What Hutzpa!  Former president José María Figueres, who is linked to the ICE-Alcatel payoff scandal and refusing to return to Costa Rica to answer questions of his involvement,  like nothing, calls for a "frank and respectful" dialogue between the Arab cultures at a conference of the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo de Santander, España. [Foto: EFE]

La Carpio, Even Police Fear Entering The Area
La Carpio, the residential community west of San José, is one of the most conflictive areas, where poverty and delinquency fuel the time bomb can go off any minute. While the different gangs battle to take control of the area, defenceless citizens are asking for police intervention, which for the most part is absence on any given day.

Solís Says Arias Should Dialogue More and Not Worry About His Personal Needs
On national television, the president of the Partido Acción Ciudadana (PAC) and former presidential candidate, Ottón Solís, is asking president Oscar Arias for a dialogue with the various social sectors with the objective of coming to an agreement for the benefit of all.

Costa Rica Summer Program Connects Orphans and Psych Students
Costa Rica was not the typical surf-trip stopover for two dozen UC Santa Cruz psychology students who spent their summer living and working in the barrios.

Bed Sharing 'Drains Men's Drains'
Sharing a bed with someone could temporarily reduce your brain power - at least if you are a man - Austrian scientists suggest.
 

Polls Gives Daniel Ortega Elections Win
Daniel Ortega, candidate for the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), would win today Nicaragua's presidential elections in the first round by 34.9 percent.

Honduras Nurses Back to Streets
Nurses of the Honduras public health network have taken the streets again Monday to demand government endorsement of a salary increase to come into effect by next year.

Panamanian Trade Deficit Grows
Panama´s trade deficit totaled 1.71 billion dollars during the first semester of 2006, a 17.8-percent increase compared to the same period last year, official sources announced on Monday.

Health Strike Still Jarring Guatemala
The strike in Guatemalan public hospitals will continue until the Executive provides the national network with medications, equipments and supplies, members of the Medical School asserted.

Bolivia´s President Inks Declaration for Cuba
Bolivia´s President Evo Morales signed an international declaration of solidarity with Cuba and rejected US threats against the island, Cuban Book Institute president Iroel Sanchez reported Monday.


DEVELOPMENT:
Women Matter - In All of the Millennium Goals
In order to advance towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), gender equality cannot merely be limited to a number of specific objectives, but must be the lens through which all the targets are viewed, say experts and representatives of women's movements in Argentina.

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