Index.'"
The Index, which Keating authors for the SBE Council each year, ranks the states and District of Columbia according to how friendly their public policies, including various taxes and regulations, are toward small business and entrepreneurship. California is downright hostile to small business, according to Keating.
Keating has reviewed various propositions that Californians will vote on come Election Day. Propositions that call for "massive increases in spending"(specifically 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and 84), Proposition 86 that would slap a 299 percent tax increase on cigarettes as a sap to the hospital industry while giving them special protections, Proposition 87 that would impose a tax on oil production, Proposition 88 that would impose a $50 tax on each real property parcel, and Proposition 89 that would provide publicly funded political campaigns through an added 0.2 percent income tax on corporations would only add to the state's competitive slide, if passed.
On the bright side, Keating notes that Proposition 90 would be a positive for the state, as it would beef up private property rights. "That's always a plus for small business owners, homeowners and the economy in general," Keating adds.
SBE Council and Mr. Keating can be contacted at 202-785-0238. For over ten years the SBE Council, a nonpartisan, nonprofit small business advocacy group headquartered in Washington, D.C., has been working to protect small business and promote entrepreneurship. For more information, please visit http://www.sbecouncil.org/.
First U.N. Event in Israel to Be Held at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Focusing on Desert Research
- Conference Will Highlight the University's Leadership in Addressing a Critical Worldwide Issue -
More than 200 participants from over 30 countries are expected to participate in an international conference held under the auspices of the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification -- Annex IV nations (UNCCD). The conference will take place November 6-9, 2006 at the University's Sede Boqer campus, with special excursions throughout the Negev.
This conference marks the first time that a U.N. General Assembly resolution has welcomed an Israeli initiative on an issue that is high on the global agenda, and acknowledges the State of Israel's leadership role in the worldwide battle against desertification. The United Nations declared 2006 "The International Year of Deserts and Desertification."
Many nations in Africa, Central Asia, and South America are affected by the ravages of desertification, leading to famines and the reduction of habitable living space in societies around the globe. Israel is the only country in the world where the desert is receding.
Expected participants include Ambassador Gregoire de Kalbermatten, deputy general secretary of the UNCCD; Dr. David A. Mouat, chair, UNCCD Group of Experts, Desert Research Institute, Reno, Nevada; Dr. Vandana Shiva, a leading environmentalist in the developing world, India. Minister of the Environment Gideon Ezra and Vice Prime-Minister Shimon Peres will represent the Israeli government at the gathering. The chairman of the organizing committee for the conference, Dr. Alon Tal, currently serves as professor of environmental policy at Ben-Gurion University's Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research.
In addition to keynote speaker Dr. David A. Mouat, several desertification specialists from the United States are attending, including Professors Uriel Safriel and Inbal Reshef from the University of Maryland, Prof. Rattan Lal of Ohio State University, and Paul Siegel of the World Bank. From Columbia University, Dr. Jeffrey Sachs will speak via videolink about the effects of desertification on poverty.
Each of the four days of the conference focus on a specific theme. * Day one will discuss both the opportunities and challenges of deserts. * Day two will focus on the direct and indirect drivers of desertification and policy intervention. * Day three will explore the unique opportunities that drylands and deserts offer and includes trips to see Israel's efforts firsthand in water management and agriculture, arid forestry, desert eco-tourism and alternative energy. * Day four will discuss real world case studies, both successful and unsuccessful, of efforts towards sustainable development.
"This four day event will highlight the important contribution that BGU is making in the effort to alleviate the ravages of desertification, and provide a great opportunity for further advancement and collaboration among Israel's neighbors and countries all over the world," explains Amos Drory, executive vice president of American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. "It will demonstrate how we are reclaiming the desert by making desert studies and desertification issues a priority at the University," he said.
For more information on the conference agenda, please visit http://www.desertification.bgu.ac.il/
About Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and American Associates
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is a world-renowned institute of research and higher learning with 17,000 students on its three campuses in Israel's southern desert: Beer-Sheva, Sede Boqer and Eilat. BGU builds bridges of peace between Israel and its neighbors through cooperation in science, research and development. It is the link between academia and industry, Israel and the developing world. BGU is a university with a conscience, where the highest academic standards are integrated with community involvement, and where the pioneering spirit of discovery flourishes, fulfilling the dream of Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, to make the desert bloom. American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU), with its national headquarters in New York City and 10 regional offices throughout the United States, plays a vital role in helping BGU develop the bold new vision for the Negev, the focus of the future of Israel and the world.
Source: American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU)
Los clientes de Verizon Wireless con teléfonos V CAST ahora podrán acceder a V CAST con una suscripción diaria
Verizon Wireless, el proveedor líder de telefonía móvil del país, anunció hoy una nueva opción de suscripción diaria de V CAST que ofrece a los clientes una nueva forma de probar V CAST y disfrutar de servicios móviles de vídeo. Los clientes con ciertos teléfonos que aceptan V CAST pueden probar el servicio V CAST cuando lo deseen por sólo $3.00 por 24 horas de uso.
John Harrobin, vicepresidente de medios digitales de Verizon Wireless, dijo: "Con la nueva opción de V CAST por $3.00 diarios, millones de clientes con teléfonos que aceptan el servicio V CAST ahora pueden recibir música, vídeos, resúmenes de programas populares de televisión, cortos de películas, además de programas de noticias, deportes y entretenimiento y más cuando lo deseen, lo que facilita más que nunca antes el acceso al entretenimiento y la información que deseen de manera móvil".
Los clientes de Verizon Wireless con ciertos teléfonos que aceptan V CAST ahora podrán tener acceso a todo lo que el servicio V CAST ofrece sin necesidad de comprar la suscripción mensual de $15.00 para usar el servicio. La opción de precio diario de V CAST está disponible para los siguientes teléfonos: MOTOKRZR K1m, Motorola RAZR V3c y V3m, Chocolate (LG VX8500), The V (LG VX9800), LG VX8300 y el mejorado VX8100, Samsung SCH-a990, SCH-a930 y el mejorado SCH-a850.
Las opciones de suscripción tanto diaria como mensual ofrecen a los clientes vídeo básico ilimitado y no se cobra por bajar o mirar vídeos V CAST. La cuota de descarga de la aplicación y el contenido aplican a los juegos de 3D y vídeos premium.
Si desea más información sobre los productos y servicios de Verizon Wireless, http://www.verizonwireless.com/.
Acerca de Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless posee y opera la red móvil más confiable del país, y atiende a 54.8 millones de clientes de voz y datos. Con sede en Basking Ridge, Nueva Jersey, Verizon Wireless es una empresa conjunta de Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) y Vodafone (NYSE y LSE: VOD). Para más información en Internet, visite http://www.verizonwireless.com/. Si desea examinar y solicitar secuencias de video con resolución apropiada para su difusión y fotos de alta resolución de las operaciones de Verizon Wireless, visite Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library en http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
Source: Verizon Wireless
Mega TV lanza nuevo show ‘Xpediente’
WSBS-Mega TV Canal 22 anunció el día de hoy que a partir del miércoles18 de Octubre y todos los miércoles a las 9 p.m. saldrá al aire el nuevo e innovador show Xpediente.
El reconocido periodista y corresponsal de guerra, Allan Villafaña, conducirá este show único de investigación de la escena del crimen. Xpediente es un show nuevo y novedoso en la televisión hispana del sur de la Florida.
Xpediente llevará a la teleaudiencia a la escena del crimen en los casos de expediente abierto, o no resueltos. Por medio de la reconstrucción y representación de dichos casos, se podrán identificación posibles sospechosos, utilizando evidencia física, fotografías, videos, testimonios y confesiones.
Con la cooperación de ciertos departamentos de la policía local de Miami, y las agencias federales del sur de la Florida, Xpediente explorará casos de asesinos en serie, santería, e inclusive de premoniciones psíquicas. La teleaudiencia de Mega TV será testigo de la opinión de los jueces, abogados e inclusive los supuestos agresores.
Xpediente cuenta con un equipo de producción de primera línea y de vasta experiencia, entre ellos figuran; Frank Cairo y Fernando Castells, como Productores Ejecutivos, Antonio Salud como Productor Investigativo, Gilberto Digo como escritor y productor, Juan Vene como Productor y Supervisor, a más de la invalorable ayuda de los detectives del condado de Miami Dade.
No se pierdan Xpediente, un show de estilo único que promete convertirse en la marca de Mega TV.
Sobre Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.
Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. es la mayor empresa del mundo del espectáculo y de medios de comunicación de los EE.UU., la cual es controlada por hispanos, y figura en la bolsa de valores. SBS es propietaria y operadora de 20 radioemisoras situadas en los principales mercados hispanos de Nueva York, Los Ángeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco y Puerto Rico, incluyendo WSKQ-FM, de la ciudad de Nueva York, la radioemisora hispanohablante que ocupa el primer lugar de los EE.UU., al igual que 3 de las 4 radioemisoras catalogadas como las lideres a nivel nacional con programaciones tropical, regional mexicana, contemporánea para adultos hispanos y “Hurban”. Así mismo, esta compañía posee los niveles más altos de facturación, de empresas con formato latino, en los tres mercados hispanos más grandes de los EE.UU. SBS, también propietaria de Mega TV-una estación televisiva que proporciona servicio al Sur de la Florida-, produce conciertos en vivo y eventos en los Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico. La empresa además opera http://www.lamusica.com, un portal de Internet con contenido en inglés y español relacionado con música latina, espectáculos, noticias y cultura. La página Web corporativa de la empresa se puede visitar en http://www.spanishbroadcasting.com
Social Security Beneficiaries Get Larger-Than-Expected Increase
-- Social Security beneficiaries in 2007 will see a relatively large increase in their monthly checks, according to CCH, a leading provider of tax and payroll law information and software (hr.cch.com). As a result of inflation, an increase of 3.3 percent will be applied to this coming year's benefits, starting with December 2006 benefits, which are paid in January 2007. Although not as large as last year's 4.1 percent increase, this is still the third largest annual increase since 1991.
The 3.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, will produce an estimated monthly benefit of $1,044 for all retired workers in 2007, $42 a month more than in 2006. However, $5, or 11.9 percent, of that increase will be eaten up by a rise in the standard premium paid by beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part B in 2007. With a total monthly Medicare Part B standard premium of $93.50 in 2007, Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part B will see that average $42 benefit increase reduced to $36 after rounding required by law. For the first time, a relatively small number of Medicare Part B enrollees with higher incomes, approximately 4 percent, will pay a higher premium based on their income.
A typical married couple, both receiving benefits, can expect to find $1,713 in their monthly benefit checks in 2007, $65 more than the comparable 2006 benefit, while the average widow or widower living alone will receive an average benefit of $1,008, an increase of $41. These amounts do not reflect deductions for Medicare premiums.
The maximum monthly benefit payable to an individual reaching full retirement age, which is age 65 and 10 months for those born in 1942, will be $2,116. This is $63 more per month than what was payable to someone retiring at full retirement age in January 2006 and $118 per month more than the maximum benefit of $1,998 payable to someone born in 1942 who still wishes to retire upon reaching age 65 in 2007.
The Social Security COLA is applied to several types of benefits: retirement, disability, survivors -- such as children and widow(er)s -- and to the maximum family benefit, which is the maximum that can be paid if more than one family member is receiving benefits based on one wage earner's account.
Shelter Costs Drive Increase
"The increase is largely driven by an increase in shelter costs, which accounts for approximately 30 percent of the increase in the Consumer Price Index over the past 12 months," said Avram Sacks, JD, CCH Social Security law analyst. "An increase in food and beverage costs accounted for another 16 percent of the increase."
"The magnitude of the increase was not expected by the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Fund last May," said Sacks. "At that time, they predicted a 2.3 percent increase, just over two-thirds of the actual figure based on the rise of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers from the third quarter of 2005 through the third quarter of 2006."
"Until this past month, the COLA had been on track for a 3.5 percent increase. However, sharp declines in energy costs, including a 13.5 percent drop in gasoline costs in September, reduced the overall increase," said Sacks.
Earnings Limits Also Rise
The amounts that certain Social Security beneficiaries can earn without having their benefits reduced -- "Retirement Test Exempt Amounts" in Social Security terminology -- also will go up next year.
Workers under full retirement age who are receiving benefits can earn up to $12,960 in 2007, or $1,080 per month, without having their benefits reduced. This is an increase of $480 annually over the 2006 limit.
A modified test applies to workers who reach the full retirement age of 65 and 10 months in 2007. In each month before they reach full retirement age, these individuals may earn up to $2,870 without having their benefits reduced. Once they reach full retirement age, benefits are no longer subject to any retirement test.
"This is an increase of $100 over the 2006 monthly limit for these workers," Sacks noted.
An "earnings test" for beneficiaries at full retirement age through age 69 was abolished by legislation in 2000. Beneficiaries age 70 and older have not been subject to benefit reductions based on earnings since 1983.
