2008 – Page 104

The Dominican team, made up of Manuel Figuereo Feliz, Wadih Chamoun and Carlos Garcia, has won gold at the 38th Annual Caribbean Shooting Cup, finishing with 1,648 points. Martinique won silver, and Puerto Rico won third place.  

Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa says that the DR’s fiscal deficit totals RD$13 billion, while denying government overspending. Bengoa said officials were actually expecting the deficit to be close to the RD$30 billion approved in the supplementary budget. The minister has also denied that the deficit is directly linked with the increase in public payroll, arguing …

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Industry and Commerce Minister Jose Ramon Fadul says the price of a bag of cement has dropped RD$10 and RD$15. Fadul says the nation’s major cement producers had agreed on the price reduction. This decrease, nevertheless, is minimal compared to the steep climb in prices recorded in recent months. In August alone the price per …

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The petrol tanker drivers union (SCTPA) announced yesterday that they are ready for a 24-hour strike on 25 September to demand that the government break the impasse with Texaco-Chevron. SCTPA president Clemente Morillo said they would only transport fuel to hospitals, propane gas, water, electricity companies and pharmacies. They are protesting against Texaco-Chevron’s decision to …

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During 2007, public school students lost at least an hour of class time. Class time was lost to teachers arriving late, teachers changing classrooms, time for singing the National Anthem, recess and school breakfast. The morning shift received 2:59 minutes on average, while evening shift students received 2:20 minutes of instruction time. The findings are …

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Thirty outstanding Dominican students will receive scholarships to study at the Miami Dade College in Florida, according to Youth Minister Franklin Rodriguez, who said that more students could benefit in the future. Miami Dade dean Jose A. Vicente congratulated the government for their effort.

Presidential drug trafficking advisor Marino Vinicio (Vincho) Castillo has issued a challenge to drug traffickers, saying that if they want a war they can have it wherever they want. Castillo made this statement after meeting with high-ranking military officials at the Ministry of Armed Forces yesterday, adding that the DR is preparing a new strategic …

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Martin Sterling, the 34-year old son of Senator Noe Sterling Vasquez (Barahona-PRSC) will be charged by state prosecutors for coercion and his alleged involvement in the 4 August murder of seven men in a drug-related incident. As reported in El Caribe, the district prosecutor asked for a year and a half preventive custody for Martin …

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Storms Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike have caused an estimated RD$1.1 billion in damage this year. The government has pledged RD$300 million for recovery efforts. Reports indicate that Ike and Hanna damaged 36 highways, 12 local roadways, 12 bridges and 2 water systems. Also, three communities remain isolated, while 125 homes were destroyed. Presidential Palace …

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US marshals have captured fugitive German Reyes in Santo Domingo. Reyes was listed on the Justice Department’s 10 Most Wanted List for rape, sodomy, incest and other crimes, as reported in Diario Libre. An initial report indicates that Reyes was set to go to trial for crimes committed in Massachusetts when he fled. He eventually …

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