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Energy
Petrobras Ready To Work With Pemex On Deep-Water Drilling Projects
April 16, 2008
Brazilian state-owned oil company Petrobras said it is ready to work with Mexican peer Pemex on deep-water drilling projects if politicians can resolve their differences over the energy reform package. Petrobras’ CEO Jose Sergio Gabrielli said the company has the know-how and technology to tackle the said offshore projects, and wants to work with Pemex.
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Trade & Investment
White House Defends NAFTA Trade Agreement Against Democratic Attacks
April 18, 2008
The White House vigorously defended the 14-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the U.S., Mexico and Canada against sharp criticism from Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama. Both Clinton and Obama have threatened to pull out of NAFTA to pressure Canada and Mexico to negotiate more protections for workers and the environment in the agreement. The accord has removed most barriers to trade and investment among the three countries.
Latin American Leaders Urge Regional Trade
April 16, 2008
Latin American leaders vowed to boost trade and investment in the region to withstand a sharp economic downturn in the U.S. The Leaders met at the two-day World Economic Forum (WEF) on Latin America 2008 in Cancun, in the state of Quintana Roo. Yet despite participants' emphasis on national and regional development, there was no indication that Latin American countries want to stop doing business with the U.S. About 500 business leaders were also present at the event, including top executives from Google, Citibank NA, Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs and oil giants BP, Shell and StatoilHydro.
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Banking, Insurance & Finance
Banco Azteca Eyes El Salvador And Argentina
April 14, 2008
The banking unit of Mexican conglomerate Grupo Salinas, Banco Azteca, said it plans to continue expanding operations and has targeted El Salvador and Argentina. A company executive said that Banco Azteca has already been awarded a banking license in El Salvador and is in the final stage for obtaining one in Argentina. Banco Azteca offers simple consumer and personal loans as well as savings accounts aimed at low-income consumers.
Banorte's CEO Luis Peña Resigns
April 14, 2008
Mexican bank Grupo Financiero Banorte said that its Chief Executive Luis Peña has resigned after leading the company for just over four years. Banorte said its board has accepted Peña's resignation, effective immediately, and named Alejandro Valenzuela as interim chief executive. Peña, who joined Banorte as its CEO in 2004, oversaw the bank's expansion from a regional lender with a strong presence in northern Mexico to a top-tier player with a nationwide footprint. Peña also led the firm's expansion in the U.S., where in the last 18 months it acquired 70% of Texas-based bank INB Financial and remittance company Uniteller. Meanwhile, U.K. bank HSBC named Peña as its new CEO in Mexico.
China Construction Bank To Establish Itself In Mexico Before 2010
April 17, 2008
Chinese bank China Construction Bank (CCB) said at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Latin America 2008 in Cancun, in the state of Quintana Roo, that it plans to establish itself in Mexico before the end of the decade. CCB said that once in Mexico, it will seek to meet infrastructure, entrepreneurial and commercial financing needs. CCB said its interest in Mexico deepened after it analyzed President Calderon’s National Infrastructure Plan (PNI) and that they intend to finance projects to develop roads, energy, transport, and airports infrastructure; to find Mexican partners, and to provide construction credits and some commercial banking products.
Citigroup Prefers Mexico Stocks While UBS Bets On Brazil
April 16, 2008
U.S. bank Citigroup (Citi) reinforced its preference for Mexican stocks over Brazilian equities, but peer UBS said it favors Brazil to its local rival. Citi likes Mexican stocks because interest rates are seen falling, while Brazil's are seen rising. But UBS sees the underperformance of Brazilian stocks as creating a buy opportunity. UBS thinks Mexico may postpone an expected reduction in interest rates given some negative inflation news. As a result, UBS switched its rating for Brazilian equities to top pick from neutral and Mexico to neutral from top pick.
