Archive for February 16th, 2009
Monday, February 16th, 2009
Next week some 3,600 of Costa Rica’s 8,000 inmates will begin the 2009 school course, in which they will be given elementary, high school, university or art classes, the country’s justice minister said Friday.
Viviana Martin said in a communique that “it is very satisfying to see how those deprived of their freedom decide of their own free will to begin studying and use their jail time in such a beneficial way.”
Also to be implemented in 2009 will be the “Eurosocial” program financed by the European Union, through which inmates will receive “artistic training as an alternative to formal education.”
With Eurosocial, “our system is benefited and strengthened, while at the same time we offer the prison population possibilities of education and training that will help them achieve a better quality of life for themselves and their families,” Minister Martin said.
According to official data, in this country there are 26 jails with a total population of 8,000 inmates.
About 75 percent of inmates work or study, according to figures from the Justice Ministry.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Monday, February 16th, 2009
Please do tell, are we missing something? According to Bloomberg the price of crude oil fell to the lowest close in the more than seven weeks in New York on concerns of inventories will extend increases as demand drops.
According to Bloomberg the price of crude oil for March delivery fell to us$33.98 a barrel on the New York Stock Exchange, the lowest since December 19 and fifth consecutive daily decline, as oil prices are down 24% this year and 63% from a year ago.
Then, why is it that we are begin asked to pay more for gasoline in Costa Rica?
This morning the country woke up to the first gasoline price hike this year, as the price of a litre of super gasoline jumped ¢16 colones, regular ¢18 and diesel ¢3.
And, to add insult to injury, the Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos – regulating authority – is expected to be presented by the state refinery, Recope, a request for another increase of ¢40 colones for a litre of super, ¢30 for regular, however, a drop of ¢11 for diesel fuel will be requested.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Monday, February 16th, 2009
Rafael Marquez will not play against Costa Rica on March 28, Mexico’s next World Cup qualifier, and may have to sit out a bit longer as well.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has opened an investigation against Marquez and his red card against the United States. Marquez might be forced to miss Mexico’s subsequent qualifier, an April 1 date at Honduras.
Carlos Salcido, meanwhile, will also sit out the match against Costa Rica for his yellow card against the United States. Salcido picked up a yellow card for a hard challenge on Jozy Altidore in the waning minutes of the match, moments before Michael Bradley scored his second goal in the United States’ 2-0 victory over Mexico on Wednesday. (more…)
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
