DR1 Daily News - Wednesday, 19 July 2017

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DR lobbies for UN Security Council seat
Senator Paliza on assessing Supreme Court judges
Capital city garbage program affected by new dump hours
Federation of Municipalities criticizes Lajun dump hours
Money for small and medium sized businesses
Imports up by 8%
Allow more time when leaving for the US
Citrus fruits under threat
Claro installs 4.5G technology
A new 48.3MW wind park for Barahona
Blas Peralta case not over
Accident leaves five injured in Greater Santo Domingo
Tropical Storm Don is no threat for DR
Colombian Food Festival
Music Ed Fest 2017 at the UNPHU
What’s in a Name to the Sala Ravelo


DR lobbies for UN Security Council seat
The Dominican Republic aspires to occupy a seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2019-2020. Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado said if the country is successful it would uphold its commitment to world peace and security. Vargas made the announcement when meeting with UN ambassadors for the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) in New York City. The candidacy will be decided in June 2018.

http://elnacional.com.do/canciller-...-asiento-no-permanente-consejo-seguridad-onu/


Senator Paliza on assessing Supreme Court judges
Puerto Plata Senator José Ignacio Paliza agreed with the postponing of the final assessment meeting of the candidates for the four Supreme Court (SCJ) judge positions and the five Superior Electoral Court (TSE) judges and their replacements.

The judges are meeting now behind closed doors as scheduled on Wednesday, 19 July 2017, to discuss the selection process. The justices agreed to another meeting on Tuesday, 25 July 2017. Originally, the judges had said they would be announcing the new judges on Friday, 21 July.

Paliza said the ruling does not establish a fixed date for the selection of the new judges for the higher courts. Paliza represents the opposition party PRM in the National Council of the Magistracy. He said it is important to carefully evaluate candidates so that the best men and women are appointed for the SCJ and the TSE. He said both he and his colleague, Josefa Castillo, will not enter into ‘negotiations’ for the positions, but rather vote for the candidates who have demonstrated independence and will convey competency and trust to the public to deal with conflicts and other potentially thorny issues in the run-up next elections of their capacity to deal with conflicts. Paliza made the statements as part of an interview on La Súper 7 en la Mañana, de La Súper 7 (107.7 FM).

Paliza says that the PRM opposes that the present five judges of the TSE continue. The PRM has accused TSE judges Mariano Rodríguez Rijo, Mabel Féliz Báez, John Guiliani, Marino Mendoza, replacement judge Julio Cesar Madera and secretary Zeneida Severino Marte of “forgery and criminal association.”

The PRM is calling for the appointment of the judges and replacements by national consensus. The PRM criticizes that President Danilo Medina and PLD have majority among the judges that will choose the four judges of the Supreme Court of Justice and the 10 judges for the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). There is the concern that political criteria may prevail in the vote by the CNM.

The members of the CNM are President Danilo Medina, president of the Senate Reinaldo Pared Pérez, president of the Chamber of Deputies Lucía Medina, president of the Supreme Court of Justice Mariano Germán, attorney general Jean Alain Rodríguez, Supreme Court of Justice judge Frank Soto, PRM senator José Paliza and PRM deputy Josefa Castillo.

http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...marse-tiempo-para-designar-nuevos-jueces.html


Capital city garbage program affected by new dump hours
The National District City Hall (ADN) has signed an agreement with 31 neighborhood groups, hotels, religious leaders, universities, garbage collection companies and other sectors to implement a garbage collection program in the capital city.

The negotiations have resulted in the establishment of schedules, routes and frequency of garbage collection in the hope of a tidier Santo Domingo, according to Mayor David Collado.

Nevertheless, the Mayor said that the announcement this week by Lajun garbage dump that they would only receive garbage from 10am to 4pm could affect the new schedules. He called the decision by Lajun “unacceptable.” Collado said the city government pays RD$7 million of the RD$11 million collected by Lajun, or 60% of that company’s revenues.

The full list of routes, days and times is published in Diario Libre:
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...s-son-los-dias-para-botar-la-basura-IY7652138
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...rario-de-verter-desechos-en-duquesa-YX7653166


Federation of Municipalities criticizes Lajun dump hours
The Dominican Federation of Municipalities (Fedomu) and the Dominican Municipal League (LMD) have rejected a measure imposed by Lajun Corporation, operators of the Duquesa Garbage Dump, to restrict to 10am to 4pm the hours they are open for receiving garbage from city governments using the dump.

Rafael Hidalgo, president of Fedomu, said that he has spoken to the Minister of the Environment Francisco Dominguez Brito who assured him that the abbreviated hours of operation of the dump will not be tolerated. Hidalgo said that the announcement of the new schedule just accelerates the term that President Danilo Medina had given for a final destination to be found for the solid wastes of Greater Santo Domingo. President Medina had given three months.

