It's my personal opinion that immigrants to a foreign country should, without losing their identity, make an effort to assimilate.
That includes keeping up to date with current events. The value derived is, in part, a better understanding of local people, their culture and governance.
Corruption is a very noticeable issue here because most of it happens secretly but becomes a big deal when exposed. In other countries it's more routine because it's thinly disguised as lobbying, consulting, and unlimited campaign contributions.
This is a good article as to why efforts are failing to eliminate corruption.
Why are anti-corruption success stories still the exception?
After decades of fighting corruption, measured by hundreds of new (or renewed) commitments, in
Yesterday, when full of Christmas Eve shoppers, there was a big upset in Multiplaza, Panama's most upscale mall.
Word got passed around on social media that the President was going to be giving away free Nike shoes there. All a body had to do was show up and ask for the shoes to be charged to the account of Juan Carlos Varela, so hundreds of people arrived for the supposed giveaway, which of course didn't happen.
https://www.prensa.com/sociedad/Piden-Juan-Carlos-Varela-Presidencia
President Varela is returning from opening the new Panamanian Embassy in China with at least a dozen and a half economic agreements beneficial to business and agriculture.
Today he proposed that Panama become China's platform in Central America.
Young adults from Panama are being hosted in China on cultural missions to prepare them for ?
Varela proposes Panama as a China’s platform in Latin America
EFE Mon, 11/20/2017 - 11:16
People often state that Panama's homicide rate is quite high, (11.8 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2014), but that the majority of murders are drug related.
The Ministry of Security published this graph today which appears to show that drug seizures have a direct inverse relationship to homicides committed.
In 1962, during the JFK administration, the U.S. explored the possibility of widening the Panama Canal by exploding atomic devices. A program called Project Plowshare was looking for peacetime uses of nuclear power.
National Security Action Memorandum No. 152 (dated April 30, 1962, subject: Panama Canal Policy and Relations with Panama) signed by President Kennedy is still in effect. In particular, this memo states that, "The Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, will establish within the Plo
This terrific 30 minute CBS film documents the journey of migrants through the Darien Gap.
As well as intimidating jungle footage, the film demonstrates the desperation and determination of global migrants who risk their lives making this trek.
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During the last week, four expat fellows passed on in the community whom I didn't know personally.
Bruce, Scott, Bill, Allan. RIP
A good personal reminder to be making sure I leave things in good order.
Expect the Unexpected
When Police were called away and left behind some traffic cones on the highway to Bocas near Chiriquicito, a couple of guys went into business for themselves. They set up a roadblock and were shaking down motorists while wearing vests from the D.I.J.
They were later arrested and found to be members of the 'Kilamanjaro' gang. Two firearms were recovered.
https://www.tvn-2.com/nacionales/Detectan-falso-reten-Chiriqui-detenidos_0_4809269055.html
A link to this great bit of satire showed up somewhere today.
Russia 2018: Selection of Panama will Train in Chiriqui
The Sele is already training in Boquete to acclimatize to the low temperatures in the face of their first match in Russia 2018 against Belgium
Moscow - After the culmination of the draw for the 2018 World Federation, it was decided that the Panamanian Selection will train in Chiriqui to acclimatize for what will be their first World Cup appearance.
The
About twenty 'excursionists' had to be plucked off Volcan Baru last night around midnight, with the first group arriving to Boquete about 5:00 a.m.
What's up with these folks? One guy there appears to be only wearing a t-shirt.
Does anyone else feel that these tpes should be heavily fined or sentenced to community service.? These rescues cost money, and a lot of lost sleep, for personnel and volunteers who are putting their own selves at risk.
No word as to whether the partiers ar
Report Concludes Panama Requires More Skilled Labour
12 Jul 2017 Catherine Perea 03.38pm
A progress report on the 'Evolution, Situation and Prospects of Employment in Panama' concluded that the Panamanian economy generated 104,156 jobs between August 2014 and March 2017 and will continue to generate jobs, requiring more trained Panamanian human resource personnel.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Development, MITRADEL, said that 39,230 people entered the labor market between March
Public Ministry Charges 43 Individuals in the Odebrecht Case
Officials at the Public Ministry have been under terrific pressure from civic groups and the press to move ahead with justice in this case. It must have taken thousands of work hours by prosecutors and forensic accountants to put these charges together.
The Brazilian mega constructor is still working for Panama on projects including the Tocumen Airport expansion and the massive Colon redevelopment scheme.
Odebrecht has
Recently I have noticed that prosecutors from the Ministerio Publico in Chiriqui have been appealing the length of prison sentences bestowed upon gang members, as in this case.
At the request of the Anti-gang Superior Court Prosecutor, Third Judicial District Overturns Sentencing Ruling
The Superior Court of the Judicial District of the province of Chiriqui, reformed a sentence for the crime of gang activity that had not been applied to several people in the gang "Niño Divino", then th
Panama to Host Regional Maritime Safety Training Centre
Panama will host a regional center for training in maritime safety, designed with the support of the UN and seeks to instruct for the realization of "risk profiles of the containers that may pose a threat in the field of drug trafficking and fraud", among other crimes.
The center, which could be ready in the first few months of 2018, "is the result of the close collaboration that has kept the International Maritime University
Panama starts to promote "Black Weekend 2017" in Latin America
Tourism authorities of Panama today launched the campaign for the promotion of the first edition of the "Panama Black Weekend", a weekend of macrodescuentos which will take place in September and which is expected to draw at least 25,000 tourists.
The promotion of super discounts weekend will take place in the main radio stations and television channels in different Latin American countries such as El Salvador, Nicarag
It seems like it's been a long time since we've seen any public updates from either of the entities handling emergency incident reports, specifically Alto Al Crimen and Rodny Direct.
Any statistics on the number and nature of calls received and the type of response that was required?
Is the incidence of local criminal activity up or down, etc.?
Our local Deputy in the National Assembly, H.D. Athenas Athanadasias, is proposing legislation which will make jail time mandatory for sexual offenders and perpetrators of child abuse.
There is action on this topic because a man convicted of molesting a 10-yera old in Santa Fe, Veraguas was set to be released recently to do community service instead of his prison sentence. That situation was reversed on appeal.
Some thoughts on the recent spate of natural disasters affecting Mexico, many Caribbean islands, and parts of the southern U.S.
We complain here about power outages that last longer than a few hours. Many people in the Caribbean will be living without electricity for 4 to 6 months.
People who live on islands are trapped and have nowhere to run to.
Continuing to allow construction in flood plains and coastal areas is simply stupid.
There are people around who knock others here
The beautiful old National Theatre in Panama City is being restored at a cost of $11.8 million. Slated to re-open in December 2018, in time for the 500th Anniversary of Panama in 2019, it's been closed since 2015 for safety reasons.
These testimonial statements were made several years ago by a couple who volunteered at the Mission in Volcancito. In my opinion, they are worth reviewing.
I personally knew several well intentioned people who journeyed each year from the U.S. to volunteer their vacation time helping out, but they became disillusioned and quit coming.
Our testimony of what we know of the “Mission”- Part 1- Events of 2014
A. Our names are Gary and Debbie Pearcy. We are composing and presenting t
