DR readies to export more fresh produce to Russia
New trains for the Santo Domingo Metro
Central Bank governor confirmed
JCE reveals Electoral Calendar for 2020 general elections
Son of Leonel Fernández says he is the link to his father
Dominican Week in the United Kingdom: 19-26 October
Alicia Ortega: Mirex payroll does not match with people on the jobs
Odebrecht case suspect, Victor Díaz Rúa returns from Spain
Malaria cases up
Avocado fight heads to being heard in Florida court
Dominican Navy rescues Americans lost at sea
Freight trailer kills teenagers
River in Puerto Plata disappearing
Cigarettes confiscated
Update on the Yuniol Ramirez murder case
DR holds on to fourth in quest to play in China World Basketball Cup
Dominican voices concert of 2018: Voces de Mi Tiempo
DR readies to export more fresh produce to Russia
The ministries of Agriculture of Russia and the Dominican Republic will sign agreements to harmonize food safety protocols to facilitate the export of farm products from the Dominican Republic to Russia. Agriculture Minister Osmar Benítez led the mission of Dominican exporters to Russia to participate in the 27th World Food Moscow 2018, the most important Russian food fair. Some 65 countries are participating this year, including five from Latin America.
“Russia is one of the economic powers of the world with a population of 146 million with high purchasing power. Last year it imported US$5 billion in fresh farm produce, mainly tropical fruits,” said Benítez. He says the Dominican Republic has its eyes on increasing its market share of Russian imports.
http://hoy.com.do/rd-y-rusia-firman-acuerdo-comercial/
New trains for the Santo Domingo Metro
The Office for the Reorganization of Transport (Opret), the Santo Domingo Metro Office, has announced that two new trains have been added to serve the lines 2A and 2B of the Santo Domingo metro. With the addition of these, there are now 12 trains operating on the metro, each with a capacity for 528 people. Another group of new trains is due to be added at the end of October this year for a total of 18 trains soon to be in operation.
http://almomento.net/opret-incorpora-a-las-lineas-2-y-2b-del-metro-dos-nuevos-trenes/
Central Bank governor confirmed
Hector Valdez Albizu was confirmed for seventh time as governor of the Central Bank. He will be 22 years in the post, the most of any other governor. Diogenes Fernandez had served 13 years, from 1963 to 1976.
Presidential Decree 343-18 authorized that Valdez serve another two years. Also confirmed is vice governor Clarissa de la Rocha.
Valdez was first named technical assistant at the Department of Economic Studies of the Central Bank in 1970 when he studied economics at the UASD. He made his career at the Central Bank and was first appointed governor of the Central Bank by late President Joaquin Balaguer in 1994. He would be confirmed by President Leonel Fernandez in 1996. He did not serve under President Hipólito Mejía from 2000-2004, but then returned to the post when President Leonel Fernandez won the election in 2004.
JCE reveals Electoral Calendar for 2020 general elections
As of Tuesday, 18 September 2018, the electoral calendar for the 2020 elections has begun. The Central Electoral Court (JCE) met at 10am to present the calendar and deadlines for the Sunday, 16 February 2020 municipal elections and the Sunday, 17 May presidential and congressional elections.
The new program will include the process for the restructuring of the electoral boards in new municipalities and establishes dates for dissemination of the information regarding the Offices to Register Electors Overseas (OPREE). The program also outlines structures and procedures and the recruitment of electoral instructors. A training program for the estimated 150,000 staff that will be tending the voting stations, regional meetings, handing over the voting rolls to the parties and evaluations of the physical structures of the voting stations are all presented in the new program.
The JCE has established procedures for party candidate nominations and inter-party alliances, the recognition of new parties, the printing the electoral rolls and the evaluation of those who will work in the election.
Deadlines have been established for changes of address and new inscriptions, testing the computer systems and designing the ballots. Finally, the JCE has detailed the parameters for the international and national election observers.
announced.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...electoral-con-pautas-para-comicios-MJ10808949
http://eldia.com.do/la-junta-utilizara-mas-de-150-mil-personas-para-elecciones-de-2020/
http://jce.gob.do/DesktopModules/Br..._Download&language=es-ES&PortalId=1&TabId=190
Son of Leonel Fernández says he is the link to his father
Speaking in New York City, Omar Fernández, son of former President Leonel Fernandez got biblical, as reported in Acento, telling his audience: “My father will be president again with a new vision. No one reaches the father if it is not through his son.”
“I want to be the liaison between the public and President Fernandez, and I speak from the heart. So do not hesitate to share your concerns with me. Be assured that I will take your messages directly to my father,” he said, as reported in Acento.
