The New Progressive Party (NPP) caucus in the island House of Representatives met Monday to endorse the proposal of its minority leader, Rep. Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez, to promote tax reform.
The NPP delegation also endorsed expediting the approval of House Bill (HB) 1576, which enables an incentive payment to all individual taxpayers for adjustment in the cost of living for this year.
“After six years of cuts implemented by the Financial Oversight and Management Board, of having reorganized the government’s finances, an effort that began in January 2017, today we are in the position of being able to provide real tax relief to the people,” Méndez Nuñez said. “Today we can do justice to taxpayers who suffered extraordinary tax increases under the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) administration during the four-year period from 2013 to 2016. The NPP delegation in the House is committed to a tax reform this year.”
Méndez Nuñez noted that 11 years have passed since the last time a tax reform was implemented.
“While the reform is being worked on, it is important to approve, as soon as possible, HB 1576, a measure that amends the Internal Revenue Code of Puerto Rico to include, for the first time in modern history, tax adjustments to alleviate the increase in the cost of living in the face of the unprecedented inflation rate of over 10.5% in the case of many products,” the NPP minority leader added.
In the past four years, the NPP delegation in the House led the effort to eliminate the tax on the provision of services rendered to other merchants and designated professional services, better known as B2B, as well as a series of reductions to several contributory lines, through Law 40-2020.
The statements of the former House speaker were endorsed by the other members of the pro-statehood party caucus.
“Puerto Rico’s tax system has changed a lot over the past decade. For the first time in modern government history, the resources exist to provide great relief to working people, mothers who are heads of households, and to our small and medium-sized merchants,”
Méndez Nuñez said. “The time has come and we are ready to work on a comprehensive tax reform, which includes, in addition to reducing rates, the simplification of the system that results in less administrative costs and greater oversight.”
“The [tax] reform has to take place,” he continued. “We have to put more money in the hands of the people. Not only do we support this concept, we are ready to work on it as soon as possible. The money to pay for this reform is in cash. In September, the Treasury Department raised about $981 million, up 7.7 percent from a year earlier. In fact, revenues for 2022 [through September] exceeded projections by a historic figure [17.7 percent].”
“Our priority as a delegation is to help people, so that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from the fiscal responsibility that we have implemented since 2017 and that has allowed unprecedented collections in the history of the island,” Méndez Nuñez said.
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia on Monday asked senators to evaluate the appointment of Vilmarie Rivera Sierra as women’s advocate.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. She will have the opportunity to meet with all the senators. It has already been stated in the media,” the governor said in response to questions from the press. “I saw that she is emphasizing equity and respect among all human beings, which is what I also emphasize. … She is clearly prepared and qualified to assume that position. She is well known in the sector and she has dedicated her whole life to defending battered women and abused children, victims of domestic violence; she participated in the PARE Committee and has all the credentials and above all, she has a very open attitude, is very respectful and very conciliatory, and is very knowledgeable about the function of that office.”
“What I want is for the process to take place, for her to meet individually with the senators and for her to have a public hearing in due course,” Pierluisi added. “I feel confident that at the end of the road she should receive the support of the majority of the members of the Senate.”
Regarding the expressed intention of several senators to reject Rivera Sierra’s nomination, the governor said “I hope she receives the majority vote.”
Pierluisi’s remarks came after he participated in the annual meeting of the American Farm Bureau.
Reacting to the announcement of Rivera Sierra’s appointment on Sunday, Senate President José Luis Dalmau Santiago said the governor took too long to make it.
“The appointment of a person to the position of Women’s Advocate will be handled with breadth, depth and, at the same time, speed,” he said in a written statement. “Puerto Rico has been facing an emergency due to the incidence of cases of gender-based violence for several years. Puerto Rico’s Senate declared such an emergency early in 2021, and the
governor has been asked, on several occasions, to appoint a person to the position since the vacancy arose last year. The time spent without a person in charge of such an important position for public policy and government action in the midst of a national emergency on gender violence has been an irresponsible attitude on the part of Gov. Pierluisi. That time wasted in inaction has cost women in our country dearly.”
“I have instructed the staff of the Senate Appointments Committee to immediately begin the request for information from the nominee and to listen to the people and entities with an interest in deposing …” Dalmau Santiago added.
Since 2004 Rivera Sierra has stood out as executive director of the Hogar Nueva Mujer Santa María de la Merced in Cayey. As part of her work, she designed, developed and implemented services for female victims of domestic and sexual violence, as well as their children. She also chairs the Domestic Violence Shelters Network, was part of the Committee for Gender Violence Prevention, Support, Rescue and Education (PARE Committee), as well as the Services subcommittee, from which she ensured that the necessary help is offered to victims, and is a member of Coordinadora Paz para la Mujer, among other organizations and committees related to the fight against gender violence.
Directors of gender-based violence shelters on Monday expressed support for Rivera Sierra’s nomination.
“Vilmarie Rivera Sierra, who founded and chairs the National Network of Gender-Based Violence Shelters, is a woman who values family and who has stood out as a leader in many feminist and domestic survivor service organizations,” said Lisdel Flores, vice president of the National Shelters Network, on behalf of all the directors of that organization.
“The New Women’s Home, which she has led for 18 years, is a faith-based organization. Its formation and work experience is precisely in faith-based communities. It has also worked with diverse populations, such as older adults, children and rural communities.”
Rivera Sierra founded the National Shelters Network 12 years ago, with the purpose of joining the efforts of emergency shelters and transitional housing for women victims of gender violence and their minor children.
“Her leadership is recognized by a large number of feminist organizations and services for survivors of gender violence in Puerto Rico and Latin America,” said Flores, the executive director of Hogar Ruth. “Vilmarie has proven experience in developing interagency partnerships and is a conciliatory voice among diverse groups. We know that she will be a bulwark for the work on behalf of women from the space of the Office of the Women’s Advocate.”
Gloria Vázquez, director of Casa de la Bondad, said of Rivera Sierra that from her leadership in the Shelters Network “she supported the founding of the Inter-American Network of Shelters and Reception Centers and assumed the representation of the Caribbean.”
“On behalf of the National Shelters Network, she participated in the PARE Committee and led the work of the Services subcommittee, where she contributed to the development of the project aimed at municipalities for the care of gender violence survivors and protocols related to diversion programs,” Vázquez added.
The National Shelters Network groups the following organizations: Hogar Ruth, Casa Protegida Julia de Burgos, Casa de la Bondad, Casa de Todos, Hogar Nueva Mujer, Hogar La Piedad, and CAPROMUNI I and II.
Agriculture Secretary Ramón González Beiró said Monday that the lack of bananas in local markets was because of the logistics of the shipping companies and that the bananas that have arrived have been few and very expensive.
“The method that was used was the same that every entrepreneur would use. We went there, the farms were certified, the product was purchased and the shipping companies all know about the problems that exist in maritime transportation,” the agriculture secretary said in response to questions from reporters. “Once the product arrives here, it is a product that normally does not … create a blockage, [or] additional workload to the customs service and the
agricultural inspection service.”
“And we added that in the second shipment some containers contained some insects, insects that exist in Puerto Rico, but the federal rule is that they must be fumigated, and that caused a much bigger bottleneck, which was what delayed the dispatch of the green bananas,” González Beiró added.
“In the case of bananas, there is a situation that if you read in the international press, we have not gotten enough bananas to bring from the Dominican Republic in the week of Christmas,” the official continued. “We had a work team visiting the entire republic, from north to south, from east to west, and the reality is that if you see the press, the Dominican Republic has the same shortage of bananas, mainly because of some tornadoes, [Hurricane] Fiona and consumption.”
“The few bananas that there were, were quoted to us at very
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia has signed into law House Joint Resolution 387 authorizing the transfer of $78 million, or $1 million per town, from the Emergency Reserve to the island’s municipalities.
The funding, approved last week, is intended to cover expenses related to the response and recovery from Hurricane Fiona.
“In these two years of governance, my commitment has been demonstrated and evidenced with direct support to each municipality,” Pierluisi said. “I have always said that mayors are the first line of support for our people, and that is why they will always count on me, even more so in emergencies. As governor, I will continue to work together with mayors and federal agencies to ensure that the work and the reconstruction projects continue to be developed and executed throughout the island.”
The bipartisan measure was unanimously approved by the Mayors Federation and the Mayors Association.
which all municipalities were included.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also provided individual and public assistance, as well as disaster risk mitigation throughout the island. FEMA announced recently that it had provided $670.5 million in federal support to the island after the passage of Fiona last September.
Meanwhile, the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience disbursed $691,671 last week, as part of emergency protection measures, to the municipalities of Jayuya, Cabo Rojo and Maricao. Also, a few months ago the Department of Economic Development and Commerce designated $15 million, including $10 million that the governor identified, to help small and midsize enterprises impacted by the hurricane.
It was not the first time that Pierluisi has facilitated the distribution of millions of dollars among the island’s municipalities. In February 2021, he authorized the distribution of $100 million in federal funds among the 78 towns so that they could offer necessary services related to COVID-19 to citizens.
By THE STAR STAFF
The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) remains in a dispute with Cobra Acquisitions that has now been extended to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) over more than $260 million owed to the former contractor hired to repair the island power grid after it was destroyed in the 2017 hurricane season.
The dispute has reached FEMA, which has declared some of the amounts owed to Cobra as ineligible, which means it will not reimburse PREPA. The information is contained in a Jan. 7 status report to the court in the Title III bankruptcy process to restructure PREPA’s $10
billion debt.
PREPA had asked that payments owed to Cobra be paralyzed pending the outcome of a criminal process on corruption charges against Cobra’s former president and a federal official. Donald Keith Ellison, the former president of Cobra Acquisitions, and former FEMA official Ahsha Tribble were sentenced last year to six months in jail each for their role in a corruption scheme related to the awarding of contracts to repair the island’s electrical infrastructure following Hurricane Maria in September 2017. After the criminal court ruling, Cobra asked the federal court to lift the bankruptcy stay so that the claims against PREPA could be litigated. PREPA wants the stay to be left in place until July 31, after the utility’s plan of adjustment confirmation hearing.
Cobra performed work under two contracts. PREPA has already paid Cobra $21.4 million that FEMA ultimately found was ineligible for reimbursement after initially disbursing it to the power utility.
Besides the money for its work, Cobra is claiming PREPA owes it $77 million in tax reimbursement payments. PREPA had agreed to reimburse Cobra’s tax payments but only up to a certain amount as it is trying to determine how much is truly owed. Cobra is also seeking $61.5 million in interest payments, which PREPA is disputing in part because FEMA has said the amounts are not billable.
Under a second contract, FEMA says some $73.7 million owed to Cobra is ineligible for reimbursement. PREPA and Cobra are also in disagreement over some $83 million in interest Cobra is claiming.
The Financial Oversight and Management Board,
which represents PREPA in the bankruptcy, wants the continuation of the stay on all litigation to settle disputes with FEMA over reimbursements to Cobra and to be able to focus on the debt adjustment plan for the power utility.
Cobra wants the stay to be lifted and for the judge to hear the dispute at the Feb. 2 omnibus hearing. Cobra says it has not been paid since 2019 and noted that further delays will continue to accrue interest for PREPA.
“A continued stay will only encourage continued intransigence not negotiations and result in the continued accrual of a substantial amount of interest [some $3.5 million per month] and attorneys’ fees …” Cobra said.
ASuperior Court judge in Fajardo postponed to Feb. 2 a hearing to determine if 80-year-old María Parrilla Álamo should go to trial for threatening her 35-year-old granddaughter with a machete, a case that has been called an example of the exploitation of the elderly that is rampant in Puerto Rico.
Parrilla Álamo spent most of the holidays in jail after she was unable to post $20,000 bail. Through the intervention of the Organization for the Rights of Our Elderly (OPA), she was transferred to a home for the elderly.
The case has attracted attention because even though Parrilla Álamo’s granddaughter, Sol Rivera Álamo, has since Dec. 1 been under a court order to vacate her grandmother’s house, she is still living there while her grandmother is in custody.
OPA spokeswoman Noemí Rodríguez told the STAR that Parrilla Álamo sought an order to get her granddaughter out of the house after noticing that money and her medication pills went missing and “other worse things.”
Rivera Álamo’s mother, who is one of Parrilla Álamo’s three daughters, is in prison for attempted murder. The other two daughters live in the mainland United States.
On Dec. 23, Rivera Álamo filed a complaint against her grandmother for threatening her with a machete. Parrilla Álamo was working on her garden when the incident took place, Rodríguez said.
Parrilla Álamo has denied the charges, Rodríguez said. She could not confirm allegations that the granddaughter tricked her grandmother into posing with the machete for a photo and then used it to back up the complaint against her. Judge Orlando Puldón sent her to jail after she
was unable to post bail.
Rodríguez said the OPA decided to intervene in the case upon learning that Parrilla Álamo had spent the holidays in a Bayamón jail because no one paid her bail. She said area neighbors had no complaints about the octogenarian.
“We were not allowed to pay her bail because we are not related to her nor have known her for five years,” Rodríguez said. “They needed guarantees that she would show up in court.”
The OPA spokeswoman did not know the reasons why the judge sent Parrilla Álamo to a home for the elderly home instead of her house.
“She drives and is very capable of returning to her home,” she said.
Rodríguez also noted that since the elderly woman’s arrest, her car keys, her home keys and her cell phone have gone missing.
“The other two daughters have not called her,” she added.
Smarting after a dozen years under ironfisted Republican rule, House Democrats promised to do things differently and open up the institution when they regained majority control in 2007.
One of their changes was to allow any lawmaker to offer amendments to the voluminous spending bills once they hit the floor. Republicans seized the opportunity and put forth scores of politically charged proposals to alter a routine agriculture spending bill, bringing the debate to a virtual standstill. Democrats quickly reversed course and put limits on amendments.
Now the new House Republican majority is proposing to make institutional changes of their own as part of a rules package Speaker Kevin McCarthy negotiated with hard-right rebels in exchange for their support for his job. The handful of Republicans who are forcing the changes, which were scheduled to be considered Monday, pointed to the rushed approval in December of a roughly $1.7 trillion spending bill to fund the entire government as an example of backroom legislating at its worst.
“What this rules package is designed to do is to stop what we saw happen literally 15 days ago, where the Democrats passed a $1.7 trillion monstrosity of a bill that spent the American taxpayers’ money in all kinds of crazy ways,” Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said Sunday on Fox News. He said Republicans would require 72 hours to allow lawmakers to pore over any bill.
Part of the fight over the speakership was about the way Congress works, in particular the unwieldy “omnibus” spending bills that appear to materialize out of nowhere and with only minutes to spare.
But restoring any semblance of order and structure to the consideration of spending bills and other measures will prove to be extremely difficult with conservative Republicans in charge of the House and Democrats controlling the Senate and the White House. The new dynamic is more likely a prescription for shutdown and gridlock. The roots of dysfunction run deep.
Even lawmakers with long experience in trying to make Congress work acknowledged the collapse of what is called “regular order” — the civics class version of “how a bill becomes
law” in getting legislation through the House and the Senate and signed by the president.
“We have clearly found new levels of inefficiency in the past decade — one big bill at the end of the year to fund the government, plus whatever the four leaders of the House and Senate can agree to add to it,” lamented Roy Blunt, the Republican senator from Missouri who retired this year after serving in the leadership of both the House and the Senate.
It wasn’t always this way. For most of its existence, Congress had a methodical approach to producing spending bills, which were the core of its workload, its major legislative responsibility as it exercised its vaunted power of the purse. Knowledgeable subcommittees in the House and Senate would take detailed testimony from executive branch officials on what they needed, draft individual measures for each area of the government and hold line-by-line committee reviews of the bills.
Then they would move each bill across the floor of the House and Senate one by one in the spring and summer, work out differences between the two chambers and get them
signed by the president before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30 so the government wouldn’t be disrupted. The lawmakers who oversaw the appropriations subcommittees were labeled “cardinals,” reflecting the extent of their power, and jealously protected their control over their areas of the federal government. The spending panels were the place to be for lawmakers who wanted to exert influence.
But those days seem as distant as when bills were written with quill pens. Some of the foundational work still takes place as members of the appropriations panels — and, importantly, their staffs — assemble the bills, but the process is done with far less public review and transparency. And because it is so difficult to move individual pieces of legislation through both chambers — filibusters are the rule, no longer the exception, in the Senate — the measures are now almost always mashed together into giant packages.
Just six of the 12 separate appropriations bills were considered by the House last year, and none reached the Senate floor.
Instead, the senior members of the committees agreed among themselves what the “top line” spending number would be, worked out versions of the individual bills and then huddled with the leaders of the Senate and House to get agreement on the final legislation in late December. Members were then faced with a take-it-or-leave-it proposition as the year came to a close, with the threat of much more time in Washington over the holidays and a crippling Christmas government shutdown being the alternative if they opted to leave it. The leadership added a few more bills seen as must-pass items to the mix, including an overhaul of the way presidential electoral votes are counted.
House Republicans stayed out of the machinations, although Senate Republicans had a large say since they were needed to provide enough votes to overcome a filibuster. It was a textbook case of legislating ugly, and House Republicans have vowed it will never happen again.
But there are explanations for why it happened, and one of them is the heightened partisanship in Congress. Although the appropriations process always contained a dose of bipartisanship — and the appropriators were treated almost as a party unto themselves — that aura has faded as deeper polarization has taken hold.
Now the bills themselves have become a ripe target for political attacks when they reach the floor, leading both parties to restrict the opportunity to propose amendments to save their members from taking tough votes. The limits have chafed, and Republicans are promising to ease them. But it will make legislative life difficult, as Democrats discovered.
Republicans are already talking about a spending freeze or keeping the government running under a “continuing resolution” with automatic cuts if lawmakers cannot find agreement. It is going to be a real struggle to find common ground. And although Blunt was discouraged by the decline in the way Congress has operated, he warned that there is an even darker alternative.
“The only thing worse than the way we do it would be not doing it,” he told his colleagues in his parting speech. “The only thing worse than the way we do it is just to decide not to get our work done and see what happens.”
President Joe Biden on Sunday made his first visit to the border since taking office, arriving at a city swamped by migrants amid a historic surge in illegal immigration and anger from both parties about how he is handling it.
In a brief visit to El Paso’s busiest crossing and a migrant services support center, Biden acceded to demands by Republicans that he make the trip he had not taken for two years. But as he arrived in El Paso, he found himself under siege from all sides.
Democrats and human rights activists condemned his new enforcement plan as a “humanitarian disgrace.” Republicans blasted his delay in coming to a border they say is “wide open” to illegal immigration. And Mexican officials — who were preparing to welcome him to a summit of North American leaders Monday — warned that his proposals would cross a “red line” for them.
The number of migrants apprehended trying to illegally cross the 2,000-mile border with Mexico has hit record highs. In the 12 months leading up to last October, the Border Patrol encountered 1.7 million migrants trying to cross illegally, the highest number since 1960. Officials said overall crossings had dipped some during the holiday season in December, but they said they expected the numbers to rise again quickly in the coming months.
The surge in migrants has reached deep into the United States. Cities as far away as New York and Washington are struggling to provide services to the growing numbers who are arriving, some at the behest of Republican governors in Florida and Texas, who have bused or flown the migrants out of their states.
In El Paso, a record-breaking swell of migration from across Central and South America has made the city one of the most vivid symbols of the decadeslong breakdown in America’s immigration system. Desperate people, often with small children, spend cold nights on park benches, with no legal status and nowhere to go after making the brutally dangerous trek north in the hopes of finding refuge.
The question of what to do with them — Accept them? Detain them? Send them home? — has become one of the most polarized political debates in the United States. And Biden has not found a solution as the situation in El Paso and communities along the border has worsened during his presidency.
On Sunday, Biden met with Border Patrol officers, members of Congress and local officials at the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry, El Paso’s busiest crossing, which is set to receive $600 million from the president’s infrastructure law. He also made an unannounced stop along the 18-foot border wall that separates El Paso from Juárez, Mexico, talking to Border Patrol agents as he strolled along a dirt road on the U.S. side.
Asked later what he learned, Biden said: “They need a lot of resources. We’re going to get it for them,” apparently referring to the Border Patrol agents with whom he just met.
Biden also toured the El Paso County Migrant Services Center and talked to local business owners.
Biden did not visit areas where migrants have been sleeping outdoors in El Paso. Hours before he landed, streets were
asylum seekers,” Heidi Altman, the policy director at the National Immigrant Justice Center, a liberal human rights group, said on Twitter.
The criticism from the same groups that fiercely opposed Trump’s policies has infuriated Biden and his aides, who say the comparison is unfair and wrong.
“Well, obviously, we take a different view,” said John F. Kirby, a top spokesperson for the National Security Council, noting the demand to balance the need for “legal pathways to entry” and ensuring that “illegal migration is curbed.”
The president’s aides also braced for renewed attacks from Republicans who have spent months accusing the administration of being too weak on the border. In an opinion article published before the president’s trip, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., chided Biden for waiting almost two years to visit.
Paso,
Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. President Joe Biden on Sunday, Jan.8, 2022, made his first visit to the border since taking office; a surge of migration has made El Paso one of the most vivid symbols of the decades-long breakdown in America’s immigration system.
relatively quiet. But the mood was tense mere steps from the Bridge of the Americas in El Segundo Barrio, which has become the epicenter of the migrant crisis in the city.
