http://www.laestrella.com.pa/ Edición electrónica de La Estrella con noticias, artículos de opinión, espectáculos y deportes. es-pa Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/rss/ Web Admin 2.0 online@laestrella.com.pa johernandez@laestrella.com.pa http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142184.asp COLON. Government pressure on the Colon Free Zone (ZLC) is increasing with full page adverts appearing in national newspapers denouncing the business men who, the government says, earn millions of dollars but pay nothing in taxes.
The adverts appeared as representatives of the ZLC User's Association (AU) unexpectedly cancelled their strike which was due to take place yesterday.
According to the AU's Jorge Punjabi, the strike was called off after a phone call from vice-president Juan Carlos Varela indicated that the government wants to negotiate.
However, the government spokesman, Jimmy Papdimitriu, denied that Varela made the call. He said the AU called off their strike because they "did not have the full support of the majority of users who are aware that striking is an unpopular measure to take". The AU had previously said that they were backed by the Business Council and Cargo Transport Workers of Colon.
Papadimitriu said that the government would go ahead with their proposals to tax the ZLC because it "reports million of dollars of earnings annually but the businessmen there do not pay a cent in taxes".
Punjabi said that AU representatives will meet on Friday with the president, Ricardo Martinelli, the Minister of Economy and Finances, Alberto Vallarino, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Roberto Henriquez and Jimmy Papadimitriu to discuss the new taxes.
However, government spokesmen could not confirm if the meeting will take place. What is certain is that the Treasury was meeting yesterday with members of the AU to continue to discuss the controversial budget adjustment projects which aims to raise $225 million.
The AU are disputing the government's proposal that $140 million of this will be paid by them in taxes on their members'.
They say that this would reduce the competitiveness of the ZLC and may mean that Colon businesses would move to the Panama-Pacific Special Economic Area that is under construction at the old Howard Air Force base at a cost of more than $705 million.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142184.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142184.asp COLON. Government pressure on the Colon Free Zone (ZLC) is increasing with full page adverts appearing in national newspapers denouncing the business men who, the government says, earn millions of dollars but pay nothing in taxes.
The adverts appeared as representatives of the ZLC User's Association (AU) unexpectedly cancelled their strike which was due to take place yesterday.
According to the AU's Jorge Punjabi, the strike was called off after a phone call from vice-president Juan Carlos Varela indicated that the government wants to negotiate.
However, the government spokesman, Jimmy Papdimitriu, denied that Varela made the call. He said the AU called off their strike because they "did not have the full support of the majority of users who are aware that striking is an unpopular measure to take". The AU had previously said that they were backed by the Business Council and Cargo Transport Workers of Colon.
Papadimitriu said that the government would go ahead with their proposals to tax the ZLC because it "reports million of dollars of earnings annually but the businessmen there do not pay a cent in taxes".
Punjabi said that AU representatives will meet on Friday with the president, Ricardo Martinelli, the Minister of Economy and Finances, Alberto Vallarino, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Roberto Henriquez and Jimmy Papadimitriu to discuss the new taxes.
However, government spokesmen could not confirm if the meeting will take place. What is certain is that the Treasury was meeting yesterday with members of the AU to continue to discuss the controversial budget adjustment projects which aims to raise $225 million.
The AU are disputing the government's proposal that $140 million of this will be paid by them in taxes on their members'.
They say that this would reduce the competitiveness of the ZLC and may mean that Colon businesses would move to the Panama-Pacific Special Economic Area that is under construction at the old Howard Air Force base at a cost of more than $705 million.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142184.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142198.asp PANAMA. A cosy bedroom retreat has been discovered hidden away behind a door-size mirror in the parliament building.
The suite, which is fully furnished with a black-sheeted bed, red cushions, TV, DVD, ornaments, carpet and full bathroom leads out of the offices that used to belong to former legislator and ex-president of the National Assemby, Pedro Miguel Gonzalez.
The office then passed to fellow PRD-member, legislator Yassir Purcait, until he was forced to move last week due to administrative shuffles in the Assembly.
The existence of the suite was revealed to the Anti-corruption Secretariat by legislators Marilyn Vallarino, Sergio Galvez and Jose Muñoz who are calling for an investigation to find out who approved the use of State money for its construction.
They claim that the plans to build the annex in which the suite was discovered were approved under the administration of Gonzalez and that the construction was carried out by Construcciounes Y Remodelaciones EURO, SA. The exact cost of the construction is not yet known.
Anti-corruption czar, Fernando Nuñez Fabrega, said he would investigate for administrative wrong-doing and would inform the Public Ministry of the suite's existence.
Gonzalez said that the bedroom was simply a secure place to rest while he was following long debates in the Assembly. He said that everything in the room belonged to the state.
"No-one either inside or out of Parliament can show that this room was used for any indecent act," he said.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142198.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142198.asp PANAMA. A cosy bedroom retreat has been discovered hidden away behind a door-size mirror in the parliament building.
The suite, which is fully furnished with a black-sheeted bed, red cushions, TV, DVD, ornaments, carpet and full bathroom leads out of the offices that used to belong to former legislator and ex-president of the National Assemby, Pedro Miguel Gonzalez.
The office then passed to fellow PRD-member, legislator Yassir Purcait, until he was forced to move last week due to administrative shuffles in the Assembly.
The existence of the suite was revealed to the Anti-corruption Secretariat by legislators Marilyn Vallarino, Sergio Galvez and Jose Muñoz who are calling for an investigation to find out who approved the use of State money for its construction.
They claim that the plans to build the annex in which the suite was discovered were approved under the administration of Gonzalez and that the construction was carried out by Construcciounes Y Remodelaciones EURO, SA. The exact cost of the construction is not yet known.
Anti-corruption czar, Fernando Nuñez Fabrega, said he would investigate for administrative wrong-doing and would inform the Public Ministry of the suite's existence.
Gonzalez said that the bedroom was simply a secure place to rest while he was following long debates in the Assembly. He said that everything in the room belonged to the state.
"No-one either inside or out of Parliament can show that this room was used for any indecent act," he said.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142198.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142293.asp THE LINES. to local call-in radio programs were busy earlier this week as citizens lined up to applaud yet another shoot-from-the hip decision of President Ricardo Martinelli. This time his target was Panama's carnival and his statement that the organizers wouldn't be getting a cent from the government.
