DR1 - The Industrial Association of the Dominican Republic (AIRD) has asked the government to postpone the application of new regulations for contracting foreign labor, due to go into effect tomorrow, Friday, 1 June. In the meantime, today, Thursday 31 May, a meeting is being held between the Director of Immigration, Jose Ricardo Taveras and the agro-business community at the headquarters of the Junta Agroempresarial Dominicana (JAD) - the Dominican Agro-Business Board. AIRD president Ligia Bonetti de Valiente says that the application would obviously upset the productive activities.
She said that she felt it was necessary to organize immigrant labor but she suggested postponing the application of the regulations for a month and that, if possible, to proceed with a gradual application, "especially in the areas and regions where there is a greater incidence of foreign labor. " She told Diario Libre that the application affects the micro-, small and medium farm producers, as well as housing project developers, which look at the regulations as an extraordinary cost per foreigner (passport, visa, medical certificate, letter of good conduct). She pointed out, moreover, that some of the requisites - like the good conduct letter - are hard for Haitian nationals to obtain, due to the internal situation in the neighboring country.
She said that the delay would allow the Migration office to be better prepared to respond to the requirements that are going to arise in order to legalize the foreigners now in the country. Read original at DR1.
(Posted 14:31 Friday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 477 times.)
Dominican Today -
Junk foods and take-away restaurants have become extremely popular due to the rising demand among people nearly everywhere. A quick bite at a low price is a seductive proposition that’s finger-licking good but unfortunately comes in a bag with health conditions.
The arrival of convenience foods has led to massive increases in obesity, diabetes and heart disease. The skyrocketing rates of these lifestyle-related conditions are among the working middle to upper class. Supermarkets contribute to these problems by offering shoppers the temptation of convenience foods that are high in salt, sugar and animal fat.
Junk foods are filled with preservatives, additives, flavourings, artificial colourings, hydrogenated fats, stabilizers, chemicals, sweeteners, sodium, sugar and calories that are devoid of any original, essential nutrients.
There are nearly six thousand chemicals that food companies add to food products that improve colour, taste and shelf life. Nitrates and nitrites that are used in meat products such as bacon, sausage and ham have been found to contribute to the development of many forms of cancer.
Sodas, sugar-laced beverages and highly processed fruit juices contain a compound called benzoate or benzoic acid. This compound has been found to increase the risks of obesity, diabetes and a host of conditions leading to early mortality.
One of the most dangerous flavourings used is monosodium glutamate (MSG). MSG is a common cause of chest pains, depression, dizziness and mood swings. The vast majority of pre-packaged foods such as pizzas, pastas, snacks, soups, sandwiches, cheeses and meats contain high amounts of sodium that is detrimental to one’s health.
Foods such as fried chicken, pizza, burgers, chips, sandwiches and ice creams contain excessive amounts of addictive sugars, trans fats and calories that bring you back for seconds. Most junk foods are deep fried in unhealthy hydrogenated cooking oils that wreck havoc on one’s immune and cardiovascular systems.
Highly processed, chemical-laden, ready-to-serve, convenience quick-bites offer little-to-no actual nutritional value. They simply fill the stomach temporarily and promote overeating as the body demands useful nutrients.
Research shows junk foods make children miss their daily nutritional requirements of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. This has been found to be a leading cause of behavioural misconduct, ADHD, poor school performance and other deficiencies.
Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer are growing concerns that are directly related to the escalating consumption of junk foods. Type 2 diabetes allows excessive amounts of unusable dietary sugars to circulate around the body creating substantial damage. Diabetic complications include heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, kidney failure and various pain disorders.
Junk foods decrease the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and increase LDL (bad) cholesterol that is a leading cause of clogging of the arteries. Clogged arteries cause damage to the heart and increase one’s risk of body-disabling strokes.
Excessive amounts of salt, sugars, unhealthy saturated fat and trans fat also contribute to high blood pressure. The resultant high blood pressure is a leading cause of kidney damage and failure. LDL cholesterol, fat, salt and sugar can cause excessive damage to the liver as well.
The liver is integral to numerous bodily functions and is the major detoxifying organ in the body. Impaired liver function can cause a variety of symptoms such as digestive problems, immune disorders, abnormal absorption of fats and metabolism complications.