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Business & Industry
Vitro Plans To Invest About USD 250 Million In 2008
April 17, 2008
Mexican glassmaker Vitro held its Annual General Shareholders Meeting at which the 2007 financial results were approved. The company said that during 2008, it expects to invest approximately USD 250 million in maintenance of its glass containers and float glass manufacturing facilities, as well as capacity expansion projects, the completion of the Vimex transfer from Mexico City (DF) to Toluca, and optimizing its manufacturing processes and technology.
Borrachas Vipal To Invest USD 40 Million In Mexico
April 14, 2008
Brazil’s largest tire components manufacturer Borrachas Vipal (BV) said it will invest USD 40 million to build a plant in Mexico. BV said that the plant, which will be built in the state of Aguascalientes, will have the capacity to produce14400 tons of tire supplies annually and will begin operating by mid 2009. The Aguascalientes facility will be BV’s first plant outside Brazil and is expected to supply the Mexican, U.S. and Central American markets.
F&P Appliances Buys Refrigeration Plant In Mexico For USD 33 Million
April 16, 2008
New Zealand’s appliances manufacturer Fisher & Paykel Appliances (F&P) said that it will be shifting three of the company's manufacturing sites to Thailand, Italy and Mexico in a bid to bring down costs. The firm said it has agreed to purchase a refrigeration production plant in Mexico from Whirlpool for USD 33 million. The refrigeration plant, currently producing side-by-side refrigerators will manufacture for the North American market under the F&P brand name. Production of these new models is expected to begin in July 2008. F&P also intends to establish its new North American configured Dish Drawer production line at the facility later this year with production beginning in January 2009. The USD 33 million will be paid in four equal parts including land, buildings and equipment. The plant will also require a USD 8 million modification.
Mexico, India Sign Energy, Aviation Accords
April 17, 2008
Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil began a four-day official visit to Mexico and both countries signed two cooperation accords on renewable energy and civil aviation. During a ceremony at the Los Pinos presidential palace in Mexico City (DF), President Calderon said, "India holds an important place in Mexico's strategy for the Asia Pacific region." The renewable energy accord sets the basis for sustainable cooperation, while the other accord establishes a juridical framework for air services and will help increase bilateral investment and tourism.
SE To Investigate Imports Of Kraft Paper Cement Bags
April 17, 2008
Appropriate taxes not being paid on kraft paper bag imports sparked a complaint by the Mexican paper business chamber, currently led by a member of Mexican paper products company Corporacion Durango's controlling shareholder family. The complaint in turn sparked the Ministry of Economy’s (SE) decision to investigate the matter. Corporacion Durango could be impacted by SE’s decision to carry out the investigation as it is Mexico's largest domestic producer of the three-layered bags used to package cement.
Vitromex Gains U.S. Market Share
April 17, 2008
Vitromex, the ceramic tile division controlled by Mexican conglomerate Grupo Industrial Saltillo, has increased its market share in the U.S., due in part to the strong Euro which has made Vitromex's Italian counterparts in the market less competitive. Vitromex plans capex of USD 5 million in 2008 up from USD 3.5 million in 2007. The capex will be focused on increasing capacity.
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Automotive
Nissan To Make Chrysler Car; Chrysler To Make Nissan Pickup
April 15, 2008
Japanese automaker Nissan Motor said it will make a new small car designed by U.S. peer Chrysler; and Chrysler will make a full-size pickup truck designed by Nissan. The agreement is part of a growing relationship between Chrysler and Nissan. Both products will be sold in North America, and the new Chrysler subcompact will also be sold in Europe and other global markets starting in 2010. The new Chrysler small car will be made at Nissan's Oppama plant in Japan. Chrysler will make the pickup truck at its plant in Saltillo, in the Mexican state of Coahuilla, and it will go on sale in 2011. To make the truck there, Chrysler will shift some production from Mexico to its U.S.-based assembly plants that produce pickup trucks.
