2012 – Page 7

In what appears to be a blind alley with no way out except a new permanent split, the political climate in the main opposition PRD party continued to convulse yesterday, Tuesday 18 December when former President Hipolito Mejia said that he would not respond to the summons made by the party’s prosecutor, Geovanny Tejada, to …

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The Fenatrado transport union, which claims to represent hundreds of minibus, microbus and bus drivers and owners, is asking the government to provide them with the buses needed to service the Santo Domingo Metro feeder lines. On Tuesday, 18 December, Oscar de Jesus Francisco said that the buses have been in the country for months. …

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Fitch Ratings has announced a decrease in the Banco Popular’s rating from Positive to Stable due to Fitch’s expectation that the current and expected challenges in the country’s operating environment could limit improvements in the bank’s financial performance. Fitch recently downgraded the Dominican Republic as a whole and an upgrade for Banco Popular is limited …

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The National Pathological Forensic Institute performed 103 autopsies in November of which 48 were on victims of gunshot wounds, 13 stabbings, 22 drownings, 10 poisonings and people who had jumped to their deaths. In the first 18 days of December they have performed 49 autopsies for a total of 152. Of this number, during the …

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In what comes as bad news for the Dominican tourist industry, a pair of Swiss tourists who were walking along the boulevard in Higuey were wounded while being robbed at gunpoint by persons unknown. The police are investigating in order to find the persons responsible. George Christinger and his wife, Susana, were surprised by the …

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The National Meteorological Office (Onamet) reported today, Wednesday 19 December that the high-pressure system in the North Atlantic is dissipating, while over the country the winds from the east-northeast are dominating the weather and drawing in humidity. They said that they expect a slight increase in cloud formations over most of the country and as …

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Last night the Aguilas Cibaenas buried the hopes of the Tigres del Licey to classify for the second part of the tournament, the round robin. The 4-1 loss dropped the Tigres into the cellar. Manny Ramirez and Miguel Tejada were the offensive stars and Samuel Deduno and TJ Pena did the work from the mound. …

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Marathon runners will enjoy the short 5K run set for Monday, 24 December 2012. Build up room for Christmas dinner that day, competing from Km 0 of the Mirador del Sur Park in Santo Domingo. For more information and to register, see www.santodomingocorre.com For more on ongoing and upcoming events, see http://dr1.com/calendar

Yesterday, Monday 17 December, the Senate declared urgent and unanimously approved the RD$530,846 million national budget. It will now go to the Chamber of Deputies for their discussion and approval. The Executive Branch had included an addendum, modifying article 8 which reduced one part of the budget by removing RD$50 million from the funds designated …

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Doctors and other staff members at the Dr. Salvador B. Gautier hospital demonstrated, burned tires and called on President Danilo Medina to fire the Director of the Dominican Social Security Institute (IDSS), Sabino Baez, as they have not been paid their additional Christmas salary. The demonstration, which took place yesterday, Monday 17 December, started at …

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