Gasoline Station Owners Want "Their" Increase As Well
It seems everyone is getting on the band wagon to increase gasoline prices. The Refinadora Costarrincese de Petroleo (RECOPE) has requested and received several increases in the price of gasoline in the last six months due to rising world prices for the cost of crude oil.

Captured Fugitive Wouldn't Be Executed
Russell Winstead spent two years eluding U.S. authorities who wanted him in the slaying of his aunt, but his luck ran out at a casino in Costa Rica.

ICE and Verizon Locked in Phone Book Battle
If you are reaching out for this year's white pages (phone book) by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) don't worry if you can't find it. You see, there isn't one for this year. Not officially that is.

Early Morning Bank Robbery in Escazú
The Banco Promerica located in Plaza Iskatzu, across from Multiplaza in Escazú, was the target of bank robbers yesterday who made out with more than one million colones (us$2.100) in a early morning heist.

Saprissa in Driver Seat
Saprissa of Costa Rica moved a step closer to lifting the CONCACAF Champions Cup after gaining a 2-0 first-leg lead over Mexican side Pumas in its final clash.

California Kindergarten Connects With Costa Rican Indigenous
A kindergarten class in Clarksburg, California, recently sent a "hand banner" from their classroom to a group of Bribri kids in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica. The Bribri kids responded by making a "hand banner of their own, sending it back to California to connect with "hands around the world."


LATIN AMERICA

Nicaraguan parliament postpones approval of FTA
Nicaragua's National Assembly has delayed the approval of the free trade agreement (FTA) between Central America and the United States, on grounds that its population will not benefit from the deal, an official said on Wednesday.

FBI opens anti-gang office in Central America
The FBI has opened a permanent office in El Salvador to help Central American police fight a growing wave of U.S.-style youth gangs that have threatened social stability.

Attorney General says to drop charges against Mexico City mayor
The National Attorney General's office (PGR) said on Wednesday it will drop legal charges against Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Derbez Destroyed for Being a US Candidate, Says Fidel Castro
US support shattered aspirations of Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez to become Secretary General of the Organization of American States(OAS), said Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

Ecuadorian President Pleads for Popular Consultation
President of Ecuador Alfredo Palacio reiterated on Wednesday the need to advance towards popular consultation and ruled out the holding of a Constituent Assembly as he had previously announced.


SPECIAL REPORTS

RELIGION:
Women Catholics Demand More than a Space in the Convent
Catholic women waiting for the day when they too can be ordained as priests will undoubtedly have a longer wait ahead of them following the recent designation of conservative Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI.