DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic
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The Chamber of Deputies has agreed to cut 20 deputy seats rather than 53 deputy seats in Congress representing 31 provinces and the National District. President Luis Abinader had asked that 53 seats be cut by 2032. The ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) deputies, that are majority in Congress, agreed to reduce deputies from 190 to 170 in time for the next 2028 elections.
As reported in Noticias SIN, PRM legislators, and former deputy and party president José Ignacio Paliza, met privately for over two hours on Wednesday, 18 September 2024, to negotiate a compromise on one of the most contentious aspects of the proposal for Constitutional Reform that includes the reduction in the number of deputies.
The National District and the large provinces of Santo Domingo, Santiago and San Cristóbal, where there are 10 or more deputies each, is where the cuts would be made...
President Luis Abinader will be joining regional leaders that have accepted the invitation to attend the inaugural of the first woman to be President in Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum on 1 October 2024.
The presidential inaugurations are excellent opportunities for bilateral meetings and networking with other heads of state. Among other Presidents confirming attending are Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Brazil), Gustavo Petro (Colombia); Gabriel Boric (Chile), Santiago Peña Palacios (Paraguay), Luis Alberto Arce Catacora (Bolivia), Miguel Díaz-Canel (Cuba), Bernardo Arévalo de León (Guatemala), and Xiomara Castro Sarmiento (Honduras). The United States confirmed that First Lady Jill Biden would represent the United States.
President Luis Abinader was in attendance. But the focus on Wednesday, 18 Septembrer 2024 was on Cardinal Nicolas Lopez Rodríguez who was present for the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Advanced Medical and Telemedicine Diagnostic Center (Cedimat). Cedimat is a public hospital with private administration. It is the leading hospital that offers quality care and has been incidental in reducing the number of Dominicans traveling abroad for medical services.
The hospital was the brainchild of the late physician Juan Manuel Taveras Rodríguez who worked at Massachusetts General Hospital and convinced then President Joaquin Balaguer of the importance of installing the medical center with its division of Plaza de la Salud and Cedimat. Cedimat opened in 1999.
The significant contributions of Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez to the sustained success of...
The Executive Board of the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) has approved the nomination of Agustín Burgos to fill the vacancy of the Mayor of La Vega. The position became vacant when incumbent Kelvin Cruz was named Minister of Sports, and his deputy mayor resigned.
The board overwhelmingly recommended to President Luis Abinader that Burgos be appointed as the new mayor, N Digital reports.
The list of candidates, which includes Burgos, would be sent to President Abinader on Wednesday, 18 September 2024 for his consideration. Burgos awaits the President’s endorsement of the PRM’s recommendation.
N Digital reports that in a show of unity, Burgos recently met with Kelvin Cruz, amid speculation about a power struggle for control of the La Vega mayoralty. Completing the candidate list are Danny Holguín, the operational director of the municipality and PRM’s local...
Caribe Tours was penalized with a minimum wage and the company fired the driver, after a video showing his reckless driving went viral on the Internet. A passenger in a car behind the bus filmed the imprudent passing of the bus. The sanctions might serve to deter other drivers to avoid traffic accidents.
The news made headlines because it could be a first time Intrant penalizes a bus company. Intrant is under new management, that of Milton Morrison, formerly of EdeSur and a known politician (Pais Possible minority party that backed President Luis Abinader).
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In a coordinated strike across five provinces, Dominican authorities, backed by the DEA and US Southern Command, dismantled a powerful international drug trafficking network, arresting 10 individuals and seizing millions of dollars in assets.
According to the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD), the operation, code-named “Buffalo NK,” involved 37 simultaneous raids, more than 400 law enforcement personnel, and aerial, maritime, and ground units. Led by the Public Ministry, the operation commenced at 3am on Wednesday, 18 September 2024.
Authorities seized approximately two metric tons of cocaine during the raids, which spanned the Greater Santo Domingo, and the provinces of Puerto Plata, María Trinidad Sánchez, La Romana, and Samaná. Helicopters supported the operation, which also included participation from the Navy, Army, Air Force, National Police, DEA, and US Southern...
