Sunday, July 27, 2008    WebSite Search       Home      About HLAI      Membership      Events      News      Resources      Attorney Directory      HLAI Charities      JD Mentors      Contact Us      Register  Login   News     News Feeds (RSS) U.S. Senate Passes Housing Bill The U.S. Senate used a rare weekend session Saturday to pass a landmark housing bill meant to mitigate the ongoing mortgage crisis. The Washington Post said the bill, which offers up to $300 billion in loan guarantees for consumers saddled with subprime, adjustable-rate mortgages, was passed by a Senate vote of 72 to 13.... U.S. House Holds Hearing to Criticize President Bush A U.S. House committee held a hearing on Friday for critics of President George W. Bush's policies. The Democratic-dominated Judiciary Committee insisted that the hearing was not about impeachment of President Bush but a chance to charge him with all his impeachable "high crimes and misdemeanors." ... Baseball Game-Day Trade: Nady, Marte, Tabata The New York Yankees acquired outfielder Xavier Nady and left-hander Damaso Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates, bolstering their bullpen and offense ahead of next week's trade deadline. New York parted with top outfield prospect Jose Tabata and three other minor leaguers. Nady, batting .330 with 13 home runs and 57 RBIs, started Friday's game for the Pirates but left after the first inning. ... New Report on Drug-Free Zone Inequities Provides Opportunity for 'Smart On Crime' Sentencing Reforms in Massachusetts BOSTON, July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report shows that Massachusetts' drug-free zone laws fail to improve children's safety and are a driving force behind the increased incarceration of minorities and the poor.... National Fair Housing Commission to Focus on Gulf Coast Housing Crisis in the Wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita HOUSTON, July 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Thursday, July 31, 2008, Gordan Quan, former Houston Mayor Pro Tem and Chair of the Housing Committee for the City of Houston, and Okianer Christian Dark, Associate ... Why Non-White Communities Could Be Hit The Hardest By Climate Change CHICAGO, July 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Public Radio presents the panel discussion "Covering Climate Change: Why Non-White Communities Could Be Hit the Hardest," as part of the UNITY '08 Convention.... Oil Prices Slide Below $124 NEW YORK(Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Crude oil resumed its slide and settled below $124 U.S. Friday on falling fuel demand caused by a slow economy and supply increase from the OPEC countries. Light, sweet crude for September delivery dropped $2.23 to settle at $123.26 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.... Feds Look into Energy Group Wracked by Losses TULSA, Okla. (AP)- - Federal regulators and the <a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/" target="_blank">U.S. Attorney's Office</a> opened an investigation into Tulsa-based <a href="http://www.semgrouplp.com/" target="_blank">SemGroup LP</a>, which filed for bankruptcy this week after losing a reported $2.4 billion in hedged trading on the oil futures markets.... GE Realigns into Four Segments SAN FRANCISCO (Thomson Financial) - General Electric said Friday it will reorganize and simplify its corporate structure to align its businesses for "growth and efficiency." Effective immediately, the Fairfield, Conn.-based diversified conglomerate will move to four business segments from six, including two infrastructure segments.... Schwarzenegger Signs Bill Banning Trans Fats in California ... Conference to Turn Scientists of Color into PA-Based Entrepreneurs Set for November PITTSBURGH, July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- With the life sciences positioned to drive Pennsylvania's economic future, finding an advantage amidst global competition requires finding new and overlooked resources. The bench2BUSINESS 2008 Conference and Awards Celebration, Nov. 8-9, does just that, and will help secure that edge.... Leaders of Four Metro Atlanta Municipalities Outline Broadband Goals at Alliance for Digital Equality's Digital Empowerment Summit 2008 ATLANTA, July 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The leaders of four metro Atlanta municipalities gave highlights of their broadband initiatives at the first ever Digital Empowerment Summit, hosted by The Alliance for Digital Equality (ADE).... New Study Confirms Rising Energy Costs Disproportionately Impacting Minority Households CHICAGO, July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 2001, energy costs for the average U.S. household have more than doubled, and sharply escalating gasoline prices are straining the budgets of lower- and middle-class minority families. Those are the findings of a new study released today by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) during a press conference in Chicago.... SUV, Pickup Sales Feel Effects of Gas Crunch The rise in the price of oil and gas has had mixed effects on the sales of full-size