2008 – Page 46

The Chamber of Deputies has voted in favor of a US$93.6 million loan for the purchase of eight Brazilian Super Tucano air fighters. Of the 128 legislators, 87 voted in favor, eleven voted against and 30 abstained. Eugenio Cedeno, vice president of the PRD block in Congress, said that PRD members had voted against the …

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The Quisqueya Foundation, quoting Central Bank figures, says that during the third trimester of the year tourism to the DR slowed by 3.1%, compared to the same period in 2007. This represents the largest decrease in the flow of tourism since 1998. Quisqueya Foundation directors Frank Valenzuela and Hector Frias say these figures point to …

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While experts keep warning the international financial crisis will soon be felt on the home front, Listin Diario writes that consumer sales remain high. According to the newspaper, government collection of ITBIS taxes, the local value-added tax, was up in October 2008, indicating that consumers are still spending their money. ITBIS tax is a key …

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Yesterday the Senate approved a government concession for the construction of an extension to the Santo Domingo-Samana highway. The concession is granted to the same company, Nordeste that built the first south-north part of the highway that reduces traveling time to Samana from Santo Domingo by half. The new concession covers the reconstruction and rehabilitation …

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Yesterday, the government began to hand out Bonagas cards to more than 14,000 public transport drivers. The gas cards will allow the drivers to purchase RD$3,420 worth of subsidized gas, or 52 gallons each month. El Caribe writes that the subsidized fuel could translate to cheaper fares for passengers. The government will be spending RD$200 …

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Haitian Ambassador to the DR Fritz Cineas denies reports that the Haitian authorities had rejected an offer of humanitarian aid from the DR following the catastrophic school collapse in Petionville, near Port-au-Prince last week. One hundred and two people, mainly children, are believed to have died in the disaster, and many more are injured and …

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Police Major Paola Carrasco was murdered outside her home in the Claret sector of Santo Domingo yesterday by two men who got away on a motorcycle. She was sub-director of Internal Affairs at the Traffic Police (AMET) department. Initial reports indicate that around 8pm thieves, who had been lying in wait, tried to rob Carrasco …

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Judges in Duarte province have sentenced two of the “lost at sea survivors” Gregorio and Saulo Maria Marizan to a year in prison for their role in a tragic episode that cost the lives of 30 people. The Marizan brothers have been charged with involuntary manslaughter. Family members have revealed that the small craft was …

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Dominican-born basketball player Al Horford is no longer a rookie and he is letting the rest of the league know this. The young star, who many feared would settle for the successes of his rookie year is quickly gaining the praise of basketball fans and insiders. In last night’s game against the Chicago Bulls Horford …

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Last night fans saw a glimmer of the old Jose Lima as he pitched eight scoreless innings against the Estrellas Orientales. Lima’s success helped guide the Aguilas to a 2-0 victory over the Orientales. As of late the Aguilas have entered a groove and have climbed back into first place. In last night’s second game …

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