Gratitude as a Compass; SINAPROC Issues Alert for Rains and Storms; MINSEG Strengthens Controls at Ports.

Friday, September 5, 2025. Gratitude as a Compass Life has a way of moving quickly. Between the demands of work, family, and the unexpected turns that appear on our path, we often find ourselves rushing forward, rarely pausing to look around. In the midst of this pace, it’s easy to become consumed by what isn’t working or what we feel is missing. That’s when we most need a compass to bring us back to center, a compass called gratitude. Gratitude is not about ignoring difficulties or pretending that everything is perfect. It’s about choosing to recognize the good that is already present, even when challenges surround us. The simple act of noticing, whether it’s the laughter of a child, a quiet conversation with someone we trust, or the comfort of a morning cup of coffee, reshapes the way we experience life. Gratitude doesn’t eliminate struggle, but it changes how we walk through it. When we allow gratitude to guide us, perspective shifts. What once felt like a burden becomes an opportunity to grow. What seemed ordinary is revealed as extraordinary. Gratitude teaches us that joy is not found in what we accumulate but in how we appreciate what we already have. It reminds us that even in the hardest moments, there are reasons, sometimes small, sometimes profound, to give thanks. This compass does more than point us toward the positive. It grounds us. It anchors us when fear or frustration pulls us off course. It keeps our hearts steady in seasons of uncertainty. And the beautiful truth is that it requires no grand gesture, only a pause, a deep breath, and the willingness to say, “This, too, is a gift.”. As you reflect on your own journey, I encourage you to adopt a simple practice: end each day by identifying three things you are grateful for. They may be small or significant, but together they become stepping stones that shape a more meaningful life. Over time, you’ll find that gratitude doesn’t just brighten your days, it redefines the direction of your life. So, when the road ahead feels unclear, remember to reach for your compass. Gratitude will always point you toward what matters most. Brett MikkelsonDirector, B.M. Investigations, Inc. TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: SINAPROC Issues Alert for Significant Rains and Storms in Panama until September 6 The National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC) has issued a weather watch for significant rains and storms that will affect the entire Panamanian territory until Saturday, September 6, 2025. The areas under the warning include: Bocas del Toro, Ngäbe Buglé, Chiriquí, Veraguas, Herrera, Los Santos, Coclé, Colón, Panamá Oeste, Panamá, Darién, Emberá-Wounaan, and Guna Yala. According to SINAPROC, atmospheric instability is due to the influence of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and low-pressure systems, which create favorable conditions for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. The agency advised the population to remain alert to weather updates, avoid vulnerable areas, and follow the instructions of local authorities to prevent accidents. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Gasoline and Diesel Prices Will Increase Starting Friday The Secretariat of Energy announced the fuel prices that will take effect starting this Friday, September 5. Ninety-five octane gasoline will increase by three cents, bringing the price to 93 cents.Ninety-one octane gasoline will also rise by three cents, reaching 89 cents per liter.Meanwhile, low-sulfur diesel will increase by two cents, bringing the price to 83 cents per liter. These prices will remain in effect until 5:59 a.m. on Friday, September 19. The Secretariat of Energy explained that the reference prices are calculated based on international values of finished products (gasoline and diesel) quoted on the U.S. Gulf Coast, the country’s main supplier market. They noted that the adjustment is made every 14 days. During the current period, international quotations registered a slight upward trend. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE MINSEG Strengthens Controls at Panama’s Ports to Curb Drug Trafficking in Containers The Minister of Security (MINSEG), Frank Ábrego, announced the creation of an inter-institutional task force focused on combating illegal drug trafficking through containers at the country’s ports. “We have conducted a thorough review of the strengths and weaknesses of each institution and have managed to form a single task force directly focused on fighting drug trafficking through Panamanian ports,” Ábrego stated. MINSEG will create a team to combat drug trafficking. The official said that next Thursday a meeting will be held with the security chiefs of all ports present in Panama, with the aim of identifying common points, correcting weaknesses, and strengthening control mechanisms. Subsequently, the President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, will meet with port managers. One of the main challenges identified is the continuous operation of the inspection scanners operated by the National Customs Authority, which sometimes stop functioning due to a lack of trained personnel. Ábrego assured that within 15 days to a month, a definitive solution will be implemented to allow 24-hour operation. He also highlighted that the Customs Authority began several months ago a training plan for members of the National Police in the operation of scanners, which will expand coverage and strengthen security at the country’s main ports. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Panama Metro: Progress on Line 3 Tunnel and Future City Expansions The Director of Projects and Planning of the Panama Metro, Carlos Cedeño, reported that in the coming weeks, the excavation of the Line 3 tunnel, which crosses the Panama Canal, could be completed. So far, more than 1,800 meters of the tunnel have been constructed, which is part of a total 4.5-kilometer route, divided into two sections: 3 kilometers under the Panama Canal and 1.5 kilometers from the Port of Balboa to Albrook Station. Line 3 will have a maximum capacity of 30,000 passengers per hour in both directions, with the operation of 26 trains, allowing more than 100,000 people to be transported daily. Why is a tunnel being built under the Canal?Engineer Cedeño explained on ECOTV’s program En Contexto that the tunnel was conceived as an alternative after the Line 3 project was separated from