Panama’s dairy sector started 2026 with lower production in pasteurized milk, powdered milk and natural milk used for processing. Producers blame a strong summer in Azuero, higher costs and softer domestic demand.
A deadly crash in Costa Verde, La Chorrera, left one person dead and several injured, while two lanes remained occupied and traffic slowed sharply. The collision caused major congestion on one of the area’s key roadways.
Panama City won the top UCCI 2026 innovation award for its NEXUS employment initiative, which focuses on digital training and youth opportunity. The project will also be showcased at IFEMA Madrid 2026 for greater international exposure.
Panama’s government says repairs are underway on water pipes in Azuero as Herrera and Los Santos residents remain without safe tap water. Minister Juan Carlos Orillac urged patience while crews work to restore service.
Panama’s Civil Aeronautics Authority confirmed that a Panamanian-registered Beechcraft crashed off Fort Pierce, Florida, after leaving Panama City in 2025. Ten people were rescued and three were injured, while Panama opened an internal audit into maintenance and crew certifications.
Panama’s railway concession is under renewed scrutiny after Maersk took control of the Panama-Colón line, raising questions about state benefits and oversight. The deal has revived debate over how strategic logistics assets should serve Panama’s public interest.
Panama’s Public Ministry says the country has recorded 214 homicide victims so far this year, with many cases tied to gangs and drug trafficking. The figure keeps public security and organized crime at the center of national concern.
A crossing of the Panama Canal offers a clear look at how global supply chains depend on narrow trade chokepoints. The canal’s role in linking oceans makes it vital to shipping, costs, and delivery timelines worldwide.
A Panama Canal auction has set a new record with a $4 million bid, highlighting the canal’s continuing commercial importance. The result points to strong demand tied to one of the world’s most vital trade routes.
Panama’s government defended the rise in the public payroll, saying new schools, hospitals, and security staffing explain the increase. Official figures show the number of state workers and monthly salary spending have continued to climb under President José Raúl Mulino.
Convicted defendants in the Financial Pacific case have filed a cassation appeal before Panama’s Supreme Court in an effort to overturn their sentences. The case includes prison terms and asset forfeitures tied to alleged misuse of firm funds.
Panama’s Caribbean coast is expected to stay rainy, while the Pacific will begin with partly cloudy to clear skies before isolated showers develop in maritime areas. The Gulf of Chiriquí, southern Veraguas, and Isla Coiba are among the areas highlighted for rain.
Presale tickets for the Brazil vs. Panama friendly sold out in about an hour, signaling strong demand ahead of general sales. The 16,000-ticket presale was quickly snapped up by Itaú customers.
Panama’s Ministry of Public Works is moving ahead with a $10 million plan to widen and rehabilitate the José Agustín Arango road between Cerro Azul and Pacora. The project targets congestion, safety and drainage problems in one of eastern Panama City’s busiest commuter corridors.
Israeli bulldozers demolished Palestinian shops in the occupied West Bank to make way for a road linked to nearby settlements. The move is likely to heighten tensions over land, movement and settlement expansion.
A 23-acre farmland parcel in Penonomé, Coclé Province, has been reduced to $229,000. The property offers river access, road frontage, natural springs, and proximity to town, beaches, and the Río Hato airport.
Russia has tested a new missile that Vladimir Putin called the world’s most powerful, adding to tensions already heightened by the war in Ukraine. The launch is another signal of Moscow’s military ambition and its challenge to the West.
Eight people, including two children, were killed when Israeli drone strikes hit cars on a highway south of Beirut. The attack highlights the continuing danger of escalation in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
The UN has adopted a resolution backing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring concern over a key global shipping chokepoint. The decision matters for energy security, trade routes and import costs far beyond the Middle East.
Richard Werstine, a fugitive accused in a Michigan rock singer’s killing, was arrested in Panama after evading capture for 30 years. The case highlights Panama’s role in international law enforcement cooperation.