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☆ Panama ex-President Martinelli chosen as RM candidate for elections
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Elida Moreno | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PANAMA CITY, June 4 (Reuters) - Panama's former President Ricardo Martinelli was on Sunday chosen as the presidential candidate for his party Realizando Metas (RM) in next year's elections. Martinelli - along with his sons - is also charged in Panama for his alleged involvement in laundering millions of dollars in bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. "The only way to get me out of the presidential race is by impeachment ... they're going to have to kill me," Martinelli said. The Untied States has barred Martinelli from entering the North American country, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken accusing him of accepting bribes. Reporting by Elida Moreno Writing by Oliver Griffin Editing by Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ricardo Martinelli, Realizando, Martinelli, Antony Blinken, Elida Moreno, Oliver Griffin, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: PANAMA CITY, U.S, Thomson Locations: PANAMA, Panama, American

☆ Panama boosts security in Darien Gap to confront human traffickers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Operation Choco" aims to stop transnational organized crime in the Darien by mobilizing aerial support and confronting crime groups "head on," Security Minister Juan Pino told a press conference. It is affecting national security, not only in Panama but across the continent," Pino said, stressing that the initiative was "totally Panamanian." In April, Panama joined Colombia and the United States in a pledge to increase joint actions against human traffickers in Darien Gap. This is an effort wholly from the Panamanian state, because we are seeing that the situation of irregular migration is being exploited by transnational organized crime, which is profiting in the millions," he said. More than 166,000 migrants have crossed the Darien so far this year, according to the security ministry, mostly children and teenagers.

Persons: Carlos Jasso, Juan Pino, Pino, Oriel Ortega, Elida Moreno, Sarah Morland, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, PANAMA CITY, Thomson Locations: Puerto Obaldia, Guana Yala, Panama, Colombia, Darien, United States, Colombian, Panamanian

☆ SpaceX Axiom 2 mission returns from space station
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Jackie Wattles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

This mission, dubbed Axiom Mission 2, or AX-2, launched from Florida on May 21. The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying Axiom Mission 2's four-person crew splashed down off the coast of Panama City, Florida, at 11:04 p.m. A company called Space Adventures brokered several such missions to the space station in the early 2000s, booking rides for wealthy thrill seekers on Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft. The SpaceX capsule transported the AX-2 crew back to Earth after a weeklong mission at the International Space Station. Axiom is one of several US companies gunning to create a new, privately owned space station.

Persons: Rayyanah Barnawi, Peggy Whitson, Whitson, I’m, ” Whitson, John Shoffner, Ali AlQarni, “, ” Barnawi, Barnawi, AlQarni, “ That’s, I’ve, ”, Prince Sultan bin Salman, Biden, axiomspace, Derek Hassmann, it’s, gunning Organizations: CNN, SpaceX, NASA, International, Houston, Crew, Dura, Line Corp, Royal Saudi Air Force, United Arab Emirates Space Agency, Russian Soyuz, Saudi, Space, Soyuz, Government Locations: Panama City , Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Saudi Arabia, American, Russian, United States

☆ Private astronaut crew, including first Arab woman in orbit, heads for splashdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Steve Gorman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Joe Skipper/File... Read moreMay 30 (Reuters) - An all-private astronaut team of two Americans and two Saudis, including the first Arab woman ever sent into orbit, headed for splashdown off Florida's coast on Tuesday, capping an eight-day research mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The SpaceX Crew Dragon vessel carrying the foursome, undocked from the ISS late on Tuesday morning to begin its 12-hour return flight. The return flight concludes the second space station mission organized, equipped and trained entirely at private expense by Axiom Space, a 7-year-old Houston-based company headed by NASA's former ISS program manager. In August 2022, Sara Sabry became the first Arab woman and the first Egyptian to fly to space on a brief suborbital ride operated by the Blue Origin astro-tourist venture of Jeff Bezos. NASA furnished the launch site at its Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and assumed responsibility for the Axiom crew during their stay aboard the space station, orbiting some 250 miles (400 km) above Earth.

