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A.M. Costa Rica's Second news page |
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José, Costa Rica, Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, Vol. 14, No. 255
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New business features batting machines By Dennis Rogers
Special to A.M. Costa Rica New on the Costa Rican baseball scene is indoor batting practice. Baseball here is mostly played by Nicaraguan immigrants and other foreigners, but the owners hope to expand and attract more Ticos to the game. Tim Bell and Javier Calvo have set up with a Juggs pitching machine and batting cage. The machine can be set from 50 to 75 mph, according to the skill of the batter, and shoots a hard rubber ball with no seams to avoid unusual movement on the pitch. Bell says they also plan to get a another, similar machine designed for bigger softballs, as that has a larger following in Costa Rica than fast-pitch baseball. The price is 1,000 colons for 25 swings. Also on the premises is an existing business moved from a previous location in Rohrmoser: Solo Para Fanaticos, which has baseball equipment and shoes along with hats and shirts. Solo Para Fanaticos is located behind the Las Animas church between Avenidas 8 and 10 on Calle 20 in San José. Avenida 10 is eastbound, and Avenida 8 westbound, with Calle 20 one-way to the north. Hours are 3 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. There is parking on the street near the business. More information is available at 8362-6480. Also the baseball season is underway at the Santo Domingo program, and kids ages 3 to 16 are welcome. Loaner gloves are available. Activities start at 9 a.m. on Saturdays at the Polideportivo de Santo Domingo. This is about 500 meters north of the basilica (the larger of two churches in Santo Domingo) and 200 meters to the west. A tubular cell phone tower in sight as one gets nearer is helpful. Suspect in murder of teen identified By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The Poder Judicial has identified the last name of Colomer, the suspect in the murder of a 14-year-old girl. He has been remanded to preventative detention for the next three months. The judiciary also has released more information on the case. The body of the girl, Wendy Ojeda Pastrana, was identified Monday, and the suspect, 19, was detained. The Poder Judicial said that the body was found adjacent to where the suspect lived until last week. The girl had been tied hands and feet. Investigators found traces of blood in both the location where the suspect used to live and his current living quarters, they said. They are trying to determine if the blood all came from the girl. She was strangled, but her face contained abrasions.
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2014 and may
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A.M. Costa Rica Third News Page |
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| San José, Costa Rica, Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, Vol. 14, No. 255 | |
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| The financial route is always a difficult uphill trek in
January |
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By
the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Costa Ricans call it the cuesta de enero, meaning the January slope. And the slope is upwards and financial. This is the time when expenses come home to roost after businesses and individuals have paid employees the aguinaldo. For expats, the payments might be to a gardener, a watchman or a domestic worker, although the first two frequently are independent contractors. Presumably these payments will have been made by Dec. 15. Christmas, of course, has generated credit card bills, and the first payment comes sooner than expected. For many expats, Dec. 31 is the deadline for paying municipal taxes on properties, on business licenses and some other fees. Most municipalities are closed until Jan. 5, but the payment can be made at banks. The Municipalidad de San José will open its online payment system briefly Monday, it said. Then there is the marchamo or road tax that is due without penalty by Dec. 31. Although the Instituto Nacional de Seguros has closed for the holiday vacation, payments can be made all over, including at major supermarkets, private insurance agencies and banks. The amount depends on the value of the vehicle. For many expats, the big bite from the government is the luxury home tax. That is due by Jan. 15 from owners of homes The luxury home tax is assessed on any dwelling and immediate property that is worth this year more than 122 million colons, about $226,000. The tax to be paid is equal to 0.25 percent of the property’s total value to a maximum tax rate of 0.55 percent since it is a progressive tax. By the end of January the corporation tax is due, some 201,700 for active entities. That's about $382. Inactive corporations pay half that. |
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 Lynn Gensemer photo
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| Santa
came in a stock truck Thursday in the hills above Jacó. Lynn
Gensemer of Chungo Interior Design and friends once again delivered
food staples and toys to those |
who may need a little help. This has become an annual event with the help of local businessman Jim Gray and other expats in the Pacific beach town. |
| You need to see Costa Rican tourism information HERE! |
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2014 and may
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| A.M. Costa Rica's Fourth News page | |||||
| San José, Costa Rica, Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, Vol. 14, No. 255 | |||||
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| Franklin Chang publishes second part of his autobiographical
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By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Franklin Chang Diaz, the Costa Rican-U.S. astronaut, has written a second book in his autobiographical series. This is "Dream’s Journey" that begins as Chang, now 18, is on his way to the United States with $50 in his pocket. "This book gives a very personal account of his educational experiences, his first marriage, family life and his impressions of poverty in the United States and religion, among other topics," said a summary. The second book is in English and brings readers to the time when Chang is accepted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The first book, " Los Primeros Años," covers his earlier years. The former astronaut now runs Ad Astra Rocket Co. in Liberia which is pioneering plasma motors. There are other books available about Chang, but most appear to be for children, based on the titles and descriptions available online. Also available is "Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut" by José M. Hernández, a Mexican who was turned down for the astronaut program 11 times before finally being accepted. "Dream´s Journey" is not available in bookstores and can be purchased by contacting bcallowconsulting@gmail.com |
 Franklin Chang is on the right in this
cover photo.
