Dominican

Cars slogged through the flooded streets of Santo Domingo as Tropical Storm Melissa dumped heavy rain and wind gusts up to 80 kilometres per hour. The stom, which also drenched Haiti, is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Friday.

If you’re thinking about a holiday for next summer, the travel experts at Club Med are currently running a limited-time sale on all-inclusive breaks.

As the weather begins to turn cold, many Brits will be daydreaming about their next summer getaway. Even though 2026 is still a few months away, travel gurus at Club Med have already unveiled some limited-time luxury holiday bargains.

From 14th to 17th October 2025, the Club Med Summer Sale gives holidaymakers the opportunity to bag premium all-inclusive holidays at swanky resorts and destinations. Ideal for early birds keen to pencil in next year’s holiday, the booking period covers stays from 30th May to 27th November 2026.

The seasonal offer includes up to 20% off premium rooms, including deluxe rooms, suites, and villas, and up to 15% off standard superior rooms, with minimum stays of three nights (five nights during the October half-term) and maximum stays of 28 nights. Little ones under six stay for free, and bookings can be secured with a low deposit starting at £150 per person.

Holidaymakers can escape the winter gloom with a vibrant trip to Marrakech in January. Swap grey skies for golden sunsets, bustling souks and the intoxicating scent of spices wafting through the air.

With agreeable daytime temperatures and fewer crowds, the winter months are a fantastic time to explore the Moroccan city. As part of its Dream Deals promotion, Club Med is offering a five-night stay from £1,001 per person, reported the Manchester Evening News.

Save up to 20% at Club Med resorts

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Club Med is offering money off Dream Deals, Skiing holidays, winter sun and summer holidays for 2025-26

Marrakech is the ideal destination to kick off the new year feeling refreshed and revitalised. The all-inclusive deal features a lavish stay at the Marrakech La Palmeraie, an Exclusive Collection Space boasting elegant suites with enduring appeal, nestled within verdant gardens and encircled by the splendour of Moroccan artistry.

There’s also a Family Oasis providing spacious accommodation crafted for unforgettable holidays with little ones, delivering a vital fusion of contemporary comfort and heritage.

Kids under six journey at no cost on selected breaks and room enhancements are on offer for an extra fee. Holidaymakers who have already experienced the Moroccan magic of Club Med have awarded it a 4.5 out of five-star rating on TripAdvisor.

One visitor shared their experience and highlights. They said: “Little paradise in Riad. High-quality Service, perfect and delicious catering before resting in comfortable suites.”

Another commented: “Club Med Marrakech is always a perfect place. The setting is beautiful: the gardens are very well-maintained, and the common areas are very clean. The food is excellent and the bar team is always on top.”

A third simply branded it: “A magnificent site with an exceptional team.” However, one holidaymaker who wasn’t entirely convinced noted that they were unhappy with a transfer delay.

They said: “We waited for almost two hours for the transfer to the club and then more than an hour for our pick-up, because it had not been prepared.” For those looking to bask in some winter sun, Club Med Dream Deals are offering exotic getaways to Phuket, Bali and Cancun.

Ski enthusiasts can bag a 15% discount on holidays in Grand Massif and Serre-Chevalier in France, as well as Italy’s Piedmont region. Club Med is also dishing out hefty discounts for summer 2026 holidays, including lavish breaks at its brand-new South African resort.

Set to open its doors on 4 July 2026, the resort offers a beachside retreat coupled with a safari adventure, featuring Club Med’s first-ever surf school. Situated in KwaZulu-Natal, five minutes from Durban.

The resort provides direct beach access and the opportunity to extend your stay with a one to three-night safari experience at Mpilo Lodge. Here, guests can embark on two daily game drives and spot the Big Five in their natural surroundings.

A hit with UK families, the revamped Punta Cana Resort in the Dominican Republic now offers even more. Perfect for summer holidays, it now boasts Club Med’s largest water park with over 20 slides and splash zones, plus a luxurious spa.

Holidaymakers also have the option to upgrade to a premium all-inclusive experience, which includes gourmet dining, drinks, sports and activities. Kids Clubs for children aged four and above are included, although there is an additional cost for under-fours.

