The opposition party PRSC held their primary elections this past weekend looking for a leader to take them into the 2008 presidential election.

With only the first bulletin issued, Amable Aristy Castro held the lead with 52.01% of the vote over his main opponent Eduardo Estrella who had 44.28% of the vote. The other contender, Luis Toral held only 3.71%.

While Aristy Castro has now said he will await the verdict of the organizing committee he had already declared victory before the first bulletin was released claiming he had 61% of the votes and had won in most provinces.

Bulletin one accounts for 211 of the 2,012 voting centers to be counted.

Twenty year old Alex Soto, the Dominican Republic's current National Kiteboarding Champion, is confident that he will perform well in the upcoming Kiteboarding World Cup.

Soto has competed in kiteboarding competitions for four years and has participated in various international competitions including 3 world tournaments. He has become a popular figure in Puerto Plata province.

The competition will be held in the North Coast tourist destination of Cabarete from June 27 to July 1.

It's relief at the pumps for everybody in the coming week. All types of fuel were reduced in spite of rising crude oil prices on the world market.

Premium will go down by RD$2.80 per gallon to RD$156.70 and regular will now sell for RD$145.70 per gallon, a RD$2.50 reduction.

Diesel didn't fare as well, seeing only a decrease of RD$0.30 per gallon bringing it to RD$110.80.

Propane went down RD$1.34. Subsidized LPG now sells for RD$49.23 and non-subsidized for RD$70.99.

Well, couldn't we all get used to this? Just a lovely week! And the weekend is shaping up to be more of the same. We've already got our beach chairs reserved!

Saturday 9th - partly cloudy, which is the same thing as mostly sunny isn't it? Okay, so there's this 60% chance of a late day thunderstorm but don't let that ruin your day. High of 88F and low of 72F.

Sunday 10th - an outside chance of scattered thunderstorms but really this is probably the weather department's way of covering their butts. High of 90F and low of 73F.

We'll be out soaking up the rays and cooling off with frosty Presidentes - maybe we'll see you there!!! Have a great weekend all!