Those who whoop it up, at the booze, sex and garbage fest can head for the interior. Last year the carnival cost the government $4.7 million dollars.
Callers from across the city cheered his reflections on what they have been saying for weeks, especially the endangered residents of Bethania, site of last year's festivities, and those living in Albrook and near the Cinta Costera, who had been threatened with the unwanted celebration.
Mayor Bosco Vallarino, who was playing follow-the-leader when the tourism czar mentioned the coastal strip as a possible site for next year's bash, has been strangely silent now that the real LEADER has put a damper on the whole affair.
Time to find another bandwagon for his worship.
ASSEMBLY BLUES
While the government is seeking to put a new look on the face of the legislature, stories and rumors keep appearing, from illicit sex to distribution of Viagra and a hideaway room for former assembly leader Pedro Miguel Gonzales. It looks about the size of the prison cell that he could occupy if the American government was ever able to try him on murder charges dating back to the early '90s.
REAL ESTATE
Never the ones to underline unpleasant facts about a tropical paradise, local realtors must be cringing at the growing security problem. One murder every 12 hours, in a country with a population of little over three million.
Meanwhile my attention was recently drawn to a seminar for would-be expat investors, or settlers. It was organized by a group with only a couple of years on the Isthmus, with another newly arrived American speaking on "culture" in Panama.
The same group on its website espouses maids availability at $150 a month. No mention of social security benefits, hours of work, transportation or other incidentals. The budget given for living in Panama seemed to come from the same dreamland as a recent survey in Britain of world beer prices. Panama led the way with bottled local beer, in bars, at 30 cents.
I'm still looking. In TGFI it is $2.75, most hotels $2.50 to $3, and in a few treasured spots as low as $1.25.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
The decision of President Martinelli to forgo his salary is not without precedent. The newly elected mayor of Doncaster, England, recently took an $80,000 pay cut and is aiming to reduce the city council from 63 to 21.
Mayor Peter Davies said: "If 100 senators can run the United States of America, I don't see how 63 councilors are needed to run Doncaster."
He has also nixed the mayor's chauffeur-driven car and withdrawn from some regional associations which he considers "just talking shops."Shades of Parlacen.
All food for thought for the new administration.
Some wonder if Panama really needs a government, with legislators AND deputies, and a city Council? Membership of Parlacen, it seems, is following the dodo into extinction, although a small group of former rulers have adopted the stance of another bird with its head firmly in the sand.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142293.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142293.asp THE LINES. to local call-in radio programs were busy earlier this week as citizens lined up to applaud yet another shoot-from-the hip decision of President Ricardo Martinelli. This time his target was Panama's carnival and his statement that the organizers wouldn't be getting a cent from the government.
Those who whoop it up, at the booze, sex and garbage fest can head for the interior. Last year the carnival cost the government $4.7 million dollars.
Callers from across the city cheered his reflections on what they have been saying for weeks, especially the endangered residents of Bethania, site of last year's festivities, and those living in Albrook and near the Cinta Costera, who had been threatened with the unwanted celebration.
Mayor Bosco Vallarino, who was playing follow-the-leader when the tourism czar mentioned the coastal strip as a possible site for next year's bash, has been strangely silent now that the real LEADER has put a damper on the whole affair.
Time to find another bandwagon for his worship.
ASSEMBLY BLUES
While the government is seeking to put a new look on the face of the legislature, stories and rumors keep appearing, from illicit sex to distribution of Viagra and a hideaway room for former assembly leader Pedro Miguel Gonzales. It looks about the size of the prison cell that he could occupy if the American government was ever able to try him on murder charges dating back to the early '90s.
REAL ESTATE
Never the ones to underline unpleasant facts about a tropical paradise, local realtors must be cringing at the growing security problem. One murder every 12 hours, in a country with a population of little over three million.
Meanwhile my attention was recently drawn to a seminar for would-be expat investors, or settlers. It was organized by a group with only a couple of years on the Isthmus, with another newly arrived American speaking on "culture" in Panama.
The same group on its website espouses maids availability at $150 a month. No mention of social security benefits, hours of work, transportation or other incidentals. The budget given for living in Panama seemed to come from the same dreamland as a recent survey in Britain of world beer prices. Panama led the way with bottled local beer, in bars, at 30 cents.
I'm still looking. In TGFI it is $2.75, most hotels $2.50 to $3, and in a few treasured spots as low as $1.25.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
The decision of President Martinelli to forgo his salary is not without precedent. The newly elected mayor of Doncaster, England, recently took an $80,000 pay cut and is aiming to reduce the city council from 63 to 21.
Mayor Peter Davies said: "If 100 senators can run the United States of America, I don't see how 63 councilors are needed to run Doncaster."
He has also nixed the mayor's chauffeur-driven car and withdrawn from some regional associations which he considers "just talking shops."Shades of Parlacen.
All food for thought for the new administration.
Some wonder if Panama really needs a government, with legislators AND deputies, and a city Council? Membership of Parlacen, it seems, is following the dodo into extinction, although a small group of former rulers have adopted the stance of another bird with its head firmly in the sand.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142293.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142189.asp MEXICO CITY. The US has released $214 million of an aid package to help Mexico fight drug trafficking, including funds for five helicopters for the military to be delivered by year's end, a top State Department official said yesterday. The helicopters will be the first to be sent to Mexico under the Merida Initiative, a three-year, $1.4 billion program to train and equip law enforcement to deal with the ruthless cartels.
MEHTAR. A suicide bomber killed at least 23 people, including the country's deputy head of intelligence, in an attack near a mosque in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, officials said. Lutfullah Mashal, governor of Laghman province who escaped injury in the attack, said the bomber burst from a shop and blew himself up while officials were getting into cars outside the mosque in the provincial capital Mehtar Lam.
LOS ANGELES. Michael Jackson's death certificate has been amended to reflect his cause of death as homicide. The document has been changed to specify that his death was caused by "injection by another". Investigators had concluded that a powerful concoction of prescription drugs killed the pop star.