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Housing & Mortgaging
Acciona Acquires Inmobiliaria Parque Reforma For USD 65 Million
April 16, 2008
Spanish conglomerate Acciona announced that it has obtained a 100% stake in Mexican real estate company Parque Reforma and its related construction companies Decosa and Decoresa for USD 65 million. Acciona said it reached an agreement with U.S. partner Grupo Concord to buy the latter’s 50% stake it did not already own in Parque Reforma. Acciona and Grupo Concord founded Parque Reforma in 1997.
Homex To Replicate Mexico Business Plan In India
April 17, 2008
Mexican homebuilder Homex is expected to begin operations in India, where it plans to replicate its Mexican business model. Homex is expected to launch its Indian operations with a development comprising of 20,000 homes. The government of India has said it will invest in the near term USD 500 billion in infrastructure with a strong focus on housing. Homex continues to perceive opportunities for growth in Mexico and is also exploring markets with interesting demographic dynamics as is the case of Brazil, India and China.
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Construction & Infrastructure
Venezuela Open To Buying 100% Of Cemex's Venezuelan Assets
April 15, 2008
Venezuela is considering the possibility of purchasing 100% of Mexican cement maker Cemex’s Venezuelan assets in the event that the company decides not to negotiate a JV. Venezuelan ambassador to Mexico Roy Chaderton explained that if Cemex does not agree to participate in a JV, in which the government of Venezuela holds a minimum controlling stake of 60%, it would offer to purchase all of the Venezuelan assets. Chaderton said that Mexican sectors have "overreacted" to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s announcement to nationalize the Venezuelan cement industry, and added that Mexican corporations can –and will– continue to operate in peace in Venezuela as long as they align with the government's economic stance. Reports have estimated the value of Cemex's Venezuelan assets at approximately USD 920 million.
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Transportation
Estrella Blanca Shows Progress In Restructuring
April 15, 2008
Mexican bus company Estrella Blanca has achieved progress in its restructuring with large foreign-Mexican banks; the final step comprises USD 150 million in defaulted debt. Current holders of Estrella Blanca’s debt include Deutsche Bank, Santander, Scotiabank, Banorte and the IPAB, a government-controlled bank deposit protection agency that assumed Mexican banks’ bad loans in the midst of Mexico’s banking crisis in the late 90’s.
First Direct Flight Between China And Mexico To Start In May
April 15, 2008
The first direct flight between China and Mexico will be launched on May 29, a move to facilitate bilateral economic, cultural and tourism exchanges. With the flight number AM099, the flight will take off from Shanghai every Thursday and Sunday, with a stopover in Tijuana in northwestern Mexico and reach Mexico City (DF). The returning flight AM098 will take off from Mexico City (DF) every Tuesday and Friday and reach Shanghai with a stopover in Tijuana. In recent years, the number of Chinese visitors to Mexico has risen, with the Chinese tourists to Mexico increasing more than 11% in 2006 compared with 2005.
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Telecommunications & Technology
SCT Refuses To Pay Iusacell-Unefon, To Investigate USD 50 Million Payments
April 17, 2008
Mexican mobile telephony providers Iusacell-Unefon have claimed they still are owned USD 5 million from the government related to its purchase –long after the stated deadline– of radio spectrum in 1998. According to Iusacell-Unefon, which are owned by Mexican conglomerate Grupo Salinas, a local court had ruled in favor of Unefon on the matter involving alleged inappropriate taxes charged, in 2004, allowing a USD 50 million payment from the government. Jorge Alvarez Hoth, former underminister of the (SCT) ordered the transfer despite the payment being questioned by lawyers at the Ministry. Hoth has repeatedly said that he had the support of other government entities when he authorized the USD 50 million payment to Unefon in his final days in office in 2006. However, (SCT) confirmed that there existed no court order forcing it to pay any money to Iusacell-Unefon, and that the head of SCT Luis Tellez had not been served notice on the matter. Javier Lozano, SCT undersecretary in 1998 and current Labor Minister, has requested a formal investigation into the December 2006 USD 50 million payment and the SCT refuses to pay the additional USD 5 million Iusacell-Unefon keep demanding.
