Caribbean island nation on Hispaniola, second-largest by area and population in the region.
Eswatini has been hosting up to 160 migrants deported from the United States under third‑country deals, with 19 detained in a Mbabane prison and others abroad. Detainees report crowded conditions; legal challenges argue the agreement bypasses parliament and violates rights. Sierra Leone and other West African nations have also agreed to accept deportees.
A Dominican court has ruled that Wander Franco has been a victim of extortion and blackmail by the minor’s mother, who was sentenced to 10 years for sexually trafficking her daughter. Franco has been exempted from punishment under judicial pardon; full sentencing is set for June 16. MLB says it will review the ruling.
A US-registered Gulfstream G200 Galaxy has crashed near La Romana after declaring an emergency during a return to the Dominican Republic airport. The two crew members have died; MLB star Yadier Molina had been travelling with a group en route to Texas. Investigations are underway with authorities reviewing mechanical failures and weather factors.
California lawmakers are finalizing a $356 billion state budget with Gov. Newsom. A tax package is advancing, including a health care provider tax and a software sales tax, while critics warn of higher costs for families and businesses. The package aims to balance revenue gaps amid federal funding shifts.
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.
Cuba has sustained repeated nationwide blackouts as fuel shortages fuel a deepening grid crisis. The government says restoration is underway but the aging system remains fragile, with daily life and essential services affected across Havana and other provinces.
Global family holidays are cheaper this summer, with UAE, Egypt and other destinations posting price drops of up to 25% as travellers reassess risk amid Middle East tensions. Spain and other European resorts are more expensive, while far-flung destinations show significant savings for August departures.
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.
A roll call of UK outlets and pastry makers features prominently as Edinburgh hosts a new strawberry tart from Eusebi Deli and Restaurant at Bonnie & Wild, marking a pricey but sought-after treat. The tart, topped with Perthshire strawberries, sells out quickly, highlighting what consumers are willing to pay for quality confections.