Moderator_02
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Cable burying better view, more gridlock
Posted on November 20, 2016 in Panama
Post Views: 198TWO COMPANIES will restart on Monday, Nov 21, the long delayed project to bury the mass of overhead cables in the capital’s banking area, but the work will mean more traffic congestion in the lead up to Christmas.
Following the termination of the contract between Gas Natural Fenosa and the construction company that started the project in 2012, Constructora Hermanos Fernández Hidalgo and Inversores F.J. Will handle project and work in parallel, on two fronts in an attempt to recover part of the lost time, after more than a year of work stoppage.
Sebastián Pérez, Distribution Manager of Fenosa, said that work has been done to improve coordination between the companies in charge of the project and the public institutions involved.
It seeks to minimize the impact for neighbors.
More physical activity in the area is expected next week, especially on Obarrio’s streets 51, 52, 60 and 61, which could further impact vehicular traffic in the already congested shopping season of November and December.
Better lighting
The project is limited to the polygon that in Via Brazil, Avenida Federico Boyd, Calle 50 and Via Espana . Perez said that this will be the first polygon in the country with a smart grid.Fenosa said that the project will benefit the visual effect of the area, give more safety to pedestrians and implement a more modern and efficient public lighting system with the installation of at least 932 luminaires using the latest technology.
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/cable-burying-better-view-gridlock
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Varela to receive report on financial services industry
He is expected to release the findings Monday.
Aminta Bustamante 18 nov 2016 - 11:09h
President Juan Carlos Varela will receive a report on the country's financial services industry today, and has pledged to make the findings public Monday.
"I am going to receive it tomorrow and review it over the weekend," the president said yesterday.
The report was prepared by a committee of independent experts who reviewed the practices of the financial industry. The committee was formed in April in response to the so-called "Panama Papers" investigation coordinated by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). That investigation was based on files that were leaked from the law firm Mossack Fonseca.
The committee's work was interrupted in August when two members, Nobel Laureate in economics Joseph Stiglitz and Swiss anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth, resigned over concerns about transparency. The pair quit the committee over concerns the report would not be released to the public.
Varela said that the two experts had the right to express their opinions and thanked them for being a part of the committee for a few months.
The pair issued their own report earlier this month which called for a "quarantine" on tax havens.
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Treatment plants in San Bartolo and Santa Marta remain shut down
Sandra Alicia Rivera,Especial para La Prensa | BARÚ, Chiriquí 17 nov 2016 - 13:44h
Puy Youbert, the director of the water and sewer agency Idaan in Chiriquí, reported today that treatment plants in San Bartolo and Santa Marta are out of operation due to obstructions in the pumping system.Meanwhile, the plant in San Félix is operating at 60 percent of capacity due to partial obstructions.
"The problem is that the levels in the rivers remain high," explained the official.
The plant in Barú suspended operations at 7 p.m. Wednesday but resumed production at 5 a.m. Thursday.
Water is being delivered by tanker truck to health centers, hospitals and schools.
The plants will be operational once crews can clear obstructions to intake valves. But this can't be done until water levels recede.
http://www.prensa.com/in_english/Chiriqui-Potabilizadoras-Bartolo-Santa-Marta_21_4623497610.html
Moderator comment: There was more information in this newspaper article, but I was not able to transfer it to CL. If you wish to see the short video, then click on the above link and view the original source posting.
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France maintains that Panama is a tax haven
It said that 25 of its 40 requests for information were not answered.
Victoria Isabel Cardiel C., ROME 18 nov 2016 - 09:07h
The recent signing of the tax information sharing agreement promoted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) by Panama is not enough in the eyes of France to remove the country from its list of tax havens.
France said that it considers the agreement to be "vague" and added that it fails to define the countries with which it would apply.
The French Ministry of Finance said that, "in terms of the fight against tax evasion and aggressive tax optimization worldwide, we have immediately registered Panama on our list of non-cooperative states and jurisdictions."
This decision will be effective from Jan. 1, 2017.
Sources from the ministry explained that there are three reasons for including Panama on its list of tax havens. The first has to do with the specific cases in which France requested specific tax information.
