2010 – Page 238

A total of 67% of the 4,135 public employees who are running as candidates in the next congressional and municipal elections have taken leave of absence from their jobs. Central Electoral Board (JCE) Administrative Chamber president Roberto Rosario presented a report yesterday on the controls of the use of State resources at the current stage …

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The PRD, once the most powerful single voice in Dominican politics, is struggling with its internal demons. As a result, yesterday the leadership attempted to get together and put their signatures to a document pledging party unity. Former President Hipolito Mejia was not there but he signed it, but Rafael Subervi Bonilla did not sign …

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Costa Rica has activated the Dispute Resolution Mechanism process in the framework of the DR-CAFTA agreement, and is asking for an arbitration group to help smooth out the country’s differences with the Dominican Republic. According to the Costa Rican authorities, the Dominican Republic is imposing tariffs on goods from two Costa Rican companies that export …

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At least 324 new yellow cabs are being allowed to drive freely around Santo Domingo despite the fact that they do not have license plates. This was confirmed by accounts from some of the drivers. El Caribe reports that the taxis belong to the National Transport Confederation (CONATRA), one of the powerful transport unions, led …

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The National Police said that their agents have shot and killed two suspected criminals who were being pursued on charges of killing a 14-year old and wounding his father. The incident took place in La Mula in Las Matas de Farfan. According to police reports, the two killed a boy and wounded his 70-year old …

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The water shortage affecting the country is becoming less acute every day. “As far as irrigation is concerned, everything is back to normal”, said Frank Martinez, director of the National Institute for Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI). “The systems of Santo Domingo are all operating”, said Manuel Rivas, director of the Santo Domingo Sewer and Water Corporation …

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The Ministry of Public Health has announced a national campaign of vaccinations against five diseases that is expected to reach more than four million children. The immunizations will begin next week. Minister of Health Bautista Rojas Gomez said that the first people to receive the doses would be nearly 2,000,000 school children in public and …

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Gatorade is hosting its 2010 10k Run this Sunday, 25 April starting from the Puerta de la Atarazana in Colonial Santo Domingo. This annual event is a fundraiser for children’s causes. There are 9 categories: elite, master (must be over 40 years old), wheelchairs, blind, military, colleges/schools (must have 10 or more on your team), …

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Palma Real Shopping Village in Bavaro is the venue for an exhibition of decorative photographs by Dominican photographer Pedro Guzman. The mall recently opened up this cultural space for artists to exhibit their work along the covered walkways. The photographer will be onsite to meet visitors and discuss his work from Wednesday, 21 April through …

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In early April, Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa announced that President Leonel Fernandez would make the most of his trip to Venezuela to sign the sale of the 49% stake in the Dominican Petroleum Refinery with the Venezuelan petroleum agency, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) while attending the country’s bicentennial independence celebrations. This is a US$131 million …

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