HONOLULU.Stinky city bus riders soon could get soaked. The Honolulu City Council is considering a bill that would impose up to a $500 fine and/or up to six months in jail for public transit passengers convicted of being too smelly. The bill w ill be heard Thursday in committee. It would make it illegal to have "odors that unreasonably disturb others or interfere with their use of the transit system".
FRANKFURT. Six countries trying to address concerns about Iran's nuclear program met in Germany on Wednesday, but the German government said it has received no official word yet on new proposals that Tehran is pledging to make.
JERUSALEM.Israel and the Palestinians held their first high-level talks since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took office in March, sharing ideas on how to shore up a fledgling Palestinian economic recovery. The meeting between Israeli Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom and Palestinian Economics Minister Bassem Khoury was the latest sign of a thaw in frosty relations.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142189.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142162.asp LONDON. Oil prices hovered above $68 a barrel yesterday after a two-day plunge as a drop in US crude inventories suggested demand may be recovering. Benchmark crude for October delivery was up 60 cents to $68.29 a barrel by midday European time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract Tuesday lost $1.91 to settle at $68.05.
BRUSSELS.The 16-nation eurozone economy shrank in the second quarter but by just 0.1 percent, largely due to lower investment, official EU statistics showed on Wednesday. The 0.1 percent decline was the fifth consecutive quarter of falling economic output for the area but marked a huge improvement on the record 2.5 percent plunge in the first three months of the year.
NEW YORK. The US Mortgage Bankers Association said on Wednesday it will ask Congress to transform mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into companies that would issue mortgage securities with a government guarantee. The proposed framework from the industry group would give successor entities to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac the authority to create securities backed by certain types of mortgage.
NEW YORK. Job losses in the US private sector fell to their lowest monthly level in nearly a year, a report by a private employment service showed on Wednesday, signaling stabilization in the labor sector. US employers cut 298,000 jobs in August, fewer than a revised 360,000 jobs lost in July, according to the ADP Employer Services report. The July decline was originally reported at 371,000 last month.
CARACAS. Microsoft's Venezuelan office has created a new unit to focus specifically on public sector accounts in order to increase the amount of business with the government during fiscal year 2010, begun July 1, Microsoft Venezuela general manager Anayda Frisneda said.
BRASILIA. Federally controlled Banco do Brasil is looking to take 30% of the US remittance market with its newly launched subsidiary BB Money Transfers, the Brazilian bank's international business director Admilson Monteiro García told BNamericas. García said that BB will be planning on opening five branches in the US in its second phase of expansion.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142162.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142187.asp PANAMA. eFileCabinet, a global provider of electronic document management systems, today announced a reseller partnership agreement with Panama City, Panama based Grupo Instrucontrol, a provider of technology solutions. The new agreement allows Grupo Instrucontrol to offer eFileCabinet's software suite to its customers in more than 17 Latin American countries including Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Panama. This strategic relationship will further expand eFileCabinet's presence in international markets and marks the first time the eFileCabinet product has been made available in Spanish.
Grupo Instrucontrol will function as a premier reseller; providing eFileCabinet solutions directly to users as well as developing additional reseller channels to extend its global reach. In addition to localizing its product, eFileCabinet will provide enhanced sales enablement and marketing tools to accommodate the specific needs of customers in Central and South America.
Grupo Instrucontrol, with more than 20 years in the market, does Home Automation, Security & Control Systems and Industrial Control.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142187.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142298.asp GOLD IS. once again "in".
The global crisis that has the world economy on its knees has made gold prices increase steadily and it's expected to reach $2,000 an ounce in less than two years.
The precious metal and reliable commodity has also hit beauty shelves. Gold skin therapy is now the fashionable treatment in cosmetics.
Cream with gold particles is believed to nourish and improve skin tone and stimulate blood circulation.
It´s major claim to success is that it has the ability to fight cell aging thus becoming a youth elixir.
Of course this latest cosmetic rage is available in Panama.
The renowned Dr. Carmen Amada Pinzon offers gold treatments at her Dermoestetica clinic (Punta Pacifica) and the Imperim Spa (Obarrio) carries a gold body wrap treatment.
Rather than using pulverized gold creams, European cosmeticians use a gold thread technique that involves tiny gold threads which are passed through the skin to create a net-like structure under the skin's surface.
It is supposed to help to restore the firmness and elasticity of the face, decolletage, hands and buttocks.
GOLD LIPS
The lips also get a royal treatment with a new product by Avon. Avon Panama recently launched their latest lipstick, Ultra Color Rich 24k Gold.
The lipstick is enhanced with pure 24k gold and aims to be ultra moisturizing.
My favorite color? Red, of course.
BETTER DRINK IT
If, after you pamper your skin and redden you lips, you have an appetite for more gold, I have the perfect quencher.
Golschalger is an Italian cinnamon schnapps.
It is a clear liqueur with very thin, yet visible flakes of gold leaf floating in it.
The actual amount of gold is extremely small and serves as a novelty.
The German word, Goldschläger, (gold beater) designates the profession of gold leaf makers, who beat bars of gold into micrometer-thin sheets.
You can buy Golschlager at the Felipe Motta Wine Store for $20.50 plus tax.
HOMELY PLEASURES
Tonight I will stay home to recover from gold fever, chill my gold liquor and watch a movie. Film choice? James Bond's 1964 movie Goldfinger. It stars my favorite James, Sean Connery.
Cheers!
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142298.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142311.asp Former participants of Vive la Musica Lenin, Francisco, Tatiana, Massiel and Nini formed the group Generacion and have recently launched their first single and video "Amor de Loteria". Ricky Ramirez was in charge of the musical production and Juan Zelaya produced the video. The song "Amor de Loteria", goes on to radio waves today and to tv music channel Mas 23..
