Ex-Pat Forum: Upcoming Opera event looks to be a nice cultural experience
Starts in 1 day Tue 28 May 18:30 – 21:30 Costs 40.00 USD Donation at the door 24 attendees Favorite arias and ensembles from Opera, Operetta, Zarzuela and famous popular songs. Residence of the Honorary Consul of Jamaica, Judith Edwards. Tuesday, 28 May 2019. Donations at the door. Schedule: 6:30 …
How cool is this? UBER offering submarine rides off Barrier Reef in Australia.
View video from La Prensa: https://www.prensa.com/videos/videos_del_dia/Uber-submarino-Gran-Barrera-Coral_2_5310988851.html
Whiffs of bullshit and payoffs related to sweetheart deal for Oil Company in Taboga.
The National Economic Council (Cena) of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) justified the low rent lease authorized in the concession contract between the Mayor’s Office of Taboga and the company Bona Pacific Corp. , to establish an oil terminal in more than 34 hectares located on Boná Island. …
No surprise here. Beaches reach capacity during Carnival.
Overcrowded were the beaches and rivers of the coast up and down Colón, during the four days of carnivals in these communities. Visitors – national and foreign – visited Cuango, Puerto Lindo, Palenque, Isla Grande, Nombre de Dios, Santa Isabel, Viento Frio, Cacique, Portobelo, Miramar, María Chiquita and Playa Chiquita …
Thought to be extinct Giant Tortoise is discovered in Ecuador.
JB- Sorry folks, this stuff just interests me. A copy of one of the endemic giant turtle species of the Ecuadorian archipelago of Galápagos, considered extinct a century ago, was found on an expedition on Fernandina Island , Environment Minister Marcelo Mata announced on Tuesday, February 19 . “On Fernandina …
New referendum calls to make Tax Evasion a harsher criminal offense
The Minister of Economy and Finance, Eyda Varela de Chinchilla , asked the National Assembly to restart the debate on the bill that increases tax evasion to criminal offense. Assembly concludes extraordinary sessions without ratification of judges They close extraordinary sessions without key projects “I ask the National Assembly to …
Point of Interest: PUNTA CULEBRA NATURAL CENTER
by James “JB” Bryson Just noticed an nice story about a place I have actually visited upon settling in Panama. At the PUNTA CULEBRA NATURAL CENTER, you can visit a place that in conjunction with the SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE brings attention to the natural beauty of Panama and all the things …
PNO.com: EX-PAT Contribution Page: HOLIDAY RECIPE
by James “JB” Bryson Not only has this been a great first year for me personally on PNO.com. But my wife has also been able to use the forum as a way to meet and socialize with other people who have moved here. In the spirit of the Holidays, she …
Street brawl before courts: Women with baton gets DROPPED with a head kick. Calm down people
Three people faced this Monday, December 10, a hearing on an incident that occurred on the public highway in the capital. At the end of the diligence, the Court of Guarantees referred the case to mediation, this, by consent of the victim and the three persons who were charged for …
EX PAT ALERT: Traffic deaths surge in Chiriqui. Look out for reckless and drunk drivers
Authorities in the province of Chiriqui reported Monday, September 17 that, so far this year, there are 54 fatalities due to traffic accidents. Elmer Castillo, regional director of the Directorate of Traffic Operations, confirmed that drivers, despite preventive actions, continue driving “recklessly” on the roads of the province of Chiriqui. …
Notice: Reduced Water in Panama City and surrounding areas this FRIDAY
The Federico Guardia Conte water treatment plant , in Chilibre, will reduce the production of drinking water by 50% on Friday, September 7, due to the alignment of a new broken valve, as part of the work to adapt the new suction motors. will install in the plant, reported this …
Alma Montenegro de Fletcher Interview: “Corruption has eternal life”
A bogada, judge, notary, attorney, prosecutor, mother, grandmother, and teacher. Alma Montenegro de Fletcher meticulously gave his opinion on international issues, such as the power of religious groups at the polls, the figure and performance of the president of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, and the current socio-political situation in Venezuela. The first woman …
The reputation of The Republic of Panama in Global Eyes= Corruption
Interesting article in La Estrella today about much of what we report on at PNO.com. Recommended story. J.B Issues such as the irregular links between Manuel Antonio Noriega and Pablo Escobar, the misnamed Panama Papers, Waked Case, Odebrecht and Martinelli have made the name of Panama in the international arena …
CSS- Social Security update for Panamanians
All contributors to the Social Security Fund (CSS) that belong to the mixed subsystem of pensions have, as part of their personal savings component, a total of $ 821 million , according to the unaudited information of the institution, reported until 2016 . Mixed program reports $ 2,457 million in …
Over $52 Million owed to Social Security
A total of $ 52.4 million owes the State to the Social Security Fund (CSS) in worker-employer quotas that stopped reporting dependencies of the central and decentralized government, and those generated by special laws. The vice-president of the board of directors of the CSS, Roberto Valencia , provided a report …
Human Rights Groups watch as Nicaragua casualties rise
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) affirmed on Friday that the number of deaths due to “the repressive action of the State” in the framework of the protests against the government in Nicaragua amounted to at least 212. Nicaragua awaits the end of attacks in Masaya and the release …
Advocate claims Panama remains unobservant of Black Culture
Proudly Afro-descendant. This is how Alberto Barrow, director of the Panama Afro Observatory, feels. The persistent inequalities that exist for his peers have led him to become one of the most emblematic voices of the Afro-Panamanian social movement. Alberto Barrow spoke about his longing to live in a country where there …
State of Panamanian Prisons?? Don’t get arrested!!
