 Edición Semanaria de Noticiero Latino |
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December 2004
December 3rd | Listen to the program
SOLDIERS’ FAMILIES ON ALERT - November has proven to be the deadliest month for U.S. troops serving in Iraq, equaling April’s bloody toll. In response to these escalating hostilities, the Pentagon had just announced the deployment and retention of more than 10,000 reinforcement soldiers. The news has put soldiers’ families on maximum alert, suffering for their loved ones. Deleina Rodriguez and Fannie Rodriguez, are two mothers pleading for the safety of their sons. In the following conversation with Samuel Orozco, Deleina and Fannie speak about how they feel these days.
MEASURE FOR VEGETABLE STORES WORKERS - New York City vegetable stores workers are beginning to see the results of a program established to protect their rights, promoted by the local attorney. The state's attorney’s office will waive fines imposed on owners that have violated the Federal Labor Law in exchange for them signing a labor conduct code which commits them to respect the rights of their workers. A few weeks before the program ends, almost 200 out of the 2,000 businesses on the trade have signed up. Marco Vinicio Gonzalez shares details from New York City.
MEXICO WITHOUT 2005 BUDGET - For first time in modern history, a Mexican president stresses to achieve authorization for his federal budget. For the past 70 years, while the PRI Party was in power, budgets were always approved exactly as president drafted them. Today, the budget remains at a stalemate in discussions between President Vicente Fox and Congress. And more discussions will not happen until December 14th, just one day before the official closure of the legislative session, when opposition leaders have said they'll get back to the issue. Analysts say that Mexicans may start off the new year without a federal budget to pay for public services. Citlali Saenz reports from Mexico City.
December 10th | Listen to the program
9-11 INTELLIGENCE OVERHAUL - After weeks of negotiations and intense debate, both houses in Congress approve legislation that reforms the nation’s intelligence services in an attempt to prevent another terrorist attack. The bill’s final draft dismisses tough immigration provisions including restrictions to political asylum petitions and bans on driver’s licenses for the undocumented. Patricia Guadalupe shares details from Washington, DC.
FAMILIES SEEKING JUSTICE - International observers are keeping a close watch on the unresolved murder and disappearance of an alarming number of women in the border city of Ciudad Juarez. While the Mexican government has offered homes and compensation to several of the victims’ mothers, many families say that justice is still missing. On the eve of International Human Rights Day, our correspondent in Albuquerque Kent Paterson files the following report narrated by Maria Eraña.
December 17th | Listen to the program
LATINOS ABSENT FROM MEDIA - Latinos, the second largest group in the nation, are still absent from the main news networks in the nation. This is what a recent study from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists says. The situation has changed very little since the beginning of this annual investigation, that started nine years ago, and this worries the report’s authors. Patricia Guadalupe shares details from Washington, DC.
“PLAY HARD TO GET VS AIDS” - Being married does not exempt women from the Acquire Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. This is the word of warning that health promoters want to deliver on this immigrants’ day, when they began to speak to motorists and distribute pamphlets with the slogan “Play hard to get against AIDS.” Our correspondent, Marco Vinicio Gonzalez traveled to the San Diego/Tijuana border checkpoint where many migrants travel back to their home town, and reports on the reactions of these men and women to the “Play hard to get against AIDS” campaign.
COMMUNITY RADIOS IN MEXICO - In an unprecedented decision, the Administration of Mexican President Vicente Fox announces that it will grant operation licenses to 13 community radio stations. This happens at a time when opposition legislators are pushing for changes in the Federal Law for Radio and Television to regulate the excessive influence of 12 business groups over the media. In addition, international organizations have intervened recently in favor of the civil groups seeking access to the public airwaves. Raul Silva shares details from Mexico City.
December 24th | Listen to the program
SOCIAL SECURITY PRIVATIZATION - Privatizing Social Security will be one of the top priorities for the new Bush administration. This is what President Bush announced this week when he talked about his domestic agenda for the next four years. The president said this is his administration’s response to the crisis of the Social Security system, which is suffering a multi million-dollar deficit. However, opposition congressmen and pro minority organizations affirm that the investment of the social security funds on private accounts would jeopardize poor retirees’ benefits. Patricia Guadalupe shares the details in Washington, D.C.
TB AT THE BORDER - TB’s epidemic almost disappeared a few decades ago, but now is coming back to attack thousands, especially at the border cities. In those cities, there are many difficulties to fight the illness. Some people struggle to get proper testing, and when the infection is finally detected it’s too late. Other people migrate and discontinue the treatment, creating super microbes, which are more resistant to the medicine. In response, ten border states have been working together for the last decade to help with early detection and treatment continuity on both sides of the border. Marco Vinicio Gonzalez reports.
GOING BACK TO YOURS - Motivated by the American Dream, one of many thousands of Mexicans that leave their hometown to work in the U.S., left his friends and family in search of a better future. After having been gone for six years, finally he was able to come back to his hometown to accomplish another dream: to celebrate Christmas with his family, and to have his parents carry and cuddle his young son, who they have not even met. Citlali Saenz was at the airport waiting for him with his family, which was overwhelmed by emotion.
December 31st | Listen to the program
U.S. SAILOR RESIGNS - On December 6th, U.S. sailor Pablo Paredes publicly refused to board a war ship destined for Iraq. Paredes argued that even though he would not be running any risks, he would be responsible for transporting thousands of soldiers to die at the battlefront. As he turned himself in to military authorities, Paredes asked to be treated as a conscious objector. At this time, authorities are investigating the case and if they decide to deny the petition, Paredes may be sent to a military prison. Marco Vinicio Gonzalez shares details.
TOP OF THE LINE MEZCAL - Tequila is perhaps the most recognized Mexican beverage in the world, but its cousin the mezcal, also a product from an agave plant, is becoming more popular and is winning its place in the international market. These is why, farm workers from the southern state of Guerrero, in Mexico, are working to produce a high-quality mezcal, that is also friendly to the environment. Jana Schroeder files the following report.
TANIA LIBERTAD - Tania Libertad is one of the most recognized singers from Latin America. The Peruvian artist has 37 albums and has sung all kinds of musical genres. And even though Tania’s repertoire has always included Afro-Peruvian music, it wasn’t until a few years ago, with her productions Costa Negra and Negro Color, that she accomplished the realization of her wish to interpret negro music accompanied by African musicians. Samuel Orozco spoke with Libertad on these productions and on her fondness to Mexico.