DR News
The National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (ProConsumidor) ordered the immediate closure of three Chinese restaurants for inadequate hygiene. Pro Consumidor declared the health of consumers were at risk at these eateries.
The establishments closed are: Expreso Ying Ying, Expreso Sheng Fu and Wan Liy, all located on Independencia Avenue in the National District.
According to the report from Pro Consumidor, in Expreso Ying Ying there was evidence of cross contamination in the refrigerators, lack of a system for the registration of complaints by customers, inadequate drains, rust, rotting of the utensils, and a lack of organization. Employees were inadequately attired, expired products and products in poor condition were noted during an inspection. In the other two restaurants there were cockroaches in the kitchen, cross contamination of foodstuffs with chemicals, cracked floors, an inverter battery in the kitchen, inadequate bathrooms, among other violations.
Source: DR1, Listindiario
June 19, 2018
The Dominican passport was recognized as the best in Latin America during the 7th High Security Printers Conference held 11-13 June 2018 at Secrets Cap Cana in Punta Cana.
The latest technologies and techniques for the production and issue of banknotes, e-passports, ID cards, visas and other documents across Latin America and the Caribbean were presented at the conference. The conference looked into regional developments in document security, currency features, travel documentation technologies and features, printing and production technologies, anti-counterfeiting, document verification and enforcement, new developments in ID cards, driver documents, licenses and vehicle registration.
During the event, Ramon (Monchi) Rodríguez presented the new Dominican Republic passport. He received a certificate for the Dominican passport being the best in the Latin American region.
Source: DR1, Listindiario
June 19, 2018
Fort Lauderdale-based Spirit Airlines plans to launch 14 new destinations out of its Orlando International Airport (MCO) focus city this fall, including 11 new markets in Latin America and the Caribbean, as the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) continues its strategy to focus on core large-US and leisure markets.
The new international routes, most of which start Oct. 4, include:
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Panama City, Panama; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; San Pedro Sula, Honduras; San José, Costa Rica; St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; San Salvador; and Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena, Colombia.
Spirit also is adding service to Asheville and Greensboro, North Carolina; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
“After more than doubling service [at MCO] last year, we are so proud to be expanding there yet again,” Spirit CEO Bob Fornaro said. “Orlando is now one of our largest markets, and we have no plans on stopping our growth.” Spirit’s largest market in 2017 was Fort Lauderdale, which accounted for 26% of its capacity.
The international additions fit into the airline’s strategy of connecting large origin-and-destination markets, major leisure destinations, and international markets popular with leisure travelers—including vacationers and the “visiting friends and relatives” niche. Last year, Spirit’s expansion focused mainly on medium- and long-haul domestic routes, connecting east and west coast cities as well as flying the Eastern Seaboard.
The service changes will boost Spirit’s MCO operation from 27 to 38 destinations, and up to 49 weekly flights. While Spirit has a sizable presence at MCO, its share of total passengers in the 12 months ended March 31 did not crack the top five, according to US Department of Transportation data. Southwest Airlines was the top carrier at MCO for the time period, with a 28% share, roughly double the next-largest carrier, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines. Dallas/Fort Worth-based American Airlines, New York-based JetBlue Airways and Chicago-based United Airlines—each with at least a 10% share—rounded out the top five.
Spirit’s growth, which included a 17.6% capacity boost in 2017 and projects to be 22.5% this year, fits with MCO’s expansion. The airport boosted total passengers 6.4% in 2017 to a record 44.6 million passengers as carriers added more than 3 million seats. International traffic accounted for 5.9 million passengers, or 13.4%.
First-quarter results show the momentum has continued, as total passenger traffic topped 12 million, a 7.8% jump, while international service was up nearly 14%.
The surge has led MCO—already Florida’s busiest airport as measured by passengers—to expand on existing expansion plans. Last month, its board approved adding three new gates to its South Terminal Complex project Phase 1, which was approved for 16 gates. The new, 19-gate facility is slated to open in early 2021 and will house JetBlue—which is slated to have 14 gates—and a dozen or so other carriers, the airport authority said. MCO last month approved both domestic and international operations from the new terminal, boosting its versatility and paving the way for JetBlue’s relocation and expansion from 70 to perhaps 100 daily MCO departures.
Source: http://atwonline.com
June 19, 2018
Frontier Airlines, the low-airfare carrier that has significantly expanded its operation at Raleigh-Durham International Airport this year, announced Wednesday that it will begin flying to six new destinations from RDU this winter, including three in the Caribbean.
The new cities include three international destinations: Cancun, Mexico; Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The other three are domestic warm-weather cities — Fort Myers and West Palm Beach in Florida and Phoenix.
The schedules and frequency of the flights will be released in the next few weeks.
Altogether, Frontier has announced flights to 18 new destinations from RDU this year and will now serve 27 cities with nonstop service from the Triangle. Last week, the airline announced twice-a-week nonstop flights to San Diego.
