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San
José, Costa Rica, Friday, July 4, 2014, Vol. 14, No. 131
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 PoderJudicial
photo
Costa Rican soccer team joins
campaign from Brazil.Soccer team joins anti-violence push By Michael Krumholtz
of the A.M. Costa Rica staff As the Costa Rican soccer team braces for its toughest test so far in the World Cup, the country's leaders are raising awareness against acts of domestic violence that they see in correlation with the games. Members of La Sele joined the campaign Thursday, taking a break from practice in Santos, Brazil, to support the message to stop violence against women. Players were photographed holding signs that read, No a la violencia, cuidémonos juntos, or in English, No to violence, let's take care of each other. Leading up to the game against Holland this Saturday, the Fuerza Pública has received nearly 1,500 calls complaining of domestic violence during Costa Rica's four games thus far in the World Cup, according to a press report. Sunday during the tense shootout win over Greece, police said they received 486 such complaints throughout the day, or about 20 calls per hour. At a Thursday press conference Zarela Villanueva Monge, the president of Corte Suprema de Justicia, stood behind the campaign and said in this time of national ecstasy, people need to take time to reflect on these rising numbers of aggressions towards women. She said that 13 Costa Rican woman have died so far this year from domestic violence, including a 32-year-old mother of two Sunday. “Violence is intolerable on the field and in the house,” she said. “We want to see that women are being treated with respect in their homes and on the streets.” Bastiaan Engelhard, first secretary for the Dutch Embassy, joined Ms. Villanueva to show that Holland is aligned with Costa Rica in fighting these types of transgressions. He said the Dutch government is happy to see the country take a stand against domestic violence through all institutions, including the soccer team. “We may be rivals on the field, but we're also partners off it,” Engelhard said. The anti-violence campaign spearheaded in Costa Rica by the Instituto Nacional de las Mujeres is largely based off a recent Lancaster University study titled, “Football World Cup a risk factor for domestic violence?” In it researcher Brian Francis concludes that domestic abuse increases in direct relation to World Cup viewing, and becomes especially high if the nation's team loses. U.S. expats and friends to mark July 4 By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
with wire service reports The Fourth of July is a big deal in Costa Rica, and perhaps the only time that thousands of U.S. expats get together. The July 4 picnic at the Cervercería de Costa Rica picnic grounds is today from 9 a.m. to noon. In San Ramón, the Community Action Alliance is holding a joint Canada Day-July 4 potluck at Los Abuelos. In San José the American Colony Committee said that each U.S. citizen can bring one Costa Rican friend. The traditional flag raising by the Marines based at the U.S. Embassy is at 11 a.m. Admission is $10 or 5,000 colons, the committee said. More information is on the organization's Web page: http://www.americancolonycr.org/ One of the big attractions of the American Colony Committee picnic is free hot dogs and free beer. However, traffic police have been known to stake out the picnic in the hopes of grabbing a few expat drivers who are a bit under the weather. For those who go by bus from San José, drivers know the location at an overpass west of town about two thirds of the way to the airport. The return trip requires a short hike to a bus stop on the General Cañas highway about 200 meters east of the overpass. Organizers have set up remote parking and a shuttle bus. Various veteran organizations will have booths at the picnic, and so will the U.S. Embassy. The embassy is closed today because the day is a national holiday. The whole idea that originated five decades ago is to provide a typical July 4 celebration for children of U.S. citizens who may never have been to the United States. This still is a big event for kids with many games and sometimes rides. Across the United States Friday, Americans will celebrate the 238th anniversary of their country's independence from Britain with parades, more picnics, fireworks, rodeos and concerts. The 4th of July festivities in Washington include re-enactors portraying historical figures, including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, who will read the Declaration of Independence. There will be a concert and fireworks on the National Mall tonight. The concert will feature Frankie Valli, Patti Labelle, Michael McDonald, the Muppets and the National Symphony Orchestra Ironically, the Declaration of Independence was drafted by a slave owner, 32-year-old Thomas Jefferson, who later became the third U.S. president. At the beginning of the Declaration, Jefferson famously wrote: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Jefferson was not the only slave owner to sign the document. About one third of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, from both the North and the South, owned or had owned slaves. George Washington, the first U.S. president, owned over 100. Adams, the second president and Washington's vice president, was vehemently opposed to slavery. The issue was not settled until the Civil War ended nearly 80 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