Disability Thresholds
The amount of monthly earnings in 2007 that will give rise to a presumption that a disability beneficiary is no longer disabled -- that is, the amount that's deemed sufficient to demonstrate an ability to engage in "substantial gainful activity" is $900, an increase of $40 from 2006. A higher threshold of $1,500 applies to blind beneficiaries.
Disability beneficiaries may work for as many as nine months during any 60-month period without affecting their rights to receive benefits. This is known as "trial work." In 2007, a disabled beneficiary who works will not be treated as having engaged in trial work for any month in which his or her earnings are no more than $640, an increase of $20 over the 2006 limit.
SSI Earnings Limits
There is no trial work period for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability beneficiaries. However, if an SSI beneficiary is working, has only earnings and doesn't pay expenses in order to work, the person may earn up to $1,331 per month in 2007 before the person's SSI federal cash benefits stop. The amount was $1,291 in 2006. This is based on an exclusion of $85 per month (assuming the person has no other income) for the first $85 dollars of monthly earned income, plus a monthly deduction of $1 for every $2 earned thereafter. SSI beneficiaries in states that provide a supplement to the federal SSI benefit can earn even more before cash payments stop. However, if an individual has earnings of $900 or more in 2007, then the person would be considered to be engaging in "substantial gainful activity" and would probably not be eligible for SSI disability benefits, unless he or she is blind.
About Wolters Kluwer Law & Business
Wolters Kluwer Law & Business is a leading provider of research products and software solutions in key specialty areas for legal and business professionals, as well as casebooks and study aids for law students. Its major product lines include Aspen Publishers, CCH, Kluwer Law International and Loislaw. Its markets include law firms, law schools, corporate counsel and professionals requiring legal and compliance information. Wolters Kluwer Law & Business, a unit of Wolters Kluwer, is based in New York City and Riverwoods, Ill.
Wolters Kluwer is a leading global information services and publishing company. The company provides products and services for professionals in the health, tax, accounting, corporate, financial services, legal and regulatory, and education sectors. Wolters Kluwer has annual revenues (2005) of euro 3.4 billion, employs approximately 18,400 people worldwide and maintains operations across Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific. Wolters Kluwer is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Its shares are quoted on the Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. For more information, visit http://www.wolterskluwer.com/ .
Source: CCH, Wolters Kluwer Law & Business
Putumayo World Music lanza Radio Latino, una colección de pop latino y música alternativa que incluye temas de Bebe, Orishas, Javier García y Sacha Nairobi entre otros
Porción de fondos recaudados por la venta del disco será donada a organización colombiana contra las minas terrestres
Eventos de lanzamiento programados para Miami y Puerto Rico
Putumayo World Music, el sello líder especializado en música del mundo, lanza Radio Latino, una animada colección de canciones del nuevo pop latino y música alternativa. Un dólar de cada unidad vendida del disco, será donado a la organización sin fines de lucro United for Colombia (Unidos por Colombia) con el fin de recolectar fondos para ayudar a la rehabilitación de niños que han sido víctimas de las minas terrestres en el valle del río Putumayo y en todo Colombia.
“Esperamos recaudar más de $ 200,000 que serán destinados al país que actualmente tiene el segundo número más alto de víctimas de minas terrestres después de Afganistán”, dijo Dan Storper, fundador y presidente de Putumayo World Music.
Con Radio Latino, Putumayo, regresa a sus raíces latinas en esta colección de músicos contemporáneos que encabezan el movimiento de “Rock en Español / Latino Alternativo”. Reconociendo su origen al combinar ritmos e instrumentación tradicionales con elementos de la música popular, los artistas de esta colección demuestran que no es necesario sacrificar sus raíces culturales para atraer al público masivo.
Una serie de eventos especiales fueron programados para el lanzamiento de Radio Latino, los cuales comenzaron la semana pasada en Colombia, donde Dan Storper regreso a este país después de 30 años para promocionar el disco y recorrer junto al presidente de Colombia, Álvaro Uribe, la región que lo inspiró para bautizar su exitoso negocio.
Los eventos continúan el 20 de octubre en Miami en el club Nikki Beach, celebrando el primer concierto que la disquera realiza en esta ciudad. Para esta cita está prevista la participación de dos de los más excitantes artistas del álbum, Sacha Nairobi y Javier García. Parte de los ingresos de la fiesta de lanzamiento estarán destinados, también, a los fondos de United for Colombia.
La celebración continuará en Puerto Rico el 3 de noviembre en Bamboobei - Piñones y el 4 de noviembre en Bamboobei West - Isabela junto al grupo Los Pinguos de Argentina, incluido también en esta colección.
Los artistas, Dan Storper y Gabriela Febres Cordero, fundadora de United for Colombia, están disponibles para entrevistas.
Listado de canciones:
1. Sacha Nairobi - Princesa
2. Javier Garcia - Me Gustaria
3. Bebe - Men Señara
4. Martin Buscaglia - Vagabundo
5. Orishas - Reina de la Calle
6. Kelvis Ochoa - Viento y Tiempo
7. Costo Rico - Por Esos Mares
8. Raul Paz - Mama
9. Los Pinguos - Cielo Escarlata
10. The Tao of Groove - Mulatica Mia
11. Jorge Moreno - Candelita
Para mayor información sobre Putumayo y sus aportes solidarios, visite http://www.putumayo.com
DoD to Resume Anthrax Vaccinations
The Department of Defense announced today a resumption of the mandatory
Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program (AVIP) for military personnel,
emergency-essential DoD civilians and contractors, based on defined
geographic areas or roles.
For the most part, mandatory vaccinations are limited to military units
designated for homeland bioterrorism defense and to U.S. forces
assigned to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and Korea.
The under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness will issue
implementing instructions to the military services for resuming the
mandatory vaccination program within 30 to 60 days.
"The anthrax vaccine will protect our troops from another threat--a
disease that will kill, caused by a bacteria that already has been used
as a weapon in America, and that terrorists openly discuss," said Dr.
William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of defense for health
affairs.
The policy also allows personnel previously immunized against anthrax,
who are no longer deployed to higher threat areas, to receive follow-up
vaccine doses and booster shots on a voluntary basis
Under the voluntary vaccination policy, implemented during the period
of a court injunction throughout 2005, the voluntary acceptance rate
was about 50 percent.
"This rate of vaccination not only put the service members at risk,
but also jeopardized unit effectiveness and degraded medical readiness.
The threat environment and the unpredictable nature of terrorism make it
necessary to include biological warfare defense as part of our force
protection measures," Winkenwerder said.
Anthrax is a deadly infection, and the anthrax vaccine is an important
force protection measure to combat it. In the fall of 2001, 22 cases of
anthrax resulted from attacks with anthrax spores through the U.S.
postal system. Five people died in these attacks.
The Food and Drug Administration has repeatedly found, and independent
medical experts have confirmed, that anthrax vaccine is safe and
effective.
For more information on the anthrax vaccination program visit
http://www.vaccines.mil/orhttp://www.vaccines.mil/anthrax .
Bush Praises Security Council Actions Against North Korea
New U.N. sanctions imposed on North Korea
in response to its claim of a recent nuclear weapons test "says that we
are united in our determination to see to it that the Korean peninsula
is nuclear weapons free," President Bush said at the White House after
the sanctions were announced yesterday.
Earlier, the Security Council had voted unanimously to impose several
sanctions on North Korea, calling its claimed nuclear test "a clear
threat to international peace and security." North Korea announced it had
successfully exploded a nuclear weapon during an Oct. 9 test. Nuclear
experts have been working to verify North Korea's claim.
The new U.N. resolution calls on North Korea to give up its nuclear
weapons program and also asks all nations to assist in preventing North
Korea from obtaining any technology necessary for the production of
weapons of mass destruction - which includes nuclear weapons and ballistic
missiles -- and other military hardware.
The U.N. also directed its member-nations to inspect all cargo coming
into or from North Korea to ensure it doesn't receive the prohibited WMD
material or affiliated technology. The sanctions also ban the sale of
luxury goods to North Korea.
North Korean diplomats criticized the sanctions and accused the U.N. of
criminal behavior.
The United States has led efforts in the U.N. to obtain sanctions
against North Korea. Bush cited the U.N.'s action as "swift and tough"
during his remarks at the White House following announcement of the U.N.
sanctions.
Earlier yesterday during his weekly radio address, Bush said the United
States would work with regional partners and the U.N. "to ensure that
there are serious repercussions for the North Korean regime" headed by
dictator Kim Jong Il.
North Korea "has been pursuing nuclear weapons and defying its
international commitments for years," Bush pointed out during his radio
address. North Korea had pledged to give up its nuclear weapons program in
1994, Bush recalled, but it reneged on the deal.
"After I came to office, we discovered that North Korea had been
violating this agreement for some time by continuing work on a covert nuclear
weapons program," Bush said on the radio. "My administration confronted
the North Korea regime with this evidence in 2002, and the North
Koreans subsequently walked away from the 1994 agreement."
The U.S. government then decided to ask influential neighbors like
Japan, South Korea, Russia and China to join it in engaging North Korea in
six-party, multilateral talks, Bush recalled.
In September 2005 "these diplomatic efforts resulted in a wide-ranging
joint statement that offered a resolution to the problem and a better
life for the North Korean people," Bush said during his radio address,
noting North Korea had "committed to abandoning all nuclear weapons and
existing nuclear programs."
In exchange, North Korea was offered the opportunity to normalize
diplomatic relations with Japan and the United States, Bush said on the
radio, as well as the chance of receiving energy, trade and investment
economic aid.
The United States affirmed to North Korea that it had no nuclear
weapons on the Korean peninsula, Bush continued, nor did the U.S. plan to
attack or invade North Korea. But, the North Korean government broke its
pledge, he said, and continued work on its nuclear weapons program.
And in view of its apparent Oct. 9 nuclear test, "the North Korean
regime has once again broken its word, provoked an international crisis and
denied its people the opportunity for a better life," Bush said during
his radio address.
The United States and its partners, Bush has often said, will pursue a
diplomatic solution to the North Korean situation.
And, if Kim Jong Il "were to verifiably end his weapons programs, the
United States and other nations would be willing to help" North Korea by
providing economic assistance, the president said in his remarks at the
White House.
"The message today, however, says to the leader of North Korea that the
world is united in our opposition to his nuclear weapons plans," Bush
said at the White House.
SECURITY COUNCIL IMPOSES SANCTIONS ON DPR KOREA AFTER ITS CLAIMED
NUCLEAR TEST
New York, Oct 14 2006 4:00PM
Following intensive negotiations triggered earlier this month when the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) claimed to have conducted
a nuclear test, the United Nations Security Council today imposed
sanctions against the country as well as individuals supporting its military
programme and demanded that Pyongyang cease its pursuit of weapons of
mass destruction.
By a unanimously adopted resolution invoking Chapter VII of the UN
Charter, which allows for enforcement measures, the Council also
established a committee to track the sanctions and take action against
violations.
The resolution condemned the 9 October test and demanded that DPRK "not
conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic missile."
It demanded that Pyongyang immediately retract its announced withdrawal
from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT),
return to that pact, and accept safeguards through the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA).
According to the binding resolution, "DPRK shall suspend all activities
related to its ballistic missile programme and in this context
re-establish its pre-existing commitments to a moratorium on missile
launching." The country also must "abandon all nuclear weapons and existing
nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner."
Pyongyang must further abide by the NPT and IAEA Safeguards Agreements
and provide the Agency "transparency measures extending beyond these
requirements, including such access to individuals, documentation,
equipments and facilities."
DPRK must "abandon all other existing weapons of mass destruction and
ballistic missile programme in a complete, verifiable and irreversible
manner."
By the resolution, the Council decided that all Member States shall
prevent the import from or export to the DPRK of "any battle tanks,
armoured combat vehicles, large calibre artillery systems, combat aircraft,
attack helicopters
well as "related materiel including spare parts" and other items
determined by the sanctions committee.
Other items to be set out in separate lists were also banned, including
those "which could contribute to DPRK's nuclear-related, ballistic
missile-related or other weapons of mass destruction-related programmes."
Also prohibited from export to the DPRK are luxury goods.
In addition, the resolution banned the import from or export to the
country of technical training, advice, services or assistance related to
the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of the banned military
items.
By other provisions of the text, the Council decided that all States
must freeze immediately the funds, other financial assets and economic
resources which are on their territories that are owned or controlled,
directly or indirectly, by the persons or entities designated by the
committee or by the Security Council as being engaged in or providing
support for DPRK's nuclear-related, other weapons of mass
destruction-related and ballistic missile-related programmes or by persons or entities
acting on their behalf or at their direction.
Persons designated by the committee "as being responsible for,
including through supporting or promoting, DPRK policies in relation to the
DPRK's nuclear-related, ballistic missile-related and other weapons of
mass destruction-related programmes" are also subject to a travel ban, as
are members of their families.
