Saturday, July 26, 2014

Governor’s New ‘Commonwealth’ Proposals are Old; Were Rejected in the Past by the Federal Government - Puerto Rico Report | States, Puerto Rico Making Things Worse by Issuing Drivers' Licenses | Venezuelan ex-general wanted by US over drug trafficking held in Aruba - The Guardian

Puerto Rico Grants Driver’s Licenses to Undocumented Migrants

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The Puerto Rican government on Thursday announced that it will issue driver’s licenses to undocumented foreigners, a measure that could benefit more than 100,000 immigrants on the island, most of them Dominicans.

Update on Economic and Fiscal Conditions in Puerto Rico - Insurance News Net

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Saudi Gazette

Update on Economic and Fiscal Conditions in Puerto Rico
Insurance News Net
At the urging of several business and community leaders, I commissioned a team at the New York Fed to analyze the challenges facing the Puerto Rico economy and to put forth recommendations on how to capitalize on the Island's strengths and restore ...

Hedge-Fund Pool Supporting Puerto Rico Legislation Adds 14 FirmsBloomberg

Looming Puerto Rico debt deadlines have investors nervousWashington Post (blog)
Puerto Rico creditor group gains $180 billion in new muscleReuters
Businessweek
all 21 
news articles »

Political News & Views: Puerto Rico Grants Driver's ...

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Being an identity document with a photograph and issued by the government, the license will not only make it easier for Puerto Ricans to do routine tasks but will also enable a person who has irregular immigration status to ...

Passive to a point: ETFs stray from index to sell Puerto Rico debt - Reuters

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Passive to a point: ETFs stray from index to sell Puerto Rico debt
Reuters
Puerto Rico's chronic budget deficits have spooked the U.S. municipal bond market, and now fears of a massive restructuring of its debt have sent its bond prices reeling. The Caribbean island recently passed legislation that authorizes restructuring of ...

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Puerto Rico Has Valuable Natural Resources 

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waterfall-in-el-yunque-national-forest-puerto-rico_2900345The discussion of Puerto Rico’s status sometimes focuses on economic viability. What, people ask, could Puerto Rico bring to the U.S. as a State, or what could Puerto Rico rely on as a nation?
Generally, Puerto Rico is characterized as an island with limited natural resources (although it is actually a group of three populated islands). It is natural for tropical islands to rely primarily on tourism for their economic strength. The natural beauty of Puerto Rico may not be a tangible resource in the way that gems or oil are, but it certainly has economic potential when it brings visitors to enjoy the islands and their goods and services.
However, Puerto Rico is not devoid of other natural resources.
Here are some of the natural resources that enrich Puerto Rico:
  • Puerto Rico has a variety of habitats, including forests, coral reefs, wetlands, lagoons, caves, and marshes. The range of natural formations encourages tourism, but is also of value for research.
  • There are substantial deposits of oil and natural gas off a coast of Puerto Rico, according a recent the U.S. Geological Survey finding. It is unclear whether the energy resources can be extracted on a cost-effective basis now but technology may make it very worthwhile in the future.
  • While the oil and gas may not be practical to harvest now, Puerto Rico has great potential for renewable energy including solar, wind, hydroelectric power.
  • Copper and nickel as well as rocks and minerals used in construction are available in Puerto Rico.
  • Puerto Rico is home to many species of plants and animals, some of which have inherent or potential economic value. For example, Grist reported that an invasive species of iguanas is being exported to the U.S. for sale as meat in communities where it is considered a delicacy.
  • The people of Puerto Rico are often called the greatest natural resource of the territory. An educated workforce of significantly bilingual U.S. citizens has enormous potential to compete in the global employment marketplace. This advantage would be less significant if Puerto Rico chose independence, but as a State or a territory, Puerto Rico’s workforce could be extremely competitive for employment by U.S. companies.
  • in the past, Puerto Rico was a major sugar producer.
Puerto Rico’s natural resources have not provided a solution in the current financial crisis, but they could provide starting points for economic repair once status is resolved.
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Despite Indexes, Muni ETFs Cut Back on Puerto Rico - Barron's (blog)

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Despite Indexes, Muni ETFs Cut Back on Puerto Rico
Barron's (blog)
Mind you, it may be a great thing or a terrible thing to scale back Puerto Rican debt right now, we just don't know. What's more certain is that the sort of investor who buys a high-yield muni ETF like the high yield more than the risk which is ...