Persons: Peggy Whitson, John Shoffner, Ali Alqarni, Joe Skipper, Read, NASA's, Rayyanah Barnawi, Sara Sabry, Jeff Bezos, Barnawi, Sultan Alneyadi, Elon Musk, Steve Gorman, Howard Goller Organizations: International, Kennedy Space Center, REUTERS, Space, SpaceX, ISS, NASA, U.S, Royal Saudi Air Force, United Arab, Twitter, Tesla Inc, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Florida, U.S, Florida's, Gulf of Mexico, Panama City , Florida, Houston, Alaska, Saudi, Gulf, United Arab Emirates, California, Cape Canaveral , Florida, Los Angeles

☆ Child migrants crossing Darien Gap surge eightfold, UNICEF says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Elida Moreno | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PANAMA CITY, May 30 (Reuters) - The number of child migrants crossing a dangerous stretch of jungle dividing Colombia and Panama has rapidly increased during the first four months of this year, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday. The thick jungle terrain of the Darien Gap, which is also home to roving bands of criminals, has become a key transit point for thousands of mostly U.S.-bound migrants setting out in search of better lives from South America. A record 25,431 children and teens, both accompanied and unaccompanied, entered Panama through the Darien Gap between January and April, according to a statement from UNICEF provided to Reuters. Adding to the already dangerous conditions, minors are increasingly arriving in Panama without an adult or guardian after crossing the Darien Gap, UNICEF said. That compares with under three a day last year, according to Reuters calculations based on UNICEF data.

Persons: Eli Moreno, Kylie Madry, David Alire Garcia, Jamie Freed Organizations: PANAMA CITY, United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, Reuters, Thomson Locations: PANAMA, Colombia, Panama, Darien, South America

☆ Child migrants crossing Darien Gap surge eightfold -UNICEF
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Elida Moreno | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Florida lawmakers sent DeSantis a bill that would let him stay governor while running for president. "I don't think we have seen a six-month stretch that has ever been this productive in the history of our state," DeSantis said at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee on Friday. Should DeSantis be successful in a presidential run, he would follow in the footsteps of Democrat Bill Clinton and Republican George W. Bush. Ron DeSantis speaks during an election night watch party at the Convention Center in Tampa, Florida, on November 8, 2022. During a press conference in Panama City, Florida, on Thursday, DeSantis continued to play coy about his intentions.

☆ 13 hot spots for real-estate investors seeking solid rental income returns and cheaper property instead of high prices and taxes, according to an expert who's spent 2 decades investing around the glob
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

With the right locations, he believes investors could double their cash investment in the next five years based on property appreciation and rental income. you'll also need to pay taxes on rental income which varies by state. If you plan on generating short or long-term rental income, find a strong rental or property manager. If you're on a budget but want to invest in a good shorter-term rental property for Airbnb, look in high-traffic destinations, he said. Top picks for short-term rental income are internationalized destinations that have easy air access, great amenities, and a lack of hotel competition.

☆ Those Seaweed Blobs Headed for Florida? See How Big They Are.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Elena Shao | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Scientists say they spotted more than 13 million tons of Sargassum, a yellowish-brown seaweed, drifting in the Atlantic Ocean last month — a record for the month of March. NORTH AMERICA March 2023 Atlantic Ocean The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt grew to an estimated 13.5 million metric tons of seaweed this spring. Tangles of the goopy, leafy seaweed have already begun to wash ashore beaches in southern Florida and Mexico. Floating mats of seaweed accumulate in the central Atlantic Ocean for much of the year. But during the spring and summer, patches of it are carried by ocean currents toward the Caribbean, eastern Florida and elsewhere along the Gulf Coast.

☆ Our family is living on a four-bedroom boat while cruising the eastern seaboard for a year. It's not like the 'fabulous lifestyles of the rich and famous' that might come to mind.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Cinda: We're doing what's called the Great American Loop, which is a way to circumnavigate around the eastern seaboard of the US and Canada. A 6,000-mile journey around the eastern seaboardCinda: We started in Stuart, Florida, which is just north of the Palm Beach area. When you think of living on a boat, most people think fabulous lifestyles of the rich and famous. Mark: Some people go all in and sell everything and buy the boat, and the boat is their home residence. We bought our boat specifically to do the loop and we'll sell it when we're done with the loop.

☆ 36 Hours in Panama City, Panama
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Freda Moon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

10:30 p.m. Love the nightlifeFuel your night out with a Coke or a cafe con leche at the Café Coca Cola on Plaza Santa Ana, which — according to its creation myth — has been serving revolutionaries, dictators, Hollywood actors and celebrated poets since the late 19th century. On the edge of Casco, this historic diner and its beautiful neighboring plaza offers a taste of what the Old Town used to be. Walk two blocks to the Selina hostel’s rooftop bar and restaurant, Tacos La Neta , which turns into a party scene at night, when D.J.s play cumbia or remixes of the Cuban-American singer Celia Cruz until 2 a.m. A glimpse of the city’s nightlife is worth the cost of admission ($5) and there are plant-filled nooks in which to drink and people watch. It’s packed after 9:30 p.m. or so on a weekend, with throngs waiting to get in.