Omar Fernandez says when his father returns to the presidency in 2020 he will exercise a government of inclusion, taking into account all who work for his victory.
The young politician called for the PLD to regain the majority favor of Dominican expats in New York. He praised New York expats who are contributing to his father’s return to the Presidency. He said these efforts will be “fairly valued.”
Fernandez says his father wants to return to the Presidency to guarantee that all Dominicans live in a state of laws and that this right is respected. He spoke at the Scientology Volunteer Ministers church in Harlem, Manhattan.
https://acento.com.do/2018/politica...ie-llega-al-padre-si-no-es-a-traves-del-hijo/
Dominican Week in the United Kingdom: 19-26 October
The British Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (Britcham), the Dominican Embassy in London, and the UK Embassy in the Dominican Republic announced the 7th Edition of the Dominican Week in the United Kingdom will be held 19-26 October 2018.
The annual event is the main networking and relationship building activity organized by the Dominican Republic in the UK, highlighted Leonel Melo, president of the British Chamber of Commerce. The event also serves to promote the good positioning of the Dominican image in the United Kingdom.
The Dominican Week in the United Kingdom combines business and cultural activities to promote the Dominican Republic as a strategic business, investment and commercial partner for the United Kingdom. The focus is on diversifying trade and investment between both countries paving the way for the country to be the Logistics Center of the Americas, with access to the main markets in the world for exports of goods and services to these markets.
During the event, meetings will focus on increasing investments and exports, trade relations “post-Brexit” and the admission of the Dominican Republic to the UN Security Council, among other topics.
Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado will travel to London to lead a mission of public and private sector representatives.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...emana-dominicana-en-el-reino-unido-KJ10808604
Alicia Ortega: Mirex payroll does not match with people on the jobs
Investigative journalist Alicia Ortega presents a major increase in staffing payroll at Dominican missions after the appointment of Miguel Vargas Maldonado at the Ministry of Foreign Relations. The program, “El Informe con Alicia Ortega” aired on Monday, 17 September 2018 on Channel 9 (Color Visión).
Vargas Maldonado was president of the PRD political party whose legislators gave President Danilo Medina the necessary votes to amend the 2010 Constitution so he could run for re-election in 2016. He took over a Ministry of Foreign Relations where efforts had just been carried out to purge the ministry payroll at the death of former Foreign Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso. The Ministry had been criticized at the time as a political booty of the PRSC, a supporter of the PLD.
Ortega now reports that there are three payrolls at the Ministry of Foreign Relations. She mentions that many of those named do not report to the missions where they are named. She observes that one of the payrolls increased 18 times, and another is up 50%.
For instance, despite being an honorary consulate where no one that answered the phone could speak in Spanish to the program reporters, the Rio de Janeiro has a payroll of US$8,000 a month. In Argentina, most of the 22 appointed are unknown to the staff at the embassy. At the consulate of Antigua & Barbuda, five persons are appointed but were not available to answer the phone. A call to the embassy in Honduras and the receptionist did not recognize 10 of 13 employees on the payroll. In Panama, the embassy is listed with 30 employees, but most are no shows at the delegation in Panama, despite costing US$32 million, not taking into account expense accounts. A similar story was reported for the Dominican government offices in Mexico. In Boston, the story was no different. 24 are appointed to the mission, but only a few are actually on the job.
The Mirex payroll covers 45 embassies and 85 consulates and has 1,379 employees. In August 2018, the government spent US$3.8 million or around RD$189 million on the payrolls for the missions abroad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EMKPbUP_lw&app=desktop
https://noticiassin.com/nomina-multiplicada-con-diplomaticos-que-no-ponen-un-pie-en-embajadas/
Odebrecht case suspect, Victor Díaz Rúa returns from Spain
After authorized a two-week medical leave by Judge Francisco Ortega who is in charge of hearing the Odebrecht US$92 million bribes case, former Public Works Minister Victor Diaz Rua returned to the Dominican Republic. The announcement was made by his lawyer, Miguel Valerio.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-diaz-rua-retorna-al-pais-tras-viaje-a-espana
Malaria cases up
At least 63 confirmed cases of malaria have been registered in the last four weeks in the epidemiological surveillance system, 75% of which were in neighborhoods of Santo Domingo West.
As of the beginning of this month, 294 cases have been reported throughout the country, with La Ciénaga, Hato Nuevo, Caballona and Manoguayabo, in Santo Domingo West, and Las Mercedes, in Los Alcarrizos, the neighborhoods with the highest incidence of the disease that it is transmitted by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito, which breeds in swampy and dirty waters, especially where there is vegetation.
