In-depth reporting on government actions, political parties, and policy debates in Panama. We track elections, legislative changes, and the actors shaping public life.
China says US allegations about Panama ports indicate an “intent to seize” the Panama Canal, citing a legal dispute involving CK Hutchison. The warning raises geopolitical pressure around Panama’s key trade artery.
Haze has returned to Singapore, with residents reporting worsening fogginess and burning odours they say have intensified over the past year. The renewed episode revives debate over whether ASEAN is treating transboundary smoke as an inevitable cycle rather than a crisis demanding stronger action.
China accused the U.S. of having “intentions” to seize the Panama Canal. The charge follows U.S. accusations that Beijing was “punishing” Panama after it ousted a Hong Kong-based operator from its ports.
Experts warn Panama may be losing $220–250 million yearly by not implementing the OECD-aligned QDMTT minimum tax, leaving revenue to accrue in other countries.
Sustained US and Israeli strikes have weakened Iran’s military, but Tehran’s remaining long-range missile force appears to be operating more efficiently from hard-to-reach eastern bases. A weekend attack in Israel injured more than 100 people and was likely linked to Khorramshahr missiles targeting Dimona.
Panama will deploy more than 26,000 security and emergency units nationwide for Semana Santa, with lane-reversal operations starting next Jueves Santo to ease travel.
Mexico’s navy has launched a search after two humanitarian aid boats bound for Cuba went missing. Authorities are working to locate the vessels and determine what happened.
Australia’s post-Bondi crackdown is facing backlash after accusations that it targets pro-Palestinian voices and threatens the future of peaceful protest. Critics say enforcement appears to prioritize some communities over others.
A Panamanian commentator warns that distant wars affect households through rising energy and import costs, social polarization, and longer-lasting emotional scars even far from the front lines.
Reuters and the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission say China has been detaining Panama-flagged ships amid a dispute over port control, raising concerns for international shipping and Panama’s registry.
Myanmar’s civil war is being fought across multiple fronts, involving the military regime, ethnic armed groups, and pro-democracy forces. Alliances among these actors are fluid, complicating how the conflict is understood and how any settlement might be reached.
Telemetro reports that Panama’s COE will be activated in David next week to oversee emergency and public-safety operations during Semana Santa. Residents and visitors should watch for official guidance.
North Korea and Belarus signed a “friendship and cooperation” treaty during Lukashenko’s first visit to Pyongyang, after Kim Jong-un welcomed him lavishly. The move comes as both countries face Western sanctions and are implicated in support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Japan plans to send at least 1,000 armed combat troops to the Philippines next month for Balikatan, the first time in 81 years since WWII. Experts see it as part of a broader Indo-Pacific security shift toward overlapping minilaterals.
Analysts reviewing US strategy toward Iran say Trump may be acting on an outdated understanding of Tehran’s current reality. They warn that changed regional and strategic conditions could undermine US policy assumptions.
The AFC postponed the Asian Cup finals draw planned for April 11 in Riyadh, citing the need for uninterrupted attendance of stakeholders amid ongoing Middle East conflict. A new date has not been announced.
The defense lawyer for César and Eloy Ávila has asked Panamanian authorities to clarify the status of alleged victim Marisol Barría Rodríguez after records in her name were reportedly found at the Electoral Tribunal.
Mexico’s navy is searching for two aid boats that left Isla Mujeres last Friday for Cuba but have not reported arrival. Nine crew members of different nationalities are believed to be aboard.
Panama’s Anti‑Corruption Prosecutor’s Office inspected the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos headquarters as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in equipment purchases during 2022–2024.
Reggie Moreno resigned immediately from his position in the Bienes Patrimoniales unit of Panama’s Ministry of Economy and Finance for personal reasons, prompting questions about interim leadership and continuity in state asset management.