Environmental

24 hrs after battering, CUBA dealing with Hurricane Ian aftermath.

https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/internacional/america/220928/dia-ian-habana-hay-luz-agua-queda-seguir?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc An entire family collects water from the sea with buckets to clean their precarious home in front of Havana’s boardwalk, heavily impacted by the passage of Hurricane Ian on Tuesday afternoon. “From two o’clock the sea began to pour in. All this was covered (points to the avenue). We …

Canal

International conflicts showing effects on Canal traffic and business

https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/economia/220815/canal-panama?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc The Panama Canal, due to its importance for world trade, does not escape the collateral effects of the covid-19 pandemic and the conflict situations in the international environment that are currently taking place.  A decrease in the trade of liquefied natural gas, in the traffic of elaborated merchandise and …

Canal

US and China remain at loggerheads over the commerical power of Canal.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/220803/disputa-china-ee-uu-comercial This is not the first time that Daniel Runde, a senior executive at the Center for International Strategic Studies, has written about the Panama Canal. He did it in 2011 when he analyzed the impact of the road expansion. In 2017 he described the exchange of messages between President Donald Trump …

"JB"
2

Just your everyday grocery run under this Administation.

It’s times like these when you are able to see the WEAK come to light. As in CORTIZO and CARRIZO. And even more reason why the RE-ELECTION of RICARDO MARTINELLI will be one of the biggest “LEGAL” runaway victorioes since REAGAN/MONDALE.  MARTINELLI is a master politician in what a politician …

Energy/Infrastructure

If you feel pain at the pump, look no further than Putin.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/220702/cae-minimos-historicos-transito-gas-traves-ucrania Ukraine’s Gas Transmission System Operator (TSO) reported Friday that gas transit through its system has fallen to a 30-year low. “Through the Ukrainian TSO in June this year, monthly traffic volumes have reached a historical low since 1991: 1.25 billion cubic meters,” the company explained in a statement posted …

Energy/Infrastructure

Carriers for Business, Transportation, and Supply Chain sectors to benefit from fuel CAP.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/220602/transportistas-podran-adquirir-viernes-gasolina-diesel-3-95-galon-congelamiento-precio Carriers in the collective, selective, collegiate and special tourism service sectors will be able to purchase 91 and 95 octane gasoline, in addition to low-sulfur diesel, at a cost of $3.95 per gallon, after the National Government approved the freeze time of its price. According to a statement from …

Canal

Putin’s senseless war affecting GLOBAL supply chain. In particular, PANAMA.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/220519/guerra-ucrania-frena-recuperacion-economica   The war in Ukraine is slowing down the fragile economic recovery that the world had begun after the covid-19 crisis, the UN said on Wednesday, lowering its global growth forecast for this year from 4% to 3.1% and warned that the deterioration may end up being even greater. …

Energy/Infrastructure

Completed plant will add 15 Million Clean Gallons per day.

https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/nacional/220418/ampliacion-planta-potabilizadora-chilibre-presenta-94-avance?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc At 94% is the progress presented by the expansion works of the project «Study, Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of the New Module for the purification of water in the Federico Guardia Conte de Chilibre treatment plant.  The work, which presents an investment of $36,973,504.78, will seek to increase …

Bocas del Toro

Panama once again at crossroads of money V.S environment. 150 hectares of rainforest assigned.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/220411/chiriqui-potencia-zona-maritima-auxiliar The Paridas Islands, located in the Gulf of Chiriquí, have a tourist attraction that attracts thousands of visitors, who arrive from boats or small cruise ships that leave the Pacific of Costa Rica. For several years, this movement of tourists has generated discontent in the western area of ​​the country, …

Canal

How is Ukraine war affecting Panama supply chain?

