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Moderator_02

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  1. Quote

    Amador awash with cruise ships

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    Floating hotels send visitors ashore
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    THREE CRUISE ships anchored off the Amador Causeway on Wednesday, January 10, and some 1,500 high-end passengers disembarked,  each projected to spend $250  during their tour of the city.

    The unusual confluence of three tour ships at the same time, with a fourth vessel arriving in the evening, is seen by the Panama travel industry as a harbinger of brighter things to come. with the construction of a harbor for cruise ships, soon to begin.

    The boats that arrived on Wednesday morning were the   Amsterdam of  Holland America; Star Breezes of Windstar and the Azamara Quest of Azamara Club Cruises. Oceania Cruises Marina was the evening arrival

    Augusto Terracina, of Aventuras 2000 said that the arrival of so many cruises in a single day is unlikely to recur.

    The Amsterdam is on a world tour while the Azamara is fulfilling a 40-day itinerary.

    A common strand of the four cruises is that they all serve a high-end segment of the pleasure travel industry.

    The Star Breezes has a capacity for 212 passengers, and the Azamara transports a little over 700. The Amsterdam can carry 1, 380 passengers, and the Marina 1,250, reports La Prensa.

    During the current season, October 6, 2017, to  April 2018,   it is estimated that between 25 and 30 cruisers will stop at the  Amador Causeway, and about 155 at the  Colón 2000  port.

    Another group of cruise ships have confirmed transit through the Canal.The Canal Authority projects the passage of 235 cruises, of which 20 are of the Neopanamax type which can only transit through the new set of locks.

    Giants of the seas
    Among the Neopanamax vessels that have confirmed transits are the Caribbean Princess, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Splendor, Norwegian Bliss and Disney Wonder. In addition, 11 cruises will make their first transit through the Canal,

    According to Terracina, this year some 350,000  passengers will disembark plus about 150,000   crew members, which will mean an important injection for the Panamanian economy, with each cruise passenger spending about $250 and each crewman $80.

    The new cruise terminal in Amador will cost $165 million and will mean more passengers signing up for shore visits Currently, passengers arriving on Amador cruises are transferred ashore in small boats and a high percentage of travelers are seniors.

    The new cruise terminal will be operational in the third quarter of 2019 and will be able to berth two cruise ships.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/travel/panama-2/amador-awash-cruise-ships

  2. Quote

    Ruling party backs “civic death” move

    protest-620x264.jpgFrom protest to action
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    Panama’s ruling party,  Panameñista, has decided to support a draft law drawn up by anti-corruption activists, that would impose a lifetime ban from public office on those convicted of corruption.

    The decision of the ruling party. on Tuesday night. Jan. 9 was made known through Twitter accounts of several deputies, including José Popi  Luis Varela, president of the Party and brother of President Juan Carlos Varela.

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    La Prensa take on civic death

    The preliminary bill that regulates seeking public office after the criminal action was initiated in March 2017 by  Youth Generation, Movin, The Association of Law Students of Santa María la Antigua University, and Generation Without Limits.

    The young activists presented the draft bill before the National Assembly  Office of Citizen Participation on Wednesday, January  10.following the mass “enough already” anti-corruption and impunity demonstration on the Cinta Costera on Tuesday.

    The submission proposes amending article No. 116 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which establishes limitation periods for assuming public office after criminal action for crimes against public administration.

    Other deputies who Tweeted support for the decision of the National Directory of the Panameñista Party were Adolfo Valderrama, Katleen Levy García and Luis Eduardo Quirós.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/ruling-party-backs-civic-death-move

  3. Quote

    US Ambassdor cites personal reasons for retirement

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    John Feeley, US marine and diplomat
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    JOHN FEELEY, the outspoken United States Ambassador to Panama,  has announced his decision to retire for personal reasons.

    The surprise decision came in an official statement from the US Embassy on Thursday, January  11.

    His last day in office will be on  Friday, March 9.

    Consular chief  Roxanne Cabral will assume the leadership of the embassy y, reports TVN

    Feeley took office on December 9, 2015, under the presidency of Barack Obama.

