US President Joe Biden underscored his commitment to Puerto Rico on Monday, saying during a visit to the territory that he would “rebuild it all” after Hurricane Fiona wiped out the island's power and destroyed its infrastructure.
The president's remarks came shortly after he touched down in Puerto Rico with first lady Jill Biden to survey the damage caused by the catastrophic storm last month.
“We came here in person to show that we're with you. All of America is with you as you receive and recover and rebuild,” Mr Biden said in Ponce, a city on Puerto Rico's southern coast.
At least 25 deaths in the US territory could be linked to the Category 1 hurricane, CNN reported.
Mr Biden announced the government would provide $60 million in funding as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to to buttress Puerto Rico's infrastructure and shore up levees so the territory is better-equipped for future storms.
Fiona was the first hurricane to strike the island since Hurricane Maria in 2017. The authorities in Puerto Rico initially underestimated the death toll at 64, only to later revise that figure to more than 3,000, making it one of the deadliest storms in US history.
“For everyone who survived Maria, Fiona must have been an all too familiar nightmare,” Mr Biden said.
“Puerto Rico is a strong place and Puerto Ricans are strong people. But even so, you have had to bear so much more than need be and you haven't got the help in a timely way.”
Donald Trump, the US president at the time, was criticised for his slow response to send aid to the island after Maria hit.
Hurricane Fiona wiped out the island's power supply after it made landfall on September 18, causing catastrophic landslides and flooding.
US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on Monday that power had been restored to 90 per cent of the territory's customers.
“This is an important milestone, coming just 13 days after Fiona made landfall,” she tweeted.
The White House last week approved waiving US shipping rules to assist Puerto Rico's immediate energy needs.
Mr Biden this week will also travel to Florida to inspect the damage after Hurricane Ian made landfall last week as a Category 4 hurricane.
“As I've made clear: times like these, our nation comes together. Put aside our differences, our political differences and get to work,” he said.
SCHEDULE
Thursday, December 6
08.00-15.00 Technical scrutineering
15.00-17.00 Extra free practice
Friday, December 7
09.10-09.30 F4 free practice
09.40-10.00 F4 time trials
10.15-11.15 F1 free practice
14.00 F4 race 1
15.30 BRM F1 qualifying
Saturday, December 8
09.10-09.30 F4 free practice
09.40-10.00 F4 time trials
10.15-11.15 F1 free practice
14.00 F4 race 2
15.30 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi
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Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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