"Of the 40 requests for information sent to Panama, 25 have been answered incompletely," sources said.
The second refers to the commitment of the country to exchange financial information with other states. In this respect, France said that Panama has announced plans to move to an effective automatic exchange of financial information, but "at the moment, has been vague in its realization."
"It has not signed this convention expressly and has been ambiguous with the countries with which it would be put into practice," they explained.
The third reason is linked to the bilateral convention signed in 2011 between the two countries to avoid double taxation. In this sense, France said that Panama has refused to acknowledge that this agreement "had no limits."
France also accused Panama of being unable to proceed efficiently on the issue of the exchange of tax information.
Panama Revenue Director Publius Cortes said the position of France is unfair.
"The answers to requests for information, both in the past and under this administration have always been on time and efficient with all our partners," he said at an OECD meeting two weeks ago. "The discrepancy has been linked to the content of the response. Domestic legislation has now changed and we are now allowed to give better information."
Quote‘Panamá ha hecho lo correcto’ , asegura Varela
Andrea Gallo, Aminta Bustamante | 18 nov 2016 - 09:07h
El presidente de la República Juan Carlos Varela recibirá hoy viernes el informe elaborado por un comité de expertos independientes que revisó las prácticas de la industria financiera. “El informe lo recibiré mañana [por hoy] y el lunes será publicado”, indicó ayer el mandatario.
Sobre los cuestionamientos que en los últimos días han realizado el premio Nobel de Economía Joseph Stiglitz y el experto suizo anticorrupción Mark Pieth acerca de la falta de transparencia del sistema financiero panameño, el presidente de la República, Juan Carlos Varela, aseguró que ambos tenían derecho a opinar. “Ellos están en su derecho... agradezco a Stiglitz y a Pieth por haber formado parte de la comisión, pero ellos tienen derecho a opinar”, dijo.
“Panamá ha sido reconocido por [la canciller alemana] Angela Merkel, una persona honesta, una líder y una persona transparente... Panamá ha hecho lo correcto y ya ha sacado de circulación temas pendientes”, agregó el mandatario. La vicepresidenta y canciller, Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado, aseguró que el país está cumpliendo con el intercambio de información fiscal con Francia.
“Panamá ha estado dando los pasos correctos, la Dirección General de Ingresos está respondiendo a las solicitudes de Francia”, dijo.
La vicepresidenta agregó que Francia está pidiendo información adicional en relación a la Ley de Registro Contable, sin embargo, asegura que la legislación panameña no permite divulgar ese tipo de información.http://www.prensa.com/in_english/Francia-mantiene-Panama-paraisos-fiscales_21_4624247530.html
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Ambulances to be able to cross Panama-Costa Rica border
Malou Mendoza P. 19 nov 2016 - 13:50h
Ambulances of the Red Cross of Panama and Costa Rica will have expedited border controls from both countries thanks to a communication protocol signed by different local institutions.
The initiative will allow emergency responses in the case of accidents or natural disasters that occur in the neighboring areas.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the agreement covers immigration and customs regulations. The Red Cross had been excluded from previous international agreements.
The measure will also apply to fire departments.
http://www.prensa.com/in_english/Protocolo-Panama-Costa-Rica-Cruz-Roja_21_4624997456.html
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Panama: Del Monte to Plant Bananas on State Owned Land
Post Views: 165
In addition to the lands belonging to the former employees of Coosemupar, the North American company Del Monte may also be able to use 4,000 hectares in the area that are owned by the state.
Depending on what is negotiated in the agreement between the government and Del Monte, the bill for which will be submitted to the Assembly in January, 4,043 hectares in the Baru area suitable for growing bananas could be used, land which is owned by the Panamanian government. These would be in addition to those leased by company, through the State, by the former employees of Coosemupar.
Prensa.com explains that “…The price at which the government will lease these lands caused a further delay. This led to a (government) team … seeking a formula that pleased both sides. A source in the banana sector Baru said that at the start of negotiations Del Monte agreed to a price of more than $200 per hectare per year but with the right to a review. With the next agreement about to be finalised, the company requested an appraisal of these lands from the Comptroller.
