UN country representative of the Food and Agricultural Program (FAO) Hector Mata says that a recent FAO report indicates that 29% of Dominicans are undernourished. He added that paradoxically, the DR produces 80% of the foods it consumes. Mata said that increasing food prices have placed many foods out of the reach of the poor. He added that because of this, most households spend 50% of their income on food.
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Between January and July 2008 34.51% of the DR’s 1,440 registered deaths were the result of violent incidents. According to statistics released by Interior and Police Minister Franklin Almeyda, of all violent deaths 66% were victims of gun wounds. Last year 38% of deaths were attributed to criminal activity, compared to 65.5% this year. According to the statistics, 58.4% of all victims were between the ages of 18 and 34, while 62.5% of all crimes happened between 6pm and 6am. Moreover, 55.2% of crimes happened between Monday and Thursday while 92.6% of victims were men.
Almeyda is quoted as saying, “our young men are being affected by this violence and we must find a solution to that.” Almeyda says that despite the fact that the crime rate was pegged at 18% at the beginning of the year and there was a 20% increase in crime after the May 16 [...]
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Prosecutor General Radhames Jimenez Pena has challenged Peravia Senator Wilton Guerrero, who criticized him for negligence in his position in the case of drug dealing operations in Bani. Jimenez Pena said that he didn’t act regarding the Bani prosecutor when receiving claims of wrongdoings from Guerrero at the start of Fernandez’s first term because that was just one of many similar claims brought by all senators and deputies from all around the country asking for replacements of prosecutors.
Jimenez Pena said Victor Cordero, accused by Guerrero of complicity with traffickers, was to be removed when he resigned, shortly before the Bani massacre that brought about Guerrero’s accusations against Jimenez. Jimenez Pena admitted: “Prosecutor Cordero’s actions were not holy, he committed many acts violating ethical-moral canons”. No sanctions were levied against Cordero.
Now Jimenez Pena has lashed back at Senator Guerrero. Quoted in Hoy, Jimenez Pena said, “He doesn’t [...]
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A group of active generals are among the beneficiaries of the distribution of state property on the outskirts of Santiago. Local environmentalists are challenging the use of the property for constructing a residential development. Recently, Environment Minister Jaime David Fernandez withdrew authorization to use park property for residential developments, despite the fact that the director of the State Property (Bienes Nacionales) Department, Elias Wessin Chavez had given the go-ahead. The list of generals includes current Air Force chief General Carlos Rafael Altuna Tezano and the head of the Specialized Border Forces (Cesfront), Santo Domingo Guerrero Clase. The property was distributed shortly before the 16 May presidential election.
For the list of beneficiaries, see http://www3.diariolibre.com/noticias_det.php?id=170865
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The son of Jose Benitez, Elvis, was taken into custody after arriving at Las Americas International Airport (AILA) in Santo Domingo. The Benitez brothers are accused of defrauding the US government of over US$100 million in a Medicare scam and laundering the money in the DR. They spent millions on buying Dominican properties, with the local authorities apparently looking the other way until a kidnapping incident involving family members uncovered possible ties to the scam.
After being stopped, Elvis Benitez admitted he was Benitez senior’s son. FBI case investigator Colonel Alejandro Dipre released the information, saying that Benitez was questioned for a few hours. Security forces at the airport acted on National Police and Prosecutor General’s orders to stop anyone associated with the Benitez family. According to the Cuban authorities, the brothers, Carlos and Jose, are in jail in Cuba.
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Police are reporting that thieves broke into the BHD bank in the Quisqueya sector of Santo Domingo and made away with RD$3.5 million. The thieves are thought to have broken into to the bank at 10pm, tying up security guard Manolo Quevedo Montero and leaving at 4am. According to initial reports, the thieves disabled the electricity, alarm and camera systems. They broke through the bank’s doors and about an hour later the police arrived to begin their investigation. Police have taken Quevedo in for questioning, but Listin Diario reports that a mysterious woman had “distracted” Quevedo, and supposedly drugged him and tied him up.
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The Centro Cultural Leon in Santiago announces it will host workshops on bolero, a leading Latin American musical genre. For the III International Congress on Music, Identity and Culture in the Caribbean (MICIII), experts will focus on bolero and its cultural implications. The event has the support of the Institute for Caribbean Studies (INEC). Experts from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Chile and Europe are expected to take part. The event is scheduled for 17-19 April at the Centro Cultural Leon facilities in Santiago.
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Having only played one year in the NBA Atlanta Hawks, center Al Horford was surprised and honored at being named as one of the top 20 centers in the NBA. The 6′10 Horford is playing in a new position, as he was used to playing power forward while in college, yet demonstrated great skill and potential during a tremendous rookie season. According to Tim Povtak, who compiled the list, Horford plays, “a little out of position, but he handles it well, using his youth and athleticism to provide what the Hawks need at this spot. Had a good rookie season, which gave a young team hope for the future. He is a smart player with a good work ethic, and he should improve considerably this season.”
See www.sportsline.com/nba/story/10977659
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NBA basketball star Francisco Garcia is staying in Sacramento for another five years and will be a rich man when it’s all said and done. The Dominican-born player has signed a five-year, US$29.8 million extension with the Sacramento Kings. The contract guarantees four years, with a fifth year team option, that looks to be partially guaranteed. Garcia is entering his fourth year in the league, after being a first round pick out of Louisville. Visibly excited, Garcia told the Sacramento Bee, “I’m happy because I love the city, I love the organization, I love the style we play, I love my teammates.”
See www.sacbee.com/100/story/1267550.html
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It was all celebration in the Dodgers clubhouse as the reality sunk in. The Dodgers is heading to the postseason by eliminating The Arizona Diamondbacks. “We ought to save a little,” said one player. “There’s a few more rounds to go,” said Dominican Manny Ramirez, the man who made the difference since he was recruited from the Boston Red Sox at seeing his classmates bathe in champagne.
MLB writer Ken Gumick points out that all the joviality was a far cry from before Manny days, when the expensive signings of Andruw Jones and Hiroki Kuroda didn’t work out. He writes: “At the end of the regular season, general manager Ned Colletti, with all indications that his job was on the line, first closed the black hole at third base by acquiring Casey Blake, then trumped every trade the Dodgers have ever made by landing Ramirez. Instantly, a stumbling offense [...]
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