The Weekly Journal - Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Wednesday, November 9-15, 2022 - // no. 185

Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

www.theweeklyjournal.com

Women evaluate the workplace P6 Job report anticipates interest rate hike P8 Congress could still help Puerto Rico P10

The evolution of the

short-term rental

STRs have evolved into a regular tourist offer

Should colonial cats be Eradicated?

P15

S

Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal

hort Term Rentals (STRs) have been growing throughout the island at such an accelerated rate that some have come to argue that they are causing a disruption in the real estate market by almost canceling all other forms of rental, particularly in the affordable housing range.

A study conducted by business consulting firm ABEXUS Analytics reveals that, as of June 2022, there were 17,138 STRs operating throughout Puerto Rico. That is 15,696 more than in 2014, when only 1,442 were in operation.

The number of STRs have multiplied by more than 10 in less than a decade.

“The main finding [of the study] is not only that STRs have continued to grow, but that their growth since February 2021 has been amazingly fast. Since then, between 6,000 to 7,000 units, approximately, have been added to the industry. This is a very high growth rate, when compared to the previous growth,” said Kevin González Toro, ABEXUS CEO. González Toro pointed to the industry’s health and resiliency after facing the COVID-19 pandemic, during which it experienced a significant reduction GO TO PAGE 4

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a week in review Uber launches new Uber Pet SERVICE Uber introduced its new Uber Pet option, an alternative that will allow pets to travel with their owners in Puerto Rico. The service responds to the demand from users, who have been requesting an easy solution to move with their pets through the application.

The launch took place during Uber’s first product innovation event in the Andean region, Central America and the Caribbean, the “Go/Get 2022” event, where the most recent product updates were also presented. “At Uber we want to put the world in motion and be a tool that meets the needs of users and businesses.

That is why we innovate to offer people more accessible options to go where they want and order what they like.” said Martha Castro, Uber’s regional director of communications.

A happy space in the metaverse

“Rising Entrepreneurs Program” from Bravo Foundation returns

In light of the increasing interest around positive experiences in the Metaverse, author and happiness coach Karen Olmo Terrasa presented “Happiverso,” a project that designs virtual and artificial reality experiences to expand brands’ presence toward Web 3.0. The project stems from Happixs, a brand focused on bringing the culture of happiness to businesses, and aims to use this digital reality to achieve human connections, real strategies and interact with their audiences creating a “happy brand.” “We aim to eradicate hopelessness from the world through simple and fun actions that we can all do,” said Olmo Terrasa, who is the first Puerto Rican to obtain the Metaverse Business Certificate in Virtual and Augmented Reality from Universidad Complutense in Madrid.

Happixs is the first brand in Puerto Rico that bases itself on the culture of happiness.

Powered BY El Vocero de Puerto Rico, 1064 Ave Ponce de León 2nd floor San Juan, PR Postal Address: PO Box 15074, San Juan, PR 00902

Firm in its commitment to fostering a new generation of young entrepreneurs through knowledge, access, and capital to direct their startups in technology and innovation, the Bravo Family Foundation (BFF) announces the fourth edition of its “Rising Entrepreneurs Program” (REP).

This business accelerator provides startup founders with the theoretical and mentoring tools that will allow them to effectively run their businesses in Puerto Rican and in global markets. Business leaders from the island and advisors from Thoma Bravo, one of the leading private equity investment firms specializing in software, will be part of the team of professionals supporting the participants.

Startups interested in participating in the program must complete the application on or before November 30th by accessing the BFF website at www.bravofamilyfoundation. org or through the links on the Facebook and Instagram pages.

President Salvador Hasbún shasbun@elvocero.com

VP of Accounting Félix A. Rosa frosa@elvocero.com

Human Resources Director Arlene Rolón, PHR arolon@elvocero.com

Vp of Marketing and Business Operations Michelle Pérez Miperez@elvocero.com

VP of Production Eligio Dekony edekony@elvocero.com

VP of Editorial Content Juan Miguel Muñiz Guzmán jmuniz@elvocero.com

Multi-Platform Graphic and Technology Director Héctor L. Vázquez hvazquez@elvocero.com

Phone: 787-622-2300, 787-721-2300

Multi-Plataform Digital Director Rafelli González Cotto rgonzalez@elvocero.com

Customer Service: 787-622-7480

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 in the number of rental units, from 12,720 in January 2020 to 10,368 by September of that same year. After February 2021 SRTs started an ascending curve that took them to 17,138 units last June.

The ABEXUS executive clarified that a 22,000 figure had been incorrectly used in the past to signify “the number of Airbnbs in Puerto Rico.”

“We were essentially responsible for popularizing that figure, but it is the product of a different analysis. We were originally referring to rooms not housing units because it was the best way to compare to hotels, since they don’t have housing units but rooms. So, loosely estimated, those 17,000 units represent more than 30,000 rooms available through short term rental platforms,” González Toro explained.

The industry’s growth and the average daily rates (ADR) it charges are probably the best indicators corroborating how STRs have been solidifying as a tourist offer.

“Initially, this industry was an alternative to the traditional hotel, a guesthouse, or a villa. But STRs have become a kind of tourist experience. STRs are now competing in a different category,” said González Toro, who assured the study confirms guests/consumers are willing to pay a premium for that closer experience to local living.

ABEXUS’ snapshot of STRs in Puerto Rico states the ADR for a short-term rental for 2022 is $224.

But that would depend on location. Using Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s tourist regions, the study compares ADRs in each of the six regions. In the case of Porta Atlántico region (from Toa Baja to Camuy) the ADR is $307, or more than $80 higher than the national average. Similarly, Porta Este

Initially, this industry was an alternative to the traditional hotel, a guesthouse, or a villa.

But STRs have become a kind of tourist experience.

