Panama City

PANAMA CITY - Former president Guillermo Endara, who led Panama to democracy after a US invasion toppled dictator General Manuel Noriega, died yesterday. He was 73. Mr. Endara, who governed from 1989 to 1994, died at his home in Panama City. His cardiologist said the cause might have been a heart attack. Mr. Endara suffered from diabetes. President Ricardo Martinelli hailed Mr. Endara for “delivering us from dictatorship and giving us back democracy.’’ “He was a great politician, statesman, and I feel, personally and in the name of the government, very...

Police in Panama say they have captured a fugitive with suspected ties to the Hells Angels motorcycle gang who is wanted in Canada for 22 murders. A police statement says Michel Smith was detained Friday in the Playa Coronado tourist region, 62 miles (100 kilometers) west of Panama City. The statement released Sunday said Smith was captured after a two-month surveillance operation, adding that he is wanted in Canada on 29 charges, including 22 counts of murder. Canadian police have been looking for Smith since a massive 2009 gang sweep in the province of Quebec.

Police in Panama say they have captured a fugitive with suspected ties to the Hells Angels motorcycle gang who is wanted in Canada for 22 murders. A police statement says Michel Smith was detained Friday in the Playa Coronado tourist region, 62 miles (100 kilometers) west of Panama City. The statement released Sunday said Smith was captured after a two-month surveillance operation, adding that he is wanted in Canada on 29 charges, including 22 counts of murder. Canadian police have been looking for Smith since a massive 2009 gang sweep in the province of Quebec.

Two men who met at the University of Maine plan to take advantage of a new trade agreement to export lobster to Panama. Jack Mosher of Waterville and John Briar of Florida sensed a business opportunity when Congress passed the agreement in October. They started a company, Maine Lobster, in Panama City and arranged for Atwood Lobster Co. in Spruce Head to serve as the supplier. Brier, who spends his summers in Maine, told the Portland Press Herald ( http://bit.ly/wECPgV) he expects Maine lobster to do well in Panama, which currently only has access to spiny lobster, a warm water species...

Two men who met at the University of Maine plan to take advantage of a new trade agreement to export lobster to Panama. Jack Mosher of Waterville and John Briar of Florida sensed a business opportunity when Congress passed the agreement in October. They started a company, Maine Lobster, in Panama City and arranged for Atwood Lobster Co. in Spruce Head to serve as the supplier. Brier, who spends his summers in Maine, told the Portland Press Herald ( http://bit.ly/wECPgV) he expects Maine lobster to do well in Panama, which currently only has access to spiny lobster, a warm water species...

PANAMA CITY -- I slept in a tent once. I drink water from the tap sometimes. I clean up after my dog always. These seemingly mundane activities actually distinguish me from friends and family: I am considered the hardy one. I once believed that myth. That's how I ended up in Panama's Parque Natural Metropolitano, a lush tropical forest just 15 minutes outside bustling Panama City. The verdant canopy was dewy with dawn and teeming with wildlife as I began my ascent of Cerro Mono Titi.

PANAMA CITY, Panama -- Cobi Jones scored two minutes into second-half injury time, and the United States escaped with a 1-1 tie against Panama in a World Cup qualifier last night. Roberto Brown's goal in the 69th minute had put 110th-ranked Panama on track for a huge upset against the 10th-ranked Americans. After three minutes of injury time had been signaled, Eddie Lewis lofted the ball and it bounced off a Panamanian player who had challenged Brian McBride. On the soggy turf, Landon Donovan turned and mis-hit the ball, which sliced to Jones.

SAN SALVADOR -- Thanks to Brian McBride and Eddie Johnson, the United States can advance to the final round of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup with a victory over Panama Wednesday. McBride scored in the 29th minute and Johnson, making his international debut, added a goal in the 75th, pacing the Americans past El Salvador, 2-0, last night. "You do not win too many games on the road in World Cup qualifying," US coach Bruce Arena said. "We finished this round without losing a game on the road, so I think that's a big plus for our team.

The United States cut through Panama's defense like the canal that divides the isthmus. Carlos Bocanegra, Landon Donovan, and Brian McBride overwhelmed Panama with first-half goals, and the Americans won last night's qualifier in Panama City, 3-0, to move into commanding position to secure their fifth straight World Cup berth. Bocanegra scored off Donovan's corner kick in the sixth minute, Donovan got his third goal in two games in the 20th, and McBride added another in the 40th.

