Referendum Process One Step Closer
At 9:28pm and with the vote of Libertarian, Mario Núñez, the required 29th vote was obtained for approval of sending the request by Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, for the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE) to hold a referendum on the Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) - free trade agreement with the United States. Central America and the Dominican Republic.

No Hike in Electricity, Regulator Turns Down ICE Request
The Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (Aresep) - regulator of public prices and services - said no to an increase in the price of electricity, turning down a request by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) made last December for a 23% increase.

Heavy Blow To Cocaine Ring
The Ministerio de Seguridad Pública (Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security) reports that it seized about three tons of cocaine in Escazú and San Joaquin de Flores in Heredia.

Monkey Population Decreasing
Four monkey species have drastically decreased during the last five years in Costa Rica due to deforestation, agrochemical use, global warming and their capture to use them as pets, denounced Costa Rican academicians Monday.

Gas Hike Approved
Get ready to dig into your wallet more this weekend as the price of a litre of gasoline will jump ¢40 colones.

SOCCER:
Costa Ricans Arrive Today for Under-17 Tourney
Costa Rica's 29-member delegation is scheduled to arrive in Jamaica today for the CONCACAF Group B Under-17 Youth World Cup qualification tournament to be staged at the National Stadium from April 28 to May 6.