Kevin González Toro, CEO of ABEXUS Analytics

According to González Toro Puerto Rico’s northern coast has the highest concentration of the highest priced STRs, particularly in the Dorado area. (following the eastern coast of the island from The ABEXUS executive also highlighted the Loíza to Maunabo, including the islands of Vieques study’s cluster analysis, the first of its kind, as one and Culebra) the ADR is $254, or $30 more than of the elements with the greatest added value for the national average. the short term rental industry.

According to González Toro, the ADR of a hotel “This is an agglomeration analysis where the in Puerto Rico during the high season is about the system itself, via a series of econometric functions, same as a STR’s. Nevertheless, he pointed to the tells us ‘the price ranges are these,’ instead of an fact that there are some rates “way higher than expert telling us what they are,” González Toro hotel rates.” argued.

“There are properties that ABEXUS developed seven (7) could have rates of $2,000, clusters based on location (on $3,000 or $5,000 per night. the island), price and length These are properties with of stay. The study revealed more rooms, thus allowing for that “contrary to our initial a higher monetization of the hypothesis” location was not a The accelerated property. When you break it key determinant of price. growth of the short down per room, it comes up to In the ADR line, the seven term rental industry $500 or $600 per night rooms,” price clusters were developed: and its concentration he explained.

STRs with ADRs of less than on specific areas has $160, between $160 and created a problem $290, between $291 and in terms of access to $560, between $561 to $1,000, affordable housing. between $1,000 to $2,000, between $2,000 and $4,350 and above $4,351.

González Toro further argued the importance of the cluster analysis using the less than $160 STR’s operating in Ponce.

“If you take a look at the Location of Cluster One Properties map, Ponce, which is full of STRs, is painted red (the color assigned to the less than $160 ADR). But if you consider the next higher category (between $160 and $290 ADR), which is blue, or go up even further, you will notice that those disappear… there are virtually no rental in those categories. So, we see there are differences between the markets. Ponce, for example is a more affordable market than others in the island,” González Toro said.

For the economist, the study reveals that geography/location is not the only determinant for different clusters because “there are similar markets, despite them being in different geographical locations.”

In fact,

Growing Pains

González Toro admitted that the accelerated growth of the short term rental industry and its concentration on specific areas has created a

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recommendations from the American Planning Association is for all regulatory or procedural effort to be undertaken, should respond to local circumstances,” he recalled, arguing it is not the same to regulate STR’s in Old San Juan, as it is in downtown San Germán.

Other Conflicts

On the western corner of the island there is a small area, literally Aguadilla’s downtown, where we find an incredibly high concentration of STRs that is creating problems.

Kevin González Toro, CEO of ABEXUS Analytics

problem in terms of access to affordable house.

Such is the case of San Juan, particularly the Old San Juan and Puerta de Tierra areas, but also in Aguadilla, on the north-western tip of the island.

“On the western corner of the island there is a small area, literally Aguadilla’s downtown, where we find an incredibly high concentration of STRs that is creating problems in terms of the availability of affordable housing,” he said.

Many countries and jurisdictions are also facing this situation and they are now discussing what alternatives could be offered to incentivize the construction of affordable housing or to safeguard current inventories so there is sufficient affordable housing for local populations.

“That is the debate we need to undertake because this is an industry on the rise and it needs to regulations to safeguard the economic ecosystem,” said González Toro, who also warned that, aside from the affordable housing crisis, the unchecked growth of the industry could spell its own doom. “If the industry keeps adding more

and more STRs, it could reach a point where, because there was no regulation, the market could collapse.”

González Toro admitted there are no laws or regulations that sanction this industry. The closest are tax regulations at the state level, and one or two municipal governments that are in the process of passing specific municipal ordinances.

As part of the study benchmark analysis to provide possible alternatives to regulate the industry and its markets, alternatives under consideration by other jurisdictions were evaluated.

“In this regard, one of the conclusions was that there is no single legislation or regulation that would suit all areas and markets. One of the

STRs have always been at odds with “paradores” (locally owned hotels and inns) with the latter accusing the former of unfair competition, arguing they do not comply with all the regulations of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

For González Toro, the conflict seems to be more specific.

“Those STR’s whose operations are similar to that of a hotel, or a ‘parador,’ definitely create a dislocation in the economy. They also dislocate other areas such as safety and other areas of public interest that are usually regulated by hotels and/or ‘paradores,’” said the economist, specifically referring to the high concentration of people in one same place.

González Toro mention that, similar to the problems created by a person owning to or three properties rented as STRs, property managers managing 10, 15, or 20 apartments in a walk-up condo. Those apartments are still independently owned but they have been ceded to a company for it to manage them as STRs. “When you have a facility that is being significantly used for this purpose, the whole experience is very similar that of ‘parador’ or a small hotel. Then, a whole different set of security and safety issues, regulations compliance come into play… It is here, where laws and regulations should start to attend to these matters,” emphasized González Toro, who recalled such a case in Madrid, where a group of business firms practically turned a whole urban area into a hotel.

To avoid such problems González Toro suggests regulations should be set in place, not only to guarantee the availability of affordable housing, but also to protect the STR industry.

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Survey reveals how working women see themselves in the workplace Most women consider employers promote female leadership

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Madison Choudhry, Special to the Weekly Journal

he Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources (DTRH, for its Spanish acronym), collaborated with the Women Who Lead CEO and founder Frances Ríos to conduct the first Puerto Rican Women Workers Survey. The survey’s findings were recently discussed during the “Reclaim Your Power” event, sponsored by both organizations. .

