2009 – Page 163

President Leonel Fernandez cut the symbolic ribbon inaugurating a new natural gas plant at the Caucedo Energy Park yesterday. The plant was built by the SNG company (Soluciones Gas Natural SA), part of the Lama Business Group at a cost of RD$500 million. It is considered one of the most modern plants in the DR …

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The Ministry of Hacienda has issued RD$2 billion in domestic bonds. Congress approved the bonds, which are aimed at jumpstarting the construction market. Minister Vicente Bengoa said the bonds would primarily be used by the Ministry of Public Works, the Public Works Supervision Coordination Office and Inapa, as well as other government agencies, to continue …

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The National Union Unity Council (CNUS), true to its word, has announced that it is opposed the tentatively agreed 15% increase in the minimum wage for non-sectored workers who make RD$4,485, RD$5,060 and RD$7,360. The government approved increases for minimum salaries of RD$672.75, RD$759 and RD$1,104 a month with 5 of 7 votes. Yesterday, the …

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Central Electoral Judge (JCE) Aura Celeste Fernandez has persistently called for increased transparency at the JCE. Fernandez says the JCE has an operating budget of RD$2.5 billion, but that its members don’t know what the budgetary spending consists of because the judges have never discussed the topic. “I see rental contracts of RD$2,000 and RD$3,000 …

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The DR’s Attorney General’s office is heading a new organization involving 10 government institutions in an attempt to help monitor and fight cyber crimes. The Inter-institutional High Technology Commission (CIDAT) aims to make the struggle against cyber crimes more effective and serve as a coordination body for national and international cooperation. General Prosecutor Radhames Jimenez …

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A Customs Department (DGA) investigation into tax fraud by the cement company Cemex, the generator Itabo, and the DGA itself now involves the energy generator EGE-Haina. According to Listin Diario, a preliminary investigation by Customs reveals the transfer of 9,800 gallons of fuel to Cemex, without notifying the DGA. Still no word on the monetary …

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Trade with South Korea increased US$40.6 million overall during the first five months of the year. South Korea exported US$31.4 million, while the DR exported US$9.2 million to South Korea, reported Jung Suk Choi, director of the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) for the DR, as reported in Listin Diario. He made the comments …

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The young man who murdered three of his countrymen is only 17, according to press reports following up on the crime. Reports indicate that he will receive a maximum sentence of 3 to 4 years, and psychological assessments and help. Last week two women and one man, Legni Fung Dng, Hui Ting Win and Shao …

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Manny Ramirez’s tumultuous road towards image recovery and redemption took a downturn yesterday as he was ejected in bottom of the fifth inning in the LA Dodgers’ game against the New York Mets. Ramirez’s seemed apathetic about his ejection, saying after the game, “I didn’t want to throw even more fire. I just walked away. …

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President Beer is promoting its Verano Presidente with a Cosmopolitan Third Bikini Bash with more than 1,000 women wearing bikinis for the biggest aerial bikini photo shoot with the women’s bodies forming the word “Cosmo”. The event is co-sponsored by Cosmopolitan Magazine. The Bikini Bash is an event that has been held worldwide. This year …

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