In the past week, the system detected 25 confirmed cases (17 men and eight women) aged between 13 and 62 years of age, according to data contained in the epidemiological bulletin 35.
As far as dengue is concerned, also transmitted by mosquitoes, the Aedes aegypti, which breeds in clean water, last week there were 14 probable cases and in the last month 79 probable and confirmed cases. Most of the dengue cases were detected in the municipalities of Sabana Yegua, Higüey, Villa Vázquez, Villa González, San José de Ocoa and Los Alcarrizos. So far this year there has been 748 cases of dengue, some 127 less than at the same time last year.
Looking at cholera, the latest report says there has been one confirmed case from a 60 year old man in Hondo Valle, Elias Piña last week and five cases in the last month all near the border with Haiti.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...asos-de-malaria-en-las-ultimas-cuatro-semanas
http://outbreaknewstoday.com/dominican-republic-local-malaria-transmission-santo-domingo-51444/
Avocado fight heads to being heard in Florida court
The Miami Herald is reporting that a lawsuit over an avocado patent is headed to court in Miami. A rival avocado company is accused of having stolen the DNA of the special "Carla" avocado, developed in the Dominican Republic and of selling the same avocados in stores throughout South Florida. The Carla avocado combines buttery richness of the Hass avocado with the larger size of Florida varieties. It is a favorite abroad, to the extent that high-end British retailer, Marks and Spencer began selling the product that originated in the San José de Ocoa valley in central Dominican Republic.
The case includes allegations of tree-branch theft, clandestine cloning and DNA tests on competitors’ produce. Agroindustria Ocoeña, the Dominican company that holds a U.S. patent for the Carla, is suing a Miami produce distributor, Fresh Directions International, claiming that it is illegally selling the Carlas in South Florida from another grower.
The Castillo family had secured a US patent for the avocado in 2006, giving them exclusive rights to produce, sell and license the fruit for at least 15 years. But in recent years, unlicensed Carla clones have begun popping up in supermarkets throughout South Florida.
The lawsuit alleges that Fresh Directions International has been selling the unlawful avocados labeled with the stickers “Avopro” since at least 2012. In August of that year, Agroindustria Ocoeña sent the company a cease-and-desist notice — to no avail, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit seeks to stop Fresh Directions from selling the “infringing” avocados and for damages for years of their sales.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article218277040.html
Dominican Navy rescues Americans lost at sea
The Dominican Armada has rescued three Americans who were adrift on board a US-registered 30-foot sailboat, the “Crew Two”. The boat had mechanical problems when sailing from Puerto Rico to the United States and the ship was caught in the high seas caused by Tropical Storm Isaac. The rescue was carried out by the Dominican coast guard “Capella” boat. The sailboat was towed to dock in Juanillo, Punta Cana.
The two men and a woman were in good health and were met in Punta Cana by Dominican naval personnel together with intelligence and government security personnel. The boat’s passengers were named as Frredom Oxford, Bebbie Lee Oxford and Icaiha Shano Oxford in Hoy and were reportedly rescued 30 nautical miles to the northwest of Cabo Engaño by the Capella GC-108 that patrols the eastern region coast.
http://www.marina.mil.do/portal/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=67106&Itemid=12
http://hoy.com.do/armada-rescata-con-vida-a-tres-ciudadanos-norteamericanos-en-altamar/
Freight trailer kills teenagers
On Monday afternoon, 17 September 2018, a freight trailer killed two 15-year old students in Haina. The truck was traveling on a secondary road to avoid paying the toll, according to the families of the victims. Darlin Alfredo and Ismael Rojas were on their way to school on a motorcycle when they were hit by the truck. The teenagers were in the second year of the High School, José Francisco Peña Gómez, in La Pared in Haina.
According to Ramón Rojas, father of Ismael, the drivers of such vehicles often take that route so that they do not have to pay the RD$358 toll at the toll booth of the Circunvalación Sur road. He said that it was not the first time it had happened and asked the authorities to take action against the driver.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...s-estudiantes-evadio-ruta-para-no-pagar-peaje
River in Puerto Plata disappearing
The Bajabonico River in Puerto Plata is one of the most important in the province but it is now in danger due to the extraction of building materials from its source. It has been there since colonial times but now the source is nearly dry, not only due to the extraction of aggregate but also the deforestation all around the source of the river.