☆ Trump's looming indictment causes his feud with DeSantis to boil over into insults and insinuations about a 'porn star' and 'underage' classmates
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The Trump indictment news put DeSantis on the spot, given he's expected to run for president. "I don't know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair," DeSantis said. "But when he can actually make a positive difference — whether that's the Silicon Valley bailout or the Trump indictment — he shuts up for political convenience. Asked about the battle, DeSantis' political team pointed to the governor's comments Monday saying that he would not participate in helping Bragg with an extradition. Ron DeSantis' interview with the New York Post.

☆ DeSantis Criticizes Trump and Manhattan Prosecutor Over Possible Indictment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( John Mccormick | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Ron DeSantis said that the probe into the former president was an example of the pursuit of a political agenda. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took a jab at Donald Trump, while also criticizing the Manhattan district attorney’s office, as he weighed in Monday on the possibly imminent indictment of the former president over payoffs to a porn star. “I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair,” Mr. DeSantis, a likely GOP presidential nomination rival to Mr. Trump, told reporters in Panama City, Fla.“What I can speak to is that you have a prosecutor who is ignoring crimes happening every single day in his jurisdiction, and he chooses to go back many, many years ago, to try to use something about porn star hush money payments,” he said. “That’s an example of pursuing a political agenda and weaponizing the office.”Some other top Republicans derided the possible indictment of Mr. Trump over the weekend, while Democrats warned that the former president’s social-media exhortations for protests were irresponsible and risked violence akin to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

☆ DeSantis breaks his silence on the 'manufactured circus' around expected Trump indictment: 'I don't know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ron DeSantis of Florida has ended his silence on former President Donald Trump's expected indictment by a Manhattan grand jury. Amid criticism from Trump and his campaign, DeSantis generally has stayed away from hitting Trump directly. "I don't know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair. The Trump campaign hit DeSantis over the weekend when he failed to issue a statement as news swirled predicting Trump's expected indictment this week. You're not fooling anyone," tweeted Liz Harrington, Trump campaign spokeswoman, referring to DeSantis' promotion of his new book, "The Courage to be Free."

☆ The 6 best locations for a vending machine if you want to start a 6-figure side hustle
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

According to the vending entrepreneur Marcus Gram, younger people use vending machines more than other age groups. "Students have access to the vending machines in their dorms 24/7 and even late at night for classes," he said. "Breaks aren't typically long enough for people to go to the store, so they turn to the vending machine." "If you have lashes inside of the vending machine at a hotel, it doesn't necessarily mean that that's going to sell," she said. AirportsAirports have a lot of foot traffic and therefore more opportunity for your vending machine to be visited by travelers.

☆ Panama sees limited risk from US, European bank problems
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PANAMA CITY, March 16 (Reuters) - Panama's risk of contagion from banking woes in the United States and Europe is "very limited", an official with banking regulator SBP said on Thursday, adding that local lenders have no exposure from interbank deposits or other investments. "We can count on a very solid banking system," Amauri Castillo, an SBP superintendent, said at a conference in Panama City. Panama's international banking center (CBI) held assets totaling some $140 billion at the end of last year, up 5% from 2021. At the end of last year, Panama's national banking system reported a capital adequacy ratio of 15.34% and liquidity ratio of 57%. Reporting by Milagro Vallecillos; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Anthony Esposito and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ LatAm has 'resilient' financial system, IDB president says after SVB collapse
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PANAMA CITY, March 15 (Reuters) - Latin America has a "very resilient and well-managed" financial system, Inter-American Development Bank President Ilan Goldfajn said on Wednesday, following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, which has roiled markets. "We hope that we are prepared for what is coming in the region," Goldfajn added, speaking at an IDB meeting in Panama City. Stocks and currencies in the region tumbled on Wednesday as traders showed worries over the stability of Swiss lender Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) following the crash of Silicon Valley Bank, raising international fears of financial contagion. "We're going to learn a lot in coming weeks and months about how to get through this period," Goldfajn said. He added that IDB leaders would meet to discuss the development bank's macroeconomic outlook and the impact of inflation, as well as risks to the region's financial systems.

☆ A worker died in a ship's cargo hold in Florida after 2 tons of paper crushed him against a wall, Department of Labor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A worker was crushed to death by two tons of paper being hoisted onto a ship, OSHA said. OSHA said the crane operator hadn't been able to see the signalman guiding the load movement. The crane operator didn't have a clear view of employees in the hold below, OSHA said. When the ship pitched with a wave, one of the loads crushed a worker against the vessel's wall, OSHA said. Premier Bulk Stevedoring was cited for one repeat and two serious violations and OSHA has proposed $43,750 in penalties.

