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Regina University in Canada invites application for vacant Postdoctoral and Academic Positions, a public research university located in

The United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran. President Donald Trump described the action as “major combat operations,” and news reports said the attacks targeted Iranian military and missile infrastructure. Iran retaliated within hours, firing missiles and drones toward Israel and at U.S. military facilities across parts of the Middle East, driving fresh warnings from Gulf governments and raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Although Costa Rica is thousands of miles from the Persian Gulf, the economic and diplomatic aftershocks of a sustained conflict would not stay contained to the region. To understand Costa Rica’s position, it helps to look at its long relationship with Israel. Costa Rica opened an embassy in Israel in 1963, Israel opened an embassy in San José in 1966, and the countries reached a mutual visa exemption agreement in 1968. That relationship has also expanded on the trade side. In March 2023, Costa Rica and Israel signed a memor...

Havana said Thursday that Washington is willing to help investigate a clash between Cuban coast guard forces and a boat coming from the United States that left four people dead, while pledging to defend the island from any “terrorist aggression.” Cuba alleged Wednesday that ten-armed individuals were intercepted in its territorial waters as they attempted to infiltrate the island “for terrorist purposes,” in a climate of rising tensions with the United States. “Authorities in the U.S. government have shown themselves willing to cooperate to clarify these regrettable events,” Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío told reporters. He said Havana “has been in communication with” the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Coast Guard. Earlier, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the island would defend itself against any aggression. “Cuba will defend itself with determination and firmness in the face of any terrorist and mercenary aggression that seeks to affect its sov...

Costa Rican law enforcement authorities are conducting a major judicial and police operation following the discovery of a suspected criminal plot to assassinate Michael Soto Rojas, interim director of the Organismo de Investigación Judicial ( OIJ ). The plot, linked to a broader criminal network involved in narcotics trafficking and money laundering, was revealed through coordinated actions by the OIJ and the Fiscalía Adjunta contra la Legitimación de Capitales (Office of the Prosecutor for Anti-Money Laundering). The operation, carried out today, includes multiple raids in the Greater Metropolitan Area. Authorities targeted suspects tied to what they are calling Caso Herencia, a case focused on an alleged web of illicit activity extending back several years. According to prosecutors and investigative sources, the alleged conspiracy to kill Soto traces back to his time as Minister of Public Security during the 2018–2022 administration. Authorities say he refused a series of bribe off...

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FIFA boss Gianni Infantino said on Tuesday he was “very reassured” about Mexico’s hosting of games in the football World Cup, in his first comments on the violence triggered by the killing of a drug cartel leader. “Very reassured, everything’s good. It’s going to be spectacular,” Infantino said in the Colombian city of Barranquilla, two days after cartel members went on the rampage — including in host city Guadalajara — over the army’s killing of their leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera. Mexico is one of the three host countries for the June 11-July 19 World Cup, along with the United States and Canada. The country as a whole, but particularly Guadalajara, was shaken by the violence that followed the killing of the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). At least 74 people were killed during the operation to capture him at a ranch near Guadalajara and subsequent clashes between the security forces and suspected cartel members.  Only one was a civilian, accor...

Emma Raducanu insists she is in no rush to find a new coach as the former US Open champion looks to revert to a “more aggressive style of play”. The British tennis player has got through several coaches in a relatively short career, with Francisco Roig the latest to leave the role after the Spaniard spent six months working with Raducanu. The 23-year-old was outspoken after a second-round loss to Anastasia Potapova at the Australian Open, saying she wanted to be playing “in a way more similar to when I was younger”. In Raducanu’s next tournament in Romania she reached her first final since the stunning US Open triumph in 2021 and she insisted she remains happy working with hitting partner Alexis Canter, a 27-year-old former British player who reached a career-high ranking of 779 last year. “Right now I wouldn’t say I’m actively looking for a coach,” Raducanu told the Guardian. “I have Alexis in my corner. He knows me as a person. He knows me as a player and I’ve actually had some suc...

