Archive for March, 2018
The Migration Agency (DGM) reported the seizing of 329 altered National Foreigner Status Legalization (PNRE) ID cards in migratory inspections carried out in the provinces of Dajabon and Santiago last week. Of these, 165 were forged and another 164 were being used by persons who were not issued the ID cards. The irregularities were detected using biometric readers and consulting the PNRE database. Those found in possession of irregular cards are to be deported.
The DGM says that it has seized 3,985 PNRE cards with irregularities in operations in Dajabon, National District, Elias Piña, Greater Santo Domingo and Santiago.
News reports have mentioned the scheme of people traffickers including the PNRE cards as part of the smuggling scheme. The use of biometric readers has enabled the authorities to identify the lack of matching between the holder of the card and the person to whom the card was issued.
Source: DR1, listindiario
March 27, 2018
The Ministry of Interior and Police announced its “Safe Holy Week 2018” program which will begin next Wednesday, 28 March 2018 as the exodus starts with hundreds of thousands leaving the big cities for beach and mountain destinations and small towns. The comprehensive public safety program aims to prevent traffic accidents, general intoxication and violence nationwide during the four-day Easter long weekend.
One of the measures is to ensure a reduction in drunk driving. Inspectors will be posted at the entrances and exits to beach and mountain destinations. These inspectors belong to the Department of Control of Alcoholic Beverages (COBA) and will be authorized to search vehicles and if the driver is suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, the vehicle will be detained until the person is deemed to be sober and in condition to drive without representing a danger to himself or herself or third parties.
Participating in the operation will be members of the National Police together with members of the Red Cross and Ministry of Public Works road patrol, Asistencia Vial (829 688-1000). Thousands of Civil Defense volunteers will be posted at important areas around all of the nation’s highways.
There will be several command posts stationed on the most important intersections of the nation’s highway system, and assistance will be available at places such as Higuero, in North Santo Domingo, Yamasa, Boca Chica, Palenque, San Cristobal, Juan Dolio, Bani, Salinas, Los Patos, Manoguayabo and Nizao. There were also be checkpoints in Cambita, San Cristobal; Santiago, San Francisco do Macoris, Moca, Salcedo, Ocoa, and at the El Morro in Montecristi.
Source: DR1, Elnacional
March 27, 2018
JOHANNESBURG – From beer gardens to health hubs and cosy living rooms, airport lounges today have evolved far past the glorified waiting rooms with kitsch sofas they once were.
Euan McNeil, GM at FCM Travel said, “At a time when traveller friction is taking its toll on travellers, airports have started to recognise that they need to up their game if they want to be the first choice for frequent flyers.”
“Where they can, airlines and airports are creating beautiful spaces with natural light and unique touches. These destination lounges are making travel smoother and more comfortable for road warriors and should be on the radar of every South African company that wants to reduce traveller friction.”
FCM has rounded up four unique lounge experiences that could offer corporate travellers much-needed moments of tranquillity during their busy travel journeys.
“An open air natural oasis in the midst of the airport chaos can be the perfect antidote to traveller friction,” says McNeil.
Delta’s Sky Clubs at JFK’s Terminal 4 and Atlanta’s Concourse F are very literally providing travellers with a breath of fresh air with their ‘Sky Decks’. The ‘Sky Decks’ are outdoor mega-patios, designed by Thom Filicia, and feel somewhat like being on a roof-deck at a metropolitan hotel.
In Munich in Germany, the VIP Wing airport lounge also treats travellers to fresh air with an ‘open-air’ Bavarian beer garden where travellers can relax and enjoy a last sip of the Bavarian culture before continuing on their journey.
Outside swimming pools are also big plus for stressed-out travellers on long layovers. The Dominican Republic’s Punta Cana International Airport has revealed that its brand-new VIP lounge will feature an outdoor infinity-edge pool. A dip in the water puts travellers on almost the same level as the planes parked on the runway below.
And although not in the open air, one of the highlights of the new Senator Lounge at Vienna Airport in Austria are the real Austrian beech trees, which are preserved using a special preservation technique and evoke the culture of Austria.
Cultural Immersion Lounges
Cultural immersion trips continue to gain in popularity throughout the world, and the concept has now also found its way into airport lodges.
The SATS Premier Lounge Terminal 2 at Singapore Changi International Airport is known for immersing its guests in Singaporean culture with displays of real orchids, Peranakan porcelain and artwork depicting local scenes. The lounge hosts regular cultural events to ensure that visitors are treated to a unique experience every time they enter the lounge.
