DR1 Daily News - Tuesday, 20 December 2016

Dolores1

DR1
May 3, 2000
8,215
37
48
www.
Medina vetoes Penal Code clauses on abortion
President Medina at Navy graduation
Positive impact of cable car over Ozama River
Heavy trucks off the road for Christmas, 80kph speed limit
Drivers trying to raise money for Christmas dinner
Truck traffic on the Malec?n is banned
Migration Agency arrests undocumented foreigners
Bi-national market back in business
Whisky imports up this year
Private sector invests RD$18.99 billion in construction
Dominican runner up in Miss World
Over three tons of drugs found in 2016
Argentinean actor dies in Punta Cana
More flooding in Puerto Plata
It’s going to be a cold Christmas
Conjunto Quisqueya at Luc?a 203


Medina vetoes Penal Code clauses on abortion
President Danilo Medina vetoed for the second time the amendments to the Penal Code after legislators included articles that criminalize abortion in the Dominican Republic in the cases of rape, incest and fetal malformations. President Medina sent a five-page letter recommending that legislators focus on extreme situations that affect the dignity, integrity and life of women and require exceptions be made in the Penal Code. President Danilo Medina had vetoed the code in 2014 for the same reasons.

Several women’s groups, government organizations and medical societies have protested the extreme criminalization clauses and had called for President Medina to veto the bill for a second time.

The director of the National Council for HIV and AIDS (CONAVIHSIDA), Victor Terrero said that religious beliefs should not lead to the exclusion of the clauses that had allowed abortion in cases of rape or incest, fetal malformation and when the mother’s life is at risk. The Roman Catholic Church and the Evangelical churches have succeeded in imposing the removal of the exceptions to the abortion ban. He made the statements in a televised debate with the participation of the president of the National Evangelic Confederation Fidel Lorenzo and Peravia Bishop V?ctor Masalles, two of the strongest anti-abortion advocates for religious groups, and lawyer C?ndido Sim?.

As well as women’s groups, other organizations calling on President Medina to veto the Penal Code are the Dominican Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Profamilia, the Association of Private Clinics and Hospitals (Andeclip) and Oxfam, which criticized the criminalization of abortion as covered in the Penal Code for ignoring serious considerations shared with legislators by many groups and institutions, including many in the government who were consulted. They criticized it for binding women as well as the health providers that may be faced with the prospect of going to jail for saving a woman’s life.

The Foundation for Institutionalism and Justice (Finjus) has also called for President Medina to veto the bill again, for the same reasons as in November 2014, specifically mentioning Articles 107, 108, 109 and 110 that criminalize abortion.

The Penal Code now returns to the Senate, where it was last reviewed. If two-thirds of senators vote again in favor of the rejected clauses that criminalize abortion, then it passes to the Chamber of Deputies where it needs to be approved with the same two-thirds majority. If the Chamber of Deputies vote in favor, the Penal Code, according to Art. 102 of the Constitution, the Penal Code would become law even with the clauses vetoed by the President.

http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=512599
http://acento.com.do/2016/actualida...-medina-devolver-nuevo-codigo-penal-congreso/
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...es-en-situaciones-de-vulnerabilidad-DG5769063


President Medina at Navy graduation
President Danilo Medina headed an investiture ceremony on Monday 19 December 2016 for the 45th passing out of officers from the Dominican Armada (Navy).

The President took the oath of honor from 15 Knights Midshipmen in his role as commander of the Armed Forces and National Police, during a ceremony celebrated in Hatillo, in the province of San Crist?bal.

http://eldia.com.do/danilo-medina-encabeza-graduacion-de-guardiamarinas-de-la-armada/


Positive impact of cable car over Ozama River
The Presidency reports that the cable car that will connect eastern and western Santo Domingo will make a significant contribution to improving the quality of life of city residents. The cable car will provide a safe mode of transport for less stressful commuting, while making an effective environmental contribution by reducing CO2 emissions. The cable car will travel around 5 km, linking eastern and western Santo Domingo by passing over the Ozama River.

The project is under construction as part of the La Nueva Barquita urban renewal complex that has relocated thousands of residents from a slum area along the banks of the Ozama River in western Santo Domingo. It is estimated that the cable car will transport 189,988 passengers in both directions every day. It is scheduled to go into operation in the first half of 2017.

https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...o-ambiental-positivo-en-el-gran-santo-domingo


Heavy trucks off the road for Christmas, 80kph speed limit
The Ministry of Public Works, via the General Office of Land Transport (DGTT) has announced that trucks are banned from the roads as of noon on Friday 23 December 2016 until Sunday 25 December 2016 at 10pm.

