President Medina backs farm project Hermanas Mirabal province
Government builds bus terminal on parking of Parque del Este sports park
President Medina meets new Claro president
US Ambassador Robin Bernstein presents her credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Relations
Ministry of Education orders investigation in case of tampering with public school students backpacks
PLD Political Committee meeting suspended
Electoral mathematics re 2020 presidential election
Tunnels and elevated sections to close
Police investigate case of death of young Rumanian
Drug hauls
Accused suspect of assaulting daughter of Freddy Espinal ordered to one year in preventive custody
Dominican football chief still suspended
Dominican team roster to World Basketball Cup qualifier
Anniversary of San Zenon Hurricane
More rains on the way
Gabriel Mercedes makes a career as an international taekwondo tutor
Hiandra Martínez makes Models.com top 50
Romance Latino – VIII at the National Theater
President Medina backs farm project Hermanas Mirabal province
On Sunday, 2 September 2018, President Danilo Medina set in motion an agroforestry development project in a mountainous area in Hermanas Mirabal province, in the north of the country. The project consists of the planting of 2,500 tareas (1 tarea = 629 square meters) of coffee and 1,000 tareas of cacao that is expected to generate 1,322 direct jobs and benefit directly 6,700 habitants of the area.
President Medina ordered the ministries of the Environment and Agriculture to supply the coffee and cacao plants and to install a new greenhouse for a million saplings and agricultural plants, as well as to repair 100 of the 200 homes in the project area and provide 100 cows to 100 women for a cattle ranching project.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...oraran-condiciones-de-vida-y-protegeran-medio
Government builds bus terminal on parking of Parque del Este
Construction has begun on a bus terminal for companies that serve travelers headed to the east of the country, as reported in the media. Engineer Victor Suarez told El Dia reporters that the government project seeks to decongestion traffic. The bus terminal is under construction in the Los Tres Ojos – Parque del Este area, besides the Mirador del Este park, the main site of the Pan American Games competitions in 2003. Suarez said that the facility is built for public transport buses. It is unclear which bus companies would use the terminal. Omsa is the only government public transport company, while several others are privately-owned and have imposed an illegal monopoly on transport with the complacency of government authorities.
Súarez told El Dia journalists that shops would be located on the second floor of the terminal. He said the terminal would be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2019.
Local residents said they have requested information on the work but the Santo Domingo East city government had no answers. They are concerned the terminal will further congestion the area making life more difficult for the residents in the park area.
http://eldia.com.do/obra-en-el-parque-del-este-provoca-rechazo/
https://noticiassin.com/protestan-por-rechazo-de-construccion-terminal-de-autobus-en-sde/
President Medina meets new Claro president
President Danilo Medina has received the new president of Claro Dominicana, Rogelio Viesca, accompanied by the company’s outgoing president Oscar Peña at the Presidential Palace. During the event, Peña gave his farewell to the President and thanked the Dominican Republic for support to the company since he had arrived at the end of 2006.
Rogelio Viesca said that América Móvil, the owner of Claro, is committed to continuing to invest in the latest technology and to increase infrastructure given the environment of economic stability and judicial security there was in the country. Departing Claro executive, Oscar Peña said that it was important for Claro to continue the alliances with government agencies especially for initiatives related to education and the Digital Republic program.
Also present at the meeting was Luis Henry Molina, president of the Board of the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel).
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...esidente-claro-dominicana-anuncia-inversiones
US Ambassador Robin Bernstein presents her credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Relations
After arriving on Sunday, 2 September 2018, US Ambassador Robin Bernstein was at the Ministry of Foreign Relations on Monday to present her credentials to the Minister of Foreign Relations Miguel Vargas . As reported by the Ministry, at the meeting, Bernstein and Vargas spoke of the importance of strengthening the diplomatic ties between both countries and multilateral organizations.
“Our peoples have many common interests, and the goal of the Dominican Republic is to strengthen our ties for mutual benefit, said Vargas. Both diplomats spoke of the convenience of stimulating investment, cooperation and trade between both nations, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
Vargas highlighted that the US is the leading importer of Dominican goods, and almost two million Dominicans live in the United States.
http://www.mirex.gob.do/medios/noti...rgas-recibe-copias-de-estilo-embajadora-ee-uu
Ministry of Education orders investigation in case of tampering with public school students backpacks
Education Minister Andres Navarro ordered an investigation into the veracity of a video that shows that a backpack that would be donated by the ministry to public school students was distributed bearing a logo of the social and political works of deputy Lucia Medina, sister to President Danilo Medina. Lucia Medina has expressed her interest in seeking to be named senator for the province of San Juan de la Maguana. The present incumbent is Felix Bautista, a strong supporter of former President Leonel Fernandez.