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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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2014 and may
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A.M. Costa Rica's Fifth
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| San José, Costa Rica, Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, Vol. 14, No. 255 | |||||||
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| Sony releases 'The Interview' in theaters, social networks By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
Sony Pictures has started distributing the controversial comedy "The Interview" online a day after announcing that 200 independent theaters will screen the movie on Christmas Day. The movie, was released Wednesday and will be available across several digital platforms including YouTube, Google Play, and Microsoft Xbox. The YouTube version does not seem to be available in Costa Rica. In a statement, Sony said it was essential to release the movie, "especially given the assault upon our business by those who wanted to stop free speech." Sony pulled "The Interview" from general release last week after several large U.S. theater chains said they would refuse to show it because of threats of violence. The comedy tells the story of two journalists who are recruited by U.S. intelligence to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Wednesday Sony reversed its decision to cancel the movie, announcing a limited theatrical release that will see the film shown in dozens of theaters. In a statement, White House spokesman Eric Schultz said the president welcomed the move, which he said "allows people to make their own choices about the film." President Barack Obama had said Sony made a mistake in canceling the movie, saying it risks setting a precedent in which "dictators can start imposing censorship" in the U.S. The Obama administration has vowed to respond to the cyber attack on Sony, but officials would not confirm or deny whether the U.S. retaliated by causing a brief North Korean Internet outage this week. State Department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf would not comment on the matter. "I leave it to the North Koreans to talk about if their Internet was up, if it wasn't, and why," she said. "We're just not going to entertain questions one way or the other about any of these questions about possible U.S. responses of any kind. And I would caution you from assuming, that because I'm not going to comment on them, that the answer means one thing or another." The U.S.-based Internet monitoring company Dyn Research said the reason for the outage is not clear, but was consistent with "a fragile network under external attack." North Korea has not commented on the disruption, which lasted about nine hours. But it has adamantly denied involvement in hacking Sony Pictures. The FBI says it has evidence Pyongyang was behind the cyber hack, which resulted in leaks of embarrassing corporate emails, yet to be released films, and private employee data. The hackers call themselves the Guardians of Peace and warned there would be a bitter fate for anyone attending a showing of "The Interview." World leaders deliver personal Yule messages By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
After a particularly violent week leading up to the Christmas holiday, world leaders used their yearly holiday messages to heal and speak out against injustices. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, the top Roman Catholic official in the Holy Land, led a Christmas Eve midnight Mass as hundreds of worshippers prayed in the Nativity Church. In his Christmas Eve message, Patriarch Twal urged Jews, Muslims and Christians to live in peace in the Holy Land. At the Vatican, Pope Francis on Thursday called for peaceful resolution of a series of other conflicts, including Ukraine, Libya, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and various regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The pope also offered sympathy for the victims of the ebola epidemic, citing above all Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, and also the families of the children killed in an attack on a school in Peshawar, Pakistan, last week that left an estimated 150 people dead, the vast majority children. Christmas celebrations lifted spirits after a year of conflict and failed peace efforts in the region. Stephana Zecevic, who was visiting Bethlehem from Belgrade, Serbia, said, “It was very spiritual for me and wonderful — giving, sharing, really beautiful. I can feel the Christmas spirit. I felt really blessed, and I’m very happy that I’m here.” It was a low turnout this Christmas in the wake of the 50-day war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. A cease-fire has mostly held since the violence ended four months ago, but tourism to the Holy Land has not recovered. Palestinians in Bethlehem are disappointed by the lack of tourists, which is a blow to the city’s fragile economy. Bethlehem Mayor Vera Baboun said the root of the problem is Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. “The main message is: All I want for Christmas this year is justice, and if there is justice, there is peace,” Baboun said. President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, sent Christmas and New Year holiday greetings to all Americans, with a special message of thanks to U.S. troops for their service to the country. The Obamas recorded the Christmas message, which was released Wednesday, before the family left for a holiday in Hawaii. The Obamas thanked troops, military families and veterans for their service and urged all Americans to express their gratitude to the armed forces by giving back through community service. The president also said that the birth of Jesus was a message to love one another and reach out to the sick, the hungry and the troubled. Obama enjoyed a Christmas Eve dinner Wednesday with his family and telephoned members of each branch of the U.S. armed forces to express his gratitude for their sacrifice. He also planned to visit a Marine base in Kaneohe Bay to visit with servicemen and women. The Pentagon said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel also telephoned four selected service members to thank them for giving up their holiday to serve. Two were in Afghanistan and two were with the U.S. Central Command, which is leading the coalition fight against the Islamic State group. In Afghanistan, U.S. troops celebrated Christmas Day with song and dance. “Tops in Blue,” a touring performance ensemble, put on a festive show at the Bagram Airbase for troops from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force. In Britain, Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas message spoke of reconciliation and gave thanks for health care workers helping to fight the ebola outbreak in West Africa. The queen referred to the independence referendum in September in Scotland, which ended up not breaking away from the United Kingdom. Her message urged healing between the two camps. “Of course, reconciliation takes different forms. In Scotland, after the referendum, many felt great disappointment, while others felt great relief, and bridging these differences will take time,” she said. The queen also said she was deeply touched by the selflessness of doctors and nurses combating the ebola outbreak. Each year, the queen writes her own Christmas speech, which is prerecorded and televised in many parts of the world on the afternoon of Christmas Day. Less than two weeks ago in Australia, a gunman took more than a dozen people hostage in a Sydney cafe. After a 16-hour standoff, police entered the cafe after hearing gunfire. Two hostages and the gunman were killed. Prime Minister Tony Abbott urged Australians to remember not only the families of the victims but others who have had a hard year as well, including soldiers abroad and farmers dealing with drought. "The last fortnight has been a heartbreaking time for our country," Abbott said in a video message. "The thoughts and prayers of everyone are with those who are grieving this Christmas." German President Joachim Gauck used his annual Christmas address to urge his countrymen to welcome with open arms the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war zones and to reject anti-immigrant populism. In a broadcast released Thursday, Gauck praised Germans who sheltered and supported about 200,000 new refugees this year and to indirectly attack a new anti-asylum movement. More than 17,000 people took part in Germany's largest anti-immigrant rally on Monday in the eastern city of Dresden to air their claims that Germany is being overrun by Muslims. In Donetsk, a pro-Russian rebel stronghold in eastern Ukraine, hundreds of people gathered for the traditional unveiling of a tree decorated with lights ahead of the New Year holiday. Christmas is celebrated on Jan. 7 in Ukraine, an Orthodox Christian country. Children recited poems on a stage in Lenin Square and Russian pop music blared from loudspeakers as an inflatable snowman bobbed in the cold wind, but the Christmas spirit was missing. After eight months of fighting between government forces and Russian-backed rebels that has torn the region apart and left more than 4,700 dead, people admitted they were not feeling too joyful. "If I have any sense of a holiday mood, then it is buried very deep down," Svetlana Mashilina, standing next to her husband, Vladimir, told a reporter. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished Christians the world over a Merry Christmas on Thursday, lamenting the plight of Middle East Christians, who he said are subject to persecution in every country of the region, except for Israel. "I wish Christians in Israel and all over the world a very Merry Christmas," Netanyahu said in the YouTube video. He called on the world's Christian communities to remember those who are less fortunate, the Christians suffering from persecution across the Middle East. In Spain, King Felipe VI delivered a Christmas Eve address at Zarzuela palace in Madrid, using his first holiday address to lash out against corruption. However, Felipe made no direct mention of his sister Cristina de Borbon, who was ordered Monday to stand trial on tax-fraud charges. In Berlin, dozens of swimmers arrived Thursday at the city’s Oranke Lake for their annual Christmas Day dip, complete with red Christmas hats. The air temperature was 5 degrees C (41 F) for the Berlin Seals' outing. Swimmer Beate Korehnke said: “The best is the feeling afterward. There is prickling all over the body — it's like a sauna but backward.” Iran’s Christian minority — most of Armenian ethnicity and adherent to the Gregorian faith — also celebrated Christmas, gathering at St. Mary’s Church on Christmas Eve in Tehran. While Russia woke up on Christmas Day to its first heavy snowfall of the year, with white snow blanketing much of the country, President Vladimir Putin told government officials to scrap New Year’s holiday plans. Russian company workers are given holiday from Jan. 1 through Jan. 12, when Russians celebrate the New Year, as well as Orthodox Christmas. But with the country facing a still-unfolding economic crisis, Putin told a televised government session on Thursday that cabinet ministers should not take this time off. "For the government, for your agencies, we cannot afford this long holiday, at least this year," he said. Russia's economy, battered by low oil prices and Western sanctions, is set to enter recession next year for the first time in six years, while the ruble is now worth less than half of its former value. The Russian Central Bank also announced Thursday that the country's currency reserve has dropped below $400 billion for the first time since August 2009, as the government has been selling the currency on the market to support the ruble. 2014 toll of journalists put at 60 by press watchdog By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