A 22-year-old U.S. citizen of Haitian descent was apprehended at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) by agents from the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) and members of the Specialized Airport Security Corps (CESAC). The suspect was allegedly attempting to serve as a mule for international drug trafficking, carrying more than five kilograms of suspected cocaine, DNCD reports.
The arrest occurred during a routine inspection of luggage and was coordinated by members of the Public Ministry. Agents and military personnel detected suspicious images in the X-ray scan of two bags belonging to the foreign national. Following instructions from the prosecutor, authorities opened the bags to discover a hidden compartment containing two flat packages, weighing over five kilograms of what is presumed to be cocaine.
The individual was set to travel from Punta Cana to...
A lawyer has offered to serve pro bono the parents of Paula Santana Escalante, the 23-year old who during the day studied to be a flight attendant and worked the night shift at (Oscor Caribe) Integer Holdings Corporation, a major free zone manufacturing center of sophisticated medical devices. Criminal law professor Pedro Jose Duarte Canaan was interviewed by investigative journalist Jose Peguero for his Las Exclusivas Youtube Channel and says the case is not over despite the temporary filing of the case by the judge.
Lawyer Duarte Canaan criticizes the Santo Domingo province prosecution for the poor showing and weak investigations and its handling of the case. The case was temporarily filed after the release of two young men who had been accused for lack of evidence.
Social media is circulating a plight that the case not be forgotten since the killer of the young girl is...
Dominicans have found out only recently that the lovely Michelle Jiménez, the newly crowned Miss Universe Spain 2024, is the daughter of a Dominican father and an Ecuadorian mother. She has captivated Spain and the world not only for her beauty but also for her inspiring life story.
The 21-year old professional model was born in Barcelona. From a young age, she faced a challenging childhood, marked by her time in foster care from the ages of 12 to 18 due to her mother’s inability to care for her.
As reported, the system worked for her. Jimenez says she was able to turn her experiences into a source of strength, emphasizing that her time in the foster care system was instrumental in her becoming the woman she is today. “Everything I’ve lived through has brought me to this point, and I’m very grateful,” she commented in a recent interview with journalist Lucho...
Dominican world champion Marileidy Paulino received US$80,000 in cash awards for winning five 400m races in the Wanda Diamond League. The league is the athletics premier one day series. In 2025, she will see a significant increase in her earnings for competing in the Diamond League.
Following a decision by the Diamond League General Assembly on Sunday, 15 September 2024, the total amount of prize money paid over the course of the 2025 season will increase to US$9,240,000 in 2025. Including promotional fees for top athletes, a total of around US$18 million will be paid to athletes in total over the course of the 2025 season, with many more millions being invested in athlete services such as travel and transport, accommodation and medical and physio provision.
Under the new structure, the total prize money awarded per meeting will be US$500,000 at each of the 14 regular series...
Public Health Minister Victor Attallah is urging Dominicans to reconsider their coffee consumption habits. He is recommending Dominicans eliminate added sugar. While most Dominicans enjoy their coffee sweet, Attallah’s recommendation is based on the rising prevalence of diabetes in the country. Coffee gurus and specialists also say sugar overpowers the taste of coffee and challenge people to discover the delicious flavors of pure black coffee.
According to studies conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Nutrition (Inden), 13.45% of the Dominican population suffers from diabetes, and another 9.3% is pre-diabetic. These alarming statistics are attributed to increased consumption of processed foods and sedentary lifestyles.
Minister Attallah aims to promote healthier eating habits by encouraging Dominicans to reduce their sugar intake. Under him, the...
Eduardo Hidalgo / Diario Libre
The Dominican Public Teachers Association (ADP) has vehemently protested the government’s recent proposition to merge the Ministry of Education (MINERD) with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT), labeling it a direct attack on the 4% of the national budget allocated to education.
Eduardo Hidalgo, president of the ADP, asserted that the merger is nothing more than a ploy to divert funds away from the public education budget. “The merger of MINERD and MESCYT is a blatant assault on the 4% education fund, which will further aggravate the severe crisis facing Dominican education,” Hidalgo stated. He argued that the government’s inability to effectively address the specific needs of the education sector has led to this ill-advised decision.
Hidalgo emphasized that the government has failed to provide any concrete...
