DR1 - Daily Dominican Republic NewsDominican Republic News & Travel Information ServiceThursday sales- (Found July 11, 2008 ) Cuesta Hogar at 27 de FebreroAbraham Lincoln and Bella Vista Mall is advertising bath towels for RD$225 and hand towels for RD$110. The sale is only for Thursday, 10 July. Batavia furniture store has up to 60% reductions on selected items and a clearance sale on lamps. Super Pola is advertising 20% off beef cuts and other discounts in their meat department.http://www.dr1.com/index.html#12 Handball players desert- (Found July 11, 2008 ) The Dominican Olympic Committee is announcing that four members of the Dominican handball team appear to have deserted and are nowhere to be found. The team was in Spain to play in an international competition. Committee president Luis Mejia said it was a bad decision by the players considering that the situation for illegal immigrants in Europe has become harder in the past weeks.http://www.dr1.com/index.html#11 D.N. getting smaller- (Found July 11, 2008 ) In the last seven years, more than 300,000 citizens have moved from the National District to other municipalities outside of Santo Domingo city and environs. While this might be welcomed by citizens living in the National District as it could lead to a reduction in traffic, officials are concerned because a population decrease also means a reduction in the amount of funds that the Executive Branch allocates to the municipality. The president of the National District Municipality, Gabriel...http://www.dr1.com/index.html#10 The drug cycle- (Found July 11, 2008 ) US Ambassador to the DR Robert Fannin says that Dominican officials are aware that much of the assets (property and money) seized from drug busts eventually end up back in the hands of criminals. Fannin says that Dominican officials are concerned about the situation and say they are frustrated by the limitations in the system. Fannin explained that in the DR goods are only seized by drug enforcement agencies after a trial has been concluded and that in many cases, as the trial progresses, legal.http://www.dr1.com/index.html#9 Tourist worker wages fall- (Found July 11, 2008 ) A sectorial study by economist Luis Vargas reveals that wages for workers in the tourism sector have fallen by 11.8% over the past four years. Vargas says that in 2004 workers were earning RD$2,006 every 15 days, but by 2008 the very same workers were earning only RD$1,170. The dip in the tourism wage is worrisome considering that minimum salary rates went up by 12.2% during that same period.http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8 Customs bust- (Found July 11, 2008 ) The Customs Department (DGA) has announced the seizure of RD$8 million worth of illegally-imported pharmaceuticals at the Cibao International Airport in Santiago. Customs director Miguel Cocco says an investigation is under way. Listin Diario reports that drugs had come from Ecuador. Cocco says that the DR has the necessary tools to combat the illegal trafficking of pharmaceuticals. The drugs, which included Acromona Ovul, Dolo Neurobion, Flanax, Valerpan, Epamin and Afrin, were shipped in 15...http://www.dr1.com/index.html#7 FENATRADO gets subsidies and raises rates- (Found July 11, 2008 ) Farming associations in the Cibao say that although the government is subsidizing diesel for FENATRADO union truckers, these have raised their prices by 20%. The association says the increases mean that farmers have to pay RD$13 million more to pay for transporting their goods. Listin Diario reports that the association has expressed concern over the FENATRADO freight monopoly that impedes farmers and businesses alike from choosing the least costly option for transporting their goods.http://www.dr1.com/index.html#6 Terrero leaves Chamber of Accounts- (Found July 11, 2008 ) After president of the Senate Reinaldo Pared Perez is denying that former president of the Chamber of Accounts Andres Terrero is still working at the Chamber of Accounts "until a replacement is found", saying that Terrero had definitely decided to pack up and leave. The former president resigned the post after the start of a Senate hearing to determine whether he should be fired. Terrero and eight other presiding members of the Chamber of Accounts, the department in charge of auditing...http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5 Chevron maintains its stance- (Found July 11, 2008 ) Chevron Caribbean (Texaco) is sticking to its decision to suspend some of their contracts with oil tankers for distribution of fuel dispatched by the Dominican Petroleum Refinery. The company said the conflict and illegal blockade by the tankers (SACTPA union) has cost more than US$1 million, as reported by Hoy. They commented that the government also stands to lose millions of pesos in taxes on fuel sales as the blockade has impeded supplies to 170 Texaco fuel stations nationwide. In a...http://www.dr1.com/index.html#4 More of the same rhetoric- (Found July 11, 2008 ) Radhames Segura, vice president of the State-run Electricity Companies (CDEEE), blamed the current energy problems on the increase in fuel prices. Segura says the government is working on a plan to tackle the situation. Segura was speaking during a visit to the National Business Council (CONEP). Segura's words echoed his statements made several years ago when he spoke about the renegotiation of energy contracts, the construction of coal-fired energy plants, the increased use of natural gas, use.http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3 |