US Territories’ July 29-August 4, 2019 news week in tweets
Choir Breaks Out Singing During Demonstrations in Puerto Rico
In the midst of yesterday's political chaos & demonstrations in #PuertoRico, stumbling upon this choir singing on the steps of the Catedral Metropolitana Basílica de San Juan Bautista, demonstrators joining in, was a moment of transcendent beauty. #sanjuan #sanjuanpr pic.twitter.com/2l5Y4E5LVJ
— Michael Deibert (@michaelcdeibert) August 3, 2019
On the steps of the Catedral Metropolitana Basilica de San Juan Bautista, a choir broke out in song during demonstrations in Puerto Rico. Many of the political demonstrators joined in song with the choir.
Puerto Rico’s Leadership is Up in the Air
Puerto Rico tonight:
Governor Ricardo Rossello is out
Governor Pedro Pierluisi is in
Lawsuits are expected
People are demonstrating in front of the Governors mansion
Pierluisi faces Senate confirmation Wednesday
If he’s not confirmed, then what?
The story is not over
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) August 2, 2019
Governor Ricardo Rosselló leaving office has seen Pedro Pierluisi rise to the role of governor. Demonstrations in front of the Governor’s mansion and the expectation of lawsuits have added uncertainty to Pedro Pierluisi’s role as governor.
Department of Justice Indicates There May Evidence to Suggest Crimes Were Committed by the Governor and his Associates
BREAKING: Just as Puerto Rico’s Governor was set to resign the islands Dept of Justice informed the Independent Special Prosecutor that there’s evidence to suggest crimes may’ve been committed by the Governor & his associates regarding the chat messages that led the Gov to resign pic.twitter.com/Cr2ctNq3nQ
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) August 2, 2019
The Puerto Rico Department of Justice has informed the Independent Special Prosecutor that there is evidence suggesting that crimes were committed by the Governor and his associates over a leak of a group chat that has forced Governor Ricardo Rosselló out of office.
The US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Will Have to Wait on Billions in Disaster Aid
Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands will have to wait for billions in mitigation disaster aid, HUD says https://t.co/cOQqKDI5DM @newsweek
— Boricua Times (@BoricuaTimes) August 3, 2019
HUD has made billions in disaster aid available for states and territories recently hit by natural disasters. However, the $9 billion in aid set for the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico has an unspecified timeline for distribution due to HUD’s concerns of misuse of funds.
Construction of New Marine Corps Base in Guam Continues to Unearth Historic Sites
Important news out of Guam — construction of a new Marine Corps base keeps uncovering new historic sites but so far the military has refused to stop construction despite pleas from activists and a letter from the governor requesting a pause (the gov cited environmental reasons) https://t.co/jHJTCVtw3J
— Anita Hofschneider (@ahofschneider) August 1, 2019
The construction of new Marine Corps Base in Guam continues to unearth historic sites. Activists, locals and the governor have pleaded for construction to stop so the sites can be studied, but so far the construction continues.
Anger in American Samoa Over Rugby Donation to Manu Samoa
Anger in American Samoa over donation to Manu Samoa https://t.co/9xiPaGP43c
— RNZ Pacific (@RNZPacific) July 29, 2019
American Samoa donated $100,000 to Manu Samoa’s bid for the Rugby World Cup. Criticism has quickly followed as there has been a freeze on overtime pay and American Samoa’s Rugby federation has not received promised funds. There is growing anger that the government’s kind gesture towards Manu Samoa has put the territory’s finances in a bind.
The Northern Mariana Islands Military History
The Enola Gay lands at Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands after its bombing mission at Hiroshima. CREDIT:AP pic.twitter.com/LV9UP8szwW
— sanjibsinha (@sanjibsinha99) August 2, 2019
The Northern Mariana Islands played a significant role in the US’s military campaigns in the Pacific theater during World War Two.