The Ministry of Culture announced the 26th edition of the Santo Domingo International Book Fair (FILSD 2024) will take place from 7 to 17 November 2024 on the grounds of the Juan Pablo Duarte Cultural Plaza. This year’s fair will honor Dominican writer Mateo Morrison, recipient of the 2010 National Literature Award.
Under the theme “Books Connect,” the event will feature New York City’s Washington Heights as its guest of honor, recognizing the largest Dominican community in the United States and reaffirming the country’s commitment to strengthening cultural and literary ties with Dominicans abroad.
Culture Minister Milagros Germán, along with Angela Hernández, director general of Books and Reading, made the announcement at a press conference on 17 September 2024.
The Dominican Republic’s most important literary event will host 61...
A firm initiative aimed at reducing traffic accidents and promoting road safety among Dominican youth was launched today. The “Youth in Transit” program, a partnership between the National Institute of Transit and Land Transport (Intrant), Santo Domingo Motors, Motor Crédito, Entrena, and the Ministry of Education, will provide traffic safety education to public high school students.
“Traffic is not just about mobility; it’s a reflection of our daily coexistence, our collective decisions, and how we value life,” said Benahuare Pichardo, president of Motor Crédito, during the program’s launch.
The first phase of the project will train approximately 1,000 students from eight schools in La Guáyiga and Pedro Brand, with an investment of nearly RD$5 million. Santo Domingo Motors and Motor Crédito will provide the funding, while Intrant will oversee compliance...
Residents of Piantini, an upscale neighborhood in Santo Domingo, are vehemently opposing the construction of the massive Wyndham Grand Everest and Everest Tower. They have spent heavily in a legal battle against the mega project. As the name implies, the high-rise towers over everything else in the once quiet residential area.
The Wyndham Grand Everest and Everest Tower is almost finished in the Piantini sector of Santo Domingo. Its main attraction is the revolving restaurant that would be a first for Santo Domingo.
The construction features the revolving restaurant, a helipad and condo-hotel. One bedroom apartments are for sale for US$243,000 and target foreign buyers. Yet the residents deem the high-rise is incompatible with the quiet residential street where it is being built.
In a press release, local residents called on city officials to immediately...
A reality awakening trend has emerged in the Dominican Republic’s birth statistics: the province of La Altagracia, situated far from the Haitian border, has experienced a significant surge in births to Haitian mothers, Diario Libre reports.
The trend is a consequence of the thousands of Haitian workers that were hired when Dominicans rejected the working conditions offered by the builders of large resorts in the area. These mostly undocumented workers stayed, many regularizing their status, and are now a large part of the population in the eastern province best known for its resorts and tourism businesses. And these have attracted thousands of others that continue to arrive seeking the jobs available in the Punta Cana area.
Diario Libre presents data from the Health Services Information and Statistics Repository (Riess) reveals that between 2019 and August 2024, La Altagracia recorded 15,058 births to Haitian women, surpassing the number of Dominican births in the province...
The Ministry of Energy and Mines and private interests have unfolded a public relations campaign that is highlighting the would-be bonanzas of exploiting the huge gold deposits in San Juan de la Maguana, best known for its farm produce for the country
The mine is situated 35km north of San Juan de la Maguana city. The project proposes mining at an average rate of approximately 2,800t a day to produce 1.117Moz of gold-equivalent during the seven to nine year life of the mine. The promotional campaign highlights exports of US$391 million a year. Past Presidents Leonel Fernandez, Hipolito Mejia, nor Danilo Medina authorized the exploitation for its implications to water sources and impact on the environment and food security.
GoldQuest Mining Corp. (GQC: TSX-V) describes itself as a Canadian based exploration and development company focused on gold and copper in the Dominican Republic. The Canadian company seeks to get the licenses for the exploitation of gold in the...
After more than three years, the First Collegiate Court of the National District has lifted the house arrest and electronic bracelet imposed on Major General Adán Cáceres Silvestre, the key figure in the Coral Operation Danilo Medina government corruption case. Cáceres Silvestre was the all-powerful security head for former President Danilo Medina.
