Tuesday, January 14, 2014

"The Commonwealth" of Puerto Rico, with a land area of about 3,500 square miles and a population of 3.67 million, is a case of political schizophrenia... - Will Puerto Rican Bonds Trigger a Mainland Bailout? | National Legal and Policy Center

Make Puerto Rico the 51st state | TheHill 

Full equality for US citizens in Puerto Rico | TheHill



Puerto Rico’s economic and political plight | TheHill 

Will Puerto Rican Bonds Trigger a Mainland Bailout? | National Legal and Policy Center 

Miranda named PR Justice secretary - Caribbean Business

» Puerto Rico Lags in Federal Funding
14/01/14 10:09 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico Report. The Atlantic  magazine suggested in a recent article , that although there is a “separate but equal” attitude toward Puerto Rico, the truth is that Puerto Rico may be separa...
» Congressional Leaders Propose Puerto Rico Status Plebiscite Authorization by Saturday
14/01/14 10:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico Report. The leaders of both parties of Congress’ appropriations committees tonight proposed Federal authorization for a plebiscite in Puerto Rico on the territory’s ultimate status ...

Puerto Ricans Flock North Away From Battered Economy - WSJ.com
Yields on Puerto Rico Bonds Hit High - WSJ.com
Puerto Rico rocked by 6.4-magnitude earthquake | CTV News
WPEC-TV CBS12 News :: News - Top Stories - Strong earthquake strikes north of Puerto Rico
Second-Class Citizens: How D.C. and Puerto Rico Lose Out on Democracy - Daniel Weeks - The Atlantic
Misguided Policy on Puerto Rico - Salem-News.Com
Congress has to think about taking steps to stave off financial disaster in Puerto Rico - Opinion - The Buffalo News
Bones Stolen From Puerto Rico Graveyard
Police reported the death of a robber - The New Day
Standing federal case against former agent accused of child pornography NIE - The New Day
NIE assesses a death - The New Day

Cesar Miranda officially designated as attorney - The New Day

EN VIVO: Nombran al nuevo secretario de Justicia - El Nuevo Día

Home - The New Day

Who is Cesar Miranda? - The New Day

About 70 aftershocks following 6.4 quake - The New Day

Pierluisi believes new attorney should be confirmed first - The New Day

Senator Ron Wyden chaired the Finance Committee of the U.S. Senate - The New Day

Cause for trial by municipal employee fraud primarista Guaynabo - The New Day
Ready to start the trial against the Chuchin Antonio Soto - The New Day
DRONES - The New Day
Justice lies charges former City Attorney
Lie electoral fraud charges in Cataño - Metro

Plagued By Violence, Bad Economy, Puerto Rico Rings In 2014 With Bang; 13 Murders In 5 Days | Fox News Latino

REPORT: Violent Crime Rate Drops in Puerto Rico | HispanicallySpeakingNews.com 

James Tuller: "There will be no benefit to being shot into the air, only jail" | Noti One 630 | First With The News

