Interest Rates Lowered, Banks to Increase Their Reserves
The Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) - the central bank - announced changes that can reduces interest rates paid to depositors and at the same time offer depositors more security of their banking institution, forcing banks to increase their reserves to 15% for the current 12%.

Record Number of Political Parties Registered for 2006 Election
According to figures released by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE) - the government agency in charge of the upcoming elections - there has been an increase in the number of political parties that will participate in the February 2006 election.

Domestic Violence on the Increase
Lately Costa Rica has been experiencing a wave of domestic violence unseen before in the country.

Deputies Are Becoming Impatient Over Figueres
What ever happened to former president José María Figueres Olsen? Remember a short while back he figured in the daily headlines and then nothing.

Personality of the Year
The former president of the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR)  Eduardo Lizano was bestowed with the Personality of the Year 2005 award of the by The Financial Times.

Know What A Perito Is?
For those not native to Costa Rica it is not a dog but an inspector.


LATIN AMERICA

Argentine vice-president hails ties with China
Argentine Vice-President Daniel Scioli Friday commended the development of the Argentine-Chinese relationship, saying the exchange of state visits by the presidents of both countries last year ushered in a new stage in the development of bilateral ties.

Poll indicates re-election of Brazilian president in 2006
Despite corruption charge agains this government, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva would win the presidential election due in October 2006, according to the latest opinion poll.

Mexican, Russian presidents to discuss UN reform
Mexican President Vicente Fox will visit Russia to discuss UN reform and oil market situation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mexican government officials said Friday.

Fidel Castro Stresses Social Impact of ALBA Games
Cuban President Fidel Castro said the 1st ALBA Games will pave the way for social programs contrary to the money-oriented today’s sports world.


SPECIAL REPORTS

COLOMBIA:
UNHCR Threatens to Leave If Gov't Insists on Dictating Terms
If the Colombian Foreign Ministry insists on establishing official rules for the terms to be used by the international aid community when referring to this country's civil war, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) ”would have to consider pulling out of the country,” the agency's representative in Colombia told IPS.