Frontier will be the only airline to fly nonstop to Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Fort Myers and West Palm Beach from RDU, bringing the number of places served with nonstop service from RDU to 62.
Until this year, Frontier was a small player at RDU, accounting for just 2.3 percent of passengers in and out of the airport last year. When the new flights are in place, Frontier will fly to more nonstop destinations from RDU than any other airline (Delta is currently tops with 25).
Source: heraldsun.com
June 15, 2018
The US TV station, ABC News aired a news story covering the side of investors who lost big sums after having ploughed millions into the Trump Farallon Estates at Cap Cana, the would-be luxury development that had been planned by the local developers of Cap Cana and that was championed by then Apprentice-show star, today US President Donald J. Trump. ABC reminds readers that on the same day buildable lots in the cliff-top resort went on sale, dozens buyers bought out 95% of the development, snapping up more than US$350 million in property. There would have been condominium-hotel, a beach club, private villas, and a world class golf course, but all collapsed, reportedly due to the financial crash in 2008. Many investors lost their life savings.
ABC is following up the story now that after Trump reached the US Presidency, his son Eric Trump, the real estate developer, was back meeting with Cap Cana developers Ricardo and Fernando Hazoury at the property in February 2017. ABC recalled that in 2012, the Trump Organization had filed a lawsuit against the developers, accusing them of having “grossly underreported” the project’s sales figures to avoid having to pay the Trump company its share of the proceeds. “This was textbook fraud on a wide scale, involving millions of dollars,” the Trump lawsuit alleged.
ABC explains that unlike many of the original buyers – many of who saw their land lost to foreclosure – the Trumps had made US$12 million in licensing fees. Records show the legal claim was resolved in an undisclosed settlement.
Former US ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Wally Brewster, told ABC News that he wants to know if any of the president’s broad range of powers have become tools of leverage in the company’s dealings with the powerful Dominican family that is developing Cap Cana.
Brewster mentioned that the US government is still aggressively pursuing a slow-moving legal case that it brought against the project’s developer for more than US$12 million in US government loan guarantees issued by the Export-Import Bank of the United States but that were never repaid. The loans, bank officials told ABC News, were meant to help the Cap Cana developer to import US products.
Eryn Schornick, a lawyer with the watchdog group Global Witness told ABC News these are concerns inherent with having a US President whose family is doing extensive business overseas, as reported in ABC News.
“The primary concern I see with the potential of Mr. Trump’s family returning to the Dominican Republic is abuse of power,” said Schornick, who has done legal work in the Dominican. “The fact is, the Dominican Republic is a very small country. They’re in a place where doing business with [the family of] the President of the United States could influence the way in which any negotiations in foreign policy may happen.”
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trum…ry?id=55759829
Source: DR1, abcnews
June 13, 2018
Eight people were injured yesterday, Monday 11 June 2018, in yet another accident on the road between Sosúa and Cabarete in Puerto Plata province. The accident happened outside the Coconut Palms – Perla Marina almost in front of the entrance to the Bombita de Cabarete sector, when a public transport minibus on the route from Puerto Plata to Rio San Juan flipped over after one of its front tires blew out.
Eight people were injured including the driver Luis Manuel Ortega Martínez, Karina Inés Martínez, 20, Luis David Vargas, 23, Paula Acosta 40, Juan Días 42, Yanelys Estefanía Polanco 21, and Danilda Hernández aged 19, aalong with two minors.
Units of the 911 National System of Emergency Assistance responded to the accident.
Source: DR1, Eldia
June 13, 2018
The Migration Agency carried out a wide-ranging series of raids over three days in different municipalities and sectors of the province of Puerto Plata. During the operation 511 foreigners were detained in Altamira, Guananico, La Isabela, Luperón, Sosúa and other sectors.
The operation, which began at dawn on Wednesday 6 June 2018, lasted 72 hours. Migration Agency agents and inspectors, members of the Northern Command of the Dominican Air Force, National Police and representatives of the Public Prosecution Service participated in the operation.
Following verification of the immigration status, 367 foreigners were taken to the border at Dajabon to be deported to Haiti, three were sent to the National Police in possession of homemade arms and drugs, and another two were sent to the Migration investigation department.
Source: DR1, Eldia
June 13, 2018
At 45-years, and the oldest active MLB player, Bartolo Colón is making baby boomers proud with his high-80s fastballs, two decades deep into his Major League career. He is playing for the Texas Rangers after grabbing a spot during spring training.
Colón landed a lifetime goal, the Juan Marichal all-time record for wins by a Dominican-born pitcher that stood at 243 until he broke it on Thursday, 7 June 2018 in the 8-2 game against the Oakland A’s in Arlington, Texas.
