D
Dolores
Guest
Pete Dolan comes for opening Cleveland Indians academy
US$90 million IDB loan for Colonial City
Archbishop Ozoria all smiles at Presidential Palace
Gabriel Goldschmidt of IFC visits
Government expects boycott against ARS Humano to be called off
Cooperation agreement to improve prisons
GDP per capita increases
Chinese trade on the increase, Xi Jinping could visit
Venezuelan ambassador says all is normal
Ukrainian tourist dies in deadly boat accident in Bayahibe
Dominican Republic takes active part in major drug dealing haul
Hunt on for illegal journey organizer
Ten provinces under alert
Lidia León exhibition opens at Venice Biennale
Miss Universe scheduled to visit in August
Basketball player Luis Felipe López tells his story
Pete Dolan comes for opening Cleveland Indians academy
President Danilo Medina was present for the ribbon-cutting at the Cleveland Baseball Academy on Tuesday, 30 April 2019. The academy is located in San Antonio de Guerra, in Santo Domingo province, about 40 km drive from the capital city center.
Cleveland Indians owner Pete Dolan and general manager Mike Chernoff lead the team officers that came for the opening of the state-of-the-art training complex. The complex had been under construction since December 2016 and cost about US$10 million.
Most Major League Baseball teams have player development academies in the Dominican Republic, but reports are that this one beats them all. The academy includes two full-sized baseball fields. Other features include a smaller field for individual drills, the first synthetic turf agility field in any MLB training facility in the Dominican Republic, an open-air field house equipped with four expanded batting cages that can be elevated to create the largest covered multi-purpose space of any MLB complex on the island and a strength and conditioning center.
The Cleveland Indians Baseball Academy also features five classrooms, high-speed Wi-Fi, a 35-computer lab and smart projectors to give athletes a modern-day educational experience. The Indians anticipate graduating their first senior class in the winter of 2019-2020.
“We are truly honored by the opportunity to further enhance our relationships with the people and rich culture of the Dominican Republic,” said team owner Paul Dolan in a press release announcing the opening. “From Bartolo Colon and Manny Ramirez to Jose Ramirez and Carlos Santana, this proud country is responsible for some of the most iconic and memorable players in Cleveland Indians history and we look forward to providing more young athletes with the resources and tools necessary to succeed both in baseball and in life.”
The academy has the capacity to accommodate 120 players, coaches and staff. It includes dormitory housing for as many as 88 players. Coaches and trainers will promote baseball and mental skills performance, education, nutrition and strength and conditioning for players. The academy will be open year-round and staffed by 25 full-time employees.
https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-open-baseball-academy-in-dr
https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/201...can-republic-baseball-academy-on-tuesday.html
US$90 million IDB loan for Colonial City
The Ministry of Hacienda announced the signing of the US$90 million loan with the InterAmerican Development Bank for the second phase of Santo Domingo’s Colonial City urban renewal project. The loan still requires congressional approval prior to its implementation.
The Ministry of Hacienda said that the works will be implemented by the Ministry of Tourism with the technical support of the National District City Government (ADN) and the Ministry of Culture. The first phase was the exclusive responsibility of the Ministry of Tourism.
The US$90 million project contemplates US$49 million will be invested in improvements to public spaces and historic monuments, such as the San Francisco Monastery, the Columbus Alcazar, the Royal Houses Museum (Museo de Casas Reales), the Fortaleza de Santo Domingo and the Santo Domingo Cathedral museum, among others. The loan will also be used to improve parking and lighting in the Colonial City.
A first US$30 million loan has been implemented with works completed in the core area known as the Ciudad Ovandina. The works were completed in 2017. Miguel Coronado, local representative of the IDB said that the first phase resulted in an increase in visitors of around 67% from 410,000 in 2010 to 682,000 in 2017. Hotel occupancy increased from 55% in 2014 to 74% in 2016. Tourist spending is up from US$88 in 2017 to US$138 in 2019. The improvements in the area resulted in around US$100 million in business investments and an increase in cruise ship arrivals.
http://www.hacienda.gob.do/gobierno...l-proyecto-de-revitalizacion-ciudad-colonial/
Archbishop Ozoria all smiles at Presidential Palace
President Danilo Medina received Santo Domingo Archbishop Francisco Ozoria at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday, 30 April 2019. The Archbishop had gone on record recently alerting a dictatorship was in the making, concurring with those that criticize the stronghold the ruling PLD party has on the three government branches. During the meeting, the archbishop was accompanied by Monsignor Ramón Benito Angeles and Monsignor Faustino Burgos.
