San José, Costa Rica - Sunday 18 July 2004

1.415.265 Hits in June!

Updated every day by 8:00AM Central Standard Time

Costa Ricans watch their "sele" lose to Colombia 2-0 on the big screen on Avenida Central. The mood was quiet last night, as Costa Rica put their best effort against the defending champions of the Copa America. Click for larger image!

Free Trade Agreement on Hold
Following a week of speculations and expectations, the turbulence over the Tratado Libre de Comercio (TLC) - Free Trade Agreement - the waters have calmed so to speak.

Government Will Educate Costa Ricans on Tax Plan
Ministro de Hacienda (Revenue Minister), Alberto Dent, announced that the government will launch a campaign to explain the tax reform package that is before the Legislature, so that Costa Rican will understand what the lawmakers are discussing.

More Protests "For a Whole Bunch of Reasons" Are Coming This Week
The next few days the streets may be full of protestors, again, as unions prepare an action "for a whole bunch of things", according to Luis Sals, secretary general of the Unión de Empleados del INS, y miembro de la Coordinadora Unitaria Sindical and Magisterial (CUSIMA).

Wanted by Costa Rican Authorities
Twenty one names make the Interpol "Red" list, wanted in Costa Rica for varying crimes, from fraud to sex abuse of minors.

Summer Vacation Ends
Today is the last day of "summer vacation". It's back to school tomorrow, and the traffic will be horrendous as vacationers head for home.

COPA AMERICA
Colombia Downs Costa Rica 2-0
Defending champion Colombia eliminated Costa Rica 2-0 in the quarterfinals on Saturday and extended its unbeaten run at the Copa America to 10 matches since 2001.

Chilean president calls for probe into Pinochet's secret accounts Chilean President Ricardo Lagos on Saturday asked the State Defense Council (CDE) to investigate possible secret bank accounts of former leader Augusto Pinochet.  US fugitive deported from Mexico A man on the FBI's list of 10 most-wanted suspects is back in US custody after being deported by Mexico. Colombian brothers freed after 3 years NEIVA, Colombia -- The Lozada brothers were teenagers when Marxist guerrillas disguised as police burst into their luxury apartment and dragged them and their mother, a congresswoman, from their beds. International News from the New York Times

SPECIAL REPORTS CUBA-US: Alliance Against Cancer Cuba's Centre for Molecular Immunology (CIM) and a U.S. biotech company will work together to complete the clinical development of three experimental cancer drugs, the Cuban research institute announced Thursday. CIMAB S.A., which markets the drugs produced by CIM, said in a communique that the agreement will bring funding for the research, manufacturing and commercialisation of ''cancer vaccines'', which use the body's immune system to combat tumours, being developed in Cuba.   TRAVEL New destination in Costa Rica attracts eco-tourists worldwide Turning in the direction of the rustling leaves, we saw the troop of howler monkeys pause to stare at us before leaping away single file onto the branches of some ceiba and tamarind trees. Now it was our turn. Clipped into a climbing harness and hooked to a cable strung through a Costa Rican forest, first my 22-year-old daughter, Alissa, and then I hesitantly inched off a 20-foot-high platform to zip through the treetops. THE TAKE: DOUBLE TAKE In an attempt to surpass an already extraordinary 97% literacy rate, the Costa Rican government now requires cattle to attend school. [Photo by Stephen Bauer]

With GSM and the Lowest Cost to Rent a Cellular Telephone in Costa Rica!

Retirement/Relocation Tours for the Non-rich! I am the ONLY Retirement, Relocation Guide in Costa Rica without a hidden agenda. I will show you many of the best areas for value of climate, land, amenities, and building costs. I will introduce you to honest, value, people who will share with you the actual costs of real estate & homes built for people like you. You can then compare these to any of the other "DEALS" promoted by the many other "Tours" Please visit: www.costaricaretireonss.com and contact my References. George Lundquist, Retirement, Relocation Columnist for: www.insidecostarica.com and www.welovecostarica.com