an upcoming Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel in Peninsula Papagayo Costa Rica.Photo: Courtesy of Ritz-CarltonSave this storySaveSave this storySaveThe most exciting hotel openings of 2025 are across (almost) every single continent “Almost” in the technical sense—as one hotel by Silversea will open in the world’s southernmost city of Puerto Williams which lies in the sub-Antarctic zone of Patagonia—and from there you can take a boat to Antarctica and all its wonders Silversea’s new stay is just one of the new or anticipated openings across the globe: in Amsterdam a Rosewood will open in the UNESCO World Heritage Canal District New York will see the triumphant return of its grand dame a new luxury lodge will open within Kenya’s 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy—giving adventurers a chance to observe the endangered Grévy's zebra the 28 most anticipated hotel openings of 2025 Gentl & HyersAfter their buzzy success in London The Twenty Two will go transatlantic this fall with a new hotel in Union Square in a historic landmark building The interiors by Child Studio are a contemporary interpretation of quintessential American design styles from Shaker to Mission to Craftsman The Twenty Two will also boast a private club as well as a restaurant by the team behind the beloved New York City restaurant Raf’s Courtesy of Terra Palm SpringsPalm Springs welcomes its first wellness retreat with Terra Palm Springs a 13-room boutique property housed in a late mid-century modern building and an immersive rain room—all within walking distance from Downtown Palm Springs Rendering courtesy of Studio TreFrom the same owners as the Maidstone in East Hampton comes Maidstone New Orleans a Mid-City hotel with interiors by Studio Tre They’re set to give a completely new life to a 1950s motor lodge Rendering courtesy of Post CompanyAcross from the historic Hotel del Coronado is The Baby Grand a 31-room property by the critically acclaimed Post Company The design-forward hotel will also offer an oyster bar and omakase restaurant Courtesy of Belden House & MewsOpening in the heart of Litchfield town is the Belden House & Mews a five-star and full-service hotel housed across an 1888 mansion and the historic 1891 Litchfield Firehouse the country retreat will also boast a seasonal outdoor pool Rending courtesy of Hotel El RoblarIn Ojai comes Hotel El Roblar a 50-room hotel designed by Studio Shamshiri and lush gardens—all of which boast breathtaking views of the Topa Topa mountains There’s even the playful touch of a hitching post for those arriving by horseback Photo: Waldorf Astoria New YorkNew York’s grand dame makes a fittingly grand return Owings & Merrill and interior design from Pierre-Yves Rochon the Waldorf Astoria will re-open in the spring of 2025 Iconic rooms like the Grand Ballroom and Jade Room have been restored to their original grandeur while there are new additions like a 30,000-square-foot spa Photo: Courtesy of The Six BellsAudrey Gelman founder of The Wing and home goods store Six Bells is venturing into hospitality this summer with the opening of The Six Bells Country Inn in Rosendale which the website describes as “a story book you can sleep in,” is inspired by the nostalgic aesthetics of the English and American countrysides Photo: One&Only Moonlight BasinDesigned by architect Olson Kundig One&Only Moonlight Basin aims to be an all-year-round mountain resort: in the winter and a moonshine whiskey shack which is nestled in the woods Rendering courtesy of The White ElephantThe beloved Nantucket and Palm Beach hotel is bundling up with their new location in Aspen Colorado within the West End neighborhood right above Aspen town Housed in a modernist structure by Boston-based architectural firm EMBARC its interiors will embrace a rich color palette of rust Courtesy of Rosewood Hotel & ResortsNestled within Riviera Nayarit’s 200 miles of Pacific Ocean is the Rosewood Mandarina a new five-star resort with 134 guest rooms In addition to the typical tropical leisure pursuits one can expect at a resort of this nature Courtesy of Ritz CarltonTucked away in Peninsula Papagayo’s 1,400-acre canvas of dry tropical forest is Nekajui a new ultra-luxury resort from Ritz-Carlton Guest rooms begin at a sprawling 872 square feet (and if you opt to stay in one of the treetop tents Spend your day at the beach or by the pool… or going on an adventure within the jungle indulge in Peruvian-Japanese omakase at the hotel’s Puna restaurant Photo: Courtesy of Abercrombie & KentLater this summer the white-glove travel company Abercrombie & Kent is set to launch Pure Amazon a luxurious river cruise in northern Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve that will offer a wildlife experience like no other Expect stylish interiors courtesy of Milanese architect Adriana Granato (featuring plenty of collaborations with local artisans and the most thrilling rainforest excursions that money can buy Regis sets its eyes on the popular Cap Cana region of the Dominican Republic with their new 200-room resort upon a white sand beach With interiors by Chapi Chapo Design—the same firm behind the Aman in Turks and Caicos—it promises to be the epitome of tropical luxury Photo: Getty Images/Maiquel JantschSilversea—a new hotel from the luxury adventure cruise line—is technically in South America But only technically: located in the sub-Antarctic zone of the Patagonia region of Chile it is as close as one can get to staying in Antarctica it lies within a stark yet beautiful landscape—and is the perfect jumping-off point before a larger Antarctic expedition Courtesy of Rosewood Hotel & ResortsHoused in the former Palace of Justice is the new Rosewood Amsterdam a luxury hotel set in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Canal District With interiors by designer Piet Boon and outdoor spaces by world-renowned Dutch urban landscaping artist Piet Oudolf it’s posed to be an artistic and cultural haven Courtesy of The NewmanLondon’s Fitzrovia neighborhood will see the opening of The Newman an Art Deco-inspired hotel with a European brasserie a wellness floor: think hot and cold experience cabins The Six Senses will transform the former Whiteley’s department store into a hotel that spans an entire city block on Queensway It will have 109 rooms and the world’s first Six Senses Place Collegio alle Querce in FlorenceStefano ScataPhoto: Stefano ScatàOn the hillside above Florence’s UNESCO World Heritage Site Centro Storico sits Collegio alla Querce a new hotel from Auberge Resorts that resides