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142311.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142152.asp Thursday September 3
"Home" environmental film and talk at La Casona (Casco Viejo) 8:00 p.m. Free entrance Info: 211-0740
Wine and Tapas night at the Granada hotel Live jazz band a nd photo exhibit by Ines Cabrera "50km of Panama waist" $15 Info: 204-4444
Thursday September 3 - 8
Sri sri yoga workshop at El Arte de Vivir foundation (San Francisco) with certified instructors Emilia Vignoli and Ved Vignan Divia Peth. $70. Info: 6671- 3878, ariadnadelbusto@cwpanama.net
Thursday September 3 - Sept 21
Photo exhibit "El lado oscuro de Ibone" by Manuel Madueño at Restaurant Manolo Caracol (Casco Viejo). Info: 228-4640
Thursday September 3 - Sept 24
"Latitudes" art exhibit at the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo (Ancon). Invites the French Embassy. Opening ceremony on the 18 at 6:00 p.m. Info: 262-3380
Thursday September 3 – Sept 26
"The trouble with food" art exhibit opening by Maria Raquel Cochez at Diablo Rosso (Casco Viejo.) 7:00 p.m. Info: 228-4833
Thursday September 3– Sept. 27
"En absoluta libertad" art exhibit opening at Bambusillo art gallery (El Valle de Anton). Artist Luis Carlos de Leon and Zilia Toledano. 11:00 a.m. Info: 983-5004
Friday September 4
Escape from Alcatraz show at Guru nightclub (Calle Uruguay) with New York Dj Charlie Hawk Free entrance for ladies until 11:30 p.m. Info: www.gurupanama.com
Live music at Los Toneles restaurant (El Dorado) with Valeria Ovando and Esteban Goddard 7:00 p.m. Info: 236-4040
Golf tournament "La sonrisa de los niños" Summit Golf & Resort (GAMBOA) Shot gun 6:00 a.m. $110 Info: 232-4653
Friday September 4 -5
Mystery dinner theater "The Golden Crab Murder" at the new theater next to Oasis restaurant 6:00 p.m. $35 includes dinner Info: 6584-0213
Saturday September 5
Anitour 2009 at ATLAPA Anime, cosplay and more. $5. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Info: www.animela.net
KO to drugs boxing show with Luis "El Nica" Concepcion Vs Omar Salado special appearance by Oscar De La Hoya at the Roberto Duran Arena $12 - $250 tickets for sale at Metro pharmacies, Ticketplus and Hometek. Info: 262-3130
Canadian association mixer at Don Blas restaurant (Calle Uruguay) Casual afternoon of drinks and fellowship. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. All welcome Info: 832-2469
Webster Piano trio in concert at the Ascanio Arosemena Auditorium (Balboa). Tickets $10 - $20 students $3. 8:00 p.m. Info: 392-2517
Charity Karaoke at Xoko's restaurant (Santa Clara) to raise funds for the El Valle Amphibian conservation Center. Free parking, no cover charge. Info: roberto@retirementdetectives.com
Saturday September 5 -6
Karting Panama 2009 at the Amador parking lots. 10:00 a.m. Info: ckp-jd@panamakarting.com
Sunday September 6
Flea market at Casco Viejo Artisans, food, music, second hand books and more From 9 :00 a.m. Info: 209-6324
Mcdonald's Anniversay Marathon 5K 8:00 a.m. Starts at Tumba Muerto McDonald's. Organized by the Kiwanis Club $5 Info: 232-6256
Flea market at Las Brisas de Amador, on the Causeway. Event with handicrafts sales, pets, food, real estate, cars, and much more. Free admission. Info: 314-3369, 6616-7474, info@mercadodelaspulgas.biz
Coronado Bible Church English service at the Coronado Hotel and Resort. (Chame conference room) 10:30 a.m. Non–denominational. Info: Deanna Borden bordendeanna@yahoo.com
Tuesday September 8
The Navy League Panama holds meeting and dinner at the Machu Pichu restaurant. Maria Fabrega will give lecture about La Casita de Mausi art therapy program for cancer patients. Limited space, call to reserve 7:00 p.m. Info: 264-8501
The St. Andrews Society of Panama and its members meets at restaurant Rincon Aleman. Welcome all Scots and Scots descendants as well as those who enjoy or have an interest in Scotland and Scottish culture. 7:00 p.m. Info: info@standrewspanama.com
Learn to and/or play Bridge at Rhino's restaurant (Federico Boyd Avenue). 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. All are welcome.
Wednesday September 9
Live music at the Red String Cafe (Bella Vista) 8:00 p.m. Info: 217-3235
"Eckhart Tolle and the Pain Body" spiritual discussion meeting in Albrook by Spirit Quest. 7:30 p.m. Info: resmith@cableonda.net
Boquete Bridge Club meets at the Oasis restaurant. 1:30 p.m. Info: athallen@yahoo.com
Thursday September 10
"Tacto Visual" collective art exhibit , paintings and sculptures at Dgriss gallery. Info: 201-5550
"Three monkeys" film at CIMAS (National University). Free entrance. Info: 523-5595
Enso String Quartet in concert at the National Theater (Casco Viejo). 8:00 p.m. Tickets at San Pablo libraries (Calle 50 and El Dorado) Info: 214-7236
Jazz Jam Session and great food at Horoko Grill (Tucan country club resort) 8:00 p.m. featuring Alfredo Hidrovo.Info: 316-422
"Pizza con sabor a tango" at Pizza Piola (Calle 51, Bella Vista) with the Argentinean Tango Academy. 8:00 p.m., $5 for tango lessons, followed by a free show and open dancing. Info: 263-4668.
Karaoke night at Sanborns bar in Multiplaza. Free entrance 8:00 p.m. Info: 302-0187
Friday September 11 - 12
Mystery dinner theater "The Golden Crab Murder" at the new theater next to Oasis restaurant. 6:00 p.m. $35 includes dinner. Info: 6584-0213
Thursday September 17 - 18
Expo Habitat 2009 International construction and housing fair at ATLAPA 3:00 p.m. -9:30 p.m. Info: 265-2500
Saturday Sept. 19
Aventura band in concert at Figali Convention Center Presenting latest Cd The Last: Bachata music, hip hop and salsa combination. 7:00 p.m. Tickets: $25-$125 at Ticketplus Info: 279-0332
Fifth Golf tournament " Spain Ambassador" at the Coronado Golf & Beach Resort Info: 225-1487 / 277-0626
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142152.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142160.asp MELBOURNE. World number one Roger Federer has yet to decide if he will use the Kooyong Classic in January to fine tune his Australian Open preparations, organizers said Wednesday. Tournament director Colin Stubs said Federer had not finalized his plans for the season-opening Grand Slam due to the birth last July of his twin daughters Myla and Charlene.