Miguel Medina, communications director for the ministry, said the ministry has requested that the Instituto de Bienestar Estudiantil (Inabie) carry out an in depth investigation regarding the video that went viral on social media over the weekend.
He said the Ministry of Education, through the Inabie, distributes a school supplies kit that includes the backpack to around 750,000 low income students, or about 60% of the school children population.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...gacion-sobre-caso-de-mochilas-de-lucia-medina
http://hoy.com.do/video-andres-nava...cos-con-etiqueta-del-ministerio-de-educacion/
PLD Political Committee meeting suspended
The Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) suspended the meeting of its Political Committee that was set to have occurred on the evening of Monday, 3 September 2018. No reason has been given. The committee had agreed to meet the first Monday of every month.
Members of the Political Committee have been commentating on social media, with presidential aspirant Carlos Amarante Baret noting that the long gaps between meetings of the PLD Political Committee, is giving the impression that the party is taking one step forward and two steps backwards.
No date has been given for the next meeting.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...-del-comite-politico-de-este-lunes-MG10703942
Electoral mathematics re 2020 presidential election
There should be enough favorable votes in Congress to make a push for an amendment that would allow President Danilo Medina to run for office for a third term. A report in El Dia focuses on the numbers and the steps that need to be taken to amend the 2015 Constitution. The 2015 Constitution had been amended in 2015 to enable President Danilo Medina to run for reelection in 2016. It specifically invalidates Medina from seeking the presidency again in 2020.
As reported in El Dia, the first step is to convene the Asamblea Nacional, where senators and deputies would meet to discuss the proposed amendments. To convene the National Assembly, the initiative needs to be backed by a third of the deputies or a third of the senators, or by the President himself. The initiative needs to specify the articles of the Constitution that would be modified. A simple majority vote is needed to pass the motion to meet to reform the Constitution.
The National Assembly would then need to meet in the next 15 days after the constitutional reform meeting is convened. Quorum is reached with at least 50+1 of the legislators. But to approve the amendment, two thirds of the legislators that are present need to vote in favor.
El Dia explains that the ruling PLD party has 132 votes (102 deputies, 26 senators), the PRM has 52 (50 deputies and 2 senators); the PRD has 16 (15 deputies and 1 senator), the PRSC has 12 (11 deputies and 1 senator). Minority parties all together have another 10 legislators.
But within the ruling PLD 94 legislators are said to be partisan to President Danilo Medina, while 16 are said to be partisan to the PRD, 12 to the PRSC. El Dia also mentions that 19 are known to be partisan to former President Hipolito Mejia, 38 to former President Leonel Fernandez; 33 to former PRM presidential candidate Luis Abinader.
In order to garner the two thirds vote to amend the Constitution, President Danilo Medina’s followers would have to secure votes of opposition parties. In the past, the PLD has won with the vote of PRSC and PRD party members. President Danilo Medina followers say that if “the people want so”, the constitution will be amended to allow President Medina to run in 2020.
http://eldia.com.do/danilistas-proclaman-que-si-pueblo-quiere-habra-reforma-en-el-congreso/
Tunnels and elevated sections to close
The Ministry of Public Works has announced the closure of several tunnels and elevated sections this week, for maintenance and cleaning. The closures will be in both directions from 10:30pm to 5am the following day.
On Tuesday, 4 September 2018 and Wednesday, 5 September: Av. 27 February with Máximo Gómez will be closed.
On Wednesday, 5 September Konrad Adenauer (Charles de Gaulle) with Hermanas Mirabal, and John F. Kennedy with Lope de Vega and Tiradentes.
On Thursday, 6 September: Av. 27 of February with Núñez de Cáceres-Doctor Defilló and 27 February with Máximo Gómez.
On Friday, 7 September, the Las Américas tunnel will be closed.
http://eldia.com.do/obras-publicas-cerrara-tuneles-y-elevados-a-partir-este-lunes/
Police investigate case of death of young Rumanian
On 1 September 2018, 21-year old Rumanian Andreea Celea, jumped, or was pushed from the eighth floor of the BQ Hotel on Av. Sarasota in Bella Vista in Santo Domingo. She died of her injuries. Celea had been in the country since 2002. As reported, Andreea Celea came to the country with her parents when she was five years old and is a naturalized Dominican. Celea was buried on Sunday, 2 September 2018.
Authorities are trying to determine if the young woman committed suicide or was pushed by her partner, Gabriel Villanueva, who is currently being detained by the authorities as the investigation continues. The couple arrived together to the hotel late in the evening.
