Judicial Shake-Up: Supreme Court judge María Garabito Ramírez notified President Luis Abinader and the CNM she won’t take part in the magistrates’ evaluation, meaning she stays in office until a replacement is sworn in. Top Court Personnel: Supreme Court president Luis Henry Molina and judge Nancy I. Salcedo Fernández also said they won’t seek renewal, reshaping the CNM evaluation process. New Legal Rules: The Dominican Republic’s new Penal Code takes effect, adding penalties for defamation on social media and expanding anti-corruption measures. Politics & Elections: Citizens largely rejected allowing police and military personnel to vote in presidential elections, citing corruption and the role of the armed forces. Migration & Security: The Dominican Migration directorate said it’s intensifying efforts against networks that facilitate irregular migration, including transport, housing, and evasion routes. Health Cooperation: “Friendship 2026” launched in La Vega with U.S. Air Force medical teams working alongside Dominican hospitals for two weeks of free care and training. Economy & Trade: CONEP’s Celso Juan Marranzini warned a 12.5% U.S. tariff could hit DR exports unless the country secures preferential access tied to nearshoring. Labor Data Push: Mexico’s INEGI is helping the Ministry of Labor modernize labor statistics and monitoring systems. Business & Tourism: Santo Domingo marked 528 years as the historic capital, while the government launched a national forum for Meta RD 2036 to target doubling the economy by 2036. Sports: DR hosted the UNI Américas trade union forum, and Santo Domingo’s Central American and Caribbean Games continued amid heat and major results.