Newsrooom Panama

Panama gas prices continue upwards

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:07:03 GMT

Gasoline prices continue their slow but steady climb upwards with a five cent boost for a gallon of 95 octan, and three cent raise for 91 octane starting Saturday, September 11.

IMF looking at nationalization of Panama freeways

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:30:28 GMT

The announcement that the government plans to nationalize Panama’s two main expressways, the north and south corridors has come under the eyes of the the International Monetary Fund.

Teacher denies knowledge of weapons cache

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:20:16 GMT

A teacher has told prosecutors that a large cache of weapons found behind a false wall in his home in Boquete, Chiriqui, were put there by a former owner.

Budget request reductions are not cuts says Minister

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:12:54 GMT

Panama's Minister of Economy and Finance, Alberto Vallarino, has reacted to criticism of reductions in requested budgets for fiscal year 2011.

Drug traces found in police cars in Colon

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:15:26 GMT

The Deputy Police Commissioner of Colón has been removed from his post after "traces" of drugs were found in two vehicles assigned to police in the area under his command.

Tiara 4800 Convertible 2011

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:21:09 GMT

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Tiara 3900 Convertible 2009

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:11:02 GMT

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Panama’s education budget slashed

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:51:22 GMT

Politicians love to talk about the importance of education but when push comes to shove, and it’s time to open the purse strings, there is never enough money. Panama’s Ministry of Finance has instructed the Ministry of Education to slash $247 million from its 2011 budget request..

Family of three murdered on Colon coast

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:41:29 GMT

Three members of one family, were killed Sunday night in the community of Santa Isabel, in the province of Colón, on a bloody weekend that also saw the murder of two men in a Panama disco.
The family was at its residence when masked bandits entered the home and began firing.
Two girls managed to escape, according to preliminary reports. With these three killings, the death toll due to violence in the Atlantic province has

Falling prices could speed solar energy for Panama

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:38:33 GMT

A 40 percent drop in prices for products powered by solar or electrical energy, has opened a window for Panama residents and businesses to install solar panels says Energy Secretary Juan Urriola

Mayor’s advisor attacks city treasurer for negligence

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:18:00 GMT

Jose Blandon, the new eminence gris in the administration of Panama’s mayor, Bosco Vallarino has accused the municipal treasurer, Emerardo Martinez. of negligence.

A break from the gym to eat my way around the world

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:44:04 GMT

Out and About
By Dra Lourdes Quijada
My husband once liked to talk of a time when he and a group of touring tennis players, some of whom went on to win Wimbledon titles, dined out in Soho, London, every evening for a month, each time eating in a different nationality restaurant.

Killings spread to Panama's upscale entertainment zone

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:19:21 GMT

While Panama's Security czar Raul Mulino was planning a trip to Colombia to discus security, two young men were gunned down inside a disco on Calle Uruguay, Marbella, an area that is promoted as a prime tourist attraction. One report said they were revenge killings.

During the weekend, the largely gang related carnage continued in Chorrillo San Miguelito and Colon. Mulino will be discussing organized crime and rug related gang activities.
A lone gun man

Government firing broom sweeps through environmental agency

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:41:37 GMT

The firing of Panama government employees, described by some as a political clean out, continues.

Big fines on the way for cell phone drivers and other traffic violators

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:04:32 GMT

Over 40 years ago in London, England they started painting major intersections with a yellow trellis pattern. It was a major step in stopping drivers from moving into an intersection even if the lights were in their favor, when their exit lane was not free. Now Panama is following suit,

Government critic joins presidential photo-op tour

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:15:03 GMT

After harshly criticizing Panama's government, amid signs that the ruling alliance may be fracturing, Representative. Jose Blandon Figueroa turned up on Friday at a ceremony in Los Santos, with the president, Ricardo Martinelli.
________________________________________
“I was called by the President to accompany him on his tour. I am a member of Government and I came because I am not an enemy of the President or the Government. I saw it as an opportunity to talk

Government critic joins Presidential photo-op

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:04:52 GMT

Mix and match with Canadians at Oldies this week

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:47:54 GMT

Another chance to mix and match with Canadians and those who want to know more about Panama and its people is coming up on Thursday (Septemvber 9) at Oldies restaurant on Calle 39.

Martinelli plans fast retrieval of fraudulent sale land

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:21:56 GMT

Over 30 hectares of land “fraudulently” sold to a relative of a former president will be “promptly” retrieved and sold to investors, says Panama's President Ricardo Martinelli.

Petaquilla Gold facing law suit from residents

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 23:00:33 GMT

Residents of the community of Miguel de Borda in Colón have filed a lawsuit inPanama’s Supreme Court against the Petaquilla Gold mining project. over the approval of an environmental impact assessment.

President urges deepening of bribery investigation

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:05:32 GMT

While a judge is deciding if the CEMIS investigation can continue, Panama’s president, Ricardo Martinelli, urged the judiciary to deepen its investigation of the case.

Fourth Panama transit death in three days

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:12:25 GMT

The public transit death toll in Panama continues to climb. A business man, was run over and killed by a bus in Santa Ana, Panama on Wednesday, 1 morning, (September 1) bringing the total to four people killed by diablos rojos in three days.

Minister wants bargain price land returned to the state

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:13:33 GMT

Panama's Minister of Economy and Finance Alberto Vallarino has asked Attorney General Giuseppe Bonissi to take possession of 30 hectares of land in Punta Chame that was sold to Rodolfo Charro Espino in 2004.

Panama’s treasurer’s future in the balance says mayor Bosco

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:00:22 GMT

The future of Panama’s treasurer, Emerardo Martinez is “on the table” said the city’s mayor Bosco Ricardo Vallarino ."It's something we have considered but nothing is yet official," he said on RPC Radio.

Zero to 190 kph in 6 seconds with no pollution visits Panama

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:37:08 GMT

From a standing start to 190 kilometers an hour in six seconds, no engine roar or exhaust emissions and more efficient than a gas driven car was a dream brought to Panama by a group of graduates from Imperial College London. on Wednesday September 1.

Detention lifted in Panama mass poisoning case

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:11:31 GMT

Panama’s Committee of Relatives and Victims for the Right to Health and Life mourned on Wednesday a court decision to lift the order of preventive detention against Gaten Theophilus.

Two dead: Metro will bring order to public transportation

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:38:00 GMT

The carnage brought to Panama’s roads by the notorious diablos rojos (red devils) continued this week with two women were killed while crossing the road in Cinco de Mayo on Monday, August 30.

Freedom to switch cell phone provider and keep number coming up

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:27:31 GMT

A contract to allow cell phone users to keep the same number even if they change providers will be signed in three weeks and . the system is expected to be operational by March 2011.

No deal for confessed killer in Panama

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:20:31 GMT

There will be no deal for William Wild Bill Dathan Holbert, facing five counts of murder for crimes committed in Bocas del Toro.

Figali unable to keep appointment with prosecutor

dyoung@newsroompanama.com (David Young) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:09:02 GMT

Panama businessman Jean Figali, held on charges of laundering money from drug trafficking, was a no show at the Organized Crime investigator’s office on Monday, August 30.