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] | 2016-08-29T10:50:44 | null | 2016-08-28T22:30:00 | Rafa Benitez is a happy man at Newcastle United after a double swoop and a win – and he’ll be happier still when the transfer window closes. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fnewcastle-utd%2Frafa-benitez-on-his-hopes-for-more-late-transfer-business-at-newcastle-1-8093650.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8093649.1472461265!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Rafa Benitez on his hopes for more late transfer ‘business’ at Newcastle | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Rafa Benitez is a happy man at Newcastle United after a double swoop and a win – and he’ll be happier still when the transfer window closes.
Defender Achraf Lazaar became the club’s 11th summer signing yesterday when he signed a five-year deal at St James’s Park.
Experienced Republic of Ireland striker Daryl Murphy also joined from Ipswich Town over the weekend.
United manager Rafa Benitez is still looking to sign a winger – Chelsea’s Christian Atsu is one target – before Wednesday night’s transfer deadline.
The acquisitions followed Saturday’s 2-0 Championship win over Brighton and Hove Albion at St James’s Park.
Speaking after the game, Benitez said: “Now I am a little bit happier, but if we sign what we want and we can do the business that we want to do, then I will be happier.”
Newcastle are set sell midfielder Cheick Tiote, who is in Turkey for talks with Galatasaray.
The club are set to bank £1.5million from the sale of the 30-year-old, who is in the final year of his contract and does not feature in Benitez’s plans.
Murphy – who had a five-year spell at Sunderland earlier in this career – will offer Benitez another option up front.
The 33-year-old Republic of Ireland international has signed a two-year deal at the club.
“I’m absolutely delighted to get it over the line and really looking forward to it,” said Murphy.
“When I knew the club was interested, it was a no-brainer for me so I’m happy it’s all done.
“I think with the squad of players that the club have now, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.”
Benitez wanted a powerful striker to compete with Aleksandar Mitrovic up front.
“Daryl has experience and has proven that he can score goals in the Championship,” he said.
“He gives us another option in attack and we could see from this weekend’s game against Brighton that we needed more bodies up front.
“Daryl has a good attitude and he can be very important for us this season.”
Lazaar, 24, will compete with Paul Dummett for a place at left-back.
“I am very happy to be at Newcastle United,” said Lazaar. “I’m proud to sign here because Newcastle is a great team in England.”
Benitez said: “Achraf is a good, young player with international experience who has grown his game in Italy.
“He gives us width on the left, has a good left foot and will add great competition to the squad.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s third-round EFL Cup tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James’s Park will be played on Tuesday, September 20 (7.45pm kick-off). | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle-utd/rafa-benitez-on-his-hopes-for-more-late-transfer-business-at-newcastle-1-8093650 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/e8c2a7243ada9f1db4798ec5f7eb2600daeddd7c51d56a7abdaed4fb3f8ee507.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:10:09 | null | 2016-08-26T11:10:22 | Hartlepool United will tomorrow become the first football club in the country to receive an award for backing the country | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fhartlepool-united-lead-the-way-in-backing-our-armed-forces-1-8090479.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8090478.1472206390!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Hartlepool United lead the way in backing our armed forces | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Hartlepool United will tomorrow become the first football club in the country to receive an award for backing the country's armed forces.
The club will receive the coveted Bronze Award from the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme at tomorrow's match with Newport County at Victoria Park.
The prestigious award comes after the club confirmed a statement of intent to support defence personnel and will underline that commitment by signing an Armed Forces Covenant.
Prior to the game, Chairman Gary Coxall will sign the Covenant - which cements the club’s dedication to serving personnel, both regular and reservists, veterans and military families.
Mr Coxall will be joined on the pitch just before kick-off by Colonel Steve Hopper, who is Assistant Commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade, Lt Col Andy Black, WO2 Mark Hill, Councillor Allan Barclay and Mayor Rob Cook to celebrate the signing of the document.
Mr Coxall said: “To be the first club in the country to be given the Bronze Award is a fantastic honour for everyone connected with Hartlepool United.
“We have looked to work closely with the Armed Forces in the past and will continue to do so in the future because we recognise what important work they do for us all.
“We’re delighted to welcome our honoured guests this weekend as we sign the Covenant, and we would like to thank the Reserves Forces’ and Cadets Associations for their help along the way.”
The signing of the covenant commits the football club to upholding the values of the Armed Forces, supporting and promoting their work, and sharing the fact that Pools are a forces-friendly organisation.
Now that Pools have received the Bronze Award as part of the employer recognition scheme, it opens the door for the club to aim for the Silver Award over the next 12 months.
Pools fans will have their chance to show their support for the Armed Forces when a collection take place around the ground prior to kick off. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/hartlepool-united-lead-the-way-in-backing-our-armed-forces-1-8090479 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/1703851733a1529ebe539cf519219a5fb18b1830c4a414f853e2af4d5774099d.json |
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] | 2016-08-27T06:47:44 | null | 2016-08-27T07:00:23 | There aren’t many hotels that boast a two-Michelin star restaurant, but this delightful haven in Devon has just that. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fwhat-s-on%2Fgastronomy-at-its-finest-daniel-bailey-enjoys-a-star-studded-stay-at-a-devon-country-house-hotel-1-8084711.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8084710.1471969287!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Gastronomy at its finest - Daniel Bailey enjoys a star-studded stay at a Devon country house hotel | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | There aren’t many hotels that boast a two-Michelin star restaurant, but this delightful haven in Devon has just that.
Set on the doorstep of Dartmoor National Park, near Chagford, stunning Gidleigh Park ticks all the boxes for a five-star weekend of food heaven.
Standing proudly on a bank within more than 100 acres of private woodlands, its location is wild and dramatic, with the immaculate gardens a vision of beauty.
Refined, traditional and classic are just three words to describe the stunning Tudor building, which also boasts an immensely stylish interior.
Before check-in, ensure to stretch your legs with a stroll around the beautiful estate, which is a lovely way of soaking up the fantastic green surroundings.
A circular route takes you past the picturesque water gardens, tennis courts, croquet lawn and Bluebell Copse wood.
Also make time for a spot of golf on the large lush putting green, with 18 testing holes featuring various water hazards and narrow slopes.
Inside is everything you’d expect from a country house hotel – antique furniture, stone fireplaces and elegant bouquets of flowers – all very sophisticated and ideally suited to the quiet atmosphere.
Our beautifully-decorated room, one of the hotel’s luxury suites, included a roll-top bath, his and hers sinks and the biggest walk-in shower you may ever see.
If you book the Manaton room, you’ll get a private rooftop hot tub where you can bask under the stars and top-of-the-range Dartmeet houses a marble bath, sauna and steam room.
Sipping drinks on the terrace is a great way to admire the stunning panoramic views and the lounge is an area where you can make yourself feel at home.
There’s also a well-stocked bar, conservatory and self-service pantry stocked with teas, coffee and biscuits.
Dinner is a gastronomic experience of a lifetime, with chef Michael Wignall a food genius who will take you on a food journey you will never forget.
His exquisite seven-course tasting menu was a culinary carnival which was simply the best meal I have ever had the pleasure of eating.
From the elegant dainty canapes through to the rich malt and yeast frozen cream dessert, the flavours in each dish complemented each other perfectly, leaving your palette purring.
Torched eel, loin of rabbit, baked smoked carrots and St Austell bay mussels were just a few of the delights on offer.
There’s an informative aspect to the meal as well, with restaurant staff explaining in detail the flavours of each dish and how they were prepared.
For breakfast, there’s the more traditional menu, featuring full English, Eggs Benedict, kippers and porridge.
No words will do this place justice unless you go and experience it for yourself, for this was an experience that has left memories we will treasure forever.
Hotel facts:
Overnight stays at Gidleigh Park start from £250 for a double room, or £125pp, on a bed and breakfast basis.
Lunch is £40 for three courses Monday to Thursday, or £50 Friday – Sunday.
A seven-course tasting menu, available at lunch or dinner, costs £110, while a ten-course tasting menu, available for dinner only, is £130.
Afternoon tea is served every day between 3.30 and 5pm and costs £37.50 per person, or £50 including a glass of champagne.
For further information or to book visit www.gidleigh.co.uk or call 01647 432367.
Hire a car with Rentalcars.com
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Popular destinations include London, Mallorca, Alicante, Dublin, Malaga and Edinburgh.
Have you got something to share on the story? Were you there? What do you think? - Send your pictures, videos or story and we'll publish the best × Continue the story Gastronomy at its finest - Daniel Bailey enjoys a star-studded stay at a Devon country house hotel Loading ... Add up to 3 photos or 1 videos to the story There's been a problem uploading your files. Please try again. By uploading your file you agree to our Terms and Conditions × Continue the story Sign in to contribute sign in shape the news in your area... | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/what-s-on/gastronomy-at-its-finest-daniel-bailey-enjoys-a-star-studded-stay-at-a-devon-country-house-hotel-1-8084711 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/06ede8893d24b72701e15fff18d9c7955fbbbdb7295598aa9cd1ff09f3c9d1df.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:02:59 | null | 2016-08-23T14:09:10 | Drivers face "carmageddon" this weekend with the worst bank holiday congestion on UK roads for years, experts warned. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fwhat-s-on%2Fbank-holiday-carmageddon-looms-with-worst-road-congestion-for-years-1-8084155.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8084154.1471957864!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Bank holiday 'carmageddon' looms with worst road congestion for years | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Drivers face "carmageddon" this weekend with the worst bank holiday congestion on UK roads for years, experts warned.
Transport information supplier Inrix said some stretches of road could have twice as many vehicles between Friday and Monday compared with a normal weekend.
The North east should be okay, but hotspots to avoid for those going further afield including sections of the M25, M5, M27 and M6.
The combination of rail engineering work and a forecast of potentially warm weather is expected to boost the number of journeys over the popular getaway weekend.
Inrix traffic analyst Greg Hallsworth said: "This bank holiday could see the worst congestion in recent years.
"A perfect storm of conditions will lead to increased traffic as carmageddon blights the long weekend.
"With some uncharacteristically good weather forecast and potential rail disruption, holidaymakers could find roads gridlocked far more than usual.
"We have already seen delays of up to 90 minutes during the bank holidays earlier this year but we could see delays of more than 120 minutes for some of the worst affected roads this weekend."
The RAC estimates that 20.7 million cars will be using major roads for leisure trips between Thursday and Monday.
Based on a survey of 1,579 motorists, it expects Saturday is set to be the busiest day with five million leisure journeys planned - double the figure for the same day last year.
Sunday is also set to be busy on the roads with 4.4 million getaway trips.
Road congestion could be made worse with nearly 1,000 engineering projects being carried out across Britain's rail network, meaning some lines will be closed.
Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail, said: "Work takes place 365 days a year as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan, but we carry out larger upgrades over bank holidays when there are fewer passengers travelling."
Forecasters at the Met Office said temperatures could reach 30C in some places this week, with inland parts of south-east England and East Anglia expected to enjoy the warmest weather.
* These are the top 11 congestion hotspots to avoid over the bank holiday weekend (expected delay in brackets), according to Inrix:
1. M25 between J9 Leatherhead and J21 Winch Hill Wood (90 minutes)
2. M5 southbound from J14 Thornbury and J22 Highbridge (90 minutes)
3. M25 between J4 Orpington and Dartford Tunnel (50 minutes)
4. M27/A31 between Southampton and Ringwood (50 minutes)
5. M4 westbound from London to the West Country (50 minutes)
6. M6 between J19 Knutsford and J22 Warrington (45 minutes)
7. M6 northbound from Keele to Knutsford (40 minutes)
8. A303 westbound from Andover to Amesbury (40 minutes)
9. M5 between J4a Bromsgrove and J7 Worcester (30 minutes)
10. M25 between J29 Codham Hall Wood and the QEII Bridge (30 minutes)
11. M60/M62 between J8 Carrington and J20 Rochdale (20 minutes)
Highways England announced that almost 98% of England's motorway and major A roads will be clear of roadworks over the weekend.
Some 373 miles of roadworks will either be completed or suspended ahead of the holiday.
The decision was welcomed by the Freight Transport Association, which said lifting "such a significant number of roadworks" was good news for all motorists. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/what-s-on/bank-holiday-carmageddon-looms-with-worst-road-congestion-for-years-1-8084155 | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/e8bf95c250b8624cedd12170c6a9ee0c383e87b30969b36b4a335da2aea4133c.json |
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] | 2016-08-29T08:49:32 | null | 2016-08-29T09:00:00 | Families enjoyed fun in the sun at a successful community fun day. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Ffamilies-enjoy-sporty-fun-1-8091801.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8091798.1472233918!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Families enjoy sporty fun | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Families enjoyed fun in the sun at a successful community fun day.
A free sports activity fun day in Hartlepool’s Rossmere Park was held for the benefit of local residents and went down a storm.
Richard Swales tries archery with Claire Blanchard at a family funday in Rossmere Park, Hartlepool. Picture: TOM BANKS
Visitors soaked up the sunshine and a host of activities including children’s archery and climbing. There will also be funfair rides, inflatables, a face painter and a badge making workshop.
Members of the Hartlepool Borough Council’s Sports Development Team, led the activities along with staff from the Belle Vue Sports and Youth Centre, and West View Project.
Tara Davison, a neighbourhood development officer for Hartlepool council, said the aim of the day was to provide something for the whole family and help to build community spirit in the area.
People also had the opportunity to enter a free draw for the chance to win a £100 Asda voucher.
Mckenzie Hall tries archery with Claire Blanchard at a family funday in Rossmere Park, Hartlepool. Picture: TOM BANKS
The event was the idea of Manor House ward Councillors Marjorie James, Allan Barclay and Stephen Akers-Belcher.
It was made possible with funding from the three councillors’ ward budgets and the also of fellow councillors for Foggy Furze of Kaylee Sirs, Kevin Cranney and Christopher Akers-Belcher together with Fens and Rossmere ward councillors Alan Clark and Jim Lindridge. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/families-enjoy-sporty-fun-1-8091801 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/83150c664a137bcac509289fc5f2f7599277e529ca16e09455c471d687637bdb.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:12:49 | null | 2016-08-25T11:13:12 | Sunderland have signed Atletico Madrid full-back Javier Manquillo on a season-long loan, with a view to a permanent deal. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fsunderland-afc%2Fdone-deal-sunderland-confirm-signing-of-javier-manquillo-on-loan-with-view-to-permanent-deal-1-8087759.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8087810.1472120535!/image/image.jpg | en | null | DONE DEAL: Sunderland confirm signing of Javier Manquillo on loan, with view to permanent deal | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Sunderland have signed Atletico Madrid full-back Javier Manquillo on a season-long loan, with a view to a permanent deal.
The 22-year-old Spaniard spent yesterday at the Academy of Light having his medical and discussing personal terms before being officially unveiled this morning.
David Moyes
He becomes David Moyes’ sixth signing of the summer after joining from the Spanish giants.
Club officials have confirmed the agreement is a season-long loan initially, which includes an option for Sunderland to make the move a permanent four-year deal after the completion of the loan.
Manquillo spent the 2014-15 season on loan at Liverpool but failed to establish himself as a first-team regular at Anfield under then-manager Brendan Rodgers.
He made just 10 Premier League appearances but Moyes will be hoping he is the man to solve his problems at right-back.
Donald Love has been unconvincing, while Billy Jones is still out with a hip injury.
Manquillo – a former target of Juventus – enjoyed a productive spell last season on loan at Ligue 1 side Marseille but was surplus to requirements at Atletico this season.
The right-footed player has represented his country at youth level up to under-21 and has both UEFA Champions League and Europa League experience with Atletico.
Have you got something to share on the story? Were you there? What do you think? - Send your pictures, videos or story and we'll publish the best × Continue the story DONE DEAL: Sunderland confirm signing of Javier Manquillo on loan, with view to permanent deal Loading ... Add up to 3 photos or 1 videos to the story There's been a problem uploading your files. Please try again. By uploading your file you agree to our Terms and Conditions × Continue the story Sign in to contribute sign in shape the news in your area... | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland-afc/done-deal-sunderland-confirm-signing-of-javier-manquillo-on-loan-with-view-to-permanent-deal-1-8087759 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/36fc719d7506aaab5c2f79baf8967c63ef4e291bf652ccd1dc4ce56c4cd2f718.json |
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] | 2016-08-30T08:48:17 | null | 2016-08-30T09:00:00 | Britain’s golden Olympics have inspired people to get into shape. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fhealth%2Ffind-out-how-hartlepool-is-inspiring-a-new-generation-of-keep-fit-fans-1-8091780.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8091770.1472232124!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Find out how Hartlepool is inspiring a new generation of keep-fit fans | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Britain’s golden Olympics have inspired people to get into shape.
And with the inspirational Great North Run also on the way, the momentum for fitness is showing no signs of easing up.
Cath Burgon tries out a warm-up exercise under Matthew's watchful eye.
A Hartlepool programme is helping people to take those first important steps to a better lifestyle and there’s opportunities for even more people to get involved.
A project called Begin To Run is being held at three venues across town.
It is the perfect starting point for people who have not exercised for years - or for those who want to get back into running after a period away.
It is spearheaded by Kay Stokes and Matthew Stoddart, from Hartlepool Borough Council. Kay explained: “A lot of people who take part are people who used to run but they’re not keen on going to gym classes.
People are always nervous when they first come along but we always cater to the needs of the individual. Kay Stokes
“We ask them what their aim is. People are always nervous when they first come along but we always cater to the needs of the individual.”
Matthew said: “Some want to complete an event like the Colour Run and others have mentioned that they had been watching the Olympics.”
Sessions are held in blocks of ten. At the start, people are eased into the programme and each class always starts with some warm-up exercises.
After that, a typical activity for beginners might be 30 seconds of running followed by 30 seconds of walking, and then repeated - with the length of the runs increased as the weeks progress.
Picturesque Ward Jackson Park provides the backdrop for Begin To Run.
By week four, one group found they could manage three-minute runs at a time.
And the runners were progressing so well, they were tackling Indian runs where each runner takes their turn to lead from the front.
The ages of those taking part can range from 17 to people in their 60s.
One of those enjoying better fitness was Cath Burgon, 54, who said she signed up to “keep fit.”
Cath Burgon, right, gets ready for a Begin To Run session with Kay Stokes and Matthew Stoddart.
Cath temporarily gave up running after a knee injury but she’s loving the Begin To Run sessions. “They are ten weeks, they are ideal and they are a bargain at £10.”
Her aim was to climb Ben Nevis. “If other people can do it, I can,” she said.
Anna-marie Newbegin, 38, signed up after spotting a report on Begin To Run in the Hartlepool Mail.
She has been attending since the start of the latest block course and said: “I am getting fitter every day and I can see it in my fitness levels.”
Once people complete the ten week Begin To Run sessions, they can opt to step up to the Aspire course. That’s for people who are enjoying a better level of fitness but don’t feel ready to join a running club.
The emphasis is always on fun and, while people are encouraged to wait for a new course to start before they join, new courses are always on the way.
Setting an example to the runners are Kay Stokes and Matthew Stoddart.
Begin to Run currently has groups at Brierton, Burn Valley and Ward Jackson Park which run as follows;
l Brierton Leisure Centre from 12.10pm each Tuesday. Meet in reception.
l Burn Valley at 12.10pm each Wednesday. Meet at the Stockton Road end.
l Ward Jackson Park from 5.30pm on Thursday. Meet by the cafe.
The cost of taking part is £10 for ten weeks.
For more information, email kay.stokes@hartlepool.gov.uk or call (01429) 284045.
Matthew Stoddart and Kay Stokes who lead the Begin To Run sessions.
Mo Farah about to win the Great North Run 2015 | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/health/find-out-how-hartlepool-is-inspiring-a-new-generation-of-keep-fit-fans-1-8091780 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/7883bc2647e6ac8c161404b0bdfcc4feba8fdc880729583a55653bd496ad687e.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T14:48:22 | null | 2016-08-26T15:24:25 | Hartlepool Borough Council is about to show its support to seafarers by flying the Red Ensign from the Civic Centre to mark Merchant Navy Day | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fhartlepool-set-to-mark-merchant-navy-day-1-8091272.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8091299.1472221921!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Hartlepool set to mark Merchant Navy Day | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Hartlepool Borough Council is about to show its support to seafarers by flying the Red Ensign from the Civic Centre to mark Merchant Navy Day
Councillor Rob Cook, the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool, will raise the Red Ensign during a special ceremony on Saturday September 3.
Since the beginning of this century the date has been the UK’s officially-designated Merchant Navy Day.
The day was chosen because on that day in 1939, the first day of World War 2, SS Athenia was the first merchant navy ship to be torpedoed and sunk with the loss of 128 passengers and crew.
The Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool, Councillor Rob Cook, said: “I am very much looking forward to raising the Red Ensign to mark Merchant Navy Day.
“The day gives us the opportunity to honour the brave men and women who have served in the Merchant Navy and pay tribute to their dedicated service.”
The charity’s president, HRH The Earl of Wessex, has endorsed the campaign, saying: ‘On this Merchant Navy Day, I very much hope you will support this campaign to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage and support the future of the often unsung personnel of our Merchant Navy."
As an ‘island nation’ the UK relies on Merchant Navy seafarers for 95% of our imports, including half the food we eat.
The UK has the largest ports industry in Europe with 75% of our exports shipped from UK ports. Some of these ports are supporting the campaign by encouraging visiting ships to sound their horns at 10am on September 3.
For further information, visit: www.merchantnavyfund.org/merchant-navy-day
Have you got something to share on the story? Were you there? What do you think? - Send your pictures, videos or story and we'll publish the best × Continue the story Hartlepool set to mark Merchant Navy Day Loading ... Add up to 3 photos or 1 videos to the story There's been a problem uploading your files. Please try again. By uploading your file you agree to our Terms and Conditions × Continue the story Sign in to contribute sign in shape the news in your area... | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/hartlepool-set-to-mark-merchant-navy-day-1-8091272 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/a1399352905d8645f7b7eb763e735ae4c0504be42e9a40e0685d68b3f0f0045b.json |
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] | 2016-08-27T10:48:45 | null | 2016-08-27T10:05:01 | Police and marina bosses have issued a warning that youths are playing with their lives with unauthorised swimming. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fsafety-experts-strong-message-after-teenagers-spotted-swimming-among-boats-in-hartlepool-marina-1-8092189.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8092187.1472288680!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Safety experts’ strong message after teenagers spotted swimming among boats in Hartlepool Marina | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Police and marina bosses have issued a warning that youths are playing with their lives with unauthorised swimming.
Officers have received 21 calls since the beginning of August about young people swimming in the marina and more about acts of anti-social behaviour.
Allan Henderson of Hartlepool Marina
A number of individuals have been made the subject of police dispersal orders meaning they face arrest if they are caught in the area in the next 48 hours.
Hartlepool Marina managers say they want people to enjoy the many activities on offer on the water but they should go through the right channels.
Youths face being struck by large boats and there have been complaints about young people climbing onto boats, jumping into the water and setting off fire extinguishers.
Inspector Mal Suggitt, from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Large boats turn around in this area and people can’t easily be seen.
Youths are putting themselves in danger of serious injury or worse Inspector Mal Suggitt
“Youths are putting themselves in danger of serious injury or worse and we would ask that parents remind their children of these dangers.
“We have recently identified a number of youths that had been swimming in the marina and we have visited them in their homes with their parents present to advise them of the dangers of their actions.
“We will continue to monitor the situation alongside staff at the lock office and we will put in place a dispersal notice which can enable us to disperse large groups of youths from the area.”
Marina staff yesterday wore sea safety stickers and issued advice.
Hartlepool Marina director Allan Henderson said of unauthorised swimming in the dock: “There is a very serious risk of death or serious injury.”
Rachael Forster, an on water instructor, added: “The marina is a working environment, there is an awful lot of movement in the water from large vessels.
“Nationally, there has been seven coastal deaths in the last week and we certainly don’t want the North East to be added to that.”
Hartlepool Marina runs a host of supervised activities through On Water Training including paddle boarding, raft building and powerboating.
Trigma Endurance Sports and Events also run open water swimming on Wednesday nights.
“It is about getting everybody in the water but in a safe manner,” added Rachael. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/safety-experts-strong-message-after-teenagers-spotted-swimming-among-boats-in-hartlepool-marina-1-8092189 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/97e9f79e81498dd9834756434b24cae9119383706cddb4f39df70803ada61818.json |
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] | 2016-08-30T06:50:55 | null | 2016-08-30T06:37:17 | Sunderland are closing in on a deal for Sevilla defensive midfielder Vicente Iborra. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fsunderland-afc%2Fsunderland-closing-in-on-deal-for-iborra-1-8095004.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8095003.1472510315!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Sunderland closing in on deal for Iborra | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Sunderland are closing in on a deal for Sevilla defensive midfielder Vicente Iborra.
The Black Cats have had a bid, understood to be £7.7million accepted for the 28-year-old midfielder, ahead of tomorrow night’s transfer deadline.
It is understood Iborra is keen to test himself in the Premier League and is open to a move to Wearside, where he would double his wages.
Iborra’s agent Fede Marco confirmed Sunderland’s bid to the Spanish press, with his client now weighing up his next career move.
Valencia’s interest in Iborra, who came off the bench for Sevilla against Villarreal on Sunday evening, is reported to have waned - leaving Sunderland in pole position to sign him.
David Moyes has targeted central midfield as one of the areas he needs to strengthen, with goalkeeping cover, defensive cover and a striker also on the wishlist ahead of what promises to be a busy final couple of days of transfer business.
It comes as Sunderland weigh up a late move for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Ryan Mason.