Ecuador Renews Telefonica's Concession, Rejects America Movil’s Second Bid
April 20, 2008
Ecuador has agreed to renew the mobile phone service concession held by the local unit of Spanish mobile telephony provider Telefonica for another 15 years. Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa demanded in February that Telefonica and Mexican rival America Movil pay a combined USD 700 million to extend their operating contracts. Telefonica agreed to pay USD 220 million to extend its contract through 2023, but America Movil’s offer was seen too low and President Correa warned that the company must leave Ecuador unless it boosts its insufficient second bid to keep its mobile phone service contract in the country. Correa threatened to hold an international auction for America Movil's concession and exclude the Mexico City-based company from bidding if it doesn't reach a deal in the next few weeks.
Axtel, Alestra Intensify Complaints Against Telmex On Interconnection Issue
April 16, 2008
Mexican telecommunications companies Axtel and Alestra have intensified their complaints against Telmex regarding the high interconnections costs. Axtel and Alestra both compete with Telmex, and have complained repeatedly about their inability to work with Telmex to complete calls in regions within Mexico where Telmex has virtually all of the fixed line market. The Communications and Transport Ministry (SCT) said that it could and would step up its oversight of telecommunications regulator Cofetel. SCT is unsure why Cofetel has not taken a more aggressive stance on the matter compelling Telmex to provide interconnection services to Alestra and Axtel. Axtel said it has lost USD 30 million as a result of termination fees its customers pay in order to complete a call to cellphone users. Meanwhile, Alestra has been unable to agree to a price charged by Telmex to complete calls in the regions where it dominates. If Alestra cannot reach a fair price with Telmex for the use of Telmex network, it will submit a formal complaint to the Cofetel.
Cablemas, Alestra: Telmex Intensifies Tone Of Discourse
April 15, 2008
Mexican cable company Cablemas, and Mexican telecommunications company Alestra, could be affected by the negative advertising campaign launched by Telmex against its competition, in which it focuses on the positive implications of Telmex's hefty investments in the poorer regions of Mexico. The new ads call Telmex's competition opportunists. Cablemas is a leading member of Mexico's cable business chamber Canitec; Alestra was targeted by a negative ad campaign by Telmex eleven years ago.
Telefonica Chile Says Telmex Lawsuit “Inappropriate”
April 14, 2008
Telefonica CTC Chile, the Chilean affiliate of Spain's mobile telephony provider Telefonica, said that a lawsuit brought by Telmex alleging monopolistic practices was "inappropriate." Telmex, controlled by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, said last month it was suing Telefonica CTC Chile in Chile's anti-monopoly tribunal. It claimed the Spanish parent tried to block a 2004 government auction of a wireless spectrum. Telmex won the WiMax wireless network auction, but the grant of the operating license was delayed as Telefonica took the government to court.
Samsung To Invest Between USD 4 Million And USD 5 Million In Mexico
April 14, 2008
South Korean conglomerate Samsung plans to invest more in Mexico before the end of 2H 2008 due to a soaring demand for its products in both Mexico and the U.S. Samsung plans to broaden its refrigerators production line at its Queretaro facility, in the state of the same name, with an estimated investment of between USD 4 million and USD 5 million. The expansion of the plant will create about 250 direct jobs and 500 indirect jobs.
Satmex To Move Forward On Sol II Sale To Government
April 16, 2008
Mexican satellite company Satmex will sell its Solidaridad II satellite to the government once the company’s creditors approve the transaction. The government is aware of the details of the Solidaridad II transaction and is on board with Satmex’s strategy. Satmex will sell Solidaridad II to the government agency known as Telecomm for USD 21.3 million, insurance not included.
