2008 – Page 195

The tobacco industry has exported US$1.13 billion worth of goods in the last four years, according to Tobacco Institute director Adalberto Rosa. The director says that tobacco exports have been climbing steadily over the last four years. Rosa says that annual exports are registered at about 550 million units with a total of 2.3 billion …

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Yesterday, some public transport drivers began charging higher fares to the dismay of passengers. Reports indicate that the increases were between RD$3 and RD$20, depending on the route, the driver and the union the driver is affiliated to. Hoy writes that beginning today more bus drivers will increase their prices. Union leaders argue that keeping …

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As a result of the impromptu fare increase the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has ordered the Department of Hydrocarbons to remove the fuel subsidy to the bus unions who unilaterally increased bus fares. The government had been threatening to remove the subsidy as a way of keeping fares down. Industry and Commerce Minister Melanio …

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Nine consulates from Latin American countries have created a coalition that will provide services to the immigrant community in New York State. The coalition’s services will also extend to communities in New Jersey and Connecticut. Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and the DR have joined forces to create the “Coalition of …

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National Police Chief Major General Rafael Guillermo Guzman Fermin says that the US State Department advisory on safety issues for tourists visiting the DR is old and doesn’t reflect the current situation in the DR. Guzman says that the report is from 2005-2006 and that he recently met with members of the US Embassy in …

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Santo Domingo Attorney General Perfecto Acosta says that 50% of criminal cases in the province of Santo Domingo are drug related. The AG says that the increase in drug use is directly linked to the increase of crime in the province. He added that an analysis of the situation reveals that most thefts, attacks and …

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US federal agents are in the DR investigating money laundering involving Medicare funds. Sources say that the perpetrators of the scam defrauded the Medicare system out of millions of dollars and laundered the money through the DR. Three FBI agents as well as other enforcement officials are currently in the DR to carry out the …

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A mob in Tamboril is being blamed for the death of Martin Polanco Cruz, a fugitive of justice who had killed five people. The mob reportedly shot the man then pelted him with rocks, sticks and also stabbed him. Diario Libre reports that Polanco was seen firing shots into the air and threatening to kill …

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President Leonel Fernandez revealed yesterday evening that he has sent a letter to the United Nations Secretary General requesting the creation of a “solidarity fund” to finance the economies of developing countries that are being hard hit by increasing petroleum and food prices. The Chief Executive told reporters from Listin Diario that he sent Ban …

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Industry and Commerce Minister Melanio Paredes has ordered an audit of the transport unions that benefit from the use of government subsidized diesel fuel. Special attention is being given the National Confederation of Unified Transporters (CNTU), headed by Ramon Perez Figuereo. According to Hoy newspaper, Paredes said that Perez Figuereo is “suspected of not giving …

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