SMIC has unveiled a 2026 action plan to optimize existing resources and pursue new growth opportunities, positioning itself as a key pillar of China’s semiconductor self-sufficiency push. The strategy was released with its 2025 annual report filing.
China accused the U.S. of having “intentions” to seize the Panama Canal. The charge follows U.S. accusations that Beijing was “punishing” Panama after it ousted a Hong Kong-based operator from its ports.
Experts warn Panama may be losing $220–250 million yearly by not implementing the OECD-aligned QDMTT minimum tax, leaving revenue to accrue in other countries.
Sustained US and Israeli strikes have weakened Iran’s military, but Tehran’s remaining long-range missile force appears to be operating more efficiently from hard-to-reach eastern bases. A weekend attack in Israel injured more than 100 people and was likely linked to Khorramshahr missiles targeting Dimona.
The Standard reports, citing the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission, that Chinese authorities have detained ships registered under the Panama flag amid a dispute over port control. The developments could raise reputational and operational concerns for Panama’s maritime registry.
Panama will deploy more than 26,000 security and emergency units nationwide for Semana Santa, with lane-reversal operations starting next Jueves Santo to ease travel.
Mexico’s navy has launched a search after two humanitarian aid boats bound for Cuba went missing. Authorities are working to locate the vessels and determine what happened.
Australia’s post-Bondi crackdown is facing backlash after accusations that it targets pro-Palestinian voices and threatens the future of peaceful protest. Critics say enforcement appears to prioritize some communities over others.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission says China is detaining Panama-flagged ships amid a dispute over port control. The reported detentions could affect maritime schedules and raise concerns for global shipping tied to Panama’s registry.
A Panamanian commentator warns that distant wars affect households through rising energy and import costs, social polarization, and longer-lasting emotional scars even far from the front lines.
Reuters and the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission say China has been detaining Panama-flagged ships amid a dispute over port control, raising concerns for international shipping and Panama’s registry.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission says China has detained Panama-flagged vessels amid a dispute over port control, raising concerns about shipping disruptions and registry implications.
Myanmar’s civil war is being fought across multiple fronts, involving the military regime, ethnic armed groups, and pro-democracy forces. Alliances among these actors are fluid, complicating how the conflict is understood and how any settlement might be reached.
Telemetro reports that Panama’s COE will be activated in David next week to oversee emergency and public-safety operations during Semana Santa. Residents and visitors should watch for official guidance.
North Korea and Belarus signed a “friendship and cooperation” treaty during Lukashenko’s first visit to Pyongyang, after Kim Jong-un welcomed him lavishly. The move comes as both countries face Western sanctions and are implicated in support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Head lice have returned as a recurring issue in Panamanian classrooms after students resumed in-person classes; close head-to-head contact in schools helps spread infestations.
Japan plans to send at least 1,000 armed combat troops to the Philippines next month for Balikatan, the first time in 81 years since WWII. Experts see it as part of a broader Indo-Pacific security shift toward overlapping minilaterals.
China’s airlines plan to add nearly 2,900 extra flights to Europe this summer by using shorter routes through Russian airspace. The advantage is framed as growing amid geopolitical risk affecting other carriers’ routing.
Analysts reviewing US strategy toward Iran say Trump may be acting on an outdated understanding of Tehran’s current reality. They warn that changed regional and strategic conditions could undermine US policy assumptions.
The AFC postponed the Asian Cup finals draw planned for April 11 in Riyadh, citing the need for uninterrupted attendance of stakeholders amid ongoing Middle East conflict. A new date has not been announced.