New study program for schools starting August 2016
Dialogue on new political parties bill begins
New proposal for medical unions
National Examination results
Migration on alert after Puerto Rico terrorist threat
Haitians send women and children to immigrate first
Taiwan Embassy and ASUS donate 25 laptops
Interview with Santo Domingo archibishop-elect Ozoria
United States behind appointment of new archbishop
Overfishing affects Samana coral reefs
Corruption in the remodeling Marcelino Velez hospital?
Theft at Las Americas International duty free warehouse
Blas Peralta hearing delayed
One in four die daily due to homicide
El Seibo DICAN under investigation
Woman caught fraudulently removing RD$350,000 from bank
Kathleen Martinez optimistic Cleopatra’s tomb will be found soon
Antonia Chabebe and Milton Fernandez recital
New study program for schools starting August 2016
The Ministry of Education announced a recently approved academic curriculum will apply to early, elementary and secondary levels. The changes to the curriculum will be implemented in August 2016. The new programs that include the extended school day mandate are also directed at private schools.
It establishes that the Dominican education system, starting with the August-December 2016, term will be divided in three levels broken down into two cycles of three years.
The program seeks to develop ethics and create an articulate citizenry. Furthermore, the curriculum seeks to foster logical, creative and critical thinking, problem solving and personal and spiritual development in all students.
The first cycle of secondary school seeks to develop technical professional skills so that students are prepared to enter the workforce upon completing their studies.
http://www.cdn.com.do/noticias/naci...-a-colegios-privados-a-las-tandas-extendidas/
Dialogue on new political parties bill begins
On Monday 18 July 2015, the main political groups in the country began talks to reach an agreement for the passing of a Political Parties Bill and other amendments to the electoral system.
The meeting was chaired by Monsignor Agripino Nunez Collado. Delegates from the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), Social Christian Reform Party (PRSC) and Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) participated.
The commission from the PLD, led by former Vice President Rafael Alburquerque, said that the first PLD project was approved in the Chamber of Deputies, but it was important that the different parties reach a consensus.
The PRSC said that they wanted an Electoral Code to guarantee transparency and equality in the next election scheduled for 2020.
Ramon Rogelio Genao, secretary general of the PRSC, said that there also needed to be a total overhaul of the electoral bodies such as the Central Electoral Board (JCE), the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) and the municipal electoral courts.
In the meantime, minority political groups complained that they had been excluded from the dialogue and cited that during the 2016 election cycle, there were 26 political parties most of which were not recognized by the Election Board for the talks.
http://almomento.net/agrupaciones-m...lusion-de-dialogo-para-ley-de-partidos/225113
New proposal for medical unions
Presidency Minister Gustavo Montalvo confirmed that the government is expected to present a new proposal to negotiators for public hospital physicians during a meeting scheduled for next Thursday, 21 June 2016, at PUCCM in Santiago.
Nelson Rodriguez, National Health Director, said that there during this meeting with the unions a new proposal will be announced that is based on previous proposals, but will include specific recommendations made by the unions. He said the government seeks to improve the quality of the health services and that the new proposal not only revamps the pension system, it also calls for a salary increase plus incentives. Rodriguez assures that the new proposal will guarantee a better public health system for all Dominicans.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...eva-propuesta-a-los-medicos-el-proximo-jueves
National Examination results
The Ministry of Education (MINERD) has announced that 69.22% of high school seniors successfully completed graduation requirements school, including the passing of the standardized tests. Some 88.49% of eighth grade students were promoted to high school. For adults, 83.74% of these older students met the basic qualifications as outlined by the Ministry.
The report indicated that 121,938 seniors were due to take the final examinations for their high school diplomas. However, 107,710 actually were present at the exams and that number, 74,552 passed. For the eighth grade examinations, 151,252 were due to take the test and 150,752 attended with 133,400 achieving a passing score.
MINERD announced that students can check their test results online at www.minerd.gob.do.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...s-de-bachillerato-pasa-las-pruebas-nacionales
Migration on alert after Puerto Rico terrorist threat
The director general of Migration, Major General Ruben Paulino Sem has revealed that those working in airports, ports and border posts are on terrorist alert after the FBI published an advisory of a possible terrorist threat by the Islamic State against neighboring Puerto Rico.
Paulino Sem said that his staff is concentrating on increased screening of passengers from Arab countries while also performing background checks of travelers with suspicious profiles who arrive in the country. He said that controls have been increased not only due to the FBI warning but also because of the proximity of Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic.