“… Del Monte could ask the same price of $135, at which the State rented land to Chiquita Brands. In the end, this point may amount to $187.50. Consulted on the price, the German minister said he could not provide information on this point, since the negotiations are not 100% complete. ‘That was the object of the negotiation, and we arrived at a reasonable figure for the state and for them (…) It was not what the state initially wanted or what they were asking for.’
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Reactivation of Banana Production in Baru
The draft contract with Del Monte establishes a period of 20 years, which is "extendable" and a minimum investment of $100 million over 7 years.
Friday, October 21, 2016
The Minister of the Presidency, Alvaro German, said that the contract being negotiated with the multinational Del Monte also establishes a performance bond of 5% of the total value of the investment.
German explained to Panamaamerica.com.pa that "... 'The negotiations have been delayed, but a negotiation like this is complex. There were specific issues, such as land, which was complicated by the fact that they can not acquire them. And also because multinational companies like Del Monte have their own internal 'protocols. "
"... Once the government approves the draft contract, this will have to be countersigned by the Comptroller and the National Assembly before being signed, said the minister during a forum to promote investment in the western provinces of Chiriqui, Bocas del Toro and Ngäbe Bugle."http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/home/Reactivation_of_Banana_Production_in_Baru
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Just curious if there is a correlation between the action reported here and the prior posting?
QuotePanama: New Taxes on Insurance
Approval has been given to the law that imposes a 2% tax on gross premiums for insurance policies on risks located in Panama and an additional 5% on gross premiums for fire insurance.
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Bill 359 approved on its third reading by the National Assembly of Panama states:Article 63. Tax on Premiums. Insurance companies will pay to the National Treasury a tax of 2% on gross premiums they receive in respect to insurance policies issued in the country on risks located in Panama.
Also the insurance companies will pay to the Treasury an additional 5% tax on gross premiums they receive in respect to insurance against fire, an amount that will be charged by insurance companies to policyholders. The proceeds of this tax will be used, up to eighty percent (80%), for the purchase of materials, equipment, fire fighting vehicles, ambulances, uniforms for fire fighting, construction, repair, maintenance of infrastructure and other resources needed for the Institution to carry out its tasks; and up to twenty percent (20%) for other operating expenses, including increases in the wage scale.
These funds will be transferred by the Ministry of Economy and Finance to the Meritorious Fire Department of the Republic of Panama, for the purposes of becoming part of the trust estate established pursuant to Law 10 of 2010. For the purposes of these taxes, insurance companies are designated as agents for withholding and collection of tax.
See bill approved by the Assembly (in spanish).http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/home/Panama_New_Taxes_on_Insurance
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Note: highlighting is of my doing, not part of the source. Then refer to the next posting.
QuotePanama Insurance Market - September 2016
In the first nine months of the year premium income barely exceeded $1 billion, growing by less than 1% compared to the same period in 2015.
Monday, November 14, 2016
The premiums of insurance companies between January and September totaled $1.023 billion, registering a slight increase of 0.8% or $7.7 million compared with the $1,015 million in the same period last year, according to the Superintendency of Insurance in Panama.
The stagnation in growth is explained by a fall of almost 10% in underwriting premiums in the category of various risks, and falling 52% in the field of theft. In the case of bonds a low of 24% was also recorded.
Auto insurance premiums generated $198 million in the period in question, 6% more than during the previous period.
See report full by the Superintendent of Insurance.http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/home/Panama_Insurance_Market__September_2016
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Tongue-in-check mode on. I would have thought 75% of the vehicles were registered here in Boquete. Tongue-in-check mode off.
QuotePanama: Automotive Fleet - November 2016
They are 1.2 million vehicles in circulation in the country, of which 75% were registered in the provinces of Panama and Panama West.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
From a report by the Traffic and Transportation Authority of Panama:
The auto fleet in Panama stands at 1,221,999 registered vehicles, according to the National Single Registry of Motor Vehicles (RUVM) at the Land Transport and Transit Authority (ATTT).
See also: "Age of the Vehicle Fleet in Central America"
The statistics show the number of motor vehicles in circulation up to November 9, 2016.
