Panamanowonline.com was established to become the #1 news source in English in and around the Republic of Panama. Our goal is and will always be to provide the best possible up to date news and information in English geared at reporting on the issues that touch and effect the expat community in Panama. Through sharing relevant articles as reported in the local press as well as through contributing writers and affiliates this site was designed to share not just news and information but to provide a platform for our readership to tune in daily whether living, visiting or planning to relocate to Panama. Thank you for visiting our site, hasta la proxima vez!
"JB"

PNO still trying to stay “isolated”. Hoping for country to re-open.

by James “JB” Bryson As we all try to diligently navigate these strange and unprecedented times, I like I am sure the rest of you are hoping we are close to getting back to our families. The Ex-Pat as of life is great in many ways. Quality of life. Economic …

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Air Travel

National airline COPA votes to hold dividends as they look to stem Corona impact.

https://www.prensa.com/impresa/economia/copa-pospone-pago-de-dividendos-por-coronavirus/ Copa Holdings, an airline group that manages Copa Airlines and Wingo airlines , continues to take action to reduce the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) respiratory pandemic on its finances. Recovery in the airline sector will be slow and the industry is projected to return to pre-Covid-19 levels in late 2021 or mid-2022. Under this scenario and with …

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"JB"

PNO continues to promote protection for Darien. These trees should be TOURISM and NOT LOGGING.

GREEN GIANTS could be a boon for ECO-TOURISM. https://www.prensa.com/impresa/vivir/los-gigantes-verdes-del-darien/ In the deep Darien are what are arguably the oldest and largest trees in the country, “green giants” embedded in the jungle, which have begun to be studied by a team of scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (Stri) . After a …

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Economy

Nito plans to fine tune reopening. ( Bad news for his underlings that are fleecing country)

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/200430/panama-afina-plan-reapertura-economica The Panamanian government refines plans for the gradual reopening of the country. The president, Laurentino Cortizo, said he has been working on the plan for the new normal and hopes that by tomorrow it will be “quite well tuned.” Cortizo said he hopes that the plan for the new normal …

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Economy

Pay attention to your leaders in times of crisis PANAMA.

DIRTY POOL being PLAYED ABOUND https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/leyes-no-facilitan-despilfarro-de-fondos/ The pandemic crisis justified the granting of an exception within the Public Procurement Law to the Ministry of the Presidency , which has become some questionable contracts. The pressure to acquire urgent goods to attend to health problems and the speed of the state response face …

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Financials

Even during Pandemic, Scumbags exist. I will hold Nito to his words.

Bullshit Purchase orders and invoices for Medical supplies that are never received. Special place in HELL for these people. https://www.prensa.com/judiciales/ministerio-publico-investigara-falsificacion-de-documentos-denunciada-por-el-viceministro-de-la-presidencia/ The Attorney General of the Nation, Eduardo Ulloa , announced the opening of an ex officio investigation after the statements of the new Deputy Minister of the Presidency, Carlos García , who denounced, on …

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"JB"
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PNO encourages readers and posters to share how they are dealing with COVID.

by James “JB” Bryson: I am receiving quite a few emails from some of the readers and Ex-pat contacts I have been acquainted to over the years. I take any email sent to me as confidential in nature, yet if any want to share how they are dealing with this …

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World Events

Ex-Pats in Mexico are now about to face their peak point.

https://www.prensa.com/mundo/mexico-eleva-nivel-de-alerta-ante-aumento-acelerado-de-casos-de-coronavirus/ Mexico raised the level of the health alert on Tuesday in the face of an accelerated increase in the spread of the new coronavirus , which fears a saturation of the hospital system, the government reported. “Today we want to start phase three of the Covid epidemic, remembering that we are …

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Air Travel

Panama officially extends International travel ban another month to May 23.

https://www.prensa.com/economia/panama-extiende-la-prohibicion-de-vuelos-internacionales-hasta-el-23-de-mayo/ The Civil Aeronautical Authority (AAC) of Panama extended the suspension of international flights to the country until May 23. The airports have been closed since the early hours of Monday, March 23, as a sanitary measure due to the advance of the coronavirus. The measure was originally adopted for a …

