Stephanie Figueroa, executive director of the Gender Equity Observatory of Puerto Rico By THE STAR STAFF As part of “No More Violence Against Women” month, the Gender Equity Observatory of Puerto Rico has launched a media campaign titled “Ni Olvido ni Silencio” (“Neither Forgetting nor Silence”), demanding justice for the hundreds of women whose lives were taken by gender-based violence in recent years. “This effort is not just an act of remembrance -- it is a collective outc

By THE STAR STAFF Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez on Tuesday announced an initiative to restore coral reefs along Puerto Rico’s coastline, alongside nine flagship projects focused on mangrove planting and wetland rehabilitation. Quiles emphasized the urgency of addressing coastal erosion and its impact on marine ecosystems, noting that the agency has moved swiftly since he assumed leadership in January. “Coastal erosion and its effec

“Each donated item represents hope and support for a sister island that needs our help today,” Secretary of State Rosachely Rivera Santana said. By THE STAR STAFF Secretary of State Rosachely Rivera Santana announced Tuesday that the Puerto Rico government will establish five collection centers in San Juan, Manatí, Ponce, Fajardo and Mayagüez to gather supplies destined for communities in Jamaica impacted by Hurricane Melissa. “Puerto Rico knows what it means to rebuild after

According to authorities, the suspect was captured on security cameras opening the ATM’s cash dispenser door and ripping out several cables, causing an estimated $2,318 in damages. By THE STAR STAFF Police on Monday requested the public’s assistance in identifying an individual suspected of causing aggravated damage to an ATM at the Padre Mac Donald Cooperative, located on Muñoz Rivera Avenue in Ponce. According to authorities, the suspect was captured on security cameras in

Ramón Barquín III, left, president of the United Retailers Center, signs a leadership alliance agreement with Suzette Roldán Medina, president of International Coaching Federation’s Puerto Rico chapter. By THE STAR STAFF The United Retailers Center (CUD by its acronym in Spanish) and the Puerto Rico chapter of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) signed an agreement on Monday to strengthen leadership, communication and organizational development within the business sec

Agriculture Secretary Josué E. Rivera Castro received unanimous board approval to become the new president of the Economic Development Bank for Puerto Rico. (Facebook via Dept. de Agricultura) By THE STAR STAFF The Economic Development Bank for Puerto Rico (EDB) board of directors accepted the recommendation of Gov. Jenniffer González Colón and unanimously approved the appointment of Josué E. Rivera Castro as the institution’s new president. The decision, announced Monday, wa

Ponce Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez (Facebook via Ciudad de Ponce) By THE STAR STAFF Ponce Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez announced Monday the approval of a new municipal ordinance that will allow the expropriation of properties deemed public nuisances, with the goal of rehabilitating them and repurposing them for affordable housing and community development. The measure, known as Ordinance No. 16, Series 2025–2026, establishes a modern legal framework for intervening in, acqu

Mabel Jiménez Miranda, the executive president of the Public Corporation for the Supervision and Insurance of Cooperatives of Puerto Rico By THE STAR STAFF Mabel Jiménez Miranda, the executive president of the Public Corporation for the Supervision and Insurance of Cooperatives of Puerto Rico (COSSEC by its acronym in Spanish) announced Monday the distribution of $3,200,634 in dividends to insured savings and credit cooperatives as part of the 2025 fiscal year financial resul