“Through this survey, which was carried out for the first time in the island, we collected the feelings of thousands of women who, for decades, have asked to be heard in their claim for fair, general manager or the highest-ranking official equal treatment and whether they feel there are promoted female leadership and inclusion. In opportunities for growth and development that response to the question the data shows, out of would allow them to reach levels where as of now the private companies, 54% answered positively. only men have been able to position themselves Government workers responded with a positive in,” DTRH Secretary Gabriel Maldonado-González 53% and non-profit entities answered with said. positive 63%.

Women workers from the private sector, the Caridad “Cary” Pierluisi, director of the local government and non-profit organizations, Governor’s Office and sister to had the opportunity to express Governor Pierluisi, said that their opinions and points of view “we listen to the voice of all on issues ranging from inclusion, the women who shared their harassment, pay equity, growth experiences with us through this opportunities and finances in an survey and then, all of us as a open survey available to them for Out of the 4,501 society will be held responsible two months. women who to make sure we implement Ríos explained, that with “a participated in the what we have learned to sample size of 4,051 women, we study, 3,500 work improve working conditions for have opened a door that exposes for government women and achieve real longthe critical position Puerto Rico is agencies and/ term impact and change so that in.” or non-profit future generations may benefit “The women who participated organizations, from this. This is how Puerto in our survey were able to raise 363 were Rico progresses.” several alarms. With this data as businesswomen, Potential training was also a evidence, private and government and 188 were main focus in the survey. sectors may now take urgent human resources The directors of Human measures to reverse what we managers.

Resources were asked if they have been denouncing for years: believed the companies they that women in the work force feel work for have adequate annual a lack of commitment from their training on issues ranging employers,” Ríos said.

Out of the 4,501 women who participated in the from hostile work environment to sexual study, 3,500 work for government agencies or non- harassment. The data concluded that in regards to government workers, 91% – the highest profit organizations, 363 were businesswomen, percentage in the survey– believed they did. On and 188 were human resources managers. the other hand, 78% of HR directors in private One of the survey questions was directed to companies responded affirmatively, while only whether the organization’s chief executive officer,

In fact,

With this data as evidence, private and government sectors may now take urgent measures to reverse what we have been denouncing for years…

Frances Ríos, founder of Women Who Lead

56% of those working for non-profits reported having adequate training.

The question then expounded to ask if the Human Resources staff believed their companies had adequate protocols to prevent hostile work environments and sexual harassment. Again, the female government employees responded with the highest percentage, with 91% believing they did. Those working in the private sector answered with a positive result of 78%.

When asked if their supervisor had actively supported their development and growth, 65% of women in the private sector answered in the affirmative, with non-profit companies following with a positive 56%, and the government employees scoring 46%.

“Although there is still a long way to go, this study allows the government and the private sector –as employers and in terms of public policy initiatives– to move towards the right path,” Maldonado-González attested.

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In fact, The Enactus program provides education on how to lead and solve problems with a multi-solution approach.

Students from Egypt’s Ain Shams University won the 2022 Enactus World Cup.

Enactus World Cup provides launching pad for socially conscientious entrepreneurs The event emphasizes on critical skills building rather than the prize

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Zoe Landi Fontana, The Weekly Journal

or the first time, 3,000 visitors from 55 countries gathered in San Juan for the Enactus World Cup 2022.

University students, academics, business leaders, and government officials convened to see some of the most innovative projects in development by students worldwide.

Although the Enactus World Cup is a competition, for which there can be only one winner, the process is much more important than just the prize. Competition can spur innovation and drive people to learn together and take inspiration from one another. No matter where students go after graduating from Enactus programs, they take the skills to succeed with them anywhere.

“Our vision is that young leaders will use innovation and business skills to build a world where all people thrive on a sustainable planet.

That’s what we’re working towards. By going through the Enactus curriculum, students build critical skills like creativity, innovation, problemsolving, working as a team, failing and trying again,” said Robyn Fehrman, President of Enactus.

“It’s not a finish line, but a whole process. The scope of it goes beyond the socially conscientious enterprise that they are involved in. Of course there’s the possibility that they don’t continue in that direction, going into the private sector instead.

But they will be going into it with a richer social consciousness.”

Many of the problems we are experiencing worldwide are further exacerbated by a problem with leadership. We are facing converging crises – COVID, climate, conflict– that require more impactminded, innovative leaders grounded in making real change.

The Enactus program is addressing this internationally by providing education on how to lead and solve problems with a multi-solution

Our vision is that young leaders will use innovation and business skills to build a world where all people thrive on a sustainable planet.

Robyn Fehrman, Enactus. president and CEO

approach. “Anytime we try to solve big problems, it takes an ecosystem approach. We need different solutions. We think that collaboration – one of our core values – is fundamental to making change in the world. Diverse teams, diverse organizations taking different approaches to the same problem,” explained Fehrman.

People, Planet, And Prosperity

It’s not all talk – students’ projects have already

had far-reaching impacts, addressing social and environmental issues.

In Puerto Rico, the champions of Enactus Puerto Rico 2022 provide employment opportunities to people with functional diversity. “Reco”, short for Repurposed Coffee, is a social enterprise that reuses coffee grounds as a base for commercial products, such as organic fertilizer. Because of the use of organic fertilizer, the farmland recovers quicker.

Anyone thinking that shrimp shells were simply a nuisance, will be surprised to learned that they can be recycled. In the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, a team of students from Egypt won the competition with the Chito Shrimp Company. The team developed a way to reuse discarded shrimp shells from farmers. Instead of letting the shells go into landfills, their life is extended by being processed into a textile product. In their first year of operation they generated over $1 million in revenue by manufacturing personal protective equipment from the shrimp shell textile.

Yet another project addressed the inequalities caused by menstruation for some women in India and led to the formation of micro-businesses throughout the country. In these businesses, the women who didn’t have the opportunity to work can now have the opportunity for employment preparing these eco-friendly sanitary napkins that they can also use.

