A world in one country Oct 23, 2009
Canopy tours in Costa Rica ... Home to more than one hundred species of snake, Costa Rica also boasts abundant rainforests ... Embark on one of the rewarding hiking trails or do as they do in Costa Rica and take an exciting canopy tour. (iAfrica.com)
Act fast for Costa Rica at $188 R/T Oct 22, 2009
A round-trip deal of $188 to San Jose, Costa Rica ($276. 42 inclusive of all taxes, fees, surcharges) is a true bargain considering that other airlines price this top tourist destination at around $450 round-trip. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Travel)
5 things I'd do differently as a single do-over Oct 21, 2009
And now I DO take great trips (Drew and I have traveled to China and Costa Rica together, on Friday we're headed to Portugal and Spain for our honeymoon, and we already have exciting travel plans for next year), but why on earth did I think I had to be in a relationship to take a great vacation. Just thinking about all the solo trips -- not to mention vacation flings -- I missed out on makes me a little sick. (CNN)
'Best Experience in the World' Winner Vanishes Oct 16, 2009
Tourism Queensland said entries closed last Wednesday and were received from more than 150 countries around the world including Venezuela, Bosnia, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Trinidad. Related. (ABC News)
Honduras reaches World Cup for 1st time since 1982 Oct 15, 2009
Battling for the last automatic berth in CONCACAF, Honduras and Costa Rica, which drew 2-2 with the United States, finished with 16 points each but Honduras advanced on superior goal difference ... Costa Rica was winning 2-1 in the closing seconds in the U.S. but a late goal by Jonathan Bornstein gave the Americans the draw and sent Costa Rica to playoffs next month against Uruguay, the fifth-placed team in South America ... Costa Rica will host the first playoff leg on Nov. 14 then travel to... (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Ticos must end US drought to book ticket Oct 14, 2009
WASHINGTON: No Costa Rican team have won a World Cup qualifier on US soil in 24 years but the Ticos must end that drought today to ensure themselves a berth in the 2010 South Africa World Cup. North American regional qualifying for next years global football showdown ends today with the Americans and Mexico having already secured berths and Costa Rica fighting Honduras for the regions last automatic World Cup spot ... The US squad set the pace with 19 points off six wins and a draw in nine... (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
U.S. will head to Denmark for November friendly Oct 14, 2009
The U.S. qualified for next year's tournament by rallying for a 3-2 victory at Honduras on Saturday and closes qualifying on Wednesday against Costa Rica in Washington. Denmark and the U.S. have played five times but never in Denmark. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Soccer)
Honduras and Costa Rica chasing third automatic spot Oct 14, 2009
MIAMI: Mexico cruised into the World Cup Finals and the United States battled their way to a spot in South Africa in CONCACAF qualifying on Saturday, leaving Costa Rica and Honduras to scrap it out for the third automatic place ... Honduras face the possibility of finishing fourth and having to play off against the fifth-placed team in South America currently Uruguay after Costa Rica moved into the third automatic spot with a 4-0 rout of eliminated Trinidad and Tobago ... With one round of... (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Frommer's produces its first guide to Honduras Oct 13, 2009
"We started publishing our Costa Rica guide in the early 1990s and since 2000-2001, it has been in our top 10 bestselling guides.". She said a Frommer's guide to Belize also sells well, and as travelers "get more comfortable going to places like Costa Rica and Belize, they get interested in the whole area and want to explore more." Frommer's recently published guides to Panama, Guatemala and an omnibus Central America book, and is coming out later in October with a book about Nicaragua and El... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Travel)
8 nights in Costa Rica, from $699 Oct 13, 2009
Split your time between four spots, take a guided horseback tour and more. Discover natural wonders on these eco-friendly escapes. (MSNBC -- Travel)
United States clinches World Cup berth Oct 11, 2009
Costa Rica beat Trinidad o 4-0 on Saturday. More World Soccer. (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