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A.M. Costa Rica Third News Page |
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| San José, Costa Rica, Friday, July 4, 2014, Vol. 14, No. 131 | |
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| Costa Rica's Le Sele readies for its date with destiny
Saturday |
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By
A.M. Costa Rica staff
and A.M. Costa Rica wire reports They've already made history, but Costa Rican players and coaches insist they're motivated to continue their spectacular run in the World Cup. Despite making it out of the Group of Death with three former Cup champions, the Ticos may be facing their stiffest challenge when they take on Holland Saturday. The Dutch frontline led by Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie will look for its opportunities against a Costa Rican defense that has remained nearly impenetrable throughout this tournament. Much of that credit is due to star goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who has been cleared to play despite worries of a shoulder injury sustained against Greece, according to the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol. A statement by the country's soccer federation Thursday said that team doctor Vladimir Badilla put Navas through a series of tests and concluded that there is no significant damage to his shoulder. Navas is a top candidate for the Golden Glove award, given to the tournament's top goalkeeper. So far in four games, Navas has only conceded two goals – one on a penalty kick against Uruguay and the second against Greece when Costa Rica was down to just 10 men. La Sele and the Netherlands play at 2 p.m. Saturday in Salvador, Brazil. The winner of their match will play the winner of the |
Argentina-Belgium
game in the semifinals. Argentina and Belgium have the earlier 10 a.m.
slot Saturday. The quarterfinals begin today as European powers Germany and France clash and five-time champion Brazil takes on South American opponent Colombia. France and Germany, two evenly matched teams, play in the first game in Rio de Janeiro. The French have beaten Germany in four of their past six matches and have looked like a confident team in this year's World Cup. Germany has not won a World Cup since East and West Germany were reunified in late 1990. West Germany captured its third World Cup that year. France won its only World Cup in 1998, narrowly losing to Italy in the finals in 2006. In that game, French superstar Zinedine Zidane was ejected in extra time with the score tied, 1-1, after head-butting an opponent. Italy went on to win in a penalty shootout. Brazil and Colombia meet later today in Fortaleza. The Brazilians have been led in the tournament by their star striker, Neymar, who has four goals. But as a team, Brazil has struggled at times. Colombia has beaten its four World Cup foes by a total score of 11-2. Its goal tally of 11 is the second-highest in the tournament. Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez is the World Cup's leading scorer with five goals. Brazil last won the World Cup in 2002, while Colombia is in the quarterfinals for the first time. |
| Another police officer dies, this time in motorcycle mishap |
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By
the A.M. Costa Rica staff
As one police officer was being laid to rest, a second died in a motorcycle crash in Upala, the security ministry reported. The dead officer is Edwin García Oporta, 40, who was operating the motorcycle on his day off when he was in a collision with a car in the El Rosario, the ministry said. He had 21 years of service in the Fuerza Pública. The funeral for the police officer was in Parrita. He was Marco Antonio Berrocal Madriz, 52, of nearby Esterillos Oeste. Berrocal died as he was trying to arrest a man wanted for attempted murder and aggravated robbery, said the ministry. That was late Wednesday afternoon. The shooting sparked a massive search for the gunman overnight. The search in the El Tigre section of Parrita culminated about 4:30 a.m. with the arrest of the principal suspect. He was identified by the last names of Watson Smith. He is a 20 year old wanted to face the allegations in Limón. The Poder Judicial said Thursday afternoon that prosecutors in the Pacific coast community were seeking preventative detention against Watson. A judge is almost certain to grant that request. Berrocal was shot once in the head. He was with other officers who |
 Ministerio de Gobernación,
Policía
y Seguridad Pública photo Funeral
for Marco Antonio Berrocal included this honor guard.
tried to locate and arrest
Smith in a palm plantation. It appears that the officers split up to
better cover the area. Berrocal had been a police officer since 1996,
said the ministry.