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Economy

Panama poised to rise after Corona subsides according to Moody’s.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/200416/panama-sera-pais-rico-america-latina-2021-calificadora-moody-s Risk rating agency Moody’s evaluated Panama rated the country’s investment grade in baa1 with a stable expectation and strong growth in the medium term, although in lower percentages than in the last decade. Said rating is subject to very specific factors that the firm trusts will be implemented in …

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US News of note

Glimmer of hope in NY as cases are dropping. No easing of restrictions however.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-new-york/new-york-coronavirus-hospitalizations-keep-falling-shutdown-extended-idUSKBN21Y2NG (Reuters) – The number of people hospitalized for the novel coronavirus and related deaths in New York fell to their lowest levels in more than a week, adding to evidence that the hardest-hit state was controlling its spread, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Thursday.FIEL PHOTO: New York City Fire …

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Health

Panama making progress as Emergency Hospital nears completion.

https://www.prensa.com/sociedad/hospital-modular-para-pacientes-criticos-con-covid-19-tiene-un-98-de-avance/ The modular hospital that is being built in the Albrook sector to attend to critical cases of Covid-19 , is 98% complete, it was reported this Thursday, April 16. + info Gorgas Institute specialists analyze case of coronavirus in newbornSurprise due to suspension of classes in private schools and in CaipiPanamanian …

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Environmental

With Global emissions halted, immediate reduction of pollutants.

General overall view of sparse traffic on the Interstate 710 freeway amid the global coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, Thursday, April 9, 2020, in Los Angeles.Sports/Newscom/ZumaFor indispensable reporting on the coronavirus crisis and more, subscribe to Mother Jones’ newsletters. This piece was originally published in the Guardian and appears here as part of our Climate Desk Partnership. The …

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US News of note

10 states in US that represent 38% of Economy plan for slow re-opening

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-states/ten-u-s-states-developing-reopening-plans-account-for-38-of-u-s-economy-idUSKCN21W1D6 SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – The ten U.S. states coordinating plans separately from the White House to reopen businesses shut by the coronavirus are responsible for an outsized proportion of the U.S. economy.FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in …

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Bocas del Toro

Bocas province is first to make masks mandatory.

JB: As I have covered in my visits to Isla Colon and Bocas Town, it is already a very messy place. Encouraging to see that those residents are being more intelligent than most city dwellers. https://www.prensa.com/provincias/municipio-de-changuinola-aprueba-el-uso-obligatorio-de-mascarillas/ The Municipality of Changuinola, Bocas del Toro province, became the first authority to make …

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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 …

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World Events

Chinese in Hong Kong violate gathering ban.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronvirus-easter-hongkong-cro/we-are-social-animals-hong-kong-residents-flout-virus-rules-to-throng-popular-sites-idUSKCN21U0G5 HONG KONG (Reuters) – People in Hong Kong thronged beaches, ferries and outlying islands on Sunday, many of them violating a ban on gatherings of more than four people aimed at containing the spread of the new coronavirus.People wearing face masks are seen at Cheung Chau island during Easter …

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Church

Pope delivers EASTER sermon in empty Basilica. Urges peace during pandemic.

https://www.prensa.com/mundo/el-papa-francisco-insta-a-una-tregua-mundial-y-a-perdonar-la-deuda-de-los-paises-pobres/ The Pope Francis urged Sunday in his Easter message to establish a “comprehensive and immediate cease-fire” to address the pandemic of the new coronavirus and urged to reduce or cancel the debt of the poorest countries. In a world “overwhelmed by the pandemic, which is putting our great human family to severe test,” …

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Health

Country tries to adjust to the home quarantine.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/200407/dia-mundial-salud-panama-suma-2-249-casos-59-muertes-covid-19 With 2,249 infected patients and 59 deaths, the positive cases for COVID-19 continue to increase in Panama. The Ministry of Health confirmed on Tuesday the new figures, which include the departure of three recovered people from the Irma Lourdes de Tzanetatos hospital. As explained by the director of epidemiology …