Crime and the Systemic Failures of Government in Venezuela 

Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks Review 


» 6.5-quake shakes Puerto Rico's northern coast - Business Standard
13/01/14 21:01 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico business - Google News. IBNLive 6.5-quake shakes Puerto Rico's northern coast Business Standard A strong earthquake out to sea has shaken Puerto Rico's northern coast, causing minor damage in s...
» PUERTO RICO CARIBBEAN Massive 6 5 EARTHQUAKE!! Cause Some damage 1 13 14
13/01/14 21:00 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Videos matching: puerto rico news. PUERTO RICO CARIBBEAN Massive 6 5 EARTHQUAKE!! Cause Some damage 1 13 14 WE REPORT AND YOU DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH THE INFO AND VISIT NEWS CHANNEL 428 HOME PAGE AND CHECK ...
» ALERT NEWS Earthquake Hits Puerto Rico
13/01/14 20:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Videos matching: puerto rico news. ALERT NEWS Earthquake Hits Puerto Rico WE REPORT AND YOU DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH THE INFO AND VISIT NEWS CHANNEL 428 HOME PAGE AND CHECK THE ABOUT BUTTON and Subscribe .. ...
» ALERT NEWS Earthquake Hits Puerto Rico
13/01/14 20:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Videos matching: puerto rico news. ALERT NEWS Earthquake Hits Puerto Rico WE REPORT AND YOU DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH THE INFO AND VISIT NEWS CHANNEL 428 HOME PAGE AND CHECK THE ABOUT BUTTON and Subscribe .. ...
» Massive 6.5 EARTHQUAKE!! just struck CARIBBEAN PUERTO RICO; Damage 1.12.14 See 'DESCRIPTION'
13/01/14 20:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Videos matching: puerto rico. Massive 6.5 EARTHQUAKE!! just struck CARIBBEAN PUERTO RICO; Damage 1.12.14 See 'DESCRIPTION' http://www.harvestarmy.org - - SUBSCRIBE FOR PREDICTIONS THAT MAY AFFECT YOU - - [...
» PUERTO RICO CARIBBEAN Massive 6.5 EARTHQUAKE!! Cause Some damage 1.13.14
13/01/14 20:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Videos matching: puerto rico. PUERTO RICO CARIBBEAN Massive 6.5 EARTHQUAKE!! Cause Some damage 1.13.14 http://www.harvestarmy.org - - SUBSCRIBE FOR PREDICTIONS THAT MAY AFFECT YOU - - [Stay abreast for fur...
» Puerto Rico's primary focus is our economy - The Hill (blog)
13/01/14 20:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico statehood - Google News. Puerto Rico's primary focus is our economy The Hill (blog) Instead of joining us in addressing these very important issues that dictate the quality of life on our islan...
» Representative Proposes Alternatives for Puerto Rico in Federal Tax Reform Bills
13/01/14 20:55 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico Report. Puerto Rico’s representative to the Federal government, Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi (statehood party/D), late yesterday proposed alternatives for Puerto Rico’s treatment in a ...
» Fantasy Island Revisited
13/01/14 20:55 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico Report. Juan Hernandez Mayoral, head of Puerto Rico’s Federal Affairs Administration, has written a post on the Website of  The Hill , a newspaper for the congressional community, asking ...
» “Commonwealth” Economy Continued to Shrink in 2013 and is Expected to in 2014
13/01/14 20:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico Report. Puerto Rico’s economy starts 2014 significantly worse off than it began 2013 — continuing many years of deterioration. 2014 commences during the eighth year of an economy that has shrun...
» U.S. Senate Drops Federal Insular Budget Report Requirement; Governor Objected
13/01/14 20:53 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico Report. The U.S. Senate committee with general responsibility for the U.S.’ territories has excluded Puerto Rico from legislation  that would require a Federal evaluation of the Government of P...
» Police say bones stolen at Puerto Rico graveyard - Washington Post
13/01/14 20:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico news - Google News. Police say bones stolen at Puerto Rico graveyard Washington Post SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Police in Puerto Rico say graveyard vandals have stolen bones from at least fo...
» The scary thing about Puerto Rico's population: It's leaving the island for good - Quartz
13/01/14 20:50 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico - Google News. La prensa Latin American Herald Tribune The scary thing about Puerto Rico's population: It's leaving the island for good Quartz After growing gradually (but at a slowing pace) up...
» Global Recession Hits Puerto Rico Hard - NPR
13/01/14 20:49 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico - Google News. Global Recession Hits Puerto Rico Hard NPR The island is paying nearly 10 percent interest on its bonds to attract reluctant investors. And some credit-rating analysts are saying...
