International reporting on events and trends that influence Panama and the region. Stories include geopolitics, diplomacy, and global developments.
Tokyo’s meteorologists declared the start of the cherry blossom season after Somei Yoshino trees at Yasukuni Shrine began flowering, prompting residents to prepare outdoor picnics.
CK Hutchison’s underlying profit rose 7% to HK$22.3bn in 2025, but a one-off accounting loss cut net profit and the conglomerate warned of “new and perhaps unforeseen challenges” for 2026.
Two PMF fighters were killed in strikes in northern Iraq, the group said, hours after pro‑Iran militia Kataib Hezbollah announced a conditional pause on US embassy attacks amid ongoing wider conflict.
Beijing accused Taiwan’s leader William Lai of ‘glorifying Japanese colonial rule’ after a speech marking the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct elections; the PLA increased aircraft sorties around the island in response.
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. urged Manila to close air-defence gaps and ensure suppliers can meet demand, saying military modernisation must not be mere “lip service.”
A tower crane collapsed at a Kwai Chung public housing construction site in Hong Kong on Thursday, killing the 62-year-old operator and damaging a truck; the contractor had past fines over fatal incidents.
Ju Ji-hoon headlines ENA’s new prime-time soap Climax as a power-seeking antihero, joined by Ha Ji-won, Nana and Cha Joo-young; the drama recently scored a 3.8% Nielsen rating.
President Trump is expected to discuss the Strait of Hormuz with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a move that raises legal and diplomatic questions for East Asian allies as the US seeks help in the Middle East.
Iran says it will “boycott” World Cup matches in the United States but will remain in the 2026 tournament; Mexico is listed as an alternative host for its group games.
China’s Tang Qianting set a new Asian record in the women’s 50m breaststroke with a time of 29.49 seconds at the China Open in Shenzhen.
GLP forecasts up to a 50% rise in China logistics rental rates, citing stronger domestic consumption and wider adoption of alternative energies; CEO Angela Zhao pointed to the 2026–2030 five-year plan.
A South China Morning Post feature examines whether monotonous architecture makes streets boring and whether that matters for public wellbeing, urging debate on design choices.
Donald Trump said the US was unaware of an Israeli strike on the South Pars gas field and warned Iran not to target Qatar, raising regional security and energy concerns.
Investment-bank research says the Iran war’s disruption of Gulf oil flows is exposing Asia’s dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, with China reportedly faring better than other major Asian importers.
The Kremlin said negotiations between Russia, the US and Ukraine are on a “situational pause” after reports the Iran war interrupted talks; Moscow hopes the pause is temporary.
Donald Trump has suspended the Jones Act for 60 days, allowing foreign-flagged ships to carry goods between US ports — a temporary move reported amid tensions tied to the Iran conflict.
The US is reportedly weighing sending thousands more troops to the region as the Iran war intensifies, a move said to give President Trump more options but risk deeper US entanglement.
China’s urban youth unemployment rate for 16-to-24-year-olds (excluding students) fell to 16.1% in February, down from 16.3% in January, marking a sixth consecutive monthly decline.
Chinese regulators urged EV makers to stop aggressive discounting and focus on innovation amid cooling demand and the phase-out of subsidies, after a March 17 policy meeting.
The UK confirmed that tougher English language requirements announced earlier this month will not apply to Hongkongers using the BN(O) visa pathway, after MPs pressed the Home Office.