CUNY and SUNY sign collaboration agreements
National Council of the Magistracy to announce new Constitutional Court judges on 10 December
CDEEE begins purging boilers at Punta Catalina
Archbishop of Santiago calls expanded drinking hours “a license to kill”
Tramway over the Ozama suffers a breakdown, no injuries
Former President Leonel Fernandez urges government to uphold Constitution
Marcha Verde accuses former Industry & Commerce Minister Jose del Castillo Saviñon
Odebrecht case to continue in January 2019
Seven named dead in Polyplas tragic blast
Plane-jacking case involves military personnel who now face jail time
Once again, tragedy at sea; seven are missing from capsized boat
Suspect cocaine seized in Bayahibe DNCD operation
Willie Falcon said to have left the Dominican Republic
Winter League Baseball could be halted over player’s union dispute
Christmas at the shopping malls
La Escuelota at the National Theater
Christmas story acted at the Banco Popular parking
Nutcracker Suite at Palacio de Bellas Artes
CUNY and SUNY sign collaboration agreements
The New York Public University Systems, the leading urban public university in the United States, announced the signing on Friday, 7 December 2018, of multilateral academic collaborations with the Ministry of Education (MINERD) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MESCYT) of the Dominican Republic. Leaders from the City University of New York (CUNY) and the State University of New York (SUNY) met on 7 December 2018, for the signing of the agreement with Dominican Republic Education Minister Andres Navarro and Higher Education Minister Alejandrina German. Also attending were New York Representative, Dominican-born Adriano Espaillat and Dominican Republic consul general Carlos Castillo. The agreement calls for a series of academic collaborations.
Speaking at the event, New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado called the agreement“a great opportunity for New York’s CUNY and SUNY students to learn, develop and strengthen ties with the Dominican Republic.”
The CUNY Board of Trustees Chairperson William C. Thompson Jr. concurred: "Just as Dominicans constitute the largest immigrant group in the five boroughs, they represent the largest ethnic group in the university, with more than 22,500 undergraduates and 1,200 graduate students who comprise 8.7 percent of CUNY’s total enrollment. In an important sense, then, we are all one people – and it will behoove us all to make the most of this great opportunity."
As reported, the initiative was spearheaded by Representative Espaillat and will enable colleges and universities to develop teacher trainings, academic exchange programs and collaborative research in the areas of energy and the environment, management and mitigation of disasters, and information and communication technologies, among others. CUNY and SUNY have an enrollment of an estimated 40,000 students of Dominican descent. At the signing, Espaillat said: "It remains critical that we work together to ensure a solid foundation for innovation, progress, and achievement to better prepare our students and teachers for a global competitive society today and in the future.”
Signing for the New York public university system at the ceremony held at the SUNY Global Center were: CUNY Board of Trustees Chairperson William C. Thompson Jr. and Interim Chancellor Vita C. Rabinowitz; SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman H. Carl McCall, and Sally Crimmins Villela, SUNY Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs. They were joined by Espaillat, Castillo, Higher Education Minister Alejandrina Germán and Vice Minister Victor Sánchez of the Dominican Ministry of Education.
It was explained that each New York university system will enter into an independent agreement with each Dominican ministry, with the agreement providing a framework for future arrangements between the individual universities and colleges in each system. In practice, each institution will explore ways in which they might develop academic cooperation through future projects, programs and activities. These could include the development of refined trainings for primary and secondary school teachers; exchange initiatives that provide academic and professional experiences; and sharing of academic and scientific information of mutual interest, and participation in international networks and events.
https://www.suny.edu/suny-news/pres...c-collaborations-with-dominican-republic.html
https://noticiassin.com/rd-firma-acuerdo-de-capacitacion-con-universidades-de-ny/
National Council of the Magistracy to announce new Constitutional Court judges on 10 December
After deliberations and interviews to aspiring lawyers to replace four vacancies at the Constitutional Court, the National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) says it will make the announcement of the new judges on Monday, 10 December 2018 in the late afternoon. The members of the CNM interviewed 46 candidates.
CDEEE begins purging boilers at Punta Catalina
The Dominican Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE) has begun the pre-purging the boilers at Punta Catalina Thermoelectric Power Plant in southern Peravia province. This is a necessary step to insure maximum efficiency of the boilers before they are connected to the generating turbines. The coal-fired facility will purge the boiler tubes every four or five hours under pressure, and the process will take some three weeks, it is reported. At the end of this period, the first “generation tests” will take place.
According to the Twitter account of the CDEEE, the Punta Catalina generating station is supposed to go online with 200 MW of coal-fired power towards the end of January or the beginning of February 2019. Ruben Jimenez Bichara, the executive vice-president of the CDEEE, said late last month that he expects that Punta Catalina will be producing those 200 MW by late January.
