Author: EchoAsiaNews

WASHINGTON: The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., is facing mounting problems less than two weeks after completing a $14.7 million renovation, with green algae spreading across the water and sections of the newly installed blue liner beginning to peel. The renovation, ordered by US President Donald Trump ahead of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, included repainting the pool’s base in “American Flag Blue” and installing a new waterproof liner. However, the project has come under scrutiny after visible algae blooms and deterioration appeared shortly after reopening. (Reuters) What Problems Have Emerged? National Park Service workers…

ZURICH: Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis has agreed to acquire UK-based biotechnology company Myricx Bio in a deal valued at up to $1.5 billion, expanding its oncology pipeline through advanced cancer treatment technologies. Under the agreement announced on Monday, Novartis will pay $1.1 billion upfront, with an additional $400 million tied to future development and commercial milestones. The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. Why Is Novartis Buying Myricx Bio? London-based Myricx Bio specializes in developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)—targeted cancer therapies that combine antibodies with potent anti-cancer drugs to attack tumor…

LOS ANGELES: Actor Mark Hamill has publicly congratulated newlyweds Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce while joking that he missed their high-profile wedding because he “wasn’t invited.” The Star Wars star shared a photograph of the couple on Instagram on Sunday, writing: “Congratulations to the newlyweds!” before adding a humorous explanation for his absence. “I declined to attend the wedding for a variety of personal reasons, but mainly because I wasn’t invited.” The self-deprecating post quickly gained attention on social media following the couple’s widely publicized wedding celebrations. Who Attended the Wedding? Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis…

DALLAS: Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the final tournament of his international career, making the announcement ahead of Portugal’s Round of 16 clash against Spain. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the 41-year-old said he intends to enjoy the closing chapter of his international journey while remaining focused on helping Portugal progress in the tournament. “This will be my last World Cup, but let’s hope tomorrow isn’t my last game,” Ronaldo said. What Did Ronaldo Say About Retirement? Ronaldo said he has no regrets about his international career, stressing that he has…

LAHORE: Lahore police have registered a fresh First Information Report (FIR) over a traffic collision that led to the rescue of two foreign women allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted, as investigators continue to probe the high-profile case. The latest FIR relates to a vehicle crash near Bhatta Chowk and is separate from the primary investigation into the alleged kidnapping, extortion and sexual assault of a Spanish and a Dutch national. How Did the Crash Lead to the Rescue? According to police, the incident occurred when a vehicle carrying the suspects collided with another car on Airport Road before attempting to…

NEW YORK: At least eight people, including four children, were injured in a mass shooting during US Independence Day celebrations late Saturday night in New York City’s Coney Island neighborhood, according to the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Police responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 10:37 p.m. local time on West 31st Street in Brooklyn, where officers found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Who Were the Victims? The injured include two men, two women, and four children aged 14, 12, 7, and 6, authorities said. All eight victims were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Seven of…

NEW JERSEY: Brazil forward Neymar Jr. suggested he may have played his final match for the national team after scoring in Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to Norway in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Sunday, ending the five-time champions’ campaign. The 34-year-old converted a stoppage-time penalty, but Brazil failed to overturn Norway’s lead, suffering their earliest World Cup exit in more than three decades. The defeat also extended Brazil’s wait for a record sixth World Cup title. Is This the End of Neymar’s International Career? Speaking after the match, an emotional Neymar indicated that his journey with Brazil may…

LONDON: Global oil prices edged lower on Monday after the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (Opec+) agreed to raise production targets again from August, while recovering crude exports through the Strait of Hormuz added to expectations of increased global supply. Brent crude futures fell 24 cents, or 0.33%, to $71.88 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined 11 cents to $68.58 per barrel. WTI did not settle on Friday because US markets were closed ahead of the Independence Day holiday. The latest decline followed Sunday’s Opec+ decision to increase collective output targets by…

NEW YORK: Selena Gomez gave fans a glimpse of the celebrations following Taylor Swift’s wedding by sharing a candid photo with her husband, Benny Blanco, after attending the star-studded ceremony. The image, posted on Gomez’s Instagram Stories, showed the couple embracing after Swift’s July 3 wedding to NFL star Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the festivities. How did Gomez and Blanco appear at the ceremony? Gomez attended the wedding in a shimmering gold beaded gown, while Blanco wore a classic black tuxedo with a bow tie. The couple’s appearance drew attention as Gomez…

KEYSTONE, South Dakota: US President Donald Trump praised America’s achievements and warned against what he described as a growing “communist menace” during a speech marking the 250th anniversary of the United States at Mount Rushmore on Friday. Addressing supporters beneath the monument featuring four former US presidents, Trump celebrated the country’s history and pledged that the United States would “never be a communist country.” How did Trump link communism to domestic politics? Trump accused progressive Democrats of promoting ideas he described as communist and argued that Americans must defend the freedoms envisioned by the country’s founders. He also linked his…