LONDON. Arsenal will study UEFA's justification for handing Eduardo a two-match European ban for diving before deciding whether to appeal against the verdict. European football's governing body opened disciplinary proceedings against the Croatia international for "deceiving the referee" after he tumbled theatrically to win a penalty in last week's Champions League play-off against Celtic.
TOKYO. Masanori Murakami, Japan's first export to Major League Baseball, has some career advice for aspiring Japanese players: Forget loyalty, baseball is business. Murakami was pitching for the San Francisco Giants before the likes of Hideo Nomo and Daisuke Matsuzakawere even born. And on the 45th anniversary of his US pro debut, the 65-year-old was adamant that the Major Leagues should be the target for all Japanese players looking to make the breakthrough.
SANTA ROSA. Levi Leipheimer inked a two-year deal with Lance Armstrong's new RadioShack team, the US cyclist confirmed. Seven-time Tour de France winner Armstrong announced the new team during the Tour de France. He finished third overall in the Tour while racing for Astana, his first participation in the race since securing his seventh yellow jersey in 2005, after which he retired.
BARCELONA. Ricky Rubio wants to keep playing basketball in Spain, saying a move to the Minnesota Timberwolves would be too risky and complicate his life. The 19-year-old point guard was sent from DKV Joventut to Barcelona on Tuesday after the Catalan club paid Rubio's $5 million buyout clause.
BIRMINGHAM. Aston Villa finally completed the signing of Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne from Manchester City on Wednesday.Dunne, who cost Villa a reported six $9.6 million becomes O'Neill's second defensive signing.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142160.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142206.asp PANAMA. After the Civil Aviation agency said the country is in need of a new international airport, several options and their advocates have taken front stage and a controversy is already cooking up in the central provinces.
Some consider Rio Hato (Cocle province) a good location, specifically at the old race track.
Representatives from Anton argue their location is better because it has the coastal road.
Penonome city sees its possibilities diminished due to the abundance of vultures and hills.
A committee is analyzing areas in Los Santos, Herrera, Veraguas and Aguadulce to find a location that benefits all four provinces.
Important tourist destinations like el Valle de Anton and the beaches along the Cocle coastline are in desperate need of an international airport.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142206.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142196.asp Panama. There have been two murders a day in 2009, according to ex-police chief Jaime Abad. He said the number of daily murders has been on the increase since 2007 when there was just one every 19 hours. He said delinquency and violent crimes are also on the increase, what he described as a "grave problem".
Kuna Yala. Four Columbians were detained 13 miles north of El Porvenir with 265 kilos of cocaine. The arrests came as part of a joint operation between Panama's Aeronaval Services and the US Coastguard.
Costa Rica. The president of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias, will be in Panama at the end of October to meet with Panamanian president, Ricardo Martinelli. It is expected that their discussions will center on tourism, development of border areas, cooperation and business.
Panama. Electricity tariffs went down by 16 percent on Monday for users who consume less than 500 kwh.
Old Panama. The via Cincuentanario which cuts through the heart of OLd Panama is to be relocated. Old Panama was the first city to be established on the Pacific side of the isthmus and dates back to 1519. The ruins that remain were made a UN World Heritage site six years ago. The Minister of Economy and Finance, Alberto Vallarino, said the road will be moved to protect the remains from fumes and traffic pollution.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142196.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142197.asp PASO CANOAS. The Border with Costa Rica closed yet again, this time for more than 10 hours by 20 protesting "Tico" families who are calling on their government not to confiscate the land where they live.
At least 50 trucks carrying food and other produce were trapped both in Panama and Costa Rica when the protesters parked a trailer across the main entrance to the border crossing.
Pablo Valles Vargas, one of the demonstrators, said that the protest was justified because they needed to draw attention to the plight of landless people.
He said that for more than 10 years some 50,000 people have been living on land close to the border with Panama.
He said that the Costa Rican government is considering a law that will make the disputed land property of the State, meaning that no inhabitant will be able to claim land title. The land is currently classified as an "inalienable zone", which means that neither state nor individuals have title.
The border finally opened after protestors came to a provisional agreement with the authorities.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142197.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142189.asp MEXICO CITY. The US has released $214 million of an aid package to help Mexico fight drug trafficking, including funds for five helicopters for the military to be delivered by year's end, a top State Department official said yesterday. The helicopters will be the first to be sent to Mexico under the Merida Initiative, a three-year, $1.4 billion program to train and equip law enforcement to deal with the ruthless cartels.
MEHTAR. A suicide bomber killed at least 23 people, including the country's deputy head of intelligence, in an attack near a mosque in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, officials said. Lutfullah Mashal, governor of Laghman province who escaped injury in the attack, said the bomber burst from a shop and blew himself up while officials were getting into cars outside the mosque in the provincial capital Mehtar Lam.
LOS ANGELES. Michael Jackson's death certificate has been amended to reflect his cause of death as homicide. The document has been changed to specify that his death was caused by "injection by another". Investigators had concluded that a powerful concoction of prescription drugs killed the pop star.
HONOLULU.Stinky city bus riders soon could get soaked. The Honolulu City Council is considering a bill that would impose up to a $500 fine and/or up to six months in jail for public transit passengers convicted of being too smelly. The bill w ill be heard Thursday in committee. It would make it illegal to have "odors that unreasonably disturb others or interfere with their use of the transit system".
FRANKFURT. Six countries trying to address concerns about Iran's nuclear program met in Germany on Wednesday, but the German government said it has received no official word yet on new proposals that Tehran is pledging to make.
JERUSALEM.Israel and the Palestinians held their first high-level talks since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took office in March, sharing ideas on how to shore up a fledgling Palestinian economic recovery. The meeting between Israeli Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom and Palestinian Economics Minister Bassem Khoury was the latest sign of a thaw in frosty relations.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142189.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142162.asp LONDON. Oil prices hovered above $68 a barrel yesterday after a two-day plunge as a drop in US crude inventories suggested demand may be recovering. Benchmark crude for October delivery was up 60 cents to $68.29 a barrel by midday European time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract Tuesday lost $1.91 to settle at $68.05.