The Coral and Coral 5G cases involve police and military personnel accused of corruption. Proceedings are taking place in the First Collegiate Court of the National District, overseen by judges Giselle Méndez, Tania Yunes, and Jissel Naranjo.
Judge Esmirna Gisselle Méndez ruled to eliminate the electronic monitoring, but maintained financial guarantees and travel restrictions as precautionary measures. Cáceres will now continue his legal proceedings, which are currently in the trial phase, while free. The trial resumes on 26...
Legendary Juan Luis Guerra has secured five nominations to the 2024 Latin Grammys that celebrate excellence in Latin music. The Latin Academy’s membership body of music creators, who represent all genres and creative disciplines—including recording artists, songwriters, producers, recording engineers and mixers—vote during the awards process for the best of the year.
Guerra’s nominations include “Record of the Year” and “Best Tropical Song” for “Mambo 23,” “Album of the Year” and “Best Merengue/Bachata Album” for “Radio Güira,” and “Producer of the Year” alongside his pianist, Janina Rosado, for the same album.
Other notable Dominican nominees include rapper J Noa, who earned her second nomination for “Best Alternative Song” with “Cabecear.” Christian music artist Redimi2 also received a nod for “Best Christian Album” with “Maverick.”
The merengue group Ilegales was nominated for “Best Contemporary Tropical Album” with “La fiesta,” while salsa legend José Alberto “El...
The Dominican government has unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at rationalizing and modernizing public administration. Announced by President Luis Abinader during his weekly La Semanal press conference, the plan proposes merging four ministries and eliminating one as part of a broader strategy to reorganize the huge state apparatus. The restructuring, which also involves consolidating several state institutions and dissolving others, is projected to yield savings of RD$25 billion.
The announcement of restraining the growth of the government comes at a time when the Abinader administration has pending sending to Congress a bill for fiscal reform, meaning more taxes.
Minister of Hacienda Jochi Vicente presented the restructuring plan during the press conference. He said the savings would be used for improvement in the health...
Six new lanes were reportedly added to the existing eight lanes at the Km 9 grid of Duarte Highway that connects the Santo Domingo bypasses to the Duarte Highway, the country’s main thoroughfare.
The Duarte Highway is the main road to reach the 14 Cibao and northern provinces from Santo Domingo.
The Ministry of Public Works has added a tunnel and bypass to expedite traffic through the distributor. Nevertheless, from the report in Noticias SIN, the traffic is too much for the extra lanes. The south and eastern bypasses converge at this point, expediting the flow of traffic. These bypasses enable people from the south or the north to reach their destinations without having to pass through the capital city. Likewise, the bypasses enable people living in the capital city to exit the city without having to travel through congested city streets.
The...
Investigative journalist Alicia Ortega reports that the education authorities are working on another major drive to provide electronic devices to students. As reported in El Informe con Alicia Ortega, the government has spent around RD$25 billion just from 2018 to 2020 to provide public students with the devices. Most of those devices are not usable anymore.
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The Dominican Republic’s free zones have achieved unprecedented growth in exports, setting both monthly and cumulative records. August 2024 saw exports from these zones reach a value of US$743.3 million, marking a 10.4% increase compared to the US$673.5 million exported in August 2023.
Accumulatively, through August 2024, free zone exports hit a new high of US$5.78 billion, reflecting a 7.8% growth year-over-year. This robust performance positions the country to surpass US$8.6 billion in total free zone exports by the end of 2024.
Preliminary data released by the General Customs Agency confirms the upward trend in free zone exports, indicating a recovery in overall national exports. In August 2024, total exports surged 18.3% year-over-year to US$1,119.69 million, exceeding the US$1 billion mark for the sixth consecutive month and accumulating a total of...
The Dominican Chapter of the American College of Cardiology is hosting the upcoming ACC Latin America 2024 Congress from 19-21 September at the Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana. Over 500 medical specialists are expected to attend, participating in numerous conferences, workshops, and case studies.
“This is the first time the ACC Latin American Congress will be held in the Dominican Republic,” said event organizer Dr. Licurgo Cruz. He explained renowned cardiologists from across the region are coming to share groundbreaking research and insights into the latest guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading global health concern, and the Dominican Republic is no exception. To address this pressing issue, cardiologists from the United States, the Dominican Republic, and Latin America will convene in the country this week...
