Telemundo Comes Together In Support Of Hurricane Harvey Victims With “Red Cross Day” Friday, September 1

August 31, 2017

MIAMI, Aug. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Telemundo announced it has joined forces with the Red Cross to present a full day of special programming across all of the network’s daily shows and digital platforms on Friday, September 1^st. Complementing the continuous news coverage led by Telemundo’s news anchor Jose Diaz-Balart and the local station’s news reporters, the awareness and fundraising initiative will help collect funds for the victims of the devastating Hurricane Harvey, a large segment of which are Hispanics, through www.elpoderenti.com/cruzroja or by calling 1-800-596-6567. The Red Cross day begins with morning show “Un Nuevo Dia,” (7a/6c), where Roberto Baltodano, spokesperson for the Red Cross will join the show’s hosts, and continue with “Suelta La Sopa” (3p/2c), “Al Rojo Vivo con Maria Celeste” (4p/3c), “Noticias Telemundo” (6:30p/5:30c) and “Titulares y Mas” (11:35p/10:35c).

“The Red Cross is working around the clock in extremely challenging conditions in Texas to help people impacted by Hurricane Harvey,” said Gail McGovern, president and CEO at the American Red Cross. “We couldn’t do it without the generosity of our amazing donors – like NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. With their support the Red Cross can be there when disaster strikes to respond with shelter, food and the necessary supplies to ensure people are cared for, and to help during the recovery process. We’re extremely grateful for their support.”

“As part of our mission to serve our community, we are proud to partner with the Red Cross to help raise funds for the thousands of victims in Texas,” said Cesar Conde, Chairman, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. “The Red Cross is an outstanding organization and the great work they are doing is inspiring. We are working with them around the clock, at the national and local level, to get the message out and help the victims and heroes of Texas at this time of great need.”

Locally, Telemundo stations, including Telemundo Houston, will continue their around-the-clock and in-depth coverage including live breaking news from the affected areas. In addition, today Telemundo62 Philadelphia and Telemundo 20 San Diego will host phone banks with sister stations NBC10 Philadelphia and NBC 7 San Diego. Meanwhile, Telemundo 51 Miami will air a special 30-minute program “Ayuda a Victimas de Harvey” today at 5 PM, live from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami where supplies are being donated by South Floridians to support hurricane relief efforts. NBC 6 in South Florida will also air a half-hour program beginning at 5:30 PM that will highlight the region’s hurricane relief efforts. Tomorrow, Telemundo 52 Los Angeles and NBC4 Southern California will host a phone bank to support American Red Cross efforts.

In addition, on Wednesday, September 6, Telemundo Puerto Rico will host a phone bank in partnership with the local American Red Cross chapter to raise funds for individuals and communities affected by Hurricane Harvey; Telemundo 48 Area de la Bahia and sister station NBC Bay Area will also host a phone bank to support hurricane victims.

About Telemundo
Telemundo is a world-class media company leading the industry in the production and distribution of high-quality Spanish-language content across its multiplatform portfolio to U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. The network features original scripted dramas from Telemundo Studios – the #1 producer of Spanish-language primetime content – as well as non-scripted productions, theatrical motion pictures, specials, news and first-class sports events. The network reaches 94% of U.S. Hispanic viewers in 210 markets through its 16 owned stations and 55 broadcast affiliates. Telemundo also owns WKAQ, a local television station serving Puerto Rico. Telemundo is part of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

For more press information, visit nbcumv.com, and follow us on Twitter @TLMDPR.

SOURCE Telemundo

Upliftv Premieres 8 Days Special in support of the Sex-Trafficking Victims

August 31, 2017

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida, Aug. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Upliftv, the network that offers inspirational movies, captivating series and powerful documentaries, as well as a variety of TV ministries, announced the premiere of 8 Days Special, an impactful Upliftv original production that advocates for the many victims of sex trafficking in America, while taking an inside look at the events occurred in the hit movie 8 Days.

On September 4^that 8 p.m. EST, Upliftv will feature 8 Days Special, an in-depth look at the growing problem of sex trafficking in America. This special presentation will highlight the events that inspired the movie 8 Days featuring exclusive commentary from the film’s cast and crew, including director Jaco Booyens, writer Philipa A. Booyens, actresses Nicole Smolen and Katie Walker. This dramatic look at the horrors of sex trafficking aims to bring awareness about a continuous and inhumane crisis, a threat that’s commonly ignored while affecting millions of people around the world.

