Summit Against TLC Thursday
Some 2.000 union leaders and 600 organizers will participate this Thursday in the "Cumbre Nacional de los Sectores Sociales contra el Tratado de Libre Comercio con los Estados Unidos" - national summit against the free trade agreement with the United States - at the Teatro Melico Salazar in downtown San José.

Law Would Promote Development of Alternative Fuel Sources
The rising cost of crude oil on world markets and the increasing cost of gasoline products in Costa Rica, has prompted Legislators to present a proposed law that would promote the incentive to investigate alternative fuel sources.

FBI Operation Sees Offenders in Cases Involving Sex Acts With Minors Sentenced
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, announced that defendant, George Clarke, was sentenced by a U.S. District Court, in Miami, to a five  year term, following Clarke's conviction at trial.

Former Presidents Influencing Court Appointment
A report in today's edition of the Spanish language newspaper, La Nación, says that former president Miguel Angel Rodríguez, while detained, used his influence to intervene the election of Rosario Fernández as magistrate to the Sala Tercera de la Corte, by calling on Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) head, Federico Vargas.

Doctors With No Work
For many medical students, after six years of hard work, more than ¢7 million colones (some us$15.000) invested and many sleepless nights studying, doesn't count for much to get a job.

Crocodile Eats 13 Year Old Boy in Cañas
The residents of Bebedero de Cañas saw their lives shattered yesterday afternoon when a 13 year old boy was attacked and eaten by a 3.5 metre (12 foot) crocodile, in sight of his friends and uncle, while the boy swam in the river.


LATIN AMERICA

OAS Members Fail to Elect New Leader
Members of the Organisation of American States failed to elect a new secretary-general in Washington on Monday, when neither the conservative Mexican nor the socialist Chilean candidate could secure a majority in more than four hours of tense voting.

Fidel Castro Accuses the US of Giving Refuge to Terrorist of Cuban Origin
Cuban president Fidel Castro accused the government of the United States on Monday of the worst hypocrisy for offering refuge to Luis Posada Carriles and other terrorists of Cuban origin while launching a pretended crusade against international terrorism.

Argentine president to visit Germany for support
Argentine President Nestor Kirchner is leaving for Germany on Monday for a five-day visit aimed at addressing the country's economy and seeking support for his country's controversial debt restructuring efforts.

Lower House representative shot dead in Colombia
A Lower House representative was shot dead along with his sister and his driver in the rural area of Valencia municipality in northeastern Colombia, police said on Monday.


SPECIAL REPORTS

TRADE-AMERICAS:
FTAA Dead but not Quite Buried, Say Activists
Activists and academics are singing the requiem for the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), a U.S.-driven initiative that they say will soon be buried. However, the governments that have participated in the talks are not yet talking about failure.