It's Official -  the "Rainy" Season is Around the Corner
The decrease inthe winds and the increase in humidity are provoking the sensation of hot and muggy nights, which according to the Irina Katchan, of the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) - the weatherman - this is evidence that the transition from the "dry" to the "rainy" season is underway.

Costa Ricans Spend ¢200 Million Daily on Cigarettes
Costa Ricans spend some ¢200 million colones (us$425.000 dollars) daily on cigarettes.

Husband Murders Wife In Middle of Street
Twenty eight year old Nicaraguan, Vidalis Rodríguez, gasped for her last breath on the street only 200 metres from her house after her estranged husband surprised her from behind and slit her throat with a butcher knife.

Protesters Demand Presidential Resignation in Nicaragua
Nicaragua"s Association of Municipal Mayors has urged President Enrique Bolaños to resign "if he does not want to or cannot" assume his responsibility with society in addressing the high cost of living.

Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission Denies Access to Costa Rican Shark Advocate PRETOMA
The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) announced yesterday that PRETOMA could no longer participate as an observing organization during the next IATTC annual meeting, to be held in the Canary Islands from June 13-24, 2005.

Poker Site Offers Tuition Jackpot
San José based Absolute Poker, the fastest-growing online poker site in the world, is holding a Free "Win Your Tuition" Texas Hold'em tournament for all University and College Students.


LATIN AMERICA

Sandinistas Blames Nicaraguan President for Domestic Chaos
Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) General Secretary Daniel Ortega held Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños responsible for the crisis gripping the country following the breakup of national talks.

Venezuelan President in Cuba Challenges FTAA
Venezuela´s President Hugo Chavez is in Havana invited by his Cuban counterpart Fidel Castro, to attend on Thursday the closing of the 1st bilateral meeting for the application of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA, in Spanish).

Eleven Cuban Publishing Houses At Book Fair in Bogota
Classics of Cuban Literature like Jose Marti and Alejo Carpentier, along with foreign writers like US James Petras, make up Cuba"s 11-strong publishing houses" assorted stock going to the book fair in Colombia.

Latin American Air Carriers Fly Up and Away
At the speed of light and with no turbulence, Latin American airlines are doing better than ever. Bankruptcy announcements, cost cuttings, layoffs and less routes are long gone.

U.S. to continue funding Colombia's drug fight
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Washington will keep supporting Colombia's fight against drugs and rebel forces even after the expiry of its aid package.



SPECIAL REPORTS

LATIN AMERICA:
Gene Study Puts Indians on Guard
Scientists involved in the Genographic Project will go in search of the genes of indigenous communities worldwide in a bid to decipher the puzzle of how ancient peoples were disseminated around the planet. But their task will not be easy amidst suspicious Latin American Indians.