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November Is Prematurity Awareness Month

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WHITE PLAINS, New York, Oct. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — To honor the 1 in 10 babies in the United States born prematurely each year, prominent buildings and landmarks nationwide, including the Empire State Building in New York City, will be shining in purple light in November to observe Prematurity Awareness Month.

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Celebrities and athletes will be raising their voices to educate about preterm birth, the leading cause of death among babies. These include television public service ads from:

Thalia, Latin Grammy Award winning recording artist, actress, and media personality, who serves as March of Dimes global ambassador in both English and Spanish.

Anne Geddes, renowned baby photographer, a volunteer ambassador for the March of Dimes, is featured in a global PSA and in a print PSA featuring her iconic image of a premature baby named Alfred.

Chef Maneet Chauhan, mother of a son born prematurely at 26 weeks, also stars in a global TV PSA.

Celine Dion, international singer, is featured in a global PSA in both English and French and a print PSA.

Hilary Duff, actress, singer and songwriter, speaks out in a mission PSA that is running nationwide.

In addition, Prematurity Awareness Month is being supported by the following volunteers among others: Gretchen Carlson, host of “The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson” on FOX News and author of Getting Real, and a member of the March of Dimes national Board of Trustees; Ally Brooke Hernandez, singer and member of Fifth Harmony, who was born three months premature; Allison Schmitt, Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer, who was born late preterm and low birthweight; Tyson Clabo, retired NFL offensive tackle, father of a premature baby born at 34 weeks, who volunteers for March of Dimes North Carolina chapter.

An estimated 15 million babies around the world are born premature each year and nearly one million of them do not survive their early birth. Although the United States has seen sustained improvement in its preterm birth rate, it has one of the highest rates of preterm birth of any industrialized country.

Other Prematurity Awareness Month lightings include:

  • Niagara Falls, NY and the Peace Bridge;
  • The Capital Wheel at National Harbor, MD;
  • University of California San Diego Hospital;
  • Pacific Science Center arches, Seattle, WA;
  • Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), Chicago, IL;
  • Parthenon Building, Nashville, TN;
  • MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ;
  • Gulf Tower Beacon, Pittsburgh, PA;
  • Vincennes University and the Student Union and Aquatic Center in Vincennes IN;
  • Bank of America Building, Fort Lauderdale, FL;
  • Miami Tower in Florida, famous round building designed by I.M. Pei;
  • Mary Washington Hospital, Fredericksburg, VA;
  • The Auxilio Mutuo Hospital, Hato Rey, Puero Rico;
  • Wells Fargo Duke Energy Center, Charlotte, NC.

November 17 will be recognized around the globe as the 5th annual World Prematurity Day (WPD). More information is available on Facebook: where families and volunteers can share stories and videos about babies born too soon. The page features an interactive world map showing the home place for each story told.

And by registering on Thunderclap.it through Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr, you can arrange to designate a message to be posted on your social network to expand global awareness of premature birth. On Twitter, use hashtag #worldprematurityday to share in a 24-hour BuzzDay.

The March of Dimes Pledge Purple for Preemies online campaign asks individuals to commit to take action during November to help us raise awareness and fight premature birth – join at Pledge.marchofdimes.org.

On Nov. 17-18, the March of Dimes is sponsoring a national Prematurity Prevention Conference in Arlington, Virginia, to bring together a multidisciplinary group to discuss the known and unknown causes of preterm birth. There also will be state-level professional education programs across the country, as well as family events and gatherings.

Prematurity Awareness Month is supported by millions of individuals and by local corporate partners and national sponsor Anthem Foundation.

The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

(Español) Cambie las baterías de alarmas de humo y monóxido de carbono este fin de semana

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Walmart, KFC, Taco Bell and Southeastern Grocers Partner with GED Testing Service to Launch GEDWorks

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — GED Testing Service has partnered with some of the nation’s largest employers and most recognizable brands– including Walmart, KFC, Taco Bell and Southeastern Grocers– to create GEDWorks, a comprehensive program free for employees who want to earn their GED credential.

The GEDWorks program includes everything an employee needs to successfully prepare for and pass the GED test. Students are provided access to a GED Advisor, online GED study material, connections to local adult education programs, practice tests, and more. GED Advisors are a key element of GEDWorks and help guide, engage, and motivate students. GEDWorks also helps keep graduates moving forward after completing the tests by connecting them with college and career pathways tools on GED.com.