☆ Panama gives Canada's First Quantum go-ahead to operate port terminal
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PANAMA CITY, March 11 (Reuters) - Panama's Maritime Authority has lifted a suspension on First Quantum Minerals' operations at the port of Punta Rincon, which the Canadian company uses to export copper concentrate from its key Cobre Panama mine, company sources said late on Friday. Two spokespersons for Minera Panama, First Quantum's (FM.TO) Panama unit, told Reuters the suspension dated Jan. 26 had been ended, which was confirmed by a source at the Maritime Authority. The company, which spent weeks at loggerheads with Panama over Cobre Panama, had said that once the suspension ended, it would be able to resume activity at the port quickly. The Panamanian government and First Quantum said on Wednesday they had agreed on the final text for a new contract on the operations of Cobre Panama, which accounts for about 3.5% of the country's gross domestic product. About 60% of the copper concentrate exported through Punta Rincon is destined for factories in China.

☆ Falling Panama Canal traffic threatens local economy, execs warn
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Milagro Vallecillos | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The first trial run with a Post-Panamax cargo ship in the new sets of locks on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal, in Panama City, Panama June 9, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos JassoPANAMA CITY, March 8 (Reuters) - The amount of cargo passing through the Panama Canal is expected to shrink this fiscal year, the canal's top authority said on Wednesday, with experts warning lower volumes could hurt Panama's economy. The canal is losing out on traffic from ships that once carried fuel and gas from the U.S. to Asia, but now go to Europe and bypass the Panama Canal, Vasquez said at a conference. The number of tonnes passing through the canal reached 518 million in 2022 and 516 million in 2021, according to official data. Reporting by Milagro Vallecillos; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle and Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ The 5 best locations for a vending machine if you want to start a 6-figure side hustle
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Vending machines can be a lucrative side hustle for entrepreneurs looking to earn passive income, especially as economic experts warn of a recession this year. According to the vending entrepreneur Marcus Gram, younger people use vending machines more than other age groups. "Students have access to the vending machines in their dorms 24/7 and even late at night for classes," he said. "Breaks aren't typically long enough for people to go to the store, so they turn to the vending machine." "If you have lashes inside of the vending machine at a hotel, it doesn't necessarily mean that that's going to sell," she said.

☆ We're married Delta pilots with two young kids. Here's how we've navigated our careers together and our top 10 travel tips for couples.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Delta pilots Brent and Kelly Knoblauch first met as interns in 2010. Kelly: Brent and I first met in 2010, when I was still in college at the University of North Dakota. And then I think almost a year to the day, Kelly was also hired as a pilot back at Delta. Being able to see what you're seeing, what you're hearing, what you're suspecting, and just being open about that. Kelly: It actually went really well.

☆ At least 39 migrants die in bus crash off Panama cliff
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Elida Moreno | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Rescue teams work at the site of the accident of a bus, which was carrying migrants who had traveled through the Darien gap, in Los Planes de Gualaca, Panama February 15, 2023. REUTERS/StringerPANAMA CITY, Feb 15 (Reuters) - At least 39 have died in Panama after a bus carrying more than 60 migrants fell off a cliff early on Wednesday, the country's migration authorities said, marking the worst migration accident in the Central American country's history. Migration authorities did not provide details on the nationalities of the victims, saying it would first communicate with the relatives and respective embassies of the passengers. Last year, a record 248,000 migrants crossed the Darien Gap, most of them Venezuelans. Since the beginning of 2023, a further 32,800 have crossed the Darien Gap, Panama's foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

☆ Floridians can blame vacation homes and 'oppressive' homeowners associations for their high rents, economist says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Robert Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Too many vacation rentals and strict homeowners associations are pushing up housing costs, a study said. According to Johnson, there are too many vacation rentals in the Sunshine State. It's this particular combination of strict HOA rules and the sheer number of vacation rentals is a mixture that is affecting housing affordability negatively, he said. According to Johnson's study, Florida is now home to 9 of the 21 most overpriced rental markets in the US. The number of vacation rentals in the state is only making it harder for people to find affordable places to rent, the study suggests.

PANAMA CITY, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Panama's government on Tuesday doubled down on an order that Canada-based miner First Quantum Minerals (FM.TO) halt operations at its local copper mine, saying the miner had been operating without a contract since 2017. Earlier, First Quantum said it would submit an appeal against Panama's order by the end of the day. On Tuesday, Panama's commerce and industry ministry said First Quantum had been operating without a contract after the previous one was annulled by the Supreme Court in 2017. That court ruling was published in the government's official gazette in December 2021, but First Quantum continued operating as a new deal was negotiated. First Quantum's Chief Executive Tristan Pascall said in a call with investors on Tuesday morning that following the Supreme Court decision, the government of Panama issued public statements "reaffirming that the contract remained valid."

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