Thursday Aug 17, 2023

Photos by Richard Gutiérrez/The San Juan Daily Star

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.

House proposes merger of anti-corruption offices to fight white collar crime

By THE STAR STAFF

AHouse panel proposed on Wednesday to merge the Office of the Independent Special Prosecutor Panel (OPFEI by its Spanish initials), the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and the Government Ethics Office (OEG) to create a more efficient anti-corruption tool.

The House Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Committee proposed the idea during an analysis panel and public hearing to address the corruption problem in Puerto Rico.

The event, which took place at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico Law School, brought together experts, academics and legislators to discuss proposals to address House Bill 1701, which seeks the creation of the Office for Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity (OAIP), and House Bill 1702, aimed at creating a new Anti-Corruption Code. Both bills have been filed as forceful, confrontive responses to corruption on the island.

Both bills contemplate the merger of the OPFEI,

OIG and OEG, thus establishing an independent and autonomous entity with the capacity to lead the prosecution of high-profile crimes committed by public officials and former public officials under its jurisdiction.

Among the participants in Wednesday’s hearing were Reps. Héctor Ferrer Santiago, who chairs the House Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Committee, Juan José Santiago Nieves, Deborah Soto Arroyo, Denis Márquez Lebrón, José Bernardo Márquez Reyes and Lisie Burgos Muñiz.

Ferrer Santiago pointed out that “the participation of experts and academics in the discussion of these bills will strengthen the legislation and contribute to a fairer and corruption-free Puerto Rico,” highlighting the importance of having “varied and well-founded perspectives on the matter.”

Santiago Nieves, meanwhile, stressed the relevance of legal experts in enriching the discussion and guaranteeing the proposals’ applicability. Likewise, Soto Arroyo emphasized the need for a collaborative effort between legislators, academics and the community to develop solid laws promoting integrity at all levels of Puerto Rican society.

“The creation of the Anti-Corruption Office and the new Anti-Corruption and Ethics Code represent significant steps in the fight against corruption in Puerto Rico, to ensure transparency and justice in all spheres in the country,” Ferrer Santiago said.

Public hearings will continue on Aug. 23, 24 and 25 at the Capitol, providing a platform for diverse and representative participation from various entities and agencies.

The panel of experts included prominent professionals in the field, including:

* Julio E. Fontanet Maldonado, dean and professor of the Law Faculty at Inter-American University, shared his experience in criminal procedure, criminal law, evidence law and international criminal law.

* Javier Morales, president of Competitive Consulting Group, provided knowledge on industrial/organizational psychology and criminal justice.

* José Efraín Hernández Acevedo, associate professor and director of the Department of Social Sciences at Inter-American, contributed his expertise in law.

* Issel Masses, of Sembrando Sentidos, is noted for her work promoting transparency and civic action.

* Leo Aldridge, an attorney specializing in federal criminal cases, added valuable perspectives to the conversation.

Rep. Héctor Ferrer Santiago (Photo by Johanna Sánchez)

UPR workers vow to continue strike until an agreement is reached

to be approved by the oversight board.

The change in the plan would cost $2 million.

Muñoz, meanwhile, intervened by telephone in a radio interview with Ferrao on Wednesday and pointed out that the president had committed himself to honoring the collective bargaining agreement and to the union having the right to negotiate its own medical plan. The union leader said the UPR president made the commitment when he was a candidate for the position he now occupies, and denounced the fact that the promise has not been fulfilled.

“The workers had greater benefits than the ones [provided by] the institutional plan; they had life insurance, free full dental plan -all that now they have to pay for,” Muñoz said.

the beginning of the new semester, according to an administrative memo addressed to the entire university community. As determined by the Academic Senate, the virtual teaching modality will continue until access to the gates of the institution is restored.

Ferrao on Wednesday called on the workers to desist from continuing with the indefinite strike because, he said, barring access to the UPR Río Piedras Campus is not justified.

Superior Judge Anthony Cuevas Ramos on Wednesday ordered the members of the union and its president not to obstruct access to the UPR Río Piedras Campus under penalty of contempt.

By JOHN McPHAUL jpmcphaul@gmail.com

University of Puerto Rico (UPR) President Luis Ferrao Delgado insisted Wednesday that for the moment, the only thing he can guarantee to the Workers’ Union, who made good on their threat to go out on strike, is that they will be paid $9.50 per hour.

“What we got was about $5.3 million, which the [Financial Oversight and Management] Board approved by letter dated August 15, that allows us to bring all the salaries of all employees to the new minimum of $9.50 an hour,” Ferrao said in response to questions from the press. “We have achieved that now.”

When asked about the rest of the agreements signed in February with the president of the union, David Muñoz Hernández, Ferrao replied: “Yes, well, what happens is that they all have fiscal implications and you have to do the calculations. We have to see how much it costs, which is part of the agenda.”

Despite the fact that the oversight board had previously approved a salary increase for UPR workers, the Workers’ Union went out on an indefinite strike Wednesday to denounce what they say is a lack of compliance on the part of UPR with other agreements, such as one on a change in its medical plan coverage.

Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia expressed his concern over the strike on Wednesday, urging the two sides to continue negotiating to avoid doing daily harm to the island’s youth. They are doing grave damage to the university by doing this,” said the governor.

“I am sure that the president of the university is going to negotiate in good faith with these unions and that they are trying to express themselves, and that they can protest, but that it should not be taken to the extreme of closing the campuses or blocking the entrance to the campuses because they do serious damage to our youth,” Pierluisi said.

Ferrao said the union is demanding a change of medical plans, something he said is impossible because the funds would have

The union leader said negotiations over the medical plan have been going on for two years and that it is not true that if they are permitted to choose their own medical plan, then the UPR will also have to cede it to the other workers’ organizations of the institution.

“It means that the representation that he has made to me during these last two years has not been honest, because now he comes out with that if he gives the medical plan to the [Workers’] union he would have to give it to each union, [but] that is not true,” Muñoz said. “The only one who has negotiated that in the agreement is the [Workers’] union.”

While the deadlock between the administration and the workers continues, UPR students and professors will have to conduct classes and other academic work virtually at

“It is noted that failure to comply with this Order will be sufficient cause to order his arrest and imprisonment for criminal contempt,” Cuevas Ramos said in the order. “In order to preserve the rights of all involved, as well as preserve the security and operations of the UPR, our immediate intervention is necessary to reiterate to the defendant to refrain from impeding or interfering with the daily functions of the University of Puerto Rico, while we elucidate the merits of the lawsuit in the injunction hearing.”

Ferrao said the minimum wage increase to $9.50 per hour, for which he said he had obtained the oversight board’s consent on Tuesday, had been given to non-teaching employees retroactive to July 1.

“We just gave them the pay raise they were asking for,” Ferrao said in the radio interview. “It is not justified to close the gates and prevent the education of youth.”

“When the budget was approved by the fiscal oversight board, the amount was not included, [for] the item that we had requested,” Ferrao said. “That was June 30. At that time we began new efforts to achieve at least one item that would allow paying the increase to $9.50.”

He said the letter from the oversight board authorizing the payment arrived Tuesday.

Ferrao said the union’s determination to strike hurts student recruitment efforts and all those who have worked hard for the institution’s benefit.

“I call on all employees to balance the right to demonstrate and the start of classes to minimize interruptions in the academic calendar,” he said on Tuesday, as previously reported by the STAR. “I call for open communication and a peaceful and respectful protest that does not impede students when they start classes.”

On Wednesday, the Student Council of the UPR School of Law expressed its solidarity with the strikers.

Gov. Pedro Pierluisi

Workers’ Union President David Muñoz said University of Puerto Rico President Luis Ferrao Delgado had committed himself to honoring the collective bargaining agreement and to the union having the right to negotiate its own medical plan.

A study in contrasts

the paint job isn’t properly finished, that is an environment that doesn’t promote any sort of motivation toward learning. If the environment isn’t welcoming, the students won’t feel the desire to learn.”

She added that the “painting is being done on the first day of class.”

By RICHARD GUTIÉRREZ richardsanjuanstar@gmail

Many of us remember our first day of school in any grade, some of us with more nostalgia than others. That first walk through the halls, the early morning first class, the teacher calling out names and students replying: “Present.”

Wednesday was that first day of classes for thousands of students across the island and for a healthy contingent at Dr. Conchita Cuevas Public High School in Gurabo. Music filled the hallways as the school extended its grand welcome to senior students arriving this year. In addition to the music, the students were received with balloons as new uniforms and backpacks colored the hallways, as some students in the school lobby danced and sang for the senior welcome.

Everything seemed well … except it wasn’t. As the STAR entered the outskirts of the school, there were contracted workers painting parts of the school’s exterior. The sight wasn’t pleasant. Inside the classrooms the environment wasn’t really any better; most public offices in the island possess air-conditioning because of how naturally hot the weather is in Puerto Rico. This year in particular, summer has been extensively hot on the island, with record-breaking heat waves. Unfortunately, the school’s classrooms were not air conditioned. In fact, one had a multitude of fans positioned throughout the room; however, none of them were provided by the island Department of Education.

“Within the experience I have as a teacher, I am comfortable, but in terms of the infrastructure of the school, improvements need to be made,” biology teacher Adelmarí Miranda told the STAR.

While schools not being prepared is a much-discussed topic on the island nearly every school year, the overall effect the situation could have on students can be damaging. Miranda said that while aesthetics may seem like the last thing that should matter in terms of education, aesthetics in fact play an important role in terms of practicality.

“If you get to a workplace where the appearance is not good, nobody likes it,” Miranda noted. “When you walk into a school and

“While teachers are not in school, that’s when the administration should work on repairing the school,” she said.

The teachers reported to work last Friday and there were still people using water pressure machines and painting. While directors are charged with overseeing a school, Miranda pointed out that sometimes their hands are tied.

“Many times directors just follow orders from the regional director; they don’t have much of a choice,” she said.

When the STAR tried speaking to the school director, it learned that they aren’t allowed to speak as public school directors are prohibited from speaking to the press.

Miranda was also fortunate enough to speak to the contractor in charge of the school rehabilitation work.

“What the contractor told me was that the process began in November 2022, but they are starting to work on it now,” the teacher said.

The infrastructure is just the beginning of the problems for schools. Miranda’s classroom was freshly painted and had a total of nine fans throughout; however, all of the fans were purchased by Miranda herself, and she also had a hand in the painting of her classroom. This is

unfortunately the reality for many teachers, not just those at Conchita Cuevas.

“I’ve purchased all of these fans and the paintjobs I’ve done as well,” Miranda noted. “I’ve put my students first. I have a tiny fan on my desk while I got bigger fans for the students. It’s not easy; the Department of Education has to pay more attention to these details, which are important. Sure, they give us certain materials, but they are too basic; we need our classrooms to be in good condition and with an environment so that when our students get here they can learn, and be happy learning.”

The teacher also spoke about other underlying issues that concern public schools.

“We called to the national coliseum on Monday [Aug.] 14 for an event that was rather motivating, but it wasn’t what we needed as teachers. What we needed was a proper salary, a good retirement, for our workspaces to be much more comfortable; it is detrimental to work in such conditions for both students and teachers,” Miranda said. “Many of us were expecting something different from this event, a huge change, but things have stayed the same. Words of encouragement are great, but actions will always speak louder than these words.”

The good vibes of Wednesday’s senior welcome notwithstanding, Miranda believes that “maybe a teenager might see a ruined classroom and think it’s great because the teacher is cool, but they are developing their critical thinking, and the reality that adults see, students will see it sooner rather than later.”

“It’s insane to me that the Department of Education invested all of that money into that event instead of investing it on fixing up schools and keeping them in shape, ready for the beginning of the school year,” she said.

A special education teacher who preferred to remain anonymous told the STAR that the aforementioned deficiencies also cause problems for students in the Special Needs program, who need extra materials in order to be given a proper education.

“We need materials that are specialized to teach them properly; they should be offering more materials to help us,” the teacher said.

Several attempts by the STAR to reach the Department of Education by phone and email for comment were unsuccessful.

As students & teachers begin a new academic year with fresh uniforms & enthusiasm, some public schools display glaring deficiencies in infrastructure and other areas

The first day of classes at Dr. Conchita Cuevas Public High School in Gurabo. (Photos by Richard Gutiérrez/The San Juan Daily Star)

Peeling paint was not an uncommon sight in common areas.

Lawmaker: Fatal explosion in Arecibo may have been preventable

Gas lines inspection bill approved in the House still awaits action in Senate

By THE STAR STAFF

Rep. Estrella Martínez Soto, who chairs the Consumer Affairs Committee in the island House of Representatives, said the explosion that occurred Wednesday morning at an establishment in Arecibo where two people died was a tragic situation and called for the approval of legislation that seeks to make homes and businesses safer.

Later on Wednesday the police said the victims had been identified as Blanca Iris Pérez Sotomayor, 49, and Jonathan Sanabria Cardec, 36, both residents of Arecibo.

“My first reaction is to express my sincere condolences to the families,” the legislator said. “Although the fire department is still investigating the origin of the explosion, whether it was due to a gas leak or electrical failure, this brings back into public discussion House Bill (HB) 1114, which has already been approved [in the lower chamber] and is waiting for the Senate to act.”

The measure establishes that in all

houses and businesses with liquefied gas service, an inspection of liquefied gas containers and lines must be conducted for the safety of families.

“This measure 1114, called the Law for the Inspection of Liquefied Gas Facilities in Businesses and Residences in Puerto Rico, seeks to improve safety in homes and businesses,” Martínez Soto said. “Last year there were cases in Aguada and Toa Alta, for example. What happened today in Arecibo is an unfortunate example of the reality we are experiencing. My call to the upper chamber is to pass HB 1114.”

Expo returns to

By THE STAR STAFF

The Volkswagen Expo (“Concentración de Volkswagen”), which in past editions has drawn large numbers of VW brand enthusiasts from around Puerto

Rico, returns once again to Juan Padró Sports Complex in Barceloneta from Friday to Sunday.

“We are sure that participation will surpass all previous editions,” event coordinator Javier Solá said in a written communication. “We have seen more than 600 Volkswagen vehicles in past editions and we hope to set a new record this year.”

Solá noted that participants will be able to enjoy exhibitions, competitions, talks about the history of the vehicles and more. Local dining options, music, artisans, and accessories will also be sold.

Beyond being an automotive event, the expo has a strong community commitment organized by Hurtimando Cuellos VW, a nonprofit entity that focuses on health and support for low-income people with adverse medical conditions.

“We have positively impacted the community by donating electrical appliances to the homes of people with medical conditions and limited resources, improving their quality of life,” said Elier Matos, president of Hurtimando

The measure would empower the Bureau of Transit and Other Public Services with the authority to regulate and oversee the installation, maintenance, and use of liquefied gas in residences and businesses in Puerto Rico.

“In the same way, it seeks to establish a structure that makes the use of liquefied gas tanks in residences and businesses safer,” said the legislator, adding that although the explosions in residential areas cannot always be attributed to problems with gas hookups or defects in gas cylinders, the reality is that there is no program for the prevention of propane-related accidents or inspection of liquefied gas installations in residential areas.

The police were alerted on Wednesday morning, through the 9-1-1 Emergency System, about an explosion at Willie’s Sport Bar on Avenida Miramar (highway PR-2) in Arecibo.

According to the preliminary investigation, police agents from Arecibo Precinct 107 joined Puerto Rico Firefighters Bureau personnel at the location, where the bodies of two victims were found in the kitchen area.