Currently, our country’s prisons house more than 15,000 people deprived of their liberty. The state of the same does not facilitate reintegration into society. It is a fact that in our country some prisons, such as La Joya and La Joyita , present problems because they do not cover the …
Former Public Safety Minister throws support to Martinelli letter
The former Minister of Public Safety José Raúl Mulino , justified this Monday, May 28, the letter of former President Ricardo Martinelli – currently a prisoner in Miami – where he confesses that he followed the instructions of the US intelligence agency and that he served 100% of the interests …
Ortega protests turn deadly in Nicaragua
Eight dead in Managua and two in Estelí left the attack of armed groups to demonstrations that took place this Wednesday, May 30, in Nicaragua against the government of President Daniel Ortega . They repress opponents of Daniel Ortega, who demanded advancement of elections Federation of chambers of commerce condemns …
Prosecutor’s Office reveals massive spike in Corruption Cases filed
by James “JB” Bryson These stories do and will continue to dominate the PON.com site, as until we as both true Panamanians as well as the ex-pats that now call this country home, see a decrease in the massive amounts of “pay to play” incidents that occur in a country …
Panama City no longer the deal it was a few years ago, living costs rising steadily in Latin America
Panama City is the most expensive Latin American city in the world, followed by Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile, according to the benchmark index of the Swiss bank UBS published today, which places Zurich in the first position of the most expensive cities, ahead of Geneva and Oslo. The …
Panama coordinating with Mexico for Papal visit on World Youth Day
A little more than seven months before the World Youth Day (JMJ) 2019, details related to this religious event are finalized. Recently, as part of an official visit to Mexico, Vice Chancellor Luis Miguel Hincapié held meetings with the main authorities linked to security, customs and migration issues. The purpose …
UNESCO involved in dispute over use of Coiba National Park
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) has requested the suspension of the land use plan of the Coiba National Park, which was approved on January 3. Unesco’s request is in a preliminary report in which it asks to evaluate the possible negative impacts of the plan on …
Diabetes fatalities rising among Panamanian population
Diabetes is a silent disease and every day there are more people on your list, most unfortunate many young people are developing this condition and are unaware that they have it. So much so that this disease is the fifth cause of death in Panama. Data from the Comptroller General of …
Resources denied to Chiriqui Hydroelectric plant
The Third Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice denied three appeals seeking to stop the cancellation of the Barriles hydroelectric project in the province of Chiriquí. Hidroeléctrica Barriles, SA, through the Morgan & Morgan law firm, filed an administrative claim for annulment against a note from the Chiriqui Regional …
Panamanians have low participation in high positions
The incorporation into the economic activity of women in Panama is far from assimilating to their educational achievements with an imbalance in their labor participation and decision-making positions in companies, since 12 percent have females in senior management positions, when the goal defined by international studies is 33 percent. This …
New allegations in case of Mossack-Fonseca.
The Second Special Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime announced on Tuesday May 22 that performs nine search proceedings, nine conductions and the respective investigations of ten accused, who have been charged with the alleged commission of the crime of money laundering , as part of the investigation that seeks to …
Bocas Del Toro weekend trip: WTF is happening there?
by James “JB” Bryson Good morning PNO.com visitors. I would hope all had a pleasant weekend. If you checked in last week, I mentioned how a friend and fellow ex pat of mine named “Buddy” made the trek from Panama City to Bocas del Toro this past weekend. Taking every …
Reprieve denied for former Martinelli secretary in unjustified enrichment case.
The Twelfth Criminal Court denied a request to lift the precautionary measures imposed on a beach house valued at $ 400 thousand, owned by Adolfo Chichi De Obarrio , former private secretary of former President Ricardo Martinelli. Adolfo ‘Chichi’ De Obarrio bought gold bullion for $ 759 thousand They ask …