International reporting on events and trends that influence Panama and the region. Stories include geopolitics, diplomacy, and global developments.
Trump says he will sign an order directing Homeland Security to immediately pay TSA officers to reduce airport disruption while Congress remains deadlocked on ending a partial U.S. shutdown.
A federal judge upheld North Carolina’s photo voter ID law, dismissing civil rights groups’ claims that Republicans enacted the requirement with discriminatory intent against Black and Latino voters.
The FAA is investigating a close call after a United Airlines 737-800 on final approach to John Wayne Airport was nearly crossed by a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The incident highlights continuing challenges in coordinating civil and military aircraft in shared airspace.
Art Basel opens in Hong Kong on Friday with 240 galleries from 41 countries and regions, as the city’s monthlong art-and-culture push closes. A new five-year government deal with Art Basel signals a long-term commitment to international cultural exchange.
Costa Rica has agreed to accept 25 deportees per week under a U.S. “third-country” deportation agreement associated with the Trump administration. The deal further embeds Central America into U.S. removal logistics and regional migration coordination.
Trump said he is pausing a plan to destroy Iranian power plants for 10 days. The decision could affect escalation risks and wider regional stability.
Deloitte says the Greater Bay Area spent about 28.9 billion yuan on basic research in 2024, but basic research accounted for just 5.67% of total R&D—below China’s national average. The report warns the tech-heavy region may be underfunding foundational science despite strength in semiconductors and smart manufacturing.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged the United States to pressure Russia to stop assisting Iran, warning that the linkage poses serious security risks. The call highlights growing coordination pressures between European and American diplomacy.
Trump denied he is “begging” for a deal with Iran while presenting claims about oil boats moving through the Strait of Hormuz. As the Iran war nears one month and oil prices rise, he also teased new farm aid.
President Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to April 6, warning of resumed strikes on energy infrastructure after a Cabinet update on the war.
Iran warned of a “surprise” for U.S. troops if a ground invasion begins as airstrikes continue, while the United States says it is negotiating with Tehran, PBS reports from Tehran.
Hainan has opened as a free-trade port, prompting warnings that it could undercut Hong Kong’s duty-free appeal. A key counterargument is that Hong Kong’s edge lies in its role as a global financial hub under China’s opening-up strategy.
President Trump says he is working toward a deal to end the Iran war as the U.S. moves more troops to the Middle East; military analysts Joel Rayburn and Frederic Wehrey discussed the forces’ capabilities on PBS.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune says Republicans have a “last and final” offer to end the DHS funding fight; Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick faced a rare public ethics hearing, and a judge declined to dismiss a legal-fees case tied to Nicolás Maduro.
A persistent heat dome has driven historic temperatures across much of the United States this month, part of a string of extreme weather events that experts link to long‑term warming, PBS reports.
Germany is considering measures to ban or restrict social media access for most children amid warnings from psychologists, following similar moves in Australia and legal setbacks for tech firms in the U.S.
Soaring fuel prices in Manila are being linked to heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, as Filipinos face tighter budgets and a stagnant economy. The report describes unusually quiet streets, reflecting how quickly energy shocks can reshape everyday life.
New York has legalized medically assisted suicide, becoming the 13th U.S. state (joining Washington, D.C.) to allow medical aid in dying as debate over the practice continues nationwide.
MLB has implemented an automated ball-strike system (ABS) with electronic pitch tracking in every ballpark; teams may challenge up to two ball or strike calls per nine-inning game.
Iraq is described as the most fragile front in the growing US-Israel confrontation with Iran-linked forces, as militias and foreign powers clash amid escalating attacks. The widening violence could have broader regional and global knock-on effects.