2007 – Page 151

Hoy reports that the Chamber of Accounts wants 3,406 NGOs eliminated because they failed to report their operations to the state in 2006. A report delivered to Congress reveals that of the 3,649 NGOs recognized by the government, only 273 reported their operations to the state. RD$1.08 billion in taxpayer money was allocated to the …

Read more…

The Alternative Social Forum says that while the Central Bank is patting itself on the back because it fulfilled all the requirements set by the IMF, poverty levels are increasing. Forum spokesperson Maria Teresa Cabrera said that the government has fulfilled its goals but has sacrificed the public as a result. Cabrera, quoted in Hoy, …

Read more…

Six victims of a home-manufactured bomb thrown to a bus transporting employees to work on 12 March have sued transport unions Federacion Nacional de Transporte la Nueva Opcion (Fenatrano) and Confederacion Nacional de Transporte (Conatra) for damages. Santa de la Cruz del Carmen, Maria Guerrero Sepulveda, Maritza de Jesus, Daniel Alfonso Capellan Espinal, Josefina Zapata …

Read more…

Belizean Prime Minister Said Musa has voiced his support for the DR’s aspirations to non-permanent membership of the United Nation’s Security Council. Musa, who is on an official visit to the DR, signed an agreement with Foreign Relations Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso yesterday for the creation of a bi-national commission that will establish economic and …

Read more…

The Rio Group’s National coordinators met yesterday in order to discuss the group’s agenda for the coming year. Environment, energy, security and poverty issues and the topics for discussion at the 62nd General Assembly of the United Nations in September were covered. The DR is the “pro tempore” head of the Rio Group. The meeting …

Read more…

Fees for obtaining permanent residency, naturalization process and other immigrant paperwork just got more expensive in the US, and in some cases prices were increased by 100%. The cost of naturalization increased from US$400 to US$675 and residency increased from US$300 to US$1,000. US Citizens and Immigration Services says that the increases in costs are …

Read more…

The US Embassy in the DR has prohibited its employees from visiting the popular Santo Domingo nightclub “Loft” because of alleged racial discrimination practiced by the nightclub. Roland Bullen, Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy, informed all US citizens belonging to the diplomatic mission that they should not visit that club because it did not allow …

Read more…

Hoy is reporting that the new tourist port complex at Sans Souci will welcome 70,000 cruise ship passengers this year. This is 30,000 more than in 2006, and is the result of improvements and expansion of the ports’ docks, which allow larger cruise ships to dock. Sans Souci Holdings is a US$700 million investment. Luis …

Read more…

The Ministry of Public Health has ordered the suspension of tests using a drug that allegedly cures AIDS. The Ministry disputes that the drug created by Dr. Jose Ramon Baez Acosta is a cure for AIDS. Health Minister Bautista Rojas Gomez has asked the legal system to take the proper steps to bring Baez to …

Read more…

Boston Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez was named this week’s American League’s Player of the Week. Following a dismal first half performance for the BoSox, Ramirez has exploded in the second half of the season. During his prizewinning week Ramirez went 11-28, hit .393 with seven extra base hits (four doubles and three homeruns) Pedro …

Read more…