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24 Apr 2006 |
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Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, April 24, 2006
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Environment Minister Surfaces
In Corcovado National Park
After spending two days lost in the dense jungle of Corcovado National Park, in the Southern Zone, Environment Minister Carlos Manuel Rodríguez found rescue workers Saturday on one of the park's beaches. He was tired, scraped up and dehydrated, but otherwise safe and sound, according to Public Security Ministry spokeswoman Patricia Meléndez.
(Click for more)
Expert Advises Costa Rica
To Protect Against Avian Flu
Though Costa Rica is at only a minimal risk for avian flu, which has been transmitted from domestic birds to humans and resulted in deaths in Asia, “no country can declare itself free of avian flu,” and, Costa Rica should have a plan of action should it surface here, said Cristóbal Zepeda, a researcher at the U.S. Center of Animal Health Epidemiology.
(Click for more)
Increase in Costa Rica 's
Electricity Rates Approved
The Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP), Friday approved an average 13% increase in electricity rates under the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), the state-run electricity monopoly.
(Click for more)
Saprissa Defeats Alajuela To
Become National Soccer Champions
The Saprissa soccer team emerged as the national champion in Saturday's final game in the closing tournament, beating La Liga 2-1.
(Click for more)
Today Show Rescheduled for April 24
The much-anticipated segment on NBC TV's The Today Show featuring Costa Rica and Nicaragua as south-of-the-border retirement havens for U.S. expats has been rescheduled for Monday, April 24, from 7-9am U.S. Eastern Time on the U.S. NBC network, according to the show's producer, Mary Ann Zoellner.
(Click for more)
April 24
Free Soccer Film Festival
The German Embassy and Centro de Cine invite moviegoers to watch a series of films about soccer, featuring “El Milagro de Berna,” by Sonke Worttmann (Germany), today; “Boleiros,” by Urgo Giorgetti (Brazil), April 25; “Bando y el fútbol de Oro,” by Cheik Doukouré (Guinea), April 26; “Adelante Muchachas” by Erika Harzer and Kalle Stayman, April 27. All films at 7 p.m., Centro de Cine, behind INS, San José. Info: 222-9329, 223-2127.
University Week
The University of Costa Rica (UCR) is holding a series of concerts, shows, demonstrations, film festivals, exhibits and more, April 14-29. All activities are free at the University's San Pedro campus, east of San José. Info: 207-4000.
Edited By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff
aroberson@ticotimes.net
Environment Minister Surfaces
In Corcovado National Park
By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff
aroberson@ticotimes.net
After spending two days lost in the dense jungle of Corcovado National Park, in the Southern Zone, Environment Minister Carlos Manuel Rodríguez found rescue workers Saturday on one of the park's beaches. He was tired, scraped up and dehydrated, but otherwise safe and sound, according to Public Security Ministry spokeswoman Patricia Meléndez.
Rodríguez, 46, was on a 14-kilometer hike through the national park Thursday, along with six park rangers, to search for poachers. He decided to hike ahead, Meléndez said, to follow a young tapir, a large mammal native to the park that can weigh up to 200 kilograms. The animal's protective mother attacked him, leaving him temporarily unconscious.
“It was imprudent on my part. The animal kicked me and tried to bite my neck,” Rodríguez told the daily La Nación. He then fell down a ravine, banging his forehead and ribs and losing consciousness.
Meanwhile, workers from the Public Security Ministry, the Red Cross and the Ministry of the Environment and Energy (MINAE) began searching for the minister Friday, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry.
After regaining consciousness, Rodríguez began walking and reached the park's Sirena beach on his own Saturday morning, where he found rescue workers and was flown in a Public Security Ministry helicopter to San José. He was taken to Clínica Bíblica hospital, where he spent the night and was treated for cuts and dehydration, Meléndez said, adding that the minister was doing “relatively” well and planned to return to work today.
Expert Advises Costa Rica
To Protect Against Avian Flu
By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff
aroberson@ticotimes.net
Though Costa Rica is at only a minimal risk for avian flu, which has been transmitted from domestic birds to humans and resulted in deaths in Asia, “no country can declare itself free of avian flu,” and, Costa Rica should have a plan of action should it surface here, said Cristóbal Zepeda, a researcher at the U.S. Center of Animal Health Epidemiology.
By remaining vigilant over poultry farms and systematically testing birds for avian flu, workers can detect potential cases of the disease, Zepeda told a group of poultry industry leaders at a workshop Friday in Coronado, north of San José.
Zepeda explained an organizational strategy in which farms are grouped into “compartments” that regularly check up on each other to make sure there are no incidences of avian flu.
“There is a very minimal risk that birds that migrate to Costa Rica could come into contact with birds carrying avian flu and transmit it to domestic birds,” explained Zepeda. “It's necessary to remain vigilant and detect the disease early to keep the country free of it.”
The workshop, sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) was part of the ministry's strategy to train public health officials and poultry industry workers about avian flu, according to a statement from the ministry.
Increase in Costa Rica 's
Electricity Rates Approved
The Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP), Friday approved an average 13% increase in electricity rates under the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), the state-run electricity monopoly.
The cost for the first 200 kilowatts of energy will increase from ¢6,900 to ¢8,000 ($13.60 to $15.77), according to a statement from ARESEP.
The increase will go into effect when it is published in the government daily La Gaceta within the next five business days and will affect 400,000 ICE users in the country.
Meanwhile, President Abel Pacheco remarked yesterday during his national radio address that 98% of the national territory has access to electricity, making Costa Rica second to Chile in Latin American countries with the most electrical coverage.
Pacheco, who will be succeeded by president-elect Oscar Arias May 8, attributed Costa Rica 's success in electrical coverage to four projects implemented during his presidency which increased national electricity generation by 250,000 kilowatts and increased energy transmission networks by 2,000 kilometers.
-ACAN-EFE
Saprissa Defeats Alajuela To
Become National Soccer Champions
The Saprissa soccer team emerged as the national champion in Saturday's final game in the closing tournament, beating La Liga 2-1.
The heated match concluded with two goals by Saprissa centerfielder Walter Centeno.
The win, marking the 24 th in Saprissa's history, resulted in streets packed with thousands of Saprissa fans celebrating the victory by cheering and waving the team's characteristic purple flags.
Saprissa and La Liga are the Costa Rican teams with the most national championships; Puntarenas' team finished in second place.
-ACAN-EFE
Today Show Rescheduled for April 24
The much-anticipated segment on NBC TV's The Today Show featuring Costa Rica and Nicaragua as south-of-the-border retirement havens for U.S. expats has been rescheduled for Monday, April 24, from 7-9am U.S. Eastern Time on the U.S. NBC network, according to the show's producer, Mary Ann Zoellner.
The show was originally scheduled to air March 15 (NT, March 10), but was bumped to make way for other Today Show reports. The show will be available in Nicaragua only to those who have Direct TV.
-Tico Times