As reported in the press, her family members feel that Villanueva was involved as the couple allegedly had had a troubled relationship involving verbal abuse and acts of violence, resulting in a restraining order being taken out against Villanueva.
Police say that Villanueva was the last person to see her alive, based on video footage from the hotel reception where they are seen checking in together shortly before her death.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...an-tormentosa-relacion-que-tenia-con-su-novio
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...iso-acusa-al-exnovio-de-la-victima-BG10704151
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...en-redes-sociales-tras-muerte-de-joven-rumana
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...iso-acusa-al-exnovio-de-la-victima-BG10704151
http://elnacional.com.do/aseguran-novio-persiguio-rumana-con-un-cuchillo/
Drug hauls
The National Drug Control Organization (DNCD) has confiscated 50 packages of cocaine from a man who was arrested earlier this year having taken possession of half a million dollars in the car park of a restaurant in Santo Domingo.
The as yet unidentified Dominican man was caught by DNCD agents committing a crime in Altos de Arroyo. The suspect had been under surveillance by DNCD.
At the time of his arrest he was using a tow truck for an SUV and it was inside the SUV where the agents found the drugs.
It has also been announced that during the month of August, the police confiscated 16 kilos of cocaine and crack cocaine, 535 pounds and 15 plants of marijuana and arrested 1,212 people. From those arrested the authorities confiscated RD$1,062,130, US$1,808, 259 cell phones, 54 weighing scales, two walkie-talkies, 23 fire arms and 115 vehicles
http://dncd.gob.do/index.php/noticias/item/dncd-ocupa-51-kilos-de-cocaina-y-17-libras-de-marihuana
http://almomento.net/pn-ocupo-en-agosto-16-kilos-cocaina-o-crack-y-535-libras-de-marihuana/
Accused suspect of assaulting daughter of Freddy Espinal ordered to one year in preventive custody
A Santiago judge, Miguel Alejandro Báez, has imposed a one year in preventive custody for Anyery Manuel Valdez Torres (Jonathan), accused of assault against the daughter of the owner of Transporte Espinal, Freddy Espinal. Valdez Torres will serve the sentence in Rafey jail in Santiago.
Santiago Peralta, lawyer of the accused, has said that there is no evidence against his client. The authorities, nevertheless, say a video exists that allegedly incriminates Valdez Torres. The defense says that all the authorities have on Valdez Torres are his fingerprints that were found inside the victim’s apartment. The defense said noted that it is not surprising that his client’s fingerprints would be in the apartment, given that he had been contracted to paint the dwelling.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...opietario-transporte-espinal-dice-es-inocente
Dominican football chief still suspended
FIFA's Ethics Committee has extended the provisional suspension of Dominican Republic Football Association president Osiris Guzmán for a further 45 days. He had initially been suspended for 90 days on 4 June 2018, when a formal investigation against him was opened.
No details of his alleged offence have been officially revealed, but it has been alleged in the local media that he allowed FIFA-funded facilities to be used for a political meeting. This would be a breach of the world governing body's strict rules that demand political neutrality in football.
Guzman will continue to be banned from all football-related activities at both national and international level. He had received an earlier ban from football, serving 15 days in 2011, after a bribery scandal involving Caribbean officials.
https://www.insidethegames.biz/arti...nican-republic-football-association-president
Dominican team roster to World Basketball Cup qualifier
The Dominican Basketball Federation (Fedombal) and the general manager of the Dominican national team, Francisco García announced the names of 17 players selected for the second round of the Americas Qualifier for the FIBA World Basketball Cup in China 2019. The team members are: Angel Delgado, Eulis Báez, Víctor Liz, Luis David Montero, Eloy Vargas y Ronald Ramón, Rigoberto Mendoza, Gelvis Solano, Manny Quezada, Dagoberto Peña, Juan Miguel Suero, Jhonatan Araujo, Edward Santana, Orlando Sánchez, Sadiel Rojas, Robert Glenn and M.J. Rhett.
The Dominican Republic is in Group F and will play Chile at the Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto in Santo Domingo on Thursday, 13 September 2018. On Sunday, 16 September, the team will travel to Valencia, in Venezuela to play Venezuela.
The Dominican team has a record of 4-2 and is in 4th place of Group F. Other group members are Canada, Brazil and Venezuela (5-1), Virgin Islands (2-4), and Chile (1-5).
