Rybakina Claims Australian Open Crown with Gritty Victory over Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina captured her first Australian Open title on Saturday, outlasting world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a tense three-set final that showcased the best of women’s tennis. The Kazakhstani player, seeded fifth, prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in two hours and 18 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, securing her second major championship after her Wimbledon …

Costa Rica Mentioned Hundreds of Times in Epstein Files

The U.S. Department of Justice’s declassification of the Epstein files has uncovered repeated references to Costa Rica, with our country cited 324 times across emails, phone logs, and court records. These mentions, drawn from over three million pages released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, highlight visits by Epstein’s associates and discussions of real estate …

Infantino Says Football Is Growing Exponentially in Nicaragua

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said football is growing “exponentially” in Nicaragua, a country he visited ahead of a Concacaf congress on Sunday and where boxing and baseball have traditionally been the dominant sports. “What’s being done in Nicaragua is truly exceptional (…) Football is the king of sports in the world, and I have to …

Chile’s Kast Looks to El Salvador’s Model for Prison Security

Chile’s president-elect, José Antonio Kast, visited El Salvador’s mega-prison for gang members on Friday and asked President Nayib Bukele for “cooperation” to improve security in Chile’s prisons. Visits to the Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot) are part of the usual protocol for Bukele’s special guests. Bukele has turned the prison into a symbol of the crackdown …

US Entry Rule Changes Could Cost Billions in Tourism Losses

New rules for visa-exempt tourists heading to the United States may drive away millions of visitors and hit the country’s economy hard. A recent study points to potential drops in arrivals and spending, raising questions about the balance between security and economic growth. The World Travel and Tourism Council released findings on Wednesday showing that …

Costa Ricans Keep Election Ballots at Home in Rare Trust Based Voting System

In her living room, Priscilla Herrera safeguards, alongside Vaquita, her mixed-breed dog, hundreds of ballots for Sunday’s elections in Costa Rica, where citizens are entrusted with helping ensure the transparency of the process. It is a singular case in Latin America, where electoral materials are usually stored in warehouses under the watch of soldiers and …

Alcaraz Edges Zverev in Five-Set Epic to Reach Australian Open Final

Carlos Alcaraz fought through the longest semifinal in Australian Open history to defeat Alexander Zverev and advance to the men’s singles final. The top-seeded Spaniard won 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 in a five-set contest that lasted five hours and 27 minutes on Rod Laver Arena during the evening session. Alcaraz started strong, breaking Zverev …

Your Digital ID Won’t Let You Vote in Costa Rica’s Elections

With national elections set for February 1, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) has stepped up reminders that only the physical cédula de identidad qualifies as valid identification at polling stations. The recently introduced Identidad Digital Costarricense (IDC) will not work for voting, leaving many to double-check their wallets before heading out. The TSE rolled out …

Final Debate Sharpens Voter Choices Ahead of Costa Rica’s Election

Five presidential candidates faced off in the final televised debate on Thursday night, laying out their visions for tackling Costa Rica’s pressing challenges in security, the economy, and public services. Hosted by Telenoticias on Teletica Canal 7, the event gave Álvaro Ramos of the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN), Claudia Dobles of the Coalición Agenda Ciudadana …

Costa Rican Artists Warn of Authoritarian Threats in Pre-Election Video

Over 30 Costa Rican artists have released a video titled “Voces por la democracia” to speak out against authoritarian threats facing the country. The release comes during the final days of the election campaign, just before the presidential vote on February 1, 2026. The video urges people to vote and highlights risks to press freedom. …