These problems have been brought to the attention of the Ministry of the Environment. This situation, together with the recent drought in the area, has caused the river to all but disappear, affecting all of the communities along its banks. There is no water available from the river for irrigating the crops especially in the municipality of Luperon and agricultural production has been affected.
http://eldia.com.do/advierten-rio-b...ccion-de-materiales-tala-de-arboles-y-sequia/
Cigarettes confiscated
The Customs Agency (DGA) has confiscated a cargo of ten million cigarettes at the port of Haina Oriental after these arrived from Panama on board the ship, the Gluecksburg. The 969 boxes of cigarettes with 10,000 cigarettes in each one were discovered in a freight container that supposedly held clothes for a company based in Santo Domingo called Feeding Corp. A few days earlier a cargo of 10.8 million cigarettes were confiscated in Puerto Plata on the same boat and from the same origin.
http://almomento.net/incautan-cargamento-cercano-a-10-millones-de-cigarrillos-en-puerto-de-haina/
Update on the Yuniol Ramirez murder case
Ramón Ramírez, brother of the murdered lawyer, Yuniol Ramírez, suspects that the appointment of new National District prosecutor Rosalba Ramos is a step taken to delay the murder trial’s hearings. Earlier this year, the family had maneuvered to get the case moved from Ramos’ jurisdiction in western Santo Domingo to the National District. In the National District, prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso would have heard the case. But now, Ramos has been appointed National District prosecutor following an unexpected fast tracking of an overall overhaul of the prosecutors around the country. This means, she will resume hearings of the case.
Ramírez said that in Santo Domingo West, key accused Manuel Rivas, who was the director of the OMSA government bus entity, is a “patriarch.”
Already, Manuel Rivas is out of jail, having been allowed medical leave at Cedimat.
“He (Manuel Rivas) strangely got sick days before the hearing would start and days before the announcement of the new prosecutor was made. These are strategies they are using, and we know that, and are going to work our defense around that,” he said.
The former financial director of the Oficina Metropolitana de Servicios de Autobuses (OMSA) Faustino Rosario claims he is innocent of the charges. In addition to Manuel Rivas and Rosario, others accused are Jose Mercado, Victor Elisander Ravelo, Jorge Abreu Fabia, Lucas Tobias Ortega and Heidy Peña.
Yuniol Ramírez had been preparing a case for corruption against Manuel Rivas and the OMSA operations. The authorities are awaiting the return to the country of another OMSA employee, Argenis Contreras who fled to the United States after the murder.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/09...acion-de-nueva-fiscal-es-parte-de-estrategia/
http://eldia.com.do/juzgado-de-instruccion-del-dn-conoce-caso-yuniol-ramirez/
DR holds on to fourth in quest to play in China World Basketball Cup
With four games yet to be played, the Dominican Republic (5-3) is hanging on to the key fourth place that would enable it to earn one of the seven slots open to the Americas in the China 2019 FIBA World Basketball Cup. In points, the team DR is behind Canada, Venezuela and Brazil, but ahead of Uruguay and US Virgin Islands. The DR is 688 points to 552 of Uruguay (5-3) that would make the difference.
The DR next plays Brazil on 30 November and Chile on 3 December 2018. And then will receive Venezuela (21 February) and Brazil (24 February) on its home court.
The standings are USA, Argentina, Canada and Venezuela (7-1), Brazil (6-2), Puerto Rico (5-3) have already qualified. The seventh slot is yet to be decided between the Dominican Republic (5-3), Uruguay (5-3) and Mexico (3-5) are the contenders.
Dominican voices concert of 2018: Voces de Mi Tiempo
Legendary Dominican romantic song singers Niní Cáffaro, Frank Ceara, Diomara La Mala and Luchy *******, and Danny Rivera and Yolandita Monge will be together on Friday, 2 November at the Teatro La Fiesta of the Hotel Jaragua Renaissance for a memorable concert, “Voces de Mi Tiempo”. During the Gala, each singer will have solo time to share several of the best hits of all times. But there will be many duos with guest artists, also, all conducted by maestro Amaury Sanchez.
The evening will also be a living tribute to Maestro Rafael Solano, whose “Por Amor” song celebrates 50 years this 2018. This will be an evening of listening to memorable renditions of “Por Amor,” and of songs by Solano that include: “Cada vez más”, “Confundido”, “Mi amor por ti”, “Confesión de amor”, “El 10 de abril”, “Me cansaré de ti”, “El sonido de tu voz”, “Magia” and “Una primavera para el mundo”, with lyrics by late poet René del Risco.
The event is a production by Pedro García and SkyPro.