As of press time, the causes behind the explosion had not been determined. Rafael Heredia Nieves of the Arecibo Explosives Division was continuing the investigation.

Friday

“The Volkswagen Expo is an opportunity to unite in love for the brand and support the social work we do,” he added.

The event will run from 7 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Cuellos VW.

An explosion at Willie’s Sport Bar on Avenida Miramar in Arecibo on Wednesday morning took the lives of two people.

First, a ferocious fire. Now a slow, grim search for the dead.

By TIM ARANGO

DNA specialists who have been working with Ukrainian investigators to document suspected Russian war crimes. Veterans of the post-Sept. 11 search at ground zero. Anthropologists who were enlisted to examine human remains after the California wildfire that until last week was America’s deadliest in more than a century.

They are among the experts who have been arriving in Maui this week to join the painstaking process of recovering and identifying more than 100 people who perished last week in the historic Hawaii town of Lahaina.

“Over the course of the next 10 days, this number could double,” Gov. Josh Green of Hawaii said earlier this week in an interview on CNN. “I don’t want to really guess at a number because our people are working so hard right now.”

Many of the people being called on to help played similar roles in the aftermath of the Camp fire, the 2018 disaster in Northern California that killed 85 people and reduced to ash the town of Paradise, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.

Kim Gin, the former Sacramento County coroner who led the effort to identify the remains of victims of the Camp fire, flew into Maui on Monday. Forensic anthropologists from California State University, Chico, who assisted at the Camp fire were scrambling this week to arrange travel to Hawaii.

And scientists with ANDE, a company based in Colorado that uses rapid DNA technology — which processes results in less than two hours with a device the size of a laser printer — have been on the ground in Hawaii for days, and more technicians were on their way.

Also in Lahaina are rescuers who worked in the rubble of the World Trade Center after Sept. 11, Maui’s police chief, John Pelletier, said. Twenty cadaver dogs are working with search teams, along with a specialized mortuary unit from the federal government that arrived with a 22-ton mobile morgue that includes examination tables, lab equipment and X-ray machines.

With families facing an agonizing wait for word on missing loved ones, the final death toll from the Aug. 8 fire is likely to continue climbing, and the full scope of human loss may not be known for weeks, or perhaps months.

“I understand people want numbers,” Pelletier said at a news conference Monday. “It’s not a numbers game.”

As of Tuesday evening in Hawaii, authorities publicly identified two of the 106 people who have been confirmed dead, and the search for more victims was continuing. Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, both of Lahaina, were among those killed, Maui County said in a news release Tuesday evening.

Before officials publicly released his name, the family of Jantoc had identified him as having perished. As days passed with no word from Jantoc, his family had begun to fear the worst. His relatives started to panic, because he was the kind of grandfather who always checked in after a heavy rain or storm to assure everyone he was OK.

On Saturday, two police officers showed up to notify the family that they had found his body in his home, said Keshia Alakai, his oldest granddaughter.

“I hope to God he did not suffer,” she said, describing her grandfather as a musician who once toured the mainland with Carlos Santana before settling into a more laid-back lifestyle on Maui.

Authorities said Tuesday that they had searched 32% of the burn zone in Lahaina, which runs from the hillsides to the Pacific Ocean, and the area was closed to the public

while teams searched for remains, even as residents grew increasingly frustrated in not being able to return to Lahaina to check on their properties.

Pelletier said one person had been arrested on a trespassing charge, and he had a message for others who might try to enter the area illegally. “It’s not just ash on your clothing when you take it off,” he said. “It’s our loved ones.”

The police have asked family members of the missing to submit DNA swabs at a community center in Maui for comparisons to recovered remains. Pelletier asked relatives who are out of state to provide DNA to their local law enforcement agencies.

The numbers speak to how careful and slow the process is. Of the confirmed victims, five have been identified, though only two of their names have been made public. Examiners have been able to extract DNA profiles from 13 victims, and have received 41 DNA samples from family members of the missing.

ANDE, whose technology was funded in part by the Department of Homeland Security, is often used by law enforcement agencies to investigate crimes and crack cold cases. For the past year, the company has been involved in the war in Ukraine, training the police there to examine victims of suspected war crimes and collect evidence

that could be used at trials at the International Criminal Court at The Hague. Its technology was also used when 34 people died in a fire on a dive boat off Santa Barbara, California, in 2019, and to process remains from the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant a few months later.

“The challenge, of course, is the remains you process and the family samples don’t always coincide,” said Stephen Meer, the chief information officer of ANDE, which is processing samples of remains as they are collected by search teams in Lahaina. “If you are missing someone, get your family reference sample in.”

Meer said he was confident that most of the victims would eventually be identified by DNA — during the Camp fire, close to 90% of those who perished were identified with ANDE’s tests — but he added, “I can’t imagine it would be for all.”

As search teams with cadaver dogs continue their slow process of sorting through the rubble of Lahaina, anthropologists — who often play a pivotal role in processing mass casualty scenes — were being dispatched to help in identifying human remains that might be just shards of bone. “We know what burned human remains look like and can differentiate them from an animal or something someone might have had in a kitchen,” said Marin Pilloud, a professor of anthropology at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Pilloud was involved in recovering remains after the Camp fire. The process was methodical: Working from a list of the missing and any information about where those people might have been at the time of the fire, she joined teams that would conduct searches at specific addresses.

“One step was to see if they were in fact trapped in their house,” she said. “So we would sift through all the debris of the house and try to identify if there were remains there.”

She said that in the moonscape left by a fire as destructive as the one that wiped out Lahaina, many items collected in an ashcan could appear to be human remains.

“Like drywall of the house can sometimes curl up in a way that looks like bone,” she said. “Insulation can sometimes melt in ways that look like bone.”

She added, “We are trained in these sort of archaeological recovery efforts, so we can systematically go through and try to identify if there are remains there.”

In Lahaina, only 32 percent of the burned area had been searched as of Tuesday, authorities said.

Inside Hawaii’s only burn unit, doctors rushed to treat Maui victims

town that was once the capital of the Hawaiian kingdom, were pouring into shelters. Inside the operating rooms and yellow-walled hallways of the burn unit in downtown Honolulu, there was no time to learn those details.

“As a surgeon, you have to just take it one step at a time and take care of the patient in front of you,” Cho said in an interview inside the hospital this week. “In fact, I probably was one of the least-informed persons on the island in that first 36 hours because I didn’t have time to know what was on CNN.”

Hospital officials declined to provide specifics on the conditions of patients from the wildfire, citing privacy concerns.

But the disaster underscored the reason the unit was created, said Dr. Robert W. Schulz, a plastic surgeon who co-founded the unit with Dr. James Penoff.

the wildfire and the speed with which they arrived became a singular event in the careers of the doctors and nurses.

As doctors at Straub spoke with their counterparts on Maui, in some cases reviewing photos or videos of wounds, they made decisions on which patients needed to be transferred. In some less severe cases, patients can receive care outside a formal burn unit. In other instances, a person’s burns might be so extensive, and their prognosis so poor, that focusing on their comfort is more appropriate than putting them through a flight.

“But it’s that big piece in the middle that you can provide a quality of life and a real benefit,” Schulz said. “They’re now treatable and you can save them and you have this facility that can do it for them that is not 2,000 miles away.”

By MITCH SMITH

When Dr. David C. Cho’s phone rang in the middle of the night, it was an emergency room physician calling from Maui, two islands away, seeking help.

“In very plain and simple terms he said, ‘Lahaina is destroyed,’” recalled Cho, a plastic surgeon who works in the burn unit at Straub Medical Center in Honolulu. “And then it just went silent.”

Cho got out of bed, went to the hospital and waited.

“I just knew there was going to be a pipeline of patients,” he said.

As hurricane-fanned flames overwhelmed Maui last week and rescue crews worked frantically to reach the wounded, some survivors’ injuries proved too extensive for that island’s hospitals and needed the most intensive burn care available. Nine burn patients were flown nearly 100 miles to Honolulu and then driven by ambulance to Straub, whose burn unit is the only facility of its kind in Hawaii, and the only one in the North Pacific between California and Asia.

At the Honolulu hospital, doctors and nurses went to work trying to stabilize the crush of new arrivals, who ranged in age from young adults to seniors, and whose second- and third-degree burns in some cases covered up to 70% of their bodies.

For the doctors, the nine arriving victims represented the largest influx of patients from a single incident in the burn unit’s history. As consumed as the medical workers were with the extraordinary needs of these patients, another question lingered: Might more be flown in soon — more people who could be saved?

Back on Maui, what would become the country’s deadliest wildfire in more than a century was still not contained, and newly homeless evacuees from Lahaina, an oceanside

Until the 1980s, there was no burn treatment facility in Hawaii, which meant doctors had to track down airplanes to transport people to the mainland to receive specialized care. Too often, patients died before they got there. And even when they did make it to California, they would sometimes spend long hospital stints away from their families, undergoing painful treatments.

Kimberly Webster, a registered nurse who is the manager of the burn unit and a critical care unit at Straub, said she had been following the weather early last week, aware that intense dryness and high winds from a hurricane off Hawaii’s coast had increased the fire danger. She said she had tracked those reports in the same way she might monitor the Fourth of July, when the proliferation of fireworks increases the possibility of severe burns. But there was no preemptive effort to add staff or clear rooms.

“You’re alert and you’re aware of that,” said Webster, “but you don’t start moving people when you don’t need to.”

That started to change on the evening of Aug. 8, as the first reports of destruction on Maui began to filter in. Early on, Webster said, there were indications that around 10 patients might need to be flown in. But much remained unclear.

Given Hawaii’s geography, the doctors and nurses at Straub are used to treating patients arriving by plane. The unit regularly takes in burn victims from other islands in Hawaii, from U.S. territories like Guam, from Pacific nations like Micronesia and from cargo ships at sea.

But those patients usually come one or two at a time. The volume of new arrivals from

Advances in treatment in recent decades, including the development of skin substitutes, have improved the long-term outlook for people who sustain massive burns. Still, hospital stays regularly last for months and involve painful daily treatments and repeated surgeries.

In many cases, surgeons must remove healthy skin and graft it onto parts of the body that burned. But after one graft, it takes time for skin to grow back to allow for another. And for patients with burns on 70% of their body, there is relatively little healthy skin left to graft from in the first place.

In between surgeries, nurses work to keep the wounds clean, properly bandaged and free from infection. In a small room with waterproof flooring and heated ceiling tiles in a corner of the burn unit, nurses in plastic gowns will methodically wash wounds, sometimes spending two hours with a single patient. The room is warmed to about 85 degrees, Webster said, a temperature that helps stave off hypothermia for patients without skin but that can leave medical providers drenched in sweat.

“It’s uncomfortable for the patients,” Webster said of the washing process, and “it can be uncomfortable for the nursing staff.”

In interviews, medical providers in the unit, many of whom are longtime Hawaii residents, said they found deep meaning in being able to help their state through the fire. But with the known death toll now at 101 and likely to increase, they lamented that they had not had the chance to save more people.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Cho said. “I wish there were more transfers coming in — that’s my real reflection.”

Dr. David C. Cho, a plastic surgeon who works in the burn unit at Straub Medical Center in Honolulu, Aug. 14, 2023. After wildfires in Maui, an island airlift brought some of the fire’s most severely wounded survivors to a Honolulu hospital unit created for just that kind of mass-casualty moment.

‘Biased.’ ‘Corrupt.’ ‘Deranged.’ Trump’s taunts test limits of release.

By MAGGIE HABERMAN, JONATHAN SWAN and ALAN FEUER

Just days ago, the judge overseeing former President Donald Trump’s prosecution on charges of seeking to subvert the 2020 election admonished him against violating the conditions of his release put in place at his arraignment — including by making “inflammatory statements” that could be construed as possibly intimidating witnesses or other people involved in the case.

But Trump immediately tested that warning by posting a string of messages on his social media website, Truth Social, that largely amplified others criticizing the judge, Tanya Chutkan.

In one post, written by an ally of Trump’s, lawyer Mike Davis, a large photo of Chutkan accompanied text that falsely claimed she had “openly admitted she’s running election interference against Trump.” In two other posts, Trump wrote, “She obviously wants me behind bars. VERY BIASED & UNFAIR.”

After eight years of pushing back at a number of institutions in the United States, Trump is now probing the limits of what the criminal justice system will tolerate and the lines that Chutkan sought to lay out about what he can — and cannot — say about the election interference case she is overseeing.

He has waged a similarly defiant campaign against others involved in criminal cases against him, denouncing Jack Smith, the special counsel who brought two federal indictments against him, as “deranged”; casting Fani Willis, the district attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, as “corrupt”; and even singling out witnesses.

Some lawyers have said that if Trump were an ordinary citizen issuing these attacks, he would be in jail by now. The question is whether Trump will face consequences for this kind of behavior before a trial.

“He is absolutely in my view testing the judge and testing the limits, almost daring and taunting her,” said Karen Agnifilo, who has a three-decade legal career, including as the chief assistant in the Manhattan district attorney’s office. Agnifilo added that Trump is so far benefiting from his status as a candidate for office, facing fewer repercussions from the judges in the cases than other vocal defendants might.

So far, Chutkan has merely warned Trump against making “inflammatory statements” about the case or people involved

with it, saying she would do what she needed to keep him from intimidating witnesses or tainting potential jurors.

She has also told Trump’s lawyers that she may be forced to agree with the government’s proposal to go to trial sooner than they like as a way to protect the jury pool.

Otherwise, her options range from ignoring Trump’s comments to finding him in violation of his conditions of release. That could entail punishing Trump by fining him or even by sending him to jail, a move that would be complicated not only by politics but also by the presence of his Secret Service detail.

Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, scoffed at any suggestion that Trump might be testing the bounds.

“‘President Trump was right’ isn’t just a catchphrase, it is fact,” he said. “From the fake dossier to the debunked Mueller investigation to the Russia hoaxes to the impeachment scams to Hunter Biden’s laptop to Crooked Joe Biden’s shady foreign dealings, President Trump has been proven time and again he is the only person who will speak truth to power.”

One of Trump’s lawyers in the case before Chutkan, John Lauro, acknowledged that trying to change Trump’s behavior was unlikely.

“With President Trump, because of the campaign and I would say because of his personality, it’s impossible for him not to

speak out on the issues. So it does present unique circumstances,” Lauro said on a recent podcast with lawyer David Oscar Markus, which was recorded days before the hearing with Chutkan. “My approach as a lawyer is obviously very different than his as a candidate. But he feels strongly that he needs to speak out. And he also in particular looks at this prosecution as a political prosecution. So as a result I think in his mind it’s sort of fair game from a political perspective to make these comments.”

Even before Smith was appointed special counsel, Justice Department officials worried that Trump would stress-test the judicial system if he was ever charged. Prosecutors had little doubt Trump would castigate them, along with witnesses and judges, to vent his anger, but also as part of a strategy of dragging opponents into a brawl over what he could and could not say to bolster his claim that the department was seeking to muzzle and destroy him.

In pointing to the more lenient treatment afforded to Trump, Agnifilo cited Sam Bankman-Fried, the cryptocurrency entrepreneur who recently had his pretrial release agreement revoked after a judge found that he had engaged in witness intimidation.

“Trump is clearly being treated differently,” Agnifilo said. “I’ve never seen a defendant being treated the way Trump has been treated in my 30-year career.”

It is not uncommon for defendants to

have their bail revoked for disobeying the conditions of their release by taking drugs or committing other crimes. It is also not uncommon for defendants to be jailed for intimidating witnesses in their case like Bankman-Fried.

