San José, Costa Rica - Sunday 25 July 2004

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The European Parliament on Thursday gave its backing for former Portuguese prime minister Jose Manuel Barroso to become the new president of the EC. Barroso will form the new EC, a college of 25 commissioners, in the next three months and will take office on November 1 to succeed outgoing EC President Romano Prodi whose five-year term ends October 31. Click for larger image!

Cell Phones in Prison A Problem
In the last several days penitentiary officials have been able to confiscate dozens of cellular telephones, brought in to the prison system, and used by prisoners to threaten and/or extort people on the outside.

Confusion on the Whereabouts of Venezuelan Political Refugee Carlos Ortega
Fernando Berrocal, lawyer for Venezuelan union leader Carlos Ortega, exiled in Costa Rica, denied reports by the Caracas newspaper El Nacional, that his client is in Venezuela.

Progress in Human Development
Costa Rica climbed just one bit in the Human Development Index of the United Nations Program for Development, as compared to the one disclosed last year, but kept her steady upward trend since the Index was first published in 1990.

World Leader
With an advanced optic identification system, Costa Rican firm Xeltron has made inroads in the color selection of seeds and grains and has become the world leader in the exports of that type of equipment.

Venezuelan gov't to sign agreement with opposition Venezuelan Vice President Jose Rangel said Saturday that the government is prepared to sign a public and formal agreement with the opposition to ensure the upcoming referendum on President Hugo Chavez's presidency. Argentine justice minister replaced due to domestic crisis Argentine President Nestor Kirchner on Saturday night dismissed Justice Minister Gustavo Beliz and National Security Secretary Norberto Quantin due to serious violence and a political crisis in Argentina. Colombian troops rescue president's kidnapped cousin Colombian troops raided a rural area in northwestern Colombia on Saturday and rescued President Alvaro Uribe's cousin, who was kidnapped by paramilitaries, officials said. International News from the New York Times

SPECIAL REPORTS AMERICAS: An efficient plan: multinational consulates Amid all the senseless things that governments do, they sometimes come up with ideas that make you wonder whether they're smarter than you think. That's what happened last week when Brazil and Argentina announced a plan to open a joint consulate in Boston. Brazil's ambassador to the United States, Roberto Abdenur, and his Argentine counterpart, José Octavio Bordón, went to the State Department to seek permission to open a joint consulate in Boston as a way to save money on real estate, security costs and personnel. COSTA RICA TRAVEL Ten Ways To Take "Cost" of Costa Rica Go during the green, or rainy, season (May through November), when hotel and rental car rates are cheaper. A car rental can go for $55 a day, fro example, during the the high season, $35 a day in the "green" season. And you can often save  30 percent or more on hotels and tours. THE TAKE:  YOUR TAKE "This Muñeca has had enough" You are the most beautiful flower in the garden,” a brave Tico told me as I sat on a cliff in Manuel Antonio watching the sunset with my mother. I bit my lips not to laugh and that created a smile. So he kept on. “I want to make you my wife here on this cliff. We get married and I take care of you forever,” he insisted. My mother’s face turned white like Casper. I asked him his name. “My name David and I make a good husband for you. You no pay for nothing. I take care of you. My beautiful flower. The best princess in all the world. You are a princess, preciosa.”

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