2008 – Page 69

Environment Minister Jamie David Fernandez said that he would meet with the sand and gravel extraction companies next week in order to propose a deal aimed at regulating their operations. This is a much softer stance compared to the Minister’s recent uncompromising statements on the issue of sand and gravel extraction from riverbeds. Fernandez didn’t …

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Transport Reorganization Office (OPRET) director Diandino Pena has announced that the Santo Domingo Metro will finally open to the public on 15 December 2008. Fares will be between RD$20 and RD$25. Pena says the system is in its final stages of preparation, noting that it is difficult to get all 19 trains moving together, arriving …

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More details about the Paya drug massacre have surfaced as officials continue searching for the gun that was used during the killings. Hoy reports that a 9mm Taurus pistol belonging to former Navy Lieutenant Jorge Luis Chalas, which has since been recovered, was used during the murders orchestrated by Edward Mayobanex Rodriguez. Search teams have …

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The Supreme Court has ruled that a 1954 agreement between the Vatican and the Dominican State, known as the Concordat, doesn’t violate the freedom to practice religion. Judges argued that the agreement doesn’t curtail the freedom of practice of religion, yet doesn’t hold another religion to privileged status. The judges agreed that all religions have …

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Extended blackouts are once again being reported throughout the country. Though the reasons aren’t clear, a lack of fuel, the government’s inability to pay debts and technical difficulties are being blamed for the blackouts. However, Hoy reports these are just stock phrases wheeled out in order to appease frustrated citizens. The energy deficit totaled 1,000 …

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Car sales have fallen for a sixth straight month, forcing vehicle importers and dealers association ACOFAVE to ask banks to lower interest rates in order to stimulate sales. Acofave director Enrique Fernandez says interest rates have doubled since May 2008, registering about 30% per year. Fernandez says that car sales will total about 22,180 by …

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Protests are becoming routine in several towns and cities in the Cibao region. Two people including a police officer were injured during street protests. Diario Libre reports that 16 people have been detained and that police officers shot 17-year old Israel Polanco Santos while he was playing basketball during the protests in San Francisco de …

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Ophthalmologist Juan Francisco Batlle is advising the public not to resort to home remedies if they are infected with conjunctivitis (a.k.a. “pink eye”). Batlle says that these remedies are useless and could be dangerous, increasing the spread of other eye ailments. Some of the most common home remedies include applying honey, berry juice, and soaping …

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Supporters of Humberto Pepin Taveras are asking President Leonel Fernandez to help them in their campaign to prevent Pepin being put to death in the US after he was found guilty of two murders in 1992. After the murders Pepin dismembered the two men, an associate and a rival, saying he used his professional skills …

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Critics have voiced concerns about the quiet nature of the Tigres del Licey in the early part of this baseball season, but Licey took care of that quickly last night. The Tigres thumped their rivals, Aguilas Cibaenas, in an embarrassing fashion, 21-6. Listin Diario is already calling this a historic game, “the 21 October Massacre.” …

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