Crime

ODEBRECHT: Inside the anatomy of a corrupt enterprise.

*Great insightful expose of the investigation into Odebrecht. https://impresa.prensa.com/panorama/ICIJ-filtraciones-revelan-Odebrecht-conto_0_5335716494.html THE DIVISION OF SOBORNOS ICIJ: leaks reveal that Odebrecht did not tell everything Although the Brazilian company undertook to cooperate, in practice there are proven facts that have not been revealed. The Consortium of Investigative Journalists reveals unpublished details. Results of …

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 …

Human Interest

Bullshit photo op, as UN Human Rights wing meets with Maduro.

http://laestrella.com.pa/tag/internacional/4 On Friday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro received the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, at the presidential palace in Miraflores on the occasion of his visit in the context of the crisis in the South American country. The meeting, which takes place in private, is Bachelet’s last …

Human Interest

Mother’s of unjustly imprisoned in Nicaragua are the voices for their freedom.

https://www.prensa.com/mundo/Madres-recibieron-amnistia-liberacion-Nicaragua_0_5331216859.html Mothers of more than 80 detainees who were not covered by an amnesty in Nicaragua protested on Wednesday to demand the release of their children, while continuing the official siege against the opposition. Opposition single demands freedom of ‘all’ political prisoners Government declares that it has complied with the …

Environmental

Panama cutting it’s own throat, as Darien logging activity kills swathe of vital land.

The country lost 352 thousand hectares in 18 years The province with the highest forest loss between 2000 and 2017 was Darién. There, during the last years, several denunciations have been presented for illegal logging. The country lost between 2000 and 2017 about 352 thousand hectares of forests, due to …

Environmental
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Metropolitan Park to receive $5Million facelift.

$ 5 million will be invested to create cultural and artistic areas, as well as new trails and facilities to increase the influx of visitors. https://impresa.prensa.com/economia/Parque-metropolitano-ampliara-atracciones_0_5322967709.html Enter the domain of the Metropolitan Natural Park is a blow to the senses. The change in temperature is immediate and, despite being a …

Human Interest

Soccer star Neymar in Brazil to fight rape charges. Cites extortion.

https://www.prensa.com/deportes/Neymar-declara-difusion-intimas-violacion_0_5321467848.html Neymar appeared Thursday night at the police headquarters in Rio de Janeiro to give evidence in the case that investigates him for having disseminated intimate images of a woman who accuses him of rape, in order to show his innocence. The attacker, aged 27, entered the City of Police …

Energy/Infrastructure

Deeper investigation continues into blast that killed 1 and injured 13 in Costa Mare’.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office reiterated that it was investigating ex officio the gas explosion that occurred in the PH Costa Mare, which left one fatal victim and 13 injured. It is pronounced construction of PH Costa Mare project after the tragedy Hospital del Niño confirms death of baby who suffered …

Entertainment

Alfredo de Saint Malo Musical Festival mixes together the best that Panama has to offer.

A musical exchange The 13th edition of the Alfredo de Saint Malo International Music Festival links and bridges between different musicians to offer quality concerts to the country. The event starts from today. https://impresa.prensa.com/vivir/intercambio-musical_0_5315468430.html From today, we will witness a cultural exchange between various musicians of our country and the …

Human Interest

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 …

"JB"

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

Energy/Infrastructure

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. …

Human Interest

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 …

Environmental

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 …

Human Interest

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 …

"JB"

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 …

Human Interest

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 …

Human Interest

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 …

Chiriqui

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. …

Human Interest

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 …

Human Interest

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 …

Crime

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 …

Economy

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 …

Economy

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 Interest

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 …

Human Interest

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 …

Crime

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 …

Human Interest

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 …

Human Interest

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 …

Crime

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 …