Latest news with #DominicanRepublic
Fox News
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Controversial national anthem singer at Dodgers game says she's received death threats
Vanessa Hernández, known by her stage name Nezza, sang a Spanish rendition of the United States' national anthem at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night, and she claimed the team wished she did not. Now, the singer is saying she has since received death threats for her performance. Nezza, wearing a Dominican Republic shirt while performing, posted a video on TikTok of a team employee telling her, "We are going to do the song in English today." Nezza decided to sing the Spanish version anyway, saying in a later TikTok video that it was in response to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence in Los Angeles that has led to protests and unrest in the city. She said the backlash she has received has been harmful. "That's just the internet. That's going to come with something like that. Anything that involves politics is going to include a death threat here and there," Nezza said to TMZ Sports. "The main thing I've seen seeing is that it's disrespectful. I don't think it's disrespectful, because the lyrics are still the same exact lyrics as the English version. If both songs were made into a music video, it'd be the exact music video. "I'm a proud American. I was born here, raised here, my dreams came true here in L.A. I think being a proud American and still wanting better for your country can still be the same truth, and I think people are forgetting that." Nezza said she has also received support from celebrities in the Latin community, which "outweighs" the hate. "It's been really sweet to see people you idolize be on the right side of history…" she said. "I already knew in my heart what I did was right, but this just triple-confirms it." In the aforementioned TikTok, Nezza said she "just felt like I needed to" sing the Spanish version - but now she does "not feel welcome back" at Dodger Stadium. Other Los Angeles-based professional sports teams have taken a stance, including the NWSL's Angely City F.C., which gave fans "Immigrant City Football Club" T-shirts at their game on Saturday. Players were also seen warming up with the t-shirts on before their match to show support for those protesting. Nezza's Spanish rendition of the anthem came on the day of numerous "No Kings" protests, which were against the military parade in Washington, D.C., that coincided with President Donald Trump's birthday, across the country. Trump's birthday was also the 250th birthday celebration of the United States Army. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Associated Press
7 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Sustainability at Sea: How DP World Is Charting a Green Future for Maritime Trade
As the global maritime industry navigates the accelerating demands of sustainability, DP World is anchoring itself at the center of change. With a footprint spanning 74 countries and over 114,000 employees, our mission – to make trade flow – carries a critical mandate: it must flow sustainably. At the heart of this transformation lies a bold but pragmatic approach to port and vessel decarbonization. Through the ' Our World, Our Future,' sustainability strategy, we are committed to decarbonizing our port terminals, logistics, and marine services by 2030. Achieving net-zero emission by 2050 is our north star. Through our work, DP World is proving that environmental leadership and operational resilience are not opposing forces, but powerful allies. Electrification on the Front Lines of Port Decarbonization In Vancouver, DP World's Centerm terminal stands as a national first by providing shore power – also known as 'cold ironing' – to docked vessels. There, container ships can shut down their auxiliary diesel engines and plug into the local electrical grid while berthed – cutting emissions by up to 80%. This is a model for how port electrification improves air quality for nearby communities while supporting long-term climate goals. Centerm is not alone. Globally, our terminals are transitioning to electric cranes, yard equipment, and terminal tractors as part of our dedicated equipment electrification capital plane. In the Dominican Republic, we became the first port operator in Latin America to develop a charging station for our electric truck fleet. The station is powered by 100% renewable energy and is used to charge our fleet of 20 fully electric internal transport vehicles (ITVs). Earlier this year, we celebrated a major sustainability milestone when the trucks traveled more than 740,000 kilometers - the equivalent of 18 zero-emission trips around the world – avoiding more than 2,400 tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions. Around