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Carlos Alcaraz will return to competition at the Cincinnati Open , where the defending champion will lead a powerful field that includes 10 former tournament winners and one of the deepest Latin American men’s contingents of the 2026 season. The Cincinnati Open released its initial singles entry lists Wednesday for the combined ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event, scheduled for August 8–23 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. The tournament provides the final major test before the US Open main draw begins August 30 in New York. For Alcaraz, Cincinnati represents much more than another title defense. The 23-year-old Spaniard has not competed since suffering a right wrist injury at the Barcelona Open in April. The problem forced him to miss the French Open and Wimbledon, dropping him to No. 3 in the ATP rankings after he began the season at No. 1. His inclusion in Cincinnati marks the clearest indication yet that he is ready to return after nearly four months away from compe...

A sperm whale measuring between eight and nine meters (26 to 30 feet) was found dead in a natural pool near Cahuita, on Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast, drawing a multi-agency response to remove the remains from a site that heavy machinery could not reach. The animal — a sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus , the largest of the toothed whales — was already in an advanced state of decomposition when it was discovered. Officials from the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), acting through the La Amistad Caribe Conservation Area (ACLAC), attended the scene and coordinated the response. Because the pool lies in a difficult-to-access location, crews were unable to bring in heavy machinery to complete the removal. Technical staff instead carried out the work by hand, using protective equipment and following technical guidance issued by the National Animal Health Service ( SENASA ). Workers removed and properly disposed of a significant portion of the skeletal...

Costa Rica’s Comptroller General has ordered immediate inspections of three properties in southern Costa Rica after satellite images revealed possible forest clearing, earthworks, new roads and construction without the required permits. The binding order, issued yesterday, directs the Municipality of Osa and the National System of Conservation Areas ( SINAC ) to investigate activity within the Paso de la Danta Biological Corridor and the Fila Costeña, one of the most environmentally sensitive areas. The investigation examined seven properties after authorities received a complaint alleging possible land-use changes in areas with extensive forest cover, rivers, streams and high ecological fragility. The latest order focuses on three properties where official records and satellite images raised the greatest concern. On the first property, municipal records show only a permit issued in 2020 for a 70-square-meter (753-square-foot) entrance structure. Environmental approvals were a...

Pelicans found weak, disoriented or behaving unusually along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast have tested negative for avian influenza, but authorities still do not know what is affecting the birds. The results provide an important update to warnings issued last week after reports of sick pelicans increased in Guanacaste, Jacó, Puntarenas and other coastal areas. Tests conducted on pelican samples have not detected the virus. The National Animal Health Service ( SENASA ), is continuing its investigation with the National System of Conservation Areas to determine whether another illness or an environmental factor is responsible. One possibility under consideration involves algae or marine toxins, which can move through the food chain when seabirds eat contaminated fish. Similar incidents involving pelicans have occurred in Costa Rica without being connected to avian flu. No cause has been confirmed in the current cases. The negative results do not change the warning for people visit...

A court fight over the planned removal of 748 trees at Playa Panamá has grown into a broader dispute over tourism investment, jobs and the protection of state-owned forestland in Guanacaste. Hotel developers say precautionary measures imposed by Costa Rica’s Constitutional Chamber have placed about $700 million in construction and expansion plans on hold inside the Golfo de Papagayo tourism zone. They warn that a lengthy legal delay could damage the country’s reputation among international investors and affect employment across the province. The figures come from tourism industry representatives and have not been independently audited. They estimate that the wider pipeline of planned development in Papagayo is worth close to $3 billion. The immediate dispute centers on the Bahía Papagayo tourism and real estate project at Playa Panamá, near the communities of Playa Hermosa and Playas del Coco. The planned development includes hotels, residences, sports facilities and other t...

The Azul and Pénjamo rivers on the northern side of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano turned a milky gray over the weekend after days of small eruptions and heavy rainfall washed volcanic material into the waterways. The color change was reported Saturday evening following intense rain around the volcano. Another moderate eruption occurred at 3:37 a.m. Sunday, releasing steam and volcanic gases for about one minute. No ashfall was reported in nearby communities. The latest activity followed 23 small phreatic eruptions recorded between Monday and Friday. The strongest occurred on July 6 and produced a steam-and-gas plume that rose approximately 200 meters above the crater. Several additional small emissions were detected during the weekend. Phreatic eruptions are steam-driven explosions that occur when water beneath or inside a volcano is rapidly heated. They do not necessarily involve fresh magma, but they can throw crater-lake sediment, ash and other volcanic material onto the upper...