DR1 Daily News - Thursday, 20 September 2018

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The DR1 Daily News breaks for Mercedes Day
People’s Republic of China Foreign Minister Wang Yi expected
Supreme Court rules in favor of annulling Bahia de las Aguilas property titles
Migration Agency extends duration of exit permits for minors
Government spends RD$10.2 million to advertise itself
The big business of birthing tourism
Dominguez Brito criticizes lack of controls over visas issued to Haitians
Katrina Naut named to UN organizations in Geneva
Fernando Rainieri injured in crash on Autovía del Este
Contemporary Dance Festival: 25 Sept to 7 October
Coming soon: the 9th Fine Arts International Film Festival (FICFA)
Mamma Mia at Escenario 360
Haydee Milanes at Hard Rock Live



The DR1 Daily News breaks for Mercedes Day
A long weekend is on the way. This means the next DR1 Daily News update will be published on Tuesday, 25 September 2018. The Tuesday issue will compile headline news for the previous Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Monday, 24 September is a holiday in the Dominican Republic. It celebrates Mercedes Day, honoring the patron saint of the Dominican people. Breaking news can be followed 24/7 in the Forums. See the DR1 Forum at http://www.dr1.com


People’s Republic of China Foreign Minister Wang Yi expected
The Ministry of Foreign Relations reported that People’s Republic of China Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to arrive on a private flight on Thursday at 8pm. He will be received by his colleague Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas at the Las Americas International Airport (SDQ).

Yi is coming for the Friday, 21 September 2018 formal opening of the People’s Republic of China Embassy. The visit is also a preparatory step for the announced October meeting of President Danilo Medina with his colleague Xi Jinping of China in Beijing. Yi is also expected to announce major Chinese investments in the Dominican Republic.

On his agenda are meetings with President Danilo Medina and Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas, among others. The Dominican Republic established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in Beijing on 1 May 2018.


Supreme Court rules in favor of annulling Bahia de las Aguilas property titles
In a decision on 19 September 2018, the judges of the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice confirmed that the property titles that had been issued to individuals in the Bahía de las Aguilas beach area of Pedernales are not valid. The court, chaired by Judge Manuel Herrera, and composed of Robert Plasencia and Moisés Ferrer, adopted the decision after declaring inadmissible the titles and rejecting 25 appeals filed by several who had claimed the lands and now are sentenced to pay the legal costs.

The court, entrusted with land, labor, litigation, administrative and contentious-tax matters, confirmed the judgment of the Superior Land Court issued on 24 February 2016, regarding plot 215-A of Cadastral District 3, of the municipality of Enriquillo in the province of Pedernales, in the southwest. This is an area of 4,530.6 tareas (1 tarea= 626 square meters). However, other cassation appeals related to the other plots, 40 and 215B, remain pending.

The case of Bahía de las Águilas has been known in the courts since 1997, when the complaint was filed against the former director of the Dominican Agrarian Institute (IAD), Jaime Rodríguez Guzmán, his wife Reyna Margarita Martínez and his brother Rafael Rodríguez Guzmán, who were accused of irregularly disposing of government land. The property titles were contested by the civic society and environmentalists who claimed the lands were in protected areas and could not be sold.

Bahia de las Aguilas is best known for its pristine beaches along the southwestern coast. The tourism development potential of the area is behind the irregularities.

The Supreme Court judgment could mean the government now has green light to undertake development of the area, albeit it is not yet known what would be done given the protected status area and the vulnerability of the area itself. There is no fresh water in the area. The Medina administration has shown particular interest in resolving the legal issues in order to attract foreign investment for developing the Pedernales beach area.

https://acento.com.do/2018/actualid...titulos-de-propiedad-de-bahia-de-las-aguilas/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ne-nulidad-de-titulos-en-bahia-de-las-aguilas
https://acento.com.do/2018/actualid...titulos-de-propiedad-de-bahia-de-las-aguilas/
http://eldia.com.do/terrenos-de-bahia-de-las-aguilas-son-del-estado/


Migration Agency extends duration of exit permits for minors
As of Monday, 24 September 2018, exit permits issued for unaccompanied minors will be valid for 90 days up from 30 days, says the Migration Agency (DGM). The permits affect Dominican nationals traveling alone or with only one of the child’s parents. The permits can be requested online and then paperwork deposited at any of the offices.