He received a funeral with full honors. |
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| You need to see Costa Rican tourism information HERE! |
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| San José, Costa Rica, Friday, July 4, 2014, Vol. 14, No. 131 | |||||
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| Researchers discover a genetic link to a certain form of
autism |
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By the A.M. Costa Rica wire
services
Autism is a mysterious developmental disorder, whose cause is unknown. But for the first time, researchers have discovered a gene that's linked to the disorder in an estimated one half of one percent of patients. Their findings could lead to a way to do genetic testing for autism. Children with mutations of the gene called CHD8 have a larger head size, wide-set eyes and gastrointestinal problems. In addition to their characteristic appearance, they experience sleep disturbances. In a collaboration involving 13 institutions around the world, investigators examined more than 6,000 youngsters with autism spectrum disorder. They found 15 of the children had mutations to CHD8. All of those children had similar physical features. Researchers confirmed the findings in experiments with zebra fish. They altered the CHD8 gene and fish were born with large heads and |
wide-set
eyes. Investigators then fed the fish fluorescent pellets and saw they
had problems eliminating waste and were constipated. Researchers are calling the discovery a game changer because they believe it could lead to the discovery of hundreds more genetic mutations involved in the developmental disorder. In time, investigators predict gene tests could be offered families to help guide them on what to expect and how to care for a child with autism. Currently, autism is diagnosed through watching a child's behavior. Autism is marked by difficulties with social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive behaviors. It's called a spectrum disorder because some children are mildly autistic, a condition called Asperger's syndrome, while others are profoundly affected. A study on the discovery of CHDH mutations was published in the biomedical journal Cell. |
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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| A.M. Costa Rica's Fifth news page |
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| San José, Costa Rica, Friday, July 4, 2014, Vol. 14, No. 131 | |||||||
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| Democrats face disadvantage as midterm elections near By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
Americans are off to the beach, the mountains and even local rooftops to celebrate the country's 238th birthday. But when it comes to the current political landscape, it’s hard to find much to celebrate. Washington remains mired in political gridlock, and the outlook for the remainder of the Obama presidency is far from rosy. The latest poll numbers for President Barack Obama no doubt depress even his most loyal Democratic supporters. In the most recent Quinnipiac University poll, only 40 percent approve of his performance. Quinnipiac also asked more than 1,400 voters nationwide who has been the worst president since World War II, and unfortunately for the White House, Obama was at the top (or bottom (depending how you look at it) of the list. Thirty-three percent of those surveyed said Obama was the worst president in this period, followed by former president George W. Bush at 28 percent and former President Richard Nixon with 13 percent. If you are old enough to have lived through the Watergate period of the 1970s, it’s kind of amazing to see that voters today place not one but two presidents below him on the ratings scale. Of course it’s always wise to remember what pollsters say, that these surveys are nothing more than a snapshot in time often prone to wild swings as the years go by. Former president Bush surely hopes that is the case. President Obama may be having some similar thoughts as well. So who do people rate as the best presidents post-World War II? The Quinnipiac survey found former President Ronald Reagan in the top spot with 35 percent, followed by former President Bill Clinton at 18 percent and former President John Kennedy at 15 percent. Clinton in particular remains an amazing political phenomenon, a proverbial cat with nine lives who rivals Lazarus with his ability to rise from the political dead. Clinton left office in early 2001 but he remains a potent force on the U.S. political scene today and could be an enormous help if former secretary of State Hillary Clinton decides to run for president in 2016. Remember, Clinton came out of nowhere to win the 1992 Democratic Party nomination and beat an incumbent president (George H. W. Bush) who had led the country to a decisive military victory in the first Gulf War. Clinton then survived the Republican Revolution of 1994 to bounce back and win re-election in 1996. Most amazing of all was that Clinton’s popularity actually grew once he left office despite the fact he was only the second U.S. president impeached by Congress. He was later acquitted by the Senate. The political clashes of the 1990s between the likes of Bill Clinton and former