Dr Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.
Email: drcorycouillard@gmail. com
Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard
Twitter: DrCoryCouillard
Read original at Dominican Today.
(Posted 13:29 Tuesday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 332 times.)
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo. – The Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) received this past week high praises from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). According to Margie Bauer, the agency’s Attaché for the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica, “BRA executed a US $2 million agricultural community development project using USDA Food for Progress funding. BRA is one of the best partners our office has had in the Dominican Republic and one of the best development NGO I’ve seen in my 25 + years working in developing countries with the U. S. government. ”
Under a FY09 USDA-Food for Progress program, BRA executed a two-year agricultural cooperative project to create food security and economic self-sufficiency for 35,000 people, including farmers living in extreme poverty inside seven sugarcane plantations rural “batey” communities in the province of Monte Plata. “In particular, I was impressed with their success in a sustainable community led rural development project in the poorest of the poor communities in the Dominican Republic, covering all rural issues such as health, water/sanitations, education and agriculture,” added Ms. Bauer.
Ms. Bauer also acknowledged the organization’s ability to secure and incorporate funding from different sources to build an all-encompassing community program. Since 1997, BRA secured US $80 million to develop various programs in preventive health and HIV/AIDS treatment, food security and agriculture, water/sanitations, education, microcredit, women empowerment and disaster relief servicing more than 100,000 people annually in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and now in Peru.
While the USDA funding ended in 2011 with the successful completion of the project, BRA expanded agricultural activities into other farming communities through a new partnership with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Ms. Bauer reflected, “Not only does BRA maintain impeccable accounting under the different and complex USG requirements, it also possess the unusual willingness to learn from and partner with other NGO which resulted in more effective projects. ”
“Their spirit, enthusiasm and passion for what they do, flow out from them and into all who work with them,” concluded Ms. Bauer.
The Batey Relief Alliance, a New York-based non-profit organization, is member of the Clinton Global Initiative and Global Health Council and is associated with the UN Department of Public Information Section.
For more information on BRA’s humanitarian work, visit our website and donate online at www. bateyrelief. org. For regular updates, follow/like on Facebook (http://www. facebook. com/Batey. Relief. Alliance) and Twitter (http://twitter. com/bateyrelief).
Read original at Dominican Today.
(Posted 13:29 Tuesday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 336 times.)
Dominican Today -
Brooklyn, NY- When Dany Salas left the Dominican Republic for New York in January 2008 to attend college, he was uncharacteristically silent for the first couple of months in his new country. That’s because he was afraid to speak English; his thick Spanish accent wasn’t understood and he felt self-conscious.
But 25-year-old Salas found a way to remedy the situation and hasn’t looked back. At New York City College of Technology’s (City Tech’s) commencement exercises on Tuesday, June 4, 11:30 a. m. , in Manhattan’s Javits Center, he will march at the front of his class as the College’s 2013 valedictorian. Earning a bachelor of technology degree in computer systems, Salas compiled a grade point average of 3. 93 out of a possible 4. 00 and is graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Commencement will be especially sweet for him because his mother, sister and brother will be part of an audience of nearly 6,000 people who will see him deliver his valedictory address. This will mark the first time in their lives away from the Dominican Republic and the first time Salas will have seen them in more than four years. His father and cousin will also be present.
A key to Salas’ success, besides a keen intelligence and dogged perseverance, is that he makes the most of every opportunity and seems to shine brightest when the competition is most intense.
Take, for instance, the circumstances under which he came to City Tech. Salas acted on an ad he read in a local newspaper in the Dominican Republic that the government’s Ministerio de Educacion Superior, Ciencia y Tecnologia (Department of Higher Education, Science and Technology) was offering full scholarships to study at The City University of New York in the United States. He was one of 48 recipients out of 300 applicants.
In the Dominican Republic, Salas had graduated from a polytechnic high school and had received an associate degree in industrial digital electronics. His interest in computer systems with concentrations in network administration and computer security led him to City Tech.
