2009 – Page 331

It looks as if the Aguilas have had their wings clipped during the 2009 winter league post-season. The once dominant team from the Cibao has sputtered as of late and has lost six games in the round robin tournament. Though the post-season is still under way, it seems unlikely that the Aguilas will recover in …

Read more…

Some schools opened today, but most of the country’s 2.5 million schoolchildren will return to classes tomorrow. Education Minister Melanio Paredes announced the return to classes, but attendance is expected to be low because of the mid-week reopening.

Government electricity officials say that the sector’s subsidy will total US$600 million less in 2009 than in 2008. The subsidy will decrease from US$1.63 billion in 2008 to US$452 million in 2009, according to Radhames Segura, spokesman for the State-run Electricity Companies (CDEEE). The reduction is due to the decline in fuel prices. Segura also …

Read more…

The government is organizing a new national summit to discuss domestic problems. Economy, Planning and Development Minister Juan Temistocles Montas said that the government would provide more details of the summit that will bring together politicians, businesspeople and society representatives to discuss the global financial crisis, crime and electricity among other priority issues. He said …

Read more…

Retailers in Chinatown will once again have something to argue about in 2009 as the parking restrictions implemented by the Santo Domingo City Hall go back into effect this week. The SD municipality had allowed parking within Chinatown over the holidays, giving in to demands from business owners’ representatives to help increase sales during the …

Read more…

Speaking on his CDN radio talk show yesterday, journalist Huchi Lora concluded that, “drug trafficking wears a Dominican military uniform”. He made the statement while examining allegations of links between missing pilot Adriano Jimenez and the murder of former Dominican Civil Aviation Institute aero-navigability director, Angel Christopher. Yesterday, Christopher’s son Eric was interviewed on the …

Read more…

Politicians could be off the hook in the Quirino Ernesto Paulino Castillo (Quirino) case, currently being heard in a New York Court. Those who have been speculating that current and former Dominican government officials might be involved could be disappointed. Lawyer Carlos Balcacer told Diario Libre that the 37 people Quirino could link to the …

Read more…

The hunger strike by Constitutionalist soldiers who are campaigning for military pensions is now entering its 13th day, but new allegations question the validity of the protestors’ identities. According to Moises Ramirez del Villar, president of the Foundation of Former Constitutionalist Soldiers, he doesn’t know the men who are on strike, only one lady, “La …

Read more…

After a 24-hour occupation of a Dajabon church in protest against not being allowed their pre-arranged transport, Dominican military personnel repatriated an estimated 500 Haitian nationals. Priest Regino Martinez had opened the doors of his church to the Haitians who despite not having any legal documentation were asking to be allowed back into the DR …

Read more…

The number of gun-related homicides went up 12.95% in 2008, according to statistics from the Forensic Pathology Institute. In 2008 a total of 959 homicides were reported, 110 more than in 2007. Of these murders 792 involved firearms. In December alone 153 autopsies were performed.