A closer examination of the signed terms of a new liquefied natural gas supply agreement between the Puerto Rico government and New Fortress Energy reveals rigid purchase volumes, inflated prices, and rates tied to the Henry Hub index with substantial premiums, critics of the deal say. (newfortressenergy.com) By THE STAR STAFF A seven-year natural gas supply contract with New Fortress Energy (NFE) that the island government signed last week is expected to significantly increa

A career options fair held last week in Fajardo as part of the Uniferia initiative involved the participation of some 25 post-secondary educational institutions. By THE STAR STAFF Some 600 public school seniors received guidance on the offerings of universities and other educational institutions in Puerto Rico during a new fair focused on opportunities for young people after graduating from high school. The initiative came from the Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Represen

U.S. District Court Judge Laura Taylor Swain By THE STAR STAFF An omnibus hearing scheduled for this Wednesday is expected to spotlight growing friction between Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) bondholders and the island’s Financial Oversight and Management Board over the handling of discovery tied to a $3.7 billion administrative expense claim. The dispute came to a head in a joint status report filed on Nov. 24, when the bondholders accused the oversight board o

By THE STAR STAFF Arecibo District Sen. Héctor “Gaby” González López announced on Sunday that a Health and Services Fair will be held this Thursday in Arecibo. The event, organized in coordination with the Arecibo Municipal Administration, aims to bring government services and direct assistance closer to the residents of the district. The fair will be held on María de Hostos Street (in front of the Arecibo Cathedral), from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. González emphasized the importance o

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has signed into law four Senate bills, enacting measures that strengthen navigation safety laws, clarify forensic investigation procedures, protect religious activities, and recognize human trafficking victims. The new laws, all sponsored by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz and co-authored by various legislators, amend existing statutes to close legal gaps and align Puerto Rico’s legal framewor

Aguas Buenas was hard-hit by flooding from torrential rains earlier this year. By THE STAR STAFF Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Orlando C. Rivera Berríos announced earlier this week an interagency transfer of $882,169 from the fiscal year 2024 Emergency Reserve Fund to the Municipality of Aguas Buenas to address damages caused by flooding from torrential rains between April and May of this year. Although the municipality had received previous funds, an assessm

HIMA San Pablo Bayamón Hospital (Facebook via ASOCIACION DE HOSPITALES DE PUERTO RICO) By THE STAR STAFF The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico has approved a request to extend the maturity date of a $35 million bond issuance tied to the purchase and rehabilitation of HIMA San Pablo Bayamón Hospital. The extension, granted under Section 207 of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), moves the current maturity date from

Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero By THE STAR STAFF Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero has confirmed the closure of Hope Medical Center in Humacao due to non-compliance with legal and regulatory provisions, leaving 150 people without a job. The closing is part of a broader hospital crisis on the island stemming from persistent financial losses, delayed payments from insurance companies and staff shortages, leading to a precarious financial situation in 17 institutions. Ram