the world, we are proud to have achieved 100% renewable energy at our operations in Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Germany, the Netherlands, Serbia, and Dry Docks World in the UAE. Internal carbon pricing now guides capital investments, ensuring environmental gains are paired with financial discipline. Driving Emissions Down at Sea: Marine Services Innovation While port operations evolve, DP World's marine fleet is transforming. With over 120 vessels handling 16,000+ port calls each year, this is where small efficiency gains yield massive emissions reductions. We've introduced new ships that run on cleaner-burning methanol, upgraded vessels for greater efficiency, and improved routes to achieve measurable fuel savings. In 2023, we launched the first hybrid-electric ferry in the UK, Pioneer, which runs on a combination of traditional diesel fuel and electric battery power. A second hybrid-electric ferry, Liberte, came online in 2024. We're not betting on a single technology. From biofuels to hybrid propulsion systems, our Marine Services business is continuously testing pathways toward a low-carbon fleet. Preparing for a Multi-Fuel Future The transition to alternative fuels is not just about switching tanks; it's a system-wide overhaul. We're preparing for a landscape where methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, and liquified natural gas (LNG) coexist. This requires new infrastructure, established safety standards, and a workforce equipped for complexity. Earlier this year, we successfully completed initial testing of a hydrogen fuel cell rubber-tired gantry (RTG) crane at the Port of Vancouver. RTG cranes are traditionally large consumers of diesel fuel, accounting for 50% of consumption in Vancouver alone. During testing, the hydrogen-powered system operated continuously for 16 hours, emitting only steam – in contrast to the 400 kg of CO₂ produced by a comparable diesel unit. On the heels of this success, we are conducting expansive field testing on the feasibility of electrifying our global RTG fleet. DP World is also creating fueling networks and sustainable shipping routes in key hubs like Singapore and Europe. We established protocol on handling very cold fuels and transporting them seamlessly from storage to ship – ensuring safety and scalability for a clean marine fuel future. We know this journey won't be linear. High costs and limited availability of green fuels like methanol and ammonia are current roadblocks. But through partnerships and policy advocacy, we're pushing to accelerate availability and affordability across our global network. Collaboration: The Cornerstone of Global Progress Progress at scale requires shared ambition. That's why DP World is an active member of initiatives like the Zero Emissions Port Alliance, the First Movers Coalition, and the Maersk McKinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping. Through these partnerships, we're advocating for co-investment models, harmonized regulation, and infrastructure development that serves a broader vision: ports not just as gateways of commerce, but critical hubs in the world's renewable energy supply chain. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from DP World
Times of Oman
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Costa Rica and Mexico advance to Gold Cup Quarterfinals
Washington: Costa Rica secured their place in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals after defeating the Dominican Republic 2-1 in their second match of Group A of the tournament, co-hosted by the United States and Canada. The Dominican Republic took an early lead in the 16th minute, but Costa Rica equalised just before halftime with a 44th-minute penalty. The Ticos sealed the victory in the 85th minute when scored the decisive goal. In another match of Group A, Mexico booked their quarterfinal spot with a 2-0 victory over Suriname. César Montes scored both goals for El Tri in the 57th and 63rd minutes. With this result, Mexico now leads the group with a perfect six points, holding a one-goal advantage over second-placed Costa Rica, who also have six points. Both Suriname and the Dominican Republic remain pointless after two matches. The final group stage match between Mexico and Costa Rica will now determine the group winner and runner-up, though both teams have already secured knockout stage berths. According to the tournament format, the Group A winner will face the runner-up of Group D - which includes the United States, Saudi Arabia, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago - in the quarterfinals. The Group A runner-up will play against the Group D winner. The 16-team tournament features four groups of four teams each, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage.