pickups and sport utility vehicles, according to Clovis and Portales dealerships. "With the rise in gas prices we've seen an increased interest in fuel efficient cars and pickups with smaller engines," said Shawn Hamilton, owner of Big Country Ford in Clovis and Hamilton GM Country in Portales.... Late July Reuters/Michigan Consumer Sentiment Rises to 61.2 WASHINGTON (Thomson Financial) -- Consumer sentiment, as measured by the <a href="http://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/" taret="_blank">Reuters/University of Michigan index</a>, rose unexpectedly to 61.2 in late July from a reading of 56.6 in early July.... FCC'S XM-Sirius Merger Proviso is Unconstitutional! DENVER, July 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A demand by a federal agency that two companies agree to a race-based set aside as a condition to approval of their merger today drew a warning that the provision is unconstitutional from a western, nonprofit, public-interest law firm known for civil rights litigation.... Nissan Gets Tennessee's Economy Going NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- In Tennessee, the automotive industry is viewed as a catalyst for future economic growth and as part of the foundation for the state's evolution from one of the nation's poorest states to better times -- a hopeful attitude that is vastly different from Michigan's automotive anxiety.... Dara Torres' Swimming Coach Seriously Ill ... Mahorn, 10 Players Suspended After WNBA Brawl UNCASVILLE -- The WNBA reacted swiftly to its first major on-court incident Thursday by handing down suspensions and fines to 11 players and coaches of the Los Angeles Sparks and Detroit Shock for their part in Tuesday's brawl in Auburn Hills, Mich.... Mini Office Makes Management Manageable An El Paso company has created a new business-management software tool for small or medium companies and has big plans to take the Web-based system national and global. Software Engineering of Texas Inc. has launched what it calls an integrated Internet-based software "environment," which allows a small business to manage all aspects of its operations using just one program.... Hasbro Sues Over Online Scrabble Clone NEW YORK (dpa) -- American toy maker <a href="http://www.hasbro.com" target="_blank">Hasbro </a>sued two Indian programmers Thursday for launching an online copy of its Scrabble board game on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com" target="_blank"></a>Facebook social networking site.... Obama Airs Campaign Ad on Spanish Stations Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama took to the airwaves in Spanish on Wednesday, airing a radio ad that emphasizes his life story. "Some people have power in connections," says the ad, which is running on Spanish-language stations in Nevada, New Mexico, Florida and Colorado.... US Foreclosure Filings More than Double The number of households facing the foreclosure process more than doubled in the second quarter compared to a year ago, according to data released Friday. Nationwide, 739,714 homes received at least one foreclosure-related notice during the quarter, or one in every 171 U.S.... NYC Tourism Officials Urge Locals to Take a 'Staycation' NEW YORK (AP) - New York City tourism officials are hoping that residents facing rising gas prices and pricey airline fares will choose to vacation at home this summer. NYC & Company is launching an advertising campaign urging New Yorkers to "Go Local" with a staycation.... Boeing Stock Slumps for Second Day Shares in The Boeing Co. took their biggest tumble in a month Thursday, a day after the company failed to impress Wall Street with a less-than-stellar earnings report. Boeing declined $4.19, or 6.3 percent, which followed a drop of 3.7 percent Wednesday when it announced disappointing earnings for the second quarter.... Microsoft Defends its Big Online Gamble <a href="http://www.microsoft.com" target="_blank">Microsoft Corp.</a> sought to persuade skeptical investors Thursday that spending on its unprofitable Internet business will be a worthwhile bet in the long run.... Microsoft Products Tops at E3 Media and Business Summit Every competition has winners and losers. The E3 Media and Business Summit is no different. Since 1995, E3 has been the video game industry's ultimate dog show. The companies trot out their prized possessions and hope to garner enough buzz.... Samsung Extends Losses Samsung Electronics tumbled more than 5 percent after the firm reported weaker-than expected net earnings for the second quarter Friday, with prospects for the second half increasingly dim. Samsung Elec's April-June net profit rose 51 percent to 2.14 trillion won, lower than analyst estimates of 2.30 trillion won.... Honda Posts Record Net Profit on China Demand Honda Motor Co., Japan's second-largest automaker by sales, on Friday reported a record net profit for the first quarter ended June, buoyed by strong demand in China. A reduction in sales promotion incentives in the United States, cost-cuts and brisk sales of its vehicles also helped offset the adverse impact of a firmer yen and rising procurement cost of materials such as steel.... McCain Could Name Running Mate Soon: Romney, Pawlenty, Jindal, Portman, Ridge Aides to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., indicate the likely Republican U.S. presidential candidate may select a running mate before the Summer Olympics in Beijing. Two top McCain aides said the decision could be announced after likely Democratic challenger Sen.... Wachovia CFO Thomas Wurtz to Step Down SAN FRANCISCO (Thomson Financial via COMTEX) -- Wachovia Corp. late Thursday said that Thomas Wurtz plans to step down as chief financial officer after a successor is named. The Charlotte, N.C.