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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Ocean Conservancy to rid Dominican coasts of trash

The foundation Vida Azul (Blue Life), Ocean Conservancy’s representative in Dominican Republic, today announced a massive coastal cleanup September 17, when they’ll cover an estimated 50 kilometers of shoreline nationwide.

The initiative, held for the fourth consecutive year in the country, expects 20,000 volunteers will join the cause to cleanup entire national coasts, rivers and gorges, as part of an annual operation which has become the country’s most important voluntary environmental activity.

Ocean Conservancy, which organizes the effort at the global level, has been for more than 26 years carrying out the cleanup operation in international coasts, to mark International Coastal Cleaning Day.

Other NGOs leaders in sustainable environmental management also massively support the effort, through the preservation of water resources.

In a press conference Vida Azul Foundation president Jose Ureña said he is very satisfied with the response to their effort in creating awareness on the problem of trash along the coasts is a topic of education and the work to promote a culture of zero tolerance in the rivers and beaches must continue. “We have high expectations with this effort. We want not only to increase the number of volunteers, or collect higher amounts of trash and waste, but to instill in the population a culture of protection for our coasts.”

Present in the press conference in Hard Rock Café to offer their support were representatives from the Tourism and Environment ministries, Banco Popular, Fundación Propagas, Coca Cola, Telesistemas, AFP Siembra and AES Dominicana.


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Source: Dominican Today


Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Indian company opens first premium cigar store with Dominican products

The Indian Tobacco Company (ITC), on Tuesday reportedly opened its first retail store ‘Cigar Republic’ selling premium cigar brand 'Armenteros' in New Delhi.

According to reports, the tobacco major plans to launch Cigar Republic in other key metros in future, apart from the capital as part of its plans to strengthen its presence in the premium tobacco segment.

The store, located at ITC Maurya Hotel, will also house a library showcasing extensive literature on cigars and objects of interest to cigar connoisseurs reports stated.

The 'Armenteros' range of handrolled cigars which are being sourced from the Dominican Republic and manufactured at La Aurora - one of the oldest cigar companies in the world – was introduced in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata last year, reports further stated, adding that the prices for the pack would range from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 10,000 depending on the cigar sizes.


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Source: India Info Online

Monday, August 29, 2011

Dominicans shave heads in solidarity with Chavez

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has saluted a group of young people from the Dominican Republic who shaved their heads in solidarity as he undergoes cancer treatment.

State media report that six of the Dominicans arrived in Venezuela to meet with Chavez. Chavez praised the Christian group in a newspaper column Saturday, saying "may God bless you."

He also said he is preparing for a "possible" new round of chemotherapy and that all of his hair has fallen out.

The official TV channel of the National Assembly reported on its website Saturday that lawmakers would take up a request by Chavez to travel to Cuba for more treatment. But it later corrected that report, saying Monday's session won't be related to any such request.


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Source: Taiwan News

Sunday, August 28, 2011

GOL airlines plans Dominican Republic routes

Brazilian airline Gol has expressed an interest in starting operations in the Dominican Republic. A delegation from the company visited the country to meet with Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC) director Alejandro Herrera.

Gol airline executives Mauricio Emboada Moreira, Carlos Sergio de Santanna Cesar, Claudia Karpat and Christiane Atallah Marques, accompanied by Dominicans Vitelio y Santiago Mejía Ortiz from the Mejía Armenteros & Abreu law firm, held a meeting with Herrera in his office at the Civil Aviation Institute.

Herrera was accompanied by his deputy director Santiago Rosa Martínez, as well as the directors of Flight Regulations, Legal Administrative and Legal Technical departments Vásquez Reyes, José Valdez Martínez and Franklin Reyes Rossó, respectively, who provided explanations about the opertations.

The Gol representatives said that their initial plan was to expand to destinations in North and South America and the Caribbean with a special emphasis on Boston, Montreal, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Manaus, to connect with Las Américas International Airport (AILA) as a hub.


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Source: Dominican Today

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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Dominican Republic leader has more generals

President Leonel Fernandez Tuesday night promoted 10 Army and Air Force colonels to the rank of brigadier general, and a Navy captain to rear admiral, as part of the changes in the military branches.

The promotions come despite rebuke by wide sectors of society to the excessive number of generals and admirals, which in proportion to the population, surpass all countries.

Via decree the chief executive also designated Pedro Antonio Cáceres as Army Chief of Staff, replacing Carlos Alberto Rivera, and Gilberto Delgado Valdez, chief of the Air Force, replacing Israel Aníbal Diaz.


Source: Dominican Today

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Friday, August 26, 2011

Carnival Corp turns sights on the Dominican Republic.

