Officials announced the reopening of a ranger station at Maricao State Forest, expanding surveillance and visitor services in the area. After nine years without a permanent ranger presence, the Maricao State Forest is set to reopen a dedicated station for the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) Ranger Corps, officials announced. House Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez, Rep. Omayra Martínez, Maricao Mayor Wilfredo “Juny” Ruiz, and DRNA Secretary W

A new study finds Puerto Rico’s hospice industry contributes significantly to the island’s economy while supporting patients and families with end-of-life care. By THE STAR STAFF A new analysis by Estudios Técnicos, Inc. (ETI) reveals that Puerto Rico’s hospice industry is not only improving end‑of‑life care for patients with chronic and terminal illnesses but also delivering a significant $142 million economic boost to the island’s economy. The study, conducted in partnershi

More than 500 hospitality professionals will gather in Puerto Rico to discuss industry trends, business opportunities, and the sector’s continued growth. By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico’s independent hospitality sector—once considered a complementary segment of the lodging market—has become one of the island’s most dynamic engines of tourism growth. Reflecting that momentum, more than 500 professionals will gather on September 29 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center for Rebook

The track at Belmont Park, which hosts the final leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown of prestigious competitions, in Elmont, N.Y., Sept. 16, 2026. The New York Racing Association, with the help of a $455 million state loan towards the makeover, has reopened Belmont Park with a vision for the storied facility to also host a range of events, including large concerts and intimate performances. (Lexi Parra/The New York Times) By JOE DRAPE ELMONT, N.Y. — The new Belmont Park, just

A contestant wears a VR headset during a virtual taekwondo bout at the 2026 Chuncheon Korea Open International Taekwondo Championships in Chuncheon, South Korea, on July 18, 2026. The contactless version of the Korean martial art is making its debut at this year’s Asian Games. Critics say it’s a glorified video game. (Jean Chung/The New York Times) By YAN ZHUANG CHUNCHEON, South Korea — The two fighters were an unlikely matchup. One was a 5-foot-11 man from the United States.

By LARA JAKES An explosive-laden drone at a German airport. A strike on a passenger train near the Polish border. A rush of warnings about more chaos to come. If President Vladimir Putin of Russia was hoping to heap pressure on Ukraine’s closest allies, he’s succeeded with a series of provocations that Western officials have blamed on Russia and said could put citizens of NATO countries in danger. The question is how Europe responds. In the past week, European leaders have sp

By ISMAEL NAAR and SAEED AL-BATATI The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said Thursday that it had shot down six ballistic missiles fired by the Iran-backed Houthi militia, in what appeared to be one of the largest cross-border attacks by the group since its conflict with Saudi Arabia spiraled back into war. The missiles were aimed at the Saudi cities of Taif and Yanbu, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki, a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, said on social media. “Escalatio

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia addresses the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. Abbas was denied a visa to enter the U.S. (Dave Sanders/The New York Times) By FARMAZ FASSIHI and MAX BEARAK Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas portrayed Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as “a malicious colonial scheme” aimed at forcing Palestinians to leave their homeland. But he said he still hoped

Wall Street was down on Thursday as uncertainty about ​the Middle East lifted oil prices and Treasury yields, but stocks came off session lows after Reuters reported ‌US and Iranian negotiators were exploring a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq pared losses after the report that US and Iranian negotiators in New York were exploring a path out of war that would also include Washington lifting its economic blockade of Iran. US and Iranian leaders excha

Days after Hayden Panettiere died, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration joined the investigation into her death. By DERRICK BRYSON TAYLOR Hayden Panettiere died from a toxic mixture of the powerful opioid fentanyl, antipsychotic and antianxiety drugs, and muscle relaxants, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said Tuesday, adding that her death was ruled an accident. An autopsy showed no signs of trauma that would have contributed to the actor’s death, the coroner’s