2008 – Page 172

Miss Dominican Republic was third in the Miss Universe contest held in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza was crowned Miss Universe 2008 that night, giving Venezuela its fifth title in the international beauty pageant. This year four of the final five candidates were from Latin America. Miss Colombia was judged first finalist and …

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President Leonel Fernandez threw journalists a curve ball yesterday during a press conference held at the Presidential Palace. Instead of speaking about the state of the economy or how the DR would face the current fuel and economic crisis, Fernandez chose to discuss speculation on the trading market and how this is inflating the real …

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Chamber of Deputies president Julio Cesar Valentin suggests that the DR’s presidential, congressional and municipal elections should be held at the same time, instead of being staggered. Valentin says that the current system is absurd because it does not get rid of the problems it was meant to eliminate. Valentin described the current electoral and …

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Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa has announced the authorization of a US$20 million line of credit in order for the government to cover the costs of 102 new OMSA buses. The buses are currently stuck in Brazil. Bengoa did not say when the new public transport vehicles would be arriving in the DR. The new buses …

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The Central Electoral Board (JCE) and the Ministry of Education will use a mobile registration unit to issue 18,000 birth certificates to children who do not have the document. The unit will start work at the Pan American Union School in the Miraflores area of Santo Domingo and will remain at the current location until …

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A meeting between the government and the Dominican Medical Association (CMD) has failed to produce concrete results. CMD president Waldo Ariel Suero described the meeting as ‘a complete failure’. The meeting lasted for an hour and a half after which Suero said the CMD would continue fighting for what they believe is fair. Suero added …

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Dominicans are once again experiencing prolonged blackouts. The communities of Los Alcarrizos, Herrera, Manoguayabo, Monte Plata, Cotui, Boca Chica, Sabana Perdida, Haina, Villa Altagracia and Pedro Brand are complaining of blackouts lasting between 12 and 16 hours. Listin Diario reports that citizens in Cienfuegos took to the streets and burned tires in protest at the …

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The Basque autonomous government has donated EUR300,000 for the reconstruction of 21 aqueducts that were destroyed during Tropical Storm Noel late last year. The announcement was made during the signing of a cooperation agreement between Vice President Rafael Alburquerque and Basque Housing Director Javier Madrazo Lavin at the Presidential Palace in Santo Domingo. As part …

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Alejandro Santos, Executive Branch representative for the Dominicans Abroad Council, said that the Dominican government would try to help Dominicans who are currently living illegally in Europe. Santos said that he would suggest that President Leonel Fernandez set up a legal assistance program for Dominicans living in Europe illegally. The program would try to help …

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USAID is making US$3 million available to small farmers as part of the 2008-2011 rural diversification plan. USAID-DR director Richard Goughnour said the funds would be made available through the Rural Diversification Fund. The plan’s goals are to help small and medium-scale farmers enter the local and global markets by diversifying their products. Jesus de …

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