    During his occupancy of the post, he pronounced himself an ally of the government in the fight against corruption  Feeley also spoke out during the Waked case, stating that the newspapers La Estrella de Panamá and El Siglo had no relation to the alleged case of money laundering and drug trafficking by the Waked conglomerate.

    Feeley has spent 35 years in public service, first as an officer and helicopter pilot in the US Marine Corps and as a  career diplomat in the State Department.with most of his focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.

    The diplomat has reported his retirement to the  White House and to Panama  President, Juan Carlos Varela and   Chancellor Isabel Saint Malo de Alvarado.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/us-ambassdor-cites-personal-reasons-retirement

  4. Quote

    OPINION: Facing a new reality

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    In its advisory opinion of November 24, 2017, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights made a very significant pronouncement on the discrimination of LGBTI people and about equal marriage.

    It remains clear that the recognition of the consensual union between two adults of the same sex as a marriage is a human right that must be respected.

    The Inter-American Court has established an obligation for countries like Panama  to adapt their legislation and institutions to this new reality.  The time has come for prejudice, intolerance and discrimination are things of the past in public institutions that recognized a single family model.

    This is not a mere economic claim but a recognition of the  existence  of the right to dignity that exists for each person. Now the National Assembly, the Supreme Court of Justice and central government entities have the task of identifying and implementing  the changes that must be made. That is the essence of a State of law that protects its citizens.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/opinion-facing-new-reality

  5. Quote

    Panama: Insurance Market Up 4%

    Between January and October 2017, premiums grew 4% compared to the same period in 2016, explained in part by a 9% increase in health insurance and 14% in collective life insurance.

    Tuesday, January 9, 2018

    Figures published by the Comptroller General of the Republic indicate that premiums in the Individual Life insurance sector registered an increase of 4.4%, while those of Health increased 9%. On the other hand, collective life insurance premiums increased 14.3%. 

    Auto insurance premiums grew 4% in the period in question, while those for Other Transports fell almost 18%.

    See figures.

     

    https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Panama_Insurance_Market_Up_4

  6. Quote

    Corruption Protesters at Varela home, labeled “mob”

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    Some of the thousands of protesters packed a bridge ovee the highway
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    THE GOVERNMENT’S response to the over 10,000  protesters who gathered on the Cinta Costera on Tuesday, January  9, to protest corruption and impunity, was to attack the media portrayal of the event and to claim that those who gathered near the home of President Juan Carlos Varela were political agitators linked to corruption.

    At  a press conference on Wednesday,  Minister of the Presidency, Alvaro Aleman, characterized the crowds that went to Torres Miramar, where Varela lives to shout “corrupt” and “thief” were members of  “a political party whose leaders are marked by corruption.”

    According to the government, the thousands of people who walked from the statue of Balboa on the Cinta Costera to the Miramar tower were a “group with political motivations that challenged public order”, and called for citizenship, the media and civil society to condemn the acts.

    A government statement reads: “Given the legitimate right of citizens to convene a peaceful and civic protest against corruption on January 9 at a specific point of the Cinta Costera, a small group of people belonging mostly to a party politician whose leaders are accused of corruption, arrested abroad and fugitives from justice, took the opportunity to address the residence of President Juan Carlos Varela.

    “By direct instructions from the President, and although it is his right for the protection of his family to put a distance between protesters and his home, the usual security ring was removed on January 9 and thus avoid provocations that taint the patriotic deed that is commemorated in honor of the martyrs.

    “This group of people with clearly identified political links mobilized a mob to promote disrespectful slogans against the President and his family.

    “This is the second time that political groups that in the past have supported acts of corruption have gathered at the premises of the residence of the President to seek provocation and a reaction from the security forces.

    Infiltrators
    We do not rule out that the money from corruption is being used to finance these mobs that take advantage of legitimate peaceful citizen movements to infiltrate and carry out their political plans.

    We regret that the disrespectful slogans promoted by these political groups that have been clearly identified have been taken by the media to generate news headlines, ignoring that those who agitated people are leaders who try to protect the corrupt belonging to their parties.”

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/corruption-protesters-varela-home-labeled-mob

  7. Quote

    Murder-suicide in elite presidential guard

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    A SERGEANT in the Institutional Protection Service (SPI), the elite unit responsible for protecting the presidency, shot and killed his young woman partner,  also an officer of the SPI, and then turned the gun on himself, on Wednesday morning. January 10.