Aiming to prevent illicit trafficking in nuclear, chemical or
biological weapons, the Council called on all Member States to cooperate
including through inspection of cargo to and from the DPRK.
With respect to the financial sanctions, the Council allowed for some
exemptions, deciding that the freeze should not apply to funds necessary
for basic expenses, including payment for foodstuffs, rent or mortgage,
medicines and medical treatment, taxes, insurance premiums, and public
utility charges, "or exclusively for payment of reasonable professional
fees and reimbursement of incurred ex
provision of legal services."
With a notification, the committee can also approve exceptions for
"extraordinary expenses."
The committee can also, on a case-by-case basis, approve humanitarian
exceptions to the travel ban, including for religious obligations.
All States are required to report to the Security Council within 30
days on measures they have taken to comply with the resolution.
Among other tasks, the committee, consisting of the same members as the
Security Council, will examine and take action on information regarding
alleged violations. It will report to the Council at least every 90
days.
The DPRK was called upon "to return immediately to the Six-Party Talks
without precondition." Those negotiations involve the two Koreas,
Japan, China, the Russian Federation and the United States.
A representative of Pyongyang addressing the Council today said his
country "totally rejects" the resolution. "It is gangster-like of the
Security Council to have adopted today a coercive resolution while
neglecting the nuclear threat and moves for sanctions and pressure of the
United States against the DPRK," he said. "This clearly testifies that the
Security Council has completely lost its impartiality and still persists
in applying double standards in its work."
The 9 October underground nuclear test was conducted as a deterrent
measure, he said, asserting that the initiative was "entirely activated by
the United States nuclear threat, sanctions and pressure." He said the
DPRK is ready for both dialogue and confrontation. "If the US increases
its pressure upon the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
persistently, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will continue to take
physical countermeasures, considering it as a declaration of war."
2006-10-14 00:00:00.000
Bush: New Port Security Law Helps Protect American People
The most solemn responsibility of the
federal government is to protect the American people, and the U.S.
government has taken many steps to better protect its people since the terrorist
attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, President Bush said here today.
"Protecting our homeland also requires protecting our seaports," Bush
said just before he signed the SAFE Port Act at a Capitol Hill ceremony.
America's seaports are vitally important to the nation's economic
health, Bush observed, noting they are the gateways to worldwide trade and
commerce.
"Our ports could also be a target of a terrorist attack, and we're
determined to protect them," he said.
The new law leverages technology to enhance security at U.S. ports,
Bush said. For example, customs inspectors can employ high-tech devices to
look inside shipping containers without opening them. The bill also
authorizes the use of radiation-detection equipment at 22 of America's
busiest ports by the end of 2007, Bush said.
"America has the best technology in the world," Bush said. "And, with
this bill, we'll apply that technology to make our ports the safest in
the world."
The new legislation also codifies the Container Security Initiative
implemented in 2002. That program deploys U.S. customs inspectors to
dozens of foreign ports where they screen ship's cargo before it departs for
American destinations.
The bill also codified the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism,
a joint private/public sector initiative designed to bolster cargo
security, Bush said. The program requires private shippers to improve their
security measures. Participants receive benefits, such as faster
clearance through U.S. ports, in return, Bush said.
In addition, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, which guards
against terrorists smuggling a nuclear device into America, gets added
authority under the new law, the president said.
"All these efforts are smart; they're working; and with this bill,
they're here to stay," Bush said.
The SAFE Port Act also tasks the Department of Homeland Security to
develop a plan to accelerate the resumption of trade in the event of an
attack on U.S. ports or waterways.
"This bill makes clear that the federal government has the authority to
clear waterways, identify clean-up equipment, and reestablish the flow
of commerce following a terrorist attack," Bush explained. "We'll do
everything we can to prevent an attack, but if the terrorists succeed in
launching an attack, we'll be ready to respond."
The U.S. government has more than tripled spending on homeland security
since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Bush said. The Department
of Homeland Security was established in November 2002, and hundreds of
thousands of emergency first responders have been fielded across the
country. Security at airports and aboard commercial airliners has been
improved. Security at the U.S. borders has been bolstered, Bush noted,
and there's added security for bridges, tunnels and other critical
infrastructure across America.
"We have a responsibility to protect the homeland, and we're meeting
that responsibility," he said.
U.S. troops killed English journalist is the report of the coroner
One of Britain's most experienced journalists was killed by U.S. soldiers in Iraq, a British inquest into his death ruled on Friday, prompting calls for the killed to be tried for war crimes.
Veteran war correspondent Terry Lloyd, 50, who worked for British television company ITN, was killed in March 2003 in southern Iraq as he reported from the front line during the first few days of the U.S.-led invasion.
"He was fired on by American soldiers as a minibus carried wounded people away," Coroner Andrew Walker said at the conclusion of the inquest, which U.S. soldiers declined to attend.
"I have no doubt it was an illegal act of fire on the minibus," Walker added.
He said he intended to write to the Attorney General -- the government's top lawyer -- and the Director of Public Prosecutions in an effort to bring those responsible for Lloyd's death before a British court.
Louis Charalambous, the Lloyd family's lawyer, said those responsible for his death should be brought to trial for what he termed "a very serious war crime."
"It was a despicable, deliberate, vengeful act," he added.
He said the killing verdict had been "inescapable" and had come about because "U.S. forces appear to have allowed their soldiers to behave like cowboys."
CALLS FOR TRIAL
Charalambous said the Marines who fired on Lloyd, and their superiors, should stand trial for murder, a sentiment echoed by Lloyd's employers.
David Mannion, the company's editor-in-chief, said ITN would support any moves to bring those "those responsible for Terry's death to account before a court of law."
Since the start of the Iraq war in March 2003, 118 journalists and media assistants have been killed, according to Paris-based media advocacy group Reporters sans Frontieres.
Fifty-one have been abducted, of which five are currently being held hostage.
Japan places own sanctions on North Korea but too little too late
Tokyo's sanctions include the closure of all Japanese ports to North Korean vessels, a ban on imports and exports, and a six-month ban on travel to Japan by all North Korean government officials.
The sanctions, approved by Japan's ruling party on Thursday, were to be finalized by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet on Friday. Fishermen here said the North Korean crews have been told to pack up and leave by midnight Friday.
"We will feel it here," said dock worker Koji Kanetsuki of the bans. "But the world needs to do something. Japan has been through Hiroshima and Nagasaki. No good will come out of having nuclear weapons."
North Korea immediately condemned the move.
Song Il Ho, North Korea's ambassador in charge of diplomatic normalization talks with Japan, said his country would take "strong countermeasures" if Japan goes through with the sanctions, according to Japan's Kyodo News.
But Japan's action also underscores the difficulty of punishing the already isolated regime of Kim Jong Il.
Though it is the world's second-largest economy and a regional trade dynamo, Japan represents less than 5 percent of the total trade with North Korea, according to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency.
The North's most crucial trading partner by far is China, which accounts for 38.9 percent of its imports and exports, followed by South Korea, at 26 percent. In fact, even Thailand outstrips Japan — accounting for 8.1 percent in 2005.
And China and South Korea aren't likely to follow Japan's hard-line example.
Trade between North Korea and China has actually expanded substantially while the efforts to bring the North back to the nuclear negotiating table have fizzled over the past year, largely over the North's demand that the U.S. lift financial sanctions.
China's total imports and exports with North Korea jumped 14 percent last year to $2.2 billion, according to the Commerce Ministry in Beijing. The North is believed to rely on China for 90 percent of its oil.
North Korea has little to offer in return — Pyongyang ran a $1 billion deficit last year.
China's reluctance to slap tough sanctions on the North has complicated talks in the United Nations, where what to do is still being mulled in the Security Council. The United States, Japan and their allies are pushing for stern action, but Russia and China have yet to sign on.
South Korea, aware that its capital is well within reach of North Korea's artillery and missile arsenal, has also been very cautious in its response, though criticism is rising that its strategy of engagement — the "sunshine policy" — has been a failure.
Like China, South Korea's trade with the North has swelled while the nuclear talks have stalled — climbing more than 50 percent last year to just over $1 billion.
Japan's trade with North Korea is limited, Abe faced little domestic opposition to cutting it off.
U.S. and Iraqi officials today discounted
an article in a British medical journal that estimates 650,000 Iraqis
have died since the war began three years ago.
Thearticle, by American and British epidemiologists, appearedin "The
Lancet."
During a White House news conference, President Bush said the number in
the journal article is not credible. "I know a lot of innocent people
have died, and that troubles me and it grieves me," Bush said. "I
applaud the Iraqis for their courage in the face of violence."
Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., commander of Multinational Force Iraq,
said he had not seen the report, but he asserted the number is too high.
"That 650,000 number seems way, way beyond any number that I have
seen," Casey said during a Pentagon news conference today. "I've not seen a
number higher than 50,000. So I don't give (the journal article) much
credibility at all."
Iraqi government officials said the Lancet report was inflated and
"exceeds the reality in an unreasonable way."
At the Pentagon news conference, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld
noted that many Iraqis have indeed died since the war began, and he
pointed the finger at Muslim extremists who are killing innocent Muslim
people.
"They do it aggressively, they do it purposely, and they do it
successfully," he said. "It doesn't take a genius to kill unarmed civilian
people who are going to a shop or operating at a gas station or functioning
in a shopping area. And what we have is Muslim extremists killing
Muslims and attempting to take over that country, ... notwithstanding the
fact that over 95 percent of the Iraqi people don't want that to happen,
and 12 million of them went out and voted, at risk to their lives, so
that it would not happen."
Miami Homenageia a 'Avó' da Arte Erótica
Museu Mundial de Arte Erótica Celebra o Seu Primeiro Aniversário
12 de outubro Uma das colecionadoras de arte mais incomparáveis do mundo, Naomi Wilzig de 71 anos receberá a Chave da Cidade de Miami Beach para marcar o aniversário de um ano do seu World Erotic Art Museum (http://www.weam.com/) (Museu Mundial de Arte Erótica). O tributo, em reconhecimento da sua ajuda "aperfeiçoando a estatura cultural de Miami Beach", será entregue a ela pelo diretor de Turismo, Michael Aller, na quarta-feira, 18 de outubro.
"Sinto-me honrada e orgulhosa. Este ano que passou foi uma revelação para mim. Dei as boas-vindas para um amplo espectro de visitantes de todas as idades que me agradeceram pessoalmente por abrir os seus olhos para este gênero de arte escondido -- que eles nunca imaginaram que existisse", disse a "Srta. Naomi".
A cerimônia de aniversário também marca o lançamento de trinta peças novas consistindo de aquisições asiáticas e européias que serão acrescentadas à extensiva coleção localizada no 1205 Washington Avenue, em Miami Beach.
"O Museu é uma comprovação de que fiz algo importante para a comunidade. Coletar arte erótica me inspirou e aperfeiçoou a minha vida como uma pessoa de mais idade. Estou convencida de que a minha paixão por liberação sexual e tolerância irão beneficiar a humanidade", disse Wilzig.
Foi o filho de Wilzig, o músico Sir Ivan, que a fez se interessar por erótica: "Quinze anos atrás, eu pedi à minha mãe, enquanto fazíamos compras de antiguidades, que me comprasse uma obra de arte erótica para o meu novo apartamento. Ao invés disso, ela acabou fazendo um favor para o mundo comprando 4.000 obras de erótica e abrindo o museu", disse Sir Ivan.
A coleção do seu Museu traça a evolução da erótica desde os tempos bíblicos até o mundo contemporâneo ilustrada por esculturas memoráveis como a figura de um homem que ficou famosa no filme controvérsio de 1971 de Stanley Kubrick, Laranja Mecânica.
Uma ávida colecionadora de erótica, Naomi Wilzig publicou cinco livros sobre a sua coleção e faz palestras sobre a arte erótica em Sexualidade Humana para estudantes universitários.
President Bush says we will not first strike
President Bush called Wednesday for stiff sanctions on North Korea for its reported nuclear test and asserted that the United States has "no intention of attacking" the reclusive regime. In a Rose Garden news conference, Bush said the United States remains committed to diplomacy, but also "reserves all options to defend our friends in the region."
The United States hopes to pass a new resolution on Friday, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton said.
The new draft remains under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which includes a range of measures to deal with threats to international peace, from breaking diplomatic relations to imposing naval blockades and taking military action.
The main impediment to the American push for sanctions so far has been China, which wants a far more limited package of sanctions, connected solely to the North's nuclear program. While it says its neighbor should be punished, officials want the scope of the sanctions to be focused more narrowly.
China's U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya reiterated Wednesday that sanctions should be limited to the non-military measures authorized under Article 41 of the U.N. Charter, which include economic penalties, breaking diplomatic relations or banning air travel.
The revised U.S. draft makes no mention of Article 41, and maintains some military sanctions.
