April 9, 2024
The San Juan Daily Star, the only paper with News Service in English in Puerto Rico, publishes 7 days a week, with a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday edition, along with a Weekend Edition to cover Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Coast Guard reserve crews from three Port Security Units (PSUs) will conduct exercise “Poseidon’s Domain” along the northeast and eastern coasts of Puerto Rico from April 8 to 25.
The exercise will train the crews of the 305th, 307th and 309th PSUs on duty from the Coast Guard Reserve PSU in support of national defense and homeland security missions.
PSU training events will include boat operations, unmanned aerial systems operations, and establishment of the Life Support Area. PSU crews will also work with the U.S. Reserve Army’s 432nd Transportation Company, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Fajardo Maritime and Air Operations Unit, the FURA Maritime Surveillance Division and the Puerto Rico Police Vieques District to enhance joint maritime security capabilities in the region.
“We look forward to this valuable and extraordinary training opportunity in Puerto Rico,” Lt. Cmdr. Ydania Matos, chief of the logistics department for the Coast Guard’s 307th Port Security Unit said in written statements.
“We appreciate the support and hospitality of the people and communities within the exercise area that will contribute to our success in maintaining our preparedness capabilities to defend and protect our great nation whenever and wherever necessary,” she said.
Coast Guard PSU crews also plan to conduct community service and other community outreach activities during their time
in Puerto Rico. Scheduled exercise activities are not designed to disrupt daily life, tourism, or impact the local environment. PSUs notified local officials in Ceiba and Vieques, and should raise no cause for alarm for the public or local authorities.
The Coast Guard has eight PSUs located across the islaand as part of the organized service’s Deployable Specialized Forces program for sustained expeditionary security and counterterrorism roles. They provide Anti-Terrorist Force Protection support, including port and harbor defense, High Value Asset protection, expeditionary security, Maritime Lines of Communications, special missions, and coastal surveillance. PSUs typically operate under the direction of the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area Command and are unique in that they are the only Coast Guard reserve units that can be quickly requested to deploy by the Department of Defense in support of a regional combat commander.
The Popular Democratic Party candidate for district five of San Juan, Guaynabo and Aguas Buenas, Dr. Elba Beatrice Rivera Estrada denounced Monday the lack of control over the increase for “trusted employees” in government agencies.
“This morning I am denouncing that secretly, trusted employees of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Retirement Board, all affiliated with the New Progressive Party (NPP), have received salary increases in a festive manner,” she said.
Rivera Estrada pointed out that the raises for trusted personnel range from $800 and $900 per month to $1,000 per month in some cases and a $2,000 increase for the executive director. “This government of Pedro Pierluisi has government agencies as if it were the ATM of the New Progressive Party (NPP), where the indications in various government agencies where increases are being authorized in a hurry in an election year are already public,” she said.
On this issue, the executive director of the Office of Management and Budget, Juan Carlos Blanco, told the press that salary adjustments have indeed been granted to trusted employees, but he could not specify how many workers have benefited from the increases. “I join the call made by Rep. Domingo Torres, that the central government presents a complete list of the number of trusted employees who benefited from the salary adjustments, by the agency, and the total expenditure that it represents for the treasury.
The PDP candidate is currently a career employee at the managerial level, has been working at the agency for 23 years and serves as manager of the customer service area (call center) of the Retirement Board.
“Last week, Gov. Pedro Pierluisi pointed out that the Fiscal Control Board is allegedly reviewing a classification and remuneration plan for trusted employees, but how is it possible that there are raises in a hurry and in dark rooms to certain trusted employees affiliated with the NPP? This is the question!” concluded Rivera Estrada.
Low income families can now request up to $1,000 to pay their electric utility bill, officials said Monday.
Gov. Pedro Rafael Pierluisi, Family Department Secretary Ciení Rodríguez Troche Administration of Socioeconomic Development of the Family (ADSEF) head Alberto Fradera made the announcement that low-income families who have had problems with the payment of electric utility and have a suspension notice may request the economic assistance.
“In times of need, it is essential that the government is present, providing support and solidarity to those who need it most. To help our families pay for electric service, starting today, we will begin the application process for the Energy Assistance Program for Low-Income Homes. This aid will be available from today until September 30 of this year and is awarded once per fiscal year to qualifying families. This Program has an allocation of $16 million available for the subsidy, which is directed solely to the payment of electricity for the applicant’s home or family,” the governor indicated at a press conference. This assistance is part of the Low Income
13 million dollars were allocated, while 3 million dollars were allocated for the Program for TANF beneficiaries.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps meet immediate energy needs for families living below 150 percent of the poverty level established by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the federal agency that grants the funds.
virtual appointment, and a technician will assist him with the procedure via phone call without the need to visit a government office. Suppose they do not have access to the digital platform. In that case, the citizen may request by calling 3-1-1 or visiting the local office of the Family Department of their municipality.”
Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered by the Department of the Family, through ADSEF. Likewise, the chief executive reported that beneficiaries of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program will receive automatic help to pay for energy services.
To help families who have arrears and notice of suspension of electric energy service,
“The mere possibility of a disconnection of the electrical service generates great anxiety, especially for those people who live in vulnerable conditions. Programs like this allow us to support this group of people, the majority being older adults who live in poverty, thus alleviating their burden. We urge anyone who has received a disconnection notice and does not have the means to cover it to access the platform. However, it is important to emphasize that this benefit is granted once a year and the payment is made by electronic transfer to the individual’s account with LUMA Energy,” explained the Family Secretary.
The administrator of the ADSEF called for “people to access pr.gov to apply since it is an easily accessible procedure. The portal contains details of the requirements and required documents. The citizen chooses a date for the
After a series of efforts at the federal level led by the Public Corporation for the Supervision and Insurance of Cooperatives (COSSEC) and the National Association of Community Development Savings and Credit Cooperatives, Inclusiv, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has issued a regulatory interpretation that marks an important milestone for Puerto Rico’s savings and credit cooperatives by opening the doors to apply for membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBNY).
The milestone will make it easier for hundreds of coop members to obtain loans for housing.
Mabel Jiménez Miranda, executive president of COSSEC, thanked FHFA “for addressing this issue of great relevance for our cooperatives. The cooperative system has substantially increased its affordable housing initiatives, showing a 34.04% increase in its mortgage loan portfolio over the past five years.”
“This determination represents a significant achievement for our insured cooperatives and recognizes their fundamental role in Puerto Rico’s financial system. This interpretation
provides a clear framework that establishes the guidelines for admission to the FHLBNY, allowing our cooperatives to access a wide range of financial products to expand their affordable housing initiatives throughout the Island,” she said.
The milestone was the result of an extensive process that included the collaboration of COSSEC, Inclusiv and 70 credit unions, which requested clarification on eligibility to become members of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York as part of the Federal Home report FHFA’s Loan Bank (FHLBank) System at 100: Focusing on the Future.
“We congratulate the FHFA for issuing this transcendental regulatory interpretation that will open the doors for savings and credit cooperatives in Puerto Rico to request admission to the FHLB, allowing them to access the offers of said institution to enhance their affordable housing initiatives on the Island. This collaboration between COSSEC, Inclusiv, and our affiliated CDFI cooperatives in Puerto Rico exemplifies how we can work together to effect change to benefit our communities. We anticipate continuing to work alongside COSSEC and our partners on the Island to identify and eliminate existing barriers for
cooperatives to access financing opportunities, programs, and tools similar to those available to financial institutions on the mainland,” said Cathie Mahon, president and CEO of Inclusiv.
The regulatory interpretation clarifies the eligibility parameters for obtaining membership, providing two alternatives: be a cooperative certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the CDFI Fund of the United States Department of the Treasury, or be a financial institution that, even if it is not certified as a CDFI, is a federally uninsured credit union, and is still eligible.
In both cases, a cooperative applying for membership must meet the same standards of financial conditions that apply to other institutions under FHFA regulations. Importantly, this membership will allow cooperatives to access a wide range of financial products and services. to promote affordable housing, including low-cost financing, community development programs and financial education resources.
“Together with the cooperative sector, the state government, and the federal government, we have been joining forces to expand our efforts to benefit the population we serve, recognizing cooperatives’ fundamental role in the local financial landscape, promoting
Among the documents that must be presented are photo identification, a recent energy bill, a suspension notice, and evidence of income. In the case of TANF beneficiaries, it is not necessary to make any procedure or request since the payment will be received automatically.
“As a result of efforts that I led during my years in Congress, Puerto Rico receives the maximum funds allowed by law. Although it is not parity with the states, before, they received less than $4 million. In 2013, the allocation to our Island tripled, which has continued to increase to meet the needs of the American citizens of our Island. My administration’s commitment to The well-being of our people is unquestionable. And we will continue to focus on creating public policies that promote equity, inclusion, and sustainable development for everyone in Puerto Rico,” concluded the first executive.
growth and the economy of the Island,” said the executive president of COSSEC.
On the other hand, Miguel Colón, executive president of the Cristóbal Rodríguez Hidalgo Cooperative, expressed that “this is a great achievement that benefits almost 33% of the population of Puerto Rico who are members of savings and credit cooperatives. With this new interpretation, we can impact the lives of thousands of Puerto Ricans in disadvantaged communities by having access to decent and affordable housing.”
Health Secretary Carlos Mellado López told lawmakers Monday the agency needed funding for permanent works and to fund pensions.
Mellado said the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) proposed a base budget for the agency’s operation during the next fiscal year of $1.1 billion, a decrease of $26.2 million in charges to the General Fund and another of $27.6 million in federal allocations.
Of the recommended Health budget, $346 million corresponds to the General Fund and special allocations; $172 million would come from special state funds and own revenue; and $596 million would be acquired through federal funds.
In his presentation, Mellado stressed the need to increase funds to cover permanent improvements and the “PayGo” pension payment system, items not included in the budget recommended by the Board. “After preparing the presentation, we came to know that in the budget recommended by the governor our needs are being met,” Mellado López expressed before the Joint Treasury Committee.
Health’s petition also seeks $23.5 million in matching federal funds to implement Medicaid programs; $7.5 million to pay for electric energy services; $14 million for medical residences; and $14 million for home payments under the Intellectual Disability Program.
Mellado López added that he has $302.4 million for various improvement projects in progress. Of this money, $49 million belongs to the Ramón Ruiz Arnau Hospital in Bayamón, $47 million to the University Adult Hospital, and $44.54 million to the University Pediatric Hos-
pital, among others.
For the permanent improvement funds, he requested an extension of validity for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, since $72.9 million is in the process of being awarded in auctions, $129.3 million has been spent, and there is a balance of $100 million left to be obligated, of which $85 million belong to the current fiscal year.
Regarding the Medical Services Administration (ASEM), executive director Jorge Matta González broke down a proposal amounting to $201 million. Of this amount, $44.3 million comes from the General Fund and another $156.7 from own income.
Matta González stressed to lawmakers that ASEM is in the final stage of implementing the Remuneration Plan for all employees of the Medical Center according to the agreements established with the General Union of Workers.
“If we add this December Remuneration Plan to the second part of the negotiation that we are carrying out now, 100 percent of the Medical Center employees are going to receive some (salary) increase,” the lawyer said, while specifying that the adjustment It is equivalent to 10% above the market average.
“What this would guarantee or achieve is that the direct care employees of the Medical Center for the first time possibly
of professional services and complete investments in capital improvements so that the Comprehensive Cancer Center is at 100 percent operational capacity,” said Cruz Correa.
To continue the operations of the four core areas, the public corporation requested a consolidated budget of $128.5 million for fiscal year 2025. Cruz Correa also emphasized the need to approve an increase of $2 million for the Radiotherapy Center to recruit additional staff amid a doubling in the daily census from 40 to 80 patients at its clinics.
For its part, the Cardiovascular Center of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean has a recommended budget of $90 million for fiscal year 2025 charged to its own income. For the payroll item, an increase of $2.1 million was requested as a result of new recruitments, mainly for positions related to direct health services and due to the Classification and Remuneration Plan.
in history would be above the entire health industry market in Puerto Rico,” he stated.
On the other hand, the proposed budget for the Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA) amounts to $144.2 million, considering the “Pay As You Go” payment of almost $38.9 million.
“Although this operational budget addresses most of the needs of our agency, it does not include $16.9 million, which is essential to guarantee the continuity and improvement of the services and facilities that make up the ASSMCA programs,” reported Carmen Bonet Vázquez, administrator. from the agency.
Meanwhile, the Comprehensive Cancer Center, attached to the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), requested an increase of $22.4 million from the General Fund and another $6.8 million for capital improvements for the next fiscal year.
Executive director Marcia Cruz Correa indicated that the main reason for this increase is that the assumptions considered for the projection of income and expenses of the current budget have not materialized. She explained that from July to December 2023, the average census has fluctuated between 30 and 74 beds occupied out of only 60 that are available.
“We need the investment of resources to increase recruitment, the hiring
“The increase in the budget becomes imperative due to the implementation of a new Compensation Plan… for the payment of payroll and to cover 114 vacant positions necessary for the operation,” said Marrero. “There has not been a satisfactory recruitment of the necessary personnel to fill the positions in calls.”
The Center for Diabetes Research, Education and Medical Services (CDPR) also appeared at the public hearing, whose executive director Miguel Bustelo required a recurring allocation of $2 million from the General Fund.
Bustelo affirmed that with this recurring allocation it will be possible to increase the offering of services to prediabetic and diabetic patients, in addition to restarting the research, education and prevention agendas of the disease. He stressed that the cost of preventively treating a patient at the Center represents a “considerable savings” of $29 for every dollar of treatment. For this reason, he highlighted that the recurring allocation would allow for savings of $58 million in the medium-long term.
“This savings would positively impact the health services system of the government of Puerto Rico, the medical plans, employers, the country’s economy and, most importantly, diabetic patients,” he said.
In just one week, Donald Trump will go on trial in Manhattan — the first former U.S. president to be criminally prosecuted.
The trial, which will begin with jury selection and last up to two months, will oscillate between salacious testimony on sex scandals and granular detail about corporate documents.
Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, all of which are tied to the former president’s role in a hush-money payment to a porn actor, Stormy Daniels.a
But that payoff is not the only hush-money deal that prosecutors plan to highlight. The prosecutors, from the Manhattan district attorney’s office, have accused Trump of orchestrating a broader scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election by purchasing damaging stories about him to keep them under wraps.
It is the first of Trump’s four criminal cases to go to trial — and it could be the only one to do so before Election Day.
Trump, who is again the presumptive Republican nominee for president, has denied all wrongdoing. He also assailed the district attorney, Alvin Bragg, for bringing the charges, accusing him of carrying out a politically motivated witch hunt. And he has attacked the judge presiding over the case, Juan M. Merchan.
Here are answers to some key questions about the trial:
What is Trump accused of?
The charges trace back to a $130,000 hush-money payment that Trump’s fixer, Michael Cohen, made to Daniels in the final days of the 2016 campaign. The payment, which Cohen said he had made at Trump’s direction, suppressed her story of a sexual liaison that she said she had with Trump.
Paying hush money is not always illegal.
But while serving as the commander in chief, Trump reimbursed Cohen, and how he did so constituted fraud, prosecutors say.
In internal records, Trump’s company classified the repayment to Cohen as legal expenses, citing a retainer agreement. Yet there were no such expenses, the prosecutors say, and the retainer agreement was fictional too.
Those records underpin the 34 counts of falsifying business records: 11 counts involve the checks, 11 center on monthly invoices Cohen submitted to the company, and 12 involve entries in the general ledger for Trump’s trust.
Why did prosecutors cite other hush-money payments?
Bragg’s office linked Trump to three hush-money deals. While Trump is indicted only in connection with the business records related to Daniels, the prosecutors most likely mentioned the other deals to begin the work of proving that
Trump intended to conceal a second crime.
In addition to the indictment, the prosecutors filed a so-called statement of facts that referenced the other payoffs.
That document, common in complex white-collar cases, provides something of a road map for what the prosecutors could reveal at trial. And based on evidence presented to the grand jury, the document details the two hush-money deals involving The National Enquirer, which has long-standing ties to Trump.
The first involved the tabloid’s payment of $30,000 to a former Trump Tower doorman who claimed to know that Trump had fathered a child out of wedlock. The publication later determined the claim to be untrue.
The National Enquirer also made a payment to Karen McDougal, Playboy’s Playmate of the Year in 1998, who wanted to sell her story of an affair with Trump during the 2016 campaign. She reached a $150,000 agreement with the tabloid, which bought the rights to her story to suppress it — a practice known as “catch and kill.”
The deals suggest that the payment to Daniels was not an isolated incident but rather part of a broader strategy to influence the 2016 election.
Why is it a felony to falsify records?
Falsifying business records in New York state can be a misdemeanor. But it can be elevated to a felony if prosecutors prove that the records were falsified to conceal another crime.
In this case, there are three potential additional crimes that Bragg has accused Trump of concealing: a federal campaign finance violation, a state election-law crime and tax fraud.
The campaign crimes, prosecutors say, involve the hush-money payoffs to Daniels and McDougal. The payments, they argue, were illegal donations to Trump’s campaign.
The potential tax fraud stems from the way in which Cohen was reimbursed for his payment to Daniels.
Who will the witnesses be?
Cohen is expected to be a crucial witness for the prosecution. His testimony could take days.
Bragg’s prosecutors are also expected to call David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, as well as Hope Hicks, a former campaign and White House aide to Trump, to shed light on the tumultuous period surrounding the hush-money payments.
Daniels and McDougal could be witnesses as well.
What will the defense do?
The defense will most likely try to paint Cohen as a Trump-hating liar, noting that he and the former president had a falling-out years ago. Trump’s lawyers are expected to emphasize that Cohen pleaded guilty to a variety of federal crimes in 2018 — including for his role in the hush-money payment.
Cohen might be the only witness who could directly tie Trump to the false business records, a potential limitation of the case that Trump’s lawyers could seek to exploit.
Whether Trump’s lawyers will call any witnesses is unclear, but Trump could take the stand in his own defense.
What is the maximum sentence if Trump is convicted?
The charges against Trump are all Class E felonies, the lowest category of felonies in New York. Each count carries a maximum prison sentence of four years. Merchan has made it clear that he takes white-collar crime seriously and could throw Trump behind bars. It’s possible, however, that Merchan would impose a concurrent sentence — under which Trump would serve all prison time simultaneously — if the former president were convicted of more than one count.
And nothing in the law requires Merchan to imprison Trump if he’s convicted by a jury. The judge could instead sentence him to probation.
Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, during a news conference in New York, March 21, 2024. Since Bragg charged Donald Trump last year with covering up a sex scandal from voters, the former president has repeatedly taken aim at the judge in the case, Justice Juan Merchan, who is known as a no-nonsense, drama-averse jurist. (Emil Salman/The New York Times)
Over the last five years, the Jewish political advocacy group J Street reached new heights of influence. The center-left lobby, whose slogan upon its founding in 2008 was “proIsrael, pro-peace,” saw five Democratic presidential candidates stump at its 2019 convention. It helped persuade 48 congressional Democrats to back a 2021 bill that would have pressured Israel to further a two-state solution. In 2022, J Street had its best fundraising year to date, a spokesperson confirmed.
With the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC increasingly identified with the right, J Street appealed to many American Jews as reasonably moderate: standing by a democratic Israel, opposing the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and supporting the coexistence of Palestinians and Israelis in two states.
Then came Oct. 7.
For months after the Hamas attack on Israel, J Street did not call for a cease-fire. In late January, it backed a “stop to the fighting,” humanitarian aid for Palestinians and an end to Hamas control of the region. Just last month, an internal J Street email said the organization would use the word “cease-fire” — and it clarified that this was a semantic step and not a change in policy.
“I’ve never hidden the fact that I want J Street to be on the 50-yard line of the American Jewish community,” Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street’s founder and president, said in an interview.
Ben-Ami said Friday that J Street backs the Biden administration, which warned American aid would depend on Israel’s treatment of civilians, and supports a negotiated cease-fire.
But the war has raised serious concerns within J Street’s ranks about its ability to hold that middle position without being pulled apart by forces on the right and the left. Internally, some staff members have been frustrated that the group did not call for a cease-fire much earlier. They fear J Street’s delay alienated younger Americans, including Jewish ones, who are much more likely to oppose Israel’s conduct in the Gaza Strip, as the death toll soars past 32,000 and more than 100 hostages languish.
J Street’s cautious footing contrasts with the uncomplicated starkness both of left-wing groups — such as Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow, which quickly called for a cease-fire and are often on the front lines of pro-Palestinian protests — and of ones to its right, like AIPAC, which praised U.S. support for Israel’s military
and is pushing for more.
The turmoil has also raised larger questions of whether a middle lane on Israel remains tenable.
“J Street is still there politically, but the times have moved on,” said Catie Stewart, who used to work at J Street but now runs her own political communications consultancy.
Employees have quit J Street because of its refusal to take a harder line against Israel, according to interviews with more than a dozen current and former staff members. Several significant donors said in interviews that they have told the group they will no longer be giving money for the same reason.
Ben-Ami said he was aware of the “handful of folks” who have stopped giving, but that they were outweighed by the extra donations coming in since the start of the conflict.
He acknowledged that among staff “we have had some very healthy disagreements, there have been a couple of staff who have left because they don’t agree with what we are doing.” He added, “You shouldn’t work in a place where you don’t agree. It means you’re really unhappy.”
In late October, dozens of former J Street employees and student leaders supporting a cease-fire signed an open letter condemning J Street’s “alignment with pro-war forces.” A similar, internal letter signed by current staff followed in November, as first reported by Jewish Currents.
“J Street’s mission was to be a bulwark against the forces in American politics that seek to entrench the occupation and blockade, and lack any regard for Palestinian lives,” the first letter said. “J Street was founded to push for diplomatic solutions
over military solutions.”
Marisa Edmondson, a former J Street communications and operations associate who departed in December because of discomfort with the group’s position on the war, said that J Street had squandered hard-earned credibility with its monthslong deference to the Israeli government’s policies.
“We set ourselves up as the counter-AIPAC, and we have this power, and why wouldn’t we use it?” she said in an interview.
She added, “People to our left, whom we should be organizing with because they’re against occupation, now do not trust us.”
Ben-Ami acknowledged that the criticism has come “a little bit more from our left” than usual.
But J Street’s defenders say the group remains at the center of American Jewish opinion and insists it has adhered to its first principles.
“J Street is a Zionist organization,” Peter Frey, a financier and chair of J Street’s board, said in an interview. “It’s ‘pro-Israel, pro-peace’ — it starts with ‘pro-Israel.’”
J Street was founded on the belief that a large swath of American Jews — a group that broadly is liberal in its politics, as well as supportive of Israel — was not represented by groups on the right or the left.
J Street would defend Israel’s right to exist while pushing for a two-state solution, a position that would align it with the nearly two-thirds of American Jews who believe that possible, according to an extensive 2021 Pew Research survey of the American Jewish community. J Street’s fundamental pro-Israel outlook would also give it the credibility to criticize the Israeli right, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
But the politics of the post-Oct. 7 world have divided liberal Jews from each other and scrambled Democratic politics.
A different Pew poll of Americans released last month showed that 62% of Jews say the way Israel is carrying out its war in Gaza is acceptable, and 45% — an unusually high figure among the religious groups surveyed — feel President Joe Biden has struck the right balance in how he favors the two sides.
That survey also found that 45% of American Jews, a plurality, support both military aid to Israel and humanitarian aid to Gaza, which describes J Street’s position.
Yet 31% of Jews in the same study said both sides’ ways of fighting the war is unacceptable. And a November study from the nonpartisan Jewish Electorate Institute found divides within the Jewish community. Most notably, while 82% of both middle-aged and older American Jews approved of Biden’s strongly pro-Israel stance at the time, just 53% of Jews between 18 to 35 did.
Such findings, along with personal accounts of generational divide that many Jews have confronted, have led to fears among J Street employees and supporters that the organization will alienate millennials, Generation Z and beyond.
“Each day, we are losing the support of younger generations, Jews and non-Jews,” said the letter signed by 20 staff members in the fall, “who once saw J Street as an essential player in U.S. politics and as the only viable left-leaning organization with sway in Washington over Israeli policies and practices.”
The majority of American Jews “still support Israel and still support the war against Hamas,” said Dov Waxman, a professor of Israel studies at UCLA. “But over time, they have had growing misgivings about the way in which Israel is conducting the war and the impact on Palestinian civilians.”
On a wind-swept Icelandic plateau, an international team of engineers and executives is powering up an innovative machine designed to alter the very composition of Earth’s atmosphere.
If all goes as planned, the enormous vacuum will soon be sucking up vast quantities of air, stripping out carbon dioxide and then locking away those greenhouse gases deep underground in ancient stone — greenhouse gases that would otherwise continue heating up the globe.
Just a few years ago, technologies such as these, which attempt to reengineer the natural environment, were on the scientific fringe. They were too expensive, too impractical, too sci-fi. But with the dangers from climate change worsening, and the world failing to meet its goals of slashing greenhouse gas emissions, they are moving to the mainstream among scientists and investors, despite questions about their effectiveness and safety.
Researchers are studying ways to block some of the sun’s radiation. They are testing whether adding iron to the ocean could carry carbon dioxide to the sea floor. They are hatching plans to build giant parasols in space. And with massive facilities such as the one in Iceland, they are seeking to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air.
Since the dawn of the industrial age, humans have pumped huge volumes of heattrapping gases into the atmosphere in pursuit of industry and advancement. It amounted to a remaking of the planet’s balanced atmosphere that today has transformed the world, intensifying heat, worsening droughts and storms, and threatening human progress.
As the risks became clearer, political and corporate leaders pledged to keep global average temperatures to no more than 1.5 de-
grees Celsius higher than before the Industrial Revolution. But for several months last year, the world briefly passed that threshold.
