2008 – Page 147

The prices of construction materials have increased 5% to 50% during the first six months of the year. Luis Mejia, president of the Dominican Hardware Federation, says that sales for cement, metal rods, gravel, paint, woods, steel and all other building materials are down because of the higher prices. A bag of cement which cost …

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Manuel Cabrera, the new president of the Association of Industries of Herrera, criticizes that the government, despite announcing an austerity program, continues to spend freely on advertising. Cabrera mentions as an extreme case a costly advertisement in the press yesterday by the Energy Commission congratulating the government on the “success in its efforts in the …

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Danilo Medina, the former Secretary of the Presidency, is back in the picture. After a long absence, he attended a meeting of the Political Committee of the ruling PLD party. Medina had distanced himself from the government after President Leonel Fernandez announced he would seek reelection. Medina aspired to be the PLD presidential candidate in …

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The National Police have announced they have the head of the Francisco Alberto Caamano Deno statute, which was reported missing on Saturday. El Caribe reports that the head was knocked off the statue at the Sofitel Nicolas Ovando Hotel after a ladder fell on it. Hotel employees handed the head over to the Police.

The bank accounts of Oscar, Luis, Carlos and Jose Benitez, as well as those of unnamed eight Dominican associates, have been blocked by authorities while the investigations into their illegal activities proceed. The brothers are suspected of defrauding the US Medicare system of US$110 million and laundering the money through a variety of businesses. The …

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According to a study done by the 10/66 Group and published by the Washington Post 11.7% of Dominicans suffer from dementia. The percentage of women with the disease is below the average for men. The study, directed by Dr. Martin Prince from King’s College in London collaborated with investigators from the US, China India, Cuba, …

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The Weather Department forecasts high temperatures in the DR until the weekend. Gloria Ceballos says nationwide there will be temperatures hovering around 32-34 degrees. In the evenings, though, temperatures have been cooling off to a pleasant 25 degrees in the early morning.

Dominican slugger Manny Ramirez is once again in the spotlight, but this time not for his homerun swing. In the latest chapter of this saga, Ramirez could be on the trading block after he voicing his displeasure with the Red Sox’s treatment of him. Red Sox management has been stalwart on the issue and rumors …

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Superintendent of Electricity Francisco Mendez says electricity rates may have to go up. He says the higher costs and the rising subsidies to those who do not pay for the service are not sustainable by the government. He said that costs have quadrupled while the electricity rates have stayed the same. According to Mendez, the …

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Brazilian Ambassador Ronaldo Dunlop said that a Brazilian company will be installing a plant to mix ethanol with local gasoline and obtain a cheaper fuel for use in the nation’s flotilla of vehicles. The diplomat said at the Presidential Palace that during the initial stages ethanol would be imported from Brazil, but that later Brazilian …

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