(Star Phoenix) The 101-year-old luxury yacht Isla Morada has been upgraded with new navigation equipment and improved safety features. And the barrels of rum have been moved out of the bedrooms. That's where Al Capone kept them when smuggling rum from Cuba to the Florida Keys on its way to his Chicago speakeasies. Capone also used the bedrooms while hosting elaborate … [Read more...]
Panama’s Economy is fastest growing of Latin America
(Ibtimes.com) A hundred years ago in January, Panama was a few months shy of becoming one of the world economy’s key players. On Aug. 15, 1914, the Panama Canal was inaugurated, providing a much-needed link between the Atlantic and the Pacific, forming the bedrock of Panama’s economy and putting the Central American country firmly in the trade map of the world. As … [Read more...]
Panama president warns Spain, Italy over canal row
(Bangkok Post) The governments of Panama and Spain scrambled Friday to resolve a dispute with a consortium threatening to halt expansion work on the Panama Canal over a $1.6 billion cost overrun. File picture shows a ship carrying four new gates for the Panama Canal heading for the port of Colon, west of Panama City, on August 20, 2013 Panamanian President Ricardo … [Read more...]
Band from Chitre represents Panama in Rose Parade
(LA Times) Every year, 14-year-old Victor Rios would watch the Rose Parade on a television set in his home in the city of Chitre, Panama, marveling at the floats and bands. He never imagined he would attend the parade in person. Then one day in October 2012, Irving Rodriguez Bernal, the band director at Rios’ school, called his students in for a meeting. PHOTOS: … [Read more...]
Panama’s Casco Viejo experiencing a revival
(Sun Sentinel) This Central American nation is fast becoming a prime destination for winter travelers looking to trade cold and slush for sun and surf. But this country's riches are found not only in its tropical jungles and white sand beaches; one of Panama's hottest new destinations is right in the heart of the capital's historic district. Founded in the 17th century, … [Read more...]