President Medina scheduled to speak in New York
Attorney General announces new prosecutors
TSA orders hold on construction of bus terminal at Parque Mirador del Este
Health plans need to accept lab tests ordered by medics not in their plans
Dominican ambassador presents credentials in China
Signing aviation agreements with the Chinese
China’s remarks on recalling of US ambassador from Dominican Republic
Historic houses under threat in Puerto Plata
Push for gas stations to sell propane
Traffic chaos at Isabel Aguiar intersection in Santo Domingo
Peruvian woman arrested with drugs
Extradited murderer has one year of preventive custody
Man arrested for illegal possession of firearm
Cotuí kidnap victim found
Englishman murdered in Las Terrenas
Hurricane Isaac to cross the Caribbean by the end of the week
President Medina scheduled to speak in New York
President Danilo Medina is scheduled to speak in New York, as part of the 2018 Concordia Annual Summit, the largest nonpartisan convening that will take place 24-25 September at the Grand Hyatt New York, while the United Nations General Assembly is happening. The Presidency has not yet announced President Danilo Medina’s participation in the 73rd United Nations General Assembly that opens on 18 September in New York City.
Medina will join other speakers that include his colleagues, President Michel Temer of Brazil; President Ivan Duque Marquez of Colombia; President Jovenel Moise of Haiti; President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana; Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, and former presidents Laura Chinchilla, of Costa Rica, and Jose Maria Aznar of Spain. President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana.
The Concordia Annual Summit seeks to provide an innovative global forum to debate pressing global issues. This year's programming will cover diverse ground, from the rise of populism and the urgent need to engage the political middle to the outlook for global development. One area of focus this year will be the future of the workforce. With Internet platforms and online technology entering uncharted territory over recent years, and with today's rapid transition towards artificial intelligence and automation, traditional employment models are continually being disrupted.
Other speakers at the event are: Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar-winning actor and board member of Represent US; Kristalina Georgieva, CEO of the World Bank; Bernard-Henri Lévy, philosopher, filmmaker, and activist; Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber; Tom Coburn, former member of the United States Senate; Bradford L. Smith, president of Microsoft; Luis Almagro, secretary general of the Organization of American States; Lorena Castillo de Varela, First Lady of the Republic of Panama; Liz Schrayer, president & CEO of U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.
Also, Thomas F. "Mack" McLarty, III, former White House chief of staff under the Clinton Administration; Thomas S. Kaplan, environmentalist, philanthropist, and investor; Andrew Liveris, former Chairman & CEO of Dow Chemical; David Batstone, co-founder of Just Business, Not For Sale, REBBL, Dignita & Z Shoes Organic; Michael Sneed, executive vice president of Global Corporate Affairs & chief communication officer at Johnson & Johnson; HRH Princess Lamia Al Saud, secretary general and member of the board of trustees at Alwaleed Philanthropies; Jan Saumweber, senior vice president of responsible sourcing at Walmart; Premal Shah, president & co-founder of Kiva; Jay Collins; vice chairman of corporate & investment banking at Citi.
And Concordia Leadership Council members Dr. Ian Bremmer, President & Founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, Senator George J. Mitchell, Former Majority Leader of the United States Senate & U.S. Special Envoy For Middle East Peace, Ambassador John Negroponte, Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State & U.S. Director of National Intelligence, are also confirmed to speak.
https://www.concordia.net/annualsummit/2018annualsummit/
Attorney General announces new prosecutors
Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez insists on the transparency of the process to choose new prosecutors. TV investigative journalists Edith Febles, Altagracia Salazar and Ricardo Nieves had denounced mayor irregularities in the process. It cost them their job on CDN TV news talk show.
On Monday, 10 September 2018, Rodríguez announced that Rosalba Ramos would replace Yeni Berenice Reynoso in the National District, and Jose Francisco Núñez would replace Laura Liranzo in the province of Santiago.