By Sunday, a group of men had turned the small gap behind a fence of Sacred Heart Church into rudimentary accommodations. They turned a pile of sheets, some of them donated by the Red Cross, into beds, next to worn-out Bibles they carried from home. John Cardenas, a native of Venezuela who arrived in El Paso on Dec. 31, prefers to sleep next to a large statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
“I feel like she protects me, so I sleep right here next to her,” Cardenas said, his eyes scanning the image next to him. But on Sunday he was praying for a different kind of protection. “I hope Biden can offer us some help, too. We need it desperately.”
On the Mexican side Sunday afternoon, fewer than a dozen migrants, the majority from Venezuela, appeared defeated, staring across the Rio Grande, where they were welcomed by a newly installed fence, barbed wire and a row of heavily armed Texas National Guard members.
Responding to mounting criticism of his handling of the border, Biden on Thursday announced a crackdown on illegal border crossings paired with some new avenues for migrants to immigrate legally. Biden has leaned on several Trump-era immigration policies, including for a time one that required migrants to wait in squalid camps in Mexico while their asylum applications were processed.
As a candidate, Biden assailed President Donald Trump’s handling of the border, calling it inhumane and ineffective. But as Biden heads to Mexico City for two days of meetings that will be dominated by the issue of immigration, his critics have only ramped up their assault on his policies.
“They flout refugee law & will unleash more suffering at the border, w/ disparate harm to Black, Brown & Indigenous
“The president neglecting to visit the southern border — during a time when we are facing record illegal crossings and there is a clear crisis — would be the equivalent of our commander in chief not visiting the Pentagon during a military operation,” she wrote.
Republicans have argued that Biden’s desire to be more “humane” along the border was an open invitation to increased migration, and they have assailed what they said was the administration’s continued release of many migrants into the United States while their immigration cases are litigated.
Upon arriving in El Paso on Sunday, Biden was greeted by Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, who handed him a letter. A news release from the governor’s office said that the letter said, “This chaos is the direct result of your failure to enforce the immigration laws that Congress enacted.”
The question of what to do along the southern border in places like El Paso will be at the center of the discussions when Biden arrives for meetings with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada.
In an interview before Biden’s departure Sunday, Mexico’s top official for North American relations bluntly rejected a proposal by the Biden administration that would automatically deny asylum to migrants who have traveled through Mexico without seeking refuge in that country first. A version of that idea, known as a “safe third country” policy, was first proposed by Trump in 2019.
“The safe-third-country idea is a red line for us,” said Roberto Velasco, the Mexican Foreign Ministry’s chief officer for North America. “It would overwhelm the system.”
Finding ways to cooperate with Mexico on migration is a key goal for Biden on his visit to the country. In his remarks Thursday, the president announced that Mexico had agreed to accept up to 30,000 migrants each month from Haiti, Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua if they tried to cross into the United States illegally and their asylum claims were rejected.
But longtime observers of the relationship between the two countries said there were limits to what Mexico would accept.
“Mexico cannot guarantee the security of those fleeing violence,” said Ana Lorena Delgadillo, director of the Foundation for Justice, an organization that supports migrants in Mexico. “Mexicans are fleeing violence in their own communities. How are we going to protect others if we cannot protect our own?”
Heavy winds pummeled the Sacramento region over the weekend, toppling trees and knocking out power for more than 300,000 customers, as California braced for yet another series of storms this week that could bring additional flooding, more outages and tree damage, as well as dangerous mudslides and mountain snow.
The Sacramento and Stockton school districts canceled classes on Monday because of lingering power outages and bad weather. The state is being hit by a family of atmospheric rivers — huge plumes of water vapor in the sky — in rapid succession.
The most potent was expected to arrive Monday through Tuesday, renewing concerns from meteorologists of widespread damage. According to the National Weather Service, many parts of California could see precipitation amounts that occur only once every five or 10 years.
“The longevity and intensity of rain, combined with the cumulative effect of successive heavy rain events dating back to the end of December, will lead to widespread and potentially significant flood impacts,” the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said in a forecast discussion.
The forecasters said to expect minor to isolated major river flooding, with potentially record river levels.
Forecasters also expected damaging winds of up to 60 mph Monday through Tuesday, which could lead to more widespread power outages across the region. Thunderstorms could include a brief tornado along or near parts of the central California coast, which has already been pounded by storms.
In a news conference on Sunday, Gov. Gavin Newsom emphasized the danger this storm presented. “These floods are deadly, and have now turned to be more deadly than even the wildfires here in the state of California,” he said.
He and other officials said that the state had resources set up to deal with the coming rain and flooding including rescue helicopters, deep water vehicles and temporary shelters.
Parts of Northern California had little relief from the rough weather over the weekend. Wind speeds topped out at nearly 70 mph on Saturday night and early Sunday in the Sacramento area. At least one person was
killed, a homeless woman struck by a falling tree, the Sacramento Fire Department said.
By Sunday evening, about 62,000 customers remained without power. A spokesperson with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District said the company had dozens of crews on the ground working but that extensive damage from the storm meant that some customers would be without power through the night.
Parker Wilbourn, fire captain with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, said they were responding with an “all hands on deck” approach. Saturday night’s storm was particularly devastating, he said, coming on the heels of the rain, outages and flooding the city has already suffered.
The storm followed a week of downpours across California that caused widespread flooding and felled countless trees. Six people were killed, including a toddler struck by a tree that crashed into his home in Sonoma County.
“Each one of these storms really just compounds on the previous storm,” Wilbourn said. The worry now, he said, is what happens when more rain hits in the coming days. “Our soils are already saturated. So it would just take, you know, a couple more inches of rain and we could potentially see another catastrophic event.”
Heavy snow and rain fell in northern and central California over Saturday night but began to clear in many places by Sunday.
On Monday morning, what some fo-
recasters in the Los Angeles weather office are calling the “main show” begins. A potent atmospheric river will begin in the northern part of the state on Monday before moving south through the day and into Tuesday.
Rain totals could reach 2-4 inches over most areas and could be more than 8 inches along the coast and coastal ranges and along the western slope of the Sierra.
In higher regions of the Sierra, the threat involved extreme snow that could exceed
5 feet. “The heavy snow loads will increase the threat of avalanches and damage to infrastructures,” Weather Prediction Center forecasters said.
Across the Sierra, the winter storm severity index is at its highest level, meaning travel is not advised and extensive and widespread road closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur.
This storm system will be warmer than some of the previous ones. The snowfall will start at 5,000 feet but will rise above 6,500 to 8,000 feet throughout the day, meaning that areas with fresh snow will see rain, allowing it to melt and increasing the amount of water entering creeks and rivers. The rising snow levels raised concerns of flooding, the Sacramento National Weather Service office said.
This storm system should begin to wane on Tuesday. On Wednesday, another system will begin, though it is expected to be weaker than the previous one. Any precipitation, however, will fall on a region susceptible to additional rainfall and could exacerbate swollen rivers and creeks.
There may be a brief break before another atmospheric river forecast for the weekend, which would bring more heavy rainfall and threats of flooding.
Forecasters in the San Francisco Bay Area office of the National Weather Service say that there is a 60% to 80% chance that the wetter-than-normal pattern will continue for the next couple of weeks.
The former attorney general for the Virgin Islands, who recently secured a $105 million settlement from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, was recently fired following months of friction between her and the U.S. territory’s governor over the handling of the investigation into the disgraced financier, according to people briefed on the matter.
Denise George, the former official, was dismissed by Albert Bryan Jr., the governor of the Virgin Islands, on New Year’s Eve, four days after her office sued JPMorgan Chase in federal court in Manhattan, New York, for its dealings with Epstein, who died of an apparent suicide in 2019 while in federal custody.
The timing of George’s firing fueled media speculation in the Virgin Islands and beyond that the suit against JPMorgan was the immediate cause.
But the people briefed on the matter, who were not authorized to talk publicly because Bryan’s office did not give a specific reason for George’s dismissal, said there had been tension between the two public officials for a while.
It was partly tied to Bryan feeling that George didn’t keep him apprised about the investigation in a timely manner, one of the people said. Attorneys general aren’t usually required to inform governors of lawsuits they intend to file.
George did not address the speculation but defended her decision to sue the bank and the work her office had done to make sure the dozens of women who were victims of Epstein’s sexual abuse as
Denise George, then attorney general of the U.S. Virgin Islands, at her St. Thomas office, Jan. 11, 2018. George, who secured a $105 million settlement from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, was fired on the final day of 2022, following months of friction between her and the U.S. territory’s governor over the handling of the investigation into the disgraced financier, according to people briefed on the matter.
teenagers or young adults were appropriately compensated.
“I stand firm in my belief that the lawsuit I filed against JPMorgan Chase in our pursuit of justice must continue,” George said in a statement to The New York Times. “No institution, organization or person should be off-limits, no matter how wealthy or powerful.”
George also thanked Bryan for appointing her to the role in 2019.
Richard Motta, a spokesperson for Bryan, said in an emailed statement that “media reports indicating the JPMorgan lawsuit as the reason are not entirely accurate.”
A JPMorgan spokesperson declined to comment.
In a November interview with a local publication following his reelection to a second term, Bryan had said he intended to make some changes in his Cabinet but did not name any government officials.
During her four-year tenure, George led a wide-ranging investigation into the activities of Epstein. In November, her office secured a hard-fought settlement with his estate that will return at least $105 million to the Virgin Islands, where the poverty rate is far higher than the U.S. national average. The territory stands to take in more money depending on the sale price the estate can get for Little St. James, Epstein’s former private island residence.
George had also subpoenaed some
of the wealthy men who did business with him, including Wall Street billionaire Leon Black. Black paid Epstein $158 million for tax and estate planning services in the years before Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges.
In late December, George’s office sued JPMorgan in federal court in Manhattan, claiming that bank was derelict in providing banking services to Epstein during the time he was charged with sexually abusing teenage girls and young women at Little St. James and elsewhere in the U.S.
The lawsuit accused JPMorgan of facilitating and concealing wire and cash transactions that should have raised suspicions that Epstein was engaging in the sexual trafficking of teen girls and young women. The lawsuit contends the bank essentially turned a “blind eye” to Epstein’s conduct because it was profitable.
JPMorgan, the largest U.S. bank by assets, was Epstein’s primary banker from the late 1990s to 2013. In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to two counts of soliciting prostitution from a teenage girl and was required to register as a sex offender in most jurisdictions.
George’s investigation was complicated by the fact that Epstein had a twodecade-long relationship with the Virgin Islands, both as a resident and as a businessperson.
Epstein contributed money to local politicians, and one of his foundations donated to local schools. His businesses there received several lucrative tax incentives that allowed them to avoid paying tens of millions of dollars in taxes.
Before becoming governor, Bryan was the chair of the economic development agency that had awarded lucrative tax benefits to one of Epstein’s companies.
“The Virgin Islands attorney general, as in everywhere else in the United States, is required to prosecute or pursue legal action for violations of the law, and to serve the people,” George said in her statement. “Doing the job of the attorney general should not be incompatible with holding the job of attorney general.”
There is no indication that the Virgin Islands will move to dismiss the lawsuit against JPMorgan.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq led gains among the main Wall Street indexes on Monday, boosted by shares of Amazon and Tesla, while signs of a cooling labor market supported bets of a slower pace of interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.
Amazon.com Inc AMZN.O rose 3.4% after Jefferies said it saw cost pressures easing for the e-commerce giant in the second half of the year.
Tesla Inc TSLA.O climbed 7.5% after the electric-vehicle maker indicated longer waiting times for some versions of the Model Y in China, signaling the recent price cuts could be stoking demand.
Other rate-sensitive growth stocks like Apple Inc AAPL.O and Alphabet Inc GOOGL.O gained about 1% each as U.S. Treasury yields declined.
The gains pushed technology .SPLRCT to the top of the major S&P 500 sector indexes list. The S&P 500 growth index .IGX was up 3.6%, outperforming a 0.7% rise in its value peers .IVX.
The benchmark S&P 500 .SPX and the Nasdaq .IXIC closed the week higher on Friday after a moderation in wage increases and a decline in U.S. services activity in December buoyed hopes of a less hawkish stance from the Fed as well as a soft landing for the U.S. economy.
“The number of jobs created is working its way down slowly and wages are starting to calm down. Both of those are important for inflation coming under control, without necessarily careening the U.S economy to a recession,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Financial.
The highly awaited U.S. Labor Department’s inflation report on Thursday is expected to show some moderation in year-on-year consumer prices in December.
Money market bets show 75% odds of a 25-basis point hike in the Fed’s February policy meeting, with the terminal rate expected just below 5% by June. FEDWATCH
Other economic data such as weekly jobless claims and the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment report will also be in focus this week, as big U.S. banks kick off the quarterly earnings season on Friday.
The gains pushed technology .SPLRCT to the top of the major S&P 500 sector indexes list. The S&P 500 growth index .IGX was up 3.6%, outperforming a 0.7% rise in its value peers .IVX.
The benchmark S&P 500 .SPX and the Nasdaq .IXIC closed the week higher on Friday after a moderation in wage increases and a decline in U.S. services activity in December buoyed hopes of a less hawkish stance from the Fed as well as a soft landing for the U.S. economy.
“The number of jobs created is working its way down slowly and wages are starting to calm down. Both of those are important for inflation coming under control, without necessarily careening the U.S economy to a recession,”
said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Financial.
The highly awaited U.S. Labor Department’s inflation report on Thursday is expected to show some moderation in year-on-year consumer prices in December.
Money market bets show 75% odds of a 25-basis point hike in the Fed’s February policy meeting, with the terminal rate expected just below 5% by June. FEDWATCH
Other economic data such as weekly jobless claims
and the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment report will also be in focus this week, as big U.S. banks kick off the quarterly earnings season on Friday.
The S&P index recorded 10 new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 95 new highs and 14 new lows.
But Huntington’s Augustine said the central bank needs to see further slowing of price increases in the December inflation report, due out on Thursday, before deciding whether to slow its next rate hike. It raised rates 50 basis points in December.
Also next week several of the biggest U.S. banks including JPMorgan and Bank of America will kick off the fourth-quarter earnings season on Friday.
Days before supporters of Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former far-right president, laid siege to the capital, Brasília, on Sunday, social media platforms were flooded by calls to organize attacks against critical infrastructure, with oil refineries and roadblocks among the main targets.
The instigators of Sunday’s riots have not been publicly identified. But in the days after Luis Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in as president Jan. 1, messages appeared on the Telegram and WhatsApp messaging apps inviting people to take part in the “Festa da Selma,” or Selma’s Party.
The organizers appeared to turn the word “selva,” or jungle, into “Selma” by replacing the letter V with the letter M. The word selva is directly linked to the armed forces and its veterans. Over recent decades it has become a kind of war cry for both the military and those who defend them. Many of those are also Bolsonaro supporters.
The term “Festa de Selma” began popping up in social media apps last week, first in Telegram and WhatsApp
groups, as first reported by Agência Pública, a Brazilian investigative journalism outlet. Within a few days it had reached platforms including Twitter and Instagram.
“These articulations happen more frequently on WhatsApp and Telegram, where there is less control,” said Marcelo Soares, director of Lagom Data, a data intelligence studio in Sao Paulo. Those apps are encrypted, giving a measure of security to people communicating in private chat groups.
Something going viral there, Soares said, “leaks to Twitter in some cases, either out of enthusiasm or because they want to make the debate public.”
As the days went by, the mentions surged, until they reached their peak Saturday night, hours before the assault took place. On Telegram, some groups called for the storming of the Monumental Axis, the avenue that goes directly to the headquarters of the three democratic powers: Planalto Palace, seat of the presidency; the National Congress and the Supreme Court.
Most tweets were sent from accounts in Brazil’s southeast. But Soares’ analysis also shows that profiles based in Miami played an important role in spreading the message through Twitter.
While digital influencers on social media ignited groups of Bolsonaro supporters, a complex, real-world logistical operation was also being organized. Caravans of buses in different parts of the country were made available to protesters to take them to the nation’s capital free or at greatly reduced prices. The messages calling for the “Festa da Selma” promised food, camping and local support at no cost. One post Saturday, picturing a pile of slabs of raw meat, said “come to Brasí-
lia a ton of meat for the Party of Selma.”
According to an intelligence briefing by the Military Police of Brasília, the city saw the arrival of at least 100 buses carrying 4,000 demonstrators between Friday and Sunday.
Most of the arrivals stayed in an encampment in the capital that supporters of Bolsonaro had maintained in front of the army’s headquarters since the election in October. The camp was being dismantled Monday after a judicial order.
ARussian missile slammed into a market in northeastern Ukraine on Monday, killing two women and wounding several other people including a girl, Ukrainian officials said, in an attack that underscored the dangers still faced by civilians in areas where Russian forces have retreated.
At least one missile struck the market around 9:10 a.m. local time in the town of Shevchenkove in Kharkiv province, the Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office said in a post on Telegram, a social messaging app.
Oleg Sinegubov, head of the military administration in Kharkiv region, said on Telegram that the women who died were in their 50s and 60s. A 13-year-old girl was critically wounded in the neck by shrapnel, and five other people were also injured, he said, adding that more people might be under the rubble. The prosecutor’s office earlier had listed the girl’s age as 10 years old, though conflicting information is common in the immediate aftermath of an attack.
Images of the market posted on Twitter revealed car-
nage and destruction. They showed flames leaping from a row of small shops while bystanders stood at a distance, and a broken refrigerator and a metal saucepan at the bottom of a deep crater in front of a shattered market stall. One photograph showed men trying to retrieve possessions from a shop whose wooden and metal front had been blasted to splinters.
“Another missile attack, another terror,” Ruslan Stefanchuk, chair of Ukraine’s parliament, wrote in a post on Twitter. “Once again, this is a war with the civilian population! Despicable non-humans!”
The prosecutor’s office, which has worked to document each Russian attack with a view to prosecutions, said it had opened an investigation.
Shevchenkove, which is about 45 miles southeast of the regional capital, was one of many in Kharkiv province that Russian forces occupied for months until late summer, when Ukrainian troops launched a rapid push in the northeast, shifting momentum in the war in their favor.
Many residents of the region have recounted stories of abuse, torture and killings under Russian occupation. But the suffering didn’t stop when the Russian forces with-
drew. Civilians have been blown up by land mines, apparently sown by retreating Russian forces, and towns have continued to be targets for Russian strikes.
The market in Shevchenkove was hit by an S-300 missile fired from the other side of the border with Russia, in the region of Belgorod, according to a Telegram post from the Ukrainian prosecutor’s office.
In a daily report Monday, Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had hit military targets in Kharkiv region but did not refer to Shevchenkove itself.
Ukrainian officials reported other attacks targeting civilians Monday.
Shelling killed one person and critically wounded another in the southern city of Kherson, which was recaptured by Ukrainian forces in November, according to Yaroslav Yanushevych, head of the regional military administration. And in Ochakiv, in the southern region of Mykolaiv, a rocket attack damaged more than 100 houses and sent eight people to the hospital, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s office, wrote on Telegram. A local official also said a hospital in Ochakiv had been damaged.
It started with an eruption of firepower, as Russian forces poured across the border and launched a multipronged assault on Ukraine. But 10 months into the war, the tempo — and the fortune of Russian forces — has drastically changed.
“We are moving forward little by little, step by step,” Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, Hanna Maliar, said Sunday in a post on the Telegram social messaging app. While she was referring to fighting in the eastern Donbas region, her assessment could be applied to the conflict as a whole.
The war has already defied the expectations of some experts, especially those who said that Russian forces would overwhelm Ukraine within weeks. As the war’s second year approaches, the prevailing sentiment as to how things could unfold is one of caution. But both sides have signaled that new offensives are front of mind, not least for Ukraine, which seeks to recapture all of the territory it has lost since 2014.
In the early weeks of the war, Russian forces made gains in the south but, crucially, failed to reach their objective of seizing the capital city, Kyiv, and were forced back by ferocious Ukrainian resistance.
But with control of the southern Kherson region, they pivoted to a new objective: Claim all of the Donbas region — composed of Donetsk and Luhansk provinces — in eastern Ukraine. In July, they seized the last city under Ukrainian control in Luhansk, but, since then, their offensive has largely stalled.
The momentum shifted in Ukraine’s favor during an August counteroffensive, aided by longer range weapons supplied by Western allies. In the space of a few weeks in the fall, Ukraine routed Russian troops in the northeastern province of Kharkiv and then forced them to withdraw from the southern city of Kherson in November.
But the rate of territorial change — in either side’s favor — has slowed. Autumn rains turned ground into mud, a challenge for fighting vehicles.
Military experts say that several factors explain the slower pace and seemingly smaller gains. Among them are the relative density of Russian forces in the Donbas region; the natural barrier posed by the Dnieper River in the south of the country, which has impeded Ukraine’s advance; the need by Ukraine to conserve and reconstitute its forces after a series of battles; and the winter weather, which has posed difficulties for both sides.
“It felt going into the winter that the Russian military was the most vulnerable and the job of the Ukrainian military was to press the Russian military, to prevent force reconstitution, to maintain the initiative heading into the winter and the spring and then conduct an offensive at the time of their choosing,” said Michael Kofman, the director of Russian studies at CNA, a research institute in Arlington, Virginia. “That’s not how things have played out.”
He said that Russian forces have imposed on Ukraine a “difficult, grinding fight” around Bakhmut in Donetsk
province, which Moscow has been trying to take for months, and around Kreminna in Luhansk province, a target of Ukraine’s since the fall.
“The occupiers try to hold Kreminna to prevent their defense in Luhansk region from splitting in half,” the regional military governor, Serhiy Haidai, said Sunday in a post on Facebook.
He told Ukrainian television Sunday that recent weather was posing a challenge to both sides, with heavy equipment getting stuck.