Carnival Corp. is turning its sights on the Dominican Republic. The cruise company confirmed it has signed a memorandum of understanding to finance a $65 million port facility and retail/restaurant/recreation complex geared towards cruise passengers just west of Puerto Plata on the country's north coast.

Carnival is partnering with the Rannik family - which has shipping operations in the DR - on the project, which includes a docking facility at Maimon Bay that will be able to accommodate two post-Panamax (over 1,000-feet) ships.

In addition to retail and recreation, the space will also include a transportation hub, Carnival said. The facility is expected to open in Fall 2013.

Carnival Corp. already has a long-term deal with the Dominican government to rent a small island, Catalina, about five miles off La Romana, which serves as a private island for its Costa Cruises (and where topless sunbathing is allowed on some quiet beaches).

The company did not say which ships or brands – which also include Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard and Seabourn – might visit the new Puerto Plata facility.

Additional details will be announced at a later time, a spokeswoman said.

The new deal follows Carnival's pattern of investing in ports when it needs more places to put its growing fleet of ships. Carnival opened port facilities with retail complexes in Grand Turk in 2006; Cozumel, Mexico, in 2008; and $62 million Mahogany Bay in Roatan, Honduras.

Grand Turk was originally opened for Holland America ships but is now visited by seven brands and has become the third most popular of Carnival Corp.'s Caribbean ports after Nassau and Cozumel, according to Carnival officials. Facilities include the Caribbean's largest Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville bar.


Source: Travel USA Today

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Thursday, August 25, 2011

Laila Ali in support of the Miss Dominican Republic US™ pageant

Produced and managed by Bellezas Dominicana USA, XL Alliance and Soneros Entertainment, the final gala and crowning of Miss Republica Dominicana US™ 2011 will take place this August 20th at the Symphony Space Theatre in Manhattan with red carpet arrivals starting at 7:00 pm. As an official franchise of the Miss Dominican Republic Universe organization, the U.S. winner represents the Dominican community in the U.S. as part of Miss Dominican Republic Universe 2012, giving her the unique chance to compete for the title that could potentially take her to Miss Universe. The event is presented by Laila Ali Professional™, Samsung Experience, American Airlines and Ron Brugal.

This year's events have featured the participation of major celebrities and corporations that recognize the importance of Latinos in the U.S. World champion athlete, television personality, and active philanthropist Laila Ali and her new line Laila Ali Professional™ have joined as one of this year's presenting sponsors. "I am very excited about this year's partnership with Miss Dominican Republic US," says Ali. "Our collaboration demonstrates the Laila Ali Brand's commitment to this important community, and I'm honored to be able to support the drive, motivation, and dreams of these women." Available at department stores and major retailers nationwide, the new Laila Ali Lifestyle Brand features a range of professional hair care and skin care products, followed by all-natural, sustainable fragrances.

At the gala, former Miss Universe Amelia Vega will be performing two songs from her upcoming album "Agua Dulce" available to the public August 30th, 2011. This will be the first exclusive and live performance by Amelia Vega of her songs prior to the official release in New York. Other artists include Yunel Cruz, whose hit song "Dominicanita" has been designated as the official song and jingle for the event. The evening will be hosted by Liliana Gil, entrepreneur, XL Alliance managing partner and media contributor and business reporter for Fox News Latino, HispanicAd, Huffington Post, among others and Eliecer Marte, media contributor to CNN en Espanol and Telemundo 47, among others.

Other participating partners include: Glamorous Cosmetics, Cibao Meats, Yager Esthetics and Spa, Piatto D'Oro, Vimar Martinez , Icel New York, Danelle I Dungca, Helen Rojas Trajes de bano, Creative Capital Ad Agency, Nunez Dental Services, Shua-media Photography, Jose Guerra Photography and Victor Lopez Lama fotografo.


Source: PR Newswire

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Tampa ICE agents help return priceless statues home to the DR

They are priceless pieces of history that look like something out of an Indiana Jones movie.

"These articles date back to 2000 B.C.," said Special Agent in Charge Susan McCormick with Homeland Security.

Agents say an unknown number of people were smuggling dozens of ancient statues and ancient tools out of the Dominican Republic. Many of the relics were found packed up, passing through warehouses in Florida. Agents even stopped and arrested one accused smuggler red-handed at Orlando International Airport.

"In his possession, he had seven additional figurines," McCormick said.

On Thursday, the U.S. government returned the artifacts to Dominican officials.

The investigation began when agents searched an Orlando warehouse three years ago and found suspicious import packages that were marked "stone figurines".

The items were confiscated, but then other similar packages began to arrive throughout the state.

A University of Florida curator helped identify the artifacts that were likely intended for sale online or on the black market.