Overall, the Attorney General announced 36 new prosecutors. The names are on the PGR website:
https://pgr.gob.do/titulares/
http://eldia.com.do/la-procuraduria-designa-36-fiscales-y-procuradores/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hczDIzHq9UE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TefAdGMD4A
TSA orders hold on construction of bus terminal at Parque Mirador del Este
The Superior Administrative Court (TSA) ordered the Ministry of Public Works to stop work on a bus terminal at the Parque Mirador del Este in eastern Santo Domingo in front of the Los Tres Ojos tourist attraction on the Las Americas Expressway. The construction was put on hold until a hearing is held next Monday, 17 September 2018.
The court presided by Carmen Canaan, Franklin Concepcion and Claudia Peña said that the upcoming hearing is to study the request for the use of the site for eastern region buses so these not need to enter the National District on the other side of the Ozama River.
The court requested that the Ministry of Public Works present copies of the ground study and the environmental impact study carried out where the works have begun. But the court did not accept a request made by Manuel Jimenez and a group of neighborhood boards and the civil society representatives for Santo Domingo East who have asked for Santo Domingo East Mayor Alfredo Martinez to appear to explain his decision to authorize the construction of the bus terminal.
The terminal has not be approved by the Santo Domingo East municipality councilors, despite its backing by Mayor Martínez.
The Ministry of Public Works argued it has met with procedures and published an advertisement calling for the tender for the construction. Those who oppose the construction of the private bus terminal say that the recreational and sports area would be affected.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...struccion-parada-autobuses-en-parque-del-este
Health plans need to accept lab tests ordered by medics not in their plans
The National Social Security Council (CNSS) says that health providers (ARS) are obliged to cover diagnostics and lab tests of their affiliates, independently if the physician that orders these is affiliated or not to the health provider. This was confirmed in a meeting on 6 September 2018.
General manager of the CNSS, Rafael Pérez Modesto said the decision was guarantees the rights of affiliates. The decision is based by Resolution 011-2016 issued by the Superintendence of Health and Labor Risks (Sisalril) on 15 December 2016.
http://hoy.com.do/las-ars-deberan-c...-afiliados-sin-importar-medico-que-prescriba/
Dominican ambassador presents credentials in China
The Dominican ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Briunny Garabito Segura has presented his credentials to President Xi Jinping. Segura was appointed as ambassador last June 2018 by President Danilo Medina following the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in Beijing on 1 May 2018. Garabito Segura was formerly Dominican ambassador in Canada.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...redenciales-al-presidente-de-china-xi-jinping
Signing aviation agreements with the Chinese
As a result of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the Dominican Republic and China, Foreign Relations Minister, Miguel Vargas Maldonado has announced that representatives of three important airlines will be coming to the country in the next few weeks to sign aviation agreements that could result in the arrival of a good number of Chinese tourists and business people. The airlines mentioned are Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines.
An estimated 138-140 million Chinese travel every year. It is expected the Dominican Republic will begin to attract a percentage of these travelers.
Foreign Minister Vargas also said that there would be investment projects carried out by the Chinese, not just in financial terms but also in private investments.
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion...n-acuerdo-con-republica-dominicana-GC10749168
China’s remarks on recalling of US ambassador from Dominican Republic
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang responded to the summoning of US diplomats from the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Panama in his remarks during the press conference on 10 September 2018 at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. He remarked after the US recalled its top diplomats after El Salvador’s decision to establish diplomatic ties with China. The Dominican Republic had done so in May 2018. Panama had signed with China in June 2017. In Central America, Costa Rica was the first to sign with China, back in 2007.
In his remarks, Shuang observed: “A sovereign country can choose with whom it wishes to develop diplomatic ties, because it has the right to do so. Such right should be respected, and other countries are in no position to say otherwise.”