Culinary Ecotourists Turn Wilderness Foraging into Dinner Oct 10, 2009
Up the trail there is cas, sour guava, harvested for juices and jams, and mimbro, a kind of dwarf cucumber used chopped in a traditional Costa Rican relish ... The lodge bartender has even invented a cocktail that mixes Costa Rican rum with cane sugar, crushed ice and Playa Nicuesa s homegrown lemon grass, lemon leaves and oregano ... Golfito, Costa Rica 866-504-8116 Cost: from $200 double occupancy for a one-bedroom cabin to $510 for a cabin suite. (Scientific American)
GrantWahlInside Soccer High-stakes U.S.-Honduras Cup qualifier could turn into a classic. Oct 10, 2009
At the same time, the U.S. players know in the backs of their minds that they can lose here and still clinch a World Cup berth with at least a tie at home on Oct. 14 against Costa Rica ... It's no coincidence that the Yanks' two worst performances in this World Cup qualifying round have taken place in El Salvador (a 2-2 tie) and in Costa Rica (an ugly 3-1 loss) ... "You're not sure what kind of U.S. team you're going to get when you travel to Honduras or El Salvador or Costa Rica," former U.S.... (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Travel Briefs Oct 9, 2009
Tree House Lodge, Costa Rica: A Caribbean-coast retreat in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, where you can relax in hammocks and take canopy rainforest tours, from 300. Tsala Treetop Lodge s, South Africa: Located between the coastal towns of Plettenberg Bay and Kynsna on the Garden Route of the Western Cape, from 370. (Carroll County Times, MD)
Medford Girl Scout Bailey Lee spends summer in Costa Rica Oct 9, 2009
The 14-year-old Girl Scout spent part of her summer in Costa Rica as part of an Outward Bound course ... Lee, a member of Medford Girl Scout Troop #71187, spent a week hiking in Costa Rica as part of an exchange program that sends Girl Scouts all over the world for learning and exploring excursions ... Lee took part in the Rainforest, River and Reef course offered by the Costa Rica Rainforest Outward Bound School (CRROBS). (Medford Transcript, MA)
African safari presentation at next Rotary meeting Oct 9, 2009
Being an avid outdoorsman and a serious fly-fisherman, Doherty s insatiable interest in ecology and biology led him to explore remote areas throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Costa Rica and Tanzania. While visiting Tanzania s diverse national parks and trekking through Maasailand he fell in love with the sheer abundance and variety of flora and fauna, the warm and friendly people and the vastly changing landscapes. (Wellesley Townsman, MA)
Buenos Aires: 'Round the clock drama Oct 5, 2009
By day, we ambled along attractive shopping streets: Costa Rica, Soler, Jorge Luis Borges - named for the great Argentine writer ... Bartok, 4600 Costa Rica, near Plaza Palermo Viejo, 54 11 4831 5441. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Holland America Line's ms Rotterdam to Sail 30-Day South America Explorations in Spring/Fall 2010 and Winter/Spring 2011 Oct 3, 2009
Rotterdam's "Incan Empires" voyage spends 30 days exploring 15 ports along the west coasts of Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru ... cruise that visits 14 ports in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
McConnell approves DeMint trip Oct 3, 2009
Steve, you are right concerning Zelaya, but the military (who committed wrong by exiling Z to Costa Rica) is not the govt running the country; President Micheletti was voted in by Congress and he is supported by all branches of Honduras which includes the Judicial, legislative and military. BY Ula Maxie on 10/02/2009 at 12:37I'd like to propose an amendment that bans all Southern politicians from pretending they represent the company or know a thing about foreign policy. (TheHill.com)
Bill Gates richer than 140 nations Oct 2, 2009
Bill Gates, Americas richest man with a net worth of $50 billion, has a personal balance sheet larger than the gross domestic product (GDP) of 140 countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Bolivia and Uruguay. The Microsoft visionarys nest egg is just short of the GDP of Tanzania and Burma, it added. (India Times)
Botanical Garden walkway construction to resume Oct 1, 2009
I am a travel agent and I send many people all the way to Costa Rica to see similar treewalks. So I am glad I can tell people they can just come to Atlanta now. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Shutting down child sex tourism Sep 30, 2009