“In a day or two, it will freeze seriously, and it will be possible to drive normally without worrying about the fact that a tank or other equipment might get stuck,” he said. “I hope that the advantage will be on our side. For faster advancement, we just lacked the support of heavy equipment.”
Recent strikes in occupied territories in the south and east on Russian military infrastructure and troop concentrations also suggest that Ukraine is extending a tactic it employed over the summer. In the most deadly of those,
the Kremlin said that 89 Russian troops were killed in Donetsk province over the New Year holiday.
Russian forces are still inflicting great pain on Ukrainians, unleashing waves of missiles and exploding drones aimed at crippling the country’s energy infrastructure. While President Vladimir Putin ordered a brief cease-fire over the weekend to observe Orthodox Christmas, there was little change in the scale of fighting.
Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia might sharply escalate the war in a winter offensive. And the new armored fighting vehicles Western allies offered to Ukraine last week signaled they were gearing up for another bloody year as the war enters a new phase of Ukrainian offensives against dug-in Russian forces.
On Sunday, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, acknowledged that “the situation on the front line has not changed significantly in the first week of the year.” In his nightly address, he stressed that “resilience” was key.
Over the past three years, Zhou Wanhui, a Hong Kong resident, has visited her parents in China just three times. Although they live only two hours away by train, COVID restrictions made it so difficult to cross the Hong Kong border into mainland China that one of Zhou’s trips included a three-hour flight to Shanghai and nearly a month of quarantine in two cities.
Families like Zhou’s — kept apart for weddings and funerals, birthdays and graduations — are finally preparing for less arduous reunions.
On Sunday, China fully opened its borders for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, welcoming visitors without strict quarantine requirements and allowing its citizens to go overseas once again just as the travel period for Lunar New Year, typically the busiest season, begins. In Hong Kong’s airport, hundreds of people waited to check in for flights to cities in the south like Xiamen and Chongqing and in the north like Beijing and Tianjin, but the arrivals hall was more quiet. Many of the city’s border checkpoints were reopened; empty transportation halls filled up with groups of people, and shuttered storefronts were open once again.
Zhou, 22, a university student, texted her parents that she planned to be home for Lunar New Year on Jan. 22. “Wow, this is such happy news! The border is finally open,” her parents wrote back with a line of thumbs-up emoji.
But unease, from both travelers and nations that have long waited to welcome deep-pocketed Chinese tourists again, has tempered the celebratory mood.
As China swiftly abandoned COVID restrictions, a ferocious outbreak has ripped through the country in recent weeks, causing chaos in hospitals and putting pressure on health care workers. Beijing’s decision, announced less than two weeks ago, to open its borders has left many surprised, confused and cautious.
“It was too abrupt,” said Jenny Zhao, 34, referring to China’s swift reversal of its COVID policies. Zhao, a marketing manager, has been living in Singapore for the past year. She found herself stuck overseas
with near-impossible barriers to getting back home to China last year and decided to stay put after finding a job with an international company.
Now, with infections spreading in China, Zhao isn’t sure she is ready to go back.
“All of my family members, including my grandmother, who is 88 years old, have gotten COVID,” Zhao said. Her mother told her that everyone in their 3,000-unit compound in the southern city of Chongqing seems to be sick with the virus.
Instead of going there over the Lunar New Year, Zhao has decided to wait until summer to see her family. By then, she hopes, the current surge in COVID numbers will have fallen, restrictions on Chinese travelers overseas will have eased and airfare will be less expensive. Zhao said she plans to then take her parents on a trip to Thailand.
Nations around the world are eager to welcome the return of Chinese tourists like Zhao and her parents. Before the pandemic, Chinese tourists spent $250 billion a year overseas. Their abrupt disappearance in early 2020, when China suspended tour groups and travel packages, plunged
many tour guides and travel operators into bankruptcy. The impact was acutely felt in places like Thailand, Japan and South Korea.
But some of those same countries are also hesitating between attracting Chinese tourists and concerns from health experts about the extent of China’s COVID outbreak, the potential for new mutations of the coronavirus and the possible strain that sick tourists could have on health care systems.
On Jeju Island, a South Korean destination once favored by Chinese tourists, many businesses are in wait-and-see mode. The government has halted all direct flights from China to the island, redirecting visitors to the country’s main airport in Seoul, where travelers will have to take a PCR test upon arrival and quarantine if they are found to be sick.
“We are focused on alternative markets for the time being, such as Japan and Southeast Asia,” said Kim Chang-hyo, an official at the Jeju Island Tourism Association. South Korea has also stopped processing short-term visas for Chinese nationals, except those for diplomatic or business visits.
Thailand’s response has been friendlier. One government minister floated the idea of offering booster vaccines to Chinese tourists. Another urged Thais not to “bully” Chinese visitors based on unfounded fears about COVID.
But the Thai government is also taking measures to prevent its hospital system from being inundated by a sudden outbreak now that China’s borders are open. All visitors to the country must have two shots of a COVID vaccine, and the government has recommended mask-wearing in public. Visitors also must also have medical insurance to cover COVID treatment if they get sick.
Thailand is anticipating around 300,000 Chinese visitors in the first three months of 2023, said Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the country’s Tourism Authority. “There are only 15 flights per week compared to before COVID, where there are around 400 flights per week,” he said. Before the pandemic, nearly 1 million Chinese tourists visited every month.
At the Maetaeng Elephant Park in the northern Thai province of Chiang Mai, employees said they were excited to see Chinese tourists return. For now, though, they are busy with South Koreans, who have largely replaced the Chinese as their biggest clientele.
“It is all still wait and see,” said Thipsuda Poungmalee, a sales and marketing manager at the park.
In Osaka, Japan, where Chinese tourists would sometimes make the news for what the Japanese call “bakugai” — or explosive buying — the optimism is also muted. “Of course, it has been much quieter without tourists from China, the city has been less lively,” said Makoto Tsuda, an official with the Osaka prefecture’s Tourism Promotion office. Before the pandemic, nearly half of all foreign visitors to the city came from China, he said.
Japan is requiring visitors from China to provide a negative PCR test before arriving and to take another test when they arrive. Tsuda said he expects to see more visitors from China, but perhaps not right away.
“I do think there is an additional hurdle compared with visitors from other countries, so it may not be a sudden burst of incoming tourists from China, but more gradual,” Tsuda said.
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Credit where credit is due: Make America Great Again was a brilliant slogan, precisely because nobody knew what it meant. Was it about bringing back jobs in manufacturing? Was it about restoring straight, white, Christian men to what some of them thought was their natural position of social dominance? MAGA became allpurpose code for reversing whatever was bugging you about 21st-century America.
And one important strain of MAGAism was and is the belief that wokeness is making America militarily weak. Back in 2021, Sen. Ted Cruz famously shared a video comparing Russian military ads, which feature manly men doing manly things, with a U.S. ad telling the story of a female recruit raised by two mothers. “Perhaps a weak, emasculated military is not the best idea,” Cruz declared.
Remarkably, the idea that wokeness makes us weak has persisted despite the failures of the decidedly un-woke Russian military in Ukraine. Sen. Tom Cotton, who has published a book titled “Only the Strong: Reversing the Left’s Plot to Sabotage American Power,” recently declared that “soldiers join the army to kill the bad guys — not to learn to speak like they’re in a faculty lounge.”
OK, there are so many things wrong with this worldview that it’s hard to know where to begin. National power in the modern world has far more to do with economic strength than
it does with military might and also reflects “soft power” — the influence of a country’s values and culture. Even when it comes to military prowess, modern wars don’t involve much hand-to-hand combat among guys with bulging muscles. What they involve, mainly, are strategic duels using longrange weapons, aided by a lot of technology. And winning such duels surely depends in part on having leadership that is smart and well-informed — that is, an officer corps that has indeed learned to speak as if it’s in a faculty lounge.
I’m not saying that modern war is like a video game. If you need evidence both of that and of the importance of a smart, dedicated military, I’d recommend a recent depiction by Illia Ponomarenko of The Kyiv Independent of the brutal, terrifying fighting currently underway for Bakhmut. Courage and stamina are as important as they ever were. But bicepflexing and bombast, not so much.
In that case, however, what does determine military power? Obviously, I’m not a defense expert. But I do know something about applied math — and contemporary wars are, to a large extent, about arithmetic.
Even before Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, I was a fan of military historian Phillips O’Brien, whose 2015 book about World War II, “How the War Was Won,” has a memorable opening sentence: “There were no decisive battles in World War II.” What he meant was that the conflict was mainly a war of attrition in which no single battle did much to shift the balance of power, especially given the rate at which all the main players were producing new weapons until late in the game.
O’Brien was, as it happens, one of the few commentators to reject the idea that Russia could overrun Ukraine in a few days. He predicted, instead, that Russia-Ukraine would turn into a war of attrition — and that Ukraine stood a good chance of winning such a war.
If you compare Russian and Ukrainian military budgets on the eve of the war, it’s not hard to see why many analysts expected a quick Russian victory. But quick, decisive victories are harder to achieve than armchair generals imagine. Russia’s performance was crippled by what appears to have been a total failure to think things through, to appreciate how vulnerable strung-out columns of vehicles would be to hitand-run attacks by defenders armed with modern antitank missiles. Maybe Putin’s generals should have spent more time in faculty lounges.
And here’s the thing: Once Ukraine had beaten off the initial attack and the invasion became a war of attrition, it also ceased to be a simple war between Russia and Ukraine. It’s true that on the Ukrainian side, Ukrainians are doing all the fighting and dying. But they haven’t had to rely on their own military-industrial base.
Thanks to a form of soft power — Ukraine’s ability to portray itself as the defender of democracy against a brutal tyrant — the country has been getting lots of weapons from the West. And when you take a wider view of these military resources, the picture of Russian dominance vanishes.
Furthermore, Russia’s military may be even weaker
than a spending deficit suggests. On the one hand, NATO’s military technology — notably, the ability to make precision strikes on targets from incredible distances — appears to be even further ahead than most people realized, and Ukraine has benefited from this via the exchange of equipment and intelligence with NATO countries.
On the other hand, the Ukrainians have shown an unexpected talent for “MacGyvering,” improvising effective military technology from civilian equipment.
But wait, there’s more. Again, one thing I learned from O’Brien is that modern wars burn through military equipment at an incredible pace. Russia began this war with a huge number of tanks and an immense amount of artillery. But many of the tanks were destroyed in the disastrous early attempt to seize Kyiv, and the Institute for the Study of War now believes that the Russians are “depleting their stocks of artillery ammunition” to the point where they “will struggle to continue their current pace of operations.” (To be fair, the Ukrainians, who still use a lot of Soviet-era artillery, are also having problems.)
What this means is that productive capacity — ultimately, economic power — tends to be decisive in a war of attrition. And Russia is just hugely outclassed by that measure.
All that said, this is, thankfully, not an overt war between Russia and the liberal-democratic West, in which the full force of these economic and military disparities would be in play. So it’s hard to see exactly how the conflict between Russia and Ukraine ends.
During World War II, Nazi military power didn’t really collapse until 1944, when Allied planes achieved air dominance over Germany and were able to destroy much of the country’s war-fighting capacity. Ukraine won’t be able to do that to Russia, nor can Russia do that to NATO, whose members will presumably continue to send supplies to Ukraine. So the brutal slogging match may continue for a very long time.
This is, as I said, largely about math. And the arithmetic, incredibly, seems to favor Ukraine.
E L CAPITOLIO – En el inicio de la Quinta Sesión Ordinaria, el Senado aprobó la extensión del nombramiento de Nino Correa Filomeno como Comisionado del Negociado de Manejo de Emergencias y Administración de Desastres (NMEAD).
“El Senado de Puerto Rico reconoce que el NMEAD es una dependencia fundamental en la protección de la vida de los ciudadanos residentes en Puerto Rico, y debe estar en manos de profesionales que cuentan con la plena confianza del Pueblo. El señor Nino Correa Filomeno, además de poseer un vasto conocimien-
to de las áreas que maneja el NMEAD, tiene probada experiencia en el manejo de emergencias, y cuenta con la entera confianza de la ciudadanía y del Senado de Puerto Rico”, reza la Resolución del Senado 712 de la autoría del presidente del Senado, José Luis Dalmau Santiago.
Por otro lado, fue aprobado el Proyecto del Senado 947 del portavoz de la mayoría, Javier Aponte Dalmau, para añadir un nuevo artículo a la “Ley del Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Puerto Rico”, con el fin de crear el Cuerpo de Rescatistas Voluntarios dentro del Negociado de Manejo de Emergencias y Administración de Desastres y extender
a sus integrantes las protecciones de la “Ley de del Sistema de Compensaciones por Accidentes del Trabajo”.
La medida en su exposición de motivos señala que “el gobierno y la ciudadanía del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico se benefician invaluablemente del servicio de ciudadanos que ponen su vida en riesgo para colaborar voluntariamente en situaciones de rescate o en el manejo de situaciones de emergencias. Con su colaboración, estos voluntarios liberan parcialmente el enorme peso que representa para las autoridades de seguridad pública el proceso de rescate de ciudadanos en situación de riesgo”.
S AN JUAN – Uber dio a conocer este lunes, las tendencias de movilidad y pedidos de los usuarios puertorriqueños en el 2022, donde se destacó la cerveza como la bebida alcohólica más ordenada de comercios disponibles en la app de Uber Eats y Aeropuerto Internacional Luis Muñoz Marín como el lugar más popular donde los usuarios se movilizaron con la app de Uber.
“Las tendencias del 2022 reafirman que Uber como plataforma se ha convertido en una aliada para los usuarios en su día a día. Por eso estamos enfocados en ofrecer a la comunidad conveniencia, seguridad y variedad, para que puedan ir donde quieran y ordenar lo que gusten de restaurantes y comercios, con solo tocar un bo-
tón”, aseguró Carolina Coto, gerente de comunicaciones para Uber en Centroamérica y el Caribe en declaraciones escritas.
9 tendencias en Uber y Uber Eats que se destacaron en 2022
Los 3 destinos más populares en 2022 fueron Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport, El Caribe Hilton y Plaza Las Americas Shopping Mall.
Jardín Paseo de Ballajá, Calle de la Fortaleza y La Placita de Santurce fueron los lugares turísticos más populares para llegar con Uber.
El 25 de marzo fue el día en el que más viajes realizaron los usuarios.
Uber Pet fue el producto nuevo de mayor uso entre los usuarios de la app.
San Juan fue el municipio donde los usuarios realizaron mayor cantidad de órdenes de restaurantes de comida saludable con la app de Uber Eats. Además en esta misma ciudad destacan los pedidos en la madrugada (12am – 4am).
Los 5 artículos que más pidieron los usuarios en supermercados y tiendas de conveniencia fueron: agua, guineos, fresas, huevos y refrescos.
La cerveza es bebidas alcohólicas más ordenada por la app de Uber Eats.
Un puertorriqueño pidió 344 veces en Burger King, lo que lo hace la persona que en el 2022 realizó más órdenes de un mismo restaurante con la app de Uber Eats.
Donas, bizcochos y helados, fueron los postres preferidos de los usuarios puertorriqueños en el 2022.
MANATÍ – El comisionado del Negociado de la Policía, Antonio López Figueroa, informó el lunes, sobre la ocupación de un cargamento de cocaína por agentes de la Policía de Puerto Rico en la costa de Mar Chiquita, en Manatí, donde además se logró el arresto de un individuo de estatus migratorio no definido.
“Las diferentes unidades, que integran el Negociado de la Policía continuamos trabajando incan-
sablemente. Sin embargo, la ayuda ciudadana es de vital importancia para la Policía, por lo que, de manera confidencial, pueden informarnos de cualquier situación sospechosa, o que entiendan es parte de la comisión de un delito, llamando a nuestra línea confidencial (787) 343-2020”, sostuvo López Figueroa en declaraciones escritas.
La incautación, que se reportó a las 5:45 de la mañana, fue realizada por agentes de la Unidad Marítima de Vega Baja del Negociado de Fuerzas Unidas de Rápida Acción (FURA) mientras realizaban un pa-
trullaje marítimo preventivo.
Durante la intervención se ocuparon diez (10) fardos, con un sinnúmero de bloques de cocaína, y una embarcación de fabricación casera Eduardoño de 25 pies de eslora con un motor Yamaha de 60 caballos de fuerza, fuera de borda.
También, la Policía halló en la lancha un sistema de GPS marca Garmin y ocho tanques con gasolina.
A la intervención se unió personal de la Unidad Aérea de Ponce, Marítima de Arecibo y Piñones y la Policía Municipal de Manatí y Barceloneta.
POR CYBERNEWSIn 2021, actors accepted Golden Globes remotely at a time when organizers were just beginning to grapple with a growing scandal around finances, ethics and diversity in its ranks.
Last year, NBC refused to air the show at all, saying that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the troubled organization at the center of the scandal, needed time to make “meaningful reform.”
But today, the 80th annual Golden Globe Awards are back on NBC with a show that will attempt to win the trust of viewers and participants.
What is not yet clear is how many of those viewers will return, after a precipitous drop in ratings during the pandemic, and whether celebrities and other members of the industry will appear en masse.
The Globes have long had a reputation for booziness and irreverence. Will the revived ceremony still be seen as a lessstaid alternative to the Academy Awards? Or will the Hollywood Foreign Press take the show more seriously?
Here’s a brief history of the ceremony’s downfall, how its organizers are trying to rehabilitate it and what to expect from this year’s telecast.
What brought down the Golden Globes?
Days before the ceremony in 2021, an investigation by the Los Angeles Times took account of financial and ethical lapses at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and revealed that it had no Black members.
At the time, there were 87 total members in the group, and a lawsuit filed by a Norwegian reporter, Kjersti Flaa, who had thrice been denied admittance to the group, accused members of accepting “thousands of dollars in emoluments” from members of the industry who were campaigning for recognition at the Globes. (A lawyer for the association said the lawsuit was “a transparent attempt to shake down the HFPA based on jealousy,” the Los Angeles Times reported.)
One story of wooing voters became emblematic of a reputation for accepting lavish perks. The Netflix comedy series “Emily in Paris,” which was the subject of
lackluster reviews, received two nominations after dozens of association members flew to Paris to visit the “Emily in Paris” set and were put up by the Paramount Network at a five-star hotel.
At the ceremony in 2021, hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler made repeated jabs at the press association over its lack of Black members, and midway through the program, leaders of the group took the stage and pledged to increase the diversity of its membership.
In the two years since, it has recruited new members, overhauled eligibility rules and enacted a stricter code of conduct. All existing members — some of whom have had their journalistic credentials questioned over the years — needed to reapply. The 96-member group now has six Black members — up from zero in 2021 — and has added 103 nonmember voters, a dozen or so of whom are Black.
Interim CEO Todd Boehly has moved to end the association’s tax-exempt status and turn it into a for-profit company with a philanthropic arm. (He has been awaiting final governmental approval for that plan, after which he is expected to disband the HFPA.)
The HFPA’s practices have been scrutinized for decades, but this time, Hollywood couldn’t turn away.
Netflix, Amazon and WarnerMedia said they would not work with the association unless changes were made.
There were condemnations by A-list stars and producers. Shonda Rhimes called out the organization for its treatment of her shows; Tom Cruise returned his Globe trophies; Scarlett Johansson suggested that the industry step back from the HFPA until it tackled “fundamental reform.”
And more than 100 Hollywood publicity firms called on the association to “eradicate the long-standing exclusionary ethos and pervasive practice of discriminatory behavior, unprofessionalism, ethical impropriety and alleged financial corruption.” Until the group made its plans for change public, the firms said, they would not advise their clients to engage with the group’s journalists.
The Golden Globe Awards will be handed out on Tuesday. Last year’s ceremony was not televised.
Now that the organization has outlined its plans for reform, publicists and agents say some stars are open to participating, while others want the Globes to be permanently retired. Based on this year’s list of presenters — which include Billy Porter, Natasha Lyonne and Quentin Tarantino — many are planning to show up Tuesday.
When and how do I watch?
Held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, the awards show will be telecast on NBC at 8 p.m. Eastern time and 5 p.m. Pacific. For the first time, the show will also be available simultaneously online, through NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock.
Comedian Jerrod Carmichael will be the master of ceremonies. His HBO special “Rothaniel,” in which he came out as gay, won an Emmy and was considered among the best of 2022. And he may be familiar to NBC viewers from his 2015-17 sitcom, “The Carmichael Show,” or from his turn as host of “Saturday Night Live” last year.
Who is up for awards?
The film with the most nominations
is “The Banshees of Inisherin,” an Irish drama from writer-director Martin McDonagh about a fractured friendship. It is up for eight awards. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” — a sci-fi comedy about a Chinese immigrant and laundromat owner, which is co-directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert — is up for six.
The best film directing category contains some heavyweights — James Cameron for “Avatar: The Way of Water,” Steven Spielberg for “The Fabelmans” and Baz Luhrmann for “Elvis” — as well as McDonagh, Kwan and Scheinert.
On the television side, the schoolroom sitcom “Abbott Elementary,” created by Quinta Brunson, is up for the most awards, with five nominations, including best musical or comedy series.
In the increasingly prestigious limited-series category, the talked-about drama “White Lotus” is up against “Pam & Tommy,” “The Dropout,” “Black Bird” and “Monster.”
HBO Max and Netflix are tied with the highest number of nominations, at 14 each.
ing and occasionally contentious. When Harry’s face reddened and his eyes hinted at tears, he still projected an air of composure.
