2008 – Page 186

In today’s A.M. column in Diario Libre, Editor Adriano Miguel Tejada comments on all the confusion about what constitutes a “political trial”. This is the process that is facing the remaining members of the Chamber of Accounts, according to all of the national newspapers. According to lawyer-editor Tejada, a political trial is not a criminal …

Read more…

The immigration policy currently being considered by several European countries could affect thousands of Dominicans living and working in Spain. The first to be affected would be an estimated 25,000 Dominicans who are there illegally, followed by over 100,000 who live there legally. Dominican consul in Spain Marcos Cross Sanchez told reporters from Hoy newspaper …

Read more…

The family budget is taking a lot of hits these days. A 100-pound cylinder of propane for cooking went up by RD$200 over the weekend, and gasoline, diesel and kerosene have all hit new highs. In addition, food has also increased in price. According to El Caribe, the pressure on the family budget is affecting …

Read more…

The Center of Emergency Operations (COE) has issued a Green Alert for 20 provinces. A Green Alert means that residents of low-lying areas and areas near rivers and creeks as well as people who live in potential landslide areas should be prepared for heavy rainfall. The Green Alert affects the provinces of Barahona, Independencia, San …

Read more…

President Leonel Fernandez is confident that a well-thought out plan and cooperation between the country’s private and public sectors will enable the DR to “survive” the food and energy crises that are developing on a global scale. Fernandez made his comments during a meeting at the Agricultural Institute (ISA). Fernandez says that farmers should increase …

Read more…

The Executive Branch created the Food Security Council through decree 243-08 yesterday. President Leonel Fernandez will head the Council and its goal is to draw up measures to facilitate increased food production. The Food Security Council will also work to create food reserves and a plan for food export, as well as ensuring that the …

Read more…

Chamber of Accounts members Juan Adalberto Lora and Jose A. Maceo have both resigned, effective immediately. Both cited family reasons for their decision. The members’ resignation comes after Chamber of Deputies members voted unanimously to bring charges against the nine CA members for mismanagement and lack of transparency. Senate president Reinaldo Pared Perez said that …

Read more…

The Chamber of Deputies could soon be holding a trial for councilors from the National District after they allegedly authorized the construction of high-rise towers in the Cacicazgos area of Santo Domingo. The councilors had done so without following the required authorization process. Chamber of Deputies president Julio Cesar Valentin says that Deputy Minou Tavarez …

Read more…

A barrel of crude oil hit the US$140 mark for the first time ever yesterday. The price of fuel is increasing even after Saudi Arabia agreed to increase crude oil output by 200,000 barrels per day by July. This is the second time that the Saudis have agreed to increase production. In May they agreed …

Read more…

Is a 2008 “fiscal reform” in the DR on the way? Fiscal reform in the DR is code word for tax increases. Hoy reports that the recent visit by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Murilo Portugal, could be indicative of more taxes. Portugal explains that all aspects of the nation’s fiscal policies …

Read more…