The facility is being built by Odebrecht-Tecnimont-Estrella consortium at the highly discussed cost of more than US$1.9 billion, and is supposed to contribute 752 MW to the national grid. This is more than any single facility in the country at the present time.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...os-de-la-caldera-de-punta-catalina-JM11594841
Archbishop of Santiago calls expanded drinking hours “a license to kill”
The Archbishop of Santiago de los Caballeros, Freddy Antonio de Jesus Breton, published an editorial in the nationally distributed Catholic weekly “Camino” that he titled “A License to Kill?”. The editorial starkly and fiercely criticizes the yearly decision taken by the Dominican government to remove the limits to drinking hours in the nation’s bars, hotels and restaurants over the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Breton called for the government to revert the decision, and heed recommendations made by the Dominican Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology. The medics have alerted that 24,000 to 28,000 persons are injured each year as the result of traffic accidents and some 3,500 persons die from these accidents, all as the result of alcohol consumption.
The Archbishop says that “towards the end of the year we find many irresponsible persons who think and act as if they had a license to kill.”
In addition to the removal of the restrictions on drinking hours, the prelate also stressed the urgent need to improve obedience of traffic laws along with improved education of highway safety.
https://elnacional.com.do/deploran-liberen-horario-bebidas/
Tramway over the Ozama suffers a breakdown, no injuries
The tramway that connects the National District on the west with Sabana Perdida on the east side of the Ozama River, suffered what appeared to be a mechanical or an electrical failure, leaving dozens of passengers literally “hanging in the air.” Officials of the Office for the Reorganization of Transportation (Opret) that operates the skylift said the passengers were removed according to their protocol for these events, which, according to sources can occur for a variety of technical issues. The details of the exact nature of the breakdown were not shared.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...cnica-evacuan-pasajeros-de-cabinas-JM11594683
Former President Leonel Fernandez urges government to uphold Constitution
The 2010 Constitution was amended in 2015 to allow for then President Danilo Medina to run for a first re-election. Now his followers want Congress to amend the constitution again so he can stay in power. President Danilo Medina has said he will announce his decision regarding seeking a reelection in March 2019. The ruling PLD has majority in both houses of Congress.
During a major political event held in Santiago, the country’s second largest city, former President Leonel Fernandez urged that the government contribute to the strengthening of democracy by respecting the Constitution. Polls show Fernandez as the most popular ruling PLD party candidate into the 2020 general election.
Campaigning for the PLD nomination, Fernandez said a new government of his would start the construction of the freight and passenger train to connect Caucedo Port near the Las Americas International Airport with Bonao, La Vega, Santiago and Puerto Plata. He also announced he would expand the state university in Santiago. He promised to rescue Yaque del Norte river, build Merca-Santo Domingo wholesale market, expand and modernize Manzanillo Port, works at the Jose Maria Cabral y Baez public hospital and complete the expansion of the Navarrete-Puerto Plata highway.
In Santiago, Fernandez has received backing of Mayor Abel Martínez, who served as president of the Chamber of Deputies for many years under Fernandez administrations. Merengue legend Johnny Ventura participated in the political event opening.
Fernandez says he has the backing of 1,586,000 followers and says that by March 2019, over two million persons will have signed as supporters.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/12...pide-que-el-gobierno-respete-la-constitucion/
Marcha Verde accuses former Industry & Commerce Minister Jose del Castillo Saviñon
The anti-impunity group Green March submitted to the Administrative Corruption Specialized Prosecution Agency (PEPCA) of the government formal accusation against former Industry & Commerce Minister Jose del Castillo Saviñon for alleged favoring of three propane gas distributors in detriment to local consumers. Manuel Robles, speaking for Marcha Verde, demanded the evidence of collusion with the businesses presented be investigated.
Marcha Verde recent activity was the signing on Sunday, 9 December at the Parque Independencia of a Citizen Commitment for the End of Impunity, on occasion of the International Day for Combatting Corruption.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-fin-de-la-impunidad-y-otras-reivindicaciones
Odebrecht case to continue in January 2019
Hearings in the US$92 million bribes case involving the Brazilian construction company contracts in the Dominican Republic will continue in January 2019. Judge Francisco Ortega, set the case to reopen on 23 January 2019, with the readings of the charges. The Attorney General has presented formal charges against: former presidents of the Senate Andres Bautista and Jesus Vasquez, former Public Works Minister Victor Díaz Rua; Odebrecht commercial representative Angel Rondon; lawyer Conrado Pittaluga; former director of Inapa, Juan Roberto Rodriguez; and senator Tommy Galan.