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Farming & Agriculture
Mexican Farmers Negatively Affected By Rise In Corn Prices
April 19, 2008
While corn farmers elsewhere welcome the surging corn prices, Mexican farmers are absorbing higher costs to feed corn to cattle, hogs and chickens. That means higher prices for milk, eggs and meat. Farmers say prices had gone up about 25% since last fall. Mexico produced a record harvest in 2007, about 25 million tons of primarily white corn. That production should have kept supply high and prices stable. But corn prices in the U.S. have hit record levels, in large part because of demand for ethanol, a biofuel promoted by the U.S. government. The price of Mexican corn is formally tied to the price of U.S. corn. And much of animal feed comes from yellow corn, which Mexico imports from the U.S. Mexican agriculture officials estimate that about 30% of the country's corn is used as a raw material for food production, such as fattening cattle.
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Hospitality & Tourism
Works For Kanay Ecotourism Complex To Kickoff In 2H 2008
April 16, 2008
Developers GICSA, ALHEL and GIM said they will begin work at the Kanay ecotourism complex, in the Mayan Riviera, in 2H 2008. The developers are expected to jointly invest USD 450 million in the project, which will include 847 rooms, 400 belonging to the Grand Hyatt and 230 split between a couple of boutique resorts, 500 residences and a couple of golf courses.
Posadas To Launch New Hotel And Time-Share Development At Mayan Riviera
April 17, 2008
Mexican hotel company Grupo Posadas will launch a new large hotel and time-share development in the Mayan Riviera. The new development will entail investments of around USD 250 million and will comprise 1,300 rooms. Additionally, and in order to finance about 80% of the project, Grupo Posadas will sell lots in the development. Grupo Posadas has already been green lighted for the project by the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry (SEMARNAT).
Hilton To Invest USD 250 Million In Mexico During The Next Two Years
April 17, 2008
U.S. Hotel company Hilton will invest USD 250 million in luxury hotels in Mexico during the next two years. Hilton will destine the said amount to the building of 14 hotels, seven of which will be operated under the Embassy Suites brand, under the all suites scheme and will cost between USD 60,000 and USD 120,000 per room. Hilton said it chose Mexico for its natural advantages, the expected profitability and the attraction potential it offers.
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Economy
Mexican Peso Closes At Two-Year High
April 15, 2008
Mexican peso (MXN) rose sharply to a two-year high; stocks edged down. The peso firmed 0.47% to MXN 10.487 per dollar at the official central bank close, boosted by expectations that the spread between U.S. and Mexican yields will widen further, making peso assets more attractive.
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Border & Migration
Pope Benedict XVI Urges President Bush To Address Immigration Issues
April 17, 2008
Pope Benedict XVI urged U.S. President Bush to do more to protect Christians from violence in Iraq and to promote humane solutions to the problem of illegal immigration and then chided America's Catholic bishops for their bad handling of the sexual abuse crisis. He also was sharply critical of American culture, saying its strongly individualist streak tempts Catholics "to pick and choose" among church teachings. Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the need for a "coordinated" policy that results in "humane treatment" of immigrants and considers "the well-being of their families."
Immigration Agents Raid Pilgrim's Pride Plants
April 17, 2008
U.S. Federal immigration agents raided Pilgrim's Pride poultry plants in Mount Pleasant, Texas; Batesville, Arkansas; Live Oak, Florida; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Moorefield, West Virginia. Federal authorities carried out the sweeps arresting hundreds of workers on charges of identity theft, document fraud and immigration violations. Authorities also arrested dozens of workers at a doughnut factory in Houston, and the operators of a chain of Mexican restaurants in upstate New York. Authorities said agents investigating a scheme to provide documents for illegal immigrant workers had tracked down several of the identity theft victims. U.S. Immigration and customs Enforcement (ICE) said nearly 300 people were arrested, but officials at Pilgrim's Pride said about 400 hourly, non-management employees were taken into custody.
U.S. To File Immigrants’ DNA
April 17, 2008
The U.S. government will start extracting DNA samples from every person arrested on federal charges as well as from detained immigrants. The new measure will allow authorities to file information on one million persons per year. Some 13 U.S. states are already implementing the measure and will start sending the information to the federal government. The initiative will shortly be published in the U.S. Federal Registry.
