A 77-year-old man was arrested after he fatally shot two environmentalists blocking a road during a protest as the elderly driver attempted to get past the demonstration. Anti-government protests have gripped Panama for almost three weeks now due to a lucrative mining contract.&nbsp;

<h2>About the fatal shooting</h2>

The officials arrested the alleged shooter in the Chame district which is some 80 kilometres west of Panama City, police said on X, without giving any more information about the perpetrator. The incident marked the first fatalities in protests that broke out on October 20.&nbsp;

Images and videos of the shooting circulating on social media show a man opening fire on people blocking the Pan-American Highway, which links Panama to the rest of Central America.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-prime-rishi-sunak-facing-calls-to-sack-suella-braverman-over-incendiary-article-on-gaza-march-657072">British Prime Rishi Sunak facing calls to sack Suella Braverman over incendiary article on Gaza march</a>

The suspect, later identified as 77-year-old Kenneth Darlington, is a lawyer and professor who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Panama, reported Newsroom Panama and AFP.&nbsp;

The man was reportedly heard saying “this ends here” before he walked up to the roadblock and got into a heated argument with a group of men which included the two victims. Subsequently, the 77-year-old before a large crowd of photographers and reporters there to cover the protest, allegedly shot two men.&nbsp;

The victims were identified as Abdiel Diaz, a teacher, who died at the scene, according to the police, and the other Ivan Rodriguez who died shortly after reaching the hospital.&nbsp;

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Darlington was remanded in custody after appearing before a judge in the town of La Espiga on Wednesday (Nov 9) afternoon. A lawyer for the victims told the local media that the 77-year-old was charged with murder and illegal possession of a gun.&nbsp;

<h2>Thousands of Panamanians and weeks-long protests</h2>

The incident took place as thousands of Panamanians over the past few weeks have taken to the streets in protest of a new mining contract signed with Canadian mining firm First Quantum Minerals which has spilt into wider discontent with the government.

The protests are said to be organised by a prominent construction union alongside teachers’ unions following the government’s decision to fast-track the contract in question which would allow the Canada-based company to operate an open-pit copper mine amidst a biodiverse jungle west of the capital.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/panama-canal-reels-with-traffic-jam-of-with-over-200-ship-backlogs-627458">Drought-hit Panama Canal reels under traffic jams with over 200-ship backlog</a>

The contract would allow First Quantum Minerals to operate the region’s largest pit copper mine for at least 20 years, with an option to extend for another two decades, in return for $375 million in annual revenue to Panama.

The roadblocks set up by protesters, according to Panama’s Association of Company Executives, have cost $80 million in daily losses to businesses. Additionally, schools across Panama have been closed for over a week and more than 150,000 medical appointments have been missed, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A 77-year-old man was arrested after he fatally shot two environmentalists blocking a road during a protest as the elderly driver attempted to get past the demonstration.