Arriving here in January 2008, he was placed in English as a Second Language intensive classes for the spring. Despite his problems speaking English, he was hired as a summer camp counselor for seven- and eight-year-old boys and girls. “Some of the kids helped me with my pronunciation and were my toughest teachers. I grew more confident speaking English because of them,” he recalls. At the end of camp, the director said he didn’t think Salas was going to be successful as a counselor, but that he had exceeded expectations. Salas returned the following two summers and was named Counselor of the Year in 2010.
Without his immediate family to help him with the transition to a new country and culture, Salas bonded with several of the other students who had come to the U. S. from the Dominican Republic to attend college and friends he met on his own. “I learned that real friends are like family and can be pillars of support in helping you accomplish your dreams,” he says.
Once he felt at home at City Tech, Salas challenged himself to take a leadership role. He was president of the Computer Club, vice president and founder of the Gay-Straight Alliance, a peer advisor for first-year students, the Microsoft student partner ambassador for the College, a member of the City Tech Honors Scholars Program, and a participant in the Office of Student Life’s annual leadership retreat. “It was my turn to give back to others,” he says about his role as a first-year student advisor. ”
“All these extracurricular activities helped me learn to exercise critical thinking, brainstorming and decision-making skills, how to plan and execute a project, how to listen to people and create synergy to accomplish tasks,” he says. “They taught me how to socialize and increase my network of people, and improve verbal and communication skills among other skills. ” He especially thanks the Office of Student Life & Development’s Director Daniel Fictum and Assistant Director Alice Tucker for their encouragement.
Salas’ accomplishments have been duly noted by Marcela Armoza, City Tech’s vice president of enrollment and student services. “I’ve observed Dany’s journey here with great pride,” she says. “I am absolutely delighted, albeit not surprised at his academic success. He never lost sight of his goals. He is a man of honor and resolve, and a powerful role model for other Latino students. ”
One day Salas saw a flyer tacked to a bulletin board at City Tech about the Goldman Sachs Technology Bridge Program Internship. He applied and was one of seven students accepted for the six-week paid internship, after which he was called back for a 10-week summer internship. Then, he was offered a full-time job. He now works as an information technology analyst for Goldman Sachs in its Jersey City office. His immediate plans are to earn a master’s degree and more certifications in information technology.
“I really like my job,” he says. “I get to use my skills to solve problems for the company and in return I’m given lots of chances for career development and professional growth. My colleagues come from all over the world and eagerly share their experience with me. ”
Salas, who now lives in Jersey City, is passionate about education and technology after working with his City Tech computer systems professors to help promote the FIRST robotic competition among high school students. “I believe there’s a lot of work to do to educate children and young adults to use technology to solve practical problems. I’d like to help develop such a competition for children in the Dominican Republic. ”
Lest he be pegged as a computer geek, Salas really enjoys the arts. His hobbies are playing the guitar, singing and photography. “My parents gave me my first guitar when I was 16 years old and I started guitar classes right away. In about a month I was directing and playing the guitar for a small children’s chorus at my local church. I see music and performing as a challenge -- you can’t be successful at it if you don’t spend time rehearsing and perfecting your craft. ”
Salas and his best friend recently formed LVLUP Entertainment, a songwriting and music production partnership. “We had our first concert back in September and are looking forward to continuing with this project,” he says. “What started as a hobby could possibly become a successful company. ”
One gets the feeling that no matter what Salas tries, he will be successful. “I’ve learned that if you constantly challenge yourself and don’t take anything for granted, you won’t miss out on opportunities. That’s one message I’m going to share with my fellow graduates,” he says.
New York City College of Technology (City Tech) of The City University of New York (CUNY) is the largest public college of technology in New York State. Located at 300 Jay Street in Downtown Brooklyn, the College enrolls more than 16,000 students in 65 baccalaureate, associate and specialized certificate programs.
Read original at Dominican Today.
(Posted 13:29 Tuesday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 338 times.)
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo- A National District court on Monday handed down an unprecedented setback against Dominican Republic’s Catholic Church, rejected a restraining order against the family planning organization’s (ProFamilia) sex education campaign.
Civil Court 5th Chamber judge Eunice Minaya ruled that the NGO’s sexual education campaign doesn’t violate the fundamental rights of the plaintiff, the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo.