“Women aren’t able to go to work when they are menstruating because they don’t have access to sanitary products. And there are many remote communities where women don’t have the opportunity to work. One of the Enactus projects creates sanitary products from banana leaves,” explained Rosa Hernández, President of Enactus Puerto Rico.

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Fed’s Kashkari: Jobs report shows why more rate hikes needed The central bank hopes to moderate consumer and business spending

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Christopher Rugaber – The Associated Press

ASHINGTON — The solid U.S. jobs report for October underscores why the Federal Reserve needs to raise interest rates higher than it had previously forecast in order to control inflation, Neel Kashkari, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, said Friday.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Kashkari said that at the Fed’s next meeting in December he expects to issue a higher forecast for where the central bank’s benchmark rate will be next year than he did in September. He declined to specify how high a rate he envisions for 2023.

Friday’s jobs data showed that hiring is “quite healthy” despite some slowing in recent months, On Wednesday, after the Fed’s latest policy Kashkari said. meeting, Chair Jerome Powell opened the door to “That tells me we have more work to do to try smaller rate hikes in coming months. He added to cool down the economy and bring demand and that a step down to a half-point increase could supply into balance,” he added. occur at the Fed’s next The Fed has raised meeting in December its key short-term rate or early next year. six times this year, the But Powell also last four times by an cautioned that the Fed unusually large threewould likely elevate quarters of a point, in its key rate higher a strenuous effort to than it had projected curb inflation. Prices in September — a are accelerating at sentiment Kashkari nearly the fastest pace echoed Friday. in four decades.

Each quarter, the To achieve that Fed issues economic goal, the central bank Neel Kashkari, president Federal and policy projections. hopes to moderate Reserve Bank of Minneapolis In September, central consumer and bank officials forecast business spending, that they would raise slow hiring and reduce their short-term rate to about 4.6% by the end economic growth. Yet the risk is rising that the of 2023. It is now in a range of 3.75% to 4%, its Fed could go so far as to tip the economy into a highest level in 14 years. recession.

“I had interest rates in September peaking at Kashkari has generally supported higher rates.

He has taken a hawkish line with inflation this year, around 4.9% in the March-April (2023) kind of time frame,” Kashkari said in the interview. “Given what after having expressed more dovish sentiments in I know right now, I would expect to go higher than the past. (“Hawks” typically support higher rates that. How much higher than that, I don’t know.” to throttle inflation, while “doves” generally prefer After its meeting Wednesday, the Fed said in a lower rates to bolster hiring.)

We want people to find jobs…

But for me, we also need to see some evidence that the labor market is softening at least a little bit.

In fact, The Fed has raised its key short-term rate six times this year, the last four times by an unusually large three-quarters of a point, in a strenuous effort to curb inflation.

Minneapolis Federal Reserve president Neel Kashkari. >Photo

by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File

statement that when making decisions on future rate hikes, it would consider the impact of its previous increases and the fact that it can take time for the Fed’s policies to filter into the economy.

Economists took that as an acknowledgment that the Fed’s previous increases haven’t yet had their full impact, and that Fed officials are more open to giving their policies time to work, rather than piling on more hefty rate hikes.

Powell said Wednesday that the Fed would not need to see signs of inflation declining to reduce its rate hikes. But Kashkari said upcoming data on jobs and inflation would impact his decision.

The Minneapolis Fed president noted there are signs inflation may cool next year, such as a sharp slowdown in home sales and smaller rent increases. But he also said he is seeing no evidence that underlying inflation — which is driven more by rising wages and services prices, such as for medical care — are improving.

That’s why Fed officials generally would like to see some weakening in job and wage growth.

“We want people to find jobs,” Kashkari said.

“But for me, we also need to see some evidence that the labor market is softening at least a little bit. I’m not seeing much evidence of that.”

Separately, Susan Collins, the new president of the Boston Federal Reserve, said in remarks Friday that October’s robust jobs report may not necessarily signal a solid economy.

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BBC tries to understand politics by creating fake Americans

The news agency is attempting to illustrate how disinformation spreads on social media

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David Bauder – The Associated Press

EW YORK — Larry, a 71-year-old retired insurance broker and Donald Trump fan from Alabama, wouldn’t be likely to run into the liberal Emma, a 25-year-old graphic designer from New York City, on social media — even if they were both real.

Each is a figment of BBC reporter Marianna Spring’s imagination. She created five fake Americans and opened social media accounts for them, part of an attempt to illustrate how disinformation spreads on sites like Facebook, Twitter and TikTok despite efforts to stop it, and how that impacts American politics.

That’s also left Spring and the BBC vulnerable to charges that the project is ethically suspect in using false information to uncover false information.

“We’re doing it with very good intentions because it’s important to understand what is going on,” Spring said. In the world of disinformation, “the U.S. is the key battleground,” she said.

Spring’s reporting has appeared on BBC’s newscasts and website, as well as the weekly podcast “Americast,” the British view of news from the United States. She began the project in August with the midterm election campaign in mind but hopes to keep it going through 2024.

Spring worked with the Pew Research Center in the U.S. to set up five archetypes, although the center was not involved in how to use them.

Besides the very conservative Larry and very

liberal Emma, there’s Britney, a more populist mostly expressed interest in music, fashion and conservative from Texas; Gabriela, a largely how to save money while shopping, doesn’t apolitical independent from Miami; and Michael, a follow political groups. But it’s far more likely that Black teacher from Milwaukee who’s a moderate Republican-aligned material will show up in her Democrat. feed.

