2007 – Page 12

The DR, Cuba, Spain and Mexico were joint first place winners at the eighth annual Hispanic America Spelling Contest, which was held at the UASD University. Twelve countries took part in the competition. Panama and Guatemala came in second place while Chile came in third. Anibal Santillan from the Sagrado Corazon de Jesus school in …

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A new rice variety, Juma 66, has been introduced to the Dominican market. The rice seeks to fill demand from the Asian community in the DR and could eventually be exported. Hoy writes that the rice could increase the country’s competitiveness and sustainability in the area of rice production as the country opens its markets …

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Indiana University (IU) researchers announced the discovery of an pirate ship, the Quedagh Merchant, confiscated earlier by pirate Captain William Kidd. The wreckage was found by a local scuba diver off Catalina Island on the southeast coast of Hispaniola. IU researchers say that the find is valuable because of its potential for revealing important information …

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A 34-year old Army captain, Ismael Fernando Astacio Montero, who was in charge of National Drug Control Department (DNCD) operations in Azua, was buried yesterday. DNCD chief Major General Rafael Ramirez Ferreira said that the murder is proof of what the department is up against. “The threats against our members and officers is a reality,” …

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Two Dominicans, Jose Guillen and Miguel Tejada, have both been named in the Mitchell Report, a full-length investigation into the prevalence of steroids and performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball. The report was conducted by former Senator George Mitchell, who is also on the Boston Red Sox board of directors. The report reveals the names …

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Dominican power forward Al Horford has been suspended for one game by the NBA for a dangerous hit that sent Toronto Raptors guard T.J. Ford to the hospital on Tuesday. Horford tried to defend Ford as the guard went to the rim only to swipe at his face forcing the guard to the hardwood. Horford …

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Felix Sanchez, reigning Olympic champ in the 400-meter hurdles and Arismendy Peguero, national 400-meter champion, have both classified for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Jose Rubio, president of the Dominican Federation of Track and Field associations, said that Sanchez had qualified by winning a silver medal at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan. Sanchez, …

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Diario Libre reports that the Dominican Baseball League board of directors has voted to extend the winter baseball season through next Thursday in order to make up for games rained out during Tropical Storm Olga and other games rained out this year. Baseball, barring any last minute changes, will continue today with Escogido playing the …

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The Ministry of Tourism and the National Hotel and Restaurant Association (Asonahores) report that tourism areas are operating normally after the passage of Tropical Storm Olga. There was no damage to hotels, and no tourists were hurt. A Ministry of Tourism bulletin indicates that, “there was no damage to infrastructure, or roads leading to hotels, …

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The Education Ministry has ordered schools to start back up again after being closed indefinitely due to Tropical Storm Olga. Education Minister Alejandrina German also said that the Christmas vacation would begin on 21 December. UASD dean Roberto Reyna also announced that classes at the university would resume today.