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Avianca Airlines has rolled out two new routes to improve air travel options to and from Costa Rica, connecting the Central American nation with key destinations in the United States and the Caribbean. The airline today launched daily flights between San José and Miami, while also introducing three weekly flights between San José and San Juan, Puerto Rico, aimed at fostering cultural, commercial, and tourism ties. The San José-Miami route, which began operations today, offers a daily frequency with 2,520 seats available weekly. This move strengthens Avianca’s footprint in the region and meets rising demand for travel between Costa Rica and South Florida. The airline touts the route as an efficient and comfortable option for passengers seeking to connect these places. Meanwhile, the San José-San Juan route, operating from Juan Santamaría International Airport to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, provides 1,080 seats per week across three flights. This connection is expected to ...

PhD and Academic Positions at Aalto University, a community of bold thinkers where science and art meet technology

PhD, Postdoc and Academic Positions at The University of Jyväskylä, a research university in Jyväskylä, Finland. founded in

Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli will leave the Nicaraguan embassy on Monday, where he has been taking refuge to evade a prison sentence for money laundering, and will travel to Managua despite an Interpol arrest warrant, the Police reported this Sunday. “We received an order from Interpol (…) but this alert will not interrupt the process with the protocol for the former president to travel to Nicaragua” on Monday, before the safe-conduct expires at midnight, the Director of the Panamanian Police, Jaime Fernández, told journalists. The police chief reported that “early tomorrow (Monday)” the operation to provide security for Martinelli from the embassy, in the north of the capital, to the airport – at an unspecified time – will begin, in compliance with the political asylum status granted to him by Daniel Ortega’s government. Martinelli, a 73-year-old magnate who governed Panama from 2009 to 2014, took refuge in the Nicaraguan embassy on February 7, 2024, shortly befor...

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If the idea of smashing green plantains into crispy disks doesn’t immediately sound appetizing, you might not realize you’re missing out on patacones—a beloved Costa Rican treat that’s as simple as it is delicious. Though they may seem straightforward, there’s more to patacones than meets the eye. Here are some fresh insights into this tropical staple: 1. The Name Patacón Has Colonial Roots The term patacón traces back to Colonial Era Spanish and Portuguese silver coins, a nod to their flattened, round shape. Interestingly, in some countries, they’re called tostones—a word that doubles as slang for a Mexican fifty-cent piece. This linguistic twist ties the dish to a quirky history of currency and cuisine. 2. Plantains Are Bananas’ Tougher Cousin Newcomers from colder climates often mistake plantains for oversized bananas, but these starchy relatives belong to the same botanical family, Musaceae. Originating in India, plantains thrive in tropical regions like Africa, the Caribbean, ...

Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano erupted forcefully sending an ash column 300 meters into the sky, according to the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory (OVSICORI). This followed an earlier eruption that day, when a plume of gases and ash rose 200 meters above the crater, signaling a troubling uptick in activity at one of the country’s most active volcanoes. OVSICORI experts report continuous explosions at the C mouth of the crater, with ash-laden columns reaching heights of up to 400 meters. The plume is drifting southwest, carried by prevailing winds, and has blanketed nearby areas with fine ash. Volcanologist Maarten de Moor highlighted the unusual persistence of the eruptions. “What stands out is the continuity of the eruption. There’s significant activity, with a lot of energy released by explosions. We don’t know how long it will last,” he explained. Monitoring data shows no signs of the volcano calming down. On Wednesday, March 26, sulfur dioxide emissions hit 600 tons per d...