Seven named dead in Polyplas tragic blast
The Attorney General has revealed the names of five of seven persons who are known to have perished in the Polyplas plastics factory blast in Villas Agrícolas in northern National District on Wednesday, 5 December. The victims are: 46-year old Claudio Hernandez Jimenez; 49-year old Julio Salazar Mejia; 31 year old Ronny Vargas; 44 year old Jose Alberto Encarnación and 49-year old Manuel Esteban Rosario Ramírez, a contractor for the company. Of these, four worked in the company, and one was a contractor, as reported in Diario Libre. The National Institute of Forensic Sciences is working to identify the corpses of two women that could be Rosa Melia Núñez and Maria Altagracia Garabito, both Polyplas employees who are missing.
Kelvin Garabito, brother of 28-year old Polyplas employee María Altagracia Garabito, has not been able to locate his sister. The woman appears in a YouTube video she filmed shortly before the explosion. He fears the worst.
98% of the employees were evacuated before the blast, said corporate affairs director Alvaro Sousa. One of the dead, Encarnación, reportedly died after he re-entered the factory to rescue a woman and was caught in the blast.
In an update on the tragedy, the director of the National Health Service (SNS) Chanel Rosa Chupany said that of 66 persons who received medical attention of hospitals, 43 have been discharged. Two of those remaining in the hospital suffered critical burns.
The rescue authorities announced on Saturday, 8 December 2018, that they would continue efforts to search the blast site until everyone had been located. The recovery teams are now using heavy machinery to lift the rubble as dozens of person watch and carry out vigils under the watchful eye of military and police personnel stationed in a cordon around the area. According to plant officials, there were some 288 person employed at the facility.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works announced it is assisting with the repair of at least 63 homes in nearby neighborhoods that were affected by the explosion. The Ministry of Education said they are working so that the two public schools in the area can resume classes on Wednesday, 12 December. The Ministry of Public Health contracted the Instituto de la Familia (Idefa) and Centro para el Desarrollo y la Interaccion Constructiva (Cedic) to offer psychological counseling to the community.
In a paid advertisement published in national media on Monday, 10 December 2018, Polyplas explains that the natural gas escape that caused the explosion occurred when a tanker-truck from their supplier Propagas suffered a leakage at around 11:23am. Safety protocols were enacted at 11:27 am. The company is awaiting the report by experts on the accident.
The explosion comes 15 years after a propane gas explosion at a propane facility at Calle Pedro Livio Cedeño corner Moca in Villas Agricolas resulted in burns affecting 20 persons. The Villas Agricolas is an old time industrial area that today is mixed use.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...escate-mientras-haya-desaparecidos-HM11595075
https://elcaribe.com.do/2018/12/08/...combros-de-polyplas-suman-siete-las-victimas/
http://hoy.com.do/confirman-el-sept...ca-de-plasticos-polyplas-en-villas-agricolas/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-zona-del-desastre-hasta-confirmar-su-destino
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...viviendas-afectadas-por-explosion-en-polyplas
https://www.metrord.do/do/destacado...das-afectados-explosion-villas-agricolas.html
http://hoy.com.do/navarro-asegura-q...or-explosion-iniciaran-docencia-el-miercoles/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/sucesos/polyplas-fuga-de-gas-fue-en-el-camion-IG11601854
http://eldia.com.do/afectados-por-explosion-polyplas-reciben-asistencia-de-autoridades/
Plane-jacking case involves military personnel who now face jail time
A recent attempt on 29 November 2018 to steal a Piper PA-23 twin engine plane from the Arroyo Barril Airport in Samana has now entangled four members of the armed forces. Those military officials include a full colonel of the Armada, equal to the OF 5 rank of NATO, a sergeant, a private and a 1st level inspector for the CESAC, the Specialized Corps for Airport Security. The judicial authorities are asking for a one-year preventive custody for the accused.
According to the reports, these four are tied to the scheme for hijacking the aircraft along with Antonio Rodriguez Vasquez, Carlos Daniel Carpio (an inspector for Aerodom, the airport operator) and the mechanic Esmeraldo Calcaño. Also involved in this case are the Colombian pilots Ramon Castillo Manriquez and Orlando Morales Gaitan. The former is now a fugitive from justice but Gaitan is in custody.
According to the case file, these military and civilian persons prepared the conditions necessary for the pilots to take the aircraft. They closed the airport, turned off the runway lights and even allowed the two Colombians to take out the seats of the airplane in order to facilitate the takeoff.
