Ilya Espino de Marotta, a naval engineer, took office Monday as the first female administrator of the Panama Canal, according to the Associated Press. She previously served as deputy administrator and led the canal's multi-billion-dollar expansion project completed last decade. Espino assumes leadership of the vital maritime route at what the AP describes as a challenging time, becoming only the fourth Panamanian to hold the top position.

The Innovator Trust Women in Tech Awards will recognise female-owned ICT businesses in South Africa, highlighting their role in driving innovation and creating jobs. According to IOL, the awards aim to shine a light on the achievements and potential of women-led technology enterprises, underscoring the growing contribution of women entrepreneurs to the country's ICT sector.

Former basic education minister Naledi Pandor has called on women to take the lead in South Africa's transformation. Speaking on the country's ongoing challenges, Pandor said women continue to bear the brunt of poverty, violence, unequal pay and sexual harassment, despite the advancements made since the advent of democracy. Her remarks highlight persistent gender inequality in South Africa and position women's leadership as central to addressing these social and economic disparities.

Professor Marianne Wanjiru Mureithi has become the first female Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Nairobi (UoN), marking a significant milestone in the institution's history. She trained at prestigious universities, including Bristol and Harvard, and aims to inspire future generations through her remarkable journey in the field of medical microbiology.

Kelsey Pfendler, a Grand Canyon river rafting guide, has completed a record-breaking solo journey from California to Hawaii, becoming the first American woman to achieve this feat. She arrived in Honolulu on Friday night after nearly a month and a half at sea in her 21-foot rowboat, Lily. Pfendler launched from Monterey, California, in May and aimed to set records as the youngest and fastest woman to make the over 2,400-mile journey solo, according to local media.

Authorities in Cape Town have arrested two suspects after intercepting a vehicle that was transporting 743 units of illegally harvested abalone. This operation marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing fight against marine poaching in the region.