Tourism Policy Push: Tourism Minister David Collado says the Dominican Republic should move beyond just growing arrivals and instead raise hotel rates and tourist spending, arguing that tourism’s gains must translate into better income for Dominicans. Trade & Investment Diplomacy: Dominican Week in France (Oct. 17–22) is set to pair business talks with cultural programming around SIAL Paris, aiming to deepen trade and investment ties. Asonahores Results: The Asonahores 2026 trade expo closed with record scale—323 occupied spaces, 200+ companies, and 5,000+ visitors—highlighting tourism’s wider economic weight. Energy & Public Costs: A Santo Domingo blackout briefly interrupted Vice President Raquel Peña’s remarks on electricity bill increases, as officials point to higher summer consumption and tariff-block effects. Aviation Services: The Civil Aviation Board met VFS Global to improve visa-related services and the traveler experience. Public Safety Drill: The COE will run the nationwide earthquake evacuation drill Sept. 8 at 10 a.m., including a mass alert to mobile phones. Customs Enforcement: Customs seized US$600,700 plus 647,000 pesos at Las Américas after undeclared funds were found. Legal/Investment Win: The DR won an international arbitration case dismissing a French investor’s $100M+ claims tied to a solid-waste concession termination. Health Policy Proposal: Lawyer Ferreras backs a bill to create a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Crisis Intervention Unit in Santo Domingo Este.