DR1 Daily News - Wednesday, 28 September 2016

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Digital television to be available next year
US Forestry specialists help eradicate pine-eating beetle
Floating bridge closed then reopened
Sugar cane land cannot be sold
Maternity Hospital ?in crisis?
No public transport in the northwest
Hearing delayed due to air conditioning failure
Peralta accused of delaying trial
Percival said to be gang leader
Court hearing delayed again due to lack of interpreter
No Excuses for child sexual exploitation
Tropical Storm Matthew on the cards
Toque Profundo at Casa de Teatro
Grupo Buena Fe at Hard Rock Caf?
David Ortiz countdown
Goat sculptures on show at Blue Mall
El Bailazo ? merengue, salsa and urban music at Sambil



Digital television to be available next year
The Dominican Republic will be switching from its analogue television signal in 2021 but in order to ensure that the industry meets the deadline, digital television broadcasts will begin in 2017.

As the necessary terrestrial infrastructure is being installed across the country, one network, Television Nueva Isabela (TNI Canal 51), has already signed up to start broadcasting under the ATSC standard from January 2017.

According to the new Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) director, Jos? del Castillo Savi??n, the process has been delayed for too long. In fact, the Dominican Republic was one of the first Latin American countries to approve a digital TV law in 1998 but, since then, the process has been postponed several times.

For the moment, the final analogue switch-off is scheduled for January 2021 and the early changeover has been set in order to guarantee the industry meeting the deadline.

http://www.rapidtvnews.com/2016092744451/new-year-set-for-dominican-republic-dtt-switchover.html


US Forestry specialists help eradicate pine-eating beetle
US Forestry Department experts Ronald F. Billings and Kevin Carlin are advising the Ministry of Environment on pest management in pine forests. The Ministry of Environment requested US assistance for eliminating two beetles, Ips calligraphus and Ips Grandicollis, which are affecting pine forests in the DR.

The specialists led a workshop in Los Montones, San Jose de las Matas and visited forestry plantations in the Cibao and southwestern regions. Deputy Environment Minister in charge of forestry, Manuel Serrano, coordinated the events.

Billings, from the Texas Forestry Service, is an expert on direct control and prevention of southern pine bark beetles. He has also served as a consultant for forest protection problems in the DR. Carlin is a forest health specialist based in San Juan, Puerto Rico.


Floating bridge closed then reopened
The floating bridge over the Ozama River in Santo Domingo was closed to traffic after a crack in one of its internal tanks caused the bridge to tilt. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday 27 September 2016 and water had to be drained from one of the bridge?s 24 tanks before repairs could be carried out in the morning. The closure resulted in traffic jams with large lines of vehicles and delays of up to two hours.

The repairs were completed and the bridge reopened in the afternoon. They were supervised by Public Works Ministry engineers Ram?n Antonio Pep?n, Euclides S?nchez and Franklin Monci?n.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...e-provoca-caos-de-varias-horas-en-el-transito
http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/09/27/perforacion-tanque-fue-que-provoco-averia-puente-flotante
http://elnacional.com.do/reabren-transito-en-el-puente-flotante/


Sugar cane land cannot be sold
The government, via Decree No. 268-16, has prohibited the sale, use, exchange, donation or any other real estate transaction involving land owned by the State Sugar Council (CEA) without prior authorization from the Executive Branch.

An Assessment Commission has been established to look at land registered in the name of CEA sugar cane engineers, headed by Minister without Portfolio, Bautista Rojas Gomez.

The commission, which has to issue its report within a year, comprises the executive director of the State Sugar Council (CEA), the director general of the National Land Register, the General Comptroller of the Republic and the executive director of the Permanent Commission for State Title Deeds (CPTTE).

The decree states that the commission will carry out an inventory of the land, what it is being used for, if is it to be used for sugar cane, farming, agro-industry or ranching, as well as what real estate transactions have taken place and how these operations were carried out.