Harry quickly shut down the topic of how and where he lost his virginity, which he said only merits four lines in the book. Bradby suggested that Harry’s use of cocaine would be of interest to the public, but Harry shifted the focus back to his treatment at the hands of the press.
“My life itself has been put through a blender,” he said.
The media was a recurring theme throughout the interview; every time a new subject came up, Harry found a way to return to his favorite punching bag.
One unexpected disclosure had to do with Harry’s beard, which is now a part of his identity. According to protocol, the prince needed his grandmother’s approval to keep the facial hair for his wedding. Queen Elizabeth II was amenable, but his brother, William, was not; he ordered Harry to shave. Harry’s response: “I don’t believe that Meghan is going to recognize me.”
When Bradby asked Harry about William’s feelings toward Meghan, Harry said, “He never tried to dissuade me from marrying Meghan,” but “he said it was going to be very hard.”
The behavior of his brother and sister-in-law toward Meghan, Harry said, left him feeling like “stereotyping was causing a bit of a barrier to them really sort of, you know, introducing or welcoming her in.”
By ELISABETH EGANThe death of his mother, Diana. His decades chafing under the eye of the British press. His marriage to Meghan Markle and his rift with the royal family. His drug use, his years in the army, even his decision to keep his beard: In the first interviews about his memoir, “Spare,” Prince Harry appeared confident defending his perspective, even under tough questioning.
After 38 years of having his story told by other people, “it felt like a good time to tell it myself,” Harry said of the book, which Random House will publish Tuesday.
The interviews, which aired on the British network ITV and on the CBS program “60 Minutes,” weren’t the first time Harry has spoken publicly about the relentless glare of scrutiny on his family and its toll, but they were the first time he did so without his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, by his side. The two covered similar ground, with a few exceptions.
In his first interview for American audiences, Harry told Anderson Cooper that “Spare” gives “a full picture of the situation as we were growing up, and also squashes this idea that somehow my wife was the one that destroyed the relationship between these two brothers.”
Harry described what happened in September after the palace announced that his grandmother, the queen, was under medical supervision at Balmoral Castle, in Scotland.
He was in London but wasn’t invited to join family members who flew there together. He traveled to Balmoral by himself; when he arrived, his aunt asked if he wanted to see his grandmother, who had died.
“I went upstairs,” he said, “and just spent some time with her alone.”
Cooper asked Harry about the treatments he tried after seeing a therapist for the first time seven years ago, including the use of psychedelics.
“I would never recommend people to do this recreationally,” Harry said, adding: “But doing it with the right people if you are suffering from a huge amount of loss, grief or trauma, then these things have a way of working as a medicine.”
He said: “For me, they cleared the windscreen, the windshield, the misery of loss.”
The interviewer for the 90-minute ITV interview was Tom Bradby, who, in 2019, famously asked Meghan a straightforward question: Are you OK? She was not. The pained look on the Duchess’ face foreshadowed a drumbeat of revelations about royal life that has sounded steadily over the past three years, including an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Harry and Bradby appeared in a sunny room with yellow brocade curtains. The vibe was more cozy living room than formal drawing room; the conversation was wide-rang-
Bradby said, “You talk about accountability. In the Winfrey interview, you accused members of your family of racism.”
“No, I didn’t,” Harry said. “The British press said that.”
What the royal family is guilty of, Harry said, was institutional bias. Later, he illustrated the point by describing what happened when Susan Hussey — one of Queen Elizabeth’s longtime ladies-in-waiting — buttonholed a guest at a palace reception, Ngozi Fulani, and quizzed her about where she was from, not accepting that she was British.
Later, Hussey met with Fulani in Buckingham Palace and offered her apologies.
Harry said Hussey “never meant any harm at all, but the response from the British press, and from people online because of the stories that they wrote, was horrendous.”
In the most poignant moments of the discussion, Harry described his decision, years after his mother died, to look at pictures taken after her car crash in Paris. In the photographs, he could see reflections of paparazzi in the windows of the car: “Not one of them was checking on her, offering her help, comforting her. They were just shooting, shooting, shooting.”
Bradby pressed Harry on the question of how he squares his desire for privacy with his public retellings of his story. Harry said he feels his recent Netflix documentary series and the book are “necessary and essential.”
He was sorry that “me owning my story” was upsetting to some, he said. But he still believed a reconciliation with the House of Windsor was possible, he said, adding, “Peace can happen when there’s truth.”
Three years into the pandemic, the coronavirus continues to impress virus experts with its swift evolution.
A young version, known as XBB.1.5, has quickly been spreading in the United States over the past few weeks. As of Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that it made up 72% of new cases in the Northeast and 27.6% of cases across the country.
The new subvariant, first sampled in autumn in New York state, has a potent array of mutations that appear to help it evade immune defenses and improve its ability to invade cells.
“It is the most transmissible variant that has been detected yet,” Maria Van Kerkhove, the COVID-19 technical lead at the World Health Organization, said at a news conference last week.
XBB.1.5 remains rare in much of the world. But Tom Wenseleers, an evolutionary biologist at KU Leuven in Belgium, expects it to spread quickly and globally. “We’ll have another infection wave, most likely,” he said.
Advisers at WHO are assessing the risk that XBB.1.5 poses. Jacob Lemieux, an infectious disease doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital, said the surge in cases would not match the first omicron spike that Americans experienced a year ago. “Is it a Category 5 hurricane?” he said. “No.”
Still, he warned that XBB.1.5 could worsen what is already shaping up to be a rough COVID winter as people gather indoors and don’t receive boosters that can ward off severe disease.
Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID response coordinator, said the Biden administration was monitoring the emergence of XBB.1.5 and urging people to take advantage of existing countermeasures. Preliminary studies suggest that bivalent vaccines should provide decent protection against XBB and its descendants. Paxlovid will also remain effective at fighting infections.
“We feel pretty comfortable that
our countermeasures are going to continue to work,” Jha said. “But we’ve got to make sure people are using them.”
One thing Lemieux and other experts are confident about is that XBB.1.5 is not the last chapter in the coronavirus’s evolution. In fact, they expect that a descendant of XBB.1.5 may soon gain mutations that make it even better at spreading.
That descendant may already exist, infecting people without raising notice yet. But sequencing efforts have declined so much worldwide that the discovery of the next generation of XBB.1.5 may be delayed. “As sequencing becomes less and less available at a global level, it’s difficult for us to track each of the subvariants of omicron,”
Van Kerkhove said.
Scientists have reconstructed the evolution of XBB.1.5 (which some have nicknamed Kraken) by poring over new sequences of coronaviruses in online databases. The first major step came last year when two earlier forms of omicron infected the same person. As the viruses replicated, their genetic material was shuffled together. A new hybrid form emerged, with genetic material from both viral parents. Virus-watchers named it XBB.
This mixing, called recombination, happens fairly often among coronaviruses. Over the course of the pandemic, scientists have found a number of recombinant forms of SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID.
Most recombinant SARS-CoV-2 viruses have dwindled away in a matter of weeks or months, unable to outcompete other lineages. XBB, on the other hand, got a winning ticket in the genetic lottery. From one parent, it gained a set of mutations that helped it evade antibodies from previous infections and vaccinations. From the other parent, it gained a separate set of mutations that made it even more evasive.
“XBB literally picked up the most possible mutations that it could possibly pick up from those two parents,” said Thomas Peacock, a virus expert at Imperial College London. The new combina-
tion made XBB one of the most evasive omicron subvariants in existence last summer.
Recent experiments suggest that XBB paid a steep price for its power to evade immunity. The mutations allow it to escape antibodies by altering the shape of the protein, called spike, that covers its surface. But some of those mutations also make it harder for XBB spike proteins to grab tightly to cells — the first step required for an infection.
That loose grip may have lessened XBB’s advantage against other forms of the virus. In late 2022, it jostled alongside a number of other omicron subvariants. In Singapore, XBB caused a surge in October, for example, while remaining rare in many other parts of the world.
As XBB multiplied, it continued to mutate into new forms. The earliest samples of XBB.1.5 were isolated in October in New York. The new subvariant gained one crucial mutation, known as F486P.
XBB.1.5 most likely evolved somewhere in the northeastern United States, where early samples were first identified and where it remains most common. Once scientists could recognize it, they could track its growth.
As XBB.1.5 spreads, it continues to
mutate, and experts believe that it can become even better at evading antibodies.
Scientists are already scanning new sequences being uploaded to an international database called GISAID in the hopes of spotting an upgraded version of XBB.1.5. But their job is getting harder because governments are pulling back on sequencing efforts. “Worldwide, sequencing has taken a real hit,” Peacock said.
The United States, which once lagged behind other nations, has managed to maintain a fairly strong sequencing effort. Without it, Peacock said, XBB.1.5 might have stayed below the radar for much longer. If XBB.1.5’s next generation is evolving somewhere with little sequencing, it may go undetected for some time to come.
Lemieux said paring back on sequencing was a mistake, given how many infections and deaths the virus is still causing. “This is a part of public health,” he said.
And Peacock said that XBB.1.5 demonstrated that the evolution of the coronavirus would not slow down anytime soon. “Give it another two years, and maybe we can reassess where we think this is,” he said.
The entrance to a busy fever clinic in Beijing, China on Dec. 20, 2022. XBB.1.5 is present in China, but for now in only a small percentage of recent sequences.
Tuesday, January 10, 2023 20
Hod Lipson, a mechanical engineer who directs the Creative Machines Lab at Columbia University, has shaped most of his career around what some people in his industry have called the c-word.
On a sunny morning this past October, the Israeli-born roboticist sat behind a table in his lab and explained himself. “This topic was taboo,” he said, a grin exposing a slight gap between his front teeth. “We were almost forbidden from talking about it — ‘Don’t talk about the c-word; you won’t get tenure’ — so in the beginning I had to disguise it, like it was something else.”
That was back in the early 2000s, when Lipson was an assistant professor at Cornell University. He was working to create machines that could note when something was wrong with their own hardware and then change their behavior to compensate for that impairment without the guiding hand of a programmer.
This sort of built-in adaptability, Lipson argued, would become more important as we became more reliant on machines. Robots were being used for surgical procedures, food manufacturing and transportation; the applications for machines seemed pretty much endless, and any error in their functioning, as they became more integrated with our lives, could spell disaster. “We’re literally going to surrender our life to a robot,” he said. “You want these machines to be resilient.”
One way to do this was to take inspiration from nature. Animals, and particularly humans, are good at adapting to changes. This ability might be a result of millions of years of evolution, as resilience in response to injury and changing environments typically increases the chances that an animal will survive and reproduce. Lipson wondered whether he could replicate this kind of natural selection in his code, creating a generalizable form of intelligence that could learn about its body and function no matter what that body looked like, and no matter what that function was.
This kind of intelligence would be flexible and fast. It would be as good in a tight situation as humans — better, even.
A robot prototype being developed by Yuhang Hu, a doctoral student in the Creative Machines Lab at Columbia University, in New York on Jan. 4, 2023. Engineers at the lab are exploring the possibility of self-aware robots.
And as machine learning grew more powerful, this goal seemed to become realizable. Lipson earned tenure, and his reputation grew. So, over the past couple of years, he began to articulate his fundamental motivation for doing all this work. He began to say the c-word out loud: He wants to create conscious robots.
The Creative Machines Lab, on the first floor of Columbia’s Seeley W. Mudd Building, is organized into boxes. The room itself is a box, broken into boxy workstations lined with boxed cubbies. Within this order, robots and pieces of robots are strewn about.
The first difficulty with studying the c-word is that there is no consensus around what it actually refers to. Such is the case with many vague concepts, such as freedom, meaning, love and existence, but that domain is often supposed to be reserved for philosophers, not engineers. Some people have tried to taxonomize consciousness, explaining it away by pointing to functions in the brain or some more metaphysical substances, but these efforts are hardly conclusive and give rise to more questions. Even one of the most widely shared de-
scriptions of so-called phenomenal consciousness — an organism is conscious “if there is something that it is like to be that organism,” as philosopher Thomas Nagel put it — can feel unclear.
Wading directly into these murky waters might seem fruitless to roboticists and computer scientists. But, as Antonio Chella, a roboticist at the University of Palermo in Italy, said, unless consciousness is accounted for, “it feels like something is missing” in the function of intelligent machines.
Trying to render the squishy c-word using tractable inputs and functions is a difficult, if not impossible, task. Most roboticists and engineers tend to skip the philosophy and form their own functional definitions. Thomas Sheridan, a professor emeritus of mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said that he believed consciousness could be reduced to a certain process and that the more we find out about the brain, the less fuzzy the concept will seem.
(Philosophers such as Daniel Dennett and Patricia Churchland and neuroscientist Michael Graziano, among others, have put forward a variety of functional theories of consciousness.)
Lipson and the members of the Creative Machines Lab fall into this tradition. He settled on a practical criterion for consciousness: the ability to imagine yourself in the future.
The benefit of taking a stand on a functional theory of consciousness is that it allows for technological advancement.
One of the earliest self-aware robots to emerge from the Creative Machines Lab had four hinged legs and a black body with sensors attached at different points. By moving around and noting how the information entering its sensors changed, the robot created a stick figure simulation of itself. As the robot continued to move around, it used a machine-learning algorithm to improve the fit between its selfmodel and its actual body. The robot used this self-image to figure out, in simulation, a method of moving forward. Then it applied this method to its body; it had figured out how to walk without being shown how to walk.
This represented a major step forward, said Boyuan Chen, a roboticist at Duke University who worked in the Creative Machines Lab. “In my previous experience, whenever you trained a robot to do a new capability, you always saw a human on the side,” he said.
Recently, Chen and Lipson published a paper in the journal Science Robotics that revealed their newest self-aware machine, a simple two-jointed arm that was fixed to a table. Using cameras set up around it, the robot observed itself as it moved. Initially, it had no sense of where it was in space, but over the course of a couple of hours, with the help of a powerful deep-learning algorithm and a probability model, it was able to pick itself out in the world.
The risk of committing to any theory of consciousness is that doing so opens up the possibility of criticism. Sure, selfawareness seems important, but aren’t there other key features of consciousness? Can we call something conscious if it doesn’t feel conscious to us?
Chella believes that consciousness can’t exist without language and has been developing robots that can form internal monologues, reasoning to themselves and reflecting on the things they see around them. One of his robots was recently able to recognize itself in a mirror, passing what is probably the most famous test of animal self-consciousness.
Joshua Bongard, a roboticist at the University of Vermont and a former member of the Creative Machines Lab, believes that consciousness doesn’t just consist of cognition and mental activity, but has an essentially bodily aspect.
This past summer, around the same time that Lipson and Chen released their newest robot, a Google engineer claimed that the company’s newly improved chatbot, called LaMDA, was conscious and deserved to be treated like a small child. This claim was met with skepticism, mainly because, as Lipson noted, the chatbot was processing “a code that is written to complete a task.” There was no underlying structure of consciousness, other researchers said, only the illusion of consciousness. Lipson added: “The robot was not self aware. It’s a bit like cheating.”
‘Consciousness’
robots was once taboo. Now it’s the last word.The San Juan Daily Star
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Certifico y Hago Constar: Que en cumplimiento con el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por el (la) Secretario(a) del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Fajardo, en el caso de epígrafe, venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor, por separado, de contado y por moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América y/o Giro Postal y Cheque Certificado, en mi oficina ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Fajardo, el 8 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 3:00 DE LA TARDE, todo derecho título, participación o interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación: URBANA: Solar radicado en el Barrio Pueblo del término municipal de Río Grande; Puerto Rico, marcado con el número 11 del bloque “AQ” del plano de inscripción de la Urbanización Jardines de Río Grande, con una cabida superficial de 434.00 metros cuadrados. En lindes por el
NORTE, en 31.00 metros con el solar 10 del bloque “AQ”; por el SUR, en 31.00 metros con el solar 12 del bloque “AQ”; por el ESTE, en 14.00 metros con los solares 4 y 5 del bloque “AQ”; y por el OESTE, en 14.00 metros con la Calle 36. Enclava una casa de una sola planta, de concreto reforzado y bloques de concreto, para fines residenciales. Finca número 5,597, inscrita al folio 207 del tomo 110 de Rio Grande, Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección III. La Hipoteca Revertida consta inscrita al folio 3325 del tomo 560 de Rio Grande, finca 5,597, Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección III, inscripción 7ª. Propiedad localizada en: URB. JARDINES DE RIO GRANDE, AQ-11 CALLE 36, RIO GRANDE, PR 00745. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas anteriores o preferentes: Nombre del Titular: N/A. Suma de la Carga: N/A. Fecha de Vencimiento: N/A. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas posteriores a la inscripción del crédito ejecutante: Nombre del Titular: Secretario de la Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano. Suma de la Carga: $241,500.00. Fecha de Vencimiento: 10 de octubre de 2090. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad de la propiedad y que todas las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito ejecutante antes descritos, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes. El rematante acepta dichas cargas y gravámenes anteriores, y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se establece como tipo de mínima subasta la suma de $161,000.00, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la escritura de hipoteca. De ser necesaria una SEGUNDA SUBASTA por declararse desierta la primera, la misma se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Fajardo, el 15 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 3:00 DE LA TARDE, y se establece como mínima para dicha segunda subasta la suma de $107,333.33, 2/3 partes del tipo mínima establecido originalmente. Si tampoco se produce remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se establece como mínima para la TERCERA SUBASTA, la suma de $80,500.00, la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado y dicha subasta se celebrará en mi
oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Fajardo, el 23 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 3:00 DE LA TARDE. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para, con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante, el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor ascendente a la suma de $136,363.22 por concepto de principal, más la suma de $21,091.63 en intereses acumulados al 30 de junio de 2021 y los cuales continúan acumulándose a razón de 4.00% anual hasta su total y completo pago; más la sumas de $5,436.56 en seguro hipotecario; $5,110.00 en tarifas de servicios; $1,025.00 de tasaciones; $140.00 de inspecciones; $1,214.40 en preservación; $1,205.00 de adelantos pendientes; más la cantidad de 10% del pagare original en la suma de $16,100.00, para gastos, costas y honorarios de abogado, esta última habrá de devengar intereses al máximo del tipo legal fijado por la oficina del Comisionado de Instituciones Financieras aplicable a esta fecha, desde este mismo día hasta su total y completo saldo. La venta en pública subasta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga o 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 esto fuera necesario, a los efectos de que cualquier persona o personas con algún interés puedan comparecer a la celebración de dicha subasta. Se notifica a todos los interesados que las actas y demás constancias del expediente de este caso están disponibles en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante horas laborables para ser examinadas por los (las) interesados (as). Y para su publicación en el periódico The San Juan Daily Star, que es un diario de circulación general en la isla de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, así como para su publicación en los sitios públicos de Puerto Rico. Expedido en Fajardo, Puerto Rico, hoy 3 de noviembre de 2022. HÉCTOR L. OLMO ROMERO, ALGUACIL REGIONAL INTERINO. MILDRED I. TORO COLÓN, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR PLACA #197.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE FAJARDO
GITSIT SOLUTIONS, LLC
Demandante Vs. PEDRO CORREA GUTIERREZ, LUZ MARIA ORTIZ VELAZQUEZ Y SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR
Demandados Civil Núm.: CA2019CV03402.
Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.
Certifico y Hago Constar: Que en cumplimiento con el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por el (la) Secretario(a) del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Fajardo, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor en efectivo, cheque gerente, giro postal, cheque certificado en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América al nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, en mi oficina ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Fajardo, el 12 DE ABRIL DE 2023, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA, todo derecho título, participación o interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación: RUSTICA: Parcela marcada con el número once (11) en el plano del Barrio Mameyes II del término municipal de Rio Grande, con una cabida superficial de cero cuerdas con ochocientos nueve diezmilésimas de otra, equivalentes a 318.16 metros cuadrados. En lindes por el NORTE, con la parcela número 10 de la comunidad; por el SUR, con la Calle Número 1 de la comunidad; por el ESTE, con la parcela número 13 de la comunidad y por el OESTE, con la parcela número 9 de la comunidad. Inscrita al folio doscientos veinte uno (221) del tomo ciento treinta y siete (137) de Rio Grande, Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, sección III, finca número seis mil novecientos sesenta y uno (6961). Propiedad localizada en: Palmer Community Lote
11 Calle B , Rio Grande, PR 00729. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas anteriores o preferentes: Nombre del Titular: N/A. Suma de la Carga: N/A. Fecha de Vencimiento: N/A. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas posteriores a la inscripción del crédito ejecutante: Nombre del Titular: N/A. Suma de la Carga: N/A. Fecha de Vencimiento: N/A. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad de la propiedad y que todas las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito ejecutante antes descritos, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes. El rematante acepta dichas cargas y gravámenes anteriores, y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se establece como tipo mínimo de subasta la suma de $83,500.00, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la escritura de hipoteca. De ser necesaria una SEGUNDA SUBASTA por declararse desierta la primera, la misma se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Fajardo, el 19 DE ABRIL DE 2023, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA, y se establece como mínima para dicha segunda subasta la suma de $55,666.66, 2/3 partes del tipo mínimo establecido originalmente. Si tampoco se produce remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se establece como mínima para la TERCERA SUBASTA, la suma de $41,750.00, la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado y dicha subasta se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Fajardo, el 26 DE ABRIL DE 2023, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para, con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante, el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor ascendente a la suma de $75,598.51, de primer principal y la suma de $7,269.73 de balance deferido, más los intereses sobre la suma $75,598.51 al 3.096% anual desde el día 4 de julio de 2017 hasta su total pago; más la suma garantizada hipotecariamente $8,350.00 por concepto de honorarios de abogado y costas autorizadas por el Tribunal, más las cantidades que se adeudan mensualmente por concepto de seguro hipotecario, cargos por demora, y otros adeudados que se hagan en virtud de la escri-
tura de hipoteca. La venta en pública subasta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga o 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 esto fuera necesario, a los efectos de que cualquier persona o personas con algún interés puedan comparecer a la celebración de dicha subasta. Se notifica a todos los interesados que las actas y demás constancias del expediente de este caso están disponibles en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante horas laborables para ser examinadas por los (las) interesados (as). Y para su publicación en el periódico The San Juan Daily Star, que es un diario de circulación general en la isla de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, así como para su publicación en los sitios públicos de Puerto Rico. Expedido en Fajardo, Puerto Rico, hoy día 01 de diciembre de 2022. SANDRALIZ MARTÍNEZ TORRES, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR #737, ALGUACIL DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE FAJARDO, SALA SUPERIOR. JORGE A. ORTIZ ESTRADA, ALGUACIL REGIONAL INTERINO #622.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA
Demandante V.
