Singapore says it will explore opportunities connected to Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis and its own five-year plan, with leaders calling ties between the two economies more important than ever. The remarks come during Lawrence Wong’s first official trip to Hong Kong since becoming prime minister in 2024.
A viral video from Changchun, Jilin, portrayed seven dogs “escaping” a dog meat restaurant. Local media and official fact-checks say the German shepherd was in heat, and the others followed.
As Art Basel arrives in Hong Kong, rising painter Katja Seib is being highlighted for surreal portraits that merge reality, dreams and everyday life. Her early artistic upbringing in Düsseldorf is closely tied to her development.
India announced lower fuel taxes to tackle shortages tied to the Iran war and rejected rumours of a nationwide lockdown, calling them “completely false.”
Authorities say an active Gulf of Mexico oil spill is seeping from three sources, including an unidentified vessel, and has already killed wildlife and damaged reefs.
China has accused the United States of having an “intention” to seize the Panama Canal, according to Anadolu Ajansı. The report provides few additional details, raising questions about what evidence China cites and how the U.S. and Panama will respond.
Thailand’s luxury hotels have launched steep discounts for peak holiday season amid fears the Iran war will weigh on international tourist arrivals. Higher diesel prices tied to Strait of Hormuz disruptions are also leading many Thais to delay or cancel domestic trips.
An analyst says the war-related disruption tied to Iran is pushing beyond energy markets, threatening fertilizer supply chains. That could translate into higher food prices worldwide.
China has detained Panama-flagged ships as a port standoff escalates into a broader global shipping dispute. The move underscores how Panama’s ship registry remains closely tied to international maritime operations.
The Federal Maritime Commission says China is detaining Panama-flagged vessels amid a battle over port control, according to an MSN report. The details of the affected ports and detention scope weren’t provided in the available snippet.
Panama Metro says Albrook Station will open at noon this Sunday. The announcement confirms the start time but does not provide additional service or event details.
The UN’s human rights chief urged the United States to swiftly finish its investigation into a deadly February 28 bombing of a junior school in Minab, Iran, calling it “visceral horror.” He said the outcome must deliver justice for the harm done as the UN Human Rights Council holds an urgent debate.
China’s increased detentions of Panama-flagged ships at its ports are reportedly harming Japanese shipowners that have no direct connection to the reasons behind the enforcement. The ripple effect underscores the broader commercial exposure tied to Panama’s ship registration system.
China has detained additional Panama-linked ships amid reported canal-related fallout, according to Newsweek. The report provides limited details, but the move could disrupt shipping operations connected to the Panama Canal.
The US accused China of detaining ships flying the Panama flag in Chinese ports. The allegation follows Panama authorities’ takeover of two ports, raising concerns for international shipping.
A shipping expert says the upheaval tied to the US–Israel conflict involving Iran has exposed a gap in China’s maritime insurance capability. While China is strong in shipping “hardware,” it still relies on others in the “software” of risk coverage.
Germany’s defence minister Boris Pistorius urged the US to honour its Indo-Pacific security commitments while signaling Berlin will keep boosting its military presence. He warned of dangerous South China Sea activities and said China is closely monitoring how Washington and allies handle Iran and Ukraine.
Climate activists meeting in Kuala Lumpur urged Cop31 to address how military activities and war-driven fossil fuel dependence undermine the energy transition. They cite the Iran conflict as an example of how defense-related decisions can worsen climate gaps.
The U.S. is accusing China of detaining ships flying Panama’s flag, according to reporting shared by the China-Global South Project. The claim underscores the geopolitical stakes of maritime enforcement for Panama-linked shipping.
Panama’s foreign minister has rejected a US claim that China is “punishing” Panama by detaining Panama-flagged ships. A report says the repeated US accusations may instead reflect a larger effort to seize influence over the Panama Canal.