Like the original draft circulated on Monday, the new draft would condemn the claimed nuclear test, demand that North Korea immediately return to six-nation disarmament talks without precondition, and impose sanctions for Pyongyang's "flagrant disregard" of the council.
It adds new language demanding that North Korea "not conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic missile."
Similar to the previous draft, the latest draft asserts that the situation in North Korea, particularly the purported North Korean nuclear test, "constitutes a clear threat to international peace and security."
It again requires all member states to prevent the sale or transfer of arms, luxury goods, and material and technology that could contribute to North Korea's nuclear, ballistic missile or other weapons of mass destruction-related programs.
The Chinese stance has frustrated Japan, which more than any other country wants tougher sanctions.
"We do recognize, acknowledge that they have made some effort, but in our view, we would have to ask them to make further efforts," Japan's U.N. Ambassador Kenzo Oshima said.
South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, the Security Council's nominee to be the U.N.'s new secretary-general, backed a quick resolution. He was in New York to meet with diplomats before the General Assembly vote that will formally name him Kofi Annan's successor.
Bolton said there are still "areas of disagreement," and the United States is prepared for further discussion but it wants "a strong and swift response" by the end of the week.
Earlier Wednesday, Annan urged the United States to hold bilateral talks with North Korea and called on the communist nation not to escalate an "extremely difficult" situation.
"I have always argued that we should talk to parties whose behavior we want to change, whose behavior we want to influence, and from that point of view I believe that ... (the) U.S. and North Korea should talk," Annan said.
The United States has refused to talk one-on-one with North Korea except on the margins of six-party talks.
The debate — with the U.S., Britain and France facing off against China and Russia — echoes the arguments made during Security Council negotiations over how sternly to rebuke Iran for its suspect nuclear program. In that case, because of Chinese and Russian resistance, the council agreed to invoke Chapter 7's Article 40, which is even weaker.
Los Países Bajos inaugura un centro de materiales únicos
- Inspiration Centre de Materia: Nuevos materiales de todo el mundo
Materia inaugura hoy su Inspiration Centre en los Países Bajos, donde se podrán ver, sentir y experimentar todos los materiales innovadores del mundo. Arquitectos, diseñadores de interior y diseñadores industriales podrán conocer los nuevos materiales innovadores que pueden utilizar en sus diseños. Los expertos en materiales de Materia les informarán sobre las propiedades de los materiales y sus posibles aplicaciones.
Con la presentación de su Inspiration Centre, Materia pretende crear un lugar de encuentro para los profesionales y productores creativos de todo el mundo. En el centro pueden inspirarse y estimularse para recurrir a nuevos materiales. De esta forma Materia cumple la función de un depósito de pensamiento, y ofrece a los profesionales creativos un motor de búsqueda de materiales en Internet, exposiciones de viajes, publicaciones, boletines, seminarios, talleres de trabajo, clases magistrales y asesoramiento. El motor de búsqueda de materiales de Materia (www.materialexplorer.com) es el único del mundo accesible para cualquier persona gratuitamente. Materia ya cuenta con más de 20.000 clientes web registrados que buscan de forma regular nuevos materiales útiles.
Materializa el futuro
La compañía Materia, de la que forma parte Inspiration Centre, existe desde 1998. Hasta ahora la información sobre materiales sólo era accesible a través de Internet, boletines electrónicos y exposiciones de viajes. Ahora está logrando un espacio expositivo permanente, de ahí que se traslade de Rotterdam a Dock 36, que está en la autopista A1 entre Ámsterdam y Berlín. Dock 36 es un lugar de encuentro para las compañías creativas que tanto valoran la innovación y el diseño. Materia estimula e inspira a arquitectos, diseñadores y productores para utilizar materiales innovadores en sus diseños. Después de todo, los materiales nuevos proporcionan oportunidades para las innovaciones fascinantes. La compañía conoce todos los materiales innovadores del mundo y sus propiedades específicas, y ha establecido el objetivo de crear una nueva visión de futuro, junto con las profesiones creativas. Por ello el lema de Materia es: "Materializa el futuro". Más información en www.materia.nl.
Página web: www.materia.nl
The United States is working with regional
powers to find a diplomatic solution to persuade North Korea to give up
its nuclear weapons program, President Bush told reporters at a White
House news conference today.
The North Korean government announced over the weekend it had
test-exploded a nuclear weapon. U.S. and other governments have been working to
confirm North Korea's claim.
A nuclear North Korea "constitutes a threat to international peace and
stability," Bush said to reporters at the Rose Garden gathering.
Bush said he's working with senior Chinese, Japanese, South Korean and
Russian officials, as well as the United Nations Security Council, "to
ensure there are serious repercussions" for the North Korean government
in its apparent decision to test a nuclear bomb. North Korea had
previously pledged it would jettison its nuclear program.
"We all agree that there must be a strong Security Council resolution
that will require North Korea to abide by its international commitments
to dismantle its nuclear programs," Bush said.
Such resolutions, the president said, should prohibit North Korea from
exporting nuclear or missile technologies and prevent it from making
financial transactions or asset transfers to develop nuclear-tipped
missiles.
In September 2005, after discussions with the United States, South
Korea, China, Russia and Japan, Bush recalled, North Korea had agreed to
abandon its nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in exchange for
normalizing relations with the U.S. and Japan.
"With its actions this week, North Korea has once again chosen to
reject a prospect for a better future offered by the six-party joint
statement," Bush said, noting North Korea has instead "opted to raise tensions
in the region."
The United States remains committed to diplomacy to resolve the North
Korean nuke issue, Bush said. But America and its allies will also
cooperate to bolster their ballistic missile defenses to guard against
potential North Korean aggression, the president said.
The United States and its allies seek a peaceful and secure Northeast
Asia and a nuclear-free Korean peninsula, Bush said, noting the United
States will work with its partners and the U.N. to achieve those goals.
"And together we will ensure that North Korea understands the
consequences if it continues down its current path," he said.
During a question-and-answer session with reporters, Bush was asked
about possible military options that could be used against North Korea.
The president responded that the diplomatic track hadn't run its course.
"And, we'll continue working to make sure that we give diplomacy a full
opportunity to succeed," he said.
A fire broken out at an ammunition dump at a U.S. base in southern Baghdad on Tuesday night, causing a series of explosions that rocked the capital, the U.S. military said in a statement.
The explosions are from ammunition "cooking off,"" the military said, adding that it had no immediate reports of U.S. casualties.
Iraqiya state television showed pictures of a huge fire lighting up the night sky.
People in central Baghdad heard more than multiple explosions, which began at about 11 p.m. (4 p.m. EDT).
The Interior Ministry said the blasts had shaken three neighborhoods close to Forward Operating Base Falcon in the southern district of Doura.
The Bush administration again rejected Tuesday direct talks with North Korea.
The President has said we would not be intimidated by a reported threat from Pyongyang that it could fire a nuclear-tipped missile unless the U.S. acts to resolve the standoff.
"This is the way North Korea typically negotiates by threat and intimidation," said U.S. Ambassador John Bolton. "It's worked for them before. It won't work for them now."
The White House said, meanwhile, there is a "remote possibility" that the world never will be able to fully determine whether North Korea succeeded in conducting a nuclear test Monday. While acknowledging that the action was provocative, White House press secretary Tony Snow suggested that it's possible that the test was something less than it appeared.
"You could have something that is very old and off-the-shelf here, as well, in which case they've dusted off something that is old and dormant," he said. The comment appeared to indicate that the White House was attempting to downplay the significance of the test, but Snow said later that he was merely posing a hypothetical question.
North Korea's claim that it conducted its
first-ever nuclear test today constitutes a threat to international peace
and security, President Bush said this morning at the White House.
Oct 9
"The United States condemns this provocative act," he said. Bush said
the U.S. is still working to confirm the North Korean claim.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported the apparent nuclear test was
conducted in Hwaderi, North Korea. The U.S. Geological Survey said it
had detected a tremor of 4.2 magnitude on the Korean Peninsula.
"North Korea has defied the will of the international community, and
the international community will respond," the president said.
Bush said he talked to leaders of China, South Korea, Japan and Russia
this morning. "We reaffirmed our commitment to a nuclear-free Korean
Peninsula, and all of us agreed the proclaimed actions taken by North
Korea are unacceptable and deserve immediate response by the United
Nations Security Council," he said.
The U.N. Security Council held an emergency session in New York City
this morning to discuss possible actions against North Korea. The
Security Council has said such an act could lead to severe consequences, like
economic sanctions.
The North Korean regime is one of the world's leading proliferators of
missile technology, including transfers to Iran and Syria, Bush said.
"The transfer of nuclear weapons or material by North Korea to state or
non-state entities would be considered a grave threat to the United
States, and we would hold North Korea fully accountable for the
consequences of such action," he said.
The U.S. remains committed to diplomacy, the president said, but will
meet the full range of its deterrent and security commitments.
He said North Korean threats would not lead to a brighter future for
North Korean people nor weaken the resolve of the United States and its
allies.
Today's claim by North Korean serves only to raise tension, while
depriving the North Korean people of the increased prosperity and better
relations the world has offered. "The oppressed and impoverished people of
North Korea deserve their brighter future," he said.
North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea, is an isolated, repressive regime of 23 million people that has
experienced wide-scale starvation under its current leader, Kim Jong-il.
The communist country also drew international ire when it test-fired
seven ballistic missiles in July.
North Korea says nuclear test successful
October 9
South Korea's seismic monitoring center confirmed a magnitude-3.6 tremor felt at the time North Korea said it conducted the test was not a natural occurrence. The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition his name not be used, because he was not authorized to talk about the sensitive information to the media.
U.S. and South Korean officials could not immediately confirm the report.
South Korea's Defense Ministry said the alert level of the military had been raised in response to the claimed nuclear test.
The North said last week it would conduct a test, sparking regional concern and frantic diplomatic efforts aimed at dissuading Pyongyang from such a move. North Korea has long claimed to have nuclear weapons, but had never before performed a known test to prove its arsenal.
The North's official Korean Central News Agency said the underground test was performed successfully.
"It marks a historic event as it greatly encouraged and pleased the ... people that have wished to have powerful self-reliant defense capability," the KCNA statement said.
"It will contribute to defending the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the area around it."
South Korean intelligence officials said the seismic wave had been detected in North Hamkyung province, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency. It said the test was conducted at 10:36 a.m. (9:36 p.m. EDT Sunday) in Hwaderi near Kilju city on the northeast coast, citing defense officials.
North Korean scientists "successfully conducted an underground nuclear test under secure conditions," the KCNA report said, adding this was "a stirring time when all the people of the country are making a great leap forward in the building of a great prosperous powerful socialist nation."
The U.S. Geological Survey said it had detected no seismic activity in North Korea, although it was not clear whether a blast would be strong enough for its sensors.
On Sunday night, U.S. government officials said a wide range of agencies were looking into the report of the nuclear test, which officials were taking seriously.
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has convened a meeting of security advisers over the issue, Yonhap reported, and intelligence over the test has been exchanged between concerned countries.
Kyodo News agency reported that the Japanese government has set up a taskforce in response to reports of the test.
The North has refused for a year to attend international talks aimed at persuading it to disarm. The country pulled out of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in 2003 after U.S. officials accused it of a secret nuclear program, allegedly violating an earlier nuclear pact between Washington and Pyongyang.
North Korea Background
An independent kingdom under Chinese suzerainty for most of the past millennium, Korea was occupied by Japan in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War; five years later, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. Following World War II, Korea was split with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored Communist domination. After failing in the Korean War (1950-53) to conquer the US-backed republic in the southern portion by force, North Korea, under its founder President KIM Il Sung, adopted a policy of ostensible diplomatic and economic "self-reliance" as a check against excessive Soviet or Communist Chinese influence. It molded political, economic, and military policies around the core ideological objective of eventual unification of Korea under Pyongyang's control. KIM's son, the current ruler KIM Jong Il, was officially designated as KIM's successor in 1980 and assumed a growing political and managerial role until his father's death in 1994. He assumed full power without opposition. After decades of economic mismanagement and resource misallocation, the North since the mid-1990s has relied heavily on international aid to feed its population while continuing to expend resources to maintain an army of about 1 million. North Korea's long-range missile development and research into nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and massive conventional armed forces are of major concern to the international community. In December 2002, following revelations it was pursuing a nuclear weapons program based on enriched uranium in violation of a 1994 agreement with the United States to freeze and ultimately dismantle its existing plutonium-based program, North Korea expelled monitors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In January 2003, it declared its withdrawal from the international Non-Proliferation Treaty. In mid-2003 Pyongyang announced it had completed the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel rods (to extract weapons-grade plutonium) and was developing a "nuclear deterrent." From August 2003, North Korea has participated on and off in six-party talks with the China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States to resolve the stalemate over its nuclear programs.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P06-165
Consumer Inquiries:
888-SAFEFOOD
FDA Statement on Nunes Lettuce Recall
On October 8, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) became aware that The Nunes Company, Inc., of Salinas, California initiated a voluntary recall of green leaf lettuce distributed under the Foxy brand. The company reported to FDA that it initiated the recall because of E.coli contamination of water used to irrigate the lettuce plants in the field during growing. At this time, there has been no determination of whether the E. coli found is O157:H7-the highly infectious type that can cause life-threatening foodborne illness in humans-or the more common, generally harmless strains of E. coli that usually do not cause disease. Further, there has been no known human illness linked to this recall.