With computer-generated photos, she set “The best thing you can do is understand how up accounts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, this works,” Spring said. “It makes us more aware YouTube and TikTok. The accounts are passive, of how we’re being targeted.” meaning her “people” don’t have friends or make Most major social media companies prohibit public comments. impersonator accounts. Violators can be kicked off Spring, who uses five different phones labeled for creating them, although many evade the rules. with each name, tends to Journalists have used several the accounts to fill out their approaches to probe how “personalities.” For instance, the tech giants operate. For a Emma is a lesbian who follows story last year, the Wall Street LGBTQ groups, is an atheist, takes Journal created more than 100 an active interest in women’s automated accounts to see These “traits” issues and abortion rights, how TikTok steered users in are the bait, supports the legalization of different directions. The nonprofit essentially, to see marijuana and follows The New newsroom the Markup set up a how the social York Times and NPR. panel of 1,200 people who agreed media companies’ These “traits” are the bait, to have their web browsers algorithms kick in essentially, to see how the social studied for details on how and what material is media companies’ algorithms kick Facebook and YouTube operated. sent their way. in and what material is sent their “My job is to investigate way. misinformation and I’m setting up Through what she followed fake accounts,” Spring said. “The and liked, Britney was revealed irony is not lost on me.” as anti-vax and critical of big business, so she Spring said she believes the level of public has been sent into several rabbit holes, Spring interest in how these social media companies said. The account has received material, some operate outweighs the deception involved. with violent rhetoric, from groups falsely claiming The BBC said the investigation was created in Donald Trump won the 2020 election. She’s also accordance with its strict editorial guidelines. been invited to join in with people who claim the “We take ethics extremely seriously and Mar-a-Lago raid was “proof” Trump won and the numerous processes are in place to ensure that state was out to get him, and groups that support our activity does not affect anyone else,” the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. network said. “Our coverage is transparent and Despite efforts by social media companies to clearly states that the investigation does not offer combat disinformation, Spring said there’s still a exhaustive insight into what every U.S. voter could considerable amount getting through, mostly from be seeing on social media, but instead provides a a far-right perspective. snapshot of the important issues associated with Gabriela, the non-aligned Latina mom who’s the spread of online disinformation.”

In fact,

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Kenneth Davison McClintock

Former Lt. Governor and Secretary of State of Puerto Rico

Kenneth Davison McClintock 22nd Secretary of State of Puerto Rico

TT “

Time for a change The Right to Life

he current makeup of the he Right to Life” a until Congress remains in is place phrase used in the the newly-elected Congress is only swornnational in next discourse January 3rd.

There in the context of the is a lot the current Congress beginning of life when can dodiscussing before completing women’s the mandate for which right to chooseitorwas theelected

in 2020. end of life and euthanasia. However, at least once First, ifisthe current Democratic majority votes en a person born, he or she has an enduring right bloc it could, before the temporary of survival throughout life.current In designing several budget important federal programs since as far backfor as the ends on December 16, approve a budget the nineteenth century, Federal remainder of the fiscalthe year, untilgovernment next September has sought to help Americans 30th.

If it truly wants to helpprolong Puerto their Rico,lives. it could Duringinthe Civil War, President resolution, Abraham Lincoln include that final continuing the saw thenecessary need to create a system, now known as funds to extend state-like treatment for the Department of Veteran Affairs, to provide Puerto Rico and the smaller territories in Medicare those who fought in America’s wars with medical and Medicaid. services that would help them live and receive However, if it Few really wantsprovide to helpthose Puerto Rico, medical services. nations who the current Democratic majority could approve have served the level of health services as America. an admissions for Puerto During thebill Depression, asRico part that of thewould: New • admit Puerto Rico effective 4, 2023 Deal, the federal government saw July the need to • provide Puerto Rico the to help Americans who could not opportunity afford basic health services, and began to provide assistance. reject the admissions offer ifsome its electorate, in a the federal treasury would be over $4 billion, and In the 1960s, President Lyndon Johnson the federal share would be 83%. referendum held no later than May 21, 2023, chose spearheaded toso create Medicare for the While those benefits are automatic in a state, by a majorityefforts vote to decide, thus preserving the elderly the disabled and Medicaid for the Puerto Rico’s non-voting representative Jenniffer right toand self-determination. medically indigent.

González, Governor Pedro Pierluisi, and their • provide Congress until December 31, 2023 Unfortunately, federally subsidized medical predecessors for generations, have to devote to approve transitional legislation regarding all assistance has not been made available to all a lot of time and lobbying efforts to plead with federal programs in which Puerto Rico is currently Americans in a non-discriminatory fashion.

Congress and every President from LBJ on to seek notAstreated as a state. for veterans, VA facilities are doled out, not the equality that would guarantee residents of • provide Puerto Ricobut to as pay federal strictly on thefor basis of need, a result of income Puerto Rico the “right to life” that is automatic on taxes on Puerto Rico-sourced income politics during patronage or political influence. Partisan the mainland. taxable yearsinthat beginissubsequent to July 3, 2023, and seniority Congress factored in when it is There are many reasons why an absolute –who supports Puerto admission– by the determined where new VAcredit hospital and providing for aan 80% in or theclinic firstwill year, a majority of Puerto Ricans in PuertoRico’s Rico want be located. a state-like jurisdiction Republican Party –which has had75% a clearly-stated, statehood.

According to multiple polls, over 60% credit In inthat the case, second, a 40% in the third,that and a should havein two voting senators and two voting of Puertounequivocal Ricans in Florida, overRico 60%statehood of Puerto plank on the Puerto 20% credit the fourth taxable year. representatives ends upby getting the Ricans in platform New York under and probably which an all absolute Republican presidential • provide forbut thedoesn’t, appointment the Governor, short end of the stick. majority of thecongressional two thirds of America’s Puerto and candidates have run since the effective July 4, 2023, of two members of the Regarding Medicare, that same state-like Ricans who have chosen to live in the states 1940’s– and by the Democratic Party.

