2007 – Page 28

Leptospirosis, which last week was on the verge of reaching epidemic status in the DR, is finally under control, according to health officials. Even so, officials are warning people to continue taking preventive measures. A total of 29 people have died, while 350 were infected. Health officials are still concerned about the spread of conjunctivitis …

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Santo Domingo District Attorney Jose Hernandez Peguero has revealed that 80% of violent crimes reported in the last year were committed with a legally owned gun. In September 195 murders were reported, of which 131 were committed using a gun. The DA said that the number of violent crimes has gone down during 2007. Between …

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In yesterday’s baseball action the Estrellas finally beat Licey for the first time this season and ended their eight-game losing streak, the longest in the team’s history. The Estrellas had 11 hits and won the game by a score of 8-4. In other baseball action the Toros blanked the Aguilas 3-0, although the Aguilas are …

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The government will subsidize regular diesel by eliminating the 16% VAT tax on the fuel. This step is being taken in an attempt to keep fares and cargo transportation fees at present levels. At the current price levels for diesel, taxes are RD$17.55 for the VAT and RD$14.24 for other taxes included in the Hydrocarbon …

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President Leonel Fernandez ordered the suspension of all Christmas parties in state agencies due to the national tragedy of Tropical Storm Noel. President’s Administrative Minister, Luis Manuel Bonetti issued the instructions in Resolution #24. Nevertheless, the government did not prohibit the practice of the government funding the delivery of traditional Christmas baskets, usually containing costly …

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The Department of Taxes (DGII) has announced that motor vehicle and property owners who have not yet carried out the transfer of their properties, may now do so without paying arrear penalties by requesting the transfer up to 17 January. In the case of motor vehicles, the transfer fee is 2%. In the case of …

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Public Works Minister Victor Diaz Rua has told reporters that most of the damage caused by Tropical Storm Noel has been patched up and repaired. The exceptions are the bridges at Madre Vieja and Hato Damas that need to be totally rebuilt. A bridge over the Juma River was knocked off its pilings and needs …

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Yesterday, the Dominican Senate passed a law on Innovation and Competitiveness that creates a framework for manufacturing companies located outside of industrial free zones to enjoy facilities previously only granted to companies inside the free zone parks. The Senate accepted several amendments that were written into the law by the Chamber of Deputies. The legislative …

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The PLD senator for Santiago, Francisco Dominguez Brito, has submitted legislation to regulate traffic and construction along the center median and lands adjacent to the country’s major highways. If the legislation is approved, all construction on crossroads, bridges, gaps and other intersections in the center medians that divide the highways will be prohibited unless they …

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The Ministry of Industry and Commerce will open an office in Santiago de los Caballeros today, offering 20,000 jobs to interested parties. The demographic target is the pool of former workers in the industrial free zones who have lost their jobs over the past year. The new jobs are located in the Program for Micro, …

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