International reporting on events and trends that influence Panama and the region. Stories include geopolitics, diplomacy, and global developments.
Singapore seized more than 830 kg of Asian pangolin scales hidden in a shipment misdeclared as “dried fish skin” bound for Cambodia. Authorities estimate the scales came from over 2,200 pangolins.
Singapore PM Lawrence Wong concluded his first official Hong Kong visit since becoming prime minister in 2024, meeting senior political figures and major business leaders. He said closer cooperation between the two financial hubs could bring mutual benefits.
Nepal detained former prime minister KP Sharma Oli over allegations connected to a deadly protest crackdown. The new home minister called the arrest “the beginning of justice,” signaling a major accountability drive.
Henderson Land Development’s Chester project in Hung Hom sold out all 123 units within hours, as Hong Kong buyers showed confidence despite Middle East-related global risks and expectations of slower interest rate cuts.
Hong Kong customs seized about 20 million illicit cigarettes worth HK$92 million from a cargo vessel during a joint operation with mainland China. Authorities estimate the haul would have cost HK$68 million in tax revenue.
Tiger Woods was released on bail hours after being arrested in Florida on suspicion of DUI following a rollover crash. The report says the incident did not cause significant injuries.
Hong Kong has started construction on a major data centre in Northern Metropolis, covering more than 110,000 square metres. Officials say the project will expand computing capacity and help drive the AI push.
The U.S. House has passed a temporary bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security as lawmakers work to prevent a government shutdown. The measure keeps critical DHS operations running while budget negotiations continue.
Analysis says the worst spillovers from Trump’s war on Iran may be yet to arrive, with Asia’s energy-dependent economies at particular risk. Japan could feel the impact more than China.
Philippine transport workers have staged a strike, accusing President Marcos Jr of failing to rein in oil prices. They are demanding fuel price caps and tighter control over oil companies.
A Chinese political scientist warned ASEAN countries against leveraging US-China tensions for short-term gains, saying the key issue is how states interpret the rivalry amid South China Sea disputes.
Hong Kong officials say the three-hour limit for Wang Fuk Court residents to collect belongings is sufficient, with discretion for a possible second entry. Safety concerns will restrict access to severely damaged flats to one person at a time.
Trump said Iran wants to “make a deal,” linking any potential negotiations to what he described as the strength of the U.S. military. The comments highlight the administration’s deterrence-led posture amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions.
Hong Kong police are searching for a driver who fled after crashing a car into a roadside railing in Tuen Mun and hitting a bus stopped at a traffic light. No injuries were reported.
Yemen’s Houthis claim they fired ballistic missiles at “sensitive Israeli military sites” in southern Israel. The announcement adds to rising regional tensions and could have wider knock-on effects for trade and security.
Ningxia wine drew international attention after Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron shared a bottle from Xige Estate in 2023. With Chinese wines rising since the 2010s, Ningxia now faces the bigger challenge: building durable global competitiveness with France.
A month into the US and Israel’s war against Iran, the conflict is not on track to end within Trump’s planned four-to-six week window. Despite reported assassinations and repeated air strikes, Iran’s regime has not collapsed and missile/drone threats appear to persist.
At Art Central in Hong Kong, Iranian-American artist Elnaz Javani is debuting six coat artworks that explore memory and conflict amid the Middle East war. She describes the series as a meditative space for audiences facing rising global geopolitical tensions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. is seeking to conclude the war in “weeks, not months.” The comment signals an accelerated diplomatic push and could shape expectations worldwide.
Pope Leo is traveling to Monaco for his first Western Europe trip as pope, bringing a pro-poor message to a principality famous for luxury and wealth. The US-born pontiff will arrive by helicopter for a one-day visit to Monte Carlo.