Friday, March 21, 2025.
The Value of Paying Attention
In investigations, we learn quickly that most people don’t pay attention. They walk into a room and only see what’s obvious—what they expect to see. But the real story is always in the details. The hesitation before a handshake, the nervous glance, the slight shift in tone. It’s not about having a keen eye; it’s about having an open one.
Life works the same way. We move through our routines, skimming the surface, missing the subtext. But when you start paying attention—really paying attention—you begin to see opportunities where others see obstacles, truths where others see assumptions. You understand people better. You make better decisions.
So here’s a challenge: slow down. Observe. Notice. The world has a lot to tell you if you’re willing to listen
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:
Million-Dollar Drug Shipment Seized in Five Containers at a Port in Colón
Around 1,100 drug packages were seized this Thursday in an operation carried out by the National Aeronaval Service (Senan) in coordination with the Drug Prosecutor’s Office of Colón and Guna Yala, in the Atlantic province.
The naval entity reported that the operation took place in Limón Bay, off the coast of Colón City.
Regarding this case, the Office of the Attorney General (PGN) revealed that the seizure resulted from a search and inspection of five containers on a ship.
The containers were located on the upper part of the ship, requiring the use of ladders to reach them. The drugs were packaged, and the packages inside the five containers were wrapped in cream and light green colors.
Intelligence and security agencies, along with judicial authorities, are working to determine the origin of the drugs and all details related to the seizure of this shipment.
So far, no arrests have been reported in connection with this case of international drug trafficking, and the necessary operations are being carried out to find those involved.
Authorities are also investigating whether the five containers were contaminated in Panamanian territory or if the illicit substances were already on the ship.
Fuel Prices Changed Today; Check the Costs Here
Panama’s Energy Secretariat announced the new fuel prices starting this Friday, March 21, at 5:59 a.m.
According to the Secretariat, the price of 95-octane gasoline will decrease by one cent per liter, setting it at 90 cents.
Meanwhile, the price of 91-octane gasoline will drop by one cent, bringing it to 85 cents per liter.
Low-sulfur diesel will see a price reduction of five cents, setting it at 79 cents per liter.
The new fuel prices will be in effect from this Friday, March 21, until the next Friday, April 4, at 5:59 a.m.
Holy Week in Panama 2025: Dates, Holidays, and Commemoration Details
Holy Week in Panama in 2025 will be celebrated from Sunday, April 13, to Sunday, April 20. This period holds special religious significance as it commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Throughout the week, various liturgical activities, processions, and celebrations take place across the country.
The only officially recognized holiday with mandatory rest is Friday, April 18, in observance of Good Friday. According to Article 46 of Panama’s Labor Code, this day is considered a national day of mourning, leading to the closure of most commercial and administrative activities in the country.
Holy Week: Holiday Pay and Exceptions
For employees required to work on Friday, April 18, Article 49 of the Labor Code states they are entitled to a 150% surcharge on their regular salary, in addition to a compensatory rest day within the same week.
However, there are sectors that cannot halt their operations. Essential services like hospitals, security, public transportation, and hotels will continue to operate normally. Additionally, the judicial offices of the Accusatory Penal System (SPA) will work in shifts due to the nature of their functions, as will the jurisdictions of Children and Adolescents and Family Courts to handle urgent matters.
Religious Celebrations and Traditions During Holy Week
Throughout Holy Week, various parishes and religious communities organize processions, vigils, and special services. In cities like the capital and La Villa de Los Santos, these religious activities attract numerous faithful and tourists interested in experiencing these traditions.
The Amber Alert Reached the Assembly and Will Be Discussed in the Government Commission
The bill seeking to reform the Amber Alert System in Panama reached the National Assembly this Thursday, where it will be analyzed by the Commission on Government, Justice, and Constitutional Affairs.
The initiative, presented by the Minister of Government, Dinoska Montalvo, proposes key modifications to Law 230 of 2021 to streamline the search and location of missing minors.
During her presentation before the Assembly, Montalvo explained that the changes aim to make the alert’s activation more efficient by transferring responsibility from the Public Prosecutor’s Office to the Ministry of Public Security (Minseg). According to the minister, this measure will reduce response times and improve inter-institutional coordination.
“What we seek is for the alert to be activated immediately and not depend on bureaucratic processes that could delay the search for a missing child,” she stated.
The proposal will now be debated in the Government Commission, where deputies will analyze the modifications and may introduce adjustments before it moves to the legislative floor for discussion and possible approval.
Key Points of the Proposal:
- Transfer of Responsibilities: The Ministry of Public Security will take over the activation of the alert, expediting its implementation.
- Creation of a Governing Council: An entity that will oversee the system’s functioning, composed of various state institutions and civil society organizations.
- Early Activation Office: Responsible for coordinating the immediate response when a minor goes missing.
The initiative has generated expectations in various sectors, as it is a crucial mechanism for child protection. The upcoming debate in the Government Commission will determine the proposal’s future before it can become law.
The Amber Alert is broadcast on television, radio, and social media. There is also a dedicated website and an Amber Alert app with information about these disappearances, the number of active alerts, and how many minors remain missing. However, most of the population is unaware of how the system works.
SpaceX Astronauts Stranded Since 2024 Return to Earth
Astronauts Butch Wilmore, 62, and Suni Williams, 59, finally left the International Space Station (ISS) after spending nine months in space, closing a unique chapter in the history of space exploration. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule detached from the ISS at 05:05 GMT on Tuesday, as shown in NASA’s live broadcast, with the two astronauts on board, ending what was initially planned as an eight-day mission.
Both astronauts arrived at the space station in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner, intended to be a round-trip crewed flight. However, due to propulsion issues with the spacecraft, NASA decided to return it to Earth without a crew.
SpaceX Astronauts Stranded Since 2024
In their place, a new team of astronauts — including Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Takuya Onishi (from Japan), and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov — departed from Kennedy Space Center in Florida last Friday, arriving at the ISS on Sunday. This crew rotation, known as Crew 10, allowed Wilmore and Williams, along with Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov, to finally return to Earth.
The group of astronauts departing the ISS received an emotional farewell from the new crew members before entering the Dragon capsule and sealing the hatch at 03:05 GMT on Tuesday. The undocking occurred two hours later.
If all goes as planned, the Dragon capsule will deploy its parachutes off the coast of Florida for a successful splashdown, where a recovery ship will assist the crew in their return to Earth.
Recommendations Made Amid Heat Advisory and High Solar Radiation Warning
The Meteorology and Hydrology Institute (Imhpa) has issued a surveillance advisory until next Friday due to very high temperatures and elevated solar radiation in several regions of the country.
According to the institution, the dry air mass and scarce cloud cover are causing extreme levels of solar radiation, high temperatures, and humidity. Measurements taken in shaded areas already show quite high values, particularly between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Meteorologists from the agency explained that the high thermal sensation is mainly felt between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., especially when there is less wind. It was noted that the wind is picking up between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
The central provinces and Chiriquí are the most affected areas, with temperatures exceeding 36°C. Panama City is also experiencing temperatures ranging from 33 to 34°C, especially when there is little wind in the early afternoon. Authorities recommend that the public use sunscreen, stay hydrated, take special care of children, the elderly, and pets, and follow Imhpa’s social media to stay updated on the situation.
