2009 – Page 174

Julius Keter from Kenya is the new winner of the Hispaniola Lowenbrau half-marathon (21 kms). He clocked in with a time of 1:05:30 on Sunday, a new record for the event. Keter was one of the favorites. He won the marathon through the sweltering heat that affected many of the runners. Runners-up were Pedro Mora …

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Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz will make his professional debut at the Carlos Teo Cruz Coliseum tonight. Ten months ago Diaz was crowned Olympic champion at the Beijing Olympics. Diaz, fighting at 140 pounds, will face Mexican pugilist Hugo Pacheco. Commenting on the fight, Diaz said, “I feel strong and calm, and have completed my …

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Vice President Rafael Alburquerque and Labor Minister Max Puig both agree that the 12% pay increase for minimum wage earners proposed by the private sector is not enough. They called on the business sector to come up with a larger pay hike, in the spirit of the 100th anniversary of the birth of former President …

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Remittances declined by more than US$65 million in 2008 compared to the previous year. Central Bank statistics indicate that remittances in 2008 totaled US$3.045 billion compared to US$3.11 billion in 2007. The drop in remittances is being felt even more this year. There has already been a decline of US$55.1 million for the first quarter, …

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Geologist Osiris de Leon says that the Department of Mining bears the greater responsibility for the conflicts arising when mining companies are authorized to operate in or around protected areas or areas with tourism potential. As reported in Hoy, de Leon said that that government body is liberal and lacks responsibility when granting permits, without …

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The president of the Congressional Environment Commission, deputy Mario Jose Fernandez Savinon has described President Leonel Fernandez’s decision to delegate the recommendation about the construction of the cement plant off Los Haitises to an United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) mission as just playing for time. “It is only a Dormicum for those who oppose the …

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The Bishop of San Francisco de Macoris, Monsignor Jesus Maria de Jesus Moya spoke out yesterday, calling for a government with more authority. “They should not be softies, but need to be capable of applying the laws and earnest”, he said, as reported in Hoy. He urged the government to deliver the RD$4 billion it …

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India will experience the greatest rate of growth in 2010, with a World Bank forecast increase in GDP of 8% in 2010, more than China at 7.7%, says Fernando Gonzalez Nicolas, president of the Caribbean Trade Consortium. He says that bilateral trade between India and the DR in 2008 totaled US$44 million, with potential for …

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Major League slugger Manny Ramirez is back to hitting Major League style hits, sort of. Ramirez, who is only two weeks away from returning to batting for the Los Angeles Dodgers, began his gradual return to baseball this week playing with the Dodgers’ Minor League affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes. Ramirez played four innings in his …

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Despite his on and off the field struggles, Dominican ball player Alex Rodriguez hit his 563rd career home run yesterday, tying him with baseball great Reggie Jackson at 11th place on the all-time home runs list. Rodriguez hit the homer off Braves right-hander Derek Lowe. On the milestone Jackson said, “I am glad to see …

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