Global temperatures are expected to rise as much as 4 degrees Celsius by century’s end. That has given new weight to what some people call geoengineering, although its proponents prefer the term “climate interventions.” The hope is that taking steps such as these might buy some time at a moment when energy consumption is on the rise, and the world isn’t quitting fossil fuels fast enough.
Many of the projects are controversial. A plant similar to the one in Iceland is being built in Texas by Occidental Petroleum. Occidental intends to use some of the carbon dioxide it captures to extract more oil, the burning of which is a main cause of the climate crisis.
Some critics say other types of interventions could create new problems by scrambling weather patterns or amplifying human suffering through unintended consequences. In effect, they are asking: Should humans be experimenting with the environment in this way? Do we know enough to understand the risks?
“We need more information so we can make these decisions in the future,” said Alan Robock, a professor of atmospheric science at Rutgers University. “Which is riskier: to do it, or not to do it?”
Others argue that fanciful or costly technologies will waste resources and time, or lull people with the false idea it will be possible to slow global warming without phasing out fossil fuels.
There is the risk of rogue actors barreling ahead with their own efforts to change the climate. Already, Mexico has banned what’s known as solar radiation modification after a startup from California released sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere without permission.
Because these technologies are so new, there is relatively little regulation governing them.
“There are these much bigger questions around who decides how is this is all coordinated over time,” said Marion Hourdequin, a professor of environmental philosophy at Colorado College.
Edda Aradottir trudged through fresh snow to inspect the direct air capture plant in Iceland.
Aradottir is CEO of Carbfix, an Icelandic company working with the Swiss startup that built the plant, Climeworks. Known as Mammoth, the project is powered by clean geothermal energy and capable of capturing up to 36,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year and pumping it down into the bedrock.
That is just one one-millionth of annual global emissions. But unlike trees, Climeworks
promises to store that carbon dioxide forever.
When Mammoth is turned on in the coming weeks, it will be the largest such facility in the world, even though the amount of carbon it can absorb is still just a drop in the bucket.
The Occidental plant, being built near Odessa, Texas, will be over 10 times more powerful than Mammoth, powered by solar energy, and have the potential to capture and sequester 500,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.
It uses a different process to extract carbon dioxide from the air, although the goal is the same: Most of it will be locked away deep underground.
Even if more companies do decide to start offsetting their emissions, there are cheaper ways to do so, including by preserving forests and paying for renewable energy. For example, it costs between $500 and $1,000 to capture a metric ton of carbon dioxide with direct air capture, compared with $10 to $30 per ton for most carbon credits today.
The business world is bullish. Boston Consulting Group expects more companies to begin buying credits to pay for carbon dioxide removal. In the United States and Europe, governments have started subsidizing construction. By 2040, BCG expects the market for carbon dioxide removal technologies could grow from less than $10 billion today to as much as $135 billion.
The direct air capture market has vociferous detractors in academia, activist circles and beyond.
Some say it is little more than a ploy by oil and gas companies to prolong the very industries that are responsible for creating global warming. They point to the extensive evidence that fossil fuel interests for years worked to play down public awareness of climate change, and the fact that some of the captured carbon will be used for additional oil production.
As people begin to deliberately tinker with the climate in new ways, there are questions. If the current extreme weather and temperature rise came about inadvertently, what might happen when we begin actively trying to control the planet’s atmosphere?
“It’s true that we have been altering the climate through greenhouse gas emissions for centuries now,” said Hourdequin. “But trying to intentionally manage the climate through geoengineering would be a distinctive endeavor, quite different than the kind of haphazard interference that we’ve engaged in thus far.”
The U.S. stock market is the most expensive it has been in around two years. Its valuation could be put to the test as companies report earnings in coming weeks.
The S&P 500 is up more than 9% year-to-date, following its strongest first-quarter performance since 2019. But the bar may be rising for stocks to keep advancing at that pace, increasing pressure on companies to deliver strong results.
The benchmark index trades at 20.7 times its estimated earnings for the next 12 months, near a more than two-year high of 21.2 hit in late March, according to LSEG Datastream. Unremarkable earnings growth could give investors less reason to hold onto stocks, at a time when elevated yields on Treasuries bolster the attractiveness of bonds.
Investors will also listen for companies’ views on the economy and inflation, to gauge whether the so-called Goldilocks environment of resilient growth and cooling consumer prices can continue.
Signs of stubborn inflation have diminished expectations in recent weeks for how deeply the Federal Reserve will cut rates this year. Stocks rose after another stronger-than-expected employment report on Friday.
“If we’re going to continue to make significant gains in the stock market, we have to not just meet, but probably exceed ... what those estimates are for earnings,” said Yung-Yu Ma, chief investment officer at BMO Wealth Management.
Delta Air Lines, BlackRock, and JPMorgan Chase & Co are among the companies scheduled to release their first quarter results next week. Investors will also be watching for March U.S. consumer price data, expected on April 10.
Analysts expect to see earnings growth of 5% in the first quarter, according to LSEG data. That would be the lowest since the second quarter of 2023. They expect margins to be squeezed by high interest rates, rising commodity costs, and falling corporate pricing power due to slowing inflation. Earnings grew by 10.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The results of megacaps such as Nvidia, Meta Platforms and Microsoft could be key for investor sentiment, following a divergence in the share price performance of the so-called Magnificent Seven stocks that led markets higher last year.
Chipmaker Nvidia, for instance, is up 78% in 2024, while Tesla shares have fallen over 30% due to concerns over its margins and demand. The electric vehicle maker has canceled the long-promised inexpensive car that investors have been counting on to drive its growth into a mass-market automaker, Reuters reported on Friday.
“These businesses now need to justify these high valuations,” said Bryant VanCronkhite, a portfolio manager at Allspring Global Investments. “The market is looking for every company to talk about their demand drivers and articulate what they see coming ahead.”
At the same time, investors will be watching whether evidence of continuing strength in the U.S. economy flows through to rising revenues and earnings for industrial, energy, and other sectors that are closely tied to growth. Shares of these companies have largely performed well this year in a rally that has spread beyond technology and growth names.
“If the U.S. economy starts to bounce from here you want exposure to industries with real economy end-markets,” said Justin Menne, head of US equities for Harbor Capital Advisors, who is overweight shares of energy companies.
Liz Ann Sonders, chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab, said she expects “punishment” of companies that fail to meet expectations.
“What will be critical beyond the beat rate will be the margin stories,” she said.
As always, the Fed will loom large in investors’ minds. A robust earnings season and expectations of growing price
pressures from companies could be seen as further evidence that the economy is too strong for the central bank to cut rates without risking an inflationary rebound.
March U.S. employment numbers backed up that narrative. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 303,000 jobs last month, far above expectations. Futures markets show investors expect the Fed to deliver around 70 basis points of rate cuts this year, compared to 150 basis points they had factored in January.
Yet weaker earnings could indicate cracks in the economy’s strength. Some investors believe that could boost the case for the Fed to ease monetary policy.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is seen in the distance from Nikopol, Ukraine, on July 3, 2023. The United Nations nuclear watchdog agency did not attribute blame, but its head said the drone strikes at the plant “significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident.” (Finbarr O’Reilly/The New York Times)
By MARC SANTORAThe head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency has condemned drone strikes at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, saying “such reckless attacks significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident and must be stopped immediately.”
At least three drones detonated at the plant Sunday, according to inspectors from the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency who are stationed at the facility. One strike left scorch marks on the roof of the containment building housing one of the plant’s six nuclear reactors, the agency said. Another hit outside a laboratory building. The location of the third drone strike was not included in the agency’s statement.
The facility, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, is precariously perched on the eastern banks of the Dnieper River near the front line dividing the warring armies, and has been a source of concern almost since the start of the war. It is the first time that a nuclear facility has been occupied by an invading army and repeated crises at the plant have prompted global alarm over the rising
risks of a radiological disaster.
“The experts reported hearing explosions and rifle fire on the site throughout the day,” the agency said in a statement Sunday night. “Additionally, the IAEA team heard several rounds of outgoing artillery fire from near the plant.”
The U.N. agency did not speculate on who was responsible for the attacks. Ukraine and Russia each blamed the other for the strikes.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, the directorgeneral of the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency, said in a statement that there were “no indications of damage to critical nuclear safety or security systems,” but international inspectors at the facility observed “minor superficial scorching to the top of the reactor dome roof” of one unit.
Grossi said it was the first time the facility “was directly targeted in military action” since November 2022 and the episode represented a “major escalation of the nuclear safety and security dangers.”
The U.N. agency said that its inspectors were on the roof of one unit at the plant when they witnessed Russian troops engaging “what appeared to be an approaching
drone” without specifying what that meant.
“This was followed by an explosion near the reactor building,” the agency said in a statement. The inspectors were “able to confirm the physical impact of the drone detonations” at three locations and it appeared that they were aimed at “surveillance and communication equipment” at the facility.
Mikhail Ulyanov, Moscow’s envoy to the IAEA in Vienna, blamed Ukrainian forces for the attack and said at least three people were injured.
Ukraine denied the Russian claims. In a statement to Ukrainian news outlet Ukrainska Pravda, the spokesperson for the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Andriy Yusov, accused Moscow of staging a “false-flag” attack at the plant to undermine international support for Ukraine.
It was not possible to independently verify the claims of Russia, Ukraine or the IAEA inspectors at the plant, which has been under Russian military occupation for more than two years.
The New York Times and other independent media outlets have documented a campaign of abuse and intimidation directed at the plant’s Ukrainian employees since Russian forces stormed the facility shortly after the start of the war.
U.N. inspectors have found mines installed on the perimeter of the plant, and Ukrainian civilians living nearby have said the Russians use the facility as cover to launch attacks, knowing Ukraine will be limited in its ability to respond without risking nuclear safety.
All six reactors at the nuclear power plant have been shut down — meaning they no longer generate electricity — but they still require energy to power critical safety systems and water to circulate in their cores to dissipate residual heat from nuclear reactions to prevent a meltdown.
Edwin Lyman, a physicist and the director of nuclear power safety with the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit agency based in the United States, said in an email message that regardless of who was responsible, he was concerned that “more capable drones out there could do significant damage to the plant’s infrastructure.”
Petro Kotin, the head of Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear power company, recently wrote that engineers have documented at least 150 concerning incidents at the plant since Russians soldiers took over the facility.
Equipment continues to deteriorate, he wrote, and there is also an increasing risk of human error “due to the lack of a sufficient number of qualified personnel, the use of unqualified staff from Russian nuclear power plants, as well as the tense state of personnel related to the occupation of the plant and the town of Energodar,” which is home to the plant.
Perhaps the most pressing concern has been the plant’s tenuous connection to the Ukrainian power grid. The plant has already experienced eight full blackouts, forcing engineers to rely on hulking diesel generators to keep critical safety equipment functioning each time.
Ecuador’s decision to send police officers into the Mexican Embassy to arrest a politician who had taken refuge there inflamed tensions between two countries that were already at odds, but it may prove a political boon for the Ecuadorian president.
President Daniel Noboa has been faced with flagging approval ratings amid rising violence weeks before a referendum that could affect his prospects for reelection next year. The spat with Mexico, which suspended diplomatic relations, may be just what he needed.
The politician who was arrested, Jorge Glas, a former vice president of Ecuador, had been sentenced to prison for corruption and living at the Mexican Embassy in Quito since December. On Friday, Mexico granted him asylum, and the Ecuadorian police moved in.
Noboa’s office said that the arrest had gone forward because Mexico had abused the immunities and privileges granted to the diplomatic mission, but the message it sent was also in keeping with Noboa’s hard-handed approach to tackling violence and graft in Ecuador.
The 36-year-old center-right leader came to power in November after President Guillermo Lasso, facing impeachment proceedings over accusations of embezzlement, called for early elections. Noboa is in office until May 2025, the remainder of Lasso’s term.
Noboa’s ability to show that he can restore law and order to the nation of nearly 18 million may prove crucial to his reelection, and that means tackling the country’s gangs, as well as corruption within the government that has enabled criminal groups, analysts say.
Many experts say those political aspirations appear to explain the arrest at the embassy, which signaled that the president is tough on impunity.
“He did this to change all these negative talking points that were affecting him and try to have a conversation in his favor,” said an Ecuadorian political analyst, Agustín Burbano de Lara.
Glas held various ministerial positions during the presidency of Rafael Correa, a leftist, most notably serving as vice president. In 2017, he was forced from office and sentenced to six years in prison for accepting bribes. Another bribery conviction in 2020 implicated him and Correa, and both were sentenced to eight years.
Released in 2022, Glas eventually sought asylum in Mexico, a move that strained relations between Ecuador and Mexico. Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry said in March that it had requested Mexico’s permission to arrest Glas.
While Noboa is popular, polls show that his approval rating fell 11 points in recent months, from 85% to 74%, amid the rising violence in Ecuador.