Marwa fled Afghanistan because she wanted to study, work, wear jeans, and go to the park without mandatory male accompaniment. Now, locked in a shelter in Costa Rica with a hundred others deported by the United States, she fears being sent back: “The Taliban will kill me.” Behind the bars of the Temporary Migrant Care Center (Catem), near the border with Panama, this 27-year-old Afghan woman says, off camera and under a fictitious name, that her husband is also in danger and that her two-year-old daughter has no future in Afghanistan. “If I go back, I will die. The Taliban will kill me. I lost my father and my uncle there. I heard explosions and saw dead people. I don’t want to lose my husband or my baby,” she confides that, among bushes at a point without police surveillance, spoke with several deportees in English. Marwa, her husband Mohammad Asadi and their daughter are among 200 migrants – about 80 of them children – from Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and other Asian and some Africa...

Marriott International announced an agreement with Mullen Real Estate Capital which will bring the JW Marriott brand to the shores of Costa Elena, in the canton of La Cruz in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.  The hotel is expected to begin operations in the second quarter of 2026 and will be one of JW Marriott’s first all-inclusive resorts worldwide, reflecting the company’s commitment to redefining luxury in this segment. The property will integrate its distinctive brand philosophy, focused on wellness, exceptional service, and sophisticated design. “This project marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration with Mullen Real Estate Capital, a leader in the all-inclusive sector within the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) region,” said Uriel Burak, Marriott International’s Vice President of Development for the CALA region.  Located approximately 80 kilometers from Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, the resort will offer a luxury experience with 415 elega...

Erasmus University Rotterdam in Netherlands invites application for vacant PhD, Postdoc and Academic Positions, a public university located

Erasmus University Rotterdam in Netherlands invites application for vacant PhD, Postdoc and Academic Positions, a public university located

Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner, died in Costa Rica while on vacation with his family. The teenager was found dead on Friday morning, March 21, inside a hotel room in Manuel Antonio, Quepos. According to his parents, the family was on vacation when several of its members fell ill for unknown reasons, which triggered the death of the young man while he was sleeping. The Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) indicated that, preliminarily, the cause was asphyxia. However, the Forensic Pathology Section discarded this cause, since, upon analysis of the body, no obstruction in the respiratory tract was found. “A consultation was conducted with the doctor of the Forensic Pathology Section of the OIJ and   it is preliminarily ruled out that the cause of death was asphyxiation, because at the time of inspection of the body, no macro-level anomalies were observed in the respiratory tract,” they said.  For the moment, the agents ar...

Guatemalan police intercepted a bus on Sunday carrying 88 irregular migrants heading to the United States, primarily Haitians and Cubans, and arrested two alleged traffickers orchestrating the journey. The operation unfolded on a highway in the southern province of Escuintla, a key route leading to the Mexican border, according to National Civil Police spokesman César Mateo. Guatemala, nestled in Central America, has long served as a transit hub for migrants trekking northward, a path that often begins with the perilous Darién Gap crossing between Colombia and Panama and continues through gang-ridden regions of Mexico. The group included 43 Haitians and 42 Cubans, likely fleeing political turmoil and economic collapse in their home countries. Haiti’s ongoing instability, marked by gang violence and poverty, and Cuba’s deepening financial crisis have driven thousands to seek refuge in the U.S. Also among the passengers were three minors—one from Chile, another from Eritrea, and a thir...

Liver function tests (Handouts), Lecture for 4th level students in Clinical Pathology, 24 March 2025. Liver function tests

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In Costa Rica’s Cordillera de Talamanca, a team of researchers from the Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED), Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR), and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) has uncovered a vibrant yet vulnerable world of biodiversity. Their study, titled “Flora of High-Mountain Tropical Peatlands: Threats and Management Measures, Cordillera de Talamanca, Costa Rica,” identified 67 plant species thriving in the region’s high-mountain tropical peatlands. These unique ecosystems within the Macizo de la Muerte between El Empalme and Cerro Bellavista in Tapantí National Park , span an altitude of 2,400 to 3,100 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.). The team surveyed five distinct peatlands, revealing both the richness of these habitats and the threats they face. The results painted a striking contrast. Peatlands in the Salsipuedes and Cerro Paramillo sectors, sheltered within protected areas, displayed greater floristic diversity, with a variety of plants adapted to the soggy, h...

