Caribbean island state sharing Hispaniola with Haiti, a diverse economy and culture
California lawmakers have advanced a $356 billion budget plan, negotiating with Gov. Gavin Newsom. The package includes taxes on health-care providers and software, plus potential costs to private health plans. Democrats defend the measures as strengthening finances amid federal revenue losses; Republicans warn of higher costs for hospitals, businesses, and families.
A collection of new court decisions and political moves are reshaping birthright citizenship in the US and Canada, while individual cases highlight bureaucratic gaps that leave some adoptees and migrants in limbo. The developments come amid ongoing legal battles and policy debates about who belongs where.
A Jackson County Circuit Court ruling largely sides with abortion rights advocates, finding many state abortion restrictions conflict with Missouri’s 2024 constitutional amendment that guarantees reproductive freedom. The decision allows Planned Parenthood to resume certain services and sets up further appeals and ballot debates.
Jamaica has signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. DHS to accept up to 25 third-country migrants every two weeks. The arrangement is non-detention, with housing details to be determined, and costs to be covered by the U.S. It faces opposition from Jamaica’s opposition party and echoes wider Caribbean diplomacy over third-country deportations.
A blaze at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, has killed one Italian tourist and forced the evacuation of about 1,700 guests and staff. Firefighters have controlled the flames, and investigations into the cause are ongoing. The Dominicus Palace resort nearby was not affected.
A massive fire at the Viva Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, has forced the evacuation of about 1,700 tourists and staff. Authorities confirm one Italian national has died after smoke inhalation; others have been relocated to hotels in Punta Cana and Bayahibe. Investigations into the fire’s cause are underway, with wind and thatch-roof construction cited as factors.
The United States has mobilized disaster relief for Venezuela after 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck near Caracas. Washington has dispatched a disaster assistance team and pledged $150 million, while other nations offer help. The earthquakes have caused severe damage and casualties, prompting international calls for rapid humanitarian response.
Which? has tested Tripadvisor’s AI hotel review summaries and found they downplay serious safety and hygiene complaints. Across Cape Verde, the Dominican Republic and Turkey, guests report food-poisoning, lack of running water and sexual harassment, while AI overviews label some hotels as “spotless” and “friendly.” Tripadvisor says summaries are snapshots, not replacements for full reviews, and cites safeguards.
Athletes from tennis to football are expanding into business ventures after retirement. Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal are building portfolios in health, hospitality and education, underscoring a trend of athletes leveraging fame into long-term ventures. Nadal's Zel Hotels and Sharapova's Sugarpova highlight a shift toward diversified brands.
Since January, a U.S. oil blockade has cut most foreign fuel shipments to Cuba and has pushed the island into its worst energy and economic crisis in decades. Repeated nationwide blackouts have occurred, hospitals and transport are strained, tourism has collapsed and Havana has approved limited economic reforms while secret U.S. intelligence and diplomatic contacts continue.
Prices for holidays to the UAE and Egypt have fallen while costs for Spain, Portugal and Greece have risen. UK families are reassessing trips amid the Iran conflict, with some cancelling Dubai holidays and seeking alternatives, and overall August 2026 pricing shows European packages edging higher.
Bank of America data show US host cities are seeing on-the-ground economic impact from the World Cup, with restaurants and bars leading spending gains and hotel revenues rising in several markets, though results vary by city and broader inflation weighs on sentiment.
MLB has circulated proposals for a cap and payroll floor as players push back. The league argues the changes are needed to restore competitive balance, while players warn the plan could curb top earners and disrupt star players’ schedules during the All-Star period.
The rising cost of ice cream in Britain has become a flashpoint between luxury indulgence and everyday treat. Prices for scoops and tubs vary widely, with premium parlours expanding while traditional ice-cream vans shrink. The sector has grown in the 2020s, yet operators face high fuel, insurance and maintenance costs.
A framework for talks between Venezuela’s government and opposition has been agreed, focusing on reforming the judiciary, transparency in the use of frozen assets, and a potential path to elections. High-level discussions include bringing in reforms to the Supreme Tribunal of Justice and the National Electoral Council, while addressing post-earthquake relief and disaster recovery.
A French boy injured in the 2019 London attack has left hospital and begun returning to school ahead of the new term. His GoFundMe has raised over £500,000 for medical care as his family reports continued rehabilitation and plans for a busy summer.
A 12-day Sri Lanka group tour, chronicled by a solo traveler, shows how organised trips now attract millennials while highlighting social dynamics, logistical hiccups, and evolving bonds with local guides. The narrative follows the writer’s shift from solo exploration to extended travel after meeting a guide, amid a backdrop of scenic sites and practical challenges.
Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering after allegedly obtaining a $1.5 million COVID-19 loan for his tire business and diverting funds to cover mortgages and his campaign. He appeared in federal court and was released under conditions; prosecutors say the fraud raised concerns about public trust.
Infantino is facing a leadership crisis as CONCACAF, UEFA and AFC push for his resignation amid a failed World Cup privatization plan. He is meeting Dominican officials while allies seek to rally support and counter moves to unseat him ahead of the March 2021 presidential election. FIFA has not commented on ongoing requests for change.
Audrey Werro leads as the Diamond League heads to Zurich, with Keely Hodgkinson withdrawing due to readiness concerns. Dos Santos and Russell have set world-leading times, while Duplantis and Karalis push for 6.32m in pole vault.
Gianni Infantino faces mounting pressure after reports of his aborted plan to secure private investment for FIFA tournaments surface; fans and multiple confederations are demanding his resignation, with UE...
Six Nordic associations have united to back UEFA and call for Infantino’s resignation, while pressing for an independent review of FIFA’s governance after plans to privatize World Cup profits faced global pushback.
Fifa has shelved the Forward Enterprise plan amid fierce opposition from UEFA and other bodies. Ceferin calls for Infantino to quit; EU associations warn against selling football to private investors. The plan is dead, but governance tensions persist as Infantino seeks support ahead of a potential fourth term.
Ceferin has said he is not pursuing Infantino’s FIFA presidency but warns Infantino faces mounting pressure and could step down or face a leadership challenge as several confederations threaten a no‑confidence vote. The comments come amid reports of growing discontent over plans for private investment in FIFA tournaments.
Players linked to FIFA’s Players’ Voice panel have issued a united statement calling for structural reform at FIFA amid Infantino’s private-investor plan for the World Cup. The move follows mounting backlash from confederations and several national bodies. The signatories urge a real voice for players and fans in how football is run.
The administration has ended Temporary Protected Status for Haiti and other nations, and deportations are expanding. ICE has shifted from criminal targeting to people in limbo, asylum seekers, and long-term residents, with thousands already detained or facing removal as flights increase and new detention capacity is built.
In Zurich, Dos Santos and Russell set world records in sprint hurdles, with Werro nearing a 800m world record. Duplantis clears 6.25m in a high-stakes pole vault, as Wanyonyi claims a world-leading 800m time; crowd witnesses multiple all-time moments.
UEFA has escalated pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino after revealing a criminal mismanagement complaint in Switzerland related to a failed bid to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. The move follows a broader backlash from FIFA member bodies amid concerns over a $4.2 billion investment plan that would have paid out to federations. Infantino has not indicated he will step down, and election remains scheduled for March 2027.
Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been moved to a US facility after a January capture in Caracas. They face drug-trafficking and weapons charges; a June 2027 trial date has been set, with prosecutors seeking long prison terms.
US carriers are returning to Ben Gurion, expanding seats as demand climbs for the Jewish New Year and holidays. Despite new capacity, fares remain high through autumn, with relief not expected until November as demand shifts post-election.