Tickets are for sale at tuboleta.com.do, and Ticket Express online and at Tiendas La Sirena, Super Pola.
https://www.metrord.do/do/entretenc...-concierto-voces-tiempo-sera-2-noviembre.html
New trains for the Santo Domingo Metro
Central Bank governor confirmed
JCE reveals Electoral Calendar for 2020 general elections
Son of Leonel Fernández says he is the link to his father
Dominican Week in the United Kingdom: 19-26 October
Alicia Ortega: Mirex payroll does not match with people on the jobs
Odebrecht case suspect, Victor Díaz Rúa returns from Spain
Malaria cases up
Avocado fight heads to being heard in Florida court
Dominican Navy rescues Americans lost at sea
Freight trailer kills teenagers
River in Puerto Plata disappearing
Cigarettes confiscated
Update on the Yuniol Ramirez murder case
DR holds on to fourth in quest to play in China World Basketball Cup
Dominican voices concert of 2018: Voces de Mi Tiempo
DR readies to export more fresh produce to Russia
The ministries of Agriculture of Russia and the Dominican Republic will sign agreements to harmonize food safety protocols to facilitate the export of farm products from the Dominican Republic to Russia. Agriculture Minister Osmar Benítez led the mission of Dominican exporters to Russia to participate in the 27th World Food Moscow 2018, the most important Russian food fair. Some 65 countries are participating this year, including five from Latin America.
“Russia is one of the economic powers of the world with a population of 146 million with high purchasing power. Last year it imported US$5 billion in fresh farm produce, mainly tropical fruits,” said Benítez. He says the Dominican Republic has its eyes on increasing its market share of Russian imports.
http://hoy.com.do/rd-y-rusia-firman-acuerdo-comercial/
New trains for the Santo Domingo Metro
The Office for the Reorganization of Transport (Opret), the Santo Domingo Metro Office, has announced that two new trains have been added to serve the lines 2A and 2B of the Santo Domingo metro. With the addition of these, there are now 12 trains operating on the metro, each with a capacity for 528 people. Another group of new trains is due to be added at the end of October this year for a total of 18 trains soon to be in operation.
http://almomento.net/opret-incorpora-a-las-lineas-2-y-2b-del-metro-dos-nuevos-trenes/
Central Bank governor confirmed
Hector Valdez Albizu was confirmed for seventh time as governor of the Central Bank. He will be 22 years in the post, the most of any other governor. Diogenes Fernandez had served 13 years, from 1963 to 1976.
Presidential Decree 343-18 authorized that Valdez serve another two years. Also confirmed is vice governor Clarissa de la Rocha.
Valdez was first named technical assistant at the Department of Economic Studies of the Central Bank in 1970 when he studied economics at the UASD. He made his career at the Central Bank and was first appointed governor of the Central Bank by late President Joaquin Balaguer in 1994. He would be confirmed by President Leonel Fernandez in 1996. He did not serve under President Hipólito Mejía from 2000-2004, but then returned to the post when President Leonel Fernandez won the election in 2004.
JCE reveals Electoral Calendar for 2020 general elections
As of Tuesday, 18 September 2018, the electoral calendar for the 2020 elections has begun. The Central Electoral Court (JCE) met at 10am to present the calendar and deadlines for the Sunday, 16 February 2020 municipal elections and the Sunday, 17 May presidential and congressional elections.
The new program will include the process for the restructuring of the electoral boards in new municipalities and establishes dates for dissemination of the information regarding the Offices to Register Electors Overseas (OPREE). The program also outlines structures and procedures and the recruitment of electoral instructors. A training program for the estimated 150,000 staff that will be tending the voting stations, regional meetings, handing over the voting rolls to the parties and evaluations of the physical structures of the voting stations are all presented in the new program.
The JCE has established procedures for party candidate nominations and inter-party alliances, the recognition of new parties, the printing the electoral rolls and the evaluation of those who will work in the election.
Deadlines have been established for changes of address and new inscriptions, testing the computer systems and designing the ballots. Finally, the JCE has detailed the parameters for the international and national election observers.
announced.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...electoral-con-pautas-para-comicios-MJ10808949
http://eldia.com.do/la-junta-utilizara-mas-de-150-mil-personas-para-elecciones-de-2020/
http://jce.gob.do/DesktopModules/Br..._Download&language=es-ES&PortalId=1&TabId=190
Son of Leonel Fernández says he is the link to his father
Speaking in New York City, Omar Fernández, son of former President Leonel Fernandez got biblical, as reported in Acento, telling his audience: “My father will be president again with a new vision. No one reaches the father if it is not through his son.”
“I want to be the liaison between the public and President Fernandez, and I speak from the heart. So do not hesitate to share your concerns with me. Be assured that I will take your messages directly to my father,” he said, as reported in Acento.
Omar Fernandez says when his father returns to the presidency in 2020 he will exercise a government of inclusion, taking into account all who work for his victory.
The young politician called for the PLD to regain the majority favor of Dominican expats in New York. He praised New York expats who are contributing to his father’s return to the Presidency. He said these efforts will be “fairly valued.”
Fernandez says his father wants to return to the Presidency to guarantee that all Dominicans live in a state of laws and that this right is respected. He spoke at the Scientology Volunteer Ministers church in Harlem, Manhattan.
https://acento.com.do/2018/politica...ie-llega-al-padre-si-no-es-a-traves-del-hijo/
Dominican Week in the United Kingdom: 19-26 October
The British Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (Britcham), the Dominican Embassy in London, and the UK Embassy in the Dominican Republic announced the 7th Edition of the Dominican Week in the United Kingdom will be held 19-26 October 2018.
The annual event is the main networking and relationship building activity organized by the Dominican Republic in the UK, highlighted Leonel Melo, president of the British Chamber of Commerce. The event also serves to promote the good positioning of the Dominican image in the United Kingdom.
The Dominican Week in the United Kingdom combines business and cultural activities to promote the Dominican Republic as a strategic business, investment and commercial partner for the United Kingdom. The focus is on diversifying trade and investment between both countries paving the way for the country to be the Logistics Center of the Americas, with access to the main markets in the world for exports of goods and services to these markets.
During the event, meetings will focus on increasing investments and exports, trade relations “post-Brexit” and the admission of the Dominican Republic to the UN Security Council, among other topics.
Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado will travel to London to lead a mission of public and private sector representatives.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...emana-dominicana-en-el-reino-unido-KJ10808604
Alicia Ortega: Mirex payroll does not match with people on the jobs
Investigative journalist Alicia Ortega presents a major increase in staffing payroll at Dominican missions after the appointment of Miguel Vargas Maldonado at the Ministry of Foreign Relations. The program, “El Informe con Alicia Ortega” aired on Monday, 17 September 2018 on Channel 9 (Color Visión).
Vargas Maldonado was president of the PRD political party whose legislators gave President Danilo Medina the necessary votes to amend the 2010 Constitution so he could run for re-election in 2016. He took over a Ministry of Foreign Relations where efforts had just been carried out to purge the ministry payroll at the death of former Foreign Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso. The Ministry had been criticized at the time as a political booty of the PRSC, a supporter of the PLD.
Ortega now reports that there are three payrolls at the Ministry of Foreign Relations. She mentions that many of those named do not report to the missions where they are named. She observes that one of the payrolls increased 18 times, and another is up 50%.
For instance, despite being an honorary consulate where no one that answered the phone could speak in Spanish to the program reporters, the Rio de Janeiro has a payroll of US$8,000 a month. In Argentina, most of the 22 appointed are unknown to the staff at the embassy. At the consulate of Antigua & Barbuda, five persons are appointed but were not available to answer the phone. A call to the embassy in Honduras and the receptionist did not recognize 10 of 13 employees on the payroll. In Panama, the embassy is listed with 30 employees, but most are no shows at the delegation in Panama, despite costing US$32 million, not taking into account expense accounts. A similar story was reported for the Dominican government offices in Mexico. In Boston, the story was no different. 24 are appointed to the mission, but only a few are actually on the job.
The Mirex payroll covers 45 embassies and 85 consulates and has 1,379 employees. In August 2018, the government spent US$3.8 million or around RD$189 million on the payrolls for the missions abroad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EMKPbUP_lw&app=desktop
https://noticiassin.com/nomina-multiplicada-con-diplomaticos-que-no-ponen-un-pie-en-embajadas/
Odebrecht case suspect, Victor Díaz Rúa returns from Spain
After authorized a two-week medical leave by Judge Francisco Ortega who is in charge of hearing the Odebrecht US$92 million bribes case, former Public Works Minister Victor Diaz Rua returned to the Dominican Republic. The announcement was made by his lawyer, Miguel Valerio.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-diaz-rua-retorna-al-pais-tras-viaje-a-espana
Malaria cases up
At least 63 confirmed cases of malaria have been registered in the last four weeks in the epidemiological surveillance system, 75% of which were in neighborhoods of Santo Domingo West.
As of the beginning of this month, 294 cases have been reported throughout the country, with La Ciénaga, Hato Nuevo, Caballona and Manoguayabo, in Santo Domingo West, and Las Mercedes, in Los Alcarrizos, the neighborhoods with the highest incidence of the disease that it is transmitted by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito, which breeds in swampy and dirty waters, especially where there is vegetation.