She ruled that ban Pro Familia’s advertisement couldn’t be banned since it’s part of their right to freedom of expression bestowed on every person, without prior censorship, taking special care to protect the youth and family, and the law and public order, “which in this case we haven’t observed that it has been violated. “
The Court ruling also notes that freedom of expression is a delicate ground along which the subjectivity of each person travels, “and it would be dangerous to venture to ban such demonstrations, and although hateful, originate essentially from opposing ideological positions that could lead to removal of our Republic’s freedoms reached with blood and fire. “
The ruling is the first in recent memory against the power of the country’s Catholic Church, which has in the Concordat, a long standing pact with the Dominican Republic.
Read original at Dominican Today.
(Posted 11:59 Tuesday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 970 times.)
The Dominican Sun - Across the Dominican Republic in the last 24 hours the highest observed temperature by DRSol was 90 at Santiago. The coolest reading came from Las Americas with an overnight low of 70. A few spotty light to moderate showers and thunderstorms were reported, the last in Punta Cana at 9PM last night. Skies were generally partly cloudy. Winds are averaging 10 mph from the SE, with a peak gust to 23 mph seen at 1PM yesterday afternoon at Puerto Plata International. By the Numbers DR cities reported rain 18% of the time, and thunderstorms 2%. Average reported rainfall intensity on a scale of 0 to 100 was 38. Cloud cover totaled 49%. Click above to view summaries for the last week or last month. Last updated at 7:28AM. Read original at The Dominican Sun.
(Posted 11:29 Tuesday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 1127 times.)
Listin Diario - Aunque sus acusados han sido absueltos, los jóvenes egipcios han decidido plantar cara a los “malos” de la llamada “batalla del camello” en un videojuego recién estrenado, que recrea este dramático episodio de la revolución de 2011. Sus autores son ocho jóvenes ingenieros y diseñadores que participaron en los 18 días de protestas contra el presidente Hosni Mubarak y que vivieron en primera persona el ataque a caballo y camello de decenas de partidarios del régimen. En este juego difundido en la red social Facebook, el primero de estrategia sobre la revolución, según afirman los creadores, el objetivo es defender la plaza Tahrir de El Cairo, epicentro de las protestas y escenario de la batalla. Una gran frustración es lo que sintió ese 2 de febrero de 2011 Islam al Mohandis, uno de los padres del videojuego, profundizada este mes tras confirmar un tribunal la absolución de los 24 responsables del antiguo régimen acusados de instigar estos sucesos. Read original at Listin Diario.
(Posted 05:32 Tuesday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 3261 times.)
Listin Diario - Una plataforma de análisis e información sobre todo tipo de teléfonos móviles ya está disponible para República Dominicana en la web todocelular. com. Se trata de un portal con presencia formal de investigación, datos y servicios para ocho países de Latinoamérica hasta el momento, con colaboradores y periodistas especializados en el área de tecnología, dice un comunicado de prensa. A través de la referida plataforma, los conocedores del tema brindarán las más disímiles, ricas e interesantes informaciones sobre el cambiante mundo de la telefonía móvil y las telecomunicaciones. Dice la nota que estos profesionales se encargan de actualizar varias veces al día y siete días a la semana los espacios de Todocelular. com, garantizando que los visitantes y usuarios permanentes del sitio cuenten con los datos más confiables y precisos que estén disponibles sobre cualquier tipo de celular. Todocelular. com sirve para encontrar las noticias más actualizadas del universo móvil, educando a la vez al l. . . Read original at Listin Diario.
(Posted 05:31 Tuesday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 3262 times.)
Listin Diario - El Programa Intec con los Estudiantes Sobresalientes (PIES), desarrollado por el Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (Intec), cuenta con el respaldo de una importante personalidad. El presidente Danilo Medina, egresado de dicha academia, firmó su apoyo personal al programa, a través de la campaña de donaciones “Pásala por mí”, informó el Intec en un comunicado. “Pásala por mí” permite a egresados, colaboradores y personas solidarias invertir en la educación superior con donaciones a través de sus tarjetas de crédito. Durante su primera visita como presidente al alma máter de donde se graduó de Economía en 1985, Medina se comprometió a auspiciar los estudios universitarios de 32 estudiantes, uno por cada provincia del país. Los becados serán escogidos por la universidad bajo los lineamientos del PIES, que, desde hace 25 años, otorga un promedio de 80 becas anuales a estudiantes sobresalientes, explicó el comunicado del Intec. Medina, reconocido en 2010 como Egresado Destacado, discuti. . . Read original at Listin Diario.