The Presidency said that during the meeting the representatives of the church and government discussed projects that are underway with government financing. Continued government support to the construction of the 1,800-seat Santo Cristo de los Milagros Sanctuary in Bayaguana was covered during the meeting. The religious center is expected to become an important pilgrimage site for religious tourism. The OISOE office of the Presidency is responsible for the funding and construction of the project that is estimated to cost upwards of RD$300 million, including access roads.
The sanctuary is described as one of the few Christocentric sanctuaries in Latin America. It will focus on Jesus Christ’s life, the post-Jesus era and the Catholic Church, as has explained Senator Charlie Mariotti of Monte Plata. It will have market areas for arts and crafts, food producers and bicycle paths.
Present at the meeting in the Presidential Palace were Francisco Pagán of the Office of Supervisory Engineers of State Works (Oficina de Ingenieros Supervisores de Obras del Estado - OISOE), and Francisco del Valle of the Presidential Commission of Support for Provincial Development.
President Danilo Medina has also had differences with the church for his veto to the absolute ban on abortion that legislators have approved for the amended Penal Code. The ruling PLD party is the majority in the National Congress. The ban has strong backing by the Catholic and evangelical churches.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the presidency distributed a photograph showing smiling Archbishop and monsignors.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/04/30/panorama/pais/presidente-medina-recibe-francisco-ozoria/
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...tro-de-trabajo-fraterno-con-monsenores-ozoria
Gabriel Goldschmidt of IFC visits
The director for Latin America and the Caribbean at International Finance Corporation (IFC) Gabriel Goldschmidt is visiting the Dominican Republic for talks on investment in the private sector in priority areas such as the energy matrix, sustainable tourism and small business credit. On his agenda is a meeting with President Danilo Medina.
Goldschmidt is accompanied by Luc Grillet, senior manager for IFC for Central America and the Caribbean, and Guillermo Villanueva, resident IFC representative.
Government expects boycott against ARS Humano to be called off
Minister of Labor Winston Santos and Superintendent of Health and Labor Risks (Sisalril) Pedro Castellanos announced they reached an agreement with the representatives of the Dominican Association of Health Risk Administrators (ADARS) that groups the medical plan providers to avert the boycott to the largest medical plan provider, ARS Humano. The agreement is scheduled to be signed by the parties in conflict on the same day the boycott would start, Wednesday, 1 May 2019.
The Dominican Medical Guild (CMD), the National Board of Specialized Medical Societies (Conasomep) and the National Association of Clinics and Hospitals (Andeclip) have announced a national strike against the medical insurer ARS Humano.
In a joint press conference, CMD president Wilson Roa had explained that on the list of demands is an increase in medical fees for consultations and tariffs for procedures in the health centers and free choice for the patients. He has said that they are open to dialogue with the ARS if they comply with these and other points agreed upon in 2017. Roa said they are working with the Trajano Potentini law firm to take legal actions in this direction.
Meanwhile, if the boycott is upheld, ARS Humano public relations representative, Cinthia Modesto told El Dia that patients would be referred to other specialists that are not members of the CMD. She said that users that incur in medical expenses can bill the medical plan for the difference. An estimated 1.3 million affiliates are expected to be affected by the boycott.
The Dominican Association of Health Risk Administrators (ADARS), that groups the medical plan companies (ARS) told El Dia that changes in the services catalogs are decided by the National Council of Social Security (CNSS).
ARS Humano lamented that the boycott affects their brand. The CMD has said while the boycott has become with ARS Humano, the largest medical insurance plan, it will continue with the other providers.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...a-acuerdo-en-conflicto-medicos-ars-AD12660770
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...consultas-ni-servicios-electivos-a-ars-humano
https://eldia.com.do/los-afiliados-en-jaque-por-el-conflicto-con-las-ars/
Cooperation agreement to improve prisons
The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Attorney General of the Dominican Republic (PGR) signed a cooperation agreement on 19 April 2019 intended to strengthen the PGR's capacity to promote citizen security.
