First woman takes helm of Panama Canal

PANAMA CITY (AP): Naval engineer Ilya Espino de Marotta yesterday took the helm as the first woman to lead the Panama Canal administration, assuming the role at a challenging time for the vital maritime route. Buoyed by her leadership of the multibillion-dollar expansion project last decade, Espino moves up from deputy administrator to take full command of the canal. Only three other Panamanians have held the position since the United States handed over the interoceanic waterway in late 1999.