Panama’s decentralization system was meant to strengthen local communities, but misuse allegations against local officials have turned it into a warning sign. The cases underscore the need for tighter controls, transparency, and accountability in public spending.
Shakira has won a long-running tax case in Spain, with a court ordering authorities to return about €60 million. The ruling does not affect her separate 2023 conviction for tax fraud covering later years.
Panama is promoting awareness of preeclampsia ahead of World Preeclampsia Day, with experts urging screening after the fifth month of pregnancy. The campaign stresses that even healthy women can be affected and that early monitoring can save lives.
Panama City has begun the process to rehabilitate four municipal pools in Betania, San Francisco and Calidonia with a B/.4.5 million investment. The project includes structural repairs, neighborhood upgrades and three years of maintenance.
Cuba’s future is being shaped by a struggle between U.S. pressure from Florida and the island’s military-business elite. The outcome could affect migration, sanctions policy, and regional politics.
The Panama Canal is keeping lake levels high and maintaining 38 daily transits as it prepares for possible El Niño-related pressure later in 2026. Officials are using water-saving measures now to protect both canal operations and Panama’s drinking water supply.
Former President Martín Torrijos has launched UNE, a new political platform aimed at the 2029 election and built around anti-corruption and renewal themes. The move adds an early contender to Panama’s next race for power.
A new vehicular bridge in Chilibre is moving forward after more than 40 years of waiting, promising safer and easier access for over 5,000 residents. The project is expected to improve mobility and strengthen connectivity in the northern area of Panama City.
Latin America’s 2025 climate extremes, including record heat and rising sea levels, carry direct implications for Panama’s coasts, water supply, and disaster readiness. The region’s hotter, wetter, and more volatile weather underscores growing risks for agriculture, infrastructure, and the Panama Canal.
A Panama-flagged vessel was damaged in a Russian strike near Odesa, part of a day in which three civilian ships were hit. The incident highlights the continuing risks to global shipping in the Black Sea.
A Spanish court has ruled in Shakira’s favor in a tax sanction case, allowing her to recover millions. The decision revives attention on how residency rules are applied to high-profile international figures.
China dominates manufacturing, but the United States still leads in global financial trust and capital protection. That distinction shapes international investment flows and matters for Panama’s trade-driven economy.
Congo has opened three Ebola treatment centers in Ituri as a rare outbreak spreads, with more than 300 suspected cases and deaths reported in Congo and Uganda. The WHO has declared the situation an international public health emergency.
Panama’s recycling efforts remain fragmented, with residents and institutions doing the work of a system that does not yet exist nationwide. The gap between public ambition and waste infrastructure is now one of the country’s biggest environmental challenges.
Panama celebrated Afro-Antillean heritage with a food and culture festival at Mi Pueblito Afroantillano, drawing hundreds of visitors and more than 80 entrepreneurs. The event highlighted traditional dishes, music, fashion and new business ideas rooted in Caribbean identity.
Iran has responded to a U.S. proposal to end the war with demands for frozen assets, sanctions relief, and control over the Strait of Hormuz. The talks carry global stakes because any disruption could affect oil prices and shipping costs.
ITSE has approved a new rulebook allowing reelection of its educational manager, while also keeping an open competition route and stricter merit-based requirements. The move follows recent tensions over leadership and governance at the technical institute.
Iran has rejected any negotiation over its uranium enrichment rights, hardening its position in long-running nuclear talks with Western powers. The stance adds pressure to diplomacy already strained by sanctions, inspections and regional tensions.
Panama City Hall dismantled a clandestine bar in Condado del Rey after finding it operating without permits, licenses, or tax compliance. The action followed resident complaints and included seizures of beer, merchandise, and sound equipment.
Gambling in Panama has long been part of daily culture, from lottery kiosks to football bets and casino nights. Now smartphones are pushing that habit online, changing how people play without changing the social nature of the pastime.