Cuba Confirms US Talks as Political Prisoner Releases Begin

Cuba confirmed on Friday that it is holding talks with the United States, while beginning the release of political prisoners as part of an agreement with the Vatican, the historic mediator between the two countries. President Donald Trump has not concealed his desire for regime change in Cuba, located just 150 kilometers from the United …

Panama Pushes Chinese Carrier COSCO to Restart Pacific Port Services

Panama’s government asked Chinese shipping giant COSCO Shipping to reconsider its suspension of operations at the Balboa port at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. Minister for Canal Affairs Jose Ramon Icaza said the decision caught authorities by surprise and expressed hope the company would return. The request follows COSCO Shipping Lines’ notice to …

Costa Rican Coffee Growers Face Ruin as Dollar Drops

Coffee producers in Costa Rica warn that a sharp drop in the dollar’s exchange rate against the colón, now below ₡480, threatens to ruin their operations. The exchange rate, set mainly by supply and demand under the Central Bank’s managed floating system, fell 4.3 percent between January and March, according to data from the Economic …

China Rejects Cyber Espionage Accusations Targeting Costa Rica ICE Utility

The Chinese embassy in Costa Rica rejected accusations that actors linked to the country carried out cyber espionage against the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE). Costa Rican officials announced the breach on March 12 during a press conference. The incident involved extraction of nine gigabytes of data from internal email accounts at the state utility. …

Missing Teen at Costa Rica Beach Renews Warnings on Rip Currents for Visitors

Rescue teams from the Costa Rican Red Cross and National Coast Guard Service continue to search for 18-year-old Diorgel Hall Garth after rip currents pulled him away from shore at Playa Bonita. Hall Garth entered the water around 5:30 p.m. that Sunday while with friends. A strong current carried him out. Witnesses saw a wave …

Hindrance Call Decides Draper Medvedev Match at Indian Wells

Daniil Medvedev stopped Jack Draper from defending his Indian Wells title with a 6-1, 7-5 victory in the quarter-finals on Thursday. The 11th seed took full advantage of Draper’s fatigue after the Briton’s hard-fought win over Novak Djokovic the previous day. Medvedev dictated play from the start and looked sharp throughout. He broke serve in …

Costa Rica Southern Airport Plan Revives Debate Over Growth and Conservation

Costa Rica’s long-running plan to build an international airport in the country’s southern zone is once again moving forward, reviving a project that supporters see as a path to economic growth and critics warn could bring lasting environmental and social damage. The proposal has been circulating since about 2004. It first gained traction under former …

US Delivers Final Guarantees for Extradition of Celso Gamboa and Pecho de Rata

The United States delivered the final documents Costa Rican courts required to advance the extradition of Celso Gamboa Sánchez and Edwin Danney López Vega, known as Pecho de Rata. The Public Ministry confirmed the arrival Thursday. U.S. officials sent written guarantees to the San José Penal Court. These promises state that, if convicted in the …

Top Attractions to Visit When Combining Dubai and Oman

Combining a trip to both Dubai and Oman offers travelers the chance to experience two distinct sides of the Arabian Peninsula. Dubai, with its modern architecture, shopping malls, and cutting-edge attractions, provides a vibrant contrast to Oman’s natural beauty, historical sites, and traditional charm. While Dubai is known for its fast-paced, futuristic atmosphere, Oman is …