Shuang also had some advice for the United States authorities:
“Our advice for the relevant country is that it should not forget the fact that it established diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China decades ago on the basis of acknowledging the one-China principle. It should adopt a correct view of other countries' establishment of diplomatic ties with China, cautiously and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, and refrain from further saying or doing anything irresponsible for the sake of its own image and cross-Strait peace and stability.”
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/fyrth/t1593756.htm
https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...d6b627c3d5d_story.html?utm_term=.18f62e01d5bb
Historic houses under threat in Puerto Plata
Representatives from different sectors in Puerto Plata have expressed their concern at the advanced deterioration of the homes from the Victorian period, which are one of the main tourist attractions of the city. According to historian Germán Camarena Gómez, there only remain 187 of around 375 Victorian homes that were counted as part of an inventory in 1975, by real estate developers José Augusto Puig Ortiz and Robert Gamble.
Camarena called on the authorities to put together a restoration plan for these buildings, many of which are in such a poor condition they could collapse and injure people. Julio Almonte, Deputy Minister of Tourism for the North Coast said that those buildings which disappeared had been abandoned by their owners because they were collapsing and new modern buildings were erected in their place. He said that the Ministry of Tourism, along with the City Hall authorities would carry out a survey to see how many homes needed repair.
These old buildings that are protected by law are located in the streets of Juan Bosch, Beller, Margarita Mears, Sánchez, José Ramón López, San Felipe, Villa Nueva and others.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...a-el-deterioro-de-casas-coloniales-FC10748058
Push for gas stations to sell propane
Gas stations representatives are insisting that the Ministry of Industry & Commerce authorize the sale of propane, diesel and gasoline at the same establishments. The business people representing the fuel companies met with Minister of Industry & Commerce Nelson Toca Simó. The businesses favor the gas stations be allowed to operate using the autogas model. The Ministry of Industry & Commerce has delayed authorizing the stations to sell multiple fuels on grounds that security norms are not yet in place.
Participating in the meeting was Minister Toca Simó, accompanied by César Avilés, Hepzy Zorrilla and engineer Ramón Cruz Placencia. The businessmen were accompanied by Manuel Corripio, Pablo Portes, Osvaldo Oller and Domingo Bermúdez and Juan Ignacio Espaillat for Anadegas. They delivered a draft with the security norms for the combined fuel sales, that complies with international security standards approved for other countries.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2018/09/10/532490/industria-y-comercio-abordara-caso-de-autogas
Traffic chaos at Isabel Aguiar intersection in Santo Domingo
Yesterday, Monday 10 September 2018, the traffic jam that is usual at the intersection of avenues 27 de Febrero and Isabel Aguiar, in western Santo Domingo, got even worse. There was a standoff between agents of the General Office of Traffic and Ground Transport (Digesett) and motorcycle taxi drivers at the intersection that enhanced the traffic chaos and brought fear to the people in the area. In the area known as “Pintura” gunshots were heard along with exploding tires that were on fire and the area was filled with smoke.
The reason for the protest by the motorcycle taxi drivers is unknown, but Digesett was able to control the situation. Those caught in the bottlenecks at the time had to endure longer than usual lines of traffic, at the point where the point where the highway to San Cristobal, the Av. 27 de Febrero and Isabel Aguiar avenues interlock.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ndiados-en-la-27-de-febrero-con-isabel-aguiar
Peruvian woman arrested with drugs
The National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) has arrested a Peruvian woman at the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), who was daught smuggling what is suspect to be cocaine into the country. She had arrived from Peru and the suspected drugs weighing 2.74 kilograms were found in her suitcase. She is currently awaiting a court appearance.
At Las Americas Airport (SDQ), DNCD agents confiscated six tubes full of cocaine in the cargo area. The tubes were being used for water heaters and contained around two kilos of cocaine. Currently no one has been arrested in connection with the find but investigations are ongoing.
http://elnacional.com.do/dncd-ocupa-siete-laminas-y-varios-tubos-rellenos-de-cocaina-en-aeropuertos/
Extradited murderer has one year of preventive custody
A National District court has imposed one year of preventive custody against Daniel Emilio Frías Segura, who was extradited on Friday, 7 September 2018 from the United States, accused of the murder and dismembering of his partner, Fanny Julieta Sánchez Pinales, in an incident that took place in Villas Agricolas, National District in 2010. Frías Segura will complete his sentence at the San Pedro de Macoris Jail.