Premier League rivals Hull City have already agreed an £8million fee but Sunderland are reported to have made a late move, with a £40,000 a week deal on the table.
Initial talks are understood to have taken place between Sunderland and Mason’s representatives but no fee has yet been agreed with Spurs.
The 25-year-old has been told he will struggle for first team opportunities at White Hart Lane this season.
Mason scored the winning goal for Spurs against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last September.
Sunderland are in the market for midfield reinforcements after injuries to Lee Cattermole, Jan Kirchhoff and Seb Larsson, while a deal to resign Yann M’Vila on a permanent deal is proving extremely complicated.
Rubin Kazan are demanding more than £5million for a player out of contract in January.
Meanwhile, there were reports overnight that Liverpool have turned down a loan bid from Sunderland for striker Danny Ings.
The former Burnley forward missed most of last season after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in October. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-closing-in-on-deal-for-iborra-1-8095004 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/6f4556b3f0491e6a66e4d850d84ae530d82cff90cdb7abd181027c6a249ec846.json |
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] | 2016-08-27T10:50:03 | null | 2016-08-27T10:30:00 | David Moyes believes Southampton are a good example of how Premier League clubs can transform their fortunes. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fsunderland-afc%2Fsunderland-boss-salutes-southampton-s-development-ahead-of-big-premier-league-clash-1-8092085.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8092084.1472253326!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Sunderland boss salutes Southampton’s development - ahead of big Premier League clash | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | David Moyes believes Southampton are a good example of how Premier League clubs can transform their fortunes.
The Saints – who face Sunderland at St Mary’s today – have not finished lower than eighth in the last three seasons in the top flight, despite selling some big-name players.
Southampton – who have sold Sadio Mane, Graziano Pelle and Victor Wanyama this summer – have used their academy system to good effect too, and Moyes has praised their approach.
“I think they have done really well, how they have developed their club and used their academy well,” said Moyes.
“Of course, they have had to sell some players on their journey, but they have finished in the top seven or eight the last few years.
“They are able to buy well, they are now in the position they can do that the way they have worked the club.
“Southampton is a good example of how a club can turn themselves around.
“They have chosen their managers well, too.”
Since taking charge, former Everton boss Moyes has also spoken about using his time at Goodison Park as a blueprint for Sunderland going forward.
Moyes admits that, in an ideal world, he would have a settled squad and only need to add three or four additions a year.
But Sunderland’s already threadbare squad has been hit by a growing injury list, with number one goalkeeper Vito Mannone now ruled out for around three months.
During his spell in charge at Everton, Moyes benefited from a largely settled squad, with a handful of key additions made each summer.
“Ideally, I wouldn’t change more than three or four players a year,” said Moyes.
“You would add to the squad and there may be people who are leaving, but I think, at Sunderland, when I had taken over they had already got rid of the likes of Danny Graham, Steven Fletcher and one or two others.
“Yann M’Vila and DeAndre Yedlin had left at the end of last season after their loan spells too, so before you start you are four or five players down, two of which started in the team.
“We have had some things out of our control in this window, that is why I might have to bring in more players than I’d want to.
“We have no choice. You must add on top of that the unexpected long-term injuries.”
Follow today’s Southampton-Sunderland game on our matchday blog | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-boss-salutes-southampton-s-development-ahead-of-big-premier-league-clash-1-8092085 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/25c87dc43b0d60f97aefaec3118c1b0a93b2c29058005bb1ba8bd9650b991b77.json |
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] | 2016-08-27T10:48:49 | null | 2016-08-27T11:00:00 | A dance school is turning its attentions to Christmas and to next year as it continues its busy schedule. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fwhat-s-on%2Fplanning-for-a-panto-at-a-hartlepool-dance-school-1-8090347.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8090346.1472204887!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Planning for a panto at a Hartlepool dance school | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | A dance school is turning its attentions to Christmas and to next year as it continues its busy schedule.
KR Dance, which is based in Dalton Street in Hartlepool, is planning to hold its Christmas pantomime Aladdin on December 10.
School spokesman Sophie Barker said singing, dancing and acting skills would all be showcased and the production would have its own pantomime dame.
The studio is also planning for a production next year.
It will be called Untouchable and will be held from April 5 to April, 2017, at the Town Hall Theatre which is in Raby Road in Hartlepool.
KR Dance is run by its founder Kim Ross.
Sessions which are held at the venue include Pound, Rockout, Workout, Pole Fitness and aerial hammock training.
KR Dance Studios boasts three fully equipped studios, a changing room, and new students lounge.
A packed recent programme of events has included a charity night at the Owton Manor Social Club to back Macmillan nurses, and students holding their own show this year when Speechless was performed at the Town Hall Theatre in Raby Road in March. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/what-s-on/planning-for-a-panto-at-a-hartlepool-dance-school-1-8090347 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/f0689e56fea3ea5b4baaba4e14c1f4aff6e94cee74b2dcf88e2f6b570525a65b.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T12:49:36 | null | 2016-08-12T18:03:56 | It’s National Allotments Week, run by the National Allotment Society, with the theme of Growing Together to emphasise its inclusive nature for all levels of society and ability – and the dangers it faces in this era of cutbacks. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Flifestyle-etc%2Fgardening-inspired-by-the-joy-of-my-uncle-s-allotment-1-8065455.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8065452.1470991549!/image/image.jpg | en | null | GARDENING: Inspired by the joy of my uncle’s allotment | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | It’s National Allotments Week, run by the National Allotment Society, with the theme of Growing Together to emphasise its inclusive nature for all levels of society and ability – and the dangers it faces in this era of cutbacks.
Many allotment sites have been sold for housing, ignoring the erosion of green space.
Raised allotment-style beds.
I don’t have an allotment but my gardening was inspired as a child by my Uncle George, who had a double allotment near Gateshead’s Saltwell Park.
A report in May, commissioned by the National Gardens Scheme from the King’s Fund called Gardens and Health, wants more interaction between government departments responsible for health, the environment, planning and local government to exploit the potential of all forms of gardening.
The NAS aims to protect, promote and preserve allotments and has called for everyone to do their part in preserving land:
Allotment associations – protect your site, register as a community asset.
Cauliflower Amsterdam.
Allotment Federations – keep allotments in the public eye, make sure they are mentioned in the Local Plan and lobby your councillors and MPs.
Councils – preserve and value your allotment service, as it has the potential to deliver some of your public health targets.
Plot-holders – join the NAS and support your regional allotment network to promote the allotment movement.
Aspiring plot-holders – do not be put off by a long wait – sign up for a plot now; without waiting lists, allotment authorities cannot assess demand.
NAS President Karen Kenny said: “We are proud of the Allotment Movement in Britain and its continued success in offering opportunities for families to provide for themselves, whilst also being a valuable resource to diverse groups of people.”
For further information, visit www.nsalg.org.uk
JOBS FOR THE WEEKEND
Pinks and carnations can be propagated by layering. Propagate irises by dividing the rhizomes if not done last month.
Rock garden plants, such as Helianthemum, Aubrieta and Dianthus can be propagated from cuttings at this time of year.
Keep picking flowers from the cutting garden to encourage more flower buds to form and open.
Mid- to late August is a good time of the year to apply biological controls for vine weevil. Grubs will be starting to hatch and soil temperatures are now suitable for the nematodes to be effective. Target vulnerable plants such as Rhododendron, Camellia and containerised plants including fuchsias.
Black spot on roses is very common at this time of year, and spraying will no longer be effective. Clear fallen leaves and burn them to prevent spread.
Mow lightly and frequently so that short grass clippings can remain on the lawn during hot summers to act as a moisture-retentive mulch. Excess thatch can be scarified out during autumn maintenance next month. Mulching mowers cut the clippings even finer than normal rotary blades, making the mulch less visible.
Start harvesting your main crop potatoes as the leaves yellow and die back. Try storing your potatoes in hessian sacks which exclude light but allow adequate ventilation.
Sweetcorn is ready when you can pop a corn with your thumbnail and the juices are milky.
On a dry sunny day, collect seeds of herbs such as dill, fennel, caraway and chervil and dry in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. Chervil must be sown immediately.
Keep an eye out for potato and tomato blight and remove and destroy any affected plants immediately to prevent its spread.
CONTACT
For more on these topics, plus cook what you grow, traditional recipes, North East information, environmental news and more, log on to www.mandycanudigit.co.uk (now smartphone friendly), www.sunderlandecho.com/gardening, follow me on Twitter @MandyCanUDigIt or you can like me on Facebook at Mandycanudigit | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/lifestyle-etc/gardening-inspired-by-the-joy-of-my-uncle-s-allotment-1-8065455 | en | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/66bf8cf9dc9387be2bd86bd67ab8d6076066c5c3ed8e5aa762056071f6d95023.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:10:57 | null | 2016-08-25T14:53:10 | Overjoyed pupils at Manor Community Academy are celebrating after a successful year of GCSE results. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fgcse-results-manor-community-academy-pupils-delighted-with-grades-1-8088833.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8088832.1472133769!/image/image.jpg | en | null | GCSE Results: Manor Community Academy pupils delighted with grades | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Overjoyed pupils at Manor Community Academy are celebrating after a successful year of GCSE results.
Pupils at the school on Owton Manor Lane, Hartlepool, arrived early to collect their eagerly anticipated results which saw 75% of pupils achieve the nationally expected levels in English.
The school was unavailable to provide the percentage of pupils who achieved five A* to C GCSE grades or the percentage of A* to C grades achieved in maths.
Top performing students at the academy, which is sponsored by the Northern Education Trust, include Jack Dobson who is the academy’s highest attaining boy with nine A* grades and three A grades.
Kelsey Phenix was Manor’s highest achieving girl with four A*s, five A’s and a B.
Head girl Sarah McKie, 16, from Fens, was delighted with her two A*s, two As and five Bs, which meant she could go on to do A levels at English Martyrs.
She said: “I burst into tears when I opened my results. “I have been worried about my results for the last couple of weeks, but now I am absolutely delighted and can’t believe I got a B in in physics!”
Student Rachel Blakey, 16, from Fens, also did well, gaining two A*, three As, three Bs and a C.
“I burst out crying when I opened my results and my mum was crying as well,” she said. “I did so much revision for the exams and was quite overwhelmed by them, so I am delighted now.”
Ben Rutherford, 16, from Fens, was also thrilled with his achievements, receiving four A grades in subjects including biology, history and geography.
He said: “I was pretty nervous about the results, but now I am over the moon.”
Emily Attwood, 16, from Fens, achieved four A*s and four As. She said: “I just cried when I opened my results as I was so happy that all my hard work paid off.”
Principal Anne Malcolm congratulated her students on their results and thanked her teaching staff, students and their parents, for the dedication and commitment they have shown.
She said: “I am pleased with the performance of our students and the success which many of them have enjoyed today.
“It is obvious that hard work pays off and those students who have achieved, have worked hard for their five years at Manor.
“I would also like to pay tribute to our parents who have a huge part to pay in their child’s success.
“The support that parents give to their children and the partnership with our academy makes a huge difference. “We are thrilled for our students who have achieved the top grades, but we are equally pleased and proud of those students who have found some aspects of learning difficult. “They have persevered in order to gain the qualifications which will ensure that they can progress to the next stage of their education and training.” | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/gcse-results-manor-community-academy-pupils-delighted-with-grades-1-8088833 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/39777429f0bc58f7aa9d31d961d8e6028ae887b409363154d7b4202ab55022c4.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:09:04 | null | 2016-08-25T16:22:13 | GCSE students from The Academy at Shotton Hall have helped the school claim the top spot in the county. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fgcse-results-shotton-hall-in-peterlee-scoops-top-marks-across-county-durham-1-8089198.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8089195.1472138702!/image/image.jpg | en | null | GCSE results: Shotton Hall in Peterlee scoops top marks across County Durham | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | GCSE students from The Academy at Shotton Hall have helped the school claim the top spot in the county.
The 16-year-olds who sat their exams at the Peterlee school brought home the best set of results the school has ever seen and the best across County Durham.
A delighted Kate Hoyland with her results.
A total of 81% of students passed English and maths at grades A* to C, with 80% of students passing five or more GCSEs at A*-C including English and maths.
A third of all students achieved at least three A or A* grade GCSEs with 20% achieving five or more A or A* grade GCSEs.
The school say it rounds off an "excellent academic year" for the academy with its teacher training provision awarded an outstanding grade from school inspectors Ofsted in January and the expansion of their North East Learning Trust to include Easington Academy, Diamond Hall Juniors and Teesdale School and Sixth Form.
Lesley Powell, executive principal at the academy and chief executive of the North East Learning Trust, said: "This year’s GCSE results are absolutely wonderful and everyone at the Academy is exceptionally proud of our students.
Students were delighted with their results from Shotton Hall,
"This is our best set of results our school has ever had, with even more students achieving As and A*s, opening up their options for further study and rewarding careers.
"I’d like to say a huge thank you to our teachers and staff who work tirelessly to give our children equal access to the very best educational opportunities, and who, like me, are absolutely thrilled with our students’ achievements.”
The school's top performer was Kate Hoyland, who achieved even A*s and four As.
Sadie Scott was also did exceptionally well with five A*s and four As, while Josh Carr came top of the boys with five A*s and three As.
Kate is going on to study A-levels in maths, physics and chemistry at English Martyrs and hopes to go onto university to become a chemical engineer.
Sadie is hoping to study medicine and is going on to study A-levels in maths, physics, chemistry and biology at Durham Johnson Sixth Form.
Josh is also going on to study at Durham Sixth Form and hopes that A-levels in computing, physics and criminology will set him on the right track for a university place and a career as a computer programmer.
The school's two students who made the most progress were Bradley Lawton and Sara Mullender, with its leaders saying both worked hard to smash their targets, culminating in some great GCSE passes.
Bradley said he was: "very happy and looking forward to going on to study to become a plumber.” | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/gcse-results-shotton-hall-in-peterlee-scoops-top-marks-across-county-durham-1-8089198 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/8eae87805814bacbe6512a8ced34b82590c8f9c8af3f63be1ec012744b26c684.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:08:49 | null | 2016-08-26T13:04:45 | Pregnant women in Hartlepool are to be targeted in a campaign to highlight the dangers of drinking | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fhealth%2Fpregnant-women-in-hartlepool-warned-over-the-dangers-of-alcohol-1-8090821.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8090820.1472213203!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Pregnant women in Hartlepool warned over the dangers of alcohol | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Pregnant women in Hartlepool are to be targeted in a campaign to highlight the dangers of drinking
Hartlepool Borough Council is working in partnership with Middlesbrough Council, Redcar and Cleveland Council, Stockton Borough Council to deliver the clear message that alcohol and pregnancy don’t mix.
The project is in the run up to Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day takes place on Friday, September 9.
As part of the awareness day, children’s centres within Middlesbrough are holding ‘mocktails’ events when alcohol-free cocktails will be promoted as a safe substitute for mums-to-be.
Mums-to-be will be invited to attend, while other activity includes in-pharmacy poster and sticker campaigns, banners in key locations and information distributed to GPs.
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) covers a range of disabilities that can be caused when a developing baby in the womb is exposed to alcohol.
These can include physical disabilities, learning difficulties and behavioural problems. FASD is permanent and there is no cure - but it is preventable.
Although the condition is still under-diagnosed, statistics show that approximately 1% of all babies born may have some form of FASD, meaning around one baby is born each day in the North East with FASD.
Coun Mick Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for communities and public health, said: “FASD has a higher incidence rate than autism, Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida and sudden infant death syndrome combined.
“But it is 100% preventable – which is why we are advising mothers to avoid alcohol completely during pregnancy and choose to consume no alcohol during their nine-month pregnancy term. It’s essential that parents-to- be are warned of the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
“Alcohol continues to have a huge impact on children and young people and we need to do everything we can to protect them, and ensure they have the best possible start in life.”
For further information and advice from the FASD network, go to www.fasdnetwork.org | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/health/pregnant-women-in-hartlepool-warned-over-the-dangers-of-alcohol-1-8090821 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/0487ca1ada1dec2c429b564bcad37fc41e6dbf2ac2e59c1071249ad2c154ce11.json |
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] | 2016-08-30T08:49:39 | null | 2016-08-30T09:00:00 | The largest union in the region says it is supporting campaigners in their fight against closure for three Hartlepool doctors’ practices. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Funion-backs-health-campaigners-in-fight-to-protect-threatened-hartlepool-medical-centres-1-8093995.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8093994.1472460839!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Union backs health campaigners in fight to protect threatened Hartlepool medical centres | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | The largest union in the region says it is supporting campaigners in their fight against closure for three Hartlepool doctors’ practices.
Unison says it is fully behind the actions of patients who will also call on Hartlepool Borough Council to intervene.
This may be just the tip of the iceberg and more mergers and closures could lie ahead Mike Hill, Unison
The Hartlepool and Stockton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has launched a second review into the future of services provided by the Fens Medical Centre, Wynyard Road Primary Care Centre and Hartfields Medical Centre.
Under CCG’s three proposals the Fens and Hartfields centres could potentially both close.
Mike Hill, Regional Organiser for Unison said: “It’s great to see campaigners like Liz Carroll and the Hartfields Patient Participation Group working with other groups to defend patient services.
“This is important and encouraging news for the hard working staff in these under-threat practices that are passionate about their places of work and the patients they care for.”
Campaigners have now called on Hartlepool council to intervene to prevent the closure of any of the three practices.
A question submitted by Mrs Carroll is due to be considered at the next full council meeting on Thursday, September 8.
Mr Hill said: “I have no doubt that they will get a positive response, but at the end of the day the local authority doesn’t own the process or set the rules; that responsibility lies with the NHS, and it is they who need to listen.”
He added: “We have already seen closures of GP Practices in Hartlepool, such as the Journee Medical Practice on Victoria Road, and with a growing shortage of GP’s both nationally and particularly in the North East, this may be just the tip of the iceberg and more mergers and closures could lie ahead.
“There seems now to be a growing crisis of health and social care delivery across our town, which is extremely worrying.”
Each of the three medical centres were given a stay of execution after a review two years ago.
The CCG says their contracts have been extended several times, and cannot legally be extended after they end at the end of next March.
Twelve possible scenarios that were produced as a result of previous engagement have been reduced to a shortlist of three after assessing each against criteria including premises, affordability, sustainability
and patient feedback.
The proposals are to have one provider at Wynyard Road and the Fens or Hartfields sites, while the third is to have one provider at just Wynyard Road.
Collectively, the three centres have more than 7,000 registered patients. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/union-backs-health-campaigners-in-fight-to-protect-threatened-hartlepool-medical-centres-1-8093995 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/fd4c8bf5a56cbd86b51180ab1410513c705965665580caa27cf8a62c93008c9a.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:04:32 | null | 2016-08-23T09:00:00 | An upcoming Hartlepool festival will be serving up more than just music. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fwhat-s-on%2Fgigs-music%2Fmusic-food-and-booze-on-the-menu-at-hartlepool-s-we-are-family-festival-1-8082384.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8082383.1471873201!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Music, food and booze on the menu at Hartlepool’s We Are Family festival | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | An upcoming Hartlepool festival will be serving up more than just music.
While a host of North East bands take to the stage at We Are Family, festival goers will be able to sample food and beers from across the region.
A food festival is set to run alongside the event at Jacksons Landing, on the Marina, on Saturday, September 10.
Wylam Brewery has teamed up with the festival’s own sponsor, Camerons Brewery, to offer bars selling a wide selection of ales.
Music fans will also be able to sample street food from the likes of Longhorns Barbecue Smoke House, The Fat Hippo, Fornartesas’ wood fired pizza, Gladys’ vintage tea room and Kitch N Crepes.
Max Bianco, a member of Hartlepool band The Jar Family, who are staging the festival, said: “We’re very excited to be bringing back We Are Family to Hartlepool again this year.
“The response to last year’s event was incredible – the whole area got behind us and turned out in their thousands to celebrate bands from the North East. We can’t thank the locals enough for the support they have shown us and we’ve got another amazing line up for them this year.”
The event is set to include performances from The Jar Family, who will be launching their new self-produced EP Daydreamin’, as well as North East bands Little Comets, Hyde & Beast, Kingsley Chapman & The Murder, Cattle & Cane and more.
The Jar Family’s Lee Dali said: “It’s great to be running for a second year. I think with the first year being such a success and that many people enjoying it, and we just had to do it again.
“It’s all local North East bands, the same as last year. We’ve got no big names apart from the big local bands from Newcastle to Sunderland, like Cattle & Cane and Little Comets and the Mouses.”
With Jacksons Landing set to be demolished, the band is planning to make the festival bigger and better next year.
Lee added: “It’ll be a relocation. I think what we’ll look for, if it is another success this year and there’s people wanting it next year, I think we’ll look for somewhere where you can camp, where we can have it like a proper festival.”
We’ve got five pairs of tickets to give away for the festival, which includes a voucher for a meal and drink from a vendor of your choice.
To be in with a chance of winning, just tell us which Hartlepool band organises the We Are Family festival.
Send your answer, along with your name and contact number, to vicki.newman@jpress.co.uk
Tickets for the festival cost £10. To book, go to www.wearefamilyfestival.com | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/what-s-on/gigs-music/music-food-and-booze-on-the-menu-at-hartlepool-s-we-are-family-festival-1-8082384 | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/21a97d7a6899e3f4def07cab24a8c5fc24030bfb7ed2bbd2d3bb7d3962b4564a.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:12:24 | null | 2016-08-24T21:41:49 | Sunderland beat Shrewsbury Town 1-0 to make it through to the third round of the EFL Cup thanks to a stunning Adnan Januzaj strike. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fsunderland-afc%2Fsunderland-1-shrewsbury-town-0-stunning-adnan-januzaj-goal-sees-cats-progress-in-efl-cup-1-8087019.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8087017.1472071466!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Sunderland 1 Shrewsbury Town 0: Stunning Adnan Januzaj goal sees Cats progress in EFL Cup | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Sunderland beat Shrewsbury Town 1-0 to make it through to the third round of the EFL Cup thanks to a stunning Adnan Januzaj strike.
The Belgian popped up six minutes from time with a superb effort from the edge of the area.
Wahbi Khazri returned to the Sunderland side
Sunderland had made hard work of the win in what was a dire contest against League One Shrewsbury at the Stadium of Light.
But David Moyes's side did just about enough to progress to the next round.
Sunderland started well on a balmy night on Wearside, winning two dangerous free-kicks in the opening 10 minutes of the game.
But first Adnan Januzaj and then Patrick van Aanholt blasted their efforts straight into the wall.
For all their positive work on the outskirts of the penalty area, Sunderland lacked a goal threat in the opening 15 minutes with ex-Boro keeper Jayson Leutwiler untested.
Sunderland's set pieces were poor, with too many free-kicks and corners squandered.
It was a dire first half, with too many mistakes from both sides, possession gifted away and no real efforts on goal in the opening 45 minutes at the Stadium of Light.
The game briefly sparked into life when the impressive Steven Pienaar burst through on goal but under pressure he cleared the crossbar, and that was one of the better chances.
Captain for the night, van Aanholt almost put Sunderland 1-0 up two minutes before half-time but Leutwiler was quick off his line to smother the danger.
Sunderland lacked penetration as League One Shrewsbury went in level at the break.
Half-time: Sunderland 0 Shrewsbury Town 0:
The second half started in a similar vein to the first, though Shrewsbury did start to show more attacking intent 10 minutes in.
Newcastle United loanee Ivan Toney saw a shot comfortably gathered by Pickford from a corner 55 minutes in.
Sunderland then carved out their best effort two minutes later, Januzaj slipped the ball into the feet of Asoro 10-yards out but his shot was blocked at close-range by Leutwiler.
Pickford then made a flying save after 62 minutes to deny Toney, who had fired in a superb shot on an angle from the left-hand side of the area.
The game was really poor, one of the worst you will see this season.
Sunderland should have taken the lead after 78 minutes, Gooch slipped in van Aanholt who cut the ball back to Khazri six-yards out.
He hit it well enough but couldn't get the direction right as it flew wide of the left-hand post.
Finally, Sunderland got the breakthrough in the 84th minute thanks to a screamer from Manchester United loanee Januzaj.
Pickford released Watmore, who burst forward. The ball fell to Khazri, who played in Januzaj 22-yards out from goal and he made no mistake with a stunning effort.
Sunderland - who survived a late scare from sub George Waring's diving header - should have had a penalty after Adam El-Abd fouled Asoro inside the area but referee Jeremy Simpson waved it away.
Sunderland held on to progress.
Full-time: Sunderland 1 Shrewsbury Town 0
Sunderland: Pickford, van Aanholt (C), Djilobodji, McNair, Love, Rodwell, Pienaar (Watmore, 60), Gooch, Khazri, Januzaj, Asoro.
Subs Not Used: Stryjek, E Robson, T Robson, Greenwood, Honeyman, J Robson.
Booked: Gooch (55)
Goal: Januzaj (84)
Shrewsbury Town: Leutwiler, Deegan, McGivern, Brown, Dodds (Mangan, 73), El-Abd (C), Ogogo, Lancashire, Riley, Sarcevic (O'Brien, 62),Toney (Waring, 78).
Subs Not Used: Halstead, Black, El Ouriachi, Leitch-Smith.
Booked: Deegan (7), Sarcevic (28).
