Rising Cost of Crude Oil Will Give Rise to Gasoline Prices and Prompts Savings Measures
The cost of a barrel of crude oil on world markets reached us$59.15 yesterday and the government is intent on keeping its promise to bring measures to reduce the consumption of gasoline if the world price reached the us$60 mark.

Man Who Shot Dead His Girlfirend and Sister Found Dead in Liberia
Manuel Francisco Castro Valderomar, known as "Ranger", was found dead about 100 metres from his mother's house, seven days after he murdered his 22 year old girlfriend, Annie Marie Valverde Mora and her 15 year old sister, Arlene Maria, in Liberia.

Directory Information Will Soon Be Free
Calling 113 - information - will soon be free of charge.

Halo! Damn, the Line is Down Again.
How many times have you picked up the telephone and there is no dial tone? We all blame the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) - the telephone company - for lousy service.

Row Between Two OIJ Agents And Gays
A row outside a downtown bar gave police a surprise. According to witnesses, early Tuesday morning, two men stopped the vehicle in front a gay  bar and shouted insults at those leaving the bar and the taxis parked on the street.

US Embassy To Charge ¢1.500 Colones for a Visa Appointment
The U.S. Embassy in San José announced changes in the number to call for an appointment to obtain a visa to enter the United States.



LATIN AMERICA

Brazilian president denounces opposition over corruption claims
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday that opposition charges against his Workers Party over corruption are politically motivated.

Mexico and Russia Sign Important Energy Agreements
Mexican President Vicente fox and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin signed Tuesday in the Kremlin a joint statement and several bilateral agreements, emphasizing on cooperation in energy.

Bolivians Want a New Congress
Bolivian parliamentarians are facing Tuesday a new day of social pressures to resign and pave the way for advanced general elections, supported by student groups, the Catholic Church, the United Nations, and the Community of Andean Nations.

International Symposium "Habanos 2005" Begins
Historian of the City of Havana, Eusebio Leal, addressed 200 researchers of eight nations attending the International Symposium on Tobacco and said the plant contributed to the creation of Cuban identity.

CARICOM Leaders to meet with Venezuelan President Next Week
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders will hold a one-day summit with Venezuela´s President Hugo Chavez next week in Caracas, Grenada´s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell informed.



SPECIAL REPORTS

MEXICO:
Zapatistas Issue Enigmatic 'Red Alert'
A ”red alert” issued by the Zapatista rebels in southern Mexico, with no explanation of either the reasons or the consequences, is apparently linked to unusual recent military movements in the state of Chiapas and a growing presence of paramilitary groups, a human rights organisation said Tuesday.