San José, Costa Rica - Thursday 29 July 2004

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Draped in Chilean flags, the coffins containing the bodies of the three officials of Chile's Embassy who were killed in a hostage standoff lie in the Metropolitan Cathedral during a funeral Mass in San Jose, Wednesday. Costa Rican police officer Jose Orlando Jimenez, who was assigned to Chile's Embassy as a guard, took 10 people hostage inside the building before killing three Chilean officials, and then committing suicide before police stormed the Embassy. Full Story All the Fotos Click for larger image!

Costa Rica, Chile Mourn Slain Diplomats
Both Costa Rica and Chile yesterday (Wednesday) declared a day of national mourning to memorize the three Chilean diplomats killed the day earlier by a Costa Rican policeman.

24 Hour General Strike Today!
From paying your water bill to getting a new cedula at the Registro, most or all public services will be suspended today and as union leaders of the Coordinadora Unitaria Sindical y Magisterial (Cusima), which makes up some 70% of all unions in Costa Rica, are calling for a 24 hour walk out.

Peace Corps Volunteer Accused of Sexual Abuse of Costa Rican Boy
A U.S. Federal Grand Jury began judicial proceedings recently against Timothy Ronald Obert, 36, of Santa Cruz, California for sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy during his service with the US Government’s Peace Corps program in Costa Rica.

60% of Costa Rican Adults Obese, Heath Minister Says
A plan called "Plan Nacional de Alimentación y Nutrición " was announced yesterday by the government to warn "ticos" off junk food or foods loaded with fat and sugars, that promote obesity.

News Briefs
The cost of electricity goes up today. The Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz (CNFL), says it a 14.42% increase will go in effect today.

Chile to revise security regime at embassies overseas The Chilean Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday that it will revise the security regime at its embassies overseas. Kerry calls on Colombia to abide by UNHCHR recommendation US Democrat presidential candidate John Kerry and 22 senators this week called on Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to follow the recommendations of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) in dealing with violence in his country. Arrest warrant issued for former Argentinian president Argentina has issued an international arrest warrant for former president Carlos Menem, who has been charged with corruption and money laundering. People's "tribunal" to judge US crimes against Cuba A people's tribunal, formed by citizens from different countries, announced Wednesday that it will "judge" the US crimes against Cuba over the past 45 years.    International News from the New York Times

SPECIAL REPORTS AMERICAS SOCIAL FORUM: Explosive Mix of Oil and Free Trade Ecuador and other Andean nations should not accept international trade tribunal rulings on their tax policy for foreign oil companies, as this implies renouncing sovereignty, said activists at the first Social Forum of the Americas, meeting in Quito. On Jul. 1, an international trade arbitration panel in London ruled that the Ecuadorian state must pay the California-based Occidental Petroleum 75 million dollars in value added tax (VAT) refunds that were deemed ''wrongfully withheld''.   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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