» In Puerto Rico, ditching sun and sand for a day in the caves - Washington Post
13/01/14 20:49 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico - Google News. Washington Post In Puerto Rico , ditching sun and sand for a day in the caves Washington Post At our tour guide's mention of scorpion spiders, an uneasy murmur rippled through th...
» Spain Orders Extradition Of Puerto Rican Woman Wanted In US For Hiring Hitman - Fox News Latino
13/01/14 20:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico - Google News. Spain Orders Extradition Of Puerto Rican Woman Wanted In US For Hiring Hitman Fox News Latino MADRID (AP) – A Spanish court on Friday ordered the extradition of a Puerto Rican wo...
» Homicide rate drops again in Puerto Rico - Herald Sun
13/01/14 20:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico - Google News. Homicide rate drops again in Puerto Rico Herald Sun PUERTO Rico closed 2013 with 883 homicides, a figure 12.1 per cent lower than in 2012 and the second straight annual decrease ...
» Puerto Rico's Population Continues Rapid Decline - U.S. News & World Report (blog)
13/01/14 20:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico - Google News. U.S. News & World Report (blog) Puerto Rico's Population Continues Rapid Decline U.S. News & World Report (blog) Puerto Rico's population is on a steady decline, and its ...
» Venezuela's Maduro to propose Puerto Rico as Celac member - El Universal
13/01/14 20:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico - Google News. El Universal Venezuela's Maduro to propose Puerto Rico as Celac member El Universal Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is to propose the inclusion of Puerto Rico in the Com...
» Puerto Rico Takes a Page from Argentina's Playbook - The ...
13/01/14 20:46 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico - Google Blog Search. At the same time it was reforming its pension plans for teachers, Puerto Rico was also borrowing money from its own public employee retirement funds to plug a hole in its ...
» Forbes' Puerto Rico Post That Pissed Off Island's Senate President
13/01/14 20:45 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico - Google Blog Search. A ridiculous debt level, high unemployment, a workforce that lives off entitlements, etc. Granted, McDonald comes across as a bit of a superior snob in his characterizatio...
» Young People Abandon Puerto Rico - The American Interest
13/01/14 20:45 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico - Google Blog Search. Puerto Rico now has another problem on top of its ravaged finances and poor credit rating: citizens are fleeing the island in droves. Since the year 2000, Puerto Rico has ...
» Puerto Rico's Problems Are About More Than Money
13/01/14 20:45 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico - Google Blog Search. In many ways that conversation with my mother reminds me a lot of Puerto Rico . The island receives more than US$20 billion a year in federal funds, with the largest porti...
» Maduro: Free Puerto Rico will be independent | Systemic Capital.com
13/01/14 20:45 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico - Google Blog Search. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is to propose the inclusion of Puerto Rico in the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) in the next meeting to be he...
» Strong offshore quake causes minor damage in Puerto Rico
13/01/14 20:44 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico. Agencia EFE San Juan, Jan 13 (EFE).- A magnitude-6.4 earthquake struck early Monday off the northern coast of Puerto Rico and was felt throughout the island, but caused only minor damage. The ...
» Puerto Rico policewoman accused of shoplifting - WRAL.com
13/01/14 20:43 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rican community in new york - Google News. WKRC TV Cincinnati Puerto Rico policewoman accused of shoplifting WRAL.com SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Authorities in Puerto Rico have arrested a female state ...
» Yields on Puerto Rico Debt Hit High - Wall Street Journal
13/01/14 20:43 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rican community in new york - Google News. Yields on Puerto Rico Debt Hit High Wall Street Journal Yields on Puerto Rico's $70 billion worth of debt, which is held by many small investors through mu...
» Shallow 6.5-magnitude earthquake strikes off coast of Puerto Rico ...
13/01/14 20:42 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rican community in new york - Google Blog Search. WASHINGTON — An earthquake of magnitude 6.5 struck north of Puerto Rico on Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It said the quake, initially ......
» Puerto Ricans Flock North Away From Battered Economy
13/01/14 20:42 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from PR Economy and Business News Review. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304173704579262390542968318 Exodus in Past Decade Was the Largest Since the 1950s By Arian Campo-Flores connect Jan....