Tickets to the game are for sale at Uepa Tickets, Jumbo stores and El Nacional supermarkets for RD$350 and RD$150. The game will be at 8:30pm.
https://www.diariolibre.com/deporte...blica-dominicana-para-ventana-fiba-CG10709847
http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019/americas-qualifiers
Anniversary of San Zenon Hurricane
3 September 2018, marked the 88th anniversary of landfall in Santo Domingo of powerful Hurricane San Zenon. The hurricane destroyed the nation’s capital city and caused over 4,000 deaths and thousands of injuries, just two weeks after General Rafael L. Trujillo had taken over the Presidency of the Republic. The hurricane hit the city from the south in the afternoon as a category four, leaving thousands without a home, and leading to floods that destroyed roads and bridges.
Many who had lived in wooden homes that were destroyed left for the countryside to stay with friends. It has also always been said that the reason for the high death toll was that many unknowingly came out of their shelters during the eye of the storm when it was calm, and were then killed as it resumed.
Following the passing of the hurricane the capital city was left in a disastrous state due to collapsed bridges, no electricity or telephone networks, no drinking water and collapsed homes.
Many victims were buried under rubble and the work of identification was hard with the bodies being taken to what is now Eugenio María de Hostos Park on George Washington Avenue, where due to the large numbers, they were incinerated.
The country received help from the International Red Cross and other Caribbean islands, especially Puerto Rico, as the Dominican Republic had helped them the previous year following another terrible hurricane there.
http://hoy.com.do/hoy-se-cumplen-88-anos-del-devastador-huracan-san-zenon/
More rains on the way
The National Meteorological Office (Onamet) says another tropical wave is approaching the east of the country. A high-level weather front is on the way. Both are expected to bring more heavy rain and thunderstorms in some parts of the country, specifically the east, northeast, southeast, central mountain area and border zone.
In addition, Onamet is keeping its eye on a storm crossing over the southeast and central Bahamas that has an 80% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours.
Onamet is also following the progress of Tropical Storm Florence, located to the west north west of the Cape Verde islands that is expected to slow down during the next 48 hours.
https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/171769-2018-Hurricane-Season?p=1909225#post1909225
http://www.onamet.gob.do
Gabriel Mercedes makes a career as an international taekwondo tutor
Dominican Olympic medalist in taekwondo, Gabriel Mercedes, has a full schedule sharing his secret training tips she used to reach the top in his sport. Mercedes is widely recognized as one of the best taekwondo athletes in the world. Locally, he is in charge of welfare, recreation and sports for human development of the National Police.
Diario Libre highlights how in August-September he has given courses in Athens, Greece (28-29 August 2018), and then he has training sessions programmed for Rabat, Morocco; Brussels, Belgium; Los Angeles, California; and Barranquilla, Colombia in September.
In an interview with Diario Libre, he says he would like to coach local athletes but has yet to receive the backing of the local taekwondo federation officers. “Unfortunately it is a reality that not even an Olympian could overcome and it is seen in the case of Felix Sanchez who had to create a parallel project because the federation did not open space in their structure,” said the champ from Monte Plata who competed in the Athens, Beijing and London Olympic Games.
He won a silver medal in the – 58 kg class at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, after tying with Guillermo Pérez of Mexico, but losing by a judge's decision.
He is also a two-time gold medal winner in the Pan American Games of 2007 Rio de Janeiro, 2011 Guadalajara and bronze in 2003 Santo Domingo. He is a gold medal winner in the Central American and Caribbean Games of San Salvador 20002 and Mayaguez 2010.
https://www.diariolibre.com/deporte...sobresale-como-tutor-internacional-PC10654586
Hiandra Martínez makes Models.com top 50
Dominican model, Hiandra Martinez, has made the top 50 ranking of the Models.com web page. The web page highlights that she began her career with an exclusive debut at Anthony Vacarello’s first showing for Yves Saint Laurent. “Since then it’s been nothing but the best for Hiandra with continuous campaigns for the French brand (5!!!) along with Moschino and Coach shot by Steven Meisel. The website also mentions the model has been featured in British Vogue, Vogue Paris, Interview and Document Journal. The model is part of Ossygeno Models in the Dominican Republic.
https://models.com/models/hiandra-martinez
Romance Latino – VIII at the National Theater
Enjoy the music of Dominican composers and singers Rafael Solano, Cecilia García, Niní Cáffaro, Melliangee Pérez, Edgar Pérez, Antonio Melenciano, directed by Carlos Mejía Zuluaga, as they come together for an unforgettable concert with the Dominican Philharmonic Orchestra on occasion of the 50th anniversary of the iconic Latin song, “Por Amor.”
Tickets for sale at the National Theater box office for RD$300, RD$800 and RD$1,300 and online at Uepa Tickets.