“I feel very happy because I finally got my 243rd win,” Colon told reporters (via MLB.com). “I tied this mark with a Hall of Famer, so I feel very proud and honored to do that. It means a lot because Marichal is Dominican and Marichal was the first ball player from the Dominican Republic to become a Hall of Famer.”
The next record to beat is that of Nicaragua-born Dennis Martínez, who accumulated 245 career victories, which is currently the most wins by any Latin American pitcher. Colon is also close to joining the prestigious club of MLB pitchers with 2,500 career strikeouts.
Colón has pitched with many Major League teams. He began his career in a game on 4 April 1997 pitching for the Cleveland Indians (1997-2002). Next he moved on to the Montreal Expos (2002), Chicago Sox (2003, 2009), Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004-2007), Boston Red Sox (2008), New York Yankees (2011), Oakland Athletics (2013), New York Mets (2014-2016), Atlanta Braves (2017), Minnesota Twins (2017) and now Texas Rangers (2018).
http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news…01fxaxf44gmpzr
Source: Sportingnews
June 13, 2018
PUERTO PLATA.-The first Dominican rum festival to be held in Puerto Plata on July 6 and 7, an event that will offer its participants a wide program of activities that will include tastings, seminars, conferences, artistic presentations, tour and gastronomic events, all designed to highlight the influence of rum, a drink that will be the main protagonist of this event.
The Dominican Rum Festival will feature the participation of the most important rum companies in the country and international guests, as well as a varied list of local and international artists, including Eddy Herrera, El Prodigio, La India Canela, La Fefita Grande, Narciso and Krisspy and a closing by Víctor Víctor with La Vellonera and Gilberto Santa Rosa (El Caballero de la Salsa).
During the two days, in the afternoon, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in exhibitions and conferences. For this first version will be as guests the renowned Dominican chefs, Carlos Estévez and Miguel Faxas-Flores Guzmán, who will elaborate a diversity of dishes that will reflect the flavor and the exquisite touch that adds rum to haute cuisine.
It will also be developing the paper entitled: “Rum in Dominican cuisine.” In the gastronomic area the public will also be able to taste a variety of fast food options that will be offered by the Pop Food Fest.
Another attraction that lovers of good rum will enjoy is the conference “Tabaco y Ron”, by the renowned Chilean rum master, Philip Ili Barake, who was regional ambassador of the Zacapa Rum. Also as an exhibitor has been confirmed to the Dominican Ramón Acevedo, winner of the third edition of the National Cocktail Cup, who will speak on “The use of rum in the cocktails of the Caribbean.”
It was also reported that a call has been opened for the contest called “The art of mixing”, in which bartenders, university students and amateurs can participate by preparing a cocktail that is distinguished by its originality, flavor and presentation.
The winners will receive 30 thousand pesos in prizes for the first place plus a weekend for two people with two tours included in Puerto Plata, 15 thousand for the second place plus a weekend for two people in Puerto Plata and 5 thousand for the third place plus a day-pass for two people in a hotel in Puerto Plata. All participants will receive a certificate of participation.
The Dominican Rum Festival is organized by the Tourist Cluster Puerto Plata Destination and the expert tourism wholesaler, with the support of the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, the Board of the Amphitheater and the sponsorship of the Senator hotels, Emotions by Hodelpa, VH Hotels, Amhsa Marina, Puerto Plata Village and Viva Wyndham V Heavens.
The tickets are available at Uepa Tickets sales points, at CCN Servicios, at the National Supermarkets, at JUMBO, at Ticket Express and at the offices of the Tourist Cluster of Puerto Plata.
Source: Puerto Plata Digital
June 7, 2018
A significant number of Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic who benefited from the National Foreigner Legalization Plan (PNRE), and were able to obtain identity documents, use these very documents to obtain the legal means to request visas to go to other countries, particularly South America, according to the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development.
Economy Minister Isidoro Santana said that the Haitian immigrants benefited by the plan now have an easier life, job stability and access to public health and education plans in the Dominican Republic. Santana said that today Haitians by the thousands enter and leave the country regularly. The PNRE has not ended, with most of the beneficiaries hold only temporary documentation because they have not secured proper identity documents from Haiti to complete the process.
Santana recently had announced results of the 2017 National Immigration Survey (ENI-2017). He added that the survey makes evident that the issue of migration is being taken very seriously in the country. He said that regardless of whether the foreigners are here legally or illegally they need to be taken into account. He highlighted that if there is an outbreak of a contagious disease, there is no distinction if the blood is from a legal resident or not and therefore public policies need to be created with this segment of the population in mind.
The poll determined that 87% of immigrants, and 95% of the Haitian immigrants, are not protected by health insurance. The Dominican public health service does not require health insurance to provide services. The poll indicated that 42.4% of the foreign workers are unskilled.
For the survey, 270,000 persons were polled.
Source: DR1, Elnacional
June 7, 2018
