It's been seven weeks without a price increase for most fuels; after hours of searching, nothing is known about the Flying Fox yacht; boats will be installed along the coastal perimeter of five airports in the country to respond to possible emergencies; the government is overseeing progress on tourism projects in Pedernales; the increase in the monetary policy rate will affect bank loans; Punta Catalina: Unit one will be out of service for 45 days for maintenance; the US announces an additional $300 million in military aid to Ukraine; Texas crude opens with a 1.3% drop, to $98.95; Abinader: Anyone who lacks passion for improving the country should not get involved in the National Police; Will Smith resigns from the academy after slapping Chris Rock.
It's been seven weeks without price increases for most fuels
For the seventh consecutive week, the government will maintain fuel prices unchanged, as reported yesterday by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM). For the week of April 2-8, 2022, which begins today, premium gasoline will remain at RD$293.60 per gallon; regular gasoline at RD$274.50; regular diesel will cost RD$221.60 and premium diesel RD$241.10.
After hours of searching, nothing is known about the Flying Fox yacht
Yesterday, after several hours of searching the luxury yacht Flying Fox in the port of San Souci, in the Dominican capital, neither the military forces involved nor the acting public prosecutor's office stated whether they found any evidence of money laundering or weapons on board. It also remained unclear what condition the vessel will remain in within the country after the joint search by Dominican military and prosecutors, along with personnel from the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Boats will be installed along the coastal perimeter of 5 airports in the country to respond to possible emergencies
To ensure a rapid response to a potential aviation accident, authorities at Las Américas International Airport, José Francisco Peña Gómez, announced that they will deploy fast boats along the coastal perimeter, equipped with divers and military rescue personnel trained to handle any aircraft emergency at water 24 hours a day. This service will be implemented in coordination with the Dominican Navy Command and the Specialized Airport and Civil Aviation Security Corps (CESAC), the agency responsible for airport security in the country.
Government oversees progress on tourism projects in Pedernales
The Minister of the Presidency, Lisandro Macarrulla, and the Executive Director of the General Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships (DGAPP), Sigmund Freund, have been completing a two-day agenda in the province of Pedernales since Friday, with the aim of supervising the progress of the “Pedernales-Cabo Rojo Tourism Development Project”, which the Government is carrying out in this area of the country.
The increase in the monetary policy rate will affect bank loans
The Dominican Republic Banking Association (ABA) acknowledged yesterday that the authorities' decision to raise the monetary policy interest rate will impact interest rates on loans granted by these institutions. It stated that while more than 50% of loans were renegotiated in 2020 at fixed rates until 2023, interest rates on new, non-restructured loans will rise, as will deposit rates, which are paid on savings accounts.
PuntaCatalina: Unit one out of service for 45 days for maintenance
Unit One of the Punta Catalina Thermoelectric Power Plant is offline and will undergo maintenance for 45 days. The unit was shut down on Saturday, March 26, for its annual scheduled maintenance. The plant, which has a gross installed capacity of 752 megawatts, distributed across two 376-megawatt units, accounts for between 30% and 35% of the country's electricity generation, according to the Dominican Corporation of State-Owned Electric Companies (CDEEE).
US announces an additional $300 million in military aid to Ukraine
The U.S. Department of Defense announced Friday an additional $300 million in military aid to Ukraine to fight against the Russian invaders. In a statement, the Pentagon detailed the weaponry included in the package, which includes laser-guided rocket systems, knife-tactic automatic aerial systems, Puma automatic aerial systems, anti-automatic aerial system defenses, multi-purpose wheeled armored vehicles, and non-standard caliber ammunition.
Texas crude opens with a 1.3% drop, to 98.95
The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil opened Friday down 1.3% at $98.95 a barrel, following yesterday's sharp drop after the White House announced the largest release of crude from its strategic reserves to date. At 9:02 a.m. New Yorktime (1:02 p.m. GMT), WTI futures contracts for May delivery were down $1.33 from the previous day's close.
Abinader: Anyone who lacks a passion for improving the country should not be involved in the National Police
President Luis Abinader visited the Police Training School in Hatillo, San Cristóbal, on Friday, where he had lunch and interacted with the enlisted personnel and police officers of the March 2nd Academy. There, the President stated: “Those who lack passion, patriotism, the desire, that inner fire to improve the country, should not become involved in the National Police, the Armed Forces, or public service. They can dedicate themselves to other things.”.
Will Smith quits the Academy after slapping Chris Rock
Will Smith resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday following his slap of Chris Rock at the Oscars and said he will accept any future sanctions imposed by the organization. In a statement released Friday through a spokesperson, Smith said he will accept “any future consequences the Board of Trustees deems appropriate. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards were bewildering, painful, and inexcusable,” Smith said.
Sources: Listín Diario, El Día, Hoy, Diario Libre
