Forest Restoration Spotlight: Costa Rica’s dramatic turnaround from losing nearly half its forests by the late 1980s to becoming a global reforestation model is getting renewed attention, highlighting the mix of protection, tree planting, incentives, and policy that helped reverse deforestation. Biodiversity in Focus: A new study estimates Earth may have 14–20 million insect species—up to 3x the long-used 6 million figure—using intensive sampling and DNA work in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste. Local Marine Discovery: Costa Rica researchers report a red spiny lobster population in small-scale fisheries that appears genetically distinct and effectively endemic, raising new questions about how catches are tracked and managed. Digital Governance: A regional report maps digital platform regulation across Central America and the Caribbean, including Costa Rica, and flags major gaps around disinformation, online abuse, and opaque moderation. STEM for Costa Rican Teens: MIT and Tecnológico de Monterrey’s Patrones Hermosos camp is coming to Universidad Fidélitas (July 6–10) to offer free, hands-on STEM learning for 17–18-year-old women. Public Health Research: New findings link higher vitamin A (and vitamin D in adults) to better lung function in asthma patients, with potential links to slower biological ageing. Mobility Pressure: Greater Metropolitan Area traffic congestion is reported as severe—up to 90% of roads jammed at peak hours—driven in part by rapid motorcycle growth. AI Supply-Chain Politics: The U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative adds more partners, bringing Costa Rica into a 24-member coalition focused on trusted AI and secure tech supply chains. Workforce Tech Shift: British American Tobacco plans major AI-led restructuring, including job cuts and outsourcing that reportedly affect roles in Costa Rica among other countries.