2007 – Page 330

Lawyers for the Dominican government and the AES Corporation did not reach a last minute agreement yesterday, meaning that the case will go to trial on 5 March. The case will be heard in the state of Virginia by Judge Gerald Bruce Lee. According to a press release by the Ministry of Environment, the government …

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The cost of transported goods will increase by 35%, announced the National Federation of Dominican Transport (Fenatrado), the association of truck owners that has a practical monopoly on goods transportation in the DR. Business representatives warned that this would increase retail prices by between 10 to 20%. Both transporters and traders blame the recently passed …

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The Nuestra Senora de La Altagracia Hospital, the largest maternity facility in the country, registered 6,000 abortions in 2006, 80% of which were performed on girls between the ages of 15 and 19. The hospital reported the births of 27,000 babies in 2006. Also in 2006, the ward registered 21 maternal deaths in childbirth, as …

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A tremor, registered at 4.8 on the Richter scale, was felt in the northeastern part of the country yesterday. No injuries were reported. The tremor was registered at 5:34am at latitude north, 60 kilometers northeast of Samana. The National Seismological Institute said that the slight earthquake was felt in La Romana, El Seybo, Hato Mayor, …

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The United States Immigration Department has sent 108 Dominicans who have completed sentences for various crimes in US jails back to the Dominican Republic. Diario Libre reports that close to 6,000 Dominicans who are serving sentences in the US for crimes are due to be repatriated back to the DR this year.

National Police has apprehended Gabriel Felipe Espinal, the 38-year old alleged ringleader of a band that on 25 November 2006 kidnapped Swiss national Heinz Andre Eicherberbady and his partner Leyda Altagracia Batista. The couple was kidnapped outside their home in the Palomas section of Santiago. The police also reports having arrested a 22-year old suspect …

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Lovewrecked, a movie filmed almost entirely at the Sun Village Resort and Spa in Puerto Plata, will be shown through ABC affiliate channels in the DR and United States on 21 January at 9pm. Amanda Bytes, Chris Carmack (The O.C) Jonathan Bennet, Jaime-Lynn DiScala (The Sopranos), Fred Willard, Kathy Griffin and Lance Bass all appear …

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After losing to the Gigantes last night, Licey now faces an uphill battle for the rest of the post-season. As things are developing, Licey must play near perfect ball the rest of the way if they are to make it to the finals. Last night Licey faced up against the powerful Gigantes and lost 4-1. …

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Presidential Minister Temistocles Montas is proposing a Constitutional amendment that would oblige the Dominican Congress to pass the nation’s budget within a 75-day period [Congress actually passed the budget in less than a week this year], decide on loan proposals within a 60-day window and a 15-day period for submitting a piece of legislation to …

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Two more Dominican Navy vessels have returned to duty after a complete refit at the Swiftships Naval Yard in Morgan City, Louisiana. The refit is part of the Sentinels of the Sea program, in coordination with the United States. The newly refitted boats are the Aldebaran (GC-104) and the Capella (GC-108). A new swiftboat, the …

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