Demandados Civil Núm.: FCD2016-0118. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS E.E. U.U., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. Yo, SAMUEL GONZÁLEZ ISAAC, Alguacil del Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala de Carolina, al público HAGO SABER: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que se me libró con fecha de 16 de junio de 2022 por la Secretaria de este Tribunal, en el caso de epígrafe, venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor con dinero en efectivo, cheque de
gerente o letra bancaria con similar garantía, todo título, derecho o interés de la parte demandada de epígrafe sobre la siguiente propiedad perteneciente a la parte demandada, la cual se describe a continuación: URBANA: Solar marcado con el número A-diez (A-10) en el Plano de Inscripción de la Urbanización Villa Cooperativa en el Barrio Hoyo Mulas del Municipio de Carolina, Puerto Rico, con las siguientes cabidas y colindancias: doscientos cuarenta y cinco metros cuadrados con ventiseis céntimas de metro cuadrado (245.26 m/c). Por el NORTE, con la Urbanización Villa Carolina, en una distancia de nueve punto doscientos catorce metros (9.214 m.); por el SUR, con la Calle uno de esta misma Urbanización, en una distancia de veintiséis punto veintitrés metros (26.23 m.); y por el OESTE, con el solar A nueve (A-9), en una distancia de veintiséis punto sesenta y siete metros (27.67 m.). Enclava en este solar una estructura dedicada a vivienda construida de hormigón armado y bloques. Consta inscrita al folio 127 del tomo 985 de Carolina Norte, finca número 41,342, del Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección II de Carolina. La finca 41,342 está gravada con la siguiente hipoteca cuya ejecución se solicita en la subasta objeto de este edicto: Hipoteca en garantía de un pagaré a favor de Popular Mortgage, Inc., o a su orden, por la suma principal de $130,000.00, con intereses al 7% anual, vencedero a la Presentación, constituida mediante la escritura número 118, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 18 de abril de 2008, ante el notario Raúl Rivera Burgos, e inscrita al folio 218 del tomo 1434 de Carolina Norte, finca número 41,342, inscripción 4ta. La propiedad está afecta a los siguientes gravámenes: A. Hipoteca en garantía de un pagaré a favor de Secretario del Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano, o a su orden, por la suma principal de $195,000.00, con intereses al 7% anual, vencedero a la Presentación, constituida mediante la escritura número 119, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 18 de abril de 2008, ante el notario Raúl Rivera Burgos, e inscrita al folio 169 del tomo 1435 de Carolina Norte, finca número 41,342, inscripción 5ta. La venta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer a Banco Popular de Puerto Rico por la hipoteca de $130,000.00, total o parcialmente. La venta se llevará a cabo para con su pro-
ducto satisfacer a Banco Popular de Puerto Rico total o parcialmente el importe de la Sentencia emitida el 11 de octubre de 2015. El importe de la Sentencia dictada en el caso de epígrafe asciende a las siguientes cantidades: $134,687.84 desde 1 de diciembre de 2015. Dicha cantidad continuará acumulándose a razón del 7% hasta el completo pago de la deuda. La demandada adeuda, además, una cantidad equivalente a $13,000.00 por concepto de costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, $13,000.00 para cubrir cualquier otro adelanto que se haga en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca y $13,000.00 para cubrir intereses adicionales a los garantizados por ley, según pactado. El precio mínimo de licitación con relación a la antes descrita propiedad y la fecha y hora de cada subasta es como sigue: PRIMERA SUBASTA: Se celebrará el día 1 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA. TIPO MÍNIMO: $130,000.00, suma pactada entre los contratantes en la escritura de constitución de hipoteca. Si no se produce remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta se celebrará la SEGUNDA SUBASTA el día 8 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA. TIPO MÍNIMO: $86,666.67 dos terceras (2/3) partes del precio pactado entre los contratantes en la escritura de constitución de hipoteca. Si tampoco se produce remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 15 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA. TIPO MÍNIMO: $65,000.00, la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado entre los contratantes en la escritura de constitución de hipoteca. Las subastas de dicha propiedad se llevarán a efecto en mi oficina situada en el local que ocupa este Tribunal en el Centro Judicial de Carolina, advirtiéndose que el que obtuviere la buena pro de dicha propiedad consignará en el acto del remate el importe de su oferta en moneda legal, en adición a los gastos de la subasta, siendo éste el mejor postor. En cualquier momento luego de haberse comenzado el acto de la subasta, el Alguacil podrá requerir de los licitadores que le evidencien la capacidad de pago de sus posturas. Del producto obtenido en dicha venta, el Alguacil pagará en primer término los gastos del Alguacil, en segundo término las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado hasta la suma convenida, en tercer término los intereses devengados
hasta la fecha de la subasta, en cuarto término las sumas establecidas en la Sentencia para el pago de recargos por demora, contribuciones, seguros y en quinto término la suma principal adeudada conforme con la sentencia dictada. Disponiéndose que si quedara algún remanente luego de pagarse las sumas mencionadas, el mismo deberá ser depositado en la Secretaría del Tribunal para ser entregado a la parte demandada, previa solicitud y orden del Tribunal. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante el título del inmueble y las cargas o gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito del ejecutante, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistiendo, entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda responsable de los mismos sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se le apercibe a los tenedores de gravámenes posteriores al que se ejecuta que, para proteger cualesquiera derechos que tengan sobre el inmueble, deberán comparecer a la subasta, pues de no hacerlo así y de no igualar el precio de venta del gravamen hipotecario que se ejecuta, el Tribunal ordenará la cancelación de todos los gravámenes posteriores. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquiere libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. Si se declara 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 mínimo de la tercera subasta, si el Tribunal lo estima conveniente. Se abonará dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si ésta es mayor. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento del caso de epígrafe están disponibles en la Secretaría del Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala Superior de Carolina durante horas laborables. Para conocimiento de la parte demandada y de toda persona que tenga interés inscrito con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen que se está ejecutando, si alguna, y para la concurrencia de licitadores y para el público en general el presente edicto se publicará en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico una vez por semana por un término de dos (2) semanas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre cada publicación. Se fijará además, en tres (3) lugares públicos del Municipio donde ha de celebrarse la subasta, estos lugares serán la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía de dicho Municipio. Se notificará a la parte demandada copia del edicto de subasta mediante correo certificado con acuse de recibo a su dirección que obra
en autos. Una vez efectuada la correspondiente venta judicial, otorgaré la escritura del traspaso al licitador victorioso, quien podrá ser la parte demandante, cuya oferta podrá aplicarse a la extinción parcial o total de la obligación reconocida por la Sentencia. Colocaré al licitador victorioso en posesión física de la Propiedad mediante el lanzamiento de los ocupantes en el término legal de veinte (20) días desde la fecha de la venta en pública subasta y para ello procederé a romper candados de ser necesario. 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 o ocupantes de la finca o de todos los que por orden o tolerancia del deudor la ocupen. El Registrador de la Propiedad cancelará, libre de derechos, todo gravamen posterior a la fecha en que se otorgó la hipoteca que ha sido ejecutada mediante esta acción, y procederá a la inscripción de la venta a favor del comprador en subasta libre de todo gravamen posterior a la fecha en que se otorgó la hipoteca que ha sido ejecutada mediante esta acción. Expido el presente edicto bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Carolina. En Carolina, Puerto Rico, a 7 de noviembre de 2023.
SAMUEL GONZÁLEZ ISAAC, ALGUACIL DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN.
FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION T/C/C FANNIE MAE DEMANDANTE VS. SUCESION DE VICTOR MANUEL ROSADO DELGADO T/C/C VICTOR ROSADO DELGADO COMPUESTA POR FULANO DE TAL Y SUTANA DE TAL COMO HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS Y/O PARTES CON INTERES EN LA SUCESION DEMANDADOS CIVIL NÚM.: SJ2022CV05892/ SOBRE: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EDICTO ANUNCIANDO PRIMERA, SEGUNDA Y TERCERA SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe, funcionario del Tribunal de la Sala Superior de San Juan, Puerto Rico, por la presente anuncia y hace saber
al público en general que en cumplimiento con la Sentencia dictada en este caso con fecha 21 de octubre de 2022, y según Orden y Mandamiento del 8 de diciembre de 2022 librado por este honorable Tribunal, procederé a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor, y por dinero en efectivo, cheque certificado o giro postal a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal con todo título derecho y/o interés de la parte demandada sobre la propiedad que se describe a continuación:
URBANA: PROPIEDAD HORIZONTAL: Apartment C, dash Thirty Seven (C-37), is located in the second floor of building number 3 which is located in the Southeastern corner of the property. It consists of an irregular rectangular shaped body, measuring approximately thirty six feet five and a half inches long by twenty four feet zero inches wide, that is, an area of eight hundred thirty three square feet thirteen hundredths of another (833.130 s/f), equivalent to seventy seven square meter forty hundredths of another (77.40 s/m). Bounding by the NORTH, with the party wall which separates it from apartment C-38 and with the interior wall which separates it from the stairways located on the section of the extreme North of the building, to which the entrance door of the apartment opens and which leads to the public way; on the SOUTH, with the party wall which separates it from apartment C-32 and with the exterior wall which separates it from the common yard on the Western side of the building; by the EAST, with the exterior wall which separates it from the common yard on the East side of the building; by the WEST, with the exterior wall which separates it from the common yard on the West side of the building. This apartment consists of a combination living roomdining room, kitchen equipped with cabinets a built in general electric range, model JM-71 with counter and a 30 gallons capacity water heater, a bathroom, three bedrooms and anteroom. Con un porcentaje en los elementos común. FINCA NÚMERO: 21,930, inscrita al folio 109 del tomo 680 de Monacillos, sección III de San Juan. Dirección Física: COND.
JARDINES DE ALTAMESA APTO. 37-C SAN JUAN, PR 00926. Se anuncia por medio de este edicto que la primera subasta habrá de celebrarse el día 31 de enero de 2023, a las 10:00 de la mañana, en mi oficina sita en el edificio que ocupa el Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala Superior de San Juan. Siendo ésta la primera subasta que se celebrará en este caso, será el precio míni-
mo aceptable como oferta en la Primera Subasta, eso es el tipo mínimo pactado en la Escritura de Hipoteca para la propiedad, la suma de $78,997.82. De no haber remanente o adjudicación en esta primera subasta por dicha suma mínima, se celebrará una segunda subasta el día 7 de febrero de 2023, a las 10:00 de la mañana, en el mismo lugar antes señalado en la cual el precio mínimo serán dos terceras (2/3) partes del tipo mínimo pactado en la escritura de hipoteca, la suma de $52,665.21. De no haber remanente o adjudicación en esta segunda subasta por el tipo mínimo indicado en el párrafo anterior, se celebrará una tercera subasta en el mismo lugar antes señalado el día 14 de febrero de 2023, a las 10:00 de la mañana, en la cual el tipo mínimo aceptable como oferta será la mitad (1/2) del precio mínimo pactado en la escritura de hipoteca, la suma de $39,498.91. Si se declare 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 mínimo de la tercera subasta, si el tribunal lo estima conveniente. Se abonará dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si ésta es mayor.
Con el importe de esta venta se habrá de satisfacer el balance de la sentencia dictada en este caso el cual consiste en el pago de $76,068.63 de principal, más intereses convenidos al 4.0000% anual más recargos hasta su pago, más el pago de lo pactado en la sentencia para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados. 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. 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 27 de diciembre de 2022. ERIK F OSUNA ACEVEDO, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR. PEDRO HIEYE GONZALEZ, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN. ***
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE ARECIBO
Demandados Civil Núm.: CCD2016-0288. (402). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. AVISO DE VENTA EN PÚBLICA SUBASTA. Yo, LUENGY VIERA ROMERO, Alguacil Supervisor de la División de Subastas del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Arecibo, a los demandados y al público en general les notifico que, cumpliendo con un Mandamiento que se ha librado en el presente caso por el Secretario del Tribunal de epígrafe con fecha 1 de agosto de 2017 y para satisfacer la cantidad adeudada de $114,427.62 de principal para la primera hipoteca y $14,444.68 de principal para la segunda hipoteca, mediante Sentencia dictada en el
caso de autos el 24 de abril de 2017, notificada y archivada en autos el 25 de mayo de 2017, y publicada mediante edicto en el periódico “The San Juan Daily Star” el 2 de mayo de 2017, procederé a vender en pública subasta, al mejor postor en pago de contado y en moneda del curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América, mediante efectivo, giro o cheque certificado a nombre del Alguacil de este Tribunal todo derecho, título e interés que hayan tenido tengan o puedan tener los deudores demandados en cuanto a la propiedad localizada en el Municipio de Manatí, Puerto Rico, el bien inmueble se describe a continuación: 135 Camino de Los Caobos, Urbanización Sabanera Del Río, Barrio Navarro, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 00778. RUSTICA: O sea, predio de terreno radicado en el Barrio Coto Norte, Sector Guayaney del término municipal de Manatl. Consiste de una cabida superficial de mil ciento treinta y ocho punto ochocientos cincuenta y ocho metros cuadrados (1,138.858 m.c.) Igual a cero punto veintiocho noventa y siete cuerdas (0.2897 cdas.) y en lindes por el NORTE, en treinta y cuatro punto ochenta y cinco metros (34.85 m), con el remanente de la finca; por el SUR, en treinta y dos punto cincuenta y siete metros (32.57 m) con el predio número dos (2) del plano de segregación; por el ESTE, en treinta punto cincuenta y nueve metros (30.59 m), con Clemente Ayala Rodríguez y por el OESTE, en treinta y siete punto veinticuatro metros (37.24 m), con la Calle dedicada a uso público. Enclava edificación. Consta inscrita al folio 90 del tomo 294 de Manatí; finca número 11,898 del Registro de la Propiedad de Manatí. Con el importe de dicha venta se habrá de satisfacer a la parte demandante las cantidades adeudadas, en el caso de epígrafe, que se desglosan de la siguiente forma: $114,427.62 principal, 6.125% de intereses, los cuales continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo total de la deuda; $155.56 de gastos por mora, los cuales continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo total de la deuda, $125.53 de reserva “escrow”, más costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado; y segunda hipoteca, $14,444.68 de principal, 6.125% de intereses, los cuales continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo total de la deuda, $19.44 de gastos por mora, los cuales continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo total de la deuda, más costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados. El tipo mínimo para la subasta será la suma de tasación pactada, la cual es $144,000.00 según la escritura de hipoteca para la propiedad descrita. De declararse la subasta desierta,
se procederá a una segunda subasta y servirá de tipo mínimo de 2/3 del precio mínimo antes mencionado; $96,000.00. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en esta segunda subasta, se procederá a una tercera subasta, en la cual regirá como tipo mínimo ésta la 1/2 del precio mínimo antes mencionado; $72,000.00. La PRIMERA SUBASTA se llevará a cabo el 17 DE ENERO DE 2023, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA. De no comparecer postor alguno se llevará a efecto una SEGUNDA SUBASTA el 24 DE ENERO DE 2023, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA. De no comparecer postor alguno se llevará a cabo una TERCERA SUBASTA el 31 DE ENERO DE 2023, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA. La subasta o subastas antes indicadas se llevarán a efecto en mi oficina, localizada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Arecibo. Del Estudio de Título realizado surge el siguiente gravamen posterior el cual podrá ser cancelado: Embargo Federal contra Gene Papscoe, seguro social xxx-xx-7699 por $17,212.66 notificación #680346110 asiento 1 folio 43 del tomo 5 de Embargos Federales, el 30 de julio de 2010. Se advierte a los licitadores que la adjudicación se hará al mejor postor, quien deberá consignar el importe de su oferta en el mismo acto de la adjudicación en moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica y para conocimiento de la parte demandada y de toda(s) aquella(s) persona(s) que tengan interés inscrito con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen que se está ejecutando, y para conocimiento de los licitadores y el público en general y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general, una vez por semana durante el término de dos (2) semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, y para su fijación en tres (3) lugares públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como, la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía y se le notificará además a la parte demandada vía correo certificado con acuse de recibo a la última dirección conocida. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores, previa orden judicial dirigida al Registrador de la Propiedad de la sección correspondiente para la cancelación de aquellos posteriores. Se les advierte a todos los interesados que todos los documentos relacionados con la presente acción de ejecución de hipoteca, así como la de la subasta, estarán disponibles para ser examinados, durante horas laborables, en la Secretaría del Tribunal. Se entenderá
que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante, continuarán subsistentes; entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Y para conocimiento de los demandados, de los acreedores posteriores, de los licitadores, partes interesadas y público en general, expido el presente Aviso para su publicación en los lugares públicos correspondientes. Librado en la Arecibo, Puerto Rico, a 21 de diciembre de 2022. LUENGY VIERA ROMERO, ALGUACIL #558.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE FAJARDO SALA SUPERIOR BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO
Parte Demandante Vs. LA SUCESIÓN DE DOLORES GARCÍA CARRASQUILLO COMPUESTA POR ALEX GARCÍA, MARÍA DEL CARMEN GARCÍA Y MENGANO DE TAL, POSIBLE HEREDERO DESCONOCIDO, DEPARTAMENTO DE HACIENDA POR CONDUCTO DE LA DIVISIÓN DE CAUDALES RELICTOS; CENTRO DE RECAUDACIÓN DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES (CRIM)
Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: FA2022CV00148. Sala: 303. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. AVISO DE PÚBLICA SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente anuncia y hace constar que en cumplimiento de la Sentencia dictada el 7 de junio de 2022, la Orden de Ejecución de Sentencia del 8 de agosto de 2022 y el Mandamiento de Ejecución del 9 de agosto de 2022, en el caso de epígrafe; procederé a vender el día 9 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA en mi oficina, localizada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de Fajardo, Sala Superior, Avenida Marcelito Gotay, Edificio 461, Esquina Barriada Jerusalén, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, al mejor postor en pago de contado y en moneda
de los Estados Unidos de América, cheque de gerente o giro postal a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal; todo título, derecho o interés de la parte demandada sobre la siguiente propiedad: URBANA: Solar radicado en la Urbanización Baralt, situada en el Barrio Quebrada de Fajardo, marcado con el número 29 del bloque E, con una cabida de 301.84 metros cuadrados. En linderos por el NORTE, con el solar número 16, distancia de 12.40 metros; por el SUR, con la Calle Número Cuatro (4), distancia de 12.25 metros; por el ESTE, con el solar número 28, distancia de 24.50 metros; y por el OESTE, con Commercial Site, distancia de 24.51 metros.
Contiene una casa de concreto reforzado diseñada para una familia. Inscrita al Folio 126 del Tomo 120 de Fajardo, Finca Número 3797, Registro de la Propiedad de Fajardo. La escritura de hipoteca consta inscrita al Folio 49 del Tomo 523 de Fajardo, Finca Número 3797, Registro de la Propiedad de Fajardo. Inscripción séptima. Dirección Física: Urb. Baralt, E29 Calle 4, Fajardo, PR 00738-3760. Número de Catastro: 24-150-024-275-30-001.