A 77-year-old man was arrested after he fatally shot two environmentalists blocking a road during a protest as the elderly driver attempted to get past the demonstration. Anti-government protests have gripped Panama for almost three weeks now due to a lucrative mining contract. About the fatal shooting The officials arrested the alleged shooter in the Chame district which is some 80 kilometres west of Panama City, police said on X, without giving any more information about the perpetrator. The incident marked the first fatalities in protests that broke out on October 20. Images and videos of the shooting circulating on social media show a man opening fire on people blocking the Pan-American Highway, which links Panama to the rest of Central America. ALSO READ | British Prime Rishi Sunak facing calls to sack Suella Braverman over incendiary article on Gaza march The suspect, later identified as 77-year-old Kenneth Darlington, is a lawyer and professor who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Panama, reported Newsroom Panama and AFP. The man was reportedly heard saying “this ends here” before he walked up to the roadblock and got into a heated argument with a group of men which included the two victims. Subsequently, the 77-year-old before a large crowd of photographers and reporters there to cover the protest, allegedly shot two men. The victims were identified as Abdiel Diaz, a teacher, who died at the scene, according to the police, and the other Ivan Rodriguez who died shortly after reaching the hospital. ALSO READ | Israel-Hamas war: Palestinian militant group says ready to release two hostages from Gaza Darlington was remanded in custody after appearing before a judge in the town of La Espiga on Wednesday (Nov 9) afternoon. A lawyer for the victims told the local media that the 77-year-old was charged with murder and illegal possession of a gun. Thousands of Panamanians and weeks-long protests The incident took place as thousands of Panamanians over the past few weeks have taken to the streets in protest of a new mining contract signed with Canadian mining firm First Quantum Minerals which has spilt into wider discontent with the government. The protests are said to be organised by a prominent construction union alongside teachers’ unions following the government’s decision to fast-track the contract in question which would allow the Canada-based company to operate an open-pit copper mine amidst a biodiverse jungle west of the capital. ALSO READ | Drought-hit Panama Canal reels under traffic jams with over 200-ship backlog The contract would allow First Quantum Minerals to operate the region’s largest pit copper mine for at least 20 years, with an option to extend for another two decades, in return for $375 million in annual revenue to Panama. The roadblocks set up by protesters, according to Panama’s Association of Company Executives, have cost $80 million in daily losses to businesses. Additionally, schools across Panama have been closed for over a week and more than 150,000 medical appointments have been missed, reported Reuters. (With inputs from agencies)

77-year-old man arrested for fatally shooting two protesters blocking road in Panama

In a shocking turn of events, a 77-year-old dual American citizen Kenneth Darlington was arrested by Panamanian authorities following the alleged shooting of two individuals during protests against a controversial government mining contract.&nbsp;

The incident unfolded in the Chame district, west of Panama City, leading to the immediate arrest of Darlington on Tuesday.

The victims, identified as Iván Rodríguez and Abdiel Díaz, faced fatal injuries during an altercation with protesters blocking the road.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/77-year-old-man-arrested-for-fatally-shooting-two-protesters-blocking-road-in-panama-657077">77-year-old man arrested for fatally shooting two protesters blocking road in Panama</a>

According to reports, the suspect, seen in a now-deleted post on social media wearing glasses and a gray shirt, was subsequently handcuffed to a pipe by the National Police.

The alleged assailant was captured on video, circulating on social media, removing a tire from a road blockade before discharging a firearm. Authorities took him into custody shortly after the incident.

WION cannot embed the visuals due to their sensitive nature.&nbsp;

<h2>Who is Kenneth Darlington?</h2>

Darlington is a lawyer and professor with dual citizenship in the United States and Panama.

He is now at the centre of a case that has sent shockwaves through the United States and Panama.&nbsp;

The Panamanian President, Laurentino Cortizo, expressed condolences to the families of the victims.&nbsp;

The tragic event occurred against a backdrop of ongoing protests that have disrupted daily life, causing substantial economic losses.&nbsp;

<h2>Impact of protests over Panama mining project</h2>

Roadblocks set up by demonstrators have reportedly resulted in up to $80 million in daily financial setbacks for businesses, with nationwide school closures persisting for over a week.

The government initially considered legislation to annul the controversial mining contract in response to the protests but later reversed its decision.

Also watch |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Panama river cleaned up by trash-trapping wheel in a green first

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This incident follows another on&nbsp;on November 1, when a protestor lost their life after being run over during a demonstration in the western part of the country, allegedly by a foreign citizen attempting to cross a roadblock.

The situation remains tense as authorities grapple with the aftermath of these distressing events.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a shocking turn of events, a 77-year-old dual American citizen Kenneth Darlington was arrested by Panamanian authorities following the alleged shooting of two individuals during protests against a controversial government mining contract.