Head of the FBI in Puerto Rico, Douglas Leff confirmed that they had information that an attack on the island was planned.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...alerta-ante-amenaza-terrorista-en-puerto-rico
http://www.noticiassin.com/2016/07/aeropuertos-rd-en-alerta-tras-amenazas-terrorista-en-puerto-rico/
http://elvocero.com/director-del-fbi-asegura-estado-islamico-podria-atacar-a-puerto-rico/
Haitians send women and children to immigrate first
A Dominican military spokesperson said that over the past several weeks, there has been an uptick of smuggling of women and children in the northern border region with Haiti. The military says that it is becoming a common practice for children and women to immigrate first, and then be followed by the parents.
As reported, at least 120 women, accompanied by children were arrested by the 10th Batallion and 4th Brigade of the Dominican Army at checkpoints in Copey, Entrada de Manzanillo, Santa Maria, Canongo, Miches and Santiago de la Cruz on the border provinces of Dajabon and Montecristi.
As reported in 7 Dias, the source says that the authorities are concerned about the increase in Haitians crossing the border, most of whom are women and children. Often the children are unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The Army said that several of the children showed signs of malnourishment.
The human traffickers are sometimes detained, but easily obtain their release and return to business as usual.
At the Santiago Cabral y Baez public hospital, more than 25% of the births are to Haitians of which a large number have just arrived from Haiti. Many of these arrive with complications, but are attended free at the hospital.
Some of the women said they paid between RD$5,000-RD$6,000 to the traffickers to cross the border and be relocated in Santiago, Puerto Plata, Mao, Moca, La Vega or Santo Domingo.
http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...-aumento-trafico-mujeres-ninos-haitianos.html
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...-haitianas-van-a-maternidad-del-cabral-y-baez
Taiwan Embassy and Asus donate 25 laptops
School children at the Santo Tomas de Aquino public school in Los Tres Brazos, eastern Santo Domingo, were all smiles when trying out the 25 laptops donated by the Asus Foundation and the Embassy of Taiwan in the Dominican Republic.
In eastern Santo Domingo, the Embassy has also built a training center, and a center for disabled adults. The Embassy is also assisting Santo Domingo East mayor-elect Alfredo Martinez in other projects.
When presenting the laptops at the school, Ambassador Tang Ji-Zen was accompanied by Province of Santo Domingo senator Cristina Lizardo and the mayor elect Alfredo Martinez.
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...adoras-a-escuela-de-los-tres-brazos-XN4395918
Interview with Santo Domingo archbishop-elect Ozoria
Santo Domingo archbishop-elect Francisco Ozoria is well aware of the challenges ahead. From having 27 priests under him at the San Pedro de Macoris diocese, Monsignor Ozoria acknowledged in an interview with El Dia that he will now be responsible for 300 priests, most of whom he does not know personally, he says.
Nevertheless, he says for him the biggest challenge is to continue being the same person.
He has been a priest for 37 years and was ordained by his predecessor, Cardinal Nicolas Lopez Rodriguez. He began his career working at the diocese of Lopez Rodriguez in San Francisco de Macoris.
He has been accused of being pro-Haitian. But in the interview he mentioned that he had to request that controversial Father Christopher Hartley be separated from the church because he demonstrated he was acting for personal interests, not for those of the church or the people when defending Haitian immigrants in San Pedro de Macoris. Initially Ozoria was a strong backer of Hartley.
In the interview with El Dia, he mentioned how the collapse of the free zone industry and sugar cane industry in San Pedro had affected his congregation. He mentioned when he started there were 35,000 workers employed at the free zones, and now there are 10,000. And there were six sugar cane mills, and now there are only two.
He explained he was president of the National Commission for Human Mobility (immigration) and acted in name of the Dominican Episcopate Conference when backing the Haitian immigrants and their descendants in his diocese.
http://eldia.com.do/540438-2/
United States behind appointment of new archbishop
Superintendent of Insurance Euclides Gutierrez Felix, who is also a member of the influential Political Committee of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), has said that the United States government is behind the appointment of Monsignor Francisco Ozoria as archbishop of Santo Domingo by Pope Francis.
He said that Bishop Ozoria is known for his work in defense of Haitian immigrants.
Ozoria will take over from Archbishop Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez as of 10 September 2016. Gutierrez Felix described the cardinal as a true patriot.
Gutierrez Felix stated that the naming of Ozoria along with the suspension of United States government assistance for the organization of new elections in Haiti and the continued ban imposed by Haiti against Dominican imports are affecting the present and future sovereignty of the Dominican Republic.
http://elnacional.com.do/creen-mano...monsenor-ozoria-como-arzobispo-santo-domingo/
Overfishing affects Samana coral reefs
A Nature Conservancy study points to indiscriminate fishing as a major cause of damage to the corals in Samana province. The study reveals that overfishing is affecting the health of the corals.