In addition, it orders the General Comptroller to audit the land and establish what transactions took place during the period 2000 to 2016.

The commission should also describe what the land is being used for so that it can be decided if it should be transferred to other state institutions that could make better use of the land.

Media commentators on radio talk shows point out that there is little left of the CEA lands that has not already been sold and that the measure is being taken too late.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...ignacion-venta-o-donacion-de-terrenos-del-cea


Maternity Hospital ?in crisis?
A group of doctors at the Nuestra Se?ora de La Altagracia Maternity Hospital in Santo Domingo have declared a state of emergency due to a reported increase in neo-natal deaths from 16 up to 50 in one month.

Miguelina Perez and Xenia Castillo, who are both members of the commission working on renovations at the country?s leading public maternity hospital, said that they and their colleagues are working in a ?war zone? and that they have up to four women in labor sharing the same bed.

The first floor is closed for reconstruction work, which means the pre and post partum patients have been moved to the second floor, leading to a precarious level of service.

Castillo said that the area for newborns and the labor area have been improvised, and that there was a bottleneck while newborns were waiting to go to intensive care with five to eight newborns in one crib, which led to a high risk of infection.

Maternity unit director Joselyn Sanchez and prenatal director Luis Rivera denied that the number of newborn deaths had risen and claimed that the figure is between 18% and 30% of every 1,000 live births.

They admitted that the hospital was experiencing problems but that the main thing was to keep providing services to all women, whether Dominican or foreign, and to save children and mothers.

The maternity unit has been undergoing repairs for three years.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/salud/declaran-maternidad-la-altagracia-en-emergencia-BF5043636


No public transport in the northwest
A strike in the northwestern town of Navarrete on Monday and Tuesday 26 and 27 September 2016 brought all commercial activity to a standstill. The strike is expected to continue on Wednesday, 28 September.

As a result, public transport was not available in Navarrete, Esperanza, Valverde-Mao or Imbert in Puerto Plata.

The Popular Front organization, FLUP, called the strike in protest at the delay in paving several roads as promised during the May 2016 general elections.

http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/09/...or-segundo-dia-navarrete#sthash.xmUOPwJu.dpuf


Hearing delayed due to air conditioning failure
A hearing in the case of the former candidate for mayor for the National District, Karim Abu Naba?a, was postponed after the air conditioning system broke down.

Abu Nabaa is accused of forging the registration document for a limited edition Ferrari Enzo valued at around US$3 million, according to its owner.

Defense lawyer Miguel Valerio said that the lawyer representing the plaintiff, Julian Sinclair agrees that the car?s sale price would be US$400,000 and that they are only owed US$300,000 and not the million dollars they are claiming.

However, the plaintiff?s lawyer, Reemberto Pichardo said that the car was bought for US$1.5 million in April 2009 for Abu Naba?a, but he only paid US$450,000 and three watches.

The car came from Miami, and when it was in customs, Abu Naba?a allegedly forged some documents and took it out of customs without paying the agreed sum in full.

http://elnacional.com.do/falta-de-acondicionador-de-aire-causo-reenvio-audiencia-a-karim-abud/


Peralta accused of delaying trial
The lawyers representing the relatives of the murdered former rector of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) are accusing main suspect Blas Peralta?s defense team of claiming their client is unwell as a tactic for obtaining a reduced sentence or dropped charges.
Jose Parra and Cesar Amadeo Peralta pointed out that the initial hearing in the case has been delayed four times at the request of the defense.

On Monday, 26 September 2016, the hearing was postponed yet again until 28 October, and they say it is a deliberate tactic even though the prosecution has concrete evidence of Peralta?s involvement in the murder on 11 March this year.

