Author: Editorial Team

The University of Panama has partnered with clothing retailer American Eagle Outfitters on a sustainability campaign to turn old denim into new school bags. The “Recycle Your Jeans” initiative, launched this week, invites the university community to donate unwanted jeans for transformation and donation to a rural school. The collection drive is scheduled for a single day in April 2026. Organized through the university’s Office of Student Affairs, the campaign aims to address textile waste while directly supporting educational needs. Donated denim will serve as the raw material for crafting school bags, which will be delivered to students at the…

The Panamanian government has formally moved to regulate the country’s digital ride-hailing sector. A new executive decree establishes a legal framework for app-based luxury taxi services, placing them under the direct oversight of the Land Transit and Transportation Authority (ATTT) for the first time. The regulations, approved on April 16, aim to bring order to a segment that has operated without clear government supervision for years.This action follows several days of meetings between officials and driver representatives. It represents a significant shift for services like Uber, DiDi, and InDrive, which have expanded in Panama without standardized fares or direct regulatory…

Panama’s Ministry of Public Works has begun installing a network of 28 high-pressure sensors on the iconic Bridge of the Americas. This real time structural monitoring initiative is a direct response to a serious fire and explosion on the bridge last month. The project aims to ensure the safety of a critical artery used by over 65,000 vehicles daily. Crews are placing the devices at various points along the bridge’s span. Officials say the sensors will continuously measure movements and vibrations, providing instant data on the structure’s behavior. This system is part of a broader maintenance and rehabilitation program following…

The Panama City Municipal Council has approved a major administrative restructuring designed to accelerate and digitize municipal permit processes. Officials sanctioned Agreement No. 79-A this week, creating a specialized Permits and Compliance Department to centralize authorization and inspection services. This reorganization merges several key functions into a single unit. The move aims to slash bureaucratic delays for residents and businesses seeking operational permits. It represents a core component of Mayor Mayer Mizrachi’s broader push to modernize city hall operations through technology and streamlined procedures. Mayor Mizrachi formally ratified the agreement, which dissolves the old Legal and Justice Directorate. He framed…

The Panamanian government has launched a strategic roadmap to establish a national Pact for Nature. This initiative aims to unify the country’s response to its most pressing environmental challenges, including climate change and biodiversity loss. Officials from the Ministry of Environment (Panama) presented the plan this week in Panama City. They argued that historically isolated efforts by governments and organizations have limited the effectiveness of environmental solutions. The new pact seeks to align public institutions, the private sector, and civil society under a single, coordinated long-term strategy. “We must work together and unite in a single effort, which is the…

Panama City, April 12, 2026. The historic Panama Viejo ruins transformed into a vibrant celebration of global heritage this weekend. Moon Fest Mundial Culture 2026 filled the UNESCO World Heritage site with music, dance, and international cuisine for its second annual edition. Organizers designed the festival to create a genuine meeting point for traditions from the Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. This year’s event specifically highlighted Mexico as the guest country of honor. A packed schedule featured traditional dances, international fashion parades, folkloric spectacles, and contemporary performances. Giselle González Villarrué, the festival’s director, emphasized its core mission. “Moon…

Panama’s National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (ANTAI) has opened formal investigations into at least ten municipalities for failing to publish any required data on the National Active Transparency Platform. The agency confirmed the investigations this week, revealing a complete lack of compliance with a foundational 2002 transparency law. This legal mandate is designed to ensure public access to information about how state funds are managed and spent.The investigations, known as “oficio” probes, were initiated after the agency’s monitoring found the municipalities had posted zero information to the public platform. This platform is a critical tool for transparency…

Panamanian maritime forces intercepted almost two tons of suspected cocaine hidden in shipping containers bound for Belgium. The National Aeronaval Service of Panama (SENAN) made the discovery during a routine inspection in the Central Caribbean. This major seizure underscores the ongoing use of Panama’s ports as a transit point for international drug trafficking organizations.Officials confiscated 1,897 packages of the illicit substance during an operation in the anchorage area of Bahía Limón, Colón Province. The inspection was part of standard maritime and port surveillance activities conducted in coordination with the Public Ministry. The drugs were concealed within two commercial shipping containers,…

A Panamanian student’s digital mapping tool is pinpointing where pets are most frequently abandoned across the country. The Mission Lulu platform, created by Alfredo Kinglow, has registered approximately 100 abandonment cases in its first year, representing an estimated 200 to 300 affected animals. The tool directly contributed to the rescue of at least 15 animals, providing data to assist volunteers and organizations. Kinglow developed the interactive system to visualize a growing social problem. It allows citizens and rescuers to report and track instances of animal abandonment in real time. Originally focused on dogs, the platform now also includes cats to…

Panama City will host a major three day public festival starting this Thursday, April 16. The City Fair, organized by the municipal government, aims to provide a grand finale to the summer season with live music, interactive zones, and diverse food options at the Figali Plaza convention center. Officials expect thousands of attendees over the event’s run, which concludes on Saturday, April 18. The fair represents a significant investment in public entertainment, offering a curated mix of activities designed to appeal to a broad audience. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Mayor’s Office of Panama City…