News of the day from around the world, May 6

Quarantined ship: Authorities in Curacao on Monday said 318 people aboard a Church of Scientology ship docked in the Dutch Caribbean island will remain quarantined until they determine how many might be infected with measles. Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth said a team of health officials took 277 blood samples and sent them to the Netherlands. He expects results on Tuesday or Wednesday. The 440-foot Freewinds ship was previously quarantined in St. Lucia after a female crew member was diagnosed with measles.

Panama election: Panama’s Electoral Court has declared opposition candidate Laurentino Cortizo the winner of the country’s presidential vote. The court said Cortizo of the Democratic Revolutionary Party won 33%, with 95% of ballots counted from Sunday’s vote. Cortizo, a cattle rancher, will formally be named president-elect on Thursday. “I call on all Panamanians to join in a national effort to correct the country’s path, rescue the country and get the economy on the right track,” Cortizo said Monday. Second-place candidate and businessman Rómulo Roux of former President Ricardo Martinelli’s Democratic Change party won 31% of the vote. The campaign focused on corruption and slowing economic growth in the Central America trade and financial hub and turned into the tightest presidential contest in recent years.

North Macedonia vote: Stevo Pendarovski, the presidential candidate backed by North Macedonia’s center-left government, won the presidency in a runoff election with a conservative rival. State election commission chief Oliver Derkorski announced late Sunday that Pendarovski had won with 51.8% of the votes. Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, the candidate favored by the conservative opposition party, got 44.5%. The election was seen as a test of the government’s pro-West policies. Pendarovski backed the government deal with Greece that renamed the country in exchange for NATO membership, while Siljankovska criticized it. The presidency is a mostly ceremonial position, with some powers to veto legislation.

Mexico crash: An executive jet flying 13 people from Las Vegas crashed in northern Mexico, authorities said Monday. An air search located the downed plane in a remote mountainous area near Ocampo on Monday, the Coahuila state government said in a statement. “There were no survivors seen,” the statement said. Local media reported the plane was carrying three crew members and 10 passengers. The jet left Las Vegas on Sunday and had been expected in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey. Local media reported the passengers were returning from a weekend trip that included seeing the Saul “Canelo” Alvarez fight.

Brunei human rights: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said a moratorium on capital punishment is in effect for new Shariah criminal laws including stoning people for gay sex and adultery that sparked an international outcry. The United Nations has called the laws implemented April 3 “draconian,” while the U.S. and several other countries have urged Brunei to halt its plans. Celebrities including George Clooney, Elton John and Ellen DeGeneres have rallied for a boycott of nine hotels in the U.S. and Europe linked to Brunei. Even before 2014, homosexuality was already punishable in Brunei by a jail term of up to 10 years. The new laws say those found guilty of gay sex can be stoned to death or whipped. Thieves face amputation of a right hand on their first offense and a left foot on their second.</s>Image copyright Reuters Image caption Centre-left candidate Laurentino Cortizo finished two percentage points ahead of rival Rómulo Roux

Centre-left candidate Laurentino Cortizo has been declared the winner of Panama's presidential election.

In an unexpectedly close race, Mr Cortizo finished two percentage points ahead of his centre-right rival, Rómulo Roux.

Mr Roux has yet to concede, citing reports of voting irregularities.

The elections have been dominated by pledges to fight corruption and to tackle Panama's image as a money-laundering country.

The country's electoral tribunal says 95% of ballots have been counted, with Mr Cortizo winning 33% of votes, followed by Mr Roux with 33%.

Official results are expected to be announced on Thursday, though the tribunal said the result was "irreversible" despite a close margin of fewer than 40,000 votes.

"I owe it to you, to all Panamanians," Mr Cortizo told reporters.

"I will work hard, fight and I will serve my country with humility, dignity and honesty".

The presidential race is Panama's sixth since a US invasion ousted Manuel Noriega in 1989.

Image copyright AFP Image caption Mr Cortizo has vowed to fight corruption and tackle unemployment

Who is Laurentino Cortizo?

Laurentino "Nito" Cortizo, 66, is the candidate for Panama's Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD).

His party, founded by military ruler Omar Torrijos in 1979, has been out of power since 2009.

Mr Cortizo was educated in the US and has previously served as minister of agriculture.

He has also held roles at the regional Organisation of American States, and worked in the construction and livestock sectors.

What have been the election's main talking points?

Corruption has been at the forefront of the presidential race, spurred by scandals surrounding Odebrecht. The Brazilian construction firm was found guilty of giving illegal payments to 17 Panamanian officials.