The nonpartisan civic movement Participación Ciudadana released its second report from the Observatory of Administrative Corruption Cases on Monday, 16 September 2024 revealing that the preliminary hearing in the Medusa case had been postponed a staggering 94 times.
The case, which involves allegations of embezzlement against former Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez and others, has been a major focus of public scrutiny in the Dominican Republic. The defendants are accused of stealing more than RD$6 billion from the state.
According to the report, the primary reason for the numerous postponements was the decision to read the entire 12,274-page case file aloud in court. The reading along took nearly six months and resulted in 45 postponements. The Criminal Procedure Code only mandates the reading of portions related to the facts and legal classification...
In a joint operation, the Specialized Corps for Border Security (Cesfront) and the Dominican Navy seized 810,000 units of Capital brand cigarettes in a boat off the coast of Montecristi, specifically at Cayo Muerto. Authorities reported that the contraband was found inside a 23-foot boat named “Yodielki.” Two individuals were apprehended while operating the vessel when these were unable to provide any documentation.
In addition to the cigarettes, which were divided into 81 boxes of 50 packs each, two Yamaha outboard motors were also seized. The confiscated goods, the detainees, and the boat were turned over to the Montecristi prosecutor’s office for further legal proceedings.
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The Dominican Republic is gearing up to host the FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup in just one month. The global football event will be held 16 October through 3 November with the participation of 16 teams in venues in Santo Domingo and Santiago de los Caballeros.
This will be only the second time a Caribbean nation has hosted a FIFA World Cup, following Trinidad and Tobago in 2010, Diario Libre reports.
The tournament is projected to generate 28,000 bed nights and require a logistics operation involving over 700 people, including 500 volunteers. It will also leave a lasting legacy, significantly improving the country’s football infrastructure.
While Santo Domingo and Santiago will serve as the main venues, the tournament’s impact has been felt nationwide. Ten facilities, from Parque del Este in Santo Domingo to La Barranquita in Santiago, have been upgraded to FIFA...
President Luis Abinader last weekend toured the El Dorado Water Park in Cap Cana, the resort and residential area on the southern coast of Punta Cana. The park has been in operation since May 2024.
El Dorado Water Park is the new attraction in Punta Cana. Located in the southern stretch of the Punta Cana touristic and residential area in Cap Cana, the recreational complex is marketing itself as the biggest water park in the Caribbean.
There are pools that look like lakes and water attractions for people of all ages and levels. The water park was designed for toddlers wanting to splash around and teenage thrill-seekers searching for their next water-powered adrenaline rush. There is a long lazy river, water slides and much more. There is also an instrumental playground and kms of landscaped tropical botanical gardens.
The park features 16 attractions that have been open...
The new Via Sacra connects two historic churches in the eastern capital city of Higuey. On Friday, 13 September 2024, President Luis Abinader himself was in Higuey to inaugurate the pilgrimage boulevard that honors the La Altagracia Virgin.
The RD$115 million project also included the reconstruction of several streets surrounding the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia. The boulevard is a boost for religious tourism in the country.
The President pledged to walk this Via Sacra from the Basilica La Altagracia to the historic church of San Dionisio with his family on 21 January 2025, the Day of Our Lady of Altagracia, turning it into a tradition for both him and the thousands of pilgrims who visit the Basilica.
Abinader recalled inaugurating the San Dionisio church, which historically housed the Virgin of Altagracia, and recognizing back then the...
President Luis Abinader himself checked in to see the improvements at the Faro a Colón, the Columbus Lighthouse that houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Located in eastern Santo Domingo, the lighthouse was inaugurated in 1992 using a design from a British architect drafted in 1931.
The Faro a Colon is both a mausoleum and museum. You can find sections relating to the story of Christopher Columbus, to the Discovery of America and to the history and culture of countries in the Americas.
Combine the visit to the Faro a Colon with one to the nearby Los Tres Ojos underground caverns and water hole attraction. The renovated National Aquarium will also be reopening soon in the same eastern Santo Domingo area.