The Club Med property in Punta Cana boasts an impressive 4.4-star rating on TripAdvisor. One guest remarked: “It was way better than my expectations. Definitely recommend this resort to every family with kids. I took golf and tennis lessons there with my wife, and the instructor knew what they’re doing.”

One holidaymaker shared their glowing review: “I had an amazing experience during my stay at Club Med Punta Cana. The resort itself is beautiful – the beach, the activities, and the atmosphere make it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy. The staff truly go above and beyond to make you feel welcome.”

However, not every piece of feedback was completely glowing. A visitor highlighted some disadvantages: “There is a ton of seaweed on the beach these days, which is a bummer, and the music is a bit too loud for my taste, but I am told this will change once the renovations are completed this Fall. However, overall, the value of what is included (everything) and the quality of service can not be beat.”

Autumn is consistently a favoured time of year for planning ahead. Should Club Med getaways not quite fit the bill, Jet2 is providing up to £240 off summer holidays for 2026, featuring premium resorts as part of the Indulgent Escapes collection and complimentary child places.

For travellers watching their pennies, On The Beach has recently launched its 2026 summer holiday offers. There are numerous bargains to be discovered, but a seven-night break in Spain departing from Manchester in June starts from £240 per person.

Club Med is offering a pre-registration for Summer 2026 bookings until 10 October 2025 via their pre-booking page. The main sales period will run from 14 to 17 October, with offers available on the Summer Holiday Deals page.

Don’t call him a traveler. Chad Baker-Mazara said that his journey through four universities allowed him to land in the place he had been looking for since the beginning of his college basketball adventure.

Baker-Mazara, 25, arrived at USC in May. The veteran is hoping to help lead young players in the locker room and on the court after joining his fifth team since 2020.

He began his journey with at Duquesne in 2020-21, then moved on to San Diego State for the 2021-22 season in search of a better fit on the roster. He fell behind academically in San Diego and was dismissed from the team when he couldn’t catch up on classwork. Baker-Mazara then traveled to the East Coast to play for Northwest Florida State College during the 2022-23 season while getting back on track academically before landing a spot on the Auburn roster during the 2023-25 seasons.

It has been a unique journey, but he is confident that he will write the most important chapter of his basketball career with the Trojans during the upcoming season.

USC’s Chad Baker-Mazara, center, shouts from the sideline during a workout at the Galen Center.

(Ringo Chiu/Los Angeles Times)

Born in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, he grew up under the influence of his father, who played basketball for the Dominican national team and in several international leagues. From a young age, Baker-Mazara knew he wanted to play basketball.

“My dad was my first coach, my role model. Watching him play left a lasting impression on me,” Baker-Mazara told L.A. Times en Español.

Although he tried other sports, including soccer and baseball, basketball was his favorite. His dream of playing at higher levels began to pick up momentum as a teenager when he moved to New Jersey. He played at Colonia High School and later at SPIRE Academy, where he began to gain national recognition.

His college career has been anything but linear. He started at Duquesne, where as a freshman he averaged 9.5 points per game and had some outstanding performances. Then came his stint at San Diego State, where he was Sixth Man of the Year in the Mountain West Conference. He then dropped down to the junior college level with Northwest Florida State College and was instrumental in the team winning the NJCAA national championship. There, he exploded offensively, averaging over 15 points per game and shooting 46.9% from the three-point line.

His performance opened the door to Auburn. In two seasons with the Tigers, he established himself as a starter and key player. He contributed defense, maturity and efficiency from the perimeter. In his second year, he averaged 12.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, helping Auburn reach the Final Four. During the semifinals against Michigan State, a hand injury temporarily halted hims plans to jump to the professional level.

“I was going to declare for the draft this year, but with the injury, I wouldn’t be able to show my best,” he said.

Baker-Mazara, a versatile 6-foot-7 athlete who can play guard and forward, decided to recover completely and give college basketball one last shot.

