UN Leadership Race: Three women—Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, Chile’s Michelle Bachelet, and Ecuador’s María Fernanda Espinosa—took part in a Geneva debate on who should succeed António Guterres, with Espinosa arguing it’s “about time” for a woman to lead the UN. Jobs & Social Security: Costa Rica’s competitiveness council proposes gradually cutting employer social security contributions tied to funds outside CCSS to lower the cost of formal hiring. Immigration Reform: President Laura Fernández says a bill will reform immigration law after reports of repeat illegal entries tied to organized crime and illegal gold mining in Crucitas. Storm Cristina: Two boats capsized off Guanacaste, leaving five people missing as authorities search in rough seas under a yellow alert. Environment & Health: Costa Rican studies report microplastics across beaches, fish, livestock and even Isla del Coco, raising concerns for public health and ecosystems. Security Cooperation: Public Security Minister Gerald Campos visited the Dominican Republic to study its Joint Task Force coordination model. Tourism & Business: Costa Rica will host FIEXPO Latin America 2026 to boost meetings tourism, and two hotels earned spots in Oprah Daily’s 2026 Hotel O-wards. Sports & Culture: England plays Costa Rica in a pre-World Cup friendly, while Costa Rica crowns its Miss Universe representative, Mariale Acosta.