2007 – Page 5

DR1 Daily News will not be updated on Monday, 24 December or Tuesday, 25 December as it breaks for the Christmas holiday. The DR1 Forums will remain open 24/7 for any breaking news and commentaries, and the Daily News will be updated beginning Wednesday, 26 December. See www.dr1.com/forums

Traffic has stepped up in major cities as city residents scramble for last minute shopping and preparations for family and friends gathering for Christmas. Meanwhile, as is traditional, the usual office and business deals have slowed down, as Christmas parties, vacationing and shopping become the priority. In Santo Domingo, the city is presenting a free …

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Authorities at Las Americas International Airport (AILA) are expecting an estimated 249,036 to pass through the airport this holiday season. Diario Libre writes that travelers bringing gifts valued at US$2,500 or less will be exempt from paying taxes on those items. This government concession is for Dominicans who travel back to the DR during the …

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The power distribution companies are promising to do their bit for a bright Christmas. Edesur has announced that it will provide its customers with uninterrupted power service during the Christmas holiday. The continuous power service will begin on 24 December at 5pm, lasting until 6am 25 December. Edesur will provide the same service from 31 …

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Chief of Police Mayor General Rafael Guillermo Guzman Fermin announced that during the Christmas and New Year celebrations 15,000 police officers would be patrolling the streets to control crime during the holiday season. He said this includes 3,165 new recruits. Fermin said that 1,095 police officers would help AMET traffic police, 400 would be on …

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Central Electoral Board president Julio Cesar Castanos Guzman said that new US Ambassador to the DR Paul Robert Fannin visited the JCE yesterday to hear their concerns about the staging of the next presidential elections in the light of the lower than expected budget allocation that was assigned to the JCE for 2008. Fannin was …

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The Attorney General’s office has announced that it will construct a new jail in Guatapanal, south of Santiago. AG Radhames Jimenez explained that the new RD$300 million jail would replace the Rafey jail that was partially destroyed by TS Olga and the flooding of the Yaque del Norte River. Jimenez added that the land for …

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The authorities began distributing subsidized fuel to drivers yesterday. The subsidized fuel will benefit a total of 4,000 selected trucking transporters and 30,000 selected passenger transporters. Diario Libre writes that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is distributing the fuel to gas stations controlled by the transport cartels through the Pelicano Company. Industry and Commerce …

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Beginning tonight the alcohol decree, which limits the sale of alcohol throughout the DR, will be lifted allowing alcohol to be sold at the discretion of club and bar owners. The decree will be back in effect on 1 January 2008. The lifting of the decree is welcome news for some bar and club owners …

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The Juan Luis Guerra Foundation has handed out food, medicine and toys to people affected by TS Noel and Olga. The supplies were donated by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin and were handed out in Las Canitas area of Santo Domingo as well as the Robert Reid Cabral Children’s Hospital. Listin Diario reports that the …

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