The Dominican Republic’s Port Authority (Apordom) has reported a significant increase in cruise ship arrivals for August and September 2024. The country welcomed a total of 42 cruise ships in August, carrying over 139,000 visitors.
According to Apordom’s data, the majority of cruise ships in August docked at Amber Cove (16) in Puerto Plata, followed by Santo Domingo Ferry (12), Taíno Bay in Puerto Plata city (12), and La Romana (3).
For September 2024, Amber Cove is expected to receive the highest number of cruise ships (15), followed by Taíno Bay (7), La Romana (3), and San Soucí (1).
Jean Luis Rodríguez, executive director of Apordom, highlighted the importance of these arrivals in solidifying the Dominican Republic’s position as a leading cruise ship hub in the Caribbean.
A series of popular cruise lines, including Carnival, MSC, and Royal Caribbean, have scheduled...
Renowned jazz pianist and music arranger Manuel Tejada will be delighting crowds with “Manuel Tejada Jazz & Más,” a series of concerts featuring Tejada and his quintet performing a variety of jazz standards and original compositions.
The concerts will take place at the Lungomare Bar & Lounge, located within the Santo Domingo Sheraton Hotel on the sea-bordering Malecon boulevard in the capital city.
Starting Thursday, 19 September 2024 at 9pm, the series of concerts are produced by Raphy D’Oleo Management.
The inaugural performance will include a collaboration with Dominican singer-songwriter Pavel Núñez.
Tickets are available on UepaTickets and at the Raphy D’Oleo Management box office.
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Santo Domingo continues to strengthen its positioning as a place for shopping.
Banana Republic is one of the new stores opening at the expanded section of the Blue Mall on Av. Winston Churchill and Av. Gustavo Mejia Ricart. Located on the second floor of the Blue Mall shopping tower, the popular American store features the classic clothing that has made it famous around the world. This is the first Banana Republic store in the Dominican Republic. The chain has several stores in nearby Puerto Rico.
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American Airlines has opening bookings for its seasonal flight to La Romana International Airport (LRM) from Miami International Airport (MIA). The flights begin on 5 December 2024 and are on sale now. Basic economy fares start at around US$400 round trip.
Landing in La Romana’s Casa de Campo International Airport (LRM) is a plus for those headed to the Casa de Campo resort and residential complex or to hotels in the Bayahibe and Dominicus area. The less trafficked airport offers fast clearing for arrivals.
The airport is less than 10 minutes from Casa de Campo residential and touristic area.
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Minister of Public Works Deligne Ascencion announced the opening on Monday, 16 September 2024 of a new 14 lane, toll plaza at Km 27 of the Duarte Highway. This is the largest in the country. The Duarte Highway connects the south with the north and is regarded as the country’s most important road.
Apparently, at first, only eight of the lanes will be open as work continues on the remaining lanes and the tollbooths.
Many people question why this new and very expensive plaza was necessary, and the answer can be traced to the Dominican way of skirting difficulties. Apparently, studies showed that the current toll plaza to the east of the town of Pedro Brand was receiving less and less money because drivers had discovered that by detouring through the streets and byways of Pedro Brand, they could circumvent paying tolls. As a result the government has spent...
Speaking at the Forum of Ministers and Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean (ALC) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, recently-named Dominican Environment Minister Paino Henríquez urged regional leaders to agree on a common stance ahead of the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP). He emphasized the need for a permanent technical working group to develop objective, clear, and measurable proposals that the region can present as a bloc.
A key focus of Henríquez’s address was the need for improved environmental financing. Questioning the effectiveness of current funding mechanisms due to excessive bureaucracy and delays, he proposed that the region collectively demand reforms. “If we know that financing mechanisms are not working, why don’t we unite and present a formal proposal on this issue?” he asked.
Henríquez also stressed the importance of public...
The Ministry of Interior and Police announced it temporarily shut down 13 businesses in the National District and Santo Domingo East, as part of the “Operation Guarantee of Peace” initiative.
Authorities reported a total of 100 interventions in nightclubs during the second weekend of the operation. These establishments were accused of violating the law, affecting the safety and tranquility of residents in various communities of the capital city.
