Foreign Relations Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso announced that the government has begun preliminary feasibility studies for the installation of a petroleum refinery in northwestern Montecristi for the export of crude oil to the United States. He also explained that the heir to the Saudi throne would be visiting the country during the month of November to discuss the project, as reported by Diario Libre. The minister assured that the installation of a refinery on the north coast would be very beneficial for the Dominican Republic. He recalled that during his recent trip to New York, President Leonel Fernandez, Prince Turki Al-Faisal and several Saudi government officials held discussions about the installation of this refinery to serve as provider for the Dominican market and for export to the United States, particularly the east coast. Morales added that the government of Qatar has made similar proposals to the Dominican government.
The Presidential Anti-Narcotics Advisor, Marino Vinicio "Vincho" Castillo, believes that the government's austerity programs should begin with salary reductions for some officials who are earning RD$600,000 per month, plus per diems. Criticizing the situation, he complained that he "only earns RD$62,000 per month and I'm working against drugs". Reports by Diario Libre state that he did not name the officials who earn these excessive salaries.
The Dominican Petroleum Refinery (REFIDOMSA) has confirmed that it is rationing the delivery of regular gasoline and diesel to distributing companies because it has had to delve into its reserves. This is due to the delay in the arrival of two ships with fuel purchased on the "spot" market, as reported by Listin Diario. Refidomsa spokesman Alfredo Freites explained that the Refinery is guaranteeing sufficient supply of premium gasoline.
All doctors who have graduated from medical school in Cuba must take an exam in order to have their medical licenses revalidated, even after an agreement was signed that guaranteed approval for all returning doctors, according to a report in El Caribe newspaper. The process could take up to six months for those who request revalidation, and doctors will not be allowed to work until the process is complete.
In response to recent financial difficulties PRD Secretary General Orlando Jorge Mera has announced that PRD members will have to pay monthly membership fees, in a move approved by the party's national executive committee (CEN). Effective immediately, PRD legislators will pay RD$10,000, while vice presidents and deputy secretaries will pay RD$2,000 and RD$1,000. For regular CEN members, the monthly fee will be RD$300. Some PRD legislators are refusing to pay the fee. Legislator Jorge Frias, speaking to El Caribe newspaper, explained that PRD legislators are using their paychecks to pay debts incurred during the last electoral campaign. He said that the party gave the legislators checks that bounced. Mera doesn't believe the differences will affect the primary that is due to take place in January 2007, or the inauguration of the new PRD headquarters. According to Diario Libre, the PRD owes RD$77 million to creditors.
Dominican insurance companies report that they have paid out more than RD$ 161 million in claims for crimes committed by employees. This type of claim has increased by 421% over a five-year span. Pierina Pumarol, speaking for the Superintendence of Insurance, she explained that this type of insurance covers theft of merchandise by employees, money theft, and check forgery. There are 30 insurance companies in the country and of these five companies handled 85% of all insurance cases. The top insurers are Universal, Banreservas, La Colonial, Palic and Proseguros.
Jose Corporan has been arrested in connection with the murder of Angel Christopher Martinez, head of the Department for Aero-navigation at the Department of Civil Aviation. Other suspects in the 12 July 2005 murder are still on the run. Martinez was on his way to work last July when he was shot by men driving in a four-door pick up truck. The investigation into what is believed to be a work-related crime is still ongoing. Christopher was known as a bribe-immune government officer.
The managers of Praia nightclub are denying recent allegations that they practice a discriminatory admittance policy. A press release states that dozens of regular visitors as well as hundreds of photographs can testify as to who visits the club. "There is no type of discrimination by race or financial status at our business," they claim. They admit that the night that student Pura Alexandra Nunez was shot, one person - who was in company of others - was not admitted because they had been warned about their repeated involvement in arguments and violent behavior. "It is our duty to emphasize that Praia Bar and Wine Lounge has given and gives access to anyone who complies with universal rules required at all similar businesses in the world, if the individuals exhibit an attitude of appearance in accordance with good customs," states the nightclub's management.
