WEATHER ALERT
Puerto Rico power company gives T&D reins to private firms
Read full article: Puerto Rico power company gives T&D reins to private firmsYou have a titanic challenge before you, said Omar Marrero, executive director of Puerto Ricos Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority. The contract does not call for an increase in rates, which will require approval by Puerto Ricos Energy Commission, said Fermn Fontans, executive director of Puerto Ricos Public-Private Partnerships Authority. The Electric Power Authority serves 1.47 million clients across Puerto Rico and reports $3.5 billion in customer revenues. The power company has one of the highest debts of any Puerto Rico government agency at more than $9 billion, leading it to declare bankruptcy in 2017. Government officials said power company workers will receive priority and that none will be laid off.
Mexico president kicks off 'new normal' phase amid pandemic
Read full article: Mexico president kicks off 'new normal' phase amid pandemicMexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum urged residents via Twitter on Monday to stay at home if it wasnt absolutely necessary to go out. On his way to Cancun, Lpez Obrador stopped at his ranch in Chiapas state and recorded a video he shared on social networks. I wanted to give you good news, Lpez Obrador said. __Verza reported from Mexico City. AP photojournalist Fernando Llano and videojournalist Gerardo Carrillo in Mexico City and AP writer Ignacio Martnez in San Jos de Los Cabos contributed to this report.
Battered Caribbean prepares for hurricanes amid pandemic
Read full article: Battered Caribbean prepares for hurricanes amid pandemicCaribbean islands have rarely been so vulnerable as an unusually active hurricane season threatens a region still recovering from recent storms as it fights a worsening drought and a pandemic that has drained budgets and muddled preparations. Caribbean islands have rarely been so vulnerable as an unusually active hurricane season threatens a region still recovering from recent storms as it fights a worsening drought and a pandemic that has drained budgets and muddled preparations. Its a very complex landscape this year, said Elizabeth Riley, acting executive director for the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. Among those still waiting for their home to be repaired since Hurricane Maria is the mother of 63-year-old Maritza Santos. They live together now and worry about the upcoming hurricane season because Santos home already flooded during Maria and her mothers home is unlivable.
Puerto Ricans thrilled by flag sighting in Super Bowl
Read full article: Puerto Ricans thrilled by flag sighting in Super BowlSAN JUAN – The screams echoed across Puerto Rico when Jennifer Lopez unfurled a feather cape representing the flag of the U.S. territory during the Super Bowl’s halftime show, a moment that many were still replaying and sharing on Monday. “We Puerto Ricans are very sentimental about the flag,” Hernández said. The halftime moment surprised Puerto Rican journalist Jonathan Lebrón Ayala and his family as they watched the game at home. Latinos!” and then unfurled the flag while her young daughter sang, “Born in the USA.”“It was rather hectic,” he recalled with a laugh. “For better or for worse, people are going to be more in tune, looking for information about Puerto Rico,” he said.