Archive for August 11th, 2008
Monday, August 11th, 2008
HOMOSEXUAL inmates in Costa Rica do not have the right to conjugal visits, the nation’s highest court has ruled in a case that could be revisited if Congress passes a bill legalising gay marriage, newspapers reported.
The Constitutional Tribunal rejected a former inmate’s appeal in a lawsuit against prison authorities who suddenly stopped his weekly conjugal visits to his partner, a current inmate he met when both served time in the same jail.
The high court’s brief ruling said the prison authorities’ decision “falls within the scope of their rights, duties and powers”.
The court, however, is still debating another appeal in a similar case that challenges prison rules restricting conjugal visits to heterosexual couples as violating the basic right to sexual freedom of all inmates, including homosexuals.
The high court’s ruling could also be affected if Congress votes and passes a bill currently under debate that would legalise gay marriage.
Meanwhile, the country’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal is considering a request to hold a referendum on gay marriage so the Costa Rican people can decide on the matter.
Same-sex marriage is legal in six countries – Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Norway, South Africa and Spain – and is a top issue in the United States, where Massachusetts in 2004 became the first US state to allow it, followed by California this year.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says he has removed some of the legal discriminations against same-sex couples, but is not in favour of allowing them to marry.
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Monday, August 11th, 2008
The Government announced a plan to contain spending in 2009, given the fact that the country is going through a crisis resulting mainly from the increase in the prices of food and oil. At different instances, the message was transmitted by acting President Laura Chinchilla and by Finance Minister Guillermo Zuniga. “In the coming months, Costa Rica will have to engage in something similar to pilgrimage. We will be facing a very steep trail”, Ms. Chinchilla warned. “When resources are few and many the needs, we must” share in all senses, she added.
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Monday, August 11th, 2008
The arrival of tourists in the last 12 months has kept on increasing, even though at a slower rate than in the preceding year. In June, on a year to year basis, the number of tourists increased by 7 percent, while in February it had done so by 21 percent.The overall number of people holidaying in Costa Rica during the last year was 2.1 million.
Minister of Tourism Carlos Benavides said that, in spite of the slowing down in the increase rate, the country enjoys an arrival of visitors that surpasses the world’s average.
“By the end of the year, we will close with an increase that will be, at the least, double what the other countries around the world will grow,” he commented.
The increase in the prices of oil affected the costs of operation of airlines in the United States (the source of a majority of the tourists who come to Costa Rica), and that has resulted in fewer flights and more expensive tickets, minister Benavides further explained.
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Monday, August 11th, 2008
For close to twelve and a half years, Costa Ricans had not experienced as high a hike in the cost of living as the one recorded in the last three months. From May through July, the cost of the basic basket went 5.5 percent up, the highest quarterly increase since December 1995, according to the variation in the Consumer Price Index. In July, alone, the indicator went 2.14 percent up.
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Monday, August 11th, 2008
Jaco Beach, home to many residing in Costa Rica – not to mention one of that nation’s favorite getaways – has now been deemed a “health risk”.
Fecal residues of between 1100 and 2400 have been recorded over the past week. Anything over 500 is considered to be a health hazard.
This level of contamination can have severe consequences, with diarrhea, vomiting, infections accompanied by high fever and various allergies.
Anyone who has swam in Jaco Beach over the past week and is experiencing any of the above symptoms should seek medical attention.
Jaco Beach is very popular among surfers but it also has a reputation for being among the least cleanest of beaches in Costa Rica.
Jaco is utilized by sports book and online casino employees – most of whom reside in and around San Jose, the nation’s capital. It is approximately a two hour drive.
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