Politics

This year marks a significant milestone for Panama as the nation celebrates 25 years since it assumed full control of the Panama Canal. On December 31, 1999, the canal was officially transferred to Panama by the United States under the terms of the Torrijos-Carter treaties signed in 1977. The historic transfer symbolized a triumph of sovereignty and national pride for the Panamanian people, who see the canal as vital part of their identity and economic backbone. President José Raúl Mulino presided over the anniversary celebrations, underlining the importance of the canal to Panama's sovereignty and development. In a message shared on social media, government officials reflected on the significance of the occasion: “This date represents the life, sacrifice and sovereignty of our n...

Border detentions for unauthorized crossings from Mexico into the United States in December showed little change from the previous month, maintaining the lowest levels since July 2020. A senior U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official, speaking on condition on condition of anonymity, revealed Monday that December detentions are expected to finish near November's total of 46,612. The official added that preliminary data suggests around 44,000 arrests earlier this month. December marks the sixth consecutive month that detentions at the southern border were lower than the monthly averages seen in 2019, signaling a continued decline in unauthorized crossings. The official also noted that President Joe Biden's final month in office is on track to record the lowest incarcerati...

The US Congress narrowly avoided a partial government shutdown on Friday, after weeks of partisan wrangling over federal spending limits and debt ceiling extensions. The crisis came as Republicans, responding to pressure from former President Donald Trump, debated proposals to raise the debt limit while addressing broader fiscal concerns. President of the Chamber Mike Johnsona Republican, he managed to push a plan through his chamber, which is narrowly controlled by his party, while also securing enough bipartisan support to pass it in the Democratic-majority Senate. Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Johnson expressed cautious optimism: “We have a plan. We hope to vote this morning." The deal, however, highlighted deep divisions among Republicans, particularly within the ...

The UK economy unexpectedly contracted in October, exacerbating fears of a prolonged economic slowdown as businesses and households grapple with uncertainty. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.1% month-on-month, defying economists' expectations of a modest 0.1% increase. This contraction follows a similar 0.1% decline in September, marking the second consecutive month of negative growth and raising concerns about the country's economic trajectory. The ONS attributed October's decline to reduced output across all key sectors. However, on a three-month rolling basis, GDP showed a slight increase of 0.1% for the period ending in October, compared to the previous three months. While this offers a glimmer of hope, the broader ...

Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States, has announced two major diplomatic appointments ahead of his inauguration. In a statement shared on his Truth Social account, Trump revealed that Lou Rinaldi has been named the next US ambassador to Uruguay, while Leah Francis Campos has been selected to serve as chief of mission in the Dominican Republic. “I am thrilled to announce Lou Rinaldi as the next United States Ambassador to Uruguay,” Trump wrote. “Lou, a successful entrepreneur and lifelong friend, brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to this important role.” Trump highlighted Rinaldi's connection to Uruguay, noting that he grew up in the country and has a deep appreciation for its culture and history. “Lou is also a fantastic golfer, and he will ...

The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point this week, a move some analysts are calling a “hard reversal” in monetary policy. This comes alongside updated economic forecasts and interest rate projections as the central bank attempts to balance its goals against a backdrop of changing economic conditions and President-elect Donald Trump's new administration. The expected rate drop would lower the Fed's key interest rate to a range of 4.25% to 4.50%, marking a full one percentage point reduction from September, when the central bank began easing policy. restrictive monetary policy. That policy was put in place to fight inflation, which has increased since 2021. The decision to cut rates reflects the Fed's attempt to man...

US President Joe Biden will visit the Vatican next month, marking what is likely to be his last international trip as president before his term ends. The White House announced that Biden will travel to Rome from January 9 to 12, where he will meet with Pope Francis, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “President Biden will have an audience with the Pope on January 10 to discuss global efforts to promote peace,” the White House said in a statement. Biden will also meet with Italian leaders to highlight the strong relationship between the United States and Italy. Discussions with Prime Minister Meloni are expected to cover Italy's leadership of the G7 over the past year and focus on key international challenges. This trip reflects Biden's ...

For decades, María Amparo Carvajal in Bolivia and Juana Ruiz in Colombia have dedicated their lives to defending human rights and supporting survivors of violence and oppression. Their tireless efforts were recognized this week when the US State Department awarded them the prestigious Human Rights Defender Award. Carvajal, originally from Spain, has been a central figure in Bolivia's human rights movement since 1971, the year Hugo Banzer took power in a coup. Banzer's regime, which lasted until 1978, was characterized by widespread human rights violations, motivating Carvajal to take action. In 1976 he founded the Permanent Assembly for Human Rights in Bolivia (APDHB), an organization dedicated to monitoring and defending human rights during the dictatorship. Carvajal, who remain...

President-elect Donald Trump prepares to ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), marking the ceremonial start of the trading day. This symbolic event comes at a crucial time as markets weigh the implications of his 2024 election victory, according to people familiar with the matter. The event is expected to be a significant moment for Trump, a native New Yorker who spent much of his life in Manhattan before moving to Florida. His return to the city for this occasion underlines his connection to the financial world and his enduring association with Wall Street. Historically, the stock market has surged during key moments in Trump's political career, and his recent election victory has sparked renewed market optimism about potential economic policies under his ...

Just a week after Donald Trump secured victory in the US presidential election, Elon Musk hinted at his increasingly important role in shaping the political landscape. The billionaire businessman made headlines by suggesting that his political involvement would serve as “a significant obstacle in the primaries,” signaling his willingness to challenge Republican lawmakers who deviate from Trump's agenda. Musk's intentions became clearer shortly thereafter, when he took to X (formerly known as Twitter), the social media platform he owns, to respond to a suggestion that he might financially support challengers to Republican members of the Congress who opposed Trump's policies. Musk's response: “What other way? No other way,” underlined his willingness to use his wealth and influence...