(Posted 05:31 Tuesday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 3264 times.)
Listin Diario - República Dominicana se prepara para un gran evento tecnológico. Los organizadores están sumergidos en definir cada detalle. No es para menos. Se trata de un tema muy delicado: la seguridad informática para aprender a proteger informaciones virtuales. Sobre el particular habla Raymond Marcelino, representante de Asystec, empresa que patrocina la actividad denominada IT Security Solutions, que, en esta oportunidad, trae como tema central “Seguridad de información y continuidad de negocios”, un evento que apuesta a ofrecer salidas exitosas a los participantes sobre el particular. Cuenta que las orientaciones se ofrecerán a través de charlas y conferencias de la mano de expertos en los distintos tópicos que han de tratar. Marcelino informa que este es el tercer evento tecnológico en el país y que este año los patrocinadores van a ofrecer conferencias, instalarán stands para exposiciones de los nuevos productos que lanzarán al mercado, además de una agenda previa para reuniones de negocio. . . Read original at Listin Diario.
(Posted 05:31 Tuesday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 3266 times.)
Listin Diario - Los grafitis de vivos colores se han hecho muy populares en la Franja de Gaza, ya no solo como una forma de lucha contra la ocupación israelí, sino como instrumento con que los jóvenes palestinos expresan sus inquietudes sociales. Fedaa al Nashar, de 23 años, observa un muro con cuatro de sus compañeros de universidad en una de las principales arterias de la capital de Gaza. De repente, sacan los aerosoles y comienzan un colorido grafiti en solidaridad con los presos palestinos en cárceles israelíes en huelga de hambre o para denunciar sus condiciones. “En mi pintura, sean grafitis o retratos, muestro la realidad de la vida diaria del pueblo palestino”, cuenta a Efe Al Nashar, estudiante de Bellas Artes en la Universidad Al Aksa, donde realizó el año pasado una exposición privada de óleos y retratos. La joven opina que los murales callejeros tienen en Palestina una dimensión diferente a las de otros países. Read original at Listin Diario.
(Posted 05:31 Tuesday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 3268 times.)
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Dominican Today -
Junk foods and take-away restaurants have become extremely popular due to the rising demand among people nearly everywhere. A quick bite at a low price is a seductive proposition that’s finger-licking good but unfortunately comes in a bag with health conditions.
The arrival of convenience foods has led to massive increases in obesity, diabetes and heart disease. The skyrocketing rates of these lifestyle-related conditions are among the working middle to upper class. Supermarkets contribute to these problems by offering shoppers the temptation of convenience foods that are high in salt, sugar and animal fat.
Junk foods are filled with preservatives, additives, flavourings, artificial colourings, hydrogenated fats, stabilizers, chemicals, sweeteners, sodium, sugar and calories that are devoid of any original, essential nutrients.
There are nearly six thousand chemicals that food companies add to food products that improve colour, taste and shelf life. Nitrates and nitrites that are used in meat products such as bacon, sausage and ham have been found to contribute to the development of many forms of cancer.
Sodas, sugar-laced beverages and highly processed fruit juices contain a compound called benzoate or benzoic acid. This compound has been found to increase the risks of obesity, diabetes and a host of conditions leading to early mortality.
One of the most dangerous flavourings used is monosodium glutamate (MSG). MSG is a common cause of chest pains, depression, dizziness and mood swings. The vast majority of pre-packaged foods such as pizzas, pastas, snacks, soups, sandwiches, cheeses and meats contain high amounts of sodium that is detrimental to one’s health.
Foods such as fried chicken, pizza, burgers, chips, sandwiches and ice creams contain excessive amounts of addictive sugars, trans fats and calories that bring you back for seconds. Most junk foods are deep fried in unhealthy hydrogenated cooking oils that wreck havoc on one’s immune and cardiovascular systems.
