Puerto Rico declares emergency and activates National Guard over water outages
Nearly 180,000 customers were affected at the peak of the outage late last week. As of Wednesday, nearly 3,000 customers were still without water, including nearly a dozen hotels, according to Gov. Jenniffer González.
The problem has angered many on the island of 3.2 million people, especially because the state water and sewer authority has declined to name the company responsible for damaging a main water line while repairing a road last week.
Municipal officials have set up water distribution points and have gone home-to-home to distribute drinking water, with the National Guard now expected to help with those duties.
'As long as I have 11 hotels without water and residents without service, of course we have an emergency,' González said.
The governor also named a special coordinator charged with stabilizing the water system, investigating the water and sewer authority and determining how the incident occurred. He is expected to issue a report in the next 10 days.
González said that the water and sewer authority's executive director, who has come under fire, would remain in that position.
Before the widespread incident occurred, dozens of communities across Puerto Rico had long experienced issues with water supply.
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The Guardian
20 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Friday briefing: Has the recognition of a Palestinian state gathered an unstoppable pace?
Good morning. It started in the Caribbean: Barbados and Jamaica recognised a Palestinian state in April 2024. Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas followed weeks later, meaning that all Caribbean Community states had recognised Palestine. At the end of May 2024, Ireland, Spain and Norway formally recognised Palestine. Then it spread. Last month, France became the first G7 country to announce it would follow suit, pledging recognition this September. Malta, the UK and Canada have signalled they could do the same, though London and Ottawa attached conditions. Other countries, including Andorra, Australia, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal and San Marino, have signed a declaration that indicates they may be next. The shrinking number of countries refusing to recognise Palestine has played a significant role in this surge. It's a club few now want to be part of. So too has a landmark ruling from last year's International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel. Not the case examining whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, which will take years to conclude, but the one on the legality of Israel's nearly six-decade-long occupation of the Palestinian territories. To understand how this ruling has galvanised recognition as well as growing calls for boycotts and sanctions against Israel, I spoke to Haroon Siddique, the Guardian's legal affairs correspondent. That's after the headlines. Gaza | At least 91 people have been killed and 600 wounded while waiting for aid in Gaza over the past 24 hours, as the US envoy, Steve Witkoff, visits Israel for ceasefire discussions and to inspect food distribution. NHS | Nine out of 10 nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have rejected their 3.6% pay award and have warned that they could strike later this year unless their salaries are improved. Science | The world's 'oldest baby' has been born in the US from an embryo that was frozen in 1994, it has been reported. US news | US president Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing tariffs ranging from 10% to 41% on imports from dozens of trade partners in his latest attempt to reshape the global economy. Hong Kong | Former Hong Kong politician and prominent democracy campaigner Carmen Lau has accused British police of requesting she 'self-censor' and retreat from public life. Hold your breath, but we'll need to start with a little history lesson – specifically the events of 1967. After the six-day war between Israel and four Arab states, Israeli forces took control of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, as well as the Golan Heights and Sinai, in a series of rapid military advances. This reshaped the balance of power in the region. The war later opened the door to peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan, but it also marked the start of a decades-long occupation of what the international community recognises as the Palestinian territories: East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. With the peace process long stalled and illegal settlements in those areas continuing to expand, the situation has hardened into a brutal, prolonged and unresolved impasse. Mainstream Israeli politics includes voices asserting that Israel has a rightful claim to all the occupied territories, and harder-line positions calling for the expulsion of Palestinians have also influenced government policy in recent years, as Benjamin Netanyahu moved further right to retain control of his coalition. In 2022, the Palestinian delegation at the UN asked the general assembly to seek an advisory opinion from the ICJ on whether Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories complied with international law, the legality of the settlements, and how other states should respond. The request passed with majority support, Haroon told me. 'The judgment that followed was historic because of how unequivocal and wide-ranging it was.' The question of apartheid This time last year, the ICJ ordered Israel to immediately end its occupation of the Palestinian territories and pay full reparations to Palestinians. The advisory opinion concluded that Israel had violated international law in several ways, including denying Palestinians their inalienable right to self determination and inflicting policies that amounted to apartheid. Perhaps most importantly, the court advised that other states are obliged not to recognise the occupation as lawful and not to aid or assist it. 