2008 – Page 125

Former presidential campaign manager Francisco Javier Garcia took office as the country’s new Minister of Tourism yesterday. He replaces Felix Jimenez who was in the post for two terms (1996-2000 and 2004-2008). Jimenez, a leading real estate developer, says that he will now be concentrating on his private business. Upon being sworn in by Secretary …

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Eight women’s organizations have expressed their objection to the appointment of former Education Minister Alejandrina German as new Minister of Women. German leaves the Ministry of Education after a press scandal alleging low nutritional standards in the RD$18 million a month school breakfast drink purchases by the Ministry. In an open letter, the Nucleo de …

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A Santo Domingo court has overruled a Health Superintendence (Sisalril) resolution 159-08 that obliged government employees to affiliate with SENASA, a health plan administrator (ARS). The ruling grants public employees the freedom to choose their own health plans. Private health plan companies ARS Humano, ARS Colonial and ARS Monumental opposed the Sisalril resolution. Sisralril says …

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The Bishop of La Altagracia province, Monsignor Nicanor Pena Rodriguez, has urged the government to delay no longer in investing in the road infrastructure needed in the eastern region. As reported in Listin Diario, he said that the highway is a nightmare, demonstrated by the numerous traffic accidents as a result of its narrowness, abundance …

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Haitian Ambassador in the DR Fritz Cineas visited the Dario Contreras Public Hospital to meet with director Hector Quezada after the latter complained that 14% of admissions to the hospital are destitute Haitians, as reported in Listin Diario. Quezada said that each case costs the Dominican state an average RD$22,000. Quezada reports that last year …

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The community of Cabarete is about to kill the goose that lays the golden egg if it continues to tolerate high-rise condos, says architect Omar Bros of the Dominican Sailing Federation. The sailing expert warns that the planned condos can create nightmarish wind tunnels and downstream turbulence that will affect the smooth wind patterns that …

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Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC) suspects that the C500 jet that took off from Las Americas International on a flight to Isla Grande International Airport in Puerto Rico crashed into the sea approximately three miles from the airport. Jose Tomas Perez of IDAC said that US Coast Guard and local salvage brigades have combed the …

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Specialized Border Security Corps agents have repatriated 12 Haitians who were arrested for violating Dominican territorial waters near Estero Balsa, Punta Presidente and Los Cayos Siete Hermanos, part of the protected national park area in Montecristi province. The soldiers also confiscated a 10lb marijuana package that was abandoned by one of the Haitians when their …

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Dominican Gabriel Mercedes defeated Pedro Povoa of Portugal in his first bout at the Beijing Olympics. Boxer Felix Manuel Diaz is the only Dominican medalist so far. He goes for silver on Friday. The Dominican 4 x 400 relay team has yet to run. The Dominican delegation was made up of 57 people, including 25 …

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As expected, President Leonel Fernandez announced more changes in government. Brigade General Rafael Bencosme Candelier will now head the AMET office while former AMET director General Latif Miguel Mahfoud Rodriguez was named director of the Preventive Police Program. Vice Admiral Julio Cesar Ventura Bayonet will stay on as Chief of the Navy and Major General …

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