Archive for July 22nd, 2009
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
Tegucigalpa, Honduras – In the early hours of June 28, military forces entered the home of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, put him under arrest, and sent him on a plane to Costa Rica. Leaders from around the world condemned the action as a coup – a “violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group,” according to Merriam-Webster. But the interim leaders in Honduras claim that their president vacated his office by acting against the Constitution and that a legal succession of power took place. Neither side has backed down, though talks are under way in Costa Rica . (more…)
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
The U.S. Men’s National Soccer team returns to Soldier Field in Chicago where they meet Honduras Thursday. The match is the first semi-final game in the North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) region Gold Cup tournament. The second match pits Costa Rica against Mexico. United States is up against a Honduras team it defeated earlier in Gold Cup action.
There are only four teams left in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and all of them have been here before.
The first game of the semi-finals doubleheader on Thursday night is a rematch.
The United States takes on Honduras, the team it defeated 2-0 in Gold Cup Group Play earlier in July. (more…)
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
The Costa Rican government has confirmed plans to create a new gaming authority under forthcoming legislation that will also subject all gaming companies – online and offline – to tighter licensing and taxation requirements, the country’s finance minister has announced.
The government’s plans to address Costa Rica’s worsening fiscal situation include tighter regulatory control over gambling and an extra 2 percent tax on the gross revenues of all gaming operators established in the country, finance minister Guillermo Zuñiga announced earlier this week.
Speaking at a press conference in Costa Rica’s capital, San José, Zuñiga stated that the government would introduce a new gaming bill for discussion in the country’s parliament, perhaps as early as this August.
Zuñiga said the 2 percent gaming tax on gross gaming revenues would allow the government to generate US$85m per year in new revenues. The proposal comes as Costa Rica attempts to address a fiscal situation that has seen government revenues drop eight percent during the first-half of the year, with expenditure rising by more than 20 percent. Projected GDP growth for the year has also been lowered by the country’s central bank. Under the fiscal plans, the government will also introduce US$112m worth of public spending cuts. (more…)
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
Costa Rica has a great tourist industry. They are welcoming and friendly and in most cases they are honest and genuine. But human nature being what it is, sometimes we end up getting less than we bargained for. The following are just a few tips on what to look out for before you pay out of pocket.
In most cities these days, when the local cops aren’t busy they park in a discreet spot and scrutinize drivers to see if they can catch them in an infraction. One person I read about got stopped for speeding and the cops told him that it was an expensive ticket. The cop told them that for $100 he would look the other way. Later he was told that he could have settled the ticket at any Bank of Costa Rica.
This is a great example of why you should take the bus and taxi whenever possible. You may think you are free with your own vehicle but you won’t be very free if you are stuck in a hole on a dirt road in a foreign country. Just figure into your budget, taxi and bus fare. Always hide extra cab fare on you somewhere just in case of emergency. (more…)
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