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.
A social media image showing a South Korean cafe charging 2,000 won (US$1.35) for restroom use without a purchase has sparked mixed online reactions and a debate over customer access and business policy.
The UN’s FAO warns a prolonged Middle East conflict could push up fertiliser and food prices, with risks to spring planting if disruptions last beyond three months; that could affect Panama and Latin America through global market links.
Zhang Jinshui, a prominent Chinese remote-sensing scientist who helped apply satellite technology to bolster food security, has died at 47, Chinese media report.
The Philippines and North Korea clinched qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil after winning Asian Cup playoff matches; the Philippines advanced with a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan.
A Panamanian-flagged vessel carrying diesel remains anchored off Belize’s Big Creek Port while Belizean authorities weigh enforcement options, raising environmental and flag-state oversight questions.
Newsroom Panama published a “Your Morning Smile” post asking readers to submit “funnies” to PanamaNewsroom@gmail.com and included an image with the item.
Chiquita has begun limited banana production trials in Panama as part of efforts to restore supply after a prolonged 2025 labor strike. The tests are an early step toward resuming fuller operations.
Sinolam International has filed an ICSID arbitration claim against the Republic of Panama over the cancellation of a licence for a major gas-fired power project, escalating the dispute to an international investment tribunal.
The Asociación Bancaria de Panamá launched an anti-fraud campaign at the VI International Cybersecurity Congress as organizers warned of rising cyberattacks and urged proactive prevention.