Sri Lanka refused a U.S. request to base two armed warplanes at a southern airport on Feb. 26, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, a move analysts say aims to avoid being drawn into the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.
Hong Kong’s MTR will perform overnight signalling upgrades on Sunday as it prepares for a partial opening of the Tung Chung line extension later this year; the HK$19.5bn project remains on track for full opening in 2029 and is said to be unaffected by a counterfeit brick scandal.
A 41-year-old Chinese man, Zhang Xuesong, has appeared in New Zealand court on rape, strangulation and home invasion charges after being extradited from Singapore last September.
Iran believes its negotiating leverage has improved since the start of the US-Israeli war and plans to press for concessions that Washington and Gulf allies may struggle to accept, analysts say.
Al Jazeera reports Gaza’s trained professionals — from artists to small business owners — are abandoning their careers and taking informal work to survive amid war-driven economic collapse.
MLex reports that CK Hutchison’s Panama unit has raised arbitration claims of more than $2 billion. The initial notice provides limited details; follow-up reporting is needed.
Pop Mart reported booming 2025 revenue and profit but saw its Hong Kong shares fall 22.5% as investors worried the company remains too reliant on its Labubu character.
Hong Kong officials are considering requiring petrol retailers to disclose pricing formulas when bidding for station sites after lawmakers pushed for measures to tackle surging fuel costs. The environment minister said the tender policy will be reviewed.
Escalation in the Middle East is driving investors into safe havens and straining the more than US$3 trillion global private-credit market, posing risks to China as the top creditor to developing countries.
Reciprocal attacks left around 450,000 people without power in Russia’s Belgorod region and roughly 150,000 in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, highlighting the conflict’s toll on civilian infrastructure.
Iran denied any peace talks after reports the U.S. sent a ceasefire proposal, while Donald Trump said diplomatic progress was underway, leaving the status of talks unclear.
Shenzhen has launched a three-year plan to grow into a hub for intelligent computing clusters, aiming for a “leapfrog” increase in AI server, semiconductor and storage production and shipments by 2028.
An IRGC spokesman has rejected President Trump’s claim that talks with Iran have occurred and warned the U.S. and Israel, saying, “Do not call your defeat an agreement.”
Costa Rica and Panama have submitted a joint bid to develop a regional rail link aimed at improving cross‑border connectivity and strengthening trade and transport ties.
New Zealand’s players say they would be willing to play Iran outside the United States for their 2026 World Cup opener as Iran’s participation is in doubt amid regional tensions.
Colón faces Panamá Metro in a Béisbol Mayor 2026 matchup on Friday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m., broadcast live on TVMAX, TVN Pass and the TVMAX PANAMÁ YouTube channel.
Singapore’s state coroner upheld the Police Coast Guard finding that Indian singer Zubeen Garg’s death was an accidental drowning and found no evidence of foul play.
Panama is identified among Latin American countries seeking to attract investment amid a regional lithium and copper boom, with the Mining Chamber referenced as engaged in the effort.
Capital Group says global stock buybacks reached a record US$1.46 trillion in 2025, up 8.4% year on year, as companies returned cash to shareholders amid an equity rally.
A 23-year-old second lieutenant in Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force was arrested on suspicion of trespassing at the Chinese embassy in Tokyo while allegedly carrying an 18cm knife; officials expressed regret and no injuries were reported.
