Chris Klomp, director of the Center for Medicare (hhs.gov) By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico will now receive the same internationally benchmarked prescription drug prices as every U.S. state under the Trump administration’s Most Favored Nation (MFN) drug‑pricing initiative — a major shift for an island long constrained by unequal federal healthcare funding. But the move comes as the administration faces intensifying scrutiny over the secrecy surrounding the agreements that under

Albert Ramdin, secretary general of the Organization of American States By THE STAR STAFF The Organization of American States (OAS) has yet to issue a ruling in a landmark human‑rights complaint filed 20 years ago alleging that the United States discriminates against 3.2 million American citizens living in Puerto Rico by denying them the right to vote for president and full representation in Congress. The case, Igartua et al. v. United States (Petition 776‑06), was submitted

Camuy Mayor Gabriel Hernández Rodríguez By THE STAR STAFF Camuy Mayor Gabriel Hernández Rodríguez announced on Sunday the approval of an ordinance banning the consumption of alcoholic beverages at any time at all gas stations and their immediate surroundings -- including commercial establishments operating on those properties. The measure establishes fines ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 for individuals who violate the rule. Ordinance 8, Series 2026-2027, approved by the Munici

The University of Puerto Rico in Carolina’s decision to halt promotions illustrates how systemwide pressures now affect faculty advancement at the campus level. (Universidad de Puerto Rico) By THE STAR STAFF The University of Puerto Rico in Carolina has suspended all faculty promotions for the 2026-2027 academic year after receiving a reduction of $710,384 in its operating budget, a decision that reflects the broader financial strain affecting the entire UPR system. In an off