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A.M.
Costa Rica
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Published Thursday, June 23, 2016, in
Vol. 17, No.
123
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San José, Costa Rica, Thursday, June 23, 2016, Vol. 17, No. 123
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By the A.M. Costa
Rica staff
The Ministerio de Trabajo is studying a new contract negotiated by the Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo, S.A., and its union. The refinery has been criticized for many excessive benefits that have been awarded its employees. The central government said that the new agreement reduces 23 of these abusive clauses and eliminates 13. The union is the Sindicato de Trabajadores Petroleros, Químicos y Afines. The union issued a parallel statement and said that eliminating the contract entirely would only cut the price of motor fuel by two colons a liter. It also said that Costa Ricans were being deceived if they thought the price of fuel would decline if the government’s fuel monopoly was opened to outside firms. In fact, about half the per liter price of fuel is made up of taxes. The new union contract, called a convención colectiva in Spanish, is supposed to save about 5 billion colons over the three-year term. That is about $9.3 million. The Sala IV constitutional court has agreed to hear an appeal that the contract is unreasonable. The agreement reached Wednesday might make that appeal void. Among the benefits that are eliminated in the new contract is a two-day leave with pay for employees upon the marriage of a son or daughter and a five-day paid leave for making a household move, said Casa Presidencial. The refinery also has been subjected to criticism because it has many employees but does not refine any petroleum. All the motor fuel is imported, and the refinery is just a distributor. Colombia and FARC agree to a cease-fire By the A.M. Costa
Rica wire services
Colombia and leftist rebels agreed to a cease-fire Wednesday, ending hostilities in a 50-year-long guerrilla war that killed about 220,000 people. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and rebel leader Rodrigo Londono will sign the cease-fire today in Havana, where peace talks have been held for four years. The Obama administration was sending its special envoy to the peace talks, former diplomat Bernard Aronson. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the presidents of Chile and Venezuela, peace talks co-sponsors with Cuba, will also be there. "Tomorrow will be a great day," Santos wrote on Twitter. "We're working for a Colombia in peace, a dream that's beginning to become reality." U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the United States welcomed the news and congratulated Santos. The cease-fire is the last major step before both sides sign a final peace agreement. Santos said he expected that to take place July 20 after a final few minor issues are worked out. It will then be put to the Colombian people in a referendum. The deal also includes land reform provisions and will give former rebels some political power. Former fighters for the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionaries de Colombia, known as the FARC, can also avoid jail time in exchange for community service and travel restrictions. Both sides had expected to sign the final agreement in March. But questions remain on exactly how the final deal will be ratified and given legal force so that it won't unravel should a more conservative government succeed Santos, who leaves office in 2018. The two sides also must decide who will preside over a special war crimes tribunal to consider charges against fighters on both sides. The Marxist Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionaries rebels launched their uprising as a poor people's rebellion in 1964 and grew into a dangerous fighting force. The rebels turned to drug trafficking and kidnapping to pay for its guerilla war. But the rebels failed to overthrow a succession of Colombian governments, including some which had U.S. military aid. A 15-year, U.S.-backed military offensive thinned the rebels' ranks and forced its aging leaders to the negotiating table in 2012. The peace talks have been bumpy and extended much longer than Santos or anyone else anticipated. But if a final deal is reached, it will end Latin America's last major insurgency, one accused of being a major supplier of cocaine to the U.S. Still, the much smaller and more recalcitrant Ejercito de Liberación Nacional has a toehold in some areas and could fill the void left by the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionaries. The Ejercito de Liberación agreed to a peace process with the government this year, but those talks have yet to start because of Santos' insistence that the group renounce kidnapping. U.S. donating two patrol boats By the A.M. Costa
Rica staff
The major donation that the U.S. Embassy has promised turned out to be two 110-foot patrol boats for the Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas. The boats, which are expected to be delivered next year, will expand the range and speed of coast guard coverage in the Pacific, said the Ministerio de Seguridad Pública. The donation was announced by William R. Brownfield, U.S. assistant secretary for international narcotics and law enforcement affairs. The estimated value is $19 million. Although the crafts clearly are expected to run down drug smugglers, the ministry said they also would be used to make rescues and suppress pirates. Some 50 Costa Rican crew members will spend time in Baltimore, Maryland, to learn how to handle the boats, said the ministry.