PANAMA CITY -- President Bush voiced his support yesterday for expanding the Panama Canal to allow bigger ships and more cargo to pass through the shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Bush said Panama must acknowledge that the 50-mile waterway "is to be used by everybody, that the canal is international, that there ought to be . . . equal access. " Panama is studying plans for widening and deepening the canal that could cost nearly $10 billion. The project must be approved in a national referendum amid concerns about the environmental impact and the heavy debt that...

PANAMA CITY - Former president Guillermo Endara, who led Panama to democracy after a US invasion toppled dictator General Manuel Noriega, died yesterday. He was 73. Mr. Endara, who governed from 1989 to 1994, died at his home in Panama City. His cardiologist said the cause might have been a heart attack. Mr. Endara suffered from diabetes. President Ricardo Martinelli hailed Mr. Endara for “delivering us from dictatorship and giving us back democracy.’’ “He was a great politician, statesman, and I feel, personally and in the name of the government, very...

MIAMI - As the only prisoner of war held on US soil, inmate No. 38699-079 gets annual visits from the Red Cross and can wear his military uniform and insignia when he goes to court. General Manuel Antonio Noriega frequently sees his wife and children, who make the trip to his private bungalow at a federal prison near Miami from their home in Panama. The onetime CIA operative is a news junkie, reads voraciously about history and politics, and is working on a memoir. Whether the vanquished dictator's story ends in prison or freedom, at home or...

PANAMA CITY -- President Bush voiced his support yesterday for expanding the Panama Canal to allow bigger ships and more cargo to pass through the shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Bush said Panama must acknowledge that the 50-mile waterway "is to be used by everybody, that the canal is international, that there ought to be . . . equal access. " Panama is studying plans for widening and deepening the canal that could cost nearly $10 billion. The project must be approved in a national referendum amid concerns about the environmental impact and the...

PANAMA CITY -- I slept in a tent once. I drink water from the tap sometimes. I clean up after my dog always. These seemingly mundane activities actually distinguish me from friends and family: I am considered the hardy one. I once believed that myth. That's how I ended up in Panama's Parque Natural Metropolitano, a lush tropical forest just 15 minutes outside bustling Panama City. The verdant canopy was dewy with dawn and teeming with wildlife as I began my ascent of Cerro Mono Titi.

The United States cut through Panama's defense like the canal that divides the isthmus. Carlos Bocanegra, Landon Donovan, and Brian McBride overwhelmed Panama with first-half goals, and the Americans won last night's qualifier in Panama City, 3-0, to move into commanding position to secure their fifth straight World Cup berth. Bocanegra scored off Donovan's corner kick in the sixth minute, Donovan got his third goal in two games in the 20th, and McBride added another in the 40th.

SAN SALVADOR -- Thanks to Brian McBride and Eddie Johnson, the United States can advance to the final round of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup with a victory over Panama Wednesday. McBride scored in the 29th minute and Johnson, making his international debut, added a goal in the 75th, pacing the Americans past El Salvador, 2-0, last night. "You do not win too many games on the road in World Cup qualifying," US coach Bruce Arena said. "We finished this round without losing a game on the road, so I think that's a big plus for our team.

MIAMI - As the only prisoner of war held on US soil, inmate No. 38699-079 gets annual visits from the Red Cross and can wear his military uniform and insignia when he goes to court. General Manuel Antonio Noriega frequently sees his wife and children, who make the trip to his private bungalow at a federal prison near Miami from their home in Panama. The onetime CIA operative is a news junkie, reads voraciously about history and politics, and is working on a memoir. Whether the vanquished dictator's story ends in prison or freedom, at home or abroad, depends on how courts in three...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Federal officials will not pursue civil rights violations or other charges against the boot camp employees implicated in the videotaped death of a 14-year-old who was hit and kicked by guards while a nurse looked on, the Justice Department said yesterday. Despite a lengthy investigation, prosecutors could not establish that the seven guards and the nurse willfully deprived Martin Lee Anderson of his civil rights, the department said, and the probe has been closed.

PANAMA CITY, Panama -- Cobi Jones scored two minutes into second-half injury time, and the United States escaped with a 1-1 tie against Panama in a World Cup qualifier last night. Roberto Brown's goal in the 69th minute had put 110th-ranked Panama on track for a huge upset against the 10th-ranked Americans. After three minutes of injury time had been signaled, Eddie Lewis lofted the ball and it bounced off a Panamanian player who had challenged Brian McBride. On the soggy turf, Landon Donovan turned and mis-hit the ball, which sliced to Jones.