The report by the RUVM at the ATTT highlights that the vehicle fleet in the province of Panama and Panama West reached 925.143 registered vehicles, which corresponds to 75.7% of the national total, followed by Chiriquí with 119.174 cars registered (9.7%) and Colon with 46.652, which is 3.8%.http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Panama_Automotive_Fleet__November_2016
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Panama: Connection of Metro Line 2 with Tocumen
The Metro will have an elevated station in front of Tocumen International Airport, near the point where terminals 1 and 2 connect, with an estimated cost of $30 million.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Carmen Carrizo de Pages, vice president of Planning and Strategy at Tocumen International Airport, explained that "...the station will feature elevators and escalators [for people] to take the Metro or to go to T1 or T2".
Capital.com.pa reports that "...Originally, Metro Line 2 was to have 16 stations, but with the inclusion of Tocumen Airport station this will increase to 17. The stations will have a length of 100 meters long and 20 to 30 meters wide."
Metro authorities at Panama explained that now that the connection has been approved, they will assess the needs for train cars and frequencies, as well as other requirements to be defined so that the station can operate in line with the other 16.http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Panama_Connection_of_Metro_Line_2_with_Tocumen
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About Us
The Natural Solutions Foundation is pleased to announce the formation of the new Chiriquí Times — a newspaper and web site serving all of Chiriquí Province and its main towns of David, Volcan and Boquete, and incorporating The Bajareque Noticeas, a tourist paper published since 2005 in Boquete and Chiriquí-Libre, a local newspaper published in Volcan.
Co-Publishers: Maj Gen Bert Stubblebine (US Army, Ret) and Rima E. Laibow MD
Editor: David Dell
As members of the Chiriquí community, the Trustees of the Valley of the Moon Eco Demonstration Project, www.MyValleyoftheMoon.org and www.NaturalSoltuionsFoundation.org, recognized the need for a paper serving the needs of Panamanian and foreign Chircanos - people from Chiriquí - as well as the vigorous tourist population.
Chiriquí Times is a newspaper for those who farm in Chiriquí, Panama's fertile breadbasket, those who live here and those who come to see our wonders and fall in love with our people, our scenery and our special way of life.
The Valley of the Moon Eco Demonstration Project was created by the Natural Solutions Foundation, an international, supporter-supported NGO, active and registered in several countries, including as a “nonprofit private interest foundation…” in the Republic of Panama (called the "Panamanian Foundation" on this site) and as a not for profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization in the United States (called the "US Foundation" here). This memorandum outlines the intent of the Trustees with regard to the Foundation’s Valley of the Moon Eco Community (VOTMEC) demonstration project for private inquiries. The Foundation was established in 2004 in the United States and in 2008 in the Republic of Panama, by Rima E. Laibow, MD and Maj. Gen. Bert Stubblebine (US Army, Ret.). The Board of Trustees also includes our Foundation Counsel, Ralph Fucetola JD.
The Mission of the Foundation is to discover, develop, document, demonstrate and disseminate natural solutions to the issues which threaten our health, food and freedom, achieving and maintaining a healthy self, community and world.
Please consider donating to support the work of the Foundation, including the Chiriquí Times! Tax Exemption availabe to US tax payers. -
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Martinelli tags new party moves ‘witches tales’
Posted on November 18, 2016 in Panama
Martinelli and MunozPost Views: 91EX president President Ricardo Martinelli has moved to counter an initiative by a Cambio Democratico (CD) deputy to create a new political party and recruit members from the CD,
In an audio recorded by the former president and directed to supporters of the CD, Martinelli asks them not to be trapped by “witches tales of any deputy who is trying to register a party.”
He was referring to José Muñoz.
“I call on the bases of Democratic Change not to be fooled by witches tales of any deputy to get you to leave the ranks of this great party and sign up with him.Democratic Change is the chariot of victory in 2019. … Do not register in parties like this .
“We do not know what its purpose or objective is ,”
Muñoz, is the former campaign manager of presidential candidate, José ‘Mimito’.Domingo Arias.
Asked about the audio, Muñoz said that he had not heard it and next week he will respond to “any reference” to his political project.