But it is uncommon for defendants to be punished for making inflammatory statements about judges or prosecutors if only because they are typically given warnings before penalties are issued and tend to heed those warnings. And in the case of Trump, he is a defendant who is also a political candidate who faces two prosecutions involving the administration of one of his opponents. As a grand jury in Georgia prepared to indict Trump on Monday in the state investigation into his efforts to cling to power, he suggested on Truth Social that former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan “shouldn’t” testify despite being subpoenaed.

“Straight up telling a subpoenaed witness not to testify — that’s not kosher,” Cobb said.

At a hearing Friday, Chutkan suggested she would need to see a motion, filed by Smith, before taking any actions to hold Trump accountable for statements he has made on social media — although in theory she could act on her own. The special counsel’s office, in previous legal filings and statements in court, has made clear that it is closely monitoring Trump’s public statements.

Lauro expressed concern at the hearing that the various restrictions could unfairly keep Trump from giving voice to full-throated political arguments on the campaign trail. He even suggested that limiting what Trump could say about the case would “provide an enormous advantage to President Biden in the middle of a campaign.”

The judge seemed unpersuaded.

Samuel W. Buell, a law professor at Duke University and a lead federal prosecutor in the Justice Department’s case against Enron, said that even if Trump’s most recent messages about Chutkan — ones in which he merely reposted messages from others — did not cross the line themselves, the former president was clearly pressing the boundaries of antagonizing the judge.

Trump is “walking the line” in a way “to make it difficult for her, never giving a single, clear example that can be used as a basis for ruling, but always continuing to push the envelope,” he said.

Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, speaks at a news conference to announce the indictment of former President Donald Trump and others in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023.

Crypto’s next craze? Orbs that scan your eyeballs.

basic income, a welfare system in which everyone receives guaranteed payments, and argue that iris IDs will help distinguish real people from robots.

To skeptics, the prospect of a privately owned crypto company’s handling the biometric data from billions of people sounds like a recipe for dystopia, with echoes of the 2002 Tom Cruise film “Minority Report.” But Tools for Humanity has raised $115 million this year from venture capital investors, even as funding for crypto has dried up during a downturn in the industry.

Tools for Humanity is part of a growing array of crypto firms trying to latch on to the hype around AI to propel digital currencies back to relevance after a miserable 18 months of market crashes and bankruptcies. Its project also shows how powerful figures such as Altman are seeking to profit in a tumultuous period, creating moneymaking ventures to mitigate the negative effects of AI, even as they aggressively develop the technology.

companies.

As Worldcoin has embarked on a marketing blitz, its backers have trumpeted more than 2 million sign-ups — a long way from 8 billion, but a lot of irises nonetheless. Last month, Altman claimed that the orbs were scanning new eyeballs every 8 seconds.

“We had a huge, huge surge in demand,” said Alex Blania, CEO of Tools for Humanity. “Long lines in front of orbs. So long that it was hard to handle in some parts of the world.”

Much of the scrutiny has focused on Worldcoin’s potential privacy risks. On its website, Tools for Humanity says the orbs don’t store iris data. When people are scanned, the website says, they receive a unique ID secured by complex cryptography, while any images are deleted. With wide adoption, Worldcoin IDs could help social media platforms distinguish between humans and bots, Blania said.

By DAVID YAFFE-BELLANY

One evening last month, a crowd of cryptocurrency enthusiasts gathered at an art gallery in downtown Manhattan. They were greeted by a scene from science fiction.

At one end of the room was an open bar. Across from it stood a loose array of gray pedestals, arranged like a futuristic Stonehenge, each displaying a metal sphere about the size of a bowling ball.

The event was a launch party for Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency project created by Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, and

the crypto company he co-founded, Tools for Humanity. As music thrummed in the background, guests congregated around the shiny orbs, which looked like a cross between a giant eight ball and HAL 9000, the rogue computer in “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

The gathering was a small step in what Tools for Humanity claims will be a world-changing project: to scan the eyeballs of all 8 billion humans, and then use that one-time ID to offer small allotments of cryptocurrency to support them in a world upended by artificial intelligence.

Every Worldcoin orb contains a camera designed to record images of a person’s irises. The orbs convert those scans into bits of numerical code, which are supposed to serve as a new type of digital ID. In the short term, Tools for Humanity plans to generate revenue by offering its iris-based system as an alternative to security technologies such as CAPTCHA, the photographic test that is used to sort humans from spam accounts.

Ultimately, Worldcoin’s backers envision a grander plan to protect people from AI advances that they claim will eliminate millions of jobs. They are promoting the orbs as a possible foundation for universal

As Tools for Humanity has gained prominence, its marketing tactics and irisscanning techniques have raised alarms. Last month, authorities in France and Germany said they were investigating Worldcoin’s data collection practices. On Wednesday, the government of Kenya ordered Tools for Humanity to stop conducting scans, blaming a “lack of clarity” in its handling of sensitive information.

“They’re asking us to believe them, to trust them,” said Andrew Bailey, a crypto expert at Yale-NUS College, a collaboration of Yale University and the National University of Singapore. “I don’t think I should have to trust anyone like that when it comes to sensitive information.”

A Tools for Humanity spokesperson said the company had designed Worldcoin to “protect individual privacy” and would work with governments to meet regulatory requirements.

Despite the concerns, dozens of crypto fans showed up last month at the Canvas 3.0 gallery in Manhattan to celebrate Worldcoin’s launch. In many places, users receive a small allotment of crypto tokens when they sign up for an iris scan — essentially free money. But Tools for Humanity isn’t offering tokens in the United States, citing the legal uncertainty around crypto

At the event in Manhattan, a stream of curious onlookers mingled with Tools for Humanity representatives, who wore white T-shirts emblazoned with the words “unique human.”

As music blasted, a couple walked over to an orb podium to speak with the orb operator about his experiences manning the new frontier of digital identity. He hadn’t been on the job for long, he told them, but was already getting strange questions. A new user had recently asked what would happen if “someone took off my face and put it in front of the orb?” he said.

Then the conversation turned to the unfortunate plight of “the eyeless.” A freshly scanned guest wondered, from an accessibility perspective, how people who didn’t have eyes would fit into the new world order. The orb operator nodded solemnly. “That’s a very valid concern,” he said.

None of these potential issues stemmed the flow of sign-ups. Isaac Cespedes, a 32-year-old software developer, spent much of the night weighing the pros and cons of offering his biometric data to a startup.

“My crypto trader friend — I just messaged him,” Cespedes said. “He thinks it sounds scammy.”

By the end of the evening, though, Cespedes was lining up to be scanned.

An “orb operator” shows an attendee how to use her phone to sign in with the company’s app during a Worldcoin event at an art gallery in downtown Manhattan, July 27, 2023. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s chief executive, has started Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency project that aims to scan billions of human irises.

Wall Street stocks down after Fed minutes, bank shares extend losses

Wall Street was lower on Wednesday after the release of the Federal Reserve’s minutes showed central bank officials were divided over the need for more interest rate hikes at their last meeting.

At 3:02 pm ET, the S&P 500 (.SPX) was down 15.86 points, or 0.36%, to 4,422 and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) dropped 59.84 points, or 0.44%, to 13,571.21 points and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) fell 61.97 points, or 0.18%, to 34,884.42.

“We’ve seen an incredible rally year to date. That’s really bucked all expectations for a bearish reaction to a recession so far this year. A little bit of steam is starting to get let out from that rally,” said Mike Reynolds, vice president of investment strategy at Glenmede.

“Investors are starting to take a more sober look at the economic picture here.”

The minutes, however, showed most policymakers continued to prioritize the battle against inflation.

“I agree with the governors that we’re not convinced that inflation is totally in the rearview mirror,” said Peter Tuz, president of Chase Investment Counsel in Charlottesville, Virginia.

“I think the markets will be on pins and needles regarding what the Fed will do all through September and into October.”

Bank shares extended losses, with the S&P 500 bank index (.SPXBK) down 0.9%. Bank of America (BAC.N) fell 1.9%, leading losses among bigger banks.

Target (TGT.N) shares gained 3.3% after the big-box retailer’s second-quarter profit beat estimates, overshadowing its annual forecast cut.

Equities have suffered through a rough patch in August, with the S&P 500 languishing near onemonth lows as data underscoring sticky inflation and a robust economy fans fears of interest rates staying elevated for longer.

While investors largely expect the Fed’s monetary tightening to be nearing its end, worries linger the central bank could hold rates at the current level for longer.

Nvidia (NVDA.O) was down 0.12% after gains in the last two sessions, as two more brokerages raised their price targets on the stock ahead of the chip designer’s quarterly results next week.

Declining stocks outnumbered rising ones within the S&P 500 (.AD.SPX) by a 1.9-to-one ratio.

Russian forces say they’ve retreated from Urozhaine

losses on the other during heavy fighting, but neither offered an accounting of its own losses. The village, which had a population of under 1,000 before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has been left in ruins by the fighting. Urozhaine is the first village known to be recaptured by Ukraine’s forces since they reclaimed Staromaiorske in late July.

Ukraine’s ultimate goal is to reach the Sea of Azov and drive a wedge into the so-called land bridge between Russia and Crimea, a link that is vital to the Russian military’s supply routes to the west. If Ukrainian forces can drive deep enough into Russian-controlled territory to put Moscow’s supply lines at risk of direct artillery fire, they hope to make Russia’s defensive positions untenable.

Ukrainian forces now have several options for where to try concentrating their forces. They could attempt to push around the Russian-held village of Staromlynivka, about 4 miles south of Urozhaine, as they press to the southeast toward Berdiansk.

brskoye. “About seven units of armored vehicles, accompanied by infantry, are trying to find a new promising direction,” the battalion said.

The claim could not be verified, and Ukraine’s military maintained silence about the movements of its soldiers.

Col. Petro Chernyk, speaking at a news briefing by the Ukrainian military Tuesday, said the Russians had set up formidable defenses across southern Ukraine, with the first line covered by vast minefields stretching across miles, a second line with artillery and concentrations of troops, and a third line of rear positions meant to preserve resources.

Andriy Kovalev, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military’s general staff, said Wednesday that the country’s forces also continued to make small gains along a second line of attack in southern Ukraine, pressing on Russian defensive lines around the town of Robotyne, about 50 miles north of Melitopol, a vital transit hub near the coast.

By MARC SANTORAF

Ukraine claims that its forces have driven further into the Mokri Yaly River Valley in the south of the country, announcing Wednesday that they had retaken the tiny village of Urozhaine after Russian forces said they had retreated following more than a week of fighting.

Retaking the village, which is in the Donetsk region, means that Ukraine now holds positions on both banks of the Mokri Yaly River, opening up more options as its forces try to advance on Russian strongholds farther

south. But the fact that progress in Ukraine’s long-anticipated counteroffensive is now measured by the recapture of small villages reinforces how difficult the fighting has become.

“Urozhaine has been liberated,” Hanna Malyar, Ukraine’s deputy minister of defense, said in a statement Wednesday morning, one day after Russian forces and officials said they had been forced to retreat from the village.

“We lost Urozhaine,” the Russian Vostok battalion, which took part in the battle, said in a statement Tuesday. The claims were not independently verified.

Each side claims to have inflicted deep

Or they could direct their offensive to the southwest, toward Mariupol, if it appears to present a better opportunity. Both Mariupol and Berdiansk are major port cities more than 50 miles away on the Sea of Azov.

Yet Russian forces control scores of small villages along both routes, making swift Ukrainian advances unlikely. The pace of the offensive has been slowed at every step by vast minefields, Russian attack aircraft and dug-in Russian forces.

Russia’s Vostok battalion said that after penetrating its defenses, the Ukrainians were driving to the east, toward the village of Oktya-

But Ukrainian forces were on the defense in the east. The commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, acknowledged in a Telegram post that defending against Russia’s mounting offensive in northeastern Ukraine around the city of Kupiansk has been difficult

Moscow’s troops have been trying to break through Ukrainian lines every day, he said, with the aim of capturing the city. He added that defending Ukrainian positions near Bahkmut, the site of the war’s longest and bloodiest battle, has also been a struggle, although he maintained that Ukrainian troops are holding the line and gradually moving forward.

Russia attacks Ukrainian ports on Danube River

By VICTORIA KIM

Russian forces attacked Ukrainian ports on the Danube River with drones early Wednesday, damaging granaries and warehouses that are used to export grain, according to Ukrainian officials and the Defense Ministry of neighboring Romania.

The ministry condemned the attacks, on the ports of Reni and Izmail — Ukraine’s two main ports on the Danube, which lie just across the water from Romania.

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s

presidential office, said Russian drones had struck two hangar-type warehouses in the port of Reni in the Odesa region. No one was injured, he said.

Ukraine’s air force said it had shot down 13 drones in the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, primarily aimed at port infrastructure, but did not detail how many got through or whether the damage had been caused by the debris of intercepted drones.

A series of attacks along the Danube in recent weeks have caused alarm, in part because of the proximity of some of the

ports to Romania, a NATO member.

The Danube delta became an immediate alternative waterway for grain ships after Russia resumed its blockade last month of major Ukrainian ports along the Black Sea. But Russia soon began attacking the smaller ports on the Danube as well, bombing Ukrainian grain-loading facilities there.

On Sunday, Russian forces fired warning shots before boarding a commercial vessel heading to a Ukrainian port on the Danube, further increasing tensions around

the Black Sea and continuing efforts to choke off Ukraine’s food exports.

Separately on Wednesday morning, three drones were shot down by air defenses in the Kaluga region of Russia, immediately to the southwest of the Moscow region, Russia’s Defense Ministry said. The ministry said that Ukraine was behind the attack, but that claim could not immediately be verified independently.

There have been more than a dozen attempted drone assaults in and around Moscow since May.

A Ukrainian soldier checks coordinates as his team fires a rocket in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, June 26, 2023.

As Russia threatens ships in the Black Sea, a Romanian route provides a lifeline

By ANDREW HIGGINS

After more than two weeks stuck in a Black Sea traffic jam of cargo ships waiting their turn to enter the Danube River delta to pick up Ukrainian grain, the Egyptian seamen finally reached solid ground last weekend and replenished their diminishing stock of fresh water and food.

Delight at having enough to eat and drink, however, mingled with alarm that, after their brief stop to pick up supplies in the Romanian Black Sea port of Sulina, they would be heading up the Sulina Channel, a branch of the Danube inside NATO territory, and then into a stretch of the river where Russia has in recent weeks attacked two Ukrainian river ports.

“It is too dangerous up there now. Boom, boom,” said an Egyptian crew member from Alexandria, who gave only his first name, Ismail.

When Russia pulled out of a deal last month offering safe passage to vessels picking up grain in Odesa and other Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, the Danube delta seemed to offer a relatively danger-free — if highly congested — alternative. But Russia has since sought to torpedo that idea by bombing Ukrainian grain-loading facilities there, too.

It further stoked fear among seamen Sunday when a Russian patrol ship fired warning shots at a cargo ship sailing through the Black Sea and Russian forces temporarily boarded it, making good on Moscow’s earlier threat to treat any vessels attempting to reach Ukraine as hostile.

The cargo ship was on its way to Sulina, and then into the delta to Izmail, one of two Ukrainian ports on the Danube attacked by Russia since July. Ukraine has also amplified the anxiety of threats to shipping by attacking Russian vessels in the Black Sea.

