Author: EchoAsiaNews

Gold prices slipped on Monday as renewed tensions between the United States and Iran heightened inflation concerns and increased expectations of a Federal Reserve interest-rate hike, although bullion remained on track for its strongest monthly gain since January. Spot gold fell 0.4% to $4,436.04 an ounce by 0835 GMT, after touching its lowest level since August 19. U.S. gold futures for December delivery declined 1% to $4,486.40. Gold came under further pressure after Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh delivered hawkish remarks at the Jackson Hole symposium on Friday, saying the central bank would have more work to do if policymakers…

Switzerland: Swiss bankers expect the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to keep its key interest rate unchanged at 0% for the remainder of 2026, with most also forecasting no change through 2027, according to a survey by the Swiss Bankers Association. The survey found that all respondents expect the SNB to maintain its policy rate at 0% for the rest of this year. About 60% expect the rate to remain at the same level throughout 2027. The remaining 40% expect the central bank to begin raising rates next year. Most of those respondents forecast a 25-basis-point increase to 0.25%, while one…

Switzerland: A United Nations committee on Monday said countries are legally obliged to consider reparations for the enduring effects of the transatlantic slave trade and address racial discrimination linked to its legacy. The guidance was issued by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which said states have obligations under the legally binding 1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The committee said those obligations arise from the convention itself rather than from legal standards that existed at the time the transatlantic slave trade took place. The guidance calls on countries to adopt…

Pakistan: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday sought responses from the federal government and regulatory authorities on a petition seeking restrictions and safeguards for social media use by children under 16. IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar heard the petition and issued notices to the Ministry of Information Technology, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Law, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra). The petition seeks the introduction of an age-verification mechanism for social media accounts belonging to children under 16 and a legal framework aimed at protecting minors from harmful online…

United States: Oil prices rose by more than $1 a barrel on Monday after US forces struck Iranian launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran responded by attacking US military bases in Jordan, raising renewed concerns over crude supplies and shipping through the strategic waterway. Brent crude futures gained $1.08, or 1.23%, to $89.18 a barrel at 0040 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 92 cents, or 1.10%, to $84.32. The US strikes on Sunday were the first known American attacks on Iran since late July. A US official said two Iranian launchers on…

United States: Flash floods at Arizona’s Grand Canyon have left one person dead and 15 others missing, while rescue and evacuation operations continue, park officials said. A 46-year-old man died after being swept away by floodwaters near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, according to Grand Canyon National Park officials. A series of storms struck the Grand Canyon region on Saturday, August 29, with flash flooding reported from around 2:30 p.m. The flooding swept through parts of the national park and caused significant damage, including to footbridges. Park officials launched evacuation efforts for hikers and campers stranded by the flooding.…

United Kingdom: Taekwondo athlete Isabelle Sava, who won a silver medal at the 2022 World Taekwondo Championship in the Netherlands, has died at the age of 19 after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest in her sleep. Sava died unexpectedly on August 17, 2026, according to a fundraising page established for her parents by family friend Adriana Agache. Agache said Sava suffered an “unexpected cardiac arrest” and that emergency responders attempted to resuscitate her but were unable to save her. No further details about the circumstances or underlying cause of the cardiac arrest were provided. The fundraising campaign was launched to…

Pakistan: The Pakistan Cricket Board is considering changes to the Test squad and coaching set-up ahead of the third and final Test against England after Pakistan suffered a 194-run defeat at Lord’s, according to sources. England secured a 2-0 lead in the three-match series with the victory on Sunday, ending Pakistan’s 16-year unbeaten run at Lord’s. The final Test will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham from September 9 to 13. An emergency meeting was held at the Pakistan team hotel following the defeat, where officials discussed possible changes to the squad and team management, sources said. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan…

United States: Google Maps will display “Lake America” instead of “Lake Ontario” for users in the United States following President Donald Trump’s executive order changing the lake’s official US name, Google said. The change applies only to Google Maps users in the United States. Users in Canada will continue to see “Lake Ontario,” while users elsewhere will see both names, according to Google. Trump’s executive order changes the name recorded in the US Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), the federal database used for official US geographic naming. The order does not alter Canada’s naming of the lake or international usage.…

United Kingdom: Harper Beckham joined her brother Cruz Beckham on stage at Reading Festival on Saturday as he performed with his band, The Breakers. The 15-year-old appeared during Cruz’s performance and helped distribute T-shirts to festivalgoers alongside his girlfriend, Jackie Apostel. Cruz, 21, dedicated his song “Nobody” to Harper during the performance, calling her his “little sister” as she danced near the stage. The appearance came as The Breakers made their stage debut at the festival during their current tour. What did Cruz say during the performance? Cruz thanked the audience for their support during the band’s tour before introducing…