Government builds bus terminal on parking of Parque del Este sports park
President Medina meets new Claro president
US Ambassador Robin Bernstein presents her credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Relations
Ministry of Education orders investigation in case of tampering with public school students backpacks
PLD Political Committee meeting suspended
Electoral mathematics re 2020 presidential election
Tunnels and elevated sections to close
Police investigate case of death of young Rumanian
Drug hauls
Accused suspect of assaulting daughter of Freddy Espinal ordered to one year in preventive custody
Dominican football chief still suspended
Dominican team roster to World Basketball Cup qualifier
Anniversary of San Zenon Hurricane
More rains on the way
Gabriel Mercedes makes a career as an international taekwondo tutor
Hiandra Martínez makes Models.com top 50
Romance Latino – VIII at the National Theater
President Medina backs farm project Hermanas Mirabal province
On Sunday, 2 September 2018, President Danilo Medina set in motion an agroforestry development project in a mountainous area in Hermanas Mirabal province, in the north of the country. The project consists of the planting of 2,500 tareas (1 tarea = 629 square meters) of coffee and 1,000 tareas of cacao that is expected to generate 1,322 direct jobs and benefit directly 6,700 habitants of the area.
President Medina ordered the ministries of the Environment and Agriculture to supply the coffee and cacao plants and to install a new greenhouse for a million saplings and agricultural plants, as well as to repair 100 of the 200 homes in the project area and provide 100 cows to 100 women for a cattle ranching project.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...oraran-condiciones-de-vida-y-protegeran-medio
Government builds bus terminal on parking of Parque del Este
Construction has begun on a bus terminal for companies that serve travelers headed to the east of the country, as reported in the media. Engineer Victor Suarez told El Dia reporters that the government project seeks to decongestion traffic. The bus terminal is under construction in the Los Tres Ojos – Parque del Este area, besides the Mirador del Este park, the main site of the Pan American Games competitions in 2003. Suarez said that the facility is built for public transport buses. It is unclear which bus companies would use the terminal. Omsa is the only government public transport company, while several others are privately-owned and have imposed an illegal monopoly on transport with the complacency of government authorities.
Súarez told El Dia journalists that shops would be located on the second floor of the terminal. He said the terminal would be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2019.
Local residents said they have requested information on the work but the Santo Domingo East city government had no answers. They are concerned the terminal will further congestion the area making life more difficult for the residents in the park area.
http://eldia.com.do/obra-en-el-parque-del-este-provoca-rechazo/
https://noticiassin.com/protestan-por-rechazo-de-construccion-terminal-de-autobus-en-sde/
President Medina meets new Claro president
President Danilo Medina has received the new president of Claro Dominicana, Rogelio Viesca, accompanied by the company’s outgoing president Oscar Peña at the Presidential Palace. During the event, Peña gave his farewell to the President and thanked the Dominican Republic for support to the company since he had arrived at the end of 2006.
Rogelio Viesca said that América Móvil, the owner of Claro, is committed to continuing to invest in the latest technology and to increase infrastructure given the environment of economic stability and judicial security there was in the country. Departing Claro executive, Oscar Peña said that it was important for Claro to continue the alliances with government agencies especially for initiatives related to education and the Digital Republic program.
Also present at the meeting was Luis Henry Molina, president of the Board of the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel).
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...esidente-claro-dominicana-anuncia-inversiones
US Ambassador Robin Bernstein presents her credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Relations
After arriving on Sunday, 2 September 2018, US Ambassador Robin Bernstein was at the Ministry of Foreign Relations on Monday to present her credentials to the Minister of Foreign Relations Miguel Vargas . As reported by the Ministry, at the meeting, Bernstein and Vargas spoke of the importance of strengthening the diplomatic ties between both countries and multilateral organizations.
“Our peoples have many common interests, and the goal of the Dominican Republic is to strengthen our ties for mutual benefit, said Vargas. Both diplomats spoke of the convenience of stimulating investment, cooperation and trade between both nations, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
Vargas highlighted that the US is the leading importer of Dominican goods, and almost two million Dominicans live in the United States.
http://www.mirex.gob.do/medios/noti...rgas-recibe-copias-de-estilo-embajadora-ee-uu
Ministry of Education orders investigation in case of tampering with public school students backpacks
Education Minister Andres Navarro ordered an investigation into the veracity of a video that shows that a backpack that would be donated by the ministry to public school students was distributed bearing a logo of the social and political works of deputy Lucia Medina, sister to President Danilo Medina. Lucia Medina has expressed her interest in seeking to be named senator for the province of San Juan de la Maguana. The present incumbent is Felix Bautista, a strong supporter of former President Leonel Fernandez.
