2007 – Page 114

The National Human Rights Commission has asked Attorney General Radhames Jimenez to order an investigation into an incident where three unarmed prisoners were shot and killed at the jail in Moca. Officials claim that the prisoners were attempting to break out of the jail. The head of the human rights organization, Manuel Maria Mercedes, told …

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For the third time this year Mattel Inc. has recalled toys that were made in China following fears that the toys contain lead and could be harmful to children. Listin Diario reports that as a result, the company has announced that seven Barbie doll accessories will be removed from Dominican toy-store shelves. Mattel says that …

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Dominican drug officials are facing increased challenges in the fight against drugs as consumption in the country increases due to falling prices. The situation is causing great concern and National Drug Council president Mabel Feliz is acknowledging an increase in “micro-trafficking,” especially in the country’s poorer barrios. Diario Libre writes that the decrease in price …

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Julio Antonio Dominguez has turned himself in to the police a day after reportedly killing 36-year old bus passenger Antonia Castro. He had fled after the accident. Fellow passengers reported that the bus driver was racing another Fenatrano bus along the San Martin Avenue route from Villa Mella to Santo Domingo city center. His reckless …

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Most marathon runners train by running long distances, but Bernardo Martinez says that carrying large sacks at a warehouse in the Villa Maria area of Santo Domingo has trained him to run a 40-kilometer marathon in the German capital Berlin on 29 September. Martinez, who is being sponsored by the Ministry of Interior and Police, …

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Danilo Vicioso and Mercedes Aybar captured high point trophies in the 40-44 and 35-39 age group respectively at the recently held II Pan-American Master Swimming Championships in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The pair were part of the 11-swimmer strong Dominican team that competed at the swim meet from 30 August to 4 September. Vicioso, who …

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For the first time in Dominican political history, a presidential candidate will be listed by a coalition of 14 or more political parties, headed by the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), as reported in Hoy. With eight months still to go for the 16 May 2008 presidential election, of 21 political organizations recognized by the Central …

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The Central Electoral Board wants to halt the early start of the campaigns for the presidential election set for May 2008. According to Diario Libre, the JCE is trying by all possible means to halt the flood of media attention, the use of inaugurations for political purposes, and public displays of party colors. However, it …

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The International Monetary Fund has released a study that shows an improvement in the Dominican balance of payments. According to an article in El Caribe, the IMF predicts a balance of payments result that will go from -2.2% of the GDP to -1.6% of GDP between 2007 and 2008. This favorable forecast is contained in …

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Standard & Poor’s Rating Services says the Dominican Republic risk factors have improved. The ratings agency raised the long-term sovereign credit rating on the DR to a B+ from a B, with a stable outlook. The stable outlook reflects continued strong economic prospects and the rising international reserves. S&P, however, kept the short-term sovereign credit …

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