After Auburn reportedly offered Baker-Mazara’s teammate nearly twice as much as his name, image and likeness deal, he entered the transfer portal. USC coach Eric Musselman landed a player widely regarded as the biggest loss from an SEC roster during the offseason.

USC’s Chad Baker-Mazara, right, drives to the basket during a practice at the Galen Center.

(Ringo Chiu/Los Angeles Times)

“He’s a proven winner and will be a player that we can play all over the floor,” Musselman said shortly after Baker-Mazara signed with USC. “… Chad plays with incredible passion and emotion that can lift a home crowd.”

Baker-Mazara considers his arrival at USC the symbolic end of a cycle.

“When I was younger, I came to visit the university with my aunt, who graduated from here,” he said. “I saw Nikola Vucevic walking around campus and said to myself, ‘I want to play here someday.’”

Now that dream is a reality.

He is being mentored by Musselman, who previously was an NBA head coach. Baker-Mazara is pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies with minors in sports coaching, Spanish and sociology.

“He pushes us to be united on and off the court,” Baker-Mazara said of Musselman. “He wants there to be a real connection between us as a group. And you can tell that the guys want to compete and win together.”

Baker-Mazara is working to thrive in the spotlight, not only for himself and his family but for others who might be inspired by his journey. He is proud to be a high-profile Dominican player at an American college, a space with limited Latino representation.

“Every year there are more Latinos knocking on doors,” he said. “The important thing is that when you get there, you’re not just representing your country, but the entire Latino community. I want people to understand that I’m not the same on and off the court. Out there, on the court, we are rivals. My dream is at stake, and I’m going all out. … Many may not like my mentality because I believe that if you and I are fighting for that plate of food, I will do everything possible to prevent you from taking that plate. On the court, we are enemies.”

With the unrest created by immigration raids in Southern California, Baker-Mazara wants to serve as an example of an immigrant who makes positive contributions.

“When I got here, they made it very difficult for me,” he said of his arrival in the U.S. “They didn’t want to let me play or anything like that. And I, naturally, lowered my head, focused and set my sights on myself, and look where I am now, thank God. So I tell everyone, even if it’s more difficult, even if it seems impossible, try. Impossible is just a word, that’s if you put it there yourself.”

One of the role models Baker-Mazara admires is Hansel Emmanuel, the young Dominican who lost his left arm in an accident at the age of 6 when a wall of concrete blocks collapsed on him. Today, he competes at the highest level of college basketball.

“It was a shock to the whole country when that happened, because Hansel was always a talented kid. That accident caused a lot of noise there. From a young age, you could tell he was different,” said Baker-Mazara, who has known Emmanuel since childhood because their parents were friends.

Emmanuel was not selected in the NBA draft, but he signed a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets.

USC’s Chad Baker-Mazara shoots during a practice at the Galen Center.

(Ringo Chiu/Los Angeles Times )

“What I admire most about him is his mindset,” Baker-Mazara said of Emmanuel. “He never let what might seem like a disadvantage get him down. He pushed forward and kept working. Today he is where he is because he never took no for an answer. And even though I’m older than him, I often look up to him as an example, as someone whose footsteps I want to follow.”

Their relationship remains strong even though they don’t talk every day.

“He’s like a little brother to me,” said Baker-Mazara. “We live 15 minutes away from each other when we’re at home. He knows that with one phone call, he can count on me.”

Baker-Mazara also counts Kobe Bryant as a major source of inspiration.

“Kobe died the day before my birthday,” Baker-Mazara said. “Since that year, I haven’t even celebrated that day. It was like losing a family member.”

Bryant’s No. 24 jersey had a profound impact on Baker-Mazara’s life.

USC’s Chad Baker-Mazara, center, extends his arm in the air while playing defense during a workout at the Galen Center.

(Ringo Chiu/Los Angeles Times)

“Apart from my dad, Kobe was one of the reasons I took up basketball,” Baker-Mazara said. “It was one of my dreams for him to come and see me play. It didn’t happen, but I feel like he’s here in spirit. This is his city. This is Kobe Bryant.”

Baker-Mazara tries to emulate the Mamba Mentality in his daily routine, in the way he competes and faces challenges.