"Everybody is out to make a buck and these people intended to sell these and get the highest price for the antiquities," said McCormick.

Florida wasn't the only place where agents found the stolen artifacts. More packages with other antiquities were also found in Tennessee and Puerto Rico.


Source: ABC Action News

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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Transat supports La Altagracia Cultural Route in the Dominican Republic

Transat A.T. Inc. announced today it is teaming up with La Altagracia Tourism Cluster (Clúster Turístico La Altagracia) to help implement a program promoting the Cultural Route in La Altagracia, a province on the east coast of the Dominican Republic best known for its beaches. This is the 15th project backed by Transat as part of its program to support sustainable tourism initiatives.

"We are encouraging an initiative taken by the Dominican tourism industry and conducted in collaboration with hoteliers in the region," said Jean-Marc Eustache, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transat. "Travellers will be invited to visit local communities and discover the province's cultural wealth."

The Cultural Route is a tourism circuit for exploring the backcountry of Punta Cana and Bávaro, a top Transat sun destination that receives about two million tourists annually. The project aims to showcase the built heritage, in particular the modern Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia Basilica as well as two 16th-century buildings, the Casa Museo Juan Ponce de León historical museum and the Santuario San Dionisio church. The project also aims to train tourism guides, enhance the know-how of craftsmen and help visitors discover local cuisine.

Since 2007, Transat has backed 15 projects in 10 countries as part of its sustainable tourism support program, with financial commitments totalling nearly $550,000 (€400,000). Earlier this year, Transat announced its support for two sustainable tourism projects, in Canada and Cambodia respectively.


Source: Digital Journal

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Monday, August 22, 2011

Hotel owner sought in Dominican journalist killing

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have alleged that a hotel owner is a key conspirator behind a plan to kidnap and assassinate a prominent muckraking journalist who made allegations of links among drug traffickers, antidrug prosecutors and business leaders in the small Caribbean nation.

Jose Silvestre, publisher of the Voice of Truth weekly newspaper and host of a radio program of the same name (link in Spanish), was shot to death while four suspects attempted to kidnap him on Aug. 2 in the city of La Romana. His body was found later on a roadside east of Santo Domingo.

Authorities suspect businessman and resort owner Matias Avelino Castro ordered Silvestre's murder and remained at large. Avelino wanted Silvestre dead after a July report in the Voice of Truth referred to the alleged criminal links of several of the businessman's associates, Dominican prosecutors said in a statement (link in Spanish). Four arrests have been made in the case, Dominican Today reported.

The Dominican Republic is becoming a key drug-trafficking route from South and Central America into the United States.

Avelino uses several aliases including Joaquin Almeida, Franklin Linaira and "Daniel." News outlets in the Dominican Republic identify him as a leader in a group known as the Samana cartel, named for the Samana peninsula where his Las Galeras resort is located (link in Spanish). That hotel's website presents it as a luxurious tropical getaway and has information in five European languages.

Silvestre was jailed for six days this year on libel charges after he published allegations linking a local antidrug prosecutor to narcotics trafficking. The journalist sometimes made criminal allegations against officials and others without sourcing the claims, the Associated Press said. Prosecutors also said they have testimony from three people who claim Silvestre was paid to publish some of his allegations.

Nonetheless, the journalist's killing has received attention from Amnesty International and other rights groups. According to a sibling, shots were fired at Silvestre's house in May, Amnesty International reported, and because of the threats against the journalist, the Dominican Republic's national press workers union had requested police protection for Silvestre, which was never granted.


Source: LA Times Blogs

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Sunday, August 21, 2011

CommonWealth One Hosts Delegates From Dominican Republic

On Tuesday, August 16th, CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union welcomed 24 delegates from the Dominican Republic’s World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and their National School of Cooperative Education, Inc. (ENECOOP) to their headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. These two Dominican organizations focus on spreading the doctrine, values, principles and practices of cooperatives; and provide training programs, seminars and internship/job positions within cooperatives.

CommonWealth One was the first credit union in the country to be visited by the delegates, who enjoyed a morning presentation focusing on topics such as products & services, departmental structure, procedures & regulations, and internet banking capabilities. "It was an amazing opportunity to exchange philosophies and policies" said Vice President of Marketing & Retail Sales Charlotte Cash. After the presentation, the delegates were treated to a facility tour and a luncheon at a local restaurant.


Source: Web Wire

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Italy agents seize one ton of cocaine sent from Dominican Republic

Italy authorities seized one ton of cocaine in the port of La Spezia sent from Dominican Republic by the same criminal network in the case of the 419 kilos seized at East Haina Port two weeks ago.

The drug was shipped on a boat that weighed anchor from Caucedo Multimodal Port hidden behind a false wall of a container loaded with tiles, and which the authorities say came from Colombia before being sent to Europe.

