2007 – Page 136

The Central Electoral Board (JCE) has managed to approve 27 articles of the 79 that are contained in the controversial election rules and regulations. One of the most debated points was approved with a “few changes”. This is the clause that says that no media can deny or discriminate against any political party. The JCE …

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The Supreme Court (SCJ) has submitted a proposal to create a special prosecutor with wide, sweeping powers and status. The proposal includes complete independence and permanence in office, as well as the ability to investigate anyone, including Supreme Court judges and Chamber of Accounts or Central Electoral Board magistrates. According to El Dia newspaper, the …

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The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has announced the easing of export requirements for textiles entering the US under the DR-CAFTA agreement. The announcement concerns the two-for-one mechanism that will allow a certain proportion of cotton cloth to be imported from any place on earth and used to manufacture pants that enter the US duty-free. …

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The fifteenth Dominican Week in the United States is being held this 17-20 September with activities planned for New York and Washington. Dominican Week in the United States is an initiative dedicated to the promotion of business and cultural relations between the Dominican Republic and the United States. One of the events planned for this …

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JetBlue Airways is announcing a non-stop service to the DR’s second city, Santiago de los Caballeros, this winter. Flights will depart Logan International Airport. The once-daily holiday shuttle will operate between 12 December 2007 and 15 January 15 2008. The airline will then assess whether bookings merit it to add a year round BOS-STI service. …

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The use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for fuelling cars is just around the corner. According to El Caribe, the Linea Clave Company is working together with gasoline retailers on the preparations needed in the first ten stations that will sell CNG in the near future. Also under way is training and certification for the …

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According to the National Institute for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition (Iden) there are 800,000 diabetes sufferers in the Dominican Republic. This figure represents nearly 10% of the total population. The institute says that the incidence of diabetes is closely related to an ever-growing sedentary lifestyle and the consumption of food cooked in saturated fats. The …

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With the approach of Tropical Storm Dean, the Dominican Republic is getting ready for the most active part of the hurricane season. While the exact track for the storm has not been predicted, the “cone of influence” drawn by most hurricane predictors includes a large part of the island of Hispaniola. The storm is expected …

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Trade, investment, education and energy topics were the focus of talks between President Felipe Calderon of Mexico and President Leonel Fernandez in Mexico City yesterday. The Dominican President was on a two-day visit to Mexico following his trip to Venezuela where he attended the PetroCaribe Summit. Fernandez and Calderon held a 45-minute meeting at the …

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Two decisions published by the Health and Labor Risk Superintendence (SISALRIL) yesterday have moved the government’s health plan, the SFS, closer to going into effect in 1 September. SISALRIL in Resolution 128-07 and 129-07 establish the agreement with doctors that sets services fees. The government accepted a 8% increase on previously agreed on fees. The …

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