in a 16th-century building Guest rooms boast views of the iconic Duomo whereas a pool sits within terraced gardens Yet it’s still only 15 minutes from Florence’s city center Courtesy of The Lake Como EditionThe Lake Como Edition will open in a 19th century building in Bellagio on the western shore of Lake Como multiple restaurants and a lively lobby bar that’s sure to become a social center Courtesy of Ardberg HouseLVMH and Ardbeg Whiskey purchased the former Islay Hotel near its distillery on the remote Scottish Island and are set to transform it into a moody seaside retreat The 2025 property is designed by Russell Sage Studio—who also did The Fife Arms over in the Cairngorms—and includes guest rooms Courtesy of BelmondThe luxury LVMH-owned hospitality group Belmond is debuting a new luxury train: The Britannic Explorer experiences include a visit to Hauser & Wirth Somerset and a visit to Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens in Cornwall the train’s culinary program is designed by Michelin-starred Chef Simon Rogan Set amid nine acres in the Balearic countryside is Soho Farmhouse Ibiza the latest outpost of the creative member’s club and hospitality brand Photo: Mark Luscombe-WhyteThe Airelles Venezia on the Venetian island of Giudecca will be spread across three buildings and include three swimming pools There’s also an on-site church—making it one of the most perfect elevated wedding sites in the city defaultPhoto: Courtesy of Ritz CarltonIn the vibrant One Bangkok district housed in a modern Thai skyscraper overlooking Lumpini Park you can walk to one of the neighborhood’s many Michelin-starred restaurants Photo: Courtesy of Rosewood Hotels & ResortsA Piet Boon-designed Rosewood hotel with 55 villa accommodations opened on the small Japanese island of Miyakojima this March offering everything from Eastern-medicine spa treatments to calligraphy lessons with a local artist to encounters with sea turtles via their conservation program—and then some: wander off the resort to see the natural stone arch of nearby Sunayama beach or the lighthouse at Higashi-Hennazaki Cape Courtesy of andBeyondWithin Kenya’s 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy is a new lodge and tented camp from the luxury andBeyond group In addition to the traditional safari experience as well as tours to see the region’s Stone Age-era cave paintings and artifacts Photo: Georg RoskeThe operators behind the beloved Brisbane hotel The Calile opened The Eve Hotel in Sydney this winter The boutique hotel has palm tree-lined pool with cabanas a new restaurant from the same team behind the popular eatery Bistecca The architecture is also something to behold: inspired by organic and biophilic shapes it boasts national stone curves and exotic plant accents The Danish Home Lighting Trend That Can Improve Your Mental Health In America’s Cities, Saunas Are Becoming the Hottest Social Spot Millie Bobby Brown Shares Her Favorite Paella Recipe—and Details About Her Wedding to Jake Bongiovi A Day-by-Day Guide to Hiking the Legendary Nakasendo Trail in Japan Never miss a Vogue moment and get unlimited digital access for just $2 $1 per month high-tech cocoon of well-being—and at Costa Rica’s Velara at Playa Azul Founded and led by yogi/serial entrepreneur Kevin Wathey Velara at Playa Azul is located in one of the world’s rare Blue Zones—areas where people are known to live longer The development is billed as a “biologically optimized” high-rise residential community spanning 17 acres near Costa Rica’s Marbella Beach having lost his mother to cancer as a teenager and his best friend just two years later will be integrated into Velara’s properties Velara at Playa Azul is considered the brand’s flagship destination comprising 44 ocean-view condominiums—including four penthouses—and 32 private villas with open-concept layouts floor-to-ceiling windows with unobstructed ocean views and adaptive sleep technology Each residence features a biometric-driven living system that uses wearable data environmental sensors and AI-powered personalization to create a space attuned to the body’s natural rhythms Residents will have access to a personalized performance concierge team offering guidance on nutrition along with in-room treatments and priority access to Velara’s suite of longevity services and curated lifestyle experiences There is also a well-being center and spa designed for biometric assessments and cellular restoration therapies an exclusive beach club with private cabanas and two restaurants featuring bio-personalized nutrition “Velara is more than a place—it’s a new paradigm for living and experiencing well-being,” Wathey said “Every detail is designed with purpose—where science meets soul and where wellness isn’t an amenity but an intrinsic part of how you live Wathey shared on his website that future locations include Italy Limited private residences are available before its slated January 2027 launch, although Velara notes that early buyers will gain access to one-time-only founder-tier pricing.  According to a 2024 report by the Global Wellness Institute wellness real estate has been the fastest-growing sector in the wellness economy in recent years with the market projected to reach $913 billion by 2028 Luxury athletic country club brand Life Time is also invested in creating health-supporting residential buildings. Residents in the high-end Life Time Living buildings (currently found in Coral Gables Connecticut) have access to Life Time’s signature concierge wellness programming with a team that can assist with weekly meal prep from LifeCafe There is also access to premium community spaces residents receive a Life Time Signature membership to all Life Time clubs South Florida developer Terra and wellness brand The Well are two other major players in the growing wellness real estate space expanding their presence in Miami with a second residential community: The Well Coconut Grove Thoughtfully designed by architecture firm Arquitectonica with interiors by Meyer Davis the development is expected to open in 2028 with 194 residences featuring floor-to-ceiling glass walls nature-inspired interiors and private garden entryways Residents can expect amenities such as a rooftop pool a pickleball court and a wellness center featuring a communal bathhouse a hyperbaric chamber and a Vitality Lounge Functional medicine and physical therapy services will also be available on-site “We really value the partnership we’ve found with Terra,” The Well co-founder and chief creative office Kane Sarhan said “David Martin