More security at the Haiti-DR border
Skylift over Ozama River to start 22 May 2018
Concern over new Environment Minister
Tourist card charged on all tickets sold abroad
Big money for banks in pension plans, Dominicans are the losers
Pared Parez wants to be President
Queen Letizia to tour special needs centers and banana cooperative projects
AFP Popular invests pension funds in Club Med Miches
Barrick Gold going green
More medical clinics being built
More and more illegal weapons found
Kidnapped businessman reappears
Road rage leads to injury and death
Two Dominicans qualify for Youth Olympic Games in kiteboard
Dominican women’s volleyball team in FIVB Volleyball Nations League
Follow the World Football Cup
Luis Garcia wins three gold for DR in Pan American Weightlifting Championship
Recycling Fair open at Dominican Municipal League
Santo Domingo Wine Fest at the JW Marriott
Toque Profundo at Cinema Cafe
More security at the Haiti-DR border
President Danilo Medina has proclaimed that the government will assert Dominican law at the border with Haiti. He has ordered the Armed Forces to send an additional 900 soldiers to reinforce the coastal patrols in the areas between Manzanillo and Puerto Plata to the north, and from Pedernales to Barahona, to the south.
At the same time he has agreed to add 50 new ATVs and three helicopters to fight the entry of illegal immigrants and to protect the security of the whole border.
During his visit to the border on Sunday, 13 May 2018, the President also said that the government would reinforce the areas where most immigrants are headed, including Azua and Jicomé. In addition he announced that a fleet of drones would be sent to the border to be managed by 30 officers. He said that over the last two months, drones have been carrying out missions to identify the most vulnerable parts of the border, and have demonstrated that they are very effective.
Medina began his visit in Macasías and was accompanied by the Administrative Minister of the Presidency, José Ramón Peralta; Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Rubén Darío Paulino Sem; Agriculture Minister Osmar Benítez, and Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo, as well as the director of the Dominican Agrarian Institute (IAD), Emilio Toribio Olivo.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...frontera-instruye-soluciones-para-comunidades
Skylift over Ozama River to start 22 May 2018
The Unidad para la Readecuación de la Barquita y Entorno (URBE) Office, builder of the skylift over the Ozama River, announced the formal inaugural of the mass transit service on Tuesday, 22 May 2018 at 4pm. President Danilo Medina will be present for the opening at the Av. Charles de Gaulle Metro station. The skylift will connect with the Metro 2 Line. The skylift will be operated by the Metro Santo Domingo Office (OPRET) together with Poma, the company that built the skylift. The same Metro ticketing system is valid.
The skylift has stations at Charles de Gaulle, Sabana Perdida, Gualey and Los Tres Brazos.
The entire skylift route from eastern Santo Domingo to western Santo Domingo on the skylift takes 15-20 minutes.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...erar-el-teleferico-de-santo-domingo-XL9863132
http://eldia.com.do/medina-inaugurara-el-teleferico-de-sd-el-22/
http://cuencaozama.com/la-barquita/teleferico-proyecto.php
Concern over new Environment Minister
The appointment of Ángel Estévez, former minister of Agriculture, as the new Minister of the Environment, has brought concern to environmental groups in the country as they feel will result in conflicts of interests. The new incumbent has ties to the import and production of fresh produce.
Leaders of the SOS Environment RD movement have demanded the continuation of the environmental plans started during the time in office of the previous minister, lawyer Francisco Domínguez Brito, such as the rescue of Valle Nuevo and the co-management plans in the Sierra de Bahoruco.
The SOS Environment RD press release highlights their concern that an official linked with agriculture would be appointed as Environment Minister, given that the main threat to protected areas is indeed agriculture that was prohibited in several protected area when the Ministry of Environment was under Domínguez Brito.
The legal financial declaration made by Minister Estévez in 2016 states he has a worth of RD$164.4 million, with invested capital of RD$620,000 in Eurosuministro SRL; RD$3.6 million in Tavan Caribe SRL; RD$2.9 million in Agroterra Dominicana; RD$30.3 million in Comercial Estévez , SRL, and RD$50,000 in Joara Import, SRL.
In addition, there were issues in 2015 when national parks were “kidnapped” by avocado growers, operating illegally inside protected areas, and at that time they were publicly supported by the then Minister of Agriculture, who is now on the other side of the fence as head of the Environment.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...del-nuevo-titular-de-medio-ambiente-GH9854558
Tourist card charged on all tickets sold abroad
The Tax Agency (DGII) announced the start of the application of the collecting of US$10 tourist card fee on all airline tickets issued abroad. Dominicans and foreigners with Dominican legal residency (including those with visas and accredited diplomats) and those traveling on small planes of 12 passengers or less can request to be reimbursed, as these persons are exempt from paying the tourist card fee.