» Spanish court backs Puerto Rican's extradition - KSWO
13/01/14 20:41 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from political status of puerto rico - Google News. Spanish court backs Puerto Rican's extradition KSWO MADRID (AP) - A Spanish court on Friday ordered the extradition of a Puerto Rican woman wanted by U.S. fed...
» Make Puerto Rico the 51st state - The Hill (blog)
13/01/14 20:40 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from political status of puerto rico - Google News. Make Puerto Rico the 51st state The Hill (blog) For 520 years, Puerto Rico has been a colony, of Spain first and of The United States since 1898. It is the ol...
» Bones Stolen From Puerto Rico Graveyard - Huffington Post
13/01/14 20:40 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from political status of puerto rico - Google News. Guardian Liberty Voice Bones Stolen From Puerto Rico Graveyard Huffington Post SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Police in Puerto Rico say graveyard vandals ...
» Fantasy Island Revisited | Puerto Rico Report
13/01/14 20:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from political status of puerto rico - Google Blog Search. The Democratic and Republican leaders of the committee responsible for the status of territories recently wrote to Puerto Rico's political leaders reit...
» The Wall Street Guy Who Wrote Forbes Piece About Puerto Rico Still ...
13/01/14 20:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from political status of puerto rico - Google Blog Search. Our point is a simple one: Do Larry McDonald and others who are now pushing for short-term profits off of the island's crisis actually care enough to d...
» Secretario de Justicia de Puerto Rico se despide de empleados de departamento
13/01/14 20:38 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from RSS for Alejandro. El exsecretario del Departamento de Justicia, Luis Sánchez Betances, que dimitió del cargo por su intervención durante el arresto de un amigo, envió una carta de despedida a los empleado...
» César Miranda es el nuevo secretario de Justicia de Puerto Rico
13/01/14 20:37 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from RSS for Alejandro. César Miranda fue nombrado hoy secretario de Justicia de Puerto Rico en sustitución de su antecesor, Luis Sánchez Betances, quien dimitió tras verse envuelto en un escándalo derivado de ...
» Puerto Rico Earthquake Measuring 6.4 Strikes; No Injuries Reported
13/01/14 20:27 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico Newswire. ... and building damage, no one reported injuries or major property damage Monday. "The damages have been minor," Puerto Rico's emergency management agency spokesman Carlos Acevedo sa...
» Hungary PM to meet Russia's Putin, nuclear deal likely
13/01/14 20:24 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico News - Selected Feeds Review. BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Moscow on Tuesday, the Kremlin said on Monday, and a d...
» Miranda named PR Justice secretary
13/01/14 20:22 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico News Review. Miranda named PR Justice secretary Gov. Alejandro García Padilla has tapped César Miranda to head the Justice Depar ... Emergency passport office opens in SJ Issued: January 13, 20...
» Strong offshore quake causes minor damage in Puerto Rico
13/01/14 20:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico News Review. Agencia EFE San Juan, Jan 13 (EFE).- A magnitude-6.4 earthquake struck early Monday off the northern coast of Puerto Rico and was felt throughout the island, but caused only minor ...
» Quake among strongest to shake PR
13/01/14 20:18 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Caribbean Business. Quake among strongest to shake PR A strong earthquake out to sea that shook Puerto Rico early Monday is one of the ... PR remains on SpaceX’s launch radar Puerto Rico could still land a...
» DRONES
13/01/14 20:11 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico News Review. 78 DRONES 288 Puente roto Gloria Ruiz Kuilan 270 Fufi Santori 7941 2707 This post has been generated by Page2RSS
» 6.4-quake shakes Puerto Rico, causing minor damage
13/01/14 20:10 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico Newswire. ... brands, has agreed to be acquired by Japan's Suntory Holdings Ltd. for approximately $13.62 billion. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - A strong earthquake out to sea that shook Puerto ...
» Puerto Rico shook up by 6.4 earthquake, minor damage reported
13/01/14 14:30 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Puerto Rico Newswire. A strong earthquake out to sea that shook Puerto Rico early Monday is one of the largest to hit the U.S. territory in recent years, cracking floors and causing some power outages, but...