The prosecution says these tactics will not work and they will continue to push for the trial to go ahead.

http://elnacional.com.do/dicen-defe...n-de-responsabilidad-en-muerte-exrector-uasd/


Percival said to be gang leader
The Public Prosecution Service has said that the man who shot the security guard in Bella Vista Mall with an M19 rifle was Brayan Peter Felix Paulino and not John Percival. Nevertheless, prosecution department investigations suggest that Percival used his knowledge of the military world and what he has learned through criminal activities, and was behind the creation of the armed criminal gang.

They added that it has been established that after committing the attack, the suspects, Brayan Peter Felix Paulino and Francisco Alberto, fled on a motorbike and then met with John Percival on an empty lot between Calle Selene and Av. Anacaona to divide up the money. They say that Felix Paulino got into a car with Percival and Francisco Alberto left and they met up again at an Isla gas station.

The Public Prosecution service have revealed that the other members of the gang are John Percival, Francisco Alberto de Jesus Caraballo, Brayan Peter Felix Paulino, Keila Indira Arias, who is John Percival?s girlfriend, and Rafael Antonio Peralta Lora, who is currently under arrest.

The Public Prosecution Service is asking for a year?s pre-trial detention for the gang members and said that the case should be declared complex so that the detention term can be increased.

They say that Percival was responsible for choosing where the armed robberies were to take place, providing the M19 weapon, and working out the entrance and exit points of the robberies.

http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/09/27/john-percival-mato-vigilante-bella-vista-mall


Court hearing delayed again due to lack of interpreter
A court in Santo Domingo has adjourned a court hearing to ask for a review of coercive measures in the case of Frenchman Christophe Naudin who has been in preventive custody for six-and-a-half months. He is accused of involvement in the escape of two French pilots who were convicted of drug dealing in the so-called Air Cocaine international drug case.

The hearing has been rescheduled for 6 October 2016 as no French interpreter was available and it was felt that it would be prejudicial to the defendant to proceed without one.

However, defense lawyer Miguel Valerio said that he and other defense lawyers could be responsible for deciding the fate of their client although he did agree that Naudin?s rights would be better guaranteed if an interpreter were present.

Naudin is accused of helping two French pilots, Bruno Odos and Pascal Jean Fauret, to flee the country in October 2015 after being sentenced to 20 years in jail.

This is the second time that the hearing to amend remand terms has been delayed due to no interpreter being present and since the resignation of the private translator employed by Naudin.

As well as the two pilots, who are now in France, crewmember Alain Castany was sentenced and is currently appealing and passenger Nicolas Pisapia whose sentence was confirmed is seeking an annulment.

http://eldia.com.do/aplazan-audiencia-sobre-prision-preventiva-de-frances-naudin/
http://www.francetvinfo.fr/faits-di...ans-des-conditions-epouvantables_1456053.html


No Excuses for child sexual exploitation
The Attorney General Office and the United Nations Children?s Fund (Unicef) launched an awareness campaign on the sexual exploitation of children and teenagers on Tuesday 27 September 2016. The campaign seeks to motivate people to report cases of sexual exploitation. The campaign ?No Excuses? says that one of the main barriers to eradicate sexual exploitation is the present tolerance in Dominican society. The campaign seeks to raise awareness of sexual exploitation as a crime against the healthy development and wellbeing of children and teenagers, for violating their fundamental rights. It encourages members of the public to report sexual exploitation, child pornography and people smuggling.

Unicef representative Rosa Elcarte says that child sexual exploitation is a kind of modern slavery. She says there are no excuses when some exploiters, especially the ?clients? try to justify their acts by saying that the children are in agreement. Elcarte says that a child or teenager does not have the neuronal or psychological maturity to want to be exploited and instead gets to that point due to pressure from their families or from pimps, or the social environment where a girl?s body is just seen as a money-making tool. ?She is always the victim, who has to be rescued and supported so she can begin a new life. Whoever promotes sexual exploitation is the criminal, the client is the criminal and whoever tolerates and fails to report the crime makes it possible for more children to be exploited,? she stated at the presentation of the new campaign.