The corals are a key part of the ecosystem. Without healthy corals there will be less fishes for eating, these are a natural defense to major storms and by themselves a major attraction for tourist visitations.
Details of the study findings were revealed by Francisco Rodriguez, director of the Greater Antilles program for the non-governmental organization. The study was funded by USAID of the US Embassy.
During the presentation, the president of the Fundacion Propagas, Rosa M. Bonetti said that they are working together with the Nature Conservancy, Fundacion Grupo Punta Cana and Reef Check Dominicana in the Red Arrecifal Dominicana for the conservation of the corals. She alerted that the situation of the corals is even more serious given the changes brought by climate change.
http://www.diariolibre.com/medioamb...enaza-corales-de-la-bahia-de-samana-EJ4391521
Corruption in the remodeling of the Marcelino Velez hospital?
The Dominican Alliance Against Corruption (Adocco) called for an audit to the recently remodeled Marcelino Velez Santana Public Hospital. The initial contract called for a remodeling investment of RD$1.16 billion. Upon completion of the project, the government announced the remodeling had cost RD$1.7 billion.
Adocco said the RD$600 million more is in violation to Law 340-06 that prohibits contracts exceeding more than 25% of the original cost.
The remodeling was carried out by the Supervisory Office of Public Works of the Presidency (OISOE), a government department marked by accusations of corruption and political influence peddling.
http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=488483
Theft at Las Americas International duty free warehouse
Unknown persons have stolen a large quantity of merchandise from an airport Punta Caucedo cargo area warehouse belonging to Dufry, the company that supplies the duty free shops at the Las Americas International Airport.
According to information received, the thieves broke the padlocks to enter the warehouse and took perfumes, whisky, cosmetics, clothes and other articles. The value of the stolen items is not yet known.
Members of the police forensics team and the Specialized Corps for Airport Security and Civil Aviation (CESAC) were at the scene to commence the investigation.
The robbery occurred despite the presence of security cameras at the warehouse as well as 24-hour security provided by CESAC. Strict security measures are in place that carefully screen those who enter the area.
Acento reports this is the third robbery at the airport this year.
http://www.listindiario.com/las-mun...o-que-suple-tiendas-de-zonas-francas-del-aila
http://acento.com.do/2016/actualidad/8365590-desconocidos-violan-seguridad-roban-mercancias-aila/
Blas Peralta hearing delayed
Monday 18 June 2016 was supposed to be the first hearing in the trial of former Fenatrado truck union boss, Blas Peralta and three others involved in the case of the homicide of the late rector of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), Mateo Aquino Febrillet.
The media reported that Peralta arrived at court with a broad smile. Also attending the hearing was the current rector of the UASD, Ivan Grullon Fernandez, and several former rectors and senior staff from the university. Grullon Fernandez said that they were there to ensure that the crime did not go unpunished and they would follow the case and would not allow the guilty parties to walk free.
Also at the hearing were the other three accused, Franklin Venegas, Geraldo Felix Bautista Mena and retired Colonel Rafael Herrera.
The hearing was adjourned until 8 August as Peralta and Bautista Mena had both fired their lawyers. The judge warned that there will be no more delays. He said if they do not appoint new lawyers they will be represented by a public defender. Venegas and Herrera are already being represented public defenders.
Rita Solis, widow of the former rector told El Dia journalists that persons have told her having overheard threats to her person in the case against the Fenatrado truck union former boss.
Febrillet was murdered by mistake by the accused who reportedly had targeted another person who was traveling in the same vehicle and who had political differences with Peralta.
http://hoy.com.do/reenvian-para-el-...a-blas-peralta-implicado-en-muerte-febrillet/
http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/07/...a-blas-peralta-por-asesinato-aquino-febrillet
http://eldia.com.do/540419-2/
One in four die daily due to homicide
According to figures from the National Police Department of Information and Statistics, every day four people are murdered.
The data shows that in the first six months of this year there were 792 homicides with most, some 53%, attributed to social conflicts (424), followed by 242 (31%) associated with crimes. The circumstances leading to 7% (or 52) of the murders are not known. Nine percent of the deaths (74 people) occurred in clashes with law enforcement agents.
According to the National Police, homicides are down 10% this year compared to 2015 data, when 879 people were murdered in the first six months of that year.
Those areas with the highest murder rates are the South Cibao and Bonao with 21.2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, the National District with 20.8 and Barahona and Valverde with 19.7 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The homicide rate for the country as a whole for the first six months of the year is 15.8%, which is the lowest rate over the past 10 years.
The National Police reported that so far this year there have been 1,920 injuries caused by violence compared to 2,356 over the same period last year, representing a decline of 19% with 704 injuries caused in the committing of a crime and 702 due to social conflict.
