2009 – Page 17

The Andean Development Corporation (CAF) has approved a US$80 million loan for the DR. The funds are assigned to the Urban Development and Habitat Program. Hoy reports that the CAF’s funds represent 64% of the total program funding, which is US$124.2 million. The National Housing Institute (INVI) program is building homes and social infrastructure in …

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The Fernandez administration is saying that the construction and remodeling of public schools depends on whether the government manages to secure international loans and donations, according to the 2010 National Budget bill sent by President Leonel Fernandez to be approved by Congress. The budget includes a chapter of RD$4.64 billion, of which the government revenues …

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Armed Forces Minister Lieutenant General Rafael Pena Antonio predicts that the Brazilian Super Tucano jets purchased by the Dominican government will reduce drug drops by 75%. The first two planes of the US$75 million purchase are scheduled to arrive today. “With these we are going to reduce, by at least 75% the entry of illegal …

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More cases of suspected police executions are coming to light. The latest example of fatal police brutality comes from the El Valiente sector of Santo Domingo where police reportedly killed a man while he was sleeping. Details are still being collected, but Listin Diario reports that two officers arrived on a motorcycle and walked into …

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The DR is among the top ten nations in the world to be affected by tropical storms and natural disasters in the last 18 years. This information is included in Germanwatch’s Global Climate Risk Index 2010, which lists the most severely affected countries. Saleemul Huq, adaptation expert from the International Institute for Environment and Development …

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Panoramic, fun to drive, but the Santo Domingo to Samana toll road is very dangerous. The toll is RD$694 for a round-trip that cuts driving time to around half. As reported in Hoy, more than 20 people have been killed in tragic accidents since it opened in June 2008. The highway, which was named in …

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Tonight will be the most exciting night for Martha Heredia and her millions of fans in the DR. This night could change her life forever. On tonight’s show, airing at 10pm on Telesistema 11 and on Sony TV Entertainment cable channel, Heredia goes up against rival finalist Costa Rican singer Eduardo Aguirre. Diario Libre reports …

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The heat is rising as the Dominican baseball season enters its final stretch. During last night’s match-up the Toros beat the league-leading Escogido, 3-2, and the Aguilas took care of the Estrellas 2-0. What a change to the Aguilas since Tony Pena took over the reins of the team, but the hole might be too …

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Deputies and senators have begun the signing of the 38th Constitution, described as “an unprecedented text”. The Constitution now has 277 articles, double its previous size. The Constitution will enter into use as of its proclamation on 26 January. The Constitutional Revisory Assembly, made up of all senators and legislators, met in 58 sessions over …

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The DR has been accumulating a large trade deficit with the countries with which it has signed free trade agreements. Since 2006, the DR has imported US$19.84 billion in goods, but only exported US$16.15 billion, for a deficit of US$3.69 billion. The DR has signed two main agreements since 2006: the DR-CAFTA with the US …

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