    The murder-suicide took place on Via Espana near the old IFARHU building, where the woman was sitting in a car when the sergeant arrived and fired several shots.

    After killing the young woman, the officer shot himself and was taken to hospital where he later died.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/murder-suicide-elite-presidential-guard

  8. Quote

    OPINION: Panama’s Climate Change Reality

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    Since its foundation on February 27, 1852, the city of Colón has been A victim of fires and floods. The most recent catastrophes of its populations that are at sea level have been intensified by the phenomenon of climate change and the senseless destruction of mangroves and reefs that protected this community in a natural way.

    What is happening should not be a surprise, the Panamanian scientist Stanley Heckadon has been publishing warnings since 1985.  But far from taking note, the absence of urban planning and government neglect have increased the vulnerability of Colon.

    Climate change is a reality that our politicians and entrepreneurs want to ignore risking the viability of all coastal communities of the isthmus. If the destruction of the mangroves persists and the lack of planning, the tragedy of Colon will be repeated in other areas of the country. The State has the duty to rescue Colon and to undertake another management model for the Panamanian coasts that does not imply more tragedy for future generations …LA PRENSA Jan. 10

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/opinion-panamas-climate-change-reality

  9. Quote

    Moody’s predicts higher growth for Latin America

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    Panama's predicted growth rate tops regional forecast
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    New York  – The outlook for the credit quality of the sovereign governments of Latin America and the Caribbean in 2018 is stable and reflects an improvement in credit conditions, although there is also evidence of increasing levels of indebtedness and uncertainty surrounding the elections that will take place in several countries this year, says Moody’s Investors Service in a new report.

    By 2018, 19 of the 29 Latin American sovereign governments rated by Moody’s (66%) have a stable outlook, two (7%) have a positive outlook, six (21%) have a negative outlook and two (7%) are in review for a possible low rating The largest economies in the region, Brazil (negative Ba2), Mexico (negative A3) and Chile (negative Aa3), are included among the countries with a negative outlook.

    The economic growth momentum that began in 2017 will probably continue in 2018. Favorable external conditions, including growth above the potential in the United States and higher growth in China, will boost the region’s average growth to 2.7%, well above the annual rate of 1.9% registered in 2017 and 1.4% in 2016. “However, the region will face the challenge of high levels of debt that will continue to rise”, says Ariane Ortiz-Bollin, Assistant Vice President of Moody’s.

    Central banks are expected to maintain accommodative monetary policies, since inflationary pressures will remain contained in most countries. Domestic political factors could boost volatility in financial markets.

    The regional perspective incorporates Moody’s opinion that the risk of United States policy for the region is concentrated, in the short term, on the renegotiations of NAFTA. On the other hand, the recent presidential elections in Ecuador, Chile and Honduras, and the upcoming elections in Colombia, Mexico and Brazil will represent challenges for the new governments related to greater social demands and less availability of fiscal resources. The report indicates that governments’ high indebtedness rates are not expected to be reduced, given the fall in government revenues and the rigidity of public spending. Additionally, political restrictions related to a tight electoral agenda will likely hamper fiscal consolidation efforts. However, Moody’s expects debt indicators to rise only moderately for most governments.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/business/latin-america-2/moodys-predicts-higher-growth-latin-americaa

  10. Quote

    OFF THE CUFF: Anti-corruption protests to expand

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    The organizers of the mass rally on Tuesday, June 9 on the Cinta Costera are not resting on their laurels and plan to expand the fight against corruption and impunity.

    On Wednesday, January 10, they plan to present before the National Assembly a bill that seeks to give “civic death” to the corrupt, excluding them from the public system and preventing convicted persons from ever returning to exercise public offices.