After the coastal city of Guayaquil was overrun by gang violence in January, Noboa declared an internal conflict, an extraordinary step taken when the state has come under attack by an armed group. He deployed the country’s military, allowing soldiers to patrol the streets and prisons to tackle the soaring gang violence linked to drug trafficking.
The aggressive response initially reduced violence and brought a precarious sense of safety to places such as Guayaquil — but the stability did not last. Over the Easter holiday, there were 137 killings in Ecuador, and kidnappings and extortion have worsened.
In two weeks, Ecuadorians will vote on a referendum to allow the government to increase security measures by making prison sentences for some crimes more severe and enshrining the increased military presence into law.
Experts say it is
too soon to say if the arrest of Glas will benefit Noboa at the ballot box, but several Ecuadorians said Sunday that they supported the action.
“Mexico has treated Ecuadorians like fools, giving asylum to all these convicted people,” said Danilo Álvarez, a 41-year-old salesperson from Guayaquil, one of the country’s most violent cities.
Ecuador once famously granted asylum and protection at one of its embassies. In 2012, when Correa was president, it did so for the founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, housing him at its embassy in London for seven years.
Álvarez said robbers had broken into his house a few years ago, tied his hands and feet together and held a gun to his head. It was months before he was able to sleep well again, he said.
Not all citizens, however, were in agreement with the arrest.
“This was an act of total disrespect for international law,” said Delfa Mantilla, 62, a retired teacher. “It seems that it was something that President Noboa did as a product of his rich-boy ego, without empathy.”
Some worried about the effects the diplomatic dispute could have for ordinary people. Tens of thousands of Ecuadorians migrate through Mexico to the United States every year, and the two countries
have faced a surge in transnational crime, with many Mexican cartels operating from Ecuador.
“Part of me thinks it’s fine, because Glas should go to jail,” said Mario Zalamar, a 34-year-old commercial engineer. But, he said, “There are thousands of Ecuadorians right now moving through Mexico on foot to migrate to the United States, and we don’t know how much this is going to affect them.”
Even if many in Ecuador support the arrest at the embassy, Noboa has likely deepened a diplomatic rift that may weaken its relations with other countries in the region.
Honduras, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina have all rallied around Mexico and criticized the arrest. And the government of Nicaragua announced it was suspending its diplomatic relationship with Ecuador, characterizing the arrest as “neo-fascist political barbarity” in a statement shared by staterun media.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said: “The United States condemns any violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and takes very seriously the obligation of host countries under international law to respect the inviolability of diplomatic missions.”
Miller called on both countries to resolve their difference.
Soon after a huge container ship struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, bringing it down, President Joe Biden pledged that the federal government would “pay the entire cost of reconstructing” the bridge. This would clearly be the right thing to do, not just to help the state of Maryland but also to limit the economic damage from a disaster that has blocked both a major road artery and a major port. Among other things, the Port of Baltimore plays a key role in both exports of coal and trade in farm and construction equipment, so the bridge disaster will have direct adverse effects on the heartland as well as the East Coast.
And if America were still the same country that enacted the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 — passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress and signed into law by a Republican president — which gave rise to our Interstate System, there would be little question that Congress would approve funding soon after it returns from Easter recess.
But we aren’t that country anymore. Biden will probably be able to get funds for rebuilding, but it’s by no means a sure thing.
The rise of MAGA Republicans is only part of the problem. I’ve seen several people citing the response to the 2007 collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minnesota as an example of what things were like in a better political era. Indeed, within days, Congress voted unanimously to provide $250 million in aid.
But that was a one-off. The Minnesota bridge collapse highlighted the decaying state of America’s infrastructure, and one might have expected the disaster to lead to real action, but it didn’t. President Barack Obama pleaded with Congress to approve broad increases in infrastructure spending and was able to sign a highway funding bill in 2015, but for the most part he was stymied by GOP opposition. As president, Donald Trump repeatedly promised to revamp America’s infrastructure — “it’s infrastructure week” became a running joke — but never delivered.
Major action on infrastructure didn’t happen until late 2021 with the enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — which, despite the name, received only 13 Republican votes in the House. And that was with Democrats in full control of Congress. It’s not foolish to worry that MAGA hard-liners will block aid to Maryland in much the same way that they’ve blocked aid to Ukraine.
But, again, MAGA is only part of the problem. Let’s talk for a minute about why it took 14 years after the Minnesota bridge collapse for us to finally take major action on infrastructure.
Extreme partisanship, which took hold long before Trump took control of the GOP, is part of the answer. It was clear through most of the Obama years that Republicans wanted to prevent good things from happening on a Democratic president’s watch. Under Obama, GOP legislators squeezed federal spending after they took control of the House, supposedly because they were worried about government debt, only to open up the taps once Trump took office.
There was also an element of reflexive opposition to government spending in general, no matter how obvious the need. Mitch McConnell, as Senate majority leader, didn’t do much to oppose Trump — but he did put the brakes on infrastructure spending.
Finally, to the extent that Trump had anything like an infrastructure plan, it was very, well, Trumpian. Even before he took office, I predicted that he wouldn’t actually do much to build infrastructure, because he and his associates clearly weren’t interested in producing a clean plan for government investment. Instead, they were floating a roundabout scheme involving tax credits that wouldn’t have generated significant new investment but probably would have offered huge opportunities for cronyism and corruption.
The history here is reason enough to worry about rebuilding in Baltimore, even if the bridge collapse hadn’t been caught up in culture war politics. But of course it has.
MAGA politicians and media figures wasted no time after the bridge collapse trying to cast blame on the usual suspects, including funds meant to be spent on green energy and, in particular, diversity initiatives: In the immediate wake of the Key Bridge collapse, a Republican state legislator from Utah replied to a post on X, formerly Twitter, disparaging a member of the Maryland Port Commission, writing, “This is what happens when you have Governors who prioritize diversity over the wellbeing and security of citizens”; a Republican former state legislator from Florida posted a video clip of the Key Bridge collapsing with the caption, “DEI did this.” Baltimore’s mayor, Brandon Scott, has been a special target
on X for no apparent reason other than the fact that he’s Black.
As The New Republic’s Greg Sargent points out, some of the MAGA reaction to the bridge collapse is reminiscent of Trump’s behavior during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he whined about “bailouts” for states that didn’t support him politically.
So will partisanship and conspiracy theorizing get in the way of rebuilding the Key Bridge? I’d like to dismiss that risk. But not that long ago, if you had asked me, I wouldn’t have expected Republicans to stonewall aid to Ukraine, either. So this is no time to be complacent.
Encaminan 25 historias de éxito del programa La Y en El Yunque
Ungrupo de veinticinco personas alcanzó a adiestrarse para la reintegración al mercado laboral, crear nuevas empresas y tener experiencias de prácticas profesionales reales mediante acuerdos con cuatro organizaciones como parte del programa “La Y en El Yunque” de la organización Vitrina Solidaria.
Raquel Skerret Escalera, directora ejecutiva de Vitrina Solidaria explicó que la cuarta edición del programa ya produjo historias de éxito empresarial y oportunidades laborales en el campo de la economía sustentable.
“Esta vez pudimos incorporar las experiencias de prácticas profesionales que se llevaron a cabo con las organizaciones aliadas Para La Naturaleza, Finca Neo Jibaira, Movimiento para el Alcance de Vida Independiente y el Centro Sor Isolina Ferré de Canóvanas”, mencionó la portavoz. “Nuestros participantes de la región este tuvieron la oportunidad de desarrollar habilidades relacionadas a su área de especialidad y establecer conexiones significativas con otros profesionales, estando en un ambiente de trabajo real lo cual fue muy enriquecedor”, añadió.
Resaltó que además las personas participantes obtuvieron certificaciones profesionales de apicultura, líder recreativo comunitario, Guía Intérprete Ambiental (NAI, por sus siglas en inglés) y la de introducción a los sistemas de energía solar fotovoltaica. Además, se capacitaron en temas de agroecología, recreación al aire libre y deportes.
“Este programa tiene el propósito de preparar a los participantes con habilidades prácticas y conocimientos espe-
cializados que les permitan desarrollarse profesionalmente y fortalecer la economía sustentable del país”, subrayó.
Skerret Escalera indicó que algunas de las historias de éxito incluyen el testimonio de Lenna Garay Rodríguez, quien se integró como instructora de yoga para niños y niñas en la Casa Montesorri Pequeñas Manos e incorporó su empresa especializada en servicios de yoga sensible al trauma. Igualmente, destacó la experiencia de Winifred Santana Rivera, quien completó el proceso de incorporación de su empresa El Huerto de Orlean y ya comenzó a ofrecer talleres de huertos para estudiantes de escuelas públicas.
Jan C. Rolón, participante del módulo de recreación al
Las personas participantes obtuvieron certificaciones profesionales en apicultura, líder recreativo comunitario, Guía Intérprete Ambiental, introducción a sistemas de energía solar fotovoltaica, entre otros.
aire libre comenzó un internado con el Servicio Forestal federal donde estará apoyando distintas tareas de comunicación y recreación en la naturaleza.
Otra de las participantes de Recreación al Aire Libre, Shalomir Gierbolini se incorporó como practicante en una empresa recreativa que da servicios de tours en la zona de El Yunque. Mientras, Kyria Román gestiona sus permisos de artesana para expandir su empresa de joyería ecoamigable. También Amara Viera tramita actualmente los permisos para establecer su ‘foodtruck’ e incorporar experiencias recreativas al turismo gastronómico de la región este.
La directora de Vitrina Solidaria anticipó que pronto saldrá al mercado una nueva marca de sofrito creada por la participante Mitza Báez.
“Nos emociona destacar los logros de nuestros graduados de La Y en El Yunque y ayudarlos a forjarse laboralmente o en sus emprendimientos sociales sustentables”, acotó.
El cuarto ciclo dio inicio a principios de octubre de 2023 y finalizó en febrero. La quinta edición ya comenzó y tenemos muchas expectativas con el nuevo grupo de participantes a la par que se añadieron nuevas certificaciones, sostuvo la directora ejecutiva.
Las capacitaciones son libres de costo gracias a una subvención del Programa CDBG-DR del Departamento de Vivienda y un acuerdo colaborativo con el Bosque Nacional El Yunque. Las y los participantes deben ser de los municipios de Canóvanas, Río Grande, Ceiba, Luquillo, Fajardo, Naguabo, Humacao, Juncos, Las Piedras y Loíza.
El Fideicomiso de Conservación de Puerto Rico, dedicado a garantizar la conservación de terrenos de alto valor ecológico en la isla, recibió una obligación de sobre $1 millón de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, en inglés) para reparar su sede y otras instalaciones afectadas por el huracán María: entre estas el Cañón de San Cristóbal, la Hacienda Buena Vista y la Casa Ramón Power y Giralt.
“La labor del Fideicomiso es parte integral de la recuperación de Puerto Rico y es una misión de gran trascendencia para futuras generaciones. Nuestro patrimonio nacional es irremplazable y en FEMA estamos muy satisfechos de colaborar con el trabajo que hace el Fideicomiso por el bienestar de nuestra isla”, expresó el coordinador federal de Recuperación por Desastre de FEMA José G. Baquero.
Con los fondos de esta obligación, se realizaron reparaciones al antiguo Club de Leones ubicado en el Cañón de San Cristóbal. Dicha estructura sirve como centro de trabajo del personal que administra la reserva, para guardar equipos y también para celebrar actividades comunitarias.
Acerca de los viveros, el intérprete Ambiental de Para La Naturaleza, Roberto J. Celpa Rondón, mencionó que son para la reproducción de especies en peligro de extinción y que tienen algunas como la Cornutia obovata, planta en-
démica de Puerto Rico, y otras como palo de ramón y palo de jazmín.
“También es importante la protección que la reserva natural le está dando a los cuerpos de agua que corren por dentro del cañón.
Otra de las zonas protegidases la Hacienda Buena Vista en Ponce, una importante hacienda cafetalera y de frutos menores construida en 1845. Allí se encuentra un espacio histórico que cuenta con estructuras de más de un siglo de antigüedad y una turbina hidráulica única en el mundo y que todavía está funcionando.
En la Hacienda, con unos $248,000 se atenderán reparaciones a la antigua Cochera, que data del 1900 y actualmente funge como una tienda.
La superintendente de la Región Sur del Fideicomiso, Mariana Rivera Figueroa, explicó que desde el centro de visitantes de la Hacienda se manejan cerca de 23 áreas naturales protegidas desde Guayama hasta Cabo Rojo. “Aquí también trabajamos muchos proyectos que tienen que ver con educación ambiental, educación histórica y reforestación. De igual manera, contamos con un vivero de árboles nativos, un huerto agroecológico, un jardín medicinal, una siembra de cacao agroforestal y una siembra de café”, añadió.
