Trump's first term

Panama sees "no real threat" - the US threatens to act

Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino does not feel threatened by the US, despite the country having repeatedly demanded direct control of the Panama Canal. This is reported by AFP.

- I do not feel that there is any real threat to our agreement or its validity, and even less any threat to use military force to take over the canal, Mulino said after a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday.

Rubio, however, seems to have a different opinion. According to a statement from the State Department, he still believes that the canal is under "Chinese influence" and that changes must be made immediately - otherwise the US will act.

Panic among government employees - evidence of "psychological warfare" by the president

A mood of panic prevails within the US authorities. Nearly two dozen federal employees NBC News spoke to reported feelings of fear, confusion, skepticism and anger. Many also feel they are being actively tracked and monitored in ways that were not the case before Donald Trump took office.

During his first term in office, Trump has made it easier to fire thousands of federal employees and has launched a campaign to pressure them to leave their jobs. As recently as Wednesday, employees at the Environmental Protection Agency received an email reminder that they could be fired at any time if they had been employed for less than a year.

“If you want the government to function, you wouldn’t be attacking federal employees with psychological warfare,” one executive told NBC News, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Critics say it’s a way for Trump to test the limits of his power, while his allies in Congress say he’s simply fulfilling campaign promises.

– The American people voted overwhelmingly for President Trump, partly for his promise to clean up government waste and partly to bring common sense back to the White House.

Trump's first high-profile guest at the White House will be Netanyahu: "A testament to our friendship"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on his way to Washington, DC for a meeting with US President Donald Trump, writes the AP. It will be Trump's first meeting with a foreign leader since he took office.

- It is a testament to the strength of the Israeli-American alliance. It is also a testament to the strength of our personal friendship, Netanyahu said in English before boarding the plane.

However, the relationship has not always been so good. After Netanyahu congratulated Joe Biden on his 2020 election victory, Trump thought the congratulations came very early, and then added: "Fuck him".

The meeting takes place on Tuesday. They will discuss important issues for Israel and the Middle East, including how "victory over Hamas" can be achieved and how all hostages can be released, Netanyahu wrote in a statement.