2009 – Page 190

In a statement last week, the Catholic Church’s environmental commission called on the Dominican Mining Consortium to suspend plans for construction of the controversial cement plant on the edge of Los Haitises National Park until recommendations can be obtained from “an impartial world recognized international entity” that can study the company’s findings and the position …

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The number of AH1N1 cases is steadily rising in the DR. In the last week 750 samples have been tested and six new cases were confirmed. This brings the total amount of cases in the DR to 66. However, only one of the cases of AH1N1 has resulted in the death of a patient. This …

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Presidential advisor on narcotics, lawyer Marino Vincho Castillo says that between 250,000 and 300,000 young people under the age of 25 are involved in the DR’s illegal drug trade. Castillo said that the estimate is horrible and worrisome. Speaking in Santiago, Castillo admitted that support for fighting drugs in the country has been inadequate. He …

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The PRD political committee has fast-tracked Miguel Vargas Maldonado into the post of new PRD president, strengthening his role as the main opposition party’s leader. The decision was made during a three-hour meeting at the Hotel Embajador yesterday. Vargas will officially take up his new post on 19 July and will replace Ramon Alburquerque. Of …

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The US Consul General in the DR says that sociologist Lourdes Contreras, director of the Gender Studies Center at Santo Domingo’s INTEC University, was deported when in transit in Miami on 13 May on the way to a conference in Jamaica because her husband Narciso Isa Conde “has links with terrorism.” El Dia reported that …

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US officials have rescinded extradition requests for Edwin Pimentel Tejada and Marcos Abad de la Cruz, suspected of plotting to murder one of the DAs who worked on the Quirino Ernesto Paulino Castillo drug trafficking case in New York City. US officials say they dropped the case because of lack of evidence. A letter to …

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US Marshals have arrested accused child molester Joseph Christian Fontana in the DR. Fontana had been on the run from US officials since 2006 when an arrest warrant was issued. Fontana fled Santa Rosa County in California after police began investigating alleged sexual misconduct with minors. He was profiled on the television series “America’s Most …

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The Vida Azul Foundation has cleaned up La Caleta’s seabed with the participation of 60 scuba divers. The event was part of the celebration of World Oceans Day, a United Nations initiative. The Vida Azul organization seeks to encourage local fishermen to work with scuba diving shops and give up fishing, which has affected the …

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Dominican long-distance swimmer Marcos Diaz is back in the spotlight with a victory at the 33rd annual Swim Around Key West. Diaz cruised to a 53-minute overall victory in the race. A total of 46 swimmers took part in the race and a last-minute change in the course made it a bit tougher than expected. …

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President Leonel Fernandez and Puerto Rican Governor Luis Fortuno have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening bi-lateral economic, trade and pro development programs. Fernandez is in PR participating in the Dominican Business and Investment Exhibition being held concurrently with the 81st Annual Convention of the Puerto Rico Association of Industries. The agreement also includes …

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