United States Senate, until their replacements are jurisdiction lacking voting representation in the and not in discriminated Rico, also want There will bePuerto politicians in Congress and in elected on November 7. national legislature as well as in the Electoral statehood for the territory. However, because of Puerto Rico that may oppose such a proposal.

• provide for a special election on November College that elects that jurisdiction’s president and the discrimination in extending federally financed Some, on both sides of the pond, because their 7, 2023 of 4 members the United States vice president, Congressof has built in mechanisms health services to the island, it is also a life or careers areofbased on spending their lives debating House of Representatives in four ad hoc districts to extend Medicare services almost equally, but death issue, a denial the Right to Life. political status.

Others because while they claim composed of Itwo local districts almost.

When turned 65senatorial last month,districts, I qualified As Congress struggles to legislate and keep to favor “self-determination”, oppose 1 and districtscoverage 3 and 4,that districts 5 and 6, and for the2, Medicare I’d been paying America fiscally stable past Friday, February 18, giving premiums if I didn’t ask Puerto the chance to become districts 7 for and478,years. until However, the next congressional Puerto Ricans on Rico the mainland as well as their a state, while particularly for “PartisB”, one of thein most representatives in Congress should make sure Many, on the attempting to project “objectivity”. reapportionment completed timeimportant for the 2032 benefits, I wouldn’t get it. The Anywhere else in the in the next few daysside to include that willthey hate to services to all the medically indigent throughout southern of thelanguage pond, because congressional election. elected representatives nation I would that benefit protect the Right to Life in positions Puerto Rico, providing see six political opening up and their lack will qualify to get be sworn in asautomatically. soon as theirThat electionAmerica, the cost in Puerto Rico is statutorily discriminatory rule---“opt in” if in Puerto Rico, “opt equal benefits underinMedicare and Medicaidthem to from being of fluidity English disqualifies is certified and the elected senators may be sworncapped at less than $400 million and the federal out” if anywhere else--- was devised for Medicare its citizensable in our share isProviding limited to for 55%aof the solution total cost,torequiring to territory. move up.That should be our final Puerto Rico’s in on January 3, 2024 to be less expensive for the federal government in urgent agenda for the next week, seeking the America’s poorest jurisdiction to cover 45% of the Our current senators and representatives can political status problem during the coming lame• provide for ainspecial on November Puerto Rico, only Puerto election Rico. full extension of The Right to Life in Puerto Rico cost. In a state with demographics similar to the either decide to be the most famous lame-duck duck session is one of the most important legacies 7, 2023 of two senators, one for a term ending Concerning Medicaid, the program to provide through equality and statehood. nation’s most populated territory, the total cost to

As Congress struggles to legislate and keep America fiscally stable past Friday, February 18, Puerto Ricans on the mainland as well as their representatives in Congress should make sure in the next fewProviding days to include language for a final solution that protect the Right to status towill Puerto Rico’s political Lifeproblem in Puerto Rico, providing during the coming equal benefits under Medicare lame-duck session is one of the and Medicaid to its citizens in most important legacies that our territory.

current senators and representatives may achieve.

on January 3, 2027 and one for a term ending on January 3, 2029. The elected senators may be sworn in on January 3, 2024.

that current senators and representatives, as well as the President, may achieve. It would also be an important promise kept by the President

Congress in our nation’s history, or disappear into the back pages of the history books of a donothing session.

11 11

< The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, November 9, 2022

/ Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Navidad de ORO

viernes, 9 de diciembre de 2022 de 7:00 pm a 12 medianoche

Friday, December 9th, 2022 | 7:00 pm to 12:00 midnight en / at

Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico La música de Milly Quezada.

MIusic by Milly Quezada.

Para información de auspicio o compra de boletos ($300 pp), favor de comunicarse a mperez@mapr.org, 787 977-4449 o 787 376-4317.

For information of sponsorships or to buy your tickets, please send message to mperez@mapr.org or call at 787 977-4449/787 376-4317.

Vestimenta cóctel | negro y dorado.

Dress code: Cocktail | Black and Gold.

12

/ Wednesday, November 9, 2022

>Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Rihanna talks motherhood, Super Bowl:

‘It was now or never’

bigger than anything I’ve ever done,” she said.

After the NFL announced in late September that Rihanna would headline the February show, hopeful rumors spread of a long-awaited new album, which she has been teasing in recent years.

Her last album, “ANTI,” was released in 2016.

Although the pop star recently dropped her Krysta Fauria – The Associated Press first new song in six years, the lead single for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” she was quick IMI VALLEY, Calif. — Rihanna knew to shut down speculation that her Super Bowl that if she was going to return to performance meant an album was imminent. the stage less than a year after “That’s not true. Super Bowl is one thing. New giving birth to her first child, the music is another thing. Do you hear that, fans?” performance she said, laughing. would have to top “The second that I anything she’d announced this, I said, ‘Oh, my done before.

God, they’re going to think my “If I’m going to leave my baby, album is coming. I need to get I’m going to leave my baby for to work,’” she recalled.

She [Rihanna] was something special,” the multiDespite her quick return to quick to shut down Grammy winner said. the public eye after giving birth, speculation that That something special Rihanna and rapper A$AP Rocky her Super Bowl turned out to be the upcoming have kept the details about performance meant 2023 Super Bowl halftime show. their baby private. The two have an album was “It was now or never for me,” yet to share his name or any imminent. she said. photos of him.

The singer had previously “We just didn’t get around declined to perform in the 2019 to it yet, really. We’ve just been halftime show out of solidarity living. But I guess there’s a with Colin Kaepernick. But in certain freedom that comes a recent interview ahead of her “Savage X Fenty with kind of just like getting it out there,” she said.

