Higher interest rates on agricultural loans are putting pressure on Panama’s producers as access to timely financing becomes more difficult. The shift could affect farm costs, production planning, and rural economic activity.
Panama lawmakers approved in first debate a bill that would require banks to clearly state interest-rate terms in loan contracts. The measure aims to improve transparency by spelling out the initial rate, calculation method, and reference index.
Vamos lawmakers are denouncing a labor-status change affecting 39 Comptroller General’s Office employees, saying they were placed under “investigation” without explanation. The dispute raises questions about transparency and due process inside a key Panama institution.
The president of Panama’s National Assembly will ask the Comptroller General for clarification after concerns emerged over unpaid leave cases affecting several offices. He also denied that officials were being granted such leave improperly.
Panama blanked Argentina 7-0 at the 2026 South American Youth Games to stay unbeaten in baseball. The team now faces Colombia in a showdown between the tournament’s only undefeated squads.
Colón and Bocas del Toro play a decisive semifinal in the 83rd National Senior Baseball Championship, with a place in the final at stake. The game is airing live on TVMAX, TVN Pass, and TVMAX PANAMÁ’s YouTube channel.
Princess Cruises’ newest Sphere Class ship completed its first Panama Canal transit, marking a milestone voyage for the line and a high-profile moment for the waterway. The crossing highlights the canal’s continued importance as both a global shipping route and a tourism draw.
Lebanon says the death toll from weeks of Israeli attacks has climbed to 2,454, with 7,658 wounded. The rising casualties deepen concern over a widening regional crisis.
FIFA will open a new World Cup 2026 ticket sales window on April 22, with seats sold online on a first-come, first-served basis. More than 5 million tickets have already been sold for the 104-match tournament.
A second man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of a taxi driver in Hato Pilón, Mironó, following a March 2024 attack in the Ngäbe Buglé comarca. The case highlights the violent nature of the crime and its impact on the local community.
Trump’s extension of the Iran ceasefire has eased immediate tensions, but the long-running dispute between Washington and Tehran remains unresolved. Analysts say a real diplomatic breakthrough still looks far away.
Paraguay has agreed to accept up to 25 third-country nationals deported from the United States, becoming part of a wider U.S. strategy to offload difficult removals. The deal highlights how Washington’s immigration policy is increasingly reshaping relations across Latin America.
Panama National Police recovered six vehicles in Panama Oeste that were under active reports for robbery, theft, and unlawful appropriation. The seizure highlights ongoing enforcement against vehicle-related crime in the province.
Patients in Chiriquí are reporting waits of up to five days to collect medication at the Policlínica Gustavo A. Ros. The delays are affecting insured residents who depend on timely access to prescriptions.
José Córdoba played the full match and delivered a strong defensive performance as Norwich City beat Derby County 2-1 in the EFL Championship. The result keeps Norwich within reach of the teams above it with two games left.
The IMA will close its Bingos Nacionales store in Panama City on April 23 and 24, prompting an apology to affected shoppers. The outlet is a key low-cost shopping option for residents in the capital.
A woman gave birth in a La Chorrera park after using a panic button, with help from nearby citizens and National Police officers. A fast-food vendor and other bystanders assisted until police arrived.
Five people reported missing were located in Chiriquí and Panamá Oeste, including a 11-year-old girl and four adults. The cases were resolved across two of Panama’s western provinces.
A judge in San Miguelito ordered provisional detention for a man charged with aggravated intentional homicide after legalizing his arrest. The case now moves forward through Panama’s criminal process.
A 14-year-old was injured in a shooting in Puerto Escondido, Colón, highlighting ongoing security concerns in the province. The case has renewed alarm over the danger gun violence poses to minors and nearby residents.