Dominican, U.S. and Italian antinarcotics agencies were reportedly monitoring the group of traffickers and when the drug was about to be shipped to Europe, local agents placed a satellite device in the container to track it to its final destination.

The boat made a stop in Freeport, Bahamas, then headed to Barcelona, then to the Italian ports of Giogia, Tauro, Naples and finally La Spezia, around 100 km from Genoa, where five people were arrested when they went to retrieve the cargo.

Italy customs agents seized the container, removed the tiles and found the drug behind a false wall, within space of around three feet packed with bricks of cocaine.

The packages of cocaine had several marks, including one with the form of a scorpion, anda its estimated street value is 300 million euros (around US$423 million).

Italian authorities said they had the information on the narcotics more than one month ago, but waited until it reached its destination, a warehouse near Massa Carrara, in the Tuscan coast. They added that the drug was trafficked by one of the structures of the cartel Valle del Norte. , and arrested three Italians, a Spaniard and a Colombian.

The National Drugs Control Agency said it was the same operation of the 419 kilos of cocaine seized two weeks ago in East Haina Port, on which five people were arrested, including Cesar Teófilo Soriano.

It was reported that the authorities decided to intercept the cocaine in Dominican territory, although its final destination was Spain’s port at Huelva and let it continue its course, which would’ve been Italy.


Source: Dominican Today

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Friday, August 19, 2011

10 days to submit names for Dominican Republic’s highest courts

The National Magistrate Council (CNM) yesterday approved the regulation to evaluate Supreme Court justices (SCJ), and announced a term of 10 days to present candidates for the posts of the judicial structure’s various entities.

Presidency minister Cesar Pina said proposals on the procedures were debated by all participants, on some requests of reforms, and that the text was unanimously approved.

Pina added that according to the regulation approved, all institutions and entities, as well as citizens who want to submit the names of candidates for the high court, as well as those of the Constitutional Court, and the Superior Elector Court, can do so within 10 days.


Source: Dominican Today

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Thursday, August 18, 2011

Dominican festival slated for Perth Amboy this weekend

The Dominican city’s community will celebrate the 148th anniversary of the Dominican Republic’s Restoration of Independence with a festival this weekend.

The festival, organized by the United Dominicans of Perth Amboy in association with promoter Irving Lozada, is scheduled for 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Wilentz School field off First Street. Last year’s festival attracted more than 20,000 people daily. This year, the festival is dedicated to the community’s youths.

The festival will feature more than 25 musical attractions, including seven bands from the Dominican Republic. Performers will include Tito Swing, Yoskar Sarante, Juliana, Sexappeal & Secreto.

This year, there will be a combination of rhythms, such as merengue, bachata, salsa, reggeton and Dembow.

The festival will feature food from different cultures, including the Little Spain Restaurant in the Fords secton of Woodbridge. The restaurant will work to create the largest paella in New Jersey.

There also will be rides for children and adults.


Source: My Central Jersey

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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Dominican Republic: $770 million for wind farms

The Dominican Republic plans to install $770 million worth of wind facilities until 2015. To entice wind developers to invest their money in the Dominican Republic, the government is proposing more than double the electricity price charged in other Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil or Peru. Two European companies are in the Dominican focus as well: Gamensa Corp Tecnologica SA, Europe’s second largest wind-turbine maker, and Grupo Inveravante from Spain will join the construction process.

If successful, the Dominican Republic “would be beating lower-tier EU countries,” said Fraser Johnston, an analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance. By connecting 350 megawatts worth of wind farms to the grid within four years would dwarf efforts by Poland (270 megawatts in six years) and Bulgaria (343 megawatts in seven years). The Dominican government wants to obtain 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, up from currently 12 percent. The EU itself has committed itself to a share of 20 percent from renewable energy sources by 2020.


Source: CTA Bloomberg

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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Dominican Republic officials looking to Flint company for fuel cell plant

Top dignitaries from the Dominican Republic visited the city Wednesday to discuss a tentative deal between the island and Flint-based Global Energy Innovations that could bring a fuel cell plant to the electricity-starved nation.

GEI, founded by Kettering University’s fuel cell leader and scientist K. Joel Berry, is in talks with the country to install a plant that could house enough fuel cells to power a couple thousand homes and businesses on the island.

The fuel cell units would be built in Flint and could potentially create between 20 to 50 jobs in the city, officials said.

The Dominican Republic Energy Minister Celso Marranzini and Secretary of State Eddy Martinez were among key officials at Kettering, optimistic that Flint-born fuel cell technology could provide the dependable, affordable power their country has lacked.