Through the agreement, the Department of Public Security (DPS) of the OAS says it will support the PGR through the exchange of experiences and the design and implementation of strategies to strengthen and consolidate the progress that the Dominican Republic has made in the modernization of its penitentiary system, with the implementation of the program known as the New Penitentiary Model.
The signed agreement establishes a commitment of cooperation between the OAS and the office of the attorney general in matters of juvenile justice through the exchange of good practices, the realization of joint projects in the matter, and normative development.
http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/photonews.asp?sCodigo=FNE-96438
GDP per capita increases
According to the latest data from the Central Bank, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per head increased by 5.9% by the end of 2018 at US$7,917.5. This is the highest per capita increase recorded in the last seven years reflecting the growth of the economy. The measure of GDP per capita measures the wealth level of the people of a country, although it does not measure how the wealth is distributed among the people.
According to the Central Bank, looking at the whole region of Latin America and the Caribbean, the average GDP per capita is above that of the Dominican Republic at US$9,271.59, placing the country in 18th place out of 34 nations.
However, this wealth is not divided equally among the population, with around 1.6% of the population still existing on less than US$2 a day, according to the World Bank.
The countries in the region with the highest level of GDP per capita are Bahamas with US$30,762 and Aruba with US$25,655. At the other end of the list are Haiti with US$765 and Nicaragua with US$2,221.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...mento-5-9-al-cierre-del-ano-pasado-AA12650000
Chinese trade on the increase, Xi Jinping could visit
In the first three months of this year, Dominican exports to the People’s Republic of China have reached the same amount as during the whole of 2018. Chinese ambassador Zhang Run has said that the year-to-year increase is 35.4%, which is up on the previous year when it was 22%. The diplomat explained that Dominican exports in the first three months of 2019 were US$180 million that is equal to the total export volume for 2018.
Speaking to El Dia newspaper on occasion of the celebration of the first year of diplomatic relations between the Dominican Republic and China, the ambassador explained that bilateral trade reached US$630 million in these three months.
The important factors in the growth of Dominican exports are the increase in the sale of steel, tobacco and products manufactured for China such as medicines. He said avocados are also an important possible export since the government asked China to lift the phytosanitary barriers on the export.
Geopolitics talks. Zhang Run told El Dia that China President Xi Jinping is giving the Dominican Republic priority as a stop for his next visit to the region. The Dominican Republic is China’s leading trade partner in the Caribbean.
https://eldia.com.do/el-comercio-co...-boom-al-ano-de-establecer-relaciones-con-rd/
Venezuelan ambassador says all is normal
The Venezuelan ambassador in the Dominican Republic, Alí de Jesús Uzcategui, says that diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries will continue even though the Dominican authorities did not recognize the government of Nicolas Maduro at the Organization of American States (OAS).
He claimed everything is working harmoniously. Regarding the current situation in Venezuela, he said that despite the call of the opposition and the United States for military and civilian protests against Maduro, authorities are working to uphold constitutional order.
He went on to say that he had not asked for additional security at the embassy but that the police were watching the area as a preventive measure.
The position of the Dominican Republic at the OAS was that through dialogue with all of the parties, Venezuelans could reach national reconciliation and a new electoral process.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...zolano-dice-relaciones-con-rd-siguen-normales
Ukrainian tourist dies in deadly boat accident in Bayahibe
A Ukrainian tourist was fatally injured by a boat propeller while diving off the beach in Bayahibe in front of the Dominican Army barracks.
Oleksil Kushnir, age 28, was underwater when the boat drove on top of him, causing multiple cuts in his skull, neck and upper limbs. According to a medical examiner, Pamela Santana, he died of blood loss.
Kushnir had arrived at Punta Cana airport on 22 April 2019 with his wife. They were due to leave on 2 May and were staying at a Punta Cana resort. The authorities have arrested the captain of the boat.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...cidente-mientras-buceaba-en-playa-de-bayahibe
Dominican Republic takes active part in major drug dealing haul
According to the Colombian government, the Dominican Republic was one of 18 countries that participated during 105 days in a naval operation during which 94.2 tons of cocaine and 26.7 tons of marijuana were seized.
Commander of the Colombian Navy, Vice Admiral Evelio Ramírez said in a press conference, held together with Colombia’s President Ivan Duque, that the operation was called “Orion” and used 42 boats, 83 launches, 11 planes and eight helicopters.
