DR1 Daily News - Wednesday, 18 September 2019

D

Dolores

Guest
CDEEE promises fewer blackouts
JCE extends hours at registry offices in Europe and the US
Supreme Court reopens Odebrecht case
A nuclear deal with Russians
Construction of Mirador del Este bus terminal resumed
No more Chiclets and Halls mints in your change
Haina International Terminals has a cold inspection chamber
September poll puts Fernandez in the lead
Traffic deaths up
Baltazar Mesa and Jesus Tapia Perez extradited to the USA
Boca Chica mayor dies
Converse creates its Dominican sneaker
Hurricane Jerry not expected to hit the Caribbean
International Bowling Tournament in Santo Domingo
Bel Canto at the Palacio de Bellas Artes
Pengbian Sang & Retro Jazz at the Music Conservatory
Fine Arts Film Festival in October



CDEEE promises fewer blackouts
The executive vice president of the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), Rubén Jiménez Bichara speaks of a reduction in power outages as of Wednesday, 18 September 2019. He said generators that had been out of service are returning to the national electricity grid.

"There are several plants that have gone out of service. They are very obsolete plants," says Jiménez Bichara. "Thanks to God, Punta Catalina is already in its final phase. Unit number 2 will be tested in the next few days. Unit number one will be delivered. And with that stability, we will achieve a much better scenario in the quality of service," explained Jiménez Bichara to the press when explaining the reasons for the recently extended blackouts. "Those plants that are somewhat obsolete, we have to wait for them to come in today. Some are beginning to enter the system," Jiménez Bichara said.

The executive vice-president of the CDEEE argued that energy demand grows between 120 and 150 megawatts every year.

Jiménez Bichara is the presidential campaign coordinator for former Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo.

http://www.oc.do/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ones-disminuiran-a-partir-de-hoy-dice-bichara


JCE extends hours at registry offices in Europe and the US
The Central Electoral Board (JCE) announced extended service hours at voter registration offices abroad as of 16 September 2019. The offices will now be open from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm. On Saturdays, the offices will be open from 9 am to 2 pm in the Americas. In Europe, offices will be open on Saturdays from 1 pm to 7 pm. The extension is to give Dominican expats more time to register to vote in the 2020 general elections.

https://jce.gob.do/Noticias/categor...rarios-de-oficinas-de-registro-en-el-exterior
https://jce.gob.do/Cedulacion-Exterior


Supreme Court reopens Odebrecht case
The Supreme Court will resume the hearings of the case of the Dominican state against six charged with taking bribes from Odebrecht. Odebrecht admitted in a US court to have paid US$92 million in bribes in the Dominican Republic in December 2016.

Supreme Court of Justice president Luis Henry Molina decided to reopen the case on Wednesday, 18 September 2019 at 3pm. Lawyers of accused former minister of Public Works Victor Diaz Rua had requested the presiding judge not participate because he had been the coordinator of the provincial campaign of the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) in San Cristóbal. One of the accused of taking bribes is PLD senator Tommy Galán of San Cristóbal. The Supreme Court of Justice is hearing the case because Dominican law establishes this privilege of jurisdiction for legislators.

The Supreme Court of Justice decided to continue this Wednesday the trial despite the challenge to the president of the court and four other judges (Frank Soto, Vanessa Acosta, Francisco Antonio Jerez and Napoleón Estévez Lavandier) by the lawyers of the former Minister of Public Works, Victor Diaz Rua.

https://elnuevodiario.com.do/contin...aso-odebrecht-tras-recusacion-a-cinco-jueces/


A nuclear deal with Russians
The Ministry of Energy & Mines of the Dominican Republic signed a memorandum of bilateral cooperation in nuclear energy with the Russian state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom.

According to the Russians, the document establishes guidelines cooperation in the development of nuclear energy in the country.

Besides, the parties are looking to develop information programs for the population regarding nuclear technology as well as on the use of radioisotopes and radioactive technology in industry, agriculture and medicine.

https://eldia.com.do/rusia-y-r-dominicana-firman-su-primer-memorando-sobre-cooperacion-nuclear/


Construction of Mirador del Este bus terminal resumed
The Ministry of Public Works has restarted construction works of the Mirador del Este Bus Terminal in eastern Santo Domingo. Two rulings from the Administrative Superior Court (TSA) had ordered a stop to the construction. Several activists from eastern Santo Domingo oppose the development on grounds belonging to the Parque Mirador del Este.

The Ministry of Public Works began construction of the terminal without the land or environmental impact studies as required by the Environmental Law 64-00. Opponents also say the structure violates National District and Santo Domingo Municipal Law 176-07.