In a shocking turn of events, a 77-year-old dual American citizen Kenneth Darlington was arrested by Panamanian authorities following the alleged shooting of two individuals during protests against a controversial government mining contract. The incident unfolded in the Chame district, west of Panama City, leading to the immediate arrest of Darlington on Tuesday. The victims, identified as Iván Rodríguez and Abdiel Díaz, faced fatal injuries during an altercation with protesters blocking the road. Also read | 77-year-old man arrested for fatally shooting two protesters blocking road in Panama According to reports, the suspect, seen in a now-deleted post on social media wearing glasses and a gray shirt, was subsequently handcuffed to a pipe by the National Police. The alleged assailant was captured on video, circulating on social media, removing a tire from a road blockade before discharging a firearm. Authorities took him into custody shortly after the incident. WION cannot embed the visuals due to their sensitive nature. Who is Kenneth Darlington? Darlington is a lawyer and professor with dual citizenship in the United States and Panama. He is now at the centre of a case that has sent shockwaves through the United States and Panama. The Panamanian President, Laurentino Cortizo, expressed condolences to the families of the victims. The tragic event occurred against a backdrop of ongoing protests that have disrupted daily life, causing substantial economic losses. Impact of protests over Panama mining project Roadblocks set up by demonstrators have reportedly resulted in up to $80 million in daily financial setbacks for businesses, with nationwide school closures persisting for over a week. The government initially considered legislation to annul the controversial mining contract in response to the protests but later reversed its decision. Also watch | WION Climate Tracker: Panama river cleaned up by trash-trapping wheel in a green first × This incident follows another on on November 1, when a protestor lost their life after being run over during a demonstration in the western part of the country, allegedly by a foreign citizen attempting to cross a roadblock. The situation remains tense as authorities grapple with the aftermath of these distressing events. (With inputs from agencies)

What we know about Kenneth Darlington, who allegedly shot dead 2 people opposing Panama mining project

Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said that it is "very difficult to engage with Pakistan who practices cross-border terrorism". Jaishankar's remarks came during a joint press briefing with Janaina Tewaney, the foreign minister of Panama, in Panama City.

'Difficult to engage with Pakistan which practices cross-border terror', says Indian EAM Jaishankar

The eighth Our Ocean Conference will take place in Panama City, Panama, on March 1-2, 2023. The conference got its start in 2014 as a U.S. Department of State initiative to raise awareness of the grave challenges to the oceans around the world and to make a global commitment to real action in support of marine conservation and sustainable development.

2-day Our Ocean Conference being held in Panama city

One of the most pressing environmental issues of the world is plastic pollution. The rapid rise in the production of plastic products has overwhelmed the world's ability to deal with them. In Panama City, efforts are on to collect trash which ends up on the Juan Diaz river - a trash collecting machine has begun scooping out the discarded items from the river.

WION Climate Tracker | Mission to reduce plastic waste: Machine in Panama City cleans polluted river

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Panama on Sunday, injuring at least five people and causing damage to businesses and homes, officials said.

The strong quake struck at a depth of 37 kilometres (23 miles) in the far west of the country near the Costa Rican border, according to the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strong-63-magnitude-quake-hits-southern-japan-no-tsunami-threat-217364"> US Geological Survey.</a>

It was followed by a smaller 5.4-magnitude quake in Colon province, on central Panama's Caribbean coast, according to the country's National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc).

Five people were injured in the first quake, which hit 22 km from the town of Puerto Armuelles, said Sinaproc.

Four homes were damaged, including two that collapsed, it said.

President Juan Carlos Varela had said on Twitter earlier that just one person was hurt, in Puerto Armuelles.&nbsp;

He reported the damage to homes and businesses in the Central American nation.

School classes were suspended for Monday in Baru district, where the first quake struck.

There was no tsunami alert issued from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

The second quake occurred late Sunday and was not related to the afternoon quake near Puerto Armuelles, Sinaproc said.

So far no damage has been reported from the second quake, it added.

In November 2017 a 6.5-magnitude quake on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica left buildings swaying in the capital San Jose and contributed to the deaths of two people who had heart attacks.

Further north, two months earlier in September 2017 a 7.1-magnitude earthquake killed more than 300 people in Mexico.

