DR1 Daily News - Tuesday, 18 October 2016

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President Medina attend Olacefs Assembly
President Danilo Medina visits coffee farmetrs
Budget and JCE candidates being decided in Congress
New board members at Indotel
Most remittances go to the big cities
Trying to stop the spread of cholera
Haitian mayor called to receive Dominican donation
Two drug hauls
Drugs found in statue at Las Americas International
Homes burned down in National District
No extradition for Peravia Bank directors
Doctor investigated for posing as surgeon
Preventive custody in abortions case
More rain for the north
Cuban music at Hard Rock Caf?
Alex Ferreira and Frente Caribe at Hard Rock Live



President Medina attends Olacefs Assembly
President Danilo Medina attended the inauguration of the 26th General Assembly of the Organization of Latin American and Caribbean Supreme Audit Entities (Olacefs) at the Paradisus Palma Real Hotel in Punta Cana on Monday, 17 October 2016.

More than 200 delegates from 22 countries have come for the conference, as well as representatives from international organizations like the United Nations Development Fund, the European Union, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and the German Development Cooperation agency.

http://elnacional.com.do/danilo-encabeza-cumbre-hoy/


President Danilo Medina visits coffee farmers
President Danilo Medina visited the Industrias Banilejas coffee plantations in the southwestern province of Peravia (Ban?) over the weekend of 15-16 October 2016, and learned about the seven varieties of coffee produced by Induban that are resisting the coffee blight that has affected coffee production in the country

He also attended a meeting where a coffee development and production project was presented by Induban president Rafael Perell?, who told the President that Induban was available to help in any way.

http://eldia.com.do/571315-2/


Budget and JCE candidates being decided in Congress
On Monday 17 October 2016, a bi-chamber National Budget Committee began to assess the National Budget for 2017. The Executive Branch has submitted a proposal for a RD$711,399.4 million budget.

Minister of Hacienda (Treasury) Donald Guerrero and National Budget director Luis Reyes met with the committee, which is chaired by Senator Dionis Sanchez. The senators will also evaluate budgetary requests from several sectors.

Meanwhile, the special committee that is assessing the candidates for the Central Electoral Board, (JCE), is still in the process of interviewing the applicants. Senator Sanchez, who also chairs this committee, said that following the conclusion of the process on Thursday, 20 October 2016, the committee would retire to discuss the candidates before submitting the final report. They have heard 15-minute presentations by 171 of the 221 applicants, with 50 more to go. The committee will present a shortlist of 30 candidates for the Senate to decide by 9 November 2016.

http://hoy.com.do/congreso-nacional-iniciara-hoy-discusiones-sobre-proyecto-ley-de-presupuesto-2017/


New board members at Indotel
President Danilo Medina has appointed economist Fabricio G?mez Mazara, lawyer Marcos Pe?a and journalist Nelson Guill?n Bello as members of the board of directors of the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel). G?mez Mazara is a brother of Guido G?mez Mazara, the former legal advisor to President Hip?lito Mej?a (2000-2004). Guill?n Bello is the son of former deputy and current mayor of San Crist?bal, Nelson Guill?n and is the general director of Telecentro, Channel 13, and the Red Nacional de Noticias (RNN) Channel 27.

Decree 276-16 establishes that G?mez Mazara will sit on the board in representation of private telecom companies, Marcos Pena will represent private broadcast companies, and Guill?n Bello will represent consumer rights.

http://pld.org.do/portal/blog/miembro/jose-nelson-guillen-valdez/


Most remittances go to the big cities
According to statistics released by the Central Bank, around 54% of the remittances to the country from Dominicans living overseas is sent to Greater Santo Domingo and Santiago provinces.

In 2015, the Dominican Republic received US$4.96 billion in remittances and in the first nine months of 2016 the total was US$3.95 billion.

According to the Central Bank, the National District received the most at 29.27% of the total followed by Santiago with 15.4% and then Greater Santo Domingo with 9.71%.

Looking at other provinces, Duarte (San Francisco de Macor?s) came next with 5.14% of the total, La Vega with 4.33%, Peravia (Ban?) with 3.58%, San Crist?bal with 3.52%, Puerto Plata with 3.19%, Espaillat (Moca) with 2.33% and San Pedro de Macor?s with 2.26%.

The provinces receiving the lowest amounts were Monse?or Nouel (Bonao) with 1.98%, La Romana 1.86%, Valverde 1.83%, Mar?a Trinidad S?nchez 1.54%, and the other 18 provinces shared the remaining 13.52%.

When looking at where the money was sent from, the highest average remittances came from Switzerland with US$367.40 per transaction, France with US$291.30, Germany with US$ 290.90, Spain with US$262.40 and Italy with US$246.70.

These countries were followed by Panama with US$222.80 average per transaction, Haiti with US$200.30, the United States with US$199.60, Panama US$163.10 and Puerto Rico, with US$144.10.