Likewise, these same categories of persons are exempt from paying the tourist card fee when purchasing their tickets in the Dominican Republic to a Dominican travel agency or airline company based here.
To request to be reimbursed for the US$10 fee, the online link is:
https://www.dgii.gov.do/TturistaWeb/ReembolsoTT/ReembolsoTT/RegistrarReembolso
http://www.dgii.gov.do/noticias/Pag...ra-reembolsar-pago-de-Tarjeta-de-Turista.aspx
Big money for banks in pension plans, Dominicans are the losers
A report in Diario Libre on Friday, 11 May 2018, highlights that a person making RD$12,000 a month when retiring will only have saved enough to receive RD$4,000 a month in pension funds. This in comparison to the wealthy Pension Fund Management Companies (AFPs) that in 2017 reported earnings of more than RD$4.6 billion a year.
Economist Airon Fernández and sociologist Matías Bosch Carcuro conducted research into the system (Radiografia del Sistema de Administración de Fondos de Pensiones) and said that the pension plans earnings is six times more than the yield made by the workers paying into the system. Accumulated earnings from 2004 to 2017 for the companies is more than RD$31.12 billion.
The experts say that as time goes by the pull of the pension plan management companies is greater. While in 2007 the pension funds represented 2.3% of the GDP, by 2017 these now represent 11.3%, or an increase of 400%.
Making matters worse, 74% of the RD$304.84 billion in the pension plans is deposited in public entities.
https://www.diariolibre.com//econom...se-retirarian-con-pensiones-infimas-DA9839454
Pared Parez wants to be President
Senate president Reinaldo Pared Pérez announced his aspirations to be the presidential candidate for the ruling PLD party for the 2020 election. Pared Pérez is also secretary general of the PLD.
In a press release prior to his appearance on TV on Monday, 14 May 2018, Pared Perez said that he would be launching his presidential candidacy for the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) and, in the near future, will be making a series of important announcements.
During the previous presidential campaign, he decided to put his presidential aspirations on hold and supported President Danilo Medina.
He said the presidency of the Senate is decided by the Political Committee of the ruling PLD party. The PLD is majority in the Senate.
http://hoy.com.do/1756520-2/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...ismo-al-formalizar-sus-aspiraciones-FK9862315
Queen Letizia to tour special needs centers and banana cooperative projects
Queen Letizia of Spain is visiting this month. On her agenda is to tour the Centros de Atención Integral para la Discapacidad (CAID), Cooperativa de Producción de Bananos in Azua and Monte Plata on 21 May 2018.
On 22 May, she will travel to Haiti where she will visits projects backed by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID).
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...sitara-centros-para-personas-con-discapacidad
AFP Popular invests pension funds in Club Med Miches
The AFP Popular pension plan announced it has invested in the construction of the Club Med Miches, the second resort to be operated by Club Med in the Dominican Republic. As reported, through the Fondo de Desarrollo de Sociedades Pioneer, and with the backing of national investors and the AFP Popular, the Administradora de Fondos de Inversion Pioneer purchased the land for the new development.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economia/afp-popular-respalda-la-adquisicion-del-club-med-MH9854349
Barrick Gold going green
Barrick Gold is stepping up its “green” efforts by signing a 10-year natural gas supply contract in the Dominican Republic. This would mean a switch from heavy fuel oil to natural gas for the mining company that is located in central Cotuí.
Costs at the mine are expected to drop by about US$54 per ounce over its operative life. The savings, according to Barrick, will be partly supported by higher margins on the sale of excess power to the national energy grid.
In addition, the use of natural gas is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with Pueblo Viejo by approximately 260,000 CO2 equivalent tons per year.
It will cost roughly US$7.5 million to convert the Quisqueya I power plant to natural gas. AES will be in charge of setting up a new gas pipeline to the facility, with commercial gas production expected to begin in the second half of 2019.
http://www.mining.com/barrick-signs-10-year-gas-supply-deal-make-dominican-mine-greener/
http://www.mining.com/barrick-signs-10-year-gas-supply-deal-make-dominican-mine-greener/
More medical clinics being built
Dominican and foreign companies are building major medical clinics in four cities in the country with an investment of around USD$600 million. The centers will all have high technology and will compete for the 29% of Dominicans who use private health service rather than the free services at the public health sector, and to meet the demands of the growing health tourism market.
The centers will be based in Greater Santo Domingo, Santiago, Bavaro and Punta Cana.
It is reported that these high tech facilities will comply with international health care standards and supplement the hospital bed deficits there currently exist in the private sector.
The first of the clinics is the Metropolitan Center for Advanced Medicine (CEMAV), in the National District, with an investment of over US$70 million, using funds from Dominican, European, Asian, Venezuelan and North American banks. It will have 180 beds, 150 doctors and 300 nurses and will open in the first quarter of 2019.
It is owned by Stragy Group, which is Venezuelan and American and the investors are currently providers to the Dominican state for medical equipment, and consumable and provide material to at least five of the main dialysis centers in the country.
