Dominican Republic

Samuel Tunick, an activist, faces federal charges after a January 2025 search by Customs and Border Protection agents at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The indictment alleges that he destroyed digital contents on a Google Pixel phone to prevent government seizure. His attorneys filed motions arguing that his Miranda rights were ignored during the questioning.

Atlanta activist Samuel Tunick was charged with destruction of evidence for using a duress password to delete his phone's data during a warrantless border search by federal agents. The case highlights a legal loophole allowing warrantless cellphone searches at international ports of entry under the Fourth Amendment's border exception, which critics argue fails to account for the privacy implications of modern smartphones.

An NYPD officer died in the Dominican Republic due to complications following breast implant removal surgery. A news outlet in the Dominican Republic reported her death there from surgical complications.

An NYPD cop died after a botched implant removal procedure in the Dominican Republic, according to a grieving family statement.

Rebecca De Paula, an NYPD officer and mother of three, died in a clinic in Santo Domingo after undergoing surgery to remove breast implants. Her family is demanding a malpractice investigation.

Venezuela and the Dominican Republic have agreed to a plan to restore diplomatic relations that were cut off following a contested vote in 2024.

The Dominican Republic’s sole zoo is housing confiscated illegal and smuggled animals, including crocodiles, flamingos, and tigers, as seizures of exotic species rise. Authorities seized 188 animals last year compared to 30 in 2023, with flamingos often taken illegally for hotels and private owners, sometimes with wings amputated. The zoo rehabilitates animals for release but faces capacity and funding challenges.

Mexico leads the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in the Dominican Republic with 106 medals after five days, building momentum for the 2028 Olympics. The Games, celebrating their centennial, feature over 6,000 athletes from 37 countries competing in 40 sports, with Mexico dominating in taekwondo, skeet shooting, and open water swimming.

The Dominican Republic's national electricity grid recorded a record demand of 4,203 megawatts on July 28, 2026, driven by a summer heat wave and increased economic activity. This marks the fourth record electricity demand this month.

The Dominican Republic's short-term rental inventory surged 226% since 2018, reaching nearly 57,000 properties. This growth is shifting tourist spending away from traditional hotels and prompting regulatory efforts by tax authorities and the tourism ministry.

A new 12.5% US forced-labor tariff on Dominican goods took effect July 24. The Dominican Republic is negotiating to reduce the tariff. The article appeared first on The Rio Times.

The Dominican Republic's economy grew 6.4% in June, its strongest month of 2026, driven by a construction and mining boom.

Dominican Republic's GDP grew 4.1% in Q1 2026, up from 2.2% in 2025. The Central Bank projects 4.0-5.0% annual growth, while the IMF forecasts 4.5%. The government approved a supplementary budget for additional public investment, and foreign direct investment (FDI) reached record levels.

A man was arrested after a 27-year-old woman died following her visit to a wellness center in the Bronx. The suspect is licensed in the Dominican Republic but not in the United States.

A 27-year-old woman in New York City died after receiving an anti-aging serum injection at a holistic wellness center. The doctor administering the treatment is licensed in the Dominican Republic but not in the United States.

Wild videos have captured an employee attacking guests and a co-worker at a luxury hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The incident occurred at a resort, as reported in the article.

Hilton and Blu Terrenas are developing a luxury resort and mixed-use project in Las Terrenas, Samaná Province, Dominican Republic. The Almare Beach Resort Las Terrenas, Curio by Hilton, is set to open in 2028 as part of a 3-million-square-metre development featuring up to 2,500 residential units and multiple hotels.

Punta Cana is expanding as a secondary hub for the Americas through a 19-route expansion by low-cost carrier Arajet, including new service to Guatemala. The US$22 million Samaná Bayport cruise terminal, inaugurated by Vice President Raquel Peña, has opened to accommodate large cruise ships.

The Dominican Senate increased the corporate tax rate to 30% for companies with annual revenues exceeding DOP 1 billion (about US$17 million), a temporary measure effective for tax years 2026–2028 before reverting to 27%. The higher rate applies only to large firms meeting the revenue threshold.

Pakistan's government has mandated Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for upcoming 800MW power auctions to address grid stability and duck-curve challenges. The Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) proposed the requirement, requiring a minimum 10% BESS capacity with solar or wind projects, citing improved financial returns and grid flexibility.

A 22-year-old from the Dominican Republic, who attended Bryant & Stratton University and earned an Associate's degree with honors in 2024, was detained by ICE in Clifton Park, N.Y. He is currently a student-athlete at Savannah State University.