Miguel Medina, communications director for the ministry, said the ministry has requested that the Instituto de Bienestar Estudiantil (Inabie) carry out an in depth investigation regarding the video that went viral on social media over the weekend.
He said the Ministry of Education, through the Inabie, distributes a school supplies kit that includes the backpack to around 750,000 low income students, or about 60% of the school children population.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...gacion-sobre-caso-de-mochilas-de-lucia-medina
http://hoy.com.do/video-andres-nava...cos-con-etiqueta-del-ministerio-de-educacion/
PLD Political Committee meeting suspended
The Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) suspended the meeting of its Political Committee that was set to have occurred on the evening of Monday, 3 September 2018. No reason has been given. The committee had agreed to meet the first Monday of every month.
Members of the Political Committee have been commentating on social media, with presidential aspirant Carlos Amarante Baret noting that the long gaps between meetings of the PLD Political Committee, is giving the impression that the party is taking one step forward and two steps backwards.
No date has been given for the next meeting.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...-del-comite-politico-de-este-lunes-MG10703942
Electoral mathematics re 2020 presidential election
There should be enough favorable votes in Congress to make a push for an amendment that would allow President Danilo Medina to run for office for a third term. A report in El Dia focuses on the numbers and the steps that need to be taken to amend the 2015 Constitution. The 2015 Constitution had been amended in 2015 to enable President Danilo Medina to run for reelection in 2016. It specifically invalidates Medina from seeking the presidency again in 2020.
As reported in El Dia, the first step is to convene the Asamblea Nacional, where senators and deputies would meet to discuss the proposed amendments. To convene the National Assembly, the initiative needs to be backed by a third of the deputies or a third of the senators, or by the President himself. The initiative needs to specify the articles of the Constitution that would be modified. A simple majority vote is needed to pass the motion to meet to reform the Constitution.
The National Assembly would then need to meet in the next 15 days after the constitutional reform meeting is convened. Quorum is reached with at least 50+1 of the legislators. But to approve the amendment, two thirds of the legislators that are present need to vote in favor.
El Dia explains that the ruling PLD party has 132 votes (102 deputies, 26 senators), the PRM has 52 (50 deputies and 2 senators); the PRD has 16 (15 deputies and 1 senator), the PRSC has 12 (11 deputies and 1 senator). Minority parties all together have another 10 legislators.
But within the ruling PLD 94 legislators are said to be partisan to President Danilo Medina, while 16 are said to be partisan to the PRD, 12 to the PRSC. El Dia also mentions that 19 are known to be partisan to former President Hipolito Mejia, 38 to former President Leonel Fernandez; 33 to former PRM presidential candidate Luis Abinader.
In order to garner the two thirds vote to amend the Constitution, President Danilo Medina’s followers would have to secure votes of opposition parties. In the past, the PLD has won with the vote of PRSC and PRD party members. President Danilo Medina followers say that if “the people want so”, the constitution will be amended to allow President Medina to run in 2020.
http://eldia.com.do/danilistas-proclaman-que-si-pueblo-quiere-habra-reforma-en-el-congreso/
Tunnels and elevated sections to close
The Ministry of Public Works has announced the closure of several tunnels and elevated sections this week, for maintenance and cleaning. The closures will be in both directions from 10:30pm to 5am the following day.
On Tuesday, 4 September 2018 and Wednesday, 5 September: Av. 27 February with Máximo Gómez will be closed.
On Wednesday, 5 September Konrad Adenauer (Charles de Gaulle) with Hermanas Mirabal, and John F. Kennedy with Lope de Vega and Tiradentes.
On Thursday, 6 September: Av. 27 of February with Núñez de Cáceres-Doctor Defilló and 27 February with Máximo Gómez.
On Friday, 7 September, the Las Américas tunnel will be closed.
http://eldia.com.do/obras-publicas-cerrara-tuneles-y-elevados-a-partir-este-lunes/
Police investigate case of death of young Rumanian
On 1 September 2018, 21-year old Rumanian Andreea Celea, jumped, or was pushed from the eighth floor of the BQ Hotel on Av. Sarasota in Bella Vista in Santo Domingo. She died of her injuries. Celea had been in the country since 2002. As reported, Andreea Celea came to the country with her parents when she was five years old and is a naturalized Dominican. Celea was buried on Sunday, 2 September 2018.
Authorities are trying to determine if the young woman committed suicide or was pushed by her partner, Gabriel Villanueva, who is currently being detained by the authorities as the investigation continues. The couple arrived together to the hotel late in the evening.