A market study has shown that the deficit of beds in private clinics in Santo Domingo is more than 5,000 and in the area where CEMAV is located there is a 700-bed deficit,
The second center is for diabetes and is the Medical Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Specialities (CEMDOE), which will benefit 10,000 patients and have 150 staff. It will be located on Luperón Avenue and is backed by Mariela Vicini.
The International Medical Group (IMG) is also under construction with Venezuelan capital and is located on the Bavaro Boulevard in front of El Cocotal and Villas Bávaro, It will offer services in 20 specialties and 40 beds.
Finally, the Sanitary Rescue City is a hospital complex located within the hotel sector in Bavaro Punta Cana with an investment of US$100 million. This is a general hospital with a surgical center specializing in orthopedic surgery, spinal surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery. It will have 140 beds, expects to have 750 staff of which 100 will be doctors and 160 nurses. The first stage began in 2017 and it is expected to be completed in 2020.
http://hoy.com.do/capitales-compiten-por-mercado-de-la-salud-rd/
More and more illegal weapons found
Recent hauls by the Custom’s Agency have included high caliber firearms and munitions, including an assault rifle similar to the dangerous AK-47.
Just last weekend, in the port of Haina Oriental, two Marlin 22 caliber rifles, a 22 caliber Mossberg rifle and 2050 munitions of 9, 22, 28 and 280 mm that had been sent from Miami, Florida to a company named Dominican Imports and Services, SRL. These firearms, found inside a container that declared its contents as home furnishings, were confiscated.
The raids were the result of intelligence operation that has been consolidated and improved over the last 20 months and consisted in trained personnel and improved technological tools.
During the first three months of the year, the Custom’s Agency has confiscated 4,263 firearms of different calibers, including munitions. They have also confiscated motor vehicle parts and drugs.
The vast majority of the confiscations took place in March 2018 alone, with 4,224 firearms at the Cibao International Airport in Santiago and the Haina Oriental Port. In February there were 17 confiscations and in January 22.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...e-incauta-de-1263-armas-de-distintos-calibres
Kidnapped businessman reappears
The National Police reported that missing 49-year old businessman Fernando Epifanio Arias returned to his home. He was immediately taken into custody by the Police for investigation. His wife had reported him missing last week and said the last person he was seen with was his business associate, Colombian Luis Eduardo Mendez. Reportedly, kidnappers were asking for US$5 million for his safe return.
Arias owns the mall Plaza Moli and the Car Wash Moli in Santiago and other businesses in the Cibao region.
Police spokesman, Colonel Frank Duran Mejia said that there is no evidence of the missing persons having left the country.
Arias has lived for several years in the United States. It has not been reported whether or not the ransom was paid.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...a-su-residencia-tras-varios-dias-de-secuestro
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...ias-secuestrado-llego-a-su-casa-hoy-YD9858504
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...el-de-narcos-secuestrara-empresario-GH9854945
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...empresario-de-santiago-que-estuvo-secuestrado
Road rage leads to injury and death
An unknown man killed a young 24-year old woman and seriously injured her partner following an argument that was caused by a traffic incident on the George Washington Avenue (Malecón) in Santo Domingo.
The victim was identified as Yulissa Merdily Acosta Parra, who was killed by a shot to the head, and her partner, 32-year old Edgar Leito, is currently in hospital with a shot to the shoulder.
The incident took place when the cars scraped each other and the driver of the other car shot at their vehicle while driving on the Malecón, almost at the corner of Espaillat after coming out of a casino.
The perpetrator fled the scene.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...hieren-a-su-pareja-tras-incidente-de-transito
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...safia-capacidad-de-asombro-del-pais-DL9863063
Two Dominicans qualify for Youth Olympic Games in kiteboard
Adeuri Corniel and Lorenzo Calcaño competed in Hainan, China, made it to the finals and won slots in the Youth Olympic Games to be celebrated in October 2018 in Argentina.
The two won gold and silver, respectively, in the TwinTip Racing World Championships, a qualifier for the YOG. Corniel is a product of Cabarete Beach in Puerto Plata, and Calcaño of Las Terrenas in Samaná.
http://www.lainformacion.com.do/not...board;-clasifican-a-juegos-olimpicos-juventud
https://www.facebook.com/cornielstyle/
https://www.facebook.com/lorenzo.kite
Dominican women’s volleyball team in FIVB Volleyball Nations League
The Dominican Republic women's national team has traveled to Ningbo, China to participate in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League. The event replaces the former World Grand Prix as the leading annual volleyball tournament on the international volleyball calendar of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). The director of the national women's team, Cristobal Marte, says the Dominican team will try to improve on its 8th place finish in the Grand Prix last year.
