2008 – Page 74

The National Lottery signed an agreement with the Federation of Betting Shops (Fenabanca) whereby 6,200 illegal gambling houses could regularize their status. He estimates there are 15,000 betting shops that operate illegally. The government was losing RD$1.2 billion per month in taxes because the businesses were run illegally, according to National Lottery administrator Jose Francisco …

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State Electricity Company (CDEEE) vice president Radhames Segura says the government will release US$100 million of the US$364 million of government arrears with power companies no later than 25 October. As reported in Hoy, CDEEE figures reveal that the government maintains a debt of US$88 million with EdeNorte, US$124 million with EdeSur and US$151 million …

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According to constitutional expert and leading opposition PRD party member Enmanuel Esquea Guerrero, the proposed constitutional reform would allow President Leonel Fernandez to opt for a fourth term in office, beginning in 2012. Esquea explains that while the Constitution still limits extended runs at the presidency, a clause in the proposed Magna Carta implies that …

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Public hospitals nurses in Santo Domingo will go on strike tomorrow, Wednesday 15 October. Nurses are still waiting for Congress to respond to their demands for higher wages and more jobs for union members. Nurses and doctors want an overall wage increase, while the Ministry of Public Health is maintaining that pay raises need to …

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Relatives of respected former Civil Aviation Board official Angel Christopher Martinez who was shot dead over two years ago are calling on General Prosecutor Radhames Jimenez Pena to take action in the yet unsolved murder case. Christopher was murdered in his vehicle on 12 July 2006. Family members held a protest outside the General Prosecutor’s …

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Assistant prosecutor German Miranda Villalona has expressed his opposition to the order sent by the General Prosecutor’s Office to the Supreme Court whereby charges that led to an eight-year sentence against bankers Arturo Pellerano and Felipe Mendoza in the Bancredito fraud case would be dismissed. He said, nevertheless, that in keeping with hierarchy and discipline, …

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Aside from flooding, this year’s rains have led to increased deterioration on the nation’s streets. Hoy reports that holes have been popping up on Santo Domingo’s streets at an alarming rate, due to the frequent rains. But what’s worse is that those very same rains have made it almost impossible for the Ministry of Public …

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Basketball great Alonzo “Zo” Mourning made a special visit to students at the Politecnico MIR Esperanza, in La Romana. Zo took a moment to speak to children at the school and explained that “basketball is what I now how to do best, but it requires a lot of practice and discipline. It’s a profession like …

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The Boston Red Sox are treading on thin ice against one-time perennial bottom dwellers Tampa Bay Rays. The vaunted Sox started off the series with a win in Tampa Bay on Friday. The Sox looked to talk their momentum into game two, on Saturday, but Tampa had plans of its own and took game two. …

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Dominican fashion week is here with the nation’s best designers putting their talents on display. This is the third year of Dominican Moda with designers Robert Flores, Gutierrez Marcano and Sully Bonnelly opening up festivities. The event will run through next Saturday with 35 scheduled events throughout the week. For a complete schedule, see www.dominicanamoda.com