-based financial-services company said it will begin an immediate search for a replacement.... U.S. Mortgage Rates Rose During Week WASHINGTON (UPI via COMTEX) -- Interest rates for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages rose in the United States in the last week, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. said Thursday. The 30-year, fixed-interest rate averaged 6.63 percent with an average 0.6 points for the week ending July 24, compared with 6.26 percent the previous week, Freddie Mac said.... U.S. Wants Better Disclosure of 401(k) Fees; Simpler, Clearer Data Would Begin Jan. 1 Comparing what it costs to invest through your 401(k) plan could get easier under a new proposal the U.S. Labor Department unveiled on Wednesday. The proposed regulation would require employers to disclose -- in a concise format -- more information on the fees and expenses on investments in 401(k) plans, as well as showing how well those investments have performed.... Home Foreclosures up 13.8 Percent The number of home foreclosures filed by US homeowners was up sharply in the second quarter of 2008, indicating the housing downturn that is acting as a drag on the entire US economy has not yet hit bottom.... Durable Goods Orders Up 0.8 Percent Orders to factories for big-ticket manufactured goods such as cars, appliances and machinery rose at the fastest pace in four months in June, a much stronger showing than had been expected. The Commerce Department reported Friday that orders for durable goods increased 0.8 percent last month, far better than the 0.4 percent decline that economists had been expecting.... China Faces Challenges Maintaining Stable Economic Growth China is facing increasing challenges in maintaining fast and stable economic growth amid growing international uncertainties and domestic economic difficulties, the Communist Party's decision-making body said, according to state TV In a meeting chaired by President Hu Jintao, the politburo reiterated that curbing inflation is a top priority for the government.... All Types of Mortgages Rate Increases Mortgage rates shot up this week with 30-year mortgages climbing to the highest level in nearly a year, reflecting concerns in financial markets about the troubles at corporate giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.... One Killed in Bangalore Bomb Blasts At least one person was killed and six wounded Friday when five blasts shook India's southern city of Bangalore, police said. The low-intensity explosions took place near crowded areas and bus stations in five areas, including Madiwala, Adugodi and Vittal Mallya Road in the city, which is considered India's information-technology capital.... Senator Barack Obama to Speak at Journalists of Color Convention CHICAGO, July 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama will speak Sunday, July 27 to attendees of UNITY '08, here for the quadrennial convention of UNITY Journalists of Color, Inc.... Plenary Session at UNITY '08 on Globalization at 9:00 A.M. in Skyline Ballroom CHICAGO, July 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Environmental activist Winona LaDuke and James Makawa, CEO of The Africa Channel will be featured at the UNITY plenary session "What the World Needs Now: ... GEO Announces the Sale of Its Participation in Hipotecaria Su Casita MEXICO CITY, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Corporacion GEO S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: GEOB / ADR Level I CUSIP: 21986V204 / Latibex: XGEO), GEO, one of Mexico's leading low-income housing developers, has announced the sale of its 6.94% stake in Hipotecaria Su Casita, subsequent to the offer made by Caja Madrid.... Corporacion GEO Reports Industry Record Revenue and EBITDA Growth MEXICO CITY, July 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Corporacion GEO S.A.B de C.V. (BMV: GEOB; CORPGEO MX, ADR Level I CUSIP: 21986V204; Latibex: XGEO) GEO, one of Mexico's leading low-income housing developers, today announced 2Q08 results. Year-on-year sales, EBITDA and net income rose 27.1%, 25.2% and 11.1%, respectively.... Latino Commission on AIDS Welcomes Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza as its Newest 'Madrina' in the Fight Against AIDS NEW YORK, July 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza is the newest "Madrina" of the Latino Commission on AIDS, announced Dennis deLeon, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS.... Saving Strategies in a Bear Market