“8 Days is not just a film, but a tool to transform lives,” stated Jaco Booyens, Director of the hit movie 8 Days. “Ignoring sex trafficking doesn’t make it go away; there’s no choice in the matter, you’re either for trafficking children or you’re against it, no child or person should be for sale.”

“The time is now to stand up, stand out, and be a voice for those who have no voice,” added actress Katie Walker.

Produced by Upliftv, 8 Days Special delves into the challenges faced during the production of the film, and highlights what inspired those involved. 8 Days tells a story based on true event; in America thousands of women and children are either manipulated or kidnapped to be sold into the sex and human trafficking industries.

Upliftv is owned and operated by Olympusat, Inc., a leader in the Hispanic television and media space through its 100+ SD and HD Spanish and English-language television networks, and it’s currently available in over 20 million U.S. households on DIRECTV, Buckeye Broadband, Consolidated Communications, Frontier Communications and Hotwire Communications.

For more information on Upliftv’s programming, including tune in dates and times, please visit upliftv.com.

Olympusat – Editorial Contact:
Jesus Piñango
561-249-5228
[email protected]

SOURCE Upliftv

(Español) El USDA pide apoyo de viajeros a Puerto Rico para evitar plagas

August 31, 2017

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® to host national walk/run series

August 31, 2017

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Logo

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® is calling upon people across the country to unite under the shared goal to end childhood cancer.

St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Helping to raise awareness for the mission is St. Jude ambassador Drew Barrymore.

“St. Jude, it’s just an unparalleled place,” said Barrymore. “They don’t charge families, and they take all the burdens and worry of daily life off the table for them.”

Since it opened its doors more than 50 years ago, treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent, and it won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.

“While there is much to celebrate in terms of the progress St. Jude has made in the fight against childhood cancer, cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in U.S. children today and we must keep up the fight until no child dies from cancer,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “We appreciate Drew Barrymore being our St. Jude ambassador and are thankful for our partners and the tens of thousands of supporters who are raising awareness and support our lifesaving mission through the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer nationwide.”

The St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer will take place on Sept. 16 and 23, in 63 cities across the country. Individuals can register to participate in this family friendly event that raises funds to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude. Events like this help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

Individuals can also get involved this September by donating to walk/run participants or volunteering at one of the events. Learn more or find a St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer in your area by visiting stjude.org/together.

This year, more than 50 national partners are supporting St. Jude through various Childhood Cancer Awareness Month activities throughout the month of September. Partners include Kmart, Carnival Cruise Line, PayPal, Varsity Brands, Lancôme, CBS Sports, Brizo, Party City, Publishers Clearing House, Touchdowns Against Cancer, Coton Colors, BurgerFi, Smartwater, LINE-X, Blo Blow Dry Bar and Smocked Auctions. National Series Sponsors of the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer events include Target, Thrivent Mutual Funds and American Airlines. Chili’s Grill and Bar has committed to be our first Platinum national team, and our Gold national teams are Tri Delta, New York & Company, Brooks Brothers, Domino’s, Cox Automotive, Westfield, DXL Group, Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and we won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook (facebook.com/stjude) and following us on Twitter (@stjude).

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150327/194976LOGO

SOURCE St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Toyota Provides $3 million in Relief for Hurricane Harvey

August 31, 2017

PLANO, Texas, Aug. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) is partnering with Toyota Financial Services (TFS), The Friedkin Group, Gulf States Toyota (GST) and Toyota and Lexus dealers nationwide, to provide a combined relief effort of over $3 million to serve the people impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The group’s relief efforts include funds to organizations such as the St. Bernard Project and American Red Cross, matching contributions, in-kind donations, volunteerism, and the donation of pre-owned vehicles.

“As fellow Texans, our hearts go out to those who have lost so much and we would like to extend a helping hand to help with the recovery,” said Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota Motor North America. “At Toyota, we have a comprehensive approach to disaster relief, working with numerous organizations to provide help where it’s needed.”

Dan Friedkin, chairman of GST, has established the Friedkin Disaster Relief Fund and has guaranteed at least $1 million in funding from the Friedkin Family. The Friedkin Group and GST will support Toyota and Lexus dealers, their associates as well as individuals across the region recovering from the hurricane. To make a donation, please go to: www.friedkinrelieffund.com.

“Many people’s lives will never be the same after Hurricane Harvey and the recovery process will require as much assistance as possible,” said Friedkin. “This community is our home, and it’s important for us to do whatever possible to ensure that our associates, dealers and anyone impacted by the storm have the support and resources to bounce back during this difficult time.”