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| What we published this week: | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Earlier |
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A.M. Costa Rica Third News Page |
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San José, Costa Rica, Thursday, June
23, 2016, Vol.
17, No. 123
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20 new zika cases confirmed over past week, health
ministry says |
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By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The nation’s confirmed zika virus cases have reached 127 with the bulk, 77 cases, being in the canton of Garabito, which contains the community of Jacó. The Ministerio de Salud figures show a modest increase from the previous week when there were 107 reported cases with 67 in the Jacó area. The slight increase probably is due in large part by efforts by health workers to spray sections of Jacó where the bulk of the affected patients live. A citizens organization, now called JacoZikaSafe, also is waging an awareness campaign. The organization has scheduled a cleanup of potential mosquito breeding spots for June 29 and 30. Since there is no vaccine for zika, other methods are needed to keep the spread of the virus in check. Parrita also showed an increase in cases, according to the health ministry’s figures. There are now 12 cases in the central Pacific community instead of the nine the week before. Some 17 other cantons have from one to four cases. The ministry figures were current as of Wednesday. So far there are no reported complications with pregnant women or any cases of brain damage in adults due to the virus, said the ministry. An abortion advocate organization, the Center for Reproductive Rights, said that the zika crisis was generating requests for women for abortions even when they are in countries with legal prohibitions. The organization cited a letter in the New England Journal of Medicine to show that women will “take whatever steps necessary to control their fertility, health and lives.” The report in the prestigious medical journal said that contacts from Latin America to a specific women’s Web site had increased. Those who operate the Web site direct women to medicines or professionals if they choose to have an abortion. |
 JacóZikaSafe recycling
campaign poster.
The study was mainly by Texas, Dutch and British academics. The methodology was complex, but the study seemed to say that 67 women from Costa Rica contacted the Web site either through email or another way since the zika problem became major news last year. “We cannot definitively attribute the rapid acceleration in number of requests to worries about zika,” said the study. “However, the geographical pattern of increase is strongly suggestive.” All Latin countries, except Chile, showed increases in informational contacts regardless of the laws. The Aedes mosquito does not breed in Chile, the study said. |
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A.M. Costa Rica's Fourth News page |
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San José, Costa Rica, Thursday, June
23, 2016, Vol.
17, No. 123
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| Science
seems to be driving public policy on plastic pollution in
oceans |
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By the Society of Environmental
Toxicology and Chemistry
Capt. Charles Moore introduced the world to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the mid-1990s. Since then, there has been increasing interest from scientists, the public and policy makers regarding plastic debris in the environment. A focus article in the July issue of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry's journal, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, outlines the current research, identifies research gaps on plastic debris and reviews some of the weight of evidence regarding contamination, fate and effects of the material. The public's interest in the issues and economic impacts of plastic debris has led to an increase in activity from both scientists and policy makers. The article makes these points: Over the last several decades, scientists have generated substantial evidence regarding the widespread contamination of plastic debris. It's not only an eyesore that can disrupt local tourism and fishing, plastic debris can harm or even kill an organism via entanglement, ingestion or smothering. Scientists were able to quantify the amount of debris in the plastic gyres, showing contamination in every ocean, which led to the prohibition of discharging trash into the sea. The effects of microplastics and nanoplastics are less obvious, and therefore much of the related research is still in its infancy. |
Most
recently, studies about microbeads in personal care
products and fiber particles from textiles that wash down
household drains have raised concerns among the public.
