2000 – Page 170

Complaints of incompetence and allegations of bias have arisen in the wake of the publication of the results of last month’s voter registration test, which were reported yesterday. http://www.dr1.com/daily/news040500.shtml PRSC spokesman Humberto Salazar charged Central Elections Board (JCE) president Ramon Morel Cerda has tried to "minimize the grave problems" detected in the master voter lists. …

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Its such a common occurrence that only the numbers make it newsworthy, but today the front page of all the morning newspapers carried the story of the rescue of 72 castaways following their failed attempt to get to Puerto Rico in a rowboat. Eleven women were among the bedraggled group who were returned to safety …

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Microsoft, the world’s largest software company, will donate US$13 million, in "investment, software, training and scholarships" to support the new Cybernetic Park. Funds will be used to educate the population in the uses of technology and eradicate intellectual piracy. President Leonel Fernandez and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will sign the agreement in Seattle this week. …

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Despite impressive economic growth over the past decade, the DR remains a "notably poor" country, according to a report released yesterday by the United Nations Development Organization (PNUD). The document, titled "Overcoming Human Poverty," cites a figure of 22% for Dominicans living in poverty and 7% for those in "extreme poverty." The report likens the …

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The 350 megawatt deficiency was reported in yesterday’s power generation report almost pales to insignificance considering today’s 610 megawatt shortfall. Nine additional generators ceased to operate, cutting the Smith Enron plant to just 30% of its capacity, on which the central Cibao region substantially depends for electricity. Superintendent of Electricity, Marcos Cochon, offered no solace. …

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Most transportation, commerce, and public school attendance were brought to halt for 24 hours in San Cristobal, the nation’s largest province, due a strike called to protest the deteriorating condition of its rivers. Though some scattered incidents of tire burning and rock-strewn highways were reported, the day was largely enjoyed as an unofficial holiday, as …

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The Chamber of Deputies adopted a measure that would restructure judicial authority in the capital and in Santiago, the DR’s second largest city. If approved in the Senate and signed by the President, the measure would go far toward undoing the backlog of cases pending in those two populous jurisdictions. The current legal structure provides …

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Latin America’s largest cement company will invest US$187 million to increase cement production capacity in the DR. The investment reflects a recognition on the part of the Mexican industrial giant, CEMEX, that the country’s building boom is likely to continue for some time. The planned investment will allow the DR to become totally self-sufficient in …

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Responding to an article in Fortune magazine, the President of the Sammy Sosa Foundation has roundly dismissed an allegation of bankruptcy. "If you can tell me anything about this, I’d like to know," declared Chase Kaufman when queried by a reporter from Listin Diario. The man known to Sosa as "Papa Chase," and regarded by …

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A single-engine plane was unable to take off from Herrera Airport yesterday and thudded back to earth before the startled faces of the airport’s residential and commercial neighbors. Fire engines and ambulances appeared on the scene almost immediately, but were unneeded. No one was reported injured in the mishap, though the plane, whose owner was …

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