For travellers wanting to soak up French culture, Air France recently completed the first phase of the renovation and expansion of its business class lounge in Terminal 2 (T2) at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. The renovated lounge features an open kitchen designed in the style of a Parisian brasserie.
“Airport often start to feel as the road warrior’s second home,” says McNeil. “The good news is that now road warriors can relax in ‘cosy living room’-style lounges that will feel like a home-away-from-home.”
The Almost@Home Lounge in Helsinki Airport, allows travellers to cook in a real kitchen or enjoy a drink from the wine and spirits bar. The lounge also features loft style homey seating areas that will make travellers feel like they’re in a friend’s apartment. The only difference? Here they can raid the cabinets without running the risk of ruining a friendship.
Tallinn Airport Business Lounge at the Lennart Meri Airport in Estonia is another example of a lounge that has been designed to give travellers the feeling that they are waiting for their flight in the comfort of their own living room.
The latest example of a ‘cosy’ airport lounge is Cathay Pacific’s ‘The Deck’ at Hong Kong International Airport, which will open its doors on March 22. The lounge promised to emulate a contemporary living room environment of understated luxury.
Health Experience Lounges
“Travellers today don’t want to eat junk food and sit still for hours on end. They want to feel rejuvenated and eat healthy foods… and airport lounges have taken notice,” says McNeil.
Virgin Atlantic pioneered the idea of offering spa treatments to passengers in its London Heathrow Clubhouse more than 25 years ago. Since then, the airline has kicked things up a notch with its Bumble & Bumble salon, Dr. Hauschka skin-care swag, and Truefitt & Hill men’s products.
Also Air France’s new business class lounge in Charles de Gaulle features two private saunas, a relaxation area furnished with loungers and mini-suites; a detox bar with a selection of fine teas to improve health and wellbeing; and two private cabins where guests can book facial treatments with Clarins beauticians.
At Dubai International Airport, Emirates Business Class Lounge at Concourse B, travellers are treated to a barista experience in partnership with Cost Coffee as well as a Health Hub with Voss water featuring ‘healthier’ dining and drinking options.
Although the wear and tear on frequent business travellers cannot be fixed by offering lounge access, these modern conceptual airport lounges can go a long way in making business trips more pleasant and even fun for road warriors.
“Preventing traveller friction and ensuring your road warriors health and well-being whilst travelling should be a top consideration in your corporate travel programme.” concludes McNeil.
Source: Business Report Online
March 27, 2018
Thursday afternoon, March 22 there was a meeting in the City Hall of Sosúa. For this meeting, representatives of police, fire, military and civil guard were present. The meeting was led by Mayor Ilana Neumann. They consulted each other about splitting the tasks and maintaining order during Semana Santa (Easter week). There will be plenty of extra police on the streets to prevent disturbances. Also, more than 100 volunteers from the Voluntary Civil Guard and Red Cross will be on standby to provide assistance in case of accidents. At the entrance to the beach bags are checked for prohibited glassware. Glass bottles of liquor are forbidden in these days and the bars serve all the drinks in plastic cups. This will be strictly controlled.
Sunday almost everyone goes back home. Unfortunately, many will then again get behind the wheel although they have been drinking. So the police will be extra vigilant on drunk people behind the wheel.
Source: Sosua News
March 27, 2018
The Dominican Republic is in sixth place among the 12 countries in the world that received more than 100,000 tourist visas to visit the United States in 2017. The DR is the fourth country in Latin America in number of tourist visas received for its nationals.
During 2017, US consulates around the world issued a total of 9,681,913 nonimmigrant visas of which 80% were in the category of tourist visa, according to migration specialist Roque Leonel Rodriguez. Of these, Dominicans received 205,460 non-immigrant visas of which 194,557 were as tourists.
In the world ranking, the most non-immigrant visas for the United States were issued to citizens of the following countries: China with 1,452, 834; India (599,883); Brazil (520,589); Argentina (353,555); Colombia (333,433) and the Dominican Republic (194,557), followed by Ecuador in seventh place with 168,103, Russia, (164,944), Israel (163,495); Nigeria (155,940); Philippines (115,712) and Vietnam (100,423).
In the last few years the number of visas given to Dominicans has increased and in 2017 it was the second year it went over 100,000 as in 2016 there were 146,901 non-immigrant visas for Dominicans and last year 205,460.
Source: DR1, Listindiario
March 26, 2018
According to a March 2018 Gallup poll for Hoy newspaper, opinions are divided about the participation of a grandson of the former dictator, Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, in the 2020 presidential election. Ramfis Domínguez Trujillo has spoken of his aspirations to participate in the 2020 presidential election.
