Latino Daily News: Bringing You the Latest Hispanic Current Events and News Stories 24/7

Monday, the Supreme Court blocked a sex discrimination lawsuit brought against Walmart Stores on behalf of the women who work for the company, reversing the decision of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

The lawsuit involved 1.6 million women, and Walmart was facing billions of dollars in damages, but the high court’s unanimous ruling put an end to this lawsuit.

Walmart released a statement saying: http://walmartstores.com/pressroom/news/10615.aspx

“We are pleased with today’s ruling and believe the Court made the right decision. Walmart has had strong policies against discrimination for many years. The Court today unanimously rejected class certification and, as the majority made clear, the plaintiffs’ claims were worlds away from showing a companywide discriminatory pay and promotion policy.

“By reversing the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision, the majority effectively ends this class action lawsuit.

“Walmart has a long history of providing advancement opportunities for our female associates and will continue its efforts to build a robust pipeline of future female leaders.”

-Gisel Ruiz, Executive Vice President, People, Walmart U.S.

The massive lawsuit was ruled against, but the plaintiffs may still pursue claims against Walmart, though the amount of money at stake will be significantly less.

If the lawsuit had been allowed, it would have been the largest employment class action in the history of the Unite States.

The original filing alleges that Walmart discriminated against its female employees on pay and advancement.

Read more at USA TODAY →

Barcelona’s Andrés Iniesta has chosen the island of Cerdeña to spend his vacation next to partner Anna Ortiz, and his daughter.
Real Madrid Goalie Iker Casillas, relaxes in Brazil with girlfriend and sports journalist Sara Carbonero.
Shakira and Piqué spent some time in Paris, celebrating their first year together. Then the Barça star went to the beach, where he picked up an unhealthy habit: Cigar smoking.
Barça Captain Carles Puyol and girlfriend are spending some quality time in Ibiza. Puyol recently adopted a cow, which he allegedly milks every morning, to don his girl Malena Costa with fresh milk.

Read more by HS News Staff →

“Netizens” (Citizens of the Net) chose the word Querétaro proposed by actor Gael García Bernal in the poll organized by the Cervantes Institute.

More than 33,000 people voted from a list of more than 30 words proposed by Hispanic personalities, such as Peruvian Nobel Mario Vargas Llosa, Colombian Singer Shakira, Argentine actor Ricardo Darín and many others.

The word chosen by Mexican actor Gael García Bernal, Querétaro, does not appear in the dictionary of the Spanish language, as it is a proper name, that of a city. Its exact definition is a matter of debate, as some say it means “Island of the blue salamanders” and others say it means “Place of the giant rocks.”

Following “Querétaro” were such words as “Gracias” (Thanks), “Libertad” (Freedom) and “Sueño” (Dream), proposed by Spanish singer Raphael, Mario Vargas Llosa, and Spanish Psychologist Luis Rojas Marcos, respectively.

Read more by HS News Staff →

Though recent reports have stated that Hispanics are the fastest growing demographic of tech users, a recent poll has indicated that they are still behind blacks and whites in web usage.

The fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S., Hispanics are at risk of falling behind the times, as experts say more education and employment opportunities are now available online.

The poll from the Washington Post, Kaiser Family Foundation, and Harvard University found that only 72 percent of Hispanics say they use the internet. This average is lower than that of African Americans and whites, and 57 percent say they do not have enough knowledge of computers and technology to hold their own in the current job market.

On the other side, only 46 percent of whites, and 45 percent of blacks polled felt the same insecurity about their ability to be competitive in the employment environment.

The percentage of Hispanics online could have a lot to do with economic factors, as on average, Hispanic families earning at least $40,000 are just as likely as whites and blacks to use the internet, while those making less are less likely to do so. The cost of having an internet-enabled computer at home is another issue, as many Hispanics believe it costs too much. However, not all those without home computers with internet are without a connection all together. Many can still access the internet via their mobile devices.

Also, the language barrier could be an issue. Of those polled in English, 88 percent said they go online at least occasionally, while those that were interviewed in Spanish, only 53 percent could say the same.