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Despite Indexes, Muni ETFs Cut Back on Puerto Rico - Barron's (blog)

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ETF Trends

Despite Indexes, Muni ETFs Cut Back on Puerto Rico
Barron's (blog)
Mind you, it may be a great thing or a terrible thing to scale back Puerto Rican debt right now, we just don't know. What's more certain is that the sort of investor who buys a high-yield muni ETF like the high yield more than the risk which is ...
Passive Muni ETFs Shed Puerto Rico ExposureETF Trends

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US Arrests Venezuela's Former Chief Of Intelligence And One-Time Judge For ... - Fox News Latino

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International Business Times

US Arrests Venezuela's Former Chief Of Intelligence And One-Time Judge For ...
Fox News Latino
According to the May 2013 indictment unsealed Thursday, McTurk and Carvajal assisted Colombian kingpins in smuggling cocaine from Venezuela to Mexico and the Caribbean between 2004 and 2008, by bribing high-ranking military and law enforcement ...
US Arrests Venezuela's Former Chief Of Intelligence On Drug Trafficking ChargesInternational Business Times
Aruba detains Venezuelan general on US drug trafficking listBBC News
Venezuela protests arrest of ex-intelligence head wanted in USReuters Africa
Reading Eagle -New York Times
all 136 news articles »

NEWS: "Enough. The West should face the uncomfortable ...

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Mr Putin sets himself up as a patriot, but he is a threat—to international norms, to his neighbours and to the Russians themselves, who are intoxicated by his hysterical brand of anti-Western propaganda. The world needs ...... State media promoting China's leader Xi with intensity unseen since Mao era .... Making the case for federal court intervention in Puerto Rico's debt crisis - Caribbean Business www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com investors say restructuring will go be.

Hedge-Fund Pool Supporting Puerto Rico Legislation Adds 14 Firms - Bloomberg

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Hedge-Fund Pool Supporting Puerto Rico Legislation Adds 14 Firms
Bloomberg
The original members -- Brigade Capital Management LLC, Fir Tree Partners, Monarch Alternative Capital LP and Perry Capital LLC -- all based in New York, said in a July 17 statement that their combined $60 billion of assets could provide a “substantial ...

Creditor group backing Puerto Rico gets new members - Reuters

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Creditor group backing Puerto Rico gets new members
Reuters
They said at the time they could provide a source of funding for Puerto Rico as it aims to put its fiscal house in order. The group of 18 has $4.2 billion tied up in Puerto Rico debt. The majority of it is in general obligation bonds, government ...

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Creditor group backing Puerto Rico gets new members - MSN Money

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Saudi Gazette

Creditor group backing Puerto Rico gets new members
MSN Money
NEW YORK, July 25 (Reuters) - A group of hedge funds supporting debt restructuring efforts inPuerto Rico has gained 14 new members, bringing the group's total assets under management to $240 billion, a spokesman for the group said on Friday.
Update on Economic and Fiscal Conditions in Puerto RicoInsurance News Net
Hedge-Fund Pool Supporting Puerto Rico Legislation Adds 14 FirmsBusinessweek

all 14 news articles »
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Putin facing battles abroad and at home 

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Russian President Putin's scheming may be backfiring on him as international pressure grows. CNN's Diana Magnay reports.
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How smuggled US weaponry is being used to kill Americans - Dallas Morning News

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Dallas Morning News

How smuggled US weaponry is being used to kill Americans
Dallas Morning News
The agents created fake companies in the United States and Europe, opened Caribbean bank accounts and spent $250,000 to lease a Gulfstream IV. Their unlikely sting .... The U.S. agents, one of whom spoke Russian, had spent three years laying the trap.

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Governor: Untapped potential in ELA - Caribbean Business www.caribbeanbusinesspr... 

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Governor: Untapped potential in ELA - Caribbean Business
www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com
gov. alejandro garcía padilla said the potential of the current commonwealth (ela) status has yet to be fully tapped as the island marked the 64th anniversary of …


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US Arrests Venezuela's Former Chief Of Intelligence And One-Time Judge For ... - Fox News Latino

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Fox News Latino

US Arrests Venezuela's Former Chief Of Intelligence And One-Time Judge For ...
Fox News Latino
According to the May 2013 indictment unsealed Thursday, McTurk and Carvajal assisted Colombian kingpins in smuggling cocaine from Venezuela to Mexico and the Caribbean between 2004 and 2008, by bribing high-ranking military and law enforcement ...
Venezuelan ex-intelligence head faces drug charges in USStabroek News
Feds charge former high-ranking Chavez aides with protecting drug traffickersSacramento Bee

all 20 news articles »

Latino Converts to Islam - PBS

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PBS

Latino Converts to Islam
PBS
Ruiz was born in Puerto Rico and raised a Catholic. But he says in 2002, after the birth of his twins, he began .... LAWTON: Latinos, he says, can also teach the largely immigrant Muslim community about political organizing and standing up for their ...

Governor: Untapped potential in ELA

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Governor: Untapped potential in ELA

Gov. Alejandro García Padilla said the potential of the current commonwealth (EL ...
Obama wants limits on mergers by US companies overseas
Issued: July 24, 2014
LOS ANGELES — Staking out a populist stand ahead of the midterm elections, President Barack Obama on Thursday demanded “economic patriotism” ...