According to a press release, Frias Segura frequently subjected his partner to physical and psychological abuse. The remains of the woman were found in different places in Haina and Santo Domingo.
Frias Segura was arrested in July this year in the United States and will be charges with aggravated homicide.
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/dictan...-desde-eeuu-acusado-de-la-muerte-a-su-pareja/
Man arrested for illegal possession of firearm
The National Police has said that they have arrested an American citizen for carrying a firearm without documentation. Alex Lora, who lives in Santiago, had in his possession a 9mm Glock pistol and was arrested in an operation carried out the San Fernando street in northwestern Montecristi, while driving a white SUV. He is currently under arrest and the firearm has been confiscated.
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/confiscan-pistola-glock-sin-documentacion-a-ciudadano-estadounidense/
Cotuí kidnap victim found
The Public Prosecution Service in Cotui interrogated businesswoman Yakaira Pérez Ortega for several hours after she was reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday, 5 September 2018, from her discotheque, the Medusa Bar in Cotui. A video circulated on social media showing the moment when she was kidnapped.
Following medical attention in the Inmaculada Concepción hospital where the police first took her after she was found her at kilometer 28 of the Duarte Highway, she was taken to the office of the prosecutor, Juana María Hernández.
Pérez Ortega had bruising on some parts of her body and light burns on her nose and lips. She said that her kidnappers had given her a spicy liquid with a bad smell.
According to the police it appears the case is related to the payment of a debt. Interestingly, her brother, Domingo Pérez Ortega was kidnapped on 14 May, 2017 and rescued some days later leading to several men now being in prison. His kidnap was supposedly also related to a debt, connected to drug dealing. It is thought that this same debt, owed in Philadelphia, United States could be behind this latest kidnapping.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...esenta-moretones-y-quemaduras-KD10755249SANTO
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...tambien-fue-secuestrado-en-el-2017-DD10755413
Englishman murdered in Las Terrenas
An Englishman was found dead on Saturday, 8 September 2018, in his home in the La Barbacoa area of Las Terrenas. It is believed that 60-year old Stephen Halliday died due to stab wounds. His body was sent to the Institute of Forensic Pathology (Inacif) in Santo Domingo for autopsy.
The National Police arrested three young men, including a minor and accused them of the murder. The suspects under arrest are 20-year old Franklin Sánchez Rodríguez, 18-year old Mario Bruno Corcino and a 17-year old minor said to be of German nationality. The police said that they had admitted to the crime and had committed it as the victim had accused them of robbery and the murder was an act of vengeance.
https://www.cdn.com.do/2018/09/07/encuentran-extranjero-muerto-en-las-terrenas/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...to-de-un-britanico-en-las-terrenas-PC10748447
Hurricane Isaac to cross the Caribbean by the end of the week
Hurricane Isaac is continuing its progress towards the Caribbean with winds of 120 kilometers an hour. According to the deputy director of the National Meteorological Office, Miguel Campusano, the storm is expected to pass to the south of the country on Thursday, 13 September 2018 in the night. Currently a category 1 hurricane, Isaac is expected to strengthen and then weaken as it crosses the Caribbean Sea.
In addition the country is under the influence of a weather trough currently over Haiti that is expected to bring rains to the northeast, southeast, southwest, central mountain range and border zone.
While at present sea conditions are normal on the Caribbean coast, the Atlantic coast is feeling the effect of high waves due to the effect of Hurricane Florence to the north and small craft are advised to stay close to shore.
Local weather authorities say that its present path does not endanger Dominican shores, but needs to be monitored closely.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...de-anoche-pronostican-lluvias-para-este-lunes
Attorney General announces new prosecutors
TSA orders hold on construction of bus terminal at Parque Mirador del Este
Health plans need to accept lab tests ordered by medics not in their plans
Dominican ambassador presents credentials in China
Signing aviation agreements with the Chinese
China’s remarks on recalling of US ambassador from Dominican Republic
Historic houses under threat in Puerto Plata
Push for gas stations to sell propane
Traffic chaos at Isabel Aguiar intersection in Santo Domingo
Peruvian woman arrested with drugs
Extradited murderer has one year of preventive custody
Man arrested for illegal possession of firearm
Cotuí kidnap victim found
Englishman murdered in Las Terrenas
Hurricane Isaac to cross the Caribbean by the end of the week
President Medina scheduled to speak in New York
President Danilo Medina is scheduled to speak in New York, as part of the 2018 Concordia Annual Summit, the largest nonpartisan convening that will take place 24-25 September at the Grand Hyatt New York, while the United Nations General Assembly is happening. The Presidency has not yet announced President Danilo Medina’s participation in the 73rd United Nations General Assembly that opens on 18 September in New York City.
Medina will join other speakers that include his colleagues, President Michel Temer of Brazil; President Ivan Duque Marquez of Colombia; President Jovenel Moise of Haiti; President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana; Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, and former presidents Laura Chinchilla, of Costa Rica, and Jose Maria Aznar of Spain. President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana.
The Concordia Annual Summit seeks to provide an innovative global forum to debate pressing global issues. This year's programming will cover diverse ground, from the rise of populism and the urgent need to engage the political middle to the outlook for global development. One area of focus this year will be the future of the workforce. With Internet platforms and online technology entering uncharted territory over recent years, and with today's rapid transition towards artificial intelligence and automation, traditional employment models are continually being disrupted.
Other speakers at the event are: Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar-winning actor and board member of Represent US; Kristalina Georgieva, CEO of the World Bank; Bernard-Henri Lévy, philosopher, filmmaker, and activist; Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber; Tom Coburn, former member of the United States Senate; Bradford L. Smith, president of Microsoft; Luis Almagro, secretary general of the Organization of American States; Lorena Castillo de Varela, First Lady of the Republic of Panama; Liz Schrayer, president & CEO of U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.
Also, Thomas F. "Mack" McLarty, III, former White House chief of staff under the Clinton Administration; Thomas S. Kaplan, environmentalist, philanthropist, and investor; Andrew Liveris, former Chairman & CEO of Dow Chemical; David Batstone, co-founder of Just Business, Not For Sale, REBBL, Dignita & Z Shoes Organic; Michael Sneed, executive vice president of Global Corporate Affairs & chief communication officer at Johnson & Johnson; HRH Princess Lamia Al Saud, secretary general and member of the board of trustees at Alwaleed Philanthropies; Jan Saumweber, senior vice president of responsible sourcing at Walmart; Premal Shah, president & co-founder of Kiva; Jay Collins; vice chairman of corporate & investment banking at Citi.
And Concordia Leadership Council members Dr. Ian Bremmer, President & Founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, Senator George J. Mitchell, Former Majority Leader of the United States Senate & U.S. Special Envoy For Middle East Peace, Ambassador John Negroponte, Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State & U.S. Director of National Intelligence, are also confirmed to speak.
https://www.concordia.net/annualsummit/2018annualsummit/
Attorney General announces new prosecutors
Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez insists on the transparency of the process to choose new prosecutors. TV investigative journalists Edith Febles, Altagracia Salazar and Ricardo Nieves had denounced mayor irregularities in the process. It cost them their job on CDN TV news talk show.
On Monday, 10 September 2018, Rodríguez announced that Rosalba Ramos would replace Yeni Berenice Reynoso in the National District, and Jose Francisco Núñez would replace Laura Liranzo in the province of Santiago.