GEDWorks is one indicator that national employers understand the value of the new GED program, which is focused on better preparing learners to compete in today’s job market and to successfully enter post-secondary education programs essential to most 21st century jobs. This effort also marks the first time national employers have banded together to support a program aimed solely at decreasing the number of adults without a high school diploma, an important step in improving the country’s economic competitiveness.

“Employers have invested in this national program with GED Testing Service to boost the education levels of their employees because they recognize the benefits of the enhanced GED program and the importance of education in the lives of their employees. The program offers a cost-effective way for employers to help adult learners achieve their goals and invest in their futures. Students earning a GED credential enhance their career prospects and earning potential,” said Randy Trask, President of GED Testing Service.

The support that employers show their participating employees is another key element of the GEDWorks program.

“Taco Bell believes in helping our Team Members get more out of life– starting with an education,” said Frank Tucker, Global Chief People Officer at Taco Bell. “GEDWorks is great because it gives our employees everything they need to prepare for and pass the GED test on their own flexible terms. Not only are we developing our Team Members and creating an engaged workforce, but we’re also inspiring these valued Team Members to champion their potential, education and future.”

“Walmart believes that education is key to an associate’s personal and professional development,” said Michelle Knight, Vice President of Talent Development for Walmart U.S. “The opportunity to earn a market-valued credential helps our people gain skills to advance their career. Achieving success with the GEDWorks program is a gateway to opportunity.”

The program is completely free for learners. It is fully funded by employers or, in the case of KFC, by the associated charity, Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation. The only investment needed by students is time and energy to prepare for the test.

“Restaurant operators love that the GEDWorks and other Foundation programs help them recruit and retain high quality employees who are interested in working hard to improve themselves. The KFC Foundation is proud to be able to support them, and continue Colonel Sanders’ legacy of helping people be their best selves through education,” said Krista Snider, Managing Director of the KFC Foundation.

“Now that I have my GED, it takes away that little bit of shame and embarrassment [of not having graduated from high school],” said Courtney, an employee of Winn-Dixie/Southeastern Grocers in Alabama and one of the first graduates of the GEDWorks program. “My GED Advisor was very encouraging and friendly throughout the process– she addressed all of the concerns I had along the way. I think others should go for it as well!”

For more information visit the GEDWorks Media Kit web page, which includes: GEDWorks Press Release in English and Spanish, GEDWorks Infographic, Soundcloud Audio Clip, First GEDWorks Graduate Video, GEDWorks Student Profiles/Stories, Link to the GEDWorks Website.

About GED Testing Service

The GED test has opened doors to better jobs and college programs for more than 20 million graduates since 1942. The GED test is accepted by virtually all of U.S. colleges and employers. As the creator of the one official GED test, GED Testing Service has a responsibility to ensure that the program continues to be a reliable and valuable pathway to a better life for the millions of adults without a high school diploma. GED Testing Service is a joint venture between the American Council on Education and Pearson.

About the GED Program

The goal of the GED program that launched in January 2014 is to better prepare adult learners for today’s jobs and for entry into career and college training programs. The new GED test has two performance levels – one that is used to certify high school equivalency, and another optional level that indicates readiness for college-level coursework.

(Español) Sure Signal Products retira del mercado alarmas contra incendios activadas por calor debido a falla en alertar a consumidores cuando hay un fuego

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Aspiring Business School Applicants Increasingly Using GRE® Scores

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PRINCETON, New Jersey, Oct. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Students around the world looking to earn their MBA or specialized master’s degree in business are turning to the GRE ® Program to achieve their academic goals. As of the testing year ending June 30, 2015, the number of individual GRE test takers intending to study business grew by more than 10 percent over the prior year, and almost doubled since the testing year ending June 30, 2012.

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During the recently completed 2014–2015 testing year, citizens from more than 200 countries/regions worldwide sat for the GRE ® revised General Test and the total number of individuals increased again for the third consecutive year. The globalization of higher education can be further seen as nearly seven percent more non-U.S. citizens took the GRE revised General Test compared to the prior testing year.  

Some notable trends:

  • More than 96,000 citizens from India took the GRE revised General Test, up 12 percent from the prior year, continuing a multiyear growth pattern.
  • The number of Chinese citizens taking the test grew about 1.6 percent and has remained stable for the last three years. 
  • Other Asian countries continued to produce a steady flow of GRE test takers. The number of Korean citizens who took the GRE revised General Test increased nine percent, citizens from Taiwan increased five percent and the number of individuals from Japan remained flat.
  • The stream of individuals from African countries continued to grow in 2014–2015, up 19 percent since last year.