There has been dissent within the CD party since late last year when Martinelli attempted to shoe Alma Cortez into the presidential chair of the party, and made a demand for deputies to sign what amounted to an oath of loyalty.
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/martinelli-tags-new-party-moves-witches-tales
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500 hit by flooding as more rain forecast
Posted on November 18, 2016 in Panama
Post Views: 135WHILE THE nation’s Civil Defense System, Sinaproc has issued a five day green flood alert the number of people affected by the overflow of the rivers Chiriquí Viejo, Chico and other tributaries, in the province of Chiriqui, has climbed to near 500.
According to Sinaproc , 499 people and 144 houses were affected in Barú and Alanje.
Francisco Santamaria, regional director of Sinaproc, said that in Barú 69 houses were broken down as follows: 30 houses in Majagual; 30 houses in Rodolfo Aguilar and Almendro Acueducto; 9 houses in Almendro Settlement.
In the district there are 240 people affected after water entered their homes, reaching a height of about three feet.
In the Alanje sector, 29 houses were reported, specifically in Majagual and 35 houses affected in Orillas del Río.
In this district there are 259 people whose homes have been Santamaria said that on Thursday 169 people moved to four shelters that opened in Barú and Alanje.
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/500-hit-flooding-rain-forecast
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Heavy rains alert
Posted on November 17, 2016 in Panama
Post Views: 208A HEAVT RAINFALL warning along the Pacific slope until noon on Thursday Nov. 17 has been issued by ETESA’s Hydrometeorology office.
A bulletin issued Thursday said that the conditions will be in the region of Azuero, mainly southern sectors, of Azuero Coclé and Veraguas.
According to forecasts there will also be scattered downpours on Panama and Darien.
Cloud conditions are also expected with moderate-to-heavy downpours on the Chiriquí mountain and lowland areas.
Cloudy conditions are expected with moderate to heavy storms in Bocas del Toro and northern Veraguas, Ngäbe Buglé region, downpours with storms in Colón and Guna Yala.
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Drones ferrying cocaine to Panama
Posted on November 17, 2016 in Latin America
Post Views: 191THE LATEST method of transporting drugs to Panama was discovered by the Colombian Police on Tuesday Nov 15.
Police units captured a drone used by drug traffickers to send small cargoes of cocaine from a jungle region to Panama.
It was discovered in an anti-drug operation near the town of Bahía Solano, in the jungle department of El Chocó.
The investigators seized 130 kilos of cocaine that were buried on the beach near the village of Bahía Solano, along with the parts of an aircraft, which were ready to be assembled, said, regional police commander General Jose Acevedo.
“The drone was used to carry the cocaine to Panama, it had the capacity to transport 10 kilos on each trip and to cover a distance of 100 kilometers,” said the official.
Top producer
Colombia is one of the world’s leading producers of cocaine.
It has the capacity to manufacture 646 metric tons annually of the drug, according to the United Nations, the majority of which is exported to the United States and Europe by different routes, including the countries of Central America.
Acevedo said the drug they seized belonged to the Gulf Clan, considered Colombia’s largest criminal gang dedicated to drug trafficking, illegal mining and considered as one of the main threats to Colombia’s security.
The drug traffickers have used cans of food, handicrafts, agricultural products and even “mules” who ingest the drug in latex bags and then expel them.http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/latin-america/drones-ferrying-cocaine-panama
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Heavy rains create water supply problems
Posted on November 17, 2016 in Panama
Post Views: 147CONTINUING heavy rains are creating problems in water plants in many location forcing the Natonal Water authority Idaan,to deliver ware to schools, health centers and hospitals by truck.
Puy Youbert, Idaan director in Chiriquí, reported Thursday, Nov. 17, that treatment plants in San Bartolo and Santa Marta are out of operation due to obstructions in the pumping system.
Meanwhile, the plant in San Félix is operating at 60 percent of capacity due to partial obstructions.
“The problem is that the levels in the rivers remain high,” esaid the official.
The plant in Barú suspended operations at 7 p.m. Wednesday but resumed production at 5 a.m. Thursday.
The plants will be operational once crews can clear obstructions to intake valves. But this can’t be done until water levels recede.
