hurricane maria

Disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein cultivated Middle Eastern connections and acquired rare Islamic artifacts, including pieces from the Kaaba, for a building on his private island he called a 'mosque.' Documents reveal his interest in Islamic architecture and his pursuit of Saudi Arabian business opportunities before his arrest and death.

The US Department of War's attempt to force AI company Anthropic to grant unrestricted military access to its model, Claude, was met with resistance. The Pentagon threatened to use the Defense Production Act, a law typically employed to secure physical goods or compel information sharing, not to alter AI safety features.

Warmer oceans are causing Atlantic hurricanes to rapidly intensify, making them more powerful and catastrophic, according to a study. Over the past 20 years, storms have been 2.5 times more likely to transform from minor hurricanes to major hurricanes within 24 hours. This increase in intensity makes it difficult for people in the storm's path to decide whether to evacuate or stay put.

Bad Bunny endorses Kamala Harris for the 2024 US Presidential election. He shared a video emphasising the importance of Puerto Rican voters. This endorsement follows offensive comments made about Puerto Rico at a Trump rally. With significant Puerto Rican voters in Pennsylvania, Bad Bunny’s support may boost Harris’s appeal among Latino voters.

The blow from Fiona was made more devastating because Puerto Rico has yet to recover from hurricane maria, which killed nearly 3,000 people and destroyed the power grid in 2017. Five years later, more than 3,000 homes on the island are still covered by blue tarps.

Singer Ricky Martin has dedicated his Corazon Latino Award to the residents of Puerto Rico, as they deal with the aftermath of hurricane maria.

Former President Donald Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, defended comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's joke calling Puerto Rico a 'floating island of garbage,' criticizing America's sensitivity to offensive humor. The joke sparked backlash from both political parties and Puerto Rican celebrities, highlighting Puerto Rico's struggles post-hurricane maria. Vance argued that Americans should develop thicker skin to restore national values.

With the death toll from the storm at 33 across the Caribbean, the National Weather Service office in San Juan yesterday issued a flash flood warning for people living along the Guajataca River in the northwest of the island and said the 1920s dam was about to collapsing altogether.

Trump has spent much of his administration blasting Puerto Rican officials as corrupt and inept, and he has opposed spending to rebuild a power grid and other infrastructure that was wiped out by the hurricane maria in September 2017. He's now portraying himself as the territory's best friend. "I'm the best thing that ever happened to Puerto Rico," he said at a White House press conference, "no one even close."

Chef Jose Andres and his World Central Kitchen have been awarded a prestigious Spanish prize for their international relief work promoting healthy food.

Luma Energy deferred $65 million in maintenance and improvement projects in Puerto Rico, citing budget constraints. This delay, affecting critical repairs and upgrades, raises the risk of power outages. The decision sparked backlash, highlighting ongoing energy issues in the territory since hurricane maria. An investigation into the crisis is underway.

Kamala Harris' campaign launched a digital ad targeting Latino voters, highlighting a controversial joke made at Trump's rally where Puerto Rico was insulted. The ad criticizes Trump’s response to hurricane maria, stressing Harris's commitment to fighting for affected families. The ads will run online and in Puerto Rico’s major newspaper leading up to Election Day.

A widespread power outage struck Puerto Rico, affecting over 340,000 customers due to shutdowns at two power plants. Luma Energy, managing the island's power distribution, attributed the outage to transmission line issues. Governor Pedro Pierluisi condemned the incident amid ongoing concerns over the island's aging electrical infrastructure and demanded accountability from private operators.

A total blackout struck Puerto Rico on Wednesday, impacting all 1.4 million customers and disrupting water services for at least 78,000 clients. Officials estimate that full power restoration could take 48 to 72 hours. The cause of the outage is under investigation, adding to the island's history of power grid struggles since hurricane maria in 2017.

Actor Kamar de los Reyes, known for his roles in One Life to Live and Call of Duty: Black Ops II, has died at 56 after a battle with cancer. He was filming All American at the time of his death and had recently shot roles in Daredevil and Washington Black. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Las Vegas, de los Reyes had a passion for acting and had appeared in Blade to the Heat and The Tempest. He was also active in the recovery efforts after hurricane maria.

Ian Grillot was injured when he tried to intervene in the shooting by a Navy veteran targeting Indians at a bar in Olathe, Kansas, in February.

A widespread power outage plunged Puerto Rico into darkness, affecting all 1.4 million clients as the island prepared for Easter weekend. The blackout disrupted daily life, impacting businesses, tourism, and essential services like water supply. Officials are investigating the cause and working to restore power, facing public anger and calls to overhaul the island's energy infrastructure.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora declined the White House invitation after their 2018 World Series win, explaining his discomfort in celebrating while Puerto Rico, his homeland, was still recovering from hurricane maria. Cora clarified this was not a political statement against President Trump, despite disagreeing with some of his comments on Puerto Rico.

Analysis of content that businesses post on Facebook or other social media platforms can help chart the economic impact and their recovery in countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, says a study. The researchers were able to accurately estimate the downtime and recovery of small businesses in countries affected by three different natural hazards using aggregated social media data.

Tony Hinchcliffe's controversial remark describing Puerto Rico as a 'floating island of garbage' at a Trump rally has ignited outrage among Puerto Rican voters in Pennsylvania and beyond. The backlash, amplified by prominent figures like Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin, is causing many in key swing states to reconsider their support for Trump.

Puerto Rico's Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon addressed the island. She promised to fix the electric grid and boost the economy. The Governor plans to hire more police and firefighters. Funds are allocated for healthcare and education. She aims to cancel the Luma Energy contract. Gonzalez Colon wants to attract more manufacturing to Puerto Rico. Critics cite inaction and nomination issues.