2006 – Page 44

The Dominican Senate has approved the legislation needed to adapt local laws to the requirements of the DR-CAFTA free trade agreement. The set of bills and law modifications were passed without objections as received from the Chamber of Deputies. Senators also rubber-stamped a piece of budget-related legislation from the Executive Branch. In other actions, the …

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The World Bank (WB) has reaffirmed its claim that the Dominican Republic needs to make major changes in some of its institutions. The international financial institution says that the DR must strengthen the financial system in order to limit the opportunities for fraud and collusion provided by barely- transparent supervision. The bank called for the …

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Hundreds of newly graduated doctors are on waiting lists for vacancies for their compulsory one-year apprenticeship service in the nation’s public hospitals. The current 1,200 slots are woefully insufficient and another 950 are needed to satisfy demand. Without the apprenticeship service, doctors cannot obtain their license to practice medicine in the Dominican Republic. Generally speaking, …

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Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez and two of the country’s main business organizations are voicing concerns about the selection process for the Central Electoral Board (JCE) magistrates that will be in charge of the 2008 presidential election. Their focus was on the fact that there had been indications that the new magistrates would come from the major …

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The second part of today’s “Que se dice” page two editorial in Hoy newspaper tackles the same subject. Starting off with a Dominican saying that says that “he who shares out, gets the best share,” the writer says that civic group Participacion Ciudadana (Citizen Participation) is warning that this is just what the political parties …

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Both main opposition parties, the PRSC and the PRD have expressed support for the 48-hour national strike called by the Alternative Social Forum for tomorrow and Friday. The political parties say that they will support a peaceful strike. However, in the Chamber of Deputies, Congress leader Julio Cesar Valentin (PLD) said that a strike would …

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The National Police have announced the arrest of infamous drug dealer Samuel Paula Rosario, alias “Luis Quita Tenis” (sneaker thief). Paula Rosario has 25 previous arrests on his sheet at the police headquarters. He was recently arrested and freed on bail last June. The notorious drug dealer is reportedly operating drug sales points in the …

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Manny Acta, at just 37, is the new manager of the Washington Nationals. He will be the youngest manager in the Major Leagues. Acta began his career as a coach with the Houston Astros when he was 22 years old. He has worked as a coach in the the minor leagues and as manager in …

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The Aguilas beat the Toros in La Romana, 5-4 in extra innings. The Gigantes were not good hosts to the Leones de Escogido, winning 7-3. Licey stopped the Estrellas winning streak at five games, winning a close game, 7-6. Standings Team W-L Avg. Games Behind Licey 16 – 7 .696 – Gigantes 12 – 11 …

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President Leonel Fernandez is to address the nation today, and his speech will concentrate on explaining the government’s proposed fiscal reform. Fernandez’s comments will be closely scrutinized, partly because he has so far refused to comment on the subject, to avoid adding to all the speculation, and because many are anxious to find out the …

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