https://elnacional.com.do/piden-prision-a-grupo-intento-robar-avion/
Once again, tragedy at sea; seven are missing from capsized boat
The US Coast Guard reported that rescue crews were able to assist 21 persons, but seven more on board the illegal boat trip are missing. As reported, US Coast Guard rescue crews recovered the survivors from a capsized migrant boat in waters about six nautical miles just off Isla Saona, in eastern Dominican Republic. The commercial tanker Sea Board Ranger had alerted Dominican authorities that rallied the US Coast Guard for support on Thursday, 6 December 2018. The boat had been carrying 28 migrants.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/220dc11
http://eldia.com.do/siete-desaparecidos-tras-volcarse-barca-con-migrantes-en-la-isla-saona/
Suspect cocaine seized in Bayahibe DNCD operation
Officers of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) seized 659 packages of what is suspect to be cocaine off the coasts of Bayahibe, La Altagracia provinces, and another 23 during a raid on a residence at Calle N near Calle Primera in Bayahibe. Some US$42,880 was also seized at the site. The 659 packages were seized after the yacht was intercepted at sea. As reported five Dominicans and a Colombian are under arrest in this case. It is believed that the drugs were to be shipped to Puerto Rico. Likewise, at a ranch in La Lima, La Altagracia, an arsenal of firearms, drugs and a packaging workshop were dismantled, together with two vessels. A press release from the DNCD says the shipment was arranged by an international drug trafficking ring. The suspected packages of drugs were sent to the National Institute of Foreign Sciences for verification.
http://dncd.gob.do/index.php/notici...rmas-en-operativos-en-provincia-la-altagracia
Willie Falcon said to have left the Dominican Republic
The Attorney General Office, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Interior and Police and the National Police in a joint statement announced that “cocaine cowboy” Augusto (Willie) Falcon has left the Dominican Republic. Dominicans learned in mid-November that he was here after the revelation that he had entered with a deported Dominicans on 6 November 2018 following an agreement reached by US authorities with the National Investigations Agency (DNI).
When following the publication of a Miami Herald story it became known to the general public that Falcon was residing in the country, the Dominican authorities said he had been admitted only temporarily. The Dominican authorities say that for security reasons they are not revealing where he was sent.
http://hoy.com.do/autoridades-infor...o-falcon-ya-salio-de-la-republica-dominicana/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...oridades-informan-la-salida-de-augusto-falcon
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/am/el-adorable-senor-falcon-HG11601600
Winter League Baseball could be halted over player’s union dispute
Will the hotly contested Dominican Winter Professional Baseball Championship be affected by a baseball federation conflict? The players have told the president of the Dominican Winter Baseball League (Lidom), Vitelio Mejía that they could stop playing if by the 13th of December they have not received the financial statements of the Dominican Players Federation and the resignation of Mario Melvin Soto, president of the federation.
The 13th is just four days before the end of the 2018-2019 regular season in what is the most tightly contested season in recent years, with no clear advantage in the standings of any of the four teams that will make it to the round robin.
The Dominican National Professional Baseball Player’s Federation (Fenapepro) has been run by former Major League pitcher Mario Melvin Soto since 1991, and now several members are calling for his resignation, the presentation of the Federation statutes and an financial audit. The ballplayers are represented by lawyer Julio Oscar de la Rosa, who says that the players want elections now. De la Rosa represents the players of the six teams that participate in the championship.
Lawyer de la Rosa told reporters that if Soto refuses to cede and resign, or if there are no negotiations opened between the parties, the players would walk out and halt the tournament.
As of Sunday, 9 December 2018, the championship standings have three of the six teams tied in the first place and the three other teams died for the second place:
Tigres del Licey (24-20)
Leones del Escogido (24-20)
Estrellas Orientales (24-20)
Gigantes del Cibao (20-24)
Aguilas Cibaeñas (20-24)
Toros del Este (20-24)
https://www.diariolibre.com/deporte...i-mario-soto-sigue-en-la-fenapepro-HM11595525
https://listindiario.com/el-deporte/2018/12/08/544932/posibilidad-de-un-paro-del-torneo-de-beisbol
http://estadisticas.lidom.com/Estadisticas/Inicio
See the upcoming games calendar at:
http://www.lidom.com/home/calendario/
Christmas at the shopping malls
Acropolis and Blue Mall (Av. Winston Churchill), Agora Mall, Galeria 360, Sambil (on Av. John F. Kennedy) and Megacentro (in eastern Santo Domingo) have prepared major celebrations, decorations and performances to fill their customers with the Christmas spirit.
La Escuelota at the National Theater
Described as the biggest hit comedy of all times in the Dominican Republic.
Leading comedians come together for “La Escuelota”. 27 and 28 December 2018 at 8:30pm the National Theater. Tickets for sale at the National Theater box office.
Christmas story acted at the Banco Popular parking
As is the tradition in Santo Domingo, the employees of the Banco Popular come together again for the presentation of the Christmas nativity story. The event is scheduled on Sundays at 6:30pm, on Sundays, 9, 16, 23 December 2018 and on Christmas Day, Tuesday, 25 December also at 6:30pm. Free admission.
Nutcracker Suite at Palacio de Bellas Artes
The traditional Christmas ballet, the Nutcracker Suite with music by Tschaikovsky will be performed at the Palacio de Bellas Artes by the students of the Ballet Studio of Doris Infante. The presentations are on Saturday, 15 December 2018 at 7pm and 16 December 2018 at 6pm.
