2007 – Page 49

Venezuelan Ambassador Belisario Landis has dismissed claims that Venezuela’s aid to the DR is political, and said that those rumors are malicious. Santo Domingo Mayor Roberto Salcedo also denied the rumors, saying that Venezuela has a history of helping Dominicans and that the aid is not for political gain. Venezuela has offered 500 pre-built homes, …

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Customs director Miguel Cocco’s health improved slightly yesterday and he was able to undergo dialysis. He was in good enough spirits to speak to President Leonel Fernandez on the phone. Hoy reports that Cocco will be fitted with a pacemaker today. His physician, Dr Pedro Urena says that Cocco’s condition is stable.

Attending a rally in support of Amable Aristy Castro’s presidential campaign could put your life at risk. The PRSC presidential hopeful has embarked on a campaign strategy that involves throwing money, chickens and other items at onlookers as he tours through some of the country’s most impoverished neighborhoods, causing havoc as onlookers do all they …

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President Leonel Fernandez has sent a bill to the Senate to approve a US$93.7 million loan for the controversial purchase of eight Super Tucano planes from Brazil. Critics say that the planes do not represent the best technology available for pursuing drug traffickers, and have complained about the high price involved. Financing for the loan …

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Hoy is reporting that the cost per barrel of “light sweet crude” oil reached US$98 yesterday, and Texas crude reached US$96.37, paving the way for the barrel to hit the US$100 mark for the first time in history. The increase in prices, which have shot up consistently over the last two weeks, has been blamed …

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Twelve days after Noel flooded large areas of the DR, fresh water supplies have still not been restored to many areas in San Cristobal province, including Los Cacaos, where foods and power are still scarce because of collapse of the road connection. Listin Diario reports that people in Los Cacaos have resorted to old techniques …

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A group of high-ranking IMF officials have arrived in the DR seeking detailed information about the Sun Land Corporation loans. Listin Diario reports that they received this information from a PRD spokesperson and writes that the IMF wants to determine if, and by how much, the country has indebted itself, and to determine whether the …

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Juan Carlos Genao Dorrejo has been sentenced to three months at La Victoria prison for trying to leave the DR with US$250,000 in undeclared money. Genao was caught with the cash on 15 October. The law only allows up to US$10,000 undeclared dollars to be taken out of the country.

Dominican designer Oscar de la Renta has been voted one of New York City’s most influential Latinos. The New York Post published its list of most influential people in the areas of politics, arts, health, fashion, communications and other areas. Carlos Gomez, owner of a phone-card company, and Omar Minaya, general manager of the New …

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Dominican singing/songwriting superstar Juan Luis Guerra has been honored as 2007’s “Person of the Year” by the Latin Academy of Recording Artists. Guerra received the recognition for his personal and professional successes and his contributions to philanthropy and culture. The performer has been nominated for five Latin Grammy awards and is sure to take home …

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