Goals: None
Attendance: 13,979
Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire) | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-1-shrewsbury-town-0-stunning-adnan-januzaj-goal-sees-cats-progress-in-efl-cup-1-8087019 | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/a5202b3e4e696abe9fe9c0efc4b4db998d1a78fb1bc4e95fd78f90c831f1a253.json |
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] | 2016-08-28T16:49:08 | null | 2016-08-28T16:24:06 | Police today issued CCTV images of a man they want to trace over suspected shoplifting in Easington. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fcrime%2Fpolice-issue-cctv-pictures-of-suspected-co-op-shoplifter-1-8093348.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8093347.1472397931!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Police issue CCTV pictures of suspected Co-op shoplifter | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | The types of cookies we, our ad network and technology partners use are listed below:
Revenue Science ► A tool used by some of our advertisers to target adverts to you based on pages you have visited in the past. To opt out of this type of targeting you can visit the 'Your Online Choices' website by clicking here.
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Local Targeting ► Our Classified websites (Photos, Motors, Jobs and Property Today) use cookies to ensure you get the correct local newspaper branding and content when you visit them. These cookies store no personally identifiable information.
Grapeshot ► We use Grapeshot as a contextual targeting technology, allowing us to create custom groups of stories outside out of our usual site navigation. Grapeshot stores the categories of story you have been exposed to. Their privacy policy and opt out option can be accessed here.
Subscriptions Online ► Our partner for Newspaper subscriptions online stores data from the forms you complete in these to increase the usability of the site and enhance user experience.
Add This ► Add This provides the social networking widget found in many of our pages. This widget gives you the tools to bookmark our websites, blog, share, tweet and email our content to a friend. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/crime/police-issue-cctv-pictures-of-suspected-co-op-shoplifter-1-8093348 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/5b903085435d7c012cc250428976e90737f178c027d9e916243d703c1e1a3da2.json |
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] | 2016-08-29T10:49:26 | null | 2016-08-29T10:10:19 | As the kids prepare to go back to school they can enjoy the last few days of the summer holidays as the warm weather looks set to continue. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fwhat-will-the-weather-be-like-for-the-last-days-of-the-summer-holidays-1-8094019.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8094018.1472461886!/image/image.jpg | en | null | What will the weather be like for the last days of the summer holidays? | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | As the kids prepare to go back to school they can enjoy the last few days of the summer holidays as the warm weather looks set to continue.
The Met Office has confirmed that families can look forward to barbecue weather for the Bank Holiday Monday and throughout the rest of the week, as temperatures look set to peak at 21C on Tuesday and will stay around 18C until Sunday.
Although remaining mainly warm and dry, the Met Office has warned that the best of the weather will be at the start of the week, as some showers are expected on Friday.
Met Office operational meteorologist Martin Bowles said: "Monday is looking like a good day.
"Most people are going to have dry weather with plenty of sunshine conducive to enjoying the Bank Holiday outside.
"The rest of the week is also looking quite good."
Experts say that despite Tuesday getting off to a cloudy start, that cloud is expected to thin and break to allow some bright or sunny spells. Then on Wednesday rain will spread from the west, clearing to showers during afternoon.
Thursday will also be warm and cloudy but remaining dry through to Friday when rain will arrive from the west .
Have you got something to share on the story? Were you there? What do you think? - Send your pictures, videos or story and we'll publish the best × Continue the story What will the weather be like for the last days of the summer holidays? Loading ... Add up to 3 photos or 1 videos to the story There's been a problem uploading your files. Please try again. By uploading your file you agree to our Terms and Conditions × Continue the story Sign in to contribute sign in shape the news in your area... | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/what-will-the-weather-be-like-for-the-last-days-of-the-summer-holidays-1-8094019 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/b67c07d34361b5fcce96f87d12cee016608efbd28b858a294ffcf32e1310bee8.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:06:46 | null | 2016-08-25T14:00:57 | Pupils at St Hild’s Church of England School were celebrating today after picking up their excellent GCSE results. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fgcse-results-st-hild-s-school-celebrates-fantastic-results-1-8088548.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8088546.1472130037!/image/image.jpg | en | null | GCSE Results: St Hild’s School celebrates fantastic results | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Pupils at St Hild’s Church of England School were celebrating today after picking up their excellent GCSE results.
The school, on King Oswy Drive, Hartlepool, saw 53% of pupils earn five A* to C grades overall and saw 70% of pupils achieve A*s to Cs in Maths.
Head girl Kate Elvin and head boy Ben Harrison celebrate their GCSE results.
In English, 60% of students achieved grades A* to C, with the vast majority of pupils gaining the grades needed to progress to the next stage of their career.
High achieving student Ben Harrison, 16, from Clavering, was delighted after picking up 14 A*s in all of his GCSE’s.
Ben, who is head boy at the school, said he was over the moon with his results, which saw him achieve the top grades in subjects including maths, English, geography, and history.
He said: “I am so pleased with these results and my parents are over the moon.
“I worked so hard for them and revised every night.
“I wasn’t expecting these results, I thought I would do well but not this well!”
Head girl Kate Elvin, 16, from Bishop Cuthbert, who is Ben’s girlfriend, also did impressively well, gaining 10 A* and four As.
She will go to English Martyrs Sixth Form to do A levels.
She said: “I am over the moon and I put in a lot of hard work over the last six months.
“I couldn’t sleep last night as I was so nervous, but all the revision had paid off!”
Meanwhile musical pupil Tay Temple, 16, achieved three A*’s and nine A grades and will go on to study song writing at BIMM College in Manchester.
She said: “I am so pleased with these results which mean that I can go to Manchester to study song writing at the same college that stars such as Tom Odell have been to.”
Charlotte King, 16, from Clavering, was overjoyed with three A* and nine A grades. She will go on to study A levels at Hartlepool Sixth Form College.
She said: “I am over the moon as I put in a lot of revision and now all my hard work has paid off.”
Bethany Hayes, 16, from Clavering, achieved six A* in subjects including physics and further maths.
She also picked up seven A grades and will go onto study A levels at English Martyrs Sixth Form.
She said: “I was so shocked when I opened my results envelope, as I found the exams really hard, so I am really pleased.”
Bethany Scott, 16, from King Oswy, picked up three A* and seven A grades overall.
She said: “I didn’t think I would do so well, as it has been a tough year with all the revision. I am so happy.”
Headteacher Tracey Gibson was delighted with the results which she said were a testament to the hard work of students and staff.
She said: “We are very pleased with our improved results; they reflect the hard work and commitment of our pupils and staff along with the continued support we receive from parents and carers.
“There have been outstanding individual successes at all levels and it is a delight to see the vast majority of our pupils have gained the grades they expected to progress to the next stage in their chosen careers.
“We wish our graduates well and are very proud of their achievements.” | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/gcse-results-st-hild-s-school-celebrates-fantastic-results-1-8088548 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/4e8d6423094e729f0256d854bd7e84fd56d94c53630b27f0bcaa495ceba27846.json |
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] | 2016-08-29T12:50:45 | null | 2016-08-29T11:52:50 | None of the 3,261 fans at the Northern Gas and Power Stadium on Saturday could complain they didn’t get their monies worth. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fhartlepool-utd%2Fmark-donnelly-s-match-analysis-hartlepool-united-2-newport-county-2-1-8093630.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8093629.1472410505!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Mark Donnelly’s match analysis: Hartlepool United 2 Newport County 2 | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | None of the 3,261 fans at the Northern Gas and Power Stadium on Saturday could complain they didn’t get their monies worth.
A frenzy of goals in the first half was followed by an end-to-end second period in what was a truly engaging encounter.
It was also yet another example of the ‘Never Say Die’ attitude Craig Hingett has instilled into his side as they battled back despite a numerical disadvantage.
But while Pools’ ability to come from behind is definitely pleasing, there is still a disappointment that they keep falling behind in games.
There was just one change from the team that was beaten by Notts County last weekend – Jordan Richards replacing the injured Carl Magnay.
Hignett would have had a case for making some changes after his side surrendered the lead last weekend, but resisted the temptation.
The Pools boss again opted for a 4-4-2 formation allowing him to play with two up front as he chased that elusive first home victory.
And Hignett’s decision to stick with the same set-up looked to be paying off when his side took the lead after just two minutes.
Michael Woods provided the killer pass as he chipped the ball into the path of Nicky Featherstone who took it in his stride before firing home.
Delight was to turn to despair moments later though, when Toto Nsiala was given his marching orders.
Seven days previously he had bundled in his first goal for the side, but now he was heading for an early bath after handling on the edge of the box.
An instinctive reaction it perhaps was, and the Congolese defender certainly looked as if he knew the consequences of his actions as he headed down the tunnel.
For now a Pools side who had failed to keep a clean sheet in their opening five games would have to try and do so without one of their key centre backs.
There wouldn’t be long to wait for the hosts’ defence to be breached either, as Sean Rigg drilled home the resultant free-kick to level things up.
All of the above happened within the first four minutes – you’ll be hard pushed to find a game with such an action-packed opening.
At this point it would have been permissible for Hignett to withdraw a striker in place of a defender to shore things up.
But while the gathered media prepared their tweets proclaiming the entrance of Scott Harrison, the man in the dugout had other ideas.
Such is Hignett’s desire for his team to attack that he made no substitution, instead asking goalscorer Featherstone to slot-in at centre back while retaining Pools’ attacking edge.
He must have been hoping that the old cliché of teams being more dangerous when down to ten men would tell true, and for a while it looked as if it would.
Billy Paynter saw a guided header held by Joe Day before Lewis Alessandra squandered a golden chance when he swapped passes with Matthew Bates only to drill wide of the far post.
The significance this miss would be felt only four minutes later when a piece of individual brilliance saw Newport take the lead.
Former Poolie Jon Parkin was to be the source of inspiration as he controlled a lofted pass on his chest before turning and volleying home from 25 yards.
Credit here must go to the Pools faithful who, despite seeing their team behind, ramped up the volume and spurred them on.
And their efforts were reflected on the pitch as the hosts pushed forward.
Nathan Thomas was looking particularly lively, tormenting the Newport backline with his pace and skill.
A deserved equaliser was to come seven minutes before the break as Lewis Alessandra delivered a teasing corner which Padraig Amond nodded home having shrugged off the attentions of his marker.
The second half has a lot to live up to after the frenetic opening period and, while there were less chances, it was truly end-to-end.
Both sides felt they could snatch the three points but neither really tested the opposition’s goalkeeper.
Thomas had Pools’ best chance when he forced Joe Day to tip over his sweetly-struck effort from 30 yards.
The winger then went on a mazy run, taking on four Newport defenders, before being halted in his tracks – Richards curling the ensuing free-kick narrowly wide.
Newport’s best chance came in the dying minutes as goalscorer Rigg chested down a corner before stabbing over the crossbar from close range.
While a point could be considered a good result given the circumstances, there was an air of disappointment that Pools couldn’t grab all three.
For other than the two goals, Newport weren’t gifted much of a sight of goal. At times it was difficult to notice that United were a man lighter.
And how many sides could say that having been down to ten men for 87 minutes? It truly is a testament to the side’s resilience and hard-work.
Keep replicating performances like this and the wins will come – it’s a matter of when, not if. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-utd/mark-donnelly-s-match-analysis-hartlepool-united-2-newport-county-2-1-8093630 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/82832ce87b817abd3d1774561a086df7c2da3e0a7346955b4574ec94458822e2.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:04:51 | null | 2016-08-20T11:00:00 | It’s been quite a list of talent and here is the final instalment of our tribute to award-winning students from a Hartlepool academy. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fwhat-s-on%2Fhartlepool-dance-winners-named-1-8079224.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8079223.1471687838!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Hartlepool dance winners named | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | The types of cookies we, our ad network and technology partners use are listed below:
Revenue Science ► A tool used by some of our advertisers to target adverts to you based on pages you have visited in the past. To opt out of this type of targeting you can visit the 'Your Online Choices' website by clicking here.
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Local Targeting ► Our Classified websites (Photos, Motors, Jobs and Property Today) use cookies to ensure you get the correct local newspaper branding and content when you visit them. These cookies store no personally identifiable information.
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Add This ► Add This provides the social networking widget found in many of our pages. This widget gives you the tools to bookmark our websites, blog, share, tweet and email our content to a friend. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/what-s-on/hartlepool-dance-winners-named-1-8079224 | en | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/c59c0c3b176216781027d74aa91595ab6eb654bc57a7dc093032e495491d9a5e.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:06:11 | null | 2016-08-22T12:02:47 | One of Britain’s most influential bands will take to the stage in the region this weekend - and you could be there for free. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fwhat-s-on%2Fgigs-music%2Fwin-vip-tickets-to-see-primal-scream-this-weekend-1-8081974.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8081972.1471863750!/image/image.jpg | en | null | WIN: VIP tickets to see Primal Scream this weekend | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | One of Britain’s most influential bands will take to the stage in the region this weekend - and you could be there for free.
We’ve got a pair of VIP tickets to give away to see Primal Scream on Friday night, August 26, at Times Square, Newcastle.
The band will perform on the first night of a weekend of live music, which sees indie rockers Catfish and the Bottlemen take to the stage on Saturday night.
Fronted by enigmatic indie icon Bobby Gillespie, the group will be kicking off the weekend in true rock’n’roll style. Riding high after the release of their 11th studio album, Chaosmosis, released in 2016, Primal Scream’s hits include Movin’ On Up, Rocks, Country Girl and Come Together.
Frontman Bobby Gillespie said: “I think we’re getting better at writing songs and more confident and less self-conscious.
“We’re better at letting things flow. Whereas 20 years ago, it was painful trying to make a Primal Scream record, it was like hell. I’m clearer-headed now, I’m better expressing my feelings and what I want to say. I’m trying to make sense of my life, of the world, and I’m trying to put it into a pop song.
CATFISH + THE BOTTLEMEN by Jill Furmanovsky
“The current political climate is deeply upsetting and we’re aware of it and opposed to it and we’d like to see something different.
“It can sound an angry record, but it’s also quite a personal record. I want to write about real situations, things I feel strongly about. But I also think the music’s becoming clearer, the lyrics are clearer. Art, politics, music, the people I love are the people who care about something, who care about beauty.”
•To win a pair of VIP tickets to Friday night’s gig, which includes VIP viewing, a private bar and toilets, worth £38.50 each, answer this question: what is the name of Primal Scream’s 11th studio album? Email your answer and daytime contact number to Katy.Wheeler@jpress.co.uk by noon on August 26. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/what-s-on/gigs-music/win-vip-tickets-to-see-primal-scream-this-weekend-1-8081974 | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/153d84d4ea366bf2a6322886552290c276bb9bf3234353be3f2ecd4c1573d88e.json |
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] | 2016-08-29T08:49:30 | null | 2016-08-29T09:00:00 | A pilot scheme to prevent children in Hartlepool from going hungry during the school holidays has been extended after it ran out of food early due to demand. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fhartlepool-holiday-hunger-pilot-scheme-continues-after-supplies-ran-out-1-8091819.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8091817.1472235711!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Hartlepool holiday hunger pilot scheme continues after supplies ran out | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | A pilot scheme to prevent children in Hartlepool from going hungry during the school holidays has been extended after it ran out of food early due to demand.
Hartlepool Borough Council launched the £13,000 Holiday Hunger food parcel scheme on July 25 and had been intended to last until Friday, September 2.
Items on the shelf at the Hartlepool Foodbank.
But demand proved so high that all 480 food parcels had been handed out this week.
The council has confirmed the scheme, which is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust charity and Hartlepool Foodbank, will continue until the original end date.
Councillor Alan Clark, Chair of the council’s Children’s Services Committee, said: “I’m delighted we are in a position to continue the scheme which is vital to the well-being of our local community.
“We are aware that there are high levels of deprivation in parts of our town and this scheme is intended to help the most hard-pressed families with children.”
There are high levels of deprivation in parts of our town and this scheme is intended to help the most hard-pressed families with children Councillor Alan Clark
The scheme is open to families with children who would normally be entitled to free school meals during term time, but face going without during the holidays because of pressures on families finances.
It is funded from the council’s Child and Family Poverty Reserve and means families can apply for a food parcel once a week at one of three venues across the town.
The scheme restarted on Friday afternoon and resumes from Tuesday, August 30, to Friday 2 September.
Food parcels will be available at West View Advice and Resource Centre, Miers Avenue, 9am–5pm; Chatham Children’s Centre, Chatham Road, 9am–5pm and Owton Manor Community Centre, Wynyard Road, 10am–2pm.
The parcels include staple foods such as rice, pasta, tinned vegetables and tinned meat and fish.
They also include information to recipients how they can access advice and information for residents, including other support services available such as money advice and healthy recipes.
Youngsters have also benefited from healthy meals and snacks provided by 18 community groups after applying for a share of a new £25,000 council grant fund.
For further information about the food parcel scheme, contact Steven Carter, Health Improvement Practitioner at steven.carter@hartlepool.gov.uk or phone (01429) 523583. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/hartlepool-holiday-hunger-pilot-scheme-continues-after-supplies-ran-out-1-8091819 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/3de4823805726c6283dc13347345cf8d524c74c0bb51c850412cd863e90a69e8.json |
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] | 2016-08-29T12:49:27 | null | 2016-08-29T11:51:13 | A Hartlepool mum who underwent life-saving brain surgery to remove a tumour is aiming to put her best foot forward to raise cash for charity. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fhartlepool-mum-who-battled-a-brain-tumour-to-take-on-great-north-run-1-8094234.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8094233.1472467852!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Hartlepool mum who battled a brain tumour to take on Great North Run | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | A Hartlepool mum who underwent life-saving brain surgery to remove a tumour is aiming to put her best foot forward to raise cash for charity.
Emma Cox was diagnosed with a brain tumour after falling ill soon after giving birth to her second child.
“I’ll just be glad when I get over the finish line.” Emma Cox
The 32-year-old underwent surgery to have the tumour removed two years ago .
Now, after being given a second lease of life she has signed up to take part in the Great North Run in aid of the Brain Tumour charity.
The event will see the mum-of-two, from Manor House Estate, Hutton Henry, take on the gruelling 13.1-mile course from Newcastle to South Shields on September 11.
She said: “I’ve never been a runner and always said I would never take part in the Great North Run.
“I am kind of dreading it but also looking forward to it. I’ll just be glad when I get over the finish line.”
Mrs Cox had been diagnosed with a brain tumour six weeks after giving birth to her second child after starting to feel unwell.
She had originally been treated for vertigo but after a week of no improvement her GP referred her straight to hospital.
“At first the doctor thought it might have been vertigo as women’s bodies change after giving birth.
“But when I said there was no improvement she started asking me different things, I think she knew but didn’t want to frighten me so sent me to the hospital.
“A few weeks later I had my operation. I was lucky as it was in the lining of the brain and it was easy for them to get to.
“I’m feeling pretty good now. Some people who have had brain surgery say they suffer like they have a hangover, but I’ve been fine.”
Mrs Cox decided to sign up to the Great North Run in a bid to raise cash for the brain tumour charity.
“I have been struggling with my training recently due to a bad back, but I’ve just been going out for smaller runs.
“I’m not the fastest runner but I’m sure I’ll get round. It might take me five hours but I’ll get round it.
“Taking part not only lets me give something back, it is also giving me some focus as I’ve always struggled with my weight and because of me being so ill after giving birth I’ve never had the chance to try and lose the baby weight.
“It is a big challenge for me but everyone has been really positive and so supportive.”
The Great North Run is one of the world’s biggest half marathons with thousands of runners taking part and many more unable to secure places.
Runners start in Newcastle and finish on the Leas in South Shields.
For details on the Brain Tumour Charity visit /www.thebraintumourcharity.org
Have you got something to share on the story? Were you there? What do you think? - Send your pictures, videos or story and we'll publish the best × Continue the story Hartlepool mum who battled a brain tumour to take on Great North Run Loading ... Add up to 3 photos or 1 videos to the story There's been a problem uploading your files. Please try again. By uploading your file you agree to our Terms and Conditions × Continue the story Sign in to contribute sign in shape the news in your area... | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/hartlepool-mum-who-battled-a-brain-tumour-to-take-on-great-north-run-1-8094234 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/f69311aa1e9cbe51e79ae3a2237b957f3c5018f8257348cebe2ba20ee60bf223.json |
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] | 2016-08-27T10:48:43 | null | 2016-08-27T11:00:00 | Caring dance school students have given a funding boost to a Hartlepool charity. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fwhat-s-on%2Fget-yourself-along-to-the-hartlepool-dance-school-s-open-night-1-8090337.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8090334.1472204695!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Get yourself along to the Hartlepool dance school’s open night | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Caring dance school students have given a funding boost to a Hartlepool charity.
And for those who would like to join the school, there’s an opportunity to look round at an open evening to be held on Monday night.
We would like to thank everybody who donated prizes and bought tickets. We have managed to raise a lot of money for our local hospice, who do an absolutely fantastic job Amy Richardson
Representatives from the Amy Richardson Studios in Hartlepool held a nightly raffle during the week when its show called The Journey was on stage at the Town Hall Theatre in Raby Road.
The Journey was performed for a week in April and that meant a chance to raise money.
The amount gathered was £512.70 which was handed over to Janice Forbes from Hartlepool & District Hospice.
Dance school owner Amy Richardson said: “We would like to thank everybody who donated prizes and bought tickets.
“We have managed to raise a lot of money for our local hospice, who do an absolutely fantastic job. We try to support local charities wherever we can.”
The show was given its name to represent the journey the studios has been on since it opened three years ago, said Amy.
She told Dance Fever earlier this year: “I can’t believe the success that the school has achieved in such a short time. We now have 90 young people attending the studios every week. It really has been an exciting journey and one that I have loved from the beginning.”
Now the attention turns to the open evening and Amy is hoping to welcome newcomers on Monday.
She said: “The studios offer dance, musical theatre and fitness classes for all ages ranging from two years upwards.”
Classes lead to examinations, competitions or people can take them just for fun. “We can tailor a package that’s suitable for everyone,” said Amy.
“For further information please pop down to our open evening in our modern, secure studios in Whitby Street South on Monday between 4pm and 7pm.
“Have a look around, meet the staff and pick up a prospectus.”
The future also looks busy for the school which is getting ready to hold another production.
Amy added: “We have a busy few months coming up with our musical Chase the Day to stage, which was written and composed by one of our staff members Andy Carroll, and a cabaret evening to present.
“We look forward to meeting all current and new students and having another successful year at Amy Richardson Studios.” | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/what-s-on/get-yourself-along-to-the-hartlepool-dance-school-s-open-night-1-8090337 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/96fca5936533ca78f2fc35b5ba2c9b6e93b803703e8a1f6f3b77c72245b110e6.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T12:58:55 | null | 2016-08-25T12:05:00 | A ship’s owner has praised the people of Hartlepool for warmly welcoming him to town. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fcommunity%2Fwatch-historic-ship-hms-pickle-arrive-in-hartlepool-1-8087504.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8087693.1472121861!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Watch historic ship HMS Pickle arrive in Hartlepool | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Sorry, we're having problems with our video player at the moment, but are working to fix it as soon as we can
A ship’s owner has praised the people of Hartlepool for warmly welcoming him to town.
HMS Pickle, the fabulous recreation of the Royal Navy topsail schooner of the same name, has proving to be a big hit in Hartlepool Marina.
HMS Pickle arrives at Hartlepool Marina. Pic: Matthew John.
She has plenty of links to British history too.
The ship is a replica of the one which delivered the news of the victory of the British Fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Nelson to the Admiralty in London.
Owner and skipper Mal Nicholson said he was really impressed with the region’s reaction to his ship. He urged people to come along and take a look for themselves.
“The interest in Pickle from the people of the North East has been enormous and it’s vital that those who want to have a look round her, have every opportunity.”
The interest in Pickle from the people of the North East has been enormous and it’s vital that those who want to have a look round her, have every opportunity Mal Nicholson
But Pickle’s welcome to the region goes even further.
The Tall Ships Team at Blyth has invited the ship to make a special guest appearance at the North Sea Tall Ships Regatta which takes place this weekend.
Mal is planning to head up to Blyth at first light on Saturday morning and return to Hartlepool around midday on Monday.
Pickle will be available to view at Hartlepool Marina until dusk on Friday this week.
The next opportunity is at The Tall Ships Regatta at Blyth on Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday and then back at Hartlepool Marina on Monday afternoon until dusk.
This will give the public additional opportunities to see Pickle under full sail. Mal expects to be firing the ship’s cannons to announce her return to Hartlepool on Monday lunchtime. The next opportunity is at The Tall Ships Regatta at Blyth on Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday and then back at Hartlepool Marina on Monday afternoon until dusk.
Pickle will slip her moorings very early on Tuesday next week to head back to her home port of Hull.
Mr Nicholson sailed the vessel to the UK from Gibraltar, where he bought her in 2014.
Now he has brought Pickle to her northernmost point in England since her return to the UK.
* The picture and video are courtesy of Matthew John, licensed retail manager at Jacksons Wharf. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/community/watch-historic-ship-hms-pickle-arrive-in-hartlepool-1-8087504 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/e12bcb2dae2c6d9ce19f5d48359cdfff790b6ab8e39f15746ce306c349b7168c.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T16:47:30 | null | 2016-08-26T15:50:40 | Sick of queues at the bar? | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fwhat-s-on%2Ftheatre%2Forder-a-pint-at-sunderland-empire-without-leaving-your-seat-1-8091382.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8091381.1472223021!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Order a pint at Sunderland Empire - without leaving your seat | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Sick of queues at the bar?
Now you can order your pint at Sunderland Empire - without leaving your seat.
Ordertorium, a new technology app is set to be rolled out at Sunderland Empire which will give patrons the opportunity to have a cold beverage, ice cream or snack delivered to their seat.
The app is part of an investment programme at the Empire, which includes proposals to create a bistro, as well as the repair of the Terpischore statue which blew off the tower in high winds.
Ordertorium, which successfully runs at Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) West End theatres and a selection of regional theatres, will be launched at Sunderland Empire ready for the autumn season.
