The Kremlin said negotiations between Russia, the US and Ukraine are on a “situational pause” after reports the Iran war interrupted talks; Moscow hopes the pause is temporary.
Donald Trump has suspended the Jones Act for 60 days, allowing foreign-flagged ships to carry goods between US ports — a temporary move reported amid tensions tied to the Iran conflict.
The US is reportedly weighing sending thousands more troops to the region as the Iran war intensifies, a move said to give President Trump more options but risk deeper US entanglement.
China’s urban youth unemployment rate for 16-to-24-year-olds (excluding students) fell to 16.1% in February, down from 16.3% in January, marking a sixth consecutive monthly decline.
Chinese regulators urged EV makers to stop aggressive discounting and focus on innovation amid cooling demand and the phase-out of subsidies, after a March 17 policy meeting.
Panama has reclaimed Panama Canal terminals previously operated by CK Hutchison, a move that could reshape regional port operations, logistics and concession policy.
A COSCO Ports unit warned that the Abu Dhabi war could affect its operations and vowed to expand globally, while referencing a “CK Hutchison saga in Panama” without providing further detail.
The UK confirmed that tougher English language requirements announced earlier this month will not apply to Hongkongers using the BN(O) visa pathway, after MPs pressed the Home Office.
Border closures and rising prices in Gaza are making traditional Eid baking difficult, yet families continue to bake amid rubble to keep holiday customs alive.
France’s municipal elections conclude Sunday amid a fractured political landscape, raising the prospect that far-right candidates could win key mayoralties and reshape momentum before next year’s presidential race.
SCMP’s weekly lifestyle roundup highlights BTS staging a free comeback performance for 22,000 fans — its first full show as a seven-member group in nearly three and a half years.
The South China Morning Post profiles chef GwanJu Kim and a dish called Jeonbok at Sol, highlighting his French training and Korean roots shaping Sol’s contemporary menu.
IOM data show at least 655 people died or went missing in Mediterranean crossings in Jan–Feb 2026, more than double last year’s figure, as storms, rescue complications and border closures worsened risks.
Reuters reports that Asian refiners are routing more medium-sized U.S. crude cargoes through the Panama Canal amid an Iran-related crisis, increasing transits and economic opportunities for Panama while raising operational considerations.
Frankie Lor and Jimmy Ting say wide barrier draws—stall 13 for Numbers and stall 10 for Little Paradise—will not be used as excuses ahead of Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby.
Sinolam International has initiated arbitration before a World Bank international tribunal after Panama cancelled the company’s licence for a gas-fired project, raising potential investor-state implications for the country’s energy sector.
Anutin Charnvirakul secured the Thai premiership after a parliamentary vote as the conservative bloc prevailed. His new government faces immediate economic strain from the US-Israeli war on Iran, which is driving costly fuel subsidies and petrol queues.
The South China Morning Post lists headline concerts and theatre across Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Macau this spring, including Nicholas Tse, EXO and Jane Zhang’s Guangzhou stop.
Malaysian police are investigating after 30 urns were stolen from the Xiao En memorial park in Negeri Sembilan. Authorities suspect a possible cross-border criminal link and are seeking the missing urns.
Panama and Costa Rica signed an MOU on March 18 to cooperate on rail development centered on the Panama–David line, aiming to align standards, share technical expertise and boost regional logistics.