The captain of the Dominican team is Bethania de la Cruz. Other players are: Brenda Castillo, Annerys Valdez, Eve Mejia, Ana Binet, Cándida Arias, Vielka Peralta, Priscilla Rivera, Natalia Martínez, Camil Domínguez, Niverka Marte, Jeoselyna Rodríguez, Brayelin Martínez, Yineirys Martínez, Marianne Fersola, Gaila González, Yonkaira Peña, and Gina Mambrú. The Dominican team is coached by Marcos Kwiek, Wilson Sanchez and Wagner Pacheco.
Sixteen teams from across the globe embark on a brand new adventure Tuesday, as the inaugral women's FIVB Volleyball Nations League marks the start of an exhilarating season that will bring fans all over the world an unrivalled experience. The teams will compete in a preliminary round over five weeks in a total of 20 pools of four teams each. There will be one ranking table across all pools with the top five teams at the end of the preliminary round joining the hosts for the Finals.
The Dominican Republic is in Pool 2 that will be played in Ningbo, China. The Dominican team will match teams from China, Belgium, South Korea from 15-17 May 2018.
On the second week (22-24 May), the DR will be in Pool 8 and will match Turkey, Argentina, Brazil in the series held in Ankara, Turkey.
On the third week (29-31 May), the DR team will play in Pool 10, with matches taking place in Kraljevo, Serbia and will match Serbia, Belgium, Russia and Turkey.
On week 4 (5-7 June), the DR will be in Pool 13 and will play the Netherlands, Italy and Serbia in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
On week 5, the DR will be in Pool 18 and will play Poland, Japan and Russia in Walbrzych, Poland from 12-14 June.. Week 6, the finals, will be played 27 June to 1 July in Nanjing, China.
https://volleymob.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-volleyball-nations-league/
http://www.volleyball.world/en/vnl/news/eyes-of-the-world-on-inaugural-vnl?id=74817
Follow the World Football Cup
CCN (Supermercados Nacional, Jumbo and Casa Cuesta) has published a stickers collectors album to get all the family involved and learning about who are the leading players in the 2018 FIFA World Cup that starts 14 June 2018 with the match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. The 64 games will be televised locally on Antena 7, Channel 7.
While football is a relatively-new sport in the Dominican Republic, it has a large following. "Streaming will allow everyone to enjoy the excitement of football, not only from their televisions, but also from their cell phones, computer or any digital device with Internet access," explained Dorian Rodriguez, corporate vice president for Antena 7.
https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/
Luis Garcia wins three gold for DR in Pan American Weightlifting Championship
Luis García, of the Dominican Republic, dominated in his 56 kg category during the competitions held at the Weightlifting Pavilion Jose Joaquín Puello in the Mirador del Este Park. The event is taking place 12-18 May 2018.
Big-name champions are among more than 260 of the strongest athletes from 26 countries in North, Central and South America participating in the 2018 Senior Pan-American Championships. The tournament awards qualification tickets to the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
https://www.diariolibre.com/deporte...o-su-****-trazada-obtener-los-3-oro-NL9863807
http://www.iwf.net/2018/05/12/who-will-be-dominant-in-santo-domingo-weightlifting-championships/
Recycling Fair open at Dominican Municipal League
The Dominican Municipal League at Av. Enrique Jiménez Moya (south of Av. Winston Churchill) is hosting a major Recycling Fair that shows off Dominican creativity. There is art, musical instruments, toys and home furnishings on exhibition and for sale. Well known Dominican artists, including Miguel Ramírez, Niorkelly Acosta, Nelson Barrera, Manuel Contreras, Genaro Reyes, Iris Pérez and others are participating. The exhibition is on all this week, from 15 to 19 May 2018.
Santo Domingo Wine Fest at the JW Marriott
Wine tastings, several course dinner, party and dancing, and wine-related film showings are part of the Santo Domingo Wine Fest that will take place 17 to 19 May 2018 at the JW Marriott of Blue Mall. The festival that is sponsored by local wine vendors is in its third year. The films this year are “Decanted” and “Sour Grapes, and “Dreaming of Wine.”
Tickets are for sale at Uepa Tickest and at CCN stores (Supermercados Nacional, Jumbo).
https://www.metrord.do/do/estilo-vi...-tercera-edicion-santo-domingo-wine-fest.html
https://www.facebook.com/events/842531635956768/
https://uepatickets.com/Tickets.aspx?id=7211
Toque Profundo at Cinema Cafe
Enjoy the music of one of the best Dominican rock groups of all times, this Saturday, 19 May 2018 at the Cinema Café in Plaza de la Cultura (behind the Museum of History & Geography). Toque Profundo is regarded as the most successful of the local Dominican bands to date in the late 80s and 90s. Many of their songs, like "El Jevito" and "Mi País", involve social criticism and issues within Dominican culture. Tickets are RD$1,000 at the Cinema Café box office.
