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Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- General
- Los Angeles Times
10 top mariscos spots for Sinaloan-style aguachile in L.A.
A good plate of Sinaloa-style aguachile starts with liquid hot peppers, lots of lime, and freshly butterflied, raw shrimp. The flavor and heat build like a strong corrido: dramatic and full of contrast, tension and release. The chiles, the lime, the crunch of cucumber, the bite of red onion — it's all deliberate. Bold, loud and alive. Just like Sinaloa. In 'Mexico: The Cookbook,' author Margarita Carrillo Arronte asserts that aguachile began in the sun-baked ranchlands of inland Sinaloa, not the coast. She says the original version was made with carne seca (sun-dried beef), rehydrated in water and jolted awake with chiltepín peppers. Picture ranchers grinding the chiles by hand, mixing them with lime and water, and pouring it over dehydrated meat to revive it like a delicious Frankenstein's monster. Francisco Leal, chef-owner of Mariscos Chiltepín in Vernon and Del Mar Ostioneria in Mid-City, shares a slightly different origin story. 'According to legend, aguachile was invented in the hills of Los Mochis [Sinaloa],' he said. 'The poor would mix tomatoes, onions and hot water with ground chiltepín. That's why it's called aguachile — chile water. They'd dip tortillas in it because that's all they had. Naturally, when it reached the cities, people added protein.' In both stories, aguachile migrated west to the coast — in particular, Mazatlán — where shrimp replaced carne seca. From there, it crossed borders and eventually took root in cities like Los Angeles, where it now thrives as both a beloved mariscos staple and a canvas for regional creativity. Despite the comparisons, aguachile is not ceviche. The fish or shrimp in ceviche may marinate in citrus for hours. Traditional Sinaloa aguachile shrimp stay translucent, kissed but not cooked by the spicy lime juice. The dish is popular across L.A.'s broader Mexican food scene, thanks to the city's deeply rooted Sinaloan community. Many families hail from Mazatlán, Culiacán and Los Mochis and have been living in areas such as South Gate, Huntington Park, Paramount and East L.A. for decades. With them came a seafood-first sensibility that prioritizes freshness, balance and bold flavors in everyday cooking. That foundation helped aguachile thrive across generations and zip codes. Chefs like Leal have expanded on the dish while staying true to its roots. At his Vernon restaurant, aguachile is more than a menu item — it's a form of expression. Leal experiments with ingredients like passion fruit and tropical chiles but maintains an obsessive commitment to sourcing, texture and balance. You'll now find aguachile made with scallops at Gilberto Cetina's Michelin-rated marisqueria Holbox or carrots at Enrique Olvera's restaurant Damian in downtown L.A., but the rise of these variations is less about fleeting trends and more about the dish's adaptability — its ability to hold complexity and evolve. Many chefs are drawing inspiration from seasonal California produce and veggie-forward palates, pairing traditional heat with a lighter, fresher profile. But sometimes I crave the aguachile I grew up with. My Sinaloan mom Elvia and my Sinaloan-American nephew Angel make the best aguachile I've ever had. They do it with high-quality shrimp that's cleaned and butterflied just before serving, fresh-squeezed lime juice and chiles blended to order. Cold, sharp and so spicy it makes you sweat. Whether they make the dish as a quick snack with tortilla chips or an appetizer for a weekend asada, the goal is always to feed their family food from the heart. As I explored L.A.'s aguachile scene, I was moved by how many places carried that same spirit. From front-yard mariscos stands to neighborhood institutions, here are 10 Sinaloan-style aguachiles to snack on all summer long.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Brazil sues China's BYD over worker trafficking, abuse at EV plant site
Brazilian labour prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD and two of its contractors, JinJiang and Tecmonta. They have charged the automaker for alleged human trafficking and 'slavery-like conditions' faced by Chinese workers constructing a BYD factory in the state of Bahia, news agency Reuters reported. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, seeks 257 million reais ($45 million) in moral damages from the three companies, alongside individual compensation for the 220 Chinese workers who were allegedly exploited. The Public Labour Prosecutor's Office (MPT) is also demanding compliance with a series of labor regulations and an additional fine of 50,000 reais for each violation, multiplied by the number of affected workers. Workers lived in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions The factory, located in the city of Camacari in northeastern Brazil, was intended to be BYD's first EV manufacturing facility outside Asia and was scheduled to begin operations in March 2025. However, construction was halted late last year after Brazilian authorities found alarming labor violations following an