National Council of the Magistracy to announce new Constitutional Court judges on 10 December
CDEEE begins purging boilers at Punta Catalina
Archbishop of Santiago calls expanded drinking hours “a license to kill”
Tramway over the Ozama suffers a breakdown, no injuries
Former President Leonel Fernandez urges government to uphold Constitution
Marcha Verde accuses former Industry & Commerce Minister Jose del Castillo Saviñon
Odebrecht case to continue in January 2019
Seven named dead in Polyplas tragic blast
Plane-jacking case involves military personnel who now face jail time
Once again, tragedy at sea; seven are missing from capsized boat
Suspect cocaine seized in Bayahibe DNCD operation
Willie Falcon said to have left the Dominican Republic
Winter League Baseball could be halted over player’s union dispute
Christmas at the shopping malls
La Escuelota at the National Theater
Christmas story acted at the Banco Popular parking
Nutcracker Suite at Palacio de Bellas Artes
CUNY and SUNY sign collaboration agreements
The New York Public University Systems, the leading urban public university in the United States, announced the signing on Friday, 7 December 2018, of multilateral academic collaborations with the Ministry of Education (MINERD) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MESCYT) of the Dominican Republic. Leaders from the City University of New York (CUNY) and the State University of New York (SUNY) met on 7 December 2018, for the signing of the agreement with Dominican Republic Education Minister Andres Navarro and Higher Education Minister Alejandrina German. Also attending were New York Representative, Dominican-born Adriano Espaillat and Dominican Republic consul general Carlos Castillo. The agreement calls for a series of academic collaborations.
Speaking at the event, New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado called the agreement“a great opportunity for New York’s CUNY and SUNY students to learn, develop and strengthen ties with the Dominican Republic.”
The CUNY Board of Trustees Chairperson William C. Thompson Jr. concurred: "Just as Dominicans constitute the largest immigrant group in the five boroughs, they represent the largest ethnic group in the university, with more than 22,500 undergraduates and 1,200 graduate students who comprise 8.7 percent of CUNY’s total enrollment. In an important sense, then, we are all one people – and it will behoove us all to make the most of this great opportunity."
As reported, the initiative was spearheaded by Representative Espaillat and will enable colleges and universities to develop teacher trainings, academic exchange programs and collaborative research in the areas of energy and the environment, management and mitigation of disasters, and information and communication technologies, among others. CUNY and SUNY have an enrollment of an estimated 40,000 students of Dominican descent. At the signing, Espaillat said: "It remains critical that we work together to ensure a solid foundation for innovation, progress, and achievement to better prepare our students and teachers for a global competitive society today and in the future.”
Signing for the New York public university system at the ceremony held at the SUNY Global Center were: CUNY Board of Trustees Chairperson William C. Thompson Jr. and Interim Chancellor Vita C. Rabinowitz; SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman H. Carl McCall, and Sally Crimmins Villela, SUNY Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs. They were joined by Espaillat, Castillo, Higher Education Minister Alejandrina Germán and Vice Minister Victor Sánchez of the Dominican Ministry of Education.
It was explained that each New York university system will enter into an independent agreement with each Dominican ministry, with the agreement providing a framework for future arrangements between the individual universities and colleges in each system. In practice, each institution will explore ways in which they might develop academic cooperation through future projects, programs and activities. These could include the development of refined trainings for primary and secondary school teachers; exchange initiatives that provide academic and professional experiences; and sharing of academic and scientific information of mutual interest, and participation in international networks and events.
https://www.suny.edu/suny-news/pres...c-collaborations-with-dominican-republic.html
https://noticiassin.com/rd-firma-acuerdo-de-capacitacion-con-universidades-de-ny/
National Council of the Magistracy to announce new Constitutional Court judges on 10 December
After deliberations and interviews to aspiring lawyers to replace four vacancies at the Constitutional Court, the National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) says it will make the announcement of the new judges on Monday, 10 December 2018 in the late afternoon. The members of the CNM interviewed 46 candidates.
CDEEE begins purging boilers at Punta Catalina
The Dominican Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE) has begun the pre-purging the boilers at Punta Catalina Thermoelectric Power Plant in southern Peravia province. This is a necessary step to insure maximum efficiency of the boilers before they are connected to the generating turbines. The coal-fired facility will purge the boiler tubes every four or five hours under pressure, and the process will take some three weeks, it is reported. At the end of this period, the first “generation tests” will take place.
According to the Twitter account of the CDEEE, the Punta Catalina generating station is supposed to go online with 200 MW of coal-fired power towards the end of January or the beginning of February 2019. Ruben Jimenez Bichara, the executive vice-president of the CDEEE, said late last month that he expects that Punta Catalina will be producing those 200 MW by late January.