BRUSSELS.The 16-nation eurozone economy shrank in the second quarter but by just 0.1 percent, largely due to lower investment, official EU statistics showed on Wednesday. The 0.1 percent decline was the fifth consecutive quarter of falling economic output for the area but marked a huge improvement on the record 2.5 percent plunge in the first three months of the year.
NEW YORK. The US Mortgage Bankers Association said on Wednesday it will ask Congress to transform mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into companies that would issue mortgage securities with a government guarantee. The proposed framework from the industry group would give successor entities to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac the authority to create securities backed by certain types of mortgage.
NEW YORK. Job losses in the US private sector fell to their lowest monthly level in nearly a year, a report by a private employment service showed on Wednesday, signaling stabilization in the labor sector. US employers cut 298,000 jobs in August, fewer than a revised 360,000 jobs lost in July, according to the ADP Employer Services report. The July decline was originally reported at 371,000 last month.
CARACAS. Microsoft's Venezuelan office has created a new unit to focus specifically on public sector accounts in order to increase the amount of business with the government during fiscal year 2010, begun July 1, Microsoft Venezuela general manager Anayda Frisneda said.
BRASILIA. Federally controlled Banco do Brasil is looking to take 30% of the US remittance market with its newly launched subsidiary BB Money Transfers, the Brazilian bank's international business director Admilson Monteiro García told BNamericas. García said that BB will be planning on opening five branches in the US in its second phase of expansion.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142162.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142187.asp PANAMA. eFileCabinet, a global provider of electronic document management systems, today announced a reseller partnership agreement with Panama City, Panama based Grupo Instrucontrol, a provider of technology solutions. The new agreement allows Grupo Instrucontrol to offer eFileCabinet's software suite to its customers in more than 17 Latin American countries including Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Panama. This strategic relationship will further expand eFileCabinet's presence in international markets and marks the first time the eFileCabinet product has been made available in Spanish.
Grupo Instrucontrol will function as a premier reseller; providing eFileCabinet solutions directly to users as well as developing additional reseller channels to extend its global reach. In addition to localizing its product, eFileCabinet will provide enhanced sales enablement and marketing tools to accommodate the specific needs of customers in Central and South America.
Grupo Instrucontrol, with more than 20 years in the market, does Home Automation, Security & Control Systems and Industrial Control.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142187.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142298.asp GOLD IS. once again "in".
The global crisis that has the world economy on its knees has made gold prices increase steadily and it's expected to reach $2,000 an ounce in less than two years.
The precious metal and reliable commodity has also hit beauty shelves. Gold skin therapy is now the fashionable treatment in cosmetics.
Cream with gold particles is believed to nourish and improve skin tone and stimulate blood circulation.
It´s major claim to success is that it has the ability to fight cell aging thus becoming a youth elixir.
Of course this latest cosmetic rage is available in Panama.
The renowned Dr. Carmen Amada Pinzon offers gold treatments at her Dermoestetica clinic (Punta Pacifica) and the Imperim Spa (Obarrio) carries a gold body wrap treatment.
Rather than using pulverized gold creams, European cosmeticians use a gold thread technique that involves tiny gold threads which are passed through the skin to create a net-like structure under the skin's surface.
It is supposed to help to restore the firmness and elasticity of the face, decolletage, hands and buttocks.
GOLD LIPS
The lips also get a royal treatment with a new product by Avon. Avon Panama recently launched their latest lipstick, Ultra Color Rich 24k Gold.
The lipstick is enhanced with pure 24k gold and aims to be ultra moisturizing.
My favorite color? Red, of course.
BETTER DRINK IT
If, after you pamper your skin and redden you lips, you have an appetite for more gold, I have the perfect quencher.
Golschalger is an Italian cinnamon schnapps.
It is a clear liqueur with very thin, yet visible flakes of gold leaf floating in it.
The actual amount of gold is extremely small and serves as a novelty.
The German word, Goldschläger, (gold beater) designates the profession of gold leaf makers, who beat bars of gold into micrometer-thin sheets.
You can buy Golschlager at the Felipe Motta Wine Store for $20.50 plus tax.
HOMELY PLEASURES
Tonight I will stay home to recover from gold fever, chill my gold liquor and watch a movie. Film choice? James Bond's 1964 movie Goldfinger. It stars my favorite James, Sean Connery.
Cheers!
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142298.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142311.asp Former participants of Vive la Musica Lenin, Francisco, Tatiana, Massiel and Nini formed the group Generacion and have recently launched their first single and video "Amor de Loteria". Ricky Ramirez was in charge of the musical production and Juan Zelaya produced the video. The song "Amor de Loteria", goes on to radio waves today and to tv music channel Mas 23..