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International chaos hampers Obama 

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Chaos on multiple fronts hampers Obama administration, says the New York Times' Peter Baker.
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View From Here: Immigration | Welcome to Our Time Press

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According to the 2010 Census, New York City has over 328,018 Mexicans and 1,309,807 Hispanics or Latinos who are neither Cuban or Puerto Rican. The New ... The fallout is being felt most acutely in places with large immigrant populations, like New York, where newly arrived children and their relatives are flooding community groups, seeking help in fighting deportation orders, getting health care, dealing with the psychological traumas of migration, managing the ...

ISIS militants destroy the tomb of Jonah 

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ISIS militants are accused of destroying a revered holy site, the tomb of Jonah, in Iraq's oldest mosque.
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How can Central American countries stop kids from migrating? - YouTube

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Published on Jul 25, 2014
President Obama met with the leaders of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to address the U.S. border crisis. Hari Sreenivasan talks to Anita Isaacs of Haverford College to better understand the violence, instability and lack of economic opportunity that is driving children in Central America to flee.

How can Central American countries stop kids from migrating?

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President Obama met with the leaders of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to address the U.S. border crisis. Hari Sreenivasan talks to Anita Isaacs of Haverford College to better understand...
From: PBS NewsHour
Views: 14
    
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Time: 05:45More in People & Blogs

Shields and Brooks on the border crisis, Mideast violence - YouTube

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Published on Jul 25, 2014
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the week’s top news, including obstacles to passing an immigration bill, luring Hispanic voters, the White House’s handling of the Mideast conflict, as well as how perception of Hamas and Israel has shifted through social media.
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Shields and Brooks on the border crisis, Mideast violence

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Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the week's top news, including obstacles to passing an immigration bill, luring...
From: PBS NewsHour
Views: 58
    
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Time: 11:19More in People & Blogs

Watch armed police storm plane 

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A Canadian citizen was charged after making "a direct threat against the aircraft" on a flight from Toronto to Panama.
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Time: 02:35More in News & Politics

Aruba to hold Venezuela official seeks immunity - The Sentinel

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Aruba to hold Venezuela official seeks immunity
The Sentinel
U.S. authorities allege he's one of several high-ranking Venezuelan military and law enforcement officials who provided a haven to major drug traffickers from neighboring Colombia and helped them export large amounts of U.S. bound cocaine through ...

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Central American Presidents Call on U.S. Development as a Brake to Immigration

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The presidents of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, who met U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday, have asked Washington for a “long term” commitment to develop Central America as the only way to curb the incessant migration flow towards the north.

Abe Starts Latin American Tour to Boost Economic, Political Ties

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday began a Latin American tour that includes visits to Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Brazil, in a bid to strengthen economic ties and turn the region into a key ally in the international arena.

Full episode | Friday, July 25, 2014 - YouTube

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Published on Jul 25, 2014
Tonight on the program, we examine the continuing fighting in the Gaza Strip as Israel rejects the latest cease-fire proposal drafted by the U.N., Egypt and the U.S. Also: whether Central American countries stop children from migrating, exploring the link between creative genius and mental illness, Shields and Brooks analyze the week's news and handcrafting books into works of art.
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Full episode | Friday, July 25, 2014 

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Tonight on the program, we examine the continuing fighting in the Gaza Strip as Israel rejects the latest cease-fire proposal drafted by the U.N., Egypt and the U.S. Also: whether Central...
From: PBS NewsHour
Views: 147
    
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Time: 54:01More in People & Blogs

Most Migrants to Be Deported, Obama Tells Central American Leaders

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The unaccompanied Central American minors streaming into the United States across the Mexican border who don’t qualify for asylum will be repatriated, President Barack Obama said on Friday in a meeting with leaders from the region.

How will Puerto Rico's poor economy affect you? - Marketplace.org

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How will Puerto Rico's poor economy affect you?
Marketplace.org
For the first time in more than a decade, lawmakers in Puerto Rico balanced their budget. And during the past ten years, the US territory has had a rough economic go: A major recession hampered state revenues, while a major crackdown on the drug trade ...

Russian leaders fear for their political survival - Cambridge Times

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Russian leaders fear for their political survival
Cambridge Times
Russian strategists argue that if the U.S. seeks a military presence in the Black Sea, Russiashould move toward the Caribbean. For them, NATO expansion and the Western effort to direct Ukrainian politics is the original sin. Putin no doubt has a dilemma.

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Close Encounters Of The Radio Kind? Mystery Bursts Baffle Astronomers

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This new report resembles previous activity detected in Australia, which has scientist debating possible causes, including solar flares, blitzars, or something even more mysterious.

Aruba to hold Venezuelan official seeking immunity - Washington Post

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Aruba to hold Venezuelan official seeking immunity
Washington Post
ORANJESTAD, Aruba — A judge in Aruba ruled Friday that the highest-ranking Venezuelan official ever arrested on a U.S. warrant must remain behind bars pending an extradition request on drug-trafficking charges, prompting Venezuela to cancel flights to ...

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Close Encounters Of The Radio Kind? Mystery Bursts Baffle Astronomers

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Scientists say a brief burst of radio activity has been detected at the Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico.