understands the immense potential when real estate is infused with wellness from top to bottom We’re already seeing that potential realized as The Well Bay Harbor Islands comes to life we have an opportunity to build a truly unique community where people can live their happiest Sign Up for Our Newsletter Trusted by 100k+ Fitness, Wellness & Health Executives. Athletech News provides comprehensive media coverage of the most impactful news and trends shaping the fitness and wellness sector. Our newsletter and website cover emerging fitness technology, brick and mortar gyms, wellness trends, new fitness formats and the industry’s economic outlook. COPYRIGHT© ATHLETECH MEDIA GROUP LLC 2022, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Keep pulse with the latest in fitness news. Costa RicaChevron NosaraChevron Andres Garcia LachnerSave this storySaveSave this storySaveThere are thousands of surf schools in the world that can get you up and riding for the first time For aspiring pros there are high-level surf coaches In addition to high quality coaching on gorgeous beaches Surf Simply doubles as an all-inclusive resort each day guests have two 90-minute surf sessions You’ll review your footage each day as a part of the teaching methodology which is supplemented by daily classes as well as lectures covering everything from breath-hold technique to surfboard design and wave forecasting The Surf Simply program is limited to just 12 surfers per week (plus up to four non-surfing guests) who will stay onsite at the modern 10-room property nestled in the forest Mindful Waves is a women-focused surfing program at nearby Ten Toes Surf named for the Indigenous people native to the area is Costa Rican owned and operated by some legendary locals and it offers excellent instruction for all levels an unlimited fridge full of fresh coconuts to drink from Onsite meals prepared by Surf Simply’s kitchen staff are also included The menu changes based on what’s fresh and seasonal; it’s healthy and flavorful and they can accommodate any dietary restriction imaginable Tips and airport transfers are all included as well and at the end of the week you take all of your video footage home with you Ten Toes Surf is also a good option for families traveling together and it has a high density of female surfers in the lineup dollars are widely accepted in addition to Costa Rican colones There are plenty of places to rent boards in town and some hotels (including Surf Simply) even provide boards for you to use during your stay both airports are very accommodating toward surfers but make sure to look up your airline’s policy around checking surfboards and make sure you have a bag with plenty of padding Destiny Café & Restaurant is the best breakfast spot in town which has one of the best cocktail and wine programs in the area and live music on Friday nights; Chef Paulo Valerios is an absolute star on the rise Don’t miss chef’s new Blue Zone Tasting Menu in the hotel’s gorgeous new Jungle Lounge Also up in the hills is the stunning Coyol Restaurant where steaks arrive on sizzling cast iron skillets and it’s become one of the best spots in town for breakfast but come hungry because the portions are absolutely massive Each room comes with its own private back yard space with outdoor shower and a free daily yoga class in its lovely open-air studio and a lively juice bar and café that becomes one of the towns beloved hangs during the day It’s only a two-minute walk to Playa Guiones and they have plenty of boards you can borrow If you want something with a bit more polish, the new Sendero Hotel is the way to go Everything was designed with sustainability in mind and adding tons of shade into the buildings to reduce the need for air conditioning The Jungle Rooms are well-appointed with comfortable beds and outdoor showers that gaze into the forest and it has a well-curated quiver of surfboards through the attached Chorotegas Surf School Plus one of the best restaurants in town sits right in the open-air lobby up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world A court in Montenegro Monday convicted disgraced “crypto king” Do Kwon for using forged Costa Rican passports in March to try and leave the Balkan nation on a private jet The court, which also convicted Han Chang-Joon, Kwon’s associate, of the same crime, sentenced the two men to prison terms of four months. Local news media gathered at the courthouse in in Podgorica, Montenegro’s capital, to follow the latest developments in a case that has made headlines for months Kwon pleaded not guilty and argued he bought the Costa Rican passport through an agency in Singapore He said he believed that was a legitimate “golden passport” available to affluent applicants who fast track their way to citizenship in certain nations NOW READ: Do Kwon tells court he thought his fake Costa Rica documents were part of ‘golden passport’ scheme and Han were on the run from authorities for six months before finally being arrested in the VIP lounge of Podgorica Airport in March A border guard found their documents “suspicious” and sounded the alarm Kwon is wanted by US prosecutors on fraud charges stemming from the $60 billion collapse of Terra last May South Korean authorities want to try Kwon and Han on similar charges Even as the pair serve time on the Montenegrin passport conviction they are also facing extradition to the two nations NOW READ: Was this Do Kwon’s getaway jet to Dubai? That process is only beginning to commence said it was too early to tell whether they would be extradited Activity had greatly diminished when the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument on NASA's Terra spacecraft acquired this nighttime thermal infrared image on April 2 Poas Volcano's hot crater lake also appears white though its temperature is considerably less than Turrialba's crater The large image covers an area of 28 by 39 miles (45 by 63 kilometers); the insets 2 by 2 miles (3.1 by 3.1 kilometers) The image is centered at 10.1 degrees north With its 14 spectral bands from the visible to the thermal infrared wavelength region and its high spatial resolution of 15 to 90 meters (about 50 to 300 feet) ASTER images Earth to map and monitor the changing surface of our planet ASTER is one of five Earth-observing instruments launched Dec The instrument was built by Japan's Ministry of Economy A joint U.S./Japan science team is responsible for validation and calibration of the instrument and data products The broad spectral coverage and high spectral resolution of ASTER provides scientists