International reporting on events and trends that influence Panama and the region. Stories include geopolitics, diplomacy, and global developments.
After nine years of failed attempts, South Korean authorities extradited 48-year-old Park Wang-yeol from the Philippines; investigators allege he ran a ‘VIP’ prison-based drug empire via Telegram.
A Kowloon City court placed a senior Hong Kong Immigration Department assistant on one-year probation after he was convicted of repeatedly choking his wife and young son; the defendant said imprisonment would cost him his job and long-earned pension.
Mercedes enter the Japanese Grand Prix as the early pacesetters, threatening Max Verstappen’s bid for a fifth straight Suzuka win as Red Bull wrestles with new F1 regulations.
A man in Jieyang, Guangdong, dug up a Chinese yam that strikingly resembles a human hand, complete with nail-like features, prompting surprise and online attention.
Philippine Airlines president Richard Nuttall warned that the Philippines may need to ration fuel amid tightening supplies caused by the war in Iran, a development that could impact flights and transport sectors.
An Iranian military spokesperson on Wednesday mocked a U.S. 15‑point ceasefire plan delivered via intermediaries, signaling Tehran’s skepticism and complicating U.S. diplomatic efforts.
Al Jazeera reports that amid US-Israeli attacks, many Iranians face lost incomes, temporary displacement and uncertain internet access, compounding long-standing economic strain.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee urged stronger ties with Hainan after meeting its Communist Party secretary, calling on Hong Kong firms to offer finance, legal and accounting services to the island’s free‑trade port.
The Maguro, the first ship in an activist flotilla, docked in Havana carrying medical supplies, food and solar panels as Cuba faces an escalating energy crisis amid a US fuel blockade.
Shipping disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz are driving up freight, energy and raw-material costs, prompting some Chinese factories to cut production and suspend exports, including to Iran.
Surging fuel costs linked to the Iran war are straining budgets in developing economies from Pakistan to Egypt, raising import bills, transport costs and inflationary pressure across the Global South.
Hong Kong’s ICAC charged five people over an alleged HK$90 million bribery scheme tied to renovation contracts at three housing estates, involving casino chips and red packets.
Analyst Trita Parsi says Iran is unlikely to agree to end the war without meaningful sanctions relief, underscoring sanctions as a central hurdle for diplomacy.
Thousands marched in Buenos Aires to mark the 50th anniversary of Argentina’s 1976 military coup, a day of national remembrance for victims of the ensuing dictatorship.
OpenAI has pulled its AI video app Sora amid growing concerns over deepfake videos and is redirecting focus toward potentially more lucrative areas like coding tools.
A Malaysian father says loan sharks have obtained personal details of his family after loans taken by his ex-wife, who he believes owes about RM130,000. He fears for his children’s safety, including a six-month-old.
New Zealand players say they would be willing to play their June 15 World Cup match against Iran outside the United States after Iran threatened to boycott its fixtures amid the war.
Two West Java villages held a traditional post-Eid face-off using wooden cannons, highlighting the region’s local customs that follow Eid al-Fitr.
Israel’s defence minister said forces will occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, calling it a “security zone” and signalling plans to control nearly a tenth of Lebanon’s territory.
Zoie Yung, programme curator for Art Central 2026, says her favourite Hong Kong dining ranges from Cantonese daa laang and Chiu Chow‑style spots to upscale Japanese restaurants, reflecting the city’s blend of local tradition and international tastes.