However, looking at the number of transactions, top of the list is the United States with 14.5 million in 2015, followed by Spain with 2.2 million and Puerto Rico with 428,367.

http://www.diariolibre.com/economia...an-al-gran-santo-domingo-y-santiago-LY5203296


Trying to stop the spread of cholera
While the Haitian Ministry of Health has already announced nearly 600 cases of cholera in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, health authorities in the Dominican Republic have announced they are stepping up preventive health measures on the border with Haiti to prevent any new cholera cases from entering the country.

The Ministry of Public Health director in the border province of Dajab?n, Persio Jim?nez has asked the public to cooperate with the authorities and to take steps to prevent the spread of this disease.

He stated that these preventive measures have been in place at the border since the original cholera outbreak in 2010, but their application has been strengthened in recent days, emphasizing that everyone entering the Dominican Republic must now wash their hands in disinfection units installed for this purpose.

In addition, leaflets were distributed to provide guidance on measures to be taken against the threat of cholera from Haiti.

According to Haiti Libre newspaper, the Dominican health program to fight against cholera consists of a set of measures, with hand washing as the first step. If the Dominican health authorities decide to apply them all, it may include disinfection of vehicles and the requirement for people from Haiti to present a health certificate proving that they are not infected with cholera in order to enter Dominican territory, which was the case when the virus crossed the border at the beginning of the epidemic in Haiti.

http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1...rengthens-its-sanitary-safety-at-borders.html


Haitian mayor called to receive Dominican donation
According to a report in List?n Diario, a truck carrying rice, beans, cooking oil and salt donated by the Barahona Governor?s Office for Hurricane Matthew victims in Haiti was stopped at the border on Monday, 17 October 2016. For the truck to reach its destination in Anse-a-Pitre, Haiti, the town?s mayor had to come to the border to personally receive the donation and take responsibility for it.

Governor of Barahona Pedro Pe?a Rubio requested that the shipment be exempted from taxes at the Dominican customs checkpoint. The Daihatsu truck belongs to the Barahona Governor?s Office. It had 110 bags of rice, 30 bags of beans, 30 gallons of cooking oil and 20 bags of salt and was donated by Patricio Lafaucheur.

The mayor of Anse-a-Pitre went to the border crossing at Pedernales and took responsibility for the supplies and for protecting the vehicle as it drove to its final destination in Haiti.

On Friday, 14 October 2016, Haiti stopped Dominican military personnel from accompanying a convoy of 500 trucks with food and construction materials sent by the Dominican government at the Haitian government?s request. Legislators described the aid as a food invasion. In response, the Ministry of Defense ordered all its soldiers to return to the Dominican Republic.

Regardless, the Dominican government said that it has already distributed 500,000 food portions and more than 35,000 rations of uncooked food to Haitians affected by the storm, the director of the Comedores Economicos, Nicolas Calder?n reported. He said that the meals are being distributed by aid organizations and by the Haitian authorities. He said that despite the call to remove the soldiers, relief work continued over the weekend.

In a separate story, Diario Libre reports that one of the reasons for the Haitian opposition to Dominican hurricane relief was that it affected the profitability of Haitian business. A source told the newspaper that Haitian business doubled the price of zinc sheets but when the Dominican donation of zinc sheets arrived, prices plummeted benefitting consumers. *

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...un-camion-de-alimentos-por-falta-de-seguridad
http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=502836
http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...ido-mas-medio-millon-platos-comida-haiti.html
http://acento.com.do/2016/actualida...a-despliegue-los-militares-dominicanos-haiti/
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...-presencia-de-militares-dominicanos-IF5214280


Two drug hauls
The National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) in a joint operation with other intelligence organizations has confiscated 103 packages of cocaine or heroin, 69 of which were at the Caucedo Port and 34 at Santiago Cibao International Airport. Four people were arrested in both operations, which led to a haul of 110 kilos.

According to the DNCD, the drugs at the Caucedo Multimodal Port were found in a boat that had arrived from South America. Two people on board were detained for questioning.

At the Cibao International airport, two people who were leaving for the United States were detained with 34 packages of what is thought to be cocaine or heroin, weighing around 37 kilos.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...s-de-cocaina-con-peso-cercano-a-los-110-kilos


Drugs found in statue at Las Americas Airport
The National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) have confiscated a statue of Jesus filled with a white powder, though to be cocaine, which was being sent to the United States.*

DNCD agents in the Las Americas International Airport cargo terminal found the drugs during a routine check before the package was to be sent to the United States via the Dominican Postal Service (INPOSDOM).

The sender, who is under arrest, had addressed the package to a resident of the Bronx in New York.

http://eldia.com.do/dncd-decomisa-droga-dentro-de-estatua-de-jesucristo-en-el-aila/


Homes burned down in National District
Around 14 homes on Calle Cuba in the San Carlos neighborhood in the National District were reduced to ashes on the morning of Monday, 17 October 2016. The cause of the fire, which broke out at 10am is not yet known.