CBS News
8 hours ago
- CBS News
DEA informant accused of trying to extort high-level cocaine traffickers, feds say
A drug informant who helped the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration build some of its biggest cases has been arrested and charged with scheming to extort major cocaine traffickers facing extradition from Colombia and the Dominican Republic. Jorge Hernández, 57, was charged in a criminal complaint unsealed Wednesday with one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud. He remains in custody after being arrested and making his initial court appearance Wednesday in federal court in Fort Lauderdale. Feds allege scheme to defraud drug traffickers Court papers allege that Hernández operated a scheme starting in 2020 in which he pretended to be a paralegal who, for the right price, could obtain lighter sentences for drug kingpins, according to 17-page FBI affidavit. The FBI alleged that Hernández demanded payments of $1 million from six suspected drug traffickers who ended up surrendering or being extradited to the U.S. In exchange for the payments — which came in the form of cash, jewelry, properties and vehicles in Colombia — Hernández guaranteed short prison sentences that would be served "in an apartment similar to being on house arrest," the court papers said. But Hernández never delivered on his promises, nor did he have authority to offer such leniency. As the traffickers who thought they were buying influence grew upset, he would deny responsibility and shift blame to the traffickers' attorneys, the FBI said. Nestor Menendez, an attorney who represented Hernández at his initial appearance, declined to comment. "Bowling ball" helped build some of the biggest cases In two decades as a confidential informant, Hernández had been one of federal law enforcement's most prolific case-makers, providing the types of tips and information that led to prosecutions of high seas drug smugglers, a former University of Miami money laundering expert and a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Better known in law enforcement circles by his Spanish nickname Boliche — bowling ball — the beefy, bald-headed Colombian was also the star witness in the 2023 bribery trial of two former DEA supervisors convicted for leaking information on ongoing drug investigations. He got his start as an informant in 2000 shortly after he was arrested in Venezuela, where he had fled to escape drug dealers seeking to kill him, according to a 2023 investigation by The Associated Press. After bribing officials to secure his release, he approached the DEA, admitting to killing three people during his days as a drug runner near his home along Colombia's Caribbean coast. He then began helping the DEA build some of its biggest cases. Agents grew so reliant on Hernández's network of criminal associates across the Western hemisphere that they set him up with a phone and desk at a federal anti-narcotics task force, the AP found. Hernandez turned the tables on DEA The DEA terminated his cooperation agreement in 2008, court records show, after authorities discovered he had threatened to expose informants as snitches unless they paid him to keep quiet. But he kept close to some of his former DEA handlers and eventually returned to Miami. In 2016, he met DEA agent John Costanzo, who was supervising agents investigating Colombian businessman Alex Saab, a suspected bag man for Venezuela's Maduro. In 2023, Hernández testified against Costanzo and another former DEA agent convicted of taking bribes from narco defense attorneys. Hernández turned the tables on the DEA around the same time he was charged alongside University of Miami professor Bruce Bagley for helping move $3 million on behalf of Saab, who prosecutors said was secretly negotiating a deal to betray Maduro. Those charges remain under seal. In the complaint unsealed Wednesday, the FBI that Hernández is serving a term of probation on a federal conviction for conspiracy to commit money laundering that is set to end in May 2027.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gold Cup Update: Suriname eliminated, Curaçao with work to do following drab opener
Suriname were eliminated from the Gold Cup on Thursday morning. Following a 4-3 defeat to Costa Rica on matchday one, Stanley Menzo's team lost the second group match, this time 2-0 to Mexico. With Costa Rica winning their other game 2-1 against the Dominican Republic, Suriname can no longer reach the top two. Damning double sinks Suriname Suriname came close to pulling off an upset against Costa Rica in the first game. Strikes from Gyrano Kerk, Richonell Margaret and Shaquille Pinas looked to do the job despite a goal from Alonso Martinez and a penalty from former Twente striker Manuel Ugarte. Advertisement Unfortunately for Natio, though, they fumbled the 2-3 winning position before losing 4-3. Josimar Alcocer's goal set up a tense final 15 minutes in which Ugarte converted a second penalty right at the death. Mexico proved a far more challenging opponent. Confidently the stronger side, Los Tri dominated the stats sheet as a relatively quick-fire Cesar Montes double sunk Suriname around the hour mark. First, Montes dispatched a fine header at a corner on 57′, before then scoring an unorthodox floor-bound effort in the 63rd minute. Suriname will conclude their tournament against the Dominican Republic next Monday morning. Curaçao have work to do after drab tournament opener Curaçao drew their opening Gold Cup match 0-0 against El Salvador on Wednesday morning and it was fair to suggest that it was far from a classic. Advertisement Dick Advocaat fielded a side with much Dutch and European experience. Eloy Room started in goal, with Cuco Martina, Juriën Gaari, Roshon van Eijma and Sherel Floranus in front. Juninho Bacuna, Livano Comenencia and Leandro Bacuna formed the midfield, while Kenji Gorré, Jearl Margaritha, and Gervane Kastaneer formed the attack. A determined El Salvador proved difficult to break down in San Jose, and neutralised everything Curaçao sent their way. Just after half time, Kastaneer squandered a great chance by firing straight at eventual MOTM Mario González in a one-on-one. Advocaat's side then hit the crossbar via Margaritha before Comenencia shot over the bar from close range. Curaçao face host country Canada up next on Sunday. They enter as a truly daunting prospect, previously thrashing Honduras 6-0 in a dominant display. The group's conclusion against Honduras will play out on Wednesday. GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield
