World Ledger 2025

Thousands of Panamanians marched in the capital to protest against an agreement signed during last month’s visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which grants U.S. troops access to strategic air and naval facilities in Panama.

[{"source":"<title>Thousands march over concern Panama bending to US government</title>","text":"Thousands of Panamanians marched in the capital Tuesday in the largest protest yet against an agreement signed during last month’s visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth giving U.S. troops access to strategic air and naval facilities in the Central American nation.","credibility":"High - direct report from news source"}]

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The agreement between Panama and the U.S. grants U.S. military access to certain bases in Panama, which will remain under Panamanian control and can be terminated by Panama with six months' notice.

[{"source":"<title>Thousands march over concern Panama bending to US government</title>","text":"Bases where the U.S. will get access for military personnel and contractors will always remain under the control of Panama and it can terminate the agreement with six months notice, he said.","credibility":"High - direct report from news source"}]

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Panama's Foreign Affairs Minister Javier Martínez-Acha stated that the memorandum of understanding with the U.S. does not imply a surrender of sovereignty, nor does it violate Panama's constitution or neutrality treaty.

[{"source":"<title>Thousands march over concern Panama bending to US government</title>","text":"Martínez-Acha said the U.S. government acted in bad faith in how it handled the sensitive issue in the media, but nonetheless Panama was being “prudent” and trying to avoid sanctions.","credibility":"High - direct report from news source"}]

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The protesters expressed concern that the U.S. might seek to reassert control over Panama, referencing the 1989 invasion, and emphasized Panama's desire to remain a neutral and sovereign country.

[{"source":"<title>Thousands march over concern Panama bending to US government</title>","text":"The student protesters expressed concern about a U.S. return to a country it invaded as recently as 1989. \"We are a neutral country; we cannot take sides with any country,\" said Jam Allard.","credibility":"High - direct report from news source"}]

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The U.S. has historically built the Panama Canal in the early 1900s, and control of the canal was transferred to Panama in 1999 under a treaty signed in 1977.

[{"source":"<title>Thousands march over concern Panama bending to US government</title>","text":"The U.S. built the canal in the early 1900s as it looked for ways to facilitate the transit of commercial and military vessels between its coasts. Control of the waterway transferred to Panama in 1999 under a treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter.","credibility":"High - direct report from news source"}]

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The Trump administration has pressured for the Hong Kong-based operator of ports at either end of the Panama Canal to sell those interests to a U.S. consortium that includes BlackRock Inc.

[{"source":"<title>Thousands march over concern Panama bending to US government</title>","text":"The Trump administration has also pressured for the Hong Kong-based operator of ports at either end of the canal to sell those interests to a U.S. consortium that includes BlackRock Inc.","credibility":"High - direct report from news source"}]

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Panama's government and protesters are concerned about U.S. influence and potential loss of sovereignty, especially in light of historical U.S. military interventions such as the 1989 invasion.

[{"source":"<title>Thousands march over concern Panama bending to US government</title>","text":"The student protesters expressed concern about a U.S. return to a country it invaded as recently as 1989. \"We are a neutral country; we cannot take sides with any country,\" said Jam Allard.","credibility":"High - direct report from news source"}]

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Alabama lawmakers approved a 1% reduction of the state sales tax on food.

[{"source":"<title>Alabama lawmakers approve reduction in state sales tax on groceries</title>","text":"Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday gave final approval to a 1% reduction of the state sales tax on food.","credibility":"highly credible - official legislative action"}]

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The legislation was approved by the Alabama Senate with a vote of 34-0.

[{"source":"<title>Alabama lawmakers approve reduction in state sales tax on groceries</title>","text":"The Alabama Senate voted 34-0 for the legislation.","credibility":"highly credible - official legislative vote record"}]

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The reduction will lower the state sales tax on food from 3% to 2% starting September 1.

[{"source":"<title>Alabama lawmakers approve reduction in state sales tax on groceries</title>","text":"The reduction, if signed into law, will lower the state sales tax on food from 3% to 2% beginning Sept. 1.","credibility":"highly credible - official legislative proposal"}]

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The previous reduction in sales tax on food from 4% to 3% occurred in 2023.

[{"source":"<title>Alabama lawmakers approve reduction in state sales tax on groceries</title>","text":"Lawmakers in 2023 reduced the tax from 4% to 3%.","credibility":"highly credible - legislative record"}]

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The planned further reduction to 2% was contingent on budget growth that did not materialize.

[{"source":"<title>Alabama lawmakers approve reduction in state sales tax on groceries</title>","text":"An additional reduction to 2% was planned but hinged on budget growth that did not materialize.","credibility":"moderately credible - legislative planning"}]

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The reduction in sales tax on food will cost the state approximately $121 million annually in revenue.

[{"source":"<title>Alabama lawmakers approve reduction in state sales tax on groceries</title>","text":"The reduction will cost the state about $121 million annually in tax revenue.","credibility":"highly credible - official fiscal estimate"}]

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The revenue lost from the tax reduction will be allocated to the Education Trust Fund.

[{"source":"<title>Alabama lawmakers approve reduction in state sales tax on groceries</title>","text":"That revenue will otherwise go to the Education Trust Fund.","credibility":"highly credible - official budget allocation"}]

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D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser manages a complex relationship with the White House and Congress while governing a city of 700,000 people.

[{"source":"<source>","text":"WASHINGTON (AP) — D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser drew a laugh from the room when she was asked how it feels to manage a mercurial relationship with the White House and Congress — while, by the way, also trying to run a city of 700,000 people.","credibility":"highly credible - direct quote from AP"}]

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Mayor Bowser appeared with President Trump to celebrate Washington being named as the host for the 2027 NFL draft.

[{"source":"<source>","text":"She appeared with Trump to celebrate Washington being named as host for the 2027 NFL draft.","credibility":"highly credible - direct quote from source"}]

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Mayor Bowser is lobbying the House of Representatives to pass a measure to prevent a $400 million budget shortfall for D.C. in 2025.

[{"source":"<source>","text":"She continues to lobby the House of Representatives to pass a simple fix that would prevent the nation’s capital from having to immediately cut $400 million from its 2025 budget.","credibility":"highly credible - direct quote from source"}]

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The House of Representatives has failed to bring the proposed budget fix to a vote despite public endorsement by President Trump.

[{"source":"<source>","text":"The House has failed to bring that measure up for a vote during four weeks in session — despite it being publicly endorsed by Trump.","credibility":"highly credible - direct quote from source"}]

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If the budget issue is not resolved, layoffs, furloughs, and service cuts could occur in Washington, D.C.

[{"source":"<source>","text":"Bowser has warned that layoffs, furloughs and service cuts could be coming — and within days — if the issue isn’t resolved.","credibility":"highly credible - direct quote from source"}]

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Mayor Bowser has delayed submitting the 2026 budget proposal to the D.C. Council by over a month due to budget uncertainties.

[{"source":"<source>","text":"Citing the uncertainty surrounding the 2025 budget, Bowser has delayed submitting a proposed 2026 budget to the council by more than a month.","credibility":"highly credible - direct quote from source"}]

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