International reporting on events and trends that influence Panama and the region. Stories include geopolitics, diplomacy, and global developments.
Hong Kong extended the tender deadline for the next Kai Tak Cruise Terminal operator from May 22 to June 26 after bidders asked for more time to meet new management requirements and key performance indicators.
China’s researchers report a first silicon quantum chip that can perform a complete set of error-detecting logical operations, combining quantum processing with built-in error checks. Published in Nature Nanotechnology, the advance is a step toward fault-tolerant quantum computing.
Art Basel Hong Kong director Angelle Siyang-Le says the fair has become more than a marketplace, helping shape the city’s cultural ecosystem. She also recounts her 2012 start—when her father feared she’d been “conned” after tracking the brand to a co-working space address.
Hong Kong authorities have arrested a 61-year-old driver and seized more than 8,000 litres of suspected illegal fuel worth HK$250,000. The case comes amid rising global oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict.
New data showing 94.5% of successful Top Talent Scheme applicants came from mainland China has sparked calls for Hong Kong to diversify hiring toward the Middle East and ASEAN. Experts also warn that workplace inclusivity—such as Muslim-friendly conditions—will be crucial to making any shift effective.
Philippine lawmakers have urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to consider postponing this year’s ASEAN summit due to soaring fuel prices from a global energy crisis. Analysts caution that delaying the meeting could weaken Manila’s ASEAN chairmanship.
Malaysia’s prime minister says Iran cleared Malaysian oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, as the government introduces measures to conserve fuel. The move underscores how energy chokepoints remain tightly tied to global shipping stability.
Hong Kong multimedia artist Lap-see Lam is staging a show that uses Swedish-Chinese dishes—like fried bananas and “four small dishes”—to explore how cultural identity is formed through everyday memory and adaptation.
Palestinian residents fled after Israeli forces fired tear gas at Beit Imrin village in the occupied West Bank. The incident followed the arrival of Israeli settlers, highlighting rising tensions in a long-running flashpoint.
Hong Kong’s lived-in home prices rose 1.6% in February for an 11th straight month of gains as rents hit another peak. The recovery is unfolding alongside geopolitical uncertainty tied to Iran, which could affect investor sentiment.
A prominent Chinese expert says the US and Iran could find a negotiating path through “nuclear containment” and regional ceasefires. The remarks reflect China’s broader claim that diplomacy is the only sustainable solution as the Middle East conflict escalates.
Iranian Red Crescent footage shows the aftermath of a strike on a residential area in Urmia, with homes damaged. The incident spotlights ongoing risks to civilians amid regional tensions.
Trump’s signature is set to appear on U.S. currency for the first time for a sitting president, extending his personal imprint on major American institutions. The move is likely to fuel renewed debates about tradition, branding, and the symbolism of the nation’s money.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his government has made a “constructive” contribution to the “war on Iran,” reinforcing the country’s alignment with Western security efforts. The comment highlights how Middle East tensions continue to shape defense and foreign-policy decisions far beyond the region.
Google has launched the mobile version of its Gemini AI chatbot in Hong Kong, following its earlier web rollout. The app quickly topped Apple’s app store chart as it expanded from limited access to a public service.
Hong Kong condemned the UK after British authorities said they will use every opportunity to press for the release of jailed media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying. The city called London’s comments misleading and irresponsible, accusing it of undermining the rule of law.
WWF’s Earth Hour in Hong Kong on March 28 marks 18 years since the event began locally, but the message is shifting from a symbolic lights-off moment to calls for lasting climate action. With Earth Hour now a major global movement, organizers argue urgency must translate into durable change.
Mexico’s monarch butterfly population rose 64% this winter, signaling a notable rebound for a species known for its dramatic migration. Conservation efforts protecting overwintering habitat have put the recovery in focus.
Haze has returned to Singapore, with residents reporting worsening fogginess and burning odours they say have intensified over the past year. The renewed episode revives debate over whether ASEAN is treating transboundary smoke as an inevitable cycle rather than a crisis demanding stronger action.
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.