Honduras weighs shift in China-Taiwan ties

WASHINGTON (AP) – Three years after Honduras parted ways with Taiwan and forged diplomatic ties with China in hope of economic gain, shrimp farmers in the Central American country are in revolt. Their sales to Taiwan fell to a mere $16 million in 2025, down from more than $100 million in 2022, and the Chinese didn’t fill the void as hoped.

Falling oil prices send Wall Street to best day since Iran war began

NEW YORK (AP) - A drop in oil prices helped send the U.S. stock market to its best day since the war in Iran began. The S&P 500 climbed 1% Monday for its biggest gain in five weeks. The Dow Jones added 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 1.2%. The price for a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude fell toward $93 after topping $102 in the morning.

Panama Canal ports drag Panama into tussle between superpowers

PANAMA CITY (AP) – Two ports run for years by a Hong Kong-based company at either end of the Panama Canal have thrust Panama into a geopolitical tug-of-war between the United States and China. Even before taking office for his second term, U.S. President Donald Trump complained that China was running the Panama Canal.

'One Battle After Another' takes best picture at the Oscars

The 98th Academy Awards on Sunday saw “One Battle After Another” win big with six awards, including best picture, director, supporting actor and casting. “Sinners” followed with four awards, including best actor for leading man Michael B. Jordan. Jessie Buckley took home best actress for “Hamnet.” Comedian Conan O’Brien returned for a second year to host the ceremony.

Panamanian investigators remove documents from Canal Port operator

PANAMA CITY (AP) – Panamanian investigators carried documents Thursday out of offices belonging to a Hong Kong-owned company that operated ports at either end of the Panama Canal until its concession was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court last month.

Children are among the latest killed as Pakistan and Afghanistan keep fighting

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) – Afghanistan’s Taliban forces and Pakistan’s military exchanged fire along their border Monday, killing at least four civilians including two children in Afghanistan, officials there said, as the deadliest fighting between the neighbors in years continued for a third week.

Hong Kong Protests Over Panama's Control in Panama Canal

BANGKOK (AP) – Hong Kong is protesting Panama’s seizure of two ports on a canal vital for global trade that were operated by a Hong Kong-based company for decades, the city’s government said Tuesday. Hong Kong’s Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said in a statement it had lodged “stern protests” with Panama’s consulate.

Editorials from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Panama orders occupation of 2 key canal ports after Supreme Court ruling

PANAMA CITY (AP) – The Panamanian government on Monday issued a decree ordering the occupation of two ports at the entrances of the Panama Canal, a move triggered by a final Supreme Court ruling that declared the operating concession held by Hong Kong-based company CK Hutchison unconstitutional.