Harry's Back: Harry Potter and the Hogwarts crew are back in the fifth film based on these popular books, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” which arrives to Costa Rican theaters tomorrow. See tomorrow's Weekend section of the print or electronic edition of The Tico Times for theaters.

Encouraging men to be “allies” in maternal health was the theme declared by the United Nations for World Population Day yesterday, and an activity is planned for Saturday to educate Costa Ricans on this concept.

I Region Tango Championship
Including conferences by Argentinean masters, shows, today through Sunday, Centro de Artes Promenade, Zapote, 200 meters west, 50 meters north of Casa Presidencial. Info: 283-6660.

Conference for Men on “How to Find Peace”
7 p.m., Auditorium Mana, La Uruca, 200 meters south of Auto Line. Info: 222-0606, 388-9626.

The first Costa Rican Embassy in Beijing, China, is up and running, embodying a historical link formed when these countries recently established diplomatic relations.

The embassy has been open since July 5, according to a statement released yesterday by the Foreign Ministry.

Costa Rica established diplomatic relations with China June 1, and Foreign Ministry Cabinet Head Antonio Alarcón was then sent to Beijing to establish the embassy. He accomplished the task of finding a building and setting up the office in two weeks, the statement said. The diplomatic staff for this embassy is being selected by Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno.

The building will also house the Costa Rican Consulate and an office of the Foreign Trade Ministry (COMEX) in an effort to increase trade with China, which is now the second biggest importer of Costa Rican products, the statement said.

In the coming months, a delegation of high-level Chinese officials plans to visit Costa Rica, and a potential free-trade agreement between the two countries is among topics they plan to discuss. President Oscar Arias is also scheduling a visit to Beijing.

Stagno said he hopes Costa Rica's embassy in Beijing will serve as a launching point for expanded ties around Asia.

“This decision is one of the efforts we're making as a government and as a foreign ministry to open embassies in Singapore and India and to achieve Costa Rica's incorporation in the Asian Pacific Forum,” Stagno said.

-Tico Times

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

Communication between boats at high sea and base camps is about to become easier for the Costa Rican Coast Guard, thanks to a donation of equipment made yesterday by Christian Albrechts University in Germany, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry.

The equipment, valued at an estimated $5,000, will allow Coast Guard officials at sea to communicate more quickly with nine central stations around the country, explained Public Security Ministry spokeswoman Patricia Meléndez.

“The equipment the Coast Guard was working with was very antiquated; this is a lot more modern,” she said.

Christian Albrechts University is recognized worldwide as a center of scientific research, and students from about 100 countries, including Costa Rica, have studied there.

About a year ago, one of the university's research boats anchored at the Pacific port of Caldera for an exchange between German and Costa Rican scientists. The Coast Guard also helped place buoys in Costa Rican waters to provide data for university scientists.

The donation was made yesterday during a ceremony attended by Vice-Minister of Public Security Gerardo Láscarez, German Ambassador Volkner Fink and Costa Rican Coast Guard Director Carlos Alvarado.

Encouraging men to be “allies” in maternal health was the theme declared by the United Nations for World Population Day yesterday, and an activity is planned for Saturday to educate Costa Ricans on this concept.

“The support of an informed husband can improve the results of pregnancy and birth and can mean the difference between life and death in the case of complications when women need immediate medical help,” said the U.N. Secretary General's message for the occasion. “Also, a father who supports his children can play an important role in giving them love, care and dedication.”

Every year, more than 500,000 women die during pregnancy, and 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries, according to a statement from the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP). Involving men in pregnancy and birth and encouraging them to become personally involved in supporting women's reproductive health can make a difference in curbing this alarming statistic.

A Fair of Maternal and Paternal Health is planned for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the National Culture Center (CENAC) in San José, and the public is invited to attend.

Talks entitled “Youth in the Prevention of HIV,” and “How can men get involved in pregnancy and the birth of their children?” and a workshop called “What Now?,” directed at expecting parents, are among activities planned.

Performances by the group Cirko Vivo and actress Ana Istarú are also on the agenda. For more information, call 296-1265 or visit www.unfpa.or.cr.