“I believe this could be a historic moment,” said Martinez, also the executive director of the country’s Export and Investment Center. “I see this as a transcendental opportunity that can create jobs in Flint, create jobs in Michigan and create jobs in the Dominican.

“We hope that this is a platform that can expand to the rest of Latin America.”

The size, dollar amount and job-creating potential of the fuel cell power plant were among details to be discussed in private meetings throughout the day, when officials were to see for the first time demonstrations of how the technology works.

A final agreement is expected to be approved within three months.

A lack of reliable, low-cost energy sources has created an electricity crisis for the Caribbean island nation, which is plagued with regular blackouts. That’s a bottleneck to economic growth and attracting companies, officials said.

“We’re looking to get new technology to help us solve the electricity problem we’ve had for more than 40 years,” Marranzini said. “It has been one of President (Leonel) Fernández’s biggest commitments to solve that problem. We want to have electricity 24 hours a day.

“This is a great opportunity. I’m sure we will be able to get a lot of technology transferred to the Dominican.”

The deal would be a major milestone for GEI, a four-year-old Kettering spinoff company whose product can use clean, efficient natural gas to power commercial buses, military bases and homes.


Source: mlive.com

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Monday, August 15, 2011

50 MW PV pilot plant to be built in the Dominican Republic

Isofotón is to build a 50 megawatt (MW) pilot photovoltaic plant in the Dominican Republic.

The news was announced following a meeting held in the country, which discussed the need for the Dominican Republic to adopt forms of energy other than fossil fuels. Representatives from Isofotón attended, alongside the President of the Dominican Republic and members of his government.

In a statement, the Spanish company described photovoltaics potential in the Dominican Republic as "enormous". It added that the 50 MW pilot plant, an agreement about which was signed in the meeting, will be a "benchmark" in Latin America.

While Isofotón would not divulge much information about the project, a spokesperson for the company told pv magazine that construction on the plant would be completed by the first quarter of 2012, and that it will supply the photovoltaic modules.

They would not say where the projected will be located, what kind of financial incentives it will receive, if any, or how much will be invested in it - only that further information would be shared in September.

The project’s aim, however, says the spokesperson, is to demonstrate to the Dominican Government that the development of solar in the country is "interesting".

They added, “The trade and investment agreements that the Dominican Republic has signed with other countries from Center and South America will enable us to use this country as business hub with the rest of the region."

When asked if the company has further photovoltaic plans in the country, they replied, "Isofotón’s intentions are to be very active in the Dominican Republic." They explained that rooftop, ground-mounted and off-grid photovoltaic plants will all be "deeply analzed and considered" by the company.

In other news, Isofotón also declared its intention of promoting renewable energy training to the country’s local workforce, by becoming a “bridge” between the Universities of Malaga and Seville, and the Dominican Republic.


Source: PV Magazine

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Sunday, August 14, 2011

$65 million Modern Cruise Terminal to be Built

Tourism minister Francisco Javier Garcia announced Friday the construction of a modern cruises terminal in the town Maimon, at a cost of US$65 million, generating around 30 million dollars in its first year in operation.

He said the terminal will positively impact the province and can simultaneously berth two boats totaling at least 4,000 passengers.

Garcia said an investment of this breadth by the Carnival Corporation guarantees the project’s success, expeditious construction, and the massive presence of cruise passengers. “The speed of the work stems mostly because that investment doesn’t require any financing or Dominican Government facilities for the investors.”

For Giora Israel, Carnival Corporation senior vice president for Ports Development and Destinations, the terminal’s construction is expected to start October 1.

The terminal will occupy 50,000 square meters at Maimón Bay, construction will last two years, and provide 800 direct jobs.

The resort city of Puerto Plata has been demanding the construction of a cruise ship port for several years to restore the province’s splendor, characterized like tourist resort in the 70 and 80s.


Source: Dominican Today

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Saturday, August 13, 2011

Rains, work on dam wreak havoc on Dominican Republic’s arid south

The municipalities Peñón and Cabral are practically cut off as the latest downpours washed out several spans of the highway which links them, snarling traffic on the important route at the heart of the usually arid South region.

Also flooded are several banana plantations and crops such as cassava, sweet potato among others, which means a hard blow for farmers and cattle ranchers in both towns.

The rains in the last weeks, mainly San Juan province, forced the opening of the floodgates at the dam in Sabaneta, venting large amounts of water from the South Yaque river, which supplies the Cabral lagoon as well, and the recent floods.

Farmers of the zone said they await the government’s assessment of the flood damage to the region’s plantations, and on the repairs of the main road.

According to news source listin.com.do, the flooding results from the work on the Sabana Yegua dam by the contractor Andrade Gutiérrez, which also won the bidding to build the dam at Monte Grande, on the South Yaque river, and has yet to conclude the former’s existing drainage.