The measure will make it possible for parents to request the permits with more days and will bring relief to the agency that gets swamped by the requests in peak vacation times of the year. The permits will also be issued now at the regional offices in Santiago, Puerto Plata and Punta Cana, in addition to the main office at the Plaza Malecon Center.

https://listindiario.com/la-republi...igencia-de-los-permisos-de-salidas-de-menores
https://www.migracion.gob.do/Menu/Index/30


Government spends RD$10.2 million to advertise itself
Turn on the radio and you are likely to hear advertisements sponsored by government departments. There is not much sense to what they are advertising, but they help pay the bills at the many news talk shows and others.
Now, budgetary expert José Rijo Presbot says that a tally of national budget information available shows the government is spending around RD$10.2 million a day. He says the spending is exaggerated especially when there are so many social demands and the Medina administration is demanding more resources.

“How can we ask the Dominican people to pay more taxes if better use is not given to the money the government already receives,” asks Rijo Presbot, as reported in Hoy.

He observes the Ministry of Education, under architect Andres Navarro, over the past eight months has spent in advertising around RD$1.4 million a day. Navarro is a PLD pre-candidate hopeful. He says on events and festivities the Ministry of Education has been spending around RD$2.5 million a day. Most goes to promote the inauguration of public schools.

Rijo Presbot says that government finances are tight now that RD$20 billion in disbursements expected from multilateral and bilateral organizations have not been received.

http://hoy.com.do/rijo-gobierno-gasta-rd10-2-millones-por-dia-en-publicidad/


The big business of birthing tourism
The number of births to foreigners in the Dominican Republic is on the rise. The significantly better quality medical services and little cost is a big lure for Haitian women to pay traffickers to cross the border. While services are free at Dominican public hospitals, in Haiti these are costly even for the poor.

A report in Diario Libre says that RD$500 (US$10, or what a tourist card costs) paid at the border is enough to get across. The pregnant women then can board a commuter bus or a motorcycle taxi to one of the cities to visit a public hospital. Another US$100 is usually enough to ensure the woman is not stopped at the military checkpoints. Other trips are organized for up to US$200. Diario Libre says the contacts for the trip are known in the Haitian barrios in the cities, and at the public hospitals, also.

Last October 2017, Defense Minister Lieutenant General Ruben Paulino Sem had reported on the dismantling of a network of civilians and military involved in birthing tourism after then director of the National Health Serivce, Nelson Rodriguez Monegro, had bitterly complained of the high cost of the inflow of the Haitian women to the public health system. Defense Minister Paulino Sem confirmed there are networks in operation all along the border. These contract the buses. There are military and civilians involved.

But Diario Libre could not find a case on illegal smuggling being heard in any court. One source told the newspaper that the announcement by Paulino Sem was fake news.
The Ministry of Public Health says that it has 205,000 births to Haitian mothers registered since 2007.

The Diario Libre report by journalists Tania Molina and Mariela Mejía also reveals that the Haitian mothers many times will share identity cards. In an earlier report, the newspaper reporters confirmed that border migration checks are lax. Profiting and brotherly benevolence are reasons mentioned for the lax controls.

Statistics from 2010-2017 show there are 1,071,631 births at Dominican public hospitals. The number of foreign births are on the rise. While in 2016, these 2343 18,874 compared to 112,511 of Dominicans, in 2017 these had increased to 23,292 foreigners compared to 119,692 of Dominicans.

https://www.diariolibre.com/especia...cro-de-traer-haitianas-embarazadas-FO10784760


Dominguez Brito criticizes lack of controls over visas issued to Haitians
Ruling PLD political party presidential pre-candidate Francisco Domínguez Brito. He said that if he were elected, he would take measures to regularize the visas issued to Haitian migrants. He recommends the shutdown of three Dominican consulates in Haiti. These are Belladere, Anse a Pitre and Cap Haitien. He said only those at Ouanaminthe and Port-au-Prince should be in operation.

He called for better controls because the country cannot handle the mass migration. He said that at present the consulates issue 80,000 to 120,000 visas a year to Haitians. He said priority should be given to issue visas to students and for commerce. “We are saying that the visa issuing system we have in place with Haiti is inadmissible. A Haitian citizen does not even have to go to the consulate to receive the visa. He said a third party can take the passport to the consulates to get the visa stamp without any control or assessment.

https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/09...erre-de-tres-consulados-dominicanos-en-haiti/
https://www.cdn.com.do/2018/09/18/d...ia-regularizara-visados-ciudadanos-haitianos/


Katrina Naut named to UN organizations in Geneva
Katrina Naut was appointed new Dominican representative to the organizations of the United Nations organizations in Geneva, Switzrland. These are: World Trade Organization (WTO), World Intelectual Property Organization (WIPO), International Telecommunications Union, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), International Labour Organization (ILO), Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

The same decree appointed medical doctor Humberto Salazar as Dominican ambassador to South Korea.

http://www.ieeehtn.org/geneva.html
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...trina-naut-embajadores-en-corea-y-ante-varios


Fernando Rainieri injured in crash on the La Romana highway
Young businessman Fernando Rainieri is in the intensive care unit of CEDIMAT in Santo Domingo after suffering severe injuries in a crash on the La Romana highway. He was taken by helicopter ambulance to Cedimat in Santo Domingo. He was driving a white Porsche and was alone at the time of the accident. He is the son of the late Fernando Rainieri, former minister of Tourism, and Pilar Soto. He is the nephew of the president of the Punta Cana Group, Frank Rainieri.

https://listindiario.com/la-republi...cado-sobrino-de-rainieri-que-sufrio-accidente
http://hoy.com.do/se-accidenta-fernando-rainieri-hijo/


Contemporary Dance Festival: 25 Sept to 7 October
Martinique is the guest country for the 2018 International Contemporary Dance Festival (Edanco 2018), now in its 14th year. Martinique is bringing five contemporary dance companies for the event. 11 countries are sending dance companies. Admission is RD$200.

Overall, Edanco 2018 is 24 performances during the two week event, set for Monday, 24 September to Sunday, 7 October 2018. Monday, 24 September is a national holiday in the Dominican Republic, honoring Virgin of Mercedes.

Creator of the initiative and promoter, Edmundo Poy stresses the importance of dance for personal and collective development. He invites all to the festival that will open at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Santo Domingo. The venues this year are the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mamey Librería Café and Quinta Dominica, the two latter in the Colonial City.

The fesetival also includes dance workshops, including one by Flexx Vaillant of Martinica on AFrohouse on 23 September from 10am to 12pm.

The Martinique presentations will be on the 25, 26, 28 September and 1 October at 8:30pm at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Coming are: Cie Christiane Emmanuel, Art/Fact Company, Murmure Du Silence and La Cie Yonn De Moun. The opening gala is on Tuesday, 25 September when the dance company Christiane Emmanuel takes the stage at Bellas Artes.

Other dance companies are Daniel Abreu (Spain) on Thursday, 27 September at 8:30pm at the Palacio de Bellas Artes; Siga (South Korea) at 6:30pm and 8:30pm, also at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. And the Cardell Dance Theater (United States) on Thursday, 4 October and Friday, 5 October, and on Saturday, 6 October at 5:30pm at the Galeria Nacional de Bellas Artes.

Dance companies from Canada, Colombia Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, the United States and Venezuela are participating.

There will be several performances by the Ballet Nacional Domincano, the National Dance School, and local independent groups and private academies.

https://www.facebook.com/edancord/


Coming soon: the 9th Fine Arts International Film Festival (FICFA)
From 4 to 17 October 2018, The Festival Internacional de Cine Fine Arts (FICFA) will take place at the Fine Arts Cinema Cafe at Novocentro Center on Av. Lope de Vega in Santo Domingo. The films will also be shown from 4-10 October at Downtown Center in Santo Domingo, and at the Plaza Internacional Santiago cinemas in Santiago. 60 films will be shown, many that have been recognized in the film festivals of Toronto, London, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, San Sebastian and Cannes.

In making the announcement, Zumaya Cordero, director of the FICFA said that six films were the candidates for an international film presented by countries to the Oscars Awards.

The film festival opens with the showing of “El amor menos pensado,” an Argentine film by Juan Vera starring Ricardo Darin and Mercedes Moran. It is the same film that opened the San Sebastian Film Festival.

For the closing, “First Man” directed by Damien Chazelle and starring Ryan Gosling was chosen. It was the film chosen for the opening of the Toronto International Film Festival. It is based on the life of astronaut Neil A. Armstrong.

See the films:
http://festivaldecinefinearts.com/secciones.php
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...al-internacional-de-cine-fine-arts-DI10814878


Mamma Mia at Escenario 360
The famous Broadway musical, “Mamma Mia” is coming to Escenario 360 at the Galerías 360 shopping mall. The Dominican version of the musical stars Spanish actress Solange Freyre in the role of Donna. She is a finalist of the Spanish reality, Spain Got Talent 2017. The role of Donna is best remembered for its portrayal by Meryl Streep in the movie version. Coincidentally, a Mamma Mia 2 opened in August 2018 at cinemas in Santo Domingo.

Other roles are by stellar Dominican performers, including Mariasela Álvarez, Diomary La Mala, Karolyn Becker, Daniel Sarcos, Irving Alberti, José Guillermo Cortines, Javier Grullon, The Dominican musical is directed by Waddy Jaquez and musical direction is by Amaury Sánchez.

The shows are Thursday, 15 November to Sunday, 18 November 2018. Tickets are for sale at the Escenario 360 box office and Tickets Express. For more information, call 829 953-0360.


Bartolo Colon will pitch for the Aguilas Cibaeñas in 2018-2019 championship
Bartolo Colon promises to pitch for Dominican fans in 2018-2019 championship. In the Dominican league, Colón plays for the Aguilas Cibaeñas. "I promised that I would throw a match in each stadium and I will comply," said Colon who is a native of Altamira, Puerto Plata. Colón is the Latin American pitcher with the most victories in Major League Baseball.

Described as a bionic man for his extended career, 45-year old pitcher Bartolo Colon confirmed he will play in the season that starts 13 October 2018. He made the announcement when participating in a tribute in Texas. The Dominican government there was represented by Sports Minister Danilo Diaz. Díaz was accompanied by Winston (Chilote) Llenas who is vice president of the Dominican Baseball League and who signed Bartolo Colón when he would go to play for the Cleveland Indians.

This 2018, playing for the Texas Rangers, Colón set a new record for a Dominican pitcher in MLB (Hall of Famer Juan Marichal at 243) and then went on to break the 245 all time record by a Latin American, that of Dennis Martinez of Nicaragua. As of 19 September 2018, Colón had 247 victories.

http://elnacional.com.do/bartolo-colon-lanzara-seis-juegos-en-rd/
https://www.spin.ph/baseball/bartol...s-rangers-arizona-diamondbacks-a1822-20180814


Haydee Milanes at Hard Rock Live
The daughter of legendary Cuban singer Pablo Milanés, Haydée Milanés is performing on Thursday, 20 September 2018, at 9pm at the Hard Rock Live stage in Blue Mall. This is a first time concert for the singer-composer in Santo Domingo. Together with her that evening is Pavel Núñez who she met on one of his tours to sing in Cuba. Also performing is Johnny Chocolate, a well-known Dominican percussionist who also plays with Juan Luis Guerra.

Milanés has won the Cuba Discos award, the most important in Cuba. As reported, the show will include her own songs, many by her father.

Tickets for sale online at Uepa Tickets and the Hard Rock Live box office.

https://www.uepatickets.com/Tickets.aspx?id=8887
 
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