Based on current information about the scope of this E. coli contamination, FDA views the firm's prompt action as commendable, because it is better to be cautious than to potentially put consumers at risk of contracting a serious foodborne illness. As FDA becomes aware of additional information about the contamination of the water supply that triggered the current voluntary recall, including the results of additional ongoing tests, the agency will make this information available to the public immediately.
Fresh leafy greens grown and consumed in the United States are safe. Every year there are many thousands of pounds of fresh leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach grown in the United States and consumed by the public with no consequent illness. However, outbreaks do occur, such as the recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to raw spinach, and there is a need to do everything possible to minimize the likelihood of further outbreaks and prevent serious illness. For this reason, FDA has taken a number of actions in recent years, in partnership with its sister agencies, to improve the safety of fresh leafy greens and is working on additional steps. From farm to table, everyone has a responsibility to ensure food safety, including growers, processors, distributors, retailers and consumers, and government.
FDA believes there is a need to examine and improve certain agricultural practices to minimize the risk of E. coli O157:H7 contamination of leafy greens. FDA and the State of California launched the Lettuce Safety Initiative in August 2006 to minimize such risk and to create greater awareness by industry of FDA's commitment to food safety and concern about the safety of lettuce. This Initiative has since been broadened to include
spinach and other leafy greens. The Initiative has a number of key objectives, including assessing current industry approaches and stimulating new efforts to improve lettuce safety; identifying industry practices that potentially lead to product contamination and developing policy or guidance and identifying research to minimize future outbreaks; taking targeted regulatory action using a risk-based approach toward areas most likely to be the source of contamination; and alerting consumers early and responding rapidly in the event of an outbreak.
For more information on the FDA Lettuce Safety Initiative, see www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/lettsafe.html.
FDA will update the public on the lettuce and spinach recalls as more information becomes available. Check this site for updated information.
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October is National Spina Bifida Awareness Month, and I am pleased to highlight the importance of folic acid in preventing this serious birth defect and to raise awareness about the needs of people living with Spina Bifida.
Approximately 3,000 babies are born in the United States each year with Spina Bifida, a serious birth defect of the brain or spine called a neural tube defect. Spina Bifida is the most common, permanently disabling birth defect and the leading cause of childhood paralysis, affecting more than 70,000 people in the United States.
A daily dose of 400 micrograms of folic acid taken by women of childbearing age has been proven in most pregnancies to prevent Spina Bifida, a leading cause of childhood paralysis. In response to research showing that the incidence of Spina Bifida could be reduced by up to 75 percent with the addition of folic acid in a woman’s diet, I introduced the Folic Acid Promotion and Birth Defects Prevention Act, which was passed into law as part of the Children’s Health Act of 2000.
The majority of women in this country are still not aware of the benefits of folic acid, and only 40 percent of women ages 18 to 45 take a daily vitamin with the recommended level of folic acid. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the rate of Spina Bifida in the Latino population is almost seven in 10 thousand births, nearly 40 percent higher than the non-Hispanic rate. And tragically, Hispanic women continue to have the lowest reported folic acid consumption of any racial or ethnic group.
I am happy to report that Gruma – one of the world’s largest producers of corn flour and tortillas – has begun researching and conducting product testing with a year-end goal of enriching with folic acid its corn products sold in the United States. Imported corn flours – unlike most wheat flour and cereal products – are currently not enriched with folic acid. This important voluntary action by Gruma has significant implications for improving the health and well-being of the Latino community in this country.
The key to a better life for Americans who live with Spina Bifida is research and improved quality-of-life, and this goal must be a national priority.
Octubre es el Mes Nacional de Información Acerca de la Espina Bífida, por lo que me complace resaltar la importancia del ácido fólico en la prevención de este serio defecto congénito, y llamar la atención acerca de las necesidades de quienes lo padecen.
Cada año nacen aproximadamente 3,000 bebitos en los Estados Unidos con espina bifida, un serio trastorno congénito del cerebro o la columna vertebral, llamado “defecto del tubo neural”. La espina bífida es el defecto de nacimiento más común que incapacita de forma permanente a quien lo padece, y la causa principal de la parálisis infantil, que afecta a más de 70,000 personas en los Estados Unidos.
Se ha demostrado que el consumo de una dosis diaria de 400 microgramos de ácido fólico por parte de las mujeres en edad de concebir, evita en la mayoría de los embarazos la ocurrencia de espina bífida, causa principal de la parálisis infantil. Como respuesta a los estudios reveladores de que la incidencia de espina bífida podría reducirse hasta en un 75 por ciento con la inclusión de ácido fólico en la dieta femenina, tuve el honor de proponer la promulgación de la Ley de Promoción del Acido Fólico y la Prevención de Defectos Congénitos, aprobada como parte de la Ley de Salud Infantil del 2000.
La mayoría de las mujeres en este país no están concientes de los beneficios del ácido fólico, y sólo el 40 por ciento de las mujeres con edades entre 18 y 45 años ingieren diariamente una vitamina con el nivel recomendado de ácido fólico. Los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades reportan que los índices de ocurrencia de espina bífida en la población hispana son de casi siete por cada diez mil nacimientos, aproximadamente un 40 por ciento más que los índices correspondientes a la población no hispana. Y, trágicamente, las mujeres hispanas siguen siendo las que reportan el consumo más bajo de ácido fólico entre los diferentes grupos raciales o étnicos.
Me llena de felicidad informar que Gruma – uno de los mayores fabricantes de harina de maíz y tortillas del mundo—ha comenzado a realizar investigaciones y pruebas de productos con la meta de enriquecer con ácido fólico a partir de fin de año los productos que venden en los Estados Unidos. Actualmente, las harinas de maíz importadas—a diferencia de la mayoría de la harina de trigo y productos a base de cereales—no están enriquecidas con ácido fólico. Esta importante acción voluntaria por parte de Gruma tiene implicaciones significativas en el mejoramiento de la salud y el bienestar de la comunidad hispana de nuestra nación.
La clave hacia una vida mejor para los estadounidenses que padecen de espina bifida, es la investigación y el mejoramiento de la calidad de vida, y este objetivo debe convertirse en prioridad nacional.
Una demanda Colectiva de Inmigración fue interpuesta contra Café Express, compañía la cual esta interrelacionada con Wendy’s Internacional, Inc. Y esta fue realizada por una firma de Abogados en favor de casi 100 empleados indocumentados que fueron despedidos la semana pasada.
De acuerdo con la demanda, el mencionado restaurante y una de sus principales Firma de Abogados en Houston en el 2001 fijaron términos para llenar aplicaciones que le darían la oportunidad a los empleados de convertirse en Residentes Permanentes de los Estados Unidos. Y estos fueron despedidos por falta del Estatus Legal o de Residencia.
“¿Que se supone que le voy a decir a mi familia?” Dijo Jaime Chávez, uno de los empleados que impulso la demanda. “La compañía dijo que me iba ayudar a hacerme Residente. En lugar de eso, fui sancionado porque ellos se equivocaron.”
Bajo la Ley de Inmigración y de la Equidad Familiar del 2000, los trabajadores inmigrantes, indocumentados, podrían ser admisibles para aplicar para la Residencia Permanente. Una única y exclusiva oportunidad de obtener esto, dependía de la Aplicación de Certificación Laboral que se hubiese ingresado para Abril 30, 2001.
Café Express propuso un programa en el cual el Restaurante, representados por su Firma de Abogados, llenarían y completarían las aplicaciones necesarias para los empleados, deduciéndoles a estos $25 del cheque de pago semanal, para ellos cubrir los gastos de Honorarios Profesionales de estos Abogados.
De cualquier manera, la parte demandante alega que el Despacho Legal no hizo él tramite pertinente al plazo fijado en el 2001. Los empleados no fueron informados de esto y el dinero se les siguió descontando de su pago semanal, desde Mayo del 2001 hasta Diciembre del 2005.
“Lo que sucedió aquí es increíble, y era completamente evitable,” dijo Stan Broome, uno de los Abogados con Howie, Broome & Bobo, LLP, de Dallas quienes están representando a los empleados despedidos. “Estos esforzados trabajadores, tuvieron la oportunidad de convertirse en Residentes Permanentes, pero Café Express y sus Abogados desperdiciaron la mejor oportunidad para lograrlo.”
Los empleados fueron notificados que el plazo se había acabado en Julio 07 del 2006, cuando Café Express les envió una carta para informarles que sus aplicaciones no fueron terminadas con éxito. Los empleados fueron también informados que a menos que ellos pudieran probar que sus aplicaciones se llenaron a tiempo, independientemente de la firma de Abogados, estos serian despedidos el día 15 de Septiembre del 2006.
A class action immigration lawsuit has been filed against Café Express, its parent company Wendy’s International, Inc and its former law firm on behalf of nearly 100 undocumented employees who were fired last week.
According to the lawsuit, the restaurant defendants and the Houston-based law firm missed a 2001 deadline to file paperwork that could have allowed the employees to become permanent U.S. residents. The employees then were fired because they lacked resident status.
“What am I supposed to tell my family?” says Jaime Chavez, one of the former employees who filed the suit. “The company said they could help me become a resident. Instead, I get punished because they messed up.”
Under the Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act of 2000, undocumented immigrant workers were allowed to file for permanent residency status. The one-time opportunity was dependent upon their Alien Labor Certification Application being on file April 30, 2001.
Café Express developed a program in which the restaurant defendants and the law firm would complete and file the applications for the employees, and the company would deduct $25 from the employee’s weekly paychecks to cover the legal fees.
However, plaintiffs allege that the law firm missed the 2001 application deadline. The employees were not notified of the mistake at the time, and the weekly deductions continued from May 2001 through December 2005.
“What happened here is unbelievable, and it was entirely avoidable,” says Stan Broome, an attorney with Dallas’ Howie, Broome & Bobo, LLP, who is representing the fired employees. “These hard working people had a chance to become residents, but Café Express and their lawyers threw their best chance away.”
The employees were informed of the missed deadline on July 7, 2006, when Café Express sent a letter informing them that their applications could not be successfully completed. The employees were also told that unless they could prove that their applications were filed on time, independent of the law firm, they would be fired on Sept. 15, 2006.
Government, Education and Business Leaders Discuss Impact of Information Literacy on Global Society, Workforce Readiness and Public Policy
October 09, 2006 --
WHAT: Renowned government, education and business leaders will engage in panel discussions and share their perspectives on information literacy and its impact on the global society, workforce readiness, and public policy in the United States. The program will begin broadly by examining information literacy from an international perspective and then take a closer look at the current status in the United States. The goal is to develop a comprehensive strategy on how to raise awareness and promote change to produce a highly skilled information literate society in the United States. The event is sponsored by the National Forum on Information Literacy in partnership with the Committee for Economic Development; Educational Testing Service (ETS); the Institute for a Competitive Workforce, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; and the National Education Association. BACKGROUND: In January 2006, President Bush announced the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI), calling for new advances in research, science and technology with an emphasis on improving the nation's education system and its workforce. This initiative can only be successful in so far as policy-makers, business leaders and educators address the reality that America's economic growth and world leadership depends on its ability to advance technologically and empower people to make effective use of information gained through technology. Students will contribute to this workforce; they need to know how to use ever-evolving technology to locate, evaluate, manage and use information effectively. The 2006 Information Literacy Summit will address these issues. WHEN: Monday, Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. WHERE: National Education Association, Auditorium (lower level) 1201 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036 WHO: Esteemed panelists include: -- Abdelaziz Abid, UNESCO -- Patrick M. Callan, The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education -- Les Francis, Goddard/Claussen Strategic Advocacy -- Margaret Honey, Education Development Center -- Jan Magill, Institute for a Competitive Workforce (affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce) -- Lorie Roth, California State University -- Andrea L. Taylor, Microsoft Corporation -- Robert Wedgeworth, ProLiteracy Worldwide -- Ralph Wolff, Western Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
About The National Forum on Information Literacy
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The National Forum on Information Literacy was created in 1989 as a response to the recommendations of the American Library Association's Presidential Committee on Information Literacy. These education, library, and business leaders stated that no other change in American society has offered greater challenges than the emergence of the Information Age. Information is expanding at an unprecedented rate, and enormously rapid strides are being made in technology for storing, organizing, and accessing the ever-growing tidal wave of information. An information literate workforce is needed to employ this information to the greatest possible advantage. For more information, visit www.infolit.org.