Hedge-fund pool backing PR deepens - Caribbean Businesswww.caribbeanbusinesspr.c...

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Hedge-fund pool backing PR deepens - Caribbean Business
www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com
Asset managers with more than $60 million under management - Brigade Capital Management, Fir Tree Partners, Monarch Alternative Capital LP, and Perry Capital, LLC - formed the so-called Ad Hoc Group earlier this month to support the actions taken to date by Puerto Rico.

Hedge-fund pool backing PR deepens - Caribbean Business www.caribbeanbusinesspr.... 

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Hedge-fund pool backing PR deepens - Caribbean Business
www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com
Asset managers with more than $60 million under management - Brigade Capital Management, Fir Tree Partners, Monarch Alternative Capital LP, and Perry Capital, LLC - …


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Commander Sarah West has left the ship while an investigation is under way

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... 3m (436ft) long. According to a marine traffic website, the ship's last known position was the port of San Juan, Puerto Rico in the Caribbean on July 19.

States, Puerto Rico Makings Things Worse by Issuing Drivers' Licenses

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COMMENT: According to THE LATIN AMERICAN TRIBUNE, the contiguous US states of the US Mainland and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, are rendering a disservice to both the US states and the Commonwealth as the numbers rise of states issuing state-level unrestricted driving permits to illegal aliens throughout Puerto Rico and the US Mainland.
Most US taxpayers and/or residents on both the Mainland as well as in the Commonwealth, rightly or wrongly, make the assumption that the possessor of a state-issued driver's license is a US citizen.

No longer. See the below link:

<a href="https://www.numbersusa.com/content/learn/illegal-immigration/drivers-licenses" rel="nofollow">https://www.numbersusa.com/content/learn/illegal-immigration/drivers-licenses</a>
As you can see, from the link above, an increasing number of states are continuing to relax their regulations to the point that in many years it will be virtually impossible to determine who is a US citizen and who is not!
This week (July 24) Puerto Rico announced that it will issue driver’s licenses to undocumented foreigners, a measure that could benefit more than 100,000 immigrants on the island, most of them Dominicans.

The measure is a significant step toward allowing upwards of 400,000 illegal immigrants and other foreign migrants lacking identification to open bank accounts, be legally hired and pay taxes.
Gov. Alejandro García Padilla announced at a press conference the change in the rules for obtaining provisional driver’s licenses, a move that comes thanks to an amendment to the US Commonwealth’s Motor Vehicle and Traffic Law approved in June 2013.


Applicants will need to prove they have resided in Puerto Rico for more than a year, that they lack a Social Security Card, are not US citizens or are not authorized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to live in the United States. They would still have to pass the regular driving and traffic regulations tests.
“These driver’s licenses symbolize a light illuminating the lives of men and women who are experiencing vulnerabilities out of fear of deportation and fear of being separated from their loved ones and the country that has taken them in,” García Padilla said.

That being said, there is simply no other way around describing a person who is present in any country who has not acquired LEGAL status. That means they are ILLEGAL. 

Federal authorities will not accept the license as valid identification for flying on an airplane or for any other purpose. Whew!
The license will be valid for three years, can be renewed for another three years and will have a different design than standard driver’s licenses. Yet, unless the design is significantly different from from the prevailing Puerto Rican driving permit, it will be assumed that the operator is a US citizen.


The Governor emphasized that the Puerto Rican police cannot arrest people carrying the provisional license because of their immigration status.

According to the most recent figures, Puerto Rico’s population officially stands at 3.6 million, of whom 68,000 are Dominicans with US citizenship.


There are no figures concerning the number of undocumented Dominicans in Puerto Rico, but unofficial calculations are that they could number around 100,000, although some estimates run as high as 400,000.  

One LAST thing! If you don't believe we have an identity crisis in the US, please review carefully the below link:
<a href="http://stayingsafeabroad.blogspot.com/2014/06/dominican-republic-ny-state" rel="nofollow">http://stayingsafeabroad.blogspot.com/2014/06/dominican-republic-ny-state</a> 
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Obama urges Central America leaders to help stem migrant crisis - Al Jazeera America

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NBCNews.com

Obama urges Central America leaders to help stem migrant crisis
Al Jazeera America
Washington needed to understand that the violence in Central America stemming from drug trafficking had enormous costs, he added. Obama acknowledged in the meeting that Washington had a responsibility to counter the drug trade. Critics of U.S. foreign ...
American-Born Gangs Helping Drive Immigrant Crisis at US BorderNational Geographic
The Surge of Unaccompanied Children from Central AmericaCenter For American Progress

all 678 news articles »
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Declaran legal la detención de Hugo Carvajal 

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La juez Yvonne van Wersch declaró legal la detención del diplomático venezolano Hugo Carvajal en Aruba. Ante este fallo, Carvajal se mantendrá detenido provisionalmente en la isla. Mientras,...
From: teleSUR tv
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Time: 01:22More in News & Politics

What's in It?: Coconut Water Changes Its Claimsby By MICHAEL MOSS Saturday July... 