With waterways in and around Ukraine frothing with risk, however, the Sulina Channel — a 40-mile stretch of water leading from the Black Sea to Romanian, Ukrainian and Moldovan ports in the Danube delta — has kept grain flowing, becoming a vital and, thanks to NATO’s protective umbrella, so far safe lifeline for Ukraine.

The channel used to be best known outside shipping circles as a magnet for bird watchers and other nature lovers, but it now commands the attention of the United States and the European Union as a strategic choke point, crucial for the export of Ukrainian grain.

After a meeting Friday of European and American officials in the Romanian port town

of Galati, James C. O’Brien, the Biden administration’s sanctions coordinator, said the volume of Ukrainian grain exported via the Danube “will more than double.”

He did not specify a time frame. But the officials discussed measures designed to not only keep the Sulina Channel open but expand its role, including the installation of new navigation equipment so ships can use it around the clock, not just during daylight hours.

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, O’Brien said, Danube shipping carried 100,000 tons of Ukrainian grain per month. In the 18 months since, this has increased tenfold, reaching a total of more than 20 million tons.

The scene on a recent day at a beach near Sulina suggested that Russian efforts to choke off Danube delta shipping, just as it has done with traffic to Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, had failed for the moment. Beyond the bathers at the beach, a swarm of ships waited at sea for a chance to enter the Sulina Channel. On Monday, more than 80 ships were waiting.

To speed traffic and relieve congestion, Romania has begun recruiting maritime pilots who know the route and its hazards from the military to supplement the roster of civilians guiding ships to their destinations from Sulina.

The European Commission’s top transport official, Magda Kopczynska, said in Galati on Friday that the possibility of export-

ing Ukrainian grain through Polish, Baltic and Adriatic ports was also being considered, but that “the Danube link has proved to be the most efficient.”

Still, for this route to work to its full potential, said Sorin Grindeanu, Romania’s transportation minister, Ukraine needs to reduce its reliance on its own river ports and start shipping more grain out of Romanian ports on the Danube. He cited Galati and Braila, ports that are close to the Ukrainian border but shielded by Romania’s NATO membership.

Grindeanu said Romania “is not trying to make money” out of Ukraine’s pain. But having invested heavily in its Danube port infrastructure — one change is a railway line at Galati that uses the same wide-gauge tracks as Ukraine — Romania is mystified that traffic to

its ports by ships collecting Ukrainian grain has been very modest.

“We invested a lot of money in Galati,” Grindeanu said in an interview in Bucharest. “But they don’t use it. I don’t know why they don’t use it.”

Speaking Friday after meeting European and American officials, Ukraine’s infrastructure minister, Oleksandr Kubrakov, said Romanian ports could see “increased volumes” of grain from his country in the future but added that this would depend on further work to improve railway lines.

Unlike Black Sea waters along the Ukrainian coast, the area of the sea off the coast of Romania near Sulina has so far been safe. Ships that pick up grain along the Danube mostly exit the Sulina Channel and travel to Romania’s biggest Black Sea port, Constanta, just 85 miles down the coast.

In Constanta, their cargoes are transferred to bigger ships that then exit the Black Sea through the Bosporus and sail on to distant ports.

Romania’s defense ministry said in a written response to questions that Constanta “has emerged as the main alternative grain route since Moscow’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal.” To ensure it stays safe, the ministry added, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities — NATO’s so-called “eyes in the sky” are “deployed on a 24/7 basis over Romania and its territorial waters in the Black Sea.”

For now, as the packed beaches near the port attest, there is no sign of panic in Sulina, where Russia’s bombardment of Ukraine’s Snake Island, only 25 miles away, rattled windows last year.

“Like COVID, people got used to the war,” said Ioana Tomescu, the manager of a dockside store catering to tourists interested in delta wildlife and flora.

A ship at the Romanian port of Sulina, the main gateway to ports in the Danube River delta, on Aug. 5, 2023. The nearby Sulina Channel has kept grain flowing since Russia started attacking Ukrainian ports.

‘No space for us’: Greeks fight beach takeover by pricey sun chairs

one sandy cove.

Vasileios Paraskevas, a 47-year-old car factory worker from Germany, said he and his wife couldn’t find room for their own umbrella. “We couldn’t go left, we couldn’t go right,” said Paraskevas, who ended up sheltering under a tree. “There was no space for us.”

As part of their fight against the businesses’ expansion on the sand, members of the Save Paros Beaches group downloaded the contracts of businesses from an online government registry and plotted the coordinates of the areas allocated to them over aerial photos taken by drones.

“There were massive discrepancies,” Stephanou said — the 7,186 square meters (77,00 square feet) leased to businesses last year ultimately expanded to 18,800 square meters. Residents collected thousands of signatures for a petition to make businesses follow the rules.

least 30 beaches that do not charge to use chairs. He suggested the movement might be politically motivated, since local elections are set for October.

At a local council meeting last week, however, the Paros municipality approved a set of proposals by the citizens movement aimed at ensuring that businesses no longer operate beyond the areas allocated to them. Analysts said the movement expressed pent-up frustration at exploitation by businesses that are pricing Greeks out of a fundamental right.

“In a country where unbridled profiteering is rampant, Greeks are taking action to reclaim their public space,” said Seraphim Seferiades, a professor of political science and history at Panteion University in Athens. “The situation on the beaches may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

By NIKI KITSANTONIS

It is peak tourist season in Greece, and on the pristine Monastiri beach on the northern tip of Paros island, a phalanx of lounge chairs with red umbrellas covers the sand. At 70 euros for a pair of front-row seats near the crystalline waters, less than half were taken on a recent day, as Greeks and tourists alike who did not want to pay instead sheltered from the sun under nearby trees.

“In some cases they covered 100% of the beach,” said Nicolas Stephanou, 70, a local resident. “We feel we’re being pushed off the island,” he added, explaining that people are made to feel unwelcome unless

they use the services of the beach bars that own the chairs.

Many local people like Stephanou have had enough, saying seaside businesses have left them hardly a scrap of sand on which to lay their towels. In recent weeks, hundreds of people of all ages have staged demonstrations, walking along the sand on three beaches with banners saying “Reclaim our beaches,” as part of a movement called Save Paros Beaches.

Since starting in July, the protests have caught on nationwide, inspiring a “beach towel movement” organized over social media from Corfu in the north to Crete in the south.

While beaches are public in Greece, local authorities lease sections of them to bars, restaurants and hotels. Although no more than 50% of a beach is supposed to be occupied, many of the businesses are expanding illegally, occupying more space than they leased.

On Paros, which sees its population of 14,000 increase by tenfold in the summer, those businesses have become predatory, residents say, charging up to 120 euros (about $130) for “VIP” sun loungers.

Tourists are not too happy about the proliferation of the chairs, either.

On the island’s Kolymbithres beach, 10 rows of lounge chairs recently occupied

As the movement spread, authorities reacted. In late July, inspectors descended on two beaches on Paros, and sun chairs were removed. Then, Greece’s Supreme Court prosecutor ordered an investigation into violations on Paros and the island of Serifos.

Fearing fines, some businesses removed chairs, at least temporarily. On Naxos, lounge chairs and four-poster beds that had been placed on beaches were cleared — only to reappear as soon as inspectors left. Authorities later arrested three business owners.

Inspectors conducted more than 900 checks of Greek beaches between July 21 and Aug. 8, and penalties were imposed in one-third of the cases, said Kostis Hatzidakis, the finance minister of Greece. He heralded an overhaul of the legal framework governing the concession of beaches to businesses “to make it more modern and transparent.”

The current system is anything but efficient, Markos Kovaios, the mayor of Paros, conceded in an interview.

“We have a problem,” he said, calling for the review of a law under which local authorities must defer to the ministry for approval of lease agreements with businesses and for inspections of infractions. “We should be in charge.”

As for the citizens movement, he said it was excessive, noting that Paros has at

It is clear, though, that lax oversight and bureaucratic delays often allow some businesses to operate with impunity. Even those businesses that receive approval to operate usually sign government contracts at the end of the season, rather than before, because of understaffing, the mayor of Paros admitted.

Giorgos Arkoulis, the owner of the Dixty restaurant, which has operated on Mikri Santa Maria beach on Paros for 28 years, was denied a license to put sun loungers on the beach this year but did so anyway. He said he was expecting the “illogical” decision to be overturned. Instead, he was forced to clear away the lounge chairs, a move that prompted complaints from his customers.

Indeed, not all visitors support the movement.

“I don’t agree with it — there’s enough space for everyone,” said Theofilos Afouxenidis, a 45-year-old accountant sitting under a tree next to the Marcello Beach Bar on the northwest coast of Paros. “I was here last year, sitting on a lounger at the front of the beach. It was great.”

Grigoris Pirpiris, a 29-year-old native of Paros who lives in Athens, said he was glad officials had forced businesses to free up space on Marcello beach, where he played as a child. But he is concerned about the type of excessive tourist development, that he said has overrun nearby Mykonos.

“They have to put the brakes on. It’s too much,” he said. “The beach is nature.”

Protesters demonstrating to “reclaim the beach” in July at Marcello and Krios beach on the island of Paros, Greece.

The two big questions answered by Trump’s Georgia indictment

By DAVID FRENCH

The best way to think about Georgia’s sprawling indictment against Donald Trump and his allies is that it is a case about lies. It’s about lying, conspiring to lie and attempting to coax, coerce and cajole others into lying. Whereas the attorney general of Michigan just brought a case narrowly focused on the alleged fake electors in her state (Trump is not a defendant in that one), and special counsel Jack Smith brought an indictment narrowly focused on Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has brought a case about the entire conspiracy, from start to finish, and targeted each person subject to her jurisdiction for each crime committed in her jurisdiction.

In other words, this indictment is ambitious. But it also answers two related questions: Why bring yet another case against Trump in yet another jurisdiction? Isn’t he going to face a federal trial in Washington, D.C., for the same acts outlined in the Georgia indictment?

The answers lie in the distinctions between state and federal law. Georgia law is in many ways both broader and more focused than the federal statutes at issue in Smith’s case against Trump. The breadth is evident from the racketeering charges. As Norm Eisen and Amy Lee Copeland have written in The New York Times, Georgia’s racketeering

statute allows prosecutors to charge, among other crimes, a number of false statement statutes as part of a generalized criminal scheme. In other words, rather than seeing each actionable lie as its own, discrete criminal act, those lies can also be aggregated into part of a larger whole: an alleged racketeering enterprise designed to alter the results of the Georgia presidential election.

Yet it’s the focus of Georgia law that’s truly dangerous to Trump. The beating heart of the case is the 22 counts focused on false statements, false documents and forgery, with a particular emphasis on a key statute: Georgia Code Section 16-10-20, which prohibits false statements and writings on matters “within jurisdiction of state or political subdivisions.” The statute is a state analog to a federal law, 18 USC Section 1001, which also prohibits false statements to federal officials on matters within their jurisdiction, but the Georgia statute is even broader.

Simply put, while you might be able to lie to the public in Georgia — or even lie to public officials on matters outside the scope of their duties — when you lie to state officials about important or meaningful facts in matters they directly oversee, you’re going to risk prosecution. That’s exactly what the indictment claims Trump and his confederates did, time and time again, throughout the election challenge.

The most striking example is detailed in Act 113 of the indictment, which charges Trump with making a series of false statements to Georgia’s secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, and his deputies in Trump’s notorious Jan. 2, 2021, telephone call. Most legal commentators, myself included, focused on that call because it contained a not-soveiled threat against Raffensperger and his counsel. In recorded comments, Trump told them they faced a “big risk” of

criminal prosecution because he claimed they knew about election fraud and were taking no action to stop it.

Willis’ focus, by contrast, is not on the threats, but rather on the lies. And when you read the list of Trump’s purported lies, they are absolutely incredible. His claims aren’t just false; they’re transparently, incandescently stupid. This was not a sophisticated effort to overturn the election. It was a shotgun blast of obvious falsehoods.

Here’s where the legal nuances get rather interesting. While Willis still has to prove intent — the statute prohibits “knowingly and willfully” falsifying material facts — the evidentiary challenge is simpler than in Smith’s federal case against Trump. To meet the requirements of federal law, Smith’s charges must connect any given Trump lie to a larger criminal scheme. Willis, by contrast, merely has to prove that Trump willfully lied about important facts to a government official about a matter in that official’s jurisdiction. That’s a vastly simpler case to make.

Yes, it is true that the individual lying allegations are also tied to much larger claims about a criminal conspiracy and a racketeering enterprise. But if I’m a prosecutor, I can build from that single, simple foundation: Trump lied, and those lies in and of themselves violated Georgia criminal law. Once you prove that simple case, you’ve laid the foundation for the larger racketeering claims that ratchet up Trump’s legal jeopardy. Compounding the danger to Trump, presidents don’t have the power to pardon state criminal convictions, and even Georgia’s governor doesn’t possess the direct authority to excuse Trump for his crimes.

If Trump’s comments on Truth Social are any indication, he may well defend the case by arguing that the Georgia election was in fact stolen. He may again claim that the wild allegations he made to Raffensperger were true. That’s a dangerous game. The claims are so easily, provably false that the better course would probably be to argue that Trump was simply asking Raffensperger about the allegations, not asserting them as fact.

But if Trump continues to assert his false claims as fact, then Willis has an ideal opportunity to argue that Trump lied then and is lying now, that he’s insulting the jury’s intelligence just as he insulted the nation’s intelligence when he made his claims in the first place.

For eight long years, Americans have watched Donald Trump lie. Those lies have been morally indefensible, but some may also be legally actionable. Trump’s campaigns and presidency may have been where the truth went to die. But the law lives, and the law declares that Trump cannot lie to Georgia public officials within the scope of their official duties. If Willis can prove that he and his confederates did exactly that, then she will prevail in the broadest, most consequential prosecution in modern American political history.

Members of the media in front of the Lewis R. Slaton Courthouse in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023. “The best way to think about Georgia’s sprawling indictment against Donald Trump and his allies is that it is a case about lies,” writes New York Times columnist David French.

Clases comienzan el martes, 5 de septiembre de 2023

El martes, 5 de septiembre de 2023, Huertas College, los líderes en carreras cortas, comenzará un nuevo semestre ofreciendo una gama de programas académicos de alta demanda laboral. Huertas, con más de 78 años en el mercado, tiene matrícula abierta para toda persona interesada en estudiar: Bachillerato en Ciencias en Enfermería, Administración de Empresas, Contabilidad con Auditoría, Ventas y Mercadeo; Grados Asociados en: Ciencias en Enfermería, Asistente Dental con funciones Expandidas,

1-Análisis crítico e innovación

2-Creatividad

3-Solución de problemas complejos

4- Trabajo en equipo

5- Flexibilidad cognitiva

La Universidad de alguna manera desarrolla estas destrezas a través del entorno.

Mientras más se invierte en educación más movilidad social podrás obtener para crecer y prosperar como ser humano”. En Huertas College, no solo desarrollarás estas 5 destrezas que te convertirán en un gran profesional, sino, que además de un título universitario podrás:

-Descubrir tu propósito el cual te ayude a encontrar qué realmente te apasiona.

-Forjarás amistades duraderas las cuales se convertirán en compañeros para toda la vida, compartiendo momentos de estudios inolvidables.

-Crecerás en tu ámbito personal en la medida en la que enfrentes desafíos académicos ayudándote a crear confianza y resiliencia.

-Crearás recuerdos inolvidables que incluirán las experiencias en el salón de clases hasta los eventos en los que participes.

-Superarás desafíos que te harán más fuerte y te ayudarán a creer en ti mismo.

