Husband Detained In Wife's Murder
On Sunday the body of Maureen Hidalgo was found, thrown over the side of the road in a ditch by the Rio Grande, on the route to Atenas. On MOnday the Fiscalía (Prosecutor's office) formally charged the husband, Luis Fernando Burgos, with the murder of his wife, but did not have sufficient evidence to hold him.

Thumbs Up For Creation of  Tourist Police Force
The board of directors of the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) - Costa Rican tourism board - gave the thumbs up on an agreement with the Ministerio de Seguridad Pública (MSP)to form a "tourist police force".

"Health Tourism" Up 15%
The number of foreigners who come to Costa Rica to undergo medical treatments increased by 15 percent last year, as compared to 2004, according to the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) - Costa Rican Tourism Board.

Gasoline Almost at ¢600
As feared, yesterday the Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (Recope) made a request for yet another increase in the price of gasoline

Daily Mini Devaluations To End in Fourth Quarter
The Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) announced Friday that beginning with the last quarter for this year it will abandon the "mini" devaluations that has been a fixture for the last 22 years. In its place, the BCCR says it will adopt a "flexible exchange plan".

Workers See Little Benefit
Costa Rica boasts of her best economic indicators in many years, but a majority of workers feel that they have not benefited from it.

Increase in Domestic Violence Seen During World Cup
"It's not that fútbol (soccer) alone generates more violence, it's the combination of alcohol and that the aggressor is spending more time in the house", said Silvia Meza, co-ordinator of the Violencia de Género del INAMU, referring to the recent figures released on domestic violence during the 2006 World Cup.