International reporting on events and trends that influence Panama and the region. Stories include geopolitics, diplomacy, and global developments.
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.
Sustained US and Israeli strikes have weakened Iran’s military, but Tehran’s remaining long-range missile force appears to be operating more efficiently from hard-to-reach eastern bases. A weekend attack in Israel injured more than 100 people and was likely linked to Khorramshahr missiles targeting Dimona.
Mexico’s navy has launched a search after two humanitarian aid boats bound for Cuba went missing. Authorities are working to locate the vessels and determine what happened.
Australia’s post-Bondi crackdown is facing backlash after accusations that it targets pro-Palestinian voices and threatens the future of peaceful protest. Critics say enforcement appears to prioritize some communities over others.
Myanmar’s civil war is being fought across multiple fronts, involving the military regime, ethnic armed groups, and pro-democracy forces. Alliances among these actors are fluid, complicating how the conflict is understood and how any settlement might be reached.
North Korea and Belarus signed a “friendship and cooperation” treaty during Lukashenko’s first visit to Pyongyang, after Kim Jong-un welcomed him lavishly. The move comes as both countries face Western sanctions and are implicated in support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Japan plans to send at least 1,000 armed combat troops to the Philippines next month for Balikatan, the first time in 81 years since WWII. Experts see it as part of a broader Indo-Pacific security shift toward overlapping minilaterals.