New Law To Regulate Internet Access in Public Places
The Costa Rican congress is currently studying a recent proposal that will regulate Internet access in public places, where this service is offered, such as Internet Café’s and Hotels.

Arias Clear Frontrunner In Costa Rica
Former head of state Óscar Arias Sánchez remains the most popular presidential candidate in Costa Rica, according to a poll by Borge y Asociados published in Spanish language daily Diario Extra.

Entity Behind Kyoto Conned Public
We’ve all been had. The bottom has long since fallen out of the key group that master-minded the Kyoto Protocol credit scheme, but nobody seemed to have joined the dots.

After Years of improvisation, Jews in Costa Rica Are Now Turning Kosher
The eating habits of Costa Rica's estimated 2,500 Orthodox Jews are changing. Jews are increasingly eating kosher food in what may be the most significant sign of a revival of tradition to hit the community since it began in the 1930s.

Megasuper Fined us$850K for Unfair Advertising Practices in Supermarket War
The Corporación de Supermercados Unidos (CSU) has won the supermarket battle agasint Megasuper with a court decision - the Juzgado de Mayor Cuantía - in it's favour this week.

French Naval Frigate to Dock in Costa Rica
The French Naval Frigate FS Prairial will be docking in the Costa Rican port of Puntarenas from May 9-13 as informed by the Ministry of Security. This morning Congress granted the required permission for this ship to enter national waters.

Using Cellular Phone in Banks Can Cause You Problems
Like talking on the cell phone? More so, like talking on your cell phone while waiting in line at the bank? Well, think twice before entering a state bank - Banco de Costa Rica and Banco Nacional - with your cell phone to your ear.


LATIN AMERICA

Asylum granted to Gutierrez accord with diplomatic tradition: Brazil
The asylum granted to ousted Ecuadorian President Lucio Gutierrez is in line with diplomatic tradition and does not imply any intervention in Ecuador's political crisis, a senior Brazilian diplomat said Thursday.

Ecuador's new president names cabinet
The newly installed Ecuadorian President Alfredo Palacio announced Thursday the list of his cabinet members after he officially took office.

OAS gives Ecuador 24 hours to explain Gutierrez's removal
The Organization of American States (OAS) Thursday gave the new government in Ecuador 24 hours to explain how the Congress concluded that President Lucio Gutierrez should be removed from office, the local press reported.

Fall of presidents reflects deep crisis in Ecuador
Lucio Gutierrez has become the third sacked elected president of Ecuador in recent years, which reflects the depth of the political and social crisis in the South American country.

Colombian security forces foil rebel plot against President
The Colombian security forces on Thursday afternoon foiled an apparent plot by the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to attack the plane of President Alvaro Uribe in the city of Neiva.


SPECIAL REPORTS

RIGHTS-PERU:
'Transitory' Reserves for Mashco-Piro Indians
 In Alto Purus province, in the far west of the Peruvian Amazon jungle, plans are in the works to create the first reserve for an indigenous group that has almost no outside contact: the Mashco.