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Politics
Colombian President Calls Mexican Students Accomplices Of Rebels
April 17, 2008
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said he doesn't regret ordering a cross-border raid on a rebel camp in Ecuador, despite the death of four Mexican students there. Uribe told Mexican broadcaster Televisa that the students were seen in a video with the guerrillas, indicating they were in league with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Many Mexican news commentators say the students were supporters of the rebels, but the students' families deny they were involved with the FARC, saying they traveled to Ecuador for a leftist political conference before visiting the rebel camp for academic purposes. President Calderon called on Colombian counterpart not to jump to conclusions about the said students.
Congress Cancels Reception For India President
April 17, 2008
Legislators canceled a reception for India President Pratibha Patil at the Lower House of Congress because left-leaning legislators from the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) refused to lift their blockade of the chamber. Lawmakers from PRD and two minor parties seized the podiums of both houses last week to protest a proposed reform in laws on oil production and exploration. The Foreign Affairs Ministry (SRE) said that the blockade of Congress not only stalled urgent energy reforms but got downright embarrassing.
TV Ad Comparing AMLO To Dictators Stirs Anger In Mexico
April 19, 2008
A television spot comparing leftist leader and former presidential candidate for the leftist Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) to Adolph Hitler and other dictators over a blockade of Congress has infuriated his followers, who condemned the ad and demanded it be withdrawn. The Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) ordered broadcasters to stop running the ad, which was funded by a Mexican businessman angry at the blockade.
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Justice, Safety & Crime
U.S.: Mexico Drug War Sees Military-Type Combat
April 14, 2008
The U.S. State Department warned that Mexico's drug war has escalated as cartels launch military-style attacks on security forces with heavy weaponry. The Department also said that U.S. citizens should be careful when visiting northern Mexican towns near the U.S. border like Tijuana, in the state of Baja California, where dozens of U.S. citizens were kidnapped or murdered in 2007. Other towns like Ciudad Juarez, just south of El Paso, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo in the state of Tamaulipas have seen bloody battles between police and smugglers. The U.S. State Department’s travel alert for Mexico was extended until October 15.
Cartel Hitmen Posted “Help Wanted” Sign In Border Cities
April 14, 2008
Hitmen tied to the Gulf Cartel appear to be boldly seeking recruits by posting help-wanted signs in the border city of Nuevo Laredo, in the state of Tamaulipas, including a giant banner hung across a thoroughfare. The banner read "Operative group 'The Zetas' wants you, soldier or ex-soldier. We offer a good salary, food and benefits for your family. Don't suffer more mistreatment and don't go hungry." Photos of the banner were displayed prominently in Mexico's national media.
TM: Mexicans Paid USD 2.58 Billion In Bribes In 2007
April 17, 2008
According to a survey conducted by the nonprofit group Transparencia Mexicana, Mexico’s chapter of Transparency International, Mexicans spent a whopping USD 2.58 billion in bribes in 2007, some 42% more than they doled out just two years ago. The poll showed that 197 million bribes were paid nationwide in 2007, compared to 115 million in 2005. In some instances, bribes ate up as much as 8% of family incomes in 2007. The poll found that while more people are giving out bribes, the average bribe was smaller: about USD 13, compared to USD 17 in 2005. The poll interviewed 16,000 people face-to-face throughout the country in December 2007 and had a margin of error of less than 1 percentage point.
Military Helicopter Crashes In Mexico, Kills 12
April 18, 2008
The National Defense Ministry (SEDENA) announced that a military helicopter crashed in western Mexico killing 11 soldiers and seriously injuring another. However, the survivor passed away two days later. The soldiers, including an army major, were on their way to raid a marijuana field when their helicopter lost power and crashed outside the city of Uruapan in the state of Michoacan. SEDENA said it is investigating the causes of the crash.
