Health

Back in US: NBA halts all games until further notice.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-suspends-2019-20-season-until-further-notice-after-rudy-gobert-reportedly-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/ After taking the initial step to play games in empty arenas, the NBA issued a statement on Wednesday night that all games will be suspended until further notice after a Utah Jazz player, reportedly Rudy Gobert, tested positive for the coronavirus. The G-League has also suspended play. The games will be suspended for at least two …

World Events

As biggest party in the world closes in Brazil,,,,people still detest Bolsonaro.

Top samba “schools” in Brazil’s Carnival capital Rio de Janeiro paraded for a second night on Monday, peppering the annual sizzling fusion of music, dance and costume with jabs at the country’s president, Jair Bolsonaro. The last six of the city’s 13 top samba schools took to the “sambodromo”, or …

Health

To my InterNations ex-pats in Mexico. Please be careful.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- I have been able to stay in contact with some of my fellow ex-pat friends I have met online that have settled in Mexico. I am certain if I know about it in Panama, it is all over the place there. Be careful and vigilant …

Air Travel

Suspension of Air China flights continues in Panama.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/200225/air-china-mantendra-suspension-vuelos-panama-mes-marzo Tocumen International Airport reported Tuesday that the Air China company will maintain the suspension of the Houston-Panama-Houston route during the month of March. This was stated in his Twitter account the administration of Tocumen airport citing a statement from the Chinese company. Aeropuerto Tocumen@tocumenaero El Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen informa que …

Air Travel
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With visitors arriving,what does Panama need to know about Coronavirus strain?

https://www.prensa.com/mundo/el-mundo-debe-prepararse-para-una-eventual-pandemia-dice-la-oms/ The viral pneumonia epidemic accelerated on Monday, February 24 worldwide, with new countries affected, a situation that put financial markets on alert and led WHO to warn of the risk of a pandemic. Two months after the appearance of the new coronavirus in central China, five countries announced their …

International Relations

Got my eye on these young kids, as Colombia goes to shit.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/internacional/colombia/200131/200130-continua-reclutamiento-menores-colombia More than 7,400 children and adolescents were victims of the recruitment of illegal armed groups in Colombia between 1985 and 2019, a “generalized and systematic practice” that adapts to the new dynamics of the conflict in the country, a report presented Thursday said. After the signing of the peace …

Sport
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UPDATE: Basketball Legend Kobe Bryant dies at 41.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28572984/helicopter-carrying-kobe-bryant-made-climbing-turn-rapid-dive NBA legend Kobe Bryant and one of his daughters were among nine people killed Sunday in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, a source confirmed to ESPN. Bryant was 41. Bryant was on his way to a youth basketball game with his daughter Gianna Bryant, who was 13, when …

World Events

Rain brings both help and harm for Australia fires.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/16/australia/australia-weather-intl-hnk/index.html Severe thunderstorms are pelting some regions of Australia suffering from historic wildfires with powerful rain and large hail.The storms could bring some much-needed relief to the firefighters battling some of the worst blazes the country has seen in decades. But forecasters say it’s not yet clear if the rain will fall where …

"JB"

World should be WOKE to tragedy in Australia. Hoping all can help.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson: Of all the shitty things that happened in a shitty week, it is this horrible event that has me the most upset. Australia is literally going through an extinction level event with these wildfires. A country so unique with an abundance of animals and fauna …

"JB"

United States UPDATE: Recent Trump statement implies de-escalation.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- If some of the military Ex-Pats over here have not stayed in immediate attention, the 12 land based missiles that hit US appropriated military installations in Iraq resulted in ZERO casualties. This is being universally viewed as a coordinated saving of face in light of …

World Events

Good Ol’ Saudis- Throw a RAVE to take mind off murdered journalist, then arrest people for indecency.