U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich are starting to look like the good old days compared to what is happening now. Obama is increasingly frustrated with Republicans efforts to either block his agenda in Congress or not act on it, with immigration reform being the latest example. House Speaker John Boehner says Republicans intend to sue the president, and though the specifics aren’t clear yet, the thrust appears to be an effort to stop the president from acting unilaterally through executive orders. Obama has been highlighting the differences in recent speeches. He told a crowd in Minneapolis that Republicans “aren’t doing anything and then they are mad that I am doing something.” The president seems intent on taking some action on the immigration front, especially in light of the situation on the southern border and the influx of tens of thousands of young illegal immigrants, many from Central America. Obama seemed to dare Republican congressional leaders to try and stop him during a recent speech in Washington with a simple challenge: “So sue me.” A news analysis
Republicans will no doubt use this tougher rhetoric as fodder to drive conservatives to the polls this November for the midterm congressional elections. Conservative talk show hosts and some activists have long driven a narrative that the Obama administration’s unilateral actions fit nicely into the category of an imperial presidency, a possible clarion call to Tea Party supporters and Obama critics to turn out in big numbers in November. Given that the chances for agreement on substantial legislation in Congress are now fleeting, both sides are ramping up their arguments for midterm voters. Democrats start with a huge disadvantage. A lot of their folks are much less inclined to turn out in midterm congressional elections than they are for a presidential contest. Obama and other Democrats are now heavily focused on encouraging core Democratic supporters, especially what they like to call the rising electorate, to get off their rumps and out to the polls in November. That rising electorate includes younger voters, especially unmarried women, as well as Hispanic and Asian-American voters. In fact, many Democrats see motivating younger unmarried women as the key to boosting turnout enough that it could save their majority in the U.S. Senate. There is general consensus among political analysts and pundit-types that Republicans appear to have a big advantage in holding on to their majority in the House of Representatives. In fact, by some estimates, they could add seats. The real battle is for control of the Senate where 36 of the 100 seats are at stake. Republicans need to gain six Democratic seats to reclaim a majority. That would normally be a tall order in any election year but this year there are far more Democratic seats at stake than Republican, and many of the Democratic seats are in states where Republicans have an advantage. Most analysts right now give the Republicans an excellent chance of winning the six seats they need. It may be close in the end, but most of the experts say that Democratic control of the Senate is now teetering on a knife’s edge. One of the main drivers of Obama’s weakening approval numbers is declining support for his handling of foreign policy. A couple of recent polls have it down to only 37 percent, undoubtedly due in part to what has been taking place in Iraq, Ukraine and Afghanistan. The latest Quinnipiac poll found that 57 percent of those asked disapproved of the president’s handling of Iraq. But in the same poll, 51 percent also blamed George W. Bush more than Obama for the current situation in Iraq and 61 percent now say it was wrong for the U.S. to have invaded back in 2003. As to further U.S. involvement in Iraq, Americans say it is not in the national interest by a margin of 56 to 39 percent. Obama gets better marks on his handling of Afghanistan. Forty-six percent say the pace of the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan is about right, 26 percent say it is too fast and 20 percent say it’s not fast enough. Foreign policy had been one of the president’s strengths and one of the reasons he won re-election two years ago. But now poor presidential approval ratings on both foreign policy and the economy could hurt Democrats at the polls this November. Analysts have long pointed out that there is usually a connection between presidential approval ratings and the fate of the president’s party in midterm elections. Right now things are not looking good for the president or for Democrats in November, and time is running out to try and alter the political landscape. Pentagon outlines the status of U.S. troops in Somalia By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