https://www.facebook.com/ToqueProfundo/
Skylift over Ozama River to start 22 May 2018
Concern over new Environment Minister
Tourist card charged on all tickets sold abroad
Big money for banks in pension plans, Dominicans are the losers
Pared Parez wants to be President
Queen Letizia to tour special needs centers and banana cooperative projects
AFP Popular invests pension funds in Club Med Miches
Barrick Gold going green
More medical clinics being built
More and more illegal weapons found
Kidnapped businessman reappears
Road rage leads to injury and death
Two Dominicans qualify for Youth Olympic Games in kiteboard
Dominican women’s volleyball team in FIVB Volleyball Nations League
Follow the World Football Cup
Luis Garcia wins three gold for DR in Pan American Weightlifting Championship
Recycling Fair open at Dominican Municipal League
Santo Domingo Wine Fest at the JW Marriott
Toque Profundo at Cinema Cafe
More security at the Haiti-DR border
President Danilo Medina has proclaimed that the government will assert Dominican law at the border with Haiti. He has ordered the Armed Forces to send an additional 900 soldiers to reinforce the coastal patrols in the areas between Manzanillo and Puerto Plata to the north, and from Pedernales to Barahona, to the south.
At the same time he has agreed to add 50 new ATVs and three helicopters to fight the entry of illegal immigrants and to protect the security of the whole border.
During his visit to the border on Sunday, 13 May 2018, the President also said that the government would reinforce the areas where most immigrants are headed, including Azua and Jicomé. In addition he announced that a fleet of drones would be sent to the border to be managed by 30 officers. He said that over the last two months, drones have been carrying out missions to identify the most vulnerable parts of the border, and have demonstrated that they are very effective.
Medina began his visit in Macasías and was accompanied by the Administrative Minister of the Presidency, José Ramón Peralta; Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Rubén Darío Paulino Sem; Agriculture Minister Osmar Benítez, and Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo, as well as the director of the Dominican Agrarian Institute (IAD), Emilio Toribio Olivo.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...frontera-instruye-soluciones-para-comunidades
Skylift over Ozama River to start 22 May 2018
The Unidad para la Readecuación de la Barquita y Entorno (URBE) Office, builder of the skylift over the Ozama River, announced the formal inaugural of the mass transit service on Tuesday, 22 May 2018 at 4pm. President Danilo Medina will be present for the opening at the Av. Charles de Gaulle Metro station. The skylift will connect with the Metro 2 Line. The skylift will be operated by the Metro Santo Domingo Office (OPRET) together with Poma, the company that built the skylift. The same Metro ticketing system is valid.
The skylift has stations at Charles de Gaulle, Sabana Perdida, Gualey and Los Tres Brazos.
The entire skylift route from eastern Santo Domingo to western Santo Domingo on the skylift takes 15-20 minutes.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...erar-el-teleferico-de-santo-domingo-XL9863132
http://eldia.com.do/medina-inaugurara-el-teleferico-de-sd-el-22/
http://cuencaozama.com/la-barquita/teleferico-proyecto.php
Concern over new Environment Minister
The appointment of Ángel Estévez, former minister of Agriculture, as the new Minister of the Environment, has brought concern to environmental groups in the country as they feel will result in conflicts of interests. The new incumbent has ties to the import and production of fresh produce.
Leaders of the SOS Environment RD movement have demanded the continuation of the environmental plans started during the time in office of the previous minister, lawyer Francisco Domínguez Brito, such as the rescue of Valle Nuevo and the co-management plans in the Sierra de Bahoruco.
The SOS Environment RD press release highlights their concern that an official linked with agriculture would be appointed as Environment Minister, given that the main threat to protected areas is indeed agriculture that was prohibited in several protected area when the Ministry of Environment was under Domínguez Brito.
The legal financial declaration made by Minister Estévez in 2016 states he has a worth of RD$164.4 million, with invested capital of RD$620,000 in Eurosuministro SRL; RD$3.6 million in Tavan Caribe SRL; RD$2.9 million in Agroterra Dominicana; RD$30.3 million in Comercial Estévez , SRL, and RD$50,000 in Joara Import, SRL.
In addition, there were issues in 2015 when national parks were “kidnapped” by avocado growers, operating illegally inside protected areas, and at that time they were publicly supported by the then Minister of Agriculture, who is now on the other side of the fence as head of the Environment.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...del-nuevo-titular-de-medio-ambiente-GH9854558
Tourist card charged on all tickets sold abroad
The Tax Agency (DGII) announced the start of the application of the collecting of US$10 tourist card fee on all airline tickets issued abroad. Dominicans and foreigners with Dominican legal residency (including those with visas and accredited diplomats) and those traveling on small planes of 12 passengers or less can request to be reimbursed, as these persons are exempt from paying the tourist card fee.
Likewise, these same categories of persons are exempt from paying the tourist card fee when purchasing their tickets in the Dominican Republic to a Dominican travel agency or airline company based here.