During the operation, 388 people were arrested. The countries involved were Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, United States, France, Guatemala, Netherlands, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and the Dominican Republic.
President Duque said that the fight against drug dealing is multinational and he thanked the 18 countries for their support.
https://listindiario.com/las-mundia...4-2-toneladas-de-cocaina-y-26-de-marihuanaico
Hunt on for illegal journey organizer
The Dominican Armada stopped an illegal journey to Puerto Rico run by a man condemned to 15 years in jail for the death of 57 people on board a boat that sank off Samaná in December 2012. Víctor Hernández Rosario, better known as Berto, was freed from jail having served half of his sentence. However last Sunday, 28 April 2019, the Navy stopped another illegal journey to Puerto Rico organized by Berto that left from Las Coles in Samaná.
In January 2019 another illegal journey run by Berto was also frustrated. Berto is now being sought across the country, but specifically in the northeast. The Navy Commander General has asked Víctor Hernández Rosario (Berto) to give himself up.
http://hoy.com.do/frustran-viaje-en...a-hombre-condenado-por-muerte-de-57-personas/
Ten provinces under alert
The National Meteorological Office (Onamet) has issued a warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms for ten provinces. They are due to a weather front passing through the northwest, north, northeast, southeast, central mountain areas. Border provinces are also under a green alert for possible overflowing of rivers and streams and flooding. The provinces are Duarte, Samaná, La Vega, Sánchez Ramírez, Monseñor Nouel, Hermanas Mirabal (Salcedo), Espaillat (Moca), Hato Mayor, María Trinidad Sánchez and Monte Plata.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...estado-de-alerta-por-lluvias-en-10-provincias
Lidia León exhibition opens at Venice Biennale
An interactive work of art of Dominican architect Lidia León, “Te Veo, Me Veo” (See You, See Me) is part of the leading global La Biennale di Venezia exhibition that will take place in Venice, Italy from Saturday, 11 May to Sunday, 24 November 2019. The Biennale presents art, architecture, cinema, dance, music, theater and historical archives.
The presentation is a collaborative effort of the LiLeón Foundation, the Italian Embassy in the Dominican Republic and the cultural association RO.SA.M. The exhibition is curated by Italian Roberta Semeraro and Dominican Iris Peynado.
León will be presenting her work as part of the International Art Exhibition, the "great mother" of all the Biennale activities. The Venezia exhibition dates back to 1895 and is regarded as one of the most important art expositions in the world. Its prestige has been kept due to the ability of its curators to anticipate new trends in art and at the same time to present renewed perspectives in the presented works.
The artist’s works will be exhibited at the legendary Church of Santa Maria della Presentazione, better known as the Zitelle, that faces the Giudecca Canal in Venice from 9 May to 30 September 2019.
https://www.fg-comunicazione.it/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/TE-VEO-ME-VEO-PRESS-KIT-ENG.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frRDqHBdza8
Miss Universe scheduled to visit in August
Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray of the Philippines will be in Santo Domingo for the Miss Dominican Republic pageant. The pageant chooses the Dominican representative to Miss Universe. The director of the Miss Dominican Republic Universe franchise, Magali Febles said that Gray will be the first Miss Universe to visit since when Miss Universe 2010 Mexican Ximena Navarrete came in 2012. She announced the competition would be a production by Ivan Ruiz. The contest is scheduled for 18 August 2019.
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...erso-visitara-republica-dominicana-NE12618360
Basketball player Luis Felipe López tells his story
A film telling the story of Dominican basketball prodigy Luis Felipe López premiered on ESPN on Tuesday, 30 April 2019. It is the story of a “can’t miss kid who turned out to be more of a miss than a hit.” “The Dominican Dream” premiered over the weekend at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York prior to debuting on ESPN.
López was a heavily hyped high school superstar from New York who had stayed in the city to play at St. John’s University, but never lived up to the expectations.
While an injury cut short his professional career, the film tells a story of perseverance and family. López is active in the community through his nonprofit foundation and NBA Cares, president of a community center basketball team in the Dominican Republic, and has returned to St. John’s at times in the two decades since he became his family’s first college graduate to talk to players about how to be a professional.