in numerous disciplines with critical information for surface mapping and monitoring of dynamic conditions and temporal change Example applications are: monitoring glacial advances and retreats; monitoring potentially active volcanoes; identifying crop stress; determining cloud morphology and physical properties; wetlands evaluation; thermal pollution monitoring; coral reef degradation; surface temperature mapping of soils and geology; and measuring surface heat balance science team is located at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory The Terra mission is part of NASA's Science Mission Directorate More information about ASTER is available at http://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/. NASA Airborne Sensor’s Wildfire Data Helps Firefighters Take Action News. NASA Takes to the Air to Study Wildflowers News. Next-Generation Water Satellite Maps Seafloor From Space News. NASA’s EZIE Launches on Mission to Study Earth’s Electrojets News. NASA Analysis Shows Unexpected Amount of Sea Level Rise in 2024 News. NASA-ISRO Mission Will Map Farmland From Planting to Harvest News. NASA Awards Launch Service Task Order for Mission to Study Storm Formation News. NASA Uses New Technology to Understand California Wildfires News. NASA-Led Study Pinpoints Areas Sinking, Rising Along California Coast Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic in Belgrade and Jonathan Stempel in New York; Additional reporting by Jihoon Lee in Seoul; Editing by Hugh Lawson Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Seoul-based reporter covering the Koreas with a focus on South Korean politics, North Korea's missile tests and the K-pop industry. 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All rights reserved U PODGORICI UHAPŠEN JEDAN OD NAJTRAŽENIJIH SVJETSKIH BJEGUNACACrnogrska policija lišila je slobode lice za koje se sumnja da je jedan od najtraženijih bjegunaca suosnivač i izvršni direktor Terraform Labs sa sjedištem u Singapuru.1/2 COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER The handicrafts of the “Tierra Mojada” association come from La Fortuna de San Carlos and fauna that enchant its visitors inspire artisans and craftsmen.  “Artesanías con Identidad” (Crafts with Identity) is a program comprised of artists presenting the first collection of handicrafts inspired by this region’s cultural and natural expressions.  “All our products tell a story that identifies each of the artisans; they are inspired by flora and fauna of our region Huetar Norte You will not find this just anywhere; they are a little piece of our hearts,” said artisan Patricia Marin.  “Tierra Mojada” is an artisan organization integrated by 34 craftsmen and craftswomen. It’s part of the Crafts with Identity Program, established by the Directorate of Planning and Tourism Development of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) This initiative aims to offer national and international tourists the possibility of having a little piece of the Costa Rican soul of La Fortuna forged by the hands of local artisans.  “My products symbolize the fight to protect water in San Carlos represented by the native plant known here as Tiger’s Hand (Monstera deliciosa) I mold them using clays extracted in Boca Tapada enhancing their beautiful natural color,” explained Ana María Rojas Aragonés.  mentioned that indigenous communities inspire her work.  “Our indigenous peoples burned incense and resins in their sacred rituals I want to honor their legacy with this collection of incense holders and candle holders made with air-drying clay and acrylic paint seeking to bring the sacred into everyday spaces.  this is the fifteenth group organized by the institution She also mentioned these are “high-quality handicrafts that represent stories and culture of the areas where the artisans come from.” To see all the products download the latest catalog: https://www.ict.go.cr/es/documentos-institucionales/desarrollo-tur%C3%ADstico/brochures/2247-tierra-mojada-catalogo-2022-baja/file.html This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Because of their proximity and similar climates Central America and the Caribbean islands grow many of the same fruits and vegetables like yucca and malanga; and tropical fruits rambutan and papaya from Central America — mostly Costa Rica — and mostly avocados and mangoes from the Caribbean Most of the roots are available year-round though by sourcing from different countries J&C Tropicals can provide a steady supply is available from May to September from Guatemala and from September to January from Honduras The company distributes the products on the East Coast — mostly as far north as New York and as far west as Texas — largely to conventional grocery stores The company imports roots from Central America primarily Costa Rica and Honduras; papayas come from Guatemala and Mexico and avocados come from the Dominican Republic The company offers around 30 varieties of avocados “but now because of hurricanes and people grafting Florida avocados that yield more fruit we have fewer varieties than we used to,” said Eddie Caram are a little more water-based but just as rich and healthy as those with more oil roots — mostly yucca and malanga — are becoming more popular everywhere both in restaurants and fresh or frozen from grocery stores and more people wanting to try different things and people watch The Food Channel,” he said there’s a bigger market with the wholesalers and some smaller ethnic or local stores They’re not as hard to sell; they’re popular right now.” He said he expects to see the frozen side of this business grow the fastest especially the red-skinned variety with white flesh “We sell large quantities of dragon fruit,” she said “and what’s happening in Ecuador is amazing — they have red-skinned Caribbean Gold brings the dragon fruit to Florida by air and sea which is good news for retailers and consumers “and we’re always working on new commodities,” said Camilo Herrera He said that the company will add three varieties of mangoes in the near future Herrera works with wholesalers and distributors to send around 60% of produce along the East Coast and the remainder to Florida he’ll approach foodservice companies and is looking to sell directly to retailers in the next three to four years pineapples and papayas — mostly cut up and in cups — fairly consistently and often it’s for immediate consumption,” said Marc Goldman There also are some more exotic fruits like dragon fruit and jackfruit “We have a couple of stores that can’t sell the dragon fruit