Read this link first: Would be less funny of it were not true. Insane misdirection by the media. https://www.thedailybeast.com/saudis-put-jamal-khashoggis-murder-behind-them-with-death-sentences-and-three-day-rave-party https://www.prensa.com/mundo/centenares-de-detenciones-en-arabia-saudita-por-indecencia-y-acoso/ More than 200 people were arrested in recent days in Saudi Arabia for “indecency” or “harassment”, in a first such campaign since the opening of reforms in terms of social …

History
1

Before all my Holiday Cheer. One important post on Panama history.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- While perfectly content to continue to enjoy this Florida weather and NOT answer emails of press releases and more Panama skullduggery, I found this Washington Post article to be more than interesting enough to share for a number of reasons. First being it is the …

World Events

Family of Khashoggi still rocked by lack of action.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/internacional/mundo/191217/pareja-periodista-descuartizado-embajada-saudi-critica-inaccion-internacional Hatice Cengiz, the couple of the murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, was today “disappointed with all countries” and international organizations such as the UN or the European Union for not taking “any action” against Saudi Arabia. According to Cengiz, “everyone should be concerned” about the “null ability or ability …

Politics

Historic (albeit futile), House Judiciary Committee moves forward with impeachment.

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/impeachment-inquiry-12-13-2019/index.html It was another big day in the impeachment inquiry into President Trump as the Judiciary Committee approved articles of impeachment. Here’s where things stand today: What happened: After a lengthy day of debating the two articles of impeachment against Trump, abuse of power and obstruction of congress,the House Judiciary Committee …

"JB"

Swedish girl compelled to promote climate measures is chastised by my President. #asshole

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- I find it so crazy that “any” leader, can find “any” issue with what this young lady has done to promote conversation over climate change. When most “tweens” are wondering what is happening with the Jonas Brothers or the newest PlayStation game, this one is …

"JB"

Evo goes to the old playbook. Seen before.

OP ED: Nothing new here. Seen before all over the world. The Shah of Iran, Marcos, Duvalier, Mubarak, all to name a few. Some would say here in PANAMA also. Plunder your fill for the country and constituents you represent, and then golden parachute your way in the world. Maybe …

World Events

Evo resignation is the quick getaway car.

https://www.prensa.com/mundo/Secretaria-OEA-cualquier-inconstitucional-Bolivia_0_5439955962.html The OAS General Secretariat , headed by Luis Almagro, rejected on Monday November 11 “any unconstitutional exit” to the crisis in Bolivia after the resignation of President Evo Morales amid strong protests over questioned elections, and urged to ensure the realization of new elections. info IACHR calls for an …

International Relations

Add Chile to the list of Political Unrest.

JB: With my eyes on Morales, Ortega, Maduro, and recently Argentina, I completely missed the shit show going on in Chile. If it was not for all the backdoor dealings and payoffs. Panama would be a beacon compared to these circus shows. https://www.prensa.com/mundo/Presidente-chileno-Sebastian-Pinera-dimitira_0_5435456404.html Chilean President Sebastián Piñera said he will …

World Events

Just was advised of 2020 “bucket list” trip. Day of the Dead in Mexico.

https://impresa.prensa.com/vivir/mirada-Catrinas_0_5429457034.html Challenging the cold and rain that threatened at times, the bony Catrinas, a character that evokes a skeleton and is part of the Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations , paraded this weekend through the streets of Mexico City to delight dozens of Thousands of spectators People watched the …

US News of note

Back in US, further testimony rocks White House.

OP ED: “JB”- While back home I always was a political hawk and paid attention to every last move within the administrations. While I have been over here since Obama, it is hard to miss when I return the environment of my home country. While still viewed as the pillar …

Environmental
1

Stay informed on what we are losing.

https://impresa.prensa.com/vivir/lista-roja-especies-amenazadas_0_5382211759.html The negative news for the environment not only comes from the burning Amazon. The total number of animals and plants at risk of extinction increased from 26 thousand 197 in 2018 to 28 thousand 338 in 2019, according to the recent update of the Red List of Endangered Species …

"JB"
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ASSHOLES of the YEAR: HUMANS

by James “JB” Bryson I think we should all take a moment to give credit to the fact that HUMANS have managed to take one of the most amazing and recognized mammals ever to walk the face of the Earth, and reduce it to the point where we need to …

Environmental
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Javier Bardem is vocal latino supporter of the environment.