The farmers of the zone expect the authorities to look for ways to channel the South Yaque river and prevent future overflows, which result in important economic losses for the farmers and their families.


Source: Dominican Today

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Friday, August 12, 2011

Dutch woman released from Dominican jail

Mandy Pijnenburg has been released from a jail in the Dominican Republic and is on her way home to the Netherlands.

In July 2006, the 23-year-old from the southern town of Tilburg was arrested with more than 20 kilograms of cocaine in her suitcase.

She was initially sentenced to ten years, but her sentence was halved when it became clear that she had been forced to smuggle the drugs by a group of so-called ‘lover boys’, some of whom have since been convicted for their involvement in the drug transport.

Ms Pijnenburg, who was released on 24 July, will be reunited with her parents at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Tuesday.


Source: Radio Netherlands Worldwide

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Thursday, August 11, 2011

Taiwan anties US$1.0M for university Dominican Government builds in Haiti

Taiwan donated US$1.0 million to Dominican Republic as a contribution for the construction of the university campus which the Dominican Government builds in Haiti, after last year’s earthquake devastated it.

Taiwan ambassador Isaac Tsai handed the donation to Foreign Relations minister Carlos Morales during an activity held in the Foreign Relations Ministry .

After handing the check to Luis Sifres, head of the State Works Supervisory Office, which executes the work, Morales thanked the diplomat for Taiwan’s solidarity on the part of the Dominican government and people. “You have always been present when collaboration for just causes is required.”

“You can be sure, Mr. Ambassador Tsai, that this grant will be helpful to make the construction of the higher education center in the neighboring country a reality,” Morales said of the work whose estimated cost is 30 million dollars.


Source: Dominican Today

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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Church officials charge cholera threatens prisons in Dominican Republic

Catholic officials in the Dominican Republic have charged that prison directors are covering up evidence of cholera in the country’s jails.

The Pastoral Commission says that cholera has broken out because of unsanitary conditions, endangering prisoners. The National Directorate of Prisons denies that there are any cholera cases in the prison.

Cholera has been reported in the general population in the Dominican Republic since an epidemic ripped through neighboring Haiti after the earthquake there in 2010. There have been over 6,000 reported cholera deaths in Haiti, and 92 in the Dominican Republic.


Source: Catholic Culture

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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Treasurer says there’re too many taxes, tax breaks

Treasury minister Daniel Toribio Wednesday affirmed that Dominican Republic can’t withstand more taxes. “The current taxes are enough for the country to have a reasonable tax pressure.”

He stressed the need for everyone to pay taxes and said he’s against maintaining the many tax exemptions for the various sectors. “If the employee pays taxes, why don’t you pay? If you invest in free zones or tourism, or the border, why don’t you pay taxes? ”

The official said tax exemptions must be provided specifically for investments in activities which the Government wants to stimulate, “but not for the profits that you have in that activity, everything can’t be stimulus” in economy activities.

Toribio, interviewed by the Corripio Communications Group, said he agrees with recent statements by the Herrera Industries Association, that the Government must stimulate investment with tax breaks, but not for most of the economic activities.

When asked which tax privileges the Government should repeal, the treasures said all exemptions on the profits of companies should be eliminated, because in his view, those benefits could be used to reinvest, or to buy a yacht, or an airplane or others not necessarily in society’s interest.


Source: Dominican Today

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Monday, August 8, 2011

American Eagle resumes San Juan-La Romana flights

American Eagle Airlines, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, announced today it will reinstate service to La Romana-Casa de Campo International Airport (LRM) from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan (SJU), twice a week (Friday and Sunday) beginning November 18, 2011. The new service will be operated with 64-seat ATR-72 aircraft.

“La Romana, the official airport for Casa de Campo and the hotels in the Bayahibe region, is a popular destination for travelers coming from and through San Juan,” said Peter Dolara, American's Senior Vice President for Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. “We are pleased to reinstate our service between San Juan and La Romana and offer our customers more options to visit this Caribbean paradise.”

Casa de Campo, one of the Dominican Republic’s premier resorts, is a world-famous destination renowned for its luxury hotel rooms and villas, variety of world-class facilities, cuisine and award-winning golf courses.

“We are delighted that American Eagle has decided to launch service to our La Romana-Casa de Campo International Airport from San Juan,” said Claudio Silvestri, President and CEO of Premier Resorts and Hotels, the management company for Casa de Campo. “Together with American, we strive to provide the best customer service and are confident that this new flight will boost the number of guests to our resort and the region. This is a great addition to American’s flight schedule”.


