Panamanians are voting in an election that has been consumed by unfolding drama surrounding the country’s former president, even though he's not on the ballot. Voters in the Central American nation are weighing promises of economic prosperity and migratory crackdowns against a corruption scandal. The presidential race remained in uncertain waters until Friday morning, when Panama’s Supreme Court ruled that leading presidential contender José Raúl Mulino should be permitted to run. Mulino joined the race late, replacing former President Ricardo Martinelli as the candidate for the Achieving Goals party. Martinelli was barred from running in March after he was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for money laundering.

Authorities say massive floods in Brazil’s southern Rio Grande do Sul state have killed at least 75 people over the last seven days and another 103 are reported missing. Damage from the rains has forced more than 80,000 people from their homes. Approximately 15,000 have taken refuge in schools, gymnasiums and other temporary shelters. Landslides, flooded roads and collapsed bridges have left devastation in their are leaving a wake of devastation in the state. Operators reported electricity and communications cuts. More than 800,000 people are without water supply, according to the civil defense agency.

Hamas says the latest round of Gaza cease-fire talks has ended in Cairo after “in-depth and serious discussions." After signs of progress, the outlook appears to dim. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a speech at the annual Holocaust memorial ceremony vows to resist international pressure to halt the war. Israel has closed its main crossing point for delivering badly needed humanitarian aid for Gaza after Hamas militants attacked it. And the defense minister warns of “a powerful operation in the very near future in Rafah and other places across all of Gaza.”