The U.S. military has acknowledged having an expanded presence in Somalia, helping African and Somali government forces battle Islamist insurgents. A spokesman for the U.S. Africa Command said Thursday that a limited number of trainers and advisers and a small military coordination cell are in Somalia to support African Union peacekeepers and Somali security forces. Spokesman Benjamin Benson said the total number of personnel is small, adding that they have operated in groups that have moved in and out of multiple locations. The comments come one day after a news agency, citing an Obama administration official, reported there are up to 120 U.S. military personnel on the ground across Somalia. That report said U.S. military advisors have secretly operated in Somalia since 2007, around the time Islamist militant group al-Shabab began posing a threat to the government. The Africa Command first acknowledged the U.S. military presence in Somalia in January. It said at the time that it had recently established a unit of advisors in the country that included fewer than five military personnel. The previous time U.S. troops were in Somalia was in early 1994. That was several months after two Blackhawk helicopters were shot down in late 1993 and 18 Americans were killed. African Union and Somali forces have recaptured much of central and southern Somalia from al-Shabab in the past few years but the militant group continues to launch attacks on government targets. It killed a member of parliament in Mogadishu Thursday and attacked the presidential palace earlier this year. Benson stopped short of saying U.S. personnel have not been involved in combat, saying they are "not tasked with engaging enemy forces except in self-defense." He says the U.S. effort in Somalia is aimed at improving the capabilities of Somali government forces and the African Union mission with the overall goal of having a secure and stable Somalia. Immigration new flashpoint in partisan faceoff in D.C. By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
Earlier this week, President Barack Obama reignited America's long-simmering debate on immigration reform, saying he would do what he can through executive orders. Proponents and opponents of a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants have responded, as Washington ponders the political and possible electoral ramifications of the president's announcement. Monday, the president said his patience with Congress is at an end on immigration reform. “America cannot wait forever for them to act. And that is why today I am beginning a new effort to fix as much of our immigration system as I can on my own,” he said. The administration is exploring executive orders to address the plight of those who entered the country illegally or overstayed visas, and hopes to quell a crisis along America’s border with Mexico, where tens of thousands of minors have arrived, believing the United States will not deport those who are underage. Obama’s announcement provoked a mixed reaction from advocates. Lynn Tramonte, deputy director at America’s Voice, a group that supports comprehensive immigration reform, said the president can make a difference. “It marked a turning point in the debate. We saw the president speaking truth,” she said. “He does not have authority to open up a path to citizenship for 11 million people here without papers. That is clear. That is Congress’ job," said Ms. Tramonte. "But he does have authority to create a program of deferred action and allow those same people to start the process toward legalization. They will not get a visa; they will not get a green card. But they will get temporary papers.” Opponents of any adjusted status for the undocumented are appalled, including Marguerite Telford of the Center for Immigration Studies. “It is astonishing, an incredible disregard for our Constitution,” she said. Ms. Telford said House Republicans have not acted on immigration reform for good reason. They view a bill that passed the Senate last year as amnesty for law-breakers, and do not believe promises of enhanced border enforcement will be kept, she said. “We do not trust the president of the United States. We can pass these things, and he will not enforce them,” she said. Republicans risk alienating the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, immigrants and their American-born offspring, according to the American Enterprise Institute’s Norm Ornstein. “I think President Obama’s announcement works well for Democrats," he said. "One of the dilemmas that Republicans will have is that, the more they criticize the president, the more in the eyes of the Hispanic-American population, the Asian-American population and others, they are going to look like they are staunchly against immigration and immigrants.” Ornstein notes that, even before Obama’s announcement, House Speaker John Boehner was seeking legal avenues to limit the president’s use of executive authority. Ornstein said the president risks little politically by acting on his own, noting, “Congressional Republicans are going to be upset whatever he does.” The administration's review of executive actions is expected to be completed in coming months. U.S. unemployment reported to have dropped to 6.1% By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