“U.S. citizens continue to take the GRE revised General Test in great numbers,” said David Payne, Vice President & COO of Global Education at Educational Testing Service. “As higher education mobility patterns evolve we are seeing astounding growth from almost all regions of the world. It is a worldwide endorsement of the value of a higher education degree.”

Moreover, the 2014–2015 GRE data show increases in noteworthy fields for intended graduate study such as business (+10 percent) and engineering (+3.7 percent). Other STEM fields, such as health and medical sciences (+2.4 percent) and computer science (+15 percent), also attracted high volumes of test takers.

Payne adds, “The trend in business fields makes a lot of sense. The GRE revised General Test is a great option for applying to MBA and specialized master’s programs. Students can skip questions and change answers on a GRE test, which data show helps lead to better scores. Plus, if test takers decide to take the test again, they can send only their best set of scores.”

GRE scores are accepted at thousands of institutions around the world, including more than 1,200 business schools accepting GRE scores for their MBA programs. Currently, 94 of the 2016 U.S. News & World Report top 100 business schools in the United States and 82 of the top 100 institutions on The Financial Times 2015 Global MBA Ranking accept GRE scores. In addition, 29 of Bloomberg Businessweek top 30 U.S. MBA programs accept GRE scores. 

Most schools are following Harvard Business School’s lead in weighting GRE scores equally with other business school admission tests. As noted on its website, “There is no minimum GMAT or GRE [score] to apply and we do not have a bias toward one test or the other.”

To learn more about the GRE revised General Test, view a one-minute overview at http://youtu.be/mDv_VXTZK3E or to register to take a GRE test, visit ets.org/gre.

About ETS
At ETS, we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, and by conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually — including the TOEFL® and TOEIC ® tests, the GRE ® tests and The Praxis Series ® assessments — in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide. www.ets.org

GMAT is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

(Español) Nuevo método de medicina de precisión para tratamiento del cáncer es prometedor en la eliminación de la brecha de desigualdades por cáncer

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Texas Association of Realtors hosts Tele Town Hall encouraging Texans to vote for statewide Proposition 1

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AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Yesterday, voters from across the state of Texas picked up their phones and dialed in their questions to a Tele Town Hall hosted by the Texas Association of Realtors Issues Mobilization PAC, which featured Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick encouraging Texans to vote for statewide Proposition 1 on Nov. 3.

Lt. Gov. Patrick fielded live questions from callers regarding statewide Proposition 1, which is also known as the Homeowner Tax Relief Proposition. If passed, statewide Proposition 1 will amend the Texas Constitution to increase the homestead exemption by $10,000 (bringing the total exemption up to $25,000), saving the average Texas homeowner $130 per year. In addition, it will ban real estate transfer taxes permanently in Texas, potentially saving consumers thousands of dollars on their next real estate purchase.

Scott Kesner, chairman of the Texas Association of Realtors, commented, “We thank our statewide leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Joe Straus, for their support on statewide Proposition 1. We believe this is a first step toward meaningful, lasting property tax relief for Texans and look forward to continuing to work with them to make even more progress in the future.”

During the Tele Town Hall, callers responded to poll questions and an overwhelming majority of participants said they believe their property taxes are too high. Passing statewide Proposition 1 will alleviate that burden. To learn more about Statewide Proposition 1, visit TexansForProp1.com, which is sponsored by the Texas Association of Realtors Issues Mobilization PAC.

The Texas Association of Realtors is one of the most influential advocacy organization at the Texas Capitol and supports legislative efforts to ensure Texas remains a great place to buy, sell, lease and own real property. In recent years, Texas Realtors have supported responsible investments in the state’s water and transportation infrastructure, meaningful reform to the property appraisal process, and important consumer protections in real estate transactions.

About the Texas Association of REALTORS®
With more than 100,000 members, the Texas Association of REALTORS® is a professional membership organization that represents all aspects of real estate in Texas. We advocate on behalf of Texas REALTORS® and private-property owners to keep homeownership affordable, protect private-property rights, and promote public policies that benefit homeowners. Visit TexasRealEstate.com to learn more.

CONTACT: Stacy Armijo
Pierpont Communications
512-448-4950
[email protected]

Genetic Tests Of Amniotic Fluid Could Help Guide Treatment Of Preterm Births

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WHITE PLAINS, New York, Oct. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Researchers funded in part by the March of Dimes report that they have identified a way to conduct genetic tests of amniotic fluid in pregnant women to better determine the medical needs of premature babies, it was reported today in the journal BMC Medical Genomics.