El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta será de $91,935.00. De no haber adjudicación en la primera subasta se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA, el día 16 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA en el mismo lugar, en la cual el tipo mínimo será de dos terceras partes del tipo mínimo fijado en la primera subasta, o sea, $61,290.00. De no haber adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA, el día 24 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA en el mismo lugar, en la cual el tipo mínimo será la mitad del precio pactado, o sea, $45,967.50. Si se declarase desierta la tercera subasta, se adjudicará la finca a favor del acreedor por la totalidad de la cantidad adeudada si ésta es igual o menor que el monto del tipo de la tercera subasta, si el tribunal lo estima conveniente. Se abonará dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si ésta es mayor. Dicho remate se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer a la demandante el importe de la Sentencia por la suma de $80,827.43 de principal, más intereses sobre dicha suma al 4.5% anual desde el 1 de agosto de 2020 hasta su completo pago, más $303.92 de recargos acumulados, los cuales continuarán en aumento hasta el saldo total de la deuda, más la cantidad estipulada de $9,193.50 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados, así como cualquier otra suma que contenga el contrato del préstamo. Surge
del Estudio de Título Registral que sobre esta propiedad pesa el siguiente gravamen posterior a la hipoteca que por la presente se pretende ejecutar: Aviso de Demanda: Pleito seguido por Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Vs. Sucesión de Dolores García Carrasquillo compuesta por Alex García, Fulano y Mengano de Tal, Departamento de Hacienda por conducto de la División de Caudales Relictos y el Centro de Recaudación de Ingresos Municipales (CRIM), ante el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Fajardo, en el Caso Civil Número FA2022CV00148, sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca, en la que se reclama el pago de hipoteca, con un balance de $80,827.43 y otras cantidades, según Demanda de fecha 23 de febrero de 2022. Anotada al Tomo Karibe de Fajardo. Anotación A. La propiedad para ejecutar se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. Se les advierte a los interesados que todos los documentos relacionados con la presente acción de ejecución de hipoteca, así como los de Subasta, estarán disponibles para ser examinados, durante horas laborables, en el expediente del caso que obra en los archivos de la Secretaría del Tribunal, bajo el número de epígrafe y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general en Puerto Rico por espacio de dos semanas y por lo menos una vez por semana; y para su fijación en los sitios públicos requeridos por ley. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante, continuarán subsistentes; entendiéndose que el remanente los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de estos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Y para el conocimiento de los demandados, de los acreedores posteriores, de los licitadores, partes interesadas y público en general EXPIDO para su publicación en los lugares públicos correspondientes, el presente Aviso de Pública Subasta en Fajardo, Puerto Rico, hoy 31 de agosto de 2022. SANDRALIZ MARTÍNEZ TORRES, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR, PLACA #737. JORGE A. ORTIZ ESTRADA, ALGUACIL REGIONAL INTERINO, PLACA #622, ALGUACIL DE TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE FAJARDO, SALA SUPERIOR. ***
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA
CENTRO JUDICIAL DE AGUADILLA SALA SUPERIOR.
Demandante v. AGROINDUSTRIAS DEL NORESTE, INC.; Y OTROS
Demandados CIVIL NÚM. ACD2013-0035.
SALA: 404. SOBRE: cobro de dinero; INCUMPLIMIENTO DE CONTRATO, EJECUCION DE GRAVAMEN MOBILIARIO y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECAS.
AVISO DE SUBASTA . ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA EL PUEBLO DE PUERTO RICO. SS.YO, Carol Chalmess Soto, el Alguacil que suscribe, por la presente anuncia y hace constar, que en cumplimiento del Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia expedido por la Secretaria del Tribunal de Primera Instancia de Puerto Rico, procederé a vender en pública subasta y al mejor postor, quien pagará el importe de la venta en dinero efectivo, en cheque certificado o en cheque de gerente a la orden del alguacil suscribiente en moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América el día 25 de enero de 2023 a las 11:15am, en mi oficina localizada en el segundo piso del Centro Judicial de Aguadilla, todo título, derecho o interés que corresponda al demandado sobre el bien inmueble que se describe a continuación: PROPIEDAD A – FINCA 13,003. RUSTICA: Compuesta de CUARENTA Y UN CÉNTIMOS DE TERRENO, equivalentes a MIL SEISCIENTOS ONCE METROS CUADRADOS CON CUATRO MIL QUINIENTOS NOVENTA Y NUEVE DIEZMILESIMAS DE OTRO METRO CUADRADO (1,611.4599 MC), ubicado en el Barrio Borinquen de Aguadilla, lindando al NORTE y SALIENTE, con doña Lila Blas; al OESTE, con Abelardo Irizarry y al SUR, con Lila Blas. La Propiedad consta inscrita al folio 33 del tomo 304 de Aguadilla, finca 13,003, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección de Aguadilla. Dirección Física: Barrio Borinquen, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Afecta a: Por su procedencia: Libre de Cargas. Por sí: HIPOTECA: Gravada con una Hipoteca a favor de Banco de Desarrollo Para Puerto Rico por la suma de $50,000.00, Testimonio #23,210, con intereses a razón del 2% anual sobre la tasa de interés primaria prevaleciente de tiempo en tiempo en los principales bancos de la ciudad de Nueva York para préstamos comerciales, según publicada, cuya tasa de interés nunca sería menor de 6.50%, vencimiento a la presentación y tasada en una cantidad equi-
valente al principal original del pagaré según la inscripción 7ª en virtud de la Escritura #173 otorgada en San Juan, PR el 29 de diciembre de 2009 ante el notario Gil A. Morales Nieves.
HIPOTECA: Gravada con una Hipoteca a favor de Borinquen Community Federal Credit Union por la suma principal de $180,000.00, Testimonio 3022, con intereses al al 4.25% anual, vencimiento el 1° de mayo de 2040 y tasada en una cantidad equivalente al principal original del pagaré según la inscripción 8ª en virtud de la Escritura #14 otorgada en Aguadilla, PR el 26 de abril de 2010 ante la notaria MYRTA ESTRELLA NIEVES BLAS. DESIGNACIÓN DE HOGAR SEGURO POR INSCRIPCIÓN: Anotado un Derecho a Hogar Seguro a favor de Pablo Hernández Nieves, y su esposa Diana Lynn Gómez Rivera, según la inscripción 9ª en virtud de la Escritura #19 otorgada en Aguadilla, PR el 5 de mayo de 2014 ante el notario HIRAM EMILIO CEREZO SUAREZ. EMBARGO FEDERAL contra PABLO HERNANDEZ
NIEVES (2849) por $8,157.61 caso # 991225414 presentado y anotado el 2 de abril de 2014 al folio 119 asiento 3 del libro de embargos federales 5 de AGUADILLA. EMBARGO LEY 12: Contra PABLO HERNANDEZ NIEVES (2849) por $323.01 (PATRONAL); embargo de fecha 29 de junio de 2011 certificación de fecha 9 de junio de 2011; ANOTADO el 29 de junio de 2011 al asiento 297 folio 100 del libro de EMBARGOS LEY 12 # 1 de AGUADILLA. El gravamen objeto de ejecución en este procedimiento es la que surge de la Escritura Número 173 otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el 29 de diciembre de 2009 ante el notario Gil A. Morales Nieves, en la cual se establece como precio mínimo para la PRIMERA SUBASTA la suma de $50,000.00. De no adjudicarse la propiedad en la primera subasta, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA, en las mismas oficinas de este Alguacil, el día 1 de febrero de 2023 a las 11:15am. El precio mínimo para la SEGUNDA SUBASTA serán dos terceras partes (2/3) del tipo mínimo que se pactó par la primera subasta, o sea, $33,333,33. De no adjudicarse la propiedad en esa segunda subasta, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA en las mismas oficinas de este Alguacil, el día 8 de febrero de 2023 a las 11:15am. El precio mínimo para la TERCERA SUBASTA será la mitad (1/2) del tipo mínimo que se pactó para la primera subasta, o sea, $25,000.00. Esta subasta se hará para satisfacer al demandante, hasta donde alcance, el importe adeudado al PR RECOVERY AND DEVE-
LOPMENT JV, LLC., según la sentencia dictada a su favor en este caso, que al 5 de noviembre de 2014 asciende a: a. Por el préstamo 1010029627: Principal: $11,250.00. Intereses: $1586.41. Mora: $174.03. Total: $13,010.44. Mas los intereses que continúen acumulándose a razón de $2.03 diarios; b. Por el préstamo 1010029630: Principal: $194,800.00. Intereses: $27,469.52. Mora: $1,528.72. Total: $223,798.24. Mas los intereses que continúen acumulándose a razón de $35.17 diarios; c. Por el préstamo 1010029633: Principal: $87,236.13. Intereses: $13,807.25. Mora: $153.83. Total: $101,197.21. Mas los intereses que continúen acumulándose a razón de $15.75 diarios; d. Por el préstamo 1010029636: Principal: $375,271.84. Intereses: $52,897.77. Mora: $3,159.74. Total: $431,689.35. Mas los intereses que continúen acumulándose a razón de $67.76 diarios; e. Por el préstamo 1010029639: Principal: $100,000.00. Intereses: $8,677.79. Mora: $599.90. Total: $109,277.69. Mas los intereses que continúen acumulándose a razón de $11.11 diarios; y f. Por el préstamo 1010031847: Principal: $76,500.85. Intereses: $11,843.20. Mora: $188.86. Total: $88,532.91. Mas los intereses que continúen acumulándose a razón de $19.13 diarios. 2. Adicionalmente, los Codemandados fueron condenados al pago de $83,725.00 y $16,274.50 por concepto de costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, según pactado para el primer y segundo prestamo, respectivamente. 3. Al presente, la Sentencia es final, firme y ejecutable, y los codemandados han incumplido con su obligación de pago bajo la misma. Se entiende que todo licitador que comparezca a la subasta señalada en este caso acepta como bastante la titulación que da base a las mismas. La venta en pública subasta de la propiedad descrita anteriormente se verificará libre de toda carga o gravamen posterior que afecte dicha propiedad. Se entiende que cualquier carga y/o gravamen anterior y/o preferente, si lo hubiera, al crédito que da base a esta ejecución, continuará subsistente, entendiéndose, además, que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. POR LA PRESENTE, se le notifica a los titulares de créditos y/o cargas registrales posteriores, si alguno, que se celebrarán las SUBASTAS en las fechas, horas y sitio anteriormente señalados, y se les invita a que concurran a dichas
subastas, si les conviniere, o se les invita a satisfacer, antes del remate, el importe del crédito, sus intereses, otros cargos y las costas y honorarios de abogado asegurados, quedando entonces subrogados en los derechos del Acreedor ejecutante, siempre y cuando reúnan los requisitos y cualificaciones de Ley para que se pueda efectuar tal subrogación. SE HACE CONSTAR que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado están de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante horas laborables, bajo el epígrafe de este caso. Y PARA SU PUBLICACIÓN en el tablón de edictos de este Tribunal y en dos (2) lugares públicos del Municipio dónde se celebrarán las subastas señaladas. Además, en un periódico de circulación general en dos ocasiones y mediante correo certificado a la última dirección conocida de la parte demandada. EXPEDIDO el presente EDICTO DE SUBASTA en Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, a 21 de diciembre de 2022. Carol Chalmess Soto, ALGUACIL, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO Demandante Vs. SUCESION DE CARMEN MARIA VELEZ BONILLA COMPUESTA POR SU HEREDERA CONOCIDA CARMEN M. CARRERAS T/C/C CARMEN CARRERAS VELEZ; FULANO DE TAL Y SUTANA DE TAL COMO HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS Y/O PARTES CON INTERES EN LA SUCESION Demandados Civil Núm.: CA2022CV03472. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., SS.
A: CARMEN M. CARRERAS T/C/C CARMEN CARRERAS VELEZ COMO HEREDERA CONOCIDA DE LA SUCESION DE CARMEN MARIA VELEZ BONILLA; FULANO DE TAL Y SUTANA DE TAL COMO HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS Y/O
LA
CONDOMINIO REEF TOWER, APTO. 7-D, ISLA VERDE, CAROLINA, PR 00979. DIRECCIÓN POSTAL: 6544 SEWANEE AVE. HOUSTON, TX 77005-3748 Y 4249 LAW ST. HOUSTON, TX, 77005.
POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva dentro de los 30 días a partir de la publicación de este edicto.
Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: 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, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Se le apercibe que conforme al artículo 1578 del Código Civil, 31 L.P.R.A. §11021, usted tiene 30 días para aceptar o repudiar la herencia desde la publicación de este edicto. A esos efectos, de no rechazarla, se tendrá la herencia por aceptada. Representa a la parte demandante, la representación legal cuyo nombre, dirección y teléfono se consigna de inmediato: BUFETE FORTUÑO & FORTUÑO FAS, C.S.P. LCDO. JUAN C. FORTUÑO FAS RÚA NÚM.: 11416 PO BOX 3908, GUAYABO, PR 00970 TEL.: 787-751-5290, FAX: 787-751-6155
E-MAIL: ejecuciones@fortuno-law.com En Carolina, Puerto Rico a 03 de enero de 2023. LCDA. MARILYN APONTE RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. RUTH M. COLÓN LUCIANO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAGUAS BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO Demandante V. AXEL RIVERA
AMBOS Demandado(a) Civil: CG2022CV00045. (802).
Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.
A: AXEL RIVERA(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 3 de enero 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 3 de enero de 2023. En Caguas, Puerto Rico, el 3 de enero de 2023. LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA. DAMARIS RODRÍGUEZ GUZMÁN, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE
Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: SJ2022CV01023. Sala: 604. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRE-
PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN SALA SUPERIOR BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO
Parte Demandante Vs. LEONARDO RODRÍGUEZ MONTAÑEZ; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA REPRESENTADO POR EL SECRETARIO DE LA VIVIENDA Y DESARROLLO URBANO (HUD)
FIGUEROA, SU ESPOSA RITA MARÍA SÁNCHEZ FRANCO T/C/C
TITA MARÍA RIVERA Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA
SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente anuncia y hace constar que en cumplimiento de la Sentencia dictada el 21 de julio de 2022, la Orden de Ejecución de Sentencia del 31 de agosto de 2022 y el Mandamiento de Ejecución del 12 de septiembre de 2022 en el caso de epígrafe, procederé a vender el día 6 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA, en mi oficina, localizada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de San Juan, Sala Superior, en la Avenida Muñoz Rivera, Esquina Coll y Toste, Parada 37, San Juan, Puerto Rico, al mejor postor en pago de contado y en moneda de los Estados Unidos de América, cheque de gerente o giro postal a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal; todo título, derecho o interés de la parte demandada sobre la siguiente propiedad: URBANA: PROPIEDAD HORIZONTAL: Apartamento Número 907: Apartamento residencial de forma irregular localizado en la segunda planta del Edificio Nueve (9) del Condominio Bosque Real en el Barrio Sabana Llana de Río Piedras, Puerto Rico. Área aproximada de 870.46 pies cuadrados, equivalentes a 80.86771 metros cuadrados.
Colinda por el NORTE, con área comunal; por el SUR, con área comunal; por el ESTE, con el apartamento número 908; y por el OESTE, con el apartamento número 906. La puerta principal de entrada está situada en su lindero Sur a través la cual se llega a los pasillos interiores del condominio. Consta sala-comedor, cocina, balcón, dos (2) dormitorios y dos (2) baños, una (1) lavandería y dos (2) guardarropas. Le corresponde dos (2) espacios de estacionamientos, identificados con el mismo número del apartamento. Tiene una participación de 0.004594% en los elementos comunes del Condominio. Inscrita al folio móvil del tomo 969 de Sabana Llana, Finca Número 31768, Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección V. La escritura de hipoteca consta inscrita al folio 170 del tomo 991 de Sabana Llana, Finca Número 31768, Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección V. Inscripción séptima. La escritura de modificación de hipoteca consta inscrita al tomo Karibe de Sabana Llana, Finca Número 31768, Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección V. Inscripción décima.
Dirección Física: Cond. Bosque Real, Apt. 907, San Juan, PR 00928. Número de Catastro: 79-087-056-849-50-127.
El tipo mínimo para la primera
subasta será de $100,553.14.
De no haber adjudicación en la primera subasta se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA, el día 13 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA, en el mismo lugar, en la cual el tipo mínimo será de dos terceras partes del tipo mínimo fijado en la primera subasta, o sea, $67,035.42.
De no haber adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA, el día 21 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA, en el mismo lugar, en la cual el tipo mínimo será la mitad del precio pactado, o sea, $50,276.57. Si se declarase desierta la tercera subasta, se adjudicará la finca a favor del acreedor por la totalidad de la cantidad adeudada si ésta es igual o menor que el monto del tipo de la tercera subasta, si el tribunal lo estima conveniente. Se abonará dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si ésta es mayor. Dicho remate se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante el importe de la Sentencia por la suma de $98,932.60 de principal, más intereses sobre dicha suma al 4% anual desde el 1 de enero de 2021 hasta su completo pago, más $249.42 de recargos acumulados, los cuales continuarán en aumento hasta el saldo total de la deuda, más la cantidad estipulada de $11,383.20 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados, así como cualquier otra suma que contenga el contrato del préstamo. Surge del Estudio de Título Registral que sobre esta propiedad pesan los siguientes gravámenes posteriores que afecta la propiedad que se pretende ejecutar: a. Hipoteca: Constituida por Leonardo Rodríguez Montañez (soltero), en garantía de un pagaré a favor de Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, o a su orden, por la suma de $4,801.02, sin intereses y vencedero el 1 de agosto de 2039, según consta de la Escritura Número 216, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el 29 de octubre de 2011, ante el Notario Juan M. Acevedo Ramírez. Inscrita al folio 222 del tomo 1121 de Sabana Llana, finca número 31768, inscripción novena. b. Acta de Ratificación: Comparece Secretary of Housing and Urban Development of the United States para consentir la modificación de hipoteca, según consta de la Escritura Número 38, otorgada en Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, el 12 de febrero de 2020, ante la Notario Celines Quijano Sanjurjo. Inscrita al tomo Karibe de Sabana Llana, finca número 31768, inscripción 9.1. c. Aviso de Demanda: Pleito seguido por Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Vs. Leonardo
Rodríguez Montañez (soltero), Estados Unidos de América, representado por el Secretario de la Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano (HUD), ante el Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala de San Juan, en el Caso Civil Número SJ2022CV01023, sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca, en la que se reclama el pago de hipoteca, con un balance de $98,932.60 y otras cantidades, según Demanda de fecha 15 de febrero de 2022. Anotada al tomo Karibe de Sabana Llana. Anotación A. d. Bitácora: Al asiento 1126 del diario 912, presentada el 3 de febrero de 2015, documento de fecha 20 de enero de 2015, ante el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de San Juan, para que se anote Demanda a favor de Doral Bank por la suma de $113,832.00. Retirado el 9 de febrero de 2015. Se notifica al acreedor posterior o a su sucesor o cesionario en derecho para que comparezca a proteger su derecho si así lo desea. Se les advierte a los interesados que todos los documentos relacionados con la presente acción de ejecución de hipoteca, así como los de Subasta, estarán disponibles para ser examinados, durante horas laborables, en el expediente del caso que obra en los archivos de la Secretaría del Tribunal, bajo el número de epígrafe y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general en Puerto Rico por espacio de dos semanas y por lo menos una vez por semana; y para su fijación en los sitios públicos requeridos por ley. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante, continuarán subsistentes; entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate y que la propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores tal como lo expresa la Ley Núm. 210-2015. Y para el conocimiento de los demandados, de los acreedores posteriores, de los licitadores, partes interesadas y público en general, EXPIDO para su publicación en los lugares públicos correspondientes, el presente Aviso de Pública Subasta en San Juan, Puerto Rico, hoy 3 de enero de 2023. EDWIN E. LÓPEZ MULERO, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR, ALGUACIL, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN, SALA SUPERIOR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU-
NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA
CENTRO JUDICIAL DE BAYAMÓN SALA SUPERIOR BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO Parte Demandante Vs. SUCESIÓN DE EMANUEL FIGUEROA RIVERA T/C/C EMMANUEL FIGUEROA RIVERA COMPUESTA POR: ERICKSON
Civil Núm.: BY2021CV02510.