The U.S. unemployment rate dropped in June to the lowest level in nearly six years, while job creation surged. Thursday's report from the Labor Department shows the unemployment rate falling two-tenths of a percentage point to hit 6.1 percent. The study also shows a net gain of 288,000 jobs. The job growth and the unemployment rate are both better than economists had predicted. President Barack Obama visited a start-up technology firm in Washington and noted that it was the first time since 1999 the economy had gained 200,000 jobs a month for five straight months. But he said even more jobs could be created were it not for Washington's political gridlock. "We've done better than the vast majority of other countries over the last five years, but that drag has still meant a lot of hardship for a lot of folks," he said. "And so it’s really important for us to understand that we could be making even stronger progress, we could be growing even more jobs, we could be creating even more business opportunities for smart, talented folks like these if those of us here in Washington were focused on them, focused on you, the American people, rather than focused on politics." Government experts say job growth was widespread last month, and strongest in professional services, retail, food services and health care. The data may be evidence that the world's largest economy is recovering from the effects of unusually foul winter weather that hurt the economy in the first few months this year. The upbeat data encouraged investors, who pushed the country's best known stock price barometer, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, above 17,000 for the first time. During the past year, the number of people officially counted as unemployed is down by 2.3 million, but that still leaves 9.5 million people out of work. Other job data was mixed. The number of Americans working part time rose because they cannot find full-time work, while the number of people out of work longer than 27 weeks declined. A separate report from the Commerce Department shows that growing exports improved the U.S. trade deficit. Manhattan real estate draws money from all over world By the A.M. Costa Rica
wire services
Foreign buyers are helping boost skyrocketing prices for high-end condominium apartments in Manhattan, where real estate is still considered a bargain relative to most other financial capitals. Realtors say Canadian, Chinese and Russian buyers make up the bulk of non-U.S. investors in the borough's most expensive neighborhoods. Slender, glass-clad buildings overlooking Central Park, with just one or two astronomically priced apartments per floor, are the most sought after. At One57, a 90-story tower on West 57th St. that is still being fitted out, many of the apartments have already sold. Two reportedly went for more than $90 million each. One57 sales director Jeannie Woodbrey recently showed what she called one of the building's smallest apartments, a 300-square-meter unit priced at nearly $19 million. "It's a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom," she said. "The ceilings are 10 foot, 7 inches, our lowest ceiling height, and Christian de Portzamparc, who was the exterior architect, designed walls of glass, so you really have no break in the views whatsoever, and that's really the drama in all of our apartments." From the 41st floor, Central Park is laid out like the biggest front lawn in the universe. On higher floors, the apartments seem to float above it. Some interior walls are leather clad. Bathtubs carved from a single slab of marble had to be hauled up on the exterior of the building, Ms. Woodbrey said. The building's developers spent two years working with Italian quarries to assemble marble wall panels with matching veins. About half the new owners are from outside the U.S., Ms. Woodbrey said. Nikki Field and Daniel Chang, brokers at Sotheby's International Realty, have sold several apartments in the building. They often travel to China to meet new clients. "One of the most stunning changes in our industry came about in January 2009," Ms. Field said, referring to an International Herald Tribune survey of prices in global capitals. "They found that Moscow was 36 percent more expensive than London, and Hong Kong was 78 percent more expensive than London. And New York was 17 percent less expensive than London," Field said. "It didn't take long for our phones to begin to ring." Some foreign buyers purchase an apartment for a child who is attending college in New York, she said. Others buy multiple U.S. properties, even sight unseen. For Chinese clients, in particular, Chang said, the U.S.'s secure property laws are a draw. "I think the U.S. has really a stable political environment. It's kind of a safe deposit box in the city that it will pay for itself, it will appreciate, and they don't have to worry about any property being confiscated," he said. U.S. laws also make it possible to buy real estate anonymously through holding corporations, another attraction for the global super-rich, according to a New York magazine investigation, which calls Manhattan real estate "the new Swiss bank account" and "stash pads in the sky." In the last few months, Chinese buyers outnumbered Russian purchasers of Manhattan properties for the first time. They now are second only to Canadian owners, such as dual Canadian and American citizen, Diane Francis, who has a pied-à-terre down the street from One57. A financial journalist, she wrote in defense of the phenomenon for the New York Post. "The new mayor of New York seemed to be very anti-investment, thinking prices were going too high, the buildings were getting too high," Ms. Francis said. "And I just said, 'Hey, wait a minute, we're the solution, not the problem to your economic issues. We employ people, we spend billions, we invest here, we buy your theater tickets, ride your