It's difficult to make sense out of today's financial markets - or dollars, for that matter. Seasoned investors who've experienced the Wall Street roller coaster ride for years and less experienced investors are equally perplexed.... New Pew Research Indicates Overwhelming Support For Obama Among Hispanics <a href="http://pewhispanic.org/" target="_blank">The Pew Hispanic Center, </a>a nonpartisan research organization, today released its findings from a report it conducted June 9 through July 13, 2008.... W Holding Company, Inc. the Bank Holding Company of Westernbank Puerto Rico Notified by NYSE of Non-Compliance with a Continued Listing Standard MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- W Holding Company, Inc. , the bank holding company for Westernbank Puerto Rico (the "Company"), today announced that it has been notified by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.... El Voto Hispano II <!-- El Voto Hispano II --> Para los Senadores McCain y Obama, julio ha sido un mes de intensa campaña entre los votantes hispanos. Ambos posibles candidatos han hecho presentaciones ante las asambleas de tres importantes organizaciones hispanas, mientras que el Senador McCain ha visitado Colombia y México.... House Hunt: For Some, Now May Be the Right Time LOS ANGELES--Hispanics are expected to drive the first-time homebuyer market in the coming decade. They will represent as much as 40 percent of all new homeowners, according to the <a href="http://www.jchs.harvard.edu/" target="_blank">Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies</a>.... Road Rage: What to Do <!-- Road Rage: What to Do --> Road rage. It's hard to understand, yet it happens to everyone. In fact, you may be a victim and not even know it -– or a victim and perpetrator, all wrapped up in one big bundle of frazzled nerves. Here's how to battle road rage--tips for staying calm, cool, and in one piece!... Officially Unveiled: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, Photos & Video <!-- Officially Unveiled: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, Photos & Video --> The speculation ends now as Chevrolet (finally) unveils the next Camaro.... Video: 2009 Mazda Mazda6 <!-- Video: 2009 Mazda Mazda6 --> The 2009 Mazda Mazda6 is a nice progression to car we already admire. The added power will nicely complement its tight handling, and the increased interior volume addresses one of our biggest complaints about the outgoing model.... Review: 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec In a "good diesel" for "great diesel" swap, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec replaces the ML320 CDI. The BlueTec V-6 is the cleanest diesel engine out there, plus it's got impressive performance and fuel economy. Like every 2009 M-Class, the ML320 BlueTec enjoys an exterior/interior refreshening, as well as M-B's collision-anticipating Pre-Safe system.... President of Colorado State University Joins National Society of Hispanic MBAs Board of Directors DALLAS, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Larry Edward Penley, president of Colorado State University to the 2008 National Board of Directors.... State Data Show Illinois State Police 'Consent' Search Minority Drivers More Often, Find Contraband Less Frequently Compared to White Drivers CHICAGO, July 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A diverse group of Illinois civil rights organizations today called on Governor Rod Blagojevich to bar the practices of "consent searches" during routine traffic stops by the Illinois State Police.... World's Top Players in Hunt for W&SFG Masters Title MASON, Ohio, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- How strong is the field for Cincinnati's 2008 Western & Southern Financial Group Masters? Only 44 men are given direct acceptance into the singles draw, and the last man on the preliminary list is ranked No. 44, the tournament announced today.... MMBDC Holding Fifth Annual Supplier Diversity Breakfast August 20 in Battle Creek DETROIT, July 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Providing another important networking opportunity for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), the Michigan Minority Business Development Council (MMBDC) will hold its Fifth Annual Supplier Diversity Breakfast & Supply Chain Summit on Wednesday, August 20, at the Kellogg Arena & McCamly Plaza in Battle Creek.... Schwarzenegger Plans to Cut CA State Worker Pay to Cope with Late Budget <a href="http://gov.ca.gov/" target="_blank">Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger</a> plans to sign an executive order next week that will temporarily reduce pay for more than 200,000 state workers to the federal minimum wage of $6.55 per hour to preserve cash in the midst of a month-long budget standoff, according to a draft copy of the order obtained by The Bee.... IOC Confirms Ban on Iraq Athletes Competing at Olympics ... U.S. Home Sales Dropped in June WASHINGTON (UPI via COMTEX) -- Existing home sales fell by a seasonally adjusted 2.6 percent in June, the <a href="http://www.realtor.org/" target="_blank">National