The app can be downloaded now in time for the launch on Tuesday, September 26 for that evening’s performance of Ghost the Musical.
The app can be downloaded ahead of arrival to the theatre (or you can wave your menu in the air ahead of the performance and interval) and gives patrons the option to pre-book and pay for a range of drinks and snacks either from home or from the comfort of your seat in the auditorium.
A member of staff will then deliver direct to the seat pre-show and during the interval.
To take advantage of free seat delivery with no queues you can download the app for free by searching ATG on the Apple App Store or via Android App on Google play.
A spokesperson for Ambassador Theatre Groups (ATG) said: “Investment in rolling out the ordertorium project is part of a substantial capital improvement plan which has been budgeted for Sunderland Empire for 2016/17 as part of Ambassador Theatre Groups ongoing commitment to invest into capital projects to enhance customer experience.
“Investment will be committed to a number of other refurbishments front of house including the Dress Circle bar and proposed new Bistro, Ambassador Boxes, and the façade repairs project that includes repair of the Terpsichore statue damaged in high winds.”
Ben Phillips, general manager, Sunderland Empire said: “We are delighted that we are one of the regional venues set to roll out Ordertorium this September. We have a range of bespoke packages and experiences available to enhance the theatre experience and we are excited to launch Ordertorium which aims to make the visit to our beautiful Edwardian theatre even more special and relaxing.” | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/what-s-on/theatre/order-a-pint-at-sunderland-empire-without-leaving-your-seat-1-8091382 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/6b254f1e363cb79060049cdcf1a94774118cfb0401da83a104153b2312f306d9.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:11:07 | null | 2016-08-25T18:06:49 | Hartlepool United fans were treated to an open training session – to help a neighbouring club. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fhartlepool-united-opens-up-training-session-as-show-of-support-for-neighbours-1-8089584.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8089576.1472147261!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Hartlepool United opens up training session as show of support for neighbours | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Hartlepool United fans were treated to an open training session – to help a neighbouring club.
Despite the heavy rain, about 200 fans turned up to watch Craig Hignett put his Sky Bet League 2 side through their paces at Billingham Town’s Bedford Terrace ground yesterday.
HARTLEPOOL UNITED TRAINING SESSION AT BILLINGHAM TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB 25/08/2016 [FANS WATCHING TRAINING SESSION] . PICTURE BY JOE SPENCE
The event was organised as a fundraiser for the Northern Football League division two outfit and the majority of those who turned up were children still enjoying their school holidays.
They got a surprise when Hartlepool goalkeeper Trevor Carson invited the youngsters onto the pitch at the end of the session to take part in an impromptu penalty shootout.
A spokesman for Hartlepool United said: “We hope to have raised a significant figure for Billingham. We just wanted to help a neighbouring club. This is the first time we have done this and would certainly look at doing it again.”
Although entry was free, fans were urged to make any donations they could to raise much needed funds for the non-league side.
It’s good that we can help them in this way Craig Hignett
A raffle was held in which some fans managed to walk away with tickets to see Pools, with the overall winner taking home the new Hartlepool replica away kit signed by all the players.
The new kit is not due to be released until tomorrow.
Earlier Hartlepool manager Craig Hignett highlighted the “good relationship,” his club had with with Billingham, adding: “It’s where we play our reserve games and train from time to time so it’s good that we can help them in this way.”
HARTLEPOOL UNITED TRAINING SESSION AT BILLINGHAM TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB 25/08/2016 [FANS WATCHING TRAINING SESSION] . PICTURE BY JOE SPENCE
HARTLEPOOL UNITED TRAINING SESSION AT BILLINGHAM TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB 25/08/2016 [YOUNG BOY GETS PICTURE WITH TREVOR CARSON] . PICTURE BY JOE SPENCE | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/hartlepool-united-opens-up-training-session-as-show-of-support-for-neighbours-1-8089584 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/5bc92c9762d47900d15a5d12d62388c3a8f12fcb7bb1f2952a21c3121f3f31c6.json |
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] | 2016-08-27T16:50:09 | null | 2016-08-27T17:05:16 | Ten-man Hartlepool United put in an incredible effort to win a point against Newport County at the Northern Gas & Power Stadium. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fhartlepool-utd%2Fhartlepool-united-2-newport-county-2-ten-man-pools-earn-point-1-8092522.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8092521.1472314010!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Hartlepool United 2 Newport County 2: Ten-man Pools earn point | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Ten-man Hartlepool United put in an incredible effort to win a point against Newport County at the Northern Gas & Power Stadium.
Nicky Featherstone's first goal for Pools gave Craig Hignett's side a second-minute lead but within a minute, Toto Nsiala was sent off for a deliberate handball.
Scott Rigg scored from the resulting free-kick with ex-Pools loan man Jon Parkin putting County ahead with a sumptuous finish.
But Pools levelled seven minutes from the break thanks to Padraig Amond's second goal of the season.
Pools had the better of second half chances while ex-player Jack Compton threatened after coming on as a Newport sub.
To say the game had a breathtaking start would be an understatement.
Pools were in front on one minute, 38 seconds and the goal was a collector's item.
The hosts played an intricate move with Woods playing in FEATHERSTONE who finished superbly in the keeper's left corner.
But barely had the celevbrations subsided that Pools were down to 10 men.
From the kick-off, Newport attacked with Nsiala swatting the ball away on the edge of his area under pressure from Parkin.
It was a clear red-card offence and referee Haines duly produced it and Nsiala was off.
To double the punishment, RIGG'S left-footed free-kick beat Trevor Carson to his left.
Pools boss Craig Hignett put Featherstone in at centre-back though it hardly looked a fair match-up against the colossal Parkin.
And it was PARKIN who put County ahead in the 27th minute and you could only applaud the goal, with the giant striker controlling the ball on his chest before volleying brilliantly past Carson.
Pools though were still going at the Welsh side, Nathan Thomas the biggest danger, winning a number of corners and bringing a great save from Joe Day.
And Pools were level in the 38th minute when Lewis Alessandra sent over a right-ring corner which AMOND headed into the unguarded left corner.
Half-time:
Pools 2
Newport 2
Pools were on the front foot after the break and Woods soon drew a save from Day.
The fans in the Town End were appealing for a penalty when Thomas went down in the box, but the referee was not buying it and pointed for a goal-kick.
Pools finally made a change at the back, bringing on Scott Harrison at centre-half with Billy Paynter withdrawn.
Thomas was in inspired form, his 25-yard stunner bring an acrobatic save from Day who then saved at close range from the same player from the corner.
And the number seven was at it again when he beat three Newport players in a mesmerising run from halfway before being chopped down by Darren Jones, who was booked.
From the free-kick, Jordan Richards went just wide from 25 yards.
There was little danger at the other end though Jones headed wide from Compton's cross and Carson dived low to his right to tip around a Compton free-kick.
Rigg missed a great chance late on but Pools had earned their point.
Full-time
HARTLEPOOL UNITED 2
NEWPORT COUNTY 2
Pools: Carson, Richards, Nsiala, Bates (Donnelly 75), Carroll, Alessandra, Featherstone, Woods, Thomas, Amond (Hawkins 81), Paynter (Harrison 57).
Unused Subs: Bartlett, Deverdics, Laurent, Oates.
Goals: Featherstone 2, Amond 38
Sent-off: Nsiala 3
Newport County : Day, Rigg, Myrie-Williams (Compton 53), Randall, Parkin, Jackson (Barnum-Bobb 75), Bennett, Bignot, Labadie (Tozer 64), Butler, Jones.
Unused Subs: Bittner, Owen-Evans, Sheehan, Green
Goals: Rigg 3, Parkin 27
Booked: Randall 48, Jones 62
Referee: Andy Haines
Attendance: 3,261(away 55) | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-utd/hartlepool-united-2-newport-county-2-ten-man-pools-earn-point-1-8092522 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/7e5b89ce727ba690286aeb87cac5396e15a7d1ef9a9a19a8d2263e85de86df0f.json |
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] | 2016-08-29T10:49:33 | null | 2016-08-29T09:00:10 | A Hartlepool dad has inspired people from across the country to undergo the life changing MS treatment he received. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fhartlepool-dad-s-story-inspires-others-to-go-for-life-changing-ms-treatment-abroad-1-8091571.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8091569.1472230005!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Hartlepool dad’s story inspires others to go for life changing MS treatment abroad | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | A Hartlepool dad has inspired people from across the country to undergo the life changing MS treatment he received.
Eric Thomson, 50, from Jowitt Road, underwent pioneering Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) in Mexico earlier this year in the hope of slowing, if not stopping the progression of his primary progressive MS (PPMS)and improve mobility.
Sarah Waters is raising money to undergo a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation after being inspired by Eric Thomson's story.
Since returning home, Eric has seen a vast improvement in his mobility and says he is on the road to recovery. Now his story has inspired MS patients across the country to undergo the same treatment.
Mum Sarah Waters, 47, from Poole, was one such patient who has decided to go for the treatment after Eric’s story renewed her hope of having a future.
She is now fundraising to pay for the surgery. She said: “I have primary progressive MS and Eric’s success story has inspired me to go for the treatment.
“After reading his story I have been in contact with Eric and have decided to go ahead with fundraising to have the HSCT treatment in the Philippines.
“His story has given me hope, as just nine months ago I started to get very low at how fast my MS was deteriorating.
“After a months stay in hospital it was apparent that I needed full time care. I felt like I had no quality of life and I looked into going to assisted suicide clinic Dignitas in Switzerland.
“I was at rock bottom, but then I saw a post on Facebook of a chap who had PPMS and had stem cell therapy and I felt a glimmer of hope.
“I researched into it and I want to give this a go.”
Eric said he was thrilled his story has inspired others. He said: “I am over the moon she is going for it. My intention was if I could change one person’s life with my story then I would have paid it forward. It is great that the treatment has given her something to look forward to. It is a lot of money but you can’t put a price on your health.” | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/hartlepool-dad-s-story-inspires-others-to-go-for-life-changing-ms-treatment-abroad-1-8091571 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/a3f52f267bcf66df366676550afe676f876d7bfb5ea0d939a3a371cea775ff9b.json |
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] | 2016-08-27T10:50:05 | null | 2016-08-27T07:20:00 | Sunderland are in pole position to land Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra – but the deal is set to drag on into next week. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fsunderland-afc%2Fsunderland-in-pole-position-to-land-sevilla-midfielder-vicente-iborra-1-8091850.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8091849.1472238663!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Sunderland in pole position to land Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Sunderland are in pole position to land Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra – but the deal is set to drag on into next week.
The Black Cats have had a bid accepted for £7million-rated defensive midfielder Iborra – and it is understood that the player is keen on a move to Wearside.
There is reported interest from other Spanish clubs for Iborra, but Sunderland are hopeful of adding him to their squad.
The deal for the 28-year-old is set to drag on into the early part of next week, though.
Iborra has been on the Wearsiders’ radar all summer, prior to David Moyes arriving at the Stadium of Light.
Moyes is confident of adding to the six new signings since he arrived at the club, with Wednesday night’s 11pm deadline fast approaching. And the Scot has confirmed the club has made “one or two” offers for new players.
Moyes said: “I have a lot of trust in [chief executive] Martin Bain, who has done an awful lot of good work and spent hours at the training ground. We will get some business done.
“We have one or two offers in for players just now.
“We are actively trying to improve the squad.”
Iborra, who only signed a new deal until 2020 last summer, has made 83 appearances for Sevilla, scoring 17 goals, since moving from Levante in 2013.
Sevilla chairman Jose Castro has confirmed that the Europa League holders have had an offer for him.
Meanwhile, work to secure the return of Yann M’Vila on a permanent deal is ongoing.
He currently plays for Russian side Rubin Kazan, who want a large transfer fee for a player out of contract in January.
Sunderland aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket though.
Moyes added: “We are in for other midfielders as well.”
The latest signing to arrive at Sunderland is right-back Javier Manquillo, on a season-long loan.
The 22-year-old Atletico Madrid full-back – who will start at Southampton today – has joined with a view to a permanent four-year deal.
Moyes said: “We are delighted to get him in. He is a specialist right-back but played a lot at left-back for Marseille too.
“If we had an injury to Patrick van Aanholt then we have somebody who could do that job.
“He will come in and start at Southampton.
“His English isn’t great, but my Spanish wasn’t great in Spain. I can understand that.
“We will get a teacher in and do everything we can to get things passed on.”
With Sunderland now fully stocked at right-back, Moyes will look to add another defender, striker and central midfielders. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-in-pole-position-to-land-sevilla-midfielder-vicente-iborra-1-8091850 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/26b8caa88365ce5f9b96895b016b04c8db5ede22468bd35dfa31fb9f4f60e838.json |
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] | 2016-08-29T14:49:27 | null | 2016-08-29T14:31:28 | As many as one in three adults in England could lack skills essential to finding work or carrying out basic everyday tasks, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation is claiming. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Fup-to-one-in-three-adults-lack-basic-skills-in-the-north-east-1-8094496.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8094495.1472477557!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Up to one in three adults lack 'basic skills' in the North East | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | As many as one in three adults in England could lack skills essential to finding work or carrying out basic everyday tasks, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation is claiming.
The charity says 12.6 million would struggle to fill out an online job application form while a further five million cannot carry out one or more of a range of tasks including using a cash machine, writing a message or understanding household bills.
In many Western countries young people outperform their older counterparts, but the JRF says that in England older adults achieve higher literacy and numeracy scores than teenagers and those in their early 20s.
The charity analysed data gathered in 2011 and 2012 by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
It found that 23 per cent of people aged 16-18 and 17 per cent of those aged 19-24 achieved the lowest score on the literacy skills scale used by the department.
The North East was among the worst faring regions in terms of both literacy and numeracy. It is also the region of England that consistently performs worst in terms of A-level and GCSE grades.
The charity said the figures painted a “troubling picture” of people being “let down” the education system or left behind in the modern economy.
The charity will next month publish a strategy aimed at eradicating poverty in the UK.
The organisation wants to see millions of pounds of additional government investment to ensure all adults meet basic skills requirements, including in IT, by 2030.
Its proposals include incentivising more adults to take night classes and encouraging employers to offer on-the-job training.
It also wants young people to be taught skills “grounded in the real world” such as financial planning and household budgeting.
Stephen Evans, deputy chief executive of the Learning and Work Institute, said: ‘’Everyone needs a set of basics for life and work in modern Britain. It’s shocking that so many people lack these core capabilities.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Everyone, regardless of background or ability, should have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
“That’s why we have strengthened the national curriculum to ensure all children leave school having mastered the basics in literacy and mathematics early on. Alongside this our new gold standard qualifications and high quality apprenticeships will match the best education systems in the world and keep pace with universities’ and employers’ demands.
“To support lifelong learning and ensure we have a workforce with the skills to succeed we are investing £1.5bn in adult learning, have introduced tuition fee loans for part time students and published a dedicated skills plan so that more people gain the knowledge and skills to get on in life and help build a stronger country.”
Have you got something to share on the story? Were you there? What do you think? - Send your pictures, videos or story and we'll publish the best × Continue the story Up to one in three adults lack 'basic skills' in the North East Loading ... Add up to 3 photos or 1 videos to the story There's been a problem uploading your files. Please try again. By uploading your file you agree to our Terms and Conditions × Continue the story Sign in to contribute sign in shape the news in your area... | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/business/up-to-one-in-three-adults-lack-basic-skills-in-the-north-east-1-8094496 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/290e97c80957d10bcebf6e9969d8cbe3ad42aeba7f30d797ed5c435ff3b6292b.json |
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] | 2016-08-28T22:50:39 | null | 2016-08-28T22:30:00 | Rafa Benitez is a happy man at Newcastle United after a double swoop and a win – and he’ll be happier still when the transfer window closes. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fnewcastle-utd%2Fwhy-rafa-benitez-hopes-to-be-a-happy-man-at-newcastle-once-the-transfer-window-closes-1-8093650.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8093649.1472416798!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Why Rafa Benitez hopes to be a ‘happy’ man at Newcastle once the transfer window closes | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | Rafa Benitez is a happy man at Newcastle United after a double swoop and a win – and he’ll be happier still when the transfer window closes.
Defender Achraf Lazaar became the club’s 11th summer signing yesterday when he signed a five-year deal at St James’s Park.
Experienced Republic of Ireland striker Daryl Murphy also joined from Ipswich Town over the weekend.
United manager Rafa Benitez is still looking to sign a winger – Chelsea’s Christian Atsu is one target – before Wednesday night’s transfer deadline.
The acquisitions followed Saturday’s 2-0 Championship win over Brighton and Hove Albion at St James’s Park.
Speaking after the game, Benitez said: “Now I am a little bit happier, but if we sign what we want and we can do the business that we want to do, then I will be happier.”
Newcastle are set sell midfielder Cheick Tiote, who is in Turkey for talks with Galatasaray.
The club are set to bank £1.5million from the sale of the 30-year-old, who is in the final year of his contract and does not feature in Benitez’s plans.
Murphy – who had a five-year spell at Sunderland earlier in this career – will offer Benitez another option up front.
The 33-year-old Republic of Ireland international has signed a two-year deal at the club.
“I’m absolutely delighted to get it over the line and really looking forward to it,” said Murphy.
“When I knew the club was interested, it was a no-brainer for me so I’m happy it’s all done.
“I think with the squad of players that the club have now, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.”
Benitez wanted a powerful striker to compete with Aleksandar Mitrovic up front.
“Daryl has experience and has proven that he can score goals in the Championship,” he said.
“He gives us another option in attack and we could see from this weekend’s game against Brighton that we needed more bodies up front.
“Daryl has a good attitude and he can be very important for us this season.”
Lazaar, 24, will compete with Paul Dummett for a place at left-back.
“I am very happy to be at Newcastle United,” said Lazaar. “I’m proud to sign here because Newcastle is a great team in England.”
Benitez said: “Achraf is a good, young player with international experience who has grown his game in Italy.
“He gives us width on the left, has a good left foot and will add great competition to the squad.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s third-round EFL Cup tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James’s Park will be played on Tuesday, September 20 (7.45pm kick-off). | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle-utd/why-rafa-benitez-hopes-to-be-a-happy-man-at-newcastle-once-the-transfer-window-closes-1-8093650 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/2aff1729024ea80e851e84ea7d359e7fb97e9ab85a0b0afb3c90b55edb4b5ca8.json |
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] | 2016-08-26T12:57:23 | null | 2016-07-28T15:57:42 | A charity is calling on the people of Hartlepool to become volunteers at their colourful annual event. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartlepoolmail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fcommunity%2Fyour-chance-to-be-a-volunteer-at-the-big-miles-for-men-day-1-8039515.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8039514.1469717835!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Your chance to be a volunteer at the big Miles for Men day | null | null | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk | A charity is calling on the people of Hartlepool to become volunteers at their colourful annual event.
The Miles for Men 5k men’s run and 5k women’s walk will be held on Sunday, July 31, at The Domes in Seaton Carew.
Registration starts at 10am on the day and we are looking for volunteers to help tick off the names of people who have turned up and collected the T-shirts Richard Griffiths
Officials hope to hear from people willing to help, especially with the registration of runners.
Promotions manager Richard Griffiths said: “Registration starts at 10am on the day and we are looking for volunteers to help tick off the names of people who have turned up and collected the T-shirts.”
Richard also expects an influx of runners who only register on the day of the race and he would love to hear from volunteers willing to help with registering those people.
The Miles for Men 5k run starts at 1pm; the 5k Walk for Women at around 1.15pm; and the accompanying music festival from 1.30pm to 9pm.
Registration for Walk for Women – and for Miles for Men – is open at www.milesformen.co.uk
The men’s race will raise money for the Hartlepool & District Hospice while Walk for Women will support both the hospice and Miles for Men.
Entry for either race is £10 for adults, £7.50 for those aged from six to 17, £5 for those aged five and under, and the events are free for anyone aged 65 and over. All entrants get a T-shirt and medal.
Michael Day founded the charity after losing his father, Michael senior, to throat cancer in 2007.
Richard also appealed for volunteers to help with the post race clear-up operation which will be done on Monday, August 1.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Richard on 07725 489694. | http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/community/your-chance-to-be-a-volunteer-at-the-big-miles-for-men-day-1-8039515 | en | 2016-07-28T00:00:00 | www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/02b92499451cd7efd52d2500d3f43fa87eed154384f41548145670d3efae5b1a.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T04:46:19 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fbusiness%2Fbusiness-monday-minister-accessing-foreign-exchange-should-not-be-problem-locals.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Business Monday: Minister: Accessing foreign exchange should not be a problem for locals | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | BARBADIANS who want to shop in the proposed Duty Free Centres, assuming they are established, should not have a problem securing foreign exchange to do so.
That’s according to Minister of Housing and Lands, Denis Kellman, who said that getting there, one stipulation is for Barbadians to use foreign exchange to do their shopping, should the Duty Free Zones become a reality.
However, Kellman said that there are more foreign exchange reserves out there than what the Central Bank of Barbados and commercial banks have in the system. He has said that not every Barbadian who goes abroad on a vacation get their US dollars from the banks.
Kellman said that Bridgetown is the ideal location for one of the Duty Free Zones, because it already has the infrastructure.
“So all we are trying to do now is to try to get some of that. Instead of people keeping the reserves at home, we are giving them.
“The Minister of Finance, in presenting the proposals on Duty Free Zones, proposes to create a special committee to review the initiative and to report its findings, and recommendations to Sinckler within three months.
“His hope is that with a concentrated effort by all involved, at least the City of Bridgetown will be ready for the proposal.”
Kellman said that because of its location, Barbados is one of the most attractive places in the world to visit.
“So when we go Free Zone, there is a possibility we will be able attract people from all over the world to shop,” he added. | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/business/business-monday-minister-accessing-foreign-exchange-should-not-be-problem-locals | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/1f339b545eca29566d6ee64b0cf51152aee259be1cf8632d0e01e80e7c06fab3.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:55:11 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Fyouth-have-their-say-education.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Youth have their say on education | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | A call has been made for more scholarships to be awarded to youth pursuing studies in technical fields.
It was one of the suggestions made during the Barbados Youth Development Council (BYDC) Town Hall Meeting, as solutions were offered about ways to bring about change in the local educational system.
The topic of education was amongst the several areas discussed during the Meeting on Friday, held in the Training Room, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth.
“I find that we are still in the mentality of the doctor type, lawyer type system, and this is going to continue to hurt us. We need to look around to see which fields are really growing. We need to look around and see where we can actually invest more money and actually bring up the persons who are there trying in technical fields.
“Quite too often you hear it on the radio, you hear it all over the place, ‘if you are a doctor, if you are a lawyer’... there is still that kind of mentality. We have to change that. We need to change the focus of where we recognise and recommend persons at that level, and the first place to start would be scholarships,” stated the CARICOM Youth Ambassador, Male, Shamar Ward.
Also offering a solution was Founder of I Am A Girl Barbados, Alian Ollivierre, who stated that within the “educational system itself, there needs to be more transitional programmes within the school on a mainstream scale”.
Meanwhile, President of the Barbados Youth Development Council (BYDC), Kimberley Norville, suggested that banks needed to adjust their loan policies to better able to cater to students.
“Banks probably need to change their policies in regards to Student of Loans, because a lot of them seem to be using it just as an avenue to get money, because they know that for education you have the high interest rates. So you need to see lowered interest rates and a relaxation in the ways that you can get a loan, because as one of the panellists said, not everybody has collateral.”
The theme for the Town Hall Meeting was ‘Ask We Bajan Youth’, and it was held in observance of International Youth Day. Norville said it was held to provide youth with an avenue to openly share their views on a number of societal issues.
“With youth, a lot of the time we are hearing negative stuff. So we wanted to have something where it is like a positive atmosphere, a positive forum highlighting youth wanting to get out there, wanting to lead, wanting to push for change [and] how they want the country [to] move forward in terms of youth development. And also we are firm believers at the Council that the youth are the future. The innovation, the ingenuity of the youth is what is going to build the future of this nation.”
The night’s moderator was Corey Lane, while representatives on the panel were the Barbados Association of Future Office Professional’s Dia Parris; Leader of Government Business, Barbados National Youth Parliament, Krystal Hoyte; CARICOM Youth Ambassador, Female Alternate, Kaila Headley; Co-director of the Barbados Gays, Lesbians and All-Sexuals Against Discrimination (BGLAD), Ro-Ann Mohammed and Founder of I Am A Girl Barbados, Alian Ollivierre. (MG) | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/youth-have-their-say-education | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/fc0440f936eac1cb52eed9491cd03691f16fa54a884a1e5ac13384d8bb76b0b2.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:54:14 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Fone-website-many-goals.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | One website, many goals | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | Persons seeking information on how to obtain a permit for trade in endangered species can now do so online.
Minister of Environment and Drainage, Dr. Denis Lowe, explained during the launch of the Biodiversity Conservation and Management Website in the conference room of the Ministry yesterday morning, that, in addition to being able to apply for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) permit via the website, persons can also review the requirements of the legislation.
He said given the importance of communication, public awareness and education, the website’s development was seen as a priority, so as to enhance and complement the work of the Biodiversity Conservation and Management Section, and its parent Ministry in general.
As such, he said the website serves several purposes, but is primarily an avenue through which the Ministry can engage the public, as it strives to protect the country’s natural environment. To that end, he said that in addition to providing persons access to basic information on biodiversity and sustainable land management in this country, the website also provides official government information and recent reference documents, including legislation and case studies.