Tecnología en el Manejo de Información de Salud, Técnico de Farmacia y Asistente de Terapia Ocupacional; Grados Certificados en: Tecnología en Electricidad, Tecnología en Refrigeración y Aire Acondicionado, Estética, Entrenador Personal, Artes Culinarias y Masaje Terapéutico.

¿Por qué es importante estudiar? Una de las poblaciones que se recibe en HuertasCollege son jóvenes recién graduados de la escuela superior con pocas ganas de estudiar que incluso, en muchas ocasiones, sus padres han intervenido en la toma de decisión para que se motiven a estudiar una carrera. Quizás, este cuestionamiento de estudiar surge por la trayectoria de los “Influencers” a los cuales siguen como ejemplo y que no necesariamente obtuvieron un grado académico para lograr el éxito financiero que han obtenido o proyectan mostrar. Sin embargo, este resultado no suele ocurrir en muchos casos y por eso, es importante estudiar. El presidente de Huertas College, Dr. Isaac Esquilín, expresó en una entrevista radial para Pura Palabra, que “la Universidad te da las destrezas blandas que no se ganan en cualquier lugar. Son destrezas que van más allá del intelecto o coeficiente intelectual. El mundo educativo bien estructurado te desarrolla 5 destrezas que te ayudarán a lo largo de la vida:

-Interactuarás con una variedad de personas que te ayudarán a desarrollar habilidades de comunicación y empatía ante los demás.

El perfeccionismo y el miedo al fracaso pueden detenerte a lograr tus metas, pero recuerda que cada paso que das te acerca más a convertirte en la persona exitosa y segura que quieras lograr ser. ¡Tú tienes el poder de vencer esos temores! Explora ahora todas las carreras cortas de alta demanda laboral que Huertas College tiene para ti. Para estudiar en uno de sus programas académicos que estará comenzando el martes, 5 de septiembre de 2023, puede llamar al 787-746-1400 extensión 3, visitar su campus, ir a su página web: www.huertascollege.com o escribir a través de su correo electrónico: admisiones@huertas.edu. En Huertas, “el futuro eres tú”. ¡Te esperamos!

Five action movies to stream now

By ROBERT DANIELS

From films with swift swordplay to those with mega-tornadoes, this month’s action picks go big.

‘Call Her King’ Stream it on BET+.

Although Jaeda King (Naturi Naughton) practices martial arts, she isn’t your prototypical hero. The married mother is a judge, and she’s presiding over the biggest case of her career. Despite his pleas of innocence, Sean Samuels (Jason Mitchell) has already been convicted of murder and his sentencing is imminent. However, Sean’s brother, Gabriel (Lance Gross), isn’t waiting for the outcome. Armed with a fleet of gunmen, Gabriel, aka Black Caesar, storms the courthouse to spring Sean. And Jaeda — let’s call her King — uses more than her gavel to fight back.

King winds through the baddies with the prowess of Foxy Brown and the confidence of Shaft. But director Wes Miller’s film is also an origin story of sorts. King’s fight isn’t only with Black Caesar and his crew, but also with the broken justice system itself, and the way it both targets Black people and pits them against one another. Along the way, the nimble Naughton announces herself as a bona fide action star.

‘Eye for an Eye: The Blind Swordsman’

Stream it on Hi-Yah!

Dreamlike and visually expressive, this film by Chinese writer-director Yang

Bingjia takes delight in exploring the formula associated with swordplay movies. It has the cool mythological man of few words: in this case, Blind Cheng (Xie Miao), a visually impaired bounty hunter. It has the innocent maiden: Ni Yan (Gao Weiman), a wine merchant in need of saving from the big bad, He Qufeng (Ben Liu). And just for added flavor, Lady Qin (Zhang Di), Blind Cheng’s unrequited love, acts as femme fatale.

“Eye for an Eye” would be entertaining even if it only relied on those tropes. But its delectable kills elevate it even higher. Take the torture scene during which Blind Cheng plies a goon for answers not by beating him, but by tying the villain’s every limb to an elaborate array of sharpened liuqin strings. Another character endures the punishment of having arrows slowly pulled from her body. The culminating faceoff between Blind Cheng and He Qufeng, a scene bathed in ethereal lighting — blinding white snow amid a pitch-black setting — gives this gore-and-guts film a rare, spellbindingly poetic quality.

‘Fighting Olympus’ Stream it on Tubi.

At first, writer-director Julian Hampton’s film seems like a simple cop drama. Adhering to his wife’s wishes, SWAT officer Charles Biddle (Devinair Mathis) retires to a seemingly safe line of work as a cameraman for a dogged investigative reporter. Their assignment turns

Continues on page 18

Naturi Naughton in “Call Her King.”

Para ti que lo das TOD

Cuenta TODO

Cuenta combinada de cheques y ahorro que te paga intereses.2

From page 17

deadly, however, when men in silver masks appear, leaving Biddle’s fate in the balance. Rucker (Leslie A. Jones), Biddle’s grief-stricken best friend, searches for answers. While the title might be a tiny giveaway, it’ll still be difficult to guess where “Fighting Olympus” goes next.

Similar to the Boots Riley film “Sorry to Bother You,” Hampton opts for an ingenious premise to critique white supremacy. This one involves a descent into hell, as well as encounters with dangerous gods and misunderstood demigods alike. Hampton works around the film’s low budget by creating compelling characters. Medusa (Haley Jackson), for instance, is a Black woman. The white Athena stole her child, and then rewrote history to portray Medusa’s Black hair as deadly and ugly. With Medusa’s help, Rucker fights off mask-wearing, gold-sniffing henchmen in a series of obstacles that make “Fighting Olympus” one of the year’s most original action flicks.

‘Night of the Assassin’ Stream it on Hi-Yah!

Yi Nan (Shin Hyun-joon) was once Korea’s deadliest assassin. But heart problems ended his career, making him vulnerable to an unnamed spirit who wants him dead. Hunted and rendered a lonely pauper traveling the countryside in search of a mythical plant rumored to cure such ailments, he stumbles upon bandits attacking Seon Hong (Kim Min Kyung), a widowed tavern owner. He helps the woman; in return she offers him a job as a server. His peace in this quaint village is short-lived after he murders bandits who work for Yi Bang (Lee Moon-sik), an opium dealer, gang leader, government official

and all-around slimy guy.

In writer-director Kwak Jeongdeok’s film, punchy comedy via harsh zooms gives way to kinetic fights as Yi Nan works to protect Seon Hong and her young son from terror. Kwak adds new flavors to swordplay scenes by mounting a camera on Shin for pointof-view shots. The result, particularly in the final battle, which features Yi Nan against so many men his heart might explode, is a ferocious whiplash of splayed, bloody bodies.

‘Supercell’

Stream it on Hulu.

From a nostalgic score with hints of a John Williams influence to the soft, kind lighting, “Supercell,” director Herbert James Winterstern’s preposterous disaster flick, is in conversation with films from the 1990s like “Twister” and “Jurassic Park.” Using a journal that belonged to his deceased storm-chasing father, the teenage William (Daniel Diemer) leaves his mother (Anne Heche) for West Texas to find his Uncle Roy (Skeet Ulrich). Once reunited with his uncle, William hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps by building a radio capable of detecting storms (an unrealized invention previously taken up by his dad).

In the deep ensemble, Jordan Kristine Seamón plays William’s girlfriend, Harper, and Alec Baldwin portrays the head of a tourist company who takes storm enthusiasts as close to danger as possible. Rather than living a dream, William finds his disgraced Uncle Roy reduced to the nightmare of driving for Baldwin’s outfit. This big, dumb disaster flick not only features mega-tornadoes as the background to William’s coming-of-age, but it also ends on one of the funniest deaths ever in a film that manages to balance family ache with a wide adventurous canvas.

Visita una de nuestras sucursales Visita una de más de 360 ATMs7

787.725.2511

Miembro FDIC en Puerto Rico, Estados Unidos e Islas Vírgenes Americanas. Solo para individuos. Sujeto a los términos y condiciones del Acuerdo de Cuentas de Depósito y la Divulgación de Cargos, Términos y Tasas Aplicables a Cuentas de Depósito que se proveen en la apertura de la cuenta. 1. No se te cobra el cargo por servicio mensual de la cuenta si recibes un depósito directo (ACH) en la cuenta durante el ciclo, o si el balance promedio mensual combinado entre las secciones de cheques y ahorro y certi cados de depósito es igual o mayor de $1,500. De no recibir un depósito directo o mantener el balance promedio mensual requerido aplica un cargo por servicio mensual de $10. 2. El pago de intereses aplica únicamente a los fondos depositados en la sección de ahorros de la cuenta. Los depósitos comenzarán a acumular intereses desde el día en que los fondos son depositados en su cuenta. Balance mínimo diario para acumular intereses es $0.01. 3. Tu depósito estará disponible según nuestra Política de Disponibilidad de Fondos incluida en el Acuerdo de Cuentas de Depósitos. El servicio no está disponible para cuentas de ahorro. 4. ATH Móvil está sujeto a los términos y condiciones de FirstBank. Para utilizar ATH Móvil se requiere que tanto el dueño de la cuenta que recibirá la transferencia como el que la envíe estén registrados al servicio. Para registrarte tienes que tener una tarjeta de débito activa con una institución nanciera participante del servicio de ATH Móvil. Descarga la aplicación ATH Móvil para registrarte y ver los términos y condiciones de uso del servicio y una lista de las instituciones participantes. ATH Móvil es un servicio de la Red ATH® de EVERTEC Group, LLC. 5. Tu Banca Digital está sujeta a los términos y condiciones de FirstBank. 6. La línea de reserva es opcional y está sujeta a aprobación de crédito. 7. ATM’s alrededor de Puerto Rico, Islas Vírgenes Americanas, Tortola y Florida.

A scene from “Supercell.”

Sin cargo por servicio mensual al suscribirte a depósito directo.1

Killer asteroid-spotting software could help save the world

proof,” said Ari Heinze, the principal developer of HelioLinc3D and a researcher at the University of Washington. The world’s family of asteroid-hunting telescopic surveys has so far found more than 32,000 near-Earth asteroids. Most of those capable of inflicting planet-scale devastation have been found because it’s easier to spot bigger rocks glinting in sunlight.

But asteroids at least 460 feet long — those with the potential to wipe out cities or small countries, should they impact Earth — are far fainter and are considerably more difficult to locate. They are mostly undiscovered at present, with about 10,500 found out of a projected total of roughly 25,000.

The four images in a single night required by conventional survey algorithms to detect asteroids aren’t always possible because of inclement weather conditions, an object’s extreme faintness or the glare of a brighter star or galaxy. And so an asteroid can be captured in multiple survey images across many nights and still go unrecognized — not ideal for planetary defense.

By ROBIN GEORGE ANDREWS

The ability of technology to solve global problems is often overhyped. But when it comes to saving the world from asteroid strikes, lines of code may prove to be our savior.

Telescopes surveying the skies for errant space rocks are overseen by astronomers, but their systematic movements are driven by ones and zeros. With so much inky sky to peruse, scientists rely on algorithms to spot suspicious and speedy objects, including asteroids that may threaten Earth.

Conventional algorithms need four images, taken during a single night, of a moving object to confirm whether it’s a genuine space rock. But new software developed by researchers at the University of Washington cuts the number of necessary nightly observations by half, boosting the ability of observatories to quickly identify these lithic projectiles. And the program, named HelioLinc3D, has already found a near-Earth asteroid that older surveys had missed.

Analyzing data from the NASA-funded ATLAS (As-

teroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey, the program spotted an asteroid that ATLAS and similar surveys had failed to see — one 600 feet long, the type that could devastate a large city.

Named 2022 SF289, the asteroid is classified as “potentially hazardous,” based on its size and proximity. But although this asteroid’s closest approach is within 140,000 miles of Earth’s orbit, half the distance to the moon, there is no impact risk for the next century and very likely for many millenniums in the future.

HelioLinc3D won’t just bolster the efforts of preexisting asteroid surveys. It was specifically designed for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. The observatory’s huge mirror, massive camera and expansive eye will see pretty much everything in the night sky in unprecedented detail, from far-flung collapsing stars to sketchy-looking asteroids swimming in our galactic backwater.

Hoping to catalog as many objects as possible, the Rubin telescope is designed to speedily sweep across the sky each night. Without HelioLinc3D, the observatory would be unable to reveal the asteroid-filled neighborhood around our planet. “The discovery of 2022 SF289 is the

The Rubin Observatory, set to begin its 10-year survey of the sky in 2025, can see exceedingly faint objects, including asteroids with city-killing potential. And with HelioLinc3D, the observatory needs only two images per night, across three different nonconsecutive nights, to confirm an asteroid’s existence.

“It took us about 200 years to go from one known asteroid to a million. Depending on when we start, it will take us between three and six months to double that,” Mario Jurić, an astronomer at the University of Washington and the HelioLinc3D project’s team leader, said.

Rubin’s next-generation instruments are going to catalog not just asteroids but “all moving objects,” including comets, icy worlds beyond Neptune and interstellar entities, said Meg Schwamb, an astronomer at Queen’s University Belfast who is not involved with the work.

She added that the Rubin Observatory will be a discovery-making machine, and that HelioLinc3D “is the engine. It’s going to rewrite the solar system.” The hope is to discover, within the dark and vacant sea, myriad islands, all beguiling remnants of the solar system’s cacophonous creation.

As these images provided by ATLAS/University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy/NASA show, the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System detected 2022 SF289, a 600-foot-long “potentially hazardous” asteroid that had been missed by other surveys, with the help of new software technology. HelioLinc3D, an asteroidspotting software developed for the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile, showed its potential after finding an overlooked space rock that will pass close to Earth.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE FAJARDO CARMEN

CORREA MEDINA

Peticionaria EX PARTE

Civil Núm.: RG2023CV00115.

Sobre: EXPEDIENTE DE DOMINIO. CITACIÓN POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PR.

A: Moisés Cruz Rivera, miembro de la Sucesión de Urbana Rivera Correa, a su vez de la Sucesión de María Correa Delgado y a su vez, de la Sucesión de Jacinto Correa

Delgado, a 14 E Magnolia St., Davenport, Florida 33837; Maria Delila

Palermo Ayala-Aponte, miembro de la Sucesión de María Luisa Aponte

Correa, miembro a su vez de la Sucesión de Leoncia Correa Delgado, a 125 Chamberlain Drive, Ease Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 18302;

Arlene Black, miembro de la Sucesión de María

Luisa Aponte Correa, miembro a su vez de la Sucesión de Leoncia

Correa Delgado, a 7525

Chestnut Hills Drive, lndianapolis, IN 46278;

Efrain Santos Jr., miembro de la Sucesión de María Luisa Aponte

Correa, miembro a su vez de la Sucesión de Leoncia Correa Delgado, a 474 Helene Ave., Shirley, NY 11967; Santos Rivera

Correa, miembro de la Sucesión de María

Correa Delgado, con paradero desconocido en los Estados Unidos continentales; Heriberto

Rodríguez Rivera, miembro de la Sucesión de Tomasa Rivera

Correa, miembro a su vez de la Sucesión de María Correa DelgadoSe sabe que el mismo reside en los Estados Unidos continentales, pero se desconoce dónde exactamente;

Félix Sánchez Rivera, miembro de la Sucesión de Martina Rivera Correa, miembro a su vez de la Sucesión de María Correa Delgado, con paradero desconocido en los Estados Unidos continentales; Irene

Sánchez Rivera, miembro de la Sucesión de Martina Rivera Correa, miembro a su vez de la Sucesión de María Correa Delgado, con paradero desconocido en los Estados Unidos continentales; Carlos

Sánchez Rivera, miembro de la Sucesión de Martina Rivera Correa, miembro a su vez de la Sucesión de María Correa Delgado, con paradero desconocido en los Estados Unidos continentales; Leeni

Márquez Rivera, miembro de la Sucesión de Martina Rivera Correa, miembro a su vez de la Sucesión de María

Correa Delgado, con paradero desconocido en los Estados Unidos continentales y Johnny Márquez Rivera, miembro de la Sucesión de Martina Rivera Correa, miembro a su vez de la Sucesión de María Correa Delgado, con paradero desconocido en los Estados Unidos continentales y, asimismo, a todo el que tenga algún interés o derecho real sobre el inmueble descrito en la Petición de Dominio del caso de epígrafe, a las personas ignoradas, a quienes pueda perjudicar la inscripción, a los anteriores dueños, o sus herederos y, en general, a toda persona que desee oponerse.

