BlackRock strikes $23 billion deal to place Panama Canal ports under American control
CBSN
The Hong Kong-based conglomerate that operates ports near the Panama Canal has agreed to sell shares of its units that operate the ports to a consortium including BlackRock Inc., after President Donald Trump alleged Chinese interference with the operations of the critical shipping lane.
In a filing, CK Hutchison Holding said Tuesday that it would sell all shares in Hutchison Port Holdings and all shares in Hutchison Port Group Holdings. The two units hold 80% of the Hutchison Ports group that operates 43 ports in 23 countries, including two of the four major ports that exist along the Panama Canal. The deal will give the BlackRock consortium control over 43 ports in 23 countries, including Mexico, the Netherlands, Egypt, Australia, Pakistan and elsewhere.
The consortium, comprised of BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Limited will acquire 90% interests in Panama Ports Company, which owns and operates the ports of Balboa and Cristobal in Panama, according to the filing. They are two of four major ports that exist along the Panama Canal,
Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan delievered the Democratic response to President Trump's speech before the joint session of Congress.
Washington — President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress was quickly interrupted Tuesday night, as Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas stood and shouted in protest when Mr. Trump began touting his victory in the 2024 election. Green was quickly escorted from House chamber.
CBS News' Confirmed team is fact checking President Trump's 2025 joint address to Congress Tuesday night, his first speech to both chambers of Congress since he won the presidential election in November. He's expected to speak about his domestic and foreign policy agenda, the economy, his administration's efforts to contain illegal immigration, and his plans for foreign policy, including the Middle East and Ukraine-Russia war.
Washington — Many Democratic women in Congress wore bright pink for President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday in a display of defiance against the president.
Counselor to the president Alina Habba on Tuesday said veterans who were let go from their federal jobs "perhaps" are "not fit to have a job at this moment or are not willing to come to work."
The top communications official under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. abruptly resigned last week, just two weeks after being sworn in to be the department's assistant secretary for public affairs.
The U.S. Embassy in Somalia issued a warning to Americans on Tuesday saying there is "credible information related to potential imminent attacks" around the East African nation.
Washington — The Office of Personnel Management issued revised guidance to federal agencies Tuesday regarding the firing of probationary workers amid President Trump's efforts to shrink the size of the government, informing department leaders that they do not have to take any "specific performance-based actions" regarding those employees.
The Hong Kong-based conglomerate that operates ports near the Panama Canal has agreed to sell shares of its units that operate the ports to a consortium including BlackRock Inc., after President Donald Trump alleged Chinese interference with the operations of the critical shipping lane.
A divided Supreme Court on Tuesday made it harder for environmental regulators to limit water pollution, ruling for San Francisco in a case about the discharge of raw sewage that sometimes occurs during heavy rains.
When Melonie Ambler prepares to treat a patient, her medical toolkit includes something unexpected: A cello.
President Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress is taking place Tuesday night and guests invited by first lady Melania Trump will be in attendance. Melania Trump has invited "everyday Americans" to the address, according to the White House, including an American who was recently released from a Russian prison and the family of one of Mr. Trump's supporters who was killed in an assassination attempt on the president.