The most dangerous day of the week is Sunday, with 25% of all of the homicides and violent injuries happening on that day.
http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/07/18/mueren-diario-4-personas por homicidio
El Seibo DICAN under investigation
National Police spokesman, Nelson Rosario has announced that the whole department of the Police Anti Narcotics Department (DICAN) in El Seibo has been transferred to the Head Office of the Police in the National District (Santo Domingo) to be investigated for claims of corruption.
On Sunday, 17 July 2016, prosecutor for El Seibo, Manuel Emilio Santana made strong accusations of corruption against the members of DICAN in the province and said that they were working with drug dealers and arresting innocent people to plant drugs on them.
The police spokesman said that the team was transferred before the complaints were made by public by Santana as there had been previous complaints about the agents who are now under investigation in Santo Domingo.
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...l-seibo-por-denuncias-de-corrupcion-GI4390844
Woman caught fraudulently removing RD$350,000 from bank
The Police announced the arrest of a woman for attempting to fraudulently remove RD$350,000 from a bank branch at a mall. Maria Elena Gomez Contreras was arrested in possession of five credit and debit cards, the Police suspects are forged. The cash was removed from the bank account of a second person whose name was not revealed.
http://pn.gob.do/noticias-principal...ulentamente-rd35000000-en-una-plaza-comercial
Kathleen Martinez optimistic Cleopatra’s tomb will be found soon
Dominican lawyer-turned archaeologist, Kathleen Martinez and Zahi Hawass, one of the most famous Egyptian archaeologist of all times, were present for the local private showing of the PBS documentary, “Secrets of the Dead: Cleopatra’s Lost Tomb” on Dominican Kathleen Martinez’s efforts to find where Cleopatra is buried.
Hawass is optimistic the tomb will be found later this year in Egypt. For centuries archaeologists have searched for her tomb, but it is only now with investigations carried out by Martinez that there is optimism the final resting place of Cleopatra will be found.
Hawass is a former Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs of Egypt who as such authorized Martinez to carry out the searches.
The documentary tells of the efforts of Martinez in Egypt and the excavations in Taposiris Magna.
“I sometimes dream and I see images of Martinez crossing a tunnel that will lead to the doors. She will open these and she will see the tombs of Cleopatra and Marcos Antonio and by opening those gates she will be placing Egypt on the top of the world,” commented Hawass as reported in El Dia.
Drawing upon her 20 years as a courtroom criminal attorney, Martinez has used that experience to turn detective and reopen the case of Cleopatra’s death after she was assigned to work in the Dominican embassy in Egypt. “I don’t think 100% as an archaeologist, because my first training is as a criminal lawyer, so I took Cleopatra as a case,” says Martinez.
The PBS documentary that premiered in the US in May 2016 explains how scholars have long believed that Cleopatra was buried in the ancient city of Alexandria that sank into the Mediterranean more than a thousand years ago. But Martinez studied ancient Roman texts and investigated 21 sites where Cleopatra could be buried, determining that only one matched her theory.
“She was a goddess,” says Martinez. Working with a team of Egyptians and local tribesmen, Martinez went searching at a temple complex that dates from the time of Cleopatra and is dedicated to the ancient Egyptian god Osiris and his wife the goddess Isis.
http://eldia.com.do/540429-2/
http://www.thirteen.org/13pressroom/press-release/secrets-of-the-dead-cleopatras-lost-tomb/
Fernando Villalona celebrates 45 years as a singer
Merengue and bolero fans are invited to the best hits concert by Fernando Villalona scheduled for the Palacio de Bellas Artes. He will perform on 26 July at 8pm to commemorate his 45 years in show business. He said his first performance was precisely on 26 July 1971 when he performed in a voice contest. He has recorded more than 25 albums and innumerable singles.
Antonia Chabebe and Milton Fernandez recital
Classic music lovers are invited to the concert by soprano Antonia Chabebe and pianist Milton Fernandez on 28 July 2016 at the Capilla de los Remedios on Calle las Damas in the Colonial City. The recital starts at 7:30pm.
Milton Fernandez is in Santo Domingo, taking a break from his music studies in the United States. He first studied piano in the Dominican Republic prior to continuing his Piano Performance masters at the Stephen F. Austin State University where he was awarded the third prize in the Texas Music Teachers Association Piano Competition. He is currently enrolled in a doctoral music studies program at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
The recital music includes pieces by Clara Schumann, Gabriel Faure and Johannes Brahms.
Antonia Chabebe is a well-known lyrical singer.
