Topic: Panama

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

5 ways Americans and Iranians are surprisingly similar

Despite escalating US-Iran tensions, remarkable similarities between their peoples have prompted some to suggest that the US and Iran could one day be powerful ‘natural’ allies.
Are you up on Latin American news? Try our quiz.
What can Congress do to create jobs? Five Republican proposals.
Top 10 real-life adventure stories
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day: 06/17

All Content

Ronald Reagan's speech following the Challenger explosion

On January 28, 1986, President Reagan postponed the scheduled State of the Union in order to address the nation about the loss of the space shuttle Challenger.
State of the Union transcript 2011: Full text of the president's speech

State of the Union transcript 2011: President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday night. Here is the full text of the speech.
More unexpected guests? Exiled ex-president Aristide eyes return to Haiti

Ousted ex-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide said he desires to return to Haiti 'today, tomorrow, at any time.' 'Baby Doc' Duvalier, meanwhile, faces more criminal charges.
Obama's full-court press to make up with business community

Obama has named economist Gene Sperling as head of the National Economic Council. The president has made other moves to patch up relations with the business community.
The Monitor's View: With jobs still scarce, Obama dances closer to business. But is it a detente?

With unemployment rate likely to stay high for years, Obama is running out of federal solutions. He has turned to business for help, but his political pivot now requires more credibility.
West loses edge to Asia in education: Top five OECD findings

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development group of industrialized nations released the results Tuesday of the test they give to 15-year-old students to measure math, science, and reading capabilities. The test, administered every three years by OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), was taken in 2009 in the 34 countries of the OECD and in 41 partner countries and economies (i.e. regional economic entities). Below, some of the top findings in the study, which was released today:
In Pictures: Get on the bus
Outside Cancún climate conference, Caribbean Sea testifies to global warming

2010 was one of the deadliest years on record for coral reefs. The Caribbean Sea just outside the Cancún climate conference offers evidence of global warming's negative effect.
In Pictures: Best of Monitor Photography 2010 International
The Monitor's View: The Obama-Karzai quarrel over Afghanistan sovereignty

In his public disagreement with Karzai at the NATO summit in Lisbon, Obama gave a hint of his inclination to act unilaterally for US interests. He needs to reveal more of his reasoning.
In Pictures: The Art of the Americas Wing at the MFA
Will tea party allies in Congress balk at international trade pacts?

As Obama presses for on a free-trade deal with Korea, where does the tea party stand? Polls say tea partyers do not favor trade pacts, but for many of their allies in Congress, it's a new issue.
Obama's Asia trip: the free trade conundrum

Obama will press for countries at the G20 summit to adopt measures for addressing trade imbalances. Also, the Obama administration recently stepped up talks with South Korea on modifying the free trade agreement with the US.
After 'shellacking,' can foreign policy be a bright spot for Obama?

The foreign policy front, including the issues of trade and arms control, could present opportunities for Obama to boost his standing with the US electorate. But pitfalls and challenges also loom.
The Monitor's View: Export giants Japan and China challenge US with currency ploys

Japan's move to devalue the yen and China's continued currency manipulation show a global drive to grow economies with more exports. Will Obama be just as tough in boosting US exports and creating jobs?
Free trade agreements: What’s not to like?

Obama moves to ratify free trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea, and Panama.
Migrating again

A Christian Science perspective.
Ceviche: All you need is raw fish, lime juice, and patience

Eight hours marinating in lime or lemon juice is the 'cooking' part of ceviche, a versatile seafish dish that each Latin American country puts its own spin on.
Mitch McConnell predicts more bipartisanship in next Congress

Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate minority leader, predicted GOP gains in the midterm elections would force more bipartisanship in 2011 and beyond.
US-born Shaker Masri arrested: wanted to blow up 'infidels,' FBI says

Shaker Masri, a Chicago man, spent the past three weeks planning a trip to Somalia, where he planned to purchase weapons and train for jihadist fighting, according to an FBI complaint.
Why foreign consumers won't rescue American jobs

We can't expect foreign consumers to fill the shortfall in demand left by American consumers who can no longer maintain their pre-recession standard of living.
The vanishing American consumer and the coming trade war

With American consumers pulling back, these other economies have also been slowing down. This means Obama won’t easily find the export markets they need to create enough jobs to make up for the vanishing American consumer.
The Monitor's View: How to boost confidence in the American economy

America needs to boost its confidence in the economy in order to fend off a stalled recovery or a double dip back into recession. It can do this by balancing gloomy news with encouraging signs, and seizing opportunities where others might see only risks.
Manuel Noriega, Ex-Panama dictator, goes to trial in France

Manuel Noriega took the stand only briefly Monday to give his name and age, but appeared feeble, his shoulders trembling as he addressed the three-judge panel.
The cruise business, post-financial meltdown

Lavish cruise ships continue to be built, despite the fact that US consumer bankruptcies totaled more than 136,000 in May, 9 percent more than a year ago.