Source: Dominican Today

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Sunday, August 7, 2011

Drugs seized from Spain-bound tobacco shipment

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have seized more than 400 kilograms of cocaine hidden in crates of tobacco about to be exported to Spain.

The National Drug Control agency says the cocaine was found in a truck filled with whole tobacco leaves during an inspection at the seaport in Haina, just outside the capital of Santo Domingo.

Agency spokesman Roberto Lebron says the crates were intended to be loaded on a ship bound for Spain. He says a tobacco exporter and a customs agent are being questioning after being detained Thursday.

Last year, authorities in Valencia, Spain, seized 1.2 tons of cocaine found in containers of construction equipment that had been shipped from the same Dominican port.


Source: Associated Press

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Saturday, August 6, 2011

Dominican Republic Baits $770 Million of Wind Farms With Perks

The Dominican Republic, the Caribbean country that shares an island with Haiti, plans to roll out $770 million of wind farms through 2015 by enticing developers with some of the region’s most generous rates for renewable energy.

Gamesa Corp. Tecnologica SA, Europe’s second-largest wind- turbine maker, and Spain’s Grupo Inveravante are among companies developing 350 megawatts of capacity over the next four years, said Hipolito Nunez, a national energy commission adviser.

The Dominican Republic gets about 12 percent of its power from renewable sources, with the rest generated from costlier fossil-fuel imports. It plans to boost that share to 25 percent by 2020 by offering wind developers more than double the amount of money for their electricity than is available in some other Latin American countries, according to Nunez.

“Wind energy is much cheaper than petroleum,” he said Aug. 2 in a telephone interview. “We will install the maximum that the grid can support.”

Under a government incentive mechanism for renewable energy, state-owned power utility Corp. Dominicana de Empresas Electricas Estatales, known as CDEEE, is offering about $137.40 for every megawatt-hour produced from wind farms, according to Ana-Maria Vidaurre, a team leader at the Inter-American Development Bank that’s financing two projects in the country.


Source: Bloomberg

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Friday, August 5, 2011

Viva Wyndham Resorts® Partners With UNICEF

Viva Wyndham Resorts® announces that it has partnered with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to launch "Huesped de Corazon," a program to raise awareness of and alleviate all forms of abuse and violence, including commercial sexual exploitation, against children in the Dominican Republic. The all-inclusive resort company is the first hotel chain to implement this program in the country.

Huesped de Corazon underscores Viva Wyndham's continued efforts to bring attention to social issues and improve the quality of life of children. Staff at Viva Wyndham Resorts' properties in the Dominican Republic, including the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach and Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace in Bayahibe and the Viva Wyndham Tangerine in Cabarete, will receive education and training on children's rights. As a result, the staff will become advocates and disseminate messaging and information about the program throughout their communities.

"UNICEF is an incredible organization with a powerful mission and we are honored to partner with this non-profit. This alliance further exemplifies our social responsibility platform focused on societal issues," said Rafael Blanco Canto, executive vice president for Viva Wyndham Resorts. "This program has several layers of awareness building and education and our hotel staff will essentially serve as voices for this serious cause. We are confident that this program will have a significant impact on the lives of youth and families of the Dominican Republic."

Guests of Viva Wyndham Resorts also will have the opportunity to contribute voluntarily to the cause by donating $1 USD, or the local currency equivalent, which will be noted on their hotel bill as a donation to UNICEF. All proceeds from Huesped de Corazon will be used by UNICEF to develop and promote local initiatives to protect children and adolescents under the framework of projects of the Program for Cooperation with the Government of the Dominican Republic, approved by UNICEF's Executive Board.

In addition to social issues, Viva Wyndham Resorts' social responsibility platform includes environmental and educational initiatives.


Source: PR Newswire

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Thursday, August 4, 2011

Agents in Puerto Rico seize $200K from car roof

Federal agents in Puerto Rico have seized more than $200,000 in cash hidden in the roof of a car bound for the Dominican Republic.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the money was discovered during an X-ray inspection as the car boarded the Chihuahua Star ferry.

The agency said in a statement Thursday that the driver declared only $4,500 in cash.

The money was seized over the weekend.

Three other similar seizures were reported earlier this year. In February, federal agents detained two men in a taxi carrying $580,000 in suitcases. A week later, police found $670,000 stuffed inside beer boxes during a routine traffic stop. In late January, police stopped a man with more than $1 million in his truck.


Source: Taiwan News

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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Political parties will have to account for taxpayers’ money starting August 1

On August 1 the political parties will have to render their first formal account on the handling of the funds they receive from the National Budget through the Central Electoral Board (JCE), warned its president Robert Rosario Thursday.

