2008 – Page 53

National Business Association president Lisandro Macarulla backed the idea expressed by three economists yesterday that the DR needed to sign a new accord with the International Monetary Fund, just as long as there is not another ‘fiscal reform.’ Yesterday, three economists from the Intec, Apec and UASD universities said that the Dominican Republic needed to …

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The Land Transport Office (OTTT) announced yesterday that it continued to confiscate public transport vehicles that did not adhere to the mandated fare reduction announced last week. Hoy writes that OTTT officials surprised drivers and asked passengers how much they paid for fares, and if it was above the mandated price, the vehicle was confiscated. …

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Ballistics reports indicate that an M-16 rifle found in the Caribbean Sea near the National Aquarium on 24 October was in fact used during the Bani drug massacres that resulted in seven deaths. They say that a second gun, registered to a former Navy officer, was also used during the massacre. Three other guns believed …

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Flights departing Las Americas International Airport were suspended yesterday afternoon after a hoax bomb scare call was received. Listin Diario reports that more than 10 passenger flights and three cargo flights were affected. IB 6501 arriving from Madrid around 5pm was held at the gate and while passengers were told that the delay was due …

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Environment Minister Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal says that the DR could be heavily sanctioned for failing to implement turtle protection laws. The laws are part of the DR-CAFTA free trade agreement, which also covers environmental issues. As a result Fernandez has announced a plan to confiscate any turtle products or derivatives, especially in the country’s …

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The Penal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice upheld the ruling that calls for eight years of jail and fines totaling RD$2.5 million each for two former Bancredito executives convicted of fraud. Judges Hugo Alvarez Valencia, Julio Ibarra Rios, Edgar Hernandez Mejia, Dulce Rodriguez de Goris and Victor Jose Castellanos Estrella rejected a petition …

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Banana producers have reduced the price of a 40lb box of bananas by US$1. A box will now cost US$5.25 instead of US$6.25. Luis Bonilla, one of the country’s leading banana producers announced the move. Although Bonilla gave limited details, he said that the move was due in part to concerns about revenues generated by …

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The eyes of the world will be on the United States elections tonight, and the DR is no exception. The historic race between Democratic candidate Barack Obama and Republican candidate John McCain will come to an end today with US voters choosing either the first African-American president or the first female vice president in the …

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In Passaic, New Jersey, a special election is being held to fill the vacancy for mayor. Five candidates are running for the seat, including two Dominicans. Passaic is a non-partisan city, meaning that by law, the candidates do not run under a party political banner, but under their own slate. However, party affiliation may play …

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The president of the Dominican-American Round Table, Victor Capellan has been honored as one of the 13 MillerCoors 2008 Leaders of the Year. The annual MillerCoors campaign recognizes the leadership and arduous work of a number of Hispanic leaders across the country. The winning Lider will receive a US$25,000 grant for a leadership project of …

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