PhD, Postdoctoral Scholarships and Academic Positions at The University of Twente, a public technical university located in Enschede,

Lawyers and relatives of Venezuelans flown from the United States to a notorious jail in El Salvador believe the men were wrongly labelled gang members and terrorists because of their tattoos. Jhon Chacin, a professional tattoo artist, has images of “a flower, a watch, an owl, skulls” and family members’ names etched onto his skin. Last October, the 35-year-old was arrested at the Mexican border for entering the United States illegally. Then last weekend, after not hearing from him for several days, shocked family members spotted him in a video of shaved and chained prisoners at a maximum security prison in El Salvador. He was one of 238 men declared as a member of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua — a terrorist group under US law — and deported by US President Donald Trump. “He doesn’t have a criminal record, he’d never been arrested,” Chacin’s sister Yuliana, who lives in Texas, said. She is convinced her brother was designated a gang member because of his body art. At the US detenti...

The agreement that allowed Costa Rica to receive 200 migrants deported by the U.S. government was verbal, according to Foreign Minister Arnoldo André, who spoke before deputies on Wednesday. After weeks of debate over the existence of a formal document, the country’s top diplomat acknowledged that the agreement was negotiated orally and that the only written record consists of diplomatic correspondence exchanged with the U.S. government. “The agreement that formalized Costa Rica’s decision was unwritten and established through correspondence between both countries,” André explained. “It allowed for a maximum of 200 third-country nationals to be sent to Costa Rica, with the U.S. covering their maintenance, repatriation costs, and assistance in relocating them to safe third countries if needed.” André addressed concerns from lawmakers regarding the Executive Branch’s refusal to disclose details of the agreement, which facilitated the reception of 200 individuals—including elderly perso...

Costa Rica has climbed to sixth place in the 2025 World Happiness Report, marking its highest ranking ever and securing its first spot in the global top 10. Released on Thursday by the Oxford University Centre for Wellbeing Research, the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and Gallup, the annual report also named Costa Rica the happiest country in the Americas , with its score rising from 6.955 to 7.274—the best in a decade. Mexico, the only other Latin American country in the top 20, landed at tenth. The report assessed 147 countries based on citizen satisfaction, GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption levels, using data from 2022–2024. Costa Rica’s jump from 13th to sixth reflects its strong social systems, low corruption, and the cultural ethos of “ Pura Vida ”—a phrase we all know embodying optimism and simplicity. “Costa Ricans value community and nature, which drives our happiness,” said Ana Morales, a 3...

On April 12, in celebration of World Earth Day , the Central Conservation Area (ACC) of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC-MINAE), in collaboration with the National Parks Foundation and the Red Cross Auxiliary Committee of Tierra Blanca de Cartago, will hold a sunset hike in the Irazú Volcano National Park . This educational activity promises to immerse attendees in the rich history and biodiversity of the country’s highest volcano. During the afternoon, participants will have the opportunity to appreciate the characteristic flora and fauna of the area, as well as experience the magical atmosphere near the crater of Irazú Volcano. This event is organized as part of the current cooperation agreement established between SINAC and the National Parks Foundation, and its main objective is to strengthen ties with local communities while offering participants a unique experience to discover the attractions of the Protected Wildlife Area from a completely new perspective. The ...

Panama plunged into darkness late Saturday night when a nationwide blackout hit following an explosion and subsequent fire at the La Chorrera Thermoelectric Power Plant in Panamá Oeste. President José Raúl Mulino confirmed that the outage, which began just before midnight, was triggered by a “technical fault” in a private generator operated by PanAm Generating Ltd. This failure activated the protective mechanisms of the national grid, overseen by the state-owned Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica ( Etesa ). Mulino first addressed the crisis on X, stating, “The blackout is national. I’m requesting a report.” Later, after updates from Etesa, he posted a video showing flames at the facility, clarifying, “Damage to a private electrical generator caused the system to activate its protection. This isn’t a distribution issue.” He reassured the public that power would return gradually and called for patience, while pledging to tackle the country’s longstanding “terrible service” issues. The bl...