The secretary general of the LMD, Johnny Jones, said that he was surprised by the decision taken by Lajun, and that this type of measure could affect public health and the environmental health for citizens.

http://listindiario.com/la-republic...duquesa-lmd-llama-a-lajun-a-no-aplicar-medida


Money for small and medium sized businesses
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Small Business (MICM), the Embassy of Taiwan-China and the Special Fund for Agricultural development (FEDA) have signed an agreement to raise the competitiveness of the groups associated with the Surprise Visits of President Danilo Medina, involving micro, small and medium companies from the agricultural sector.

The government of Taiwan will provide RD$143 million, and the Dominican state will match the Taiwanese investment with RD$47 million for the period 2017 to 2021.

The document was signed by the head of the Ministry, Nelson Toca Simó; the Taiwanese ambassador in the country Valentino Jin Zen Tang; and José Casimiro Ramos, executive director of FEDA.

Toca Simó said that the project would be called “Development training in an orientation system for small business in the Dominican Republic” and would start using four specialists who would help the associations and cooperatives with training in production, finance, sales and agriculture.

Taiwan ambassador Valentino Jin Zen Tang said the advisory project seeks to make farming and small businesses more efficient.

http://hoy.com.do/gobierno-y-taiwan-crean-fondo-de-rd190-millones-para-impulsar-mipymes/
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/gobierno-taiwan-crean-fondo-rd190-millones-impulsar-las-mipymes/
https://mic.gob.do/noticias/gobiern...de-rd190-millones-para-impulsar-a-las-mipymes


Imports up by 8%
According to statistics from the Central Bank, total imports to the Dominican Republic in the first three months of this year reached US$4,208.7 million, US$311.5 million more (+8%) than during the same period last year.

Consumer goods accounted for US$1,790.5 million, raw materials for US$1,824.2 million and capital good for US$594 million.

In the consumer goods area, the highest amounts were fuel at US$555 million, automobiles and electrical domestic products US$306.2 million, food products US$215.3 million and pharmaceutical products US$133.5 million.

Raw materials were mostly for the export free zones, US$839.2 million, crude oil at US$118.7 million and iron and steel US$116.3 million.

As far as capital goods were concerned, the largest item was machine parts at US$134.8 million, goods for industry US$104.1 million, for transport US$60 million and for construction US$26.4 million.

https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...a-suben-un-8-en-el-primer-trimestre-FF7645733
https://www.diariolibre.com/cronologia/ver/****/importaciones


Allow more time when leaving for the US
Starting today, Wednesday, 19 July 2017, the United States Transport and Security Administration (TSA) will be inspecting electronic goods belonging to passengers traveling to the United States.

For this reason, the director of the Specialized Corps of Airport Security and Civil Aviation (CESAC), Aracelis Castillo de la Cruz, has urged all passengers who are going to the US and who have cell phones, tablets and other electronic devices to allow plenty of time for check in to avoid missing their flights.

She explained that although the electronic goods would not be confiscated, all passengers are subject to a random inspection of their devices.

The current “extreme vetting policy” affects both non-U.S. citizen and US citizens. Electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops and their contents may be searched by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers without the securing warrants.

The new measure will be applied to passengers arriving to the USA on board American Airlines, Delta, Jet Blue, Continental, United Airlines and Spirit flights.

http://almomento.net/revisaran-celu...ositivos-electronicos-a-viajeros-ee-uu/334850
https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/inspection-electronic-devices-tearsheet.pdf


Citrus fruits under threat
The head investigator at the Dominican Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Investigations (IDIAF), Luis Matos, says that the “Huanglongbing” (HLB) disease has decimated 50% of the local citrus fruit production. The disease has been in the country since 2008. The HLB is transmitted between from plant to plant by a mosquito. Because of HLB, the country has to import citrus fruits to meet domestic demand. The disease is difficult to control and IDIAF researchers are trying to determine how the HLB is produced and how to stop it from spreading.

http://listindiario.com/economia/2017/07/18/474521/citricultores-pierden-50-de-produccion


Claro installs 4.5G technology
Claro telecom announces it is evolving its LTE/4G wireless technology to 4.5G that is faster and offers better user experience. Juan Pablo Romero, vice president for engineering and operations at Claro, says customers will be able to experience speeds up to four times the present speed and capacity.

Claro is the first telecom company in the Dominican Republic to offer the 4.5G mobile network. Romero said that 72% of the population would have access to this service. He said 33% more information can now be managed and more cell towers would be connected via fiber optics for better signal. Romero said: “You will be able to go to Bávaro and to Montecristi and enjoy this speed.”

Romero said during the company launching of the technology that it opens new roads for development and marketing of products and intelligent solutions for enhanced security, comfort and productiveness, resulting in better quality of life and productive development.

https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...ra-red-4-5g-en-republica-dominicana-LX7653368


A new 48.3MW wind park for Barahona
The Spanish energy corporation Elecnor announced the construction of a wind park in Enriquillo, in Barahona province in the southwest. The park will generate 48.3 MW utilizing 14 wind towers each capital of generating 3.45MW.