“I think my story transcends to other people because this is the reason why we come here and this is the reason why we struggle to learn the language so we can become a success story,” López told FoxSports in an interview.
https://www.foxsports.com/college-b...felipe-film-helps-lopez-tell-his-story-042919
US$90 million IDB loan for Colonial City
Archbishop Ozoria all smiles at Presidential Palace
Gabriel Goldschmidt of IFC visits
Government expects boycott against ARS Humano to be called off
Cooperation agreement to improve prisons
GDP per capita increases
Chinese trade on the increase, Xi Jinping could visit
Venezuelan ambassador says all is normal
Ukrainian tourist dies in deadly boat accident in Bayahibe
Dominican Republic takes active part in major drug dealing haul
Hunt on for illegal journey organizer
Ten provinces under alert
Lidia León exhibition opens at Venice Biennale
Miss Universe scheduled to visit in August
Basketball player Luis Felipe López tells his story
Pete Dolan comes for opening Cleveland Indians academy
President Danilo Medina was present for the ribbon-cutting at the Cleveland Baseball Academy on Tuesday, 30 April 2019. The academy is located in San Antonio de Guerra, in Santo Domingo province, about 40 km drive from the capital city center.
Cleveland Indians owner Pete Dolan and general manager Mike Chernoff lead the team officers that came for the opening of the state-of-the-art training complex. The complex had been under construction since December 2016 and cost about US$10 million.
Most Major League Baseball teams have player development academies in the Dominican Republic, but reports are that this one beats them all. The academy includes two full-sized baseball fields. Other features include a smaller field for individual drills, the first synthetic turf agility field in any MLB training facility in the Dominican Republic, an open-air field house equipped with four expanded batting cages that can be elevated to create the largest covered multi-purpose space of any MLB complex on the island and a strength and conditioning center.
The Cleveland Indians Baseball Academy also features five classrooms, high-speed Wi-Fi, a 35-computer lab and smart projectors to give athletes a modern-day educational experience. The Indians anticipate graduating their first senior class in the winter of 2019-2020.
“We are truly honored by the opportunity to further enhance our relationships with the people and rich culture of the Dominican Republic,” said team owner Paul Dolan in a press release announcing the opening. “From Bartolo Colon and Manny Ramirez to Jose Ramirez and Carlos Santana, this proud country is responsible for some of the most iconic and memorable players in Cleveland Indians history and we look forward to providing more young athletes with the resources and tools necessary to succeed both in baseball and in life.”
The academy has the capacity to accommodate 120 players, coaches and staff. It includes dormitory housing for as many as 88 players. Coaches and trainers will promote baseball and mental skills performance, education, nutrition and strength and conditioning for players. The academy will be open year-round and staffed by 25 full-time employees.
https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-open-baseball-academy-in-dr
https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/201...can-republic-baseball-academy-on-tuesday.html
US$90 million IDB loan for Colonial City
The Ministry of Hacienda announced the signing of the US$90 million loan with the InterAmerican Development Bank for the second phase of Santo Domingo’s Colonial City urban renewal project. The loan still requires congressional approval prior to its implementation.
The Ministry of Hacienda said that the works will be implemented by the Ministry of Tourism with the technical support of the National District City Government (ADN) and the Ministry of Culture. The first phase was the exclusive responsibility of the Ministry of Tourism.
The US$90 million project contemplates US$49 million will be invested in improvements to public spaces and historic monuments, such as the San Francisco Monastery, the Columbus Alcazar, the Royal Houses Museum (Museo de Casas Reales), the Fortaleza de Santo Domingo and the Santo Domingo Cathedral museum, among others. The loan will also be used to improve parking and lighting in the Colonial City.
A first US$30 million loan has been implemented with works completed in the core area known as the Ciudad Ovandina. The works were completed in 2017. Miguel Coronado, local representative of the IDB said that the first phase resulted in an increase in visitors of around 67% from 410,000 in 2010 to 682,000 in 2017. Hotel occupancy increased from 55% in 2014 to 74% in 2016. Tourist spending is up from US$88 in 2017 to US$138 in 2019. The improvements in the area resulted in around US$100 million in business investments and an increase in cruise ship arrivals.
http://www.hacienda.gob.do/gobierno...l-proyecto-de-revitalizacion-ciudad-colonial/
Archbishop Ozoria all smiles at Presidential Palace
President Danilo Medina received Santo Domingo Archbishop Francisco Ozoria at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday, 30 April 2019. The Archbishop had gone on record recently alerting a dictatorship was in the making, concurring with those that criticize the stronghold the ruling PLD party has on the three government branches. During the meeting, the archbishop was accompanied by Monsignor Ramón Benito Angeles and Monsignor Faustino Burgos.