Twelve firefighting units worked to extinguish the blaze and to prevent it from spreading to other wooden houses with zinc roofs.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...-cenizas-14-viviendas-en-san-carlos-AY5212121


No extradition for Peravia Bank directors
Spain and Venezuela are refusing to extradite the accused in the Peravia Bank fraud involving more than RD$2 billion.

On Saturday, 15 October 2016, the Spanish Council of Ministers turned down the extradition request for Jose Carlos Bergantinos, according to his lawyer, Jose Antonio Sanchez Goni, on the grounds that he is a Spanish citizen who could be tried in the Spanish courts. Under the terms of the extradition treaty with the Dominican Republic, Spanish citizens who could be tried for the same crimes in Spain cannot be extradited.

C?sar Amadeo Peralta, the lawyer representing five Venezuelan businesses that were defrauded by the bank, says the decision sets a bad precedent in the fight against organized crime on an international scale.

http://elnacional.com.do/paises-rechazan-extraditar-a-rd-por-caso-peravia/


Doctor investigated for posing as surgeon*
A National District Judge, Honorio Antonio Suza?a has ordered Dr. Jhoenny Maldonado Lorenzo to wear an electronic monitoring tag and imposed bail of RD$100,000 for posing as a plastic surgeon.

As reported in El D?a, the doctor set up the Centro Medico Dermostetic Laser Clinic at Calle 13 at the corner with Calle Armando Oscar Pacheco in Urbanizaci?n Fern?ndez in the National District. According to the case file, unautorized plastic surgery procedures were being carried out at the center.

The Plastic Surgery Society says that Maldonado is not specialized in surgery.

Prosecutors have presented testimony from several plaintiffs, as well as an autopsy report on Agustina Benita Rodr?guez Marcelino who died following post-surgery complications.

http://eldia.com.do/imponen-uso-de-grillete-electronico-a-doctor-se-hacia-pasar-por-cirujano/


Preventive custody in abortions case
Judge Alejandro Vargas of the National District has ordered three months in pre-trial custody to Rafael Delgado Quezada, who posed as a doctor and is accused of carrying out illegal abortions at the Centro M?dico Nacional. The center was shut down after the discovery of six fetuses by the San Isidro Highway in Santo Domingo East, which was traced back to the center.

The judge also ordered the building?s owner, Agust?n Hung Guill?n to wear an electronic tagging device and imposed an exit ban. Hung Guill?n is accused of being the first point of contact with the patients. Zoila Polanco Canelo and Arabelis Josefina M?ndez M?ndez, who had to post bail of RD$500,000 and are subject to an exit ban have also been connected with the case.

http://eldia.com.do/juez-dicta-tres-meses-de-prision-al-falso-medico/


More rain for the north
A weather front over the north of the country is causing clouds, rain and thunderstorms in the provinces of Montecristi, Dajab?n, El?as Pina, San Juan de la Maguana, Valverde (Mao), Santiago Rodriguez, Puerto Plata, Santiago, Monse?or Nouel (Bonao), La Vega, Duarte (San Francisco de Macor?s), Espaillat (Moca), Mar?a Trinidad Sanchez (Nagua), Saman? and Monte Plata.

Six provinces, La Vega, Monse?or Nouel, Duarte, Espaillat, Monte Plata and Santiago, are under alert for flooding and mudslides.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...uaceros-mantienen-alerta-para-seis-provincias


Cuban music at Hard Rock Caf?
Cuban contemporary musicians Buena Fe, with their mix of pop, rock, guaracha, reggae, flamenco and Cuban groove (la trova), will be playing at the Hard Rock Caf? at the Blue Mall in Santo Domingo on Wednesday, 19 October as of 8:30pm. The group members are composer and lead vocalist Israel Rojas, guitarist Yoel Mart?nez, Israel L?pez on bass, Ernesto Cisneros on piano and keyboards, Dayron Rodr?guez on electric guitar, David Su?rez on congas and minor percussion, Maikel P?rez on drums, and sound engineer Adolfo Mart?nez.

Listen to their music at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VONqQbUjdo&list=RD3VONqQbUjdo#t=76


Alex Ferreira and Frente Caribe at Hard Rock Live
Mexican singer sonwriter Alex Ferreira will be performing at the new Hard Rock Live at Blue Mall in Santo Domingo on 11 November 2016. He will be singing his best-loved hits such as Me pierdo contigo, El Af?n, Sonrisa valiente, En una nube, and Los discos daban vueltas. He will also be playing new mixes of folkloric beats of traditional Dominican music with rock, pop, calypso as Frente Caribe, with the hits Sabana de la Mar, La yugular, and La insoportable.

Listen to Alex Ferreira?s music at:*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jg4alzsFG0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcMYl0AyKpE

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


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http://dr1.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/91-Daily-Headline-News

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http://dr1.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/92-Travel-amp-Tourism-News