University of Hamburg in Germany invites application for vacant Research Positions, a university in Hamburg, Germany. The Colonial

The University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany invites application for vacant PhD, Postdoc and Research Positions, a public research

Samara Beach launched a retractable walkway made from recycled plastic caps, a pioneering step toward inclusive tourism in Costa Rica. The project, unveiled during a special event, aims to ensure people with disabilities and seniors can safely access the sea at this popular Nicoya canton destination. The initiative unites the Chamber of Tourism of Playa Sámara (CTPS), the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, and over a dozen partners, including the Ecological Blue Flag Committee, Hotel Giada, and the Costa Rican Network of Accessible Tourism. The walkway, crafted through the DONATAPA project—which transforms donated plastic caps into accessible pathways—marks a milestone in Sámara’s sustainability and inclusion efforts. Pierre Lidec, Coordinator of the Ecological Blue Flag Program at CTPS, emphasized its significance. “For two years, we’ve focused on waste collection, tree planting, and beach cleanups to create a healthier environment. Now, this walkway makes Sámara more inclusive for all...

Costa Rica’s Constitutional Chamber ordered the suspension of all concessions and permits in the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, a protected area in Costa Rica’s Southern Caribbean. The Court also suspended previously granted permits, aiming to prevent serious and irreparable environmental damage to the refuge’s maritime-terrestrial zone—a coastal area safeguarded under environmental laws. These precautionary measures will remain in effect until case 2019-12745 (file 14-019174-0007-CO), filed by environmental advocates, is reviewed or until a new ruling is issued. The decision halts the issuance of new concessions and the execution of existing ones granted by the Municipality of Talamanca on 20.1 hectares of forested land within the refuge. It also nullifies Directive 09-2023 of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), which had redefined the refuge’s boundaries under Law No. 9223, in force since 2014. Additionally, the Court imposed a total moratorium on logging a...

University of Leeds in United Kingdom invites application for vacant Research Positions, a public research university in Leeds,

University of Leeds in United Kingdom invites application for vacant Research Positions, a public research university in Leeds,

Guatemalan authorities evacuated around 1,000 people Monday after Central America’s most active volcano erupted , spewing lava, ash and rocks. By night, however, the eruption was declared over, and evacuees were allowed to begin returning to their homes. Residents with traumatic memories of a deadly eruption in 2018 sought refuge early Monday after the Fuego volcano exploded spectacularly 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the capital Guatemala City. “We heard the rumblings and then a strong eruption,” said Manuel Cobox, 46, after leaving his home with his wife and three daughters. Some 125 families, around 900 people, were moved to safety from the community of El Porvenir, said Juan Laureano, a spokesman for Guatemala’s disaster coordination agency, Conred. Residents of another community in Las Lajitas were also evacuated, the official added. Buses brought evacuees carrying belongings to a town hall turned into a temporary shelter, while others stayed with friends or relatives. Around 30...

Arizona University in United States invites application for vacant Postdoctoral and Academic Positions, a public university in Tucson, United

Travelers eyeing a spring break getaway can now book one-way award flights to Costa Rica starting at 7,500 miles, thanks to a deal uncovered from several U.S. cities to Liberia (LIR). With travel dates spanning March and April, the offer targets a destination known for its beaches, jungles, and outdoor activities. The flights depart from Charlotte (CLT), Dallas (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), and Miami (MIA), operated by American Airlines and United Airlines. Economy seats cost 7,500 miles, while business class is available for 15,000 miles, plus taxes and fees ranging from $36 to $75 per ticket. Up to nine seats per flight are bookable which may sound like a lot but they go fast. You’ll find the best deals booking through Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, which partners with both carriers. American Airlines handles the Miami-to-Liberia route, while United covers Los Angeles departures, among others. Availability remains strong as of today, though experts advise booking soon due to rising spri...