cabs. Don't call us pied-à-terrorists.’" Ms. Francis notes that by 2020, more than 47 million people around the world will be millionaires, with at least $1 million of net worth beyond the value of their homes. Some foreign buyers of U.S. property, she said, "are fleeing regimes that they're concerned about destabilizing, or currencies they're worried about. Or in the case of China, and I don't want to besmirch all the Chinese coming to New York and the U.S. to buy real estate, but there is a crackdown on corruption in China, and a lot of people have hidden away money that they haven't told the government about, and they want to get it out. And they're getting it out by buying a condo here in someone else's name." One57, or Oligarch Arms, as Ms. Francis dubs it, is now the most expensive residential building in the city, and at 306 meters, the tallest in the Western Hemisphere. But it will soon be overtaken by even taller, equally slender and costly apartment towers going up near Central Park. To critics, the ultra-luxury apartment towers are a sign of rising inequality, and contribute little to the city. Many are empty most of the year, and owners whose wealth is acquired outside the U.S. don't pay income taxes. High-end new buildings also often receive huge property tax breaks: An apartment at One57 currently listed at $36 million will be taxed under $500 a month. Even defenders agree the trend is helping to drive up real estate prices throughout the city, making New York increasingly unaffordable for those who are not rich. The trend may soon accelerate for non-luxury real estate as well, and not only in New York, Ms. Francis said. Zillow, a Web site that lists every U.S. property and its price history, will be published in China in Mandarin beginning this month. "The Chinese market will explode," Francis said. "People in Beijing will be able to sit down and buy something online, and contact a real estate agent to do it for them remotely." |
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| A.M. Costa Rica's sixth news page |
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Arthur makes landfall in North Carolina
By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
Hurricane Arthur made landfall on the North Carolina shore along the eastern U.S. coast late Thursday. The first major storm of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season had winds of 155 kilometers per hour as it churned its way up the coast. Arthur has forced thousands of vacationers in North Carolina to abandon their Independence Day plans, while cities farther up the East Coast have re-scheduled fireworks. Residents have been told to expect heavy rain and floods and possible tornadoes. Forecasters say Arthur will weaken into a tropical storm late today as it moves up the coast. Tropical storm warnings have been posted as far north as Massachusetts. Santa Cruz reported getting arena OK By the A.M. Costa Rica staff Santa Cruz residents will get their fiesta later this month complete with bull riding, legislators said Thursday. A group of lawmakers and local politicians met with María Elena López, the minister of Salud, in a discussion that included donuts and coffee. The key element for the fiesta is Plaza López,known locally as Los Mangos. Juan Marín Quirós, who represents that area, reported later that the minister said that the more than 100-year tradition could continue when organizers present the appropriate paperwork to obtain permission. The fear was that the health ministry would deny permission based on the condition of the arena. Marín reported the outcome of the meeting. The event is the Fiesta de Santiago, and it is July 24 to 27. Also part of the discussion was a fiesta in January. Also present at the meeting was Jorge Chavarría, municipal mayor, and members of the organizing committee, said Marín in a statement. |
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| From Page 7: Black list entity ends two-day visit By
the A.M. Costa Rica staff
A delegation from the Organisation for Cooperation and Economic Development has concluded a two-day visit to Costa Rica. The purpose of the visit was to layout the ground rules that Costa Rica must follow if it seeks to join the international organization. President Luis Guillermo Solís said that joining the organization would provide opportunities for improving the public management of the country, according to a release. He promised all the effort possible to join the organization in 2015, it said. Discussions with the organization sometimes evolve into negotiations where member countries agree on rules of the game for international co-operation, said the organization on its Web site. It added: "They can culminate in formal agreements by countries, for example on combating bribery, on arrangements for export credits, or on the treatment of capital movements. They may produce standards and models, for example in the application of bilateral treaties on taxation, or recommendations, for example on cross-border co-operation in enforcing laws against spam. They may also result in guidelines, for example on corporate governance or environmental practices." This was the organization that put Costa Rica on a tax haven black list. The organization is a leader in promoting an aggressive national tax strategy. |