    On Tuesday, January 23, another rally has been called to demand that the Attorney General, Kenia Porcell make public the list of people who ‘received bribes from the Odebrecht company, which is linked in a corruption scandal across several countries of Latin America. The rally will be in front of her Public Ministry offices.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/off-cuff-anti-corruption-protests-expand

  11. Quote

    Thousands at “enough already” corruption rally

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    THOUSANDS of Demonstrators gathered on the Cinta Costera, Panama City’s parkland waterfront on Tuesday, January 9 to repudiate corruption and impunity, to call for the rejection of current politicians in the National Assembly and to chant their “enough already” slogan.

    anticorruption-demostration-300x169.jpg

    They began assembling near the statue of Balboa, at 8 am, and soon overflowed onto pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths, and reduce traffic to a single lane crawl on the eastbound highway.

    The march was called by Ubaldo Davis, producer of the television program La Cáscara, who announced that, another demonstration  will take place in front of the Public Prosecutor’s Office  on January 23 demanding that Attorney General  Kenia Porcell, publish  the list of people who received ‘bribes’ from the Odebrecht construction company which has been long promised, but never delivered.

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    Adult participants of all ages including businessmen and the College of Lawyers in the peaceful gathering came carrying flags,  banners. and mops and pails to sweep the politicians out of office, and wearing “basta ya ( (enough already) headbands. They called for the ousting of sitting members of the Assembly, the exposure of the prominent figures who have received bribes from Odebrecht, and for their “civic death, an end to impunity and slap-on-the-hand punishments for those who have stolen millions from the people.

    demo-3-300x169.jpg

    Not a politician was in sight.

    At noon a large body of protesters moved close to the Mirimar residences, home of President Juan Carlos Varela who had been attending January 9 commemoration events.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/thousands-enough-already-corruption-rally

  12. Quote

    Cabinet Reviewing Law Allowing Odebrecht Contracts

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    Alvaro Aleman
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    THE RULING by a Panama judge that the Odebrecht construction company which has paid millions in bribes to local officials can bid for government contracts is to be reviewed by the Legal Department of the Presidency and then discussed by the cabinet says Minister of the Presidency, Álvaro Alemán.

    The ruling was based on the collaboration agreement signed between the company and the Special Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office that investigated the payment of bribes.

    Meanwhile, civil society leaders question the reforms to the  Public Procurement law (22)  which did not achieve the objective of preventing companies linked to corruption getting State contracts.

    Magaly Castillo, of the Citizens Alliance, said that the problem is not the judge.” There is a need for legislation that prohibits these companies from continuing to tender because the legislature did not make the necessary reforms,” she said.

    Olga De Obaldía, of the Foundation for the Development of Citizen Liberty, the Panama chapter of Transparency International, says that the contracting law gives an advantage to Odebrecht, which produces a sense of “injustice”. She  said that “the company’s  first agreement with Brazil allowed it to continue bidding in all countries, ”

    The former president of the National Bar Association Rubén Elías Rodríguez said that the breaker of the law is being rewarded, by allowing him to continue with the same activities that have led to sanctions and reproaches from both the Public Ministry and the citizenship.

    “A person with common sense and with some criterion of public morality would not give a seen benefit  Other countries have excluded them from tenders with the State,” reports La Prensa.

    On December 28, the Twelfth Criminal Court admitted a request from Odebrecht to certify that it is not disabled from contracts with the Panamanian State, based on the agreement signed by the company with the Anticorruption Prosecutor.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/cabinet-review-law-allowing-odebrecht-state-contracts

  13. Based on a Twitter alert from the USGS, a large earthquake occurred off the Caribbean coast of Honduras about 9:51PM, January 9th. Sinaproc is discounting a tsunami that would affect Panama.

    Quote

    A magnitude 7.8 earthquake shook Honduras Caribbean coast on Tuesday night, according to reports from the United States Geological Service. A tsunami alert remains active and includes Panama.

    Reassessed as a 7.6 magnitude.

  14. Quote

    Two dead, two injured in taxi crash

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    A  speeding taxi carrying three  students plunged into  a ravine killing the driver and one of the passengers on Monday, January 8.

    The accident happened  in the Chilibre area, in Northern Panama.

    The driver and his  injured passengers were taken to Santo Tomas Hospital (HST)where he and one of the students died. The others are reported in serious condition

    Witnesses said the taxi was speeding, when the driver lost control and crashed into  a power line post.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/two-dead-two-injured-taxi-crash

  15. Quote

    Floods Hit 1,414 Homes, Green Alert Extended

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    With the unseasonable cold front still hanging over the Caribbean, Panama’s  Emergency Operations Center (COE) has extended its green alert to many areas for a further 48 hours.

