San José, Costa Rica - Tuesday 17 August 2004

1.116 Unique Visitors Daily Average in July!  What's This? 

Updated every day by 8:00AM Central Standard Time

La Fuerza Publica show off their new cars on Saturday, following a ceremony of the police academy. The cars were donated to the Costa Rican government. Click for larger image!

Rising Cost of Gasoline May Force Rationing
The rising cost of gasoline prices in Costa Rica is leaving some car owners no option but to abandon their cars in trade for a motorcycle or scooter.

Venezuelan Ortega Asylum Revoked
Costa Rica revoked political asylum to Venezuelan union activist Ortega Carvajal, saying that Ortega did not complete with the terms of his political asylum granted him some 17 months ago.

Canadian Faces 15 Years for Drug Trafficking
The Juzgado Penal de San José has asked 15 years in prison for Canadian, James Trimbles, who was found to be transporting 1.360 kilos of cocaine.

American Airlines to Begin Nonstop Service From Los Angeles
American Airlines will begin daily nonstop service between Los Angeles and San José, on Dec. 16.

911 Screening Callers
Some Costa Ricans are complaining that a call to the 911 service takes too much of their time, as 911 operators take a few seconds to ask more questions than in the past, in effect, screening the emergency calls received.

New Dominican president takes office
Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez took office on Monday, vowing to take austerity measures to pull the Caribbean nation out of its worst economic crisis in history, according to reports from the country's capital, Santo Domingo.

Chavez "humble" over win
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Monday called on the oppositions to have talks with the government to "discuss for a new stage in Venezuela" after the conclusion of the referendum.

Gunmen Kill One, Wound Four at Protest Rally in Caracas
Men pointing guns at anti-Chavez protesters in Caracas Monday
Tensions remain high in Venezuela after Sunday's recall referendum in which President Hugo Chavez claimed victory. An opposition rally to protest the outcome was disrupted by gunfire Monday, leaving one person dead and four wounded.

International News from the New York Times
 

SPECIAL REPORTS Initiative to boost Brazil's 'self-esteem' Unlike Mexico and other nations in Latin America, which encourage their citizens to work in the United States, Brazil is battling to hang on to its would-be migrants by promoting national "self-esteem." "Of all the countries in Latin America, Brazilians are the ones with the lowest self-esteem. It's chronic," said Mauricio Machado, coordinator of a campaign called "The Best Thing About Brazil is the Brazilians." The effort to promote patriotism and self-esteem was inaugurated July 19 with help from President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

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