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142311.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142152.asp Thursday September 3
"Home" environmental film and talk at La Casona (Casco Viejo) 8:00 p.m. Free entrance Info: 211-0740
Wine and Tapas night at the Granada hotel Live jazz band a nd photo exhibit by Ines Cabrera "50km of Panama waist" $15 Info: 204-4444
Thursday September 3 - 8
Sri sri yoga workshop at El Arte de Vivir foundation (San Francisco) with certified instructors Emilia Vignoli and Ved Vignan Divia Peth. $70. Info: 6671- 3878, ariadnadelbusto@cwpanama.net
Thursday September 3 - Sept 21
Photo exhibit "El lado oscuro de Ibone" by Manuel Madueño at Restaurant Manolo Caracol (Casco Viejo). Info: 228-4640
Thursday September 3 - Sept 24
"Latitudes" art exhibit at the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo (Ancon). Invites the French Embassy. Opening ceremony on the 18 at 6:00 p.m. Info: 262-3380
Thursday September 3 – Sept 26
"The trouble with food" art exhibit opening by Maria Raquel Cochez at Diablo Rosso (Casco Viejo.) 7:00 p.m. Info: 228-4833
Thursday September 3– Sept. 27
"En absoluta libertad" art exhibit opening at Bambusillo art gallery (El Valle de Anton). Artist Luis Carlos de Leon and Zilia Toledano. 11:00 a.m. Info: 983-5004
Friday September 4
Escape from Alcatraz show at Guru nightclub (Calle Uruguay) with New York Dj Charlie Hawk Free entrance for ladies until 11:30 p.m. Info: www.gurupanama.com
Live music at Los Toneles restaurant (El Dorado) with Valeria Ovando and Esteban Goddard 7:00 p.m. Info: 236-4040
Golf tournament "La sonrisa de los niños" Summit Golf & Resort (GAMBOA) Shot gun 6:00 a.m. $110 Info: 232-4653
Friday September 4 -5
Mystery dinner theater "The Golden Crab Murder" at the new theater next to Oasis restaurant 6:00 p.m. $35 includes dinner Info: 6584-0213
Saturday September 5
Anitour 2009 at ATLAPA Anime, cosplay and more. $5. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Info: www.animela.net
KO to drugs boxing show with Luis "El Nica" Concepcion Vs Omar Salado special appearance by Oscar De La Hoya at the Roberto Duran Arena $12 - $250 tickets for sale at Metro pharmacies, Ticketplus and Hometek. Info: 262-3130
Canadian association mixer at Don Blas restaurant (Calle Uruguay) Casual afternoon of drinks and fellowship. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. All welcome Info: 832-2469
Webster Piano trio in concert at the Ascanio Arosemena Auditorium (Balboa). Tickets $10 - $20 students $3. 8:00 p.m. Info: 392-2517
Charity Karaoke at Xoko's restaurant (Santa Clara) to raise funds for the El Valle Amphibian conservation Center. Free parking, no cover charge. Info: roberto@retirementdetectives.com
Saturday September 5 -6
Karting Panama 2009 at the Amador parking lots. 10:00 a.m. Info: ckp-jd@panamakarting.com
Sunday September 6
Flea market at Casco Viejo Artisans, food, music, second hand books and more From 9 :00 a.m. Info: 209-6324
Mcdonald's Anniversay Marathon 5K 8:00 a.m. Starts at Tumba Muerto McDonald's. Organized by the Kiwanis Club $5 Info: 232-6256
Flea market at Las Brisas de Amador, on the Causeway. Event with handicrafts sales, pets, food, real estate, cars, and much more. Free admission. Info: 314-3369, 6616-7474, info@mercadodelaspulgas.biz
Coronado Bible Church English service at the Coronado Hotel and Resort. (Chame conference room) 10:30 a.m. Non–denominational. Info: Deanna Borden bordendeanna@yahoo.com
Tuesday September 8
The Navy League Panama holds meeting and dinner at the Machu Pichu restaurant. Maria Fabrega will give lecture about La Casita de Mausi art therapy program for cancer patients. Limited space, call to reserve 7:00 p.m. Info: 264-8501
The St. Andrews Society of Panama and its members meets at restaurant Rincon Aleman. Welcome all Scots and Scots descendants as well as those who enjoy or have an interest in Scotland and Scottish culture. 7:00 p.m. Info: info@standrewspanama.com
Learn to and/or play Bridge at Rhino's restaurant (Federico Boyd Avenue). 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. All are welcome.
Wednesday September 9
Live music at the Red String Cafe (Bella Vista) 8:00 p.m. Info: 217-3235
"Eckhart Tolle and the Pain Body" spiritual discussion meeting in Albrook by Spirit Quest. 7:30 p.m. Info: resmith@cableonda.net
Boquete Bridge Club meets at the Oasis restaurant. 1:30 p.m. Info: athallen@yahoo.com
Thursday September 10
"Tacto Visual" collective art exhibit , paintings and sculptures at Dgriss gallery. Info: 201-5550
"Three monkeys" film at CIMAS (National University). Free entrance. Info: 523-5595
Enso String Quartet in concert at the National Theater (Casco Viejo). 8:00 p.m. Tickets at San Pablo libraries (Calle 50 and El Dorado) Info: 214-7236
Jazz Jam Session and great food at Horoko Grill (Tucan country club resort) 8:00 p.m. featuring Alfredo Hidrovo.Info: 316-422
"Pizza con sabor a tango" at Pizza Piola (Calle 51, Bella Vista) with the Argentinean Tango Academy. 8:00 p.m., $5 for tango lessons, followed by a free show and open dancing. Info: 263-4668.
Karaoke night at Sanborns bar in Multiplaza. Free entrance 8:00 p.m. Info: 302-0187
Friday September 11 - 12
Mystery dinner theater "The Golden Crab Murder" at the new theater next to Oasis restaurant. 6:00 p.m. $35 includes dinner. Info: 6584-0213
Thursday September 17 - 18
Expo Habitat 2009 International construction and housing fair at ATLAPA 3:00 p.m. -9:30 p.m. Info: 265-2500
Saturday Sept. 19
Aventura band in concert at Figali Convention Center Presenting latest Cd The Last: Bachata music, hip hop and salsa combination. 7:00 p.m. Tickets: $25-$125 at Ticketplus Info: 279-0332
Fifth Golf tournament " Spain Ambassador" at the Coronado Golf & Beach Resort Info: 225-1487 / 277-0626
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142152.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142160.asp MELBOURNE. World number one Roger Federer has yet to decide if he will use the Kooyong Classic in January to fine tune his Australian Open preparations, organizers said Wednesday. Tournament director Colin Stubs said Federer had not finalized his plans for the season-opening Grand Slam due to the birth last July of his twin daughters Myla and Charlene.
LONDON. Arsenal will study UEFA's justification for handing Eduardo a two-match European ban for diving before deciding whether to appeal against the verdict. European football's governing body opened disciplinary proceedings against the Croatia international for "deceiving the referee" after he tumbled theatrically to win a penalty in last week's Champions League play-off against Celtic.
TOKYO. Masanori Murakami, Japan's first export to Major League Baseball, has some career advice for aspiring Japanese players: Forget loyalty, baseball is business. Murakami was pitching for the San Francisco Giants before the likes of Hideo Nomo and Daisuke Matsuzakawere even born. And on the 45th anniversary of his US pro debut, the 65-year-old was adamant that the Major Leagues should be the target for all Japanese players looking to make the breakthrough.
SANTA ROSA. Levi Leipheimer inked a two-year deal with Lance Armstrong's new RadioShack team, the US cyclist confirmed. Seven-time Tour de France winner Armstrong announced the new team during the Tour de France. He finished third overall in the Tour while racing for Astana, his first participation in the race since securing his seventh yellow jersey in 2005, after which he retired.
