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31 Jul 2006

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, July 31, 2006

PEACE in the Middle East: Ammar Elzaman, 7, twirled the Palestinian flag yesterday during a march for peace in the Middle East in La Sabana Park, on the western edge of San José. About 80 people joined in the march; some carried signs illustrating peace, while others held signs with images of war and violence as a reminder that the situation in the region is far from peaceful. Tammy Zibners/Tico Times

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Library Project
Inaugurated In Alajuela
Citizens in Alajuela, northwest of San José, have computers, books and other resources at their disposal thanks to a library project launched by the Culture Ministry in coordination with the Public Education Ministry and the Alajuela Municipality, according to a statement from the Culture Ministry.
(Click for more)

Channel 14 Cameraman
Shot and Killed
Cristhian Hernández, a cameraman for Channel 14 News, was stabbed to death early Saturday morning in front of a night club in Ciudad Quesada, in north-central Costa Rica, according to the daily La Nación.
(Click for more)

Annexation of Guanacaste
Holiday Celebrated Today,
Pilgrimage to Cartago Under Way
Costa Ricans around the country today are celebrating the annexation of the northwestern Guanacaste province, and government offices, many businesses and the U.S. Embassy and Consulate are closed today in observance of the holiday. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate will reopen to the public with their normal office hours, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., tomorrow.
(Click for more)

July 31

Blues Devils Concert
Jazzy blues, 9 p.m., El Observatorio, Barrio California, San José. Info: 223-0725.

Mundo Loco
Featuring DJ Dr. Leo and Ensamble Étnico in concert, 10 p.m., Jazz Café, San Pedro, east of San José. Info: 253-8933.

Edited By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff
aroberson@ticotimes.net

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Library Project Inaugurated In Alajuela

By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff
aroberson@ticotimes.net

Citizens in Alajuela, northwest of San José, have computers, books and other resources at their disposal thanks to a library project launched by the Culture Ministry in coordination with the Public Education Ministry and the Alajuela Municipality, according to a statement from the Culture Ministry.

Twenty �virtual libraries� were inaugurated at a ceremony Friday at the Alajuela Institute attended by Public Education Minister Leonardo Garnier, Culture Minister María Elena Carballo, Alajuela Mayor Cecilia Aguilar and National Libraries System director Margarita Rojas.

These 20 libraries are located inside elementary and high schools, technical schools and the Alajuela branch of the National Training Institute (INA). Data bases, computers with Internet access and librarians are among resources the facilities offer.

Each library is each geared toward a different public, said Culture Ministry spokeswoman Mauren Herrera.

�The libraries each have a different focus, but the important thing is that they are there for people to use,� Herrera said.

The idea for the Virtual Library project was born in 2002, when the ministries and the Alajuela Municipality joined together to develop a project to �bring technology and information more within the public's reach,� the statement said.

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Channel 14 Cameraman Shot and Killed

Cristhian Hernández, a cameraman for Channel 14 News, was stabbed to death early Saturday morning in front of a night club in Ciudad Quesada, in north-central Costa Rica, according to the daily La Nación.

Hernández, 30, suffered several stab wounds to his chest, stomach, back and both arms, the daily reported. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died at 10 a.m. Saturday after undergoing an emergency surgery.

Friends and family members suspect Hernández, who successfully underwent drug rehabilitation last year, was killed by drug dealers he could have captured on film while working.

�His death shows that there are evil people who do not allow someone to search for a better life,� Channel 14 news director Karla Herrera told La Nación, adding that �resentment, envy and threats� could have motivated those who stabbed Hernández.

Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) have arrested one person identified by the last name Guzmán suspected of being involved in the killing.

-Tico Times

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Annexation of Guanacaste Holiday Celebrated
Today, Pilgrimage to Cartago Under Way

Costa Ricans around the country today are celebrating the annexation of the northwestern Guanacaste province, and government offices, many businesses and the U.S. Embassy and Consulate are closed today in observance of the holiday. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate will reopen to the public with their normal office hours, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., tomorrow.

Additionally, devout Catholic Costa Ricans from around the country have begun their annual pilgrimage to visit the country's patron saint, Nuestra Señora de los Angeles (Our Lady of the Angeles), in the old colonial capital of Cartago, east of San José, Wednesday.

Those making the journey will be walking along main roads leading to Cartago, and drivers should use extra caution, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry.

-Tico Times

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