Changing with the Times; Fuel Prices Rise in Panama; Artemis II Reaches Earth Orbit; FAP Earns $146 Million.

Friday, April 3, 2026. Changing with the Times There’s a quiet truth that many individuals, and even more companies, learn too late: the world does not slow down for those unwilling to evolve. Change is no longer something that happens every few years. It is constant, accelerating, and often unforgiving. Entire industries are reshaped in months, not decades. And those who wait to adapt until change becomes obvious often find themselves reacting… instead of leading. At BM Investigations, we’ve spent years helping others uncover truth, manage risk, and navigate uncertainty. But today, we recognize something deeper… investigation alone is no longer enough. The challenges facing businesses and individuals are no longer isolated incidents. They are interconnected, influenced by shifting geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, technological disruption, and evolving social dynamics. To operate effectively in this environment requires more than answers, it requires perspective. That is why we are evolving. We are expanding beyond traditional investigative services and moving toward a broader role, one that integrates intelligence, risk advisory, and strategic insight across a global landscape. Our focus is not just on what has happened, but on what is coming and how to prepare for it. Because in a world that refuses to stand still, neither can we. And those who choose to evolve early… are the ones who shape what comes next. Brett Mikkelson Director, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama Comic Spotlight: Don’t miss The Mikkelson Files: #7 – The Case of The Antenna Affair. TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: Fuel Prices in Panama Will Increase Starting This Friday: These Are the New Prices The National Secretariat of Energy confirmed a new increase in the maximum retail prices of fuels in Panama. The new rates will take effect starting at 6:00 a.m. this Friday, April 3, and will remain in force until April 17, 2026. Breakdown of the increase per liter Fuel prices per liter and per gallon 95-octane gasoline 91-octane gasoline Diesel READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Panama Government Sets Fuel Prices for Transportation and Artisanal Fishing The Cabinet Council approved Resolution No. 24-26, authorizing the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to implement measures to temporarily stabilize fuel prices for public passenger transportation, cargo transport, agricultural machinery, and artisanal fishing. The measure sets the price of 91-octane gasoline at US$3.33 per gallon (US$0.88 per liter) and low-sulfur diesel at US$3.41 per gallon (US$0.90 per liter). It will remain in effect for up to 10 months, subject to market conditions, with a cap of up to US$150 million. The subsidy will apply to collective, selective, school, and tourism transport services, as well as to the cargo fleet and activities linked to the agricultural and artisanal fishing sectors. The Minister of Economy and Finance, Felipe Chapman, stated that this is a temporary measure in response to rising international oil prices, which directly impact the cost of living in the country. He added that the program will involve an additional allocation of state resources without affecting investment spending. Implementation will be overseen by the MEF and the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic, in coordination with entities such as the Ministry of Government, the Land Transit and Transportation Authority, the Ministry of Agricultural Development, the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama, and the National Authority for Government Innovation. The government also noted that other support measures remain in place, such as subsidies for the Metro and Metrobús, as well as initiatives related to electricity rates and cooking gas. The decision responds to the sustained increase in international fuel prices and their impact on transportation, logistics, and productive activities nationwide. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Artemis II Crew Reaches Earth Orbit The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission reached Earth orbit on Wednesday, a U.S. space agency official announced shortly after the rocket’s liftoff. Eight minutes after launch, the Orion capsule separated as planned from the massive SLS rocket tanks, which propelled it into space and placed it into Earth orbit. The four astronauts will now remain in orbit around Earth to conduct a series of tests before heading toward the Moon on Thursday, located more than 384,000 kilometers from Earth. The approximately 10-day journey will mark the first crewed flight around Earth’s natural satellite in more than 50 years. Three men and one woman are set to embark this Wednesday on the first crewed mission to the Moon since 1972— a historic odyssey aimed at propelling the United States into a new era of space exploration. NASA’s Artemis II mission has been years in the making, with repeated setbacks. However, it is finally scheduled to launch from Florida this Wednesday, April 1 at 6:24 p.m. local time (22:24 GMT). The astronaut team, made up of Americans Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Jeremy Hansen, is expected to remain on the mission for about 10 days. The spacecraft will travel at high speed around Earth’s natural satellite without landing, in a mission similar to Apollo 8 in 1968. The journey will mark several milestones. It is the first time that a woman, a Black man, and a non-U.S. citizen are part of a lunar mission. It is also the first crewed flight of NASA’s new lunar rocket, known as the SLS. The massive orange-and-white rocket is designed to enable the United States to return to the Moon on a recurring basis in the coming years. The long-term objective is to establish a permanent base that will serve as a platform for deeper exploration. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Panama Savings Fund Earned $146 Million, Surpassing Last Year’s Figures The Panama Savings Fund (FAP) reported that it closed 2025 with audited financial results showing a return of 9.08% before costs, exceeding the 7.12% recorded in 2024. In terms of net earnings, the Fund generated US$146.8 million, compared to US$94.1 million the previous year, while its net assets reached US$3,084.8 million at the end of 2025. Performance was driven by strategic asset allocation and market conditions, with a portfolio that