While Asian countries, including Thailand, Cambodia, India, and the Philippines, have long been prime destinations for Western child sex tourists, Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico, and Central America are also emerging as destination countries. The response of destination countries to child sex tourism has been largely ineffective. (Boston Globe)
Catch a Waive! Surfboards Ride Free on JetBlue Airways Between New York/JFK and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic Sep 26, 2009
JetBlue destinations with popular surf breaks nearby can be found in California (Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland), Florida (Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville and West Palm Beach), Puerto Rico (Aguadilla and San Juan), Costa Rica and Barbados (service starts Oct. 1) ... Puerto Plata is one of 14 Caribbean and Latin American destinations currently served by JetBlue, including: Aruba; Bermuda; Cancun; Bogota, Colombia; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Nassau, Bahamas; San... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Paying to save trees: Last gasp for the forest Sep 25, 2009
A further difficulty is that countries that have already taken effective action to prevent deforestation, such as Costa Rica, will be unable to benefit from a REDD scheme; it would, paradoxically, end up rewarding the worst offenders, since they would have the greatest scope to mend their ways, and get paid to do so. Various proposals have been put forward to pay retrospective rewards to such well-behaved countries. (The Economist)
Jeff Schultz's weekend predictions Sep 25, 2009
If that s not enough, Brady is being sued for $1 million by two photographers who claim they were shot at presumably with muskets when they tried to take pictures of his Costa Rica wedding to noted hottie Gisele Bundchen and her Plymouth Rocks. It s not known if Brady actually ordered anybody to fire at the photographers, or if his head of security, Bill Belichick, just did that on his own. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Don’t make it mandatory Sep 25, 2009
round earther wrote on Sep 24, 2009 11:32 PM:" Well Anny, you aint in 1994 any more!I agree that the Democrats need this victory, if for no other reason; than to stop the perception that we are a bunch of bumbling idiots who can't get together and pass a bill, when we have the majority. It is my opinion we will get health care reform passed. It is also my opinion that by election time in 2010, the economy will be quite strong, for which the Dems will get credit, whether deserved or not. We will... (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
Bruins Travel To San Diego Friday, Host UNLV Sunday Sep 24, 2009
He impressed in his summer showings with the U-20s, scoring a goal in consecutive games against Costa Rica in May. He previously played with the U.S. at the 2007 Pan American Games. (Uclabruins.com)
MSC Cruises' Fall Promotion Offers Complimentary Balcony Upgrade on Select Caribbean Cruises Sep 24, 2009
Les DeMerle Big Band Cruise to the "Remarkable Rainforests & The Panama Canal," Panama, calls at Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cartagena, Colombia; Cristobal, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; and Playa del Carmen; departs Dec. 10. Fare: $899. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Former Honduran President Holed Up In Embassy Sep 23, 2009
The Supreme Court ordered his arrest, and the Honduran Congress, alarmed by his increasingly close alliance with leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Cuba, backed the army as it forced him into exile in Costa Rica ... U.S.-backed talks moderated by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias stalled over the interim government's refusal to accept Zelaya's reinstatement to the presidency. (Time.com)
The journey of carry-on contraband Sep 23, 2009
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- A 20-inch machete from Costa Rica. New power drills with the tags still hanging. (CNN -- Travel)
Leading the way Sep 23, 2009
For example, Costa Rica's climate change plan calls for a transition to carbon neutrality by 2021 - an ambitious but achievable programme ... Jose Maria Figueres is a former President of Costa Rica, Juan Mayr is a former Environment Minister of Colombia and Marina Silva is a former Environment Minister of Brazil ... Are middle-income nations such as Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and South Korea showing the way. (BBC News -- Americas)