“The website will also allow us to engage our schools, provide information useful to schools’ environmental programmes, and further enhance this Ministry’s work with the children of Barbados. Examples of this engagement include our Ramsar Day activities in February of this year. This year’s activities comprised a series of tours to Consett Bay, to educate students from our four adopted schools as it relates to the importance of biodiversity in fisheries, fisheries to the island, and the way in which it has contributed to the sustainable livelihoods of those persons involved in the industry,” he said.
The Environment Minister added that the website will also enhance the delivery of the country’s international environmental commitments. He explained that under the various multilateral environmental agreements, the country is required to have a mechanism to allow for the dissemination of information and the receipt of queries.
To that end, he said the Biodiversity Section is currently working on the development of clearing house mechanisms for biodiversity and biosafety. These instruments, he said, will be featured on the website.
His comments came as he noted that the biodiversity programme, the work of the National Conservation Commission, the Drainage Division, the Coastal Zone Management Unit among, other departments in the Ministry, are all part of his Ministry’s efforts to give full attention to the issues that are important for good environmental governance.
“Our messages must hit home and inspire individual change in our households, where every Barbadian knows and understands the meaning of biodiversity, the green economy, and embraces their role in its realisation of Barbados’ sustainable development.
“This website is our most important tool in the achievement of this goal,” he stated. (JRT) | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/one-website-many-goals | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/a38d2b1a5ededd797375600076e81c5f56000e4bbfd6cbf71b9717a049ab5ec7.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T04:46:15 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Fcamps-filling-void.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Camps filling a void | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | The role played by high quality, structured, out-of- school activities such as summer camps in supporting and promoting positive youth development is being highlighted.
Director of the Juvenile Liaison Scheme’s Summer Camp Programme, Constable Wilson Clarke, sought to bring attention to the importance of such activities, as he addressed the closing ceremony of the camp yesterday evening at Prince Cave Hall at the District A Complex.
His comments came as he told those in attendance that learning should not be confined to the school environment, as positive extracurricular activities have been found to not only drive academic success
resulting in higher grades, but have been effective in lowering absenteeism and drop-out rates.
“The youth are situated in safe environments which prevent them from engaging in delinquent activities. It teaches the youth general and specific skills, beliefs and behaviours and provides opportunities for them to develop relationships with peers and mentors. No longer viewed only as places for children to decompress and have fun during the out of school time, camps have embraced the concept of development of the whole child,” he said.
The Director explained that camps are now assuming a greater role in education and youth development, as it is recognised that the same fun activities and programmes they have traditionally offered, are in reality highly effective alternative learning models.
Moreover, he said the environment provided by the Juvenile Liaison Scheme’s camp enables staff to work with students on social, personal and behavioural problems that may arise during the summer months when students are away from the classroom.
“Many times these children find their way onto the streets where they fall prey to all manner of delinquent behavioural patterns. The Camp provides a positive environment for at-risk children and teens. The goal is to encourage their growth by promoting education, positive thinking, respect, strong work ethics and discipline,” Clarke stated.
He added that as education officials search for ways to provide character education, social development and solutions to vacation time learning loss, the Juvenile Liaison Scheme is in a unique position to fill some of those gaps with its Summer Camp which has proven to be quite effective. (JRT) | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/camps-filling-void | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/6d7f9a32efe4906f01343dfae3d5b3a6931f4cc8db19e3b32c5e65f3c14990bf.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T04:46:40 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Fshow-patience.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Barbados Advocate | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | Participants in the Project S.O.F.T (Safeguarding Our Future Today) have been cautioned not to get involved in sexual activity until they are in a position to fully manage the responsibilities that come along with engaging in the act.
This advice comes from Youth Development Officer/ Social Worker with the Barbados Family Planning Association, Keriann Hurley, who on Monday gave a talk on the topic, ‘Adolescent Development & Sexuality’.
Hurley explained to the 34 youngsters, who will be transitioning from primary to secondary school in September, some of the risks involved in engaging in sex at an early age. These included that possibility of getting pregnant and being at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
“We are not telling you not to have sex because we do not want you to experience fun stuff, because we are also not saying that sex is bad – do not misunderstand me. Sex is important... that is how all of us got here [and] that is how we repopulate the earth. It is enjoyable and it is good for having babies when you are at a place in your life to manage the responsibility that comes with it, and none of you are there right now.”
The Social Worker additionally spoke to the youngsters involved in the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA)’s Project S.O.F.T about puberty, while highlighting some of the physical, emotional, hormonal changes their body have and will continue to go through during their adolescent years. Hurley reminded them that these changes are normal, and they should feel free to have discussions with their parents or guardians about them.
This is the 14th year for Project S.O.F.T, which is being held for one week at Marian Retreat House, Verdun, St. John. This residential camp is carrying the theme: Know the Facts… Make the Choice.
House Mother, Paula Hinds, explained that the camp, which began last Sunday, has been going smoothly. During the week, participants will be exposed to skills, such as how to make their bed, being on schedule with time and the protocol as it relates to using cutlery during meal time.
Hinds added that the camp has “seen tremendous results” in the past, while expressing a hope that it could be further expanded in future.
“I know it would be hard for the Programme Director, [but] my dream is that every 11 year-old-child that would have sat the [Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance] Exam, that they can come through N.C.S.A’s Project S.O.F.T and be educated, be nurtured, be trained and be inspired for greatness.” (MG) | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/show-patience | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/92de22c9789ca8fd56d3cc1f2a74d6020629aaec0a72a4923f1f6da406cb0597.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T04:45:55 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Fsenator-duty-free-zone-create-employment.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Senator: Duty-free zone to create employment | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | The idea of a duty-free zone in Barbados is to create additional employment, says Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Senator Jepter Ince.
Yesterday, he told the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) lunchtime lecture that this new initiative revealed by the Minister of Finance, Christopher Sinckler, in the 2016 Budget will create capacity for young Barbadians who have innovative ideas and want to establish businesses within this area.
“…We can now use the skins of our Blackbelly sheep. Finance those young entrepreneurs who want to make bags, shoes and leather belts and have those
persons sell their goods and services within the duty-free zone.
“We can now have an area for all of those agricultural by-products within the zone. We can now have specialty areas for our rum within the duty-free zone. Therefore, it is not just about a person getting off a plane and having a plane ticket….it goes beyond that. That is what we set out to do,” he said.
Senator Ince also explained that the advantage of having a duty-free zone is its ability to attract direct foreign investment to the country.
“We are looking at the management of foreign trade. We are going to generate jobs and foreign exchange flows and then we could also have goods and services from other zones comings in to the duty-free zone to be sold.”
Areas identified for the duty-free zone include the City of Bridgetown, Holetown, Hastings/Worthing on the South Coast and at the two main ports of entry in Barbados.
Acknowledging that it will be important to examine all of the pros and cons of such an initiative before moving to bring the legislative framework to the House of Assembly, the establishment of a Special Committee was proposed to review the initiative with a directive to report its findings and recommendations to the Minister of Finance within three months.
“As time goes on and our economy begins to expand, we will look at other areas for duty-free zones in Barbados,” the Senator added. | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/senator-duty-free-zone-create-employment | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/4d8a0aef94ad1528bca2e5a7b3c312c3b78fd6af51fc24def3586135ea51b822.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:53:18 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Fchild-care-board-overhaul.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Child Care Board overhaul | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | In the wake of certain events which have seen Barbadians calling for better service delivery from the Child Care Board, a number of measures have been taken to restructure that entity and place it in a better position to protect and serve the island’s children.
Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steven Blackett, made mention of the restructuring exercise as he gave his contribution to the Budget debate in the House of Assembly yesterday morning.
He revealed that he has given the Board certain instructions which are being enacted and are bearing some measure of fruit, and if followed through to conclusion, the Child Care Board will be “a far better institution than it is today”.
“I want first of all to give my support to the management and staff of the Board, to continue improving the systems, the processes and the procedures of the Board, and as far as financially and humanly possible, I will ensure that my Ministry allocates the requisite resources to get the job done for our precious little children in this country,” Blackett stated.
“Now it is with this commitment firmly before us, that facilitates our planning and our strategic repositioning of the Board and the building out of the facilities across Barbado,s” he commented.
“First of all, when it comes to the structure of the Board, I have just restructured the directorship to infuse it with persons of some specialised skill sets to better equip the Board to undertake the task that is before them, in a changing Barbados. Now a Barbados that is asking and expecting more of that state agency, in terms of acting swiftly and effectively in arresting any signs of maltreatment of this country’s children and prescribing the corrective action in a timely manner,” Blackett also added.
Outside of the improvement of skill sets at the Board, the Minister indicated that a Memorandum of Understanding has been established with the Royal Barbados Police Force, to ensure effective responses to children who are believed to be suffering abuse. A comprehensive review has also been undertaken of the Board’s information management system that as Blackett put it, “was woefully in need of an upgrade” and that will also lighten the work load of officers.
Blackett also revealed that his Ministry has reached out to UNICEF, requesting some short term institutional strengthening as well as to have a consultant attached to the Board for a six month period. The consultant’s work is now complete he said, and is now being analysed for possible implementation.
The services of Faith Marshall-Harris have also been engaged, Blackett said, to develop a comprehensive child protection policy and assisted legislation and also the establishment of a Mandatory Reporting Protocol of Child Abuse to the police.,,
“So these are the actions we have taken to date to better equip the Board and its work” the Minister asserted. (RSM) | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/child-care-board-overhaul | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/d6847807ab28094d4726316af0cae8b11351fac40eead707f84d2968f4936a68.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:55:49 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Fresources-must-be-provided-qeh.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Resources must be provided for QEH | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | Resources are critical to the overall ability of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) to provide quality health care to this country.
That point was made by Chief Executive Officer of the QEH, Dr. Dexter James, who was speaking on the topic “If Not Now, Then When?: The Imperative For a New Financing Model For The QEH”, during a lecture series which was hosted by the University of the West Indies on Wednesday night.
The CEO gave great insight into the challenges faced by the country’s health care institution, which include a large resource gap. This gap, he explained, is where the demand and cost of health services largely exceed the availability of resources.
However, Dr. James was careful to note that the QEH is more than able to handle the Barbadian public if adequate resources are given. Unfortunately, much of these resources are spent on persons with non-communicable diseases, which puts a severe strain on the system.
Dr. James went on to say that it is extremely difficult to cut or discontinue the “free” package of health care services that Barbadians have grown accustomed to and have enjoyed for a long time. Therefore, this leaves two options – this first is to do nothing; or respond to the challenge at hand in order to sustain the service.
Therefore in an effort to improve the services offered, Dr. James proposed what he termed as the 5 in 50 steps. The first suggestion is to re-engineer the health and health care system. He outlined that this could be done through research on clinical efficiency, moving towards technology, 24-hour operations, clinical services re-design, to name a few.
Secondly, he suggested that there could be improvements to fiscal management in order to find a model that drives desired behavioural change. This could be in the form of doctoral compensation, a shift from global funding model and diversification of revenue base, among others.
Added to that, there is a need for effective disease prevention and health promotion. Dr. James urged that at the primary health care level, there ought to be the introduction of health promotion and prevention strategies and the strengthening of monitoring and evaluation framework for health indicators.
Fourthly, he stated that the governance model - the metamorphosis should be revisited to expand scope of legislative authority; and lastly stakeholder value should be created.
With this in mind, he noted that patients are the solution, not the problem. Therefore, Dr. James is calling for customer service orientation, the establishment of a general practitioner clinic for category 3 patients at accident and emergency, and the improvement to response times and patient safety, along with other strategies that can help at this level. | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/resources-must-be-provided-qeh | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/8b4dabc5ad920abf4b4a9eb773f16a86018e823f5f0e0e741fe268449c7774c0.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T04:46:05 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Fbig-show-50th.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Barbados Advocate | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | Three titans of Barbados’ music industry will be hitting the stage at Kensington Oval on November 29th, in celebration of Barbados’ 50th year of Independence,. The “Barbados is Music” show will feature three big bands of the 90s. These are: Krosfyah, Coalishun and Square One.
Speaking during the launch on Thursday evening, Committee Member of the Digicel-sponsored show, Shawn Franklin, explained the rationale.
“We thought it would be remiss of us to let the 50th anniversary come and go without acknowledging some of the pillars of the music industry in Barbados, and we focused in on a particular group that we wanted to highlight... These bands represent in a period when Barbados was basically running things in the Caribbean, and they flew the flag proud in the Caribbean and in the diaspora.”
This show, promised to be dynamic, explosive and memorable, has been met with much enthusiasm from the band members. Representing Krosfyah was Michael Agard, who expressed much elation towards the event. He stated the bands have performed on the same stage before, but this time it will be truly something special. He further encouraged the public to come out and support, especially as he understands that many tourists will be in the island around that time.
Moreover, Adrian Clarke, who was a part of Krosfyah for a brief time, represented Coalishun, the band, which he performed with for a much longer period. Clarke highlighted the fact that there is a dearth of bands on the island, and hopes that the days would return where disc jockeys were secondary to bands at an event. To this end, he shared his high hopes for the show, promising that it will be something to look forward to.
Thirdly, representing for Square One was Alison Hinds. Hinds revealed that when the idea of the show was forwarded to the group. there was no hesitation by anyone. Hinds, noting that there is no greater feeling than performing alongside her band mates, stated that she expects generations of families to come out to the event.
Nevertheless, promoters of the show are going for the ‘wow’ factor. Franklin disclosed that the show will not just be a procession of the three bands. but it will be a production that people will talk about for a long time.
Additionally, several stalwarts working in the background of the music industry in Barbados will be highlighted and honoured, since, in Franklin’s view, “music is an extremely important part of why Barbados is where it is as a very proud nation”. | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/big-show-50th | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/beff37281f43d09b8d706dd7602e56f5f312369a776edc0ffe92204c762e0e40.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:51:34 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Fsalvation-army-provides-helping-hand-back-school.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Salvation Army provides helping hand for back-to-school | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | The Salvation Army has been able to continue its annual Back-to-School Programme of providing uniforms and shoes to the less fortunate, thanks to the generosity of corporate Barbados.
Yesterday, scores of parents and guardians assembled at the Divisional Headquarters, Reed Street, Bridgetown to receive the items which will allow their children/wards to start this new school year with
confidence.
“The Salvation Army has been in existence for over 100 years and we have been able to serve the needy in our society because of the generosity, the kind assistance of the Barbadian community,” expressed Divisional Commander, Major Sinous Theodore.
“We are happy that Cave Shepherd helped with the school material and uniforms. Abed’s provided us with $25 vouchers and we received monetary contributions from our faithful donors. However, we received new school shoes from an anonymous donor – the shoes were just dropped off. To that person who donated the shoes I say thank you…I thank God that there are people here in Barbados who are doing such things.”
Major Theodore also acknowledged the hard work of the Advisory Board, which gathers monthly to discuss how they can continue to meet the needs of Barbadians.
“We have to be realistic, the needs are there and they need to be met,” he stressed.
“But we thank God for this country because there are not so many places where you will find that education is free. However, although it’s free there are still needs to be met and that why the Salvation Army is reaching out. We are not only praying for persons but we are here for them in a real way.”
The Back-to-School Programme is now in its fourth year. Comparing this year’s programme to 2015, Major Theodore observed that not as many people have sought assistance. (TL) | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/salvation-army-provides-helping-hand-back-school | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/66396f8f856a114046da0f1d032d4f8a7eecbd8a1f66fd35295897d216f51e50.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:50:24 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fsports%2Fbarbados-international-hockey-festival-and-running.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Barbados International Hockey Festival off and running | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | THE 31st Barbados International Hockey Festival was official opened on Sunday, at the Usain Bolt Complex University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, and will run until August 27th.
With a parade of teams all lining up on the turf in the brilliant sunshine, it was announced that this year will be in honour of the past Stalwarts of the game which they loved.
This year’s festival is dedicated to the memory of former outstanding Sport Journalist, Tony Cozier, and after the parade of teams and speeches, there was an opening game between the British Army Ladies and the Barbados Ladies team.
The men’s trophy has been named Winsmore Humphery Cup; the women’s trophy is the Tony Cozier Cup and the Spirit of the Festival challenge shield is name after Michael Owen.
Some special tributes were presented to Tony Cozier’s family before there was entertainment by Dancing Africa, as well as the tuck band Mother Sally and a shaggy bear, which was well received by the visiting teams. | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sports/barbados-international-hockey-festival-and-running | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/8b040677e4672c0c25fa39577ad11f132f4fa924344ab7677abb72fe8f24b7fd.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T04:46:29 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Fncds-major-threat-health.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | NCDs a major threat to health | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), mainly cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, obesity and chronic respiratory diseases, represent a leading threat to human health.
According to the Ministry of Health, it is estimated that by the year 2030, 86.3 per cent of all deaths in Barbados will be caused by NCDs.
“Not only in Barbados, but universally, these NCDs, have been recognised as a major threat to health, economies and societies. Socioeconomic progress has created conditions that favour the rise of these NCDs, and we are therefore witnessing changes which require us to think broadly and act comprehensively,” Senior Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Leslie Rollock stressed.
However, the good news is that there are interventions which can prevent many of the premature deaths caused by NCDs.
Dr. Rollock, who was at the time addressing the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Sandy Crest Medical Centre, shared that the Ministry has considered not only the biological risk factors of disease, but also the behavioural patterns, social context and the environment when implementing strategies and public health programmes, to revive, reduce and ultimately remove these risk factors.
She said the initiatives of the Ministry are also in line with the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013-2020, which was signed by member states, and includes a set of targets for reducing the major risks factors of obesity, high blood pressure, tobacco use, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and salt intake.
Through the process of legislation, Dr. Rollock observed that the Barbados Government has played a pivotal role in promoting the avoidance of conditions that would lead to the development of NCDs, such as the Health Services (Protection of Minors from Tabacco Products Regulations) Act.
The Senor Medical Officer also noted that another initiative aimed at reducing the incidence of non-communicable diseases was the introduction of a 10 per cent tax on all sugar sweetened beverages.
“I want to encourage everyone to replace sugared drinks with either plain water, reduced or non-sugared drinks. We will continue to engage manufacturers and distributors of food and beverages with respect to including healthy options in their products offerings… These are just some of the steps we have taken to reduce, prevent and control NCD’s which now represent the greatest global burden to mankind.” (TL) | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/ncds-major-threat-health | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/104663fcb124c9f10a3ae74baf70392052c339c4064607aac8d5f1f42f363cf9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:50:56 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Fdon%25E2%2580%2599t-tax-healthy-foods.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Don’t tax healthy foods | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | Government is being advised that there are certain implications to imposing the proposed National Social Responsibility Levy that should be given consideration as they look to bring that it into effect.
The suggestion is coming from President of the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP), Dr. P. Abdon DaSilva.
In an interview with The Barbados Advocate, he noted that the levy will eventually increase what consumers will pay for food items, and recommended that Government contemplate not imposing the tax on healthier food options, to help ensure that the eating habits of Barbadians do not further deteriorate.
“The cost of imported food is going to go up, so what happens to the people who have diabetes and hypertension and all these non-communicable diseases that they are talking about? People may be forced to buy the cheapest food which may not necessarily be the healthiest food, and so you may very well find that you are spending more money managing the non-communicable diseases because people are now having unhealthier eating habits,” he said.
Contending that this shift in eating habits “is a real possibility”, and pointing out that persons are already inclined to buy the cheaper unhealthy food anyway, the medical doctor said it would be in the best interest of the country for the Government to remove some of the taxes on the healthier foods on the market. He said bringing those taxes down would put the cost of the items within reach of the average consumer.
“The fact is if you go to the supermarket right now, it costs a lot more money to buy a cereal that has less sugar in it, and a soup that has less salt in it than one that is laced with sugar and salt. So maybe those are things they need to look at - having a select group of healthier foods on which they either reduce the taxes or exempt them from this two percent that has been proposed,” he stated.
Another area of concern for the BAMP President is the impact that the levy could have on his membership, particularly those in private practice and by their extension patients. Minister Sinckler said last week that the levy would be applied to the customs value of all imports at the border, but not goods for the manufacturing, agriculture and tourism sectors as covered under existing primary legislation, but Dr. DaSilva notes that a two per cent tax on imported goods includes medicine and medical equipment.
He further cautioned that the implications do not stop there.
“As an extension of being imposed a tax, the question arises as to whether people will not now perceive it as an entitlement and go and put extra burden on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and polyclinics, rather than go to their private physicians. After all they may see it as they paid for a service and they want to get something out of it,” he said. (JRT) | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/don%E2%80%99t-tax-healthy-foods | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/659ea1ef12cfcfdfc853afb4b20f8014ec76324803fd10e3da152921676ab0d5.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:49:50 | null | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Fembrace-post-secondary-education.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Embrace post-secondary education | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | The Minister of Education wants school-leavers to embrace the opportunities available to them at institutions such as the Barbados Community College (BCC) and the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP).
“We would want more of our students not to exit school at age 16, but continue their studies…Sixteen is a relatively young age,” stressed the Hon. Ronald Jones.
He made the call yesterday as he met with the 2016 Barbados Scholarship and Exhibition awardees in the main conference room of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Last week, the Ministry announced that there were 27 awardees, however Jones revealed that two more students have been added to the list of Exhibition winners.
Commending the students on a job well done, he pointed out that all of the island’s sixth form schools and post-secondary establishments have done quite well in the CAPE examinations.
“You will find that Barbados performs generally quite well…It is usually between a 94 and 98 per cent pass rate at CAPE; that is tremendously high,” he noted.
“We would have had in all of our sixth forms schools the application of scholarship. How the students approached their work; how they applied what they know... I wish therefore to compliment all of our students. Our young people are working, those who want to study, those who want to stay focused and committed to their future. They dedicate themselves to their work; they do not allow distractions to frustrate that particular endeavour.”
Already looking forward to next year’s winners, the Education Minister disclosed, “We already did the analysis of those who did Unit 1 and who will go on to Unit 2 in September and if that trajectory stays true, it is going to be the largest number of persons who will ever get a scholarship or exhibition in Barbados… Last year we had about 55 scholarships and exhibitions.”
He further acknowledged the role of parents as it relates to the academic success of their children. He said that parents are the most important persons in the lives of children..
“It is how they set the agenda within their domestic environment that allows the schools and teachers to add to what is there. Teachers are those who open then the spaces to be filled in with what is delivered within the school.” (TL) | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/embrace-post-secondary-education | en | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/e18bfa486cbe6f6921eb29d19a0ac7892d10cef8858b11cf4db33ed3cd65018d.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T04:46:49 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fbusiness%2Fbusiness-monday-barfod-reflects-time-eu-ambassador.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Business Monday: Barfod reflects on time as EU Ambassador | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | EUROPEAN Union (EU) Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Mikael Barfod, has come to the end of his tour of duty. At a reception he hosted at his residence, Barfod outlined both successes and disappointments since coming to Barbados four years ago.
He highlighted to his audience, that included some Government Ministers, members of the Diplomatic Corp and private sector representatives, among others, the EU’s development assistance programme since 2014. But as he leaves Barbados this week, Barfod is disappointed at the slow pace which the region is making with its integration project, and the implementation of the EU CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement.
Dealing with the development assistance, he said that more than one billion euros between 2014 and 2018 are making a difference in many quarters to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean islands.
Zeroing in at the EU’s budget support here in Barbados, the Ambassador recalled that when Barbados was suffering with the severe economic crisis in 2014/ 2015, there was only one single donor left to offer budget support, to get the country’s economy out of a tight fiscal and external balance situation.
Saying it was the EU which came to Barbados’ rescue, Barfod explained that the money allocated to this country was spent on a human resources development programme, that was aimed at creating vocational jobs demanded by industries.
“In almost every sector in Barbados and Eastern Caribbean, millions of euros were spent on infrastructure, agriculture, health, renewable energy, and economic reforms,” he said.
“At the regional level, we specialised in trade facilitation, including export development, disaster reduction, climate change and security,” he said, while recalling that the EU has been all over the place.
Barfod remarked that while the EU is not a household name in Barbados and in the Caribbean, they are getting there, and, “I believe that we are on the map now.”
Turning to regional integration and the EPA, the EU official said that it cannot be a surprise to know that the EU is very keen on regional integration and co-operation, at the level of CARICOM, CARIFORUM and the OECS.
He maintained that while there are treaties in place, progress to reach the goal of the free movement of goods, services and people could be implemented much faster.
The Ambassador said that perhaps there needs to be a stronger political will as the driver to deal with the Caribbean EU Economic Partnership Agreement.
“We have tried in the EU to boost the agreement with numerous trade facilitation projects. However, much more could be done, not least by the private sector to take full advantage of the agreement,” he said.
He stressed that the private sector has to take hold of the EPA agreement to promote trade in the region, and in other parts of the world.
Barfod was also unhappy about the fact that reports had indicated that the EU was blacklisting the Caribbean as a tax haven. According to him, “I believed that misunderstandings on both sides have been sorted out, and that we have a much better dialogue than before.”
The EU official also lamented the absence of political discussions between the EU and the Caribbean, over the decision by the Dominican Republic’s expulsion of a number of Haitians from that country.
He added that the EU has been part of the solution to the issues.
His replacement will be Daniela Tramapere. | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/business/business-monday-barfod-reflects-time-eu-ambassador | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/bc2686e030d5e9e45f10aae3e26e68918576c688d434587e2edfc710db7e20ee.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T04:46:25 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Fmains-replacement-work-coming-end.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Mains replacement work coming to an end | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | Much of the work being undertaken by the Barbados Water Authority (BWA), with respect to mains replacement, has been completed, and those mains are in the process of being commissioned.