Bans on microplastics in personal care products have
already been introduced in the United States, the European
Union, Canada and Australia, even as the chemical and
biological effect on individual organisms is not fully
known. Other examples of how science has already been used to inform policy change and mitigation include legislation banning or taxing single-use, lightweight plastic bags from stores in parts of North and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. In other cases, safer alternatives exist and are within reach, such as waxed paper straws that may eliminate the flurry of plastic straws that make it into the environment every day. Additionally, best management practices, the support of circular economies and public awareness campaigns are underway worldwide. As new scientific understanding breeds new questions, scientists are working to fill data gaps regarding the fate and effects of plastic debris and the mechanisms that drive these processes. In parallel, policy makers can continue to enforce positive change by addressing mismanagement, determining locations where mitigation may be most critical and deciding what legislation regarding product bans or waste management may be most effective. |
Here's reasonable
medical care
Costa Rica's world class medical specialists are at your command. Get the top care for much less than U.S. prices. It is really a great way to spend a vacation. See our list of recommended professionals HERE!amcr-prom
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| What we published this week: | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Earlier |
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contents
of
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Colorado S.A. 2016 and may not be reproduced anywhere
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A.M. Costa Rica's Fifth news page |
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San José, Costa Rica, Thursday, June
23, 2016, Vol. 17, No. 123
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 Voice of
America photo
About 150 to 200 people gathered outside the Capitol
late Wednesday to show their support for House
Democrats.House Democrats
holding
sit-in to promote gun control By the A.M. Costa Rica wire
services
The call went up from the House floor again and again: “No Bill. No Break.” House Democrats going into the 11th hour of a sit-in calling for gun control legislation heard House Speaker Paul Ryan was making his way to the floor and increased the chant they had repeated throughout a day of speeches calling for legislative action in response to the Orlando attack, the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. Members of the public watching up in the galleries chanted back the lines that have trended on social media since earlier Wednesday, asking for the House of Representatives to vote on gun control legislation before leaving for the Independence Day holiday break. Ryan could barely be heard calling for a vote as House Democrats chanted and waved a sea of white papers bearing the names of gun violence victims. They booed Ryan and called out, “Mr Speaker, give us a vote.” During the 15-minute vote, Rep. Ted Deutch called out to “My Republican friends,” but could not finish speaking as he was shouted down. Democrats responded by singing the Civil Rights anthem “We Shall Overcome” while Republicans looked on silently. The chaotic vote capped an intense and unprecedented day on the House floor. For a second consecutive week, Democrats in the U.S. Congress commandeered a chamber to demand action on gun violence that has shattered numerous American communities, most recently in Orlando, Florida. House Democrats took to the floor en masse Wednesday, led by civil rights icon John Lewis of Georgia, and pledged to remain there in a sit-in until legislation is brought forward to stem carnage from firearms. "Over the last 12 years, gun-related crimes claimed more American lives than AIDS, war and illegal drug overdoses combined," Lewis said in a letter to Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan announcing the protest. "We urge you to lead the House into action and work with both sides of the aisle to pass common sense solutions to keep American children and families safe." Republicans initially responded with gavel-banging and demands for order on the floor. When Democrats refused to disperse, Republicans recessed the chamber and turned off the microphones. Although lights continued to shine, proceedings ceased to be televised, because video is fed from the chamber only when it is in session. Democrats responded by launching their own broadcasts, using the mobile application Periscope on their cellular phones. A non-profit U.S. cable outfit that covers congressional proceedings, C-Span, began broadcasting the Periscope feeds. Wednesday's House disruptions followed last week's action by Senate Democrats on the other side of the Capitol. Led by Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Democrats spoke on the Senate floor for 15 consecutive hours, at which point Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell agreed to bring gun control measures up for a vote. Wednesday, several senators walked across the Capitol to join their House colleagues in a show of support. Lewis, an African-American, took part in the 1965 civil rights march from Selma, Alabama, that came to be known as Bloody Sunday when state troopers attacked with clubs and tear gas. Lewis suffered a wound to his head. Lewis and others used sit-ins to great effect in the 1960s to protest racial segregation at lunch counters and public facilities. Wednesday, some House Republicans responded to the Democratic protest with derision. Rep. Steven Russell of Oklahoma told reporters that the Democrats' action amounted to grandstanding and absolute theatrics. "I'm really disappointed that that's what our institutions are eroding to," Russell said. "I think we can do better." The sit-in drew attention from Speaker Ryan's long-awaited unveiling of a Republican alternative to President Barack Obama's signature domestic legislative achievement, the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Ryan was away from the Capitol for much of the day, rolling out the Republican proposal at a Washington public policy research institute. Some Sanders supporters decline to back Mrs. Clinton By the A.M. Costa Rica wire
