Author: EchoAsiaNews

DAKAR: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread to a new health zone in the northeastern province of Ituri, authorities said, highlighting continued transmission more than three weeks after the epidemic was declared. According to the health ministry, the Tchomia health zone, located about 50 kilometres south of the provincial capital Bunia along Lake Albert, has become the latest affected area. This brings the total number of affected health zones nationwide to 26, including 18 in Ituri province, which remains the epicentre of the outbreak. Officials reported 37 new confirmed cases and 12 deaths in the…

TOKYO: Japanese sportswear group Asics is expanding its Onitsuka Tiger brand globally to capitalise on rising demand for retro-style sneakers, though analysts warn the strategy could pressure the label’s high profit margins, according to Reuters. The brand, known for its yellow-and-black designs popularised in films such as Kill Bill, has already benefited from strong tourist demand in Japan and a weak yen, with sales rising by about one-third in the January–March quarter. The business currently generates profit margins of around 40%, among the highest within Asics. Onitsuka Tiger is now opening flagship stores across Europe, China, South Korea, and the…

HOUSTON: The United States has emerged as the world’s largest oil exporter, surpassing Saudi Arabia and Russia, marking a major shift in global energy markets, according to data cited by Reuters. U.S. crude and fuel exports rose to approximately 10.5 million barrels per day in May, driven by strong production and drawdowns from strategic reserves, according to ship-tracking data from Vortexa. This placed the United States ahead of Russia, with exports of around 7 million barrels per day, and Saudi Arabia at approximately 5.9 million barrels per day. The development represents a reversal of decades-long energy dominance by OPEC members…

PARIS: Wars in the Middle East and Ukraine are expected to dominate next week’s Group of Seven (G7) summit in France, as host President Emmanuel Macron seeks to maintain unity among major Western economies amid growing geopolitical divisions. The summit, scheduled for June 15–17 in Evian-les-Bains, will bring together leaders from France, the United States, Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, and the European Union, with discussions centering on conflict management, global economic instability, and strategic resource security. Diplomatic sources said the agenda has been carefully structured to avoid confrontation, particularly with U.S. President Donald Trump, whose return to office in…

NEW DELHI: Google Cloud services experienced intermittent disruptions across parts of India on Wednesday after a fire at a third-party data centre triggered an emergency shutdown of networking equipment, the company said. According to Google Cloud, the incident forced an emergency power shutdown at the facility, isolating a local point of presence in Delhi and reducing network capacity across the region. The company did not disclose when the fire occurred or whether it resulted in damage or injuries. The disruption affected network traffic across multiple Indian cities, including Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai, as well as surrounding areas, leading to periods…

GENEVA: The number of forcibly displaced people worldwide fell in 2025 for the first time in ten years, largely due to increased returns to home countries, according to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR). The agency said 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced by the end of 2025, marking a decline of 5.4 million compared with the previous year. Despite the drop, UNHCR stressed that displacement levels remain “unacceptably high” amid ongoing global conflicts and instability. According to the annual report, 14.7 million displaced people returned to their places of origin in 2025, including 4.4 million refugees who crossed international…

LONDON: Pakistani actor Mahira Khan has emphasized the need to strengthen mental health awareness in Pakistan during a high-profile British Asian Trust Annual Dinner attended by King Charles III and leading figures from the South Asian diaspora. The event, held at The Peninsula London and attended by more than 300 guests, focused on the charity’s ongoing work across South Asia in areas including mental health, education, child protection, and livelihoods. Speaking to media after meeting King Charles, who serves as the Royal Founding Patron of the British Asian Trust, Mahira Khan said stigma around mental health in Pakistan remains a…

MUMBAI, India: India’s aviation accident investigation agency is facing mounting criticism from pilot associations and victims’ families over delays in releasing a final report into the 2025 Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people. Relatives of victims had expected a conclusive report to be published on the first anniversary of the disaster. However, reports in local media indicate that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is likely to issue only an interim update, with the full investigation still ongoing. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff when the Boeing 787-8 aircraft went down in a fireball and…

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia: Indonesian police have arrested 13 childcare workers following allegations of severe abuse and neglect at the Little Aresha daycare centre in Yogyakarta, where more than 100 children were reportedly found in distressing conditions during a raid in April. Authorities said the suspects, all women including the owner, principal, and caregivers, are being investigated for child abuse, neglect, and operating an unlicensed childcare facility. The case has triggered widespread public outrage and renewed scrutiny of Indonesia’s largely unregulated daycare sector. Police officials said that during the raid, officers discovered children aged between two and six years old who had…

YONGIN, South Korea: South Korea is expanding the use of AI-powered companion devices for elderly citizens living alone as the country grapples with rising social isolation and record levels of “lonely deaths.” One user, 78-year-old Bang Chun-ja, lives alone in Yongin and relies on an AI-enabled doll that provides conversation, daily reminders, and emotional interaction. The device is part of a growing government-supported initiative aimed at supporting seniors with limited family contact. Authorities in South Korea have introduced AI care tools, including interactive dolls and monitoring devices, across several regions, including parts of Seoul and surrounding municipalities. These systems are…