Among the closed businesses in the National District are Liquor Store 30-30, Bodega El Progreso, La Terraza (in Piantini), La Provenza, Habibi, and Sparta, the latter three located in Plaza Universitaria.
In Santo Domingo East, Super Colmado Vaneza in Invivienda, Discoteca 911, Colmado Los Socios, Los Socios Discoteca, and Billar Chicha Bueno were closed.
Fermín Domínguez, the...
A study carried out by the Ministry of Education (Minerd) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), which covered the 2023-2024 school year, shows a significant improvement in Spanish and Mathematics levels for students in Dominican public schools. This is encouraging news.
While critics might call the results “cherry-picking”, any positive news on the educational front is very welcome.
Regarding that area of mathematics known as “calculations and counting” the study found a 13% improvement in those students who produced ‘acceptable’ or ‘satisfactory’ results. Likewise, in testing Spanish Language, the results for the category for ‘writing different texts’ went from 17% approval, all the way up to 50% approval, a 33% jump.
All these improvements are tied to a program called “Building the Basis for Learning (CON BASE in Spanish).
Nearly 80%...
The head of the Unified Council of Electricity Distribution Companies (CUED), Celso Marranzini has pointed out that the stabilization of the debts of the different distributors (EdeSur, EdeNorte, and EdeEste) is an important step forward, and he is tackling many other persistent issues concerning operations and finance.
Marranzini is a man who knows well the sector. He is a former chief of the government energy system known as the Dominican Corporation of State-owned Electricity enterprises (CDEEE). He has always been outspoken regarding many issues within the nation’s electricity system.
During a recent interview with the El Caribe newspaper and the CDN news network, Marranzini said that the nation has lots of modern and efficient generating capacity, but the big issue is transmission, or getting the energy produced to the clients.
Marranzini recalled that in spite of...
A dive into the Dominican Republic’s government spending on communications reveals a staggering figure, Diario Libre reports. This is aside from the billions the government spends on propaganda paid to private media companies and journalists that work outside of government offices.
As of July and August 2023, the Dominican government had 1,358 individuals on its payroll solely dedicated to communications. This includes staff from 23 ministries, the Presidential Palace, and the Government Strategy and Communication Agency (DIECOM).
The cost of this expansive communications payroll? A hefty RD$74.7 million per month.
A breakdown of the data shows:• Ministries: 810 employees, with Education having the largest communications department.• DIECOM: 248 employees, serving as the government’s official spokesperson.• Presidential Palace: 573 employees, distributed across five...
The Dominican Republic became somewhat of a laughingstock when it failed to convict two of the major figures in the Odebrecht Scandal: Public Works Minister Victor Diaz Rua, and the bagman Angel Rondon. In every other nation where the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht operated and bribed public officials, there are ministers and even presidents in jail for taking bribes. In the Dominican case, the company admitted some US$92 million were given to Rondon to ensure government contracts. This was stated in trials in Brazil and New York City whereby Odebrecht officials stood trial for their bribe modus operandi.
As a result of the stunning dismissal and reversal of a lower court’s conviction and sentencing of Diaz Rua and Rondon by the Supreme Court, the prosecutor for the Specialized Office Against Administrative Corruption, Wilson Camacho, has asked the...
Although the numbers vary according to the source reporting the news, it seems that a large majority of the nation’s newly-minted members of the Congress have yet to deliver their “Sworn Declaration of Assets” to the appropriate authorities. Some sources say that only two senators, out of 32, and two dozen deputies, out of 194, have delivered the necessary documents.
Noticias SIN reports that less than 20% of the legislators have complied with the mandate and documented their wealth as required by the Chamber of Accounts.
All this is required under Law 311-14. One report on n.com says that half of the members of Congress have, indeed, filed their statement with the Chamber of Accounts. All of the members must file this document by 16 September 2024.
Read more in...
At a time when the Ministry of Interior & Police, under a new minister, is cracking down on businesses that impact peace and calm in neighborhoods, Diario Libre tells the story of a religious business that has taken over an area in affluent Bella Vista.
An evangelical pastor Yesenia Then, and her businesses, apparently have the support of the Ministry of Public and the city government of the National District. But their sprawling operation has become a nightmare for residents in Bella Vista neighborhood. The pastor is growing her religious business in violation of the rights of the residents.
