The Philippines’ wellness market grew 21% to $43.3 billion in 2023, now accounting for 9.9% of GDP, per the Global Wellness Institute. Ranked 8th in Asia Pacific and 23rd globally, the sector is attracting tourists and investors. Manila is emerging as a "playground city," blending luxury real estate with lifestyle offerings, while branded residences from groups like The Ascott Limited are reshaping hospitality and real estate.

Treasury sanctions Philippines-based company for cyber scams

The Treasury Department sanctioned Funnull Technology Inc. , a Philippine company tied to “pig butchering” crypto scams, citing over $200 million in U.S. victim losses. The department also sanctioned Burma’s Karen National Army and proposed restrictions on Cambodia-based Huione Group for similar scams. Crypto crime losses surged 66% in 2024 to $9.3 billion, highlighting the need for urgent policy action.

Fortinet survey reveals Philippines’ cybersecurity under siege

Fortinet reports a surge in sophisticated cyber threats in the Philippines and Asia Pacific, driven by attackers using AI to scale stealthy, fast-moving attacks. New threats include deepfake BEC, AI-powered social engineering, and polymorphic malware, with only 9% of Philippine firms feeling fully prepared. Traditional ransomware and phishing remain prevalent, but stealthy threats like unpatched systems and cloud misconfigurations now pose even greater risks.

Dubai Chamber boosts trade with the Philippines

Dubai Chamber of Commerce hosted 180 business meetings in Manila as part of its New Horizons initiative, fostering ties with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce. The mission involved 17 Dubai firms across various sectors, including F&B, automotive, and construction. A key highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance trade collaboration. Bilateral non-oil trade reached AED 3.1 billion in 2024, with investment opportunities in tourism, telecom, and healthcare.

Philippines trade deficit narrows in April 2025

The Philippines’ trade deficit shrank to -$3.494 billion in April 2025, from -$4.127 billion in March. This improvement suggests stronger exports, lower imports, or both, reflecting economic resilience and possibly easing pressure on the peso.

The U.S. has denied Mexico's request for water delivery for the first time since the 1944 Treaty on Utilisation of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers. Mexico sought a special channel for Colorado River water to Tijuana amidst severe drought in northwest Mexico. The U.S. government cited Mexico's consistent shortfalls in water deliveries under the treaty, which have negatively impacted American agriculture, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley. While President Claudia Sheinbaum claimed Mexico is fulfilling its treaty obligations, the country is significantly behind in its water deliveries, exacerbated by climate change and infrastructure issues. The current five-year cycle for water allocations ends in October 2025, and Mexico was reported to be 265 billion gallons short as of August 2023.  

Militarisation of U.S.-Mexico border

U.S. Representative for New Mexico Gabe Vasquez has opposed plans to militarise the U.S.-Mexico border, advocating instead for funding for surveillance technology. His concerns arise from reports that the Trump administration may deploy military troops to create a militarised zone for detaining immigrants. “The proposal from the administration is basically to operate some type of Department of Defense operation along some very remote stretches of the border, all the way from the Bootheel to Santa Teresa, with our border with Texas to Arizona. And I can’t tell you how wrong-headed this approach is in terms of actual border security needs that we have at the border,” Vasquez said.

Family of DEA agent killed in 1985 files lawsuit against Sinaloa cartel

The family of slain DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena has filed a lawsuit in California against Mexico's Sinaloa cartel and three alleged drug kingpins—Rafael Caro-Quintero, Ernesto Fonseca-Carrillo, and Miguel Angel Felix-Gallardo—over his 1985 murder. The lawsuit, under a designation by President Trump classifying drug cartels as terrorist organisations, seeks accountability for Camarena's death. Caro-Quintero, accused of ordering Camarena's kidnapping and murder, continued criminal activities even while imprisoned. Fonseca-Carrillo is under house arrest in Mexico, while Felix-Gallardo is serving a 40-year sentence after being convicted of involvement in the crime. Camarena was kidnapped in Guadalajara while working undercover, with his family unaware of his brutal treatment until the next day. An autopsy revealed he died from severe brain trauma and asphyxiation. 

Asian shipping lines launch China-Mexico service

Seven Asian shipping lines are launching a new China-Mexico service , set to begin with its maiden voyage from Shanghai on April 30. The collaboration includes Sinotrans Container Lines, TS Lines, SeaLead Shipping, Emirates Shipping Line, Regional Container Lines (RCL), KMTC Line, and Sinokor Merchant Marine. The service is expected to enhance connectivity from China and South Korea to Mexico, with a shipping route of Shanghai-Qingdao-Pusan-Manzanillo. It will take 23-25 days from China and 21 days from Pusan to reach Mexico, with each carrier deploying one vessel. RCL views this as its first step into the growing Mexican market. 

Mexican state attracts over $340 million in real estate investments

Yucatán has secured nearly 7 billion pesos (US $348 million) in real estate investments , with a focus on enhancing the housing sector in its capital, Mérida. Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena inaugurated the Residencial Punto Maya project in Ucú, costing 5.5 billion pesos (US $274 million) and expected to generate over 250 jobs. Additionally, he laid the cornerstone for the second building of the Mérida Art District, with an investment exceeding 1.3 billion pesos (US $64 million), which will create over 350 jobs and feature commercial space, a hotel, and a public park.