Panca Pos

  Rafah — Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt has partially reopened, allowing the first groups of displaced Palestinians to return to the besieged territory after nearly two years. The returnees passed through the Rafah crossing, Gaza’s only remaining gateway to the outside world, amid ongoing restrictions and security concerns. Navigating strict border controls, the threat of armed gangs, and continued airstrikes, the returning Palestinians described the journey as long and difficult. Despite the reopening, the Rafah crossing remains a major bottleneck, with only limited numbers of people permitted to cross in either direction. Last week, dozens of Gaza residents who had traveled to Egypt for medical treatment were finally allowed to return to the war-ravaged enclave. Their passage marked the first significant movement of returnees since the crossing was shut down following Israel’s seizure of the Rafah land border in May 2024. The full reopening of the Rafah crossing for the m...

Brasília — In the new regional order shaped by U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to Latin America, Brazil has emerged as a notable exception. While ideological divisions have largely defined Washington’s relationships across the region, Brazil has managed to maintain a functional working relationship with the United States despite being led by a left-leaning government. Under President Trump, the U.S. administration has generally viewed conservative governments in Latin America as natural allies, while treating leftist leaders with skepticism or open hostility. However, Brazil, governed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a social democrat, has not followed this pattern. Brazil is the only country in South America that openly resisted pressure and threats from the Trump administration while later succeeding in reestablishing constructive diplomatic ties. Analysts say this outcome reflects Brazil’s long-standing tradition of pragmatic foreign policy rather than ideological a...

  Washington, D.C. — Republicans in the United States Congress are pushing forward with the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, a proposed piece of legislation that would introduce new requirements for voter registration and participation in federal elections. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill on Wednesday. If passed, the SAVE America Act would require individuals to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. In addition, voters would be required to present a government-issued photo identification that verifies citizenship in order to cast a ballot. Supporters of the bill argue that the measure is necessary to strengthen election integrity and prevent noncitizens from registering and voting. Republican lawmakers have made the proposal a legislative priority for several years, citing concerns over vulnerabilities in the voter registration system. While available data indicates that cases of...

Jakarta, February 9, 2026 — Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that there is no precise benchmark for Indonesia’s ideal tax ratio in the 2026 State Budget (APBN) , citing the rigid structure of the national tax system that limits rapid adjustment. “It is difficult to determine the ideal figure. I don’t know,” Minister Purbaya said when speaking to reporters in Jakarta on Monday. He noted that Indonesia’s tax ratio has remained largely stagnant for decades, despite continuous growth in government expenditure. According to the Minister, a tax ratio in the range of 11–12 percent would be sufficient to support the State Budget. He added that even achieving a level of 11–11.5 percent would provide significantly better fiscal space compared to current conditions. However, Purbaya emphasized that increasing the tax ratio is a complex task that requires comprehensive and sustained efforts. These include system modernization, administrative reform, and changes in the conduct...

Jakarta, February 10, 2026 — The Government of Indonesia has identified serious challenges in the implementation of the National Health Insurance Premium Assistance Recipient program (PBI JKN), particularly related to the accuracy of beneficiary targeting. Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa revealed that a significant portion of PBI JKN recipients are not economically eligible to receive the assistance. Speaking at a meeting with Commission V of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Monday, February 9, 2026, the Minister stated that approximately 41 percent of PBI JKN beneficiaries fall within economic deciles 6 to 10 , which are outside the intended recipient category. “There are still around 41 percent of PBI JKN recipients in deciles 6 to 10 who should not be classified as PBI JKN beneficiaries,” Minister Purbaya said. Based on data presented during the meeting, only around 59 percent of the PBI JKN allocation in the 2026 State B...

Jakarta, February 10, 2026 — The Government of Indonesia has identified serious challenges in the implementation of the National Health Insurance Premium Assistance Recipient program (PBI JKN), particularly related to the accuracy of beneficiary targeting. Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa revealed that a significant portion of PBI JKN recipients are not economically eligible to receive the assistance. Speaking at a meeting with Commission V of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Monday, February 9, 2026, the Minister stated that approximately 41 percent of PBI JKN beneficiaries fall within economic deciles 6 to 10 , which are outside the intended recipient category. “There are still around 41 percent of PBI JKN recipients in deciles 6 to 10 who should not be classified as PBI JKN beneficiaries,” Minister Purbaya said. Based on data presented during the meeting, only around 59 percent of the PBI JKN allocation in the 2026 State B...

  Thames Valley Police confirms that it has received a report concerning allegations of the potential sharing of confidential trade-related information by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with the late Jeffrey Epstein. The report was submitted by the campaign group Republic and is currently under assessment. The matter arises following the release of correspondence by the United States authorities. The material includes emails which appear to suggest that confidential information associated with official overseas trade visits may have been shared with a third party. The correspondence reportedly refers to visits to Singapore, Vietnam, Shenzhen in China, and Hong Kong, as well as details of potential investment opportunities. Under established government protocols, individuals appointed as trade envoys are subject to duties of confidentiality in relation to sensitive commercial, political, and strategic information obtained during the course of official engagements. Andrew Mountbatten-Win...