Por otro lado, la Casa Ramón Power y Giralt en el Viejo San Juan, sede del Fideicomiso, también recibió fondos para reparar la histórica estructura. Esta casa es ejemplo de la arquitectura colonial española de los siglos XVIII y XIX y fue el hogar de Ramón Power y Giralt, primer diputado puertorriqueño en las Cortes de Cádiz en España. El Fideicomiso adquirió este edificio de dos pisos —con paredes de mampostería y plafones de ladrillo sobre vigas y alfajías de ausubo — en 1989 y lo restauró según las normas de rehabilitación histórica del Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña para el Viejo San Juan. Parte de las reparaciones incluyeron reemplazar puertas de madera y balcones, limpiar manchas de humedad y reemplazar el tratamiento de filtración en el techo.
Hacienda Buena Vista en Ponce.
By JASON BAILEY
When most people think of venerable character actor Louis Gossett Jr., who died Friday at 87, they understandably summon up his Oscar-winning turn in the 1982 drama “An Officer and a Gentleman.” But he accumulated more than 200 credits over a screen, stage and television career that spanned more than 60 years, and brought a skill set that included not only drama but comedy, science fiction, action and horror. Here are a few highlights from his illustrious career and where to stream them.
‘Roots’ (1977)
Gossett had already established himself as an actor of note onstage, and in television guest shots and small but memorable appearances on film (“The Landlord,” “Skin Game”) when he was cast in the ABC miniseries adaptation of Alex Haley’s bestseller. He plays the key role of Fiddler, an older enslaved man who becomes a mentor to the central character, Kunta Kinte (LeVar Burton). Fiddler allows Gossett to display several of the gifts that would distinguish him throughout his career: an inherent dignity, a no-nonsense toughness, and a (seemingly contradictory) warmth and humanity. The miniseries was a cultural sensation, breaking records for television viewership, and Gossett would win an Emmy for his unforgettable work. (Rent or buy it on most major platforms.)
‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ (1982)
Gossett was 45 when he won the Oscar for best supporting actor — the first Black actor to do so — for his magnificent turn in this Richard Gere-fronted romantic drama. The role of Sgt. Foley, a drill instructor who breaks Gere’s hotshot recruit while simultaneously becoming a father figure to the young man, could have been played as a walking, talking cliche. But Gossett, who trained for the role at Camp Pendleton’s school for drill instructors, transcends the tropes of the character, investing Foley with genuine decency and unexpected war-
mth under his rock-hard exterior. “Mr. Gossett, always a good supporting player, is this time a star,” a New York Times critic wrote at the time. (Stream it on Max; rent or buy it on major platforms.)
‘Enemy Mine’ (1985)
Had Gossett landed a role like Foley a decade earlier, he might have spent the 1970s playing an assortment of rich and complicated characters. But the 1980s were not exactly a golden era of studio filmmaking, and he struggled to find projects worthy of his considerable talents, often proving the most (or only) noteworthy element of otherwise marginal action pictures such as “Iron Eagle” and “Firewalker.” But he got a genuine chance to act in this futuristic sci-fi adventure from director Wolfgang Petersen (“Air Force One”). Dennis Quaid is an intergalactic pilot marooned on a distant planet with an alien life form; Gossett is said alien, given the unenviable challenge of acting a leading role through pounds of scaly makeup that renders him all but unrecognizable. Yet, he’s up to the task, investing the character with pathos and gravitas, while our knowledge of the actor underneath lends serious symbolic weight to the film’s themes of understanding and commonality between races. (Rent or buy it on major platforms.)
‘Diggstown’ (1992)
One of the undiscovered gems of the Gossett filmography is this sports-tinged comedy, a bit of a specialty for director Michael Ritchie, whose credits include “Semi-Tough” and “The Bad News Bears.” James Woods is a fast-talking con artist and fight promoter who descends on the Georgia town of the title, known for its high-dollar illegal boxing matches, and makes a big bet: His fighter can take on any 10 opponents in 24 hours and beat them all. Gossett is Honey Roy Palmer, the fighter, and at 48, he seems like anything but a sure bet. But in this “Sting”-style twisty tale, no one and nothing are what they seem. It’s a perfect role for the actor, who plays it with a twinkle in his eye and plenty of tricks up his sleeve, and the result is “a funny and vulgar fable” that a Times critic praised for its “speed and cheerful nerviness.” (Stream it on Tubi and PluoTV; rent or buy it on Fandango at Home.)
‘Watchmen’ (2019)
Gossett received his final Emmy nomination (for outstanding supporting actor in a limited series or movie) for this adaptation of the wildly influential graphic novel by Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore. Series creator Damon Lindelof freely reframed, reinterpreted and remixed the narrative out of its 1980s origins to address not only the hidden corners of America’s racial history, but the current moment of activism and protest. Gossett appears in the vital supporting role of Will Reeves, grandfather to the protagonist, Angela Abar (Regina King), whose age and wheelchair use hide a secret past: While a police officer in the late 1930s, he took on the secret identity of Hooded Justice, righting the wrongs that his racist police department ignored. It’s a staggering performance, and one that speaks to the power of Gossett’s persona: You don’t doubt for one moment that this man was once a literal superhero. (Stream it on Max; rent or buy it on major platforms.)
‘The Color Purple’ (2023)
Although he has several posthumous projects in postproduction, the final feature film appearance during Gossett’s lifetime was his brief but stinging turn in Blitz Bazawule’s adaptation of the Alice Walker story. He appears as Ol’ Mister, father to Colman Domingo’s Mister, a abusive and domineering husband who keeps the protagonist, Celie, under his thumb. In just a handful of scenes, Gossett’s work as a growling, bitter old man tells us everything we need to know about how and why the younger Mister is the way he is. Gossett shared in the nomination for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and that might be the best way to remember him: as an invaluable piece of so many ensembles, a team player who nevertheless always shined bright. (Stream it on Max; rent or buy it on major platforms.)
When biotechnology firm Colossal started in 2021, it set an eyebrowraising goal: to genetically engineer elephants with hair and other traits found on extinct woolly mammoths.
Three years later, mammothlike creatures do not roam the tundra. But Wednesday, researchers with the company reported a noteworthy advance: They created elephant stem cells that could potentially be developed into any tissue in the body.
Eriona Hysolli, head of biological sciences at Colossal, said the cells could help protect living elephants. For example, researchers
Lic. 5891
could create an abundant supply of elephant eggs for breeding programs. “Being able to derive a lot of them in a dish is important,” she said.
Independent researchers, too, were impressed by the cells, known as induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs. Vincent Lynch, a biologist at the University at Buffalo who was not involved in the research, said iPSCs could help scientists learn about the strange biology of elephants — including why they so rarely develop cancer.
“The ability to study this with iPSCs is very exciting,” Lynch said. The discovery “opens a world of possibilities to study cancer resistance,” he added.
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The data was published online Wednesday but has not yet appeared in a scientific journal.
George Church, a biologist at Harvard University Medical School, started trying to resurrect the woolly mammoth more than a decade ago. At the time, geneticists were extracting DNA from the bones of the extinct animals and pinpointing genetic differences between them and their living elephant cousins. Church reasoned that if he could alter an elephant embryo’s DNA, it would sport some of the traits that allowed woolly mammoths to survive in cold climates.
Moonlighting with Hysolli, who was a postdoctoral researcher in his lab, and their colleagues, Church did some preliminary research on editing elephant DNA. But the group struggled with a limited supply of elephant cells.
So, the researchers set out to make their own supply, drawing inspiration from the Nobel Prize-winning work of Japanese biologist Shinya Yamanaka and his colleagues. Yamanaka figured out how to turn back the clock in adult mouse cells so that they were effectively like the cells in an embryo. With the right combination of chemicals, these iPSCs could then develop into many different tissues, even eggs.
Researchers have made iPSCs of other species, including humans. Some researchers, for example, have made clumps of human neurons that make brain waves.
But elephant cells have proved much harder to reprogram. Lynch said he had tried to create elephant iPSCs for years with no success. The trouble, he suspected, had to do with a remarkable feature of elephants: They rarely get cancer.
Simple arithmetic suggests that a lot of elephants should get cancer. A single embryonic elephant cell divides many times over to
An
produce the enormous body of an adult animal. With each division, DNA has a chance to mutate. And that mutation may push the new cell toward uncontrolled growth, or cancer.
But elephants have evolved a number of extra defenses against cancer.
Among them is a protein called TP53. All mammals carry a gene for the protein, which causes a cell to self-destruct if it starts showing signs of uncontrolled growth. Elephants have 29 genes for TP53. Together, they may aggressively quash cancerous cells.
These anti-cancer adaptations may have been what stopped adult elephant cells from being reprogrammed into iPSCs. The changes happening in the cell may resemble the first steps toward cancer, causing the cells to selfdestruct.
“We knew p53 was going to be a big deal,” Church said. He and his colleagues tried to overcome the challenge by obtaining fresh supplies of cells from Asian elephants, which are endangered. Although they couldn’t extract tissue samples from those animals, they were able to get the umbilical cords of baby elephants.
The researchers then created molecules to block the production of all p53 prote-
ins in the cells. Combining this treatment with Yamanaka’s cocktail — as well as with other proteins — they succeeded in making elephant iPSCs.
“They seem to pass all the tests with flying colors,” Church said. He and his colleagues have coaxed these cells to grow into an embryolike cluster of cells. And the cells have developed into three distinct types found in early mammal embryos.
Colossal is still aiming to hit its grander goal of “bringing back the woolly mammoth.” Hysolli and her colleagues plan to change some genes in the stem cells from elephant sequences to woolly mammoth sequences. They will then see if those edits lead to changes in the cells themselves. With this strategy, she said, it may be possible to grow a clump of elephant cells that sprout mammoth hair, for example.
Lynch is skeptical about the company’s ultimate goal. He argued that modifying a few genes in a living elephant was a far cry from reviving their extinct cousins.
“We know almost nothing about the genetics of complex behavior,” Lynch said. “So, do we end up with a hairy Asian elephant that doesn’t know how to survive in the Arctic?”
image from Colossal Biosciences shows a micrograph of elephant stem cells produced from an elephant’s umbilical cord. The blue dots are DNA. Scientists hope to use elephant stem cells to study some of the traits that mammoths used to survive in cold climates. (Colossal Biosciences via The New York Times)ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO
DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU-
NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA
SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN
RAMON MARRERO DIAZ
Parte Peticionaria
EX – PARTE
CIVIL NÚM.: SJ2024CV02166
SALA: 606 SOBRE: EXPE-
DIENTE DE DOMINIO. EDIC-
TO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA. EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU. EL ESTADO
LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO. SS.
A: LAS PERSONAS IGNORADAS Y DESCONOCIDAS
A QUIENES PUEDA PERJUDICAR LA INSCRIPCION SOLICITADA.
POR LA PRESENTE, se notifica a ustedes que se ha presentado ante este Honorable Tribunal una Petición sobre Expediente de Dominio con el fin de justificar e inscribir a favor de la parte peticionaria, el dominio a que tiene derecho sobre el inmueble que se describe a continuación: Rustica: Lote localizado en Barrio Tortugo, Sector La Corte, Camino La Corte, Carretera Puerto Rico Número Uno (1), Kilometro Diecinueve punto Ocho (19.8) del Municipio de San Juan con una cabida superficial de OCHO
MIL TRESCIENTOS CUARENTA Y TRES METROS CUADRADOS CON NOVECIENTOS SESENTA Y CUATRO
MILESIMAS DE OTRO METRO CUADRADO (8,343.964 metros cuadrados) comenzando por el NORTE en tres alineaciones, en total de ciento diez metros con setecientas treinta y cuatro milésimas de otro metro (110.734 mts) colindando con terrenos de la sucesión Balvino Gomez; por el OESTE en nueve alineaciones, en total de noventa y un metros con ciento sesenta y dos milésimas de otro metro (91.162 mts) colindando con Camino La Corte; por el SUR en nueve alineaciones, en total de ciento veintiocho con veintitrés milésimas de otro metro (128.023 mts) colindando con terrenos de Roberto Pérez Diaz, Brendan Santiago Capetillo y Fernando Pérez; por el ESTE en cinco alineaciones, en total de sesenta y siete con novecientas cincuenta y dos de otro metro (67.952 mts) colindando con terrenos Cristina Iñesta González y Víctor Diaz Cruz. Se les notifica para que comparezcan, si lo creyeren pertinente, ante este Honorable Tribunal
dentro de los veinte (20) días, contados a partir de la última publicación de este edicto a exponer lo que a sus derechos convenga en el expediente promovido por la parte peticionaria para adquirir su dominio sobre la finca antes descrita. Se les notifica que deberán presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https.// unired.poderjudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala de San Juan y enviando copia a la parte peticionaria a través de su representante legal: Lic. Julio Cesar Osuna Guzmán, Calle 15 N#3 Urb. Santa Juana Caguas, Puerto Rico 00725. Tel. 787-744-7302, josunalaw@gmail.com Si usted deja de expresarse dentro del referido término, el Tribunal podrá dictar Sentencia, previo a escuchar la prueba de valor de la parte peticionaria en su contra, sin más citarle ni oírle, y conceder el remedio solicitado en la petición, o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, hoy dia 11 de marzo de 2024. Griselda Rodriguez Collado, Sec Regional. Gloriam Martinez Rivera, Sec de Serv a Sala.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE MAYAGÜEZ
CASCADE FUNDING
MORTGAGE TRUST HB2
Demandante Vs. SUCESIÓN DE DOROTEO RODRÍGUEZ DEL LLANO, T/C/C
DOROTEO RODRÍGUEZ
COMPUESTA POR ALAIS
RODRÍGUEZ TORRES, FULANO DE TAL Y SUTANO DE TAL COMO
POSIBLES HEREDEROS DE NOMBRES
DESCONOCIDOS; SUCESIÓN DE BIENVENIDA TORRES
RAMOS, T/C/C
BIENVENIDA TORRES
FELICIANO, T/C/C
BIENVENIDA TORRES DE RODRÍGUEZ, T/C/C
BIENVENIDA TORRES, T/C/C
BIENVENIDA RODRÍGUEZ
COMPUESTA POR
ALAIS RODRÍGUEZ
TORRES, ÁNGEL GARCÍA
TORRES, MADELINE
GARCÍA TORRES, RICHARD GARCÍA
TORRES, YOLANDA
FELICIANO TORRES, FULANO DE TAL Y
SUTANO DE TAL COMO
POSIBLES HEREDEROS DE NOMBRES
DESCONOCIDOS; CENTRO DE RECAUDACIÓN DE INGRESOS
MUNICIPALES; Y LOS
ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA
Demandados
Civil Núm.: AÑ2020CV00053.
Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPO-
TECA POR LA VÍA ORDINA-
RIA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA.
AL: PÚBLICO EN GENERAL.
A: SUCESIÓN DE DOROTEO RODRÍGUEZ
DEL LLANO, T/C/C
DOROTEO RODRÍGUEZ
COMPUESTA POR ALAIS
RODRÍGUEZ TORRES, FULANO DE TAL Y
SUTANO DE TAL COMO
POSIBLES HEREDEROS DE NOMBRES
DESCONOCIDOS; SUCESIÓN DE BIENVENIDA TORRES
RAMOS, T/C/C
BIENVENIDA TORRES
FELICIANO, T/C/C
BIENVENIDA TORRES DE RODRÍGUEZ, T/C/C
BIENVENIDA TORRES, T/C/C BIENVENIDA RODRÍGUEZ
COMPUESTA POR
ALAIS RODRÍGUEZ
TORRES, ÁNGEL GARCÍA TORRES, MADELINE GARCÍA TORRES, RICHARD GARCÍA TORRES, YOLANDA
FELICIANO TORRES, FULANO DE TAL Y
SUTANO DE TAL COMO
POSIBLES HEREDEROS DE NOMBRES
DESCONOCIDOS; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA; CENTRO DE RECAUDACIONES DE INGRESOS
MUNICIPALES.
Yo, JOSÉ M. CRESPO NAZARIO, Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Ma-
yagüez, a los demandados, acreedores y al público en general con interés sobre la propiedad que más adelante se describe, y al público en general, por la presente CERTIFICO, ANUNCIO y HAGO CONSTAR: Que el día 24 DE ABRIL DE 2024, A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA, en mi oficina, sita en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, procederé a vender en Pública Subasta, al mejor postor, la propiedad inmueble que más adelante se describe y cuya venta en pública subasta se ordenó por la vía ordinaria mediante Sentencia dictada en el caso de epígrafe, la cual se notificó y archivó en autos el día 21 de noviembre de 2023. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado, estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría durante horas laborables. Que en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta a celebrarse, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA para la venta de la susodicha propiedad, el 1RO DE MAYO DE 2024, A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA; y en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 08 DE MAYO DE 2024, A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA, en mi oficina sita en el lugar antes indicado. Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que ha sido liberado por la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Mayagüez, en el caso de epígrafe con fecha de 6 de marzo de 2024, procederé a vender en pública subasta y al mejor postor, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada de epígrafe en el inmueble que se describe a continuación: RÚSTICA: Barrio Añasco Arriba de Añasco, Puerto Rico. 1: Cabida: 854.21 Metros Cuadrados (así surge). LINDEROS: por el NORTE, en 23.26 metros, con el solar segregado en el caso número 78-28-D401-MPL; por el SUR, en 25.45 metros, con el solar marcado con número 3 (así surge) en el plano de inscripción; por el ESTE, en 36.23 metros, con propiedad de Víctor Mangual Soto; y por el OESTE, en 34.00 metros con un área dedicada a uso público en el caso número 4-74-013IS.
Edificación: Han construido la casa que se describe a continuación: Casa de concreto construida sobre columnas. Que mide 32 pies con 6 pulgadas de frente y 26 pies en la parte posterior y 48 pies con 7 pulgadas de fondo. Consta de 3
cuartos dormitorios con sus respectivos closets, una sala, comedor y cocina, con un balcón de frente y hasta la mitad en un lateral tiene una escalera para subir a la segunda planta, con un valor de $40,000.00, según consta de la escritura número 6, otorgada en Añasco, Puerto Rico, el día 10 de febrero de 1989, ante el notario Félix Rivera Durán, e inscrito al tomo Karibe de Añasco, finca número 13,406, inscripción 1ra. Finca Número 13,406 inscrita al tomo
Karibe de Añasco, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección de Mayagüez. Dirección de la Propiedad: Lot 2 km
2.6 Int. PR 109 Añasco Arriba Ward Añasco PR 00610. La subasta se llevará a cabo para satisfacer, hasta donde alcance, el importe de las cantidades adeudadas a la parte demandante conforme a la sentencia dictada a su favor, a saber: de $96,649.88 en concepto de principal con interés al 5.250% anual, los cuales acumulan a un total de $217,079.47 a la fecha de 24 de febrero de 2022 los cuales continúan acumulándose, así como la cantidad líquida estipulada en los documentos del préstamo para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado en caso de reclamación judicial y que correspondan a intereses y cargos por demora posterior a dicha fecha, y la suma de $25,150.00 equivalente al 10% de la suma principal original pactada, estipulada para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado; más recargos acumulados hasta la fecha en que se pague la deuda; más cualquiera suma de dinero por concepto de contribuciones, primas de seguro hipotecario y riesgo, así como cualesquiera otras sumas pactadas en la escritura de hipoteca, todas cuyas sumas están líquidas y exigibles. La hipoteca a ejecutarse en el caso de epígrafe fue constituida mediante la escritura número 237 otorgada el día 20 de noviembre de 2010, en Ponce, Puerto Rico, ante el Notario Público Francisco R. Febus Rivera y consta inscrita al tomo Karibe de Añasco, finca número 13,406, Registro de la Propiedad de Mayagüez, Sección de Mayagüez. Por la presente se notifica a los acreedores que tengan inscritos o anotados sus derechos sobre los bienes hipotecados con posterioridad a la inscripción del crédito del ejecutante o acreedores de cargos o derechos reales que los hubiesen pospuesto a la hipoteca del actor y a los dueños, poseedores, tenedores de o interesados en títulos transmisibles por endoso
o al portador garantizados hipotecariamente con posterioridad al crédito del actor que se celebrarán las subastas en las fechas, horas y sitios señalados para que puedan concurrir a la subasta si les conviniere o se les invita a satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, otros cargos y las costas y honorarios de abogado asegurados quedando subrogados en los derechos del acreedor ejecutante. Entiéndase: Hipoteca Revertida en garantía de un pagaré a favor de Secretario de la Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano, o a su orden, por la suma principal de $251,500.00, con intereses al 5.250% anual, vencedero el día 21 de marzo de 2092, constituida mediante la escritura número 238, otorgada en Ponce, Puerto Rico, el día 20 de noviembre de 2010, ante el notario Francisco R. Febus Rivera, e inscrita al tomo Karibe de Añasco, finca número 13,406, inscripción 3ra. Que la cantidad mínima de licitación en la primera subasta del inmueble antes descrito será la suma de $251,500.00 según se establece en la escritura de hipoteca antes relacionada. En caso de que el inmueble a ser subastado no fuera adjudicado en su primera subasta se ordena la celebración de una segunda subasta de dicho inmueble, en la cual, la cantidad mínima será una equivalente a 2/3 parte de aquella, o sea la suma de $167,666.67; desierta también la segunda subasta de dicho inmueble, se ordena la celebración de una tercera subasta en la cual, la cantidad mínima será la mitad del precio pactado para la primera subasta, es decir la suma de $125,750.00. La propiedad se adjudicará al mejor postor, quien deberá satisfacer el importe de su oferta en moneda legal y corriente de los Estados Unidos de América en el momento de la adjudicación, entiéndase efectivo, giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, y que las cargas y gravámenes preferentes, si los hubiese, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes, entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. La propiedad no está sujeta a gravámenes anteriores y/o preferentes según surge de las constancias del Registro de la Propiedad en un estudio de título efectuado a la finca antes descrita. Una vez efectuada la venta de dicha propiedad, el Alguacil procede-
rá a otorgar la escritura de traspaso al licitador victorioso en subasta, quien podrá ser la parte demandante, cuya oferta podrá aplicarse a la extinción parcial o total de la obligación reconocida por la sentencia dictada en este caso. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. Si el producto de la venta fuere insuficiente para satisfacer la cantidad reclamada, se procederá a la ejecución de la sentencia en contra de la parte demandada por el remanente de las sumas no satisfechas, mediante embargo y venta en ejecución de cualesquiera otros bienes propiedad de la parte demandada en cantidad suficiente para dejar cubierta y totalmente satisfecha a la parte demandante cualquier deficiencia o parte insoluta de la sentencia dictada a su favor según dispuesto en la sentencia dictada en este caso. Se dispone, conforme con la sentencia dictada en este caso que, una vez efectuada la subasta y vendido el bien inmueble, los adjudicatarios sean puestos en posesión del mismo dentro del término de veinte (20) días por el Alguacil de este Honorable Tribunal y los actuales poseedores lanzados del referido inmueble. Y para la concurrencia de licitadores y para el público en general, se publicará este Edicto de acuerdo con la ley, mediante edicto, en un periódico de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, una vez por semana, por espacio de dos (2) semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, y para su fijación en tres (3) lugares públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía, y se le notificará además a la parte demandada vía correo certificado con acuse de recibo a la última dirección conocida. EN TESTIMONIO DE LO CUAL, expido el presente Edicto de Subasta para conocimiento y comparecencia de los licitadores, bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, en Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, a 07 de marzo de 2024. JOSÉ M. CRESPO NAZARIO, ALGUACIL, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA DE MAYAGÜEZ.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE VEGA ALTA
FINANCE OF AMERICA
REVERSE, LLC
Demandante Vs.
MARÍA ISABEL RIVERA
DIAZ T/C/C MARÍA I. RIVERA DIAZ T/C/C
MARÍA RIVERA DIAZ
T/C/C MARÍA I. RIVERA
T/C/C MARÍA ISABEL RIVERA; Y LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA
AL: PÚBLICO EN GENERAL.
A: MARÍA ISABEL RIVERA
DIAZ T/C/C MARÍA I. RIVERA DIAZ T/C/C
MARÍA RIVERA DIAZ
T/C/C MARÍA I. RIVERA
T/C/C MARÍA ISABEL RIVERA; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA.