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What's in It?: Coconut Water Changes Its Claimsby By MICHAEL MOSS

Saturday July 26th, 2014 at 12:07 PM

NYT > Fitness & Nutrition

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The drink was once billed as a remedy for a number of health problems. But its marketers have changed their …


"When coconut water broke into the American market 10 years ago, it was billed as a miracle drink able to fight viruses, kidney disease and other ailments like osteoporosis." - NYT: Enjoy the fresh one!

Hedge-fund pool backing PR deepens

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Hedge-fund pool backing PR deepens

A group of hedge funds that have publicly backed the Puerto Rico government’s fi ...

In Chinese shadow, Hong Kong fights for its future

HONG KONG — As skyscrapers around Hong Kong harbor erupted into a reverie of las ...

US economy, though sluggish, may now be sturdier after recession

WASHINGTON — Out of a seemingly hollow recovery from the Great Recession, a more ...
Issued: July 26, 2014
The national Republican Party is throwing its weight behind a straight “yes ...
Issued: July 26, 2014
The venerable Condado Vanderbilt is on track to open for hotel stays in tim ...
Issued: July 26, 2014
The Puerto Rico government is rolling out provisional driver licenses for u ...
Puerto Rico lawmakers are considering legislation that would shield the commonwealth government from a potential restructuring of the Puerto ...
Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association (PRHTA) President & CEO Clarisa Jimenez has been selected as regional vice president for Car ...
The Pentagon has signed off on a vital liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal but the project remains far behind schedule as it awaits federal ...
Obama: Offshore 'tax inversions' are unpatriotic
Issued: July 26, 2014
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says a loophole that lets companies dodge U.S. taxes by moving their headquarters overseas is unpatrioti ...
US evacuates embassy in Libya amid clashes
Issued: July 26, 2014
WASHINGTON — The United States shut down its embassy in Libya on Saturday and evacuated its diplomats to neighboring Tunisia under U.S. mili ...
In Gaza lull, residents return to destroyed areas
Issued: July 26, 2014
BEIT HANOUN, Gaza Strip — Thousands of Gaza residents who had fled Israel-Hamas fighting streamed back to devastated border areas during a l ...

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Venezuelan ex-general wanted by US over drug trafficking held in Aruba - The Guardian

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The Guardian

Venezuelan ex-general wanted by US over drug trafficking held in Aruba
The Guardian
Critics say the case could lift the lid on what opposition politicians allege are years of official connivance in the illegal drugs trade and aid to Colombian guerrillas. The US put Carvajal on a blacklist in 2008, accusing him of protecting cocaine ...
Immunity Denied for Venezuelan Official Arrested in Drug CaseWall Street Journal
Minister: Flights between Aruba, Venezuela resumeWashington Post
US Arrests Venezuela's Former Chief Of Intelligence On Drug Trafficking ChargesInternational Business Times

all 223 news articles »

Governor’s New ‘Commonwealth’ Proposals are Old; Were Rejected in the Past by the Federal Government

