2007 – Page 129

JetBlue Airways is announcing a non-stop service to the DR’s second city, Santiago de los Caballeros, this winter. Flights will depart Logan International Airport. The once-daily holiday shuttle will operate between 12 December 2007 and 15 January 15 2008. The airline will then assess whether bookings merit it to add a year round BOS-STI service. …

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The use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for fuelling cars is just around the corner. According to El Caribe, the Linea Clave Company is working together with gasoline retailers on the preparations needed in the first ten stations that will sell CNG in the near future. Also under way is training and certification for the …

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According to the National Institute for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition (Iden) there are 800,000 diabetes sufferers in the Dominican Republic. This figure represents nearly 10% of the total population. The institute says that the incidence of diabetes is closely related to an ever-growing sedentary lifestyle and the consumption of food cooked in saturated fats. The …

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With the approach of Tropical Storm Dean, the Dominican Republic is getting ready for the most active part of the hurricane season. While the exact track for the storm has not been predicted, the “cone of influence” drawn by most hurricane predictors includes a large part of the island of Hispaniola. The storm is expected …

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Trade, investment, education and energy topics were the focus of talks between President Felipe Calderon of Mexico and President Leonel Fernandez in Mexico City yesterday. The Dominican President was on a two-day visit to Mexico following his trip to Venezuela where he attended the PetroCaribe Summit. Fernandez and Calderon held a 45-minute meeting at the …

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Two decisions published by the Health and Labor Risk Superintendence (SISALRIL) yesterday have moved the government’s health plan, the SFS, closer to going into effect in 1 September. SISALRIL in Resolution 128-07 and 129-07 establish the agreement with doctors that sets services fees. The government accepted a 8% increase on previously agreed on fees. The …

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It appears that political campaigning could become part of life in prison, now that the Central Electoral Board (JCE) is announcing that inmates that have not been found guilty by a court will be able to vote in the 2008 presidential elections. Voting stations will be opened at the Rafey (Santiago), Najayo (San Cristobal) and …

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Press reports carry today widespread support for The Ministry of Environment Resolution 16-07 that bans the extraction of construction material from quarries located on riverbanks. As reported in Hoy, Environment Minister Max Puig said that the time had come for a total ban on extraction of materials from rivers, with no exceptions. He said that …

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The Dominican Medical Association reported on a meeting with Haitian colleagues where they discussed working together on programs to eradicate HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, filariasis and other common medical issues, as reported in Diario Libre. Haitian Health Minister Robert August visited the DR yesterday and stressed the importance of health issues being dealt with by both …

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School reopens in the DR this coming Tuesday, 21 August. More than 2.4 million students are registered at 11,890 state schools and 1,927 private schools. To mark the day, inauguration ceremonies will be held at 22 new schools in Santo Domingo province. President Leonel Fernandez is scheduled to start the year off at 8 am …

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