Costa Rica, a tropical volcanic paradise, offers a vast array of fruits and vegetables, yet the centerpiece remains the sacred food of the Maya, Inca, and Aztecs: corn. In this article, we explore its ancient origins, cultural evolution, and a modern twist on a traditional Costa Rican dish. Historical Significance and Cultural Roots Corn is not just a food—it’s a cornerstone of native heritage. Evidence suggests that corn, believed to have originated in the Mexican plateau and Guatemalan highlands, has been cultivated for more than 7,000 years. Some studies even reference fossilized pollen grains of maize in drill cores of lake sediment beneath Mexico City dating back as far as 80,000 years, though such dates remain a subject of ongoing research. Today, corn—often referred to as maize—has evolved into a massive worldwide industry. It provides raw materials for a variety of food products including flours, cereals, syrups, oils, starches, and sweeteners. In Costa Rica, corn features ...

Basics of Clinical Chemistry (Handouts) – Lecture for 4th level students in Clinical Pathology 10 March 2025 Basics

Nanyang Polytechnic Institute in Singapore invites application for vacant Research Positions, a post-secondary education institution and statutory board

The President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, announced this Saturday the closure of the country’s only pet hospital, which was created with funds from a Bitcoin trust. The Chivo Pets veterinary hospital, opened in February 2022 by the government, will be closed following a case of negligence in which dogs suffered mistreatment and abandonment at a shelter managed by the San Salvador municipality. “In light of the unfortunate situation experienced by numerous animals at the Ilopango shelter (on the eastern outskirts of San Salvador),” the president announced the decision to “close” on his Facebook page. This veterinary hospital was built with part of approximately 4 million dollars that was registered as “surplus” from a trust for the adoption of Bitcoin. In addition to Chivo Pets, the president also announced that the state Animal Welfare Institute and the police unit responsible for protecting animals (Polipet) will also be closed due to the same case of negligence. The leader’s dec...

Ever had a peaceful night’s sleep shattered by a noisy animal? If you have lived for any amount of time in Costa Rica, your answer is likely a resounding Yes! If you are like me, you may have tossed and turned in bed while fantasizing about throttling the owner of said animal. You may have had fleeting glimpses in your head of wringing the neck of that squawking gallo and roasting it for dinner, or of cutting the rope and letting run free that dog whose anguished barks pierce the night air. If you are a bit more rational you may have laid there and wondered if you could sue the owner. Well, according to a lawyer named Alberto Castillo, you can. Appearing on national channel Teletica, Castillo explained the steps involved: First, talk to the owner of the animal: If the owner blows you off, file a complaint in a Contraventional Court, where they will issue a summons to the person who owns the animal to see him in a court hearing. Finally, if they can not reach an agreement with the pet...

University of Applied Sciences Geneva HES-SO in Switzerland invites application for vacant PhD, Postdoctoral and Academic Positions, University

Bern Academy of the Arts in Switzerland invites application for vacant PhD and Academic Positions, an art school with locations

The Università della Svizzera italiana in Switzerland invites application for vacant PhD, Postdoc and Academic Positions, a public

In Costa Rica there is a strong area of the law which is Agrarian Law. This area of the law, which is highly specialized, deals with properties and other activities which are considered to be agrarian by law. There are many agrarian laws but the two most prevalent or important are: a) Ley de Jurisdicción Agraria (The Law of Agrarian Jurisdiction) which covers very important aspects of substantive law b) Código Procesal Agrario (The Code of Agrarian Procedures) which is a very new law that just came into effect on February 28th and covers the procedural aspects of the law. In general terms, agrarian law covers those activities that refer to a biological cycle of production done in a professional manner. This includes the production of animals, vegetables (vegetables, fruits, lumber, flowers, medicinal plants , etc.) and other organisms and the activities of transformation, industrialization, valuation and commercialization of agrarian products. The concept of professional activity me...