Mr Cortizo has vowed to fight corruption by reforming laws that govern how public contracts are awarded.

Other major issues have included rising unemployment, Panama's education system, and the state of water utilities and rubbish collection in the capital, Panama City.

Mr Cortizo has also expressed a desire to strengthen the country's ties with America.

"The United States is our strategic partner, our main strategic partner," Mr Cortizo told news agency Reuters. "This relationship has to improve."</s>PANAMA CITY — The Latest on Panama (all times local):

Panama’s Electoral Court expects the National Scrutiny Board to confirm the opposition candidate, Laurentino Cortizo of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, as the winner of the presidential election after a final recount of the vote.

The Electoral Court announced late Sunday that Cortizo was the “virtual winner” of the election with 92% of the ballot boxes counted, after a tight race between the country’s two most important rival political forces.

Presidential candidate Romulo Roux rejected those preliminary results, which put him in second place.

According to the early results, Cortizo won 33% of the votes versus 31% for Roux, who is from former President Ricardo Martinelli’s Democratic Change party.

Presidential candidate Romulo Roux of Panama has rejected the preliminary results announced by the country’s Electoral Court that put him in second place.

The Court declared opposition candidate, Laurentino Cortizo as the “virtual winner” of Sunday’s presidential race by a narrow lead of 2 percentage points pending the final recount.

Roux claimed, without offering immediate proof, that his campaign had been hindered by irregularities in the vote.

According to the early results, Cortizo of the Democratic Revolutionary Party had won 33% of the votes versus 31% for Roux, who is from former President Ricardo Martinelli’s Democratic Change party.

There is no presidential runoff in Panama, so the top vote-getter in the field of seven mostly business-friendly candidates wins outright and takes office July 1 for a five-year term.

Panama’s Electoral Court has declared opposition candidate Laurentino Cortizo the “virtual winner” in the country’s tight presidential election late Sunday.

The vote followed a campaign focused on corruption and slowing economic growth in this Central America trade and financial hub and turned into the tightest presidential contest in recent years.

After scrutinizing the results from 92% of polling stations, electoral court magistrate Heriberto Arauz said in a televised announcement shortly before midnight that Cortizo had a narrow lead of 2 percentage points over businessman Romulo Roux. The unexpectedly close race pitted the candidates of the country’s two most important opposition political forces.

Cortizo, of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, had 33% of the votes versus 31% for Roux, from former President Ricardo Martinelli’s Democratic Change party. There is no runoff in Panama, so the top vote-getter in the field of seven mostly business-friendly candidates wins outright and takes office July 1 for a five-year term.

Before the magistrate’s announcement, Roux vowed not to concede defeat, saying the results were too close and suggesting that the race was marred by irregularities.</s>PANAMA CITY (AP) - The Latest on Panama (all times local):

Presidential candidate Rómulo Roux of Panama has rejected the preliminary results announced by the country's Electoral Court that put him in second place.

The Court declared opposition candidate, Laurentino Cortizo as the "virtual winner" of Sunday's presidential race by a narrow lead of 2 percentage points pending the final recount.

Roux claimed, without offering immediate proof, that his campaign had been hindered by irregularities in the vote.

According to the early results, Cortizo of the Democratic Revolutionary Party had won 33% of the votes versus 31% for Roux, who is from former President Ricardo Martinelli's Democratic Change party.

There is no presidential runoff in Panama, so the top vote-getter in the field of seven mostly business-friendly candidates wins outright and takes office July 1 for a five-year term.

Panama's Electoral Court has declared opposition candidate Laurentino Cortizo the "virtual winner" in the country's tight presidential election late Sunday.

The vote followed a campaign focused on corruption and slowing economic growth in this Central America trade and financial hub and turned into the tightest presidential contest in recent years.

After scrutinizing the results from 92% of polling stations, electoral court magistrate Heriberto Araúz said in a televised announcement shortly before midnight that Cortizo had a narrow lead of 2 percentage points over businessman Rómulo Roux. The unexpectedly close race pitted the candidates of the country's two most important opposition political forces.

Cortizo, of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, had 33% of the votes versus 31% for Roux, from former President Ricardo Martinelli's Democratic Change party. There is no runoff in Panama, so the top vote-getter in the field of seven mostly business-friendly candidates wins outright and takes office July 1 for a five-year term.

