Thousands Stranded at Sea as Strait of Hormuz Shutdown

In a deepening humanitarian crisis amid escalating Middle East tensions, approximately 20,000 seafarers and 15,000 cruise ship passengers find themselves stranded in the turbulent waters of the Persian Gulf. The near-total shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, triggered by recent conflicts, has halted vital maritime traffic, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire of a widening …

Costa Rica Forms First Symphony Orchestra With Only Women Performers

Costa Rica now has its first symphony orchestra that consists exclusively of women. The Sistema Nacional de Educación Musical assembled the ensemble as part of an initiative from the Ministry of Culture and Youth. The group counts 70 musicians. Members include students and instructors who train through SINEM centers in different provinces. Invited instrumentalists from …

Aryna Sabalenka Engaged to Georgios Frangulis Before Indian Wells

Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked player in women’s tennis, shared news of her engagement to Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis on Tuesday, just before the start of the WTA 1000 tournament here in the Coachella Valley. The Belarusian athlete, 27, posted videos on Instagram showing the romantic proposal, which took place on the eve of the event. …

An NGO says Bukele has 86 political prisoners in El Salvador

President Nayib Bukele is holding dozens of government critics as “political prisoners”, something that had not happened in El Salvador since the civil war ended more than three decades ago, the humanitarian organization Cristosal said Thursday. Cristosal says at least 86 people are currently detained for political reasons, including anti-corruption lawyer Ruth López, who leads …

Interpol Arrests 60 Suspected Child Predators in Central America

Law enforcement agencies in nine countries arrested 60 suspects accused of child sexual offences and identified 65 child victims during a coordinated international operation. Interpol announced the results of Operation Eclipse today. The year-long effort ran from February 2025 through January 2026 and targeted the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material. The operation …

Costa Rica Cancels Planned Three-Week Closure of Route 243 Bridge at La Palma

Costa Rican Authorities changed course on road works along Route 243 near La Palma. They canceled the full closure of the section over the Pacuare River that they had scheduled for about three weeks starting March 11. Workers still move ahead to remove the existing modular bridge and prepare the site for the new permanent …

Burger King Drops Mike Blanco Ad Over Harassment Allegations in Costa Rica

Burger King Costa Rica has cut all professional links with social media influencer Mike Blanco after reports emerged of alleged inappropriate contact with minors. The fast-food chain acted quickly to remove advertisements that featured Blanco, following public outcry on social platforms. The decision came as screenshots and accounts spread online, showing messages Blanco allegedly sent …

UN Documents Killings, Disappearances and Torture by Honduras Security Forces in 2025

Honduras security forces committed serious human rights abuses in 2025 while the country operated under a state of exception, the United Nations human rights office reported Wednesday. The violations included killings, forced disappearances and torture, according to the annual report presented by Juan Carlos Monge, the representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights …

Questions Rise Over Visas and Security before FIFA’s 2026 World Cup

Donald Trump’s brutal immigration crackdown, polarized politics and a war unleashed on Iran have tarnished the global image of the United States just under 100 days before millions of fans are expected to visit for the World Cup. This summer’s unprecedented 48-team World Cup with 104 matches across the US, Canada and Mexico had been …

Drone Video Captures Massive Dolphin Pod Moving Past Drake Bay in Costa Rica

A drone video showing a massive pod of dolphins moving just offshore of Bahía Drake on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula has gone viral on social media, drawing attention to a spectacle that marine experts say is common in the country’s South Pacific waters. The footage was posted last week by the Instagram account Deep Blue …