Diario Libre reports on complaints by the residents in areas around the Francisco Moreno Street in Bella Vista. A significant portion of the street has been transformed into a private parking lot, complete with barriers and signs indicating exclusive access. This...
Three months after the arrival of 400 troops and police from Kenya arrived in Haiti, small contingents from Belize and Jamaica have arrived to assist in the United Nations-cleared multinational effort to bring order and security to that nation. Some 20 soldiers and 4 police from Jamaica, and two, yes, just two, soldiers arrived from Belize to take part in the UN Multinational Security Mission in Haiti.
The arrival of these troops and police comes six months after Jamaica offered to assist in the program to bring peace to Haiti. The promise is that the UN force will reach 2,500 in number. The deployment of the UN team is expected to include units from the Bahamas, Barbados, Bangladesh, Chad, Benin, and Belize by the end of the month.
According to most reports, the results from the presence of the several hundred troops from Kenya are scarce...
There are no storms that will affect the Caribbean on the radar of weather. September is the peak month for hurricanes in the Dominican Republic. Historically, hurricanes have hit from 31 August to the end of September. Tropical storms, nevertheless, have caused major damages outside of the peak hurricane month.
For the next week, the remnants of Saharan Dust clouds are expected to intensify the summer heat with some respite from occasional showers.
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Source: Norwegian Cod / Official Website
The annual Norwegian Cod Cooking Competition is set to take place on Tuesday, 17 September 2024, this time with the incorporation of culinary schools in Dominican universities. Over a dozen Dominican universities will be participating, showcasing their students’ creativity and culinary skills.
Ørjan Olsen, director of the Norwegian Seafood Council for the Dominican Republic, highlighted that once again a delegation from Norway has traveled to the country to experience the local competition and immerse themselves in Dominican culture alongside talented culinary students.
“We are thrilled to have young students from universities and academies across the country, such as UASD, O&M, PUCMM, Unicaribe, Unphu, Utesa, UCSD, Unapec, Instituto Superior Mariano Moreno, Instituto Técnico Superior Comunitario, and Kitchen Center School...
President Luis Abinader awarded Al Horford with the Order of Merit Duarte, Sanchez and Mella, mention knight, the country’s highest honor. Horford had come with his family, wife Amelia Vega and son and four daughters to present the NBA Larry Obrien trophy to President Abinader and the country. Horford flew in with Celtics head coach Joe Mazulla took photographs with President Abinader. Horford said he knew would be received by the Presidency, but he did not know about the decoration.
Throughout the semi-finals and the finals, Dominicans tuned in to watch the games that featured two Dominican national basketball team members, Al Horford and Karl Antony Towns.
During his stay, Horford fulfilled a promise he had made to his father and together with Mazulla and Celtics assistant coach Tony Dobbins gave a basketball clinic at the Polideportivo Eleoncio Mercedes in La...
Dominican Republic’s 27-year old Marileidy Paulino is the 400m queen. She clocked 49.45 at the Diamond League race on Friday, 13 September 2024 held at the Allianz Memorian Van Damme in Brussels, Belgium, the last of 2024. After winning the race, Paulino commented it was a cold night. The win was her third 400m Diamond League championship in a row.
USA’s Alexis Holmes was second with a time of 50.32s and Rhasidat Adeleke of Ireland was third with a time of 50.96s. Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain, the 2019 World Champion and silver medalist in the Paris Olympics, had finished third with a time of 50.64 seconds but was later disqualified for lane infringement.
Paulino has had a great 2024. She is the reigning Olympic Champion, the current Olympic record holder (48.17), the reigning World Champion, and now officially the 2024 Diamond League champion. The race in Brussels was her...
It will be O&M vs Cibao FC in the finals of the Dominican Football League (LDF). Over the weekend, Cibao FC defeated Moca FC 3-0 to make the finals, and O&M defeated Club Atletico Pantoja 3-2 to make the final games of the Dominican Football League.
The championship games will be played at the renovated Cibao FC stadium in Santiago. This will be the seventh final for the Cibao FC.
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