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Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla yesterday proposed a new definition of“Commonwealth” that resurrects some of the ‘Commonwealth’ party’s old proposals for changes in Federal law and does not propose a change in the territory’s political status.
Garcia Padilla wants the party to adopt the proposal for a plebiscite under a Federal law enacted in January.
But the proposal calls into serious question whether there will be a plebiscite under the law during Garcia’s term of office ending at the beginning of 2017. It would not really meet the requirements of the law.
The law requires that plebiscite options 1) be able to resolve the question of the territory’s future political status and 2) not conflict with the Constitution, laws, and policies of the United States. The law makes the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for enforcing these requirements.
The proposal would not be able to resolve the question of the territory’s future status because Puerto Ricans would remain able to petition the Federal government for U.S. statehood or nationhood as long as Puerto Rico is not a nation, a State, or a territory that has been incorporated into the United States — meaning a territory that will eventually become a State. Puerto Rico is currently an unincorporated territory.
Garcia’s proposal would also conflict with the laws and policies of the United States by definition because it would seek changes in Federal laws and policies — and changes that the Federal government has refused to grant in the past.
Some of the party’s members of the Commonwealth’s Legislative Assembly and mayors want a proposal based on the party’s totally different current definition of “Commonwealth status.”
The current proposal for an unprecedented status combining incompatible aspects of nationhood, statehood, and unincorporated territory status advocated by the legislators and mayors has been rejected by the Obama, George W. Bush, and Clinton Administrations and congressional committee leaders of both national political parties.
The proposal of the legislators and mayors would not be able to resolve the issue because it conflicts with the Constitution of the U.S. as well as Federal laws and policies.
So, neither ‘Commonwealth’ party proposal would meet the requirements of the law.
Garcia’s proposal was recommended by former Governor Rafael Hernandez Colon, who previewed it a week ago at a party leadership assembly. One of Hernandez Colon’s sons heads the party’s Federal affairs committee. The other heads the Governor’s offices in the States.
The former Governor also suggested that Puerto Rico contribute to the cost of more equal Federal programs treatment in the Commonwealth but Garcia did not reiterate that yesterday.
Garcia’s proposed changes in Federal law include –
  • Exempting from taxation income that companies in the States claim from manufacturing in Puerto Rico;
  • Duties and/or quotas on the importation into Puerto Rico of foreign agricultural products;
  • Exempting Puerto Rico from the laws requiring that ocean shipping between U.S. ports be on vessels that are U.S. built, owned, flagged, and crewed;
  • Government of Puerto Rico determination of international airline routes involving the territory; and
  • Employment requirements for Federal social program assistance.
An exemption from taxation of income that companies in the States claimed from manufacturing in Puerto Rico was reduced by President Clinton’s economic plan in 1993 and phased out under a 1996 law. Three different Government of Puerto Rico proposals under three governors of Puerto Rico to replace it with similar exemptions have been rejected by congressional committees and the Federal Executive branch. Clinton and congressional leaders also rejected the proposal after it was a part of a proposed “Commonwealth status” that obtained a plurality of the vote in a plebiscite under a local law in 1993. It also conflicts with current tax reform proposals of both national political parties and the world’s major economies.
Trade law protection for Puerto Rican agricultural products was also proposed through the 1993 plebiscite — and rejected by Federal officials. It conflicts with international free trade agreements, which have been growing in scope.
In 2011, President Obama’s Task Force on Puerto Rico’s Status turned down a ‘Commonwealth’ party proposal to exempt Puerto Rico from American ocean freight shipping requirements. Leaders of both national political parties of the U.S. House of Representatives committee with jurisdiction over the requirements later refused to consider the issue. The Departments of Transportation and Defense in the Clinton Administration opposed legislation for a Puerto Rico exemption.
A proposal to require Commonwealth involvement in U.S. international airline route negotiations failed under Hernandez Colon.
Under the party’s current “Commonwealth” proposal, Puerto Rico would become a nation but the United States would be permanently bound to it and to an arrangement under which Puerto Rico could veto the application of Federal laws and Federal court jurisdiction and enter into international agreements and organizations. Additionally, the U.S. would be obligated to grant the Commonwealth a new subsidy and all of its land in the territory as well as continue to grant U.S. citizenship, all current assistance to Puerto Ricans, and free entry to any goods shipped from Puerto Rico.
Garcia will probably win the fight within the party over the definition of “Commonwealth” because of his power as Governor — which includes a greater ability to try to obtain U.S. Justice Department approval of the proposal. But it is unclear whether he will be able to unite the ‘Commonwealth’ party behind a definition.
He pled for party unity on the question yesterday as he had during last week’s party assembly.
During the assembly, Hernandez Colon made a similar plea, asserting that Puerto Rico would be granted statehood if Puerto Ricans vote for it a second time.
In a plebiscite under local law held along with the November 2012 elections, Puerto Ricans rejected the Commonwealth’s current territory status and chose statehood by 61.2% over nationhood in an association with the U.S. that either nation could end or full independence.
Garcia and the Commonwealth party majorities in each house of the Legislative Assembly elected at the same time have worked to prevent the Federal government from accepting the statehood petition.
The Obama White House, which had supported the plebiscite and hailed its results, proposed the Federal plebiscite law because it was concerned that lobbying by ‘Commonwealth’ party government officials would result in congressional inaction on Puerto Rico’s self-determination decision.
A plebiscite under Federal auspices would be more difficult for ‘commonwealthers’ to dispute than one under local law.
The Republican Party-controlled U.S. House of Representatives led congressional approval of the Federal plebiscite law.
Puerto Rico’s representative to the Federal government, Pedro Pierluisi, who heads the statehood party and was re-elected to the Commonwealth’s non-voting seat in the U.S. House in the 2012 elections, has led 131 other House members and three U.S. senators in proposing that the plebiscite under the Federal law be on statehood.
Their bills would also require the president of the United States to submit legislation to change laws needed to enable Puerto Rico to become a State over a multi-year period and pledge congressional approval of legislation for this purpose.
Thursday, the chairman of the Republican National Committee also suggested that the plebiscite be on statehood.





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Surge of migrants being smuggled to Puerto Rico - CBS News

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Surge of migrants being smuggled to Puerto Rico
CBS News
Illegal immigration and human smuggling aren't just a problem on the U.S. border with Mexico. It's also happening in the Caribbean, where Haitian migrants are trying to reach the United States mainland through Puerto Rico, CBS News' Miles Doran reports.