'It also said Israel needed to make full reparations for wrongful acts and essentially concluded that what Israel was doing violated international law,' Haroon said. 'Some people interpreted the judgment as saying there was apartheid, and to me it seemed explicit. They said settlers and Palestinians are treated differently and that's enshrined in Israeli law and other measures. There is almost complete separation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem between Israeli settlers and Palestinian communities,' Haroon said, explaining that the court said Israel was in breach of article 3 of the international convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination (CERD), which condemns racial segregation and apartheid. The court found multiple breaches of international law, including forcible evictions, widespread demolitions, settlement expansion, failure to curb settler violence, restrictions on water access, exploitation of resources, and the extension of Israeli law to the West Bank and East Jerusalem. A clear message to other states There was also a lot in the court's opinion about other states' relations to Israel, Haroon said. 'The court said other states shouldn't render aid or assistance that entrenches the occupation. For example, they shouldn't do trade or economic activity with settlements.' How did the UK respond? During the hearings, the Conservative government argued that the ICJ should not issue an advisory opinion at all. Now, under Labour, the position is even less clear. 'Last year, the Labour government simply said, 'We'll take this in and get back to you,' but they haven't issued any substantial response since. This has caused concern and anger among groups advocating for Palestinians. The only comment the UK government has made is that they don't disagree with the central findings of the advisory opinion. That's vague: it doesn't say what they're doing about it,' Haroon said. He notes that Britain, for instance, does not ban the import of goods produced in Israeli settlements. 'Earlier this year, a group of 62 MPs and peers wrote to the trade secretary saying they should ban those imports, citing the ICJ judgment, but nothing's happened.' Last month, Caabu (the Council for Arab-British Understanding) sent a letter signed by 112 parliamentarians demanding that the UK government publish a response to the ICJ ruling. A separate letter followed from 16 civil society organisations, 'The government said it's a complex ruling, but a year on, it feels like foot-dragging, and it makes people think it's political,' Haroon said. Others have mobilised into action. In April, Ireland unveiled a bill to ban imports from the occupied Palestinian territories in the first move by an EU member to curtail trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements illegal under international law. Ireland based the legality of its move on the ICJ ruling. Israel's response For its part, Israel didn't participate in the case (though it's worth noting they did participate in the genocide case against them). 'Israel later called the opinion 'fundamentally wrong and one-sided,' saying it was trying to push a political settlement on them, but that settlements could only be reached by negotiations,' said Haroon. 'They also submitted a written argument, saying the questions put to the court were prejudiced and failed to recognise Israel's rights and duty to protect its citizens or its security concerns.' The 'Montevideo Convention' So how does the ICJ case relate to recognition of a Palestinian state? 'The court said that the violations, such as the occupation and the settlements, were preventing the Palestinian people's right to self-determination. They said Israel abused its position as an occupying power,' Haroon said. 'I would say the recent French recognition of a Palestinian state is very much in keeping with what this judgment was saying, because it was about ending the occupation. The court said Israel should withdraw immediately. Anything that pushes towards a Palestinian state, including recognition, is consistent with the ruling.' The UK announcement of recognising a Palestinian state has been met with furious pushback. Those against recognition now warn that it goes against International law. They note that under the Montevideo Convention, a state must have a permanent population, defined territory, government, and the capacity to engage with other states. The peers argue that Palestine may not meet these criteria. The UK government have dismissed this argument. It is worth noting that some advocates for Palestinian rights also criticise recognition. Hussein Agha and Robert Malley argued in a forceful opinion piece that it amounts to little more than a symbolic gesture and will not halt the deaths and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza caused by Israel's siege and war. Either way, what happens at the UN general assembly this September in relation to the two‑state solution will be written into the history books. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion A couple's dispute you couldn't make up: Is it acceptable to drink from a water bladder during sex? 