To request to be reimbursed for the US$10 fee, the online link is:
https://www.dgii.gov.do/TturistaWeb/ReembolsoTT/ReembolsoTT/RegistrarReembolso
http://www.dgii.gov.do/noticias/Pag...ra-reembolsar-pago-de-Tarjeta-de-Turista.aspx
Big money for banks in pension plans, Dominicans are the losers
A report in Diario Libre on Friday, 11 May 2018, highlights that a person making RD$12,000 a month when retiring will only have saved enough to receive RD$4,000 a month in pension funds. This in comparison to the wealthy Pension Fund Management Companies (AFPs) that in 2017 reported earnings of more than RD$4.6 billion a year.
Economist Airon Fernández and sociologist Matías Bosch Carcuro conducted research into the system (Radiografia del Sistema de Administración de Fondos de Pensiones) and said that the pension plans earnings is six times more than the yield made by the workers paying into the system. Accumulated earnings from 2004 to 2017 for the companies is more than RD$31.12 billion.
The experts say that as time goes by the pull of the pension plan management companies is greater. While in 2007 the pension funds represented 2.3% of the GDP, by 2017 these now represent 11.3%, or an increase of 400%.
Making matters worse, 74% of the RD$304.84 billion in the pension plans is deposited in public entities.
https://www.diariolibre.com//econom...se-retirarian-con-pensiones-infimas-DA9839454
Pared Parez wants to be President
Senate president Reinaldo Pared Pérez announced his aspirations to be the presidential candidate for the ruling PLD party for the 2020 election. Pared Pérez is also secretary general of the PLD.
In a press release prior to his appearance on TV on Monday, 14 May 2018, Pared Perez said that he would be launching his presidential candidacy for the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) and, in the near future, will be making a series of important announcements.
During the previous presidential campaign, he decided to put his presidential aspirations on hold and supported President Danilo Medina.
He said the presidency of the Senate is decided by the Political Committee of the ruling PLD party. The PLD is majority in the Senate.
http://hoy.com.do/1756520-2/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...ismo-al-formalizar-sus-aspiraciones-FK9862315
Queen Letizia to tour special needs centers and banana cooperative projects
Queen Letizia of Spain is visiting this month. On her agenda is to tour the Centros de Atención Integral para la Discapacidad (CAID), Cooperativa de Producción de Bananos in Azua and Monte Plata on 21 May 2018.
On 22 May, she will travel to Haiti where she will visits projects backed by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID).
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...sitara-centros-para-personas-con-discapacidad
AFP Popular invests pension funds in Club Med Miches
The AFP Popular pension plan announced it has invested in the construction of the Club Med Miches, the second resort to be operated by Club Med in the Dominican Republic. As reported, through the Fondo de Desarrollo de Sociedades Pioneer, and with the backing of national investors and the AFP Popular, the Administradora de Fondos de Inversion Pioneer purchased the land for the new development.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economia/afp-popular-respalda-la-adquisicion-del-club-med-MH9854349
Barrick Gold going green
Barrick Gold is stepping up its “green” efforts by signing a 10-year natural gas supply contract in the Dominican Republic. This would mean a switch from heavy fuel oil to natural gas for the mining company that is located in central Cotuí.
Costs at the mine are expected to drop by about US$54 per ounce over its operative life. The savings, according to Barrick, will be partly supported by higher margins on the sale of excess power to the national energy grid.
In addition, the use of natural gas is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with Pueblo Viejo by approximately 260,000 CO2 equivalent tons per year.
It will cost roughly US$7.5 million to convert the Quisqueya I power plant to natural gas. AES will be in charge of setting up a new gas pipeline to the facility, with commercial gas production expected to begin in the second half of 2019.
http://www.mining.com/barrick-signs-10-year-gas-supply-deal-make-dominican-mine-greener/
http://www.mining.com/barrick-signs-10-year-gas-supply-deal-make-dominican-mine-greener/
More medical clinics being built
Dominican and foreign companies are building major medical clinics in four cities in the country with an investment of around USD$600 million. The centers will all have high technology and will compete for the 29% of Dominicans who use private health service rather than the free services at the public health sector, and to meet the demands of the growing health tourism market.
The centers will be based in Greater Santo Domingo, Santiago, Bavaro and Punta Cana.
It is reported that these high tech facilities will comply with international health care standards and supplement the hospital bed deficits there currently exist in the private sector.
The first of the clinics is the Metropolitan Center for Advanced Medicine (CEMAV), in the National District, with an investment of over US$70 million, using funds from Dominican, European, Asian, Venezuelan and North American banks. It will have 180 beds, 150 doctors and 300 nurses and will open in the first quarter of 2019.
It is owned by Stragy Group, which is Venezuelan and American and the investors are currently providers to the Dominican state for medical equipment, and consumable and provide material to at least five of the main dialysis centers in the country.