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» Puerto Rico Grants Driver’s Licenses to Undocumented Migrants
26/07/14 17:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Latin American Herald Tribune. The Puerto Rican government on Thursday announced that it will issue driver’s licenses to undocumented foreigners, a measure that could benefit more than 100,000 immigrants o...
» Update on Economic and Fiscal Conditions in Puerto Rico - Insurance News Net
26/07/14 17:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rican community in new york - Google News. Saudi Gazette Update on Economic and Fiscal Conditions in Puerto Rico Insurance News Net At the urging of several business and community leaders, I commiss...
» Political News & Views: Puerto Rico Grants Driver's ...
26/07/14 17:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from political status of puerto rico - Google Blog Search. Being an identity document with a photograph and issued by the government, the license will not only make it easier for Puerto Ricans to do routine tas...
» Passive to a point: ETFs stray from index to sell Puerto Rico debt - Reuters
26/07/14 17:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rican community in usa - Google News. Passive to a point: ETFs stray from index to sell Puerto Rico debt Reuters Puerto Rico's chronic budget deficits have spooked the U.S. municipal bond market, an...
» Puerto Rico Has Valuable Natural Resources
26/07/14 17:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico Report. The discussion of Puerto Rico’s status sometimes focuses on economic viability. What, people ask, could Puerto Rico bring to the U.S. as a State, or what could Puerto Rico rely on...
» Despite Indexes, Muni ETFs Cut Back on Puerto Rico - Barron's (blog)
26/07/14 17:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico - Google News. Despite Indexes, Muni ETFs Cut Back on Puerto Rico Barron's (blog) Mind you, it may be a great thing or a terrible thing to scale back Puerto Rican debt right now, we just don't ...
» US Arrests Venezuela's Former Chief Of Intelligence And One-Time Judge For ... - Fox News Latino
26/07/14 17:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Geopolitical Aspects PR Political Status. International Business Times US Arrests Venezuela's Former Chief Of Intelligence And One-Time Judge For ... Fox News Latino According to the May 2013 indictment un...
» NEWS: "Enough. The West should face the uncomfortable ...
26/07/14 17:01 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Geopolitical Aspects PR Political Status. Mr Putin sets himself up as a patriot, but he is a threat—to international norms, to his neighbours and to the Russians themselves, who are intoxicated by his hyst...
» Hedge-Fund Pool Supporting Puerto Rico Legislation Adds 14 Firms - Bloomberg
26/07/14 17:00 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rican community in new york - Google News. Hedge-Fund Pool Supporting Puerto Rico Legislation Adds 14 Firms Bloomberg The original members -- Brigade Capital Management LLC, Fir Tree Partners, Monar...
» Creditor group backing Puerto Rico gets new members - Reuters
26/07/14 16:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rican community in usa - Google News. Creditor group backing Puerto Rico gets new members Reuters They said at the time they could provide a source of funding for Puerto Rico as it aims to put its f...
» Creditor group backing Puerto Rico gets new members - MSN Money
26/07/14 16:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from PR Economy and Business News Review. Saudi Gazette Creditor group backing Puerto Rico gets new members MSN Money NEW YORK, July 25 (Reuters) - A group of hedge funds supporting debt restructuring efforts i...
» Putin facing battles abroad and at home
26/07/14 16:58 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from PR Videos - Review. Putin facing battles abroad and at home Russian President Putin's scheming may be backfiring on him as international pressure grows. CNN's Diana Magnay reports. From: CNNInternational V...
» How smuggled US weaponry is being used to kill Americans - Dallas Morning News
26/07/14 16:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Geopolitical Aspects PR Political Status. Dallas Morning News How smuggled US weaponry is being used to kill Americans Dallas Morning News The agents created fake companies in the United States and Europe,...
» Governor: Untapped potential in ELA - Caribbean Businesswww.caribbeanbusinesspr...
26/07/14 16:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from PR Economy and Business News Review. Governor: Untapped potential in ELA - Caribbean Business www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com gov. alejandro garcía padilla said the potential of the current commonwealth (ela) ...
» Latino Converts to Islam - PBS
26/07/14 16:56 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from political status of puerto rico - Google News. PBS Latino Converts to Islam PBS Ruiz was born in Puerto Rico and raised a Catholic. But he says in 2002, after the birth of his twins, he began .... LAWTON: ...
» Governor: Untapped potential in ELA
26/07/14 16:56 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Caribbean Business. Governor: Untapped potential in ELA Gov. Alejandro García Padilla said the potential of the current commonwealth (EL ... Obama wants limits on mergers by US companies overseas Issued: J...
» International chaos hampers Obama
26/07/14 16:55 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from PR Videos - Review. International chaos hampers Obama Chaos on multiple fronts hampers Obama administration, says the New York Times' Peter Baker. From: CNNInternational Views: 4 0 ratings Time: 04:28 More...
» View From Here: Immigration | Welcome to Our Time Press
26/07/14 16:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rican community in new york - Google Blog Search. According to the 2010 Census, New York City has over 328,018 Mexicans and 1,309,807 Hispanics or Latinos who are neither Cuban or Puerto Rican . The...
» ISIS militants destroy the tomb of Jonah
26/07/14 16:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from PR Videos - Review. ISIS militants destroy the tomb of Jonah ISIS militants are accused of destroying a revered holy site, the tomb of Jonah, in Iraq's oldest mosque. From: CNNInternational Views: 0 0 rati...