Overall, the Attorney General announced 36 new prosecutors. The names are on the PGR website:
https://pgr.gob.do/titulares/
http://eldia.com.do/la-procuraduria-designa-36-fiscales-y-procuradores/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hczDIzHq9UE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TefAdGMD4A
TSA orders hold on construction of bus terminal at Parque Mirador del Este
The Superior Administrative Court (TSA) ordered the Ministry of Public Works to stop work on a bus terminal at the Parque Mirador del Este in eastern Santo Domingo in front of the Los Tres Ojos tourist attraction on the Las Americas Expressway. The construction was put on hold until a hearing is held next Monday, 17 September 2018.
The court presided by Carmen Canaan, Franklin Concepcion and Claudia Peña said that the upcoming hearing is to study the request for the use of the site for eastern region buses so these not need to enter the National District on the other side of the Ozama River.
The court requested that the Ministry of Public Works present copies of the ground study and the environmental impact study carried out where the works have begun. But the court did not accept a request made by Manuel Jimenez and a group of neighborhood boards and the civil society representatives for Santo Domingo East who have asked for Santo Domingo East Mayor Alfredo Martinez to appear to explain his decision to authorize the construction of the bus terminal.
The terminal has not be approved by the Santo Domingo East municipality councilors, despite its backing by Mayor Martínez.
The Ministry of Public Works argued it has met with procedures and published an advertisement calling for the tender for the construction. Those who oppose the construction of the private bus terminal say that the recreational and sports area would be affected.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...struccion-parada-autobuses-en-parque-del-este
Health plans need to accept lab tests ordered by medics not in their plans
The National Social Security Council (CNSS) says that health providers (ARS) are obliged to cover diagnostics and lab tests of their affiliates, independently if the physician that orders these is affiliated or not to the health provider. This was confirmed in a meeting on 6 September 2018.
General manager of the CNSS, Rafael Pérez Modesto said the decision was guarantees the rights of affiliates. The decision is based by Resolution 011-2016 issued by the Superintendence of Health and Labor Risks (Sisalril) on 15 December 2016.
http://hoy.com.do/las-ars-deberan-c...-afiliados-sin-importar-medico-que-prescriba/
Dominican ambassador presents credentials in China
The Dominican ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Briunny Garabito Segura has presented his credentials to President Xi Jinping. Segura was appointed as ambassador last June 2018 by President Danilo Medina following the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in Beijing on 1 May 2018. Garabito Segura was formerly Dominican ambassador in Canada.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...redenciales-al-presidente-de-china-xi-jinping
Signing aviation agreements with the Chinese
As a result of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the Dominican Republic and China, Foreign Relations Minister, Miguel Vargas Maldonado has announced that representatives of three important airlines will be coming to the country in the next few weeks to sign aviation agreements that could result in the arrival of a good number of Chinese tourists and business people. The airlines mentioned are Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines.
An estimated 138-140 million Chinese travel every year. It is expected the Dominican Republic will begin to attract a percentage of these travelers.
Foreign Minister Vargas also said that there would be investment projects carried out by the Chinese, not just in financial terms but also in private investments.
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion...n-acuerdo-con-republica-dominicana-GC10749168
China’s remarks on recalling of US ambassador from Dominican Republic
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang responded to the summoning of US diplomats from the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Panama in his remarks during the press conference on 10 September 2018 at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. He remarked after the US recalled its top diplomats after El Salvador’s decision to establish diplomatic ties with China. The Dominican Republic had done so in May 2018. Panama had signed with China in June 2017. In Central America, Costa Rica was the first to sign with China, back in 2007.
In his remarks, Shuang observed: “A sovereign country can choose with whom it wishes to develop diplomatic ties, because it has the right to do so. Such right should be respected, and other countries are in no position to say otherwise.”
Shuang also had some advice for the United States authorities:
“Our advice for the relevant country is that it should not forget the fact that it established diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China decades ago on the basis of acknowledging the one-China principle. It should adopt a correct view of other countries' establishment of diplomatic ties with China, cautiously and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, and refrain from further saying or doing anything irresponsible for the sake of its own image and cross-Strait peace and stability.”