'WTO talks must be multilateral' Sep 21, 2009
NEW DELHI: A number of least-developed countries and developing economies, including the African Group, Turkey and Costa Rica have stressed the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has to ensure that the ongoing global negotiations continue to remain multilateral. In the recent senior officials meet in Geneva, they said that while bilateral or smaller group meetings are necessary, the negotiations should involve the full membership in Geneva, a person close to the development has said. (India Times)
Travel QA: Finding deals from Phoenix Sep 19, 2009
I love Travelzoo (the weekly Top 20 e-mail is the highlight of my Wednesdays), but there are some weeks when its uber-specific deals are no help at all - unless you happen to live in Cleveland and want to go to Costa Rica. The only Phoenix-centric site I've found is , which I only just now discovered while researching your question. (AZCentral -- Travel)
Argentinas travel industry provides business and leisure Sep 19, 2009
ECI Development, which has resort communities in Nicaragua, Belize and Costa Rica, is actively pursuing locations for a resort community in Argentina because of its rise in popularity. The country offers more than wine tasting tours. (Pittsburgh Business Times, PA)
World's weirdest hotels Sep 18, 2009
A Costa Rica hotel offers stays inside a salvaged airplane ... But few are as amazing as its own 727 Fuselage Suite, a salvaged 1965 Boeing 727-100 that looks as if it's crashed into the Costa Rican jungle (it's actually mounted atop a 50-foot pillar and reached via a spiral staircase). (CNN)
Teacher and traveler has shown students the world Sep 17, 2009
She also did graduate study in Costa Rica and Spain. Bishop has been to every continent except Antarctica and has taken away special memories and experiences from each journey. (Billerica Minuteman, MA)
Making your trip green Sep 13, 2009
Programs aiding Lee Dyer s research on caterpillar adaptation (minimum donation $2,350) operate in Arizona, near New Orleans, on the California-Nevada border, and in Costa Rica and Ecuador ... Costa Rica was one of the first countries to emphasize ecotourism over resource exploitation. (Boston Globe)
City boy meets farm girl ... Sep 11, 2009
I worked as a missionary for a year in Costa Rica. Then I returned to Michigan, where I settled in a poor neighborhood (on purpose) and began a ministry working with my low-income neighbors to make our small urban community a better, safer and cleaner place. (Lone Tree Reporter, IA)
We were not treated as valued customers Sep 10, 2009
It was the perfect itinerary for celebrating as it would visit exotic Panama and Costa Rica ... Their travel agent called with bad news: The Miracles entire itinerary was being altered and the ship would no longer be visiting Panama or Costa Rica ... Money for nothingThe Marennas were devastated as the entire reason they booked the cruise was to visit Panama and Costa Rica so they opted not to go on the sailing and receive a full refund. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Local college notes Sep 10, 2009
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE: B-CU's men's basketball team had a successful three-game trip to Costa Rica last month. The Wildcats went 2-1 in their first-ever international competition. (Daytona Beach News Journal -- Sports)
It's time to spruce up your resume Sep 9, 2009
The other nations in the top ten list include Colombia, Peru, China, Australia, Singapore, Costa Rica, Canada and Taiwan. Although US reported a weaker NEO as compared to last quarter, the survey also said that that more employers in the US are hoping to hold on to the current staff in the coming quarter. (India Times)
Dazzling Dos Santos stars in Mexicos rout of Costa Rica Sep 7, 2009
Dazzling Dos Santos stars in Mexicos rout of Costa Rica ... Dazzling Dos Santos stars in Mexicos rout of Costa Rica ... MIAMI: A scintillating performance from Giovani Dos Santos led Mexico to a resounding 3-0 win at Costa Rica on Saturday, throwing the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying group wide open. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Costa Rica and Colombia Cruise from $299 Sep 5, 2009