Association of Realtors</a> said Thursday.... Spokesman Urges U.S. to Stop 'Disrupting Olympics with Rights Issues' BEIJING (Xinhua) -- Commenting on July 24 on a proposal on China introduced by the U.S. Congress House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said: China consistently opposes the [politicization] of the Olympic Games.... U.S. Military Veteran Opens Store Under Little Caesars Veterans Program STAFFORD, Va., July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. today celebrates another store grand opening under the Little Caesars Veterans Program as U.S. Veteran and Little Caesars franchisee, Richard Cozier, opens his doors for business at 1465 Stafford Market Place, Suite 109 in Stafford, Virginia.... Wumblers Fly High With Skeye FORT LEE, N.J., July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The Giddy Gander Company has signed a deal with Skeye Inflight Entertainment, http://www.skeye.tv/ , to distribute THE WUMBLERS children's television series and brand across the friendly skies.... Microsoft Exec to Depart for Juniper Networks The <a href="http://www.microsoft.com" target="_blank">Microsoft Corp.</a> president in charge of the company's big Windows and Internet units is leaving in a shake-up that will give Chief Executive Steve Ballmer closer oversight of both.... On Immigration, McCain And Obama Very Much Alike WASHINGTON -- Like many voters who are concerned about immigration, Angelica Salis has warm feelings and nagging doubts about both John McCain and Barack Obama. "McCain has been very much engaged in this issue for a long time," the Los Angeles community activist said.... Minimum Wage Increases Today The new $6.55 per hour federal minimum wage, which takes effect today, could help people adjust to rising food and fuel prices. But Muskogee restaurant owners, who hire mostly minimum wage workers, say it also could force them to raise their prices even more.... El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Now Runs Center The El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is adding another tool to help larger, more-established minority-owned businesses grow. The Hispanic Chamber is now operating the Minority Business Enterprise Center out of its office at 2401 E. Missouri in Central El Paso.... Obama Meets Merkel Ahead of Berlin Speech Presidential hopeful Barack Obama met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Thursday for talks on key international issues. German government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm described the talks as "very open and in depth," adding they were held in a good atmosphere.... Ford Motor Loses $8.7 Billion in 2Q US automotive concern Ford Motor Company <strong> NYSE:F </strong> reported Thursday that it lost 8.7 billion dollars in the second quarter of 2008 amid writedowns in the value of its assets. The Dearborn, Michigan-based group said the figure compared with a net profit of 750 million dollars in the second quarter of 2007.... Obama in Berlin for Foreign Policy Speech Presidential hopeful Barack Obama arrived in Berlin Thursday to make the key speech of an overseas tour aimed at enhancing his foreign policy credentials for the US electorate. The Democratic Party senator then travelled to central Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.... 'Wall Street Got Drunk' US President George W Bush summed up the problems in the US economy by telling a private gathering that "Wall Street got drunk" and is now suffering a "hangover." (See video below) "Wall Street got drunk - that's one reason I told you turn the cameras off - it got drunk and now it's got a hangover," Bush said at the fundraiser in Houston.... To Expand Your Business, Go Home ... McCain Steps Up Criticism of Obama on Middle East Senator John McCain and his campaign sharply stepped up criticism of Senator Barack Obama on Tuesday as a craven and naive traveler to the Middle East who, as McCain put it at a raucous town-hall-style meeting here, "would rather lose a war in order to win a political campaign." ... Dow Chemical Reports Decline in 2Q Profit Dow Chemical Co. <strong> NYSE:DOW </strong> said Thursday that despite record sales and two double-digit price increases unveiled in the second quarter, its profit for the period fell 27 percent, in large part because of sharply higher costs for energy and raw materials.... International Boosts 3M 2Q Results Industrial conglomerate 3M <strong> NYSE:MMM </strong> says its second-quarter profit rose slightly on strong double-digit growth in international markets. St. Paul, Minn.-based 3M Co. says it earned $945 million, or $1.33 per share, compared with $917 million, or $1.25 per share a year earlier.... Google Unveils Reference Tool after Seven-Month Test SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- <a href="http://www.google.com" target="_blank">Google Inc.</a> is taking the wraps off an Internet encyclopedia designed to give people a chance to show off -- and profit from -- their expertise on any topic....   Terms Of Use  Privacy Statement   © 2000-2001 HLAI Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois