Author: EchoAsiaNews

A group of lenders has put forward a £4.4 billion (€5.0 billion) capital injection proposal to rescue Thames Water, Britain’s largest water utility, as the company battles severe financial strains and mounting environmental penalties, according to sources familiar with the plan. The proposed deal, which is still subject to negotiation and regulatory approval, would convert existing debt into new equity to stabilise the utility’s balance sheet, enabling it to address long‑standing infrastructure issues and environmental obligations. The plan aims to keep the company operational while protecting service continuity for millions of customers across London and the south‑east of England. Thames…

The death toll from landslides triggered by heavy seasonal rains in Ethiopia’s Oromia region has risen to at least 125, local authorities confirmed on Monday, as search and rescue efforts continue amid widespread destruction. The regional government said emergency teams were still working to locate survivors and recover bodies in affected districts. The landslides occurred over the weekend after intense rainfall, causing hillsides to give way in several rural communities where homes and farms were swept away. Officials reported that the death toll is expected to rise further as teams reach more remote areas. Emergency responders and volunteers have been…

A federal judge on Saturday ruled that the Biden‑era Trump administration must provide detailed plans for the proposed renovation and temporary closure of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to a Democratic member of its board ahead of a critical vote. The decision comes amid ongoing legal and political disputes over President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to shut the centre for an extensive two‑year reconstruction project. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said Congresswoman Joyce Beatty of Ohio is entitled to receive renovation documents in advance so she can meaningfully participate in a board meeting scheduled for Monday,…

The Philippines formally rejected China’s assertion of jurisdiction over the entire South China Sea, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday, reaffirming Manila’s “indivisible, incontrovertible and longstanding sovereignty” over key disputed features including Scarborough Shoal and Thitu Island. In a statement, the Philippine foreign ministry said Beijing’s sweeping claims, which are rooted in historical maps and a controversial nine‑dash line, have no basis under international law. Manila’s position reflects its ongoing stance that the contested waters and maritime features fall within its exclusive economic zone as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and affirmed…

Prices for ruthenium, a less‑common member of the platinum‑group metals, have risen to an all‑time high as global supply struggles to keep up with growing demand linked to the booming artificial intelligence (AI) sector, market analysts and producers said on Monday. The metal, critical to electronics, semiconductors and chemical processing, is increasingly used in AI‑related applications, particularly in data centre infrastructure and hard disk drive production, where its magnetic properties are valued. Expansion in cloud computing and data storage capabilities has accelerated demand, tightening the market for ruthenium. Industry sources cited data showing that ruthenium benchmarks climbed sharply over the…

The federal government of Pakistan has formally announced public holidays for Eid ul Fitr 2026, a Cabinet Division notification confirmed on Sunday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the declaration of public holidays on Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the official notification said. The holiday period applies to government offices and institutions that operate on both five‑day and six‑day working weeks. The move aims to allow citizens, including federal employees, to observe Eid ul Fitr festivities with family and community members. Eid ul Fitr, one of the two major…

Iran has called for a “serious review” of its relations with Gulf states while firmly denying responsibility for recent attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure, according to Tehran’s ambassador to Riyadh. Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, said relations between Iran and Gulf countries must be reassessed in light of the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel. He argued that regional states should reduce reliance on external powers and strengthen cooperation among neighboring countries. The comments come as the Middle East conflict continues to spill across the Gulf, with missile and drone attacks reported on energy facilities,…

International reactions have begun to emerge after Donald Trump called on allied nations to help secure the strategic Strait of Hormuz, as tensions escalate during the ongoing conflict with Iran. The US president said Washington had contacted several countries about joining a coalition to protect shipping through the narrow waterway, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. The appeal comes as Iranian forces continue attacks on vessels in the region, severely disrupting global energy flows. Trump said he hoped countries that rely heavily on Gulf energy supplies, including China, Japan, South Korea, Britain and France, would contribute…

The 98th Academy Awards celebrated the biggest achievements in global cinema on Sunday night, with the film One Battle After Another emerging as the biggest winner of the evening. The film secured six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, at the ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The event, hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, honoured films released in 2025 across 24 categories. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another led the awards tally, winning prizes for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film Editing and Best Casting. In the acting categories, Michael…

Clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan intensified over the weekend as both sides exchanged cross-border attacks, raising fears of a broader conflict between the neighboring countries. Pakistani officials said their forces conducted strikes on militant hideouts and military facilities in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province after drones launched from Afghan territory attempted to target civilian areas and military installations in Pakistan. Pakistan’s military said several drones were intercepted before reaching their targets, but falling debris injured civilians in cities including Quetta and Rawalpindi. Authorities accused Afghan-based militants of using drone technology to target Pakistani territory, warning that such attacks against civilians would not…