whole but we put it in slices in fruit cups and then it sells,” he said “A lot of people don’t know what to do with it.” supermarkets should merchandise tropical products together the company can send a staff member to assist with merchandising The company also offers bin programs “so retailers can set them up in front of their store especially if it’s a product they don’t usually sell and we send them POS and educational materials to catch eyes as people are coming in,” Gomez said It’s important to draw attention to these products because shoppers often have never heard of them and they stop and look and touch,” she added J&C Tropicals also provides recipe cards nutritional information and details about how to prepare and cook the fruits and roots QR codes placed on some packaging labels and on bins will send consumers back to the company’s website for more information and retailers prefer everything digital nowadays,” Gomez said because it introduced something unfamiliar to many customers the company hasn’t resumed the practice yet Caram works with retailers to run weekly advertisements which gets the name out if items are merchandised in them Terra Produce doesn’t offer any merchandising support yet but all of its boxes are branded and product is sold directly out of them Herrara said he expects to start bagging the produce in the next year which “will create a recognition of quality.” Central American and Caribbean produce largely resonates with natives from those regions “That’s our main audience but at the same time we get millennials moms trying to find something healthy for their kids,” she said Both avocado and dragon fruit also have become more mainstream are popular with all shoppers since they’re so well known Caribbean Gold’s produce mostly sells to Central American so Mashav said she doesn’t provide a lot of information “because they already know what to do with it.” Caram says New Limeco’s products sell to just about anyone “Americans are trying to eat better in the past 10 years and are experimenting and getting educated on healthier options,” he said is distributing produce that deteriorates so quickly “We have to keep it as fresh as possible for the retailer because they can reject it if they see just one little spot,” she said the biggest challenge is getting Colombian products accepted to the U.S is still determining the best times and means of harvesting “but they also have to compete against the Mexican pricing.” The company plans to start by filling the seasonal gaps in Mexico avocado production “That’s when the opportunity for Colombia avocados is going to be,” Herrera said Terraform Labs founder Do Kwon was arrested at Montenegro’s Podgorica Airport while trying to depart for Dubai using fake Costa Rican passports police “had found forged Costa Rican passports and a separate set of Belgian passports in their luggage during the encounter.” the Montenegrin authorities confiscated travel documents Both South Korea and the United States issued search and arrest warrants for Kwon after accusing him of fraud and violating the market law of his home country “Montenegrin police arrested an individual who is believed to be one of the most wanted fugitives South Korean citizen Do Kwon,” interior minister Filip Adzic confirmed via Twitter South Korea’s Justice Ministry confirmed the arrest of Kwon and another unidentified individual They stated that they would now proceed with steps to extradite both men to South Korea the South Korean prosecutors believed that Kwon was hiding in Serbia as there was no extradition agreement between both countries.  District Court in Manhattan charged him on two counts each of securities fraud The crash of Kwon’s company sent the crypto industry into a crisis and caused a market collapse The Financial Times reported that Kwon’s legal team did not immediately respond to a request for comment Do Kwon sat on the tarmac of Podgorica Airport in Montenegro in a private jet The man once hailed as the “crypto king” was travelling on a forged Costa Rican passport in his latest attempt to stay a step ahead of an international police dragnet But the law had finally caught up with him The crypto-friendly city on the Persian Gulf was the apparent next stop in a six month odyssey fueled by $100 million in Bitcoin and the audacity of a man who thought he could escape responsibility for the $60 billion collapse of Terra the crypto empire he led into ruin last May EXCLUSIVE: Do Kwon and Han Chang-joon are escorted by Montenegrin police in handcuffs following their arrest on Thursday@curic_anna & @isabelhunter pic.twitter.com/nTboIIDT7w South Korean prosecutors want him on fraud charges a federal grand jury in New York indicted Kwon on eight counts of securities fraud and other charges Kwon waited while Montenegrin police searched his luggage They found Belgian identification documents and he was detained and taken from the aircraft along with an associate ‘Checks carried out by NCB INTERPOL San Jose The pair were escorted to the public prosecution department in the small Balkan nation’s capital on Thursday night where they were charged with forgery and travelling on false passports according to the Interior Ministry of Montenegro “Checks carried out by NCB INTERPOL San Jose revealed that the documents were forged,” Montenegro’s Ministry of the Interior said in a statement released Friday NOW READ: Meet the professor ‘obsessed’ with tracking crypto fugitive Do Kwon across the blockchain the ministry said the Belgian travel documents found “hidden” in Kwon’s belongings were also deemed to be falsified by Interpol officials in Brussels told the local press that they deny the charges “They said their travel documents are valid and they insisted that the prosecution check it officially,” Anđelić said NOW READ: Crypto fugitive Do Kwon plots comeback after $60bn Terra collapse Kwon and Han were hauled into the Podgorica Basic Court to face an investigative judge Flanked by the nation’s crimson flag featuring a double-headed eagle the courthouse reeked of cigarette smoke even though the walls were pasted with signs prohibiting smoking there were no other reporters on hand as the most wanted man in crypto started the first of many closed-door hearings that will decide his immediate fate Just a couple of months ago, Do Kwon was staging a comeback and working on several new products and bulking up his engineering department with new hires He remains “actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the firm,” Zion Schum Terra’s original token, which uses the ticker LUNC, is flat over the last 24 hours and the chain’s total value locked is more than $6 million NOW READ: Coinbase ‘welcomes’ legal battle with SEC amid signs of widening crypto crackdown Meantime, South Korean prosecutors are winging their way to Montenegro to press for Kwon and Han’s extradition. Interpol’s office in Seoul confirmed the identities of Kwon and Han, who was a senior executive at Chai, a mobile payments provider in South Korea that has been implicated in alleged fraud by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. When asked about the possible extradition process in a phone call with DL News, Anđelić, Kwon’s lawyer, said: “It wasn’t discussed.” When pressed further on the matter he said, “Who wants them? I haven’t heard anything like that. Can you share it with me?” Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker January 21, 2012JPEG which continues to be the major source of emissions This image was acquired on January 21, 2012, by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Reflection and Emission Radiometer (ASTER) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite The false-color image is a combination of near infrared while vegetation damaged by years of acidic gas emissions is brown Bare ground in the summit craters is brown or gray The rock is very weak at the summit of Turrialba due to the intense rains of the region and the persistent hydrothermal activity at the summit This means that new vents can open at the summit when pressure in the conduit is high enough to make its way through the weakened rock The activity of January 12 was a pressure release at the summit through the hydrothermally-altered “rotten rock,” not a magmatic or phreatic (steam-driven) eruption NASA Earth Observatory Image by Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon, using data from the NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team. Caption by Erik Klemetti (Denison University & the Eruptions blog) and Robert Simmon View this area in EO Explorer A new vent opened at the summit of Costa Rica’s Turrialba Volcano in mid-January long-lasting volcanic tremors and emissions of gas and ash in early January 2010 marked an increase in activity at Costa Rica’s Turrialba volcano The volcano has been erupting since January 2005 A false-color image of Llaima Volcano shows lava flows streaking the summit on April 6 Emissions of gas and ash indicate an increase in activity at Costa Rica’s Turrialba volcano in January 2010 Asama Volcano on the Japanese island of Honshu showed signs of unrest including ash plumes and increased seismic activity Was this the stylish jet Do Kwon hired to make his escape from Montenegro last week The Bombardier Challenger 605 was spotted by DL News parked on the tarmac at Podgorica Airport in Montenegro on Friday morning one day after Kwon’s six-month run from the authorities came to an end with his arrest by local police DL News contacted the Montenegrin authorities to confirm this is the plane in question but officials cited the ongoing investigation and declined to comment Yet the fact that Kwon arranged a private jet flight for the seven-hour flight to the crypto-friendly city on the Persian Gulf raises fresh questions about how he was able to move around Europe for so long and remain undetected Wanted by South Korean prosecutors in connection with the $60 billion collapse of Terra last May Kwon was the target of an Interpol red notice officials in the 192 member nations of the international police organisation were obliged to detain and hold him NOW READ: Do Kwon was nabbed in a private jet on tarmac in Montenegro with false Costa Rican passport businesses are expected to shun dealing with wanted fugitives That means they must carry out adequate due diligence on their clients Alliance Jet DL News photographed the Bombardier Challenger 605 jet on the tarmac at Podgorica Airport in Montenegro on Friday The image on the left shows what appears to be the same aircraft on Alliance Jet's website The company that leased the getaway plane to carry Kwon is called Alliance Jet, according to Montenegrin press reports A plane with the registration number 9H-AZZA was not due to fly on Friday according to an internal flight schedule at Podgorica Airport seen by DL News It is unusual for private jets to sit idly on the tarmac on days when they are not scheduled to fly due to high parking costs a member of the airport’s staff told DL News Alliance Jet is a Malta-based company headed by Belgian CEO Hervé Laitat and two of them match the plane DL News photographed on the tarmac Friday morning NOW READ: Meet the professor ‘obsessed’ with tracking crypto fugitive Do Kwon across the blockchain The 11-seat Challenger can sleep four and serve luxury meals and boasts “the widest cabin in its category enhancing personal productivity and performance” Laitat promises to treat clients with a personal touch committing to transparency in everything we deliver,” he said “Our clients not only rely on a dedicated point of contact for the organisation of their flights but the management team is also personally involved the whole way.” In response to questions about leasing the jet to Do Kwon Alliance Jet CEO Hervé Laitat said: “Please note that Alliance Executive Jets performs all flights in accordance with industry monitoring standards and applicable protocols relating to monitoring of clients and passengers “Kindly also further note that the mentioned passengers were not flown on any Alliance Executive Jets.” NOW READ: Do Kwon created new company in Serbia while on the run from Interpol — and these are the lawyers who helped him Kwon and Han were travelling on forged Costa Rican passports the Montenegro Interior Ministry said last week The two South Korean natives have been jailed for 30 days as the Balkan nation’s authorities investigate their case which appears to bear the registration number 9H-AZZA departed from the Montenegrin capital on Sunday afternoon Its destination was the Greek island of Crete and its movements were monitored by DL News during the weekend Operators of private aircraft can request that their flight data is not made publicly available on tracking software and the two South Korean natives have been jailed for 30 days as the Balkan nation’s authorities investigate their case the president of the Malta Business Aviation Association would not comment on the specifics of the case “We require our members to adhere to local regulation but we don’t get involved in how each company goes about their business,” Bugeja said “Once a flight