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Panama published the Supreme Court ruling that annuls the concession granted to a Hong Kong-based company to operate two ports at the entrances to the Panama Canal. The decision, which appeared in the official gazette, makes the January 30 ruling final and not subject to appeal. Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings, has run the Balboa terminal on the Pacific side and the Cristobal terminal on the Atlantic side since 1997. The Supreme Court found the underlying laws, including the 1997 concession approved by Law 5 and its 2021 extension for another 25 years, unconstitutional. Judges ruled that the agreement gave disproportionate advantages to the company and harmed state interests, including through tax exemptions and the lack of a public tender for the renewal. The ruling takes effect immediately. The Panama Maritime Authority will now coordinate a transition to maintain uninterrupted operations at the facilities. President José Raúl Mulino directed the author...

Venezuela’s National Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved a long-awaited amnesty law that could free hundreds of political prisoners jailed for being government detractors.  But the law excludes those who have been prosecuted or convicted of promoting military action against the country — which could include opposition leaders like Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, who has been accused by the ruling party of calling for international intervention like the one that ousted former president Nicolas Maduro. The bill was signed by interim president Delcy Rodriguez, who pushed for the legislation under pressure from Washington, after she rose to power following Maduro’s capture during a US military raid on January 3. “One must know how to ask for forgiveness and one must also know how to receive forgiveness,” Rodriguez said at the Miraflores presidential palace in the capital Caracas, after signing the bill into law. In one of the first releases after the bill passed,...

More than 150 giant tortoises have been reintroduced to in Ecuador’s famed Galapagos archipelago where they disappeared more than a century ago, the environment ministry said Friday. Park rangers carried large crates containing the 158 tortoises on their backs, hiking seven kilometers (four miles) across volcanic terrain and hard-to-access areas before releasing them, the ministry said in a statement. “For the first time in over a century, Floreana is once again home to giant tortoises, a species that plays a strategic role as ecosystem engineers: seed dispersers, vegetation regulators, and promoters of natural habitat regeneration,” it said. The Galapagos Islands, a World Heritage Site, are situated some 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador. They are famous for their unique flora and fauna and are where British scientist Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution. An NGO, Island Conservation, said it was the first time that giant tortoises have walked on Floreana since t...

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The Ministry of Public Education ( MEP ) reports that 150 schools have shut their doors over the past 10 years, a direct result of falling student numbers tied to the country’s shrinking birth rate. Education Minister Leonardo Sánchez Hernández laid out the numbers during a recent briefing, pointing to a steady decline that has reshaped classrooms across the nation. The trend shows no signs of reversal. In 2021, public schools enrolled 1.1 million students. By the start of the 2026 school year this month, that figure dipped below one million for the first time. Projections from the ministry indicate the drop will continue through 2050, with primary school enrollment alone expected to fall 27 percent in the coming years. Sánchez Hernández attributes the changes to demographic shifts. Costa Rica’s birth rate has plummeted, leaving fewer children to fill seats. “We adjust to the reality on the ground,” the minister said in a statement. The ministry has closed 13 schools in 2025, followi...

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Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court, known as Sala IV, has ruled against immigration officials who blocked a Chilean man from entering the country due to simple drawings in his passport. The decision highlights the need for clear grounds when refusing entry, setting a precedent for how authorities handle document issues. The case stems from an incident at Juan Santamaría International Airport . A Chilean citizen arrived seeking entry, but border agents rejected him after spotting drawings on several pages of his passport. Officials claimed the marks amounted to alterations that invalidated the document. The man explained that his young niece had made the sketches, but agents sent him back to Chile the same day. He filed a habeas corpus petition, arguing the denial violated his rights. Sala IV agreed, finding the rejection lacked proper justification. Judges noted the drawings did not appear on the personal data page and did not hinder identification. They called the action disproportio...

Colombian singer Shakira’s five-concert series in El Salvador has drawn massive crowds, filling hotels and sparking a notable economic lift for the country. The shows, part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, expanded from an initial three dates after tickets sold out quickly, reflecting strong demand across Central America. The events at the Jorge “El Mágico” González National Stadium began over the weekend, with two performances already completed. Authorities report that 135,000 people will attend in total, including 68,000 locals and the rest from abroad. Visitors from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica make up a significant portion of the international audience, highlighting the tour’s pull in the region. Hotels in San Salvador have reached full capacity, pushing some guests to book rooms in nearby coastal areas or surrounding cities. This influx supports local businesses, from restaurants to transportation services. Government estimates place the overall eco...