If he doesn’t make it to the NBA, Baker-Mazara plans to seek professional playing opportunities internationally.

“I come from Santo Domingo. I’m not afraid to play in any country,” he said. “As long as I can feed my family and set an example for my little sister, I’ll keep going.”

This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español.

Dominican authority says 17 other refugees and migrants rescued from the boat heading for Puerto Rico, a US territory.

Four refugees and migrants have died and about 20 were missing after their boat capsized off the coast of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean, authorities said, as Haitians and Dominicans continue to take life-threatening risks to make the crossing to what they hope is a better life.

The Dominican civil defence authority was quoted by AFP news agency as saying on Friday that 17 other people were rescued from the boat, which was carrying about 40 people and headed for Puerto Rico, a United States territory.

The Caribbean nation’s navy said it had rescued 10 Dominicans and seven Haitians. A child was among the survivors.

So-called “yola” migrant boats, such as the one that ran into trouble, are constructed from wood or fibreglass and do not comply with safety regulations, according to authorities.

Refugees and migrants pay as much as $7,000 for a one-way trip to Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with crisis-torn Haiti.

Illegal migration from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico has been a growing phenomenon in the last decade.

In 2022, at least five people drowned and another 66 were rescued in an incident involving a suspected human smuggling boat near the uninhabited island of Mona, west of Puerto Rico.

Mona Island, a nature reserve, is located between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and has, over the years, been used by smugglers carrying people between the two. Those on that route are typically Dominican or Haitian.

The Dominican Republic has deported nearly 150,000 people it claims are of Haitian descent since October 2024. Many of them are unaccompanied minors or people born in the Dominican Republic but stripped of citizenship in 2013. While officials say they are enforcing immigration laws, a recent Al Jazeera documentary points to a deeper history of anti-Blackness and anti-Haitian sentiment on the island.

May 30 (UPI) — More than 200,000 undocumented migrants have left the Dominican Republic this year, including at least 145,000 Haitians deported by immigration authorities.

The figure marks a 70% increase from the same period last year and is part of a plan by President Luis Abinader and the National Security and Defense Council to reduce the number of undocumented migrants in the country.

The Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Migration has stepped up immigration operations and deportations of Haitians since October 2024, when a new immigration law took effect.

International organizations have raised concerns about the impact deportations have had on the Haitian community in the Dominican Republic. Many people now live in fear of being detained and expelled, which has limited their access to basic services such as healthcare and education.

The Caribbean nation has barred entry to pregnant Haitian women in their third trimester, saying its healthcare system cannot cover the cost of childbirth for undocumented foreigners.

The United Nations condemned the deportation of 900 pregnant or breastfeeding Haitian women from the Dominican Republic in recent months.

U.N. Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the International Organization for Migration provided assistance at the border to an average of 30 such women each month during their deportation, calling the practice a violation of international standards.

Dujarric added that nearly 20,000 Haitians were repatriated from the Dominican Republic between April and May 2025, the highest number on record for that time period.

The Dominican Republic has tightened its immigration policy by partially closing its border with Haiti and building a 160-kilometer border wall equipped with sensors, cameras and watchtowers. The government said the measures aim to curb irregular migration, smuggling and insecurity.

The DGM defended the immigration operations, saying they comply with human rights standards.

“Our actions are carried out with strict respect for the fundamental rights of those involved, ensuring dignified treatment, proper safety and hygiene conditions, and due process in accordance with national and international human rights standards,” the agency said in a press release.

Haiti is facing one of the worst crises in its recent history, marked by widespread violence from armed gangs that control more than 80% of Port-au-Prince. These groups have carried out attacks on public institutions, mass killings, and prison breaks, displacing more than 1 million people and leaving the transitional government, led by the Presidential Transitional Council under Fritz Alphonse Jean, in collapse.

The insecurity has overwhelmed Haiti’s health system, forcing hospital closures, driving medical professionals to flee the country, and triggering outbreaks of diseases such as cholera. The crisis is compounded by severe food insecurity, with more than 5 million people struggling to access adequate food and thousands living in famine conditions.