A market study has shown that the deficit of beds in private clinics in Santo Domingo is more than 5,000 and in the area where CEMAV is located there is a 700-bed deficit,
The second center is for diabetes and is the Medical Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Specialities (CEMDOE), which will benefit 10,000 patients and have 150 staff. It will be located on Luperón Avenue and is backed by Mariela Vicini.
The International Medical Group (IMG) is also under construction with Venezuelan capital and is located on the Bavaro Boulevard in front of El Cocotal and Villas Bávaro, It will offer services in 20 specialties and 40 beds.
Finally, the Sanitary Rescue City is a hospital complex located within the hotel sector in Bavaro Punta Cana with an investment of US$100 million. This is a general hospital with a surgical center specializing in orthopedic surgery, spinal surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery. It will have 140 beds, expects to have 750 staff of which 100 will be doctors and 160 nurses. The first stage began in 2017 and it is expected to be completed in 2020.
http://hoy.com.do/capitales-compiten-por-mercado-de-la-salud-rd/
More and more illegal weapons found
Recent hauls by the Custom’s Agency have included high caliber firearms and munitions, including an assault rifle similar to the dangerous AK-47.
Just last weekend, in the port of Haina Oriental, two Marlin 22 caliber rifles, a 22 caliber Mossberg rifle and 2050 munitions of 9, 22, 28 and 280 mm that had been sent from Miami, Florida to a company named Dominican Imports and Services, SRL. These firearms, found inside a container that declared its contents as home furnishings, were confiscated.
The raids were the result of intelligence operation that has been consolidated and improved over the last 20 months and consisted in trained personnel and improved technological tools.
During the first three months of the year, the Custom’s Agency has confiscated 4,263 firearms of different calibers, including munitions. They have also confiscated motor vehicle parts and drugs.
The vast majority of the confiscations took place in March 2018 alone, with 4,224 firearms at the Cibao International Airport in Santiago and the Haina Oriental Port. In February there were 17 confiscations and in January 22.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...e-incauta-de-1263-armas-de-distintos-calibres
Kidnapped businessman reappears
The National Police reported that missing 49-year old businessman Fernando Epifanio Arias returned to his home. He was immediately taken into custody by the Police for investigation. His wife had reported him missing last week and said the last person he was seen with was his business associate, Colombian Luis Eduardo Mendez. Reportedly, kidnappers were asking for US$5 million for his safe return.
Arias owns the mall Plaza Moli and the Car Wash Moli in Santiago and other businesses in the Cibao region.
Police spokesman, Colonel Frank Duran Mejia said that there is no evidence of the missing persons having left the country.
Arias has lived for several years in the United States. It has not been reported whether or not the ransom was paid.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...a-su-residencia-tras-varios-dias-de-secuestro
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...ias-secuestrado-llego-a-su-casa-hoy-YD9858504
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...el-de-narcos-secuestrara-empresario-GH9854945
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...empresario-de-santiago-que-estuvo-secuestrado
Road rage leads to injury and death
An unknown man killed a young 24-year old woman and seriously injured her partner following an argument that was caused by a traffic incident on the George Washington Avenue (Malecón) in Santo Domingo.
The victim was identified as Yulissa Merdily Acosta Parra, who was killed by a shot to the head, and her partner, 32-year old Edgar Leito, is currently in hospital with a shot to the shoulder.
The incident took place when the cars scraped each other and the driver of the other car shot at their vehicle while driving on the Malecón, almost at the corner of Espaillat after coming out of a casino.
The perpetrator fled the scene.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...hieren-a-su-pareja-tras-incidente-de-transito
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...safia-capacidad-de-asombro-del-pais-DL9863063
Two Dominicans qualify for Youth Olympic Games in kiteboard
Adeuri Corniel and Lorenzo Calcaño competed in Hainan, China, made it to the finals and won slots in the Youth Olympic Games to be celebrated in October 2018 in Argentina.
The two won gold and silver, respectively, in the TwinTip Racing World Championships, a qualifier for the YOG. Corniel is a product of Cabarete Beach in Puerto Plata, and Calcaño of Las Terrenas in Samaná.
http://www.lainformacion.com.do/not...board;-clasifican-a-juegos-olimpicos-juventud
https://www.facebook.com/cornielstyle/
https://www.facebook.com/lorenzo.kite
Dominican women’s volleyball team in FIVB Volleyball Nations League
The Dominican Republic women's national team has traveled to Ningbo, China to participate in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League. The event replaces the former World Grand Prix as the leading annual volleyball tournament on the international volleyball calendar of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). The director of the national women's team, Cristobal Marte, says the Dominican team will try to improve on its 8th place finish in the Grand Prix last year.
The captain of the Dominican team is Bethania de la Cruz. Other players are: Brenda Castillo, Annerys Valdez, Eve Mejia, Ana Binet, Cándida Arias, Vielka Peralta, Priscilla Rivera, Natalia Martínez, Camil Domínguez, Niverka Marte, Jeoselyna Rodríguez, Brayelin Martínez, Yineirys Martínez, Marianne Fersola, Gaila González, Yonkaira Peña, and Gina Mambrú. The Dominican team is coached by Marcos Kwiek, Wilson Sanchez and Wagner Pacheco.
Sixteen teams from across the globe embark on a brand new adventure Tuesday, as the inaugral women's FIVB Volleyball Nations League marks the start of an exhilarating season that will bring fans all over the world an unrivalled experience. The teams will compete in a preliminary round over five weeks in a total of 20 pools of four teams each. There will be one ranking table across all pools with the top five teams at the end of the preliminary round joining the hosts for the Finals.
The Dominican Republic is in Pool 2 that will be played in Ningbo, China. The Dominican team will match teams from China, Belgium, South Korea from 15-17 May 2018.
On the second week (22-24 May), the DR will be in Pool 8 and will match Turkey, Argentina, Brazil in the series held in Ankara, Turkey.
On the third week (29-31 May), the DR team will play in Pool 10, with matches taking place in Kraljevo, Serbia and will match Serbia, Belgium, Russia and Turkey.
On week 4 (5-7 June), the DR will be in Pool 13 and will play the Netherlands, Italy and Serbia in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
On week 5, the DR will be in Pool 18 and will play Poland, Japan and Russia in Walbrzych, Poland from 12-14 June.. Week 6, the finals, will be played 27 June to 1 July in Nanjing, China.
https://volleymob.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-volleyball-nations-league/
http://www.volleyball.world/en/vnl/news/eyes-of-the-world-on-inaugural-vnl?id=74817
Follow the World Football Cup
CCN (Supermercados Nacional, Jumbo and Casa Cuesta) has published a stickers collectors album to get all the family involved and learning about who are the leading players in the 2018 FIFA World Cup that starts 14 June 2018 with the match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. The 64 games will be televised locally on Antena 7, Channel 7.
While football is a relatively-new sport in the Dominican Republic, it has a large following. "Streaming will allow everyone to enjoy the excitement of football, not only from their televisions, but also from their cell phones, computer or any digital device with Internet access," explained Dorian Rodriguez, corporate vice president for Antena 7.
https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/
Luis Garcia wins three gold for DR in Pan American Weightlifting Championship
Luis García, of the Dominican Republic, dominated in his 56 kg category during the competitions held at the Weightlifting Pavilion Jose Joaquín Puello in the Mirador del Este Park. The event is taking place 12-18 May 2018.
Big-name champions are among more than 260 of the strongest athletes from 26 countries in North, Central and South America participating in the 2018 Senior Pan-American Championships. The tournament awards qualification tickets to the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
https://www.diariolibre.com/deporte...o-su-****-trazada-obtener-los-3-oro-NL9863807
http://www.iwf.net/2018/05/12/who-will-be-dominant-in-santo-domingo-weightlifting-championships/
Recycling Fair open at Dominican Municipal League
The Dominican Municipal League at Av. Enrique Jiménez Moya (south of Av. Winston Churchill) is hosting a major Recycling Fair that shows off Dominican creativity. There is art, musical instruments, toys and home furnishings on exhibition and for sale. Well known Dominican artists, including Miguel Ramírez, Niorkelly Acosta, Nelson Barrera, Manuel Contreras, Genaro Reyes, Iris Pérez and others are participating. The exhibition is on all this week, from 15 to 19 May 2018.
Santo Domingo Wine Fest at the JW Marriott
Wine tastings, several course dinner, party and dancing, and wine-related film showings are part of the Santo Domingo Wine Fest that will take place 17 to 19 May 2018 at the JW Marriott of Blue Mall. The festival that is sponsored by local wine vendors is in its third year. The films this year are “Decanted” and “Sour Grapes, and “Dreaming of Wine.”
Tickets are for sale at Uepa Tickest and at CCN stores (Supermercados Nacional, Jumbo).
https://www.metrord.do/do/estilo-vi...-tercera-edicion-santo-domingo-wine-fest.html
https://www.facebook.com/events/842531635956768/
https://uepatickets.com/Tickets.aspx?id=7211
Toque Profundo at Cinema Cafe
Enjoy the music of one of the best Dominican rock groups of all times, this Saturday, 19 May 2018 at the Cinema Café in Plaza de la Cultura (behind the Museum of History & Geography). Toque Profundo is regarded as the most successful of the local Dominican bands to date in the late 80s and 90s. Many of their songs, like "El Jevito" and "Mi País", involve social criticism and issues within Dominican culture. Tickets are RD$1,000 at the Cinema Café box office.
https://www.facebook.com/ToqueProfundo/