Highly processed, chemical-laden, ready-to-serve, convenience quick-bites offer little-to-no actual nutritional value. They simply fill the stomach temporarily and promote overeating as the body demands useful nutrients.
Research shows junk foods make children miss their daily nutritional requirements of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. This has been found to be a leading cause of behavioural misconduct, ADHD, poor school performance and other deficiencies.
Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer are growing concerns that are directly related to the escalating consumption of junk foods. Type 2 diabetes allows excessive amounts of unusable dietary sugars to circulate around the body creating substantial damage. Diabetic complications include heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, kidney failure and various pain disorders.
Junk foods decrease the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and increase LDL (bad) cholesterol that is a leading cause of clogging of the arteries. Clogged arteries cause damage to the heart and increase one’s risk of body-disabling strokes.
Excessive amounts of salt, sugars, unhealthy saturated fat and trans fat also contribute to high blood pressure. The resultant high blood pressure is a leading cause of kidney damage and failure. LDL cholesterol, fat, salt and sugar can cause excessive damage to the liver as well.
The liver is integral to numerous bodily functions and is the major detoxifying organ in the body. Impaired liver function can cause a variety of symptoms such as digestive problems, immune disorders, abnormal absorption of fats and metabolism complications.
Dr Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.
Email: drcorycouillard@gmail. com
Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard
Twitter: DrCoryCouillard
Read original at 
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo. – The Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) received this past week high praises from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). According to Margie Bauer, the agency’s Attaché for the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica, “BRA executed a US $2 million agricultural community development project using USDA Food for Progress funding. BRA is one of the best partners our office has had in the Dominican Republic and one of the best development NGO I’ve seen in my 25 + years working in developing countries with the U. S. government. ”
Under a FY09 USDA-Food for Progress program, BRA executed a two-year agricultural cooperative project to create food security and economic self-sufficiency for 35,000 people, including farmers living in extreme poverty inside seven sugarcane plantations rural “batey” communities in the province of Monte Plata. “In particular, I was impressed with their success in a sustainable community led rural development project in the poorest of the poor communities in the Dominican Republic, covering all rural issues such as health, water/sanitations, education and agriculture,” added Ms. Bauer.
Ms. Bauer also acknowledged the organization’s ability to secure and incorporate funding from different sources to build an all-encompassing community program. Since 1997, BRA secured US $80 million to develop various programs in preventive health and HIV/AIDS treatment, food security and agriculture, water/sanitations, education, microcredit, women empowerment and disaster relief servicing more than 100,000 people annually in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and now in Peru.
While the USDA funding ended in 2011 with the successful completion of the project, BRA expanded agricultural activities into other farming communities through a new partnership with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Ms. Bauer reflected, “Not only does BRA maintain impeccable accounting under the different and complex USG requirements, it also possess the unusual willingness to learn from and partner with other NGO which resulted in more effective projects. ”
“Their spirit, enthusiasm and passion for what they do, flow out from them and into all who work with them,” concluded Ms. Bauer.
The Batey Relief Alliance, a New York-based non-profit organization, is member of the Clinton Global Initiative and Global Health Council and is associated with the UN Department of Public Information Section.
For more information on BRA’s humanitarian work, visit our website and donate online at www. bateyrelief. org. For regular updates, follow/like on Facebook (http://www. facebook. com/Batey. Relief. Alliance) and Twitter (http://twitter. com/bateyrelief).
Read original at 
Dominican Today -
Brooklyn, NY- When Dany Salas left the Dominican Republic for New York in January 2008 to attend college, he was uncharacteristically silent for the first couple of months in his new country. That’s because he was afraid to speak English; his thick Spanish accent wasn’t understood and he felt self-conscious.
But 25-year-old Salas found a way to remedy the situation and hasn’t looked back. At New York City College of Technology’s (City Tech’s) commencement exercises on Tuesday, June 4, 11:30 a. m. , in Manhattan’s Javits Center, he will march at the front of his class as the College’s 2013 valedictorian. Earning a bachelor of technology degree in computer systems, Salas compiled a grade point average of 3. 93 out of a possible 4. 00 and is graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Commencement will be especially sweet for him because his mother, sister and brother will be part of an audience of nearly 6,000 people who will see him deliver his valedictory address. This will mark the first time in their lives away from the Dominican Republic and the first time Salas will have seen them in more than four years. His father and cousin will also be present.