The National Drug Control Department (DNCD) is to incinerate one of the largest shipments of drugs seized in ports, airports and other locations in the country over a little more than one month. According to DNCD spokesman Roberto Lebron, 3,000 kgs of cocaine, 20,231 ecstasy pills, 15 kgs of crack, 119 lbs of marijuana, 76 kgs of heroin, and 1.36 kgs of hashish will be incinerated today in the presence of DNCD president Rafael Ramirez Ferreira, justice, police and military authorities, and members of the diplomatic corps. The drugs were seized between 16 August and 26 September. The event will take place at the seat of the National Army First Brigade on Duarte Highway at 11:00 am.
The Judge of the National District First Court of Instruction, Roman Hiciano Berroa, has ordered the District Attorney, Jose Manuel Hernandez Peguero, to request the extradition of businessman Oscar R. Lama Selima, who is accused of swindling several people out of US$300,000. Lama is currently living in the United States. Clave Digital reports that an extradition request must be filed with the United States justice authorities or any other state holding an extradition treaty with the Dominican Republic.
In contrast with the Chief of Police's insistence that there hasn't been an increase in violent crime, there have been 19 deaths due to shotgun wounds in the Dominican Republic during the last five days. Diario Libre quotes statistics from the Forensic Pathology Institute that indicate that by midday Sunday 24 September, 12 people had been shot to death, whereas police reports say that a further seven died as a result of bullet wounds in Navarrete, Moca, Puerto Plata and Santiago. This represents an average of 3.8 fatalities per day. Eight of these deaths took place during "alleged" crossfire between civilians and police agents, according to the report.
Tourists from around the world have written to the Friends of Animals Association (PADELA), the Presidential Palace and the Police Department, to complain about the abuse and cruelty they have seen practiced against animals while visiting the Dominican Republic, according to Clave weekly newspaper. PADELA is receiving an average of five letters per month, according to Executive Director Luisa Perez, because of its connections with international organizations such as the Pegasus Foundation and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The latter organization was so upset by the case of a donkey that was beaten to death in Ranchito Piche, Jacagua, Santiago, after being tied up in the sun for nine days without water or food, that they requested President Leonel Fernandez's e-mail address. PETA also sent a letter to Police Chief Major General Bernardo Santana Paez, demanding a criminal investigation into this case of animal abuse, and calling for punishment for the people involved.
A baby dolphin was born to mother "Serena" on 21 August 2006 at Ocean World Adventure Park in Puerto Plata. This is the first recorded and confirmed successful (live) baby dolphin born in captivity in the DR. The marine park director, Stefan Meister is optimistic that there will be many more to come. He explains that the park's female dolphins are just reaching breeding age now. Meister says that ten dolphins have already been born in the park's sister dolphin facility in the Bahamas. He expects the DR to catch up with this number.
Meister says that a name has not been chosen as the baby is too small and its gender has not yet been determined. "We are thinking of holding a naming contest for local schools with the winning kid getting a free day for their class at Ocean World," he added.
The birth of the baby dolphin coincides with a letter with recommendations made by Patricia Forkan, president of the 9.5-million member Humane Society of the United States, which recently commended the Ministry of Environment in the Dominican Republic for its forward-thinking and progressive action in prohibiting the import of live dolphins for public display. Forkan suggested that dolphin parks should maintain their collection with captive breeding. The society is opposed to capturing dolphins in the wild, explaining that it is extremely stressful and traumatic for the dolphins and can result in deaths and social disruption.
"Your decision to ban dolphin imports has placed the Dominican Republic in a leadership role in the Caribbean," she writes. "Other nations in the Caribbean should look to your government as a shining example of responsible resource management," she writes.
See http://dr1.com/news/2006/092906_Humane.shtml
V Magazine includes DR's Altos de Chavon and the successes of its graduates in its list of design schools. These include Rogelio Velasco of Velasco Couture, who designed Meryl Streep's dress for the 2006 Oscars and designs for Queen Noor of Jordan; Tonelly Zepeda, who works for Donna Karan; and Edmundo Castillo, shoe designer, who owns a boutique in Soho. Other schools listed are The Rhode Island School of Design, Yale School of Art, Central Saint Martins, Parsons The New School for Design, Art Center College of Design (Pasadena, California), Tsinghua University School of Arts and Design (Beijing, China), Royal College of Art (London), Esmod Japan (Tokyo), Iceland Academy of the Arts (Reykjavik), Altos de Chavon (La Romana, DR), Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Antwerp, Belgium), Iowa Writers' Workshop (Iowa) and Fabrica (Treviso, Italy).
http://www.vmagazine.com/feature_powerhouse_designschool.htm
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