Daily Archives: October 28, 2011

Virulent bacteria reported moving north in Panamá

Virulent bacteria reported moving north in Panamá

A long-running wave of drug resistant bacterial infections in nearby Panamá may have been detected in Costa Rica. However, health officials here have yet to address the issue in public. In Panamá, the offical death toll surpassed 80, mainly hospital … Continue reading

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Costa Rica has to step up with rehabilitation proposal

If as you say,”The purpose of drug laws is to reduce consumption,” then it falls upon society to provide an effective rehabilitation program for drug-law offenders. There is certainly no evidence to support the notion that jail time reduces drug … Continue reading

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South American ports need more investment, report says

South American ports require significant investments to improve their infrastructure, enabling them to receive large vessels which are currently navigating the main shipping routes in the world, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. The study … Continue reading

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New Web map shows status of cell telephone coverage

The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad has published on its Web site a map of the country showing the degree of coverage for its 2G and 3G cell phone networks. The map only has four categories: excellent, very good, good and … Continue reading

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Rina now tropical storm as it passed by Cancún

Thousands of tourists have left Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula as a weakening former Hurricane Rina approached the popular resort destination. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory early today that Rina weakened into a tropical storm and that it … Continue reading

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Uruguay’s congress votes to revoke rights amnesty

Uruguay’s congress passed legislation revoking amnesty for military officials accused of committing human rights abuses during the country’s 1973 to 1985 dictatorship. Lawmakers from the lower house voted Thursday by a margin of 50 to 40 to eliminate the amnesty. … Continue reading

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Castro has to go’ remains U.S. policy with Cuba

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States’ position on Cuba remains that “Castro needs to go.” Clinton spoke at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee where the major topics were Afghanistan and Pakistan. But when … Continue reading

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Having a quality cigar is much more than smoking a cigar

Having a quality cigar is much more than smoking a cigar

Does a cigar represent a political statement? For Bruce Levy, the answer is yes. He sees cigars and smoking them as freedom, an escape from the restrictive atmosphere and attitude of the United States. Levy runs The Humidor Room, a … Continue reading

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So far Costa Rica has avoided tough smoking restrictions

So far Costa Rica has avoided tough smoking restrictions

With overarching taxation and regulation taking firm hold on tobacco sales and usage in the States, many travelers and expats alike find themselves attracted to the smoke signals wafting from the cigarette and cigar friendly establishments of Costa Rica. For … Continue reading

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Growth, change and progress are not alway best

Years ago I wrote a story about a girl named Mary who was told that she should have been named Martha. I wrote it for myself because even as a little girl I knew I was a Martha, practical and … Continue reading

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Business chamber suggests a 3.17 percent wage hike Jan. 1

The country’s business chamber is suggesting a 3.17 percent increase in the minimum wage as of Jan. 1. The Unión Costarricense de Cámaras y Asociaciones del Sector Empresarial Privado presented that proposal Thursday to the Consejo Nacional de Salarios, which … Continue reading

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Readers pick a name for tourism institute animated sloth

Readers pick a name for tourism institute animated sloth

Readers have spoken and by a narrow margin the nameless promotional sloth will be called Slo Mo. That name with 21 reader votes edged out Tico Feliz (19) and Flash (14). Other possibilities were Pokey (12), Manuel or Manuel Antonio … Continue reading

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Deluges are nothing new in Costa Rica’s weather

This letter is in response to Mr. Bill Pitts’ comments about third world countries. It almost sounds like he read my mind, so I won’t repeat what he said here. However, I do have a couple of additional points. First, James Brodell, … Continue reading

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Anti-litter campaign plans to change focus for next year

The Asociación Terra Nostra and supporters hope to educate Costa Ricans so they will not litter with solid waste. That is the program for next year. The association announced this as it gave the results of its last beach cleanup … Continue reading

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