services
Democratic Party unity was the target when Hillary Clinton, the party's presumptive nominee for the presidential election, met with fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill. But some rank-and-file Democrats who campaigned against Mrs. Clinton are still skeptical about voting for her in the November general election, and that could put the party's united front at risk. Mackenzie Hiltz, a 20-year-old woman from Vermont, home state of Sen. Bernie Sanders, says talk of party unity will not affect her choice when it comes time to vote. Asked whether she will vote for Mrs. Clinton, as former Sanders supporters are being urged to do, Ms. Hiltz was firm: "Absolutely not. I truly believe she is in it for the money, and I don’t care if she gets the nomination." Ms. Hiltz said she feels Mrs. Clinton has changed her positions on key issues over the years, and does not have the same passionate concern for ordinary Americans' problems that Sanders displayed. Among Sanders supporters overall, Ms. Hiltz is not alone in her beliefs. A Bloomberg Politics survey this month of likely general-election voters said 45 percent of those who have supported Sanders do not intend to vote for Mrs. Clinton, and nearly half of that group told pollsters they will vote instead for Republican Donald Trump. Rep. James Clyburn, who was in the group of Democrats who met with Mrs. Clinton, said, “That is a problem for the party." Clyburn, who is from South Carolina, said he hopes the Vermont senator will try to change his supporters' minds. “I would love to see Mr. Sanders endorse, go all in, and I think he will.” Sanders, who was not at Wednesday's meeting, appeared to be coming to terms with his political situation following months of primary-election battles with Mrs. Clinton across the country. “It doesn't appear that I'm going to be the nominee," Sander told a television interviewer, "so I'm not going to be determining the scope of the convention." He was referring to the convention platform, the formal statement of a U.S. political party's principles and goals, presented during the national meeting in each presidential election year. Rep. Elijah Cummings told reporters ideas for the platform were not specifically discussed with Mrs. Clinton, but he predicted a final draft would be completed this weekend. “We’re trying to meld the positions of Clinton and Bernie Sanders, and by the way, that’s coming along very good so far,” Cummings said. Sanders' faithful hope the main economic message the senator stressed throughout his campaign will live on: ending corporations' excessive influence on government, and bringing the country's big banks under control, even breaking them up, if necessary. But for die-hard supporters like Mackenzie Hiltz, even a move by Mrs. Clinton to adopt the Sanders program might not be enough. “I just don’t believe that she’ll make use of Bernie Sanders' ideas and follow through,” Ms. Hiltz said. Members of Congress at the Clinton meeting said she acknowledged the difficulty of winning over supporters of her opponent from the primaries. Rep. Javier Becerra of California, one of those said to be under consideration as her possible vice-presidential running mate, said: “I especially appreciated her remark that there are people who won’t vote for her, but she is prepared to vote for them and work on their behalf.” Mrs. Clinton is clearly positioning herself as a candidate of inclusiveness, Becerra said. "She’s going to go out there and talk to everyone in America. Not just Sanders supporters, but she’s going to talk to those who are not supporting Democrats because, as she said, she wants to be the candidate for everyone.” House Democrats said their meeting with Mrs. Clinton took place in a calm, relaxed atmosphere. The second-ranking Democrat in the House, Steny Hoyer, said there was "unity, enthusiasm and confidence in our candidate." Revolt by GOP delegates eyed by some Trump foes By the A.M. Costa Rica wire
services
When Talmage Pearce attends the Republican National Convention as a delegate next month, he is supposed to vote for Donald Trump. Pearce is a Republican delegate from Arizona, which Trump won easily in a March primary election, capturing all 58 of the state’s delegates. But Pearce, who works as an insurance agent in the central town of Mesa, said he can’t vote for Trump in good conscience. “I don’t believe any of the conservative positions he’s touted during the campaign are sincere,” Pearce said. He also takes issue with how Trump “insulted, blackmailed, and bullied” his opponents on his way toward the GOP nomination. Pearce is one of a number of Republican delegates nationwide who refuse to vote for Trump at the convention, despite being pledged to do so. At this point, it’s not clear whether the delegate insurgency is widespread enough to deny Trump the majority of delegates he needs to clinch the nomination. Currently, Trump has 1,542 delegates. He only needs to win 1,237 to get a majority. That means 306 delegates would have to revolt. Some reports suggest hundreds of delegates have already joined the last-minute effort to oppose Trump at the convention. Others put that figure at only a few dozen. In either case, the Republican National Committee faces a dilemma: how does it count the votes of delegates who, though pledged to Trump, refuse to vote for him? Its response could determine whether the party splits. It could also undermine longstanding principles guiding the U.S. model of representative democracy. At issue is a patchwork of state laws and party regulations that purport to require delegates to follow the will of primary voters in their state or district. These laws vary widely by state. Some require