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/heavy-rains-create-water-supply-problems
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Rescue units called to rain ravaged Chiriqui
Posted on November 17, 2016 in Panama
Post Views: 140TECHNICAL RESCUE units of the Civil Protection System,Sinaproc, have been called in to Chiriqui province.
The system’s director general José Donderis, reported that at least 35 families have been affected by heavy rains that have fallen on the province in the last three days.
These families reside in Pedregalito, Alanje and Barú, places where the delivery of humanitarian aid is underway.
Rescue personnel continue to monitor the Chico and San Bartolo rivers, which have overflowed.
Schools have closed in Baru, where fallen trees are reported and rivers are overflowing.
Regional Sinaproc director Francisco Santamaría, said that there are four affected homes in the community of Orillas del Río in Alanje.
In Brisas Bananeras in Barú drainage channels are full, while the community of Nuevo Acueducto is incommunicado.
In Rabo de Puerco, Barú, the evaluations are y being carried out pn eight damged houses.
T he Ministry of Public Works is working to address alandslide on the road to Limones, Baru. The road to Nuevo Mexico is also closed.
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/rescue-units-called-rain-ravaged-chiriqui
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5-day ‘Green alert’ from Civil defense
Posted on November 17, 2016 in Panama
Emergency Operations Center members called outPost Views: 162A GREEN ALERT for Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí and Veraguas was issued Thursday, Nov. 17 by the civil defense system, Sinaproc .
The alert covers the next five days and was issued due to a low pressure system southeast of the Caribbean Sea.
The center of emergency operations (COE) reported that for the next five days moderate rains are expected which could lead to flooding and mudslides in vulnerable areas.
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/5-day-green-alert-civil-defense
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Editorial comment: another case of needing to proof content prior to publishing. Monday was November 14th, etc.
QuoteSix injured in David jail gang battle
Posted on November 16, 2016 in Panama
Post Views: 161SIX PRISONERS were injured, two seriously, during a gang battle in the La Mata sector, of the David Public Jail in the province of Chiriquí.
The riot began at occurred at 2:00 pm on Monday, November 15, when a row was ignited between the gang rivals Los Chinches and the ADR (Altos del Rio),.
Two of the injured had to be transferred to the Regional Hospital Rafael Hernández de David in ambulances of the Emergencies 911 and the CSS. Four others were yteated by paramedics.
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/six-injured-jail-gang-battle
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With the permission of the originator, the following message from Rodny Direct is being redistributed:
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Member Alert
November 14, 2016
To: xxx
Greetings,
We need to alert all residents of Alto Boquete about the confirmed activity of a burglary gang operating in Alto Boquete. They have reportedly been responsible for more than 6 burglaries of locally owned homes in the area. The police are investigating, but need your help.If you see anything out of the ordinary, please immediately call Rodny Direct. We will forward your information to the police.The gang is suspected to be using a pickup truck with gardening equipment in the back. We believe that they are using this as a cover for casing houses to be burglarized. If you see a suspicious truck, or are approached by someone offering gardening services, or anything else suspicious, take a picture of the truck and the license plate. Email or Whatsapp it to Rodny Direct immediately. Call if you need help sending your pictures.In particular, you need to get cedulas from any worker who comes on your property. Again, just take a picture of the cedula with your phone. If you are uncomfortable asking for cedulas, please call Rodny and he will get the information for you. Be alert to look for tattoos, which may indicate gang affiliation. This is very important.Thanks in advance for your help! Alert citizens have broken many cases like this in the past.Rodny Direct.6446-8850
Any questions? info@rodnydirect.com
Copyright 2015, Rodny Direct
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Agricultural Protectionism in Panama
Post Views: 299
So much for cheaper imported meat products.
After having granted permits to import processed meats from 7 plants in Brazil, the government decided to reverse the decision and suspend the imports in order to show “solidarity” to domestic producers.
The Panamanian Food Safety Authority “… taking into consideration denouncements from the productive sectors in the country, the Honorable Deputies of the Republic of Panama and other authorities, and in solidarity with this sector, which is of paramount national importance, has taken the decision to issue resolutions, through which the approval of the 7 processed meat plants in the Republic of Brazil are “suspended”, so that our authorities, who are committed to the domestic agricultural sector, can develop the best policies in this regard and contribute to strengthening these sectors.”
