International reporting on events and trends that influence Panama and the region. Stories include geopolitics, diplomacy, and global developments.
Hong Kong’s Labour Bureau has proposed a blanket smoking ban on construction sites and heavy fines — HK$3,000 for workers and up to HK$400,000 for contractors — after a deadly Tai Po fire.
Hong Kong is accelerating efforts to expand AI computing capacity after chip executives warned that autonomous AI agents will drive explosive demand for GPUs and other processors.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese said the world has effectively given Israel a “licence to torture Palestinians,” a sharp condemnation that intensifies international human rights scrutiny.
An independent committee in Hong Kong held its third public hearing into a housing estate fire that killed 168 people; three residents are set to testify after officials said an alleged inspection “tip-off” to a contractor was “groundless.”
A viral 38-second video shows a couple caught naked at a cemetery believed to be in Penang, Malaysia, interrupted by a woman who threatens to call the police and berates them for repeated incidents.
Marc Jacobs’s Spring 2026 capsule, Make Your Marc, honors the label’s most recognizable handbags — from the Venetia and Stam to The Tote Bag and The Snapshot — reaffirming the enduring appeal of his accessory designs.
Hong Kong equities rose Tuesday as signs of easing Middle East tensions and hopes of a US‑Iran diplomatic breakthrough lifted risk appetite; Hang Seng climbed 1.2%.
Silicon Valley cybersecurity founder John Whaley warned in Hong Kong that the global AI industry is becoming fragmented as US-China competition prompts countries to protect capabilities and data, though cooperation could still be possible.
An explosion at Valero’s Port Arthur refinery produced visible flames and heavy smoke, raising safety and environmental concerns and potential implications for regional fuel supplies.
Country Garden said filings show it will post a 2025 profit of about 1–2.2 billion yuan (US$145M–US$320M), largely due to a non-cash gain after completing a debt restructuring, reversing a ¥35.15B loss in 2024.
Dozens were pulled alive from the wreckage of a Colombian Air Force plane, Al Jazeera reports, as emergency teams carried out a major rescue operation.
A recent report finds the Philippines scores poorly on work–life balance, a result many Filipinos recognize. Overseas workers describe deliberate routines to protect personal time.
At the March 8 “two sessions,” China’s foreign minister called the war “one that should not have happened,” offering five principles for resolution but no concrete enforcement measures.
Bain & Co finds Asia-Pacific private equity is shifting capital into advanced manufacturing and healthcare for steadier cash flow, as fundraising falls to a 12-year low.
A Wood Mackenzie report says surging oil prices tied to the conflict around Iran and risks to the Strait of Hormuz could accelerate global EV adoption, reinforcing China’s lead in car sales.
A viral video from Jiangsu shows a muzzled golden retriever running under a modified electric bike while its owner holds a stick, prompting online allegations of animal abuse.
Hong Kong has revised implementation rules for its national security law to clarify search and investigation procedures, with experts saying the changes streamline operations amid online and geopolitical threats.
HKIC has launched the Hong Kong RISC‑V Alliance to promote collaboration on open‑source chip technology, following a government pledge to boost industry–academia–investment ties.
Al Jazeera released footage showing Israeli settlers vandalising a boys’ school in Huwara and raising an Israeli flag, underscoring ongoing tensions and concerns over settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
Paul John, in his 10th year as head of Hong Kong’s sevens programme, won best team coach after 2025 regional successes but says he still has “unfinished business” and aims for world and Olympic progress.