As couples across Central America exchange gifts for Valentine’s Day, Panama starts its annual Carnival today, turning streets into parades of color and music. The four-day event, running from February 14 to 17, draws crowds from neighboring countries, including Costa Rica, where many plan short trips to join the action. Panama’s Carnival starts with water parades known as culecos, where trucks spray crowds to beat the heat. Parades feature brass bands, dancers in traditional pollera dresses, and floats carrying Carnival queens. Fireworks light up evenings, and outdoor dancing continues late into the night. The main celebrations happen in Las Tablas, where rival groups compete in street displays. Panama City hosts events along the Cinta Costera, including the Festival Vol. Caribe with free stages for artists and family activities. Other spots like Chitré and Penonomé offer similar parades and gatherings. This year, the start aligns with February 14, mixing romantic plans with festiv...

Researchers at the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica have confirmed a major paleontological find in the province of Cartago: fossil remains from a mastodon-like creature and a giant ground sloth. This discovery ranks among the country’s most notable in recent decades and sheds light on the megafauna that once roamed Central America. The story started when a local resident spotted unusual bones on private land and contacted authorities. Experts from the museum’s Department of Natural History quickly responded, inspecting the site and identifying the remains as belonging to extinct animals from the late Pleistocene era. Among the key specimens are bones from a Cuvieronius, a proboscidean related to mastodons, known for its large size and curved tusks. This animal could grow several meters long. The team also recovered parts of an Eremotherium, a giant ground sloth that stood on strong hind legs and reached heights similar to modern elephants when upright. To date, specialists have extract...

Agents from the Judicial Investigation Agency ( OIJ ) arrested a 28-year-old man surnamed Pérez as the main suspect in the homicide of Francisco Ojeda Garcés, a 36-year-old Chilean who lived temporarily in the country. The detention happened during a raid in Dominicalito de Osa, and police still hunt for a second suspect who remains on the run. The incident dates back to December 26, 2025, when Ojeda’s body turned up in Playa Perfecta, a remote spot in the Osa canton. Initial reports showed the victim had suffered multiple blows across his body, leading authorities to rule it a homicide. Ojeda had spent three years in Costa Rica, where he worked as an environmental activist in the southern region. His brother noted that Francisco aimed to build a better life there and mentioned a possible run-in with the fugitive suspect days earlier. OIJ investigators point to a personal dispute as the trigger for the attack. Pérez, a local resident, got captured at his home after a coordinated ope...

The United Nations expressed deep concern on Friday about the intensifying crisis in Cuba, worsened by the United States’ energy blockade. “We are extremely concerned about the worsening socioeconomic crisis in Cuba, in the context of decades of commercial and financial embargo, extreme climate events, and recent measures by the United States that restrict oil deliveries,” said Marta Hurtado, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, speaking to the press. “This is having an increasingly serious impact on the human rights of people in Cuba,” she added. For the spokesperson, “political objectives cannot justify actions that in themselves violate human rights.” She therefore noted that the Office “reiterates its call on all States to lift unilateral sectoral measures, because of their indiscriminate repercussions on the population.” Cuba has been mired for six years in a severe economic crisis, with high inflation, prolonged blackouts, and shortages of foo...

Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings issued a warning on Thursday, stating it would pursue legal action against Danish shipping firm Maersk if the company proceeds to manage two Panama Canal ports without its approval. This move intensifies a brewing dispute over the strategic terminals, set against broader frictions between China and the United States. Panama’s Supreme Court ruled in January that the 1997 concession contract allowing Hutchison to operate the Balboa port on the Pacific side and the Cristóbal port on the Atlantic was unconstitutional. The decision highlighted an imbalance that favored the company at the expense of the state, creating questions about the future of these facilities at the canal’s entrances. In response, Panama President José Raúl Mulino declared that Maersk would step in temporarily to handle the ports until a new concession process concludes. Mulino faces external pressures from the U.S. regarding Chinese influence in the canal zone. Hut...