is booked most operators do due diligence on who books the flight and who pays for it — the first and most important thing that is checked is who pays A passenger list is shared with the authorities of where it’s going to but it is different for each country.” The Challenger sports the 'widest cabin in its category.' (Alliance Jet) Alliance Jet opened its Maltese base in March 2021 and added its fourth jet to its fleet — the 9H-AZZA — in September 2022 National authorities oversee the due diligence practices aircraft leasing companies must follow regarding passenger checks Aviation Security matters for EU-registered companies are handled by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport Do Kwon’s private jet gambit is just the latest twist in the wake of Kwon’s arrest on Thursday Kwon was able to register a new company called Codokoj22 d.o.o Beograd in Serbia three weeks after Interpol issued a red notice for his detainment in September He even put his own name down as the company’s director Funding has apparently not been a problem either Kwon and Terra transferred 100,000 Bitcoin from Terra and the Luna Foundation which supported the blockchain network’s tokens according to the US Securities and Exchange Commission After transferring the BTC to a Swiss financial institution Kwon has drawn more than $100 million from the account the SEC said in a 55-page complaint filed against Kwon and Terraform Labs It’s too soon to know if Montenegrin authorities will move ahead and charge Kwon and Han for attempting to travel on forged passports the two men will be referred to the higher court for potential extradition They are wanted on fraud charges in South Korea a US federal grand jury indicted the men on eight counts of fraud Though the game didn’t start until 2 p.m. San Josefinos in Costa Rica’s capital city woke up to the sound of vuvuzelas Costa Rica’s first appearance in the quarterfinals of the World Cup had completely paralyzed the city college students from the nearby University of Costa Rica gathered en masse at bar Terra U where a line wrapped around the block to get in to the already packed two-story building Overflow from the other bars flooded the streets of San Pedro blocking cars and taxis from reaching the main road “La Sele is getting better every time,” said 25-year-old Alexander Acevedo Police dressed in full riot gear stood guard at the entrance to the capital’s traditional celebration spot but frequently wandered from their post to stare at a large TV screen facing the road thousands of fans packed into the Plaza de la Democracia to watch the game on a big screen white and blue grim reaper stood with his scythe among the crowd repeatedly shouting for the heads of the Dutch players Another man in a pirate hat covered in voodoo dolls approached the screen placing a live rooster on the stage as if offering it to the football gods Draped in flags and donning red La Sele jerseys the fans watched as their team battled against a much bigger Dutch squad holding them scoreless for an incredible 120 minutes of regular and overtime play Before the game headed into extra time, violence erupted near the front of the Plaza de la Democracia Three men fell to the ground after being stabbed by unknown assailants as police in riot gear streamed into the crowd pushing fans into a wide semi-circle around the injured men Most fans seemed unfazed by – or unaware of – the bloodied men laid out in the plaza and continued cheering as the Ticos headed into a penalty shootout Paramedics arrived on scene to carry out the injured fans on stretchers the crowd rushed towards the stage to continue watching the game As the game passed to penalty kicks, the plaza grew quiet. One fan crossed himself, evoking the divine, as tears silently rolled down his cheeks. As the first goal slid past substitute Netherlands goalkeeper Tim Krul But when Ticos Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umaña missed their penalty shots and Sele goalkeeper Keylor Navas was unable to add a save Three men near the stage broke out into tears “¡Viva la Sele!” and then marched to the Rotonda de la Hispanidad to celebrate what has been an historic run Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís tweeted: “Undefeated An entire country proud of #LaSele and the entire world recognizes the feat.” ¡Invictos! Un país entero orgulloso de #LaSele y el mundo entero reconoce esta hazaña #CRC — Luis Guillermo Solís (@luisguillermosr) July 5, 2014 “It’s too bad that we didn’t win,” said Kevin Mora “but it’s a great example for future world champions in the next generation to get inspired by what the Sele did today.” 43,000+ global companies doing business in the region 102,000+ key contacts related to companies and projects news and interviews about your industry in English See also: Not a gardener? No space? Try this simple at-home salad bar the terms “biochar” and terra preta have been receiving a great deal of attention It all started when archeologists in the Amazon discovered the remains of indigenous settlements whose agricultural lands where distinctly different from the surrounding soils Researchers believe these early agriculturalists cleared their lands by making charcoal from dense tropical biomass and then returning it to the soil to improve their crops Making charcoal is an ancient practice for cooking Wood and other organic wastes can be burned in a kiln without the presence of oxygen which turns the material into charcoal – unlike ashes You can view many tutorials online about building your own kiln for home use The Ministry of Agriculture here in Costa Rica has also promoted a home garden system using bio-char made from rice hulls which is used to grow plants in a nutrient-rich water solution Red clay soils can also be improved by adding biochar to garden beds along with minerals and compost That brown to black color of soil indicates how much carbon (black) is present in the humus Charcoal can act as a matrix building material for humus Many advocates have promoted biochar as a “carbon negative” initiative stating that it could save the climate and boost food production by storing carbon in the soil but many of their calculations have now been challenged Addressing climate change turns out to be not just about curbing the rise of CO2 which only green plants and phytoplankton can do Making biochar also has its downside: it gives off lots of heat and dense smoke Pulverized charcoal can also pose a health risk for your lungs so be sure to use a protective mask when handling charcoal And remember that