In addition, over the New Year period, heavy vehicles are also banned from noon on Friday, 30 December 2016 to 10pm on Sunday, 1 January 2017.

DGTT said that vehicles that transport fuel and perishable goods are exempted from the ruling, and that permits for transit can be obtained from the DGTT head office in Santo Domingo as well as from its regional offices in Azua, Puerto Plata, Santiago, Mao and San Francisco de Macor?s, until noon on 23 December.

Likewise, the Ministry of Public Works says that patrols will be enforcing speed limits of 80kph on all highways from Friday, 23 December at noon until 11pm and on Sunday, 25 December from 2 to 10pm.

http://hoy.com.do/prohiben-circulacion-vehiculos-pesados-por-asuetos-de-navidad-y-ano-nuevo/


Drivers trying to raise money for Christmas dinner
Several urban transport unions in Santiago have announced that fares would be increased from RD$20 to RD$25 on the 22nd and 23rd of December as a way for drivers to raise the money needed for the traditional Christmas Eve meal.

A total of 28 urban transport routes belong to the Northern Transport Workers Federation (FETTRANRENO), which plans to charge the increased fare of RD$25. Federation president Gervacio de la Rosa said that two meetings had been held to approve the temporary increase but he highlighted that it was optional for passengers and should they wish to only pay RD$20 they could, but they could also pay more than RD$25 should they be so inclined. He confirmed that no driver would refuse to take a passenger who did not have RD$25 and that the drivers often took passengers who only had RD$10 pesos and some were taken for free.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...aje-para-costear-cena-de-nochebuena-MH5768248


Truck traffic on the Malec?n is banned
National District Mayor David Collado announced that as of 19 December 2016 the municipal resolution that bans heavy truck traffic on the stretch of the Malec?n from Av. M?ximo G?mez to the area of the floating bridge over the Ozama River would come into effect. The Metropolitan Transport Authority (Amet) is in charge of enforcing the measure.

http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...-transito-camiones-por-tramo-del-malecon.html


Migration Agency arrests undocumented foreigners
The Migration Agency (DGM) has announced the arrests of 19 foreigners in the Punta Cana tourist area on 13-14 December 2016. Article 25 of the 285-04 Migration Law orders foreigners to carry documents showing their legal status. The 19 foreigners included 13 Venezuelans, one Canadian, one Argentinean, one Uruguayan, one Colombian and one Puerto Rican (US citizen).

The DGM is calling on foreigners to regularize their status to remain in the Dominican Republic. The foreigners who were arrested had entered as tourists and overstayed the period authorized under their tourist card. Tourists planning to stay longer are advised to visit the Migration Agency to legally extend their stay.

The DGM is also reminding all residents to renew their residency permits when they expire. This applies to all residence categories: students, temporary workers, temporary residents, permanent residents and investor residents.

The renewals can be made at the DGM headquarters at the corner of Malec?n and H?roes de Luper?n Street in the Centro de los H?roes in Santo Domingo or at regional offices in B?varo, Santiago and Puerto Plata from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.

The DGM is also offering online facilities for renewals over the Internet.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...s-en-bavaro-por-situacion-irregular-FI5749575


Bi-national market back in business
Following a protest lasting more than an hour on the Haitian side of the border on Monday 19 December 2016, the bi-national market reopened after its suspension the previous Friday after the border gate was closed by Haitian traders.

After the gate was reopened at the orders of the Haitian authorities, thousands of Haitian traders crossed to buy and sell their products. Security has been stepped up on both sides of the border in anticipation of the higher number of people expected for the Christmas shopping period.

In addition dozens of Haitian families arrived at the border to return home to spend Christmas with their relatives.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...con-normalidad-y-masiva-asistencia-en-dajabon


Whisky imports up this year
National Statistics Office (ONE) director Alexandra Izquierdo says that this year, more whisky has been imported in time for the Christmas holidays. She said that spirits companies import the beverages between July and September to stock up for the holidays.

According to ONE data, in September 2016, US$17.01 million worth of alcoholic beverages was imported, or 13.77% of the total imported in the first nine months of 2016. She said that alcoholic beverage imports totalled US$123.5 million, adding that in September US$3.3 million more than the year average was imported to prepare for the spike in consumption in December.

Izquierdo said that whiskies make up the largest beverage market share with US$47.9 million, or 38.7% of all spirits, including wines, champagne and vodka.