Read more about upcoming events at http://www.dr1.com/calendar
To read more news, see the DR1 News Archives at: http://dr1.com/premium/news/2016/index.shtml
Dialogue on new political parties bill begins
New proposal for medical unions
National Examination results
Migration on alert after Puerto Rico terrorist threat
Haitians send women and children to immigrate first
Taiwan Embassy and ASUS donate 25 laptops
Interview with Santo Domingo archibishop-elect Ozoria
United States behind appointment of new archbishop
Overfishing affects Samana coral reefs
Corruption in the remodeling Marcelino Velez hospital?
Theft at Las Americas International duty free warehouse
Blas Peralta hearing delayed
One in four die daily due to homicide
El Seibo DICAN under investigation
Woman caught fraudulently removing RD$350,000 from bank
Kathleen Martinez optimistic Cleopatra’s tomb will be found soon
Antonia Chabebe and Milton Fernandez recital
New study program for schools starting August 2016
The Ministry of Education announced a recently approved academic curriculum will apply to early, elementary and secondary levels. The changes to the curriculum will be implemented in August 2016. The new programs that include the extended school day mandate are also directed at private schools.
It establishes that the Dominican education system, starting with the August-December 2016, term will be divided in three levels broken down into two cycles of three years.
The program seeks to develop ethics and create an articulate citizenry. Furthermore, the curriculum seeks to foster logical, creative and critical thinking, problem solving and personal and spiritual development in all students.
The first cycle of secondary school seeks to develop technical professional skills so that students are prepared to enter the workforce upon completing their studies.
http://www.cdn.com.do/noticias/naci...-a-colegios-privados-a-las-tandas-extendidas/
Dialogue on new political parties bill begins
On Monday 18 July 2015, the main political groups in the country began talks to reach an agreement for the passing of a Political Parties Bill and other amendments to the electoral system.
The meeting was chaired by Monsignor Agripino Nunez Collado. Delegates from the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), Social Christian Reform Party (PRSC) and Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) participated.
The commission from the PLD, led by former Vice President Rafael Alburquerque, said that the first PLD project was approved in the Chamber of Deputies, but it was important that the different parties reach a consensus.
The PRSC said that they wanted an Electoral Code to guarantee transparency and equality in the next election scheduled for 2020.
Ramon Rogelio Genao, secretary general of the PRSC, said that there also needed to be a total overhaul of the electoral bodies such as the Central Electoral Board (JCE), the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) and the municipal electoral courts.
In the meantime, minority political groups complained that they had been excluded from the dialogue and cited that during the 2016 election cycle, there were 26 political parties most of which were not recognized by the Election Board for the talks.
http://almomento.net/agrupaciones-m...lusion-de-dialogo-para-ley-de-partidos/225113
New proposal for medical unions
Presidency Minister Gustavo Montalvo confirmed that the government is expected to present a new proposal to negotiators for public hospital physicians during a meeting scheduled for next Thursday, 21 June 2016, at PUCCM in Santiago.
Nelson Rodriguez, National Health Director, said that there during this meeting with the unions a new proposal will be announced that is based on previous proposals, but will include specific recommendations made by the unions. He said the government seeks to improve the quality of the health services and that the new proposal not only revamps the pension system, it also calls for a salary increase plus incentives. Rodriguez assures that the new proposal will guarantee a better public health system for all Dominicans.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...eva-propuesta-a-los-medicos-el-proximo-jueves
National Examination results
The Ministry of Education (MINERD) has announced that 69.22% of high school seniors successfully completed graduation requirements school, including the passing of the standardized tests. Some 88.49% of eighth grade students were promoted to high school. For adults, 83.74% of these older students met the basic qualifications as outlined by the Ministry.
The report indicated that 121,938 seniors were due to take the final examinations for their high school diplomas. However, 107,710 actually were present at the exams and that number, 74,552 passed. For the eighth grade examinations, 151,252 were due to take the test and 150,752 attended with 133,400 achieving a passing score.
MINERD announced that students can check their test results online at www.minerd.gob.do.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...s-de-bachillerato-pasa-las-pruebas-nacionales
Migration on alert after Puerto Rico terrorist threat
The director general of Migration, Major General Ruben Paulino Sem has revealed that those working in airports, ports and border posts are on terrorist alert after the FBI published an advisory of a possible terrorist threat by the Islamic State against neighboring Puerto Rico.
Paulino Sem said that his staff is concentrating on increased screening of passengers from Arab countries while also performing background checks of travelers with suspicious profiles who arrive in the country. He said that controls have been increased not only due to the FBI warning but also because of the proximity of Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic.