BARCELONA. Ricky Rubio wants to keep playing basketball in Spain, saying a move to the Minnesota Timberwolves would be too risky and complicate his life. The 19-year-old point guard was sent from DKV Joventut to Barcelona on Tuesday after the Catalan club paid Rubio's $5 million buyout clause.
BIRMINGHAM. Aston Villa finally completed the signing of Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne from Manchester City on Wednesday.Dunne, who cost Villa a reported six $9.6 million becomes O'Neill's second defensive signing.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142160.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142179.asp A cosy bedroom retreat has been discovered hidden away behind a door-size mirror in the parliament building. The suite leads out of the old offices of former legislator and ex-president of the National Assemby, Pedro M. Gonzalez.. page 2
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142179.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142180.asp The lines to local call-in radio programs were busy this week as citizens applauded another decision of President Ricardo Martinelli. His target - Panama's carnival and the organizers won't be getting a cent from the government. page 3
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142180.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142182.asp Gold is once again "in". The precious metal and reliable commodity has also hit beauty shelves. Gold skin therapy is now the fashionable treatment in cosmetics. Cream with gold particles may nourish and improve skin tone. page 6
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142182.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142183.asp PANAMA. Ex-Minister of Education, Salvador Rodriguez, who has been accused of embezzlement, emerged smiling from his anti-corruption hearing yesterday, still a free man.
Unlike his colleague, Belgis Castro who faces similar charges and is behind bars, Rodriguez remains at liberty due to astute thinking by his lawyer, Victor Almengor, who petitioned for habeus corpus the day before Rodriguez had to face the anti-corruption commission. This means that Rodriguez remains free from any type of restraining action by the authorities until the Supreme Court rules on the petition.
Both Castro and Rodriguez are accused of falsifying charges for work to remove fibre glass from the ceilings of 22 schools in Colon and of pocketing the funds.
Rodriguez said that all the documentation for works he had authorized was in order and that everything he authorized had also been countersigned by the Comptroller's office as satisfactorily completed.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142183.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142206.asp PANAMA. After the Civil Aviation agency said the country is in need of a new international airport, several options and their advocates have taken front stage and a controversy is already cooking up in the central provinces.
Some consider Rio Hato (Cocle province) a good location, specifically at the old race track.
Representatives from Anton argue their location is better because it has the coastal road.
Penonome city sees its possibilities diminished due to the abundance of vultures and hills.
A committee is analyzing areas in Los Santos, Herrera, Veraguas and Aguadulce to find a location that benefits all four provinces.
Important tourist destinations like el Valle de Anton and the beaches along the Cocle coastline are in desperate need of an international airport.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142206.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142196.asp Panama. There have been two murders a day in 2009, according to ex-police chief Jaime Abad. He said the number of daily murders has been on the increase since 2007 when there was just one every 19 hours. He said delinquency and violent crimes are also on the increase, what he described as a "grave problem".
Kuna Yala. Four Columbians were detained 13 miles north of El Porvenir with 265 kilos of cocaine. The arrests came as part of a joint operation between Panama's Aeronaval Services and the US Coastguard.
Costa Rica. The president of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias, will be in Panama at the end of October to meet with Panamanian president, Ricardo Martinelli. It is expected that their discussions will center on tourism, development of border areas, cooperation and business.
Panama. Electricity tariffs went down by 16 percent on Monday for users who consume less than 500 kwh.
Old Panama. The via Cincuentanario which cuts through the heart of OLd Panama is to be relocated. Old Panama was the first city to be established on the Pacific side of the isthmus and dates back to 1519. The ruins that remain were made a UN World Heritage site six years ago. The Minister of Economy and Finance, Alberto Vallarino, said the road will be moved to protect the remains from fumes and traffic pollution.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142196.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142197.asp PASO CANOAS. The Border with Costa Rica closed yet again, this time for more than 10 hours by 20 protesting "Tico" families who are calling on their government not to confiscate the land where they live.
At least 50 trucks carrying food and other produce were trapped both in Panama and Costa Rica when the protesters parked a trailer across the main entrance to the border crossing.
Pablo Valles Vargas, one of the demonstrators, said that the protest was justified because they needed to draw attention to the plight of landless people.
He said that for more than 10 years some 50,000 people have been living on land close to the border with Panama.
He said that the Costa Rican government is considering a law that will make the disputed land property of the State, meaning that no inhabitant will be able to claim land title. The land is currently classified as an "inalienable zone", which means that neither state nor individuals have title.
The border finally opened after protestors came to a provisional agreement with the authorities.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142197.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142179.asp A cosy bedroom retreat has been discovered hidden away behind a door-size mirror in the parliament building. The suite leads out of the old offices of former legislator and ex-president of the National Assemby, Pedro M. Gonzalez.. page 2
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142179.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142180.asp The lines to local call-in radio programs were busy this week as citizens applauded another decision of President Ricardo Martinelli. His target - Panama's carnival and the organizers won't be getting a cent from the government. page 3
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142180.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142182.asp Gold is once again "in". The precious metal and reliable commodity has also hit beauty shelves. Gold skin therapy is now the fashionable treatment in cosmetics. Cream with gold particles may nourish and improve skin tone. page 6
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142182.asp http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142183.asp PANAMA. Ex-Minister of Education, Salvador Rodriguez, who has been accused of embezzlement, emerged smiling from his anti-corruption hearing yesterday, still a free man.
Unlike his colleague, Belgis Castro who faces similar charges and is behind bars, Rodriguez remains at liberty due to astute thinking by his lawyer, Victor Almengor, who petitioned for habeus corpus the day before Rodriguez had to face the anti-corruption commission. This means that Rodriguez remains free from any type of restraining action by the authorities until the Supreme Court rules on the petition.
Both Castro and Rodriguez are accused of falsifying charges for work to remove fibre glass from the ceilings of 22 schools in Colon and of pocketing the funds.
Rodriguez said that all the documentation for works he had authorized was in order and that everything he authorized had also been countersigned by the Comptroller's office as satisfactorily completed.
Mon, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/09/03/contenido/142183.asp