2009 – Page 262

The president of the Dominican Association of Public School Teachers Maria Teresa Cabrera says that the government should eliminate the standardized national tests (Pruebas Nacionales). She said the results of the evaluation have not been used to draw up strategies to improve education deficits. Furthermore, she says the money spent on these tests would be …

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Public hospital doctors are on strike today with the work stoppage continuing through tomorrow. This is the latest attempt by the Dominican Medical Association (CMD) to pressure the government into agreeing to pay increases for physicians working at public health centers. Doctors will only be treating emergencies. Legislators have agreed in principle to the doctors’ …

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Despite continued warnings and operations by the Ministry of Public Health, backed up by the Army, clandestine pharmacies in Moca continue to operate, flouting efforts by the Ministry to curb the distribution of fake pharmaceutical products. Moca has become the focal point of Ministry efforts to curb the spread of fake medications, but Hoy reports …

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Ministry of Public Works officials say that thieves have stolen power cables in the 27 de Febrero Avenue tunnel. The theft of more than 1,500 feet of standard caliber cables 4, 6 and 8 has left close to 70% of the tunnel without power. Officials say the cables were stolen in order to sell the …

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Herrera Industrial Association spokesman Manuel Cabrera says that while interest rates have declined for new loans, they have gone up for renewals of existing loans. As reported in Hoy, he said that the recent Central Bank measures aimed at stimulating declines in lending rates have only affected new loans. Cabrera mentioned the case of an …

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Afternoon talk shows have been revealing scandalous content in the transcripts of the case for drug trafficking accusations against 31 cops in Puerto Plata. In the authorized taped conversations, the policemen clearly incriminate themselves, yet a Puerto Plata Penal Chamber judge, Rosa Francia Liriano, ordered them to be released from detention on the grounds of …

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The DR’s Attorney General’s office has released a composite sketch of a man who is suspected of killing Drug Control Department officer Guillermo Tejeda Kranwinkel. According to details it is a 5’5 light skinned male, age about 28, with a moustache. Officials say they are on the last leg of the investigation and are looking …

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Chamber of Deputies President Julio Cesar Valentin is asking former Deputy Aridio Garcia to name all the members of the Chamber of Deputies who are supposed to have made fortunes from drug trafficking. Valentin asked Garcia to provide names in order for legislators to take action. Otherwise, making such claims without naming names is highly …

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Doctors in the DR are increasingly concerned at the increase of obesity cases among children. Hoy is reporting that obesity rates among the child and adult population is now 6%. During a video conference from Mexico, Dr. Lucero Rodriguez Cabrera urged officials to promote healthy eating habits among Dominicans. The video conference was organized by …

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After continued pressure from fans and musicians alike, the Casandra Awards, which will be held on 24 March, has included the new and still controversial category of “Merengue de Calle” (street Merengue). However, the new award will not be voted by the ACROARTE judges, but voting has been put in the hands of fans, who …

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