Word of this has come from Chairman of the BWA, Dr. Atlee Brathwaite. His comments came earlier this week during the official opening ceremony of the Package Desalination Plant at Hope, St. Lucy, the first of two temporary desalination plants that the BWA is establishing to help cut down on water outages.
Dr. Brathwaite said that the mains replacement is but one of the major infrastructural upgrade projects being carried out by the Authority at this time, through financing from the Inter American Development Bank and the Canadian Commercial Corporation, to improve the delivery of water supply in this country.
With respect to the mains replacement project, covering 49 kilometres of mains, he said the work was carried out across the island, and was based on historical records of bursts experienced on specific mains. He said the replaced mains would also address any discoloured water problems being experienced in those communities as well.
The project includes mains from College Savannah, St. John to the East Coast Road which have been partially commissioned; Golden Ridge to Castle Grant, which is in the process of being disinfected and tested for commissioning; Crab Hill to the Half Acre Reservoir, which is to be commissioned and Three Houses Park to Hilda Skeene Primary School and Roebuck Street, St. Michael, which has already been commissioned. Additionally, Brathwaite said Bushy Park, St. Philip to Edgecombe Plantation, St. George and Tweedside Road, St. Michael, are ready for commissioning.
The BWA Chairman added that work has also been done to upgrade the pumping facilities and replace equipment at several of their facilities. This has included the change out of pumps and other equipment to reduce energy consumption, cut cost and improve operational efficiencies, he added. With that in mind, Brathwaite said variable frequency drives have also been installed at most of the stations, and three photovoltaic power supply systems have been put in place at Golden Ridge, the Bridgetown Sewage Treatment Plant and Carlton Pumping Station.
The chairman made the point as he further indicated that efforts have been made to better measure water consumption levels through the replacement of customer metres. He explained that the new metres will inform and establish water use efficiency targets and water augmentation needs for the country. That initiative, he revealed, is about 75 per cent complete.
Brathwaite also told those gathered that with all the above mentioned projects either completed or coming to their conclusion, the Authority is looking for additional financing for further upgrades that are required to ensure that the organisation can satisfy its mandate of providing a continuous stable water supply for the public. (JRT) | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/mains-replacement-work-coming-end | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/b3768f70c0a691c7ca135b35854d456c2ad83efad42dc40d7d58cbc976e3e07e.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:53:46 | null | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Fbostic-hyatt-hotel.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | Bostic for Hyatt Hotel | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | While he is happy to see some development coming to the City of Bridgetown in the form of the Hyatt Hotel, Member of Parliament for The City, Jeffrey Bostic, has noted that there are still a number of lingering questions he wants answered.
Whilst making his contribution to the Budget debate in the House of Assembly this week, Bostic lamented the fact that as the constituency representative for The City, he has not been included in any of the talks surrounding the construction of the Hyatt Hotel, and is not privy to key information about the project.
“I try very hard not to be hypocritical and to be true to myself. I spent a lot of time in here during debates, asking for things to revitalise the City of Bridgetown. I have asked for a hotel to be located in the City of Bridgetown, because I think that it is a good thing and that it is necessary and that is the truth.
“And I am not going to come at this point in time and say that we do not need the Hyatt or that we do not need a hotel. I, Jeffrey Bostic, Member of Parliament for the City of Bridgetown, I welcome and support the development within the City of Bridgetown,” the MP commented.
“I also have to say that I know that development comes at a cost. I also know that development must not come at any and all costs.
“There are several things associated with this project that I did not know. I was following the media... following one of the advocates against this project, and I personally like to have facts before I get involved in discussion,” he added.
“My concern – and I reiterate I have nothing against the development – but there are some issues that we ought to be concerned about, and some discussions we ought to obtain.
“I am not an engineer, but I don’t know, for example, what the impact of pile driving for a 15 storey hotel would be on the structures in the area, like the Bethel church, like the Olympic Theatre, like the London Bourne Towers, that I was advised was built on swampy ground, and really had some foundational issues when that was constructed.
“I do not know, I am just asking and I am just urging the Honourable Chamber to consider these things,” he further stated.
Bostic also queried what the impact will be on the sewerage system, in an already overload area.
“Those are issues that I think we need to look at, and not only with an environmental assessment on the area, but a social impact assessment as well.
“We also have to take into consideration the impact of climate change and sea level rise, in terms of doing any coastal developments going forward, because this is a serious thing,” the City MP concluded. (RSM) | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/bostic-hyatt-hotel | en | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/3193127e712261d7d022714fc49b384b89c408627ec151be03f739889609b4bc.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:54:44 | null | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fnews%2Froad-fix-coming.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | ROAD FIX COMING | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | The Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW) will be embarking on an extensive “Mill and Pave programme”.
Word of this comes from the Hon. Michael Lashley, Minister of Transport and Works, who admitted that his Ministry has been receiving a number of complaints about the state of the roads in Barbados.
“We recognise also that we have gotten claims; more claims coming in, in relation to damage to vehicles as a result of the conditions of the roads,” he told the House of Assembly in his contribution to the 2016 Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals.
Phase one, he revealed, has an estimated cost of $15 million. He said that private contractors along with the MTW will be involved in this project.
“But along with the Mill and Pave programme, hopefully by September, there is the CAF Road Rehabilitation Programme (CAF Fund) to the tune of US$10 million…We have followed the guidelines of the
financial rules and we have estimates of all the roads. Those roads will be sent to the Special Tenders Committee, which would give a particular date for all the contractors to bid on these roads. So you have the CAF roads and Mill and Pave programme.”
While acknowledging that the MTW depots are still in operation, Lashley went on to point out, “Here we have more employment opportunities coming through the construction of new roads and the Mill and Pave programme. We have opportunities out there now for Barbadians who are unemployed to come and be engaged in meaningful work.”
He also dismissed suggestions from the Opposition that only Trinidadians are being employed at the Transport Board’s Mangrove depot in St Philip.
“To say that we are only employing Trinidadians at Mangrove is wrong and misleading,” the Minister stressed.
“We actually have about 20 Barbadians out there working. There are only four Trinidadians working at Mangrove, all the rest are Barbadians. If you go out there you would see young boys just graduated from Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP) working fixing engines, building parts and doing an excellent job.”
He further revealed, “We are looking in terms of ensuring that we have a proper maintenance programme for the buses and it is wrong to say that the Transport Board supplies daily less than 100 buses; that is not true. Through the efforts at Mangrove and other service providers, we have been able to maintain between 125 and 130 which is our target.” (TL) | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/road-fix-coming | en | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/307249ed3085bfe20ade9b5c6319a9cdb3223e1209ec0216b78f0c5336ee480a.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T04:46:39 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barbadosadvocate.com%2Fsports%2Fnew-champions-named-end-hockey-festival.json | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sites/barbadosadvocate.com/files/favicon.jpg | en | null | New champions named at end of Hockey Festival | null | null | www.barbadosadvocate.com | The curtain came down on the 2016 edition of the Barbados International Hockey Festival, with new champions being crowned in each of the four categories. With all defending champions missing out on a chance to do the double, Rockets, ABC, British Army Ladies and Look Fa Points all took home the bacon in their respective classes.
Rockets kicked things off on Saturday at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex, winning the Mixed title over the University of the West Indies Blackbirds ,with a four-two result. Two-time defending Women’s champions, ABC, had their streak ended by the visiting British Army Ladies, when those two sides met up. ABC proved to be no competition for the visitors, as they were unable to get a single goal during the exchange. The British women scored twice, with Nicola George and Antonia Hazel-Rice both getting their names on the board to secure the Tony Cozier trophy.
The Veterans saw local sides ABC and YY’s Guys duking it out to a close three-two finish. YY’s Guys had goals from Ralph Watson and Shawn Harewood, but three goals from ABC blew their efforts out of the water. A brace from Kevin Williams, along with a third goal from Keron Taylor, set ABC up for the win.
After losing out on a title earlier in the day, the Blackbirds were beaten a second time. This time contesting the Winsmore Humphrey Men’s title, they lost to Look Fa Points, who beat two unanswered goals past them. Neil Franklyn and Che Warner were the ones responsible for finding the points the team was looking for. (MP) | http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/sports/new-champions-named-end-hockey-festival | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.barbadosadvocate.com/504ce48aec208dd3516eec52d546f0fe7c513697f24dec5e381263501fec8ac8.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-27T10:47:21 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F27%2F60433%2FProminent-Dominican-politician-dies.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/E0C96A80-CDC7-4750-9A23-528DF656523F.jpeg | en | null | Prominent Dominican politician dies | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Former presidential candidate and PRSD party leader Hatuey De Camps Jiménez passed away at his home 9:30 Friday evening after an eleven-year battle with cancer.
He was surrounded by all his family members, said his son Luis Miguel De Camps, who informed that his late father’s remains would be taken to the Blandino funeral home on Av. Lincoln at noon Saturday for the wake.
Hatuey de Camps was born in Cotuí in 1947. He was married three times: first to the actress and singer Cecilia García, mother of his sons Hatuey and Luis Miguel De Camps García, then to television presenter Milagros Germán, mother of his children Milagros Marina, Álvaro Hatuey and Andrea Salomé De Camps Germán. His third marriage was to Dominique Blühdorn, daughter of the late Karl G. Blühdorn of Gulf and Western, founder of Casa de Campo and Altos de Chavón in La Romana. They had four children: Gabriela, and triplets Charles, Olivia and Alexandra.
De Camps held a doctorate in philosophy and literature from Madrid’s Complutense University, and was a graduate in Economic Planning and Development from the Institute for the Development of the Ibero-American Area.
A longtime leading member of the PRD and a minister in the 1982 government of Salvador Jorge Blanco, he broke away to form his own party, the PRSD in 2004. He stood as presidential candidate for the PRSD in the May 2016 elections.
Tributes have been coming in from prominent figures in Dominican politics including president Danilo Medina, Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado, and former president Leonel Fernández. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/27/60433/Prominent-Dominican-politician-dies | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/ea873553b627e332b3caf07bcd1380bc5f3e02754dbeea99565f565ed4361922.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-27T10:47:23 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F23%2F60393%2FTime-to-trim-Pension-Funds-beard-lawmaker-warns.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/7C9D8955-5DB3-4460-9A43-ECBFAF16D0AB.jpeg | en | null | Time to trim Pension Fund’s beard, lawmaker warns | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Chamber of Deputies Finance Committee chairman Ramon Cabrera on Tuesday asked Senate president Reinaldo Pared to create a bicameral commission to study the bill that trims the profits of Pension Fund Administrators (AFP) and the potential investments.
Cabrera, who author the initiative to reduce the AFP’s profit from 30 to 15 percent, warned that leaving the law as is means that in 2028 when the pension on age is implemented, workers will receive "a pittance that wouldn’t even be enough to eat."
He complained that the Senate has shelved his proposed legislation for more than four years, but has yet to go to a public hearing during that time.
"We have to soak our beard in view of what’s happening with the pension fund in Chile, which has called for protests under the slogan: "No more AFP,” because that system has been in that country for more than 30 years and is giving miserly pensions. The same situation is happening in Peru and Costa Rica. The latter ordered a study that found that the system would be insolvent in 2023," said Cabrera, ruling PLD party deputy for Santo Domingo. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/23/60393/Time-to-trim-Pension-Funds-beard-lawmaker-warns | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/6e8e599b732021c08e344ac71b173ad41ac8d114250126f968ef6e68be7386a6.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-30T12:48:18 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F25%2F60421%2FCanadian-found-dead-of-stab-wounds-in-La-Romana-Police.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/837E5FAA-A7F1-40A3-9F18-D589BEF099BD.jpeg | en | null | Canadian found dead of stab wounds in La Romana: Police | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo. – National Police spokesman Nelson Rosario on Wednesday said Canadian national John Verne Ward, 81, has been killed at his home in a resort town. No suspects are in custody.
Ward was found dead Wednesday from apparent stab wounds at his house in the resort city of La Romana (east).
Local media report that the foreigner’s body was found by a friend and fellow Canadian, also living in La Romana. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/25/60421/Canadian-found-dead-of-stab-wounds-in-La-Romana-Police | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/28b79fd6e6f936359d0243fa13bf8d62e7b56b11529532d293e7a1a9c1b1f95d.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-31T12:48:34 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F27%2F60435%2FBotanical-Gardens-launch-endangered-plants-Red-List.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/25B35940-C2F1-4B03-AF03-0E40D56542D2.jpeg | en | null | Botanical Gardens launch endangered plants "Red List" | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- A total of 813 out of 1,388 plant species in the Dominican Republic researched over a five-year period are critically endangered, 249 are endangered, 268 are threatened, 45 are of moderate concern and 13 did not yield sufficient data. The data is contained on a newly published “Red List of Vascular Flora in the Dominican Republic launched by the National Botanical Gardens as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations.
The Red List documents the species in the country that are facing some degree of threat, the remaining numbers and their locations, based on the criteria used by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“The list will help the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources take the necessary measures to improve the situation and for protecting other species from similar problems, as well as for strategic planning for national development, because plant resources are one of our main natural assets,” said Ricardo García, director of the project and of the National Botanical Gardens.
The project received funding from the Ministry of Education’s National Fund for Scientific and Technological Innovation and Development (Fondocyt) and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Mescyt). The National Botanical Gardens launched the “Conservation Status of Vascular Flora in the Dominican Republic” project in 2010 in response to the need for a comprehensive list of endangered plants. The research was presented by Brígido Peguero, Exploration and Taxonomy coordinator. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/27/60435/Botanical-Gardens-launch-endangered-plants-Red-List | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/fc3f431f8132a6ccb1d4540481058d553c02df1a250bebcf513f6eb293772cad.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-30T12:48:19 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F25%2F60420%2FUN-says-Dominican-forests-food-security-improve.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/5B3B8CE6-8660-4351-8ABB-D796FD432D29.jpeg | en | null | UN says Dominican forests, food security improve | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic is among the 22 countries that maintained or increased their forest area and improved food security from 1990 to 2015, with only four other Latin American countries included, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN said Wednesday.
In its report "The State of the World's Forests 2016" the FAO lists Chile, Costa Rica, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guyana, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Mexico, Peru, South Korea, Dominican Republic, Iran, South Africa, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Vietnam as the countries that advanced in forest cover.
The document stresses that forests and trees lead to sustainable agriculture. Stable soils and climate, and regulated water flows provide shade and shelter and a habitat for pollinators and natural predators of agricultural pests.
The report notes however that agriculture is still the main factor of deforestation worldwide and agro, forestry and land use policies often aren’t harmonized. "Integrated land planning of use is the key to balancing land uses, which must be supported by appropriate measures to promote sustainable policies on forestry and agriculture." | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/25/60420/UN-says-Dominican-forests-food-security-improve | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/ad6811c4e64a7ca0b8965fc5cd9c933b4eb6be4cda18980e38ef87170887e239.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T12:53:08 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Fpeople%2F2016%2F8%2F22%2F60383%2FUnigold-helps-education-at-border-region-with-school-supplies.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/63BAB92B-490D-4DF4-AA1F-B84FCA543863.jpeg | en | null | Unigold helps education at border region with school supplies | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Restauracion, Dajabon, Dominican Republic.- Unigold, faithful to its commitment to responsible citizenship in the field to support the development of Dominican education, donated school supplies to help 500 students start the new schoolyear.
Students from schools at Villa Anacaona, José Antonio Salcedo, Neita Abajo, Cruz de Cabrera, Carrizal, Mariano Cestero, Los Cerezos, Baúl, Agua Blanca, Trinitaria, Valle Simón, Cañada del Loro, Jimenez and Liceo San Jose received full kits for the school year that started today.
The donation included 500 shirts, 200 trousers, skirts 300, 500 backpacks, 500 sets with pencils, rulers and sharpener and 2,000 notebooks, “thereby seeking to lay the groundwork for the start of the new schoolyear to achieve the expected success in the area.”
The ceremony to hand out backpacks and school supplies was held at the Unigold facilities on the Loma de Cabrera-Restauracion road, Dajabon province (northwest.” | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/people/2016/8/22/60383/Unigold-helps-education-at-border-region-with-school-supplies | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/6ba36acffcad43de2f5605a570d2100ea3452142f3b813cc4c75f0b346497f61.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T18:47:03 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F23%2F60387%2FBrazil-plane-makers-money-trail-leads-to-the-Dominican-Republic.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/2C6C26B3-7AD7-4421-B48D-11AEDF8D7E7D.jpeg | en | null | Brazil plane maker’s money trail leads to the Dominican Republic | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- The US$3.5 million bribe to buy eight Super Tucano aircraft were covered by the value of the purchase contract and sale of the planes, according to the record that is in the 7th Federal Criminal Court of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The measure sought to hide the illicit payment promised by the vice president of the plane manufacturer, Embraer, Eduardo Munhos de Campo, to Dominican Air Force Col. Carlos Piccini Nuñez, which was earmarked in the contract as 3.7% for "business representation."
"Once the amount of undue benefit to be paid was established and which was set to be delivered to Piccini Nuñez, Munhos, to implement the simulacrum of the respective payment, the technical area of ??Embraer would have determined, on 01,09,2008, the instruction of the commercial agency agreement for the Dominican Republic, with a percentage of 3.7% on the sale," says the court document sent to the country.
Munhos stressed the need to increase the payment so that the largest share was paid when the Dominican side would pay the first installment of the price of the aircraft, and that the latter coincided upon its delivery. According to a statement provided to the Justice Ministry of Brazil, Embraer doesn’t usually establish commissions in fractional numbers.
From January 2 to May 15 2009, several executives of that company decided, after talking with the legal and financial representatives, cover the payment for the contract of simulation of service between Embraer and the company 4D Business.
The indictment notes that Munhos had initially promised the alleged bribe payment in two installments; the first forUS$2.5 million and the second of US$920,000. In the preliminary stage of negotiations, it would have made the promise of an additional initial fee of US$100,000.
"This chronology ended up being fulfilled, however the highest fees were paid in May and June 2010, due to the difficulties resulting from internal controls of Embraer SA, which on more than one occasion questioned or hindered operations of hidden payments" the case file says.
Piccini, who was Air Force director of special projects, had instructed the maker of the Tucanos, to make payment through 4D Business Group companies, Ferroboc and MagyCorp. The executives were forced to change the strategy of payments.
According to the document, with the help of Orlando José Ferrera Neto, Albert Close, Acir Padilha, Luis Alberto Lage da Fonseca, Eduardo Fernandes Fagundes and Marcelo Bester, Munhos proceeded to hire Elio Moti Sonnenfeld, as a sales representative of the company to promote and propose sales of the aircraft to Jordan and also to subsequent conduct payments covertly to the military officer, who was sent to three months of pretrial detention.
Former defense minister Pedro Rafael Peña Antonio, and Daniel Aquino Mendez and his son Daniel Aquino Hernandez are free on bond, whereas senator Luis Rene Canaan is also linked to the scandal.
Money trail
On April 24, 2009, the US subsidiary of Embraer transferred US$100,000 to the company 4D, the transfer of May 22, 2010 was to the company Blobaltix SA, based in Uruguay, whose representative, Elio Moti Sonnenfeld was instructed to pay Piccini. The last transfer made by 4D was US$920,000 on June 22, 2010. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/23/60387/Brazil-plane-makers-money-trail-leads-to-the-Dominican-Republic | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/e8ea1e6737d8d6c03148dae114e09d5bc9a5e01955ef2dbbb0bc58068ce1d6e7.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T18:47:15 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F17%2F60340%2FSweeping-overhaul-targets-the-countrys-transport-chaos.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/9E8565DE-9AFC-4C6D-A263-F83B333AD427.jpeg | en | null | Sweeping overhaul targets the country's transport chaos | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- As part of president Danilo Medina’s announced plans during his inaugural on Tuesday stand out works and institutional reforms to improve Dominican Republic's road infrastructure and its public transport system until 2020.
He said a National Road Safety Plan will be implemented, with a new agency called the Transport Institute, to coordinate and centralize all government policies and measures, “to enable a genuine public transport policy.”
He said he’ll issue a transitory executive order next week to create the entity, pending Congressional approval of the bill for the new Transportation, Traffic and Road Safety Law.
Medina said the provision constitutes a new “beginning" for transport in the Dominican Republic, and improve inter-agency coordination together with the private sector.
He said his second term in office will "transform" the sector by launching an Integrated Public Transport System (PSIS), which will start in Greater Santo Domingo and other cities afterwards.
This project "will establish a reordering of public transport routes, to promote a single, integrated service and efficient network for users." | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/17/60340/Sweeping-overhaul-targets-the-countrys-transport-chaos | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/5c21ba53a89c6a8a0d1efcae7aeeb5cad641c1a0e0de6cd68cbcb3fcefd44e47.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T18:47:36 | null | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F18%2F60342%2FBiggest-retailers-livestock-project-would-displace-US-beef-imports.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/7255A7FE-2D70-4973-9638-9C971BD75CB5.jpeg | en | null | Biggest retailer’s livestock project would displace US beef imports | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Higüey, Dominican Republic.- The chief executive of the country’s biggest retail and supermarket chain on Wednesday said the group will enter the agro sector with a higher quality herd than the current one, aimed at replacing the beef imports from the United States.
Centro Cuesta Nacional (CCN) CEO José Miguel González Cuadra said the group already has its own meat packing plant in La Romana (east) and will have a genetic farm in La Vega (central), where the project works with a group of producers, it will be to support farmers and the livestock sector with herds of Brangus steer.
He said the project will be announced in October "to support ranchers and livestock farms in the country to improve quality, compete and replace imports of quality meat coming from the United States."
The group, which owns 10 Jumbo department stores across the country, also operates El Nacional supermarkets, Cuesta hardware, Bebemundo, bookstore Cuesta, among others. He said his family is optimistic with its incursion in the area of ??agriculture.
González, interviewed by Listin Diario in Higuey, eastern La Altagracia province, added that he hopes the important project will improve the quality of the country’s beef. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/18/60342/Biggest-retailers-livestock-project-would-displace-US-beef-imports | en | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/c6fe430d496dfd6d966b540797bb2fc9bf488bdea20916857e90df0309b36629.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T18:47:45 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F22%2F60386%2FEx-Finance-chief-in-Tucanogate-vanishes-El-Nacional.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/82497250-6D81-41FA-BE3F-3835969F785C.jpeg | en | null | Ex Finance chief in Tucanogate vanishes: El Nacional | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- The whereabouts of former Finance minister Vicente Bengoa is unknown, reports elnacional.como.do, which for more than a week has tried via several routes for him to respond to allegations that his agency ballooned the US$93.0 Super Tucano airplane deal by US$$18 million.
“Reporters of this daily have called the former official’s residence since last week and was informed that he wasn’t available. And this morning efforts were again unsuccessful,” the outlet said.
The Finance Ministry had claimed that the funds would be for logistics costs for additional equipment and services.
The planes were bought from Brazilian company Embraer in 2008 during the administration of president Leonel Fernandez at an initial cost of US$73.7 million, but rose to US$93.0 million, according to the indictment. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/22/60386/Ex-Finance-chief-in-Tucanogate-vanishes-El-Nacional | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/3fb3246f7472fa8f08710dd372d0893805dcd865d19fe849fd952bd6f2b57339.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T18:47:20 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F23%2F60391%2FNew-mayor-old-promises-for-Dominican-capital.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/41B0E925-052E-42A0-93FB-1305B0CDBD8E.jpeg | en | null | New mayor, old promises for Dominican capital | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- National District mayor David Collado on Monday promised to recover the seaside avenue El Malecón and pull out heavy traffic, as part of his first 100 days in the post.
The pledge seems to be taken right out of inaugural speeches delivered by his predecessors in the New World’s oldest City Council.
He said the Malecon’s gutters will be cleaned, sidewalks repaired and the benches changed so visitors can contemplate the sea.
He said two parking lots will be built in the same area of ??the Malecón and invited entrepreneurs who have closed businesses to sell or rent them to the City for parking.
Collado said the works will be from Lincoln Av. to the port including a bikeway that will require wider sidewalks.
The official said he regrets that hotels along the Malecon are bankrupt, which he says spur hotel investors to opt for the central part of the city.
Interviewed by the Corripio media group, Collado said he will meet in the coming days with the Dominican Republic Industries Association and truckers associations to find ways to take out the heavy traffic out of the Malecon, which was already banned by a City Council resolution. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/23/60391/New-mayor-old-promises-for-Dominican-capital | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/d6b975d5a45debe8b4780ff11b1b13b0956efcc913e59436978355bb47e8c9ab.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T12:59:00 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F26%2F60424%2FClosed-clinics-silence-fuel-organ-trafficking-fears-in-Dominican.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/43C3B5F9-EED6-45B3-92CC-3D7ACE288DF7.jpeg | en | null | Closed clinics, silence fuel organ-trafficking fears in Dominican Republic | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- The surprise closure of three private clinics in Santo Domingo East and the Justice Ministry’s silence have fueled speculation that organ trafficking is behind the case of 10-year-old Carla Massiel Cabrera, who vanished last year, and which has rocked the country.
In a statement the Public Health Ministry affirmed it collaborates with the Justice Ministry and other authorities, which have raided several clinics on a bench warrant.
Meanwhile members of the National Transplant Council (CNT) and the National Transplant Coordination Institute (INCORT) asked that the Office of the Prosecutor proceed carefully and suspend the searches at private medical centers in Santo Domingo East, because in their view, "only serve to reinforces public opinion on the "urban legend which arises from time to time of alleged organ trafficking.”
Moreover National Health Service (NHS) director Nelson Rodriguez said that while only the Public Health Ministry regulates private health centers, it’s up to the Justice Ministry to investigate alleged organ trafficking.