As reported in the press, her family members feel that Villanueva was involved as the couple allegedly had had a troubled relationship involving verbal abuse and acts of violence, resulting in a restraining order being taken out against Villanueva.
Police say that Villanueva was the last person to see her alive, based on video footage from the hotel reception where they are seen checking in together shortly before her death.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...an-tormentosa-relacion-que-tenia-con-su-novio
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...iso-acusa-al-exnovio-de-la-victima-BG10704151
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...en-redes-sociales-tras-muerte-de-joven-rumana
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...iso-acusa-al-exnovio-de-la-victima-BG10704151
http://elnacional.com.do/aseguran-novio-persiguio-rumana-con-un-cuchillo/
Drug hauls
The National Drug Control Organization (DNCD) has confiscated 50 packages of cocaine from a man who was arrested earlier this year having taken possession of half a million dollars in the car park of a restaurant in Santo Domingo.
The as yet unidentified Dominican man was caught by DNCD agents committing a crime in Altos de Arroyo. The suspect had been under surveillance by DNCD.
At the time of his arrest he was using a tow truck for an SUV and it was inside the SUV where the agents found the drugs.
It has also been announced that during the month of August, the police confiscated 16 kilos of cocaine and crack cocaine, 535 pounds and 15 plants of marijuana and arrested 1,212 people. From those arrested the authorities confiscated RD$1,062,130, US$1,808, 259 cell phones, 54 weighing scales, two walkie-talkies, 23 fire arms and 115 vehicles
http://dncd.gob.do/index.php/noticias/item/dncd-ocupa-51-kilos-de-cocaina-y-17-libras-de-marihuana
http://almomento.net/pn-ocupo-en-agosto-16-kilos-cocaina-o-crack-y-535-libras-de-marihuana/
Accused suspect of assaulting daughter of Freddy Espinal ordered to one year in preventive custody
A Santiago judge, Miguel Alejandro Báez, has imposed a one year in preventive custody for Anyery Manuel Valdez Torres (Jonathan), accused of assault against the daughter of the owner of Transporte Espinal, Freddy Espinal. Valdez Torres will serve the sentence in Rafey jail in Santiago.
Santiago Peralta, lawyer of the accused, has said that there is no evidence against his client. The authorities, nevertheless, say a video exists that allegedly incriminates Valdez Torres. The defense says that all the authorities have on Valdez Torres are his fingerprints that were found inside the victim’s apartment. The defense said noted that it is not surprising that his client’s fingerprints would be in the apartment, given that he had been contracted to paint the dwelling.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...opietario-transporte-espinal-dice-es-inocente
Dominican football chief still suspended
FIFA's Ethics Committee has extended the provisional suspension of Dominican Republic Football Association president Osiris Guzmán for a further 45 days. He had initially been suspended for 90 days on 4 June 2018, when a formal investigation against him was opened.
No details of his alleged offence have been officially revealed, but it has been alleged in the local media that he allowed FIFA-funded facilities to be used for a political meeting. This would be a breach of the world governing body's strict rules that demand political neutrality in football.
Guzman will continue to be banned from all football-related activities at both national and international level. He had received an earlier ban from football, serving 15 days in 2011, after a bribery scandal involving Caribbean officials.
https://www.insidethegames.biz/arti...nican-republic-football-association-president
Dominican team roster to World Basketball Cup qualifier
The Dominican Basketball Federation (Fedombal) and the general manager of the Dominican national team, Francisco García announced the names of 17 players selected for the second round of the Americas Qualifier for the FIBA World Basketball Cup in China 2019. The team members are: Angel Delgado, Eulis Báez, Víctor Liz, Luis David Montero, Eloy Vargas y Ronald Ramón, Rigoberto Mendoza, Gelvis Solano, Manny Quezada, Dagoberto Peña, Juan Miguel Suero, Jhonatan Araujo, Edward Santana, Orlando Sánchez, Sadiel Rojas, Robert Glenn and M.J. Rhett.
The Dominican Republic is in Group F and will play Chile at the Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto in Santo Domingo on Thursday, 13 September 2018. On Sunday, 16 September, the team will travel to Valencia, in Venezuela to play Venezuela.
The Dominican team has a record of 4-2 and is in 4th place of Group F. Other group members are Canada, Brazil and Venezuela (5-1), Virgin Islands (2-4), and Chile (1-5).
