Canal & Security Politics: A new analysis argues the U.S. will never accept full sovereignty over the Panama Canal, pushing for continued American corporate control to keep China from dominating trade routes and regional ports. Ocean Conservation: Fiji and Panama unveiled a global push to protect the ocean’s “twilight zone” (200–1,000 meters deep), targeting threats like fishing and deep-sea mining. Social Media Rules: Panama’s National Assembly is weighing a bill that would force influencers to clearly label paid posts as advertising, aiming to curb hidden promotions that mislead followers. Insurance Business: Mapfre’s president visited Panama to review operations and growth plans, highlighting strong 2025 results and Panama’s role as a regional insurance hub. Energy Storage: Panama’s energy storage market is expanding fast as the government and ETESA build battery storage into tenders to stabilize the grid and integrate renewables. Tourism Development Law: Panama published Law 541 creating “Paraísos del Istmo,” a certification program for communities to become official tourism destinations and access coordinated public investment. Humanitarian Spotlight: Reporting highlights a crisis of indigenous Panamanian children exploited in Costa Rica’s coffee harvest, with dangerous living conditions and high mortality risks. Fraud & Enforcement: Panama-linked coverage includes Operation Pandora reporting on alleged manipulation of Panama’s tax-credit system, plus a separate note on Panama’s courts denying protection in the Odebrecht-related case involving Ricardo Martinelli.