2004 – Page 51

The Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) is the only of the three leading political parties that supports a government investment of RD$750 million for the organization of their primary elections. The Central Electoral Board (JCE) has requested that the chapter be included in the 2005 National Budget. According to a report in Hoy newspaper today, of …

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Cement producers announced that they will sell a 42.5-kilogram bag of cement for RD$145, down from a previous price of RD$180. The drop, which is attributed to the appreciation of the Dominican peso, will stimulate the construction industry, according to sources. Earlier this year, cement was selling for RD$220 per bag.

An estimated 2,000 business delegates from the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean region are participating in the two-day V Grand Caribbean Business Forum at the Renaissance Jaragua Hotel. The event is bringing together foreign companies interested in the Caribbean and Caribbean businesspeople to generate new enterprise in this potential market of 240 million consumers with …

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Higuey’s Bishop Nicanor Pena revealed that one of the girls who was sexually abused in a San Rafael de Yuma orphanage has identified at least one priest as an aggressor. The bishop would not corroborate this version of events, but says that the authorities should be able to investigate the case freely, whether those involved …

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US federal investigators have concluded that a pilot error caused the crash of American Airlines flight 587 over Queens, NYC shortly after takeoff en route to Santo Domingo on 12 November 2001. Most of the 250 passengers onboard were Dominicans, all of whom were killed in the crash. According to the report presented by investigators …

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The Sporting News magazine has chosen six Dominicans for its All Stars Major League awards team. The players are voted by Major League players themselves, who this year cast 552 ballots. First baseman Albert Pujols (Cardinals) was the lone Dominican named for the American League. National League All Stars include second baseman Alfonso Soriano (Rangers), …

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The World Series championship thus far has been very much dominated by Dominicans David Ortiz and yesterday Pedro Martinez and Manny Ramirez. Last night, Martinez kept the St Louis Cardinals at 0 runs for seven complete innings. Martinez, who just turned 33, confined the Cardinals to three hits in seven innings, striking out six and …

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The Customs Department has intensified its efforts to uncover major tax evasion in the previous government. Customs has sent inspectors to six companies that the Listin Diario says the government has fingered for bilking the system of RD$20 million. The scheme regards companies who were taking advantage of the irregular application of Law 28-01, which …

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The Ministry of Labor has released the official holiday calendar for 2005. Certain celebrations will be shifted to the Monday closest to their date, making for several long weekends. See http://dr1.com/travel/prepare/holidays_2005.shtml

The Ministry of Public Health is implementing a nationwide vaccination program, with plans to immunize half a million children, ages 5 to 10, against the measles. Another 58,261 students will receive the “pentavalente” vaccine that protects against the five major childhood infectious diseases, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B and haemophilus influenza type B (HIB). …

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