Category: Economy

The Panama Canal Authority has opened 17 new job vacancies for April 2026. Applicants are being directed to the ACP’s official portal for details and applications.

Panama’s traffic director said higher fuel costs should not be passed on to passengers, while authorities evaluate possible subsidies for transport operators. The review comes as officials note that about 45,000 of roughly 70,000 transportists have plates up to date.

Initial winners have surfaced in Panama’s power supply call, signaling progress in a procurement process that could shape the country’s electricity outlook. More details on final awards and supply volumes are still pending.

Panama lawmakers are merging three pensioner discount bills into one proposal that would update the country’s 1987 law. Experts, meanwhile, are urging a broader review of the model.

U.S. gasoline prices have climbed above $4 per gallon, their highest level since 2022, after disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz raised global energy concerns. The move highlights how geopolitical tensions can quickly affect fuel markets worldwide.

South Korea’s president says the government could use emergency economic powers if Middle East tensions worsen and threaten energy imports. Seoul is already expanding fuel tax cuts, reserve swaps and a supplementary budget response.

The World Food Programme says the war in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz blockade are delaying 70,000 tons of food aid for crisis-hit countries. Afghanistan is among the hardest affected operations, with longer routes and higher costs now needed.

The Panama City Mayor’s Office says Mercado de Mariscos will close its sales area on April 6 for deep cleaning, with restaurants reopening at 1:00 p.m. Normal hours return on April 7.

Claims of a China-linked crackdown involving Panama are drawing attention, but the reporting says the evidence is thin. The episode underscores how sensitive the Panama Canal is to global geopolitics.

ICIJ is marking ten years since the Panama Papers leak with a retrospective on the investigation that reshaped global debates over secrecy and accountability. The anniversary keeps Panama linked to one of journalism’s most influential international exposés.

Drone strikes hit Russia’s Ust-Luga port again as EU officials visited Ukraine, while Kyiv said it intercepted most of a large overnight Russian drone barrage. The episodes highlight the war’s continuing intensity and strategic reach.

The Panama Canal has updated its process for reviewing the Corozal and Telfers terminal projects, a move with potential implications for Panama’s logistics sector. The update points to continued planning around infrastructure tied to the canal corridor.

Analysts are weighing three possible paths for the Strait of Hormuz: two military scenarios and one diplomatic option, with Pakistan seen as a possible mediator. Any disruption there could ripple through global energy markets and affect Panama-linked trade costs.

Singapore motorists are crossing into Malaysia’s Johor to buy cheaper fuel as prices at home jump amid Middle East conflict-driven market pressure. The price gap is reshaping cross-border travel and highlighting how global energy shocks affect everyday costs.

Japan is seeking French support as Emmanuel Macron visits Tokyo amid rising tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and soaring oil prices. The talks come as Japan looks to Europe for backing in a period of strained ties with Beijing.

The Panama Canal Authority has launched LoTSA 2.5, a long-term slot allocation program aimed at improving vessel scheduling through 2027. The initiative is intended to give shipping companies more predictable access to one of the world’s most important trade routes.

The Panama Canal has updated its LoTSA 2.5 reservation system to offer shipping customers more flexibility, including new options for deferrals, advances and slot bidding. The changes aim to improve predictability and logistics planning for carriers using the canal.

The Panama Canal is seeing more vessel traffic as global shipping routes shift amid Middle East tensions. The source also notes detentions of Panama-flagged vessels in China.

A new estimate suggests fixing traffic problems on Panama City’s Southern Corridor could cost more than $300 million. The figure underscores the scale of the capital’s congestion challenge.

Kenya has restarted a major railway extension after renegotiating Chinese loans, with CCCC and CRBC set to build the remaining sections. The project underscores both Kenya’s infrastructure ambitions and the global debate over debt-financed development.