The facility is being built by Odebrecht-Tecnimont-Estrella consortium at the highly discussed cost of more than US$1.9 billion, and is supposed to contribute 752 MW to the national grid. This is more than any single facility in the country at the present time.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...os-de-la-caldera-de-punta-catalina-JM11594841
Archbishop of Santiago calls expanded drinking hours “a license to kill”
The Archbishop of Santiago de los Caballeros, Freddy Antonio de Jesus Breton, published an editorial in the nationally distributed Catholic weekly “Camino” that he titled “A License to Kill?”. The editorial starkly and fiercely criticizes the yearly decision taken by the Dominican government to remove the limits to drinking hours in the nation’s bars, hotels and restaurants over the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Breton called for the government to revert the decision, and heed recommendations made by the Dominican Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology. The medics have alerted that 24,000 to 28,000 persons are injured each year as the result of traffic accidents and some 3,500 persons die from these accidents, all as the result of alcohol consumption.
The Archbishop says that “towards the end of the year we find many irresponsible persons who think and act as if they had a license to kill.”
In addition to the removal of the restrictions on drinking hours, the prelate also stressed the urgent need to improve obedience of traffic laws along with improved education of highway safety.
https://elnacional.com.do/deploran-liberen-horario-bebidas/
Tramway over the Ozama suffers a breakdown, no injuries
The tramway that connects the National District on the west with Sabana Perdida on the east side of the Ozama River, suffered what appeared to be a mechanical or an electrical failure, leaving dozens of passengers literally “hanging in the air.” Officials of the Office for the Reorganization of Transportation (Opret) that operates the skylift said the passengers were removed according to their protocol for these events, which, according to sources can occur for a variety of technical issues. The details of the exact nature of the breakdown were not shared.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...cnica-evacuan-pasajeros-de-cabinas-JM11594683
Former President Leonel Fernandez urges government to uphold Constitution
The 2010 Constitution was amended in 2015 to allow for then President Danilo Medina to run for a first re-election. Now his followers want Congress to amend the constitution again so he can stay in power. President Danilo Medina has said he will announce his decision regarding seeking a reelection in March 2019. The ruling PLD has majority in both houses of Congress.
During a major political event held in Santiago, the country’s second largest city, former President Leonel Fernandez urged that the government contribute to the strengthening of democracy by respecting the Constitution. Polls show Fernandez as the most popular ruling PLD party candidate into the 2020 general election.
Campaigning for the PLD nomination, Fernandez said a new government of his would start the construction of the freight and passenger train to connect Caucedo Port near the Las Americas International Airport with Bonao, La Vega, Santiago and Puerto Plata. He also announced he would expand the state university in Santiago. He promised to rescue Yaque del Norte river, build Merca-Santo Domingo wholesale market, expand and modernize Manzanillo Port, works at the Jose Maria Cabral y Baez public hospital and complete the expansion of the Navarrete-Puerto Plata highway.
In Santiago, Fernandez has received backing of Mayor Abel Martínez, who served as president of the Chamber of Deputies for many years under Fernandez administrations. Merengue legend Johnny Ventura participated in the political event opening.
Fernandez says he has the backing of 1,586,000 followers and says that by March 2019, over two million persons will have signed as supporters.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/12...pide-que-el-gobierno-respete-la-constitucion/
Marcha Verde accuses former Industry & Commerce Minister Jose del Castillo Saviñon
The anti-impunity group Green March submitted to the Administrative Corruption Specialized Prosecution Agency (PEPCA) of the government formal accusation against former Industry & Commerce Minister Jose del Castillo Saviñon for alleged favoring of three propane gas distributors in detriment to local consumers. Manuel Robles, speaking for Marcha Verde, demanded the evidence of collusion with the businesses presented be investigated.
Marcha Verde recent activity was the signing on Sunday, 9 December at the Parque Independencia of a Citizen Commitment for the End of Impunity, on occasion of the International Day for Combatting Corruption.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-fin-de-la-impunidad-y-otras-reivindicaciones
Odebrecht case to continue in January 2019
Hearings in the US$92 million bribes case involving the Brazilian construction company contracts in the Dominican Republic will continue in January 2019. Judge Francisco Ortega, set the case to reopen on 23 January 2019, with the readings of the charges. The Attorney General has presented formal charges against: former presidents of the Senate Andres Bautista and Jesus Vasquez, former Public Works Minister Victor Díaz Rua; Odebrecht commercial representative Angel Rondon; lawyer Conrado Pittaluga; former director of Inapa, Juan Roberto Rodriguez; and senator Tommy Galan.