Today, TFS and Lexus Financial Services (LFS) announced the donation of pre-owned Toyota and Lexus cars, SUVs, and trucks to organizations involved in helping move people and property in the recovery efforts.

“Access to reliable means of transportation is a critical element to any disaster relief and recovery effort,” said Mike Groff, president and CEO of Toyota Financial Services. “We hope that our donated vehicles will help meet the needs of those affected by Hurricane Harvey.”

Toyota is working in a variety of ways to reach the greatest number of people affected by the storm, summarized below:

American Red Cross – As a National Responder annual contributor, Toyota supports Red Cross’ ongoing disaster relief efforts across the country, including the Texas coastal region. These efforts include helping secure necessities like food, clothing, prescriptions, etc.
St. Bernard Project (SBP) – Provides disaster resilience training and rebuilding in disaster communities, and are currently deploying people in South Texas. Some of the services they provide include: helping victims to negotiate Federal dollars and relief, avoid contractor fraud, and education on mold remediation. In the long-term, they will deploy volunteers and AmeriCorps to rebuild homes at a lower cost. With the implementation of the Toyota Production System, their teams build faster and more cost effectively. SBP’s goal is to help build the capacity of local agencies, non-profits and government by sharing best practices and lessons learned to speed recovery efforts. Toyota will provide an additional donation of $1 million to this project for Hurricane Harvey.
TFS/LFS Payment Relief Program – TFS/LFS is offering a payment relief program for its customers affected by Hurricane Harvey. The program’s broad outreach includes any TFS or LFS customer in the designated disaster areas. Impacted lease and finance customers residing in the devastated areas may be eligible to take advantage of several payment options, such as extensions and lease deferred payments, redirecting billing statements, and arranging phone or on-line payments. Customers who would like to discuss their account options are encouraged to contact TFS or LFS:

TFS: (800) 874-8822; email using “Mail Center” function after logging into ToyotaFinancial.com
LFS: (800) 874-7050; email using “Mail Center” function after logging into LexusFinancial.com

TFS/LFS Vehicle Donations – Pre-owned Toyota and Lexus vehicles will be made available to help move people and property as part of the recovery efforts.
TMNA/Friedkin Group Dealer Match Program – For Toyota and Lexus dealers who want to contribute to The Friedkin Group Relief Fund, TMNA has set aside up to $250,000 to match Toyota/Lexus dealer contributions.
TMNA Dealer Match Program – For Toyota and Lexus dealers who want to contribute to relief efforts and charitable organizations of their choice tied to Hurricane Harvey, TMNA will match their contribution up to $10,000.
Toyota Team Member Contributions – Toyota will match all team member contributions throughout the U.S. in support of disaster relief.
Evacuee shelters in Dallas – TMNA and TFS is exploring how to engage its Plano-based team members to meet the needs of evacuees – such as clothing, toiletries and/or volunteer support at locations like the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas – While not in the heart of the storm, the San Antonio area sustained high winds and drenching rains from the outer edge of the tropical storm after it made landfall. Team Members at the manufacturing plant are organizing to volunteer in the local community, blood drives, and provide in-kind donations to displaced people.

About The Friedkin Group
The Friedkin Group is comprised of a consortium of automotive, hospitality, entertainment, golf and adventure companies. These organizations include: Gulf States Toyota, GSFSGroup, GS Marketing, US AutoLogistics, Ascent Automotive Group, Auberge Resorts Collection, Imperative Entertainment, Diamond Creek Golf Club, Congaree and Legendary Adventures. The Friedkin Group is led by Chairman and CEO Dan Friedkin.

About Gulf States Toyota
Houston-based Gulf States Toyota is one of the world’s largest independent distributors of Toyota and Scion vehicles and parts, serving 157 dealers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. Gulf States Toyota was founded in 1969.

About Toyota Financial Services
Toyota Financial Services (TFS) is the finance and insurance brand for Toyota in the United States, offering retail auto financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust. TFS also offers extended service contracts through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). The company services Lexus dealers and customers using the Lexus Financial Services brand. TFS currently employs approximately 3,100 associates nationwide, and has assets totaling over $119 billion. It is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. We announce material financial information using the investor relations section of our website (www.toyotafinancial.com) and SEC filings. We use these channels, press releases, and social media to communicate about our company, our services and other issues. While not all information we post on social media is of a material nature, some information could be material. Therefore, we encourage those interested in our company to review our posts on Twitter at www.twitter.com/toyotafinancial.

