The latest Covid-19 statistics, to 25 February, shows the stead, but gradual decline, in cases – 444 new cases, then 356, and now 259 in the week to 25 February. Just 1 new fatality, with 370 active cases, 1 in ICU and 31 in other wards – but with test positivity unchanged at 2.5%.
The relatively new US Ambassador has given an interview to local TV, saying about former President Martinelli (and leading candidate in opinion polls to win again in 2024) – who the State Department has sanctioned – that “He was bribed and improperly awarded contracts during the term of his presidency. The United States cares a lot and wants to send clear messages. This is a way to send those messages and keep people who are corrupt out of the US border”. It will be interesting if he was to actually win in 2024…
Meanwhile, La Estrella de Panama carries an article about why the EU decided to keep Panama on its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.
https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/230228/regimen-fiscal-pernicioso-motivo-ue
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-list-of-non-cooperative-jurisdictions/#countries
In the past few weeks I had cause to request a duplicate birth certificate from the UK. The service was efficient and prompt, with it being sent by DHL, but at a significant (but not exorbitant cost). Here in Panama, if you want such a duplicate document, there are ATM-like terminals of the Tribunal Electoral in malls, Metro stations etc. Using your ID card you can request and obtain, there and then, the document you need.
In other news, at about dawn today a dog got into the underground section of the most busy Metro line here in Panama City. All services were suspended on the affected section, with several stations closed (and huge backlogs of passengers). It took until 1 pm for the dog to be found and caught, with the Metro service saying that, ” For the Panama Metro, the life of an animal is as valuable as that of any human being”.
28 FEBRUARY 2023
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y
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