Police Mount Intensive Campaign to Catch 20 Most Wanted Child Abusers
The Fuerza Pública has said enough! to child abusers and are mounting an intensive campaign to catch the 20 most wanted abusers. The announcement comes following the arrest of 53 year old Victor Vargas, who in 1996 had been convicted and sentenced to 16 years in jail for child abuse but was still at large and working as a teacher at the Liceo Alfaro Ruiz, in Zarcero.

Corbana Rejects European Commission’s Decision
Corporación Bananera Nacional, the national public organization of banana producers of Costa Rica, is not satisfied with and rejects the European Commission’s new proposal, which sets the EU duty on banana imports at €187/ton.

Taiwanese President Hails ties on Central American independence day
Ambassadors from Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and El Salvador yesterday held a banquet to commemorate the 184th anniversary of Central America's independence.

See Foreign Lands While Earning Course Credits
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) School of Business continues to help students further their education in foreign lands.

Independence Day Celebrations Lose Fervor
The weather was cool and so was the reception in San José yesterday for the independence day celebrations, as many decided to stay awa

New Briefs: Twins Go Home: Looking for Workers: Arias Blasts Legilslators


LATIN AMERICA

Chavez urges leaders to consider moving UN out of US
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez denounced the US-led war in Iraq on Thursday and urged world leaders to consider moving the UN headquarters out of the United States because of it.

Cuban women's social status rises rapidly: govt
The Cuban government said on Thursday that the status of Cuban women has risen rapidly over the past years, and they now occupy many positions that previously belonged to men.

Chilean supreme court drops charges against Pinochet
Chile's Supreme Court on Thursday dropped the charge against former military leader Augusto Pinochet, accusing him of masterminding the killing of dissidents in Operation Condor in the 1970's.

Paraguay to leave MERCOSUR if it hosts US military base
Paraguay will withdraw from the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) if the United States opens a permanent military base in the country, a Paraguayan diplomatic source said on Thursday.


SPECIAL REPORTS

ENVIRONMENT:
Why Is the Ozone Hole Growing?
A huge ozone hole has developed over Antarctica for the second year running, exposing southern Argentina and Chile to high levels of damaging ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.