Seven named dead in Polyplas tragic blast
The Attorney General has revealed the names of five of seven persons who are known to have perished in the Polyplas plastics factory blast in Villas Agrícolas in northern National District on Wednesday, 5 December. The victims are: 46-year old Claudio Hernandez Jimenez; 49-year old Julio Salazar Mejia; 31 year old Ronny Vargas; 44 year old Jose Alberto Encarnación and 49-year old Manuel Esteban Rosario Ramírez, a contractor for the company. Of these, four worked in the company, and one was a contractor, as reported in Diario Libre. The National Institute of Forensic Sciences is working to identify the corpses of two women that could be Rosa Melia Núñez and Maria Altagracia Garabito, both Polyplas employees who are missing.
Kelvin Garabito, brother of 28-year old Polyplas employee María Altagracia Garabito, has not been able to locate his sister. The woman appears in a YouTube video she filmed shortly before the explosion. He fears the worst.
98% of the employees were evacuated before the blast, said corporate affairs director Alvaro Sousa. One of the dead, Encarnación, reportedly died after he re-entered the factory to rescue a woman and was caught in the blast.
In an update on the tragedy, the director of the National Health Service (SNS) Chanel Rosa Chupany said that of 66 persons who received medical attention of hospitals, 43 have been discharged. Two of those remaining in the hospital suffered critical burns.
The rescue authorities announced on Saturday, 8 December 2018, that they would continue efforts to search the blast site until everyone had been located. The recovery teams are now using heavy machinery to lift the rubble as dozens of person watch and carry out vigils under the watchful eye of military and police personnel stationed in a cordon around the area. According to plant officials, there were some 288 person employed at the facility.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works announced it is assisting with the repair of at least 63 homes in nearby neighborhoods that were affected by the explosion. The Ministry of Education said they are working so that the two public schools in the area can resume classes on Wednesday, 12 December. The Ministry of Public Health contracted the Instituto de la Familia (Idefa) and Centro para el Desarrollo y la Interaccion Constructiva (Cedic) to offer psychological counseling to the community.
In a paid advertisement published in national media on Monday, 10 December 2018, Polyplas explains that the natural gas escape that caused the explosion occurred when a tanker-truck from their supplier Propagas suffered a leakage at around 11:23am. Safety protocols were enacted at 11:27 am. The company is awaiting the report by experts on the accident.
The explosion comes 15 years after a propane gas explosion at a propane facility at Calle Pedro Livio Cedeño corner Moca in Villas Agricolas resulted in burns affecting 20 persons. The Villas Agricolas is an old time industrial area that today is mixed use.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...escate-mientras-haya-desaparecidos-HM11595075
https://elcaribe.com.do/2018/12/08/...combros-de-polyplas-suman-siete-las-victimas/
http://hoy.com.do/confirman-el-sept...ca-de-plasticos-polyplas-en-villas-agricolas/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-zona-del-desastre-hasta-confirmar-su-destino
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...viviendas-afectadas-por-explosion-en-polyplas
https://www.metrord.do/do/destacado...das-afectados-explosion-villas-agricolas.html
http://hoy.com.do/navarro-asegura-q...or-explosion-iniciaran-docencia-el-miercoles/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/sucesos/polyplas-fuga-de-gas-fue-en-el-camion-IG11601854
http://eldia.com.do/afectados-por-explosion-polyplas-reciben-asistencia-de-autoridades/
Plane-jacking case involves military personnel who now face jail time
A recent attempt on 29 November 2018 to steal a Piper PA-23 twin engine plane from the Arroyo Barril Airport in Samana has now entangled four members of the armed forces. Those military officials include a full colonel of the Armada, equal to the OF 5 rank of NATO, a sergeant, a private and a 1st level inspector for the CESAC, the Specialized Corps for Airport Security. The judicial authorities are asking for a one-year preventive custody for the accused.
According to the reports, these four are tied to the scheme for hijacking the aircraft along with Antonio Rodriguez Vasquez, Carlos Daniel Carpio (an inspector for Aerodom, the airport operator) and the mechanic Esmeraldo Calcaño. Also involved in this case are the Colombian pilots Ramon Castillo Manriquez and Orlando Morales Gaitan. The former is now a fugitive from justice but Gaitan is in custody.
According to the case file, these military and civilian persons prepared the conditions necessary for the pilots to take the aircraft. They closed the airport, turned off the runway lights and even allowed the two Colombians to take out the seats of the airplane in order to facilitate the takeoff.
https://elnacional.com.do/piden-prision-a-grupo-intento-robar-avion/
Once again, tragedy at sea; seven are missing from capsized boat
The US Coast Guard reported that rescue crews were able to assist 21 persons, but seven more on board the illegal boat trip are missing. As reported, US Coast Guard rescue crews recovered the survivors from a capsized migrant boat in waters about six nautical miles just off Isla Saona, in eastern Dominican Republic. The commercial tanker Sea Board Ranger had alerted Dominican authorities that rallied the US Coast Guard for support on Thursday, 6 December 2018. The boat had been carrying 28 migrants.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/220dc11
http://eldia.com.do/siete-desaparecidos-tras-volcarse-barca-con-migrantes-en-la-isla-saona/
Suspect cocaine seized in Bayahibe DNCD operation
Officers of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) seized 659 packages of what is suspect to be cocaine off the coasts of Bayahibe, La Altagracia provinces, and another 23 during a raid on a residence at Calle N near Calle Primera in Bayahibe. Some US$42,880 was also seized at the site. The 659 packages were seized after the yacht was intercepted at sea. As reported five Dominicans and a Colombian are under arrest in this case. It is believed that the drugs were to be shipped to Puerto Rico. Likewise, at a ranch in La Lima, La Altagracia, an arsenal of firearms, drugs and a packaging workshop were dismantled, together with two vessels. A press release from the DNCD says the shipment was arranged by an international drug trafficking ring. The suspected packages of drugs were sent to the National Institute of Foreign Sciences for verification.
http://dncd.gob.do/index.php/notici...rmas-en-operativos-en-provincia-la-altagracia
Willie Falcon said to have left the Dominican Republic
The Attorney General Office, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Interior and Police and the National Police in a joint statement announced that “cocaine cowboy” Augusto (Willie) Falcon has left the Dominican Republic. Dominicans learned in mid-November that he was here after the revelation that he had entered with a deported Dominicans on 6 November 2018 following an agreement reached by US authorities with the National Investigations Agency (DNI).
When following the publication of a Miami Herald story it became known to the general public that Falcon was residing in the country, the Dominican authorities said he had been admitted only temporarily. The Dominican authorities say that for security reasons they are not revealing where he was sent.
http://hoy.com.do/autoridades-infor...o-falcon-ya-salio-de-la-republica-dominicana/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...oridades-informan-la-salida-de-augusto-falcon
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/am/el-adorable-senor-falcon-HG11601600
Winter League Baseball could be halted over player’s union dispute
Will the hotly contested Dominican Winter Professional Baseball Championship be affected by a baseball federation conflict? The players have told the president of the Dominican Winter Baseball League (Lidom), Vitelio Mejía that they could stop playing if by the 13th of December they have not received the financial statements of the Dominican Players Federation and the resignation of Mario Melvin Soto, president of the federation.
The 13th is just four days before the end of the 2018-2019 regular season in what is the most tightly contested season in recent years, with no clear advantage in the standings of any of the four teams that will make it to the round robin.
The Dominican National Professional Baseball Player’s Federation (Fenapepro) has been run by former Major League pitcher Mario Melvin Soto since 1991, and now several members are calling for his resignation, the presentation of the Federation statutes and an financial audit. The ballplayers are represented by lawyer Julio Oscar de la Rosa, who says that the players want elections now. De la Rosa represents the players of the six teams that participate in the championship.
Lawyer de la Rosa told reporters that if Soto refuses to cede and resign, or if there are no negotiations opened between the parties, the players would walk out and halt the tournament.
As of Sunday, 9 December 2018, the championship standings have three of the six teams tied in the first place and the three other teams died for the second place:
Tigres del Licey (24-20)
Leones del Escogido (24-20)
Estrellas Orientales (24-20)
Gigantes del Cibao (20-24)
Aguilas Cibaeñas (20-24)
Toros del Este (20-24)
https://www.diariolibre.com/deporte...i-mario-soto-sigue-en-la-fenapepro-HM11595525
https://listindiario.com/el-deporte/2018/12/08/544932/posibilidad-de-un-paro-del-torneo-de-beisbol
http://estadisticas.lidom.com/Estadisticas/Inicio
See the upcoming games calendar at:
http://www.lidom.com/home/calendario/
Christmas at the shopping malls
Acropolis and Blue Mall (Av. Winston Churchill), Agora Mall, Galeria 360, Sambil (on Av. John F. Kennedy) and Megacentro (in eastern Santo Domingo) have prepared major celebrations, decorations and performances to fill their customers with the Christmas spirit.
La Escuelota at the National Theater
Described as the biggest hit comedy of all times in the Dominican Republic.
Leading comedians come together for “La Escuelota”. 27 and 28 December 2018 at 8:30pm the National Theater. Tickets for sale at the National Theater box office.
Christmas story acted at the Banco Popular parking
As is the tradition in Santo Domingo, the employees of the Banco Popular come together again for the presentation of the Christmas nativity story. The event is scheduled on Sundays at 6:30pm, on Sundays, 9, 16, 23 December 2018 and on Christmas Day, Tuesday, 25 December also at 6:30pm. Free admission.
Nutcracker Suite at Palacio de Bellas Artes
The traditional Christmas ballet, the Nutcracker Suite with music by Tschaikovsky will be performed at the Palacio de Bellas Artes by the students of the Ballet Studio of Doris Infante. The presentations are on Saturday, 15 December 2018 at 7pm and 16 December 2018 at 6pm.