POR LA PRESENTE: se les notifica que la Peticionaria de epígrafe ha presentado una Petición para que se declare a favor de ella el dominio que tiene sobre la siguiente propiedad:

“RÚSTICA: Predio de terreno identificado como la letra ’N’ en el plano de inscripción, localizado en El Barrio Guzmán Arriba del Municipio de Río Grande,

con cabida superficial de mil cuatrocientos tres metros cuadrados con cuatro milésimas de otro metro cuadrado (1,403.004 M.C.), equivalentes a tres mil sesenta y dos diezmilésimas de cuerda (.3062 Cda.), en lindes por el Norte, en distancia de cuarenta y cuatro metros con ocho milésimas de otro metro (44.008 mts.), con terrenos de Bernaldina Correa Delgado t/c/c Bernalda Correa Delgado; por el Sur, en cinco alineaciones que suman cuarenta y cuatro metros con seiscientos quince milésimas de otro metro (44.615 mts.), con terrenos de la Sucesión de Leoncia Correa Delgado; por el Este, en dos alineaciones que suman treinta y cuatro metros con doscientos treinta y tres milésimas de otro metro (34.233 mts.), con remanente de la finca principal, propiedad de los herederos de Dolores Correa y Juana Delgado y, por el Oeste, en cuatro alineaciones que suman veintiocho metros con trescientos ochenta y cinco milésimas de otro metro (28.385 mts.), con carretera estatal novecientos cincuenta y seis (PR 956).”

Sobre el mismo enclava estructura construida para fines residenciales. Este Tribunal ordenó que se publique la pretensión por tres (3) veces durante el término de veinte (20) días en un periódico de circulación general diaria, para que todas las personas arriba mencionadas y todas aquellas desconocidas a quienes pueda perjudicar la inscripción o deseen oponerse, puedan así hacerlo dentro del término de veinte (20) días a partir de la última publicación del presente edicto. Por tanto firmo expido la presente en Fajardo, Puerto Rico, a 4 de agosto de 2023. Wanda I. Seguí Reyes, Secretaria Regional. Kathia Ferrer Figueroa, Secretaria Auxiliar Del Tribunal I.

LEGAL NOTICE

AVISO A ACREEDORES DE LAS SUCESIONES

SANTOS ALONSO MALDONADO SOBRE

FORMACIÓN DE INVENTARIO EN SEDE NOTARIAL

ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS E.E.U.U. ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO. SS.

A: ACREEDORES DEL CAUSANTE SANTOS ALONSO MALDONADO

POR LA PRESENTE se les notifica que se ha iniciado la preparación del inventario en sede notarial del caudal relicto de los

causantes Santos Alonso Maldonado. Se les requiere para que toda reclamación con los correspondientes comprobantes bajo juramento sea presentada y dirigida al peticionario por conducto de sus abogados a las siguientes direcciones y dentro del plazo de treinta (30) días contados desde la publicación del presente edicto: Sucesión Santos Alonso Maldonado Lcdo. Omar Sánchez Pagán PO Box 195055 San Juan Puerto, Rico, 00919

Se le advierte que de no responder a este Aviso, los procedimientos para la formación y liquidación del caudal d ela causante continuarán sin más citarle ni oirle.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. JOSÉ VÍCTOR RIVERA RIVERA, SU ESPOSA MILDRED SOTO ORTIZ, Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Demandados

Civil Núm.: CA2022CV01992. Sala: 401. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA “IN REM”. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. AVISO DE SUBASTA. El que suscribe, Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Carolina, Carolina, Puerto Rico, hago saber, a la parte demandada y al PÚBLICO EN GENERAL: Que en cumplimiento del Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia expedido el día 21 de julio de 2023, por la Secretaría del Tribunal, procederé a vender y venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor la propiedad que ubica y se describe a continuación: URBANA: Parcela de terreno marcada con el número tres (3) del Bloque “J” de la Urbanización Ciudad Central II, localizada en el Barrio San Antón del Municipio de Carolina, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de 267.31 metros cuadrados, colindando por el NOROESTE, con una distancia de 22.75 metros, con solar número cuatro (4) del Bloque “J”; por el SUROESTE, en una distancia de 22.75 metros,

con solar número dos (2) del Bloque “J”; por el SURESTE, en una distancia de 11.75 metros, con acera que la separa de la calle número siete (7); y por el NOROESTE (así surge), en una distancia de 11.75 metros, con solar dedicado a parque. Enclava casa que contiene sala, comedor, cocina, baño y área exterior para “laundry”. Afecta por su colindancia Sureste con servidumbre a favor de la Puerto Rico Telephone Company. Inscrita en la finca número 54,713, al folio 84 del tomo 1,275 de Carolina. Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección II de Carolina. La propiedad está ubicada, según pagaré, en: #3 Bloque J, Urb. Ciudad Central II, Barrio San Antón, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Además, el Alguacil que suscribe, hago saber a todos los acreedores que tengan inscritos o anotados sus derechos sobre los bienes hipotecados con posterioridad a la inscripción del crédito del ejecutante, o de los acreedores de cargas o derechos reales que los hubiesen pospuesto a la hipoteca ejecutada y las personas interesadas en, o con derecho a exigir el cumplimiento de instrumentos negociables garantizados hipotecariamente con posterioridad al crédito ejecutado, siempre que surjan de la certificación registral, para que puedan concurrir a la subasta si les convenga o satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, costas y honorarios de abogados asegurados, quedando entonces subrogados en los derechos del acreedor ejecutante: Aviso de Demanda de fecha 21 de junio de 2022, expedido en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Carolina, en el Caso Civil número CA2022CV019992, por concepto de Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca, por la Vía Ordinaria, seguido por el Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, versus José Víctor Rivera Rivera y su esposa Mildred Soto Ortiz y la Sociedad Legal de Bienes Gananciales compuesto por ambos, por la suma de $76,753.13 más intereses y otras sumas, anotado el día 10 de agosto de 2022, al tomo Karibe de Carolina, finca número 54,713, Anotación A. El producto de la subasta se destinará a satisfacer al demandante hasta donde alcance, la SENTENCIA dictada a su favor el día 2 de junio de 2023, archivada en autos y notificada el 5 de junio de 2023, y publicada en periódico de circulación general, “The San Daily Star”, el 9 de junio de 2023, en el presente caso civil,

a saber la suma de $76,753.13 por concepto de principal, más los intereses sobre dicha suma a razón del 5.625%, anual desde el 1ro de julio de 2019, hasta su completo pago, más las primas de seguro hipotecario, recargos por demora y cualesquiera otras cantidades pactadas en la escritura de primera hipoteca, desde la fecha antes mencionada y hasta la fecha del pago total de las mismas, más la suma de $10,350.00 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado; y demás créditos accesorios garantizados hipotecariamente (“Sentencia”). La adjudicación se hará al mejor postor, quien deberá consignar el importe de su oferta en el acto mismo de la adjudicación, en efectivo (moneda del curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América), giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del alguacil del Tribunal. LA PRIMERA SUBASTA se llevará a efecto el día 18 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2023 A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en la Oficina de Alguaciles de Subastas del Tribunal de Carolina, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Que el precio mínimo fijado para la PRIMERA SUBASTA es de $103,500.00. Que de ser necesaria la celebración de una SEGUNDA SUBASTA la misma se llevará a efecto el día 25 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2023 A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en la Oficina de Alguaciles de Subastas del Tribunal de Carolina, Carolina, Puerto Rico. El precio mínimo para la SEGUNDA SUBASTA será de $69,000.00, equivalentes a dos terceras (2/3) partes del tipo mínimo estipulado para la PRIMERA subasta. Que de ser necesaria la celebración de una TERCERA SUBASTA la misma se llevará a efecto el día 2 DE OCTUBRE DE 2023 A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en la Oficina de Alguaciles de Subastas del Tribunal de Carolina, Carolina, Puerto Rico. El precio mínimo para la TERCERA SUBASTA será de $51,750.00, equivalentes a la mitad (1/2) del tipo mínimo estipulado para la PRIMERA subasta. 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 esta es mayor, todo ello a tenor con lo dispone el Articulo 104 de la Ley Núm. 210 del 8 de diciembre de 2015 conocida como “Ley del Registro de la Propiedad Inmueble del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico”.

La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquiere libre de toda carga y gravamen que afecte la mencionada finca según el Artículo 102, inciso 6. Una vez confirmada la venta judicial por el Honorable Tribunal, se procederá a otorgar la correspondiente escritura de venta judicial y se pondrá al comprador en posesión física del inmueble de conformidad con las disposiciones de Ley. Para conocimiento de la parte demandada y de toda aquella persona o personas que tengan interés inscrito con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen que se está ejecutando, y para conocimiento de todos los licitadores y el público en general, el presente Edicto se publicará por espacio de dos (2) semanas consecutivas, con un intervalo de por lo menos siete días entre ambas publicaciones, en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico y se fijará además en tres (3) lugares públicos del Municipio en que ha de celebrarse dicha venta, tales como la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía. Se les informa, por último, que: a. Que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la secretaría del tribunal durante las horas laborables. b. Que 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. Se entenderá, que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. EXPIDO, el presente EDICTO, en Carolina, Puerto Rico, hoy día 02 de agosto de 2023. GRETCHEN M. JEREZ SEDA, ALGUACIL, DIVISIÓN DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

CENTRO JUDICIAL DE MAYAGÜEZ SALA SUPERIOR ORIENTAL BANK COMO AGENTE DE SERVICIO DE THE MONEY HOUSE, INC.

Demandante Vs. OLGA ALMODOVAR SANTANA

Demandados

Civil Núm.: MZ2022CV00959. Sala: 207. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA (VÍA ORDINARIA).

EDICTO DE SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente CERTIFICA, ANUNCIA y hace CONSTAR: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que le ha sido dirigido al Alguacil que suscribe por la Secretaría del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE MAYAGÜEZ, SALA SUPERIOR, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor en efectivo, cheque certificado en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América el 5 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2023, A LAS 11:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en su oficina sita en el local que ocupa en el edificio del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE MAYAGÜEZ, SALA SUPERIOR, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada de epígrafe en el inmueble de su propiedad que ubica en: BARRIO SANTANA, #29 (LOT 1) CALLE SAN MIGUEL, SABANA GRANDE, PUERTO RICO 00637 y que se describe a continuación: RUSTICA: Solar marcado en el plano con el #1, compuesto de 674.63 metros cuadrados. Radica en el barrio Santana del término municipal de Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico. Mide al NORTE, 42.65 metros y colinda con el solar #2, a segregarse de la finca principal; SUR, en 41.90 metros; con terrenos de la Autoridad de Tierras de Puerto Rico; por el ESTE, en 18.92 metros con terrenos de la Autoridad de Tierras de Puerto Rico, donde actualmente está construido el caserío José A. Castillo y por el OESTE, en 13.00 metros con la parcela de terreno cedida para uso público que la separa de la calle San Miguel. ENCLAVA: Una casa de concreto, con piso de loseta y ventanas del frente de la casa en cristal y las demás en metal. Mide 34’ de frente, incluyendo la marquesina por 32’ de fondo. Consta de sala, comedor, tres cuartos de dormitorios, un baño y balcón, con valor de $10,000.00. Según escritura #436, otorgada en Mayagüez, el 30 de noviembre de 1974, ante Andrés Ruiz, Junior, inscrito al folio 284 del tomo 134 de Sabana Grande, inscripción 2da. La propiedad antes relacionada consta inscrita al Folio 283 del Tomo 134 de Sabana Grande, finca número 7121, Registro de la Propiedad de San Germán. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta del inmueble antes relacionado, será el dispuesto en la Escritura de Hipoteca, es decir la suma de $63,426.87. Si no hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la

ordenando la venta en pública subasta del inmueble antes descrito. Se dispone que una vez celebrada la subasta y vendido el inmueble relacionado, el alguacil pondrá en posesión judicial a los nuevos dueños dentro del término de veinte (20) días a partir de la celebración de la Subasta. Si transcurren los referidos veinte (20) días, el tribunal podrá ordenar, sin necesidad de ulterior procedimiento, que se lleve a efecto el desalojo o lanzamiento del ocupante u ocupantes de la finca o de todos los que por orden o tolerancia del demandado/deudor la ocupen. El Alguacil de este Tribunal efectuará el lanzamiento de los ocupantes de ser necesario. Si la subasta es adjudicada a un tercero y luego se deja sin efecto, el tercero a favor de quién se adjudicó la subasta solo tendrá derecho a la devolución del monto consignado más no tendrá derecho a entablar recurso o reclamo adicional alguno (judicial o extrajudicial) contra el demandante y/o el acreedor y/o inversionista, dueño pagaré y/o su abogado. Si se anula la venta, el comprador tendrá derecho a la devolución del depósito de la venta judicial menos los honorarios y costos incurridos en el proceso de venta judicial. No tendrá ningún otro recurso contra el acreedor hipotecario ejecutante ni la representación legal de éste. Por la presente, también se notifica e informa a Fulano de Tal y Sutano de Tal, personas desconocidas que puedan tener derechos en la propiedad o título objeto de este edicto. La Venta en Pública Subasta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga y gravamen posterior que afecte la mencionada finca, a cuyo efecto se notifica y se hace saber la fecha, hora y sitio de la Primera, Segunda y Tercera Subasta, si eso fuera necesario, a los efectos de cualquier persona o personas con algún interés puedan comparecer a la celebración de dicha Subasta. 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. Se entenderá que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento del caso de epígrafe están disponibles en la Secretaría de este Tribunal durante horas laborables y para la concurrencia de los licitadores expido el presente Edicto que se publicará en un periódico de circulación diaria en toda la Isla de Puerto Rico por espacio dos (2) semanas y por lo menos una vez por

semana y se fijará, además, en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Alcaldía y la Colecturía de Rentas Internas del Municipio donde se celebrará la Subasta y en la Colecturía más cercana del lugar de la residencia de la parte demandada. EN TESTIMONIO DE LO CUAL, expido el presente que firmo y sello, hoy día 21 de julio de 2023. HÉCTOR L. PEÑA RODRÍGUEZ, ALGUACIL, SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA. ***

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE PONCE ILUMINADA

CARMONA RIVERA

Demandante V. LA CORPORACION DE RENOVACION URBANA Y VIVIENDA DE PUERTO RICO; JUAN DEL PUEBLO Y JUANA DEL PUEBLO Y CUALESQUIER PERSONA DESCONOCIDA CON POSIBLE INTERÉS EN LA OBLIGACIÓN CUYA

CANCELACIÓN POR

DECRETO JUDICIAL SE

SOLICITA

Demandados

Civil Núm.: PO2023CV02324. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: JUAN DEL PUEBLO Y JUANA DEL PUEBLO COMO POSIBLES TENEDORES Y CUALESQUIER PERSONA DESCONOCIDA CON POSIBLE INTERÉS EN LA OBLIGACIÓN CUYA CANCELACIÓN POR DECRETO JUDICIAL SE SOLICITA.