Private sector invests RD$18.99 billion in construction
According to the National Statistics Office (ONE), the private sector has invested RD$18.99 billion in construction from January to October 2016. The National District accounts for most of the investment with RD$8.87 billion, or 46.7% of the total invested, followed by the Province of Santo Domingo with another US$6 billion for 78.5% of all invested in construction in the country.

http://www.diariolibre.com/economia...9-millones-en-construccion-este-ano-XY5760660


Dominican runner up in Miss World
Dominican model and actress Yaritza Reyes was crowned as the first runner up to the winner of Miss World International, Stephanie del Valle of Puerto Rico at the event held in Maryland, United States on Sunday evening, 18 December 2016.*Del Valle becomes the first winner from Puerto Rico in the past 41 years.

Third place went to Natasha Mannuela of Indonesia with the other finalists coming from the Philippines, Belgium, Brazil, Kenya, the United States, China and South Korea.

http://www.listindiario.com/entrete...a-reyes-se-corona-como-virreina-en-miss-mundo

http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gal...puerto-rico-crowned-miss-world-2016/95605052/


Over three tons of drugs seized in 2016
According to the authorities, so far this year the National Police Anti-Narcotics Division (DICAN) has confiscated more than three and a half tons of cocaine, marijuana, crack and heroin.

According to a press release, the drugs were confiscated as a result of 30,722 raids including 1,119 raids on homes across the country. A total of 15,380 people were arrested and 3,238 cell phones were confiscated, as well as 444 weighing scales, 56 walkie-talkies, 261 small arms and 67 large ones and 1,985 vehicles and motorcycles.

http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/12/19/incauta-35-toneladas-drogas-2016


Argentinean actor dies in Punta Cana
A 27-year old Argentinean actor, Santiago Vazquez, was found dead in his room on Friday, 16 December 2016 during his vacation in Punta Cana, in circumstances that are still under investigation, according to the Argentinean press.

He was found without vital signs after his friends had not seen him for some time. His family and friends have decided not to speak to the press and the Argentinean consul in the country has offered to help.

Vasquez was a social media influencer with over 250,000 followers on Instagram and appeared in a television series, Esperanza Mia in 2015.

http://www.diariolibre.com/revista/...-mientras-vacacionaba-en-punta-cana-EE5767006


More flooding in Puerto Plata
As a result of a high-pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean leading to heavy rains in Puerto Plata province, the Bajabonico and Maimon rivers have again risen leaving the communities of La Piragua, Los Canos and others in the west of the province cut off.

In Piragua, in the municipality of Imbert, the Bajabonico River has flooded the road and people going to work and school have had to cross using a rubber tube and a wooden raft.

In Los Canos the road is impassable due to the rising waters, and a bridge whose construction was started during the Hipolito Mejia government 13 years ago has still not been completed.*Other rivers in the area also at risk of flooding include the Unijica, San Marcos, Y?sica, and Cam? rivers.

http://eldia.com.do/crecida-de-rios...-varias-comunidades-aisladas-en-puerto-plata/


It’s going to be a cold Christmas
According to the National Meteorological Office (Onamet), the Dominican Republic is in for a cold Christmas due to a cold front due to arrive in north, north east and center of the country on Christmas Eve.

The front is expected to reduce temperatures to between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius in the mountain areas of Jarabacoa and Constanza and between 17 and 18 degrees in the capital city of Santo Domingo.

In addition to the cold weather, rain is also expected on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 December 2016 in the north of the country.

http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/12/19/frente-frio-bajara-temperatura-vispera-noche-buena


Conjunto Quisqueya at Luc?a 203
Dance merengue with the Conjunto Quisqueya at Luc?a 203, t he bohemian restaurant/bar in the Colonial City on Thursday, 22 December 2016 from 10pm.

“La Tradici?n del Mes?n” presents Javish, Addy, Chucky and El?as playing the favorites: "Bebo Hoy, Bebo Ma?ana", "La Juma", "Parranda Quisqueya", "Trulla Navide?a", "La Banda Borracha", among other classic traditional merengues. Luc?a 203 is located at Calle Hostos 203, in the Colonial City.

Tickets are for sale online at Ticket Express (RD$1,250 pre-sale) and RD$1,500 at the door.

For information on upcoming events:
http://www.dr1.com/calendar


Archived News stories:
http://dr1.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/91-Daily-Headline-News

Archived Travel News stories:
http://dr1.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/92-Travel-amp-Tourism-News