Sala: 401. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. AVISO DE PÚBLICA SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente anuncia y hace constar que en cumplimiento de la Sentencia en Rebeldía Enmendada dictada el 29 de octubre de 2021, la Orden de Ejecución de Sentencia del 26 de enero de 2022 y el Mandamiento de Ejecución del 11 de agosto de 2022 en el caso de epígrafe, procederé a vender el día 14 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 11:00 DE LA MAÑANA en el Cuarto Piso de la Oficina del Alguacil de Subastas, localizada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de Bayamón, Sala Superior, ubicado en la Carretera Número Dos (#2), Kilómetro 10.4, Esquina Calle Esteban Padilla, Bayamón, Puerto Rico, al mejor postor en pago de contado y en moneda de los Estados Unidos de América, cheque de gerente o giro postal a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal; todo título, derecho o interés de la parte demandada sobre la siguiente propiedad: URBANA: Solar Número Veinticuatro (#24) de la Manzana B de la Urbanización Las Vegas, sitio Flor del Valle del Barrio Palmas de Cataño, con un área de 429.00 metros cuadrados. Colinda por el NORTE, en 33.00 metros con el Solar Número Veinticinco (#25) de la Manzana B en la Urbanización Las Vegas; por el SUR, en 33.00 metros con el Solar Número Veintitrés (#23) de la Manzana B de la Urbanización Las Vegas; por el ESTE, en 13.00 metros con la Calle Número Uno (#1) de la Urbanización Las Vegas; y
por el OESTE, en 13.00 metros con terrenos de Dos Palmas Industrial Corporation. Contiene una casa de una planta de concreto que consta de tres (3) cuartos dormitorios, sala, comedor, cocina, un (1) baño, balcón y marquesina. Inscrita al folio 91 del tomo 52 de Cataño, Finca Número 2540, Registro de la Propiedad de Bayamón, Sección IV. La escritura de hipoteca consta inscrita al folio 48 del tomo 193 de Cataño, Finca Número 2540, Registro de la Propiedad de Bayamón, Sección IV. Inscripción sexta (6ta). DIRECCIÓN FÍSICA: URB. LAS VEGAS, B24 CALLE FLOR DEL VALLE, CATAÑO, PR 00962. Número de Catastro: 14-061-027-180-24-001. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta será de $97,697.00. De no haber adjudicación en la primera subasta se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA, el día 28 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 11:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en el mismo lugar, en la cual el tipo mínimo será de dos terceras partes del tipo mínimo fijado en la primera subasta, o sea, $65,131.33. De no haber adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 14 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 11:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en el mismo lugar, en la cual el tipo mínimo será la mitad del precio pactado, o sea, $48,848.50. 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. Dicho remate se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer a la demandante el importe de la Sentencia por la suma de $84,345.44 de principal, intereses sobre dicha suma al 3.75% anual desde el 1 de agosto de 2019 hasta su completo pago, más $382.84 de recargos acumulados, más la cantidad estipulada de $9,769.70 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados, así como cualquier otra suma que contenga el contrato del préstamo. Surge del Estudio de Título Registral que sobre esta propiedad pesan los siguientes gravámenes posteriores a la hipoteca que por la presente se pretende ejecutar: a. Embargo Estatal: Anotado sobre esta finca, como perteneciente a Elías Figueroa, por la suma de $6,761.45 a favor del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, según Certificación de fecha 14 de febrero de 2022, presentado en Karibe el 16 de febrero de 2022 al Asiento 2022-001560EST del Libro de Embargos Estatales Karibe. Nota: No po-
demos precisar si la persona mencionada en la presentación de Anotación de Demanda y el Embargado sean la misma persona. b. Bitácora: Presentada al Asiento 2021-105538BY04, el 23 de agosto de 2021, ante el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Bayamón, en el Caso Civil Número BY2021CV02510, seguido por Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Vs. Sucesión de Emanuel Figueroa Rivera también conocido como Emmanuel Figueroa Rivera compuesta por Erickson Figueroa Rivera, Elías Figueroa Rivera, Helen J. Cruz Rivera, Ericka Figueroa Rivera también conocida como Erika Figueroa Rivera, Elizabeth Figueroa Rivera, Fulano y Mengano de Tal, sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca, en la que se reclama el pago de hipoteca, con un balance de $84,345.44 y otras cantidades, o la venta en pública subasta de la propiedad. Pendiente de anotación. Se les advierte a los interesados que todos los documentos relacionados con la presente acción de ejecución de hipoteca, así como los de Subasta, estarán disponibles para ser examinados, durante horas laborables, en el expediente del caso que obra en los archivos de la Secretaría del Tribunal, bajo el número de epígrafe y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general en Puerto Rico por espacio de dos semanas y por lo menos una vez por semana; y para su fijación en los sitios públicos requeridos por ley. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante, continuarán subsistentes; entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate y que la propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores, tal como lo expresa la Ley Núm. 210-2015. Y para el conocimiento de los demandados, de los acreedores posteriores, de los licitadores, partes interesadas y público en general, EXPIDO para su publicación en los lugares públicos correspondientes, el presente Aviso de Pública Subasta en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, hoy 3 de enero de 2023. MARIBEL LANZAR VELÁZQUEZ, ALGUACIL PLACA #735, ALGUACIL DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE BAYAMÓN, SALA SUPERIOR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIAS SUBSECCIÓN DE DISTRITO
SALA DE MANATÍ MARIA MAGDALENA, CARLOS ANSELMO, Y ANGEL RAFAEL; TODOS DE APELLIDOS SANTIAGO PIÑEIRO
Demandantes Vs. DESCENDIENTES DESCONOCIDA DEL FENECIDO ANSELMO
ROSARIO CARDONA
Demandados Civil Núm.: MT2022CV00867.
Sobre: DECLARATORIA DE REGINO ROSARIO CARDONA. (ART. 875, (2), CÓDIGO CIVIL SECCIÓN 2591 L.P.R.A.). EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE UU, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PR.
ROSARIO CARDONA.
Por la presente se le notifica que la parte demandante en el caso de epígrafe, ha presentado ante este Tribunal, una demanda sobre Declaratoria de Herederos de Regino Rosario Cardona, solicitando la concesión del siguiente remedio: Se le notifica y/o convoca a cualquier persona; que se entienda heredero y/o Sucesor del fenecido Anselmo Rosario Cardona, fallecido el 13 de abril de 2000, en Manatí, Puerto Rico; a los fines de que en un término improrrogable de treinta (30) días contados desde la fecha de la publicación del Edicto, para que comparezca en autos y acredite su condición de heredero, del fenecido Anselmo Rosario Cardona. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del sistema unificado de manejo y administración y de casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: HTTP:// UNIRED.RAMAJUDICIAL.PR, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del Tribunal. La persona que entienda que es heredero, deberá comparecer en autos, y además notificará al Lcdo. Edgardo Rodríguez Mena, a su dirección que aparece en autos, sobre su condición de heredero. Se le advierte, a toda persona que entienda ser heredero que de no comparecer en autos durante el término de 30 días, se declarará con lugar la Demanda, sin más oírle. En Manatí, Puerto Rico, hoy día 20 de diciembre de 2022. Vivian Y. Fresse González, Secretaria Regional. Carmen J. Rosario Valentín, Secretaria Auxiliar Del Tribunal I.
DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA REGIÓN JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO
Demandante V. VIOLETA GARCES
Demandado Civil Núm.: CA2021CV03075. Sobre: ACCIÓN IN REM Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. AVISO DE VENTA EN PÚBLICA SUBASTA. Yo, HÉCTOR L. PEÑA RODRÍGUEZ, ALGUACIL PLACA #278, Alguacil de la División de Subastas del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Carolina, a la demandada y al público en general, les notifico que, cumpliendo con un Mandamiento que se ha librado en el presente caso, por el Secretario del Tribunal, con fecha 15 de septiembre de 2022 y para satisfacer la Sentencia por la cantidad de $142,929.78 de principal; dictada en el caso de epígrafe el 28 de junio de 2022, notificada y archivada en autos el 30 de junio de 2022; procederé a vender en pública subasta, al mejor postor en pago de contado y en moneda del curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América, todo derecho, título e interés que haya tenido, tenga o pueda tener la deudora demandada en cuanto a la propiedad localizada en el: Municipio de Carolina, Puerto Rico, el bien inmueble que se describe a continuación: Condominio Laguna Gardens IV, Apto 6-J, Carolina, PR 009796572. URBANA: HORIZONTAL PROPERTY: Residential apartment number 6-J of irregular shape located in Laguna Gardens Condominium IV, sixth floor which in turn is located at kilometer eight, hectometer two of State Road number twenty six in the Ward of Cangrejo Arriba, municipality of Carolina, Puerto Rico, with a total private area of the one thousand four hundred nine point eighty nine square feet (gross) equivalent to one hundred thirty one point cero three square meters being its lineal measurements thirty five feet eight inches long by fifty two feet three inches wide, and its boundaries, access and description as follows: by the North, with exterior yard (park area) in a distance of thirty five feet eight inches; East, with exterior yard (facing Biulding III) in a distance of fifty two feet three inches; South, with exterior yard (parking area) in a distance of twenty eight feet eleven inches and common stairs in a distance of three feet eight in-
FIGUEROA RIVERA, ELÍAS FIGUEROA RIVERA, HELEN J. CRUZ RIVERA, ERICKA FIGUEROA RIVERA T/C/C ERIKA
FIGUEROA RIVERA, ELIZABETH FIGUEROA RIVERA, FULANO Y MENGANO DE TAL, POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS
ches; West, with exterior yard, in a distance of twenty five feet one inch, with common corridor in a distance of eight feet three inches, with the common stairs in a distance of fourteen feet eleven and with family unit six-I, in a distance of four feet two inches. Its main door in the West boundary has access to the corridor if the floor. Finca #18448 de Carolina Norte, inscrita al folio 78 del tomo 480, Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección I. Con el importe de dicha venta se habrá de satisfacer a la parte demandante las cantidades adeudadas, según la Sentencia dictada en el caso de epígrafe, por el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Carolina, cuyas cantidades ascienden a $142,929.78 de principal, a razón de 3.75% de interés, los cuales continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo total de la deuda; $1,582.20 de cargos por demora; más costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado y en consecuencia se ordenó la venta en pública subasta de la propiedad objeto de ejecución. El tipo mínimo para la subasta será la suma de tasación pactada, la cual es $149,252.39 para la propiedad descrita. Si no produjere remate o adjudicación la primera subasta, se procederá a una segunda subasta y servirá de tipo mínimo la cantidad de $99,501.59. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en esta segunda subasta, se procederá a una tercera subasta, en ésta el tipo mínimo será la cantidad de $74,626.19. Si se declarase desierta la tercera subasta se dará por terminado el procedimiento, pudiendo adjudicarse a opción del demandante. Para el lote descrito, la PRIMERA SUBASTA se llevará a cabo el día 7 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA. De no comparecer postor alguno se llevará a efecto una SEGUNDA SUBASTA el día 14 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA. De no comparecer postor alguno se llevará a cabo una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 22 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA. La subasta o subastas antes indicadas se llevarán a efecto en mi oficina, localizada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Carolina. De Estudio de Título realizado, no surgen gravámenes preferentes, surge el siguiente gravamen posterior: Hipoteca constituída por Violeta Garcés Fernández, soltera, en garantía de un pagaré bajo affidavit #1645, a favor de Secretario del Departamento de Desarrollo Urbano y Vivienda de los Estados Unidos, o a su orden, por $17,452.00, sin intereses, vencedero el 1 de junio de 2045, según Esc. #198, otorgada en San Juan, el 25
de junio de 2015, ante la Notario Público Ileana M. Quintero Aguiló, inscrita al Tomo Karibe, finca #18448 de Carolina Norte, inscripción 13ra. y última. Se le advierte a los licitadores que la adjudicación se hará al mejor postor, quien deberá consignar el importe de su oferta en el mismo acto de la adjudicación en moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, giro postal o cheque de gerente a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal y para conocimiento de la parte demandada y de toda(s) aquella(s) persona(s) que tengan interés inscrito con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen que se está ejecutando, y para conocimiento de los licitadores y el público en general y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general, una vez por semana durante el término de dos (2) semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, y para su fijación en tres (3) lugares públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como, la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía y se le notificará además a la parte demandada vía correo certificado con acuse de recibo a la última dirección conocida. Se les advierte a todos los interesados que todos los documentos relacionados con la presente acción de ejecución de hipoteca, así como la de la subasta, estarán disponibles para ser examinados en la Secretaría del Tribunal. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titulación y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere al crédito de ejecutante, continuarán subsiguientes entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores, previa orden judicial dirigida al Registrador de la Propiedad de la sección correspondiente para la cancelación de aquellos posteriores. Y para conocimiento de la demandada, de los acreedores posteriores, de los licitadores, partes interesadas y público en general, expido el presente Aviso para su publicación en los lugares públicos correspondientes. Librado en Carolina, Puerto Rico, a 29 de diciembre de 2022. HÉCTOR L. PEÑA RODRÍGUEZ, ALGUACIL PLACA #278.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE
BAYAMÓN BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO
Demandante V. LA SUCESIÓN DE MILDRED ESTHER RODRÍGUEZ GONZÁLEZ T/C/C MILDRED E. RODRÍGUEZ COMPUESTA POR: NINOSHKALIE MALDONADO RODRÍGUEZ T/C/C NINOSHKA MALDONADO RODRÍGUEZ, SIGFREDO MALDONADO RODRÍGUEZ Y MENGANO DE TAL, POSIBLE HEREDERO DESCONOCIDO; JUAN RAMOS POR SÍ Y EN LA CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA Demandado(a) Civil: BY2021CV02975. Salón: 402. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO, EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.
A: NINOSHKALIE MALDONADO RODRIGUEZ T/C/C NINOSHKA MALDONADO RODRIGUEZ, SIGFREDO MALDONADO RODRIGUEZ, HEREDEROS DE LA SUCESIÓN DE MILDRED ESTHER RODRIGUEZ GONZALEZ T/C/C MILDRED E. RODRIGUEZ; MENGANO DE TAL, POSIBLE HEREDERO DESCONOCIDO DE MILDRED ESTHER RODRÍGUEZ GONZÁLEZ T/C/C MILDRED E. RODRÍGUEZ.
(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 17 de octubre de 2022, 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 3 de enero de 2023. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, el 3 de enero de 2023. LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA. ALBA I. BRITO BORGEN, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAGUAS
ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, LLC, COMO AGENTE DE ACE ONE FUNDING, LLC
Demandante V.
LISBETH
RIVERA TORRES
Demandado(a) Civil: AB2021CV00174. (802).
Sobre: COBRO DE DINEROREGLA 60. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.
RIVERA TORRES.
(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 28 de diciembre de 2022, 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 28 de diciembre de 2022. En Caguas, Puerto Rico, el 3 de enero de 2023.
LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA. DAMARIS RODRÍGUEZ GUZMÁN, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA
CASITAS BLANCAS, LLC Demandante Vs. ALEX GONZALEZ
ALMEYDA YSU ESPOSA CAROLYN APONTE SALGADO Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS
Demandados Civil Núm.: CA2020CV00712. (403). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO (EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA). EDICTO DE SUBASTA.
Al: PÚBLICO EN GENERAL.
A: ALEX GONZALEZ ALMEYDA Y SU ESPOSA CAROLYN APONTE SALGADO Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS.
Yo, MANUEL VILLAFAÑE BLANCO, Alguacil de este Tribunal, a la parte demandada y a los acreedores y personas con interés sobre la propiedad que más adelante se describe, y al público en general, HAGO SABER: Que el día 7 DE FEBRERO DE 2023 A LAS 2:00 DE LA TARDE en mi oficina, sita en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Carolina, Carolina, Puerto Rico, venderé en Pública Subasta la propiedad inmueble que más adelante se describe y cuya venta en pública subasta se ordenó por la vía ordinaria al mejor postor quien hará el pago en dinero en efectivo, giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del o la Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado, estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal de Carolina durante horas laborables. Que en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta a celebrarse, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA para la venta de la susodicha propiedad, el día 14 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 2:00 DE LA TARDE y en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 22 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 2:00 DE LA TARDE en mi oficina sita en el lugar antes indicado. La propiedad a venderse en pública subasta se describe como sigue: URBANA: Solar con el número Treinta (30) de la Manzana número Ciento Noventa y Uno (191) de la URBANIZACIÓN VILLA CAROLINA, Quinta Sección, radicado en el Barrio Hoyo Mulas del término municipal de Carolina, Puerto Rico, de TRESCIENTOS VEINTICUATRO PUNTO CERO CERO (324.00) METROS CUADRADOS. En lindes por el NORTE, con el solar número Veintinueve (29), distancia
de veinticuatro punto cero cero (24.00) metros; por el SUR, con el solar número Treinta y Uno (31), distancia de veinticuatro punto cero cero (24.00) metros; por el ESTE, con el solar número Ocho (8), distancia de trece punto quinientos (13.500) metros; y por el OESTE, con la Calle número Quinientos Veintidós (522), distancia de trece punto quinientos (13.500) metros. Contiene una casa de concreto para una familia. La escritura de hipoteca se encuentra inscrita al folio 100 del tomo 1379 de Carolina, Sección Segunda, finca número 33,864, inscripción novena. Modificada la hipoteca de la inscripción 9na., se amplía en la suma de $7,689.14 para un nuevo principal de $139,266.14, con intereses al 4 ½% anual, vencedero el día 1ro. de febrero de 2044, con un último pago de $27,853.23, según la escritura número 56, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 28 de febrero de 2014, ante la Notario Público Nay Del Carmen Rodríguez González, inscrita al folio 136 del tomo 1515 de Carolina, Sección Segunda, finca 33,864, inscripción 10ma. La dirección física de la propiedad antes descrita es: Urbanización Villa Carolina, Quinta Sección, 191-30, Calle 522, Carolina, Puerto Rico. La subasta se llevará a efecto para satisfacer a la parte demandante la suma de $102,894.16 de principal, intereses 4 ½% anual, desde el día 1ro. de agosto de 2018, hasta su completo pago, más la cantidad de $13,157.70, estipulada para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, más recargos acumulados, todas cuyas sumas están líquidas y exigibles. Que la cantidad mínima de licitación en la primera subasta para el inmueble será la suma de $131,577.00 y de ser necesaria una segunda subasta, la cantidad mínima será equivalente a 2/3 partes de aquella, o sea, la suma de $87,718.00 y de ser necesaria una tercera subasta, la cantidad mínima será la mitad del precio pactado, es decir, la suma de $65,788.50. La propiedad se adjudicará al mejor postor, quien deberá satisfacer el importe de su oferta en moneda legal y corriente de los Estados Unidos de América en el momento de la adjudicación y que las cargas y gravámenes preferentes, si los hubiese, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes, entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. La propiedad a ser vendida en pública subasta se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. EN TESTIMONIO DE LO CUAL, expido el presente Edicto para
conocimiento y comparecencia de los licitadores, bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, en Carolina, Puerto Rico, a 12 de diciembre de 2022. MANUEL VILLAFAÑE BLANCO #830, ALGUACIL DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE ARECIBO
Demandante Vs. EDGARDO TORRES COLON Demandado Civil Núm.: AR2021CV00680. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO ORDINARIO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.
A: EDGARDO TORRES COLON - SABANA HOYOS, CARR 2 R632 KM 6.0, SABANA HOYOS PR 00688.
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 a los abogados de la parte demandante, la Lcda. Natalie Bonaparte cuyas direcciones son: P.O. Box 71418 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-8518, teléfono (787) 993-3731 a la dirección natalie.bonaparte@ orf-law.com, edwin.serrano@ orf-law.com y a la dirección notificaciones@orf-law.com. EXTENDIDO BAJO MI FIRMA y el sello del Tribunal, en Arecibo, Puerto Rico, hoy día 23 de noviembre de 2022. En Arecibo, Puerto Rico, el 23 de noviembre de 2022. VIVÍAN Y. FRES-
SE GONZÁLEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. JACQUELYNE GONZÁLEZ QUINTANA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIME INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO Parte Demandante Vs. JORGE VELAZQUEZ LOPEZ, FULANA DE TAL Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS
Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: SJ2022CV08310. Sala: 603. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO EMITIDO POR EL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA DE PUERTO RICO, SALA DE SAN JUAN. A: JORGE VELAZQUEZ LOPEZ, FULANA DE TAL Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS. BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO VS. JORGE VELÁZQUEZ LÓPEZ, FULANA DE TAL Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS, CIVIL NÚM.: SJ2022CV08310 (903) SOBRE COBRO DE DINERO. Se les notifica a ustedes, JORGE VELAZQUEZ LOPEZ, FULANA DE TAL Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS, que en la Demanda Enmendada que originó este caso se alega que ustedes le adeudan a la parte demandante, BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO, las siguientes cantidades: a. $28,452.09 de principal e intereses devengados hasta el 13 de junio de 2022, más los intereses que se devenguen al tipo legal a partir de la fecha de radicación de la Demanda, hasta el total y completo pago de la obligación, y una suma razonable para las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado. La deuda es por concepto de las sumas desembolsadas por el uso de una tarjeta de crédito VISA cuyos últimos cuatro dígitos son 3838. Se les emplaza y requiere que presenten al tribunal su alegación responsiva dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este edicto, a través del Sistema Unificado de Administración y Manejo de Casos (SUMAC), al cual pueden acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica:
https://unired.ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberán presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Deberán notificar a la licenciada: María S. Jiménez Meléndez al PO Box 9023632, San Juan, Puerto Rico 009023632; teléfono: (787) 723-2455; abogada de la parte demandante, con copia de la contestación a la demanda enmendada. Si ustedes dejan 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 enmendada o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Expedido en San Juan, Puerto Rico, a 07 de diciembre de 2022. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA GENERAL. DIANA C. PÉREZ SIERRA, SECRETARIA DE SERVICIOS A SALA.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE GUAYNABO
BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO
Parte Demandante Vs. ANGELICA SELLA RAMOS
Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: GB2022CV00918.
Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO EMITIDO POR EL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA DE PUERTO RICO, SALA DE GUAYNABO.
A: ANGELICA SELLA RAMOS.
BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO VS. ANGÉLICA SELLA RAMOS, CIVIL NÚM.: GB2022CV00918 SOBRE COBRO DE DINERO.
Se le notifica a usted, ANGELICA SELLA RAMOS, que en la Demanda que originó este caso se alega que usted le adeuda a la parte demandante, BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO, las siguientes cantidades: a. $30,470.90 de principal, $4,073.37 de intereses devengados hasta el 27 de septiembre de 2022, más los intereses que se devenguen a partir de la fecha de radicación de la Demanda al tipo legal, hasta el total y completo pago de la obligación, $254.16 de cargos por mora y otros y la suma estipulada de $3,642.48 para las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado por concepto de un préstamo desembolsado cuyos últimos 4 dígitos son 0201. Se le emplaza y requiere que presente al tribunal su alegación
responsiva dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este edicto, a través del Sistema Unificado de Administración y Manejo de Casos (SUMAC), al 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. Deberá notificar a la licenciada: María S.Jiménez Meléndez al PO Box 9023632, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902-3632; teléfono: (787) 723-2455; abogada de la parte demandante, con copia de la contestación a la demanda. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Expedido en Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, a 17 de noviembre de 2022. Lcda. Laura I. Santa Sánchez, Secretaria Regional Ii. Sara Rosa Vlllegas, Secretaria Del Tribunal Confidencial I.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN
BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO
Demandante Vs. INDALECIA MEDINA CORDERO T/C/C INES INDALECIA MEDINA
CORDERO; BENJAMIN QUILES MEDINA Y JOSE DAVID QUILES MEDINA Demandados Civil Núm.: BY2019CV03820. (403). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO (EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA). EDICTO DE SUBASTA.
Al: PÚBLICO EN GENERAL.
A: INDALECIA MEDINA
CORDERO T/C/C INES INDALECIA MEDINA
CORDERO; BENJAMIN QUILES MEDINA Y JOSE DAVID QUILES MEDINA.