NEWSWEEK POLL: Majority Of Americans-Including 29 Percent Of Republicans - Believe Dennis Hastert Tried to Cover Up Mark Foley Scandal; Fifty-Three Percent Want Democrats to Take Control of Congress in November
More Americans Now Say Democrats Will Handle Moral Values, War on Terror Better Than Republicans
Record Low 33-Percent Approval Rating for Bush; Majority Believe Administration Purposely Misled the Public to Build Support for Iraq War
Oct. 7 More than half of Americans-52 percent, including 29 percent of Republicans-believe that House Speaker Dennis Hastert was aware of Congressman Mark Foley's inappropriate messages to teenage Congressional pages and tried to cover it up, according to the latest Newsweek Poll. Only 24 percent say he did not.
A plurality of Americans, 42 percent, now say they trust Democrats to do a better job of handling moral values; 36 percent say they trust Republicans more. This represents almost a complete reversal from an Aug. 2-Sept. 1, 2002 Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard/Washington Post poll in which 31 percent of Americans said they would trust Democrats to handle moral values better while 44 percent said they would trust Republicans more. On the subject of the war on terror at home and abroad, 44 percent of Americans trust the Democrats to handle it better-a five-point increase from the Aug. 10-11, 2006 Newsweek Poll. Thirty-seven percent trust the Republicans more-a seven-point drop from the same August Newsweek Poll. When it comes to the situation in Iraq, 47 percent of Americans say the Democrats would handle it better, versus 34 percent who say the Republicans would. Fifty-three percent say the Democrats would do a better job with the economy, while only 31 percent say Republicans would. Fifty-seven percent of those polled say the Democrats would do a better job with health care; 43 percent say they would do a better job with immigration, versus 34 percent who say Republicans would. Fifty-six percent say the Democrats would do a better job managing gas and oil prices and 53 percent say the would do a better job managing federal spending and the deficit.
A majority of Americans, 53 percent, would like to see the Democrats take control of Congress in this year's elections, according to the Newsweek Poll. Only 35 percent say they would like the Republicans to keep control. And 51 percent of registered voters say that if the elections were held today they would vote for the Democratic candidate in their district, versus 38 percent who say they would vote Republican. Among likely voters, 51 percent would vote for the Democratic candidate and 39 percent for the Republican candidate.
President Bush's approval rating fell to a record low-33 percent-in the Newsweek Poll, a three-point drop from the Aug. 24-25, 2006 poll. Fifty-nine percent of Americans say they disapprove of how Bush is handling his job as president. Sixty-seven percent say they are dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States; only 25 percent say they are satisfied.
For the first time in the Newsweek Poll, a majority of Americans -- 58 percent -- believe that the Bush administration purposely misled the public about evidence that Iraq had banned weapons in order to build support for the war. Thirty-six percent say it did not. In general, 66 percent of Americans say that the Iraq war has not made Americans safer from terrorism; 29 percent say that it has. A 58-percent majority also say they are not too confident or not at all confident that the United States will successfully establish a stable democratic form of government in Iraq over the long term. Only 38 percent say they are somewhat or very confident. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's approval rating has fallen to just 30 percent, with a plurality of Americans, 48 percent, saying he should resign.
For this Newsweek Poll, Princeton Survey Research Associates International interviewed 1,004 adults aged 18 and older on October 5-6, 2006. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points. This poll is part of the October 16 issue of Newsweek, on newsstands Monday, October 9. To interview Chief of Correspondents Marcus Mabry on the poll, call Andrea Faville at 212- 445-4859 or Natalia Labenskyj at 212-445-4078.
Reported sample sizes are unweighted and should not be used to compute percentages.
Likely voters are determined based on response to a series of questions about voting intentions, voting history, general interest in politics, interest in the 2006 election, and knowledge of the voting process. Likely voters are the 62% of registered voters with the highest score on an index summarizing response to the likely voter questions.
An asterisk (*) indicates a value less than 1%.
LV1, LV2, LV4-LV9 ARE FOR CLASSIFICATION PURPOSES ONLY. RESULTS ARE NOT SHOWN.
LV3. How much thought have you given to this November's elections for U.S. CONGRESS- quite a lot, or only a little?
Source: Newsweek Bush, FedEx Deliver an Economy That Profits Rich, Exploits Workers; Official Statement of Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President
October 7-- The following is an official statement of Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President:
Today, President Bush used mediocre monthly payroll figures to give himself a self-congratulatory pat on the back about an economy that is failing American workers. It is fitting that the White House chose to spin their skewed economic message at a FedEx facility in Washington, D.C., one of the most anti-worker companies in the United States.
FedEx has created a business model with a cutthroat mentality even Machiavelli would admire. CEO Fred Smith will collect over $10 million in compensation and dividend income this year alone, money that he earns by exploiting thousands of FedEx Ground drivers through an "independent contractor" model.
FedEx has abused this independent contractor status to shift risks and costs onto the drivers and taxpayers. The drivers take on costs that should be paid by the company, including trucks, uniforms and digital scanners.
As a bonus, this model allows FedEx to avoid paying income tax withholding, unemployment insurance premiums and worker compensation contributions while dodging state labor laws and federal laws like the Family Medical Leave Act and Equal Employment Opportunity Laws.
The good news is that this model is unraveling as state and federal agencies expose this business model for what it is -- a scam perpetrated upon the American workforce.
A California court ruled this business model to be illegal in 2005. California found that FedEx Ground owed nearly $8 million in back taxes. Since 1988, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled seven out of eight times that the FedEx Ground drivers are employees and not independent contractors.
The Teamsters won two such NLRB decisions in Massachusetts this year and drivers at three FedEx Ground locations are on their way to joining the Teamsters and securing their rights through collective bargaining.
With every record profit reported by corporate America and new stock market high, working men and women in America are reminded that they are expendable, a disposable part in a machine that is designed to make money in the most efficient manner possible.
The rich get richer, lining their pockets with profits earned on the backs of exploited workers, while the majority of Americans have not seen any appreciable increase in their income. It is fitting that Bush held his press conference at FedEx, a company that is blatantly violating its workers' rights every day.
The White House should be more careful in selecting the company that represents our "healthy economy," rather than choosing one as political payback because the CEO hosted a $2,100-a-plate fundraiser last week in Memphis, where Bush was the headliner.
Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Appeals Court Removes Prosecutor From Jesse James Hollywood Murder Trial
October 06, 2006 -- The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's office has been dealt a major setback in its prosecution of accused murderer Jesse James Hollywood with a ruling to remove the lead prosecutor from the case. The Court of Appeal found prosecutor Ronald Zonen has a conflict of interest stemming from his role in the preparation of a major motion picture about the case. Hollywood is charged in the 2000 kidnapping and murder of 15-year-old Nicholas Markowitz.
Hollywood's attorney James Blatt sought to remove the entire DA's office after learning that prosecutor Zonen served as a consultant on the yet-to-be-released film "Alpha Dog" starring Justin Timberlake, Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone. While the appeals court failed to recuse the entire Santa Barbara County District Attorney's office, it did find a conflict of interest "so egregious that the defendant's right to a fair trial is severely compromised." Blatt is "pleased the Court of Appeal agreed with the defense that prosecutors cannot be permitted to act as consultants and release their files to filmmakers."
Presiding Judge Arthur Gilbert states, "The prosecutor's alliance with a third party to whom he divulged his detailed work product and other documents in violation of the law, will so taint the trial that his recusal is mandated." Gilbert goes on to write, Zonen's actions "allowed show business to cast an unseemly shadow over this case." Blatt says, "The strength of the language in the opinion will send a clear message to prosecutors that they should try their cases in the courtroom and not in the media." And, Blatt says, "This ruling will help ensure Mr. Hollywood will receive a fair trial by an even-handed prosecutor."
The defense initially asked the trial court for a hearing on the matter. The lower court refused the request as did the Court of Appeal. But in April, the California Supreme Court ordered the appeals court to hear oral arguments. That hearing took place in July.
While today's ruling is a victory for defense attorneys, they are considering whether to seek a review by the State Supreme Court in an effort to yet have the entire DA's office removed.
Hollywood's trial was stayed pending the appellate court ruling. That stay has now been vacated clearing the way for a trial date to be set. The film is slated for release in January though the defense says based "upon the clear message in the ruling, we anticipate going to federal court seeking to delay the release of the film."
Primera Franquicia Editorial 'Generation Latino: Hispanic Teens Who Are Changing The World' de la Revista Selecciones, Presentada el Miércoles 4 de Octubre de 2006 Grandes Talentos Celebran Evento Inaugural, entre ellos, Alcalde de Miami-Dade Carlos Alvarez, Giselle Blondet de Univision, Poncho de Anda de Telemundo, Ana María Canseco de Despierta América, y Cantante Shalim
5 de octubre Selecciones, la revista en español más vendida del mundo, celebró ayer su 35o. aniversario con la presentación de su primer evento "Generation Latino: Hispanic Teens Who Are Changing the World" (Generation Latino: Adolescentes hispanos que están cambiando el mundo). Las páginas de la edición de octubre de la revista fueron presentadas durante un almuerzo de premiación especial y un evento para los medios en el Bongo's Cuban Café de Miami, en el que se homenajeó a siete adolescentes hispanos por sus talentos, sus logros y sus inigualables aportes a sus comunidades. También estuvieron presentes los más destacados hacedores de noticias de la actualidad -- personalidades de TV, músicos y líderes políticos -- que entregaron un premio a cada adolescente y contaron sus propias historias de obstáculos, éxitos y logros. McDonald's, patrocinador de platino del evento, otorgó a cada uno de los adolescentes una beca de $2,500, reforzando así su compromiso con los hispanos y la educación superior. Carlos Alvarez, alcalde del Condado de Miami-Dade, lanzó el programa declarando "Generation Latino Day" al miércoles 4 de octubre del 2006. El talentoso cantante y compositor Shalim concluyó el programa con una interpretación musical que causó sensación.
La revista realizó una búsqueda en toda la nación para encontrar adolescentes hispanos extraordinarios que se destacaran en su campo de elección, incluso arte, política, medicina y tecnología. Se eligieron siete adolescentes en las siguientes categorías: Activista: Miguel Zazueta; Innovador: Eletha Joy Flores; Sanador: Pamela Escobar; Vaticinador: Roque Cespedes; Narrador: Lucas Leyva; Intérprete: Eva Martinez; y Aspirante: Seniesa Estrada.
QUÉ: Evento "Generation Latino: Hispanic Teens Who Are Changing the
World" (Generation Latino: Adolescentes hispanos que están
cambiando el mundo), de Selecciones, presentado por Genevieve
Fernández, editora en jefe de Selecciones, y Elizabeth Bradley,
editora de Selecciones.
QUIÉNES: Carlos Alvarez, Alcalde del Condado Miami-Dade
Poncho de Anda, de Telemundo
Giselle Blondet, de Univision
Ana María Canseco, de Despierta América
Ilia Calderón, de Telemundo
Carmen Dominicci, de Univision
Jackie Guerrido, reportera del tiempo de Univision
Karla Martínez, de Despierta América
Satcha Pretto, de Primer Impacto Fin de Semana
Shalim, cantante, compositor y actor
CUÁNDO: Miércoles, 4 de octubre de 2006
DÓNDE: Bongo's Cuban Cafe, 601 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida.
Acerca de Selecciones:
Selecciones fortalece a la familia hispana de los Estados Unidos con contenidos prácticos, informativos e inspiradores, y con noticias sobre gente extraordinaria, las últimas tendencias y servicios relevantes, siempre celebrando la diversidad de la experiencia hispana. A partir de un universo de recursos, Selecciones llega al consumidor con un producto que tiene la fuerza de una marca mundial y, al mismo tiempo, la íntima vinculación de un amigo de confianza.
Hoy Fin de Semana Expande a Nueva York y Los Ángeles
Hoy, el periódico en español líder de la nación, con ediciones diarias en Nueva York, Los Ángeles y Chicago, anunció hoy sus planes de expansión significativa para su publicación de fin de semana, Hoy Fin de Semana.
A partir del 7 de octubre, Hoy Fin de Semana logrará un alcance nacional, con ediciones en los tres mercados de Hoy. Reemplazará la edición actual de Hoy del sábado en Nueva York, con una distribución de 60,000 ejemplares. Además, Hoy Fin de Semana recientemente aumentó su distribución en Los Ángeles en un 50 por ciento, a 300,000 hogares, convirtiéndola en la publicación de fin de semana hispana de mayor circulación en el mercado.
Con la conversión en Nueva York, la expansión en Los Ángeles y la actual distribución auditada en Chicago de más de 217,000, Hoy Fin de Semana tendrá una circulación de más de 570,000 ejemplares semanales. Esto ofrece a los anunciantes la oportunidad de llegar a los consumidores a través de una compra nacional eficiente en un producto en español auditado que se entrega a domicilio los fines de semana.
