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index-February-2007-1.html English News Blog for  Panama News Blog February Archive 

Editorial Comments on Noriega

By Sandy at 02/07/07 22:59

It is written in the Editorial that "Either as a prisoner or a free man... Noriega should never return to Panama". This was written and some hoodlums in the National Assembly were attempting to use the Penal Reform project to get Noriega off the hook and in effect it would void the seven prison sentences for him.

Original source: The Panama Hews. Noriega should never return to Panama

Salesians' Centennial

The Society of St. Francis de Sales, which is dedicated mainly to education celebrated their centennial this year and was very well attended. The Salesians were the founders of the Artes y Oficios vocational high school, which they turned over to the Panamanian government.

Original source: The Panama News. Scenes from the Don Bosco Procession

Wild Dolphins to be put in parks

A lot of controversy against the Ocean Embassy which is opening a dolphon park at Playa Coronoa in San Carlos is being criticized about their plans to capture wild dolphins for the park.

Original source: The Panama News. Dolphin pard responds to critics

Cayuco Record Set

Four records fell at the Balboa Yacht Club Regataa. There were an unprecedented number of boats at this event and four records fell. The only first-place finisher that didn't set a record was the police boat, Expreso Comando, had a policewoman aboard and was forced to race in the mixed open category rather than in the male open division.

Original source: The Panama Hews. A New Record

Audit of ships requested

Panama with 7,000 ships is the largest fleet in the world and has requestion the International Maritime Organization for an audit to help it improve security and environmental controls.

Original source: Feuters. [404 Check: was link to http:/ / today. reuters. com/ news/ articlebusiness. aspx?type=ousiv&storyID=2007 -02 -05T225809Z_ 01_ N05466882_ RTRIDST_ 0_ BUSINESSPRO -PANAMA -SHIPPING -DC. XML&from=business, anchor: Panama asks for 2008 audit for its ship fleet]

Panama Hat???

The Panama Hat has forever been manufactured in Equador and shipped east from Panama and worn by labourers digging out the canal across the isthmus. Because of this the hats have gained the misleading name of Panama Hats. Now the Chinese are getting into the manufacturing of Panama Hats and Equador feels they will never get the name changed to show they truly are the original manufacturers

Original source: The Scotsman. Panama Hat Makers Face New Challenge to the Iconic Headwear

On the Grow Again

A country that is famous for a canal and a hat that is made in another country has indisputably one of the wonders of the modern world but it doesn't quite belong to them. However, even though the canal has been in dispute it is accounting for an increase of tourists visiting Central America.

Original source: JaxFax Travel Marketing. Panama on the Edge of its Next Growth Spurt

Enel Gains 49% of Fortuna

Enel will have full operating control of Fortuna which is one of the main electricty producers in Panama which operates a hydroelectric plant.

Original source: Forbes.com. Enel doubles stake in Panama's Fortuna to 49 pct for 161.3 min usd

Taipai Accused of checkbook diplomacy

Taiwan donated $5 million U.S. to Panama as part of a bilateral humanitarian program and was meant for a charity project to help disabled people access facilites easily and provide them with vocational training and counselling.

Original source: Taipei Times. Donation to Panama not checkbookk diplomacy: Yeh

Hikes in Canal Rate

To help offset the cost of the $5.25 billion face-lift for the Panama Canal there will be yearly price hikes of 10% this year, 17% in 2008 and a further 14% the following year. The main users of the canal are U.S., China, Japan and Chile.

Original source: Daily Times. Panama Canal plans to hike tariffs