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Time to renew firearm licenses

The Ministry of Interior and Police (MIP) has given a grace period for the renewal of firearms licenses through 22 November 2018. A press release from the ministry states that the extension is to give more time to firearms holders to put their papers in order prior to Firearms Law No. 631-16 coming into force. The ministry warns that those who do not renew are subject to sanctions and their weapons could be confiscated. The Ministry says that inspections to check on license validity will be carried out across the country once the period of grace ends.

Source: DR1, Hoy

Oct 24, 2018

Wandering city crocodile sent to National Zoo for care, search for another still on

Ministry of Environment and National Police recovered a 1-1/2 meter long crocodile that had been meandering in a gully in Barrio Nuevo, Sabana Perdida, in north eastern Santo Domingo province and that had been captured on Saturday, 20 October 2018. The baby crocodile was sent to the National Zoo to receive care. The zoo authorities will decide to either keep the baby crocodile in the crocodile area of the zoo or return it to its natural habitat in Enriquillo Lake in southwestern Barahona.

Area resident, Aneudy Rivas had captured the crocodile in the early morning and requested a reward to deliver the reptile to the authorities. Rivas, who works in Juan Dolio, San Pedro de Macoris, went to work that day but kept in contact by phone with the authorities. Eventually, he agreed to voluntarily hand over the crocodile upon his return from San Pedro. The reptile was taken to the National Zoo for assessment.

In an early appraisal, zoo veterinarians told the press that the two to three year old baby crocodile measures 140 centimeters and weighs 12.1 lbs, that is below the normal weight of a crocodile of that size. The vets say it showed signs of weakness and intense stress. The vets say the crocodile will be kept under observation.

Supposedly, in the same area there is at least another crocodile. The Ministry of Environment has alerted the population to stay away to avoid injuries. Residents in Barrio Nuevo are on the lookout for a larger crocodile.

It is not known how the crocodiles came to live in the northern city area. The natural habitat of crocodiles is in Enriquillo Lake, in southwestern Barahona.

Source: DR1, Metrord

Oct 24, 2018

Bible study in public schools?

Debates are ongoing after PQD deputy Besaida Mercedes Abreu submitted a resolution to the Chamber of Deputies calling for the Ministry of Education to implement Art. 25 of Law 44-00 that establishes the reading of biblical text after the raising of the flag and singing of the national anthem in schools. The article also calls for the study of the Bible at least once a week with programs to be presented by the Roman Catholic Church and the Dominican Confederation of Evangelical Unity (CODUE).

“In each public school, upon consensus of the competent religious bodies or authorities, a program of common biblical instruction will be offered or, failing that, two individual biblical instruction programs will be offered, one for each competent religious body or authority. The parents of the students or tutors, could choose between the two programs of biblical instruction by means of a simple written declaration, being able also to opt for the exemption of the matter, as prescribed by the General Law of Education “, establishes the article III.

The law also establishes that biblical instruction programs will be forwarded to the National Board of Education for appropriate approval.

Those that oppose the bill say that religion is a personal decision and cannot be imposed on the students. Those who defend the bill say that the study of the Bible will help develop values in students to help reduce delinquency and crime at an early age. The bill has the backing of the president of the Dominican Association of Lawyers (CARD) Miguel Surun who argues that the Constitution establishes we are a Christian country and thus the Bible should be taught in schools. Advocates also say that the Concordat signed with the Vatican in 1954 is still in effect.

Source: DR1, Eldia

Oct 24, 2018

Political Parties Law is threat to freedom of press in the DR

Eight separate challenges of the Political Parties Law 33-18 have been sent to the Constitutional Court within its first two months of going into effect. Opposition parties, middle ranking directors of the ruling PLD party, the Fundación Prensa y Derecho, and independent lawyers have presented the motions that seek to annul the implementation of the law that passed on 15 August 2018 to regulate the 2020 general elections.

The law has been accused of being a press gag law. Its Art. 44 restricts publishing “negative messages” in social media that could affect the public image of the candidates, among other debatable articles. Miguel Franjul, editor of Listin Diario and regional IAPA vice president, said at the most recent Interamerican Press Association general assembly in Salta, Argentina that the law is a threat to freedom of press in the Dominican Republic.

Source: DR1, Listindiario

Oct 24, 2018

DR – Colombia trade now at US$167 million, balance very favorable for Colombia

Colombia exported US$230 million in non-mining or energy products to the Dominican Republic. As of July 2018, exports were at US$143 million, for a 9% increase over trade for the first seven months of 2017. The DR buys glass containers, plastics and construction materials, animal feed raw materials for local industries.

Colombia imported US$24 million. Pharmaceutical product and medical device are the main Dominican exports to Colombia. These were up 30% in 2017, according to data compiled by Pro Colombia export agency.

In an interview with Listin Diario, ProColombia president, Flavia Santoro Trujillo says Colombia-DR relations have brought an increase in exports, investment and tourism, for mutual benefit. While the trade balance favors Colombia, Santoro says many Colombian companies have invested in the DR creating new employment opportunities and business linkages for Dominicans. She said Colombian companies are using the Dominican Republic as a platform to access other areas in the Caribbean. She mentioned the companies PQP, Arclad and Grupo Nutresa as major investors in the Dominican market.