New York City hosted the largest maritime gathering in US history for America's 250th birthday, featuring ships from 20 countries and two active-duty US Navy ships. The event, organized by Sail4th 250, included a parade of tall ships and public tours of naval vessels from July 3 to July 8, 2026.

The Dominican Republic sold its first green bond, raising $750 million from international investors. The bond was priced at 6.70 percent, attracting six times the demand compared to the amount offered.

The Dominican Republic holds a 10 percent stake in Guyana’s onshore Berbice oil block, with six months to begin fieldwork before operations must start by late 2026. The stake was acquired without upfront cash through state refiner Refidomsa.

ESPN retracted a story linking former Bears defensive tackle Mike Pennel to the death of Dominican woman Carli Franchesca Guzman Roche after Pennel's representatives provided documentation proving he was not in the Dominican Republic when she disappeared. Pennel's lawyer stated his client was in Denver in September 2021 and shared surveillance footage showing trespassers on his Dominican property, which police had not previously seen.

A 25-year-old woman met a Dominican man on Hinge, but raised concerns about his suspicious behavior, including claiming ignorance of her U.S. origin despite no location changes. She has been in daily contact with him for months, and despite red flags, she plans to visit him alone in the Dominican Republic in August. Her family fears she may be a victim of a romance scam or dangerous situation.

Back-to-back earthquakes of magnitudes 7.1 and 7.5 struck Venezuela, collapsing buildings in Caracas and prompting tsunami alerts for the Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. The quakes, centered near Morón, caused widespread damage, with residents reporting collapsed structures and emergency vehicles responding to injuries.

Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.1 and 7.5 magnitudes, struck Venezuela, collapsing buildings in Caracas and triggering tsunami alerts for the Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Authorities reported injuries and urged emergency response coordination, while residents described intense shaking and structural damage.

President Luis Abinader signed Law 30-26, increasing the tax rate for the Dominican Republic's largest companies to 30% from 27% for three years. The law targets firms with annual revenue exceeding 1 billion pesos (about $17 million), affecting just under 1% of companies, including foreign entities.

A massive fire nearly destroyed the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham resort in the Dominican Republic, forcing the evacuation of 1,690 tourists. An Italian tourist died, and several others required medical assistance. The fire spread rapidly due to wind and a thatched roof, with the cause under investigation.

A massive fire in the Dominican Republic resort town of Bayahibe resulted in at least one Italian tourist's death and several injuries. Over 1,690 people were evacuated from the area.

A massive fire in the Dominican Republic resort town of Bayahibe resulted in at least one tourist death and several injuries, prompting the evacuation of 1,690 people. The incident occurred on Friday.

A large fire has almost completely destroyed a luxury resort in the Dominican Republic, forcing the evacuation of nearly 1,700 tourists.

A deadly fire at the Wyndham Dominicus Beach hotel in Bayahíbe, Dominican Republic, killed at least one person. The resort is located in La Altagracia Province, approximately 40 miles west of Punta Cana.

A massive fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel in the Dominican Republic's Bayahibe killed at least one Italian tourist, Francesca Valentino, and injured nine others. Authorities evacuated 1,690 tourists, citing rapid fire spread due to flammable palm roof structures and wind. Guests were relocated to nearby undamaged hotels, and tourist activities in the area remain operational.

A massive fire destroyed a luxury resort in the Dominican Republic, forcing the evacuation of nearly 1,700 tourists. An Italian tourist died, and several others required medical assistance. The cause is under investigation, with authorities noting rapid fire spread due to wind and thatched roofing.

Francesca Valentino, an Italian woman, was killed in a fire at a Dominican Republic resort that forced 1,700 people to evacuate. She was visiting the island where she previously met her husband.

A massive fire nearly destroyed the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham resort in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, forcing the evacuation of 1,690 tourists. An Italian tourist died, and several others required medical assistance. The fire spread rapidly due to wind and a thatched roof, though the nearby Dominicus Palace resort remained undamaged.

A fire at a four-star beach resort in the Dominican Republic killed one woman and forced the evacuation of about 1,700 tourists, destroying most of the hotel.

A massive fire destroyed a luxury resort in the Dominican Republic, forcing the evacuation of nearly 1,700 tourists. An Italian tourist died, and several others required medical assistance. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with authorities citing rapid spread due to wind and a thatched roof.