2008 – Page 158

According to the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), unemployment, the lack of development policies and a lack of institutional cooperation are the reasons for the high poverty levels in communities near the Dominican border with Haiti. The report indicates that the lack of a planning process and the absence of efficiency in implementing programs that …

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Ramon Baez Figueroa and Marcos Baez Cocco, who were sentenced to 10 years in jail each for their roles in the Baninter banking scandal, entered Najayo jail last night at 8:45pm. El Caribe quotes Baez Figueroa as saying “it’s over now,” as he arrived at Najayo with family members and lawyers. Prison director Jose Sandoval …

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Minor riots and protests are continuing in some areas of Santiago as citizens continue to press the authorities to normalize water services, increase power services and fix the streets in their neighborhoods. Listin Diario writes that the day started normally yesterday with a peaceful march by residents of the Hato del Yaque, Villa Bao, Villa …

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Family members of four men shot and killed by police on Tuesday in the Villa Duarte area of Santo Domingo East say that police used excessive force and are accusing them of executing the men. Family members say the police shot the four men even after they came out with their hands up. Carmen Batista …

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Young star Al Horford has been chosen to practice with the US Olympic team that will head to Beijing in August in search of gold. Horford was one of ten players chosen for the US practice squad. Horford will play an important role in helping this version of the Dream Team. Horford is a rising …

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The President and the First Lady cut the ribbon and led the opening ceremony for the new Emergency Room at the famous Dario Contreras Hospital in Santo Domingo. Public Health Minister Bautista Rojas Gomez told reporters from Diario Libre that long waiting times for treatment and patients sitting on the floor were a thing of …

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President Leonel Fernandez will address the nation tomorrow evening. Fernandez will focus on forthcoming economic and social measures including energy and fuel saving initiatives and an increase in the minimum wage, according to Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa, the Minister of Hacienda. Yesterday, Fernandez held a two-hour meeting with Vice President Rafael Alburquerque, Industry and Commerce …

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More voices are calling for an increase in the minimum wage in both the public and private sectors. Gloria Henriquez, director of the National Salaries Committee (CNS), admitted that the current conditions required discussions about an increase in the minimum wage, but first the CNS has to be notified by either the management sector or …

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When the government announces the end to the subsidy provided to propane gas consumers, the price is expected to hit at least RD$100 per gallon, Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa said during a Channel 5 television interview. Bengoa said that President Fernandez would shortly be announcing the focusing of the propane subsidy through the Solidarity Program, …

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Following yesterday’s announcement by Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa about the agreement between the Dominican Refinery and the Venezuelan Petroleum Company (PDVSA) to “explore and exploit” the Orinoco Basin oil deposits, geologist Osiris de Leon, former head of the Dominican Republic Petroleum and Mining Chamber, said that Bengoa’s statements were no more than an expression of …

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