The Electoral judge, speaking to political party delegates and representatives during the International Seminar on Electoral Reforms in Latin American, being held in the country with the support of IDEA International and the JCE, said they work to provide the parties with a accounting system to render accounts on the funds the JCE gives them monthly. “There’re topics which are going to become transparent and that’s going to make politics and political funding increasingly stronger in the Dominican Republic.”

Rosario said that in fact, the new system to regulate the JCE’s funds to the parties was implemented in the wake of 22 Accounts Chamber audits on an equal number of political parties, which found irregularities in their use.

The official added that the JCE is obligated to start the supervision and control process since the parties are using taxpayers’ money.


Source: Dominican Today

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Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Two PLPs call for tougher laws against foreign poachers

DAYS before the start of the crawfishing season, two opposition members have urged government to toughen laws against foreign poachers.

Poachers, particularly those from the Dominican Republic, routinely encroach on Bahamian fishing grounds and threaten the important industry said Ryan Pinder, Progressive Liberal Party member of parliament for Elizabeth, and fisherman Clay Sweeting, the PLP's candidate for North Eleuthera.

The men renewed their call for a special marine protection division in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to focus on warding off foreign poachers. The pair also asked for government to expand current criminal laws against poachers with stiff jail terms imposed for those found fishing off season.

"The illegal poaching has put at risk our entire marine resources as the illegal fishing is done without regard to species, maturity or sustainability of the catch. Entire areas are wiped out by the illegal poachers. We need to be serious about protecting this fragile industry so Bahamian fishermen can have a future in it. The PLP believes in taking whatever enforcement necessary, no matter how strict the penalty, to preserve fishing in Bahamian waters for Bahamians.

"We call on the government to ensure the implementation of policies and laws that will be a real deterrent, and not just a slap on the wrist. Jail time should be imposed, especially if poachers are caught fishing in the off season, when the crawfish spawn," said a joint statement issued by the men yesterday.

When contacted for comment, Abner Pinder, former chief councillor of the fishing community Spanish Wells, agreed that many in the industry want to see harsher penalties for poachers.

"The fisherman here want tougher laws, definitely they would like to see the fines increased - doubled at least," he said yesterday.

While captains of the poaching vessels are often given steep fines once charged and convicted, crew members are only required to pay a few hundred dollars, he said.

This does little to deter fisherman from countries with barren fishing grounds from seeking precious resources from the Bahamas, he added.

"They have no fishing grounds, they have killed their fishing grounds so they are going to keep trying to come here to make a living".

Last week, 61 Dominican poachers pled guilty to charges of illegal fishing in Bahamian waters, possession of prohibited spear guns, possession of prohibited air compressors, possession of groupers weighing under three pounds and possession of crawfish during the closed season.

Nine of the eleven crewmen aboard the vessel Lil Lamb were ordered to pay a fine of $500 or spend six months in prison while the captain was sentenced to pay a $50,000 fine or spend one year in prison.

The Dominican crewmen found aboard a second vessel, Don Emmy, were given the same sentence as their counterparts, however the captain's fine in this case was $25,000.

The vessels, catch and everything else found onboard were ordered seized.


Source: The Tribune

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Monday, August 1, 2011

Warwick International Hotels comes ashore in the Caribbean

Warwick International Hotels has announced its first affiliated resort in the Caribbean, marking the third hotel joining the Warwick Collection this year. Balaji Palace Playa Grande, a new luxury resort nestled on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, offers exclusiveness and enchantment for an unequalled experience in this tropical island.

Balaji Palace Playa Grande offers 13 exceptional suite accommodations, from which guests can enjoy a wide range of amenities and activities. The resort sits on its own pristine, private beach on the Atlantic Ocean, and it is surrounded by an unspoiled mountain region and tropical rain forests. A golf course called “The Pebble Beach of the Caribbean” is just next door. The charming villages of Rio San Juan and Cabrera, with their enticing local markets, jewelry and picturesque souvenir shops, are within 10 minutes. Balaji Palace Playa Grande features an intimate spa, private chef for world-class dining and unforgettable facilities for a VIP meeting or destination wedding.

“The Dominican Republic is one of the top tourism draws in the Caribbean, and we have no doubt that Balaji Palace Playa Grande will become a favored destination for those who want the best accommodations and rejuvenating experience on their vacation,” said G. Paul LeBlanc, Vice President Marketing & Sales for Warwick International Hotels. “During 2011, we have announced our second hotel in Eastern Europe, Hotel Europe in Belarus, and our first resort hotel in the Middle East, Winter Valley/Warwick Resort & Spa, on the shore of the Dead Sea, Jordan. Expanding into yet another new region dramatically reinforces the vibrancy and growth of Warwick International Hotels.”


Source: eTurbo News

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