anonymous complaint, BBC reported. According to prosecutors, the 220 Chinese workers were found living in cramped quarters, with some sleeping on beds without mattresses and sharing a single toilet among 31 people. They were allegedly subjected to exhausting work hours, denied weekly rest, and forced to sign employment contracts with illegal clauses. The MPT said workers also had their passports confiscated, up to 70 per cent of their salaries withheld, and faced high penalties for terminating their contracts. Under Brazilian law, 'slavery-like conditions' include debt bondage, degrading work environments, and violations of human dignity. BYD responds, denies wrongdoing In a statement, BYD said it is committed to upholding human rights and adheres to both Brazilian and international labour standards. The company noted that it has been cooperating with labor prosecutors and intends to address the allegations through legal proceedings. It has previously stated that it maintains a "zero tolerance for violations of human rights and labour laws". Fabio Leal, a deputy labour prosecutor, said that negotiations with the companies began in late December but failed to reach an agreement. "The workers were brought to Brazil illegally and promised working conditions that were not fulfilled," Leal said. "Our lawsuit is very well-founded, with a substantial amount of evidence provided during the investigation process." Leal confirmed that the Chinese workers, who have since returned to China, are expected to receive any compensation awarded through the lawsuit, with the companies in Brazil required to prove the payments were made. He added that while a court-mediated settlement remains possible, it would now need to be facilitated through the judicial system. BYD, which stands for 'Build Your Dreams', is one of the world's largest EV manufacturers. In April, it surpassed Tesla in sales across Europe for the first time, the BBC report said. The company has been steadily expanding in Brazil, its largest overseas market, where it opened its first facility in Sao Paulo in 2015 to produce electric bus chassis. (With agency inputs)
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
BYD faces $45m lawsuit in Brazil over labour rights
Brazilian labour prosecutors have initiated legal action against Chinese carmaker BYD, accusing the company and its contractors of human trafficking and exposing workers to "slavery-like conditions" in the construction of a factory. BYD, along with contractors JinJiang and Tecmonta, faces a lawsuit seeking 257 million reais ($45m) in moral damages, with additional individual compensation for the workers. The lawsuit also aims to enforce labour regulations and suggests fines of 50,000 reais per infraction, multiplied by the number of workers affected. In their defence, BYD has stated its commitment to human rights and adherence to Brazilian and international labour laws. The company has been in discussions with labour prosecutors and intends to formally respond to the allegations through court documents. The labour prosecutors' office revealed that in December 2024, 220 Chinese workers employed by BYD contractors in Bahia, Brazil, were discovered working under conditions likened to modern slavery. These workers, who have since returned to China, were also deemed victims of international human trafficking. Deputy labour prosecutor Fabio Leal mentioned that negotiations with the three companies started in late December but did not lead to a resolution. Leal emphasised that the workers were brought to Brazil under false pretences and were not provided with the promised working conditions. Leal further explained that any compensation awarded from the lawsuit would be distributed to the workers in China, with the responsibility of proving payment resting on the Brazilian companies. He also noted that while a settlement is still an option, it would now require court mediation. Leal stated: "Our lawsuit is very well-founded, with a substantial amount of evidence provided during the investigation process." "BYD faces $45m lawsuit in Brazil over labour rights" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Brazil prosecutors sue Chinese carmaker BYD for violating labor rights
Brazilian labor prosecutors filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Chinese carmaker BYD , holding it responsible for human trafficking and " slavery-like conditions " for workers building a factory in its biggest market outside China. The lawsuit seeks 257 million reais ($45 million) in moral damages from BYD and two contractors, JinJiang and Tecmonta, according to the statement from the labor prosecutors' office, along with individual compensation for workers. Prosecutors are also looking to force the companies to comply with various labor rules and seek a fine of 50,000 reais for each breach, multiplied by the number of affected workers. In response, BYD said it is committed to upholding human rights and respects Brazilian and international labor protections. The company also said in a statement that it has been cooperating with labor prosecutors and will respond to the lawsuit in court documents. In December, prosecutors said 220 Chinese