Tickets to the game are for sale at Uepa Tickets, Jumbo stores and El Nacional supermarkets for RD$350 and RD$150. The game will be at 8:30pm.
https://www.diariolibre.com/deporte...blica-dominicana-para-ventana-fiba-CG10709847
http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019/americas-qualifiers
Anniversary of San Zenon Hurricane
3 September 2018, marked the 88th anniversary of landfall in Santo Domingo of powerful Hurricane San Zenon. The hurricane destroyed the nation’s capital city and caused over 4,000 deaths and thousands of injuries, just two weeks after General Rafael L. Trujillo had taken over the Presidency of the Republic. The hurricane hit the city from the south in the afternoon as a category four, leaving thousands without a home, and leading to floods that destroyed roads and bridges.
Many who had lived in wooden homes that were destroyed left for the countryside to stay with friends. It has also always been said that the reason for the high death toll was that many unknowingly came out of their shelters during the eye of the storm when it was calm, and were then killed as it resumed.
Following the passing of the hurricane the capital city was left in a disastrous state due to collapsed bridges, no electricity or telephone networks, no drinking water and collapsed homes.
Many victims were buried under rubble and the work of identification was hard with the bodies being taken to what is now Eugenio María de Hostos Park on George Washington Avenue, where due to the large numbers, they were incinerated.
The country received help from the International Red Cross and other Caribbean islands, especially Puerto Rico, as the Dominican Republic had helped them the previous year following another terrible hurricane there.
http://hoy.com.do/hoy-se-cumplen-88-anos-del-devastador-huracan-san-zenon/
More rains on the way
The National Meteorological Office (Onamet) says another tropical wave is approaching the east of the country. A high-level weather front is on the way. Both are expected to bring more heavy rain and thunderstorms in some parts of the country, specifically the east, northeast, southeast, central mountain area and border zone.
In addition, Onamet is keeping its eye on a storm crossing over the southeast and central Bahamas that has an 80% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours.
Onamet is also following the progress of Tropical Storm Florence, located to the west north west of the Cape Verde islands that is expected to slow down during the next 48 hours.
https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/171769-2018-Hurricane-Season?p=1909225#post1909225
http://www.onamet.gob.do
Gabriel Mercedes makes a career as an international taekwondo tutor
Dominican Olympic medalist in taekwondo, Gabriel Mercedes, has a full schedule sharing his secret training tips she used to reach the top in his sport. Mercedes is widely recognized as one of the best taekwondo athletes in the world. Locally, he is in charge of welfare, recreation and sports for human development of the National Police.
Diario Libre highlights how in August-September he has given courses in Athens, Greece (28-29 August 2018), and then he has training sessions programmed for Rabat, Morocco; Brussels, Belgium; Los Angeles, California; and Barranquilla, Colombia in September.
In an interview with Diario Libre, he says he would like to coach local athletes but has yet to receive the backing of the local taekwondo federation officers. “Unfortunately it is a reality that not even an Olympian could overcome and it is seen in the case of Felix Sanchez who had to create a parallel project because the federation did not open space in their structure,” said the champ from Monte Plata who competed in the Athens, Beijing and London Olympic Games.
He won a silver medal in the – 58 kg class at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, after tying with Guillermo Pérez of Mexico, but losing by a judge's decision.
He is also a two-time gold medal winner in the Pan American Games of 2007 Rio de Janeiro, 2011 Guadalajara and bronze in 2003 Santo Domingo. He is a gold medal winner in the Central American and Caribbean Games of San Salvador 20002 and Mayaguez 2010.
https://www.diariolibre.com/deporte...sobresale-como-tutor-internacional-PC10654586
Hiandra Martínez makes Models.com top 50
Dominican model, Hiandra Martinez, has made the top 50 ranking of the Models.com web page. The web page highlights that she began her career with an exclusive debut at Anthony Vacarello’s first showing for Yves Saint Laurent. “Since then it’s been nothing but the best for Hiandra with continuous campaigns for the French brand (5!!!) along with Moschino and Coach shot by Steven Meisel. The website also mentions the model has been featured in British Vogue, Vogue Paris, Interview and Document Journal. The model is part of Ossygeno Models in the Dominican Republic.
https://models.com/models/hiandra-martinez
Romance Latino – VIII at the National Theater
Enjoy the music of Dominican composers and singers Rafael Solano, Cecilia García, Niní Cáffaro, Melliangee Pérez, Edgar Pérez, Antonio Melenciano, directed by Carlos Mejía Zuluaga, as they come together for an unforgettable concert with the Dominican Philharmonic Orchestra on occasion of the 50th anniversary of the iconic Latin song, “Por Amor.”
Tickets for sale at the National Theater box office for RD$300, RD$800 and RD$1,300 and online at Uepa Tickets.