A press freedom group says at least 60 journalists have been killed this year while on the job, with members of the international press making up a particularly high percentage of the dead. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists issued its annual report documenting journalist deaths in 21 countries in 2014. It said that local journalists continue to be the most targeted, but that 23 percent of those killed were international journalists. By comparison, the local press makes up 90 percent of the organization's data base of journalist deaths dating back to 1992. The report attributed the uptick to the "increasingly volatile nature of conflict zones in which Westerners are often targeted." Syria was by far the most dangerous country for journalists, with 17 deaths this year. Five journalists were killed in both Iraq and Ukraine, while four deaths occurred in Somalia and during the war between Israel and Palestinian militants. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 2014 capped a three-year period that has been the deadliest it has ever recorded. The deaths also included three each in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Paraguay, and the first journalist killing the group has ever documented in the Central African Republic. The report said 43 percent of the dead were murdered, while 38 percent died in combat or crossfire. Asia will commemorate deaths in 2004 tsunami By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
Beach side memorials, moments of silence, and religious services are planned across Asia today to mark the 10th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami that killed at least 220,000 people in 2004. The gigantic wave stuck a dozen countries around the Indian Ocean rim. It destroyed entire coastal communities, wiped out families and crashed over tourist-filled beaches the morning after Christmas. The disaster was triggered by a 9.1-magnitude earthquake, the region's most powerful in 40 years, that sent waves roaring across the Indian Ocean at jetliner speeds as far away as East Africa. It was so powerful that it caused the Earth’s axis to wobble a few centimeters. The tsunami led separatist rebels in Indonesia's Aceh province to lay down their arms in order to rebuild their lives. The three-decade rebellion against Indonesia ended in 2005, after having claimed 15,000 lives. Indonesia was hardest hit by the tsunami, with more than 160,000 dead. Thousands more were killed in Thailand and Sri Lanka. |
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2014 and may
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| A.M. Costa Rica's sixth news page |
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| San José, Costa Rica, Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, Vol. 14, No. 255 | |||||||||
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 Ministerio de Gobernación,
Policía y Seguridad Pública
photo
Police officer checks
part of a 61-kilo confiscation made at a retail outlet inMiramar Tuesday. That was one of two cases of illegal fireworks reported that day. New theories target depression By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
Clinical depression is extremely common around the world, with an estimated 350 million cases reported by the World Health Organization. People of all ages suffer from depression, which is a leading cause of disability. The mental disorder, says the World Health Organization, is linked to about 1 million deaths every year from suicide or some other cause, such as substance abuse. There are effective treatments for depression. But some, like lithium, carry significant and even dangerous side effects. So researchers are now looking at a number of unconventional approaches to treating depression. In Britain, scientists think some of the vast number of microbes that live in the gut may play a role in the development of mood disorders. They report that so-called probiotics, or helpful bacteria, relieve anxiety in mice and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. In humans, probiotic supplements have been shown to boost good bacteria in preliminary research, reducing bacteria that trigger inflammation. Scientists think the beneficial microbes may improve the way people process emotions, resulting in less anxiety. They plan further studies. Meanwhile, a research consortium of a half dozen universities in the U.K. is focused on the role inflammation may play in clinical depression, exploring a newly discovered link between immune disorders, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, and mental illness. Investigators say up to 40 percent of patients who receive interferon to treat a liver infection called hepatitis become depressed even though they were fine before treatment. Interferon triggers inflammation. Researchers stress that the link between inflammation and clinical depression is not yet understood. It's hoped that new drugs that reduce the inflammatory response can help ease depression or that existing anti-inflammatory drugs can be repurposed to help those who suffer from the mental disorder. |
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