Mum
Santo Domingo province prosecutor Olga Dinah Llaverias, who reportedly, heads the investigation directly, refused to provide details when diariolibre.com reached her by phone, and said onl that she will not speak about that case.
Aslo fueling speculation were the doctors at the Clinica de Salud Integral II, which was also shuttered, convened a press conference Thursday night but was subsequently canceled despit that all the media present. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/26/60424/Closed-clinics-silence-fuel-organ-trafficking-fears-in-Dominican | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/1f3db45b302da906f3cfd861ac1cd89bb3b4468f4427c8c1c80be299a440a40b.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T12:51:35 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F22%2F60385%2FTrial-for-ex-Aqueducts-chief-embezzled-RD10B-set-for-Sept-8.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/1B1492B1-EC24-45E5-A94D-44DFEC26CE05.jpeg | en | null | Trial for ex Aqueducts chief ‘embezzled’ RD$1.0B set for Sept. 8 | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- A National District court on Monday set for September 8 a preliminary hearing for the trial against National Water Institute (INAPA) former director Alberto Holguin, and Sobeida Perdomo Ogando, who owns a company which obtained eight government contracts all granted in just one day.
7th Instruction Court judge Romero Kenya notified the parties to set the hearing for 9am
Holguin is accused of awarding aqueduct projects in regions to benefit relatives, resorting to two executive orders issued in 2013, despite that they weren’t allocated in the decree.
The indictment says Holguin embezzled and misappropriated more than RD$1.0 billion with Perdomo, with whom he signed eight contracts worth RD$309.7 million for works across the country in just one day. She had claimed that her contractor company (ICA), was the country’s only supplier of vitrified tanks. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/22/60385/Trial-for-ex-Aqueducts-chief-embezzled-RD10B-set-for-Sept-8 | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/b6b462c03c376ecb393f60430926b0bb4fdb98f1a0e84201bbbd9f7b499b49b7.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T18:47:08 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F23%2F60388%2FUtility-to-call-for-electricity-tenders-buys-in-spot-market-until-yearend.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/D7F200E7-0F02-4C7F-B33C-3512F6F58206.jpeg | en | null | Utility to call for electricity tenders; buys in spot market until yearend | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic’s State-owned electric utility (CDEEE) announced Monday a call for tenders this week for new energy contracts, and supply coal and operation of the Punta Catalina coal-fired power plants.
CEO Ruben Jimenez Bichara said the terms of reference for the contracts that were pending the call are ready, and that the information will be published.
After the "Madrid Agreement" contracts expired on July 31, the distribution companies have been supplying on the so-called "spot market," based on supply and demand for energy, a formula the official said will continue at least until yearend.
"Right now we are dealing in the spot market that will remain until year end but the impact so far is very positive, because the price of spot is very considerable, good price, and allows us to manage without major risks thus far," he said
Unprecedented
Jimenez said the tenders correspond to new long-term purchase agreements for the electricity distribution companies; contracting the supply of coal for Punta Catalina, and "restricted process" to contract operations and maintenance services of the energy project.
The head of the CDEEE said the delay to announce the tender is the result of what he affirms is a process that has no precedent in the country, which has even had the assistance of agencies such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and specialized international firms.
"It's a process to bid for energy that had never been done here, and therefore carries an armor and a legal structure that must complied with step by step, without having any kind of vulnerability or weakness," the official told reporters. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/23/60388/Utility-to-call-for-electricity-tenders-buys-in-spot-market-until-yearend | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/778801f31117a882afb8199a0f49843f675a52cba44a2295eb25626830b65dee.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-27T12:47:23 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F24%2F60401%2FSF-Giants-new-baseball-complex-bears-the-name-of-a-favorite-son.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/4883F337-AAB6-4B72-AEC1-C15D9E0807AA.jpeg | en | null | S.F. Giants’ new baseball complex bears the name of a favorite son | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Among anecdotes and remembrances, Felipe Rojas Alou thanked the San Francisco Giants for the distinction of putting his name on the organization’s new baseball complex in Tierra Alta, Boca Chica, just half an hour east of the capital.
"This is a great recognition. The Rojas Alou family stings and spreads," he said at the opening of the sports complex built on more than 41,000 square meters.
Alou recalled that he joined the Giants in 1955, when they were still in New York.
He debuted in the majors on that team in 1958 and remained until 1963 when he was traded to Milwaukee. "I’ll never forget that when I was traded from the Giants to the Milwaukee Braves that created turmoil in the Rojas Alou family, which didn’t end until the Montreal Expos released me as manager in 2001 and I returned to the Giants in 2003."
The former slugger said shared his memories during the opening of the academy accompanied by Ozzie Virgil, Juan Marichal and his brother Jesus. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/24/60401/SF-Giants-new-baseball-complex-bears-the-name-of-a-favorite-son | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/f06e7f4dd900ce6de97dc0627e9b8947f2bf96ee59f6e98f57cce3e3212e224c.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T18:47:25 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F17%2F60333%2FAgency-in-charge-of-Competitiveness-languishes-without-a-director.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/A879B424-42D7-4777-B460-1F37AF8AB212.jpeg | en | null | Agency in charge of Competitiveness languishes without a director | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- In its 2012-2016 government program, which concluded Tuesday, to start his second term in office president Danilo Medina promised to "strengthen the newly created Pro Competition Commission, to promote the efficient functioning of markets and eliminate distortions and avoid abuses of a dominant position."
But outlet diariolibre.com reports that attempts to institutionally strengthen that entity have stalled in the Senate Standing Committee on Industry, Trade and Free Zones, headed by Charles Mariotti, where since 2013 have been stalled over two short lists to complete the board of the National Competition Protection Commission (CNDC) and choose its director.
“In his program for his second term (2016-2020) who took office yesterday, President Danilo Medina does not refer to the CNDC, although the task is still pending.
Last March National Business Council (CONEP) president Rafael Blanco called the Competition Act "an indispensable tool to ensure free competition" and noted that though the Commission had yet to function, "to appoint its executive director has not been possible" which it affirms is "one of the essential requirements to take effect."
The statement responds to European Union ambassador Alberto Navarro, who at the end of February criticized the country’s elite families, "owners of big business," who allegedly stymie more commercial competition.
The Competition Protection Law created the Antitrust Commission on January 16, 2008, but has yet to exercise its disciplinary role against abuses and unfair cornering of markets.
The agency has nonetheless waged an intense effort to promote competition by training of staff on relations and cooperation with international partner organizations, and develops regulations and studies on economic sectors, where it detects unfair practices and abuses of market dominance.
During a visit to Pro-Competitiveness director Michelle Cohen in September 2014, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Planning Competition Policy Office director Isa Tara Koslov stressed the advocacy practices for affected sectors with policies focused on industries. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/17/60333/Agency-in-charge-of-Competitiveness-languishes-without-a-director | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/396a2b229925ea817d28f5d987970d362b670ae54204b4eef97e9dd1a41f545e.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-31T12:48:37 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F27%2F60432%2FStrong-quake-felt-in-Santo-Domingo.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/237907D2-3946-476E-A5FB-4F2189634525.jpeg | en | null | Strong quake felt in Santo Domingo | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- An earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale with its epicenter in Sánchez, Samaná, in the northeast of the country, was felt in the capital at 6:08 Friday evening.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) the epicenter was located five kilometers northeast of the town of Sánchez.
According to Eugenio Polanco, director of the Seismological Institute of the Autonomous University of (UASD), the quake was at a depth of 95 at 19.262 latitude North (°N) and 69.578 longitude (West °W).
Social media users reported feeling the tremor in the provinces of Monte Plata, San Pedro de Macorís, Higüey, Nagua, Hermanas Mirabal, Santiago, La Vega and Bonao. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/27/60432/Strong-quake-felt-in-Santo-Domingo | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/eb794482cae459edcde16ada56977daecf3b97689ca5590777c50201d938e30c.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-30T12:48:22 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F25%2F60423%2FPublic-Works-says-Barahona-beltway-construction-advances.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/134CDFDE-A846-4E30-A4DC-81A6FA572E9E.jpeg | en | null | Public Works says Barahona beltway construction advances | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Barahona, Dominican Republic.- Public Works Ministry Carlos Garcia regional director on Thursday said the work for the first phase of Barahon a’s beltway advances.
He said the crews work rapidly to finish the roadway by the date promised by minister Gonzalo Castillo, who has reiterated his intent to provide the Southwest with a model route.
Garcia said once the beltway opens to traffic the city’ downtown will feel the relief, because the main streets are now congested. “The artery will run from the UASD) University Barahona campus to the Maria Montez Coastal Park.” | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/25/60423/Public-Works-says-Barahona-beltway-construction-advances | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/32e270020ac4cdca5378fd6f3366bd65a8112b2dbb2f6311722f08e1f26cc2dc.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T16:46:59 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Fopinion%2F2016%2F8%2F26%2F60430%2FA-new-regional-context-for-tourism.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/33680375-4D84-41C8-9837-BDCEB1ABE1E6.jpeg | en | null | A new regional context for tourism | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | A few days ago, Karolin Troubetzkoy, the President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), spoke to the media about some of the challenges that she believes now face the tourism sector in the region; the industry that in recent years has become the single largest contributor to Caribbean economic growth.
Her comments, which identified a number of issues that the industry in the Caribbean faces, were intended to preview the September 30 to October 2 Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) in Puerto Rico, which she hopes will set the scene for the industry to ‘open (its) eyes to the bigger picture.’
First on her list was the huge growth in travel to Cuba which approximately 2.1m travellers visited during the first six months of 2016; an 11.7 percent increase over the same period in 2015. While CHTA is developing a closer working relationship with the Cuban industry, there were questions, she said, about the likely effect such growth will have on the rest of the region and how best the industry might respond to the imminent start of scheduled air services from US cities.
Another major challenge she identified was the need for hoteliers in the region to come to terms with the rise of disruptive technologies like Airbnb that are taking market share away from the properties in the region. There had been, she said, a change in consumer thinking, requiring the traditional industry to find creative ways to make the sharing economy work to its advantage.
She also spoke about other areas that she hoped the tourism sector would give thought to: the effects of the Zika virus on travel; the UK decision to leave the European Union; the increased risks posed by global terrorism; high airfares; rising hotel operating costs; and ineffective marketing efforts by some in the industry.
However, behind her focus on specifics is the belief that there needs to be a fresh regional perspective on tourism.
In remarks which aim to place Caribbean the industry firmly in a new regional context, she told me: “If ever there was a time to stop recounting past failures and create a fresh and new dynamic to safeguard and sustainably grow our Caribbean’s tourism industry for generations to come, it is now. Hoteliers, tourism-related businesses and Governments throughout the region can no longer afford to operate independently, nor look at tourism in isolation of the entire socio-economic landscape.”
Her comments suggest forward thinking, the emergence of a much clearer public voice for CHTA’s members in its dialogue with governments and multilateral institutions, and greater clarity about more closely integrating tourism into the fabric of the region.
Mrs Troubetzkoy, who with her husband owns and runs Jade Mountain in St Lucia, however recognises that while the industry believes that tourism is everyone’s business, this message has not yet translated sufficiently into action. There is a need, she says, for business and Government to work towards common interests.
What seems to be little realised beyond the industry is that the structure of tourism in the Caribbean has changed significantly over the last few years, requiring a new understanding across the region of how best to address industry concerns and ensure its long term role in generating regional economic prosperity.
In the last decade the industry has fragmented, so that today it consists of large and small indigenous operators; increasing numbers of externally owned or manged chain hotels that for the most part are less interested in engaging in issues of common concern; and a growing number of completely new interests from China, Singapore and other parts of the world building mega hotels, led sometimes not by industry considerations, but for example the related investment value of citizenship by investment programmes.
There are also other longer standing issues that require better understanding and attention according to Frank Comito, the life-long industry and association professional who took over as CHTA’s Director General in 2015. These are the cost and ease of airlift, high operating costs and taxes, the lack of strong regional and destination marketing, environmental degradation, and the personal development of those who work in the industry.
He emphasises that there needs to be a greater understanding in the region and externally of what tourism now does and can do for Governments and their people, observing that the industry’s development offers the fastest way for Governments to generate jobs, tax revenue and create new business opportunities.
The challenge, he says, is to have sufficient resources and commitment, particularly from the region’s private sector, to help manage the necessary change process, stressing the need for the organisation to see the engagement of more of the larger operators and brands in the sector, particularly from the all-inclusive resorts, in the process of affecting change.
While he is, he says, heartened by the interest now being shown by public and private sector leaders when it comes to addressing tourism-related issues, and is encouraged by recent discussions with regional and international multilateral organisations, he remains cautious, hoping that such exchanges will in fact translate into action.
Few would argue that tourism can be the panacea for all of the economic problems facing the Caribbean, but over the last two decades the industry in the region has continued to develop in ways that have demonstrated its ability to spread benefit widely, so that many once agriculture-dependent economies now look to tourism for GDP growth, employment, foreign exchange earnings and government revenues.
CHTA and its membership’s willingness to look outwards, engage in advocacy, and recognise the need for the industry to be more closely integrated into the region’s overall development is to be welcomed. As one of the few truly representative, pan-Caribbean private sector bodies, it needs to be more closely engaged by governments and regional institutions in dialogue, and its objectives and programmes better supported by multilateral institutions and developmental bodies.
David Jessop is a consultant to the Caribbean Council and can be contacted at david.jessop@caribbean-council.org
Previous columns be found at www.caribbean-council.org
August 26th, 2016 | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/opinion/2016/8/26/60430/A-new-regional-context-for-tourism | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/d1ee86202ca0fc0960b2cfb5cd046cc4bea6acccc366aa25fb7c9eb3276c1ddb.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T12:57:53 | null | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F20%2F60366%2FInmate-in-missing-girl-case-100-sure-it-was-for-organs.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/9FF770EA-D277-4B3F-90D5-38E84123E299.jpeg | en | null | Inmate in missing girl case ‘100% sure’ it was for organs | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Dawin Jose Trinidad Infante, being held in connection with the disappearance of Carla Massiel Cabrera, 10, on Friday said the case is about organ trafficking.
"What I mean is that those institutions that are investigating to see if the case is about organs, I am 100% sure that it was so, what happens is that they will try to dismiss it because there are millions and millions at risk," said Trinidad in a recording aired by the TV program El Show del Mediodia.
The accused, who is being held in jail La Victoria, said he’s collaborating with Santo Domingo province prosecutor Olga Dina Llaverías.
"There are many things that are confidential, which cannot be said out there because perhaps my life is at risk here, but what I ask of the prosecutor is protection, I fear for my life and I know that there are powerful people behind this," Trinidad said.
Cabrera went missing on June 25, 2015, in the village Los Garcia, of Pedro Brand township, where lived with her family, 16 miles north of the capital.
Trinidad had requested half a million pesos for information on the child’s whereabouts, according to Manuel Reyes, her stepfather.
Interviewed by listin.com.do, Reyes said the accused, who is being held at La Victoria prison, had asked for money several times in exchange for information on her whereabouts.
"Dawin called me with different phones to threaten me and ask me for money, on one occasion he asked me for a half a million pesos and I just thought about how to get it to find the girl, because you tell me, what one wouldn’t do to find her?" | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/20/60366/Inmate-in-missing-girl-case-100-sure-it-was-for-organs | en | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/88d1f71c82f04a6f704d969c9b4e7545d13ebd9525d90056975d1115c672b8bc.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T13:01:08 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Fpeople%2F2016%2F8%2F23%2F60396%2FCEMEX-reforests-quarry-with-100-volunteer-workers.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/CEEFBDE9-2BC2-4B7C-B839-4A20F8194BDD.jpeg | en | null | CEMEX reforests quarry with 100+ volunteer workers | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | San Pedro, Dominican Republic.- With the participation of more than 100 volunteer employee, CEMEX organized a reforestation day in the quarry of its cement plant at San Pedro de Macoris (east) planting endemic seedlings and varieties native to Hispaniola.
The reforestation effort, held during Green Day promoted by the corporate volunteer program Hands, showed the strong commitment by company employees to the environment by donating their time and effort to make a difference and benefit society.
"At CEMEX w’re committed to minimizing the environmental footprint of our operations. Therefore we carefully identify and measure all our impacts. This reforestation day, which our employees were protagonists, is an example of the interest shared by all our partners in protecting our environment," said Carlos Emilio Gonzalez, president of CEMEX in the Dominican Republic. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/people/2016/8/23/60396/CEMEX-reforests-quarry-with-100-volunteer-workers | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/7f66b1acf4d013a23208568e570e01b88aef93e069dfc9571f81d920af0adef4.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T12:59:24 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F19%2F60357%2FMost-fuel-prices-unchanged-a-second-straight-week-Update.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/5417CC8E-753B-42F9-B841-2CD33AA5BA38.jpeg | en | null | Most fuel prices unchanged a second straight week (Update) | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Industry and Commerce corrected the list of fuel prices issued earlier, noting that avtur rose RD$2.10, to RD$98.70 per gallon, and kerosene rose RD$4.40, to RD$122.30 per gallon.
File.=The Industry and Commerce Ministry on Friday posted unchanged fuel prices for the second straight week in effect from August 20 to 26, when premium gasoline will cost RD$194.20 and regular will cost RD$178.50 per gallon.
Optimum diesel will still cost RD$147.60; regular diesel will cost RD$134.30; avtur will cost RD$94.70; kerosene will cost RD$117.90 and fuel oil will cost RD$75.13 per gallon.
Propane will still cost RD$87.20 per gallon, while natural gas also remains unchanged at RD$23.22 per cubic meter.
The Central Bank’s posted average exchange rate of RD$46.05 per dollar was used to calculate all fuel prices. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/19/60357/Most-fuel-prices-unchanged-a-second-straight-week-Update | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/e8093b28d77436800a17430328fac299f1f9a3392cfa198ff401130ea89bb004.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T12:59:47 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F22%2F60382%2FMedina-kicks-off-schoolyear-for-22M-students.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/51EFF59B-C3D6-464C-878F-8AE03A9B991C.jpeg | en | null | Medina kicks off schoolyear for 2.2M+ students | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- President Danilo Medina on Monday headed the 2016-2017 schoolyear inaugural, in which more than 2.2 million students and more than 90,000 teachers took part.
The Pedro Henriquez Ureña elementary school at San Felipe de Villa Mella, Santo Domingo Norte was the site of the event.
In the keynote speech, Education minister Andres Navarro stressed the education system’s “boundless optimism and faith with president Danilo Medina’s call for an educational revolution.”
He said the government is putting its "heart and soul so that quality education reaches every Dominican family." | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/22/60382/Medina-kicks-off-schoolyear-for-22M-students | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/9aac1415e7b899864dad44b3158d261b9355b36264d254a86dcc5532f6e76967.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T13:03:01 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F19%2F60362%2FDominican-Republic-senator-at-center-of-cross-border-graft-scandal.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/3EC2ACFF-0B77-4F67-8B6F-9863DA2A3082.jpeg | en | null | Dominican Republic senator at center of cross-border graft scandal | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Haiti’s Senate Ethics Anticorruption and Commission has rendered a report stressing that the more than US$3.8 billion received from Petrocaribe oil agreement to support that nation has prompted society to perceive that a part of it was used to "help personally enrich some leaders who were in charge of managing it."
The revelations in the report form part of a cross-border scandal of alleged graft at the center of which figures the powerful Dominican senator Felix Bautista, of the ruling PLD party.
The report lists the top alleged culprits were the following presidents and prime ministers, with the respective amounts under their control:
"Therefore, the transactions analyzed were made by the administrations of Préval / Pierre-Louis (September 2008 - October 2009) US$197,500,000; Preval / Bellerive (November 2009 - May 2011) US$348,240,830; Martelly / Conille (November 2011 - May 2012) US$210,303,222; Martelly / Lamothe (May 2012 - December 2014) US$668,315,429; and Martelly / Paul (January 2015 - March 2016) US$280,003,698."
It suggests judicial action against companies and individuals who violated or circumvented the emergency laws, to obtain works or which have yet to conclude, Dominican companies among them.
The call for prosecution was made against former prime ministers Jean Max Bellerive and Laurent Lamothe, as well as several former ministers of Public Works, Finance, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Rural Development, and Health.
In its report that the commission said "justice should ask for an explanation of those contracts with retroactive effect from resolutions adopted in 2013, 2014 and 2015, to make them fall within the period of emergency that ended in November 2012. The move is disgraceful and show, if necessary, that these administrations have deliberately scoffed at the law to avert any control by the National Public Procurement Commission (NSCLC). "
It refers to companies headed by Bautista, all three having the same owner, including Hadom and Rofi, which figure as donors to several Haitian political.
“The investigation confirmed the suspicions of nepotism and graft and corruption in the management of this program. In fact, the use of mechanism from direct allocation or restricted tender for the award of public contracts facilitated the signing of contracts to the detriment of the interests of the State. Officials authorized, for example, three companies belonging to the same people to bid for contracts totaling several hundred million dollars, which allowed them to obtain all without competition,” the report says, quoted by acento.com.
The commission suggests a wider investigation into the companies that allegedly ballooned cost of the works, including Hadom and Constructora Rofi and RNM and SOTEC, among others.
It also confirmed the bribes to Haitian politicians who received money from Bautista’s accounts, particularly former presidential candidate Mirlande Manigat and former president Michael Martelly. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/19/60362/Dominican-Republic-senator-at-center-of-cross-border-graft-scandal | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/aa31f7031643b197e8b944e5be34873ba6344aaa497ac6ee2a280948f27280ec.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T12:55:31 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Ftourism%2F2016%2F8%2F22%2F60374%2FExperts-urge-Medina-to-halt-remodeling-of-Colonial-Zone-Ruins.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/C0C205ED-F84A-4A27-8C3B-D99E84F3D6F8.jpeg | en | null | Experts urge Medina to halt remodeling of Colonial Zone Ruins | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- More than 130 architects and professionals and 14 heads of Colonial Zone neighborhood boards called on president Danilo Medina to order a halt the San Francisco Ruins remodeling project, calling it serious error would harm the culturally-protected national monument.
The said the Tourism Ministry’s renewed interest in the Ruins is "a mere theatrical display of volumes of reinforced concrete with inadequate exploitation of its intrinsic value, a proposal which in its entirety can be classified as horrendous and upsetting to the site and surely produce disruptive effects on its future visitors."
The International Council on Monuments and Historical Artistic Sites (Icomos) has objected to the project’s apparent speed and doesn’t question the professionalism of the architect Rafael Moneo, who won the contest to remodel the site. Icomos clarifies that they don’t oppose the design.
The Tourism Ministry’s position has been stated by Colonial City Tourism Development coordinator Maribel Villalona, who argues that the Ruins project complies with national and international standards program and ensured that each one of its stones will be retained.
Among the experts who signed the petition figure the architects Leopoldo Medina Franco, Risoris Silvestre and Omar Rancier, the historian Edwin Espinal and tourism consultant Juan Llado. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/tourism/2016/8/22/60374/Experts-urge-Medina-to-halt-remodeling-of-Colonial-Zone-Ruins | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/6b408167b2333c96c0643b101211c4f2a58efa68d3da275889774d2b01bbe856.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-29T10:47:56 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F24%2F60400%2FThe-US-weighs-in-on-Brazil-Dominican-Republic-plane-scandal.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/5DC79085-9CDE-40EA-9457-08A21F0EC3C7.jpeg | en | null | The US weighs in on Brazil-Dominican Republic plane scandal | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Emails between then Air Force special projects director Col. Carlos Piccini, and executives of Brazil plane maker Embraer have allowed a close look into the conduct of the accused in the Super Tucano graft case.
The electronic messaging system was supplied to Brazilian authorities by the United States, along with the contract of the transaction for the light military aircraft, as well as the financing agreement between Brazil State-owned Bandes bank and the Dominican Republic with Embraer.
The evidence provided by US were authorized by a Federal judge in Sao Jose dos Campos when there were no indications of money laundering. "These indications, being sent by the United States, led to the declaration of incompetence of the court and the distribution of the facts, or designation by lot to the Seventh Federal Court of Rio de Janeiro, as prevention," the case file says, quoted by diariolibre.com.
The document notes that the August 25, 2008, Piccini asked Eduardo Munhos do Campo and Luis Eduardo Zorzenon Fulmagalli, Embraer vice president and director respectively, for the use of a discrete communication channel to maintain the dialogue.
For their "text and context" in contacts to pay a US$3.52 million bribe to buy the aircraft, called "PLRUS$5" they expressed fear of being discovered and afraid to use telephones. "They also indicate the possibility, with obvious knowledge of the partners, the benefit were to be destined, at least to more than one person besides Piccini, apparently a Dominican senator," the document says.
A September 16, 2008, email states that Munhos began preparations to pay the undue gain, as soon as he became apprised that the Senate of the Dominican Republic approved the financing agreement.
In one email the Dominican side expressed concern for the delay in the agreed payout of the money.
Messages between Embraer executives with Colonel and others sent between themselves, on 17/02/2009 at 9:50, at 9:41 18/02/2009, 31/03/2009 at 20: 22 and on 05/05/2009, show the work of concealment and approach given the difficulties they were having of the company’s control system.
Finance Minister clarifies participation
On Tuesday, former finance minister Vicente Bengoa said his department only intervened in the contracts for the loans to buy the planes, not in their purchase. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/24/60400/The-US-weighs-in-on-Brazil-Dominican-Republic-plane-scandal | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/74b64badfff823988e840a345aa69cbf45289a864044faaf0aeb69a26da57342.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-29T12:48:01 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F24%2F60410%2FMedina-the-capitals-mayor-powwow-mull-shopping-district-chaos.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/4831A5C3-46D5-4A83-A8FC-C202D649164C.jpeg | en | null | Medina, the capital’s mayor powwow, mull shopping district chaos | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- President Danilo Medina met with National District mayor David Collado in the National Palace Wednesday morning, although the Presidency didn’t reveal the topics discussed.