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/fyrth/t1593756.htm
https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...d6b627c3d5d_story.html?utm_term=.18f62e01d5bb
Historic houses under threat in Puerto Plata
Representatives from different sectors in Puerto Plata have expressed their concern at the advanced deterioration of the homes from the Victorian period, which are one of the main tourist attractions of the city. According to historian Germán Camarena Gómez, there only remain 187 of around 375 Victorian homes that were counted as part of an inventory in 1975, by real estate developers José Augusto Puig Ortiz and Robert Gamble.
Camarena called on the authorities to put together a restoration plan for these buildings, many of which are in such a poor condition they could collapse and injure people. Julio Almonte, Deputy Minister of Tourism for the North Coast said that those buildings which disappeared had been abandoned by their owners because they were collapsing and new modern buildings were erected in their place. He said that the Ministry of Tourism, along with the City Hall authorities would carry out a survey to see how many homes needed repair.
These old buildings that are protected by law are located in the streets of Juan Bosch, Beller, Margarita Mears, Sánchez, José Ramón López, San Felipe, Villa Nueva and others.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...a-el-deterioro-de-casas-coloniales-FC10748058
Push for gas stations to sell propane
Gas stations representatives are insisting that the Ministry of Industry & Commerce authorize the sale of propane, diesel and gasoline at the same establishments. The business people representing the fuel companies met with Minister of Industry & Commerce Nelson Toca Simó. The businesses favor the gas stations be allowed to operate using the autogas model. The Ministry of Industry & Commerce has delayed authorizing the stations to sell multiple fuels on grounds that security norms are not yet in place.
Participating in the meeting was Minister Toca Simó, accompanied by César Avilés, Hepzy Zorrilla and engineer Ramón Cruz Placencia. The businessmen were accompanied by Manuel Corripio, Pablo Portes, Osvaldo Oller and Domingo Bermúdez and Juan Ignacio Espaillat for Anadegas. They delivered a draft with the security norms for the combined fuel sales, that complies with international security standards approved for other countries.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2018/09/10/532490/industria-y-comercio-abordara-caso-de-autogas
Traffic chaos at Isabel Aguiar intersection in Santo Domingo
Yesterday, Monday 10 September 2018, the traffic jam that is usual at the intersection of avenues 27 de Febrero and Isabel Aguiar, in western Santo Domingo, got even worse. There was a standoff between agents of the General Office of Traffic and Ground Transport (Digesett) and motorcycle taxi drivers at the intersection that enhanced the traffic chaos and brought fear to the people in the area. In the area known as “Pintura” gunshots were heard along with exploding tires that were on fire and the area was filled with smoke.
The reason for the protest by the motorcycle taxi drivers is unknown, but Digesett was able to control the situation. Those caught in the bottlenecks at the time had to endure longer than usual lines of traffic, at the point where the point where the highway to San Cristobal, the Av. 27 de Febrero and Isabel Aguiar avenues interlock.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ndiados-en-la-27-de-febrero-con-isabel-aguiar
Peruvian woman arrested with drugs
The National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) has arrested a Peruvian woman at the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), who was daught smuggling what is suspect to be cocaine into the country. She had arrived from Peru and the suspected drugs weighing 2.74 kilograms were found in her suitcase. She is currently awaiting a court appearance.
At Las Americas Airport (SDQ), DNCD agents confiscated six tubes full of cocaine in the cargo area. The tubes were being used for water heaters and contained around two kilos of cocaine. Currently no one has been arrested in connection with the find but investigations are ongoing.
http://elnacional.com.do/dncd-ocupa-siete-laminas-y-varios-tubos-rellenos-de-cocaina-en-aeropuertos/
Extradited murderer has one year of preventive custody
A National District court has imposed one year of preventive custody against Daniel Emilio Frías Segura, who was extradited on Friday, 7 September 2018 from the United States, accused of the murder and dismembering of his partner, Fanny Julieta Sánchez Pinales, in an incident that took place in Villas Agricolas, National District in 2010. Frías Segura will complete his sentence at the San Pedro de Macoris Jail.