delegates to be bound to a particular candidate only on the first round of voting. Others bind delegates for multiple rounds. The state laws are obscure. The truth is, no one has paid much attention to them over the years. That’s in part because no one has needed to. Delegate voting at conventions is almost always a formality. But the laws also were effectively neutralized by a series of decades-old rulings by the Supreme Court, which found it is unconstitutional for states to put legal restraints on private political parties. “The enforceability of these laws is doubtful,” said Bradley Smith, a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission. “The Supreme Court has made clear that a political party can have its own sorts of rules as to whether delegates have to vote in a particular way.” Several other election law experts confirmed to a reporter that the Republican National Committee has the right to determine whether to allow a delegate revolt, regardless of what state laws say. “This one is for the party to decide,” said Heather Gerken, a professor who specializes in election and constitutional law at Yale Law School. “There is very little support for the claim that a delegate revolt would be illegal.” So if the Republican Party has the legal authority to do as it chooses, what will it decide to do with delegates like Pearce, who vote their conscience in the first round, despite being pledged to Trump? In an interview, a senior member of the national committee’s convention rules committee hinted that at least some of the faithless votes will, in fact, be counted against Trump. The national committee already has decided that it will abide by some state laws: in certain states, all delegates will be bound to a particular candidate. That, the committee member said, is based on state laws and party rules, and cannot be changed. “But the trouble is that some states are different,” he conceded. He did not elaborate on which states he was referring to. If a revolting delegate comes from a state that does not have rules binding delegates to a certain candidate, however, how will the party treat that vote? “It depends on the rules,” he said. “We’ll enforce the rules.” That statement appears to leave the door open for Trump to lose at least some of his pledged delegates. Is it enough to deny him the nomination? No one knows. As the convention draws closer, though, a diverse and influential range of figures within the Republican Party is working behind the scenes to make sure it is. One of those figures is Curly Haugland, an unbound Republican delegate from North Dakota who is also a member of the convention rules committee. Haugland is a controversial figure within the party. The self-proclaimed rules guru has for years tried to convince delegates they are all unbound and can vote for whoever they want. He’s even co-authored a book, entitled “Unbound: The Conscience of a Republican Delegate,” that he is hoping to distribute to every GOP delegate before the convention. In Haugland’s view, it is simply a matter of fact that GOP delegates are unbound. Republican delegates, according to Haugland, are like a pen full of sheep. “In the RNC’s model, they’re all bound up by a fence. But the fact of the matter is, there is no fence,” he said. National committee officials have repeatedly denied that Haugland’s theory has any legitimacy, but they could not be reached for comment on this story. In recent weeks, another Republican group, called Free the Delegates, has sprung up in an effort to deprive Trump the nomination. Its strategy is related, but differs slightly, from Haugland’s. The group is hoping to persuade the rules committee, which meets a week before the convention, to pass a conscience clause that would formally change the rules to allow delegates to either abstain or vote for a non-Trump candidate. For that to happen, 57 out of 112 members of the convention rules committee would need to agree to the clause. The proposal would then head to the convention floor, where it would have to be passed by a majority of delegates. It’s not clear who an alternative candidate would be. No major candidate has emerged as the obvious choice. Current Republican National Committee rules require the GOP nominee to have won at least eight states in the primary election process (although that rule also could change). As it stands now, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is the only candidate that would qualify. But if the party nominates anyone other than Trump, what would that mean for the future of U.S. democracy? Trump, though controversial, won 14 million votes. That’s more than any other Republican presidential primary candidate in history, and it’s not even close. Does it mean the months-long, state-by-state primary process, on which candidates spent hundreds of millions of dollars, was meaningless? A lot of Trump supporters think so. “The idea that delegates are going to vote against the will of the people is absurd,” said Hildy Angius, a delegate from Mohave County, Arizona, who said she is glad to support Trump at the convention. Another Arizona delegate, Lori Urban, says she’s also sticking by Trump. “If it’s 500 rounds, I am only voting Trump,” Ms. Urban said by phone. “Apparently people don’t listen to the will of the voters of this country, and therein lies the problem,” she said, before hanging up the phone abruptly. Trump himself has said that any delegate revolt would be illegal. Although that’s clearly not the case, according to most legal experts, he does have other options. If the delegates deny Trump the nomination, his main recourse would be political rather than legal, according to Gregory Magarian, a constitutional law professor at the Washington University of Law. For example, Trump could mount a third-party presidential run, riling up his supporters against the replacement GOP nominee, says Magarian. “I doubt very much he cares about the electoral prospect of the GOP if he isn’t the nominee,” he said. “His records . . . he would scorch the earth.”  Voice of America/LK.
