Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.
Ecological Catamaran Going Around World is in Panama.
The ecological catamaran Race for Water traveled today the Panama Canal, after touring 8,757 miles powered by solar energy, hydrogen and sailing.
As part of the Odyssey 2017-2021 expedition, the ship will make its fifth scale in this capital since it left the French port of Lorient, on April 9, 2017, and visit the Caribbean island of Bermuda, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Guadalupe, where she carried out scientific work in favor of the oceans.
The Race for Water Foundation joined forces with the transnational SUEZ Group and the Panama City’s Mayor’s Office to hold the event entitled ‘Residuos reciclados, océanos limpios’ (Recycled waste, clean oceans), with the aim of raising public awareness and disseminating solutions for preserving marine resources.
Source: Prensa Latina
Panama Supreme Court Judge Withdraws Draft Ruling Against Marriage.
A judge on the Panama Supreme Court who drafted a ruling against marriage rights for same-sex couples has withdrawn it.
Justice Luis Ramón Fábrega last October in his draft ruling wrote the provisions of Panama’s family code that prevent gays and lesbians from marrying in the country are not unconstitutional. Fábrega also suggested members of Panama’s National Assembly should consider “civil unions between people of the same sex.”
Source: Pride Source
Ex-Panama president gets $1M bail in US but release on hold.
A Miami federal judge agreed to release former Panama president Ricardo Martinelli on $1 million bail as he fights extradition to his home country, but immediately put a hold on her decision.
U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke on Wednesday granted a request by the Justice Department to stay her ruling granting bail while prosecutors appeal. They contend Martinelli is too great a flight risk to release from custody.
Cooke and another judge have previously ruled that Martinelli should be extradited to Panama to face political espionage and embezzlement charges. His lawyers are appealing those decisions.
Source: NY Post
A Panama Renaissance in Casco Viejo
Panama’s historic “old city”, known as Casco Viejo or Casco Antiguo by some, is going through an incredible renaissance these days. It’s the #1 most visited area of the country tourism wise, it’s home to many of Panama’s best restuarants and bars, it has walkable small beaches, plazas, parks, and is where the seat of government resides in the nation.
It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing that makes Casco so appealing as a neighborhood to visit, live in, or play in, and that’s a good thing. Diversity is one of the neighborhood’s biggest strengths, and this means that there tends to be something different that attracts people there, depending on tastes. For many, Casco is appealing because of its restaurants and nightlife. Of Panama’s top 10 ranked restaurants, 7 are in Casco. The same goes for bars, clubs, and cafes (even pastry shops!). The quality of food, drinks, and service is practically unmatched in Panama city, or Panama as a whole. This is a big plus for tourists and locals who demand high quality, and are willing to pay for it.
Source: International Relocation Firm Blog
