Latin American nations draw immigrants, filmmakers

Immigrants queue up for legal status in Costa Rica

In this story: Latin American nations draw immigrants, filmmakers Cuban community active in film industry Trade for developing world tops agenda in South Africa Infant audiophiles hope for head start in Spain Use of herbal medicines grows in Vietnam Belize's newest attraction lurks under the waves About CNN World Report RELATED STORIES, SITES

The recent Ibero-American summit brought the leaders of 14 Latin American countries, plus the heads of Spain and Portugal, to Havana.

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The gathering's host, Cuban President Fidel Castro, welcomed the dignitaries upon their arrival in the Cuban capital. The attention generated by the summit was widely seen as a diplomatic victory of sorts for Castro, whose country remains relatively isolated due to an embargo imposed by the United States.

As the leaders gathered in Cuba, CNN World Report spotlighted the region with a special focus on Latin America.

Among the countries highlighted were Costa Rica, a prosperous Central American nation that is facing the strain of thousands of refugees from neighboring countries.

As Costa Rica's Channel 7 explained, last year's Hurricane Mitch devastated large parts of Central America. Those areas are still trying to get on their feet. The aftermath has sent thousands of refugees to neighboring Costa Rica, where they hope to start a new life.

Channel 7 reporter Gerardo Zamora says the wave of immigrants is straining Costa Rica's residency processing centers as those applying for legal status sometimes wait in line for days.

But one Nicaraguan immigrant told Zamora the procedure was worth the wait. "I came because I wanted to work. I am delighted with my legal status and I'm very happy in Costa Rica," she said.

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Cubavision has more on how movie producers are discovering the benefits of Cuba as a location for films. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

CNN World Report contributor Cubavision introduced viewers to the growing popularity of Cuba as a film location for European movie producers.

Cuban officials are touting the attractiveness of Cuba as a movie backdrop by pointing to the island's diverse landscapes, and the willingness of Cubans to participate in the movie production.

South African dockworkers want slice of global trade pie

Better opportunities for developing countries in the global marketplace: that was the goal expressed by leaders of Commonwealth nations as they gathered recently in Durban, South Africa.

South Africa's SABC examined some of the issues facing Commonwealth members as they struggle to attain a larger role in international trade.

SABC correspondent Kim Cloete explained that developing countries are pushing for greater access to agricultural and industrial markets.

These countries are encountering substantial hurdles placed by wealthier nations: hurdles such as high tariffs and domestic subsidies that prevent poorer countries from becoming equal trading partners.

Despite a consensus among participants at the Commonwealth summit, the issues of fair trade and improved market access are far from being resolved. "The ultimate challenge will be to translate words into actions so that trade can bring hope to poverty-stricken countries," says Cloete.

Future virtuosi? Spanish mothers encourage musical growth

Some parents believe that early exposure to classical music improves a baby's development, leading to more intelligent children.

This theory has become widely accepted in the United States, where some states have gotten into the act by encouraging parents to surround newborns with the sounds of Mozart and Bach, and by distributing free CDs to them.

But scientists remain divided on the merits of music for babies, and there is little scientific evidence to support increased development due to exposure to classical music.

Many parents, however, remain convinced of the beneficial effects of early music appreciation. Spain's Telecinco spoke with some parents who have been playing music even before their babies are born. They hope their children will have an advantage in musical ability as they grow up.

Telecinco reporter Maria Xose Lopez says the parents with whom she spoke want their children to learn to enjoy music as early as possible.

"The first five years for a child is the basis of their future. A solid musical heritage will maybe let them be successful musicians, and more importantly, successful people," Lopez says.

New popularity for an old form of medical treatment in Vietnam

More and more patients in Vietnamese hospitals are reaching not for pharmaceutical products, but for a remedy grown in the country's fields. Herbal treatments are popular in the Southeast Asian nation because of their relative abundance: Vietnam's climate is favorable to growing herbs.

Contributor station VTV showed how traditional medicines are winning over doctors and patients alike. VTV reported that compared to equivalent Western treatments, using herbal remedies shortens a patient's period of hospitalization, and reduces the dosages needed to overcome an ailment.

Vietnamese doctors emphasize the efficiency of traditional medicines, because they are more readily available to much of Vietnam's rural population.

"The traditional medicine, which was built up long before the modern one, is proving a best solution to those who are poor and living in areas without clinics," concludes VTV reporter Trung Kien.

Divers cautiously befriend marine giant in waters off Belize

It's the largest fish in the ocean. But despite the massive size of the whale shark, divers rarely get a glimpse of one. In the temperate waters off Belize, some undersea visitors recently had a chance for an up-close encounter with a whale shark.

Belize's Channel 5 captured the moment with a specialized underwater camera, providing dramatic submarine pictures of the shark approaching, then swimming near the group of divers.

Channel 5 correspondent Stewart Krohn accompanied the group into the waters of the western Caribbean to watch the whale sharks, which serve as feeding grounds for the huge fish.

Diving guides say that as exciting as the up-close shark viewing is, they want to be careful not to frighten the whale shark away from its accustomed feeding ground.