Hoy Fin de Semana ofrece contenido personalizado para los hábitos de fin de semana e intereses particulares de las familias hispanas con una vida ocupada, incluyendo artículos sobre cosas para hacer con la familia, compras, electrónicos, moda, entretenimiento y perfiles de celebridades. Con contenido editorial consistente y capacidades de división en varias zonas, Hoy Fin de Semana es un medio eficaz para llegar a las familias hispanohablantes el fin de semana, su tiempo preferido para salir de compras.
"El lanzamiento de Hoy Fin de Semana en Nueva York y la expansión en Los Ángeles ofrecerá a nuestros anunciantes más opciones con un solo producto para los fines de semana", dijo Digby Solomon Diez, editor y CEO de Hoy. "Hemos invertido enormemente en investigación para que nos digan lo que los latinos quieren leer y cómo obtienen su información de compras. También escuchamos a nuestros clientes publicistas decirnos que querían una penetración rentable con mínima pérdida. Hoy Fin de Semana satisface en todos los aspectos".
Hoy Fin de Semana es auditado por Certified Audit of Circulations y ha demostrado una precisión en la entrega de más de 97 por ciento.
Hoy es el periódico en español líder en la nación, con ediciones diarias en Nueva York, Los Ángeles y Chicago. Hoy tiene una circulación semanal promedio de 185,245 y más de 536,000 lectores diarios. Incluyendo la publicación de fin de semana de Hoy, Hoy Fin de Semana, las publicaciones de Hoy tienen un tiraje total de 1.5 millones de ejemplares. Hoy es una publicación de Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB) , una de las empresas mediáticas más importantes del país, con negocios en medios impresos, interactivos y transmisiones
La Iglesia Católica Selecciona a Narrowstep por ser el Primer Canal de TV de Banda Ancha
Narrowstep(TM) Inc (BULLETIN BOARD: NRWS) , la Compañía de TV sobre Protocolo de Internet, anunció hoy que su plataforma de tecnología patentada, telvOS(TM), fue seleccionada para el lanzamiento de ROMEreports TV, para la Agencia Internacional de Noticias de Televisión especializada en la vida de la Iglesia Católica con sede en Roma, Italia.
ROMEreports TV (http://www.romereports.tv/) lanzada el 4 de octubre de 2006 a través de un acuerdo con el distribuidor de Narrowstep, WBBS, con sede en Suiza, estará disponible para 400 millones de televidentes en todo el mundo, reportando sobre todos los aspectos de la Iglesia Católica y el Vaticano en Roma.
El canal también está disponible con un horario de TV completo, capacidades de pantalla completa y muchas otras funciones y ofrece reportes noticiosos cortos, sin ningún costo, 24/7. Cada mes, se añadirán (4) segmentos de revistas noticiosas x 26 minutos y (1) programas x 52 minutos en inglés y español como un servicio de Video a Pedido, disponible a través de paquetes de suscripción.
El canal se desarrolla sobre la base del éxito masivo de Narrowstep en ofrecer canales de TV sobre IP exitosos orientados a la comunidad tales como London.tv, USAMass y ITVLocal.
Steve Beaumont, CEO de Narrowstep Inc, dice, "Las noticias y reportes sobre el Papa y el Vaticano atraen un gran interés por parte de los televidentes globalmente con más de mil millones de católicos en todo el mundo, y estamos extremamente contentos de que Narrowstep pueda proporcionar el sistema para garantizar la solución más eficaz y eficiente para ofrecer este servicio, así como desarrollar de una red de afinidad de seguidores de la Iglesia Católica".
Dominic Curchod de WBBS añadió, "La Iglesia Católica representa un punto de referencia internacional, en un comentario sobre asuntos globales. ROMEreports TV aprovechará su pericia para ofrecer información de alta calidad sobre la Iglesia, aprovechando su proximidad a las fuentes y su conocimiento de la institución, trayendo creatividad profesional y excelencia técnica para ofrecer un servicio de primera clase".
Los canales TV sobre IP son una propuesta cada vez más fuerte en todo el mundo y encuentran mercados hambrientos de esta nueva plataforma. El sistema telvOS(TM) de Narrowstep proporciona la plataforma para TV sobre IP para más de 90 canales en todo el mundo, representando nichos de mercado de grupos interesados que van de entretenimiento, turismo, deporte y transmisores locales tales como ROMEreports TV, que deseen expandir sus sectores de mercado y eliminar los límites geográficos a la transmisión.
Source: Narrowstep Inc
Cumbre de Hip-Hop de Dallas sobre Capacitación Financiera Se Reúne en el Auditorio Principal de la University of North Texas el 14 de Octubre de 2006 Participarán Russell Simmons, Erykah Badu, Paul Wall, Raz-B de B2K, Rocsi de 106 de BET & Park y el Dr. Benjamin Chavis
DALLAS, 5 de octubre /PR Newswire/ -- Los artistas Erykah Badu de Hip- Hop/R&B/Neo-Soul, Paul Wall, estrella del hip-hop, Raz-B de B2K, y Rocsi de 106 de BET & Park, se unirán al Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), al Chairman Russell Simmons y al Presidente y CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis para participar en el Dallas Hip-Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment (Cumbre de Hip-Hop sobre Capacitación Financiera) el sábado 14 de octubre, de 1:30 a 3:30 p.m.
La Cumbre de Hip-Hop de Dallas sobre Capacitación Financiera tendrá lugar en el Auditorio Principal de la University of North Texas, situado en 1401 West Hickory Street, Denton, Texas.
La firma auspiciadora y socia de HSAN es Chrysler Financial. La Gira Nacional "Get Your Money Right" del Hip-Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment, en su segundo año de éxito, reúne a una poderosa combinación de estrellas del hip-hop y expertos de Chrysler Financial, quienes explican a estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad la importancia de tener conocimientos en finanzas.
Los temas que serán cubiertos abarcan los fundamentos de trámites bancarios, compra de la vivienda propia, la reparación de mal crédito y la interpretación de las calificaciones de crédito, iniciativa empresarial, financiación de vehículos y otros temas. La gira nacional "Get Your Money Right" concluye este año el 28 de octubre, con su primera cumbre internacional que tendrá lugar en Toronto, Canadá.
La Cumbre de Hip-Hop sobre Capacitación Financiera es un esfuerzo comunitario destinado a ayudar a que la gente se envuelva en discusiones acerca de la importancia de las finanzas personales.
Russell Simmons afirmó que..."La Cumbre de Hip-Hop de Dallas sobre Capacitación Financiera presentará algunos de los datos e información más importantes sobre cómo 'Get Your Money Right'. Con la información adecuada y una firme determinación a adoptar las medidas correctas, las personas pueden salir de la pobreza. La generación Hip-Hop procura mejorar la calidad de vida de todas las personas y ésta será nuestra cumbre número 58 en los últimos cinco años y medio, donde continuamos viendo que artistas y otras personas están ayudando a la comunidad para elevar la conciencia de las masas".
"Nuestra juventud de ahora tiene la oportunidad de distinguirse de generaciones previas, construyendo el camino hacia la adultez a partir de una sólida base financiera", señaló Gerrod Parchmon - Gerente de Ventas y Operaciones Financieras de Chrysler y Panelista de la Cumbre. "La Cumbre de Hip-Hop de Dallas sobre Capacitación Financiera ofrecerá a los jóvenes ávidos de conocimiento las llaves que necesitan para manejar con éxito su futuro. Los jóvenes que asistan a la cumbre están expresando un compromiso de tomar control de su casa financiera".
El Dr. Benjamin Chavis concluyó diciendo que... "el Hip-Hop tiene que ver con escupir la verdad al poder y a lo largo y ancho del estado de Texas y en todo Estados Unidos, millones de jóvenes y jóvenes adultos están ávidos de saber cómo pueden expresarse y tomar medidas que conduzcan a la autosuficiencia económica de sus familias y comunidades. Esto se está llevando a cabo en la Cumbre de Dallas de Hip-Hop, celebrando la evolución de la cultura y marcando una diferencia real en la búsqueda de una mayor sostenibilidad financiera".
El libro de trabajo "Get Your Money Right", que será entregado a todos los participantes, está disponible en inglés y español, y puede ser descargado en el sitio http://www.hsan.org/ .
El medio asociado de La Cumbre de Hip-Hop de Dallas sobre Capacitación Financiera es The Beat 97.9 FM Dallas. Los socios comunitarios son el Dallas Concilo y Dallas Urban League.
Acerca de Chrysler Financial
Chrysler Financial ofrece una línea completa de productos y servicios de primera clase para la financiación de automotores, tanto para concesionarios como para consumidores de vehículos Chrysler, Jeep(R) y Dodge. Además de ofrecer financiación de vehículos al por mayor y al detalle, Chrysler Financial provee administración de flotas y líneas de crédito a concesionarios del Chrysler Group. Como líder de la industria en financiación de automóviles, Chrysler Financial ofrece a sus clientes los métodos más innovadores y eficientes para hacer negocios. Para más información acerca de Chrysler Financial visite http://www.chryslerfinancial.com/.
Acerca del Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN)
Fundado en el año 2001, el Hip-Hop Summit Action Network está dedicado a utilizar la relevancia cultural de la música hip-hop para servir de catalizador en su defensa de la educación y de otros intereses sociales fundamentales para la autosuficiencia de los jóvenes en todo el territorio de los Estados Unidos. HSAN es una coalición mundial sin fines de lucro y no partidaria, compuesta de artistas de hip-hop, líderes de la industria del entretenimiento, defensores de la educación, propulsores de los derechos civiles y líderes de la juventud, unidos en la creencia de que el hip-hop es un agente poderoso e influyente para el cambio social, que debe ser utilizado en forma responsable y proactiva para luchar la guerra contra la pobreza y la injusticia. Para información adicional acerca de HSAN, visite http://www.hsan.org/.
Source: Chrysler Financial
Bolthouse Farms Issues Voluntary Recall For 100% Carrot Juice
Contact:
Wm. Bolthouse Farms
(661) 366-7205
Oct 3, 2006
As a precautionary measure, following incidents involving two bottles of temperature abused 100% Carrot Juice, Wm. Bolthouse Farms of Bakersfield, CA is recalling 100% Carrot Juice. Carrot juice has the potential, if left un-refrigerated, to develop botulism, an illness which can be life-threatening. Proper refrigeration is generally achieved at or below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
All Bolthouse Farms processing facilities have been examined closely by internal auditors and the FDA, and have been found to be in compliance will all appropriate controlling regulations. In addition, samples from suspect lots have been examined by the FDA, and all samples have been found to be toxin free. These results clearly indicate a likely link between consumer temperature abuse and the development of botulinum toxin.
Consistent with this record of compliance, Bolthouse Farms remains committed to the health and safety of its consumers. This voluntary recall serves as an effort to demonstrate our commitment to providing the safest product possible, regardless of consumer mishandling.
100% Carrot Juice is distributed to all 50 states, Mexico & Canada through retail stores, and is labeled as follows:
"Bolthouse Farms 100% Carrot Juice", sold in both 1 liter and 450 milliliter sizes
"Earthbound Farm Organic Carrot Juice", sold in both 1 liter and 450 milliliter sizes
"President's Choice Organics 100% Pure Carrot Juice" sold in both 1 liter and 450 milliliter sizes.
Use by dates up to and including 11Nov06 are subject to this recall
To date, four people have become ill after consuming what were most likely improperly refrigerated bottles of carrot juice. The incidents involved one liter bottle of carrot juice with a use by date of 18SEP06, and one 450 milliliter bottle of carrot juice with a use by date of 19SEP06. These incidents were reported in Georgia and Florida.
Carrot juice, like other low acid products, must be kept refrigerated to ensure product safety. Properly refrigerated carrot juice poses no risk to consumer health. However, all fresh carrot juice (regardless of manufacturer or brand) has the potential to harbor Botulism if improperly refrigerated or exposed to elevated temperatures for extended periods of time.
Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.
Consumers or retailers who feel the temperature control of their carrot juice may have been compromised are encouraged not to consume the product. If there is any question as to the refrigeration state of any carrot juice product, consumers and retailers are advised to discard the product.
Bolthouse Farms remains actively concerned about the health of its consumers, and the proper handling of its products. In light of recent concerns regarding potential risk associated with consumer mishandling of carrot juice, Bolthouse will immediately undertake the industry leading step of modifying its processing to mitigate the potential risk associated with consumer temperature abuse of carrot juice. Consumers who have concerns or questions about juice safety are encouraged to call the FDA at 1-800-SAFEFOOD, or Wm. Bolthouse Farms at (661) 366-7205.