From a statement issued by the Panamanian Food Safety Authority:The Panamanian Food Safety Authority is a state governing body that ensures compliance and enforcement of laws and regulations on the safety of food entering the national territory, under strict scientific and technical criteria.
Among its functions it is to approve the sanitary and phytosanitary eligibility of countries, regions, areas, production lines and / or plants for food exported to the Republic of Panama.
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Panama to receive $500 million in loans
The Inter-American Development Bank and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) have approved appropriations of $500 million to the government of Panama.
According to information published in the Government Gazette on Nov. 11, the first of these loans approved by the Cabinet Council is a $200 million loan that will be awarded by the Development Bank.
The term of the loan is 15 years.
Meanwhile, the second loan is for $300 million and was granted by the IBRD. It will be repaid over 20 years.
The money is for use on social programs for the poor that are part of the government's plan through 2019.
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Carbon Market Watch, Barro Blanco carbon credits withdrawn
November 10, 2016
This battle has been waged on many levels. Photo #TabasaráLibre.
Panama withdraws UN registration for Barro Blanco dam
by Carbon Market Watch
Last week, Panama withdrew its registration of the controversial Barro Blanco hydro dam project, setting a precedent under the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). While this decision is a step in the right direction for climate action, lessons need to be learned to ensure that the rights of local communities in Panama and around the world are fully protected.
Following years of controversy, and challenges made by the indigenous Ngäbe and the international community, the CDM Executive Board formally considered and agreed to deregister the Barro Blanco hydroelectric dam at its 92nd meeting. This marks the first time a host country has withdrawn registration of a CDM project and effectively stops Barro Blanco from issuing offset credits. Panama claims that the project design document is no longer corresponding to its current environmental impact assessment.
“We welcome this unprecedented and bold move by the Panamanian government. By deregistering the Barro Blanco project, Panama has sent a strong signal to the UNFCCC that climate solutions must respect human rights. It is clear that the CDM standards—which have failed to protect the Ngäbe communities—must be strengthened” says Alyssa Johl, founder of the Climate Rights Collective.
Since breaking ground almost 10 years ago, the local affected indigenous Ngäbe communities have opposed the project as the dam reservoir is expected to flood homes and religious and cultural sites. The project developer GENISA failed to effectively consult or obtain the Ngäbe’s free, prior and informed consent before it began implementation.
“Unfortunately, this withdrawal will not have a direct effect on the local affected stakeholders who are currently being inundated by the flooding of Barro Blanco’s reservoir. We hope this move will also create a momentum for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. We call on the government to empty the reservoir below the comarca (indigenous territory) line and to engage in conversations to find an equitable solution involving all affected stakeholders” says Osvaldo Jordan, director of Alianza para la Conservación y el Desarrollo.
The CDM has a dual purpose: to reduce emissions and to promote sustainable development in developing countries, presumably by encouraging investments that achieve cost-efficient emission reductions additional to what would otherwise have occurred. Several CDM projects, however, have lacked environmental integrity, failed to contribute to sustainable development, and others have had serious social, environmental and human rights consequences.
“We call on Parties to learn from the Barro Blanco project to improve stakeholder consultation and to develop robust social and environmental safeguards for future market mechanisms, already common among multilateral financial institutions” says Juliane Voigt, Carbon Market Watch Policy officer for sustainable development.
The Paris Agreement created two new carbon market provisions which must deliver sustainable development benefits. Technical discussions on further details of these provisions are currently under negotiation at COP 22.
http://www.thepanamanews.com/2016/11/carbon-market-watch-barro-blanco-carbon-credits-withdrawn/
Very Heavy Rains & Otto, A Tropical Storm on Steroids, At Times Also Classified as a Category 2 Hurricane - Very Unusual Weather for Central America
in Rain, Storm, Flood, Hail, Snow, Drought, Range Fire, etc., (Damage) Reports
Posted
http://www.prensa.com/in_english/Lluvias-personas-afectadas-comunidades-Chiriqui_21_4625747383.html