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Panama on Sunday, injuring at least five people and causing damage to businesses and homes, officials said. The strong quake struck at a depth of 37 kilometres (23 miles) in the far west of the country near the Costa Rican border, according to the US Geological Survey.

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Panama on Sunday, injuring at least five people and causing damage to businesses and homes, officials said. The strong quake struck at a depth of 37 kilometres (23 miles) in the far west of the country near the Costa Rican border, according to the US Geological Survey. It was followed by a smaller 5.4-magnitude quake in Colon province, on central Panama's Caribbean coast, according to the country's National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc). Five people were injured in the first quake, which hit 22 km from the town of Puerto Armuelles, said Sinaproc. Four homes were damaged, including two that collapsed, it said. President Juan Carlos Varela had said on Twitter earlier that just one person was hurt, in Puerto Armuelles. He reported the damage to homes and businesses in the Central American nation. School classes were suspended for Monday in Baru district, where the first quake struck. There was no tsunami alert issued from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The second quake occurred late Sunday and was not related to the afternoon quake near Puerto Armuelles, Sinaproc said. So far no damage has been reported from the second quake, it added. In November 2017 a 6.5-magnitude quake on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica left buildings swaying in the capital San Jose and contributed to the deaths of two people who had heart attacks. Further north, two months earlier in September 2017 a 7.1-magnitude earthquake killed more than 300 people in Mexico.

Earthquakes in Panama leave five injured, minor damage

Pope Francis acknowledged Saturday that the Catholic Church was "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-urges-predator-priests-who-sexually-abused-minors-to-turn-themselves-in-185719">wounded by sin</a>" in a message addressed to priests and seminarians reeling from sexual abuse scandals and coverups.

In a mass that he officiated at the centuries-old Cathedral of Santa Maria La Antigua in Panama City, Francis warned of the "weariness of hope that comes from seeing a Church wounded by sin, which has so often failed to hear all those cries."

It was the Argentine pontiff's first reference to the sex abuse scandals rocking the Church since he arrived in Panama on Wednesday for a global gathering of young Catholics.

It came up again during a lunch Francis hosted with the Archbishop of Panama, Cardinal Jose Domingo Ulloa, for 10 young people of different nationalities attending World Youth Day, held every three years.

There, sitting over lunch at a white linen covered table, the pope referred to clerical sex abuse as "a horrible crime."

He was responding to a question from a young Mexican immigrant to the US, Brenda Berenice Noriega, about the crisis.

'Horrible crime'

"He called it a horrible crime," Noriega told a press conference after the lunch, a tradition at the global gatherings.

"The Holy Father reminded us that it is important to accompany the victims," she said, a youth minister in San Bernadino, California.

"For me as representative of the US and a minister of young people, it means a lot. It's to keep in mind that all the victims of the sexual crisis are heard, and that the Church is committed to supporting them," she said.&nbsp;

Francis has called senior bishops from around the world to Rome next month to deal with widespread clergy sex abuse of children and young people.

The Vatican has billed the February 21-24 meeting as a unique chance to provide bishops with "concrete measures" to tackle the "terrible plague" of sex abuse by the clergy.

Addressing white-robed young seminarians and priests during the mass, the pope said "a subtle weariness" had entered Church communities that "calls into question the energy resources and viability of our mission in this changing and challenging world."

Those changes, he said, "call into doubt the very viability of religious life in today's world."

But the notion that religious communities had nothing to contribute -- that the world "has no room for our message" -- would be "one of the worst heresies possible in our time."

Vast, festive crowd

A vast, festive crowd of young people, many waving the flags of their countries, gathered throughout Saturday afternoon at a park outside Panama to await the pope for a giant prayer vigil at nightfall.

The organizers said they expected around 200,000 people at the event.&nbsp;

Francis, 82, drew the largest crowd of his five-day visit on Friday evening at a solemn ceremony commemorating Christ's crucifixion in another Panama park.