Galavisión logra la mayor audiencia de su historia en la temporada 2005-2006 en día total y horario estelar entre grupos demográficos claves
La cadena quedó en primer lugar de sintonía entre Adultos Hispanos 18-34 y 18-49, y entre Hombres Hispanos 18-34 y 18-49, sin importar el idioma
2006--Galavisión, la cadena de televisión por cable en español #1 del país, anunció hoy que en la temporada 2005-2006 captó la mayor audiencia de su historia en el horario conocido como día total y también en horario estelar. Durante esa temporada, la cadena por cable ocupó el primer lugar de sintonía entre Adultos Hispanos 18-34 y 18-49, y Hombres Hispanos 18-34 y 18-49, sin importar el idioma.
En comparación con la temporada anterior, Galavisión registró aumentos significativos en su audiencia de Adultos 18-34 (+13%) y 18-49 (+8%) en el horario “día total”, y de Adultos 18-34 (+25%) y 18-49 (+27%) en el horario estelar. Galavisión lleva largo tiempo ocupando el primer lugar de sintonía entre todas las cadenas de televisión en español por cable del país, y 2005-2006 es la cuarta temporada consecutiva en que también queda clasificada como la cadena por cable #1 en cualquier idioma entre Adultos Hispanos 18-34 y Hombres Hispanos 18-34 durante el horario estelar. Además, Galavisión es la cadena de televisión en español por cable con mayor distribución, llegándole al 81% (7.1 millones) de los hogares hispanos abonados al cable en los Estados Unidos, 3 millones de hogares más que su competidor más cercano.
“Estamos sumamente complacidos con nuestro éxito esta temporada”, expresó Joanne Lynch, Vicepresidenta Sénior y Gerente General de Galavisión. “Nuestra nueva programación de horario estelar fue un elemento crucial en el notable crecimiento que experimentó nuestra audiencia este año, la cual aumentó un 21% con respecto al año pasado, permitiéndonos obtener ratings similares a los de las cadenas de televisión abierta. Adicionalmente, tuvimos un importante incremento en distribución, lo cual nos hace posible llegar a un mayor número de televidentes y cumplir con nuestra promesa de conectar a los hispanos de los Estados Unidos con las noticias, los deportes y el entretenimiento que más les interesan”.
Galavisión continuó divirtiendo a su audiencia con su programa de mayor sintonía, “El Chavo”, la comedia clásica que se transmite de lunes a viernes a las 6 p.m. Este/Pacífico. Esta serie superó a Telemundo durante el mismo horario entre Televidentes Femeninas 12-17 (+6%), 12-24 (+30%) y 18-34 (+7%).
La cadena por cable también les brindó a los fanáticos del fútbol cobertura exclusiva del Campeonato Mundial Sub-17 de la FIFA 2005. Transmitido durante el cuarto trimestre del año, este torneo fue el evento deportivo de más alto rating en la historia de la televisión en español por cable. Además, el partido final, jugado el 2 de octubre del 2005, se clasificó como el programa #1 en su horario, ganándole a toda la programación de la televisión en español, por cable y abierta, al captar 1.1 millones de Adultos 18-49.
Nuevos programas de horario estelar son un éxito
-- “En Profundidad”, una revista noticiosa mensual, es uno de los programas de mayor sintonía de Galavisión entre Adultos, Hombres y Mujeres 18-49.
-- “Acceso Máximo”, el primer programa interactivo y en vivo de la cadena, está aportando a su horario un importante aumento de Adultos 18-34 (+7%), Mujeres 18-34 (+43%) y Adultos 18-49 (+10%).
-- “El Rastro del Crimen”, una serie semanal sobre investigaciones de crímenes, está entre los 10 programas más vistos de Galavisión, y experimentó un crecimiento de audiencia de dos dígitos entre Adultos 18-34 (+23%) y 18-49 (+36%).
Fuente: NHTI – Nielsen Media Research. Galavisión, Temporada 05/06 (9/19/05-9/17/06). Crecimiento de audiencia vs. temporada 04/05, crecimiento de programas basado en estreno del programa vs. horario comparable 04/05.
Univision Communications Inc. es la empresa líder de medios de comunicación de habla hispana en Estados Unidos. Sus operaciones incluyen Univision, la cadena de televisión en español más vista en EE.UU., con cobertura del 99% de los hogares hispanos del país; TeleFutura, la cadena de televisión en español lanzada en 2002, con cobertura del 87% de los hogares hispanos de EE.U.U.; Galavisión, la cadena de televisión por cable en español líder en el país; el Grupo de Televisión Univision, propietario y operador de 62 estaciones de televisión en los principales mercados hispanos de EE.UU. y Puerto Rico; Univision Radio, el principal grupo radial en español, propietario y/u operador de 69 emisoras de radio en 16 de los 25 principales mercados hispanos y de 4 emisoras de radio en Puerto Rico; Univision Music Group, que incluye los sellos discográficos Univision Records, Fonovisa Records, La Calle Records y 50% del capital accionario de la empresa mexicana Disa Records, y las empresas editoriales Fonomusic y American Musical Publishing; y Univision Online, el destino de Internet en español más importante de EE.UU. con portal http://www.univision.com. Univision Communications tiene un 50% de participación en TuTv, empresa formada para distribuir en EE.UU los canales de televisión por cable de Televisa, y una participación sin derecho a voto del 14.9% en Entravision Communications Corporation, compañía pública de medios de comunicación en español. Univision Communications tiene su sede principal en Los Ángeles, su centro de operaciones de sus cadenas de televisión en Miami y estaciones y oficinas de ventas de televisión y radio en las principales ciudades de Estados Unidos.
Para mayor información, por favor visite http://www.univision.net.
Información adicional sobre la adquisición y dónde encontrarla.
Univision Communications Inc. (la "Compañía") ha presentado una Declaración para Votación por Poderes y otros documentos relativos a la propuesta adquisición de la Compañía por Umbrella Acquisition Inc. ("Umbrella") a la Comisión de Valores y Bolsas de Valores (“SEC”). SE LES EXHORTA A LOS ACCIONISTAS Y TENEDORES DE TÍTULOS A QUE LEAN LA DECLARACIÓN PARA VOTACIÓN POR PODERES, YA QUE CONTIENE INFORMACIÓN IMPORTANTE ACERCA DE LA COMPAÑÍA Y DE LA PROPUESTA FUSIÓN. Una Declaración para Votación por Poderes definitiva ha sido enviada a los tenedores de títulos de la Compañía pidiendo su aprobación de la transacción. Los accionistas y tenedores de títulos pueden obtener una copia gratis de la Declaración para Votación por Poderes definitiva y otros documentos presentados por la Compañía a la SEC en la página web de la SEC, http://www.sec.gov. La Declaración para Votación por Poderes definitiva y otros documentos relevantes también pueden obtenerse gratis en la página web de la Compañía, http://www.univision.net, o solicitándolos a Univision Communications Inc., 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 3050, Los Angeles, CA 90067, Atención: Relaciones con Accionistas.
La Compañía, los miembros de su Junta Directiva y sus directores ejecutivos pueden ser considerados como participantes en la petición de votos por poder a los accionistas de la Compañía en conexión con la adquisición. Puede encontrarse información sobre la Compañía, los miembros de su Junta Directiva y sus directores ejecutivos en las Declaraciones para Votación por Poderes y los reportes anuales de la Compañía contenidos en los reportes 10-K presentados a la SEC. Puede obtenerse información adicional relativa a lo
s intereses de estas personas leyendo la Declaración para Votación por Poderes.
Venezuela and Argentina: The Hemisphere’s Troubling New Axis
The board of directors of The Latino Coalition (TLC) today announced that its 2006 Small Business Economic Summit will examine the disturbing emergence of a Venezuela-Argentina alliance in South America.
Venezuela’s burgeoning oil wealth has emboldened Hugo Chavez’s efforts to spread his influence across the continent. Just after Chavez bought $3 billion in bonds from Argentina, Argentine President Nestor Kirchner announced a $3.5 billion revival of its mothballed nuclear program. Targeting an economic powerhouse such as Argentina, Chavez’s brand of modern revolutionary politics is unquestionably surfacing in Kirchner’s economic and foreign policy agenda. “Everyone is worried about the nuclear ambitions of unstable leaders in Iran and North Korea, yet we might be having this nightmare developing right in our backyard,” said TLC President Robert Deposada.
Former Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roger Noriega and former National Security Council Staff and Clinton Administration Ambassador to the United Nations Nancy Soderberg will explore the alarming alliance of Venezuela’s Chavez and Argentina’s Kirchner and the two countries’ efforts to marginalize U.S. and free-market influences in South America.
WHO:
Ambassador Roger Noriega, Ambassador Nancy Soderberg
WHAT:
The Latino Coalition’s 2006 Small Business Economic Summit
Venezuela and Argentina: The Hemisphere’s Troubling New Axis
WHEN:
Tuesday, October 3rd, 2006
10:30 AM
WHERE:
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Washington, D.C.
1150 22nd Street, N.W.
The Latino Coalition is a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, D.C. TLC was established in 1995 to address policy issues that directly affect the well-being of Hispanics in the United States. We represent a coalition of local and national organizations and their membership throughout the country. TLC’s agenda is to develop and promote policies that will foster economic equivalency and enhance overall business, economic, and social development of Hispanics.
Nazanin, artista de Bodog Music, hablará en el evento y debate de Amnistía Internacional en la Universidad de Cambridge
Nazanin Afshin-Jam, activista de derechos humanos de origen iraní, artista del sello Bodog Music y antigua Miss Canadá y finalista de Miss Mundo, ha sido invitada a participar en dos prestigiosos eventos. El 8 de octubre en la Potsdamer Platz de Berlín, será la principal oradora en el "Día mundial contra la pena de muerte" de Amnistía Internacional, que estará dedicado a las ejecuciones de niños delincuentes en Irán.
Nazanin dijo al respecto: "Pondremos ocho horcas, cada una con el nombre y la edad de los ocho niños que fueron ejecutados el año pasado en Irán. Colgaremos tarjetas dirigidas al jefe del poder judicial, enfatizando el caso de menores que se actualmente enfrentan una ejecución inminente. Durante mi intervención, pediré al público que corte las tarjetas con tijeras, separándoles simbólicamente de los lazos y las horcas".
Nazanin hablará sobre una joven de 17 años que se llama como ella y que ha sido sentenciada a muerte al defenderse a sí misma y a su sobrina de una violación por tres hombres. La campaña de Nazazin ha recogido más de 200,000 firmas en Internet, lo que atrajo la atención de los medios y el apoyo de los parlamentos de las Naciones Unidas, la Unión Europea y Canadá, así como otras muchas organizaciones de derechos humanos, incluida Amnistía Internacional. Para apoyar la "Campaña Salva a Nazanin" visite www.helpnazanin.com.
El 5 de octubre, la Universidad de Cambridge, Inglaterra, invitará a Nazazin a que hable por segunda vez ante la legendaria Cambridge Union en su primer debate del año. Históricamente, la Cambridge Union ha sido anfitriona de celebridades y líderes políticos internacionales, como Hans Blix, Michael Moore, Ronald Reagan, Helmut Kohl, Nelson Mandela, el arzobispo Desmond Tutu, la reina Noor y el rey Hussein de Jordania, y el Dalai Lama, entre otros.
Nazanin es una artista del sello discográfico Bodog Music que reside en Vancouver, Canadá. Su primer sencillo, "Someday", de su álbum debut que saldrá a principios de 2007, relata la experiencia de su familia al huir de Irán durante la revolución. Nazanin dijo al respecto: "Fue escrita e interpretada de una manera tal que las personas podrán identificarse con otras que han experimentado grandes pérdidas o convulsiones en sus vidas, y podrá motivar a otras muchas a acercarse a aquellos en necesidad y menos afortunados que uno mismo. Mi familia y yo fuimos muy afortunados por poder establecernos en un país como Canadá que nos dio la oportunidad de vivir en libertad y reconstruir nuestras vidas. Sin importar lo joven que era al dejar Irán, las cicatrices emocionales todavía permanecen en mi familia, todavía nos sentimos unidos".
Para más información, póngase en contacto con: publicity@bodogmusic.com.
Acerca de Bodog Music
BodogMusic.com es una división del gigante del entretenimiento digital internacional Bodog.com. Con seis oficinas en el mundo, el sello goza de una diversa y creciente plantilla de músicos talentosos. Bodog Music está buscando la mejor banda sin contrato de América, con "Bodog Battle of the Bands", que tiene lugar en 17 importantes mercados y lleva a cabo más de 300 espectáculos en directo. Calvin Ayre, fundador de Bodog Music y reconocida autoridad mundial del sector del entretenimiento digital, apareció en la portada de la edición de marzo de 2006 de la popular revista "Multimillonarios" de Forbes. Bodog Entertainment Group también incluye una unidad de producción de televisión, una revista en Internet, Bodog Nation, y próximamente más propiedades. Para más información, contacte con publicity@bodogmusic.com. BODOG es una marca comercial registrada de Bodog Entertainment Group S.A.
Sitio Web: http://BodogMusic.com http://www.helpnazanin.com
