San José, Costa Rica - Friday 10 September 2004

1.234 Daily Average. Visits in August! Up 10%

Updated every day by 8:00AM Central Standard Time

No Soccer for Saprissa Fans this Weekend The Ricardo Saprissa stadium in Tibás, home of the purple coloured soccer team "Saprissa" was closed by authorities over a debt the team owes the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS)> The team's "official" equipment is also in storage. This weekend's Saprissa game may have to be postponed. Click for larger image!

insidenicaragua A new weekly feature published on Sundays, featuring a summary  of current news and events in Nicaragua.

Pacheco Says He Will Stay to the End
There were no cabinet defections announced yesterday, following the announcement by Transport Minister, Javier Chaves and Exterior Minister, Alberto Trejos, on Tuesday.

Comptroller Says Riteve Contract Has Monopolistic Tendencies
Alex Solís Fallas, Contralor de la República (Comptroller), appeared yesterday before a Legislative committee which is looking into the the government's contract with Riteve SA, that has the exclusive contract for all vehicular inspection in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Tells U.S to Delist Off 'Coalition of Willing'
Costa Rica's Constitutional Court has ruled that the country's name cannot be included by the United States as part of a “coalition” in the Iraq conflict, and Costa Rican officials are demanding their country be stricken from the list.

Costa Rica’s Fiscal Reform Plan Resurrected From The Dead,
After Costa Rica’s long awaited and much troubled tax reform bill was declared dead by certain lawmakers last month, the proposals may yet be approved by the end of the year after receiving the kiss of life from the country’s Constitutional Court.

Authorities Close Saprissa Soccer Stadium Over Debts
Saprissa Stadium was temporarily closed by the Costa Rica government on Thursday to enforce payment of a debt the Saprissa sports organization owes the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS).

Did you Know?
That under Costa Rica's political constitution, the President cannot resign. 

Chile stands firm in border disputes with Bolivia, Peru
Chile stood firm in territorial disputes with its neighbors Peru and Bolivia while stressing diplomatic dialogue is vital to solving the issues.

Hurricane Ivan claims 20 lives in Caribbean
More than 20 people have been killed and hundreds of houses destroyed by Hurricane Ivan through the Caribbean basin since it began to hit the region Tuesday.

Chavez says ready to improve ties with US
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez stated readiness this week to visit Washington in order to improve inharmonious relations with the United States, Chavez's communication office said Thursday.  

International News from the New York Times
 

Costa Rica Church Sacrifices to Send Missionaries Today's missionaries are just as likely to be Nigerians or Costa Ricans as they are to be Americans or Europeans. These 'Third World missionaries' often go to countries where Western missionaries aren't welcome. They live modestly, with very little support. Why are they willing to go? A small church in Costa Rica reveals the answer. That small church is the Lilly of the Valley Church, a small community of faith that has overcome great obstacles to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Pastor Gilbert Rowe has given up nearly everything-including his own salary-to support a growing number of missionaries from his church. Pastor Rowe said, "First we support the missionary work, then we live on what's left over, with what remains. Some months there's a surplus, other months there isn't. But God is always faithful to supply all our needs."

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