 Edición Semanaria de Noticiero Latino |
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January 2004
January 2nd | Listen to the program
10 YEARS AFTER NAFTA - Just ten years ago, the North American Free Trade Agreement was implemented. NAFTA promised economic growth, less obstacles for businesses, better salaries and less forced migration. However, today there is more people suffering, especially field workers in the southern part of México and sweatshop workers in the North. This is what a couple of journalists say. They are Sara Lovera, director of the news agency CIMAC in Mexico, and David Bacon, author of the book "The Children of NAFTA". Sara Shakir files this report.
HOUSING FOR FIELD WORKERS - After a long fight against the strawberry and flower agroindustries, finally daylaborers will have a place to live. In a unusual alliance, the Carlsbad City government and the ranchers have agreed to build 60 dorms for 300 field workers. These houses however, may not be finished on time to give a place to stay to hundreds of workers that will be evacuated soon from the improvised camps that they live in, under the trees. From San Diego, Marco Vinicio González reports.
NEW YEAR IN MEXICO - While President Vicente Fox asks the population to have hope for the New Year, more Mexicans start 2004 borrowing money at the pawn shop, just for little money they live their cherish objects to get out of financial trouble. The lines of the most famous pawn shop, El Monte de Piedad, are full with the unemployed, but also with all those who overspent only a week ago, for the holidays. This year, El Monte de Piedad increased it's clientele by 18 percent. Citlali Sáenz shares the story from Mexico City.
January 9th | Listen to the program
AIRPORTS SECURITY - Starting 2004, the Department of Homeland Security started the antiterrorist program known as US Visit. The objective of the new program is to register digital fingerprints and photographs of the 24 million visitors entering the 115 airports and 14 maritime ports of the nation, annually. In general, travelers have been patient, but for some critics like Lilia Velasquez, immigration lawyer in San Diego, California, the new system registering foreign visitors is inefficient and it's tainted with electoral purposes. Marco Vinicio Gonzalez reports.
WAR IN IRAQ - A United States delegation of parents of soldiers in the war in Iraq returned recently from that country. Their intention was to gather first hand information about the situation in that country and the well being of their sons and daughters. Two Latino parents were part of that delegation and now, after their return, they are asking that the troops be return back home as soon as possible. Our correspondent in Los Angeles, Ruben Tapia reports.
IMMIGRANTS NUTRITION - To many Latino immigrants, life in the United States comes with changes that include more consumption of sodas and processed foods. According to doctors and specialist these changes are creating serious health problems. In this report, Central Valley residents give their reasons why they prefer sodas and junk food, while others turn back to their traditional dishes and natural beverages, as a healthier alternative.
January 16th | Listen to the program
AMERICAS SUMMIT - During this week's Summit of the Americas, presidents George W. Bush and Vicente Fox, of Mexico, renewed a dialogue that was suspended after disagreements over the war in Iraq. However, other Latin American countries, such as Venezuela and Argentina, left the Summit with little hope and strong criticism of U.S policies toward the region. Citlali Sáenz reports from Mexico City.
DAY LABORERS PERSECUTION - Close to 300 day laborers from Freehold, New Jersey are confronting a campaign to remove them from the streets, organized by the City Mayor, police and a group of residents. Civil rights organizations believe that the campaign is rooted in racism and financial interest because the majority of the workers are Mexican and undocumented. Lately, the day laborers have formed an alliance with an African American religious congregation that fights to keep alive the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Our correspondent in New York Marco Vinicio Gonzalez has the details.
ARTHRITIS PREVENTION - Many Latinos suffer from arthritis and joint damage that can eventually lead to knee and hip surgery. Since many don't see a doctor often, health experts suggest following some preventative measures. Dr. Elmer Huerta, a specialist at the George Washington Hospital Center in D.C., shares advice on lifestyle changes that may help prevent arthritis. Raul Silva reports.
January 23rd | Listen to the program
STATE OF THE UNION - President Bush' third and last State of the Union address, was full of optimism. Members of the White House highlighted the speech's emphasis on the fight against terrorism and the call to make permanent the tax cuts. However, Democrats in Congress argue that social programs were largely missing from the President's speech. Patricia Guadalupe in Washington files this report.
NEWSPAPERS MERGER - The two largest Spanish-language newspapers recently announced their consolidation. El Diario/La Prensa in New York and La Opinión in Los Angeles came together under a new partnership called Impremedia. The owners of the new media outlet say they want to expand to new burgeoning Latino cities and to improve their current regional publications. Correspondent Marco Vinicio González has the details from New York.
POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN MEXICAN TOWN - Some residents of Tlalnepantla, a farming town in Central Mexico, were arrested after the local police cracked down on a demonstration in the main square. Claiming electoral fraud, a group of neighbors disowned the local mayor and state authorities, and took to the streets in civil disobedience. Raul Silva visited the city of Tlalnepantla.
January 30th | Listen to the program
IMMIGRATION REFORM - President Bush' controversial immigration reform plan proposing temporary work permits for undocumented immigrants is facing strong opposition in the US Congress. This week, Democratic leaders criticized the plan for failing to include a road to legalization, while some Republicans argued it will encourage illegal immigration. Our correspondent in Washington, Patricia Guadalupe, spoke about this issue with Eduardo Aguirre Jr, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
MEXICO'S ANTI-POVERTY LAW - Mexican president, Vicente Fox, recently signed new legislation to fight poverty. The new initiative called "The Law for Social Development," is announced to protect public education, health, food programs and jobs from budget cuts. However, analysts say that President Fox's efforts to tax food and medicines undermine the anti-poverty law. Correspondent Citlali Saenz files the report from Mexico City.
IMMIGRANTS AND DIABETES - Mexican immigrants in the United States experience higher risk to develop diabetes when they adopt the habits and lifestyle of their new land. These are preliminary conclusions of current studies. However, some patients and doctors say the medical treatment offered in the U.S. is better than the one received in their home mother country. Marco Vinicio González spoke to some patients and doctors in San Francisco and files the report.