2007 – Page 273

The whale watching season in currently in full swing in Samana, and an estimated 30,000 visitors are expected this year. The Samana Whale Sanctuary is winter breeding and calving grounds for the seven to nine thousand humpback whales that visit the island each year. Of the approximately 150,000 humpbacks that used to live in the …

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President Leonel Fernandez will make his bid for the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) presidential candidacy for the 2008 elections official on 25 March 2006. The event will be held at the Centro Olimpico. Diario Libre explains that Fernandez has remained completely silent about his reasons for seeking re-election and at one point remarked that this …

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As part of the requirements of DR-CAFTA and Law 226-06, the Customs Department will try to clear freight within 48 hours of the merchandise arriving at Dominican ports. Customs Technical director Eduardo Rodriguez made the announcement and said that Customs has an information exchange system with the US and the other DR-CAFTA countries that will …

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The bill presented by the Dominican Republic Association of Industries (AIRD) at the closing ceremony of their First Congress has sparked opposing reactions. Consultant Roberto Despradel argues that a tax breaks similar to ones in the countries that the Dominican Republic is competing with is what is needed. Despradel said that the challenges brought on …

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Transit Authority officials (AMET) began using the new breathalyzers for the first time yesterday. Major General Jose Sigfredo Fernandez took the time to explain that police are not executing raids in order to catch drunk drivers, but said that officers are looking at vehicles that run red lights, swerve along the streets or travel at …

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Karen P. Tandy, head of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), has held a meeting with President Leonel Fernandez. She traveled to the DR after visiting Haiti, explaining that the United States is working with both countries on their fight against the drug trade. The DEA head is in the country to coordinate policies …

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In an interview with Listin Diario, Central Electoral Board Judge John Giuliani announced plans for a more efficient way of correcting cedula and birth certificates that have been forged or have mistakes. Giuliani, who heads the Commission for Cancellations and Revalidation, said that the correction of altered documents would take less than 90 days from …

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The Blacksmith Institute and the UASD University Chemistry Institute were working in the community of Paraiso de Dios – “God’s Paradise” – near Haina Industrial Park, just outside Santo Domingo, for the second consecutive day yesterday. Community members provided the technicians with blood samples in order to determine the trace level of lead in children. …

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Juan Hubieres, who heads Fenatrano, and Ramon Perez Figuereo, leader of the National United Transporters union (CNTU), were due to meet with Transit Reorganization Office head Diandino Pena at 9:30am today. Hubieres said that he was going to the meeting to “hear the proposals and find solutions,” while Perez said he was going out of …

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Last year the Brugal Rum company exported more than one million boxes of its famous rum, and expects to export US$50 million’s worth this year. This target was announced during a meeting held in Puerto Plata between representatives of the 16 countries where Brugal is sold. The representatives from Europe, the Caribbean, South and North …

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