Tropical Storm Franklin prompts Dominican Republic to close schools and offices

Tropical Storm Franklin is expected to make landfall on the island of Hispaniola, shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti, bringing heavy rains and the potential for landslides and floods. Dominican officials have announced closures of schools, government offices, and businesses, while Haiti has not yet announced any closures. The storm is forecasted to linger over Hispaniola before moving into open water. The Dominican Republic has issued red alerts for nearly half of its provinces and has dispatched workers to prepare for the storm. Haiti, already dealing with a surge in gang violence and displacement, is concerned about the potential chaos and the government's limited ability to respond quickly.