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Costa Rica Police Arrest 19 Nicaraguans in Crucitas Gold Mining Sweep

Costa Rican police detained 19 Nicaraguan nationals in irregular migratory status during operations in Crucitas de Cutris over the past week, in the latest sign that authorities are keeping up pressure on illegal gold mining along the northern border. Thirteen of those detained were found allegedly extracting gold in tunnels and other sites, while six more were intercepted as they headed toward extraction areas. The 13 men caught at extraction points were turned over to the San Carlos Flagrancy Prosecutor’s Office and could face proceedings under Costa Rica’s Mining Code. The other six were sent to Migration Police to be sent back to Nicaragua. Police also seized and destroyed mining tools and equipment on judicial orders. During the same operations, officers confiscated 30 sacks of mineral sediment that were allegedly about to be moved out of the area, leading to the arrest of a Costa Rican driver. A separate Nicaraguan suspect was detained on suspicion of distributing drugs after ...
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Prestigious ETH Zurich PhD and Postdoc Salary: Updated Rates & Benefits

Last Updated on April 19, 2026 by Scholar Idea Find ETH Zurich PhD and Postdoc Salary details. ✅ PhDs starting from CHF 61,000. ✅ Postdocs up to CHF 111,000. ❌ High cost of living. Your guide is here. ETH Zurich is a world-renowned center for science and technology (Switzerland). It continues to lead global rankings, ... Read more
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Costa Rica Suspends Tree Cutting and Construction Permits in Papagayo

Costa Rica’s Constitutional Chamber has ordered the suspension of tree-felling permits, construction authorizations, and density modifications tied to a hotel development in the Papagayo Gulf Tourist Complex, pending the resolution of a constitutional challenge that accuses regulators of fast-tracking the project without adequate environmental review. The decision was handed down by investigating magistrate Fernando Cruz in the context of a constitutional challenge filed by attorney Juan Pablo Xatruch Ovares against the regulation that governs real estate development in the tourist hub — the same regulation that allowed logging permits to be granted for the hotel project. “As the investigating judge, I adopted the requested precautionary measure, which aligns with the conditions and characteristics of the case, suspending any activity related to this hotel development or the felling of trees in that area,” Cruz explained. “Until a decision is reached, to prevent irreparable harm in t...
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Updated University of Freiburg Vacancies: Elite PhD & Research Jobs

Last Updated on April 19, 2026 by Scholar Idea Apply for University of Freiburg Vacancies in Germany. ✅ Salaried research in the new “Future Forests” cluster. ❌ Pay scale included. Secure your elite role today! The University of Freiburg is one of Germany’s most prestigious research institutions, located in the sunniest city in the country ... Read more
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Costa Rica Assembly Races the Clock on Sanction Against Fabricio Alvarado

The sexual harassment case that has dominated the final weeks of Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly reached its final stage on Friday, though with an uncertain outcome. The special commission that investigated the complaint against Deputy Fabricio Alvarado presented three final reports: two recommending sanctions against the Nueva República lawmaker, and a third that clears him of responsibility. The reports recommending sanctions were signed by Social Christian deputy Alejandro Pacheco — who chaired the commission — and independent deputy Johana Obando, while the third was presented by Alvarado’s own bench colleague, Olga Morera. The argument for not recommending a sanction is that the case is already moving through the criminal courts. A case with high stakes The investigation stems from a complaint filed by former deputy Marulín Azofeifa, who has alleged a series of inappropriate acts that occurred during the previous four-year term, when she held a Nueva República seat. According...
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Costa Rica Sees Ongoing Spike in Digital Fraud Tied to Travel and Payments

Costa Rica’s fraud problem is moving fast online, and travel is one of the clearest targets. What used to look like isolated scams now forms part of a wider pattern built around fake booking platforms, cloned websites, false promotions, and digital payment traps aimed at residents and tourists alike. The scale of the broader problem keeps rising as Costa Rica recorded 10,027 online fraud cases in 2025, up 41% from the previous year, while losses tied to cyber fraud reached about ₡6 billion. Investigators have also warned that cloned websites remain one of the most common tools used to steal personal and banking data, often by copying the look of legitimate institutions and changing only a few letters in a web address. In one recent case, judicial authorities dismantled a fake travel agency that changed names and locations every two months while selling nonexistent vacation packages. The group allegedly stole ¢165 million from 112 victims and used card details collected during the bo...
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Expomóvil 2026 Opens in Belén with 350 Models

Costa Rica’s biggest auto fair of the year is in full swing, and this edition is one for the record books. Expomóvil 2026 started Thursday, and runs through Sunday at the Centro de Eventos Pedregal in Belén, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Association of Vehicle and Machinery Importers (AIVEMA), the trade group that organizes the event each year. This year’s edition brings together 79 brands and roughly 350 different models in one space, ranging from basic urban vehicles to extreme-luxury offerings. The fair spans more than 33,000 square meters of exhibition space. A market in transition Costa Rica now has 115 registered vehicle brands — a 35% jump from pre-pandemic levels, driven primarily by the aggressive entry of Chinese manufacturers and an accelerated transition toward electric and hybrid models. The shift is visible throughout the fair, where traditional brands share the floor with newer arrivals. Brands on display include Toyota, Lexus, Subaru, Mercedes Benz, BY...
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