International reporting on events and trends that influence Panama and the region. Stories include geopolitics, diplomacy, and global developments.
A Hong Kong MAIHK-CUHK survey finds 43.5% of Gen Z respondents reported moderate to severe depression, alongside a link between screen time and poorer mental health indicators. Researchers call it a wake-up call for earlier support.
With Cambodia’s scam crackdown deadline approaching, criminal networks are reportedly fleeing and abandoning trafficked victims in Phnom Penh. Indonesians Abdul and Hafiz say their passports were seized and they now wait for consular documents to return home.
Hong Kong is attracting more Middle Eastern visitors, with hoteliers reporting an increase in arrivals and longer stays. The shift also extends to investors exploring opportunities in the city to diversify portfolios amid rising regional tensions.
China’s government work report places property policy in the “risk prevention” section, signaling Beijing’s reduced reliance on housing as a growth engine. The absence of a broad housing stimulus reflects a more cautious approach that may shape global investor expectations.
A review by the South China Morning Post found multiple errors in the official transcript of Hong Kong’s Tai Po blaze hearing, including mistakes on evacuation and damage figures. An academic is urging future hearings to be live-streamed to improve transparency and public trust.
A 44-year-old woman in Hubei used a childhood photo to locate her brother after 33 years. The siblings were separated as children following family collapse and reports that the younger boy was lured away with bread.
Samsung increased investment in its Xian chip plant in 2025 to boost capacity amid AI-driven memory demand. SK Hynix is also raising China investments as the sector faces tightening supply under US restrictions.
JD Vance topped CPAC’s non-binding straw poll on who could be the next Republican US president in 2028, while Marco Rubio also gained ground in the same informal contest. The results signal shifting momentum within the party’s conservative base.
China’s China Development Forum and the Boao Forum for Asia used the endorsement of the 15th five-year plan to explain the country’s economic strategy to foreign officials and business leaders. The move underscores China’s ongoing push to “open up” and reduce uncertainty for international stakeholders.
Hong Kong euthanised wild boars after they entered a residential area in Wong Tai Sin, and later euthanised a buffalo after it was struck by a car on a Yuen Long highway. The incidents highlight the challenge of managing human-wildlife contact in a dense city.
Air strikes in Iraq have killed three PMF fighters and two police officers as the conflict tied to Feb. 28 US-Israeli strikes on Iran appears to widen. Al Jazeera describes Iraq as increasingly becoming an “expanding battleground.”
Pakistan has reached an agreement with Iran allowing up to 20 ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The deal highlights ongoing regional diplomacy amid heightened attention on maritime stability in the Middle East.
China is stepping up cultural repatriation efforts—using law, diplomacy, and Global South coalition-building—at a time when the U.S. is withdrawing from several international heritage and science bodies. The shift could reshape restitution norms and influence how cultural claims are negotiated worldwide.
AWS reported that drone strikes damaged cloud data-centre infrastructure in the UAE and Bahrain, impairing services. Iran also warned US tech firms with ties to Israel could be targeted as “legitimate targets.”
“No Kings” rallies drew crowds across the U.S. and Europe on Saturday, protesting the war in Iran and President Donald Trump’s actions, with Minnesota highlighted as a key hub. The demonstrations reflect growing public pushback on both foreign policy and U.S. leadership decisions.
As Iran-linked tensions rise, Gulf countries are exploring defense partnerships and asking whether Ukraine’s drone expertise can strengthen their capabilities. The interest reflects drones’ growing role in modern deterrence and battlefield operations.
London’s Met Police have arrested Palestine Action supporters after announcing a policy “U-turn” days earlier linked to a High Court ruling. Despite the reversal, the force said a “terror” ban remains in place.
PBS reports that soaring gas prices are spreading through the economy, with supply chain disruptions and slowed oil production driving up costs. Consumers may also face prolonged shortages for a range of goods, including food.
The US Central Command says the USS Tripoli has arrived in the Middle East, carrying about 3,500 Marines and sailors and aircraft and amphibious strike assets. The move comes amid speculation over whether the US could deploy ground troops in connection with Iran-related tensions.
Arctic sea ice has tied its lowest measured winter level as the planet experiences unprecedented heat. The report highlights record-breaking temperatures across continents alongside the Arctic’s continued decline.