Head of the FBI in Puerto Rico, Douglas Leff confirmed that they had information that an attack on the island was planned.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...alerta-ante-amenaza-terrorista-en-puerto-rico
http://www.noticiassin.com/2016/07/aeropuertos-rd-en-alerta-tras-amenazas-terrorista-en-puerto-rico/
http://elvocero.com/director-del-fbi-asegura-estado-islamico-podria-atacar-a-puerto-rico/
Haitians send women and children to immigrate first
A Dominican military spokesperson said that over the past several weeks, there has been an uptick of smuggling of women and children in the northern border region with Haiti. The military says that it is becoming a common practice for children and women to immigrate first, and then be followed by the parents.
As reported, at least 120 women, accompanied by children were arrested by the 10th Batallion and 4th Brigade of the Dominican Army at checkpoints in Copey, Entrada de Manzanillo, Santa Maria, Canongo, Miches and Santiago de la Cruz on the border provinces of Dajabon and Montecristi.
As reported in 7 Dias, the source says that the authorities are concerned about the increase in Haitians crossing the border, most of whom are women and children. Often the children are unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The Army said that several of the children showed signs of malnourishment.
The human traffickers are sometimes detained, but easily obtain their release and return to business as usual.
At the Santiago Cabral y Baez public hospital, more than 25% of the births are to Haitians of which a large number have just arrived from Haiti. Many of these arrive with complications, but are attended free at the hospital.
Some of the women said they paid between RD$5,000-RD$6,000 to the traffickers to cross the border and be relocated in Santiago, Puerto Plata, Mao, Moca, La Vega or Santo Domingo.
http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...-aumento-trafico-mujeres-ninos-haitianos.html
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...-haitianas-van-a-maternidad-del-cabral-y-baez
Taiwan Embassy and Asus donate 25 laptops
School children at the Santo Tomas de Aquino public school in Los Tres Brazos, eastern Santo Domingo, were all smiles when trying out the 25 laptops donated by the Asus Foundation and the Embassy of Taiwan in the Dominican Republic.
In eastern Santo Domingo, the Embassy has also built a training center, and a center for disabled adults. The Embassy is also assisting Santo Domingo East mayor-elect Alfredo Martinez in other projects.
When presenting the laptops at the school, Ambassador Tang Ji-Zen was accompanied by Province of Santo Domingo senator Cristina Lizardo and the mayor elect Alfredo Martinez.
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...adoras-a-escuela-de-los-tres-brazos-XN4395918
Interview with Santo Domingo archbishop-elect Ozoria
Santo Domingo archbishop-elect Francisco Ozoria is well aware of the challenges ahead. From having 27 priests under him at the San Pedro de Macoris diocese, Monsignor Ozoria acknowledged in an interview with El Dia that he will now be responsible for 300 priests, most of whom he does not know personally, he says.
Nevertheless, he says for him the biggest challenge is to continue being the same person.
He has been a priest for 37 years and was ordained by his predecessor, Cardinal Nicolas Lopez Rodriguez. He began his career working at the diocese of Lopez Rodriguez in San Francisco de Macoris.
He has been accused of being pro-Haitian. But in the interview he mentioned that he had to request that controversial Father Christopher Hartley be separated from the church because he demonstrated he was acting for personal interests, not for those of the church or the people when defending Haitian immigrants in San Pedro de Macoris. Initially Ozoria was a strong backer of Hartley.
In the interview with El Dia, he mentioned how the collapse of the free zone industry and sugar cane industry in San Pedro had affected his congregation. He mentioned when he started there were 35,000 workers employed at the free zones, and now there are 10,000. And there were six sugar cane mills, and now there are only two.
He explained he was president of the National Commission for Human Mobility (immigration) and acted in name of the Dominican Episcopate Conference when backing the Haitian immigrants and their descendants in his diocese.
http://eldia.com.do/540438-2/
United States behind appointment of new archbishop
Superintendent of Insurance Euclides Gutierrez Felix, who is also a member of the influential Political Committee of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), has said that the United States government is behind the appointment of Monsignor Francisco Ozoria as archbishop of Santo Domingo by Pope Francis.
He said that Bishop Ozoria is known for his work in defense of Haitian immigrants.
Ozoria will take over from Archbishop Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez as of 10 September 2016. Gutierrez Felix described the cardinal as a true patriot.
Gutierrez Felix stated that the naming of Ozoria along with the suspension of United States government assistance for the organization of new elections in Haiti and the continued ban imposed by Haiti against Dominican imports are affecting the present and future sovereignty of the Dominican Republic.
http://elnacional.com.do/creen-mano...monsenor-ozoria-como-arzobispo-santo-domingo/
Overfishing affects Samana coral reefs
A Nature Conservancy study points to indiscriminate fishing as a major cause of damage to the corals in Samana province. The study reveals that overfishing is affecting the health of the corals.