Collado, of the opposition PRM Party, had told Diario Libre he would request a meeting with Medina to "coordinate joint actions and follow up on works in the city announced by the executive branch, including the remodeling of the commercial area of ??the Duarte Av. and Paris St.”
"In our plans figure a visit to the President to seek a long-term solution to the Duarte with Paris, and agree with the various sectors," the mayor said in reference to the chaotic situation in the city’s busiest shopping district.
"We’re all set to work with the Executive in all the works of the city, what we intend is that these works should be coordinated with the National District City Council, which must comply with the regulations of the council, which regulates all works and actions taken in this city," he said. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/24/60410/Medina-the-capitals-mayor-powwow-mull-shopping-district-chaos | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/4414c23c18f5cea4fb069c97655e0661cac1ac0ef91850039f5b7d97cbe7aa0f.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T18:47:30 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F23%2F60390%2FFired-judge-in-rulings-for-sale-scandal-says-asylum-ploy-was-a-ruse.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/8554641B-A087-43D6-8A64-427F7160565A.jpeg | en | null | Fired judge in ‘rulings for sale’ scandal says asylum ploy was a ruse | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Former judge Francisco Arias, one of the leading figures in the “rulings for sale” scandal, on Monday night said his intention in trying to seek asylum in the Vatican Embassy was to press the Reservas bank and the Banks Superintendence to return his savings, because he’s “economically drowned.”
Arias, who lives in the upscale Arroyo Hondo sector said he’s surviving with his wife’s salary and the help from some relatives. He was terminated late last year when the scandal broke
He said at no time did he accuse Supreme Court chief justice Mariano German of misconduct, and has nothing against him. "My intention was to draw attention that sectors within the government, not president Danilo Medina, in this case the Banks Superintendence and the Reservas bank, mainly for refusing to comply with the ruling on June 23 ordering the lifting of the lien to the funds that are in the bank."
He said both the Reservas bank and the Banks Superintendence are using machinations to circumvent the ruling handed down by National District instruction judge Ramona Rodriguez for the, who hears his case and that of judge Awilda Reyes, ordering the release of his money, even despite having to serve court subpoenas seven times.
Arias said because he’s familiar with procedures he drafted a letter, and headed to the Vatican Embassy, seeking asylum, but reiterated it was a way to attract attention. "Because if you don’t draw attention in this country, here you’re ignored, the citizen dies." | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/23/60390/Fired-judge-in-rulings-for-sale-scandal-says-asylum-ploy-was-a-ruse | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/f5210fc631cad4f55eeda191baae8fce6c623cb39279f510e5e940e23dadc4f6.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-31T14:48:35 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F27%2F60434%2FAuthorities-re-open-closed-clinics.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/7C587A81-6BF1-4E9D-94D7-FED9A52EB11D.jpeg | en | null | Authorities re-open closed clinics | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- The Attorney General’s office has allowed three private clinics in Santo Domingo East, the Centro Médico Integral I and II and Centro Oncológico y Especialidades or Clínica del Dolor to reopen after the conclusion of investigations by the Santo Domingo Prosecutor’s Office.
“The investigation by the authorities into several of the Clinica Integral group’s premises is now complete,” the Attorney General office announced via its Twitter account.
The Ministry of Public Health informed that the clinics could now resume normal services.
The three clinics were closed last Wednesday as part of investigations into the disappearance of a 10-year old girl, Carla Massiel Cabrera. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/27/60434/Authorities-re-open-closed-clinics | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/582c97599d442888cf72ed2281b66c0c71c6fa893280a6285b47ce9c2277e5fc.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T13:00:39 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F19%2F60355%2FWere-no-monopoly-says-Dominican-Republics-biggest-brewery.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/D612D3B2-D5D9-4C5C-ADC5-E71E54B46DDF.jpeg | en | null | ‘We’re no monopoly,’ says Dominican Republic’s biggest brewery | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- The brewery Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana (CND) on Thursday "categorically" denied what it called "unfounded allegations" of unfair practices and abuse of its supposed monopolistic position in Dominican Republic’s beer and rum market.
In a statement the CND responds to a study accusing it of abusing its dominant share in the beer market.
The economist Jaime Aristy Escuder conducted the study commissioned by the National Competition Protection Commission (CNDC).
“It does not correspond to the behavior and modus operandi of the Dominican National Brewery in the market," the CND said.
It said the CND’s corporate history has been "an example of transparency and strict compliance with Dominican law." it said its local and international practices are subject to adherence to a rigorous program of compliance, competition and business conduct.
“The Brewery is a company with a long and successful business tradition that generates more than 3,500 direct jobs and 60,000 indirect jobs,” it said, adding that it’s also Dominican Republic’s biggest taxpayer. “Since the purchase of 51% of the shares by AmBev in 2012, it has invested more than US$300 million to expand and modernize their operations.” | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/19/60355/Were-no-monopoly-says-Dominican-Republics-biggest-brewery | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/be75c293bd55037325154e913cd2567d62d92db86864a826fd53ee81494b8a0c.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T12:57:28 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F22%2F60384%2FEx-judge-in-rulings-for-sale-scandal-seeks-asylum-at-Vatican-Embassy.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/6E9AED4D-7211-45E7-86A4-1AD374BA0539.jpeg | en | null | Ex judge in ‘rulings for sale scandal seeks asylum at Vatican Embassy | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Former magistrate Francisco Arias, fired in the heels of the “rulings for sale” scandal, arrived on Monday morning in the Vatican Embassy where he allegedly requested political asylum, just two days before a hearing in the scandal.
An unidentified person quoted by diariolibre.com said Arias wasn’t in the embassy any longer.
Just minutes after Arias' lawyer, Carlos Balcácer arrived at the door of the diplomatic mission and said his client wouldnot comment on the decision to seek asylum.
Balcácer told reporters that he advised Arias to leave the place.
A few hours earlier, the former member of the Judicial Council had entered the facility, read a document requesting asylum, and in which accused president Danilo Medina and Senate president Reinaldo Pared of hatching a plot against former president Leonel Fernandez and former justice minister Radhames Jimenez.
In addition to Arias, former judge Awilda Reyes was also indicted for allegedly “selling” sentences favoring drug traffickers and money launderers.
Denial
Just hours later, Senate president Reinaldo Pared discarded las Arias’ accusations as “hair-brained and baseless.” | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/22/60384/Ex-judge-in-rulings-for-sale-scandal-seeks-asylum-at-Vatican-Embassy | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/5867a837415b3a49c3fa81f6bf80acc28e2714dabb929285b91afe066bb97508.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T16:46:53 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F26%2F60428%2FShocking-Dominican-beer-drinkers-overpaid-US1556M.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/207A87BC-CC22-4B22-895E-DA6862F55881.jpeg | en | null | Shocking: Dominican beer drinkers ‘overpaid’ US$155.6M | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- The consumer rights foundation (FUNDECOM) on Friday said it supports the National Competition Protection Commission (CNDC) study of the concerning beer, insurance and pharmaceutical markets.
It said one of the studies sheds the “shocking figure” that beer consumers have overpaid RD$7.16 billion (US$155.6 million) because of the “monopolistic practices of the company that controls 99% of the market.”
FUNDECOM said monopolistic practices and the alleged position of market dominance sets the prices on their products which in its view, ends up jeopardizing those consumers directly.
It noted that Law 42-08, in effect since 2008, as well as the Constitution prohibit monopolies and unfair practices.
The organization called on the CNCD to conduct new studies on the food and services companies, “to help unravel the abuses against the Dominican consumer, through prohibition of concerted practices and anticompetitive agreements as stated in Article 5 of law 42-08.” | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/26/60428/Shocking-Dominican-beer-drinkers-overpaid-US1556M | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/b3ef4d4eea0a0730df37b5065949176a2719b79f95588b96d13a088766d8ff82.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T12:50:31 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F22%2F60373%2FVeteran-politico-warns-against-authoritarian-ideas.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/872402A3-C56E-4D1A-A2D7-E8417EB3C153.jpeg | en | null | Veteran politico warns against authoritarian ideas | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Democratic Choice party president Minou Tavarez on Saturday warned that the persons designated to the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and the Central Electoral Board (JCE) shouldn’t be politically affiliated, and must be honorable, integral and democratic instead.
She said the Dominican Republic is experiencing “legal illusionism” because people they believe that a law immediately solves a problem, when it’s the political culture that needs to change first. “There’s been a weakness in the role of opposition parties because democracy is still very weak.”
The former National District deputy also warned of “a powerful authoritarian project on foot,” which can only be confronted with a firm opposition.
Tavarez said a democratic system’s three basic elements are absent in the country: separation of powers, independent judiciary and free elections.
As an example, the veteran politico noted that the president’s sister is also president of the Chamber of Deputies.
She said although democracy isn’t possible without political parties, those organizations are the ones called upon by the society on where and how it wants to live.
"I believe in politics as a noble activity, which is not only to seek votes, that is not only to gain power, but to transform society and make it better," said Tavarez, Interviewed on Channel 16. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/22/60373/Veteran-politico-warns-against-authoritarian-ideas | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/59507bff60d518f663305ae22e5803e8fee7cde4a989b3d38b59f084e3e3565f.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-27T10:47:20 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F23%2F60392%2FBooze-war-quietly-escalates-in-Dominican-Republic.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/46103400-B738-41FC-99BD-49A388C4DA82.jpeg | en | null | Booze war quietly escalates in Dominican Republic | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Leading rum maker Brugal on Monday confirmed having been consulted for a National Competitiveness Commission (CNDC) study on the impact on the domestic market of alcoholic beverages after AmBev acquired the Dominican Nacional Brewery (CND).
It said the regulator’s study "contain the same concerns" which Brugal has been communicating in writing to the CND for more than two years "on their practices in the market after its merger with AmBev."
The Brewery incurred in anticompetitive practices affecting the rum market in the country, according to the study. "It was verified that customers are pressured to reduce the marketing presence of Brugal rum and increase Barceló, which is distributed by the brewery."
"It has been noted that AmBev-CND pressed customers to withdraw all advertising material that had been placed in the businesses by the company Brugal. Those who wouldn’t abide by this request, would see the discount they receive when buying beer withdrawn, or the supply of that product would discontinue."
It says AmBev-CND provides tents, stages, freezer and discounts on the purchase of Presidente beer or Barceló rum in exchange for pulling the ads of Brugal rum. It adds that customers who wanted Presidente beer had to buy Barceló rum.
“Brugal believes in free and fair competition as an essential part of the institutional development of the country, and that a law guaranteeing free and fair competition should be part of institutional strengthening,” the leading rum maker said in the statement. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/23/60392/Booze-war-quietly-escalates-in-Dominican-Republic | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/1c94900ec3ffe5f08df457def510017af7bfd5106acb4e957cbbdfae5cf24356.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-27T14:47:21 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F24%2F60403%2FAmerican-Chamber-of-Commerce-tells-women-empower-yourself.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/B2282328-2909-4285-8967-590A4396330B.jpeg | en | null | American Chamber of Commerce tells women ‘empower yourself’ | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- The American Chamber of Commerce in the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR) recently held the fourth edition of the women's event "Entrepreneurship and Leadership Conference".
This event’s objectives this year were maximized by providing a space designed for women entrepreneurs to learn, practical, technical leadership development and apply them to their life, providing the tools for professional development with which to improve performance in the field of leadership and execution of professional actions.
"Women, increasingly, are trying to define their place in the personal and professional aspect, it’s therefore essential that they identify their strengths to achieve differentiation. They have faced the changes that have uplifted the society in which they live, responding to the demands with a sense of excellence in each of the challenges they’ve assumed. It’s a dynamic that continues, implying the need for state of the art professional tools to evolve in business," said Waleska Maria Alvarez, member of the Board of Directors and Executive President of NAP of the Caribbean, said in her welcoming speech.
"We from AMCHAMDR remain committed to working with the strengthening of the women's leadership in the professional field and activities as we propose, while stressing the contribution that women make to our society, we bring knowledge, encourage them to participate more in the events we organize and motivate them to take advantage by assimilating it into their daily practice," Alvarez added.
Dissertation
In her lecture “Woman Empower Yourself," motivational speaker Michelle Campillo stressed five powerful elections to strengthen or refocus life, at professional and human level, as well as techniques to establish a clear vision and resources to obtain a measurement with positive results.
Ingrid Martinez, who spoke on "Maximizing the results, effective people management," said the leaders won’t obtain positive and lasting results if they fail to manage and enhance the value of their staff as a workforce and provide them with techniques that allow them to support their employees, resulting in the success of both. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/24/60403/American-Chamber-of-Commerce-tells-women-empower-yourself | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/5daf88eb2824d473ed0e348f1319b5a1ab567702c00c0d9c412b5b3950d7d8a6.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-29T16:48:03 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F24%2F60414%2FJet-makes-forced-landing-in-Dominican-Republic-156-passengers-safe.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/2E5A5530-316A-4485-906A-AFE18901644B.jpeg | en | null | Jet makes forced landing in Dominican Republic, 156 passengers safe | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.-An aircraft that had taken off from Punta Cana International Airport headed to Peru was forced to return and forcibly landing on a technical failure.
The Boeing 737 was heading to Jorge Chavez International Airport in Peru, carrying 156 passengers.
The airport authorities currently carry out security measures activated as a precaution. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/24/60414/Jet-makes-forced-landing-in-Dominican-Republic-156-passengers-safe | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/507951692576e8acaa692f9ce8cb66689ab52aa5385b839176328117c56cf37b.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-27T10:47:19 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F23%2F60395%2FPeople-support-traffic-cop-in-fracas-with-prosecutor.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/0E299E61-3217-4C08-8EED-D94522083691.jpeg | en | null | People support traffic cop in fracas with prosecutor | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Relatives, friends and neighbors of a Metropolitan Transit Authority (AMET) agent jailed for allegedly assaulting a prosecutor who parked her SUV illegally on Tuesday gathered in front of the National District Court House to demand his release.
They carried pickets that read: "We demand equality for all", "Is the law a crime?" among others, and chanted "We want justice, release Richard,!" in reference to Richardson Sabá.
"I hope they do justice, this will not go unpunished, because just as she did to my son today, she will do it to others (agents), and I donot want this to continue. Here the big part cannot want to crush the small," said Tomasa Nuñez, Sabá’s mother.
Videos posted on the web show when Sabá allegedly assaulted assistant prosecutor Sourelly Jáquez, who falls to the ground when she lunged at the traffic cop who was recording the official as she ranted as Saba who asked her for her driver's license for being illegally parked.
The AMET has announced “all legal assistant| to defend Saba, who was sent to spend 30 days in jail. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/23/60395/People-support-traffic-cop-in-fracas-with-prosecutor | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/16e6b05b09a78688b52e32b8d4362c9cfca2fbc0f4a99d9abb50ba190e735053.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-30T12:48:20 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F30%2F60450%2FForeign-Minister-visiting-Haiti.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/E2A40EE1-3EC2-4FF5-8963-9CFC03F2CE8B.jpeg | en | null | Foreign Minister visiting Haiti | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Relations Miguel Vargas Maldonado is traveling to the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince Tuesday to meet with his Haitian counterpart Pierrot Délienne. One of the main items for discussion is the Haitian ban on overland imports from the Dominican Republic.
Their agenda also includes the issue of documentation of Haitians in the Dominican Republic and the resumption of meetings by the mixed bilateral commission, which has not met for the last two years.
Vargas Maldonado will also pay a courtesy visit to Haiti’s interim President, Jocelerme Privert.
The meeting comes at a time when relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic are at a practical stalemate following the National Foreigner Regularization Plan, which led to the breakdown in bilateral dialogue, and last October’s inconclusive elections in Haiti, which have yet to define who will lead the Haitian nation. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/30/60450/Foreign-Minister-visiting-Haiti | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/be37873913cd91be0b25774208ebb4b6e9cb30067ab52f86ead475d7b915647f.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T12:53:37 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F22%2F60372%2FGovt-funds-mean-big-boost-for-Dominican-Republics-sugar-industry.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/C7145FB9-C76A-425E-947C-3840732C14F4.jpeg | en | null | Govt. funds mean ‘big boost’ for Dominican Republic’s sugar industry | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- On his first surprise visit, after the inaugural of his second term in office on August 16, president Danilo Medina met Sunday with more than 2,000 sugar industry representatives, in Guerra, Santo Domingo province, where government funding was the topic of interest.
Medina and several senior officials visited the east region town where he discussed the needs of the sector with the heads of six associations with more than 2,000 members in four provinces and eight municipalities.
Eh operators of plantations told Medina they want to transform more than 2,000 hectares for sugarcane and requested financing for RD$147 million.
He reiterated government support through the State Sugar Council (CEA) which will speed up construction of a plant to produce raw brown sugar (panela) and announced an analysis by experts to determine its viability.
Sweet rebound
Administrative minister Jose Ramon Peralta said sugarcane has again become a profitable crop in the last four years, and stressed that president Medina “will give it a big boost over the next four years.”
Also present in the activity were the ministers of Public Works, Gonzalo Castillo, and Angel Estevez, of Agriculture. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/22/60372/Govt-funds-mean-big-boost-for-Dominican-Republics-sugar-industry | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/7a01bd29e884a82be4a5569719337ad6e4481bbfaec302f9db5d5275568e256c.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T12:51:02 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F22%2F60381%2FSenate-must-come-clean-on-Tucanogate-people-say.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/29F4B2E6-BF97-40FE-9F77-E3717D6B182D.jpeg | en | null | Senate must come clean on Tucanogate, people say | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- While the Office of the Anticorruption Prosecutor continues the investigation into the alleged US$3.5 million bribe to buy eight Super Tucano planes from Brazil aircraft maker Embraer, the debate scandal is poised to take the spotlight in Congress starting Wednesday, since several lawmakers have been linked to the scandal.
At the center of the probe is senator Luis Rene Canaan, who allegedly received the money to secure a US$94.0 million loan with Brazil’s State-owned BNDES Bank to buy the aircraft.
Among the personalities who ask the Senate to issue a statement figure ., Institutionalism and Justice Foundation vice president Servio Tulio Castaños, who said the upper chamber should adopt the initiative and cooperate with authorities. "It would be helpful, not only to clarify the case, but also for the image of the Senate, which has been the most affected with everything that has transpired."
Opposition PRM party senator from Puerto Plata José Ignacio Paliza agrees. “The Senate is obliged to intervene in a thorough investigation to recover its credibility, since it is the institution that is most deeply affected with the issue of bribery.” | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/22/60381/Senate-must-come-clean-on-Tucanogate-people-say | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/04e4ad9c845e1c6f52d808908ad8fa9d28b7a5fd26815805018dd74cd56ee00b.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-29T16:48:04 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F25%2F60419%2FDominican-economy-grows-74-in-first-half-paced-by-construction.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/A9FF5C37-5338-4EF0-A3B1-41856E3B7E92.jpeg | en | null | Dominican economy grows 7.4% in first half, paced by construction | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic’s economy grew 7.4%, in the first half measured in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), the Central Bank affirmed Wednesday.
It said construction grew 17.7%, and has paced all sectors during 12 consecutive quarters, followed by; Mining (25.1%), Financial intermediation (11.0%), Health (9.5%), Agriculture (8.0%), other service activities (7.2%), education (7.0%), retail (6.2%), Local Manufacturing ( 6.0%), Transport (5.1%) and Hotels, Bars and Restaurants (4.9%).
Among the sectors which posted a decline figure free zone manufacturing, at -0.6%, a sharp downturn compared with its 5.8% growth in the same period in 2015.
In an emailed statement, the Central Bank the labor market’s behavior is the result of economy’s dynamism. "The results of the National Workforce Survey (ENFT) for April 2016 show that 173,402 jobs were created in the 12 months from April 2015 to April 2016, for an average monthly of approximately 14,450 new employees in that period."
It said the 436,912 jobs created from October 2012 to April 2016 lowered the open unemployment rate from 6.0% in April 2015 to 5.7% in April 2016. “Similarly, the broad unemployment stood at 13.3% in April 2016, proving to be the lowest in the last two decades.”
“The financial system continues to strengthen, showing adequate indicators of capital sufficiency, asset quality, profitability and liquidity," with which it could face potential internal or external shocks. “The total assets of the financial sector posted a growth of 11.0%.”
“Moreover, commercial banks June 2016 posted a solvency level of 15.6% and 17.1% for all financial intermediaries, well above the 10% set by the Monetary and Financial Law. The return on average equity of the total financial system was 15.6%, on assets of 1.8% and NPL of 1.7%, while in the case of commercial banks the return on equity was 18.9%, 1.9% on assets and 1.7% delinquency during that period.” | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/25/60419/Dominican-economy-grows-74-in-first-half-paced-by-construction | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/ec068a836e2febf08d98027d34c3689366e7114a663a5f6fce27970e7cb3b123.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-26T12:54:06 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F22%2F60378%2FSmall-plane-hurts-biker-during-emergency-landing-in-East-region.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/2E0CBB32-CF44-4AF5-B5EB-0F1C17CA8957.jpeg | en | null | Small plane hurts biker during emergency landing in East region | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- One motorcyclist was seriously wounded when a single-engine plane made an emergency landing on the Macao-Bavaro road Monday morning, Public Works Ministry spokesman Jacobo Mateo Moquete said today.
Mateo, speaking by phone on the Z-101FM morning radio program, said the accident occurred past 8:20am, when the biker was hit by one of the wings as it was forced to land on engine failure. "There was an injured motorcyclist who was on the road. He was hit by one of the wings. His situation is delicate.”
He said first responders took the motorcyclist yet to be identified, to a medical facility, while four of the plane’s passengers were lightly injured. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/22/60378/Small-plane-hurts-biker-during-emergency-landing-in-East-region | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/01ffc2ea53a7095e1fbbe866515bebbd55b48cf62f2bd441ce4f2bc6e28e561d.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-30T16:48:21 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Feconomy%2F2016%2F8%2F26%2F60427%2FAll-fuel-prices-jump-except-natural.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/11F5B98C-41E2-4B33-B881-731D6A8DA51B.jpeg | en | null | All fuel prices jump, except natural | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Santo Domingo.- The Industry and Commerce Ministry raised the prices on all fuels, except natural, gas as much as RD$8.20 per gallon for the week from August 27 to September 2.
Premium gasoline will cost RD$199.60 per gallon, up RD$5.40; regular will sell for RD$184.00, up RD$5.50; regular diesel will cost RD$140.60, up RD$6.30, while optimum diesel will cost RD$153.60 per gallon, up RD$6.00 per gallon.
Avtur will cost RD$106.30, an increase of RD$7.60; kerosene will cost RD$130.50 per gallon, up RD$8.20 and fuel oil will cost R $82.63 up RD$5.40 per gallon.
Propane gas will cost RD$88.80 per gallon, up RD$1.60, while natural gas will remain unchanged at RD$23.22 per cubic meter.
The Central Bank’s posted average exchange rate of RD$46.05 per dollar was used to calculate all fuel prices. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/8/26/60427/All-fuel-prices-jump-except-natural | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/997c48656dbe7c6480c0ba95b801f7286277d5f6f3c826129a996cd868d261a3.json |
[
"Merit Designs Consulting Group"
] | 2016-08-29T16:48:06 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dominicantoday.com%2Fdr%2Flocal%2F2016%2F8%2F24%2F60415%2FNew-York-lawmakers-condemn-anti-Dominican-slur.json | http://www.dominicantoday.com/image/article/39/460x390/0/C48ADC0E-D7FB-4E70-B55F-35C18B1F15F5.jpeg | en | null | New York lawmakers condemn anti-Dominican slur | null | null | www.dominicantoday.com | Inwood, NY—Today, Democratic Congressional Nominee Adriano Espaillat and Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez released statements on Robert Jackson’s offensive comments toward Dominican-Americans in an interview posted online earlier this week.
In the interview with NY1 Noticias’ Juan Manuel Benitez, Jackson said: “I say loud and clear to anyone who is viewing this and beyond - you don't have to be Latino, you don't need to be Dominican to best represent the district...because quite frankly, there have been Dominicans that have been representing Dominican districts that are going to prison. So don't tell me they were good representatives. And I know I am not in jail, I'm still out here. I have said to everyone I'm not going to jail for anybody.”
Adriano Espaillat
"The 31st Senate District that I've been proud to represent for six years has zero tolerance for the racial prejudice that Robert Jackson displayed with his comments about Dominican Americans during his TV appearance. This community has been disrespected by Robert Jackson's unfortunate remarks, and he needs to reconsider his participation in this race.”
Ydanis Rodriguez
"Ignorant comments like the anti-Dominican remark made by Robert Jackson on NY1 Noticias threaten the fabric of our community, and pit the diverse neighborhoods of Upper Manhattan against one another. These actions leave behind lasting scars, and divide the district when we should be working together towards progressive change.
As someone who served three terms in the City Council, Jackson knows well that suggesting an entire ethnic group is unfit for office is unacceptable under any circumstances. He needs to explain these remarks immediately if he wants to command any measure of respect and credibility in this Democratic primary.”
Alcantara has been endorsed by Senator and Democratic Congressional Nominee Adriano Espaillat, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Transit Workers Union Local 100, the New York State Nurses Association and Fighting for Children PAC. | http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2016/8/24/60415/New-York-lawmakers-condemn-anti-Dominican-slur | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.dominicantoday.com/cfdaae3697816caea8a1b3ad16df98727bd5215eb33aaee530cdef712570168a.json |
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