Yo, LUIS F. ORTIZ ROSA, Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Vega Baja, a los demandados, acreedores y al público en general con interés sobre la propiedad que más adelante se describe, y al público en general, por la presente CERTIFICO, ANUNCIO y HAGO CONSTAR: Que el día 25 DE ABRIL DE 2024, A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en mi oficina, sita en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Vega Baja, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, procederé a vender en Pública Subasta, al mejor postor, la propiedad inmueble que más adelante se describe y cuya venta en pública subasta se ordenó por la vía ordinaria mediante Sentencia dictada en el caso de epígrafe, la cual se notificó y archivó en autos el día 29 de enero de 2024. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado, estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría durante horas laborables. Que en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta a celebrarse, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA para la venta de la susodicha propiedad, el 2 DE MAYO DE 2024, A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA; y en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 9 DE MAYO DE 2024, A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en mi oficina sita en el lugar antes indicado. Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que ha sido liberado por la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Vega Baja, en el caso de epígrafe con fecha de 4 de marzo de 2024, procederé a vender en pública subasta y al mejor
día 16 DE MAYO DE 2024, A LAS 10:15 DE LA MAÑANA en el mismo lugar, en la cual el tipo mínimo será la mitad del precio pactado, o sea, $76,000.00. Si se declarase desierta la tercera subasta, se adjudicará la finca a favor del acreedor por la totalidad de la cantidad adeudada si ésta es igual o menor que el monto del tipo de la tercera subasta, si el tribunal lo estima conveniente. Se abonará dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si ésta es mayor. Dicho remate se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer a la demandante el importe de la Orden de Ejecución de Sentencia por la suma de $119,951.74 de principal, más intereses sobre dicha suma al 6.25% anual desde el 1 de mayo de 2017 hasta su completo pago, más $761.23 de recargos adeudados desde el día 1 de junio de 2017 hasta su total pago, más la cantidad estipulada de $15,200.00 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados, así como cualquier otra suma que contenga el contrato del préstamo, incluyendo pero sin limitarse a gastos de mantenimiento, inspecciones y otros adelantos “corporate advances”. Surge del Estudio de Título Registral que sobre esta propiedad pesan los siguientes gravámenes posteriores a la hipoteca que por la presente se pretende ejecutar: a. Hipoteca: Constituida por Ana Mercedes Díaz García y Manuel Enrique Constanzo Castro (ambos solteros) en garantía de un pagaré a favor de NEW YORK
MORTGAGE BANKERS, o a su orden, por la suma de $38,000.00, sus intereses al 6 ¼% anual y vencedero el 1 de enero de 2035, según consta de la Escritura Número 132, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el 21 de diciembre de 2004 ante la Notario Gina Aguilar Gerardino. Inscrita al Tomo Karibe de Bayamón, Finca Número 11,571. Inscripción décimo sexta (16ta). b. Aviso de Demanda: Pleito seguido por Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
Vs. Manuel Enrique Constanzo Castro, Ana Mercedes Díaz García, Miguel Cintrón Torres, Fermina Córdova Moctezuma y la Sociedad Legal de Bienes Gananciales, ante el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Bayamón, en el Caso Civil Número DCD2017-0087, sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca, en la que se reclama el pago de hipoteca, con un balance de $122,975.85 y otras cantidades, según Demanda de fecha 18 de enero de 2017. Anotada al Tomo Karibe de Bayamón. Anotación A. Se notifica al acreedor posterior o a su sucesor o cesionario en derecho para que comparezca a proteger su derecho si así lo desea. Se les advierte a los interesados que todos los documentos
relacionados con la presente acción de ejecución de hipoteca, así como los de Subasta, estarán disponibles para ser examinados, durante horas laborables, en el expediente del caso que obra en los archivos de la Secretaría del Tribunal, bajo el número de epígrafe y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general en Puerto Rico por espacio de dos semanas y por lo menos una vez por semana; y para su fijación en los sitios públicos requeridos por ley. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante, continuarán subsistentes; entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate y que la propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores tal como lo expresa la Ley Núm. 210-2015. Y para el conocimiento de los demandados, de los acreedores posteriores, de los licitadores, partes interesadas y público en general, EXPIDO para su publicación en los lugares públicos correspondientes, el presente Aviso de Pública Subasta en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, hoy 19 de marzo de 2024. EDGARDO ELÍAS VARGAS SANTANA, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR PLACA #193, ALGUACIL DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE BAYAMÓN, SALA SUPERIOR.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE GUAYAMA FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO
Parte Demandante Vs. JUAN RAFAEL MORALES CRUZ, SU ESPOSA SYLVIA MAGALY
RIVERA FLORES, Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR ESTOS
Parte Demandada
Caso Civil Núm.: GM2024CV00158. Sala: 302. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA Y COBRO DE DINERO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO.
ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. A: SYLVIA MAGALY RIVERA FLORES POR SI
Y EN REPRESENTACIÓN DE LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES
COMPUESTA POR ESTO
Y EL SR. JUAN RAFAEL MORALES CRUZ.
POR LA PRESENTE se les emplaza y requiere para que conteste la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este Edicto.
Usted deberá radicar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: http://unired.ramajudicial.pr/sumac/, salvo que se presente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá radicar el original de su contestación ante el Tribunal correspondiente y notifique con copia a los abogados de la parte demandante, Lcda. Marjaliisa Colon Villanueva, al PO BOX 7970, Ponce P.R. 00732; Teléfono: 787-843-4168, correo electrónico mcolon@wwclaw.com. En dicha demanda se tramita un procedimiento de cobro de dinero y ejecución de hipoteca bajo el número mencionado en el epígrafe. Se alega en dicho procedimiento que la parte Demandada incurrió en el incumplimiento del Contrato de Hipoteca, al no poder pagar las mensualidades vencidas correspondientes a los meses de julio de 2023, hasta el presente, más los cargos por demora correspondientes. Además, adeuda a la parte demandante las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado en que incurra el tenedor del pagaré en este litigio. De acuerdo con dicho Contrato de Garantía Hipotecaria la parte Demandante declaró vencida la totalidad de la deuda ascendente a la suma de $9,925.11 de balance principal, el cual se compone de $6,859.05 de primer principal y la suma de $3,066.06 de balance diferido, más intereses sobre la suma de $6,859.05 a razón del 9.50% anual, así como todos aquellos créditos y sumas que surjan de la faz de la obligación hipotecaria y de la hipoteca que la garantiza, incluyendo $20,000.00, pactado para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado. La parte Demandante presentó para su inscripción en el Registro de la Propiedad correspondiente, un AVISO DE PLEITO PENDIENTE (“Lis Pendens”) sobre la propiedad objeto de esta acción cuya propiedad es la siguiente: URBANA: Solar marcado con el número nueve (9) del Bloque “B” de la Urbanización Llanos de Providencia, localizada en el Barrio Lapa del término municipal de Salinas, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de trescientos cincuenta punto cero cero (350.00) metros cuadrados. En lindes por el Norte, con el solar ocho guión B (8-B), distancia de veintiocho punto cero cero (28.00) metros; por el Este, con la calle numero
dos (2), distancia de doce punto cincuenta (12.50) metros; por el Oeste, con una Sucesión de Manuel Gonzalez, distancia de doce punto cincuenta (12.50) metros. Enclava casa. Inscrita al folio ciento setenta y cinco (175) del tomo doscientos diecisiete (217) de Salinas, finca número ocho mil quinientos noventa y ocho (8,595), Registro de la Propiedad de Guayama. SE LES APERCIBE que de no hacer sus alegaciones responsivas a la demanda dentro del término aquí dispuesto, se les anotará la rebeldía y se dictará Sentencia, concediéndose el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal en Guayama, Puerto Rico. A 20 día de marzo de 2024. MARISOL ROSADO RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA. CELIMARIE COLÓN GONZÁLEZ, SUB-SECRETARIA.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO
Demandante V. LUIS O VALE ZAPATA Y OTROS
Demandado(a)
Caso Núm.: SJ2023CV11202. (Salón: 603). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO - ORDINARIO Y OTROS. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.
JOSÉ A. LAMAS BURGOSJLAMAS@LVPRLAW.COM.
A: LUIS O VALE ZAPATA, NANCY I. ZAPATA QUIÑONES.
(Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)
EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 01 de abril de 2024, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha 01 de
abril de 2024. En San Juan, Puerto Rico, el 01 de abril de 2024. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA. LUCRECIA PAGÁN MORALES, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE ARECIBO SALA SUPERIOR DE CAMUY ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, LLC
COMO AGENTE DE FAIRWAY ACQUISITIONS FUND, LLC
Demandante V. VICTOR M. CORDERO BONILLA
Demandado(a) Caso Núm.: QU2023CV00090. (Salón: 102 CIVIL - CRIMINAL). Sobre: COBRO DE DINEROORDINARIO NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. GYNDRISHKA CAMACHO FIGUEROA - GYNDRISHKA. CAMACHO@LEX.INTER.EDU.
NATALIE BONAPARTE SERVERANATALIE.BONAPARTE@ORF-LAW. COM.
A: VICTOR M. CORDERO BONILLA.
(Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 27 DE MARZO DE 2024, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 01 de abril de 2024. En Camuy, Puerto Rico, el 01 de abril de 2024.
VIVIAN Y. FRESSE GONZÁLEZ, SECRETARIA. MARITZA ABRAMS RUIZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA
CENTRO JUDICIAL DE BAYAMÓN SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN
MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT PUERTO RICO, LLC COMO AGENTE GESTOR DE MIDLAND FUNDING, LLC
Demandante V. LUIS E NEGRON
Demandado(a)
Caso Núm.: NJ2023CV00047. (Salón: 502). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO - ORDINARIO.
NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.
KENMUEL JOSÉ RUIZ LÓPEZKENMUEL.RUIZ@ORF-LAW.COM.
NATALIE BONAPARTE SERVERANATALIE.BONAPARTE@ORF-LAW. COM
A: LUIS E NEGRONURB LA PROVIDENCIA, 1P-38 CALLE 10, TOA ALTA PR 00953 HC 71 BOX 2158, NARANJITO, PR 00719-9737
(Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)
EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 01 DE ABRIL DE 2024, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 01 de abril de 2024. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, el 01 de abril de 2024. LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA. SANDRA BÁEZ HERNÁNDEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, LLC
COMO AGENTE DE FAIRWAY ACQUISITIONS FUND, LLC
Demandante V. WIGBERTO SANTIAGO TORRES
Demandado(a) Caso Núm.: CA2023CV03384.
(Civil: 406). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO - ORDINARIO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA
POR EDICTO.
NATALIE BONAPARTE SERVERANATALIE.BONAPARTE@ORF-LAW. COM.
A: WIGBERTO
SANTIAGO TORRES.
(Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)
EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 27 DE MARZO DE 2024, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 01 de abril de 2024. En Carolina, Puerto Rico, el 01 de abril de 2024. KANELLY ZAYAS ROBLES, SECRETARIA.
MARICRUZ APONTE ALICEA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA
CENTRO JUDICIAL DE ARECIBO SALA SUPERIOR DE ARECIBO
ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, LLC
COMO AGENTE DE FAIRWAY ACQUISITIONS FUND, LLC
Demandante V. CARLOS A MONTIJO RUIZ
Demandado(a)
Caso Núm.: UT2022CV00520.
(Salón: 402 - CIVIL SUPERIOR). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO - ORDINARIO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR
EDICTO.
GABRIEL ANTONIO RAMOS COLÓN - GABRIEL.RAMOS@ORF-LAW.
COM.
NATALIE BONAPARTE SERVERANATALIE.BONAPARTE@ORF-LAW. COM.
A: CARLOS A MONTIJO RUIZ.
(Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)
EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el
27 DE MARZO DE 2024, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 01 de abril de 2024. En Arecibo, Puerto Rico, el 01 de abril de 2024. VIVIAN Y. FRESSE GONZÁLEZ, SECRETARIA. ANABEL PÉREZ RÍOS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.
V. JORGE A RICHARD MARTINEZ
Caso Núm.: CG2022CV02832. (Salón: 803 - CIVIL). Sobre: COBRO
ORDINARIO.
DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. KEVIN
CAMPANEROKEVIN.SANCHEZ@ORF-LAW.COM. A: JORGE A. RICHARD MARTINEZ. (Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 27 de marzo de 2024, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del
término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha 01 de abril de 2024. En Caguas, Puerto Rico, el 01 de abril de 2024.
LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA. GLORIMAR RIVERA RIVERA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, LLC, COMO AGENTE GESTOR DE FAIRWAY ACQUISITIONS, FUND, LLC.
Demandante V. CAROLINA GONZALEZ GUERRERO
Demandado(a)
Caso Núm.: SJ2022CV04626. (Salón: 903 CIVIL). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO - ORDINARIO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.
KEVIN SÁNCHEZ COMPANEROKEVIN.SANCHEZ@ORF-LAW.COM.
NATALIE BONAPARTE SERVERANATALIE.BONAPARTE@ORF-LAW. COM.
A: CAROLINA
GONZALEZ GUERRERO.
(Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)
EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 27 de marzo de 2024, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha 01 de abril de 2024. En San Juan, Puerto Rico, el 01 de abril de 2024. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA. MILDRED J. FRANCO REVENTOS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 20
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA
CENTRO JUDICIAL DE BAYAMÓN SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, LLC COMO
AGENTE DE ACE ONE FUNDING, LLC
Demandante V. DIANA L.
NIEVES VILLEGAS
Demandado(a)
Caso Núm.: NJ2023CV00115. (Salón: 501). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO - REGLA 60. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA
POR EDICTO. GABRIEL ANTONIO RAMOS COLÓN - GABRIEL.RAMOS@ORF-LAW.
COM. NATALIE BONAPARTE SERVERANATALIE.BONAPARTE@ORF-LAW.
COM.
A: DIANA L. NIEVES VILLEGASBO GUADIANA CARR
164 KM 1 HM 4 INT NARANJITO PR 00719 / PO BOX 349 NARANJITO PR 00719-0349.
(Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)
EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 25 DE MARZO DE 2024, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 01 de abril de 2024. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, el 01 de abril de 2024.
LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA. KATHERINE SANTIAGO RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO
POPULAR MORTGAGE, INC., JOHN DOE, PERSONA IGNORADA
Y POSIBLE TENEDOR FICTICIO DEL PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO
Demandados
Civil Núm.: AR2024CV00584.
Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ HIPOTECARIO EXTRAVIADO. EDICTO. ESTADOS
UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R.
A: JOHN DOE.
El Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala de Arecibo dictó la siguiente providencia: Vista la solicitud para la orden de notificación por edicto, y cónsono con las Reglas de Procedimiento Civil vigentes, el Tribunal autoriza y ordena que se le notifique por edicto la Demanda de epígrafe a JOHN DOE. El edicto se publicará conforme a la Regla 4.6 (c) de las de Procedimiento Civil, 32 L.P.R.A. Ap. V, 4.6 (c), mediante la publicación de un solo edicto en un periódico de circulación general diaria en Puerto Rico, a los efectos de que presenten cualquier oposición a la Demanda dentro del término de treinta (30) días a contarse de la publicación del edicto, apercibiéndole que de no hacerlo se continuará con los procedimientos sin más citarle ni oírle. Se exime al Demandante del requisito impuesto por la Regla 4.6 de Procedimiento Civil de enviar por correo certificado con acuse de recibo copia de la Demanda y del edicto a la última dirección conocida del notificado, por no ser conocida. Se ordena a la Secretaria expida el correspondiente edicto. Dada en Arecibo, Puerto Rico, a 3 de abril de 2024. Santiago Cordero Osorio, (Firmado)JUEZ SUPERIOR”. Se le advierte que, si no comparece al Tribunal en el presente caso, enviando copia de su posición a la abogada del Demandante, la Lcda. Lizannette Morales Crespo, PO Box 5272 Carolina, PR 00984-5272, tel. (787)945-5233, dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación, se dictará Sentencia concediendo el remedio solicitado sin más citarle ni oírle. EXPIDO, bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal en Arecibo, Puerto Rico, a 3 de abril de 2024. VIVIAN Y. FRESSE GONZÁLEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. JACQUELYNE GONZÁLEZ QUINTANA, SUBSECRETARIA.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA
CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAGUAS SALA SUPERIOR DE CAGUAS
JOSE RAFAEL
VARONA RUEMMELE
Demandante V.
ORIENTAL BANCK & TRUST Y OTROS
Demandado(a)
Caso Núm.: CG2024CV00060.
(Salón: 701). Sobre: CANCELACIÓN O RESTITUCIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.
JESUS A LEDESMA AMADORJALAMADOR@YAHOO.COM.
A: JOHN DOE Y \ RICHARD ROE.
(Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)
EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 02 de abril de 2024, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha 03 de abril de 2024. En Caguas, Puerto Rico, el 03 de abril de 2024. LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA. ENEIDA ARROYO VÉLEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA
CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA
ORIENTAL BANK
Demandante V.
JOHN DOE
Demandado(a)
Caso Núm.: CA2024CV00269.
(Civil: 401). Sobre: CANCELACIÓN O RESTITUCIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.
JAVIER MONTALVO
CINTRÓN - JMONTALVO@ DELGADOFERNANDEZ.COM.
A: JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE, PERSONAS DESCONOCIDAS QUE SE DESIGNAN CON ESTOS NOMBRES
FICTICIOS, QUE PUEDAN SER TENEDOR O TENEDORES, O
PUEDAN TENER ALGÚN INTERÉS EN EL PAGARÉ HIPOTECARIO AL QUE SE HACE REFERENCIA MAS ADELANTE EN EL PRESENTE EDICTO, QUE SE PUBLICARÁ A: UNA
SOLA VEZ.
(Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 27 de marzo de 2024, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha 01 de abril de 2024. En Carolina, Puerto Rico, el 01 de abril de 2024. KANELLY ZAYAS ROBLES, SECRETARIA. ROSA M. VIERA VELÁZQUEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA
CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA ORIENTAL BANK
Demandante V. SUCO. DE SAMUEL FREYTES MAGRIS, COMPUESTA POR FULANO DE TAL Y ZUTANO DE TAL, COMO HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS CON POSIBLE INTERÉS; IRIS MIRTA RAMIRES VERA, POR SI Y EN CUANTO
A LA CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA Y OTROS
Demandado(a) Caso Núm.: CA2023CV03283. (Civil 401) Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO - ORDINARIO Y OTROS. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. A: FULANO DE TAL Y ZUTANO DE TAL, COMO HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE
LA SUCO. DE SAMUEL
FREYTES MAGRIS; IRIS MIRTA RAMÍREZ VERA
POR SI Y N CUANTO
A LA CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA DE LA SUCN. DE SAMUEL FREYTES MAGRIS. (Nombre de las partes que se lo notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 27 de marzo de 2024, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha 01 de abril de 2024. En Carolina, Puerto Rico, el 01 de abril de 2024. KANELLY ZAYAS ROBLES, SECRETARIA. ROSA M. VIERA VELÁZQUEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL
GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE HUMACAO SALA SUPERIOR DE HUMACAO ORIENTAL BANK
Demandante V. PABLO GARCIA MELENDEZ, FULANA DE TAL Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS
Demandados
Civil Núm.: HU2023CV01781.
Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO.
ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMéRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.
A: FULANA DE TAL, POR
SI Y COMO MIEMBRO DE LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA CON PABLO GARCIA MELENDEZ.
POR MEDIO del presente edicto se le notifica de la radicación de una demanda en cobro de dinero por la vía ordinaria en la que se alega que usted adeuda a la parte demandante, Oriental Bank, ciertas sumas de dinero, y las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado de este litigio. El demandante, Oriental Bank, ha solicitado que se dicte sentencia en contra suya y que se le ordene pagar las cantidades reclamadas en la demanda.
POR EL PRESENTE EDICTO se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva a la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días de haber sido diligenciado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día del diligenciamiento. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://www.poderjudicial.pr/index/php/tribunalelectronico/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra, y conceder el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente, sin más citarle ni oírle.
El abogado de la parte demandante es: Jaime Ruiz Saldaña, RUA número 11673; Dirección: PO Box 366276, San Juan, PR 00936-6276; Teléfono: (787) 759-6897; Correo electrónico: legal@jrslawpr.com. Se le advierte que dentro de los diez (10) días siguientes a la publicación del presente edicto, se le estará enviando a usted por correo certificado con acuse de recibo, una copia del emplazamiento y de la demanda presentada al lugar de su última dirección conocida: 335 Parcelas Nuevas Daguao, Calle 14, Naguabo, PR 00718; 5064 Bo. Daguao, Naguabo, PR 007182990. EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y el sello del Tribunal en HUMACAO, Puerto Rico, hoy día 1 de abril de 2024. EVELYN FÉLIX VÁZQUEZ, SECRETARIA
INTERINA. KEYLA PÉREZ FIGUEROA, SUB-SECRETARIA.
LEGAL NOTICE
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA
SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN
FINANCE OF AMERICA
REVERSE LLC
Demandante Vs. INES MARIA MENDEZ
BRUNO T/C/C INES M. MENDEZ T/C/C INES
M. MENDEZ BRUNO; SUCESION ELPIDIO
REPOLLET DEL RIO T/C/C
ELPIDIO REPOLLET
COMPUESTA POR SU
VIUDA INES MARIA MENDEZ BRUNO T/C/C
INES M. MENDEZ T/C/C
INES M. MENDEZ BRUNO; MINELIA REPOLLET
MENDEZ, ELPIDIO REPOLLET MENDEZ, LISETTE REPOLLET
MENDEZ, JUDITH REPOLLET MENDEZ, DIANOLIS REPOLLET
MENDEZ; JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA; CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES Demandados
Civil Núm.: BY2024CV00283. (Sala: 703). Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.
A: JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE COMO POSIBLES MIEMBROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESION ELPIDIO REPOLLET DEL RIO T/C/C ELPIDIO REPOLLET.
POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza para que presente al Tribunal su alegación responsiva a la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación de este edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: http://unired. ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberé presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaria del tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente.
Greenspoon Marder, LLP
Lcda. Frances
Fill in the empty fields with the numbers from 1 through 9.
Sudoku Rules:
Every row must contain the numbers from 1 through 9
Every column must contain the numbers from 1 through 9
Every 3x3 square must contain the numbers from 1 through 9
Answers on page 23
Word Search Puzzle #G586EA
K D T C I V E C O W E D S D
D E I L N S Y O K C O L C E
S K C A T T A N C H O R R N
T L K N E E M S B S S E O O
E U L G R W U O H N C L S O
E S E A M S A L O O N E S R
R P S M A O R I R R N N E A
E C Y E R U T D V I L T S M
D H L S R N E A V E S L I Y
O A D E I D L T W I X S A B
U U L F A I F I S I U T R B
G N I L G N A O U S T S O A
H T W R E G E N E R A T E L
I S E A S E L S L L O D Y F Anchor Angling Ballroom Clang Clean Clock Consolidations Cowed Crosses Dolls Dough Dress Easel Evict Extol Flabby Games Haunts Intermarriages Irons Leaflet Marooned Misuse Ousts Raise Recorded Regenerate Relent Saloon Sister Slosh Sounding Steered Stews Sulked Tickle Trauma Vines Waive Wildly Witty
LONDON — Youseff Chippo had a secret. A few months into his life as a soccer pro in Europe, Chippo, a Moroccan midfielder, was pushing to prove himself and didn’t want to do anything that might hurt his chances of success. That included revealing he was fasting for Ramadan, a normal practice for the world’s billion Muslims but not in the locker room of Portugal’s FC Porto in the winter of 1997.
The team’s double practice sessions — morning and afternoon — were arduous. Taking part while going without food and water from sunup to sundown made things harder. Eventually, after enduring days of dizziness and headaches in silence, Chippo came clean, and the club quickly put together a plan to preserve his energy and his health.
For decades, though, other Muslim players found teams to be less accommodating, at least officially. So in a sport where continuous play and a lack of substitutions offer little opportunity for a midgame trip to the bench, those players have long relied instead on resourcefulness and improvised solutions to break their fasts: teammates who faked or embellished injuries just after sundown to buy a moment for their Muslim colleagues to rush to the sideline; a few dates or a sugary drink slipped into a hand by a staff member at the appointed hour; trainers rushing out to attend to an injured knee carrying a kit curiously well-stocked with bananas.
But more recently, soccer, which once saw fasting by Muslim players as something to be discouraged or criticized, is actively
changing its ways. In a shift that reflects both the increasing prevalence and the soaring value of soccer’s Muslim stars, some of the world’s richest leagues and teams — with one notable exception — have moved to fully embrace Ramadan fasts.
In Europe, that means many Muslim players now benefit from bespoke nutrition plans before and during the monthlong holiday; fast-friendly practice schedules; and even league-approved stoppages in play that let them break their fasts on the field during matches.
Some of the changes reflect a new acceptance of diversity in wealthy competitions, like England’s Premier League, whose reach and fan bases long ago spread beyond domestic borders. There are more practical reasons for the changes, too. Muslim players now represent an investment worth hundreds of millions of dollars for the world’s elite teams, and those players are increasingly vocal about what they require.
Two seasons ago, for example, Liverpool forward Sadio Mané asked his team’s captain to approach coach Jürgen Klopp about switching daily practices during Ramadan to the morning, so that he and other Muslims in the team, such as star striker Mohammed Salah, could participate closer to their predawn meal. Klopp obliged.
“They take it very seriously because they understand how important it is for me and important for them as well, because they need to keep me fit,” said Mohamed Elneny, an Egyptian midfielder for another top Premier League club, Arsenal.
Elneny, 31, is one of three Arsenal players
ers could break their fasts, and for banning players training with federation teams from fasting.
French authorities defended the guidance by saying it was required by federation rules on secularism. But at least one top player left a national team camp in protest.
Others continue to push inclusion, and education. In England, the Premier League has allowed clubs with Muslim players to arrange with referees for brief breaks at sunset since 2021. And the players union, the Professional Footballers’ Association, has produced a 30-page document that is a blend of Ramadan primer and tips on fasting best practices.
“Instead of asking Muslims to adapt to the environment, it is better to understand the other way around,” said Maheta Molango, the union CEO.
who are fasting during Ramadan this season. The team, he said, starts preparing players about two weeks before the first fast, going through “literally everything” players might need to maintain peak performance. The process is repeated the day before Ramadan begins. Other Premier League clubs, and dozens more teams across Europe, now do the same.
Leagues in England and the Netherlands also have introduced rules that explicitly allow for a so-called Ramadan pause during matches, and Germany’s referees are empowered to stop play for the same reason.
But not every country is on board.
France’s soccer federation recently faced criticism after it issued guidelines directing teams and officials not to stop play so play-
The first known example of an organized halt in play in the Premier League occurred three years ago, during a match between Crystal Palace and Leicester. Former Crystal Palace doctor Zafar Iqbal said that before the game the medical staffs of both teams approached the referee about the need for a break. At the appointed time, Palace’s goalkeeper lingered over a free kick to allow it to happen.
“When the ball went out of play, the game was paused and the two players ran to the sideline to get a drink and some dates,” Iqbal said. “Nobody else within the stadium realized as it happened quickly.”
That slick process went largely unnoticed in the moment, revealed only when one of the Muslim players involved thanked the goalkeeper, the league and the teams the next day.
Answers to the Sudoku and Crossword on page 21