The Presidency said that during the meeting the representatives of the church and government discussed projects that are underway with government financing. Continued government support to the construction of the 1,800-seat Santo Cristo de los Milagros Sanctuary in Bayaguana was covered during the meeting. The religious center is expected to become an important pilgrimage site for religious tourism. The OISOE office of the Presidency is responsible for the funding and construction of the project that is estimated to cost upwards of RD$300 million, including access roads.
The sanctuary is described as one of the few Christocentric sanctuaries in Latin America. It will focus on Jesus Christ’s life, the post-Jesus era and the Catholic Church, as has explained Senator Charlie Mariotti of Monte Plata. It will have market areas for arts and crafts, food producers and bicycle paths.
Present at the meeting in the Presidential Palace were Francisco Pagán of the Office of Supervisory Engineers of State Works (Oficina de Ingenieros Supervisores de Obras del Estado - OISOE), and Francisco del Valle of the Presidential Commission of Support for Provincial Development.
President Danilo Medina has also had differences with the church for his veto to the absolute ban on abortion that legislators have approved for the amended Penal Code. The ruling PLD party is the majority in the National Congress. The ban has strong backing by the Catholic and evangelical churches.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the presidency distributed a photograph showing smiling Archbishop and monsignors.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/04/30/panorama/pais/presidente-medina-recibe-francisco-ozoria/
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...tro-de-trabajo-fraterno-con-monsenores-ozoria
Gabriel Goldschmidt of IFC visits
The director for Latin America and the Caribbean at International Finance Corporation (IFC) Gabriel Goldschmidt is visiting the Dominican Republic for talks on investment in the private sector in priority areas such as the energy matrix, sustainable tourism and small business credit. On his agenda is a meeting with President Danilo Medina.
Goldschmidt is accompanied by Luc Grillet, senior manager for IFC for Central America and the Caribbean, and Guillermo Villanueva, resident IFC representative.
Government expects boycott against ARS Humano to be called off
Minister of Labor Winston Santos and Superintendent of Health and Labor Risks (Sisalril) Pedro Castellanos announced they reached an agreement with the representatives of the Dominican Association of Health Risk Administrators (ADARS) that groups the medical plan providers to avert the boycott to the largest medical plan provider, ARS Humano. The agreement is scheduled to be signed by the parties in conflict on the same day the boycott would start, Wednesday, 1 May 2019.
The Dominican Medical Guild (CMD), the National Board of Specialized Medical Societies (Conasomep) and the National Association of Clinics and Hospitals (Andeclip) have announced a national strike against the medical insurer ARS Humano.
In a joint press conference, CMD president Wilson Roa had explained that on the list of demands is an increase in medical fees for consultations and tariffs for procedures in the health centers and free choice for the patients. He has said that they are open to dialogue with the ARS if they comply with these and other points agreed upon in 2017. Roa said they are working with the Trajano Potentini law firm to take legal actions in this direction.
Meanwhile, if the boycott is upheld, ARS Humano public relations representative, Cinthia Modesto told El Dia that patients would be referred to other specialists that are not members of the CMD. She said that users that incur in medical expenses can bill the medical plan for the difference. An estimated 1.3 million affiliates are expected to be affected by the boycott.
The Dominican Association of Health Risk Administrators (ADARS), that groups the medical plan companies (ARS) told El Dia that changes in the services catalogs are decided by the National Council of Social Security (CNSS).
ARS Humano lamented that the boycott affects their brand. The CMD has said while the boycott has become with ARS Humano, the largest medical insurance plan, it will continue with the other providers.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...a-acuerdo-en-conflicto-medicos-ars-AD12660770
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...consultas-ni-servicios-electivos-a-ars-humano
https://eldia.com.do/los-afiliados-en-jaque-por-el-conflicto-con-las-ars/
Cooperation agreement to improve prisons
The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Attorney General of the Dominican Republic (PGR) signed a cooperation agreement on 19 April 2019 intended to strengthen the PGR's capacity to promote citizen security.
