Family Seeks AFP Help to Find Son in Costa Rica
The father of a Melbourne man who has been missing in Costa Rica for more than a month wants an Australian Federal Police (AFP) officer assigned to his case.

Hotels Join Fight to Eliminate the Sexual Exploitation of Minors
Airport taxi drivers were the first. Then came the car rental companies in forming part of the group. Now, the Cámara Costarricense de Hoteles  has adopted the project called "Código de Conducta" that aims to protect children and adolescents against sexual exploitation that is associated with tourism.

Almost 1 Million Dogs in Costa Rica
Costa Rica, according to some estimates, has a population of some 935.000 dogs or one for every four people. The estimate is that 1/3 or some 300.000 are street dogs, dogs that are left to roam the street without supervision.

Casino Hours To Be Limited to 18 Hours
A proposal by the special Legislative Commission will limit casino hours in Costa Rica from 12 noon to 6am the next day - a total of 18 hours - away from the current 24 hours of operation by most casinos.

Bus Collides With Train in Unusual Accident
Eight people were hurt in an unusual traffic accident between a train a bus in the vicinity of Ciruelas, Alajuela.

Get Used to Carrying An Umbrella, Says the Weatherman
Yesterday afternoon's downpour took many by surprise. This is the summer or "dry" season, until the first week of May at least, and it is not supposed to rain.

Plan Fiscal Obligates Central Bank to Reduce "Dollarization" in Banking System
If the Plan Fiscal is adopted in it's current state, the Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) - the Central Bank - says it will be obligated to reduce "dollar" deposits at banks.


LATIN AMERICA

Director of Mexican daily murdered
The director of Mexico's daily "La Opinion de Poza Rica" was shot dead in a road ambush in east Mexico, authorities said on Saturday.

Chile confident to win race to head OAS
Chile said on Saturday that the quitting of former Salvadoran President Francisco Flores increases the possibility of the Chilean candidate to win the race for secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS).

Fidel Castro to Deliver Special Speech
The Cuban President Fidel Castro will deliver a special national speech Monday, according to a note by Granma newspaper.

Venezuela Recalls Coup Anniversary
Venezuela recalls Monday the coup d´etat on April 11, 2002, to overthrow President Hugo Chavez and reiterates its criticism of US responsibility in the events.

Brazilian Lula Kicks Off Third Tour of Rapprochement with Africa
President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is expected to leave this city after attending the Pope´s funeral and embarked on a third tour of rapprochement with Africa as part of his South-South collaboration policy.


SPECIAL REPORTS

CHILE:
Prize-Winning Author Fights Book Piracy
This year is the 500th anniversary of Don Quixote, and a prize-winning Chilean author feels like he is tilting at windmills -- though not at all imaginary -- in his fight against book piracy and the government's indifference to the illegal industry.
 

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