The corals are a key part of the ecosystem. Without healthy corals there will be less fishes for eating, these are a natural defense to major storms and by themselves a major attraction for tourist visitations.
Details of the study findings were revealed by Francisco Rodriguez, director of the Greater Antilles program for the non-governmental organization. The study was funded by USAID of the US Embassy.
During the presentation, the president of the Fundacion Propagas, Rosa M. Bonetti said that they are working together with the Nature Conservancy, Fundacion Grupo Punta Cana and Reef Check Dominicana in the Red Arrecifal Dominicana for the conservation of the corals. She alerted that the situation of the corals is even more serious given the changes brought by climate change.
http://www.diariolibre.com/medioamb...enaza-corales-de-la-bahia-de-samana-EJ4391521
Corruption in the remodeling of the Marcelino Velez hospital?
The Dominican Alliance Against Corruption (Adocco) called for an audit to the recently remodeled Marcelino Velez Santana Public Hospital. The initial contract called for a remodeling investment of RD$1.16 billion. Upon completion of the project, the government announced the remodeling had cost RD$1.7 billion.
Adocco said the RD$600 million more is in violation to Law 340-06 that prohibits contracts exceeding more than 25% of the original cost.
The remodeling was carried out by the Supervisory Office of Public Works of the Presidency (OISOE), a government department marked by accusations of corruption and political influence peddling.
http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=488483
Theft at Las Americas International duty free warehouse
Unknown persons have stolen a large quantity of merchandise from an airport Punta Caucedo cargo area warehouse belonging to Dufry, the company that supplies the duty free shops at the Las Americas International Airport.
According to information received, the thieves broke the padlocks to enter the warehouse and took perfumes, whisky, cosmetics, clothes and other articles. The value of the stolen items is not yet known.
Members of the police forensics team and the Specialized Corps for Airport Security and Civil Aviation (CESAC) were at the scene to commence the investigation.
The robbery occurred despite the presence of security cameras at the warehouse as well as 24-hour security provided by CESAC. Strict security measures are in place that carefully screen those who enter the area.
Acento reports this is the third robbery at the airport this year.
http://www.listindiario.com/las-mun...o-que-suple-tiendas-de-zonas-francas-del-aila
http://acento.com.do/2016/actualidad/8365590-desconocidos-violan-seguridad-roban-mercancias-aila/
Blas Peralta hearing delayed
Monday 18 June 2016 was supposed to be the first hearing in the trial of former Fenatrado truck union boss, Blas Peralta and three others involved in the case of the homicide of the late rector of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), Mateo Aquino Febrillet.
The media reported that Peralta arrived at court with a broad smile. Also attending the hearing was the current rector of the UASD, Ivan Grullon Fernandez, and several former rectors and senior staff from the university. Grullon Fernandez said that they were there to ensure that the crime did not go unpunished and they would follow the case and would not allow the guilty parties to walk free.
Also at the hearing were the other three accused, Franklin Venegas, Geraldo Felix Bautista Mena and retired Colonel Rafael Herrera.
The hearing was adjourned until 8 August as Peralta and Bautista Mena had both fired their lawyers. The judge warned that there will be no more delays. He said if they do not appoint new lawyers they will be represented by a public defender. Venegas and Herrera are already being represented public defenders.
Rita Solis, widow of the former rector told El Dia journalists that persons have told her having overheard threats to her person in the case against the Fenatrado truck union former boss.
Febrillet was murdered by mistake by the accused who reportedly had targeted another person who was traveling in the same vehicle and who had political differences with Peralta.
http://hoy.com.do/reenvian-para-el-...a-blas-peralta-implicado-en-muerte-febrillet/
http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/07/...a-blas-peralta-por-asesinato-aquino-febrillet
http://eldia.com.do/540419-2/
One in four die daily due to homicide
According to figures from the National Police Department of Information and Statistics, every day four people are murdered.
The data shows that in the first six months of this year there were 792 homicides with most, some 53%, attributed to social conflicts (424), followed by 242 (31%) associated with crimes. The circumstances leading to 7% (or 52) of the murders are not known. Nine percent of the deaths (74 people) occurred in clashes with law enforcement agents.
According to the National Police, homicides are down 10% this year compared to 2015 data, when 879 people were murdered in the first six months of that year.
Those areas with the highest murder rates are the South Cibao and Bonao with 21.2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, the National District with 20.8 and Barahona and Valverde with 19.7 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The homicide rate for the country as a whole for the first six months of the year is 15.8%, which is the lowest rate over the past 10 years.
The National Police reported that so far this year there have been 1,920 injuries caused by violence compared to 2,356 over the same period last year, representing a decline of 19% with 704 injuries caused in the committing of a crime and 702 due to social conflict.