Por la presente se le notifica que ha sido presentada en este Tribunal una Demanda en su contra en el pleito de epígrafe. En este caso la parte demandante ha radicado una Demanda para que se decrete judicialmente el saldo de un (1) pagaré hipotecario a favor de La Corporación de Renovación Urbana y Vivienda de Puerto Rico por la suma de $24,800.00. Dicho pagaré fue suscrito el día 30 de enero de 1976, ante el notario Leonoldo Bonilla Vélez, garantizado por hipoteca constituida mediante la Escritura número 26 otorgada en Ponce, Puerto Rico, inscrita al folio 147 del tomo 607 de Ponce Sur, finca número 43344-A, inscripción 1ra. Se describe la propiedad a continuación: URBANA: Solar

marcado con el número “D-36” del plano de inscripción del proyecto VBC sesenta y nueve (169) denominado TIBES, radicado en el BARRIO PORTUGUÉS del término municipal de PONCE, Puerto Rico con una cabida superficial de TRESCIENTOS CUARENTA Y CINCO DÓLARES (SIC) (345.00). En lindes; por el NORTE, con el solar número treinta y siete (37) distancia de treinta y cuatro metros con cincuenta centésimas de metros (34.50); por el SUR, con el solar número treinta y cinco (35) distancia de treinta y cuatro con cincuenta centésimas de metros (34.50); por el ESTE, con la Calle número cuatro (4), distancia de diez metros (10.00) y por el OESTE, con parte de los solares números catorce (14) y quince (15) distancia de diez metros (10.00). FINCA: #43344-A Inscrita al folio 147 del tomo 607 de PONCE SUR, Registro de la Propiedad de PONCE II. La parte demandante alega que dicho pagaré ha sido saldado según más detalladamente consta en la Demanda radicada que puede examinarse en la Secretaría de este Tribunal. Por tratarse de una obligación hipotecaria y pudiendo usted tener interés en este caso o quedar afectado por el remedio solicitado, se le emplaza por este edicto que se publicará una vez en un periódico de circulación diaria general de Puerto Rico. 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://unired. ramajudicial.pr/sumac/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, y notifique con copia de ella a la abogada de la parte demandante la Lcda. Zilmarie

Delgado Pieras, 33 Calle Resolución, Suite 302, San Juan, PR 00920-2727; Tel. (787) 7826500, dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este Edicto, apercibiéndole que de no hacerlo así dentro del término indicado, el Tribunal podrá anotar su rebeldía y dictar sentencia concediendo el remedio solicitado en la Demanda sin más citarle ni oírle.

EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal, en Ponce, Puerto Rico, hoy día 8 de agosto de 2023. CARMEN G. TIRÚ

QUIÑONES, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. LOYDA TORRES

IRIZARRY, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAGUAS

EUNICE PEREZ MORALES

Demandante V. BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO, JUAN DEL PUEBLO Y JUANA DEL PUEBLO Y CUALESQUIER PERSONA DESCONOCIDA CON POSIBLE INTERES EN LA OBLIGACION CUYA CANCELACION POR DECRETO JUDICIAL SE SOLICITA

Demandado(a)

Civil: CG2023CV00863. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: JUAN DEL PUEBLO Y JUANA DEL PUEBLO COMO POSIBLES TENEDORES Y CUALESQUIER PERSONA DESCONOCIDA CON POSIBLE INTERES EN LA OBLIGACION CUYA CANCELACION POR DECRETO JUDICIAL SE SOLICITA.

(Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 30 de junio de 2023, 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 8 de agosto 2023. En CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, el 8 de agosto de 2023. LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA. VILMA OYOLA RIVERA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA SALA SUPERIOR DE COMERÍO ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, LLC COMO AGENTE DE ACE ONE FUNDING, LLC

Demandante V.

LUIS E BURGOS MOLINA

Demandado(a)

Civil: BQ2022CV00100. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: LUIS E BURGOS MOLINA.

(Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)

EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 4 de agosto de 2023, 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 9 de agosto de 2023. En COMERÍO, Puerto Rico, el 9 de agosto de 2023. ELIZABETH GONZÁLEZ RIVERA, SECRETARIA. CARMEN J APONTE MERCADO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA SALA SUPERIOR DE BQTAS EN COMERÍO ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, LLC

COMO AGENTE DE FAIRWAY ACQUISITIONS FUND, LLC

Demandante V. LUIS Y RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUEZ

Demandado(a)

Civil: Núm. BQ2022CV00160. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: LUIS Y RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUEZ - BO PALO HINCADO, CARR 156 KM 0.8, BARRANQUITAS PR 00794; HC 3 BOX 7887, BARRANQUITAS PR 00794. (Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 4 de agosto de 2023, 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 9 de agosto de 2023. En COMERÍO, Puerto Rico, el 9 de agosto de 2023. ELIZABETH GONZÁLEZ RIVERA, SECRETARIA. CARMEN J. APONTE MERCADO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA SALA SUPERIOR DE BQTAS EN COMERÍO ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, LLC COMO AGENTE DE ACE ONE FUNDING, LLC

Demandante V. ANGEL R. ORTIZ ORTIZ

Demandado(a)

Civil: BQ2022CV00088. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: ÁNGEL R. ORTIZ ORTIZ. (Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 4 de agosto de 2023, 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 9 de agosto de 2023. En COMERÍO, Puerto Rico, el 9 de agosto de 2023. ELIZABETH GONZÁLEZ RIVERA, SECRETARIA. CARMEN J APONTE MERCADO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, LLC., COMO AGENTE DE FAIRWAY ACQUISITIONS FUND, LLC

Demandante V. KEYSHLIANET BONEU GARCIA

Demandado(a)

Civil: TB2022CV00547. Sala: 402. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO - REGLA 60. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: KEYSHLIANET BONEU GARCIA, URB. LEVITIWON LAKES, HE1 CALLE AMALIA PAOLI, TOA BAJA, PR 00949-3604. (Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 4 de agosto de 2023, 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 9 de agosto de 2023. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, el 9 de agosto de 2023. LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA. NOELIA MATÍAS SALAS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA

TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE PONCE

ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES LLC, COMO AGENTE DE ACE ONE FUNDING, LLC

Demandante V. BAYRON M AYALA SANTIAGO

Demandado

Civil Núm.: PO2021CV02599. Sala: 504. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. A: BAYRON M AYALA SANTIAGO, UBR SANTA TERESITA 5830 CALLE SAN BRUNO PONCE PR 00730-4444, PARA SER NOTIFICADO POR EDICTO. P/C LCDO. KENMUEL J RUIZ LOPEZ. PO BOX 71418, SAN JUAN PR 00936-8518, TEL. (787) 993-3731. (Nombre de las partes a las que se les notifica la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que 8 de agosto de 2023, 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 representado 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 9 de agosto de 2023. En Ponce, Puerto Rico, el 9 de agosto de 2023. CARMEN G. TIRÚ QUIÑONES, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. KEILENE RODRÍGUEZ MELÉNDEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

V.

LEGAL FINANANCE CORP T/C/C Y OTROS

Civil: CA2023CV01687. Sala:

409. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE HIPOTECA, REPRESENTADA POR PAGARÉ HIPOTE-

CARIO EXTRAVIADO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: FULANO DE TAL Y MENGANO MAS CUAL; LEGAL FINANCE CORP

T/C/C LEGAL FINANCE CORPORATION.

(Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)

EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 8 de agosto de 2023, 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 9 de agosto de 2023. En Carolina, Puerto Rico, el 9 de agosto de 2023.

LCDA. MARILYN APONTE RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA.

MARICRUZ APONTE ALICEA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA

TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE BAYAMÓN - SUPERIOR

WILMINGTON SAVINGS

FUND SOCIETY, FSB Vs

ROSADO RIVERA, SUCN. Caso: DCD2017-0343. Sobre:

EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA.

NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

LISBETH PEREZ

ROSADO Y WILLIAM

PEREZ ROSADO COMO

MIEMBROS DE LA SUCESION DE NYDIA

ROSADO RIVERA.

EL SECRETARIO(A) QUE

SUSCRIBE LE NOTIFICA A USTED QUE EL 26 DE JUNIO DE 2023, 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 11 DE AGOSTO DE 2023. LIC. LOPEZ STIPES, GENEVIEVE, LCDA. GLOPEZ@GMAIL.COM. EN BAYAMÓN, PUERTO RICO, EL 11 DE AGOSTO DE 2023. LAURA SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA. NEREIDA QUILES SANTANA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA

TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAGUAS

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante Vs. SUCESION DE JOSE

LUIS MENDEZ QUINTANA COMPUESTA POR

SUS HEREDEROS

CONOCIDOS GLENDA

LIZ MENDEZ NOA, JOSE

LUIS MENDEZ NOA Y JOSE FRANCISCO

MENDEZ NOA, FULANO DE TAL Y SUTANA DE

TAL COMO HEREDEROS

DESCONOCIDOS Y/O

PARTES CON INTERES EN DICHA SUCESION

Demandados

Civil: CG2022CV04254. So-

bre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. ESTADOS

UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL

PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: FULANO DE TAL

Y SUTANA DE TAL

COMO HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LA

SUCESION DE JOSE LUIS

MENDEZ QUINTANA: URB SANTA ELVIRA, I-20

CALLE SANTA ISABEL, CAGUAS, PUERTO RICO

00725.

(Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)

EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 13 de junio de 2023, 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 15 de agosto de 2023. En Caguas, Puerto Rico, el 15 de agosto de 2023. LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. SANDRA J. TRINIDAD CAÑUELAS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA SALA SUPERIOR DE HUMACAO ASOCIACIÓN DE PROPIETARIOS DE PLAYA HÚCARES, INC Demandante Vs ANABEL LÓPEZ RIVERA Demandado(a)

Civil: NG2023CV00012. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: ANABEL LÓPEZ RIVERA; DIRECCION; URB. MONTE APOLLO BOX 9 RIO PIEDRAS PR 00928; P/C LCDO. JOSÉ R. GONZÁLEZ RIVERA. EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 4 de AGOSTO de 2023, 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 Sen-

tencia, 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 8 de AGOSTO de 2023. En HUMACAO, Puerto Rico, el 8 de AGOSTO de 2023. IVELISSE FONSECA RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. KEYLA PÉREZ FIGUEROA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE MAYAGÜEZ SALA SUPERIOR BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. CARLOS EDUARDO OLIVERA LAMBOY, SU ESPOSA VALERIE BÁEZ FLORES, Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Demandados

Civil Núm.: MZ2023CV01073.

Sala: 207. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S. S. A: CARLOS EDUARDO OLIVERA LAMBOY, POR SÍ Y POR CONDUCTO DE LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES

QUE COMPONE JUNTO A VALERIE BÁEZ FLORES; VALERIE BÁEZ FLORES, POR SÍ Y POR CONDUCTO DE LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES

QUE COMPONE JUNTO

A CARLOS EDUARDO

OLIVERA LAMBOY. B 29 CALLE PLUMOSA, PALMAS DEL VALLE, LAJAS, PUERTO RICO 00697, Y PO BOX 938 SAN GERMÁN, PUERTO RICO 00683.

Por la presente se le emplaza y notifica que debe contestar la demanda incoada en su contra dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación del presente 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: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr/sumac/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio. Si usted deja de presentar y notificar 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. Los abogados de la parte demandante son: ABOGADOS DE LA PARTE

DEMANDANTE: Lcdo. Reggie Díaz Hernández RUA Núm.: 16,393

BERMUDEZ & DIAZ, LLP 500 Calle De La Tanca Suite 209 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901 Tel.: (787) 523-2670 / Fax: (787) 523-2664 rdíaz@bdprlaw.com Expido este edicto bajo mi firma y el sello de este Tribunal, hoy 10 de agosto de 2023. LIC. NORMA G. SANTANA IRIZARRY, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. ALEXANDRA MARIE LÓPEZ, SECRETARIA DE SERVICIOS A SALA.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN.

LEOCADIO

MEDINA PRIETO

Demandante Vs. ALANIS MARISOL REYES CASILLAS por si y como miembro de la Sucesion de Carlos Ruben Reyes

Flores y JOHN DOE

Demandados CIVIL NUM. SJ2023CV07461. SOBRE: DIVISIÓN COMUNIDAD HEREDITARIA. Estados Unidos de América El Presidente de los Estados Unidos de América El Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico. SS. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO.

A: ALANIS MARISOL

REYES CASILLAS y JOHN DOE

Se notifica que se presentó en esta Secretaría la Demanda de epígrafe sobre División Comunidad Hereditaria. Se le emplaza para que presente al Tribunal su alegación responsiva a la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días 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: https://unired.ramaiudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del

tribunal y notificar copia de la contestación al abogado de la demandante, Lcdo. Mariano

S. Najeraurriola: Urb. Summit Hill, 1647 Calle Adams, San Juan, PR 00920-4510, Teléfono: (787) 640-2056 ¡(787) 6200087, fax (787)792-6475, mnajeralawgmail.com.. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el Tribunal podrá anotarle la Rebeldía y dictar sentencia en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, sin mas citarle, ni oírle. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, hoy 15 de agosto de 2023. Griselda Rodriguez Collazo, Secretaria Regional. F/Nadira Diaz Gonzalez, Sec Serv a Sala.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE NARANJITO EN BAYAMÓN ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, LLC

COMO AGENTE DE FAIRWAY ACQUISITIONS FUND, LLC

Parte Demandante Vs. JESUS F NIEVES RODRIGUEZ

Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: NJ2022CV00139. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO.

A: JESUS F NIEVES RODRIGUEZHC 73 BOX 4270, NARANJITO PR 00719 POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza y requiere para que conteste la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este Edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), la cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired. ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría 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 sin más citarle ni oírle, si el tribunal en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. El sistema SUMAC notificará copia al abogado de la parte demandante, José Aguilar Vélez cuya dirección es: P.O. Box 71418 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-8518, teléfono (787) 993-3731 a la dirección jose.aguilar@orf-law. com y a la dirección notificaciones@orf-law.com. EXTENDI-

DO BAJO MI FIRMA y el sello del Tribunal, en NARANJITO EN BAYAMON, Puerto Rico, hoy día 7 de junio de 2023. En NARANJITO EN BAYAMÓN, Puerto Rico, el 7 de junio de 2023. LCDA. LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA. MARÍA E. COLLAZO FEBUS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA

GLORIA SANCHEZ CRUZ

Demandante V. BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO Y OTROS

Demandado(a)

Civil: CA2023CV00842. Sala: 409. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: JUAN DEL PUEBLO Y JUANA DEL PUEBLO COMO POSIBLES TENEDORES Y CUALESQUIER PERSONA DESCONOCIDA CON POSIBLE INTERES EN LA OBLIGACION CUYA CANCELACION POR DECRETO JUDICIAL SE SOLICITA. (Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 9 de agosto de 2023, 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 10 de agosto de 2023. En CAROLINA, Puerto Rico, el 10 de agosto de 2023. LCDA. MARILYN APONTE RODRIGUEZ, SECRETARIA. MARICRUZ APONTE ALICEA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA

TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE GUAYNABO

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. SONIMAR CARDONA, COMO HEREDERA CONOCIDA DE LA SUCESIÓN DE JOSE EDUARDO CARDONA DIAZ; “JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE” COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESIÓN DE JOSÉ EDUARDO CARDONA DÍAZ; CENTRO DE RECAUDACIONES DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES (C.R.I.M.)

