New Ministry of Housing
President Hipolito Mejia said he will send a bill to Congress to create the Ministry of Housing. The idea is to consolidate all public housing efforts into one entity.
Advancing on the Autovia del Este
El Siglo reports that the Ministry of Public Works is advancing on the paving of 56 kilometers of the Autovia del Este, the highway that links Boca Chica and San Pedro de Macoris in the southeast. The newspaper reports that Public Works brigades have intensified work on the highway so as to have it completed …
Coalition urges preselection of judges
The Coalition for an Independent Justice is urging President Mejia to preselect candidates to fill one of the three vacancies in the Supreme Court. The Coalition is made up of leading business and civic society organizations. It suggests that the preselection process eliminate all those: 1) Who request not to be included; 2) Who are …
PRSC revs up for increased presence in Senate
Former President Joaquin Balaguer has warned that the PRSC would call the nation to oppose any plans to extend the period of legislators in Congress with a Constitutional Reform. Orlando Gil, political analyst at El Siglo, explains that former President Balaguer is moving to convince his senators to vote against any attempt by PRD senators …
“Jevitos” arrested for racing on Abraham Lincoln avenue
On Friday, police arrested 16 “jevitos”: kids who take over Abraham Lincoln Avenue for drag races late in the evening, especially on weekends. Another six boys, most driving their parents luxury vehicles, were arrested on Saturday. Chief of Police Pedro de Jesus Candelier said that he hopes the courts will set an example so that …
Changes to real estate law urged
The Association of Real Estate Companies (AEI) is urging a crusade to motivate Congress to move on the real estate bills. In an interview with Hoy newspaper, realtors Melito Marte and Luis Pantaleon said the present real estate law is an obstacle to their sector. The law makes it very difficult and costly to evict …
Medical lawsuits on the rise
For the first time ever, more and more Dominican physicians are taking out malpractice insurance. An increase in lawsuits against Dominican doctors is making it necessary for physicians and clinics to do so. Rafael Mena, director of the National Association of Clinics and Private Hospitals, says they are recommending insurance to all their affiliates. Mena …
Putting the pants on the Americas
El Caribe reports that the Dominican Republic’s leading export is cotton pants. The country exported over US$1 billion in pants, an increase of 13.6% this year. DR exports make up 4.1% of all apparel exports to the US. The DR is the fourth largest exporter to the US only surpassed by Mexico (15.1%), China (6.8%), …
Survivor show action to take place in Los Haitises
Eight men and eight women will vie for the RD$500,000 cash prize offered to the one who can survive for 40 days in the wilderness of Los Haitises National Park. The Dominican version of the “Survivor” show will be televised starting Wednesday, 19 September at 9:30 on Channel 13.
Brazil wins World Youth Female Volleyball Championship
Brazil won the XI World Youth Female Volleyball Championship by defeating Korea 25-16, 25-18 and 25-13 in the finals of the event held at the Santo Domingo Sports Palace. Brazil is the only nation to have won the event three times: 2001, 1989 and 1987. The rankings were: 1) Brazil, 2) Korea, 3) China, 4) …