Elecnor was chosen by EgeHaina as the technological partner. EgeHaina has the Los Cocos (77.2MW) and Larimar (49.5 MW) wind parks in Barahona. The installation will cost US$89.1 million and should be operational by November 2019. The company will be using Vestas turbines.

Elecnor was also responsible for the construction of the electrical highway of 130 grid lines across 325 high tension towers in Santo Domingo and Santiago that was inaugurated in 2011.


Blas Peralta case not over
National District Prosecutor, Yeni Berenice Reynoso, has advised that the murder case of Blas Peralta, president of the Truckers Association (Fenatrado), is not over. He was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in jail after being found guilty of the murder of the former rector of the UASD, Mateo Aquino Febrillet. His accomplices in the trial were given shorter sentences. Reynoso said that now the appeal process would begin.

Reynoso said that the death of Aquino Febrillet could have been avoided had Peralta been convicted in a murder case in Bonao, instead of being allowed to walk free.

http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2017/07/18/fiscal-yeni-berenice-ldquo-caso-blas-peralta-


Accident leaves five injured in Greater Santo Domingo
According to the Metropolitan Transport Authority (AMET) spokesman, Colonel Rafael Tejada Baldera, there were no deaths yesterday, Tuesday 18 July 2017, when a minibus and a larger bus collided on Carretera Mella and Av. San Vicente de Paul in front of Megacentro mall.

However, five people were injured -- María Martínez, María Mella, Gissell Ortiz, Isidro Moreta and María Ramírez and were taken to the Dario Contreras Trauma Hospital.

http://hoy.com.do/amet-aclara-no-hubo-muertos-en-accidente-carretera-mella-sino-cinco-heridos/


Tropical Storm Don is no threat for DR
Tropical Storm Don degenerated to an open wave in the far southeastern Caribbean Sea on late Tuesday, 18 July 2017 in the evening after spreading bands of heavy rain and gusty winds across the Windward Islands on that day. The storm never represented a threat for the Dominican Republic. All tropical storm watches and warnings have been canceled for Don that became the fourth named storm of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season on Monday afternoon.

See the latest posts on hurricane season in the Dominican Republic at http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/161573-hurricane-season-2017


Colombian Food Festival
The Hotel Crowne Plaza on the Malecón is hosting a Colombian Gastronomic Festival that began on 18 July 2017. The festival will continue through 22 July.

An a la carte menu and a buffet with Colombian favorites is presented. Chef Daniel Aldana from the Hotel Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros in Colombia came for the festival. The festival is taking place at the Restaurant Nabú of the Hotel. It has the sponsorship of the Embassy of Colombia and Avianca. Colombia ambassador Jose Antonio Segebre attended the inauguration of the festival.


Music Ed Fest 2017 at the UNPHU
On Thursday, 27 July 2017, the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU) is celebrating its first Festival Educativo de Musica – Music Ed Fest 2017. While it is free and open to the general public, the event primarily seeks to reach young musicians.

The event will be from 8:30am to 4pm. There will be five clinics, each with a duration of 50 minutes, ending in a jam session.

The professors are Bill Sando from Indianapolis, USA with a workshop on Jazz in America; pianist Pavel Polanco-Safadit with a workshop on Latin y Afro-Cuban Jazz; percussionists Miguel Montas and Luis Mojica with a workshop on Dominican Popular Percussion; Gioel Martin and his group will direct a workshop on the Language of Gagá and Los Palos; and Josean Jacobo will lead the clinic on Dominican-Afro Jazz.

This year, four participants will be chosen to make a visit to Earlham College in Indianapolis where they will be able to attend music classes.

The Music Ed Fest has the backing of the UNPHU, the Dominican Fiesta Hotel & Casino, the Prebistery of Whitewater Valley, the Second Presbyterian Church, Abraham Polanco-Safadit, the Iglesia Evangélica Dominicana, Witherspoon Presbyterian Church, Sando-Aker Plastic Surgery Group, Direct Contact, One on One, Jazz en Dominicana and Ron Veleiro.

For more information: polanco@earlham.edu

http://acento.com.do/2017/cultura/8...ca-de-musica-gratis-con-reconocidos-maestros/


What’s in a Name to the Sala Ravelo
The drama hall of the National Theater, the Sala Ravelo, will be presenting Le Prenom, a dramatic comedy written by Alexandre de la Patelliere and Matthieu Delaporte on weekends in September at the National Theater.

The play is about Vincent who is about to become a father. At a meeting with childhood friends he announces the name for his future son. The scandalous name ignites a discussion bringing back unpleasant matters from the past of the group.

The play stars José Roberto Díaz García (Vincent), Gianni Paulino (Elisabeth), Richard Douglas (Pierre), Elizabeth Chain (Anna) and Pepe Sierra (Claude), directed by Antonio Melenciano, winner of the Premios Soberano 2016.