Southwest Airlines has set plans to introduce the first direct flight linking Costa Rica with Las Vegas, Nevada. This move aims to boost travel options between the two spots. The Costa Rican Tourism Institute shared details from the airline’s press release, noting this as the initial nonstop service to the U.S. city known for its shows and casinos. Southwest marked a decade of flights to Costa Rica last year, linking several U.S. cities to our country’s key airports. This has supported steady growth in visitor numbers and ties between the nations. The airline states the route kicks off on October 1, 2026, with daily operations. Departures from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas leave at 1:25 a.m., reaching Juan Santamaría International Airport in Costa Rica around 6 a.m. local time. Return trips from Costa Rica depart between noon and 1 p.m., lasting about seven hours. Bookings opened today on Southwest’s site, allowing early reservations ahead of the start date. Tourism...

Hospitals in the Central Valley face mounting pressure from a rise in respiratory illnesses, prompting the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) to shift pediatric patients across facilities. Officials report that seasonal viruses, including influenza A subtype H3, have driven up demand, leading to near-full occupancy in key centers. The surge began in late 2025, with the Ministry of Health confirming circulation of influenza H3 , mostly the subclade K variant, alongside rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). By the end of December, labs processed 360 samples positive for H3, and 576 patients tested positive for various respiratory pathogens. Cases clustered in areas like San José, Desamparados, Alajuela, and San Carlos, all within the Central Valley region. In early January, the CCSS issued an epidemiological alert on December 16 to heighten monitoring and response. This came as hospitals reported higher admissions, particularly among children. The Max Peralta Hospit...

Karolinska Institute in Sweden invites application for vacant PhD, Postdoc and Academic Positions, a research-led medical university in

The short encounter was recorded on a cellphone by Keylor Monge, a local tour guide who was leading an excursion on Friday, Feb. 6. Monge said the sighting happened around 11:48 a.m., and that it was a reminder of “how unpredictable” nature can be. Puma sightings in Corcovado are not unheard of, but guides and frequent visitors describe them as uncommon, especially in open view and in close proximity to people. Monge says that most visitors hoping to spot a puma typically scan the forest with binoculars or similar tools, and that it’s unusual for the animal to present itself so freely. Monge shares wildlife encounters from the Osa Peninsula on Instagram under the handle @corcovado_keytours , where he regularly posts photos and videos of species seen on tours, including tapirs, snakes, monkeys, and toucans. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Keylor Monge (@corcovado_keytours) Why close sightings can happen Biologists generall...

Former president of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) and newly elected deputy Marta Esquivel has pushed her defense in the Barrenador case to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. She argues that the investigation amounts to political persecution and has caused significant harm to her reputation. This move comes as the probe into alleged irregularities at the CCSS keeps fueling discussions among lawmakers and public officials. Esquivel, a lawyer with a background in labor and social security law, led the CCSS until her removal in 2024 amid the Barrenador scandal. Authorities detained her that year as part of an inquiry into potential mismanagement and financial discrepancies within the institution. Prosecutors named her as a suspect, leading to raids and public scrutiny that she now calls unjust. In a recent appearance before a legislative commission examining CCSS operations, Esquivel detailed her grievances. She described the case as a fabricated effort to target he...

Natural disasters and severe weather events led to more than ₡1 billion in payouts for damaged homes last year, data from the National Insurance Institute ( INS ) shows. The institute handled 342 claims from homeowners, totaling ₡1,039,170,709 in compensation. These payments went to policyholders with what people often call fire insurance, though the coverage extends far beyond flames. It includes protection from floods, landslides, lightning, high winds, hurricanes, earthquakes, and theft. Without this safeguard, affected families would face the full cost of repairs or rebuilding on their own. Fires topped the list of incidents, with 109 claims. Floods came next at 76, followed by 66 cases from strong winds. Lightning caused 55 claims, and landslides rounded out the total with 36. Alajuela saw the activity, with 116 claims making up 34% of the national figure. San José reported 69, Puntarenas 54, and Cartago had the fewest at nine. Karla Huezo, deputy head of the INS general insura...