A key to Salas’ success, besides a keen intelligence and dogged perseverance, is that he makes the most of every opportunity and seems to shine brightest when the competition is most intense.
Take, for instance, the circumstances under which he came to City Tech. Salas acted on an ad he read in a local newspaper in the Dominican Republic that the government’s Ministerio de Educacion Superior, Ciencia y Tecnologia (Department of Higher Education, Science and Technology) was offering full scholarships to study at The City University of New York in the United States. He was one of 48 recipients out of 300 applicants.
In the Dominican Republic, Salas had graduated from a polytechnic high school and had received an associate degree in industrial digital electronics. His interest in computer systems with concentrations in network administration and computer security led him to City Tech.
Arriving here in January 2008, he was placed in English as a Second Language intensive classes for the spring. Despite his problems speaking English, he was hired as a summer camp counselor for seven- and eight-year-old boys and girls. “Some of the kids helped me with my pronunciation and were my toughest teachers. I grew more confident speaking English because of them,” he recalls. At the end of camp, the director said he didn’t think Salas was going to be successful as a counselor, but that he had exceeded expectations. Salas returned the following two summers and was named Counselor of the Year in 2010.
Without his immediate family to help him with the transition to a new country and culture, Salas bonded with several of the other students who had come to the U. S. from the Dominican Republic to attend college and friends he met on his own. “I learned that real friends are like family and can be pillars of support in helping you accomplish your dreams,” he says.
Once he felt at home at City Tech, Salas challenged himself to take a leadership role. He was president of the Computer Club, vice president and founder of the Gay-Straight Alliance, a peer advisor for first-year students, the Microsoft student partner ambassador for the College, a member of the City Tech Honors Scholars Program, and a participant in the Office of Student Life’s annual leadership retreat. “It was my turn to give back to others,” he says about his role as a first-year student advisor. ”
“All these extracurricular activities helped me learn to exercise critical thinking, brainstorming and decision-making skills, how to plan and execute a project, how to listen to people and create synergy to accomplish tasks,” he says. “They taught me how to socialize and increase my network of people, and improve verbal and communication skills among other skills. ” He especially thanks the Office of Student Life & Development’s Director Daniel Fictum and Assistant Director Alice Tucker for their encouragement.
Salas’ accomplishments have been duly noted by Marcela Armoza, City Tech’s vice president of enrollment and student services. “I’ve observed Dany’s journey here with great pride,” she says. “I am absolutely delighted, albeit not surprised at his academic success. He never lost sight of his goals. He is a man of honor and resolve, and a powerful role model for other Latino students. ”
One day Salas saw a flyer tacked to a bulletin board at City Tech about the Goldman Sachs Technology Bridge Program Internship. He applied and was one of seven students accepted for the six-week paid internship, after which he was called back for a 10-week summer internship. Then, he was offered a full-time job. He now works as an information technology analyst for Goldman Sachs in its Jersey City office. His immediate plans are to earn a master’s degree and more certifications in information technology.
“I really like my job,” he says. “I get to use my skills to solve problems for the company and in return I’m given lots of chances for career development and professional growth. My colleagues come from all over the world and eagerly share their experience with me. ”
Salas, who now lives in Jersey City, is passionate about education and technology after working with his City Tech computer systems professors to help promote the FIRST robotic competition among high school students. “I believe there’s a lot of work to do to educate children and young adults to use technology to solve practical problems. I’d like to help develop such a competition for children in the Dominican Republic. ”
Lest he be pegged as a computer geek, Salas really enjoys the arts. His hobbies are playing the guitar, singing and photography. “My parents gave me my first guitar when I was 16 years old and I started guitar classes right away. In about a month I was directing and playing the guitar for a small children’s chorus at my local church. I see music and performing as a challenge -- you can’t be successful at it if you don’t spend time rehearsing and perfecting your craft. ”
Salas and his best friend recently formed LVLUP Entertainment, a songwriting and music production partnership. “We had our first concert back in September and are looking forward to continuing with this project,” he says. “What started as a hobby could possibly become a successful company. ”
One gets the feeling that no matter what Salas tries, he will be successful. “I’ve learned that if you constantly challenge yourself and don’t take anything for granted, you won’t miss out on opportunities. That’s one message I’m going to share with my fellow graduates,” he says.
