World Cup 2026 Milestone: FIFA confirmed Tunisia vs Japan at Monterrey Stadium will be the 1,000th match in World Cup history, with Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs in charge and Costa Ricans Juan Calderón and Juan Carlos Mora as fourth official and reserve assistant. Gulf of Papagayo Development: Costa Rica scrapped a contested building-rights transfer rule in the Papagayo tourism zone, removing the “density and coverage compensation” provision effective immediately. Social Security Court Ruling: Costa Rica’s Administrative Court halted CCSS retroactive collections from self-employed workers, saying the fund can’t base retroactive charges solely on income tax declarations. Prison Security Tightening: Authorities removed 263 microwaves from prisons and introduced stricter rules for inmates facing extradition, including secure visiting rooms and body cameras for officers. Weather & Safety: The IMN warned Tropical Wave No. 12 could bring heavy rains and thunderstorms across multiple regions. Search Update: A body was found in the area where missing California hiker Ashley Phillips vanished after severe weather; authorities have not confirmed it’s her. Regional Diplomacy: President Laura Fernández’s remarks on Nicaragua sparked backlash from former presidents and political figures, reigniting debate over democracy and human rights.