Through the agreement, the Department of Public Security (DPS) of the OAS says it will support the PGR through the exchange of experiences and the design and implementation of strategies to strengthen and consolidate the progress that the Dominican Republic has made in the modernization of its penitentiary system, with the implementation of the program known as the New Penitentiary Model.
The signed agreement establishes a commitment of cooperation between the OAS and the office of the attorney general in matters of juvenile justice through the exchange of good practices, the realization of joint projects in the matter, and normative development.
http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/photonews.asp?sCodigo=FNE-96438
GDP per capita increases
According to the latest data from the Central Bank, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per head increased by 5.9% by the end of 2018 at US$7,917.5. This is the highest per capita increase recorded in the last seven years reflecting the growth of the economy. The measure of GDP per capita measures the wealth level of the people of a country, although it does not measure how the wealth is distributed among the people.
According to the Central Bank, looking at the whole region of Latin America and the Caribbean, the average GDP per capita is above that of the Dominican Republic at US$9,271.59, placing the country in 18th place out of 34 nations.
However, this wealth is not divided equally among the population, with around 1.6% of the population still existing on less than US$2 a day, according to the World Bank.
The countries in the region with the highest level of GDP per capita are Bahamas with US$30,762 and Aruba with US$25,655. At the other end of the list are Haiti with US$765 and Nicaragua with US$2,221.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...mento-5-9-al-cierre-del-ano-pasado-AA12650000
Chinese trade on the increase, Xi Jinping could visit
In the first three months of this year, Dominican exports to the People’s Republic of China have reached the same amount as during the whole of 2018. Chinese ambassador Zhang Run has said that the year-to-year increase is 35.4%, which is up on the previous year when it was 22%. The diplomat explained that Dominican exports in the first three months of 2019 were US$180 million that is equal to the total export volume for 2018.
Speaking to El Dia newspaper on occasion of the celebration of the first year of diplomatic relations between the Dominican Republic and China, the ambassador explained that bilateral trade reached US$630 million in these three months.
The important factors in the growth of Dominican exports are the increase in the sale of steel, tobacco and products manufactured for China such as medicines. He said avocados are also an important possible export since the government asked China to lift the phytosanitary barriers on the export.
Geopolitics talks. Zhang Run told El Dia that China President Xi Jinping is giving the Dominican Republic priority as a stop for his next visit to the region. The Dominican Republic is China’s leading trade partner in the Caribbean.
https://eldia.com.do/el-comercio-co...-boom-al-ano-de-establecer-relaciones-con-rd/
Venezuelan ambassador says all is normal
The Venezuelan ambassador in the Dominican Republic, Alí de Jesús Uzcategui, says that diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries will continue even though the Dominican authorities did not recognize the government of Nicolas Maduro at the Organization of American States (OAS).
He claimed everything is working harmoniously. Regarding the current situation in Venezuela, he said that despite the call of the opposition and the United States for military and civilian protests against Maduro, authorities are working to uphold constitutional order.
He went on to say that he had not asked for additional security at the embassy but that the police were watching the area as a preventive measure.
The position of the Dominican Republic at the OAS was that through dialogue with all of the parties, Venezuelans could reach national reconciliation and a new electoral process.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...zolano-dice-relaciones-con-rd-siguen-normales
Ukrainian tourist dies in deadly boat accident in Bayahibe
A Ukrainian tourist was fatally injured by a boat propeller while diving off the beach in Bayahibe in front of the Dominican Army barracks.
Oleksil Kushnir, age 28, was underwater when the boat drove on top of him, causing multiple cuts in his skull, neck and upper limbs. According to a medical examiner, Pamela Santana, he died of blood loss.
Kushnir had arrived at Punta Cana airport on 22 April 2019 with his wife. They were due to leave on 2 May and were staying at a Punta Cana resort. The authorities have arrested the captain of the boat.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...cidente-mientras-buceaba-en-playa-de-bayahibe
Dominican Republic takes active part in major drug dealing haul
According to the Colombian government, the Dominican Republic was one of 18 countries that participated during 105 days in a naval operation during which 94.2 tons of cocaine and 26.7 tons of marijuana were seized.
Commander of the Colombian Navy, Vice Admiral Evelio Ramírez said in a press conference, held together with Colombia’s President Ivan Duque, that the operation was called “Orion” and used 42 boats, 83 launches, 11 planes and eight helicopters.
During the operation, 388 people were arrested. The countries involved were Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, United States, France, Guatemala, Netherlands, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and the Dominican Republic.
