2008 – Page 180

In the Salcedo city jail, the inmates repair school desks and chairs. City streets are an art gallery, with murals by Candido Bido and Elsa Nunez, two of the best Dominican painters of all times. Politicians, business and city government have agreed on a development program for the agriculture-based province. The province wants to make …

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The Central Electoral Board (JCE) says that it has detected irregularities in 2,416 cedulas issued between 1994 and 1997. The JCE believes that the cedulas correspond to 442 Chinese, 331 Italians, 316 Germans, 254 Americans, 162 Spaniards, 133 Cubans, 93 Colombians, 82 Haitians and 77 Swiss. The JCE specifies that “irregular” cedulas were recorded in …

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Dominican Attorney General Radhames Jimenez says that in the last two years, the DR’s prison population has increased from 12,500 to 18,000. Jimenez announced these figures at the “New Basis of the Dominican Penitentiary System Conference.” During the conference, Jimenez explained that in the new model of the DR penitentiary system inmates go through three …

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Manuel Diez Cabral, president of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD), again is urging the government to take measures to correct the rising current account deficit in the balance of payments. He called the deficit “unbearable unless actions are taken,” as reported in Hoy. He said that the nation can not wait …

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Maybe not for President, but Hector “El Torito” Acosta has been asked to be part of the Barack Obama presidential campaign. The goal is to get a foothold on the Latino vote, and in particular the Dominican vote. Pundits have speculated that Obama has yet to secure Latino votes and explain that some Latinos might …

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Major League slugger Alex Rodriguez has separated from his wife Cynthia Rodriguez and the couple had been separated since after the birth of their second daughter, as reported in the Listin Diario. The story has made gossip headlines around the world. Sources indicates that problems in the marriage surfaced last year after Rodriguez was photographed …

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The Presidency has sent the government of Colombia a message of congratulations on the Colombian army’s successful rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages being held by the FARC. Betancourt had been in captivity for over six years. The note reads: “We send our congratulations to the government of President Alvaro Uribe for his …

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Between January and June 2008 the government spent RD$130.9 billion, of which RD$43.5 billion or 32.4% was spent on subsidizing fuel, free trade zones, bakers, milk producers, transport, farmers and other sectors. The government spent an additional RD$41.5 billion, interests payments accounted for RD$134.1 billion, loans RD$4.88 billion and RD$28.9 billion went towards capital spending. …

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The Central Bank is denying reports of a shortage of change in the DR and says that 3.4 million RD$5 coins have been put into circulation since 18 June. Officials say that the use of coin machines, juke boxes, tolls and bus fares has lead to an increased need for coins. The Central Bank says …

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The government and the transport sectors have reached a deal which could put an end to the rift between both sides. According to a report in El Caribe, the consensus towards a potential agreement was at 97% of 13 points demanded by the transporters. The agreements would require the final approval of the President. Though …

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