» How can Central American countries stop kids from migrating? - YouTube
26/07/14 16:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Published on Jul 25, 2014 President Obama met with the leaders of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to address the U.S. border crisis. Hari Sreenivasan talks to Anita Isaacs of Haverford College to better u...
» How can Central American countries stop kids from migrating?
26/07/14 16:53 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from PR Videos - Review. How can Central American countries stop kids from migrating? President Obama met with the leaders of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to address the U.S. border crisis. Hari Sreeniva...
» Shields and Brooks on the border crisis, Mideast violence - YouTube
26/07/14 16:53 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Published on Jul 25, 2014 Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the week’s top news, including obstacles to passing an immigration ...
» Shields and Brooks on the border crisis, Mideast violence
26/07/14 16:53 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from PR Videos - Review. Shields and Brooks on the border crisis, Mideast violence Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the week's top new...
» Russian leaders fear for their political survival - Cambridge Times
26/07/14 16:45 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Geopolitical Aspects PR Political Status. Russian leaders fear for their political survival Cambridge Times Russian strategists argue that if the U.S. seeks a military presence in the Black Sea, Russia sho...
» Close Encounters Of The Radio Kind? Mystery Bursts Baffle Astronomers
26/07/14 16:44 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico News. This new report resembles previous activity detected in Australia, which has scientist debating possible causes, including solar flares, blitzars, or something even more mysterious.
» Aruba to hold Venezuelan official seeking immunity - Washington Post
26/07/14 16:44 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Geopolitical Aspects PR Political Status. Aruba to hold Venezuelan official seeking immunity Washington Post ORANJESTAD, Aruba — A judge in Aruba ruled Friday that the highest-ranking Venezuelan official e...
» Hedge-fund pool backing PR deepens - Caribbean Businesswww.caribbeanbusinesspr.c...
26/07/14 16:43 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from CARIBBEAN BUSINESS's Facebook Wall. Hedge-fund pool backing PR deepens - Caribbean Business www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com Asset managers with more than $60 million under management - Brigade Capital Mana...
» Hedge-fund pool backing PR deepens - Caribbean Businesswww.caribbeanbusinesspr....
26/07/14 16:43 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from PR Economy and Business News Review. Hedge-fund pool backing PR deepens - Caribbean Business www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com Asset managers with more than $60 million under management - Brigade Capital Managem...
» Commander Sarah West has left the ship while an investigation is under way
26/07/14 16:42 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico Newswire. ... 3m (436ft) long. According to a marine traffic website, the ship's last known position was the port of San Juan, Puerto Rico in the Caribbean on July 19.
» States, Puerto Rico Makings Things Worse by Issuing Drivers' Licenses
26/07/14 16:42 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Staying Safe Abroad. COMMENT: According to THE LATIN AMERICAN TRIBUNE, the contiguous US states of the US Mainland and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, are rendering a disservice to both the US states and ...
» Obama urges Central America leaders to help stem migrant crisis - Al Jazeera America
26/07/14 16:40 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Geopolitical Aspects PR Political Status. NBCNews.com Obama urges Central America leaders to help stem migrant crisis Al Jazeera America Washington needed to understand that the violence in Central America...
» Declaran legal la detención de Hugo Carvajal
26/07/14 16:40 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from PR Videos - Review. Declaran legal la detención de Hugo Carvajal La juez Yvonne van Wersch declaró legal la detención del diplomático venezolano Hugo Carvajal en Aruba. Ante est...
» What's in It?: Coconut Water Changes Its Claimsby By MICHAEL MOSSSaturday July...
26/07/14 16:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from PR Economy and Business News Review. What's in It?: Coconut Water Changes Its Claimsby By MICHAEL MOSS Saturday July 26th, 2014 at 12:07 PM NYT > Fitness & Nutrition 1 Share The drink was once ...
» Hedge-fund pool backing PR deepens
26/07/14 16:38 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Caribbean Business. Hedge-fund pool backing PR deepens A group of hedge funds that have publicly backed the Puerto Rico government’s fi ... In Chinese shadow, Hong Kong fights for its future HONG KONG — As...
» Venezuelan ex-general wanted by US over drug trafficking held in Aruba - The Guardian
26/07/14 16:36 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Geopolitical Aspects PR Political Status. The Guardian Venezuelan ex-general wanted by US over drug trafficking held in Aruba The Guardian Critics say the case could lift the lid on what opposition politic...
» Governor’s New ‘Commonwealth’ Proposals are Old; Were Rejected in the Past by the Federal Government
26/07/14 16:36 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico Report. Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla yesterday proposed a new definition of “Commonwealth” that resurrects some of the ‘Commonwealth’ party’s old proposals for changes in Feder...
» Surge of migrants being smuggled to Puerto Rico - CBS News
26/07/14 16:24 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico news - Google News. Surge of migrants being smuggled to Puerto Rico CBS News Illegal immigration and human smuggling aren't just a problem on the U.S. border with Mexico. It's also happening in...