OP ED: “JB”- After spending my weekend enjoying the beautiful waters of Panama, it was pleasant to read this story this morning. While in the states, Leonardo DiCaprio is at the forefront of a Hollywood led movement of bringing attention to the environment. ( He has both narrated and produced …

International Relations

US backed Guaido in favor of Trump blockade.

http://laestrella.com.pa/internacional/america/guaido-dice-bloqueo-eeuu-busca-proteger-venezolanos/24133252 The head of the Venezuelan Parliament, Juan Guaidó, recognized as the interim president of the country by more than 50 nations, said that the total blockade of Venezuelan state assets in US territory announced by the Donald Trump Administration “seeks to protect Venezuelans.” “This action seeks to protect Venezuelans,” …

Environmental

Climate Change Denial Club: UPDATE. Get your scuba tank ready!!

http://laestrella.com.pa/vida-cultura/planeta/calor-dispara-temperaturas-acelera-deshielo-groenlandia/24133099 The heat wave coming to the Arctic after its passage through Europe has caused record temperatures and an acceleration of the thaw in Greenland in recent days, a phenomenon that experts relate to climatic oscillations.  The Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) station at Summit, in the center of the permanent …

International Relations

Kinda a big deal. 32 year old Cold War Nuclear pact ENDS between US and Russia.

https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=es&sp=nmt4&u=https://www.prensa.com/mundo/Unidos-Rusia-tratado-desarme-INF_0_5364213527.html&xid=17259,15700023,15700186,15700190,15700256,15700259,15700262,15700265&usg=ALkJrhimgEcFv4aVhm2IhjeRMk9ElGiMZA The United States and Russia ended the INF nuclear disarmament treaty on Friday, signed at the end of the Cold War, in a decision that rekindles the fear of an arms race between world powers. The 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Weapons (INF) treaty limited the use of intermediate-range missiles (500 …

International Relations

Eyes on Puerto Rico. US protectorate amidst major turmoil.

http://laestrella.com.pa/internacional/america/puerto-rico-vive-momento-cumbre-renuncia-gobernador-fuerza-popular/24131480 The institutional life of Puerto Rico is going through a milestone summit on Wednesday the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rosselló after two and a half years in power, after the scandal unleashed by his participation and that of some of his advisors in a chat private in which political …

Human Interest

US and Costa Rica have differing opinions of possible ISIS members that were in Panama.

https://www.critica.com.pa/sucesos/eeuu-alerta-presencia-de-isis-en-panama-551888 Three suspected members of the Islamic State (ISIS) were in Panama a few weeks ago for almost a month , warned the United States Department of Homeland Security (HSI).The HSI report details that the Egyptians Hibrahim Mohamed and Mohamed Eissa, along with the Iraqi Ahmed Ghanim Mohamed Al Juburi, were detected during their visit …

US News of note

US news of note: Iran set on alert as tensions escalate with US.

https://www.prensa.com/mundo/Iran-alerta-Trump-marcha-bombardeos_0_5332716679.html Iran warned on Friday that it will defend its territory from any attack by the United States, after having shot down an American drone and after, according to the New York Times , President Donald Trump initially approved bombings to end up backing down. Iran says it has ‘irrefutable’ …

International Relations

Guaido bristles as Maduro opens border with Colombia.

http://laestrella.com.pa/internacional/america/guaido-dice-maduro-reabrio-frontera-colombia-presion-ciudadana/24124701 The head of Parliament, Juan Guaidó, recognized as interim president of Venezuela by more than 50 countries, said on Saturday that the government of Nicolás Maduro ordered the reopening of border crossings with Colombia due to pressure from citizens. For the ‘pressure of citizens (because) there is a need …