The Lost Sanctum of Thought; ATTT Launches ‘Paz y Salvo’; Panama Removed from EU High-Risk List for Money Laundering.

Friday, July 11, 2025. The Lost Sanctum of Thought: Rediscovering “The Study” “I’ll be in my study,” the 1800s professor would say, gently kissing his wife on the cheek before retiring to a quiet room filled with books, inkpots, and the scent of burning wood. It wasn’t just a room, it was a sanctuary. A place where ideas were born, theories refined, and the day’s noise dissolved into concentrated thought. The study was more than a space; it was a mindset. Back then, The Study symbolized focus, reflection, and purpose. It was where the clutter of the outside world was shut out, so a man could wrestle with questions larger than himself, whether scientific, philosophical, or deeply personal. The walls were often lined with tomes, journals, maps, and scribbled notes; silent witnesses to the making of ideas that could change a household, a business, or sometimes even the world. In today’s homes, that sacred space has largely vanished. Architects no longer design a designated “study” into the blueprint of a home. Instead, we see open-concept living rooms, kitchen islands, and multi-purpose “flex rooms” designed to adapt to a fast-paced, always-on lifestyle. The idea of a dedicated room for quiet contemplation seems antiquated.  Like an unnecessary luxury. In its place, we now have “man caves” filled with sports memorabilia and flat screens, or garages filled with tools and tinkering projects. While there’s absolutely value in these outlets for recreation and release, they rarely serve the deeper function that the study once held: a place to engage the mind, reflect on complex problems, and formulate new ideas. The tragedy isn’t just architectural though, it’s cultural. We’ve deprioritized intentional stillness. We’ve allowed distraction to become a permanent companion. In a world where noise reigns supreme and every moment begs to be filled with content, the act of doing nothing but thinking feels almost rebellious. But that’s exactly what The Study was for. It was a quiet rebellion against chaos. It was a forge for clarity, creativity, and conviction. Imagine what could be accomplished if each of us carved out even an hour a day in a room like that.  Not to consume, but to create. To sketch out that business plan you’ve been shelving. To write the first chapter of that book. To read the old philosophers or tackle a new idea. To reconnect with your values and vision, not through a screen, but through deep, undisturbed thought. I say, we need to bring back The Study. Whether it’s in a quiet corner of your home, a repurposed guest room, or simply a chair by the window with a closed door and a notebook, we challenge you to reclaim the discipline that The Study once demanded. You don’t need mahogany furniture or a pipe to conjure brilliance, you just need time, silence, and a will to think. In a world that is quickly losing the ability to pause, let us be the ones who remember. Let us reintroduce this sanctum of thought into our modern lives—not for nostalgia’s sake, but because the world needs more thinkers, solvers and visionaries. And perhaps, just perhaps, that starts with a door you close behind you, and the silence that follows. Let’s welcome back The Study and may it become your favorite room once again. Brett MikkelsonDirector, B.M. Investigations, Inc. TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: ATTT Launches ‘Paz y Salvo’ and Suspends Licenses of Delinquent Drivers in Panama The Transit and Land Transportation Authority (ATTT) has launched the “Paz y Salvo” operation as part of a national strategy to reduce the high level of debt owed by thousands of drivers to the institution. Simón Henríquez, Director General of the ATTT, reported that the operation began on June 2 with a payment arrangement phase, collecting around B/. 4 million during its first stage, which lasted until July 3. During that period, nearly 5,000 drivers voluntarily came forward to settle their debts. ATTT’s ‘Paz y Salvo’ Operation: How Will It Affect Delinquent Drivers? “We are now developing the ‘Paz y Salvo’ operation, carrying out a series of enforcement actions through our executing judge, with the aim of continuing to reduce the high delinquency rate among drivers nationwide,” Henríquez explained. Outstanding debt exceeds B/. 59 million and includes fines for contempt, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, and other serious violations. “I’m surprised by some debts that exceed $12,000 for a single individual, which include contempt, speeding, alcohol consumption, and repeated offenses… there are also cases due to insufficient balances,” the director added. SMS Notifications As part of complementary measures, the ATTT will send personalized SMS messages to delinquent drivers, informing them of the amount owed and the payment deadline, in order to facilitate the process and avoid additional penalties. Henríquez reiterated his call for drivers to take advantage of available payment arrangements and settle their debts with the institution to avoid future enforcement actions. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Artificial Intelligence and Robotics: How Surgery Is Changing at Ciudad de la Salud Vicente Chiu, National Deputy Director of Health Technology and Security at the Social Security Fund (CSS), shared with Noticias AM an overview of the progress the institution has made in modernizing surgical procedures through the implementation of robotic surgeries and the use of artificial intelligence—developments that, according to Chiu, provide patients with greater safety due to their minimally invasive nature. According to Dr. Chiu’s report, Ciudad de la Salud is the only public institution in Panama offering robotic surgeries, having performed 270 procedures since 2024 for various diagnoses in both men and women. Chiu clarified that the use of this advanced technology does not replace surgeons, but rather supports them with state-of-the-art robotic-assisted surgical procedures. These enable less invasive interventions, with incisions as small as 1 to 2 centimeters, significantly reducing the risk of infection, bleeding, and postoperative pain. As a result, patients require fewer antibiotics and painkillers and recover more quickly—often returning to their daily activities within just a few days. Specialties currently using this technology include: Chiu emphasized that this type of