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/220315/220316-productos-panama-mas-importa-ucrania-verse-afectados-guerra Although in the trade balance the volume of trade between Ukraine and Panama is not as high compared to other countries in the world, there are certain productive sectors that could be affected by the Russian invasion and by the increase in fuel costs that is being generated in …

Environmental

Welcome to the WET season. Navigating Panama is horrible during the rain.

http://elsiglo.com.pa/panama/aguacero-inicia-transicion-estacion-seca-lluviosa-panama/24197695 The rainy season will be brought forward 10 days in Western Chiriquí, central Veraguas, Coclé and western Herrera and Los Santos This Tuesday, April 5, the city of Panama woke up with a downpour, which is part of the transition process from the dry to the rainy season in …

Human Interest

Nasty weather has given time to catch up on e-mails. Op-Eds flowing in.

Anyone who has been away and moved back after a long absence can certainly feel some culture shock, When last here, it literally felt like “escaping” back home due to the Covid travel embargoes that we were dealing with. Then to come back home and have a medical setback, mage …

Economy

As Russia sanctions tighten, Panama sees rise at the pump.

https://elsiglo-com-pa.translate.goog/panama/precio-gasolina-diesel-aumentan-desde-este-viernes/24195767?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc&_x_tr_sch=http The price of gasoline and diesel suffer another increase. This Friday, at 6:00 am the new maximum prices come into effect Increase. The price of gasoline and diesel suffer another increase. This Friday, at 6:00 am The new maximum sale prices of liquid fuel in Panama begin to take effect. In the provinces of …

Canal

“Greedy” Panama steps BACK when World steps UP.

With the EU stopping all natural gas, neighboring nations refusing air and sea traffic, US closing and seizing billions from oligarchs,,,,,,,,,,,,,Panama chooses to hide behind the archaic neutrality treaty. EVEN Switzerland chose a side. Panama is run by it’s own oligarchy and it’s high time people know it. As a …

Weather

Panama braces for a scorching March. Glad I’m not there.

In addition to the water issues in San Francisco, it appears March is set to be the hottest for Panama in all of 2022. Not missing that at all. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/cafe-estrella/planeta/220303/marzo-sera-mes-mas-caluroso-ano-etesa From now on, everything indicates that March will be the hottest month of the year 2022, according to the latest …

Economy

SUNTRACS unhapy with progress of resumption of projects.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/201116/suntracs-reporta-reincorporacion-13-mil-obreros-puestos The general secretary of the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs), Saúl Méndez affirmed that as of Monday, November 16, 14 thousand workers have been reinstated to their jobs. This he said is important because the figures in March of suspended contracts were 23 thousand workers, that …

Energy/Infrastructure

Waste Management takes on new importance during Corona outbreak.

https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/manejo-de-residuos-en-tiempos-de-pandemia/ Caring for patients with Covid-19 and prevention actions – use of masks, gloves, antibacterial gel and other protective materials – to prevent new infections, cause more waste in hospital centers and, now, in so-called hospital hotels and in homes. How are these wastes from patients with Covid-19 handled in Panama? The Ministry of Health …

Energy/Infrastructure

Keep an eye on this “BULLSHIT”. Contract has $3.5 Million of FLUFF baked in.

https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/aaud-gastara-cerca-de-20-millones-en-contratos-directos/ Ten contracts drawn up in November 2019, by the Urban and Home Cleaning Authority (AAUD), for the rental of heavy equipment for the amount of $ 19.5 million, rest in the Comptroller General of the Republic pending endorsement. The contracts, whose endorsement was rejected in December last year by the then …

Economy

WOW, a massive contract that Odebrecht did not win. Pinch me.

https://www.prensa.com/economia/metro-de-panama-adjudico-hoy-a-consorcio-hph-joint-venture-diseno-y-financiamiento-de-la-linea-3/ The Panama Metro awarded the HPH Joint Venture Consortium on Tuesday, February 4, the design, construction of civil works and financing of the third line of the transportation system. The HPH Consortium is made up of the Korean Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Posco E&C. The ACPC Consortium, formed by the Spanish Acciona …