Demandado(a)

Civil: GB2022CV00167. Sala: 201. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. A: SONIMAR CARDONA, COMO HEREDERA CONOCIDA DE LA SUCESIÓN DE JOSÉ EDUARDO CARDONA DIAZ; Y JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DE LA SUCESIÓN DE JOSÉ EDUARDO CARDONA DÍAZ. (Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 7 de febrero de 2023, 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 15 de agosto de 2023. En Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, el 15 de agosto de 2023. LCDA. LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL II. SARA ROSA VILLEGAS, SECRETARIA DEL TRIBUNAL CONFIDENCIAL I.

A dream ending for England, a dream denied for Australia

By RORY SMITH

The noise was giddy, and gleeful, and just a little bit wild, as if the 75,000 fans who had packed into Sydney’s Stadium Australia could not believe quite how perfectly it had all turned out. They did not know it would not last, of course; at that point, the very idea it might not felt remote, absurd. In that moment, the noise seemed to ripple and crackle with magic. Australia will not win this World Cup. That honor, instead, will fall to one of Europe’s two new powerhouses: Spain, narrow victors against Sweden on Tuesday, and England, conqueror of the Matildas — winning 3-1, but no more comfortably — on Wednesday. On some level, though, this tournament has belonged to Australia.

For three weeks, the Matildas have held the country in the palm of their hands. Australia was captivated by the team’s brush with despair in the group phase. It was enthralled by its composed demolition of Denmark in the round of 16. The whole place seemed to hold its breath for the duration of the quarterfinal victory against France. The nation soared with every exhilarating high, and it suffered in each moment of exquisite tension.

There had, though, been one thing missing. Sam Kerr, Australia’s captain, totem and superstar, had talked on the eve of the tournament of hoping she might be able to create what she termed a Cathy Freeman moment: an echo of that instant, 23 years ago, when Freeman streaked to gold in the 400 meters at the Sydney Olympics.

Because of a calf injury sustained on the very eve of Australia’s first game, though, she had been robbed of the chance to make good on her promise. Even against England on Wednesday, on her first start of the tournament, she seemed to be running out of time.

Ella Toone had given England the lead. The Lionesses, the European champion, looked unruffled, assured, as comfortable as it is possible to be when surrounded by tens of thousands of Australians who are all invested in your ultimate failure.

And then, out of nowhere, there it

was. Kerr had the ball, but she also had two England defenders in front of her. She dropped a shoulder. She shimmied, just a little. She saw an opening. From 25 yards, she launched what — for another player — would have qualified as a speculative shot.

Mary Earps, England’s goalkeeper, scrambled to cover it. She could not. The ball was traveling too fast. In the semifinal of a World Cup, Kerr had delivered. Australia, the team and the stadium and the country, had its moment. In the crowd, the working assumption was that there would be many more. This was all too perfect, as if it was all following a script.

And then, of course, came the twist.

It is not a bromide to suggest that Australia’s run in this tournament will have what Alex Chidiac, one of its midfielders, called a “lasting legacy” in this country. Its effects will take time to crystallize, but that does not mean they are not real. “There will be so many young girls who have been inspired by what we have done,” defender Steph Catley said. It felt, to Hayley Raso, as if the Matildas had “got the whole country on board.”

All of that is meaningful. All of it matters. It may well be that this tournament comes to be seen, a decade from now, as the beginning of a virtuous circle

for Australian women’s soccer, of Australian soccer in general, in fact. “There is no argument now that people are not interested,” Catley pointed out. It is hard to argue.

For all of those fans recently won over by the sport, by this team, though, what there was is an important lesson. Sports are capricious, and they are cruel. Australia was still airborne, reveling in Kerr’s goal, doing all it could to inhale a second, when Ellie Carpenter misjudged a long ball. Lauren Hemp spotted her hesitation.

Through the fog of its delirium, the crowd needed a second to process the sight of Mackenzie Arnold’s outstretched arm, the ball nestling in the net, Hemp wheeling away in celebration. All of a sudden, just when it was at its most potent, the spell had been broken, and so had Australia’s hearts.

There will, of course, be regrets. There always are. Mainly: What if Kerr had not injured a calf a couple of days before the opening game? But there will be countless other minor queries, too, moments that will haunt Australia’s players for some time to come, before the pride in what they have achieved overtakes the disappointment at what they have not.

What if, in those few minutes after Kerr’s goal, with England drowsy on

the ropes and Australia marauding, Kerr had taken one of the three chances she crafted? Or Cortnee Vine had converted the one that fell to her? What if Carpenter had cleared the ball, rather than allowing Hemp to steal it from under her feet? What if Australia had found another goal, rather than Alessia Russo?

It will take some time for those questions to dissipate. “It is heartbreak,” Catley said. “It’s disappointment that it has ultimately ended. We believed we could go all the way.” Once they get away from it, though, Australia will not remember this tournament for what might have been.

It will, instead, cherish the month in which the Matildas served not only to represent their country — all of those old Australian sporting virtues, grit and determination and stubbornness and no little talent, cast on this relatively new canvas — but somehow came to define it, too.

When the game finished, despair swept over Australia’s players. Kerr, in particular, seemed unwilling to leave the field, lingering just by the touchline, unwilling to cross. It ran so deep that, even 20 minutes later, as they conducted their duties with the news media, many of the Matildas struggled to find the words to describe what they had been through, what they were going through.

In the stands, though, tens of thousands of Australian fans remained in place. They had no difficulty finding their voice. The magic had dissipated, but the noise had not. Even in the midst of the bitterest disappointment, it will resonate for some time.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Semifinals

Tuesday’s Result

Spain 2, Sweden 1

Wednesday’s Result

England 3, Australia 1

Saturday’s Match for 3rd Place (all times Eastern Standard Time)

Sweden vs. Australia (4 a.m., FOX)

Sunday’s Final

Spain vs. England (6 a.m., FOX)

England players celebrate after their win in the Women’s World Cup semifinal soccer match between Australia and England.

The Sixers’ unraveling did not start with James Harden

Harden and Joel Embiid, the star center who is Philadelphia’s best player and the reigning Most Valuable Player Award winner, share some of the responsibility for the Sixers’ lack of success. They often underperform at crucial moments in the postseason, and did so again this spring, when the Sixers lost to Boston in the second round.

This has brought even more pessimism to Philadelphia, where sports-related despair is as essential to the city’s identity as the hoagie.

“As a fan, it’s simple: I want the team to win,” said Amos Lee, a folk singer-songwriter and avid Sixers fan. “I want them to spend all of the money and get all of the best players and put the coolest people on the team and that’s it. But I don’t know what this franchise is.”

Lee added, “It has been for a long time really poorly managed.”

when he was traded in 2012.

Morey has long shown little interest in fielding a struggling team. When he was an executive in Houston in 2019, he traded Chris Paul and multiple first-round picks for Russell Westbrook after the Rockets lost in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. Before that, Morey dismantled a middling Rockets team that included a young Kyle Lowry. Those moves allowed the Rockets in 2012 to acquire the star who would push them toward true contention: Harden.

If Morey decides to hit the eject button on the Embiid and Harden era in Philadelphia, after less than two full seasons, he has shown a willingness to make hard choices. But that requires patience Sixers fans do not have, and asking the team’s ownership to accept a near-term regression and financial hit while they are planning for a new arena.

By SOPAN DEB

For Philadelphia 76ers fans, this is The Bad Place.

“Disgust among Sixers fans is at one of the highest levels I have ever seen here in Philadelphia,” Joe DeCamara, a Philadelphia radio host, said in a recent interview.

A confluence of misfortune and bad strategy has almost left the team where it was in the mid-2000s at the end of the Allen Iverson era: adrift with no path to contend for a championship. Whatever plans Daryl Morey, the team’s president of basketball operations, had when he took over in 2020 seem to have unraveled.

“We feel like people are underrating the Sixers right now,” Morey told reporters at his introductory news conference, “but we need to go out there and prove it.”

What has been proved, in fact, is quite the opposite, punctuated recently when James Harden, the team’s second-best player, publicly trashed Morey as part of his quest to force a trade to another team.

Discontent is not new for star players, but in the Sixers’ case it has become very public at a moment when their fans are at their wits’ end. The broader public has developed an appetite for this brand of superstar drama because it pops up every summer, but the Sixers, perhaps more than other NBA teams, are poorly positioned to plead

for patience because the organization has put its fans through a decade of stops and starts, including the rebuilding plan known as The Process.

Harden’s relationship with the Sixers became a Good News-Bad News situation this summer. The Good: Harden, a 33-yearold guard, opted into the last year of his contract. The Bad: It was on the condition that the Sixers trade him to the Los Angeles Clippers, according to two people familiar with the request but not authorized to discuss it publicly. To make matters worse, videos that emerged on social media this week appeared to show Harden disparaging Morey while speaking to reporters at an Adidas event in China.

“Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden said in the videos. Harden’s agent and Adidas did not respond to requests from The New York Times seeking to confirm the authenticity of the videos. A Sixers spokesperson declined to comment.

The exact nature of Harden’s anger at Morey is unclear, but his displeasure is an extraordinary setback nonetheless. Harden is one of the greatest offensive players ever, and few defenders can guard him alone because of his combination of ball handling and size. He is one of a small number of players who can will a team to victory by himself — when he chooses.

The Sixers have not made it to the Eastern Conference finals since 2001, and Doc Rivers, who was hired as head coach a few weeks before Morey joined the team, had a history of falling short in the playoffs. Still, Morey kept him for three seasons. And after Ben Simmons, the star point guard drafted two years after Embiid, demanded a trade out of Philadelphia, Morey resisted before swinging a trade for Harden, who was trying to force his way off his second straight team. Now Philadelphia is his third.

According to a person familiar with Morey’s thinking, the plan remains to bring Harden back after the Sixers ended trade negotiations with the Clippers when they could not reach what they believed would be a suitable deal.

That is not a plan — that’s unjustified hope. Harden has shown that he is willing to hold out or loaf on the floor if he does not get the trade he wants. And even if Harden returns, the team did not make any real improvements this offseason and, in fact, lost several rotation players to free agency. If the 76ers could not get out of the second round last year, how will they do next season with a less talented team and an unhappy Harden?

If Harden does go, he will be the latest in a string of Sixers stars who have left the team under acrimonious circumstances, stretching back to Charles Barkley in 1992. Before Simmons and Harden, Iverson was frustrated with the franchise when he was traded in 2006, as was Andre Iguodala

But the clock is not just ticking on what to do about Harden. It is also ticking on Embiid. He said recently that he wanted to win a championship whether it was in Philadelphia “or anywhere else.” He later suggested that he was not serious, though that has not eased the anxiety of some Sixers fans.

On one hand, fans could understand his restlessness. He has endured several different front office heads, a coaching carousel and unhappy stars without even a conference finals appearance to show for it. But on the other hand, those same coaches, executives and teammates have had to endure his disappointing playoff performances, too.

“They have not done a great job around him,” said Spike Eskin, co-host of “The Rights To Ricky Sanchez,” a Sixers fan podcast that is unaffiliated with the team. “The organization has been a mess for the entirety of his career. But he is as much to blame for their lack of success in the playoffs as anybody is.”

For now, Morey does not have many options. That is partly on him. The best option in a sea of bad ones may be to engage in some wishful thinking: Maybe Harden shows up to camp in great shape and reconsiders his desire to leave. Maybe Embiid puts together another MVP-level season and does not get hurt, as he so often has. Maybe they can even get out of the second round.

Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden, left, has gone public with his unhappiness with the team.

Sudoku

How to Play:

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

Crossword

Answers on page 30

Aries (Mar 21-April 20)

Keeping things balanced today will prove challenging, Aries. Take this seriously because it’s probably needed more than ever. You might be the arbiter in situations where a battle exists between old and new. Take advantage of opportunities. Make sure you’re in on the deal. Use your communicative powers to help bridge the gap.

Taurus (April 21-May 21)

Passions may run high, Taurus, and you could be right in the thick of things. Today may be a bit more intense than usual. Conflicting energies will butt up against each other in your head, and you might need to make an important decision now. You’ve done all the prep work you need to do. It’s time to act..

Gemini (May 22-June 21)

Indecision may leave you standing at the station after all the trains have left, Gemini. Hop on one that’s going in your direction. Add your name to the roster of active participants. Today isn’t a day to wait for opportunity to come to you. If you see something you believe in, move toward it. Act spontaneously and don’t worry about the consequences.

Cancer (June 22-July 23)

Something might be shaking the very ground you stand on, Cancer. Just when you thought everything was calm and stable, suddenly the ground begins to rumble. Secure your footing, hold on, and stay flexible. A few steps in a different direction may position you in a safe area where you can ride out the storm with no problem. Becoming too fixed and rigid would be a bad idea.

Leo (July 24-Aug 23)

Follow your heart instead of your wallet, Leo. Start with yourself and choose where to spend your resources. Take an active role and be on the lookout for opportunities to grab hold of and profit from. You may find a conflict going on in your world. Stand up for what you believe in and don’t be afraid to rock the boat.

Virgo (Aug 24-Sep 23)

Your adaptable nature will be put to the test today, Virgo. Try to go with the flow. Remember that you have a rudder with which to steer. You can float down the river freely, but don’t think that this means you have to give up all control. You have the power of choice, so use it. Take an active role in events or you might as well stay in bed.

Libra (Sep 24-Oct 23)

Today is a significant day, astrologically speaking, Libra. It may be an affirmation of your pioneering spirit. Be the champion of the new and bizarre. There’s a window of opportunity opening to reveal a golden chance. Forces that seem to conflict may actually work well together. Remember to balance old traditions with new information. The integration of these is key.

Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)

There may be some tension in the air for you, Scorpio. Large forces are moving through your life that are suddenly coming into conflict. People who have been on a certain path for a long time now have to face the music. How well have you physically and mentally prepared? The strength of your framework is now being tested against the prevailing winds.

Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)

Your ability to juggle many tasks is going to come in handy, Sagittarius. Information may fly and you could be asked to step up and contribute your wealth of knowledge. You may come into opposition with someone with a superior attitude. Remember that the old ways aren’t always best. They may have worked in the past, but things have changed.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)

You feel like a scared child who wants to hide under the bed today, Capricorn. Keep in mind that there are just as many monsters under the bed as there are out in the world. At least you can see the ones outside and perhaps even enlist the help of others to combat them. Don’t shut yourself in during this time of great upheaval. Your opinion is just as valid as anyone else’s.

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb 19)

You feel like a scared child who wants to hide under the bed today, Capricorn. Keep in mind that there are just as many monsters under the bed as there are out in the world. At least you can see the ones outside and perhaps even enlist the help of others to combat them. Don’t shut yourself in during this time of great upheaval. Your opinion is just as valid as anyone else’s.

Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)

You’d do well to discipline your actions today, Pisces, and keep a level head. Unexpected events may rise to challenge established authority. Don’t jump to any sweeping conclusions. Make sure you gather the facts before you act. Don’t simply recoil and shrink into a cave. If you don’t take action, you’ll be acted upon.

Speed Bump