Author: spieper

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Panama has secured the third-highest position in Latin America for financial inclusion, according to the 2025 Financial Inclusion Index (IIF) released by Credicorp, a Peru-based financial holding company with a presence in Panama through ASB Bank. The country achieved a score of 55.5 points in the annual study, placing it behind only Argentina and Chile in the regional ranking and reflecting a competitive and consolidating financial system.The index, now in its fifth edition, measures levels of access, use, and perceived quality of the financial system across eight Latin American countries. Panama has demonstrated a positive trend…

The National Association for Nature Conservation (ANCON) celebrated its 40th anniversary in Panama City on Monday, highlighting its enduring commitment to environmental protection and promoting a culture of sustainability throughout Panama. The organization used the milestone event to recognize corporate partners, dedicated member families, collaborators, and volunteers who have supported numerous conservation projects over four decades.During the ceremony, ANCON presented special recognition to Environment Minister Juan Carlos Navarro, who served as the foundation’s first director. The organization also acknowledged the contributions of historical leaders and allied families, including the Motta family, whose consistent support has been instrumental in protecting the…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Ministry of Health (Minsa) issued a formal warning to parents this week about the significant health risks associated with children’s excessive consumption of candy and sweets. The alert comes ahead of upcoming holiday seasons and festivities where children traditionally receive large quantities of treats.Health officials emphasized that while sweets provide a high amount of energy, they offer minimal nutritional value, contributing to a growing public health concern. The ministry is actively promoting healthier alternatives to combat rising rates of childhood obesity and related health issues.Nutritional Deficiencies and Health ConsequencesAccording to Yenny Carrasco from the Nutrition…

NEW YORK, October, 2025 – Tilray Medical, a division of Tilray Brands, Inc., has announced a strategic expansion into Panama’s medical cannabis market through a new joint venture. The company, in partnership with Top Tech Global Inc., has secured a comprehensive medical cannabis license from Panamanian authorities, marking a significant step in its international growth strategy.The joint venture, operating as Solana Life Group, received the license from Panama’s National Directorate of Pharmacy and Drugs. This license authorizes the cultivation, manufacturing, import, export, distribution, and sale of medical cannabis products within the country. The partnership aims to leverage Tilray’s global supply…

PITTSBURGH, 2025 – Predictive Oncology Inc. (Nasdaq: POAI), a company leveraging artificial intelligence for cancer drug discovery, announced today that it has priced two private placement transactions totaling approximately $344.4 million. The capital will fund the company’s new digital asset treasury strategy, with its principal holding being ATH, the native utility token of the decentralized GPU network Aethir. The transactions, expected to close on or about October 2, 2025, consist of a cash offering and an in-kind cryptocurrency contribution. This strategic move positions Predictive Oncology to establish what it describes as the world’s first Strategic Compute Reserve, leveraging Aethir’s global…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Panama’s National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) declared a red alert for multiple western provinces on Monday, October 27, due to dangerous conditions from the indirect effects of Hurricane Melissa. The emergency declaration mobilizes all national resources for immediate response to widespread flooding, river overflows, and landslides that have forced evacuations.The red alert is in effect for southern districts in Veraguas province, including Soná, Las Palmas, and Mariato; the Tonosí district in Los Santos province; and the Barú, Renacimiento, and Tierras Altas districts in Chiriquí province. Authorities also elevated the Ngäbe Buglé comarca to a yellow alert…

The Municipality of Panama has initiated a critical environmental operation to remove abandoned ‘ghost nets’ from the wetlands of Boca La Caja. The cleanup drive, announced on October 24, 2025, aims to protect local marine biodiversity and restore the health of a vital coastal ecosystem located within Panama City.This proactive measure targets derelict fishing gear, primarily fishing nets, which are lost or discarded in the ocean. These ‘ghost nets’ continue to trap and kill marine life indiscriminately for years, posing a severe threat to fish, crustaceans, and bird populations in the area. The municipality’s direct action underscores a commitment to…

Panama is launching a targeted export strategy to diversify and energize its commercial exchange with Jamaica, focusing on processed chicken, eggs, and furniture-grade wood. The initiative was announced by Panama’s Ministry of Commerce and Industries following a high-level bilateral meeting between the two nations’ trade officials in Geneva, Switzerland.The meeting, held on the sidelines of the XVI UNCTAD Ministerial Conference, featured Panama’s Minister of Commerce and Industries, Julio Moltó, and Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson-Smith. Discussions centered on attracting investment and opening new avenues for commercial cooperation, building upon an existing trade relationship that currently…

Colón, Panama – National Police forces have recaptured 11 of 12 individuals who escaped from the Basilio Lakas Juvenile Custody and Compliance Center in Colón province on Saturday afternoon. The mass escape occurred when the inmates, who were performing cleaning duties outside the facility’s perimeter, assaulted a guard and fled into surrounding areas. According to National Police Subcommissioner Javier Batista, the group of escapees consisted of eight minors and four adults. One adult remains at large following a massive police operation that involved 46 street officers, canine units, and drone surveillance. The fugitive still being sought is serving a sentence…

Heavy rainfall in western Panama has caused the San Bartolo River to overflow, severely damaging a containment wall at a critical water treatment plant and cutting off potable water for more than 20,000 residents. The incident occurred in the San Bartolo corregimiento of the Barú district in Chiriquí Province, prompting an emergency response from national authorities.The National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (Idaan) confirmed its San Bartolo treatment plant is out of operation due to the structural damage sustained from the river’s surge. The water supply disruption directly impacts communities in the El Palmar and Puerto Armuelles sectors, leaving thousands…