Approximately 51% of those polled for the March 2018 Gallup-Hoy poll oppose the idea of a Dominguez-Trujillo presidential run. However, 42% of those polled would not oppose his right to run for the country’s highest office.
Domínguez Trujillo is the son of Angelita Trujillo, daughter of the dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, who governed the country with an iron fist for 31 years.
The highest rate of opposition to his running for president comes from residents in rural areas, with 58%, and women with 54% and among adults aged 55 or more with 56.4%.
In addition, of those who sympathize with the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), 59% rejected Trujillo running for President, 50.2% of those supporting the Revolutionary Modern Party (PRM), 43,3% of those sympathizing with the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) and 34.2% of those who like the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC).
Trujillo is president of the Partido Esperanza Dominicana (PED), a political party that has yet to be recognized by the Central Electoral Board (JCE).
In addition to JCE recognition, a potential Domínguez Trujillo candidacy for president must clear other constitutional and legal issues. For example, the Dominican Constitution establishes restrictions to dual nationals running for President, including the requirement that the aspirant would have had to have resigned the other nationality and have lived in the Dominican Republic 10 years before aspiring to the Presidency. Trujillo was born in the United States.
Likewise, Law 5880 dating back to 1962 prohibits activities that celebrate or pays homage to the dictatorship of Trujillo. This law is still in effect and was confirmed on 19 March 2013 by Resolution 1140 of the Attorney General Office when Domínguez Trujillo carried out a legal consultation. At the time, attorney general Francisco Domínguez Brito confirmed the ban on pro Trujillo activities.
Source: DR1, http://eljaya.com
March 26, 2018
The concerns of visitors to the Dominican Republic about roaming charges could soon become a thing of the past. Representatives of 19 countries of the Americas agreed to end roaming charges for cell phones users. The agreement was announced in a meeting of the VII Assembly of the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (Citel) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
As part of the 2018-2022 Action Plan the Citel representatives terminated roaming charges so that citizens can communicate without barriers across countries.
The end of roaming charges will benefit users in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Paraguay, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Mexico, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Bahamas and Barbados.
This means that users can call, use the Internet and send messages for the same price to and from all of the signatories as if they had been in their own country.
Other themes discussed were the rolling out of more telecommunications’ services, strengthening cyber security, and to improve Internet services and promote the development of ecommerce.
Source: DR1, Listindiario
March 26, 2018
Only 661 graduates of Dominican universities passed the standardized national test that establishes the candidates have sufficient knowledge and skills to practice medicine at public hospitals in the Dominican Republic. Some 4,624 graduate physicians sat for the exams last month.
Wilson Roa, president of the Dominican Medical Guild (CMD), said the low pass rate is a warning that universities may need to revise their curriculum and programs. Of the 4,624 physicians, 2,019 were graduates of the state university, UASD, 821 of Utesa and 605 of the UCE.
Source: DR1, Eldia
March 26, 2018
The Ministry of Foreign Relations is promoting abroad the Oscar de la Renta Award for Dominican expats. Nominations for the award are being received until 21 May 2018. The International Dominican Migrant Award Mr. Oscar de la Renta was created to recognize the positive contributions of Dominicans living and working abroad.
Nominations can be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Relations and Dominican missions abroad. The award nominations are open to first and second generation Dominicans.
The awards have the support of the Oscar de la Renta company and family. The award was created by the Dominican government in Decree 242-17.
Source: Dr1, http://www.premioemigrantedominicano.gob
March 26, 2018
Dominicans eligible to vote in the 2020 presidential election told Gallup-Hoy pollsters they do not share the enthusiasm of Medina administration officials for a possible reelection of President Danilo Medina. To the question if the polled person was in agreement with President Danilo Medina amending the constitution for a second time, the response was overwhelmingly against this. 22.6% said they were totally in disagreement, 44.3% in disagreement, 1% neither in agreement or disagreement, 23.1% in agreement, 6.6% in total agreement, and 2.5% no comment.
President Medina is banned by the 2015 Constitution from running for President in 2020. This is the same constitution that was amended so he could run for reelection in 2016.
Answering to the question of who the polled would like to be the next President of the Republic, Luis Abinader of the leading opposition party received 18.8% of preferences, President Danilo Medina and former President Leonel Fernandez of the ruling PLD tied with 14.8%, Vice President Margarita Cedeño received 7.2% and Guillermo Moreno of Alianza País, a minority party, received 6.6%.
Answering to the question of who should be the PLD presidential candidate, 19.7% said Danilo Medina and 18.7% former President Leonel Fernandez, 4.4% Vice President Margarita Cedeño, while most of those who were polled uncertain who would be the candidate.
Source: DR1, Hoy
March 26, 2018