    The announcement was made early  Monday, January 8, and covers Bocas Del Toro, Chiriquí, Colón, Veraguas and the Ngäbe Buglé region

    Forecasts estimate an increase in rainfall, with  36 millimeters in four hours over the western area of the country, with an increase in winds and waves on the coasts of the Caribbean.

    So far, according to the COE, some 1,414 residences have been affected  by flooding in Cativá, Cristóbal, Barrio Norte and Barrio Sur, in Colon province

    Call for donations
    The COE also announced that the collection center continues to operate through the Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) in Colón, where they request articles of first necessity (dry food, blankets, baby items, personal hygiene and cleaning). At the moment, no used clothing is being requested.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/floods-hit-1414-homes-green-alert-extended

  16. Quote

    New aircraft  replace botched radar deal

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    Panama’s National Aeronaval Service (Senan), has taken delivery of three new aircraft acquired with funds recovered from the Italian conglomerate Finmeccanica, after a botched contract for a failed radar system, negotiated by the Martinelli administration.

    The current administration canceled the  2010 contract  for 19 installations and in February 2016   came  to an agreement  with  Finmeccanica S.p.A. (with its subsidiaries Selex, Agusta Westland and Telespazio, that gave President Juan Carlos Varela a photo-op as he handed over two AgustaWestland helicopters and one Twin Otter aircraft, intended for the fight against crime and for search and rescue operations, said Varela, in the official act that took place at the Lieutenant Octavio Rodríguez Garrido Air Base, located in Howard.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/new-aircraft-replace-botched-radar-deal

  17. Quote

    No bail for 3 Odebrecht bribery suspects

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    Judge Oscar Carrasquilla
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    THREE SUSPECTS  accused of receiving bribes from the Odebrecht construction company have been denied bail by Twelfth criminal judge Óscar Carrasquilla, and a former CD presidential candidate remains liable to arrest.

    Humberto De León,  Andrés Mozes  Libedinsky and Daysi Rodríguez Villarreal, are all pre-emptively detained as part of the investigation of t bribes paid by Odebrecht in Panama and will stay behind bars.

    In addition, , Judge Carrasquilla denied a request for freedom from arrest of Democratic Change(CD)  2014  presidential candidate, José Domingo Arias. The request  was  presented by José Porta Álvarez . The judge agreed to grant bail $50,000 to  Dallas Villarreal Zambrano, partner of Carlos Ho González, former director of Special Projects of the Ministry of Public Works, who is also  under investigation.

    .Humberto De León was the registered officer of the account of Constructora Internacional del Sur, used by Odebrecht to channel funds from its so-called box 2, which was created to hold money to bribe government officials. Mozes Libedisnky has been identified as a recipient of Odebrecht funds through two companies.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/no-bail-3-odebrecht-bribery-suspects

  18. Quote

    Business leaders on  justice, education, crime

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    WITH an unspoken reference to the current debate over the choice of judges for Panama’s Supreme Court, and recent judicial decisions, the country’s leading business organization has called on the Executive to give priority to issues such as the separation of powers that allow the full independence of justice.

    In its weekly bulletin The  Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (CCIAP)  asks the government of Juan Carlos Varela to ensure a climate of stability until the end of the mandate. It said:”The Executive must promote conditions to achieve the competitiveness that the country needs to show in the demanding international scenario, which calls for the strengthening of productive sectors such as industry and agriculture, the latter largely postponed in national development.”

    They also warn that education continues to be a factor as an “indispensable requirement to achieve the goals that we propose as a society.”

    Referring to the crisis that some hospitals face, the Chamber says that the sustained supply of medicines must be taken care of for the health of the population.

    Security concerns
    “An aspect that also significantly impacts the quality of life of citizens is insecurity, which is a problem to counteract with both energy and intelligence to attack common crimes such as theft and robbery and effectively fight criminal organizations.” , says the guild.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/business-leaders-justice-education-crime

  19. Quote

    32 missing after Panama-registered ship collision

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    Thirty-two tanker crew members are missing, presumed dead following a collision between the Panama registered vessel and a Hong Kong freighter, in the East China Sea, on Saturday, Jan 6, says the Chinese Ministry of Transport. The crew of the freighter were rescued.