Points of Light has named TFS one of its Civic 50, which recognizes the most community-minded companies in the nation. For more information about the company’s support of financial literacy, youth development programs, and other community initiatives, please visit www.tfsinthecommunity.com.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 33 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 46,000 people (more than 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold almost 2.7 million cars and trucks (2.45 million in the U.S.) in 2016 – and about 85 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 15 years are still on the road today.

Toyota partners with community, civic, academic, and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We share company resources and extensive know-how to support non-profits to help expand their ability to assist more people move more places. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

The Friedkin Group / Gulf States Toyota:
Katie Scallan
(713) 580-3356

Toyota Financial Services:
Vince Bray
(310) 468-5332

Toyota Motor North America:
Aaron Fowles
(469) 292-1097

Amanda Roark
(469) 292-2636

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/439685/Toyota_Corp_Red_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

NHCSL Statement On SB4

August 30, 2017

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL), which represents the interests of over 400 state legislators from both parties in state legislatures across the country, issued the following statement today regarding a court order temporarily blocking enforcement of Texas’ SB4 law:

“SB4 is a ‘show me your papers’ law on steroids and should have no place in our system of justice. This disastrous legislation is contrary to the rule of law, infringes the free speech rights of Texas public officials, and unduly targets minorities for how the look or speak and not for any crime they have committed. That is why judge García correctly stopped enforcement of this law until the court can properly review the likely unconstitutionality of at least three of its most troublesome provisions. NHCSL is proud to have been the first national Latino group to announce a boycott of the Lone Star State due to this law and we will keep fighting until it is struck down or overturned,” said NHCSL Executive Director Kenneth Romero-Cruz.

“While judge García did not enjoin police and other officers from inquiring as to immigration status during a legal detention, we urge officers to keep their vital community role in mind and voluntarily refrain from doing so. This way local police will not get a reputation as immigration agents,” concluded Romero-Cruz.

The NHCSL is the premier national association of Hispanic state legislators working to design and implement policies and procedures that will improve the quality of life for Hispanics throughout the country. NHCSL was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3 with the mission to be the most effective voice for the more than 390 Hispanic legislators. For more information visit www.nhcsl.org.

SOURCE National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators

UAE passport awarded a certificate

August 30, 2017

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Aug. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — At a ceremony, the government of the UAE accepted a certificate bestowed by the Passport Index, in recognition for being the most powerful passport in the GCC. UAE passport holders enjoy a visa-free score of 127, which places them in the top 25 passports globally.

Developed by Arton Capital, the global advisory leader for residence and citizenship solutions, the Passport Index is the world’s most popular destination for everything on passports. The index ranks national passports by the cross-border access they bring, assigning a “visa-free score” according to the number of countries a passport holder can visit visa-free or with visa on arrival.

These great accomplishments reflect the strategic, political, economic, social and cultural dimensions, with important implications in terms of prestige and appreciation, being enjoyed by the UAE, led by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan– President of the United Arab Emirates, at an international level,” said H.E. Ahmed Saeed Alham Al Dhaheri, Assistant Under-Secretary for Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC).

The ministry recently launched the UAE Passport Force initiative, with the goal to place the State’s passport on the list of the five most important passports in the world by 2021 upon the directives of HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. In recent years, the UAE has been focused on establishing strategic relations and partnerships that contribute to enhancing the status of the State at the international level.

“We are thrilled to announce that the Passport Index serves as the official benchmark and service partner of the UAE Passport Force initiative to monitor and reflect in real time the accession of the UAE passport within the world’s most powerful,” shared John Hanafin, CEO of Arton Capital.

H.E. Ahmed Saeed Elham Al Dhaheri, Assistant Under-Secretary for Consular Affairs at the ministry, said that “the higher ranking of the UAE passport is one of the most important achievements of the UAE diplomacy led, by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”

The ministry stepped up the diplomatic move towards greater openness to the world including strengthening relations with certain countries, beside strong positive presence in all regional and international forums. The government’s strategy aims to provide distinguished services to citizens, including exemption from pre-entry visa requirements to countries of the world.

About the Passport Index
Passport Index is the world’s most popular online interactive tool, which collects, displays and ranks the passports of the world. It is the only real-time global ranking of passports, updated as frequently as new visa waivers and changes are announced. Visitors can dive in the fascinating world of passports, explore their designs, sort them by country, region and even by color. For the first time ever, visitors can compare passports side by side and discover how to improve their Global Mobility Score.
(www.passportindex.org)

For further information: Media Enquiries : Mr. Rupert Wright, [email protected], +971 4 456 9220

SOURCE Arton Capital