There are some amazing cruise deals to be had like this 8-night Royal Caribbean voyage that brings passengers to exotic ports of call in Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Caribbean ... Next is a visit to Cartagena, with its signature colonial architecture and walled forts, followed by Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Are 'Operation Vacations' Worth the Trip? Sep 2, 2009
If you re willing to globe trot for medical care, the savings can be substantial, anywhere from 50 to 90 percent depending on the procedure, says Josef Woodman, president of Healthy Travel Media and author of "Patients Beyond Borders. A root canal that costs $600 in the United States, Woodman notes, might only run $265 in Mexico, $190 in Costa Rica, $165 in Thailand, and $120 in Hungary. A heart bypass, anywhere from $70-$133K in the U.S., might cost about $22K in Thailand, around $16K in... (Fox News)
Travels abroad expand horizons Sep 1, 2009
See travel photos and read blog entries written by Mound Westonka students about their experience in Costa Rica at ... Search for Westonka Costa Rica ... They spent 10 days in Costa Rica wading through a tropical rain forest and digging up ant fungus. (Minnetonka Lakeshore Weekly News, MN)
17,500 Canadians Cant Be Wrong Aug 29, 2009
By the way quite a few Americans are already going to India, Panama, Costa Rica for affordable medical procedures. kitty. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Taking the kids and myself to a spa Aug 27, 2009
meanwhile, advertises treatments suitable for several "generations" of your family, while the in Costa Rica has a family spa bungalow that a family can use for an entire day, scheduling alternating treatments with dips in the river. "Teens we see are experienced spa-goers," said Pat Liberto, manager at the Cloister Spa at Sea Island, Ga. (MSNBC -- Travel)
15-night Panama Canal cruise from $899 Aug 26, 2009
Costa Rica and Panama are also listed on the ports of call before the ship does a full transit of the Panama Canal. On October 5, the ship docks in Cartagena, Colombia an ideal spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Spas stepping up pampering for teens Aug 25, 2009
The in Hot Springs, Virginia, meanwhile, advertises treatments suitable for several "generations" of your family, while the Spa Thermal Resort in Costa Rica has a family spa bungalow that a family can use for an entire day, scheduling alternating treatments with dips in the river. "Teens we see are experienced spa-goers," said Pat Liberto, manager at the Cloister Spa at Sea Island, Georgia. (CNN)
Elba Cleland, 56, professor and licensed social worker Aug 25, 2009
A Costa Rican woman of African descent, Ms. Cleland lived that philosophy; not just in what she chose to wear, but also in whom she chose to serve ... Born in Limon, Costa Rica, Ms. Cleland immigrated to the United States after graduating high school in 1971 ... She also was active in the local Costa Rican community, at one point helping to organize a commemoration of Costa Rican Independence Day with the raising of a flag at Boston s City Hall. (Boston Globe)
Overseassavingssought for healthcare Aug 24, 2009
As Washington searches for ways to tame the country's escalating health care costs, more insurers are offering networks of surgeons and dentists in places like India and Costa Rica, where costs can be as much as 80 percent less than in America ... Kunz, 47, initially doubted the potential savings she might see from visiting a Costa Rican dentist though a program offered by her insurer, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina ... After reading about medical tourism in his insurer's annual report,... (MSNBC -- Health)
Cheap Breast Augmentation Surgery A... Aug 24, 2009
Compare Thailand, India, Costa Rica, Argentina, Mexico, & Singapore ... Compare prices for medical tourism in Thailand, India, Costa Rica, Argentina, Mexico, and Singapore ... Affordable and pleasant medical tourism opportunities allow women to achieve two goals at a time: undergo a breast augmentation surgery, and enjoy several days in a new and exotic country like Thailand, India, Costa Rica, Argentina, Mexico, or Singapore, that are the most popular destinations for medical travel these days.... (Suite101.com)
Insurers aim to save from overseas medical tourism Aug 23, 2009
Costa Rican Dr. Luis Obando prepares to perform a root canal on Bill Jones, of Dallas, Texas, at Meza Dental Care in San Jose, Costa Rica. Jones said he elected to have the surgery in Costa Rica because he was able to save substantially compared to what he would have had to pay in the USA. ... After reading about medical tourism in his insurer's annual report, the retired bank executive flew to Costa Rica and paid about $4,400, including travel expenses. (USA Today -- News)
