2004 – Page 92

El Caribe newspaper today carries an analysis that highlights the greatest moments of Dominican athleticism. In their opinion, the greatest physical feats have been: 1946: The Dominican Republic wins gold in women’s volleyball in the Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, Colombia. 1968: Teo Cruz wins the lightweight world boxing title in a bout …

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President Leonel Fernandez will travel to Panama this afternoon to participate in the inauguration of that nation’s President-elect Martin Torrijos on 1 September. This is Fernandez’s first official trip abroad since the start of his government on 16 August. President Fernandez will travel with his wife Margarita Cedeno and Foreign Relations Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso. …

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The Fernandez government announced the elimination of the subsidies on propane gas used by industries, hotels and restaurants. The elimination of the subsidy will also affect transport vehicles that use 100 lbs tanks in their cars. Propane gas will now cost RD$56.19 the gallon, and a 100 lbs tank will sell for RD$560. The government …

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While blackouts of eight hours are still common in several areas, the government reports that online production is sufficient to cover 90% of the demand. As reported in the Listin Diario, electrical generation attained 1,160 megawatts today, with a peak-hour demand of 1,631 megawatts. Radhames Segura, of the CDEEE, says that the government is awaiting …

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Pedro Diaz was appointed president of the Consejo Nacional de Transporte of the Plan Renove, the government institution that oversees the generous financing for vehicles intended for public transport.

President Leonel Fernandez has placed the army’s controversial Colonel Pedro Julio (Pepe) Goico Guerrero into retirement. Goico had been accused of embezzlement at the National Lottery, but was subsequently pardoned and taken on as the chief of security by former President Hipolito Mejia. Later, he was accused of involvement in a million-peso credit card scam …

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Residents of the Dominican Republic should take precautions now, as meteorologists say Category 4 Hurricane Frances is making its way towards the North Coast, and could still affect the area with intense winds and rains. The Miami hurricane center says that Frances is moving toward the west near 24 km/hr, and a gradual turn towards …

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Ligia Amada de Melo, the new minister of higher education, has been asked to act as arbiter in the worsening of the crisis at the UNPHU after the cancellation of rector Margot Taule by the Federacion Universitaria Dominicana. The Academic Council of the school disputes her removal. The National Pedro Henriquez Urena University (UNPHU), in …

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Remittances from Dominicans living abroad were up in the first half of the year, according to a report in the Listin Diario. Dominicans sent home US$1.03 billion from January to June, for a 7.5% increase over the data registered the previous year. Interestingly, March is the peak month for sending remittances, which have increased every …

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Despite the Environment Ministry technicians’ recommendations to the contrary, former Deputy Environment Minister Rene Ledesma granted the go-ahead for the construction of a hotel in the Laguna Bavaro on the East Coast. Current Environment Minister Max Puig is reviewing the case and has sent a team of inspectors to Bavaro to verify the authorization obtained …

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