Bryant
Bar in Paris shows one of many British influences
British EU exit
vote today
has many leaders worried
By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
Le weekend, le sandwich, le business, le feeling. Pints, pubs, rugby and Marks & Spencer. A centuries-old love-hate relationship with Britain has left an indelible mark on France, so it’s no surprise that today people here are closely eyeing - with much worry and some anticipation another potential Britishism: Le Brexit. “At stake is more than the future of the United Kingdom in the European Union. It is the future of the European Union," French President Francois Hollande said on the eve of Britain's referendum, warning a British exit from the EU would be irreversible. As Britons vote today on whether to remain in the EU, that sentiment is being echoed by many mainstream leaders across the 28-member bloc, as they nervously eye a possible exit. “Certainly there’s a lot of apprehension among those who really care about the European integration process,” says Fabian Zuleeg, chief executive of the Brussels-based European Policy Center. Yet the broader European reaction is complex and conflicting, as is the possible fallout of a British departure. Some analysts suggest an exit will deliver at least a short-term blow to economically fragile EU members like Greece and Portugal, and those like Ireland and Germany with strong trade ties to Britain. Europeans working in Britain also worry about losing jobs and pensions. “France will have a lot to lose, because Britain is France’s second-biggest trading partner after Germany,” adds Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer, Paris office director of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, noting Britain also helps counter economic powerhouse Germany.) Others describe broader threats of a British exit to Europe’s international standing and dreams of an ever closer union. “I think the biggest loss would be the EU’s global weight,” says Manuel Lafont Rapnouil, head of the European Council on Foreign Relations’ Paris office. “With this idea that you can get out of it, rather than finding compromises to respond to challenges, the EU would become less formidable, less attractive.” Polls show a majority of European citizens oppose a Brexit, even if few are fond of Brussels. Many Europeans disapprove of the bloc’s economic management and the way it handled the migrant crisis, according to a study by the U.S.-based Pew Research Center. Another survey by German research organization The Bertelsmann Foundation found that while citizens in the biggest EU states would back staying in the bloc, if similar referendums were held in their countries, only a slim majority of French and Italians would do so. “There’s been nothing positive about the EU. They tell us how the euro is good for us, but we French have lost more than we’ve gained,” says Paris-area car dealer Didier Ajuelos. Still, Ajuelos reluctantly throws his weight behind Brussels. “In today’s world, you’re stronger together than out on your own,” he says. Many European nationalist parties, however, are broadly cheering on a British departure. “Vote Brexit, and we’ll handle the champagne,” France’s far-right National Front youth wing urges on its Facebook page. “It will give the British freedom, and it will show other countries that it’s possible to renegotiate EU treaties or to leave altogether,” says leader Gaetan Dussausaye. A Brexit vote may indeed give Euroskeptics reason for hope, analyst Zuleeg believes, but only if Britain negotiates a good deal after leaving the bloc. “But if the U.K. suffers economically and politically, then I think it’s not an example other countries would follow,” he adds. Some analysts predict those remaining will make Britain pay dearly for leaving the EU. With the anti-EU National Front surging ahead of next year’s French presidential elections, France will likely lead the pack, the German Marshall Fund’s Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer says. “Paris will push to ensure that consequences are felt swiftly and severely to avoid encouraging anti-EU forces,” she says. “There will be consequences, and the U.K. will lose some advantages,” agrees Lafont Rapnouil of the European Council, although he believes it’s too early to predict the fallout. Along with anger, Britain’s referendum has also sparked calls for reforming the EU. |
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| What we published this week: | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Earlier |
| The
contents
of
this Web site are copyrighted by Consultantes Río
Colorado S.A. 2016 and may not be reproduced anywhere
without permission. Abstracts and fair use are permitted. Check HERE for details |
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| A.M. Costa Rica sixth news page |