'A water bladder is not for the bedroom'. A definite win for the prosecution? Phoebe Major corporations are arguably the biggest winners in Gaza, concludes a report by UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese. It is 'hypocritical' for companies like Google to support Israel, says Katrina vanden Heuvel. Anandita Abraham, newsletters team I find it both depressing and surprising that we don't have bottle returning schemes all over the place. I loved reading about this inspiring scheme from the Netherlands - and hope it can spread! Phoebe Intrigued by this What we're reading piece on books enjoyed in July, because Welsh is on the mark about Seán Hewitt, who is a real force to be reckoned with. Definitely need to check out 'Hunted' by Abir Mukherjee. Anandita Interesting piece from Larry Elliott on the one-sided EU-US trade deal and how it's a historic admission of weakness for Europe. Phoebe Cricket | Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue took two India wickets apiece on day one of the fifth Test before Chris Woakes was forced off for England. The 36-year-old was scheduled to have a scan on Thursday evening, with his ability to take an active part in the remainder of the game to be assessed overnight. Rugby | Blair Kinghorn and James Ryan will start for the British & Irish Lions in their third Test against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday. Ryan replaces Ollie Chessum, who has been named on the bench. Athletics | After the sorrow of 2021, world indoor 400m champion Amber Anning talks about her determination to race at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September. 'The gold is always the goal,' she says. 'The mathematics of starvation: How Israel caused a famine in Gaza,' is the lead story on the Guardian today. Also focusing on the conflict in Gaza, the i says: 'No negotiation with terrorists: Starmer defends ultimatum to Israel - but won't issue one to Hamas.' 'Record number of foreign sex offenders in British prison,' is the splash at the Daily Express, while the Times says: '1 in 8 of all prisoners were born overseas. ''Labour bid to silence migrant hotel critics', is the lead story over at the Telegraph, while the Mail runs with, 'Proof Starmer's smash the gangs campaign's a joke.' 'Drug crisis scared me to death and I'm going straight,' is the splash on the Daily Record. Meanwhile the FT highlights the latest in tech news with the headline: 'Microsoft market value touches $4tn as US tech stocks surge to fresh highs.' Finally the Mirror with: 'Man, 76, arrested 'poisoned' at summer camp.' Our critics' roundup of the best things to watch, read, play and listen to right now TVThe Assassin | ★★★★★ A menopausal assassin has been a long time coming, even though there is literally no more perfect pairing in the world than a woman rapidly emptying of oestrogen and a gun. The Assassin is perfectly crafted preposterousness. It is stylish, witty, tightly written, even more tightly paced and takes the job of massively entertaining us at every turn with the proper amount of seriousness. Lucy Mangan Film My Beautiful Laundrette | ★★★★★ Now getting a 40th anniversary rerelease, this classic British comedy from screenwriter Hanif Kureishi and director Stephen Frears has for me the jaunty spirit of Ealing. It is a sharp, smart picture, with English eccentricity, sly quirk and political subversion, that represents a brilliant and almost unique engagement with contemporary history in 80s British cinema: a satire of Mrs Thatcher's Britain which involved playing Toryism at its own game. Peter Bradshaw Art and designAndy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years | ★★★★★ Rural life hits you in the face like the stink of cow dung as soon as you step into the Royal Scottish Academy. This is the Clarkson's Farm of art retrospectives, plunging today's urbanites into the raw sadness and beauty, the violence and slow natural cycles of the British countryside. Goldsworthy may love nature but he doesn't sentimentalise it. It is our connection with nature he wants to reawaken, not in a quiet contemplative way but as a shock. Jonathan Jones Music Tyler, the Creator: Don't Tap the Glass | ★★★★☆Musical reference points are deployed with an evident love and understanding of the source material, never feeling like box-ticking or pastiche; the hooks work with enviable efficiency. It's all funky enough that you imagine even the selfie-obsessed pocketing their phone and throwing themselves around if it came booming from some big speakers. Alexis Petridis Did lead poisoning help create a generation of serial killers? The Pulitzer prize-winning author Caroline Fraser grew up in Seattle in the 1970s, a decade that has the highest crime rates in recent US history. At that time the US was entering a peak era of serial killers, and Fraser tells Michael Safi what it was like, especially for a woman, to grow up with violent men like Ted Bundy and the Green River Killer operating locally. A bit of good news to remind you that the world's not all bad In a rare moment of glory for AI, which is usually in the news for taking jobs or helping kids skip homework, the first AI-run NHS physio clinic has halved the waiting list for back pain and musculoskeletal services. This successful pilot was accessible to 2,500 patients in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough - where wait times were as long as 18 months. One patient described the AI physio as 'intuitive.' Although the root cause of long waiting lists, recruitment freezes stopping (human) physiotherapists from entering work, remains, and an app-based interface may be inaccessible - this seems like a welcome innovation for some who need imminent care. Sign up here for a weekly roundup of The Upside, sent to you every Sunday And finally, the Guardian's puzzles are here to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword Wordiply
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Pentagon orders removal of 1,350 national guard troops from Los Angeles