In a swipe at US President Donald Trump's plans to build a border wall against Central American migrants, the pope told hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims that it was "senseless" to condemn every immigrant "as a threat to society."

He has used his encounter with young people in Central America this week to speak out strongly in defence of migrants, and address other problems affecting the region such as poverty, drug trafficking, violence and what he said was a regional "plague" of murders of women.

At the mass in the basilica -- home of the first diocese on the American mainland -- the pope's homily to seminarians about the challenges of the priesthood raised the problem of dwindling vocations around the world.

Around the globe, there were 414,969 Catholic priests at the end of 2016, more than 800 less than in 2014, according to the Vatican. There were nearly 700 fewer people joining the priesthood over the same period.

Francis himself acknowledged at a general audience in August that the scandals of abuse and cover-up by Church leaders have caused a decline in vocations to the priesthood in Ireland.

Pope Francis acknowledged Saturday that the Catholic Church was "wounded by sin" in a message addressed to priests and seminarians reeling from sexual abuse scandals and coverups.

Pope Francis acknowledged Saturday that the Catholic Church was "wounded by sin" in a message addressed to priests and seminarians reeling from sexual abuse scandals and coverups. In a mass that he officiated at the centuries-old Cathedral of Santa Maria La Antigua in Panama City, Francis warned of the "weariness of hope that comes from seeing a Church wounded by sin, which has so often failed to hear all those cries." It was the Argentine pontiff's first reference to the sex abuse scandals rocking the Church since he arrived in Panama on Wednesday for a global gathering of young Catholics. It came up again during a lunch Francis hosted with the Archbishop of Panama, Cardinal Jose Domingo Ulloa, for 10 young people of different nationalities attending World Youth Day, held every three years. There, sitting over lunch at a white linen covered table, the pope referred to clerical sex abuse as "a horrible crime." He was responding to a question from a young Mexican immigrant to the US, Brenda Berenice Noriega, about the crisis. 'Horrible crime' "He called it a horrible crime," Noriega told a press conference after the lunch, a tradition at the global gatherings. "The Holy Father reminded us that it is important to accompany the victims," she said, a youth minister in San Bernadino, California. "For me as representative of the US and a minister of young people, it means a lot. It's to keep in mind that all the victims of the sexual crisis are heard, and that the Church is committed to supporting them," she said. Francis has called senior bishops from around the world to Rome next month to deal with widespread clergy sex abuse of children and young people. The Vatican has billed the February 21-24 meeting as a unique chance to provide bishops with "concrete measures" to tackle the "terrible plague" of sex abuse by the clergy. Addressing white-robed young seminarians and priests during the mass, the pope said "a subtle weariness" had entered Church communities that "calls into question the energy resources and viability of our mission in this changing and challenging world." Those changes, he said, "call into doubt the very viability of religious life in today's world." But the notion that religious communities had nothing to contribute -- that the world "has no room for our message" -- would be "one of the worst heresies possible in our time." Vast, festive crowd A vast, festive crowd of young people, many waving the flags of their countries, gathered throughout Saturday afternoon at a park outside Panama to await the pope for a giant prayer vigil at nightfall. The organizers said they expected around 200,000 people at the event. Francis, 82, drew the largest crowd of his five-day visit on Friday evening at a solemn ceremony commemorating Christ's crucifixion in another Panama park. In a swipe at US President Donald Trump's plans to build a border wall against Central American migrants, the pope told hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims that it was "senseless" to condemn every immigrant "as a threat to society." He has used his encounter with young people in Central America this week to speak out strongly in defence of migrants, and address other problems affecting the region such as poverty, drug trafficking, violence and what he said was a regional "plague" of murders of women. At the mass in the basilica -- home of the first diocese on the American mainland -- the pope's homily to seminarians about the challenges of the priesthood raised the problem of dwindling vocations around the world. Around the globe, there were 414,969 Catholic priests at the end of 2016, more than 800 less than in 2014, according to the Vatican. There were nearly 700 fewer people joining the priesthood over the same period. Francis himself acknowledged at a general audience in August that the scandals of abuse and cover-up by Church leaders have caused a decline in vocations to the priesthood in Ireland.