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San
José, Costa Rica, Thursday, June
23, 2016, Vol. 17, No. 123
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Shannon’s Caracas mission is
questioned By the A.M. Costa Rica wire
services
The Obama administration is defending a decision to hold a high-level dialogue with Venezuela at a time when the South American country’s government is accused of committing widespread human rights abuses and undermining democracy. Thomas Shannon, U.S. undersecretary of State for political affairs, met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Wednesday, a week after Secretary of State John Kerry and his Venezuelan counterpart announced plans to relaunch talks in a bid to reduce tensions between the two countries. The talks in Caracas came a day before Organization of American States representatives will discuss a proposal that could lead to Venezuela’s suspension from the 35-member regional bloc. Venezuela has been grappling with an economic crisis that has resulted in high inflation and unemployment, food shortages and a decline in oil production. At the same time, Maduro’s government is accused of imprisoning thousands of political dissidents and stifling the rule of law as well as freedom of the press. Maduro’s opponents are seeking a recall referendum this year. “The situation in Venezuela today is truly heartbreaking,” said U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, a South Carolina Republican who is chairman of a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee. In a Wednesday hearing, Duncan questioned why the U.S. was pursuing high-level engagement with the Maduro administration when it had a blatant record of controlling all facets of the government. U.S. engagement should not be viewed as a reward, said Annie Pforzheimer, the acting deputy assistant secretary for the Western Hemisphere bureau. Ms. Pforzheimer told the House panel that Shannon would raise the United States' strong concerns about the Venezuelan government during his visit, which also included meetings with the country’s opposition and civil society. “The purpose of the trip is to help foster constructive dialogue that hopefully will lead to solutions to challenges facing Venezuela,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. It’s not our fault, Sala IV insists By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The Sala IV constitutional court is blaming a lower-court judge for freeing a man in January who is the principal suspect in cutting the throat of his female companion Tuesday. The Poder Judicial fired off a statement Wednesday denying that the Sala IV ordered the man to be freed. Instead, it remanded the case to the Juzgado Penal del Primer Circuito Judicial de San José. The suspect is HIV-positive and had had an operation on his lung. So the court determined that he needed a ventilated room and other conditions that could not be found in prison. So Tuesday about 4:30 a.m. The 26 year old engaged the 21-year-old woman with the last name of Monjaret in an argument at her La Carpio home that ended with her death. The woman had two children, 2 and 6. Police said the suspect tried to kill himself, but he later was reported stable in Hospital México. |
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| From Page 7: Retirement seminar set for September By the A.M. Costa Rica
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International Living plans another seminar for potential expats in Costa Rica in September, perhaps providing a needed boost for tourism and real estate. The firm based in Ireland is known for its showcasing of retirement locations, and there have been other seminars in Costa Rica. International Living sometimes overstates the facts and hardly ever discusses residency requirements in its bulk emailings. The company boasts of 500,000 readers. Costa Rica is touted correctly as a place where “the weather can't be beat. The climate is perfect in Costa Rica, a place where you won't need heat or air conditioning —translating to huge savings on utility costs.” However, the firm overlooks some of the problems and recent scandals with the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social by saying that “a couple might spend $150 to $200 a month for a comprehensive health care plan that includes doctor's visits, hospitalization, prescriptions, and more.” It also cites a couple living happily here on $1,400 a month. Health care is a good point to selling seminar seats because the cost of medical insurance is a major concern for U.S. retirees. Those who are serious usually seek additional and unbiased information before deciding to relocate. Some local real estate, insurance and relocation professionals make an effort to be included in the seminar schedule. |