    The collision occurred on Saturday 257 kilometers east of the Yangtze River estuary, framed by the Chinese city of Shanghai and the Jiangsu provinces (south ) and Zhejiang province  (to the north), according to the official Chinese news agency Xinhua.

    The 32 missing men are  30 Iranians and two Bengalis.  After the collision, a fire broke out in the tanker

    The Ministry said that there has been an oil spill into the sea, but did not specify the extent of the contaminated area.

    Chinese maritime authorities sent eight search and rescue boats to the area, while South Korea has sent a coastguard and a fixed-wing aircraft to assist with the rescue.

    The tanker Sanchi, owned by an Iranian maritime company was transporting 136,000 tons of refined oil from Iran to South Korea.

    The freighter, from a company based in Zhejiang province, was carrying 64,000 tons of grain from the United States to the province of Canton, South China.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/32-missing-panama-registered-ship-collision

  20. Quote

    “Dry season” storms flood 1,303 Colon homes

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    IN WHAT is supposed to be the dry season,1303 houses in Colon were affected by continuing heavy rains on the night of Saturday, January 6  brought on by a cold front on the Atlantic coast. The Civil protection service (Sinaproc) is monitoring several areas for potential landslides.

    In its most recent report, the Joint Task Force reported that it rescued over 30  people trapped in flood waters, in houses, buildings and vehicles in four successful operations, while reports of flooded homes continued to be picked up by technical staff, and rescue operations continued through the night and through Sunday.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/dry-season-storms-flood-1303-colon-homes

  21. Quote

    Anti-narco cops size $4,million and 60,000 drug packs

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    NATIONAL POLICE Intelligence operations led to the seizure of over $4 million, that were used to finance drug trafficking and organized crime the force reported on its Twitter account.

    The Police also reported that between 2016 and 2017, more than 60,000 packages of drugs (cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamines) were confiscated in different areas of Panama.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/anti-narco-cops-size-4million-60000-drug-packs

  22. Happy New Year everyone!!  Blessings for 2018.

    Unfortunately my laptop has died!! in the middle of organizing the Green Room for the festival - not helping at all.

    Linda Joyce has very kindly offered to help this situation.

    I am needing volunteers to help out in the Green Room , looking after the artists, for the Jazz and Blues festival. 23, 24 and 25.

    If you would be keen to join the Green Room team for a morning or afternoon during those dates please email Linda at her below email address.

    I also need donations of food for the buffets - if you would be willing to donate a dish please email Linda at the address below.

    Since I also have no access for all previous volunteers could those of you who have responded either for volunteering or food donations, would you be willing to also email Linda so she has your details and contacts too.

    We will also need a portrait photo sent through for the Green Room badges.

    If everyone pulls together to help with the Green Room, we will get this done.

    We need lots of dishes to feed our artists throughout the weekend, and volunteers to look after them.

    My heartfelt thanks to Ms Anayansi, Olga Alexander, Donna and Frank Skidmore and Linda Joyce for their amazing help so far.

    Linda's email is flowergirl1950@hotmail.com

    If you need to contact me directly for any information you can do so at anncockroft@xtra.co.nz, or connect with me on FB

    Thankyou all

    Vix.
    Vicki Whittle Green Room Co ordinator BJBF
    2018 +64 (0)21954998

     
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  23. Quote

    Panama economy growth predicted  at 6.8%  

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    PANAMA was among the main economies of the American continent in 2017  with a growth of 6.3 percent. and it will grow 6.8 percent in 2018 says local economist Alberto Quintero

    Among the factors that have allowed the rebound of our economy for 2017 “we can list the recovery of world trade, the economic growth of the United States of America, and the slight rebound of the economies of Latin America, which have boosted the use of the route of the Panama Canal” he told La Estrella.

    “The culmination of the expansion of the Canal is allowing the exploitation of the economic potential of our geographical position. The contributions of the Canal to the central government in terms of revenues will represent around $1.65 billion representing more or less, 20% of all revenues received by the central government in 2017.