Before the magistrate's announcement, Roux vowed not to concede defeat, saying the results were too close and suggesting that the race was marred by irregularities.</s>Cattle rancher Laurentino Cortizo is holding on to his narrow lead in Panama’s presidential election with the vote count nearing an end. With 95% of the votes counted, Cortizo has a lead of just over 2 percentage points over businessman Rómulo Roux Monday morning. Cortizo’s lead amounts to nearly 41,000 votes out of almost 2 million votes cast. Panama’s Electoral Court expects the national vote-counting board to confirm Cortizo, of the opposition Democratic Revolutionary Party, as the winner after a final recount of the vote.

Panama’s Electoral Court expects the National Scrutiny Board to confirm the opposition candidate, Laurentino Cortizo of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, as the winner of the presidential election after a final recount of the vote. The Electoral Court announced late Sunday that Cortizo was the “virtual winner” of the election with 92% of the ballot boxes counted, after a tight race between the country’s two most important rival political forces. Presidential candidate Rómulo Roux rejected those preliminary results, which put him in second place.

Presidential candidate Rómulo Roux of Panama has rejected the preliminary results announced by the country’s Electoral Court that put him in second place. The Court declared opposition candidate, Laurentino Cortizo as the “virtual winner” of Sunday’s presidential race by a narrow lead of 2 percentage points pending the final recount. Roux claimed, without offering immediate proof, that his campaign had been hindered by irregularities in the vote. According to the early results, Cortizo of the Democratic Revolutionary Party had won 33% of the votes versus 31% for Roux, who is from former President Ricardo Martinelli’s Democratic Change party. There is no presidential runoff in Panama, so the top vote-getter in the field of seven mostly business-friendly candidates wins outright and takes office July 1 for a five-year term. Panama’s Electoral Court has declared opposition candidate Laurentino Cortizo the “virtual winner” in the country’s tight presidential election late Sunday. The vote followed a campaign focused on corruption and slowing economic growth in this Central America trade and financial hub and turned into the tightest presidential contest in recent years. After scrutinizing the results from 92% of polling stations, electoral court magistrate Heriberto Araúz said in a televised announcement shortly before midnight that Cortizo had a narrow lead of 2 percentage points over businessman Rómulo Roux. The unexpectedly close race pitted the candidates of the country’s two most important opposition political forces. Cortizo, of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, had 33% of the votes versus 31% for Roux, from former President Ricardo Martinelli’s Democratic Change party. There is no runoff in Panama, so the top vote-getter in the field of seven mostly business-friendly candidates wins outright and takes office July 1 for a five-year term. Before the magistrate’s announcement, Roux vowed not to concede defeat, saying the results were too close and suggesting that the race was marred by irregularities.</s>PANAMA CITY — Panama’s Electoral Court has declared opposition candidate Laurentino Cortizo the “virtual winner” in the country’s tight presidential election.

Electoral court magistrate Heriberto Araúz said in a televised announcement late Sunday that Cortizo of the Democratic Revolutionary Party had a narrow lead of two percentage points over his rival Rómulo Roux, from former President Ricardo Martinelli’s Democratic Change party.

Araúz said results from 92% of polling stations had been scrutinized, and that the voting trend remained stable as results came in.

Cortizo had 33% of the votes and Roux 31%, in what was an unexpectedly close race between the candidates of the two most important opposition political forces in the Central American country.</s>PANAMA CITY — Cattle rancher Laurentino Cortizo is holding on to his narrow lead in Panama’s presidential election with the vote count nearing an end.

With 95% of the votes counted, Cortizo has a lead of just over 2 percentage points over businessman Romulo Roux Monday morning.

Cortizo’s lead amounts to nearly 41,000 votes out of almost 2 million votes cast. Panama’s Electoral Court expects the national vote-counting board to confirm Cortizo, of the opposition Democratic Revolutionary Party, as the winner after a final recount of the vote.

The Electoral Court announced late Sunday that Cortizo was the “virtual winner” of the election with 92% of the ballot boxes counted, after a tight race between the country’s two most important rival political forces.

Roux rejected those preliminary results, which put him in second place.

According to the early results, Cortizo won 33% of the votes versus 31% for Roux, who is from former President Ricardo Martinelli’s Democratic Change party.

There is no presidential runoff in Panama, so the top vote-getter in the field of seven mostly business-friendly candidates wins outright and takes office July 1 for a five-year term.</s>PANAMA CITY (AP) — A cattleman held on to a narrow lead over a businessman late Sunday as returns came in from Panama’s tightest presidential election in recent years, following a campaign that focused on corruption and slowing economic growth in this Central America trade and financial hub.

