Daily Archives: December 17, 2010

November Cuban air crash Blamed in icing and pilots

Investigators in Cuba say weather conditions and pilot error caused an airliner to crash in the Caribbean country last month, killing all 68 people on board. In Cuban state media Thursday, Cuba’s Civil Aeronautics Institute said the AeroCaribbean turboprop began … Continue reading

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Trio face 35-year jail terms for contract killing of nurse

Three persons each got 35 years in prison Thursday after being convicted in the murder of a nurse in Barranca a year ago. The victim, Grace Gómez Matarrita, 39 died when she was hit with seven bullets as she picked … Continue reading

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Human rights violations seen around the world

Human rights violations were the rule rather than the exception in 2010. The United Nations says crimes such as mass rapes, torture, extra-judicial executions, arbitrary detention, disappearances remain widespread throughout the world. Even democratic societies are experiencing an erosion of … Continue reading

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Another family group held after anti-drug raids in San José

Another family group held after anti-drug raids in San José

They say it pays to advertise, but there is value keeping the jacket bearing the drawing of a marijuana leaf in the closet when the police are coming. That was not to be Thursday as anti-drug agents descended on the … Continue reading

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BetOnSports figure cuts deal to return to Costa Rica

Norman Steinberg, who his lawyer said was the No. 3 man in an online betting operation, has received a three-year suspended sentence and given court permission to resume his life in Costa Rica. The operation, BetOnSports, was based in San … Continue reading

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Frustrated trip to downtown triggers pitch for togetherness

Last Saturday I tried to go downtown. I reasoned that at 2 o’clock in the afternoon they would not yet be starting the arrangements for the Festival of Lights. That was my first mistake. The driver of the taxi I … Continue reading

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Weekend to be a musical one, thanks to young performers

The weekend will be a musical one, thanks in part to the young people in the Sistema Nacional de Educación Musical. A big show is tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Teatro Popular Melico Salazar when the Orquesta … Continue reading

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New York technician tweaks theater piano back to new

New York technician tweaks theater piano back to new

The concert grand piano at the Teatro Nacional has been getting acclimated to Costa Rica after its trip from the manufacturer, Steinway & Sons, in New York. However, professional pianists realized that problems were developing. The sound was not as … Continue reading

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Resident here worries about personal safety

I know it is not a banner day for Costa Rica’s tourist trade but looking at today’s article plus many such articles in the past is there any wonder in realizing why tourist trade is off. All of my friends … Continue reading

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Many Americans express concerns on cost and crime

I love Costa Rica, yet recently I have heard concerns from many Americans who have thoughts about visiting or moving here. Two of these concerns were mentioned in Wednesday’s edition of A.M. Costa Rica. One, is the obvious decline in … Continue reading

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Costa Rica is cheaper than Florida tourists find

I’ve just read what Mr. Hinton from the U.S.A. wrote comparing dollars to colons. He has his usual quarterly two-week visits to Costa Rica but after reading the current exchange rates he believes he’ll take his January vacation in Panamá instead … Continue reading

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Prosecutors help Caja collect employer debts

The Ministerio Público said Thursday that it helped the country’s main social services agency recover 138.8 million colons from employers. That is about $278,500. The beneficiary was the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social, which operates the country’s hospitals. Each month … Continue reading

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For the lucky few, Christmas holiday begins today

For the lucky few, Christmas holiday begins today

In many public agencies, the Christmas holidays already have begun. Although the executive branch decreed that the last day of work would be Thursday, some independent agencies have said Monday is the last day. Lawmakers are expected to go home … Continue reading

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