biochar alone is not a magic bullet for soil fertility Biochar needs compost and biological cultures of soil organisms to activate the production of humus When we compare earthworm composting to biochar we can see several positive aspects to the former Earthworms break down organic material into humus through enzymatic processes with minimal heat and no smoke Earthworm compost is safe to handle and is a complete fertilizer Earthworms continue to grow and populate the soil without much effort on the part of the gardener It’s like having thousands of little friends in your soil working day and night to produce carbon rich humus and nutrients for the plants So why isn’t worm composting as trendy as biochar cultural taboo we have against these little creatures which prevents us from perceiving their true value in our web of life on planet earth I always enjoy introducing earthworms to children At first they yell and scream at the sight of these critters you can see the delight in their eyes when they overcome another unfounded fear of the world around them there’s a growing silent revolution happening as folks once again learn to become skillful gardeners like our ancient ancestors Online you’ll also find plenty of tutorials on worm composting Once you have a worm composting system going that’s right for your home garden it’s quite easy to live in harmony with the earthworms and harvest their super compost fertilizer You can also find more seeds and books on tropical gardening and tropical medicinal plants by accessing our website: www.thenewdawncenter.info. And we’ll try to answer your gardening questions at: thenewdawncenter@yahoo.com Read more of Ed Bernhardt’s monthly Home Gardening columns here For more information on tropical gardening – naturally – visit Ed at http://thenewdawncenter.info/blog.html or contact him at thenewdawncenter@yahoo.com all running around and falling over each other The first-ever CaniFest has a serious mission – to raise awareness about stray dogs and spaying and neutering – but it’s also an excuse to chill out outside on a Saturday with a favorite pup The day-long festival is perhaps the biggest congregation of humans and their furry friends since the presidential election Just remember to bring some plastic baggies CaniFest takes place June 7 at Lourdes Park, San Pedro. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. ₡3,000 ($6). Info: Event Facebook page This festive dinner includes dishes from favorite local restaurants music by Richard Burton and the Glorious Bastards and conversation with the green-keen friends of Terra Nostra (Note: The evening’s theme is “hippie.” So bust out those mood rings) Dinner takes place June 11 at Tin Jo restaurant, Barrio Chino. 7 p.m. $90. Info: Terra Nostra website What’s better than an afternoon filled with poetry How about a great cause: Proceeds benefit education initiatives at the Rincón Grande de Pavas school Romanish” takes place June 7 at the Aranjuez Sports Center and it’s also a fundraiser for the Samadhi Conscious Living Center El Festival Orgánico Vida Sana takes place June 6-8 at the Samadhi Conscious Living Center, Alajuela. General entry $20, Ticos $8. Info: Samadhi Center website The touring dance workshop finally arrives in Costa Rica to help folks of all ages move to the beat Project Dance takes place June 6-8 in San José. (Public performance on June 7 in the Plaza de la Cultura). Workshop fee: $129. Info: Project Dance website A host of Tico flamenco artists (and one non-Tico) perform the most elegant guitar solos in the world “Calle Flamenco” takes place June 7 at The Spanish House, La Sabana. 8 p.m. ₡5,000 ($10). Info: RedCultura Aurora Chamber Choir: Third Anniversary Concert The Aurora Chamber Choir performs classical vocal pieces to celebrate three harmonious years El Coro de Cámara performs June 7 at the Juan Santamaría Museum, Alajuela. 7 p.m. ₡5,000 ($10). Info: RedCultura Hike about a mile of historic trail and follow in the footsteps of Costa Rican freedom fighters during this educational tour “Hiking the Route of 1856” takes place June 8 at the Juan Santamaría Museum, Alajuela. 8 a.m. ₡5,000 ($10). Info: Museum website The Museum of Contemporary Art and Design celebrates 20 years of cutting-edge arts with a comprehensive “El Día Que Nos Hicimos Contemporáneos” continues through Sept. 5 at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, Downtown San José. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Residents ₡1,000 ($2), foreigners ₡1,500 ($3), students ₡500 ($1). Info: MADC website Master draftsman displays his diverse body of work at Casa del Artista Exhibit continues through June 30 at Casa del Artista, Guadalupe. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free. Info: Official website This dual exhibit features a fascinating exploration on the typeface Helvetica “Retrato Familiar en Helvética” and “Ojalá el Sol Me Esconda” display through June 28 TEOR/éTica Gallery, Barrio Amón. Free. Info: TEOR/éTica website Renoir and Andy Warhol arrive in Costa Rica this collection incorporates 158 artworks and celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Costa Rican Center of Science and Culture “Herencia del Arte” takes place April 28–June 28 at the National Gallery in Barrio Mexico. Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. Info: National Gallery website Theater: “Journey to the Center of the Earth” The classic Jules Verne science-fiction story receives an innovative Spanish-language adaptation at Teatro Espressivo Enjoy this family-friendly afternoon adventure “Viaje al Centro de la Tierra” takes place May 8-July 13, Teatro Espressivo, Tres Ríos, Cartago. Sat. & Sun., 3 p.m. ₡6,000 ($12). Info: Teatro Espressivo website A variety of Spanish-language one-act plays make up this comic revue “Café Barroco” takes place through July 6, Teatro Espressivo, Tres Ríos, Cartago. Fri. & Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 6 p.m. ₡5,000-10,000 ($10-20). Info: Teatro Espressivo website Celebrate the coming of the green season with these colorful landscapes painted by a variety of Costa Rican artists “Mayo en Verde” takes place at the López Ecarré Gallery, National Theater, downtown San José. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Free. Info: Gallery website you can get gaga for San José – especially when the Culture Ministry is sponsoring Enamorate de tu ciudad Fall in Love with Your City takes place on Saturdays in various parks in downtown San José. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info: Enamorate de tu Ciudad website