The Electoral Court said it needed more ballots to be counted before declaring a winner. There is no runoff in Panama, so the top vote-getter in the field of seven mostly business-friendly candidates would win outright.

With more than 90% of votes counted, Laurentino Cortizo of the Democratic Revolutionary Party led, with almost 33%. That was just ahead of Rómulo Roux of the Democratic Change party at 31%. About 35,000 votes separated the two men, who together received more than 1.2 million votes.

Speaking to reporters, Cortizo said he expected to soon receive a phone call from the Electoral Court to announce his victory. Supporters had begun to clear out of his campaign headquarters after a night of celebrating as returns came in. The Democratic Revolutionary Party, once the political arm of Panama’s former military government, lost the last two presidential contests.

Shortly before Cortizo’s comments, Roux vowed not to concede defeat, saying the results were too close and suggesting that the race was marred by irregularities.

“We have to guarantee the protection of the electoral process and of democracy. Right now, it’s in doubt,” Roux said, without providing any evidence of election tampering.

The electoral commission did not comment on Roux’s allegation.

Whichever candidate emerges as the winner, he will likely take office July 1 for a five-year term with the lowest level of popular votes since the dictatorship of Manuel Noriega ended in 1989.

The election followed revelations of money laundering in the so-called Panama Papers that dinged the country’s reputation on the world stage. The trove of secret financial documents showed how some of the world’s richest people hid their money using shell companies in Panama and other countries.

Despite the scandal, Panama remains a strategic location for commerce, anchored by the heavily trafficked Panama Canal shipping route and a recently expanded international airport.

Cortizo, a 66-year-old who studied business administration in the U.S., was agriculture minister under President Martin Torrijos and campaigned on vows to clean up Panama’s image after recent corruption scandals.

Roux, a 54-year-old businessman, had the endorsement of supermarket magnate and former President Ricardo Martinelli, who is in jail awaiting trial on charges of political espionage. Roux held multiple government posts during the Martinelli administration, including minister of canal affairs and foreign minister.

Roux highlighted during his campaign that Panama’s economy grew only 3.8% last year, versus a 10.7% expansion in 2012, when Martinelli was president.

The top three was rounded out by an independent candidate who got on the ballot by collecting thousands of signatures. Ricardo Lombana, 45, is a lawyer who gained prominence via a citizen’s movement several years ago that questioned impunity and corruption in the country. Lombana had nearly 20% of the vote.

Lombana’s campaign focused on drumming up support via social media, rather than through the costly television spots favored by candidates from Panama’s three main political parties.

Turnout was strong at 72% as voters showed up under a hot, cloudy sky Sunday in the sixth presidential election since a U.S. invasion ousted strongman Manuel Noriega in 1989.

Panamanian voters were also concerned about rising unemployment, public schools in decline, unreliable water service and insufficient garbage collection in the capital.

Outgoing President Juan Carlos Varela, a 55-year-old conservative and liquor industry veteran, will likely be remembered as a leader who strengthened the country’s political and economic ties with China. Panama established diplomatic relations with China, and disavowed Taiwan, in 2017.

Varela, who was constitutionally barred from re-election, assumed the presidency on promises to crack down on corruption and cut food prices. His greatest achievement was the opening with China, according to political analyst Roberto Eisenmann, who said the diplomatic warming with China “is a step that should have been taken 15 years ago.”

China and the U.S. are the main clients of the Panama Canal, the economic engine of the country. The U.S. completed construction of the Panama Canal in 1914, creating a transoceanic path across an isthmus that had been a province of Colombia. The U.S. turned over control of the canal to Panama in 1999, with assurances that the canal would remain a neutral zone that doesn’t favor one country over another.

Varela pushed to strengthen ties with China despite years of pressure from the U.S. to backtrack on the warming diplomatic ties. Several countries in Latin America have cut ties with Taiwan in recent years and received generous infrastructure investments as part of China’s Belt and Road initiative. These developments have stoked some concerns in Washington that China is building alliances in the region, possibly at the expense of U.S. geopolitical and economic interests.

“We have always lived in the shadow of the United States and it was rather obvious that the United States would have preferred that we did not take this step” to open diplomatic relations with China, said Eisenmann.

Cortizo said he welcomes greater ties with China, provided that the warming relations do not damage Panama’s strategic relationship with the U.S.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>PANAMA CITY (AP) — Two businessmen emerged in a tight race for Panama’s presidency with three-quarters of votes tallied from Sunday’s election, which came after a campaign that focused on corruption and slowing economic growth in this Central America trade and financial hub.