Read more at The Washington Post →

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Arizona Joint Field Command is reporting the seizure of more than 18,300 pounds of narcotics with an estimated value of nearly $11.4 million and the apprehension of 2,390 illegal aliens at the Arizona border for the period of June 6–12.

The narcotics seizures consisted of more than 18,113 pounds of marijuana, 76 pounds of methamphetamines and 114 pounds of cocaine. CBP also intercepted and seized $564,451 in illegal outbound currency, eight weapons and seized 21 vehicles used for illicit purposes.

Since launching the Southwest Border Initiative in March 2009, the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Janet Napolitano has engaged in an unprecedented effort to bring focus and intensity to Southwest border security, coupled with a reinvigorated, smart and effective approach to enforcing immigration laws in the interior of our country.

The Joint Field Command integrates the combined assets of the Tucson and Yuma Border Patrol Sectors, the Office of Field Operations’ Tucson Field Office, and the Office of Air and Marine’s Tucson and Yuma Air Branches, enabling CBP leadership in the Arizona area of operations to direct an integrated approach to our mission of border security, commercial enforcement and trade facilitation.

Read more by HS News Staff →

The film titled “Los Gringos No Comen Llajua” (Gringos Don’t Aat Spicy Sauce) has been banned in the Chulumani region of Bolivia after local coca growers say they have been portrayed at criminals.

Director Adán Sarabia has said his production is 100% fictional and is not intended to be political, while denouncing threats and intimidating phones calls made to actors and crew members.

A somewhat puzzled Sarabia explained that disgruntled coca producers from the Bolivian Chulumani area have no real reason to be upset since the movie is a comedy, does not mention the name of the town, and does not show the locals or their coca parcels.

“I was surprised that one of the leaders of the coca growers wanted to know who gave us permission to film a cocaine lab,” said Sarabia before explaining the ‘cocaleros’ or coca producers don’t seem to understand what a film set is, and are under the impression “that what [they’ve] seen in the movie is true but, in reality, that cocaine lab was our artistic recreation.”

In the film, a German traveler is kidnapped by drug traffickers who are under the impression that the foreigner is worth a lot of money.

Sarabia said he has no plans to give in to threats, and is actually pleased about the hullabaloo, as it has given the movie good publicity.

Read more at The Guardian →

Though he has been in office for six months, Florida senator Marco Rubio gave his inaugural speech in the Senate last week, and called for a new “American century” which is to begin a new era of economic prosperity.

“Indeed, we do stand now at a turning point in our history. One where there are only two ways forward for us. We will either bring on another American century, or we are doomed to witness America’s decline,” he said Tuesday.

The Miami-born son of Cuban parents expressed that America is capable of returning to is former greatest, but it is time to look forward, and not back.

“Indeed, we do now stand now at a turning point in our history. One where there are only two ways forward for us. We will either bring on another American century, or we are doomed to witness America’s decline.

“Another American century is fully within our reach, because there is nothing wrong with our people.

“The American people haven’t forgotten how to start a business. The American people haven’t run out of good ideas.

“We Americans are as great as we have ever been. But our government is broken. And it is keeping us from doing what we have done better than any people in the history of the world: Create jobs and prosperity.

The freshman senator added, “If this government will do its part, this generation of Americans will do theirs. They will give us a prosperous, upwardly mobile economy. One where our children will invent, build and sell things to a world where more people than ever can afford to buy them.

…

If we can deliver on a few simple but important things, we have the chance to do something that’s difficult to imagine is even possible. An America whose future will be greater than her past.”

Rebranded “Tr3s Latin Music Channel” launches monthly “El Headliner” competition, giving new Latino artists 360-degree exposure across the network’s multiple platforms.

Tr3s: MTV, Musica y Mas, the bilingual/bi-cultural network for US Latinos, and OurStage.com announce an ongoing partnership to unite emerging artists, music lovers and industry professionals to discover the next great Latino artist. The brands will fuse their music expertise and join forces to create the rebranded “Tr3s Latin Music Channel” featuring original music made by the Latino artists within their 175,000+ Artist Community. New monthly editorial prize “El Headliner” (The Headliner) will award one artist from within the Top 20 fan-ranked music channel unparalleled exposure across the network’s on-air and digital platforms. “Tr3s Latin Music Channel” is available on ourstage.tr3s.com.

