Author: EchoAsiaNews

UNITED STATES: Oil prices remained near recent highs on Monday as concerns over supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz persisted and prospects for a lasting US-Iran peace agreement weakened. Brent crude was unchanged at $88.55 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate slipped 14 cents to $82.26. Both benchmarks gained more than 5% last week following reported attacks on tankers operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and an attack on a Saudi Aramco refinery. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said over the weekend that Tehran had not decided to resume talks with Washington, while US President Donald Trump…

KABUL: Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to immediately release two United Nations staff members and six employees of a non-governmental organisation who were detained in separate incidents in recent weeks. The appeal comes days before the Taliban marks the fifth anniversary of its return to power, amid continued concerns over restrictions on humanitarian and human rights activities in Afghanistan. Why is Human Rights Watch demanding the release of the detainees? HRW said six employees of the Women and Children Legal Research Foundation (WCLRF) were detained after Taliban authorities allegedly raided the organisation’s Kabul office, confiscated…

BRASILIA: Brazil’s leading presidential candidates are increasingly using campaign songs to mobilise supporters as the country’s election race gathers momentum, with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro adopting contrasting musical themes to reinforce their political messages. The campaign jingles reflect differing electoral strategies, highlighting the candidates’ target constituencies ahead of the presidential vote. How are Brazil’s presidential candidates using music in their campaigns? President Lula’s campaign has adapted a well-known 1995 funk track to emphasise his working-class background and longstanding political career, aiming to energise his progressive support base. Political analysts say the campaign is focused…

SALZBURG: Aston Villa’s 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo made an impressive competitive debut by scoring against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup, ending an eight-month wait for his first official appearance after the club successfully overturned FIFA registration restrictions. Despite Villa’s 2-1 defeat to PSG, Madjo’s performance provided a major positive for manager Unai Emery ahead of the new Premier League season. Why did Brian Madjo have to wait eight months for his debut? Madjo joined Aston Villa from French club Metz in January, but FIFA initially prevented the club from registering the teenager because of international transfer rules for…

KINSHASA: The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is on course to become the deadliest ever if transmission continues at its current rate. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the 2026 outbreak could surpass the 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic, which claimed more than 11,000 lives, as health authorities race to contain the virus. Why is the current Ebola outbreak causing global concern? Since the outbreak was officially declared on May 15, health authorities have recorded more than 4,300 confirmed cases and over 2,000 deaths. WHO officials believe the virus…

JOHANNESBURG: The South African rand remained largely unchanged against the US dollar on Thursday as investors awaited key domestic mining production data, while softer-than-expected US inflation eased expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike next month. The rand traded at 16.1625 per US dollar in early trade, with market sentiment supported by signs of moderating inflation in the United States despite concerns over South Africa’s economic outlook. Why is the rand holding steady? Investor sentiment improved after US consumer price data showed inflation rose by 0.1% in July, reducing expectations of a Federal Reserve rate increase and supporting risk-sensitive…

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the provincial government to constitute a high-level inquiry committee, headed by the Sindh chief secretary, to investigate the HIV outbreak among children at Karachi’s Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital and submit its findings within two months. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Adnanul Karim Memon and Justice Muhammad Jaffer Raza, directed that the committee include two Grade-20 officers with no direct administrative link to the hospital or the investigation. What will the SHC inquiry investigate? The court directed the committee to examine how the HIV infections occurred, including whether disposable syringes or other medical…

BEIJING/HONG KONG: Chinese chip designer Kiwimoore has confidentially filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong, targeting a valuation of around $2 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. The Shanghai-based company is planning to list in the first half of 2027 as it seeks to capitalise on growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and China’s drive to strengthen its domestic semiconductor industry. What are Kiwimoore’s IPO plans? According to sources, Kiwimoore recently completed a funding round in July that raised about 700 million yuan ($103.8 million), valuing the company at 8 billion yuan. The firm…

FRANKFURT: German industrial group Thyssenkrupp is in advanced discussions to revise the funding framework for its €3 billion ($3.5 billion) green steel plant in Duisburg after changes in market conditions made the project’s original hydrogen-based production plan unviable. The proposed changes would allow public funding for the project to continue despite delays in the planned use of hydrogen, with the revised framework requiring approval from German authorities. Why is Thyssenkrupp seeking changes to the funding framework? The original funding arrangement, under which roughly two-thirds of the project’s financing is provided by the German federal government and the state of North…

CAIRO/GAZA: Cancer patients in Gaza are dying at two to three times the pre-war rate as access to specialised treatment remains severely restricted following the destruction of the territory’s only dedicated cancer hospital and continuing barriers to medical evacuation, according to Palestinian doctors. Medical officials say an estimated 17,000 cancer patients in Gaza are without local access to chemotherapy and other advanced treatments, while thousands remain on waiting lists for medical transfers abroad. Why are cancer patients in Gaza facing higher mortality rates? Doctors say the rise in cancer-related deaths is linked to the lack of specialised treatment facilities and…