On sex abuse scandals, Pope says Catholic Church 'wounded by sin'

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-says-killing-of-women-has-become-plague-in-latin-america-192583">Pope Francis</a> criticised those who build walls and sow fear about strangers on Thursday to a global gathering of young Catholics in Panama city.

"The father of lies, the devil, always prefers a divided people at odds with each other. He is the master of division, and he is afraid of a people that learns to work together, and this is a criteria to recognize people: the builders of bridges and the builders of walls,'' Pope said.

The 82-year-old pope received a rock-star welcome by tens of thousands of young people when he arrived for the World Youth Day event at a palm-fringed park on the shores of Panama Bay.

The comment was clearly pointed to US President Donald Trump's proposal of building a wall at US-Mexico border.

When the Pope asked the crowd, ''What do you want to be?'' The crowd replied back ''builders of bridges.''

Meanwhile, Pope urged Latin America's leaders to shun corruption and tackle gang violence, drug trafficking and the killing of women, which he said had become a "plague" in his native continent.

Francis also addressed migration for the second straight day, saying more had to be done to overcome fears and suspicions because migrants were seeking a better life.

Pope Francis criticised those who build walls and sow fear about strangers on Thursday to a global gathering of young Catholics in Panama city. "The father of lies, the devil, always prefers a divided people at odds with each other.

Pope Francis criticised those who build walls and sow fear about strangers on Thursday to a global gathering of young Catholics in Panama city. "The father of lies, the devil, always prefers a divided people at odds with each other. He is the master of division, and he is afraid of a people that learns to work together, and this is a criteria to recognize people: the builders of bridges and the builders of walls,'' Pope said. The 82-year-old pope received a rock-star welcome by tens of thousands of young people when he arrived for the World Youth Day event at a palm-fringed park on the shores of Panama Bay. The comment was clearly pointed to US President Donald Trump's proposal of building a wall at US-Mexico border. When the Pope asked the crowd, ''What do you want to be?'' The crowd replied back ''builders of bridges.'' Meanwhile, Pope urged Latin America's leaders to shun corruption and tackle gang violence, drug trafficking and the killing of women, which he said had become a "plague" in his native continent. Francis also addressed migration for the second straight day, saying more had to be done to overcome fears and suspicions because migrants were seeking a better life.

Pope Francis criticises those who 'build walls', 'sow fear'

Panama&nbsp;has agreed to extradite a&nbsp;former&nbsp;state&nbsp;governor&nbsp;from Mexico&#39;s ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) who is wanted in his homeland on&nbsp;corruptioncharges, the two countries said on Monday.

Roberto Borge, who from 2010 to 2016 was&nbsp;governor&nbsp;of the state of Quintana Roo, home to the tourist resort Cancun, was detained in&nbsp;Panama&nbsp;City airport in June with the aid of Interpol as he was preparing to board a flight to Paris.

Corruption&nbsp;promises to be one of the major issues in Mexico&#39;s July 2018 presidential election, with public discontent widespread over a spate of conflict-of-interest rows that have dogged the Cabinet and President Enrique Pena Nieto himself.

The law bars&nbsp;Mexican&nbsp;presidents from seeking re-election.

Mexican&nbsp;prosecutors accuse Borge of using funds obtained illegally, embezzlement and abuse of public office.

The&nbsp;Mexican&nbsp;Foreign Ministry and the attorney general&#39;s office said in a statement&nbsp;Panama&#39;s Foreign Ministry had notified Borge that the&nbsp;extradition&nbsp;was going ahead.

Panama&#39;s Foreign Ministry said in a separate statement that, after being notified, Borge announced that he would have his lawyers appeal against the&nbsp;extradition. The ministry did not give details of how the&nbsp;Mexican&nbsp;aimed to justify his appeal.