Attorney General Jean Alain Rodr?guez said that the government would prosecute and combat sexual exploitation, especially in the case of children and teenagers. He said the Attorney General office has taken on the challenge of reducing sexual exploitation to a minimum or eradicating it completely. The department?s investigation capacity has been boosted to help detect cases and implement action protocols, working in coordination with the Specialized Prosecutors for High-Tech Crimes, especially in the cases of online child pornography.

The event was also attended by the assistant prosecutors general for women?s affairs Roxanna Reyes, children and teenager coordinator Marisol Tobal, illicit trafficking of migrants Jonathan Bar?, and John Henry Reynoso of the High-Tech Crimes department.

http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=499942


Tropical Storm Matthew on the cards
According to the National Meteorological Office (Onamet), the low-pressure system moving westwards in the Atlantic Ocean has a very strong possibility of becoming Tropical Storm Matthew and even if it does not, it will bring strong rains and winds to the Lesser Antilles as of Wednesday, 28 September 2016.

Weather service authorities are keeping a close eye on the storm, as although it is currently tracking south of the country it is likely to turn to the north and may move across the island.
In the Dominican Republic, all hurricane preparations should be implemented and the storm should be closely monitored.

Follow the latest posts at:
http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/157613-2016-Hurricane-Season

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...convertirse-en-depresion-esta-noche-YE5042526


David Ortiz countdown
The US media is focusing on the countdown to Dominican Red Sox slugger David Ortiz?s retirement. According to The New York Times, Ortiz is now the record holder for a Major League Baseball player in his retirement year with 36 home runs.

ESPN is following his last games as the 2016 season comes to an end.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/27/sports/baseball/david-ortiz-retire-boston-red-sox.html?_r=0
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/15139768/tracking-david-ortiz-farewell-season


Toque Profundo at Casa de Teatro
A night of the best Dominican rock is planned for Friday 30 September 2016 at Casa de Teatro in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. The auditorium has capacity for 300 people, so buy your ticket early for the ?27 A?os? (27 Years) concert at 9pm.


Grupo Buena Fe at Hard Rock Caf?
Grupo Buena Fe will be performing at the Hard Rock Caf? Santo Domingo at the Blue Mall on 19 October 2016. Members of the Cuban group are Israel Rojas, composer and lead vocals, Yoel Martinez (acoustic guitar), Israel Lopez (bass), Ernesto Cisneros (piano and keyboards), Dayron Rodr?guez (electric guitar), David Su?rez (congas and percussion), Maikel Perez (drums) and sound engineer Adolfo Mart?nez. Tickets are for sale at Uepa Tickets, Supermercados Nacional and Jumbo, and the Hard Rock Caf? box office.


Goat sculptures on show at Blue Mall
La Chiva Gloria, an exhibition of colorful sculptures of large goats by famous Dominican artists is on show at the halls of the Blue Mall in Santo Domingo. The exhibition was created by the Arawak Foundation and acclaimed Dominican artist Antonio Guadalupe.

El Bailazo ? merengue, salsa and urban music at Sambil
Puerto Rican Manny Manuel?s show, ?El Bailazo? promises an evening of merengue, salsa and urban music at the Sambil Mall in Santo Domingo on Friday, 21 October 2016. He will be accompanied by Maestro Porfi Baloa y sus Adolescentes from Venezuela, Chiquisalsa, Criollo House and Ra?l & Fito.

Dominican salsa will be represented by Ruth La Cantante and urban music will be played by exTeke Teke, Carlitos Wey. Fulton V?squez from New York will also be performing.
The concert is scheduled to start at 10pm.

Tickets are for sale at Uepa Tickets, Movie Max, CCN Servicios, Supermercados Nacional and Jumbo. Tickets are RD$2,165 general admission.

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

Archived News stories:
http://dr1.com/forums/forumdisplay.p...-Headline-News

Archived Travel News stories:
http://dr1.com/forums/forumdisplay.p...p-Tourism-News