Source: DR1, Listindiario

Oct 24, 2018

Oktoberfest 2018 at Parada Tipica El Choco was again a success

The famous beer festival Oktoberfest yet again took place last weekend (Oct 19 – 21) at Parada Típica El Choco, Sosua. It was very well attended and a big success. Especially on Saturday there was an overwhelming crowd. People not only from Sosúa and Cabarete, but also many from Santiago, Cofresi, Puerto Plata, and even from the capital came to thsi event. Fortunately, Marco and Jacqueline (the hosts) were prepared with extra tables and chairs. During the three days everybody was in a very good mood. Three days to eat, drink, dance and sing along with the Oktoberfest Schlager songs.

Marco was the DJ and ensured everybody participated in the polonaises and polkas. Besides the dance floor a lovely bar was set up with original German draft beer. And, of course, the high quality beer was served in large ‘stiefels’ (mugs). Marco, Jacqueline and the entire staff were dressed in original Swiss costumes and took care of the festive atmosphere of the party. The party continued till Sunday evening. Again several local companies participated in the event and had a stand at the Oktoberfest. For the children there were fun games where the trampoline was by far a favorite.

Source: Sosua News

Oct 24, 2018

GRAMMY Award-Winning Musicians and Jazz Legends to Perform at the XXII Dominican Republic Jazz Festival

Earthquake expert promotes earthquake mitigation

Eugenio Polanco, director of the UASD state university Seismological Institute, the principal earthquake-monitoring center in the country, explains that every year 1,000-1,200 small tremors are recorded, around 1-20 a day, rendering a relatively low seismicity. Nevertheless, he said a significant earthquake can happen at any time and the population should take measures to mitigate damages.

Polanco says science cannot yet precisely forecast when and where an earthquake will take place, but it can identify the areas where this will occur. He explained around 1 to 20 micro earthquakes occur each day in the country, and areas such as the eastern, northern and southern zones are more prone to these tremors. He said that while the country has not suffered a major earthquake in a long time, the factors for a major earthquake occurring are in place.

Polanco was interviewed by Federico Méndez, for the TV program Esferas de Poder on Sunday, 14 October 2018.

He explained that the blocks that form both the tectonic plates and the geological faults are constantly interacting with each other, which causes deformations that cause accumulation of energy, which in turn generates ruptures that cause earthquakes.

Polanco explained that in the community of Villa Elisa, Montecristi, there have been more than 100 seismic events in a short time of between two and three weeks.

“The Dominican Republic is located exactly in the northern part of the Caribbean plate, where it interacts with the North American plate. That is the main reason why the earth trembles in the Dominican Republic,” he said.

Polanco explained that the country has a series of geological faults that are also capable of generating significant earthquakes, which is corroborated by the occurrences of the past.

The last major earthquake to be felt in the country was on 22 September 2003, with a magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter Scale. This had its epicenter in the northern province of Puerto Plata, where several buildings collapsed and caused three deaths and around 30 persons injured. It was also felt strongly in Santiago, in the center of the country.

Among recommendations for preventing damages in case of a big earthquake are:
Secure belongings.
Brace all bookcases, storage shelves, put latches on cabinet doors, file cabinets.
Fasten water containers, heaters and other appliances that could fall.
Store hazardous materials in a sturdy place.
Secure picture frames, bulletin boards and other wall-mounted equipment to the walls using closed screw-eyes to prevent falling.
Keep fire extinguishers handy.
Replace rigid plumbing supply lines and couplings with flexible braided lines and flexible couples to reduce the chance of rupture.
Brace mechanical equipment such as air conditioning equipment and water heaters to the wall/or floor to prevent overturning or shifting.

Source: DR1, Elnacional

Oct 16, 2018

Cabarete athlete Deury Corniel wins gold in kiteboarding in Youth Olympics

Deury Corniel won the Dominican Republic’s first Olympic gold medal in sailing in the Youth Olympic Sailing in Argentina. He was competing in the Sailing Men’s Kiteboarding IKA Twin Tip of the Youth Olympics in Argentina. He attributed his win to “training a lot.” Corniel lives and trains in Cabarete Beach, Puerto Plata.
http://sailingtv.ro/video/786/deury-…nos-aires-2018

Source: DR1

Oct 16, 2018

Dominican Professional Winter Baseball Championship began

The Dominican Professional Winter Baseball Championship began on Saturday, 13 October 2018, with games held in the ballparks in Santo Domingo, Santiago and San Pedro de Macoris. The tournament this year is dedicated to Hall of Fame member, Vladimir Guerrero.

Fans can now take Omsa buses that will travel five key city routes in Greater Santo Domingo and Santiago to ensure they safely arrive at home, despite the late hours the games may end at. In San Pedro de Macoris, the buses will offer two routes, one in La Romana and one in San Francisco for bargain fares of RD$15.

In the Saturday opening game, the Aguilas defeated the Licey 2-0 at the Estadio Cibao to the delight of home Santiago fans. In other opening games, the Leones del Escogido defeated the Gigantes del Cibao 2-1, and the Toros del Este defeated the Estrellas Orientales 7-3.

This year there will be daytime games, starting at 2:30pm on Saturdays when the local team is home team during the regular season. The tournament encompasses 150 games, with each of the five teams playing 25 games as home team. The regular season ends on 17 December, and the semi-final round robin starts on 21 December through 26 January 2019.

See the games schedules at:
http://www.lidom.com/home/calendario/

Source: DR1, Elcaribe

Oct 16, 2018