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Critical development of vital organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs occurs during the final weeks of pregnancy, which should last at least 39 weeks, the March of Dimes says. Today’s finding is important because no test currently exists that can reliably measure the maturity of these organs before birth, the authors note.

Preterm birth is the leading killer of babies in the United States, and those who survive an early birth often face serious and sometimes lifelong health challenges, such as breathing problems, jaundice, developmental delays, vision loss, and cerebral palsy. Even babies born just a few weeks too soon have higher rates of death and disability than full-term babies. However, some medical conditions make it necessary for babies to be delivered before the full 39 weeks of pregnancy.

“This study demonstrates the feasibility of testing amniotic fluid to identify biomarkers for fetal organ maturation to better enable obstetricians to make delivery planning decisions for preterm births,” said Beena Kamath-Rayne, MD, MPH, a lead author and researcher in the Perinatal Institute at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. “This will allow pediatricians and neonatologists to prepare for the various neonatal morbidities these preterm infants may face, and allow obstetricians to better weigh risks to the baby when making decisions about preterm delivery.”

Researchers identified 257 genes that were expressed differently in late preterm fetuses (34-36 weeks) compared to those at full-term. Through additional analysis, the authors linked genes expressed differently in preterm babies to underdeveloped lungs, decreased lean body mass, and immature feeding patterns. The authors emphasize that additional research is needed beyond the current study, in part because of the small study sample.

Co-author Louis J. Muglia, MD, PhD, is the principal investigator of the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center – Ohio Collaborative, composed of scientists from diverse disciplines: genetics, molecular biology, epidemiology, engineering, computer science and others. They are working together to find the unknown causes of premature birth and how to prevent it.

“The innovative, team-based model of the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Centers is critical to understanding the unknown causes of preterm birth. This new finding adds one small piece toward solving the much larger puzzle of preventing and treating preterm birth,” says Dr. Muglia.

In addition to the Ohio Collaborative, the March of Dimes has established four other Prematurity Research Centers nationwide: at Stanford University School of Medicine in California; University of Pennsylvania; Washington University in St. Louis; and University of Chicago–Northwestern University–Duke University.

“Systems biology evaluation of cell-free amniotic fluid transcriptome of term and preterm infants to detect fetal maturity” by Dr. Kamath-Rayne et al. was published online today by BMC Medical Genomics.

The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Ben Carson Nearly Ties with Frontrunner Trump Nationally Among Likely GOP Voters, while Jeb Bush Trails, Nationally and in Florida

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SAINT LEO, Fla., Oct. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Retired pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson has basically tied with billionaire businessman Donald Trump as the leading presidential candidate among likely Republican voters surveyed nationally by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute.

Meanwhile on the Democratic side, likely voters nationally again put Hillary Clinton in the lead.

Carson Makes Impressive Show in Crowded National Field
Among likely Republican voters nationwide, those polled said their favored candidate was: Donald Trump (22.7 percent); retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson (22.2 percent); U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, (11.1 percent); former Florida Governor Jeb Bush (8.4 percent); former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina (5.8 percent); and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas (4.0 percent). 

“We’re starting to see some ‘Trump fatigue’ setting in,” said Frank Orlando, instructor of political science at Saint Leo University. “Donald Trump thrives on the media attention. With the lull between debates and his upcoming ‘Saturday Night Live’ appearance (November 7), the soft-spoken, ‘anti-Trump’ candidate Ben Carson, has emerged as a viable candidate,” said Orlando.

Interestingly, Orlando noted, when support for Carson, Trump, and Fiorina are combined, 51 percent of the national likely Republicans voters support non-politicians. Orlando interpreted the collective sentiment as a signal that: “These voters would rather have people with no specific plans than people who they are afraid would let them down.”

Democratic Politics Continue to Favor Clinton
Among the likely Democratic voters nationwide, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton drew 54.8 percent of the respondents’ support. Since Vice President Joe Biden announced on October 21 that he will not run for president, the 15.8 percent of Democratic likely voters who favored him will likely become Clinton supporters, Orlando said. U.S. Senator from Vermont Bernie Sanders was selected by 12 percent of the likely Democratic voters.

“Hillary’s still the horse in the Democratic race, and I think that [Vice President] Biden’s support will now gravitate to her,” stated Saint Leo’s Orlando. “It (Biden’s support) won’t jump to Bernie Sanders as he’s more of an anti-establishment candidate. At the same time, Sanders needs to be more aggressive in his attack on Clinton and increase his rhetoric.”