Show Vol. 4,” Rihanna said that the timing and In addition to adjusting to life as a new mom, circumstances this time around were right for her.

Rihanna said she has been busy outdoing last “It was a challenge that I welcomed. It was a stage year’s “Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3,” which earned

Rumors of a long-awaited new album have spread after the NFL announcement

S

In fact,

It’s always challenging to beat the one before. Next year is going to actually be the main challenge because this year was such a huge scale of a show…

Rihanna, pop singer

an Emmy and included a long list of high-profile stars.

“It’s always challenging to beat the one before,” she said. “Next year is going to actually be the main challenge because this year was such a huge scale of a show and I don’t know how we’re going to beat it, but we’re going to have to try.”

This year’s show includes performances by Anitta, Maxwell and others, as well as a long list of appearances, including Taraji P. Henson, Cara Delevingne and Sheryl Lee Ralph. AP’s interview with Rihanna came before word leaked that Johnny Depp was slated to participate. Some people unhappy with Depp’s legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard called for a boycott of Rihanna’s line if Depp was part of the show.

The “Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4” will be available to stream Wednesday on Amazon Prime Video.

/ Wednesday, November 9, 2022

13

Duran Duran stumbles, Dolly Parton rolls into Rock Hall Hitmakers of the 1980s defined the induction ceremony

T

Andrew Dalton – The Associated Press

he four acts found very different ways to celebrate on Saturday night, but all can now forever say they’re Rock & Roll Hall of Famers. So are Carly Simon, Eurythmics, Harry Belafonte, Judas Priest and Dolly Parton, who gave the honor an enthusiastic embrace after temporarily turning it down.

The first act inducted at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles after a memorable speech from a shaven-headed Robert Downey Jr., Duran Duran took the stage and launched into their 1981 breakthrough hit “Girls on Film.”

The shrieking crowd was there for it, but the music wasn’t. The band was all but inaudible other than singer Simon Le Bon, whose vocals were essentially a cappella.

It was a fun if inauspicious beginning to a mostly slick and often triumphant show.

“The wonderful spontaneous world of rock ‘n’ roll!” the 64-year-old Le Bon shouted as the band stopped for a do-over.

They kicked back in at full volume, playing a set that included “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Ordinary World,” quickly snapping back into what Downey called their essential quality: “CSF — cool, sophisticated fun.”

Lionel Richie brought both chill and warmth to the room hours later, opening his set with a spare rendition of his ballad “Hello” that seemed to make him nearly break down from the weight of the moment.

“His songs are the soundtrack of my life, your life, everyone’s life,” Lenny Kravitz said in inducting Richie.

After “Hello,” Richie breezed into his 1977 hit with the Commodores, “Easy.” The vibe went from smooth to triumphant when Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl made a surprise appearance to play a guitar solo and swap vocals with Richie. That led into a singalong, celebratory rendition of 1983’s “All Night Long” that brought the night’s biggest reaction.

In his acceptance speech, Richie lashed out at those during his career who accused him of straying too far from his Black roots.

“Rock ‘n’ roll is not a color,” he said. “It is a feeling. It is a vibe. And if we let that vibe come through, this room will grow and grow and grow.”

Eurythmics took the stage next with a soulful, danceable rendition of 1986’s “Missionary Man.”

Inductees John Taylor, from left, Nick Rhodes, Simon Le Bon, and Roger Taylor of Duran Duran speak during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. >AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

“Well I was born an original sinner, I was born from original sin,” singer Annie Lennox belted, bringing the audience clapping and to its feet four hours into the show. It was followed by a rousing rendition of their best-known hit, “Sweet Dreams.”

Moments later her musical partner, Dave Stewart, called Lennox “one of the greatest performers, singers and songwriters of all time.”

Rock ‘n’ roll is not a color. It is a feeling. It is a vibe. And if we let that vibe come through, this room will grow and grow and grow.

Lionel Richie, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer

“Thank you, Dave, for this great adventure,” a tearful Lennox said.

As he has been throughout his career, Eminem was the outlier. He was the only hip-hop artist among the inductees, the only one whose heyday came after the 1980s, and he brought an edge to the evening that was otherwise missing outside of

the heavy metal stylings of Judas Priest.

But hitmakers of the 1980s defined the night.

“Pat always reached into the deepest part of herself and came roaring out of the speakers,” Sheryl Crow said in her speech inducting Benatar.

Benatar, inducted along with her longtime musical partner and husband Neil Giraldo, took the stage with him and displayed that power moments later.

“We are young!” the 69-year-old sang, her long, gray hair flowing as she soared through a version of 1983’s “Love is a Battlefield.”

Carly Simon was a first-time nominee this year more than 25 years after becoming eligible. Olivia Rodrigo, 60 years Simon’s junior and by far the youngest performer of the night, took the stage to sing Simon’s signature song, “You’re So Vain.”

When the nominees were announced in May, Parton “respectfully” declined, saying it didn’t seem suitable for her to take a spot as a country-tothe-core artist. She was convinced otherwise, and ended up the headliner Saturday night.

“I’m a rock star now!” she shouted as she accepted the honor. “This is a very, very, very special night.”

Parton said she would have to retroactively earn her spot.

She closed the night leading an all-star jam of her fellow inductees on her country classic “Jolene.”

Le Bon, Benatar and even Judas Priest singer Rob Halford took a verse.

14

/ Wednesday, November 9, 2022

>AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris

Greek museum displays 1st batch of artworks recouped from U.S. and smuggled away.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said the August deal — which also involved New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art — was the best possible one it could get.