In the past week, the system detected 25 confirmed cases (17 men and eight women) aged between 13 and 62 years of age, according to data contained in the epidemiological bulletin 35.
As far as dengue is concerned, also transmitted by mosquitoes, the Aedes aegypti, which breeds in clean water, last week there were 14 probable cases and in the last month 79 probable and confirmed cases. Most of the dengue cases were detected in the municipalities of Sabana Yegua, Higüey, Villa Vázquez, Villa González, San José de Ocoa and Los Alcarrizos. So far this year there has been 748 cases of dengue, some 127 less than at the same time last year.
Looking at cholera, the latest report says there has been one confirmed case from a 60 year old man in Hondo Valle, Elias Piña last week and five cases in the last month all near the border with Haiti.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...asos-de-malaria-en-las-ultimas-cuatro-semanas
http://outbreaknewstoday.com/dominican-republic-local-malaria-transmission-santo-domingo-51444/
Avocado fight heads to being heard in Florida court
The Miami Herald is reporting that a lawsuit over an avocado patent is headed to court in Miami. A rival avocado company is accused of having stolen the DNA of the special "Carla" avocado, developed in the Dominican Republic and of selling the same avocados in stores throughout South Florida. The Carla avocado combines buttery richness of the Hass avocado with the larger size of Florida varieties. It is a favorite abroad, to the extent that high-end British retailer, Marks and Spencer began selling the product that originated in the San José de Ocoa valley in central Dominican Republic.
The case includes allegations of tree-branch theft, clandestine cloning and DNA tests on competitors’ produce. Agroindustria Ocoeña, the Dominican company that holds a U.S. patent for the Carla, is suing a Miami produce distributor, Fresh Directions International, claiming that it is illegally selling the Carlas in South Florida from another grower.
The Castillo family had secured a US patent for the avocado in 2006, giving them exclusive rights to produce, sell and license the fruit for at least 15 years. But in recent years, unlicensed Carla clones have begun popping up in supermarkets throughout South Florida.
The lawsuit alleges that Fresh Directions International has been selling the unlawful avocados labeled with the stickers “Avopro” since at least 2012. In August of that year, Agroindustria Ocoeña sent the company a cease-and-desist notice — to no avail, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit seeks to stop Fresh Directions from selling the “infringing” avocados and for damages for years of their sales.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article218277040.html
Dominican Navy rescues Americans lost at sea
The Dominican Armada has rescued three Americans who were adrift on board a US-registered 30-foot sailboat, the “Crew Two”. The boat had mechanical problems when sailing from Puerto Rico to the United States and the ship was caught in the high seas caused by Tropical Storm Isaac. The rescue was carried out by the Dominican coast guard “Capella” boat. The sailboat was towed to dock in Juanillo, Punta Cana.
The two men and a woman were in good health and were met in Punta Cana by Dominican naval personnel together with intelligence and government security personnel. The boat’s passengers were named as Frredom Oxford, Bebbie Lee Oxford and Icaiha Shano Oxford in Hoy and were reportedly rescued 30 nautical miles to the northwest of Cabo Engaño by the Capella GC-108 that patrols the eastern region coast.
http://www.marina.mil.do/portal/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=67106&Itemid=12
http://hoy.com.do/armada-rescata-con-vida-a-tres-ciudadanos-norteamericanos-en-altamar/
Freight trailer kills teenagers
On Monday afternoon, 17 September 2018, a freight trailer killed two 15-year old students in Haina. The truck was traveling on a secondary road to avoid paying the toll, according to the families of the victims. Darlin Alfredo and Ismael Rojas were on their way to school on a motorcycle when they were hit by the truck. The teenagers were in the second year of the High School, José Francisco Peña Gómez, in La Pared in Haina.
According to Ramón Rojas, father of Ismael, the drivers of such vehicles often take that route so that they do not have to pay the RD$358 toll at the toll booth of the Circunvalación Sur road. He said that it was not the first time it had happened and asked the authorities to take action against the driver.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...s-estudiantes-evadio-ruta-para-no-pagar-peaje
River in Puerto Plata disappearing
The Bajabonico River in Puerto Plata is one of the most important in the province but it is now in danger due to the extraction of building materials from its source. It has been there since colonial times but now the source is nearly dry, not only due to the extraction of aggregate but also the deforestation all around the source of the river.