New Zealand's Subduction Zones: To Shake The Earth Just Add Water Aug 21, 2009
19, 2009) After installing an extensive network of monitoring stations in Costa Rica, researchers have detected slow slip events (also known as "silent earthquakes") along a major fault zone beneath the Nicoya. . (Science Daily)
Q&A With McKenna McKetty Aug 21, 2009
I was also involved with ODP when I was growing up so that allowed me to have many opportunities to play the sport I loved in numerous different states, and I even got to go to Costa Rica one summer. I also use to travel a lot to go visit my family in the summer time. (Calbears.com)
LONGEVITY: Town follows 4 practices of long-living 'Blue Zones' Aug 20, 2009
" Purdie also is offering nutrition education activities. For example, she's putting together a kids' menu that will show the food pyramid in a coloring page format to inspire healthy-eating conversation. "I just really want to focus on developing new options for the food to make it fun," she says. Purdie, a mother of three, has applied these changes to her home life, as well, especially since her 59-year-old mother had a stroke last month. "I need to do this because I need to be there for my... (USA Today -- News)
Current president is no George Washington Aug 20, 2009
America's health care system ranks 35th in the world, right behind Costa Rica. The President is working to correct that right now. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
Champions Challenge Aug 19, 2009
Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica) ... " In the quarterfinals last year, Marathn came up against the Puerto Rico Islanders, who advanced to the semis by winning the away leg 1-0 and prevailing 2-1 at home. "We did it last year and now we'll do it again this year so maybe people will start to believe a little bit more," said Islanders coach Colin Clarke, formerly the head coach of FC Dallas. The Islanders and Crew are drawn in Group C with Cruz Azul of Mexico and Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica in... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Soccer)
Photo of the Week Aug 15, 2009
On his third visit to Costa Rica since 2001, the professional photographer was able to capture this stunning shot of lava flowing down Arenal Volcano ... Ewert and his wife visited Costa Rica at the end of June ... In fact, he showed friends and family a small portfolio of a few select images after his Costa Rica trip. (MSNBC -- Travel)
A Step Up from Camping -- Go "Glamping"! Aug 15, 2009
All inclusive (tent and meals) from $80 per person On the Osa Peninsula, in the Southern Pacific region of Costa Rica ... The Costa Rica deal sounds like fun ... The wife and I could go camping anywhere in Alaska for a week and any of these resorts except Costa Rica. (CBS News -- Early Show)
Pel named to elite regional squadDevelopment: KUs Olson one of 6 Oregon players on Olympic development team Aug 14, 2009
This winter, regional teams played domestically and also toured Argentina and Costa Rica. Getting exposure. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
JetBlue selling month of flights for $599 Aug 13, 2009
JetBlue s network includes the United States and leisure destinations in Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean. We ve never done anything like this before, and we think it ll be well received, said Bryan Baldwin, a spokesman. (Boston Globe)
Time-share operator Accumen shuts down Aug 13, 2009
It has about 30 resorts in Aruba, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Spain, St. Croix and the U.S.. Schlossberg said he and his partners will pursue other opportunities in the travel industry. (Daytona Beach News Journal -- Business)
IUPUI coach aims at expanding shoe mission Aug 12, 2009
Last year, he distributed shoes in Peru, and this week, he's heading to Costa Rica with players from Bowling Green's women's basketball team. But Hunter wants to make this as easy as possible for those who want to be involved. (ESPN -- College Basketball)
72-Hour Sale Features Exclusive Offers with Savings up to $1,900 per Couple* Aug 11, 2009
The sale ends on August 13, 2009, and features some of the most popular hotels in Mexico, Caribbean, Costa Rica and Hawaii ... 99* Honeymoon inclusions Costa Rica Barcelo San Jose Palacio, 3 stars Air + hotel for 3 nights from $619. (PR Newswire)
