2009 – Page 51

The Ministry of Higher Education has confirmed that low-income students continue to have difficulties in securing their student visas to Spain, even after having won scholarships to study at Spanish universities. Speaking yesterday, Minister Ligia Amada Melo said that the Spanish consulate is prompt to grant visas to students whose parents can prove they have …

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One in two Dominican drivers have failed to get their “marbete” sticker for 2009-2010. The deadline for obtaining the sticker expires in 15 days. This means 700,000 stickers still need to be purchased. Drivers who fail to get the marbete will have to pay a RD$600 fine, plus the cost of the sticker. The Tax …

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A note from the UN Committee studying the viability of installing a cement plant near the perimeter of the Los Haitises National Park says that the complexity of the multidisciplinary focus by the five entities involved and the analysis of the large volume of information will cause further delays in the delivery of the report. …

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The Customs Department (DGA) has confiscated 4,000 boxes of whisky, with an estimated street value of US$620,000, as reported in Hoy. Six DGA employees are being investigated. The consignment, which would have been subject to RD$18 million in taxes, originated on the island of St. Martin and was being smuggled through Samana. The shipment includes …

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Police say that 20-year old rapper Jean Luis Valdez Flores has confessed to the brutal murder of TV personality Miky Breton. Breton, who was 49, was stabbed to death at the Princesa motel near Santo Domingo on Sunday. Hoy reports the Police are saying that Valdez killed Breton after the young rapper refused to have …

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Manuel Emilio Mesa Beltre, known locally as “El Gringo,” has been sent to three months preventive custody in Najayo jail for his role at the helm of one of Santo Domingo’s largest micro-drug trafficking rings. The layers surrounding the Gringo case are still being peeled away, but ties to well-connected lawyers, large sums of cash …

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William Lantigua has becomes the second Dominican mayor in the history of the United States. Lantigua, whose family is originally from Peravia, won the mayoral post for city of Lawrence, Massachusetts, an important center of Dominican immigration in the northeastern US. This is the first time that a Latino, and a Dominican, achieves the office …

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Young Dominican songstress Martha Heredia is going strong as she is still among the most voted performers in this year’s Latin American Idol, the reality talent show to find the best young singer in Latin America. The young singer from Santiago has captured the attention of local and international fans and is now one of …

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The Dominican Republic has long been a hothouse for young baseball hopefuls. Aside from producing some of the world’s best baseball players, the DR’s baseball culture also generates millions of dollars in revenue that is divided up by anyone “with their hand in the pot.” Recent scandals involving Dominican ball players has led to calls …

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Pedro Martinez pitches tonight in the 6th Yankees vs. Phillies game. This could be the World Series championship game for the Yankees. Expect a total curfew tonight as Dominicans stay glued to their TVs to watch THE game. It is broadcast on Fox TV or CDN local TV at 7:57pm. In the exciting final, 38-year …

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