Energy/Infrastructure

Dialogue renews over the City (Shitty) coastline of Panama.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/200113/200112-playas-ciudad-deben-acondicionarse A peaceful demonstration, on the outskirts of the Municipality of Panama, on January 15, 2019, has proposed those who are against the construction of artificial beaches in the Bay of Panama. On the subject, the architect, environmentalist and former mayor, Raisa Balfield believes that instead of building artificial beaches, …

Conservation

More Panama perspective on Climate change. Ex-Pats take notice.

https://www.prensa.com/impresa/vivir/el-ascenso-de-los-mares/ A year ago I wrote an article in La Prensa warning about the future impacts of sea level rise in Panama. I used a playful analogy about the fact that the Isthmus of Panama emerged from the sea 3 million years ago, and that, with the current climate change, the sea will …

Crime

Cyber threats and computer bullshit to continue in 2020 and beyond.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/cafe-estrella/tecnologia/191212/principales-amenazas-ciberseguridad-dominaran-2020 The impact of cybercrime will undoubtedly grow in the coming years. Cybersecurity Ventures statistics reveal that such crimes will cost the world $ 6 billion by 2021, compared to $ 3 billion in 2015. This represents the largest economic transfer in history, its amount exceeds, for example, the illegal transfer …

Canal

I’m being restrained. Not even allowed to comment on this.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- As I eluded to yesterday, the vim and vigor is taking a back seat for the holidays. But I am so keen to speak on this action, as if is finally making news. I have too many friends to count that work in Customs either …

Colón

ODEBRECHT campaigning for 72km of Infrastructure work in Colon.

After losing tenders to build the extension of line 1 of the Panama Metro to the Villa Zaíta sector and the expansion of the Concepción-Volcán highway, in the province of Chiriquí, combined projects exceeded 280 million dollars, the Constructora Norberto Odebrecht (CNO) prepares to dispute two new state contracts. It …

"JB"
2

Just a little tidbit for PNO followers, as “privacy” is ruling the day.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson: Since all of us are now reading of the Martinelli “punctures”, and now Varelaleaks, I still have some lingering questions about the “who” and the “why” behind certain things myself. Though admittedly not nearly as high profile. As I post each day with my own …

Conservation

Panama energy sector finally looking to solar.

https://www.prensa.com/economia/Inversionistas-apuestan-fuentes-energias-alternas_0_5436206336.html The appetite of investors who bet on the Panamanian energy sector is leaning towards alternative sources of generation. 57% of the licenses and concessions granted by the National Public Services Authority (ASEP) correspond to plants that use energy from the sun and wind. Until October 30, ASEP held 14 …

Energy/Infrastructure

Panama Metro receives bids,….let’s see if all 3 are refused for ODEBRECHT.

https://impresa.prensa.com/economia/Contrato-Metro-atrae-companias_0_5424957522.html hree offers received the Panama Metro for the contract for the development of the diagnosis and urban analysis of the extension of line 2 from the San Miguelito sector to the Paitilla area. The results of the feasibility study will serve as the basis for preparing the tender specifications …

Canal

2019 ends with 6.2% increase in goods through the Canal.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/191009/6-2-ano-2019-canal Despite the economic and commercial situation in the international environment, the tonnage of cargo by the Canal maintained its dynamism, according to the figures of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP). According to statistics, the Canal closed fiscal year 2019 with a 6.2% increase in tonnage, compared to the previous …

"JB"

Don’t get me started on this Hurricane shit!!!!!

by James “JB” Bryson Let me begin by saying that I am very at ease in knowing that Hurricane Dorian has taken a northern approach and seems to be steering clear of Southern Florida where my daughter and son in law live. The past few days have been filled with …

"JB"

PNO focused on family as Hurricane strengthens.

OP ED: “JB” – We have family in both South Florida as well as the Bahamas, so my posts have been a bit lax the past few days. One of the major benefits we took into consideration when not following many friends to either Florida or other locations to retire, …