U.S. and Dominican Republic Sign Landmark Open Skies Agreement

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, New York, NY, August 2, 2024: Today, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez and Dominican Republic Minister of Tourism David Collado signed an Open Skies Agreement at the National Palace in Santo Domingo to enhance bilateral aviation cooperation.

Airplane on tarmac being unloaded after landing at Punta Cana Airport, Dominican Republic

The agreement, set to take effect after completing necessary internal procedures, will elevate civil aviation standards between the United States and the Dominican Republic to modern levels.

“This Agreement with the Dominican Republic will expand our strong economic and commercial partnership, promote people-to-people ties, and create new opportunities for airlines, travel companies, and customers. Air carriers will be able to provide more affordable, convenient, and efficient air services to travelers and shippers, promoting tourism and commerce. The Agreement will also commit both governments to high standards of aviation safety and security,” the U.S. stated.

Building on a framework of U.S. Open Skies agreements with over 135 other partners, this new Agreement allows U.S. air carriers to operate and expand flight networks beyond America’s borders, connecting the U.S. economy to growing markets.

The completion of this agreement follows two years of negotiations, during which U.S. Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) played a leading role, advocating for its finalization. Rep. Espaillat led multiple congressional letters, published op-eds, and held numerous meetings with high-level officials to secure the deal for Dominican American families, visitors, and American tourists.

“Today’s Open Skies Agreement between the United States and Dominican Republic is an incredible win for Americans and Dominicans alike,” said Rep. Espaillat. “This pro-consumer agreement will provide more flight options between the U.S. and D.R., lower airline fares, increase travel, and spur economic growth in both of our great nations. Most importantly, it will allow more Dominican American families, visitors, and American tourists affordable travel options to visit the country and their loved ones. Today’s agreement sends a clear message that the relationship between the United States and the Dominican Republic is stronger than ever, and we will continue to further this alliance for years to come.”

For years, Dominican American families have faced limited flight routes and high fares to and from the Dominican Republic, particularly during peak travel seasons. With today’s completion of a modern Open Skies Agreement, consumers and tourists will benefit from lower flight prices, a wider variety of flight options, and expanded airline services. This historic agreement will support the tourism economy and spur job growth in both the United States and the Dominican Republic.

Son Of Caribbean Immigrants Named Co-Anchor of ‘CBS Evening News’

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, New York, NY, August 2, 2024: Maurice DuBois, the son of Caribbean immigrants, has been named the new co-anchor of ‘CBS Evening News.’ A seasoned anchorman for WCBS-TV in New York City and the CBS network, DuBois will replace Norah O’Donnell and share the spot with John Dickerson, CBS’s lead political analyst and the host of an evening CBS News streaming show.

CBS TV Personality, Caribbean American Maurice Dubois, named co-anchor of CBS Evening News. (Photo by Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images)

Born on Long Island, New York, to parents from Dominica, DuBois attended Port Jefferson High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. While in college, he interned at the Public Affairs Office of the Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, contributing to the employee newspaper, the Brookhaven Bulletin.

DuBois began his career in 1987 as a desk assistant at KING-TV in Seattle, Washington. He then served as an anchor and reporter at WFLD-TV in Chicago, Illinois, and KCRA-TV in Sacramento, California. He spent seven years at WNBC-TV in New York, co-anchoring ‘Today in New York’ and hosting ‘Four Stories’ and ‘Mind Over Media.’

He also worked as a substitute news reader on NBC News’s ‘Today’ and its weekend editions. In September 2004, he joined WCBS-TV in New York as an anchor for the 6 pm newscast, ‘CBS 2 News at 6,’ with Dana Tyler. Since then, he has co-anchored ‘CBS 2 News This Morning’ and ‘CBS 2 News at Noon’ with Cindy Hsu and Mary Calvi.

In January 2011, DuBois began co-anchoring ‘CBS 2 News at 5’ and ‘CBS 2 News at 11’ with Kristine Johnson. He occasionally substitutes on the weekend edition of ‘CBS Evening News.’ His reporting includes national political conventions, AIDS in South Africa, the death of Pope John Paul II, and the installation of Pope Benedict XVI.

Active in the community, DuBois serves on the boards of Pencil, Susan G. Komen for the Cure (New York City affiliate), and New York City Center. He has also worked with WNET’s GED program.

DuBois and his wife, Andrea Adair, married on August 13, 2001, have two sons and live in Harlem. He has received four Emmy Awards, honors from the Associated Press, and a Trailblazer Award from the New York City chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. He holds honorary Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Briarcliffe College, Medgar Evers College, Seton Hall University, and St. Francis College.

CBS network executives promise journalistic rigor for the show. Bill Owens, the executive producer of ’60 Minutes,’ will oversee the editorial direction of ‘Evening News,’ with Guy Campanile, a ’60 Minutes’ producer, serving as the nightly show’s executive producer. Wendy McMahon, the chief executive of CBS News, Stations, and CBS Media Ventures, stated that the new leadership team represents “the infusion of ‘60 Minutes’ mission and values into the ‘CBS Evening News’ nightly.”