Topic: Panama

Why Congress is now ready to OK three long-stalled trade agreements

The House and Senate are poised Wednesday to approve three trade agreements, crafted during the Bush administration, with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia. They'll be the first big trade pacts since NAFTA in 1993.
10/12/2011 04:48 pm

Opinion Congress finally gets it: Free trade is good for America

Despite negative public opinion about open trade, Congress is poised to approve delayed free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia. The deals will help the US economy by increasing exports and supporting and creating tens of thousands of jobs.
10/12/2011 10:29 am

President Obama jobs bill fails to pass Senate

President Obama and others expected Republicans to vote against the jobs bill but Obama says, 'we can't take 'no' for an answer.'
10/12/2011 02:05 am

Latin America Monitor Mitt Romney's Latin America policy includes a 'Reagan Economic Zone'

After Rick Perry caused a stir suggesting the US may need to send troops to quell violence in Mexico, now come some thoughts from Mitt Romney, including the idea to create a "Reagan Economic Zone" in Latin America.
10/09/2011 09:12 am

Stalled free trade deals now on a fast track, White House says

Three free trade deals – with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia – will be signed, sealed, and delivered by the middle of next week, predicts White House Chief of Staff William Daley. For Washington, that would be fast work.
10/06/2011 01:32 pm

Global News Blog Peru becomes gastronomic destination

Peruvian cuisine is becoming a global brand, and its popularity is bringing hundreds of thousands of people to its annual gourmet food festival.
09/30/2011 11:55 am

Panama bracing for ex-dictator Manuel Noriega's return

With Gen. Manuel Noriega's extradition from France set for Oct. 1, Panama could be forced to finally face its unpleasant past – and reflect on just how confident it feels about the future.
09/26/2011 11:11 am

Stir It Up! Peru celebrates its cuisine

Peruvian cooking boasts a unique fusion of Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, African, Andean, and native American influences.
09/16/2011 05:00 pm

Toronto International Film Festival: the buzz this year

George Clooney film captures attention, along with a new Neil Young documentary.
09/16/2011 04:40 pm

Latin America Monitor How Nicaragua has been spared Central America's crime wave – so far

Nicaragua has one of the region's lowest murder rates, in part because its gangs are small-time and transnational cartels haven't moved in. But that may be changing as the Zetas are expand south.
09/16/2011 12:51 pm

What will Obama say about jobs? The pre-speech maneuvering begins.

In the run-up to his much-anticipated jobs speech Thursday, Obama challenged the GOP to put 'country before party.' The Republican response: 'Your economic proposals don't work.'
09/06/2011 07:47 pm

Latin America Monitor Are pro-Chávez Venezuelans setting up a 'Plan B' in Panama?

With Hugo Chávez's status uncertain, some Chávistas are looking to relocate to Panama. It's another chance for Panama to gain from other countries' crises, as it has for more than a century.
08/30/2011 12:02 pm

What can Congress do to create jobs? Five Republican proposals.

Amid worries that the economy may be tipping toward a second recession, both Republicans and Democrats say creating jobs is their top priority. But the two parties are far apart on their approaches. Democrats favor targeted stimulus – investments in infrastructure, clean energy, and education – while hiking taxes on corporations and the rich to fund this jobs spending. Republicans aim to curb government regulation and cut taxes to give businesses and individuals more incentive to invest. Here are the Republicans' top five priorities.
08/11/2011 10:06 am

Deal in Senate restores FAA funding. Is bipartisanship taking off?

Obama hails the extension of FAA funding through mid-September, which restores tens of thousands of jobs and resumes the collection of $30 million a day in revenue for the Treasury.
08/04/2011 10:11 pm

Ukulele: The little guitar that could

The tiny ukulele is back, with a new generation of pickers, crooners ­– even brooding rockers – plinking away and singing its praises.
08/04/2011 03:23 pm

Top 10 real-life adventure stories

What’s the best way to enjoy the summer: A cookout in the backyard? A trip to the beach? These are nice, but look no further than reading a non-fiction adventure book. It’s by far the best way to immerse yourself in another world. Check out this list to see some of the best titles in this excellent genre.
07/19/2011 10:15 am

US leans on Guatemala to enforce trade pact

The Obama administration's case against Guatemala, over its failure to protect unions within its borders, is seen as an attempt to garner US union support for stalled trade agreements.
07/13/2011 10:39 am

Could Donald Trump reenter the presidential race?

During a visit to Panama to inaugurate the first Trump hotel and tower outside the US, real estate mogul Donald Trump called President Ricardo Martinelli an example for Washington.
07/07/2011 08:54 am

As trade pact with US sits, Colombia looks to China, others

Colombia's ambassador this week urged Congress to approve a free trade pact negotiated back in 2007. US is losing market share as Colombia looks elsewhere for imports.
06/18/2011 11:44 am

Photos of the Day Photos of the Day: 06/17

Biden and Cantor: Sharply different views on the US economy

Democratic Vice President Joe Biden and Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor used separate Memorial weekend radio messages to offer sharply differing views of the US economy and the best course for economic policy.
05/28/2011 11:20 am

How long does it take species to go extinct? Longer than previously thought.

Habitat destruction drives species extinct more slowly than previously thought, according to a new model described in this week's Nature. 'We have bought a little time for saving species,' says scientist.
05/18/2011 04:28 pm

Venezuela's Chávez bankrolled Nicaragua with $1.6 billion since 2007

Nicaragua's Central Bank released a long-awaited report Wednesday that reveals the government's growing dependency on the oil largesse of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.
04/07/2011 05:42 pm

Monitor Breakfast Q and A with US Trade Representative Ron Kirk

US Trade Representative Ron Kirk discussed the importance of trade in today's economy, reports that he will be named Commerce Secretary, and whether growth of China's trade with Latin America is a threat at a March 10 Monitor lunch.
03/28/2011 03:01 pm

What Obama missed by skipping Panama in Latin America tour

Panama is investing $20 billion to boost itself as a global hub. President Ricardo Martinelli's vision provides a glimpse of the US's newest trade partner as a bilateral free trade agreement works its way through Washington.
03/23/2011 10:41 am