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According to data released this week by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), the country recorded a -2.53% year-over-year inflation rate in January. This marks 33 consecutive months below the Central Bank of Costa Rica’s ( BCCR ) target range of 2-4%. The monthly drop of -0.96% from December to January represents the largest single-month decline since 1983. While consumers might initially welcome declining prices on everyday items like tomatoes, eggs, electricity, and package tours, economists view sustained deflation as a warning sign of deeper economic problems. The phenomenon raises serious concerns about Costa Rica’s economic trajectory and its ability to maintain the stability that has made it Central America’s most prosperous nation. Deflation creates a destructive economic cycle that is often harder to escape than inflation. When prices consistently fall, consumers and businesses delay purchases in anticipation of even lower prices. This waiting game reduces...

The National University of Singapore invites application for vacant Postdoctoral and Research Positions, a national research university in

Two standout Costa Rican properties have received prestigious recognition in recent Forbes magazine coverage, highlighting the country’s growing reputation as a global leader in wellness and luxury hospitality. Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection, in Pérez Zeledón, and Nekajui Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, in Guanacaste, have been featured for their exceptional approaches to guest experiences that blend luxury with meaningful well-being. Hacienda AltaGracia Forbes shines a spotlight on Hacienda AltaGracia for its innovative approach to cuisine as a pillar of well-being. Located in the mountain enclave of Santa Elena in Pérez Zeledón, the luxury retreat demonstrates how thoughtful dining can support physical health, mental balance, cultural connection, and environmental responsibility. The magazine references the recent EHL Food and Well-Being Report, which positions food as a cornerstone of holistic wellness. It influences everything from daily nutrition to...

Netflix is increasing subscription prices in Costa Rica beginning March 7, raising monthly costs across all plans available here, according to a notice sent to subscribers. Netflix’s message says the increase will be $1 more per month for the Basic plan and $2 more per month for the Standard and Premium plans, before taxes. New prices in Costa Rica (before tax) : Plan Old price New price Change Basic (720p) $8.99 $9.99 +$1 Standard (1080p) $12.99 $14.99 +$2 Premium (4K + HDR) $15.99 $17.99 +$2 Netflix’s notice also summarized plan features, including the number of simultaneous streams and download limits, and pointed to a larger content slate ahead. Taxes will push totals higher. Here in Costa Rica, Netflix subscriptions are subject to the 13% value-added tax (IVA) applied to cross-border digital services. The IVA is collected automatically and appears as a separate charge on bank statements. Based on the new pre-tax prices, that 13% IVA brings the ap...

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Lawmakers from multiple parties have raised concerns over President Rodrigo Chaves’ recent appointment of president-elect Laura Fernández as Minister of the Presidency. The decision, announced this week, places Fernández in a key cabinet role for the final three months of Chaves’ term, sparking debate about its purpose and legality. Chaves made the announcement during a press conference at Casa Presidencial on February 4, 2026. He described the move as a step to ensure a smooth handover of power. Fernández, who served as Chaves’ Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy before becoming his Minister of the Presidency, won the presidential election on February 1 with roughly 48 percent of the vote. Her victory avoided a runoff and positioned her to take office on May 8. The appointment comes amid Fernández’s promises to build on Chaves’ policies, focusing on security and economic reforms. Chaves, barred from seeking re-election under the constitution, has openly supported her c...

The University of Sydney in Australia invites application for vacant Postdoctoral Positions, an Australian public research university in

Costa Rica’s Ombudsman’s Office has raised doubts about a report from the Ministry of Environment and Energy ( MINAE ) on the boundaries of forested lands next to the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge in Limón province. The office, acting as an intervener in the case, asked the Constitutional Chamber (Sala IV) to require an independent review of the report before deciding if MINAE has met a court order from March 2025. That order came from ruling 2019-12745 under file 14-019174-0007-CO, which required MINAE to set clear limits for the refuge. In its analysis, the Ombudsman’s Office pointed out that MINAE based its findings on forest cover from 2025. This method might accept earlier damage to the environment as the starting point, instead of using data from before a 2014 law that was later ruled unconstitutional. Such an approach could go against key rules in Costa Rica’s constitution, including the protection of forests from reduction, the ban on weakening environmental saf...