Borge had long been accused of&nbsp;corruption&nbsp;by opposition parties, although he has denied the allegations.

Other&nbsp;former&nbsp;PRI&nbsp;governors are also facing prosecution in the run-up to next year&#39;s presidential contest.

Javier Duarte, who governed the&nbsp;Mexican&nbsp;state of Veracruz for the PRI until last year, was extradited from Guatemala to Mexico on July 17. He is accused of embezzlement and engaging in organized crime.

Roberto Borge, who from 2010 to 2016 was?governor?of the state of Quintana Roo, home to the tourist resort Cancun, was detained in?Panama?City airport in June with the aid of Interpol as he was preparing to board a flight to Paris.

Panama has agreed to extradite a former state governor from Mexico's ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) who is wanted in his homeland on corruptioncharges, the two countries said on Monday. Roberto Borge, who from 2010 to 2016 was governor of the state of Quintana Roo, home to the tourist resort Cancun, was detained in Panama City airport in June with the aid of Interpol as he was preparing to board a flight to Paris. Corruption promises to be one of the major issues in Mexico's July 2018 presidential election, with public discontent widespread over a spate of conflict-of-interest rows that have dogged the Cabinet and President Enrique Pena Nieto himself. The law bars Mexican presidents from seeking re-election. Mexican prosecutors accuse Borge of using funds obtained illegally, embezzlement and abuse of public office. The Mexican Foreign Ministry and the attorney general's office said in a statement Panama's Foreign Ministry had notified Borge that the extradition was going ahead. Panama's Foreign Ministry said in a separate statement that, after being notified, Borge announced that he would have his lawyers appeal against the extradition. The ministry did not give details of how the Mexican aimed to justify his appeal. Borge had long been accused of corruption by opposition parties, although he has denied the allegations. Other former PRI governors are also facing prosecution in the run-up to next year's presidential contest. Javier Duarte, who governed the Mexican state of Veracruz for the PRI until last year, was extradited from Guatemala to Mexico on July 17. He is accused of embezzlement and engaging in organized crime.

Panama authorizes extradition of former Mexican governor on corruption charges

At least 18 people died and 33 were injured in Panama Sunday when a bus veered off a highway and flipped into a ravine and then a river, the authorities said.

Civil Defense officer Jose Donderis said the bus headed from the Bocas del Toro province on the Caribbean Sea to a ranch in Chame -- a town on the Pacific Ocean some seven hours away -- crashed near Cienaga Vieja in Anton, Cocle province, southwest of Panama City, around 1900 GMT.&nbsp;

&quot;It is a really dramatic accident,&quot; he said, adding that the cause was not yet known. &quot;The entire bus, the inside part of the bus, was squeezed into the part where the driver would be and a lot of people were trapped there.&quot;

Many of the injured were in critical condition, Donderis said. He had previously reported 10 people died in the crash.

Other passengers drowned when water from the river into which the bus fell swamped it, Donderis added.

Helicopters and ambulances have been sent to the scene, he said.

(AFP)

The bus veered off a highway and flipped into a ravine and then a river, the authorities said

At least 18 people died and 33 were injured in Panama Sunday when a bus veered off a highway and flipped into a ravine and then a river, the authorities said. Civil Defense officer Jose Donderis said the bus headed from the Bocas del Toro province on the Caribbean Sea to a ranch in Chame -- a town on the Pacific Ocean some seven hours away -- crashed near Cienaga Vieja in Anton, Cocle province, southwest of Panama City, around 1900 GMT. "It is a really dramatic accident," he said, adding that the cause was not yet known. "The entire bus, the inside part of the bus, was squeezed into the part where the driver would be and a lot of people were trapped there." Many of the injured were in critical condition, Donderis said. He had previously reported 10 people died in the crash. Other passengers drowned when water from the river into which the bus fell swamped it, Donderis added. Helicopters and ambulances have been sent to the scene, he said. (AFP)

18 dead, 33 injured in Panama bus crash

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