President Duque said that the fight against drug dealing is multinational and he thanked the 18 countries for their support.
https://listindiario.com/las-mundia...4-2-toneladas-de-cocaina-y-26-de-marihuanaico
Hunt on for illegal journey organizer
The Dominican Armada stopped an illegal journey to Puerto Rico run by a man condemned to 15 years in jail for the death of 57 people on board a boat that sank off Samaná in December 2012. Víctor Hernández Rosario, better known as Berto, was freed from jail having served half of his sentence. However last Sunday, 28 April 2019, the Navy stopped another illegal journey to Puerto Rico organized by Berto that left from Las Coles in Samaná.
In January 2019 another illegal journey run by Berto was also frustrated. Berto is now being sought across the country, but specifically in the northeast. The Navy Commander General has asked Víctor Hernández Rosario (Berto) to give himself up.
http://hoy.com.do/frustran-viaje-en...a-hombre-condenado-por-muerte-de-57-personas/
Ten provinces under alert
The National Meteorological Office (Onamet) has issued a warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms for ten provinces. They are due to a weather front passing through the northwest, north, northeast, southeast, central mountain areas. Border provinces are also under a green alert for possible overflowing of rivers and streams and flooding. The provinces are Duarte, Samaná, La Vega, Sánchez Ramírez, Monseñor Nouel, Hermanas Mirabal (Salcedo), Espaillat (Moca), Hato Mayor, María Trinidad Sánchez and Monte Plata.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...estado-de-alerta-por-lluvias-en-10-provincias
Lidia León exhibition opens at Venice Biennale
An interactive work of art of Dominican architect Lidia León, “Te Veo, Me Veo” (See You, See Me) is part of the leading global La Biennale di Venezia exhibition that will take place in Venice, Italy from Saturday, 11 May to Sunday, 24 November 2019. The Biennale presents art, architecture, cinema, dance, music, theater and historical archives.
The presentation is a collaborative effort of the LiLeón Foundation, the Italian Embassy in the Dominican Republic and the cultural association RO.SA.M. The exhibition is curated by Italian Roberta Semeraro and Dominican Iris Peynado.
León will be presenting her work as part of the International Art Exhibition, the "great mother" of all the Biennale activities. The Venezia exhibition dates back to 1895 and is regarded as one of the most important art expositions in the world. Its prestige has been kept due to the ability of its curators to anticipate new trends in art and at the same time to present renewed perspectives in the presented works.
The artist’s works will be exhibited at the legendary Church of Santa Maria della Presentazione, better known as the Zitelle, that faces the Giudecca Canal in Venice from 9 May to 30 September 2019.
https://www.fg-comunicazione.it/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/TE-VEO-ME-VEO-PRESS-KIT-ENG.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frRDqHBdza8
Miss Universe scheduled to visit in August
Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray of the Philippines will be in Santo Domingo for the Miss Dominican Republic pageant. The pageant chooses the Dominican representative to Miss Universe. The director of the Miss Dominican Republic Universe franchise, Magali Febles said that Gray will be the first Miss Universe to visit since when Miss Universe 2010 Mexican Ximena Navarrete came in 2012. She announced the competition would be a production by Ivan Ruiz. The contest is scheduled for 18 August 2019.
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...erso-visitara-republica-dominicana-NE12618360
Basketball player Luis Felipe López tells his story
A film telling the story of Dominican basketball prodigy Luis Felipe López premiered on ESPN on Tuesday, 30 April 2019. It is the story of a “can’t miss kid who turned out to be more of a miss than a hit.” “The Dominican Dream” premiered over the weekend at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York prior to debuting on ESPN.
López was a heavily hyped high school superstar from New York who had stayed in the city to play at St. John’s University, but never lived up to the expectations.
While an injury cut short his professional career, the film tells a story of perseverance and family. López is active in the community through his nonprofit foundation and NBA Cares, president of a community center basketball team in the Dominican Republic, and has returned to St. John’s at times in the two decades since he became his family’s first college graduate to talk to players about how to be a professional.
“I think my story transcends to other people because this is the reason why we come here and this is the reason why we struggle to learn the language so we can become a success story,” López told FoxSports in an interview.
https://www.foxsports.com/college-b...felipe-film-helps-lopez-tell-his-story-042919