2006 – Page 23

In the Dominican Republic, the proportion of overweight and obese people in the general population has reached 46%, while for children the figure is just 13.8%. At a conference at the National Evangelical University (UNEV), endocrinologist Dr. Socrates Manon reported the results of a study carried out in 2000. Dr. Manon cited data from several …

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On the eve of the start of DR-CAFTA, Centro Cuesta Nacional announces it is allying itself with Topco Associates that groups more than 60 supermarket chains and 4,000 stores in the US. Cuesta becomes the first Latin American member-owner of the group. CNN explains that it will be introducing seven new brands (Valu Time, Top …

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The police handed the Justice Department the files on a group of people who are said to have bilked 260 people of EUR2,500 each for travel to Europe. The gang, headed by Santo Valdez Cuello, a deportee who served 14 years in jail in the United States on murder charges, also included Michael Alcantara Ruben, …

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Last night the Azucareros from La Romana ended their six-game losing streak at the expense of the Leones del Escogido whose losing streak is now up to 16 games. The Azucareros won 9-1. In Santo Domingo, the Tigres del Licey won their third game in a row, beating the league-leading Gigantes del Cibao, 9-2. In …

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As a result of what President Leonel Fernandez described as an unusual “collective intelligence” exercise, the statesman revoked several of the tax increases he had proposed in November and announced that he would be sending a proposal with a greater focus on cutting superfluous government spending and increasing tax collection efficiency to Congress. The original …

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Though revenue was lower than the government had estimated, the hefty increase in government spending is mentioned as the main reason for the present government deficit. Diario Libre points out today that even if revenues had been as expected, a RD$5 billion deficit would have been reported given the free hand in government spending this …

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Although the President announced that basic food items would not be taxed, following meetings last week at the Presidential Palace promising that prices would be controlled, business leaders cannot explain why basic food prices are still extremely high. Prices got a jump start in mid November after the President had announced basic food would be …

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The French government has given the RD$30 million for projects aimed at strengthening municipalities, hospitals, community service, and support for women’s development programs in Elias Pina province. Cecile Pozzo di Borgo, the French Ambassador to the DR, made the announcement. The aid will be distributed through the French Development Agency’s Cooperation Service. The French government …

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A letter from the US Embassy’s press attache William J. Millman published in Hoy seeks to clarify US Ambassador Hans Hertell’s statements about the nationality of Haitians born in the country. The letter says that Hertell understands Dominican laws on the status of foreigners born in the DR and that the US government recognizes the …

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The Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) inaugurated four computer centers in Montellano and Altamira yesterday with 50 Internet-ready computers. This is the sixth center Indotel has opened in Puerto Plata province this year.