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Health

PANAMA update: Corona pandemic

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/200411/coronavirus-panama-79-muertes-3-234-casos-acumulados-covid-19 Panama registered 5 deaths and 260 cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, with which it rises 3,234 positive cases, 79 deaths and 23 recovered. The Health authorities detailed that 2,817 are in home isolation, while there are 573 in hotels. According to the latest registry, there are …

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Environmental

With humans inside, the wildlife of the world stretches their legs.

https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-animals-reclaiming-cities-covid-19-pandemic-140503907.html As the coronavirus pandemic leaves the world’s major cities deserted by humans, animals have been spotted enjoying the peace and quiet. The global outbreak of the virus has seen many countries such as Spain, Italy, Japan and Chile, as well as the UK, impose a lockdown on citizens. But mother nature …

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Health

Update on US citizens riding out Corona in Latin America.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-latam-stranded-fea/beyond-trumps-wall-the-americans-riding-out-coronavirus-in-latin-america-idUSKBN21J6NE LAGO DE ATITLAN, Guatemala (Reuters) – Some Americans, from young backpackers to retirees, are hunkering down for the coronavirus pandemic far from home in Latin America, saying they feel safer and see no point in scrambling to return. While thousands of Americans sought help from the government or private …

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Health

PANAMA- Is getting an “F” in terms of following quarantine.

https://www.prensa.com/provincias/aprehenden-a-13-personas-en-playa-de-pedasi-unos-estaban-surfeando-otro-grupo-se-escapo/ PEDASÍ, Los Santos. About 13 people were detained in the late afternoon of this Wednesday, April 1, in Playa Venao, Pedasí district, for violating Decree 507 of March 24, 2020, which was issued to contain the spread of the coronavirus. + info China confines 600 thousand inhabitants after new case of …

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"JB"
1

HELLO PNO followers. UPDATE:

by James “JB” Bryson Where do I start but by saying “WOW“!! I have to tell you that even after service to my country, this battle and the psychological effects it is having on the world is unprecedented in my lifetime. I want to begin by saying I hope that …

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Health

The faster people are smart, the quicker this will end. COVID-19 fear closes business on EARTH.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/200312/coronavirus-paraliza-pais OP ED: by James “JB” Bryson: With SARS and BIRD FLU essentially maintained in previous pandemics, the western world has not felt the grip of paranoia like this since 1918. Back in those early days of medicine before all of our advances, the spread of germs was rampant. Life …

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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 …

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Health

11 confirmed cases in Panama. Stay calm and clean.

https://www.prensa.com/sociedad/minsa-confirma-tres-nuevos-caso-de-coronavirus/ The Ministry of Health (Minsa) reported this Wednesday, March 11, that they confirmed three new cases of Covid-19 (new coronavirus) in Panama. + info Fedebeis announces the suspension of the major tournament until April due to the coronavirusPanama registers 1 deceased and 7 cases due to the coronavirusInsurers fear loss of …

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Conservation

March 14th, big day for Environmentalists in Panama. Please read.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/cafe-estrella/planeta/200311/agua-energia-son The importance of rivers goes beyond what is imaginable. Since ancient times, rivers have served civilizations as communication routes between cities, as well as a source of food, fresh water and energy for the communities settled in their surroundings. Within this framework, there is no doubt that “it is our …

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"JB"

EX-PATS in the American Market. “Hold onto your socks!!!”

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson I think many people that are retired or approaching it, would gladly take a week in bed with the flu as opposed to seeing what is occurring every day in their 401K or personal brokerage accounts. Wall Street continues to take a brutal beating as …

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Crime
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ODEBRECHT update: So now nobody knows where all the GD money went. LOL

Never gets old and never stops pissing me off. https://www.prensa.com/politica/cual-fue-el-destino-del-dinero-que-dio-odebrecht-al-partido-panamenista-blandon-dice-que-el-te-les-certifico-que-no-se-reportaron-esos-fondos/ “The Panamanian Party in its report of 2009, 2014, and 2019, said it had not received money from Odebrecht, nor from any of the Odebrecht-related companies, such as the International Construction Company of the South.” The phrase is from José …

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