    Panama’s growth rate is based mainly on the external market structure, with activities linked to its geographical position, such as storage activities, maritime ports, communications, transportation and transhipment of goods, air passenger transit, logistics activities, all will maintain the momentum of our economy in 2018. As a result, it is estimated that Panama’s economy will grow by 6.8%, said Quintero.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/business/panama-4/panama-economy-growth-predicted-6-8

  24. 19 hours ago, Moderator_02 said:

     

    Quote

    Civil Society protests sweetheart deal for multi-million embezzler

    Cristobal-Salerno-corrupcion-servidores-Cisa_LPRIMA20180105_0102_27-1-620x264.png
    Embezzled multi-millions, no jail
    Post Views: 121
     
    THE JUDGMENT allowing a Ricardo Martinelli confident who stole millions from the State to buy himself out of a four-year jail term has raised the ire of sectors of civil society and widespread condemnation by observers and commentators, and concerns over similar immunity deals for other high profile figures.

    Cristóbal Salerno, owner of Cobranzas del Istmo, S.A.,(Cisa was sentenced to 48 months in prison for embezzlement in the collection of the delinquent portfolio of the State, but will not go to prison, because the penalty was replaced with a 500 days fine, at $600 a day or $300,000 in total.

    He will also have to return  $20 million he embezzled. [A  local bank worker who stole $5,000, was recently sentenced to six years behind bars]

    Freddy Pitti, of the Together We Decide Movement, said the agreement further weakens justice, while Annette Planells, of the Independent Movement (Movin), said that it leaves a bad taste.

    The penalty agreement  was validated Friday, January 5 by  First Criminal  Judge  Agueda Renteria,

    The agreement agreed with the Anti-Corruption Discharge Office is related to the investigation

    of  Salerno following the collection of delinquent taxes from the State through Cisa with an exclusive contract obtained in 2010 with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).

    “There is no money to compensate for the damage that all these people have done, not only to the treasury but to institutionality, “said Planells.

    “It will be years before citizens can regain confidence in our institutions and, even though part of what they stole from us is recovered; We have a justice system that is characterized by favoring the corrupt, it leaves us with a bad taste the fact that it will not pay with jail is a crime,”, she added

    She said that the punishment agreement resulting from the confession of Salerno was a severe condemnation of the officials who had to watch over the interests of all Panamanians.

    “Impunity is the greatest incentive for corruption, we need exemplary punishments for the corrupt to discourage this bad practice that is eating away at our institutions “,

    Planells said. that this agreement confirms that society perceives that justice acts selectively when it comes to “white-collar” criminals, such as Salerno, and acts forcefully when it comes to ordinary Panamanians.

    “With people who injured the heritage of Panamanians with millions of dollars, justice is very flexible, and that does not help in the task of strengthening the justice system so weakened at this time and with so little credibility, “said Pitti.

    He said that justice should not only focus on recovering money but to exert pressure and make this person serve the 48 months of prison without any t possibility of parole  for the crimes he confessed he committed “

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/civil-society-protests-sweetheart-deal-multi-million-embezzler

  25. Quote

    Warrant issued for hitman  in US citizen killing

    hitman-620x264.jpg

    It was the third shooting in the upscale area of the city during the last  nine months. A  Panamanian lawyer was  shot and killed in the lobby of the Punta Pacifica Hospital, and ab Irishman survived an attack at a traffic light near the Hospital

    After a Saturday court hearing, a warrant was issued for the arrest of a suspect in the killing,

    Judge Yanelka Quijano ordered the arrest of.J.R.O.,  aged 25.

    Senior prosecutor Rafael Baloyes told media that the killers had followed the victim who had not revealed  any “illegal” behavior during his residence in the country.

    asked if the accused in the case belongs to a criminal group, Baloyes only said that he resides in the district of San Miguelito and in Samaria, where “there is some “organized delinquency “.

    The arrest warrant is for aggravated intentional homicide and attempted homicide.

    Baloyes  said that the Attorney General’s Office will have a period of six months to complete the investigation.

     

    http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/warrant-issued-hitman-us-citizen-killing

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