The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI in Switzerland invites application for vacant PhD, Postdoc and Academic Positions, the largest

Newell’s Old Boys, featuring Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, finally returned to winning ways on Tuesday, defeating Atlético Tucumán 2-1 on the road in the Argentine Primera División Torneo Apertura. The victory ends a torrid run of five matches without a win, including four consecutive defeats, offering a glimmer of hope for the struggling Rosario club. The team had endured a challenging stretch, falling 2-0 to Central Córdoba, 1-0 to Defensa y Justicia, 2-1 to arch-rivals Rosario Central in the derby, and most recently, 2-0 to Barracas Central. Prior to Tuesday’s triumph, their only victory this season came in Navas’ debut, a 1-0 win over Aldosivi. Against Atlético Tucumán, Navas started and showcased his world-class ability with several key saves, helping secure the three points. Post-match, an elated Navas spoke briefly to reporters, expressing gratitude and optimism. “Thank God we were able to get those three points that we’ve been working toward for some time. This opponen...

PhD Scholarships and assistant research positions at Zurich University, located in the city of Zürich, is the largest

The Queensland University of Technology in Australia invites application for vacant Postdoctoral and Academic Positions, a public research

The University of Western Australia invites application for vacant Academic and Staff Positions, a public research university in

President Donald Trump mentioned this Sunday five cryptocurrencies that his government is considering for a new “strategic reserve” of the United States, which caused their values to soar and partially reverse a recent decline. In a post on his Truth Social network, the Republican magnate said that a task force he created shortly after taking office in late January is moving forward with the formation of the reserve, which will include three smaller-tier cryptocurrencies: XRP, Solana, and Cardano. The value of these three cryptocurrencies rebounded with the news, and XRP was trading up 34% at 1:00 PM in Washington (18:00 GMT). Solana gained about 22% and Cardano rose more than 63%. A few minutes later, Trump posted again, noting that other valuable and already widespread cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ether, would be at “the heart of the Reserve,” which caused the price of the two main digital currencies to increase by more than 10% and 12%, respectively. These messages from ...

The organization Reporters Without Borders ( RSF ) described this Friday as a “shameful farce” the celebration on March 1 of Journalist’s Day in Nicaragua, as the government has “annihilated independent journalism” and forced about 300 communicators into exile. “It is a shameful farce,” emphasized a note signed by Artur Romeu, RSF’s director for Latin America, who demanded “that Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo’s regime end the persecution against the press.” In the last year, four Nicaraguan journalists have been detained by the police and to date the whereabouts of three of them remain unknown, while another 300 have gone into exile, RSF added. Furthermore, the government has expelled at least 46 communicators in the last year, according to the Foundation for Freedom of Expression and Democracy (FLED), a collaborator of RSF. Ortega, a 79-year-old former guerrilla who governed Nicaragua in the 1980s after the triumph of the Sandinista revolution, has been in power since 2007, and h...

More than 200 migrants departed this Thursday in boats from Miramar, a new exit point to Colombia via the Panamanian Caribbean, as the government still fails to manage a growing migratory flow caused by the anti-immigration policy of the United States. The government stated that so far, about 2,200 migrants have returned, mostly from Mexico in recent weeks. A few days ago, hundreds left from the docks of Cartí, in the indigenous Caribbean region of Guna Yala, heading to the Colombian town of Necoclí in the Gulf of Urabá. “Our journey is difficult again, they extort us, they rob us. The same story as when you leave Venezuela is to leave Mexico for here,” 31-year-old Venezuelan Francisco, who preferred not to give his last name, told AFP at the dock of this small town in Colón province. After the sinking of a migrant boat that departed from Cartí, in which a girl died, the indigenous authorities asked the government and international organizations to organize the flow and suspend the ...

Postdoctoral and Academic Positions at The University of Queensland, a public research university located primarily in Brisbane, Australia.