2010 – Page 312

An earthquake registering 7.0 on the Richter scale, with the epicenter located 15kms south of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, was felt at 5:54pm DR time in the southern, southwestern, central and northern parts of the Dominican Republic yesterday. It was preceded by a 5.9 earthquake at 5:53pm and followed by 33 aftershocks, including 9 ranging …

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One of the strongest earthquakes in the history of the Caribbean shook Haiti on Tuesday at 4:53 Haitian time. A hospital collapsed and people shouted for help, according to authorities and witnesses. Communications are almost entirely cut off, which has made it difficult to get clear-cut information on the damage, while the aftershocks continue to …

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The Dominican government has called on the international community to come to Haiti’s assistance, following the devastation caused by Tuesday’s earthquake. Presidential spokesperson Rafael Nunez said that according to the Dominican ambassador in Haiti, Ruben Silie, there were dramatic scenes after the collapse of a building near the Dominican embassy, which is located in the …

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Dominican government efforts will be coordinated by Mariano German, executive director of the National Institute for Potable Water and Sewage (INAPA). German said today that he traveled by helicopter to Jimani on the border to coordinate Dominican aid to Haiti. First assistance is in the form of a fleet of water tankers. Dominican engineers will …

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The earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday was the largest ever felt on the island of Hispaniola since 1946. Measured at 7.0 on the Richter scale, it is surpassed only by an 8.1 earthquake on 15 August 1946 in Matancitas, Nagua. The 1946 quake caused a massive tidal wave (tsunami) that affected the entire coastline from …

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President Leonel Fernandez has met with his economic team to discuss the arrears with the electricity generators. The debt stands at around US$400 million. Finance Minister Vicente Bengoa told El Nuevo Diario reporters that the team had met with State Electricity Corporation (CDEEE) executive vice president Celso Marranzini and tried to document the debt, since …

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The Consumer Price Index for 2009 showed a 0.10% increase in December, which put the yearly inflation rate at 5.76%, according to the Central Bank. In its latest press release, the bank states that the inflation rate was lower than predicted by the authorities. “This is a notable feat, since the success of fulfilling the …

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The Director of the Transport Reorganization Office (Opret), Diandino Pena, said yesterday that the first stage of the second phase of the Metro system would start in Los Alcarrizos and reach Maximo Gomez Avenue. He said that this section would cost US$750 million. Line 2 of the metro will be 22.5 kms long and will …

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Amidst chaos and struggles with police units, public transport drivers on several routes serviced by the CNTU transport union halted services on 14 of the 17 routes that cover public transport in the city of Santiago. The work stoppage was in protest at the continued fuel price increases. CNTU leader Juan Marte told reporters that …

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The Santiago de los Caballeros District Attorney has announced that the people who have been linked to the deaths of the television cameraman Normando Garcia (known as “Azabache”) and taxi driver Romero Vasquez on 9 August 2008 have been formally accused. Lead prosecutor and District Attorney Jenny Berenice Reynoso told reporters that car dealer Jaime …

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