Laurentino Cortizo of the Democratic Revolutionary Party had 33%, just ahead of Rómulo Roux of the Democratic Change party at 31%. There is no runoff in Panama.

Dance music played at Cortizo’s campaign headquarters, though supporters anxiously watched the narrow lead as results continued to come in. The Democratic Revolutionary Party, once the political arm of Panama’s former military government, lost the last two presidential contests.

Voters cast ballots at roughly 3,000 locations without major incidents while choosing among a field of seven mostly business-friendly candidates seeking to take over Panama’s leadership for the next five years.

The election followed revelations of money laundering in the so-called Panama Papers that dinged the country’s reputation on the world stage. The trove of secret financial documents showed how some of the world’s richest people hid their money using shell companies in Panama and other countries.

Despite the scandal, Panama remains a strategic location for commerce, anchored by the heavily trafficked Panama Canal shipping route and a recently expanded international airport.

Cortizo, a 66-year-old cattleman who studied business administration in the U.S., entered the election with a lead in the polls. He was agriculture minister under President Martin Torrijos and campaigned on vows to clean up Panama’s image after recent corruption scandals.

Juan Carlos Cordoba, a 62-year-old merchant who showed up early to vote on the outskirts of the capital, said he doubted Panama can eradicate corruption, “but it can be minimized, and a better distribution of wealth can be achieved.”

Roux, a 54-year-old businessman, had the endorsement of supermarket magnate and former President Ricardo Martinelli, who is in jail awaiting trial on charges of political espionage. Roux held multiple government posts during the Martinelli administration, including minister of canal affairs and foreign minister.

Roux highlighted during his campaign that Panama’s economy grew only 3.8% last year, versus a 10.7% expansion in 2012, when Martinelli was president.

The top three was rounded out by an independent candidate, who got on the ballot by collecting thousands of signatures. Ricardo Lombana, 45, is a lawyer who gained prominence via a citizen’s movement several years ago that questioned impunity and corruption in the country. Early results showed Lombana with 20% of the vote.

Lombana’s campaign focused on drumming up support via social media, rather than through the costly television spots favored by candidates from Panama’s three main political parties.

Turnout was strong at 72% as voters showed up under a hot, cloudy sky Sunday in the sixth presidential election since a U.S. invasion ousted strongman Manuel Noriega in 1989.

Panamanian voters were also concerned about rising unemployment, public schools in decline, unreliable water service and insufficient garbage collection in the capital.

Outgoing President Juan Carlos Varela, a 55-year-old conservative and liquor industry veteran, will likely be remembered as a leader who strengthened the country’s political and economic ties with China. Panama established diplomatic relations with China, and disavowed Taiwan, in 2017.

Varela, who was constitutionally barred from re-election, assumed the presidency on promises to crack down on corruption and cut food prices. His greatest achievement was the opening with China, according to political analyst Roberto Eisenmann, who said the diplomatic warming with China “is a step that should have been taken 15 years ago.”

China and the U.S. are the main clients of the Panama Canal, the economic engine of the country. The U.S. completed construction of the Panama Canal in 1914, creating a transoceanic path across an isthmus that had been a province of Colombia. The U.S. turned over control of the canal to Panama in 1999, with assurances that the canal would remain a neutral zone that doesn’t favor one country over another.

Varela pushed to strengthen ties with China despite years of pressure from the U.S. to backtrack on the warming diplomatic ties. Several countries in Latin America have cut ties with Taiwan in recent years and received generous infrastructure investments as part of China’s Belt and Road initiative. These developments have stoked some concerns in Washington that China is building alliances in the region, possibly at the expense of U.S. geopolitical and economic interests.

“We have always lived in the shadow of the United States and it was rather obvious that the United States would have preferred that we did not take this step” to open diplomatic relations with China, said Eisenmann.

Cortizo said he welcomes greater ties with China, provided that the warming relations do not damage Panama’s strategic relationship with the U.S.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>Opposition candidate Laurentino Cortizo of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) won the presidential elections in Panama on Sunday with 33 percent after over 92 percent of the votes had been counted, the Electoral Tribunal announced.

Cortizo won by a narrow margin against Democratic Change (CD) candidate Romulo Roux, who obtained 31 percent of the votes amid the CD's claims of irregularities.
Laurentino Cortizo of the center-left Democratic Revolutionary Party defeats Rómulo Roux of the center-right Democratic Change party in a narrow election to become the next president of Panama. Cortizo receives 33% of the vote to Roux's 31%, marking the return of the Democratic Revolutionary Party after 10 years out of the presidency.