Gang Robs U.S. Family Of Plane In Mexico
April 16, 2008
Gunmen held up a family of U.S. tourists in Mexico and made off with their small plane.
The robbers attacked the plane as the American couple and their two daughters, ages 6 and 8, were about to take off from a hotel airstrip in the Baja California beach town of Mulege. The thieves pulled a car in front of the six-seat Cessna Stationair, knocked out one of its windows and forced the tourists out at gunpoint. They then set fire to the car and flew off in the plane. U.S. officials said they had heard reports about the incident but had not yet been in contact with the victims. The plane's identification number matched a craft registered to a company in Boise, Idaho. Small aircraft are commonly used by Mexican drug cartels to smuggle narcotics.
Agents Arrest Border City Police Chief For Allegedly Protecting Drug Cartel
April 17, 2008
The police chief of the border city of Reynosa, in the state of Tamaulipas, has been arrested for allegedly protecting members of the Gulf drug cartel. Juan Muñiz was flown to Mexico City (DF) to be questioned by organized crime investigators.
Hitman Slain By Bosses For Killing Woman, Child
April 15, 2008
Organized-crime bosses in the state of Nuevo Leon killed a hitman as punishment for murdering a woman and a child during an attack. Acting on an anonymous tip, police found the hired gun's body inside an SUV parked in the municipality of San Pedro Garza Garcia, a suburb of the state’s capital Monterrey. The body appeared half naked and bearing signs of torture. He was blindfolded and had been killed gangland-style with a shot in the back of the neck. Beside the body a note was found that read: "In this business there are many rules, but the most important is that never and for no reason must women and children be killed." Police confirmed that the hitman, identified only by the nickname "Nova," took part April 10 in an attack in which three members of a family died, including a woman and a 7-year-old boy.
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Sports
Lorena Ochoa Clinches Fourth LPGA Title In A Row
April 20, 2008
Mexican and World number one golfer Lorena Ochoa became the first player in seven years to win four successive LPGA titles with a three-shot victory at the Ginn Open in Orlando, Florida. Ochoa, a stroke in front overnight at the Ginn Reunion Resort, signed off with a three-under-par 69 for a 19-under total of 269. Although feeling fatigued over the closing stretch, she posted her fifth LPGA triumph of the season in just six starts and the 22nd of her career.
Mexico Beats China, 1-0
April 17, 2008
Cesar Villaluz scored early and previously reeling Mexico dominated China in a 1-0 friendly victory before a crowd of 56,416 that roared, chanted, sang and blew horns throughout the night. Mexico's qualification matches for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will begin June 15th against Belize in Houston.
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Arts & Culture
Mexican Intellectuals, Friends Remember Octavio Paz
April 20, 2008
Writers, poets and friends gathered at the Palace of Fine Arts to recall Octavio Paz's winning of the 1990 Nobel Prize for Literature on the tenth anniversary of the Mexican poet's death. Hundreds of people filled the main hall in a ceremony lasting until around midnight to pay homage to one of the most influential writers in Mexican culture. Participating in the event were Paz's literary companions, among them 1992 Nobel Literature winner Derek Walcott, his closest collaborator in the last years of his life, historian Enrique Krauze, and writers Teodoro Gonzalez de Leon, Orlando Gonzalez Esteva and Michel Deguy. In addition, presenting their reminiscences and words of praise on video were Paz's friends Juan Goytisolo, Hugo Thomas, Ramon Xirau, Tomas Segovia and Yves Bonnefoy, who recalled different aspects of the poet's life and the friendship they enjoyed with him for many years.
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Other
DF Residents Challenge Smoking Ban
April 14, 2008
A thousand Mexicans were set to file court challenges against an ordinance that took effect on April 3 prohibiting smoking in public places in Mexico City (DF). The plaintiffs were appearing in groups of 10 at DF’s administrative courts to present their complaints. In addition to those people, owners and managers of restaurants, bars and other commercial establishments can present challenges to the controversial measure eliminating smoking sections in public places.
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