2007 – Page 337

American Airlines and the Dominican Airports Authority (Aerodom) have donated 10 K-9 drug-detection dogs to the Department of Drug Control (DNCD). The dogs will join the K-9 division at Las Americas International Airport (AILA). These dogs are trained and will be used specifically for drug finding operations.

Dominican singer/songwriter Juan Luis Guerra has been voted one of People Magazine’s (Spanish Version) 100 most influential Latinos. Guerra, who burst on to the international music scene in 1992 with his Bachata Rosa album, says that he is very happy with the recognition. Also occupying a place on the list is world-famous Dominican designer Oscar …

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In last night’s match up, Licey managed to get a much-needed win as they beat the seemingly unstoppable Gigantes (6-2) 3-2. Although still in third place, with a record of 4-4, Licey is now two games short of the lead. In the second match up the Aguilas kept things rolling smoothly and capitalized on a …

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President Leonel Fernandez says that he understands the concerns voiced by the Supreme Court (SCJ) and the Central Electoral Board (JCE), about the reduction of funds in their 2007 budgets, but explains that it is all part of the government’s austerity plan. President Fernandez says that the Executive Branch will also be subject to a …

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The Senate decided to meet at 11am today in order to continue discussions of the 2007 Budget. Diario Libre writes that the fact that the PLD holds the majority in Congress doesn’t mean that all bills handed to them will be passed with ease, and the delay in passing the budget plan, received on 27 …

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The DR’s foreign debt will increase by RD$7.1 billion in 2007, all because of construction of the Metro. Austerity doesn’t apply in the case of the metro that is due to receive RD$10.7 billion in 2007 in order to speed up the pace of the project. Last year the metro had a budget of RD$1.84 …

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President Leonel Fernandez has postponed his trip to the Middle East, according to the Foreign Relations Ministry. Fernandez’s trip was centered round the promotion of the expansion of a natural gas terminal in the DR. The President was to make his trip to Qatar next week, but no explanation was provided for the decision to …

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Commenting for the first time since Danilo Medina’s departure from the government, President Leonel Fernandez said that his relationship with the former Minister of the Presidency is fine. When asked why Medina hadn’t congratulated the President on his birthday or for the New Year, Fernandez said that Medina had never congratulated him in previous years, …

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The Senate has approved, in one reading, the elimination of a selective tax on the importation of vehicles (Bill 495-06 for the Fiscal Reform) to comply with DR-CAFTA. All new legislation needs to be harmonized with DR-CAFTA. PLD Senator Charlie Mariotti explained that the change eliminates the additional 10, 20 or 30% tax the government …

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Barcelona’s Metropolitan Transport department has donated 25 buses to the Dominican Republic. The buses, which are worth RD$50 million, will operate alongside the Metropolitan Bus Services (OMSA) existing fleet. OMSA Director Ignacio Ditren presented the buses at the Presidential Palace where he and President Leonel Fernandez were driven along the streets around the Palace to …

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