San José, Costa Rica - Tuesday 27 July 2004

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Updated every day by 8:00AM Central Standard Time

Passersby take a second look at the recently erected statue  honouring the the women of Guanacaste, on Avenida Central. The 500 pound statue is part of the Municipality of San José efforts to beautify the downtown core. Click for larger image!

Air Traffic Controllers Strike Continues into Day 30; May Soon Come to An End
However, good news is that following the two hour closed meeting between government officials and striking air traffic controllers, finally opened a small door that may soon end the month long strike. And though there was no agreement reached, at least the silence between the parties has ended.

Colon to Devalued More Rapidly
With economic stability as it's objective, the Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) is adopting a "restrictive monetary" policy to confront rising inflation.

Elca Employees Demanding Salary Increase
While three directors of the intervened Banco Elca sit in jail, 114 employees are asking the Superintendencia General de Entidades Financieras (SUGEF) to comply with the salary increase corresponding to private sector employees.

4.3 Earthquake Felt in Central Valley
Did you feel it? At 1:57pm an earthquake registering 4.3 on the Richter scale was felt in the Central Valley. The epicenter was located some 23 kilometers southwest of Quepos.

Villalobos Update: Meeting with Prosecutors
A report by the UCCR, says,  Jose Miguel Villalobos, as counselor to an Enrique Villalobos investor, recently visited the offices of Francisco D'Allanesse and met with two top aides of the General Prosecutor.

Castro lashes out at Bush's charges Cuban leader Fidel Castro Monday denounced US President George W. Bush's charges that the Cuban government encourages sex tourism and is involved in human trafficking. Colombian president condemns bishop kidnapping Colombian President Alvaro Uribe on Monday condemned the kidnapping of the bishop of Yopal by the country's second largest rebel group and promised to carry out operations to rescue him. Former adviser denies Peruvian president's involvement in bribery Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo's former adviser on Monday denied a report that the president had received a bribe of 5 million US dollars from a Colombian brewery company. France approves cooperation agreement with Colombia The French government approved an agreement of cooperation with Colombia on Monday in the combat against terrorism, international crime, drug trafficking, arms smuggling and money laundering. Six injured in explosion at McDonald fast food restaurant in Mexico At lease six people were wounded on Monday in an explosion at a McDonald fast-food restaurant in the capital city of Mexico. International News from the New York Times

SPECIAL REPORTS Why Mexico struggles to confront its dark past  When President Vicente Fox took office in 2000, he ousted the authoritarian Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and pledged to go after the politicians and military brass responsible for the killings of hundreds of dissidents during the party's 71-year rule. In 2002 Mr. Fox was applauded for opening secret security files that would give prosecutors the legal firepower to implicate historically untouchable leaders of Mexico's "dirty war" era of the 1970s and 1980s, when the government practiced systematic abuses against dissident groups. Human rights workers say the documents make clear the abuses committed under previous governments. 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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