Yo, MARIBEL LANZAR VELÁZQUEZ, Alguacil de este Tribunal, a la parte demandada y a los acreedores y personas con interés sobre la propiedad que más adelante se describe, y al público en general, HAGO SABER: Que el día 14 DE FEBRERO DE 2023 A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA en mi oficina, sita en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Bayamón, en el Cuarto Piso, Bayamón, Puerto Rico, venderé en Pública Subasta la propiedad inmueble que más adelante se
describe y cuya venta en pública subasta se ordenó por la vía ordinaria al mejor postor quien hará el pago en dinero en efectivo, giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del o la Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado, estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal de Bayamón durante horas laborables. Que en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta a celebrarse, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA para la venta de la susodicha propiedad, el día 28 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA y en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 14 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA en mi oficina sita en el lugar antes indicado. La propiedad a venderse en pública subasta se describe como sigue: URBANA: URBANIZACIÓN SANTA JUANITA de Bayamón Sur. Solar: 6 Bloque “A”. Cabida: 310.5 metros cuadrados. Linderos: Norte, con solar No. 5 del Bloque “A”; Sur, con solar No. 7 del Bloque “A”; Este, con servidumbre de paso de canal del Gobierno Municipal; y por el Oeste, con la Calle Alameda. Contiene una casa de hormigón y bloques para una sola familia. La escritura de hipoteca se encuentra inscrita al folio 135vto. del tomo 416 de Bayamón Sur, Finca No. 18826, Inscripción 6ta. Modificada la hipoteca de la inscripción 6ta., en cuanto al principal que será por $45,660.39 sus intereses serán al 8.50% anual y vencedero el 1ro. de marzo de 2057, según la escritura número 191, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 17 de marzo de 2017, ante el Notario Público Roberto L. Varela Ríos, inscrita al tomo Karibe de Bayamón Sur, Registro de Propiedad de Bayamón, Sección Primera, finca 18,826, inscripción 5ta. La dirección física de la propiedad antes descrita es: Urbanización Santa Juanita, Calle Alameda, A-6, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. La subasta se llevará a efecto para satisfacer a la parte demandante la suma de $45,567.71 de principal, intereses al 8 1/2% anual, desde el día 1ro. de noviembre de 2017, hasta su completo pago, más la cantidad de $4,840.00 estipulada para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, más recargos acumulados, todas cuyas sumas están líquidas y exigibles. Que la cantidad mínima de licitación en la primera subasta para el inmueble será de $48,400.00 y de ser necesaria una segunda subasta, la cantidad mínima será una equivalente a 2/3 parte de aquella, o sea la suma de
$32,266.67 y de necesitarse una tercera subasta la cantidad mínima será la mitad del precio pactado, es decir la suma de $24,200.00. Si se declara desierta la tercera subasta se adjudicará la finca a favor del acreedor por la totalidad de la cantidad adeudada si esta 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. La propiedad se adjudicará al mejor postor, quien deberá satisfacer el importe de su oferta en moneda legal y corriente de los Estados Unidos de América en el momento de la adjudicación y que todo licitador acepta como suficiente la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes preferentes, si los hubiese, continuarán subsistentes, entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. La propiedad a ser vendida en pública subasta se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. Podrán concurrir como postores a todas las subastas los titulares de créditos hipotecarios vigentes y posteriores a la hipoteca que se cobra o ejecuta, si alguno o que figuren como tales en la certificación registral y que podrán utilizar el montante de sus créditos o parte de alguno en sus ofertas. Si la oferta aceptada es por cantidad mayor a la suma del crédito o créditos preferentes al suyo, al obtener la buena pro del remate, deberá satisfacer en el mismo acto, en efectivo o en cheque de gerente, la totalidad del crédito hipotecario que se ejecuta y la de cualesquiera otro créditos posteriores al que se ejecuta pero preferente al suyo. El exceso constituirá abono total o parcial en su propio crédito. EN TESTIMONIO DE LO CUAL, expido el presente Edicto para conocimiento y comparecencia de los licitadores, bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a 22 de diciembre de 2022. MARIBEL LANZAR VELÁZQUEZ, ALGUACIL PLACA #735, ALGUACIL DEL TRIBUNAL, SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE TRUJILLO ALTO MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC Demandante, V. LA SUCESIÓN DE HILDA ESTHER FIGUEROA MERCADO, TAMBIÉN CONOCIDA COMO HILDA
FIGUEROA MERCADO, POR HILDA F. BUXEDA Y POR ILDA ESTHER FIGUEROA MERCADO, COMPUESTA POR ANTHONY RODRÍGUEZ FIGUEROA; MARÍA DEL CARMEN RODRÍGUEZ FIGUEROA; IVETTE RODRIGUEZ FIGUEROA, OSCAR RODRÍGUEZ FIGUEROA; FULANO DE TAL Y FULANA DE TAL COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS CON INTERÉS EN LA SUCESIÓN; CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA
Demandados
Civil Núm.: TJ2022CV00397. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EDICTO DE INTERPELACIÓN. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S.S.
A: LA SUCESIÓN DE HILDA ESTHER FIGUEROA MERCADO, TAMBIÉN CONOCIDA COMO HILDA FIGUEROA MERCADO, POR HILDA F. BUXEDA Y POR ILDA ESTHER FIGUEROA MERCADO, COMPUESTA POR ANTHONY RODRÍGUEZ FIGUEROA; MARÍA DEL CARMEN RODRÍGUEZ FIGUEROA; IVETTE RODRIGUEZ FIGUEROA, OSCAR RODRÍGUEZ FIGUEROA; FULANO DE TAL Y FULANA DE TAL COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS CON INTERÉS EN LA SUCESIÓN.
El Artículo 1578 del Código Civil de 2020, dispone: “Transcurridos treinta (30) días desde que se haya producido la delación, cualquier persona interesada puede solicitar al tribunal que le señale al llamado un plazo, para que manifieste si acepta la herencia o si la repudia. Este plazo no excederá de treinta (30) días. El tribunal apercibirá al llamado de que, si transcurrido el plazo señalado no ha manifestado su voluntad de aceptar la herencia o de repudiarla, se dará por aceptada.” Por la presente el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, conforme al Art. 1578, supra, y el caso Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria vs. Latinoamericana de Exportación, Inc., 164 DPR
689 (2005), les ordena que el término de treinta (30) días, hagan declaración aceptado o repudiando la herencia de la causante, HILDA ESTHER FIGUEROA MERCADO, también conocida como HILDA FIGUEROA MERCADO, por HILDA F. BUXEDA y por ILDA ESTHER FIGUEROA MERCADO. Se les apercibe a los herederos antes mencionados que de no expresarse dentro de ese término de treinta (30) días en torno a la aceptación o repudiación de herencia, la misma se tendrá por aceptada. Los abogados de la parte demandante son: Lcdo. Andrés Sáez Marrero T.S.P.R. Núm. 18074 TROMBERG, MORRIS & POULIN, LLC 1515 South Federal Highway, Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33432 Tel. 877-338-4101 / Fax: 561-338-4077 prservice@tmppllc.com / asaez@tmppllc.com Expido este edicto bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal, hoy 22 de diciembre de 2022. LCDA. MARILYN APONTE RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. KEILA GARCÍA SOLÍS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO Demandante V. NÉSTOR LUIS COTTO PÉREZ, SU ESPOSA YADIRA DÍAZ GONZÁLEZ T/C/C YAIRA DÍAZ GONZÁLEZ, Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE
Demandado Civil Núm.: CA2022CV02057. Sala: 402. 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, Centro Judicial 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 12 de diciembre de 2022, 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 marcado con el número M-dos (M-2) del Plano de Inscripción de la Urbanización Brisas de Canóvanas, localizado
en el sitio Santa Catalina del Barrio Torrecillas del Municipio de Canóvanas, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de doscientos cincuenta metros cuadrados (250.00 m.c). En lindes por el NORTE, en una distancia de veinte metros (20.00 m.), con el solar M-uno (M-01) de la Urbanización; por el SUR, en una distancia de veinte metros (20.00 m.), con el solar Mtres (M-03) de la Urbanización; por el ESTE, en una distancia de doce metros cincuenta centímetros (12.50 m.), con la Calle C de la Urbanización; y por el OESTE, en una distancia de doce metros en cincuenta centímetros (12.50 m.), con el solar M-nueve (M-9) de la Urbanización en lo adelante denominada como La Parcela. Enclava una casa de una sola planta dedicada a vivienda para una sola familia. Inscrita en la finca número 13,337, al folio 1 del tomo 299 de Canóvanas. Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección III de Carolina.
La propiedad ubica en según pagaré: 105 Ruiseñor St. Brisas de Canóvanas, PR. El producto de la subasta se destinará a satisfacer al demandante hasta donde alcance, la SENTENCIA dictada y notificada en este caso el 31 de octubre de 2022, en el presente caso civil, a saber la suma de $75,585.22 por concepto de principal; generando intereses a razón de 6.25% desde el 1ro de febrero de 2021; cargos por demora los cuales al igual que los intereses continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo total de la deuda reclamada en este pleito, y la suma de $10,125.00 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado; y demás créditos accesorios garantizados hipotecariamente. 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 9 DE MARZO DE 2023 A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en el Centro Judicial de Carolina, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Que el precio mínimo fijado para la PRIMERA SUBASTA es de $101,250.00. Que de ser necesaria la celebración de una SEGUNDA SUBASTA la misma se llevará a efecto el día 16 DE MARZO DE 2023 A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en la oficina antes mencionada del Alguacil que suscribe. El precio mínimo para la SEGUNDA SUBASTA será de $67,500.00, 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 24 DE MARZO DE 2023 A
LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en la oficina antes mencionada del Alguacil que suscribe. El precio mínimo para la TERCERA SUBASTA será de $50,625.00, 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 21 de diciembre de 2022. MANUEL VILLAFAÑE BLANCO, ALGUACIL #830, DIVISIÓN DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA.
This year’s Week 18 was bigger than last-second playoff berths. It was a rally for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who went into cardiac arrest on the field Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. Teams across the NFL gave Hamlin their support throughout the week, from little gestures on social media to heartfelt messages from coaches and players.
Last week, with the regular season coming to a close, was a reminder that it’s the people who make the games worth it.
The Dolphins and Jaguars stepped up in the AFC.
It took until the final day of the regular season, but the dust finally settled on a wild AFC playoff race. Heading into the weekend, two spots were left: the AFC South division title and the third wild-card slot. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers all had chances under the right conditions.
In the wild-card race among Miami, New England and Pittsburgh, the Dolphins got some help to take the final spot. They beat the New York Jets, 11-6, and they needed the Patriots to lose to the Bills, who won, 35-23.
The Patriots have been steady in their struggle for offense and the Steelers ramped up at season’s end. The Dolphins’ record was marked by streaks caused by injuries to both quarterbacks, Tua Tagovailoa and backup Teddy Bridgewater, leading to the rookie seventh-round pick Skylar Thompson seeing far more playing time than anyone envisioned. Still, Miami’s peak was higher than the alsorans and, as the No. 7 seed, the Dolphins could be a scary opponent for the division-rival Bills in the first round.
In the AFC South battle, Jacksonville beat Tennessee, 20-16, on Saturday to join the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo and Cincinnati as division winners and hosts
of at least one playoff game. With the No. 4 seed, the Jaguars will face the Los Angeles Chargers in the playoffs’ opening weekend.
For the Jaguars to get there in Year 1 of the Doug Pederson era, after the chaos wrought by former coach Urban Meyer, is a miracle. Pederson turned secondyear quarterback Trevor Lawrence into a legitimate star, and the defense, though inconsistent, has the talent upfront to be a nuisance from time to time. They’re not a Super Bowl-caliber team just yet, but to be in the dance at all has to feel like vindication.
For the wild-card round, the best part may be not who got in, but who they each have to face. All three AFC games are rematches: The games between the second and seventh seeds (Bills-Dolphins) and the third and sixth seeds (Bengals-Baltimore Ravens) are both divisional matchups, and both series are split 1-1 this year. The fifth-seed Chargers also get a chance at revenge against the fourthseed Jaguars, who pulled off a Week 3 upset of Los Angeles. Those kinds of rematches in a playoff environment are ripe for some funky one-off game plans that tilt the result one way or the other.
Around the NFL Sunday
Lions 20, Packers 16: The Packers fell apart in the fourth quarter after linebacker Quay Walker got himself ejected for shoving a Lions trainer. The mistake gave Detroit a first-and-goal and was the start of an ugly snowball. Not only did the Lions score after Walker left, but Rodgers threw away the team’s playoff chances on the ensuing drive. On yet another target for rookie receiver Christian Watson deep down the sideline, Rodgers gave the ball too much hang time and Lions safety Kerby Joseph made him pay. The Lions called a screen-and-lateral play on their next and final possession. The trick play sent Detroit from second-and-17 to third-and-3, allowing the Lions to set up an easy fourth-down conversion and run out the clock.
Seahawks 19, Rams 16 (OT): True to form, the Seahawks brought it down to the wire in a game with their playoff hopes on the line. Seattle quarterback Geno Smith had a roller-coaster evening, pinging between ill-timed interceptions and beautiful downfield throws to DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. In the end, it was enough. Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield threw an arm punt of an interception early in overtime, setting up the Seahawks to cruise into field-goal range and take home the win.
Broncos 31, Chargers 28: Although Chargers coach Brandon Staley played all his starters in a meaningless game, they still couldn’t beat a putrid Broncos roster. The Chargers even let Russell Wilson throw three touchdown passes for only the second time all season.
Commanders 26, Cowboys 6: The Cowboys started and ended the regular season with their two worst performances. Against the Commanders, quarterback Dak Prescott and the Dallas
offense shrank. Prescott was uncharacteristically inaccurate and, at a certain point, started jamming in throws he normally wouldn’t try. That gave the Washington offense plenty of chances. Commanders rookie quarterback Sam Howell played admirably, showing great success on downfield throws, a specialty of his at the University of North Carolina.
Eagles 22, Giants 16: The first-seeded Eagles allowed a Giants team quarterbacked by Davis Webb to stay around a bit too close for comfort. Webb was terrible, but he did avoid throwing any interceptions, which allowed the Giants’ rushing attack to slow the game down and put some points up. The real issue for the Eagles came on the other side of the ball. Quarterback Jalen Hurts returned to action, but it wasn’t triumphant; he showed less comfort outside the pocket than usual.
From page 27
49ers 38, Cardinals 13: The 49ers’ offense ran every which way on the Cardinals’ undisciplined front. Four players earned at least five carries, and three of them had at least one run break for more than 10 yards. The David Blough-led Arizona offense stood no shot of matching the 49ers’ firepower, especially not against San Francisco’s fierce front seven. Blough and backup quarterback Trace McSorley combined for three picks.
Bengals 27, Ravens 16: The Ravens sacrificed a chance at better playoff seeding to rest their key players for the wildcard round. Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley both stayed on the sideline, giving way to the undrafted rookie Anthony Brown. The Bengals terrorized him for most of the affair, resulting in Brown completing less than half his passes and tossing two interceptions. It didn’t take much from the Bengals’ offense to outscore the Ravens under those conditions, but Joe Burrow went above and beyond to make difficult throws under pressure and leave no doubt.
Bills 35, Patriots 23: There aren’t many times two kick-return touchdowns are the difference in a game, but that was the case here. Bills running back Ny-
heim Hines took back the opening kickoff for a score, giving the team a jolt after a long and difficult week. Hines didn’t stop there, eventually returning another kickoff for 6 points in the middle of the third quarter. His second return and the extra point put the Bills up by 21-17 and were the final lead change of the game, handing the Patriots a loss that dropped them out of the playoffs.
Dolphins 11, Jets 6: A Week 18 game with Skylar Thompson and Joe Flacco playing quarterback, in which one of the teams has no chance to make the playoffs, went exactly like you would expect. Both offenses struggled to move the ball save for a handful of special plays here and there, including Jets receiver Gar-
rett Wilson’s 36-yard tackle-breaking extravaganza late in the second quarter. The Dolphins squeaked by in the end, though, and snagged the AFC’s final wild-card berth.
Falcons 30, Buccaneers 17: In terms of playoff implications, this game meant nothing. Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady started the game, but he eventually stepped aside and took a seat on the bench — but not until after he broke the NFL’s single-season completion record. The Atlanta Falcons had nothing to play for either, but they at least saw some flashes from their young players on offense. Running back Tyler Allgeier ran hard, quarterback Desmond Ridder once again improved on his previous
performance and receiver Drake London snagged a tough 50-50 ball down the field in the second half.
Panthers 10, Saints 7: Neither team could make the playoffs, and it showed.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold struggled mightily, ending the game 5 of 15 for 43 yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns. Darnold was lucky to have the run game supporting him, as well as a defense that remained stout. The New Orleans Saints’ offense moved the ball efficiently until third downs, when they converted on just 4 of 13 opportunities.
Steelers 28, Browns 14: There’s no constant in the NFL like Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin finishing a season at or above .500. Sadly for the Steelers, a 9-8 record wasn’t enough to get them into the playoffs this year, although Tomlin’s crew still fought valiantly on Sunday. Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett made a few inspired plays outside the pocket, although he was inconsistent overall. The Pittsburgh pass-rushing unit stepped up, sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson seven times and completely derailing any chance he had at getting into a rhythm.
Texans 32, Colts 31: The Texans enthusiastically threw away the first overall pick in the 2023 draft with this win. A fumble-filled brawl between two bottomfeeders, the game was decided by two miraculous Davis Mills throws and a gutsy 2-point conversion. Mills converted on a late fourth-and-18 and launched a ball on a fourth-and-20 into the end zone for what could have been the game-tying score. The Texans didn’t want overtime, though, forgoing the extra point and going for 2 — and they took the lead right then and there with 50 seconds to go.
Vikings 29, Bears 13: The Bears started Nathan Peterman at quarterback, briefly gave the keys over to backup Tim Boyle, then let Peterman play again. That’s about all there is to know about how lifeless and sloppy this game was. The Vikings also played only one half of real football, resting their starters after easing their way into a 16-6 lead, thanks largely to quarterback Kirk Cousins and the passing game. Most important, the Bears’ loss secured them the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft.
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
You’ll find it easier to get along with others, especially one person who you might have had a difference with. The coming days could be a turning point, as Mars prepares to turn direct in a few days. With Venus helping things along, you’ll feel moved to reach out and start a conversation. And if a collaboration or team effort has stalled, it can soon pick up again, Aries.
Ready to roll? A positive Venus/Mars tie can see a discussion going well if it’s linked with work or a professional matter, and this could lead to a pleasing outcome. Even so, with the Sun making a nebulous link, you may need to spend time sorting out a matter that has nothing to do with you. Don’t be dragged in too deep, as you have more important things to attend to. Be strong, Taurus!
Have feelings for someone? The realization of how they have grown could affect you over coming days. And yet you might prefer to keep things under wraps for now, especially if you’re worried they won’t reciprocate. Trust your intuition in this regard, as it can guide you to do the right thing. Ready to explore an opportunity? Don’t let those old fears hold you back, Gemini.
Have you made the right decision regards a situation you’ve been trying to resolve? The positive link between Venus and Mars retro suggests that you’re on the right track, even if you don’t think so. In a week or so you’ll see proof of this. For now, you just need to trust your instincts and know that step by step you’re accomplishing exactly what you hoped for. You’ll be fine, Cancer.
If you’ve had second thoughts about a group or club you’re a member of, you’ll soon be ready to make a decision. The question is, do the good points outweigh the bad? If you’ve been more aware of all the negatives over recent weeks, this can shift. If you’re keen to connect with kindred spirits, there may be other ways to make such friendships that are just as rewarding.
It seems you’re ready to go after whatever you want, but in a way that isn’t too pushy. A spirit of co-operation can assist you in getting along with others, even those you don’t know very well. Concerning you goals and ambitions, it might have seemed that everything was working against you over past weeks. It may be all a matter of timing, as soon everything will slot into place.
Have you and another been flirting for a while? If you’ve hesitated to make a move, this was likely down to feisty Mars in its retro phase causing doubts. Soon you’ll feel more confident about trusting your instincts, and can take it from there. In fact, any relationship issue or creative matter that needs a decision could benefit soon. You’ll be ready to forge ahead.
Feeling powerless in your current situation? You may be tempted to do nothing. And yet you might have much more leeway here than you think, and this is important for you to know. Today’s Venus/Mars angle highlights the need to talk to someone who will give you advice. As Mars prepares to turn direct, putting it into action could see you making steady progress, and fast!
Collaboration and communication are enhanced, making this a great time for teamwork, one-to-one encounters and for a romantic date night too. The lively Venus/Mars alignment can be excellent for liaising with others. The only issue is that with Mars slowing prior to turning direct in a few days, you may encounter some uncertainty. A little patience will work wonders, Archer.
You know what you need to do, but doing it seems to be another matter. If you’ve been bitten by the procrastination bug recently, then it’s likely due to Mars’s retro phase. With the red planet about to forge ahead in a few days and with Venus in the mix, your desire for something could begin to outweigh any doubts or complacency. Wanting it can be the catalyst to getting it.
Although a relationship may be following a pleasant path, it might be just as well to wait a few days before making a commitment. With Mars retro on the verge of changing direction, your feelings could fluctuate, so this isn’t the best time to take the plunge. However, things will soon be different. You’ll know how you really feel in a week or so. No need to rush this, Aquarius!
You may be happy about something, but not ready to let everyone know. For now, it’s a secret that you’ll prefer to keep to yourself, perhaps because nothing is confirmed. As Mars turns direct in a few days, things can start to shape up over coming weeks, and you’ll know when it’s time to speak out. Plus, your social life continues to blossom, with a key reunion on the cards, Pisces.