The most dangerous day of the week is Sunday, with 25% of all of the homicides and violent injuries happening on that day.
http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/07/18/mueren-diario-4-personas por homicidio
El Seibo DICAN under investigation
National Police spokesman, Nelson Rosario has announced that the whole department of the Police Anti Narcotics Department (DICAN) in El Seibo has been transferred to the Head Office of the Police in the National District (Santo Domingo) to be investigated for claims of corruption.
On Sunday, 17 July 2016, prosecutor for El Seibo, Manuel Emilio Santana made strong accusations of corruption against the members of DICAN in the province and said that they were working with drug dealers and arresting innocent people to plant drugs on them.
The police spokesman said that the team was transferred before the complaints were made by public by Santana as there had been previous complaints about the agents who are now under investigation in Santo Domingo.
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...l-seibo-por-denuncias-de-corrupcion-GI4390844
Woman caught fraudulently removing RD$350,000 from bank
The Police announced the arrest of a woman for attempting to fraudulently remove RD$350,000 from a bank branch at a mall. Maria Elena Gomez Contreras was arrested in possession of five credit and debit cards, the Police suspects are forged. The cash was removed from the bank account of a second person whose name was not revealed.
http://pn.gob.do/noticias-principal...ulentamente-rd35000000-en-una-plaza-comercial
Kathleen Martinez optimistic Cleopatra’s tomb will be found soon
Dominican lawyer-turned archaeologist, Kathleen Martinez and Zahi Hawass, one of the most famous Egyptian archaeologist of all times, were present for the local private showing of the PBS documentary, “Secrets of the Dead: Cleopatra’s Lost Tomb” on Dominican Kathleen Martinez’s efforts to find where Cleopatra is buried.
Hawass is optimistic the tomb will be found later this year in Egypt. For centuries archaeologists have searched for her tomb, but it is only now with investigations carried out by Martinez that there is optimism the final resting place of Cleopatra will be found.
Hawass is a former Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs of Egypt who as such authorized Martinez to carry out the searches.
The documentary tells of the efforts of Martinez in Egypt and the excavations in Taposiris Magna.
“I sometimes dream and I see images of Martinez crossing a tunnel that will lead to the doors. She will open these and she will see the tombs of Cleopatra and Marcos Antonio and by opening those gates she will be placing Egypt on the top of the world,” commented Hawass as reported in El Dia.
Drawing upon her 20 years as a courtroom criminal attorney, Martinez has used that experience to turn detective and reopen the case of Cleopatra’s death after she was assigned to work in the Dominican embassy in Egypt. “I don’t think 100% as an archaeologist, because my first training is as a criminal lawyer, so I took Cleopatra as a case,” says Martinez.
The PBS documentary that premiered in the US in May 2016 explains how scholars have long believed that Cleopatra was buried in the ancient city of Alexandria that sank into the Mediterranean more than a thousand years ago. But Martinez studied ancient Roman texts and investigated 21 sites where Cleopatra could be buried, determining that only one matched her theory.
“She was a goddess,” says Martinez. Working with a team of Egyptians and local tribesmen, Martinez went searching at a temple complex that dates from the time of Cleopatra and is dedicated to the ancient Egyptian god Osiris and his wife the goddess Isis.
http://eldia.com.do/540429-2/
http://www.thirteen.org/13pressroom/press-release/secrets-of-the-dead-cleopatras-lost-tomb/
Fernando Villalona celebrates 45 years as a singer
Merengue and bolero fans are invited to the best hits concert by Fernando Villalona scheduled for the Palacio de Bellas Artes. He will perform on 26 July at 8pm to commemorate his 45 years in show business. He said his first performance was precisely on 26 July 1971 when he performed in a voice contest. He has recorded more than 25 albums and innumerable singles.
Antonia Chabebe and Milton Fernandez recital
Classic music lovers are invited to the concert by soprano Antonia Chabebe and pianist Milton Fernandez on 28 July 2016 at the Capilla de los Remedios on Calle las Damas in the Colonial City. The recital starts at 7:30pm.
Milton Fernandez is in Santo Domingo, taking a break from his music studies in the United States. He first studied piano in the Dominican Republic prior to continuing his Piano Performance masters at the Stephen F. Austin State University where he was awarded the third prize in the Texas Music Teachers Association Piano Competition. He is currently enrolled in a doctoral music studies program at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
The recital music includes pieces by Clara Schumann, Gabriel Faure and Johannes Brahms.
Antonia Chabebe is a well-known lyrical singer.
Read more about upcoming events at http://www.dr1.com/calendar
To read more news, see the DR1 News Archives at: http://dr1.com/premium/news/2016/index.shtml
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