“Tr3s is a multi-platform entertainment destination that resonates with our bilingual bicultural audience,” Jose Tillan, GM & EVP of Tr3s. “This partnership reinforces our commitment to delivering new music and innovation, and we look forward promoting the next generation of Latino artists.”

Every month, Tr3s’ judging panel will select the best new music from a fan-ranking on the “Tr3s Latin Music Channel”. The winner will get an artist feature on the network’s entertainment show “Lo Que Te Pica”; Artists will be featured on “Music My Guey” and “Free Latin Music”; and will earn a featured story on Blogamole.

“OurStage has become a cultural force in music and we look forward to expanding their offerings to position the ‘Tr3s Latin Music Channel’ as a leader in Latin music discovery and quality content,” said Hiram Enriquez, Director of Digital Media for Tr3s: MTV, Musica y Mas.  “Our strategic partnership allows us to discover untapped talent and deliver their music to their fans through innovative programs across multiple platforms.”

The partnership will look to develop online integrations that create fan bases for new artists, combining music discovery and the Hispanic audience that lives on Tr3s. Additionally, OurStage.com will serve as a valuable music source for Tr3s’s content properties including the new daily scripted series “Popland”, which is scheduled to premier in October. Music by OurStage artists OH MY!, City City, Matt Dahan, FunkAttack, National Airlines and Bojibian appeared in the first season of the network’s hit series “Ninas Mal”.

Read more by HS News Staff →

As a means of getting it across the U.S.-Mexico borders, cartels have been hiding illegal drugs on railway cars heading north, and now, the U.S. government is slapping hundreds of millions of dollars worth of fines against U.S. railroads, and they are refusing to pay.

The largest rail shipper at the U.S.-Mexico border, Union Pacific has received the bulk of the fines, being ordered to pay over $388 million. This is up from just $37.5 million three years ago at the start of border security’s program to x-ray all trains coming from Mexico into the U.S.

Union Pacific says it is being fined for something that is not its fault, and that it cannot control criminals hiding drugs on their trains in Mexico.

However, the U.S. Department of Justice claims that since UP owns 26 percent of Mexico’s Ferromex railway, it is responsible for controlling what is put on the trains.

UP said it cannot be expected to “send unarmed personnel into Mexico to battle Mexican drug cartels that maliciously murder and wage a war against the Mexican military.”

“Our actions should be applauded, not punished,’’ UP vice president Bob Grimaila told the Associated Press. Each year, UP spends $3.6 million on its own police officers, and had even used another $72.5 million supporting the federal governments efforts to improve security at the border.

Read more at Associated Press →

Close to 1,500 prisoners refuse to surrender and allow military personnel into the second precinct of the prison compound.

The area around Venezuela’s “El Rodeo II” was eerily calm this Monday morning, following an entire weekend of violent clashes between prisoners and the Venezuelan army.

Interior Minister Tareck El Aissami said some 2,500 prisoners have been moved to different jails in Venezuela temporarily, while another 1500 remain inside.

“In two weeks, we’ll return this penitentiary, but in much better conditions,” he said.

Efforts by the Venezuelan authorities to clean up, and improve the human right conditions of inmates have been frustrated by organized inmate mafias in “El Rodeo II,” which refuse to allow officials to enter and conduct searches.

Since Friday, police authorities have been able to control about 70% of the 4,700 inmates in the jail, which has 750 people capacity; officers seized several grenades, rifles and automatic firearms.

El Aissami noted that the situation in the jail is tough because although opposed to the inmates, the National Guard does operate putting the lives of the inmates first. “[The National Guard responds in a] proportional and progressive manner in the use of force, but never directed against the inmate population,” he said.

Two national guards and a prisoner have died, and several dozen others have been wounded.

El Aissami, as well as Venezuelan ombudswoman Gabriela Ramírez, have urged the rioting inmates to cease fire, and dialogue.  Ramírez also said that inmate mafia leaders known as “Pranes” are controlling 90% of the inmates who still resist into combat.

Read more by HS News Staff →

Recent findings in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) suggest that teens are drinking healthy beverages, but also consuming soda. It also found that the amount of soda consumed varies among race/ethnicities.

