2008 – Page 344

Local health authorities have reported the isolation of the avian H5N2 virus in two roosters in a cock-fighting ring in La Otra Banda, Higuey. The birds have been reported to have been irregularly imported, supposedly from the US or Puerto Rico. Angel Faxas, head of the Livestock Department, said that the flu does not pose …

Read more…

President Leonel Fernandez believes that finding solutions to the electricity problems in the DR, now with rising petroleum prices, is the greatest challenge that his government will face in 2008. Fernandez made his comments while swearing in members of the board of directors of the new Transmision de Electricidad Dominicana (ETED) and Generacion Hidroelectrica Dominicana …

Read more…

Industry and Commerce Minister Melanio Paredes warned yesterday that the Metropolitan Transit Authorities (AMET) would impound any government vehicle being used during the weekends or on holidays without a proper explanation. Paredes said that anyone driving government vehicles on weekends must present a letter from their department head justifying the use of the vehicle. The …

Read more…

Diario Libre is reporting that the government will buy the remaining 50% shares of the Dominican Petroleum Refineries from the Shell Company by the end of February. The price of the shares will be determined by one of the companies that took part in the public bidding held by the Hacienda Ministry. Hacienda Minister Vicente …

Read more…

Government revenues totaled RD$230 billion in 2007, or 27.1% more than was collected in 2006. Also, government costs increased to RD$222 billion for a total execution of 97% of the total budget. Of that figure RD$76 billion were spent on consumption costs while RD$55 billion were allocated to capital costs. Donations to the government totaled …

Read more…

PRD and PRSC representatives are describing the decision by a special Senate commission to maintain that Central Electoral Board’s (JCE) originally planned budget as absurd, an abuse of power and a violation of the Constitution. PRD General Secretary Orlando Jorge Mera said that Congress can’t decide to give the JCE more money if a second …

Read more…

Hoy is reporting that the first three Metro cars, built by Alstom, have arrived in the DR and are at the Haina Oriental port. Two of the cars weigh 33 tons, the third weighs 30 tons, and they are 18.32 meters long and 3.86 meters high. Hoy describes the cars as painted red, white and …

Read more…

Hoy is reporting that holiday sales exceeded expectations and registered an increase of between 25 and 50%. Storeowners and managers interviewed by Hoy expressed their surprise at the increase in sales due to the economic impact of Tropical storms Noel and Olga. Some storeowners were concerned because shopping had been slow in early December, but …

Read more…

The New Year has brought an increase in the prices of basic foods including eggs, plantains, bananas, cassava, potatoes, onions, peppers, cheese and milk. Poultry and other meats also experienced a 10% to 25% increase in some cases. Listin Diario reports that many of the increases are inevitable because of the effects of Tropical Storms …

Read more…

The Meteorological Department (ONAMET) is forecasting chilly weather due to the cold front moving in from the east/southeast. The authorities are warning citizens, especially asthma sufferers, to dress warmly. Weather officials are also expecting light showers throughout the day. Estimates indicate a low of 16 degrees Celsius in Santo Domingo and 5 degrees Celsius in …

Read more…