According to a press release, Frias Segura frequently subjected his partner to physical and psychological abuse. The remains of the woman were found in different places in Haina and Santo Domingo.
Frias Segura was arrested in July this year in the United States and will be charges with aggravated homicide.
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/dictan...-desde-eeuu-acusado-de-la-muerte-a-su-pareja/
Man arrested for illegal possession of firearm
The National Police has said that they have arrested an American citizen for carrying a firearm without documentation. Alex Lora, who lives in Santiago, had in his possession a 9mm Glock pistol and was arrested in an operation carried out the San Fernando street in northwestern Montecristi, while driving a white SUV. He is currently under arrest and the firearm has been confiscated.
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/confiscan-pistola-glock-sin-documentacion-a-ciudadano-estadounidense/
Cotuí kidnap victim found
The Public Prosecution Service in Cotui interrogated businesswoman Yakaira Pérez Ortega for several hours after she was reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday, 5 September 2018, from her discotheque, the Medusa Bar in Cotui. A video circulated on social media showing the moment when she was kidnapped.
Following medical attention in the Inmaculada Concepción hospital where the police first took her after she was found her at kilometer 28 of the Duarte Highway, she was taken to the office of the prosecutor, Juana María Hernández.
Pérez Ortega had bruising on some parts of her body and light burns on her nose and lips. She said that her kidnappers had given her a spicy liquid with a bad smell.
According to the police it appears the case is related to the payment of a debt. Interestingly, her brother, Domingo Pérez Ortega was kidnapped on 14 May, 2017 and rescued some days later leading to several men now being in prison. His kidnap was supposedly also related to a debt, connected to drug dealing. It is thought that this same debt, owed in Philadelphia, United States could be behind this latest kidnapping.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...esenta-moretones-y-quemaduras-KD10755249SANTO
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...tambien-fue-secuestrado-en-el-2017-DD10755413
Englishman murdered in Las Terrenas
An Englishman was found dead on Saturday, 8 September 2018, in his home in the La Barbacoa area of Las Terrenas. It is believed that 60-year old Stephen Halliday died due to stab wounds. His body was sent to the Institute of Forensic Pathology (Inacif) in Santo Domingo for autopsy.
The National Police arrested three young men, including a minor and accused them of the murder. The suspects under arrest are 20-year old Franklin Sánchez Rodríguez, 18-year old Mario Bruno Corcino and a 17-year old minor said to be of German nationality. The police said that they had admitted to the crime and had committed it as the victim had accused them of robbery and the murder was an act of vengeance.
https://www.cdn.com.do/2018/09/07/encuentran-extranjero-muerto-en-las-terrenas/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...to-de-un-britanico-en-las-terrenas-PC10748447
Hurricane Isaac to cross the Caribbean by the end of the week
Hurricane Isaac is continuing its progress towards the Caribbean with winds of 120 kilometers an hour. According to the deputy director of the National Meteorological Office, Miguel Campusano, the storm is expected to pass to the south of the country on Thursday, 13 September 2018 in the night. Currently a category 1 hurricane, Isaac is expected to strengthen and then weaken as it crosses the Caribbean Sea.
In addition the country is under the influence of a weather trough currently over Haiti that is expected to bring rains to the northeast, southeast, southwest, central mountain range and border zone.
While at present sea conditions are normal on the Caribbean coast, the Atlantic coast is feeling the effect of high waves due to the effect of Hurricane Florence to the north and small craft are advised to stay close to shore.
Local weather authorities say that its present path does not endanger Dominican shores, but needs to be monitored closely.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...de-anoche-pronostican-lluvias-para-este-lunes