“A court process is a very arduous affair that requires very strong documentation which, in most cases, we lack,” she said Tuesday at a presentation Nicholas Paphitis – The Associated Press of the exhibition, which opened last week and will run for a year at the Athens Museum of Cycladic THENS, Greece — It’s a first Art — itself based on a private Greek collection. symbolic step in a homecoming “It is an unfortunate fact that finds from illegal that will long outlast the 10-year excavations exist all over the world,” she added.

Odyssey “So, whichever of these belong of ancient to Greece, our policy is to bring myth. them back.”

For Dating from 5300-2200 B.C., decades, an important part the artifacts were acquired by of Greece’s cultural heritage Leonard N. Stern, an 84-yearDating from 5300sparkled only for the very old pet supplies and real estate 2200 B.C., the few in a U.S. billionaire’s businessman. Most belong to artifacts were private collection, until a the Cycladic civilization that acquired by Leonard groundbreaking deal for its flourished in the Cyclades N. Stern, an 84-yeargradual return to Athens. islands between 3,200-2000 old pet supplies Now 15 of the prehistoric B.C., whose elegantly abstract and real estate masterpieces have gone on but enigmatic white marble businessman. public view for the first time in figurines inspired leading 20th a temporary display in Athens, century artists. ahead of their final return, The 15 works on display together with the remaining 146 in Athens are striking. One works, by the year 2048.

86-centimeter (34-inch) female But Greek opposition politicians, and some figurine retains eyes and eyebrows in low relief. A archaeologists, say that’s too long. They say diminutive female figure standing on the head of a the government should have fought in court to larger one is one of only three known in existence. recoup the entire collection quicker, arguing it A marble head bears traces of painted red dots on was looted from ancient sites on Greek islands its cheeks and neck as — like later ancient Greek

The remaining archaeological pieces will return to Athens by the year 2048

A

In fact,

It is an unfortunate fact that finds from illegal excavations exist all over the world.

Lina Mendoni, Greece Culture Minister

sculpture — many of the Cycladic figurines were initially colored.

Little is known of their original function, largely because so many of the surviving Cycladic artifacts were hastily unearthed by looters. This cheats archaeologists of the clues that a proper excavation could provide.

“When an artifact, from a broken piece of pottery to a statue, is removed from its context, the environment in which it is found, it ceases to be a piece of historic evidence and simply becomes an artwork,” Mendoni said. “The loss is immense.”

“If we accept that our past is part of our identity, objects that come from illegal excavations deprive us of a smaller or larger part of that identity,” she added.

Mendoni said Greece has increased efforts — working with other countries — to discourage the trade in looted antiquities and has observed a decline in antiquities collecting.

The 15 works will be sent to the Met, to be displayed with the rest from 2023 to 2048. The returns to Greece will start in 2033 and continue through 2048.

15

/ Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Activists fight bid to remove

Puerto Rico’s ‘colonial cats’ U.S. National Park Service seeks to remove majority of cat population from El Morro

S

Dánica Coto – The Associated Press

AN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hundreds of cats have long slinked through the cobblestone streets of Puerto Rico’s historic district, stopping for the occasional pat on the head as delighted tourists and residents snap pictures and offer

bits of food.

The cats are so beloved they even have their own statue in Old San Juan.

But officials say their population has grown so much that the U.S. National Park Service wants to implement a “free-ranging cat management plan” and is considering options that could include removing the animals.

The idea has outraged many people, who worry the cats will be killed.

“This is like Disney World for cats,” said Alfonso >AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo Ocasio, who has been going to Old San Juan since 2014 to feed the cats a couple times a week. “I don’t know how these people dare face the world include maintaining feeding stations, spaying or with their proposal.” neutering cats, and removing those that have not Black cats, white cats, calico ones and tabbies been tagged, work currently done by the nonprofit roam the seaside paths surrounding the historic group Save a Gato. fort known as “El Morro” that guarded San Juan Last week, dozens of people gathered for the Bay in the colonial era. The shy and surly ones first of two public meetings on the issue. But when crouch in the bushes away National Park Service officials said from cameras and human there would be no hearing and asked hands while others perch on people to only write down their nearby rocks to groom or stare comments, the crowd erupted in Several at passerby as the ocean laps anger. nonprofit behind them.

“This doesn’t make sense!” organizations They’re known as “We have doubts! We have demanded “cobblestone” or “colonial” cats, questions!” evidence to support but not everyone loves them.

“Let’s defend the cats!” statements in the “Encounters between visitors The crowd kept yelling, demanding plan that some and cats and the smell of urine a public hearing until officials people did not want and feces are ... inconsistent relented. They opened the doors to the cats around. with the cultural landscape,” the a small theater as one elderly activist National Park Service wrote in its blew on the emergency whistle of his plan. keychain to herd the crowd in.

The agency said the plan aims People spoke one by one amid to improve “visitor experience,” protect cultural loud applause. Their biggest concern was that and natural resources, reduce health and safety the cats would be euthanized, even though concerns and alleviate “nuisance issues.” It also the National Park said it is still receiving public noted that cats are likely killing wildlife in the area. comments and that any decision would be based Officials so far are offering two options: Remove on those. the cats or retain the status quo. The latter would “These are the initial stages,” said Myrna Palfrey,

In fact,

This is like Disney World for cats. I don’t know how these people dare face the world with their proposal. superintendent of the San Juan National Historic Site. “We don’t have any answers right now.”

Several nonprofit organizations demanded evidence to support statements in the plan that some people did not want the cats around and that they were possibly hunting wildlife in the area.

“I see tourists completely enamored of those cats,” said Nydia Fernández, who lives in Old San Juan and walks around the historic fort three times a week, where hordes of cats congregate.

A final decision is months away, but the proposal to remove cats saddens Ocasio, an animal lover who spends up to $15 a week feeding cats in Old San Juan. He said he adopts those that are sick and elderly, caring for them in their last days.

16

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