No more Chiclets and Halls mints in your change
The Consumer Protection Agency (Pro Consumidor) announced the campaign "Rounding Off in Your Favor." Anina Del Castillo, head of Pro Consumidor, said that companies have to give complete change in money to customers. She said if a company does not have the cash, it needs to round up the difference, rather than round it down. It is not acceptable that they provide change in other types of items, such as mints or chewing gum.

She said that the campaign has two components. It seeks to educate the consumer on their right to demand exact change in money. The drive also motivates vendors to provide correct change or round up in favor of the consumer.

Stickers and posters carry the message of the campaign. If consumers do not receive the correct change, they should contact Pro Consumidor on @ProConsumidorRD or by at 1-809-200- 8555

https://hoy.com.do/atencion-atencio...-si-no-hay-menudo-deben-redondear-a-tu-favor/


Haina International Terminals has a cold inspection chamber
A cold inspection chamber is now operating at Haina International Terminals (HIT). The cold room will allow for inspecting perishables entering or leaving the country in an environment with optimal temperatures to avoid the deterioration of the goods.

The facility is a boost to the country's competitiveness. "By ensuring the cold chain, we will be able to reach the most demanding markets with our fruits, our vegetables and our livestock products," said the president of HIT, Erik Alma, during the inauguration.

Present were Agriculture Minister Osmar Benítez, the director of the Customs Agency Enrique Ramírez, US Ambassador Robin Bernstein and other officials and business people.

Ambassador Bernstein noted during the event that the US Department of Agriculture Quality Export Program assisted with the installation of the chamber. Ten containers can be verified simultaneously.

https://listindiario.com/economia/2...mara-de-inspeccion-en-frio-en-puerto-del-pais
https://hit.com.do


September poll puts Fernandez in the lead
According to an opinion poll carried out by BerlandTeram-SISGLO, former President Leonel Fernández of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) and Luis Abinader of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) will win the 6 October primaries.

The results were presented by company president Mike Berland, who said that the poll showed Fernandez would beat Gonzalo Castillo in the PLD primaries 70% to 29%. The findings also show Abinader will beat former President Hipólito Mejía with 87% versus 9%.

When those polled were asked who would become the next President, Fernández led with 43%, followed by Abinader with 26% and Castillo 4%.

Those polled named corruption (42%), unemployment (14%), crime (12%) and poverty (6%) as the leading problems. Others mentioned low wages, lack of potable water, lack of services, and poor conditions of roads.

The poll was carried out among 1,240 Dominicans, across the country, from 7 to 9 September 2019, with a margin of error of 2.97% and 95% level of confidence.

https://listindiario.com/la-republi...l-y-abinader-figuran-favoritos-para-primarias


Traffic deaths up
Reported traffic accidents are up 50.9% for the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year. There were 996 more road traffic deaths so far this year, compared to 660 by this point last year.

The statistics do not include those that would later die in a hospital after a traffic accident. According to the health authorities, 60% of those taken to hospitals either die or are permanently disabled. Most traffic accident victims are taken to trauma centers such as the Juan Bosch on the Duarte Highway, or Darío Contreras and Ney Arias Lora in Greater Santo Domingo.

By the end of 2018, there were 1,418 deaths in traffic accidents. Drivers violating traffic signals, not using a protective helmet, or driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances cause most accidents.

Doctor Alejandro Soto, deputy director of the Ney Arias Lora hospital, explained that those most affected were aged 14 and 45 years, and of these, the highest percentage were those between 15 and 28 years.

He said that of the around 46,000 people attended in a hospital emergency room so far this year, 10% died as a result of trauma, and 90% of those suffered brain trauma.

15% of the dead in traffic accidents were pedestrians. Deaths happened due to the violation of traffic signals and the lack of a pedestrian culture in the country. Walkers are also to blame for jaywalking when crossing busy streets and not using pedestrian bridges when these are available.

As of December 2018, are 4,350,884 vehicles in the Dominican Republic. Of these 55.1% are motorcycles. In 63% of the accidents, motorcycles are involved.

https://listindiario.com/la-republi...uertes-por-accidentes-topan-50-9-mas-este-ano


Baltazar Mesa and Jesus Tapia Perez extradited to USA
Baltazar Mesa and Jesus Tapia Perez were extradited to the United States on Tuesday, 17 September 2019. US Marshals were in the Dominican Republic on Monday for the completion of the procedure. The two are accused of being part of the Cesar Emilio Peralta Drug Trafficking Operation. Both had voluntarily turned themselves in and requested the extradition rather than be tried by the Dominican justice.

https://www.elperiodico.com.do/noti...a-a-eeuu-a-dos-narcos-de-la-banda-de-peralta/
https://www.metrord.do/do/noticias/...r-eeuu-dos-narcos-la-banda-cesar-peralta.html


Boca Chica mayor dies
The mayor of the municipality of Boca Chica in Santo Domingo province, Radhamés Castro, died on 16 September 2019 in a New Jersey hospital in the United States. He was hospitalized after traveling to the United States to visit family and have routine medical checkups.