These problems have been brought to the attention of the Ministry of the Environment. This situation, together with the recent drought in the area, has caused the river to all but disappear, affecting all of the communities along its banks. There is no water available from the river for irrigating the crops especially in the municipality of Luperon and agricultural production has been affected.
http://eldia.com.do/advierten-rio-b...ccion-de-materiales-tala-de-arboles-y-sequia/
Cigarettes confiscated
The Customs Agency (DGA) has confiscated a cargo of ten million cigarettes at the port of Haina Oriental after these arrived from Panama on board the ship, the Gluecksburg. The 969 boxes of cigarettes with 10,000 cigarettes in each one were discovered in a freight container that supposedly held clothes for a company based in Santo Domingo called Feeding Corp. A few days earlier a cargo of 10.8 million cigarettes were confiscated in Puerto Plata on the same boat and from the same origin.
http://almomento.net/incautan-cargamento-cercano-a-10-millones-de-cigarrillos-en-puerto-de-haina/
Update on the Yuniol Ramirez murder case
Ramón Ramírez, brother of the murdered lawyer, Yuniol Ramírez, suspects that the appointment of new National District prosecutor Rosalba Ramos is a step taken to delay the murder trial’s hearings. Earlier this year, the family had maneuvered to get the case moved from Ramos’ jurisdiction in western Santo Domingo to the National District. In the National District, prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso would have heard the case. But now, Ramos has been appointed National District prosecutor following an unexpected fast tracking of an overall overhaul of the prosecutors around the country. This means, she will resume hearings of the case.
Ramírez said that in Santo Domingo West, key accused Manuel Rivas, who was the director of the OMSA government bus entity, is a “patriarch.”
Already, Manuel Rivas is out of jail, having been allowed medical leave at Cedimat.
“He (Manuel Rivas) strangely got sick days before the hearing would start and days before the announcement of the new prosecutor was made. These are strategies they are using, and we know that, and are going to work our defense around that,” he said.
The former financial director of the Oficina Metropolitana de Servicios de Autobuses (OMSA) Faustino Rosario claims he is innocent of the charges. In addition to Manuel Rivas and Rosario, others accused are Jose Mercado, Victor Elisander Ravelo, Jorge Abreu Fabia, Lucas Tobias Ortega and Heidy Peña.
Yuniol Ramírez had been preparing a case for corruption against Manuel Rivas and the OMSA operations. The authorities are awaiting the return to the country of another OMSA employee, Argenis Contreras who fled to the United States after the murder.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/09...acion-de-nueva-fiscal-es-parte-de-estrategia/
http://eldia.com.do/juzgado-de-instruccion-del-dn-conoce-caso-yuniol-ramirez/
DR holds on to fourth in quest to play in China World Basketball Cup
With four games yet to be played, the Dominican Republic (5-3) is hanging on to the key fourth place that would enable it to earn one of the seven slots open to the Americas in the China 2019 FIBA World Basketball Cup. In points, the team DR is behind Canada, Venezuela and Brazil, but ahead of Uruguay and US Virgin Islands. The DR is 688 points to 552 of Uruguay (5-3) that would make the difference.
The DR next plays Brazil on 30 November and Chile on 3 December 2018. And then will receive Venezuela (21 February) and Brazil (24 February) on its home court.
The standings are USA, Argentina, Canada and Venezuela (7-1), Brazil (6-2), Puerto Rico (5-3) have already qualified. The seventh slot is yet to be decided between the Dominican Republic (5-3), Uruguay (5-3) and Mexico (3-5) are the contenders.
Dominican voices concert of 2018: Voces de Mi Tiempo
Legendary Dominican romantic song singers Niní Cáffaro, Frank Ceara, Diomara La Mala and Luchy *******, and Danny Rivera and Yolandita Monge will be together on Friday, 2 November at the Teatro La Fiesta of the Hotel Jaragua Renaissance for a memorable concert, “Voces de Mi Tiempo”. During the Gala, each singer will have solo time to share several of the best hits of all times. But there will be many duos with guest artists, also, all conducted by maestro Amaury Sanchez.
The evening will also be a living tribute to Maestro Rafael Solano, whose “Por Amor” song celebrates 50 years this 2018. This will be an evening of listening to memorable renditions of “Por Amor,” and of songs by Solano that include: “Cada vez más”, “Confundido”, “Mi amor por ti”, “Confesión de amor”, “El 10 de abril”, “Me cansaré de ti”, “El sonido de tu voz”, “Magia” and “Una primavera para el mundo”, with lyrics by late poet René del Risco.
The event is a production by Pedro García and SkyPro.
Tickets are for sale at tuboleta.com.do, and Ticket Express online and at Tiendas La Sirena, Super Pola.
https://www.metrord.do/do/entretenc...-concierto-voces-tiempo-sera-2-noviembre.html