http://www.prdailysun.com/ The Puerto Rico Daily Sun, Puerto Rico s only English-language daily newspaper, our mission is fairness and truth in reporting. Our daily sections cover news related to local events, the economy, U.S. and World, Arts and Living and Sports. en-us http://www.prdailysun.com/rss.gif http://www.prdailysun.com/ 96 24 http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1268193726 Of the Daily Sun staffgramirez@prdailysun . netFor the third consecutive year, the Puerto Rico Open takes center stage this week with a strong field of 162 players at Trump International Golf Club in Río Grande . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1268191873 Nissan announced the availability of the 2010 Nissan Rogue S Krom Edition, a special sporty version of Nissan s popular crossover SUV . The new Rogue S Krom is on sale now at Nissan retailers, joining the 2010 Nissan Rogue lineup that went on sale in late August . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1268190934 HAVANA A Cuban dissident on a 13-day hunger strike to demand the release of ailing political prisoners has refused a Spanish offer of asylum, saying on Tuesday that he is determined to continue with his protest until he dies . Guillermo Farinas told The Associated Press that a Spanish diplomat in Havana made the offer during a visit to his home in the central Cuban city of Santa Clara on Monday . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1268190535 PARIS Is the Middle East about to go officially nuclear?Bitter rivals Israel and Syria both announced Tuesday that they want to pursue atomic power plants, potentially complicating the diplomatic storm over Iran's nuclear program and fueling a widening web of suspicion across the Middle East . In a region where few leaders trust each other to keep a nuclear program peaceful, Israel which is widely thought to have a secret nuclear weapons program is unlikely to accept Syrian assurances its program is civilian . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1268190219 BERLIN The pope's brother said in a newspaper interview published Tuesday that he slapped pupils as punishment after he took over a renowned German boys' choir in the 1960s . He also said he was aware of allegations of physical abuse at an elementary school linked to the choir but did nothing about it . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1268189920 Two powerhouse pianists, legends throughout the musical world, will wind up the 54th Casals Festival this week . The last two programs of the nine-concert event will be held at San Juan s new Pablo Casals Symphony Hall . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1268189478 MIAMI Toyota owners claiming that massive safety recalls are causing the value of their vehicles to plummet have filed at least 89 class-action lawsuits that could cost the Japanese auto giant $3 billion or more, according to an Associated Press review of cases, legal precedent and interviews with experts . Those estimates do not include potential payouts for wrongful death and injury lawsuits, which could reach in the tens of millions each . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1268189357 At least four men committed a heavily armed robbery at the Banco Popular branch in the Plaza Trujillo shopping center in Trujillo Alto, in which they fled with an undetermined amount of cash which could surpass $100,000 total . Before the Federal Bureau of Investigation took jurisdiction of the case, the Puerto Rico Police Department reported that at least four men brandishing AK-47 assault rifles broke into the bank branch at 9:45 a . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1268186534 Gov . Fortuño asked Veteran Affairs Advocate Jorge Mas to resign Tuesday due to the poor conditions that predominate in a home for elderly veterans known as the Casa del Veterano in Juana Díaz . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1268164304 CANCUN, Mexico Mexico s spring break king Cancun is rebounding quickly from last year s triple blow to its tourism industry caused by the country s swine flu epidemic, drug violence and a global economic crisis . Those worries couldn t compete this year against Mexico s cheap airfare from the United States and phenomenal package deals that include the popular all-you-can-drink enticements . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1268118750 First the ground shook in Haiti, then Chile and now Turkey . The earthquakes keep coming hard and fast this year, causing people to wonder if something sinister is happening underfoot . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1268108197 Along with her bushy eyebrows and wacky outfits, Ugly Betty s braces have become her trademark . But after four long years, the endearing Mode secretary has been freed of her metal orthodontic wear . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1268085049 By ED DEL GRANDE HGTVPro . com Q: My daughter just bought her first house, and space is an issue . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1268022734 By JAKE COYLENEW YORKTim Burton and Johnny Depp s trip down the rabbit hole drew huge crowds, as Alice in the Wonderland earned a whopping $116 . 3 million in its opening weekend a record for a 3-D film . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1267940016 The path to personal growth and development is that of achieving higher levels of wisdom, peace and strength . As human beings become more capable to confront doubt and uncertainty, their knowledge foundation and psychological surety is proportionally augmented . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1267938891 Since its beginning twenty five years ago, Festival Casals de Puerto Rico has distinguished itself by presenting outstanding artistic performances . This year was no different as Musical and Artistic Director, Justino Díaz proudly welcomed music lovers to the Bellas Arts Center, Sala Antonio Paoli at 8:00 p . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1267651499 By JANET MOOREMinneapolis Star TribuneLast summer, Steven Erickson was in such sad shape he could barely make it out to his vegetable garden without huffing and puffing . The retired schoolteacher from northern Minnesota would drag a chair from his kitchen out to the patch and pick his beloved heirloom tomatoes while seated among the plants . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1267336423 By JANET MOORELast summer, Steven Erickson was in such sad shape he could barely make it out to his vegetable garden without huffing and puffing . The retired schoolteacher from northern Minnesota would drag a chair from his kitchen out to the patch and pick his beloved heirloom tomatoes while seated among the plants . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1266030393 Nine newly established cooperatives received on Friday their certificate of incorporation and operating licenses, saying they were ready to begin operations immediately, said José González Torres, president of the Corporation for the Supervision and Insurance of Puerto Rico Cooperatives, known as COSSEC in Spanish . Although at the time of incorporating their mission is the same, each one s purpose pursues a different course . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1265944884 SAVANNAH, Ga . A single-mom soldier who says she refused to deploy to Afghanistan because she had no family able to care for her young son will be discharged from the military instead of facing a court-martial, the Army said Thursday . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1265783694 CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla . Shuttle Endeavour arrived at the International Space Station early Wednesday, delivering a new room and observation deck that will come close to completing construction 200 miles above Earth . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1264480163 Dear Lynne: Mastering roast chicken was my big achievement for 2009 . For 2010, it'd be nice to move beyond flavoring it with salt, pepper and lemon juice . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1264059386 WASHINGTON The 2000-2009 decade was the warmest on record, easily surpassing the previous hottest decade the 1990s researchers said Tuesday in a report providing fresh evidence that the planet may be warming at a potentially disastrous rate . In 2009, global surface temperatures were 1 . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1263521298 NASA, which is bound and determined to turn its astronaut corps into a bunch of watersports enthusiasts, has hit another roadblock . The hugely expensive ($250 million!) system on the space station that is supposed to magically make urine drinkable (or, we guess some fetishists might say, even more drinkable) has run into another roadblock . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1263239458 Francisco Perez, chief operating officer for Bella Group, exclusive distributor for Honda in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, presented Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2010, Mariana Vicente, with a Honda Civic hybrid . The car is one of the prizes won by the newly elected Miss Universe Puerto Rico, who represented the town of Río Grande in the local competition, which she will be able to enjoy during her reign . http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1259206309 The Puerto Rico Bar Association suffered Wednesday its first setback when the commonwealth Supreme Court rejected the group's petition for an injunction to suspend the effect of Laws 121 and 135, which eliminate compulsory membership in the entity and change internal voting procedures . Nonetheless, the top court, which is controlled by a majority of justices appointed by the New Progressive Party, gave the Solicitor General until 5 p .