Florida Results Surprising

Among Florida likely Republican voters, Donald Trump is first (25.8 percent). Trump was followed in Florida by Senator Rubio (21.5 percent); then former Governor Jeb Bush (15.3 percent); and then Carson (14.7 percent). The margin of error was 7 percentage points, based on a sample of 163 respondents.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton has a substantial lead (50.9 percent). Senator Sanders pulled 13.3 percent. (Vice President Biden had 15.2 percent.) The margin of error for this question was plus or minus 7 percentage points, based on a sample of 165 likely Democratic voters in the state.

polls.saintleo.edu

YipTV Partners with Latin Angels TV on Launch of its Miami Studios

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MIAMI, Oct. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Broadband OTT television service YipTV, which allows subscribers to watch 16 live TV channels free, said today it is proud to sponsor a number of activities in partnership with Latin Angels TV, starting with a gala party Thursday evening to mark the launch of the Latin Angels channel’s new studios in the hip Wynwood Art District here.

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“We are excited to have YipTV involved in the launch of Latin Angels in Miami,” said Miguel Sierralta, Latin Angels CEO and owner. “Latin Angels programming is meant to transport the viewer to exotic places where top models, celebrities and famous Latinas are featured in their latest adventures.”

“Our sponsorship of Latin Angels TV’s launch of its presence here represents YipTV’s commitment to stamp our brand firmly in the minds of Spanish-speaking consumers,” said YipTV CEO Michael Tribolet.  “We want YipTV subscribers to think of us as the top provider of live-channel Spanish-language TV that addresses their cultural identities. Latin Angels TV will help us in achieving that goal.”

YipTV, based in West Palm Beach, Fla., targets the more than 40 million foreign-born people living in the United States with TV programming to which they’re accustomed in their home countries, so it has been steadily aggregating entertainment, sports, news, lifestyle, music and other TV channels not typically seen in the U.S.  It launched in May with 50 channels and now offers nearly 100 channels.

YipTV is available for viewing on subscribers’ smartphones and 16 of its channels are always free. In addition, it offers subscribers a one-week free trial of nine premium channels.

At only $14.99 per month, YipTV is a great bargain compared with providers of cable and satellite TV services, with no long-term contracts or credit card required. 

From the outset, YipTV has had a clear and heavy emphasis on Spanish-language channels because of the high numbers of Spanish-speaking people who have come to the U.S. from throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and Spain.

Spanish-language channels include ¡HOLA! TV, Canal Sur, Canal Tiempo, beIN Sports ñ, AZ Corazón, Caribvision, EuroNews Spanish, Tele Romantica, RCN Novelas, Tele Medellin, Mi Musica, Maya TV, LATAM Sports and dozens more

YipTV is available over any type of wired or wireless broadband connection, and is the first provider of personalized, low-cost TV content that eliminates the need for cable or satellite TV subscriptions. The service uses Internet-based delivery technology to provide affordable access to its wide range of international channels at only $14.99 a month, with no credit card required at sign up, no long-term service commitments and no contracts.

Subscribers sign up for YipTV via the web at www.YipTV.com, then download apps for iOS or Android devices from the Apple AppStore or GooglePlay. In addition to Android- or iOS-enabled smart devices, YipTV also lets subscribers use a Smart TV, laptop or desktop computer. It also can be viewed on a traditional TV screen using an Apple TV™ or a Google Chromecast™ device.

About YipTV:

YipTV, Inc., is a privately held company with offices in West Palm Beach, Fla., and New Brunswick, N.J., that provides low-cost, live television channels, including domestic and international network content. Founded in 2012, YipTV is an Over the Top (OTT) television content provider that distributes over 100 channels and programs in multiple languages, letting subscribers watch YipTV on televisions, tablets, computers, smartphones and other Internet-enabled devices. YipTV sends video content via the public internet to broadband users, bypassing legacy cable systems and head end technology, and then passes that savings directly to the consumer.  For more information, please visit https://www.yiptv.com/

About Latin Angels:

Latin Angels takes the viewer to exotic locations around the world. Follow top models, movie and television actresses, celebrities and famous Latinas as they set sail on an array of adventures to the most alluring locations. Every episode will showcase glamorous models on various photo shoots. From the beautiful white sand beaches of the Bahamas, to the exotic islands of Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica, “Latin Angels” destinations are captivating.

Media Contact:
Sue Huss, on behalf of YipTV
Comunicano
[email protected] 
619-379-4396

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