John McCain, who earlier announced he was pulling out of tonight’s presidential debate to help forge legislation to bail out U.S. financial institutions, believes enough progress has been made for him to debate Barack Obama, his campaign said today. But it added McCain plans to return to Washington after the debate. Obama issued a statement saying he plans to go back to D.C. as well.
Original post by WP-AutoBlog Import
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today said the Senate will stay in session as long as it takes to pass a $700 billion financial rescue plan. “We’re going to get this done,” he said. Earlier, President Bush also said a deal would happen. “We are going to get a package passed,” Bush said.
Original post by WP-AutoBlog Import
Gas shortages are afflicting drivers across the Southeast. Some of the problems were caused by Hurricane Ike affecting oil production and refining along the Gulf Coast, but empty gas pumps also are being blamed on the consumers themselves.
Original post by WP-AutoBlog Import
The Toronto market took a pounding Friday morning as energy stocks sagged and investors fled technology company Research in Motion, based in Waterloo, Ont.
Original post by WP-AutoBlog Import
A weak Parliament would shake Canada’s economic stability at a time of global uncertainty, Stephen Harper said Friday, while insisting the Conservatives have a “solid” plan for the country’s economy.
Original post by WP-AutoBlog Import
According to President Leonel Fernandez, the recent financial crisis in the US has yet to negatively affect remittances to the DR. Fernandez says that in fact, remittances have increased. On average, 10% of the DR’s GDP is comprised of remittances. Speaking at a press conference at New York City’s Fordham University, Fernandez expressed the wish that the US crisis would be transient. Fernandez says the government has implemented measures that would curtail any possible effects. He called on the US to support the fight against illicit drug trafficking. “The DR is asking for increased cooperation from the US with training, information sharing, logistics and technology in order to fight drug trafficking more effectively.”
Speaking to a standing-room-only crowd, Fernandez said that he wanted Dominicans living abroad to feel connected to the DR’s future. “We don’t look at you as Dominicans living abroad. This is a fence of trans-nationalism. Geography [...]
Original post by WP-AutoBlog Import
Foreign Relations Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso made the most of his trip to attend the United Nation’s 63rd General Assembly to formalize diplomatic relations with Jordan, the Seychelles and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Enriquillo del Rosario of the DR’s UN delegation represented the country at the official ceremonies to recognize the newly established ties.
Original post by WP-AutoBlog Import
The Ministry of Education has announced a major drive to improve 342 public schools and 3,289 classrooms that do not meet minimum standards for the 2008-2009 school year, as reported in Hoy. Education Minister Melanio Paredes said RD$731 million would be spent, including RD$382 million on repairs that are due to be completed no later than December. He said an inventory carried out at the start of his term revealed that 60 public schools were in critical condition, and another 175 public schools are described as being in “a deplorable state”. Paredes said the repairs are a top priority for his first 100 days in the post, adding that he would also be implementing projects to optimize institutional management, teaching and resources.
The new education minister said he would meet with Hacienda and Economy ministers in October to secure a larger budget for 2009.
In response to international [...]
Original post by WP-AutoBlog Import
Carlos Romero from the US Department of Labor says the DR is among the nations in the region with the best workers’ rights protection record. Romero made his comments during a two-day conference on workers’ rights held at the Hotel Santo Domingo. The conference informed workers about their rights and educated Ministry of Labor inspectors on how to identify rights violations in the workplace. Romero explained that since the entrance of the DR-CAFTA agreement politicians and union leaders in the US have shown an increased interest in guaranteeing equal competition in terms of labor.
Original post by WP-AutoBlog Import
Classes have been cancelled at public schools in the provinces of La Romana, El Seibo, La Altagracia and San Pedro de Macoris due to precarious weather conditions and flooding. According to the Emergency Operations Center (COE), the new highway that connects Santo Domingo to Samana is flooded, limiting transit. Meteorologists say that although weather conditions have improved, and the warning levels have been lowered for most provinces, the eastern part of the island could still experience light rains today. Inquiries should be made into the current state of these highways before travel.
Original post by WP-AutoBlog Import