New York City College of Technology (City Tech) of The City University of New York (CUNY) is the largest public college of technology in New York State. Located at 300 Jay Street in Downtown Brooklyn, the College enrolls more than 16,000 students in 65 baccalaureate, associate and specialized certificate programs.
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Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo- A National District court on Monday handed down an unprecedented setback against Dominican Republic’s Catholic Church, rejected a restraining order against the family planning organization’s (ProFamilia) sex education campaign.
Civil Court 5th Chamber judge Eunice Minaya ruled that the NGO’s sexual education campaign doesn’t violate the fundamental rights of the plaintiff, the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo.
She ruled that ban Pro Familia’s advertisement couldn’t be banned since it’s part of their right to freedom of expression bestowed on every person, without prior censorship, taking special care to protect the youth and family, and the law and public order, “which in this case we haven’t observed that it has been violated. “
The Court ruling also notes that freedom of expression is a delicate ground along which the subjectivity of each person travels, “and it would be dangerous to venture to ban such demonstrations, and although hateful, originate essentially from opposing ideological positions that could lead to removal of our Republic’s freedoms reached with blood and fire. “
The ruling is the first in recent memory against the power of the country’s Catholic Church, which has in the Concordat, a long standing pact with the Dominican Republic.
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The Dominican Sun - Across the Dominican Republic in the last 24 hours the highest observed temperature by DRSol was 90 at Santiago. The coolest reading came from Las Americas with an overnight low of 70. A few spotty light to moderate showers and thunderstorms were reported, the last in Punta Cana at 9PM last night. Skies were generally partly cloudy. Winds are averaging 10 mph from the SE, with a peak gust to 23 mph seen at 1PM yesterday afternoon at Puerto Plata International. By the Numbers DR cities reported rain 18% of the time, and thunderstorms 2%. Average reported rainfall intensity on a scale of 0 to 100 was 38. Cloud cover totaled 49%. Click above to view summaries for the last week or last month. 
Listin Diario - El Programa Intec con los Estudiantes Sobresalientes (PIES), desarrollado por el Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (Intec), cuenta con el respaldo de una importante personalidad. El presidente Danilo Medina, egresado de dicha academia, firmó su apoyo personal al programa, a través de la campaña de donaciones “Pásala por mí”, informó el Intec en un comunicado. “Pásala por mí” permite a egresados, colaboradores y personas solidarias invertir en la educación superior con donaciones a través de sus tarjetas de crédito. Durante su primera visita como presidente al alma máter de donde se graduó de Economía en 1985, Medina se comprometió a auspiciar los estudios universitarios de 32 estudiantes, uno por cada provincia del país. Los becados serán escogidos por la universidad bajo los lineamientos del PIES, que, desde hace 25 años, otorga un promedio de 80 becas anuales a estudiantes sobresalientes, explicó el comunicado del Intec. Medina, reconocido en 2010 como Egresado Destacado, discuti. . . Read original at 
Listin Diario - República Dominicana se prepara para un gran evento tecnológico. Los organizadores están sumergidos en definir cada detalle. No es para menos. Se trata de un tema muy delicado: la seguridad informática para aprender a proteger informaciones virtuales. Sobre el particular habla Raymond Marcelino, representante de Asystec, empresa que patrocina la actividad denominada IT Security Solutions, que, en esta oportunidad, trae como tema central “Seguridad de información y continuidad de negocios”, un evento que apuesta a ofrecer salidas exitosas a los participantes sobre el particular. Cuenta que las orientaciones se ofrecerán a través de charlas y conferencias de la mano de expertos en los distintos tópicos que han de tratar. Marcelino informa que este es el tercer evento tecnológico en el país y que este año los patrocinadores van a ofrecer conferencias, instalarán stands para exposiciones de los nuevos productos que lanzarán al mercado, además de una agenda previa para reuniones de negocio. . . Read original at 