workers hired by BYD contractors in the Brazilian state of Bahia were found working in "slavery-like conditions." Prosecutors said they were also victims of international human trafficking . Fabio Leal, a deputy labor prosecutor, said in an interview that talks with the three companies began in late December, but failed to reach an agreement. He declined to provide further details on why the talks were unsuccessful. Leal said the workers were brought to Brazil illegally and promised working conditions that were not fulfilled. He said the Chinese workers, who have all returned to China, would receive any payouts from a lawsuit there, with the companies in Brazil responsible for providing proof of payment. Leal added that a settlement is still possible, although now it will need to be facilitated through the court. "Our lawsuit is very well-founded, with a substantial amount of evidence provided during the investigation process," he said.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
The Viral ‘Senior Assassin' Game Comes With Some Risks: Here's What Parents Need To Know
Playing with toy guns in this day and age is like playing with fire — just look at the tragic death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was shot by police when they thought the BB gun he was playing with at a park was real. Yet, teens and tweens around the country are playing with water games in a viral 'Senior Assassin' game that has already caused serious harm to a student in my home state of Texas. The 'Senior Assassin' game works like this: high school seniors will go around neighborhoods, parking lots of other stores, and public parks with water guns. I've even seen teens walking around a local outdoor mall playing amid the strollers and families shopping. The teens will try to shoot other high school students to eliminate them from the game. They keep track of each other's locations via the Splashin App. It's become so popular in recent weeks, that even kids in other grades have started playing with their friends. More from SheKnows Graduation Season Hits Different When It's Your Baby Wearing the Cap & Gown It seems innocent enough (albeit annoying if you get caught in the crosshairs), but it can be dangerous too. One 17-year-old student named Isaac Leal, a senior at South Grand Prairie High School in Dallas-Fort Worth, was hospitalized after playing the game with his friends on April 20, per NBCDFW. Police told the outlet that Leal climbed in the back of another student's Jeep Wrangler while the driver drove. As the Jeep drove, the car hit a dip and Leal fell off, where he was taken to the hospital. Police and the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office found no evidence of criminal offense, driving recklessly, or intentionally trying to harm Leal. Leal is reportedly on life support after suffering a head injury after the fall, according to KTVT, per USA Today. Isaac Leal's father, Jose Leal, told the local outlet that he believes what happened 'was not an accident' and is calling for further investigation. 'I have not been able to go home because I can't imagine going home without him,' he said. The game has caused other incidents across the country. Last week, a medical building in Guilford, Connecticut, went into lockdown mode after police received a call that a man was running around with a gun, per Patch. It ended up being a student playing 'Senior Assassin' with a water gun that was designed to look like a real Glock. The Guilford Deputy Police Chief Martina Jakober warns teens to play the game outside of school hours, not on school grounds or private property, and with an obvious water gun that is brightly colored, so it won't be confused with a real gun. 'It is imperative that parents and guardians speak with their seniors about the potential outcomes of their actions when playing this game,' the police said in a statement. 'Students should also be mindful that they could face arrest if the level of their actions rises to a crime.' The Splashin App was designed to create more safety and structure around this game. 'Senior Assassin, a long-standing high school tradition since the 1980s, has often lacked structure,' the app states on its website. 'Each year players had to reinvent the rules, safety, and gameplay management. Splashin changes this by empowering schools, administrators, and players with tools and sensible, baseline rules to help organize safe and responsible gameplay.' They added, 'With Splashin, schools have the ability to create games, manage players, and enforce rules and safety standards. These tools have allowed schools and parents to engage with their students – enabling them to play safely and responsibly.' Of course, getting teens to listen to these rules is another battle. But spreading awareness about this game and how teens can play more safely, like with colorful water guns and in public places, can help lower the risk of of SheKnows 19 Celebrity Stepparents Who Have a Tight Bond With Their Stepkids I'm 29 Weeks Pregnant, & Comfortable Sandals Are a *Must* This Summer—These Are the Best Ones on the Market Recent Baby & Toddler Product Recalls Every Parent and Caregiver Should Know About