In the June 17 issue of MMWR, Nancy Brener, PhD, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and her colleagues reported that among 11,429 survey participants, 42 percent had at least one glass of milk a day, and 30.2 percent drank 100 percent fruit juice.

“These are healthful beverages, and milk and 100% fruit juice are sources of key nutrients,” Brener and colleagues stated in the report.

However, among these same teen students, 24.3 percent of them reported also drinking soda every day, 16.1 percent said they had some kind of sports drink each day, and 16.9 percent said they drank some other sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) daily.

The report also stated that among non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, Hispanic, and male and female students, the differences in beverage consumption were significant.

For instance, “Although water consumption did not vary by sex, male students were more likely than female students to drink milk and 100% fruit juices daily. White students were more likely than black students and Hispanic students to drink both water and milk daily, and Hispanic students were more likely than black students to drink milk daily. White students were less likely than black students and Hispanic students to drink 100% fruit juices daily,” the report stated.

It also states that “male students were more likely than female students to drink soda or pop and sports drinks daily, but no sex differences were detected in the daily consumption of other SSBs. For all three types of drinks, black students were more likely than white students and Hispanic students to report daily consumption. In addition, Hispanic students were more likely than white students to drink sports drinks daily. In addition, 15.6% of high school students nationwide drank soda or pop two or more times per day, 9.2% drank sports drinks two or more times per day, and 9.8% drank other SSBs two or more times per day. During the 7 days before the survey, 62.8% of high school students drank any combination of these beverages daily, and 32.9% drank any combination of these beverages two or more times per day.”

In the end, the researchers said, “Targeted efforts are especially needed to reduce consumption of SSBs among male and black adolescents.”

Read more at Centers for Disease Control & Prevention →

Over this past weekend in different parts of Michoacán,ten Narco banners appeared signed by The Knights Templar. The cartel states that they will continue to do the righteous thing and to exterminate those considered traitors.

They then went on to prove their threat by executing eight men they said were found to be traitors. In the early hours of Saturday, authorities confirmed that in the city of Lazaro Cardenas, several bodies were found; the victims were blindfolded and handcuffed.

Specifically In the Roundabout La Watch, authorities found three bodies. In the Bypass Guacamayas they found three more. While on Jaime Torres Bodet Avenue, opposite the C-4, were abandoned two other men.
All were placed with an ice pick thru a Narco message.
” This is going to happen to all the supporters of the La Familia Michoacana” Sincerely,
Knights Templar

Reports said they were a total eight killed, and all these had signs of torture. One person did survive because they played dead and was taken by paramedics to a Red Cross hospital.

Read in Spanish Here

Read more by HS News Staff →

Fans used social networks to gather more “monsters” and shoot a “GagaVideoMob” asking her to come to Madrid.

“We’ve created a new format called “VideoMob,” explained Eduardo Sanz Murillo, a senior at the Carlos III University. Spain is always left behind in tours, and so we hope our video is a creative way for Gaga to take notice.We hope Lady Gaga will come to Madrid to promote her latest album Born This Way,” said Sanz.

Read more at El País →

Sources outside of law enforcement have confirmed that Heriberto “El Lazca” Lazcano , the leader of the Zetas, was killed Friday in a firefight with rival Gulf Cartel.

The Mexico Defense Ministry has disputed the claim.

Born on Christmas Day 1974, Lazcano was one of the founding members of the Zetas, founded by elite Mexican army soldiers who defected to side with the Gulf Cartel.

The Gulf Cartel employed the Zetas as their mercenary enforcement arm for years.

The latter group gradually gained power, and the friends turned foes in February 2010, when the alliance dissolved. The split sent much of Northeast Mexico into disarray as the two drug trafficking organizations struggled to control territory, including prized smuggling routes into South Texas.

U.S. prosecutors named Lazcano, also known as “El Verdugo,” Spanish for executioner, as one of several kingpins of the Zetas and Gulf Cartel in a June 2009 indictment filed in U.S. federal court in the District of Columbia. Beyond outlining the operation of the then allied force, known as “The Company,” prosecutors allege Lazcano took part in trafficking a 13-ton load of cocaine from Colombian suppliers into Mexico in 2007.

Read more at The Monitor →