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 for Panama's sovereignty and development. In a message shared…

On New Year's Day, Ukraine officially cut off the flow of Russian natural gas to several European countries, marking the end of Moscow's long-standing dominance of European energy markets. The move, which had been widely anticipated, comes as the five-year transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine expired without renewal amid the ongoing war between the two nations. At around 8am local time on Wednesday, Russian state energy giant Gazprom confirmed that gas exports to Europe via Ukrainian pipelines had stopped. This development, which follows more than three decades of transit of Russian gas through Ukraine, highlights changing energy dynamics in…

One was the resilient, conference champion team that stormed into the College Football Playoff with determination, a breakout season fueled by star running back Ashton Jeanty, and a legacy of excellence among Group of 5 programs. The other was a team outmatched, overwhelmed and wracked by mistakes in a 31-14 loss to Penn State. For Broncos fans, the outcome was bittersweet. Boise State's improbable run to the CFP quarterfinals deserves to be celebrated, but the loss also underscored the challenge of competing at the highest level against a stronger, more talented team. Penn State, the Big Ten's runner-up and No.…

John Thune's political career has been defined by resilience, strategic thinking, and the ability to tackle complex challenges. After ousting Sen. Tom Daschle, the influential Democratic majority leader, in 2004, Thune quickly faced one of his toughest battles: preventing the closure of Ellsworth Air Force Base, a key economic pillar in his home state of South Dakota . Successfully fending off that threat not only ensured his political future, but also taught him lessons that would shape his rise to the Senate. Now, as Thune takes over as Senate majority leader, he faces another formidable test. Leading a chamber of…