Castro was 63 years old and had been a deputy major on four previous occasions, for the PRD, PRSC and the Popular Christian Party.

His role will be taken over by Boca Chica deputy major, Carolina Denis Natera.

https://eldia.com.do/el-alcalde-de-boca-chica-fallecio-en-hospital-ee-uu/


Converse creates its Dominican sneaker
The Chuck Taylor "Puro Platano 2" arrives via Converse.com and at the brand's Soho NYC and Boston LoveJoy Wharf locations on Thursday, 19 September 2019.

Dominican influencer Ray Polanco Jr. has worked with the American basketball player Chuck Taylor's brand representatives in the design of the fashionable shoe. The shoe includes a collage of typical Dominican scenes, from playing dominos to women in hair rollers, playing baseball, frio frio drinks, and carnival characters. Polanco says he was inspired by his experiences growing up as a Dominican in New York City. The look is completed with the flag colors in a white midsole with red foxing tape and a blue stripe in the middle.

This is the second shoe inspired by Dominicans launched by Nike. Converse is a subsidiary of Nike. Nike had already launched its Air Force 1 "De Lo Mio" sneaker in November 2018, also dedicated to the Dominican Republic.

https://listindiario.com/la-vida/20...n-modelo-inspirado-en-tradiciones-dominicanas
https://footwearnews.com/2019/focus...aylor-puro-platano-2-release-info-1202837356/
https://www.kicksonfire.com/ray-polanco-jr-x-converse-chuck-taylor-puro-platano-2-first-look/
https://www.nike.com/launch/t/air-force-1-de-lo-mio/


Hurricane Jerry not expected to hit the Caribbean
Tropical Storm Jerry is on the way to becoming a hurricane. The good news for the Dominican Republic is that it is not on the path of the storm.

According to Gloria Ceballos of the National Meteorological Office (Onamet), the storm is moving to the west-northwest at 19 kilometers an hour. The storm is still east of the Lesser Antilles. It is expected to continue north and not affect the Caribbean or the Bahamas.

Current tracking places the storm passing well north of the Dominican Republic sometime by Saturday.

https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/175150-2019-Hurricane-Season/page24
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...llos-dice-se-convertiria-en-la-tormenta-jerry


International Bowling Tournament in Santo Domingo
The 16th International Bowling Tournament is taking place at the Sebelén Bowling Center on Av. Abraham Lincoln in Santo Domingo. Some 150 players from seven nations are participating. The tournament will be played in singles, doubles, four-player teams and mixed teams.

The event this year is dedicated to Dominican expat bowler José Marte. Marte will receive a plaque for his outstanding work as president of the Dominican Boleadores Association in New York.

https://hoy.com.do/comienza-hoy-el-xvi-torneo-internacional-de-boliche/


Bel Canto at the Palacio de Bellas Artes
Leading lyrical singers are performing the "Operistic Summer Concert" at the Maximo Avilés Blonda Hall of the Palacio de Bellas Artes on Thursday, 19 September 2019. Soprano Ondina Matos, director of the Compañía Líric, said that the concert is duos and trios of famous operas. Tickets are RD$300 for the concert that starts at 8pm.


Pengbian Sang & Retro Jazz at the Music Conservatory
On Friday, 27 and Saturday 28, the Pengbian Sang & Retro Jazz performs "Con la musica por dentro." The show is a collection of iconic songs from legendary Dominican composers.

The members of Pengbian Sang & Retro Jazz are Nairoby Duarte, Federico Méndez, Edgar Molina, Jesus Abreu (Gury), Alvaro Dinzey, Ezequiel Francisco and Pengbian Sang.

The performances are at 8pm at the remodeled Manuel Rueda Hall of the National Music Conservatory on Av. Cesar Nicolás Penson. Tickets are for sale online at Uepa Tickets for RD$1,085 to RD$870.

https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...pectaculo-con-la-musica-por-dentro-PC14162278
https://drjazzfestival.com/festival/artists/pengbian-sang-retro-jazz/


Fine Arts Film Festival in October
Caribbean Cinemas announces the 10th edition of its International Fine Arts Film Festival for 3-16 October 2019. The films will be shown at the Novocentro and Downtown Center movie houses in Santo Domingo and at the Cinemacentro Cibao in Santiago. The festival will open with the showing of "La Odisea de los Giles," the famous Argentinean-Spanish film. See the film schedule at:
http://festivaldecinefinearts.com/