Sabalenka and Rybakina Advance to Australian Open Final After Semifinal Wins

Aryna Sabalenka moved one step closer to her third title at the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over Elina Svitolina in the semifinals on January 28, 2026. The top seed from Belarus defeated the Ukrainian player 6-2, 6-3 in 72 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, setting up a final against Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka broke …

Costa Rica President Halts Medical Profile Decree Over Surgery Dispute

President Rodrigo Chaves has put a hold on publishing a decree that sets clear limits on what general practitioners can do in Costa Rica. The move comes after months of back-and-forth between medical groups and follows recent patient deaths tied to aesthetic procedures. The decree, signed last June by Chaves and Health Minister Mary Munive, …

Costa Rica Faces Job Losses as Amazon Slashes Thousands in Global Overhaul

Amazon confirmed that its latest round of job cuts has reached Costa Rica, where the company operates one of its largest hubs outside the United States. The reductions form part of a global plan to eliminate 16,000 corporate positions, affecting workers in areas like technology, human resources, and retail support. Local employees reported receiving layoff …

Russian Family Deported from US Faces Ongoing Uncertainty in Costa Rica

A Russian family sent from the United States to Costa Rica under shifting U.S. immigration rules continues to navigate legal and personal challenges almost a year later. The family, who left Russia to escape political threats, had arranged an asylum hearing in the U.S. before a policy change led to their detention and sudden deportation. …

Costa Rica drug violence drives killings as election nears

Mauren Jiménez cleans houses and cares for sick patients to make ends meet. In her spare time, the 54-year-old community leader does work most people avoid: helping families in Alajuelita bury young men killed in Costa Rica’s drug-linked violence. In the steep streets of her hillside precario in the San José district of Alajuelita, Jiménez …

Novak Djokovic Advances to Australian Open Semifinals After Musetti Retires

Novak Djokovic reached the semifinals of the Australian Open on January 27, 2026, when Lorenzo Musetti retired from their quarterfinal match. The Serbian trailed 4-6, 3-6 but led 3-1 in the third set when the Italian pulled out due to a leg injury. Djokovic, the fourth seed, faced a tough start as Musetti, seeded fifth, …

Costa Rica Stays Central America’s Priciest Vacation Destination

Costa Rica holds its position as the most expensive destination in Central America for travelers, with average daily costs per person reaching $138. This figure places the country well ahead of others in the region, where daily expenses drop considerably lower. Travel cost data ranks Costa Rica first among Central American nations, followed by Belize …

Costa Rica Presidential Election Could End in First Round

Conservative candidate Laura Fernández has increased her chances of winning Costa Rica’s presidency in the first round next Sunday, according to a poll released Tuesday night. Fernández, the ruling party’s candidate and an admirer of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, leads voting intention with 44%, according to a survey by the prestigious University of Costa Rica …

Nicaragua convicts historic Sandinista commander of corruption

Nicaragua has convicted the historic Sandinista commander Bayardo Arce, a former economic adviser to President Daniel Ortega, on corruption charges and confiscated his assets, the Nicaraguan government said on Tuesday, without specifying the sentence. Arce, 76, was jailed in late July of last year after falling from favor in an internal purge within the circles …