2009 – Page 155

Former President Hipolito Mejia’s faction within the main opposition PRD party has described the decision to call a convention to proclaim Miguel Vargas Maldonado as president of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) this Sunday as “regrettable”. Yesterday they contested the whole thing before the Central Electoral Board (JCE), challenging the party’s call for a convention. …

Read more…

A former deputy director of Customs (DGA) during several administrations, Luis Manuel Sanchez escaped injury yesterday, in a raid that took place around midnight outside his house in Santo Domingo’s Evaristo Morales neighborhood. His driver, Longino Luna, nevertheless, was killed in the attack. Sanchez fired back at the assailants. His vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser, …

Read more…

A watchman at the Popular Savings and Loan Association on Bartolome Colon Avenue in Santiago walked away with over RD$2 million in cash on Tuesday evening. Raul Mercado, 34, worked for the Dominican Watchman National security company. According to Diario Libre, Mercado waited until just about closing before using his 9mm pistol to threaten the …

Read more…

Decree 501-09 from the Executive Branch has put General Juan Tomas Taveras Rodriguez in retirement. The general had been punished with 10 days ‘arrest’ by the chief of the National Police, Major General Rafael Guillermo Guzman Fermin, but this was subsequently lifted by an order from Interior & Police Minister Franklin Almeyda Rancier. In the …

Read more…

Life ended quickly and brutally for 19-year old Julio Cesar Planco, known as “Gotica” in the crime world of San Cristobal. He was lynched by a furious mob after he and two accomplices stole a motorcycle from Victoriano de la Cruz. These events took place in the community of Mojo Casabe in the town of …

Read more…

New York State Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat has endorsed Ydanis Rodriguez for the New York City Council seat vacated by Miguel Martinez in Washington Heights, Manhattan. Espaillat’s decision, announced yesterday, followed Martinez’s abrupt resignation from his NYC Council seat on Tuesday due to an anticipated indictment by the US Attorney’s office relating to a slush fund …

Read more…

The Santiago Wholesalers Association (Amaprosan) inaugurated their 2009 trade fair yesterday afternoon, calling for a new model of behavior for government employees. The fair, dedicated to prominent businessman Jose Luis Corripio Estrada (Pepin), who was presented with a plaque of recognition for his contributions to the wholesale business in the DR.

Summer is special as Casa de Teatro welcomes leading jazz performers for its Annual Summer Jazz Festival, with Thursday performances. This Thursday, 16 July Natalia Calderon Quartet from Spain performs at the Colonial City bohemian culture house. Tickets are RD$350 for auditorium and RD$200 in the Cafe Teatro. For more on upcoming events, see http://www.dr1.com/calendar …

Read more…

On Tuesday, his last day in Israel before traveling on to Egypt, President Leonel Fernandez met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset. They agreed on cooperation between the two countries in the areas of education, technology, agriculture and trade. Both heads of state also agreed to continue diplomatic talks during the next …

Read more…

President Leonel Fernandez and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas have signed a bilateral agreement calling for an exchange of diplomats between the DR and the Palestinian National Authority. The agreement is deemed a first step in the process of construction of friendship and cooperation. The agreement was signed at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of …

Read more…