The Pentagon will remove 1,350 national guard troops from Los Angeles originally sent to the state by the Trump administration to deal with protests over its immigration policies. Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, ordered the national guard members to leave this week. A remaining 250 troops will stay put to protect federal personnel and property, according to the statement attributed to Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesperson. Two months ago, the Trump administration sent a mix of 5,000 members of the national guard andmarines to Los Angeles to suppress a wave of protests against Ice raids. The troops received a cold welcome from Karen Bass, the Los Angeles mayor, and the state governor, Gavin Newsom, protesters and community members around the city. California politicians argued that handling the protests should be left to local law enforcement. Newsom promptly filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after the deployment and said that national guard members were also being pulled from other duties, such as drug enforcement and wildfire fighting. The deployment cost taxpayers an estimated $134m. Wednesday's continued withdrawal was met with applause from California politicians. 'Another win for Los Angeles tonight: 1,000 more troops are retreating,' Bass wrote in a post on X. 'We will continue this pressure until ALL troops are out of L.A.' Newsom called for the demobilization of the remaining 300 national guard members. 'The President should allow the remaining soldiers to go back to their families, communities, and civilian professions as doctors, law enforcement and teachers,' Newsom wrote in a statement. The Los Angeles Times reported many of the troops that came to Los Angeles found themselves fighting boredom due to a lack of clear directives. The Guardian found low morale and motivation among troops deployed in Los Angeles. A highly publicized raid on a mostly empty MacArthur Park yielded minimal results. The military detained and then released a 27-year-old man who was on his way to an appointment at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Guardian also documented false claims by federal officials against protesters, including the dismissal of seven out of nine felony 'assault' and 'impeding' cases and an indictment naming the wrong defendant. The presidential administration, however, insists that troops were vital for keeping the peace. 'We greatly appreciate the support of the more than 5,000 Guardsmen and Marines who mobilized to Los Angeles to defend Federal functions against the rampant lawlessness occurring in the city,' Parnell wrote in a statement.
The Guardian
6 hours ago
- The Guardian
Panama files lawsuits against owner of ports at centre of US-China struggle
Panama's comptroller general has lodged two cases with the country's supreme court against the owners of two ports at the centre of a geopolitical struggle between the US and China, in a move likely to be seen as a victory for Donald Trump in his attempt to rid the Panama canal of Chinese influence. The decision follows a failed attempt to sell the ports to a consortium headed by the US investment fund BlackRock and Swiss shipping firm MSC. The two ports, at each end of the Panama Canal, were originally awarded to the Hong Kong-based firm CK Hutchison in 1997. They entered the geopolitical spotlight on 20 January when Trump used his inauguration speech to vow he would 'take back' the canal from supposed Chinese influence. The very same day, Anel Flores, the comptroller general, announced he would begin an audit of the ports' owner, Panama Ports Company, in which CK Hutchison holds a 90% stake. In March, BlackRock, the world's biggest asset management company, announced it was working with MSC to acquire Panama Ports Company and 41 other ports in CK Hutchison's global portfolio. The parties to the deal agreed a deadline of 27 July to finalize details of the acquisition. But the sale of these strategic assets did not go down well in Beijing. On 28 March China's anti-trust regulator said it would review the deal 'to protect fair competition in the market and safeguard the public interest'. Earlier this month the Wall Street Journal reported that the Chinese government had threatened to block the deal unless Cosco, a local shipping giant, was included as a veto-holding member of the takeover consortium. On Wednesday, Flores said that Panama Ports' contract was 'unfair' and 'abusive'. He claimed that the company had not paid sufficient royalties to the government and that its 25-year extension, signed in 2023, was made without the necessary authorizations. One case lodged with the supreme court seeks to nullify the contract, the other seeks to declare it unconstitutional. In response to media speculation that Cosco would be included in the deal he said: 'It doesn't seem correct that in other [parts of the world] there are people negotiating the future of assets that belong to us, the Panamanians.' Panama's president, José Raúl Mulino, said on Thursday, that he supported Flores's decision – which he claimed had nothing to do with the ongoing struggle over the ports' ownership. However, the timing of the announcement is convenient for the US-backed consortium. Should the court cases prove successful, the contracts for port operations would have to be re-tendered and, with Panama having exited China's Belt and Road Initiative in April, it would seem likely the successful bid will come from a US firm or an ally country. Nullifying the PPC contract and re-tendering the operation of the ports would allow Panama to potentially redesign the contract terms to be more beneficial to the state. However, the country could also find itself exposed to litigation from CK Hutchison which could potentially argue it is tantamount to a politically motivated expropriation.
