Across the World: Panama

Elections start

Polls opened early yesterday in Panamanian general elections that will let voters to decide who will lead this small but strategically vital isthmus nation. Balloting began throughout the country at 7 am, as scheduled.

Voters are choosing a new president between supermarket mogul Ricardo Martinelli and Balbina Herrera, a one-time socialist firebrand with links to former dictator Manuel Noriega.