Monday, January 13, 2014

Puerto Rico rocked by 6.4-magnitude earthquake

WPEC-TV CBS12 News :: News - Top Stories - Strong earthquake strikes north of Puerto Rico


Puerto Rico rocked by 6.4-magnitude earthquake

CTV News - ‎13 minutes ago‎
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- A strong earthquake out to sea that shook Puerto Rico early Monday is one of the largest to hit the U.S. territory in recent years, cracking floors and causing some power outages, but no major damages or injuries, officials said.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Spanish Court Backs Puerto Rican's Extradition 10/01/14 09:57 from NYT > Europe

» Spanish Court Backs Puerto Rican's Extradition
10/01/14 09:57 from NYT > Europe
Spain's National Court has ordered the extradition of a Puerto Rican woman wanted by U.S. federal authorities for allegedly hiring a hitman to kill her wealthy Canadian husband.      

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Puerto Rico es una potencia mundial en la música 02/01/14 09:01 from Global Voices en Español; Ángel Carrión

» Puerto Rico es una potencia mundial en la música
02/01/14 09:01 from Global Voices en Español » Ángel Carrión
La reconocida y polifacética pianista y compositora puertorriqueña, Brenda Hopkins Miranda, escribe para la revista digital 80 grados un artículo en donde se pregunta por qué Puerto Rico no aprovecha mejor la gran riqueza musical que tie...

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Yields on Puerto Rico Debt Hit High - WSJ


CREDIT MARKETS
Yields on Puerto Rico Debt Hit High
By AL YOON And MIKE CHERNEY
Jan. 1, 2014 6:06 p.m. ET
Puerto Rico is struggling to convince investors and credit-rating firms that it is on the path to financial health amid rising borrowing costs and fears over a potential downgrade of its debt.

Yields on Puerto Rico's $70 billion worth of debt, which is held by many small investors through mutual funds, ended 2013 at record highs, raising questions over the commonwealth's ability to tap credit markets to bolster its finances.

The average yield on Puerto Rico's 10-year bonds hit 9.87% on Friday and hovered there through Tuesday, the last trading day of 2013. That was the highest ever in Thomson Reuters Municipal Market Data records going back to 1997. Yields, which move in the opposite direction of prices, more than doubled in 2013.

The coming months are shaping up to be a test for Puerto Rico. The island's beleaguered economy makes it more difficult for Puerto Rico to juggle its budget deficit as well as its debt load, which weighs in at nearly 70% of GDP according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings have warned of potential downgrades of Puerto Rico debt to "junk" status, citing the borrower's growing challenge in tapping debt markets.

"The hole they are in is pretty big," said Hugh McGuirk, a portfolio manager at T. Rowe Price, a $614 billion asset manager which has pared its Puerto Rico holdings over the past two years. A public bond deal would be "a pretty tough sell."

Investors in Puerto Rican debt have endured a brutal 2013. The S&P Municipal Bond Puerto Rico Index—which measures the performance of bonds issued within Puerto Rico—fell 20.47% last year, the worst annual performance since its launch in 2000.

Puerto Rico debt has lured investors in past years with its "triple-tax-exempt" status, which makes the interest free of all city, state and federal taxes.

A successful public bond sale would give Puerto Rico more time to get its finances in order and reassure investors. Plans to issue bonds by the end of 2013 were delayed to avoid paying high interest rates, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Puerto Rico officials declined to comment for this article but local media reports have quoted officials as saying that the commonwealth plans to return to the bond market in early 2014.

Lately, the island has turned to short-term bank loans for funding, balking at the high yields demanded by bond investors, said people familiar with the thinking of Puerto Rico's finance officials.

Last week, the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico, which serves as the island's fiscal agent, said it placed $110 million of notes yielding 8% with the Puerto Rico State Insurance Fund Corp., a government-owned entity.

In a news release, José Pagán Beauchamp, interim president of the development bank, said the transaction "reflects another step in improving the commonwealth's near-term economic situation and long-term economic outlook."

Before repaying a $400 million loan taken from Barclays PLC in December and last week's notes placement, the Government Development Bank had about $2.1 billion that could be tapped for short-term needs until the end of this fiscal year in June.

The next phase bond investors are anticipating is the start of budget negotiations.

Some investors expect Puerto Rico will attempt to sell bonds before June to show that it will be able to fund itself through fiscal 2015.

Municipal-bond investors, traditionally a conservative bunch, have become more cautious about holding the debt of troubled borrowers since Detroit filed for bankruptcy protection last July.

In recent months, Puerto Rican officials have gone on the offensive. They have taken frequent trips to New York and other cities to meet with investors and members of the media. During these presentations, they have emphasized steps taken to overhaul the pension system and raise taxes.

To be sure, some investors are taking heed, and dipping into the debt to take advantage of the higher yields.

"The trends over the past two to three years have been positive," said Philip Condon, head of U.S. Fixed Income and Municipal Bonds at Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management, part of Deutsche Bank AG and manager of $101.4 billion in U.S retail and retirement assets.

Mr. Condon said his funds did buy some Puerto Rico bonds with longer-term maturities since the summer, but he added that he will wait for more signs of fiscal improvement before taking larger bets.

Deutsche's DWS municipal-bond funds have reduced holdings of Puerto Rico debt in the past couple of years, to 5% or less of their total assets.