2008 – Page 205

According to a nationwide survey by the Center for Social and Demographic Studies (ENDESA), 7% of Dominicans suffer from hypertension, with people over the age of 45 showing the highest risk. An interesting detail of the report is that hypertension is more common among people with higher incomes. Ten percent of people who make at …

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Despite heavy demand, American Airlines has reduced its flight schedule to Santiago’s Cibao International airport to two, down from five, and this is creating serious inconveniences for passengers. The airline also eliminated Samana Airport from its route, as part of measures to compensate for the increase in fuel prices. Engineer Felix Garcia, president of Aeropuerto …

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CEPM, one of the leading energy providers in the eastern region, is moving into the Internet business, according to company president Rolando Gonzalez Bunster. This development means that access to the Internet in the east coast and Bayahibe will only get better. CEPM, a privately-owned energy consortium, chose ECI Telecom to enter the rapidly growing …

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Fenatrano public transport union leader Juan Hubieres was arrested yesterday after a violent incident involving two members of his bus union. Hoy reports that the incident was sparked off when union members Frank Sanchez and Pedro Segura got into an argument with another driver, from the Ruta 96 union, over control of the Tamarindo/UASD bus …

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Dominican commuters trying to get home yesterday during the late afternoon rush hour were greeted with a terrible surprise: a shortage of buses running their normal routes. The bus shortage, caused by an impromptu drivers’ strike, made home commutes long and unbearable. DR1 News correspondent Lu Olivero reports that the situation was frustrating for many. …

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On this day in 1961, the bloody 30-year regime of dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo came to an end. Marking the 47th anniversary, Antonio Imbert Barrera, the last surviving participant in Trujillo’s assassination recalls the events of the night when he and a group of men ambushed Trujillo’s vehicle on Santo Domingo’s Malecon seafront boulevard. Imbert …

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La Isla department store on Ave. Tiradentes in Naco is offering 50% off selected household items. La Cadena supermarket is selling six pack Brahma beer for RD$119.95, brown sugar for RD$8.95lb, tomatoes for RD$14.95lb, Italian eggplant for RD$11.95lb, goat meat for stews at RD$79.95lb, and mangos for RD$8.95ea. Pola is advertising their Friday seafood sales …

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President Leonel Fernandez and Vice President Rafael Alburquerque received their election certificates yesterday during a ceremony at the Central Electoral Board (JCE). The certificates declare them the official winners of the 16 May presidential election, in which Fernandez obtained 53.83% of the vote. Fernandez commented that his win is proof of the existence of democracy …

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Key executives, investors and supporters of Barrick Gold, the largest pure gold mining company in the world, met President Leonel Fernandez at the Presidential Palace yesterday. The Toronto-based Canadian company has the concession to exploit the gold mine in Pueblo Viejo, Cotui. Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Venezuelan businessman Gustavo Cisneros, former advisor to …

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The Dominican Republic is taking additional steps to abolish child labor. Vice President Rafael Albuerquerque, renowned for his work in the labor sector, signed an agreement with the International Labor Union (ILO) under which the DR would receive advice and help in reducing child labor. Virgilio Levaggi signed for ILO while Labor Minister Jose Ramon …

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