International reporting on events and trends that influence Panama and the region. Stories include geopolitics, diplomacy, and global developments.
Chinese prosecutors have indicted former Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin on charges including embezzlement and bribery, Xinhua reports, four months after his arrest.
Huawei launched the Atlas 350 inference accelerator powered by its Ascend 950PR chip, claiming better performance than Nvidia’s H20 as AI moves into a more agentic phase.
China imported 21.8 million tonnes of Russian crude in Jan–Feb 2026, up 40.9% year-on-year, but the dollar value rose only 5.8% as the Iran war may reshape future demand.
Chinese analysts say US air strikes may have weakened Iran’s blockade capability, but drones and mines make immediate naval escort or ground operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz too risky.
Six‑time Olympic table tennis champion Ma Long drew a rock‑star reception at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, thrilling students with a panel appearance and on‑court exhibition.
Unitree Robotics has filed to list on Shanghai’s Star Market, seeking 4.2 billion yuan (US$610 million) after revenue rose to 1.71 billion yuan amid growing demand for embodied AI and robots.
India will supply Bangladesh with 45,000 tonnes of diesel by April, with 5,000 tonnes already delivered, underscoring New Delhi’s regional energy role as fuel prices surge amid the Iran war.
US preparations for FIFA World Cup 2026 are reportedly lagging after funding stalls, raising concerns about security at events and potential impacts on international fans, including those from Panama and Latin America.
A senior U.S. official, David Sacks, told the All‑In Podcast that Israel is being hit hard and publicly acknowledged Israel has nuclear warheads, suggesting possible use if the conflict with Iran continues.
The Philippines has signed multiple international agreements to develop its critical minerals but analysts warn a clear national road map is needed to reach globally competitive standards.
China announced a major crackdown on fentanyl precursors — seen as a goodwill gesture before President Trump’s planned visit — but analysts say wider disputes like tariffs remain unresolved.
Taiwan’s two main opposition parties will coordinate for the November nine-in-one local elections, a move analysts say could set the stage for a united challenge to the ruling DPP in 2028.
Slovenia’s election is a contest between a centre-left coalition and a populist right, with diverging views on Israel and allegations of foreign meddling shaping the campaign.
Israel says it struck Syrian army camps in the south after alleged attacks on the Druze community in Suwayda on Thursday, raising concerns about regional escalation.
ByteDance has agreed to sell Moonton, developer of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, to Saudi-owned Savvy Games Group for over US$6 billion as ByteDance focuses on AI.
The Refugee Council has questioned Australia’s approach to Iran amid criticism that the Women’s Asian Cup has become a political flashpoint over the Iranian women’s team.
In Seattle, about a dozen people joined a “scream club” — three rounds of group screams that participants say relieved stress from job loss and parenting, leaving some feeling calmer.
An Al Jazeera opinion piece warns that measures taken against Iran could be used against Africa and calls on African nations to reject what it calls an “illegal war.”
Al Jazeera warns the main threat to the Strait of Hormuz is disruption in its approaches rather than a full closure, a distinction with implications for global shipping and trade, including Panama and Latin America.
FIFA disclosed that president Gianni Infantino’s annual bonus rose 33% to 2.2 million Swiss francs in 2025 as part of a US$6 million pay package, while his base salary stayed at 2.6 million francs.