Author: EchoAsiaNews

Syrian government forces have taken control of the al-Shaddadi military base in northeastern Syria following the withdrawal of U.S. troops, Damascus announced on Sunday. The handover of the base in Hasakah countryside was carried out in coordination with the United States, according to Syria’s Ministry of Defence. The U.S. military had maintained a presence at al-Shaddadi since 2016 as part of the coalition against the Islamic State group (ISIL), operating alongside Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The withdrawal comes amid a broader shift in Syria’s conflict dynamics and an ongoing ceasefire arrangement with Kurdish forces. The takeover of al-Shaddadi follows…

Israeli forces have carried out multiple airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, killing at least 11 Palestinians, Palestinian health officials said, in the latest escalation despite an ongoing ceasefire agreement. The Israeli military asserted the strikes were a response to alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas, accusing the group of emerging from a tunnel across the so-called “Yellow Line” boundary. Gaza medics reported that a strike on a tent encampment housing displaced families killed several civilians in Khan Younis and northern Gaza. The violence underscores the fragility of the current truce, first brokered in October 2024 and supported by the United States…

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha attributed his side’s defeat against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to poor execution in key moments of the match. Speaking after the 61-run loss in Colombo, the skipper admitted that Pakistan failed to capitalize on crucial phases, allowing India to take control and maintain pressure throughout the contest. After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Pakistan struggled to contain India’s batting lineup. The Indian side posted 175 for five, with Ishan Kishan playing a pivotal role through a well-constructed half-century. Pakistan’s spin attack, expected to make an impact on…

A sharp increase in Britain’s minimum wage for younger workers over the past three years has contributed to a rise in unemployment among 18- to 24-year-olds, a senior Bank of England policymaker said on Sunday. Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Catherine Mann said in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph that the surge in youth joblessness reflected disproportionately large increases in the minimum wage for young workers, rather than signalling broader labour market weakness. Official labour data show the unemployment rate for 18- to 24-year-olds climbed to 13.7% in the three months to November, up from 10.2% three…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed on Sunday for Vienna, Austria, on a two-day official visit that marks the first time in more than three decades that a Pakistani premier has visited the European nation, government officials confirmed. The two-day visit, running Feb 15–16, comes at the invitation of Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and underscores renewed focus on expanding bilateral cooperation. Sharif will lead a high-level delegation that includes senior federal ministers. Pakistan and Austria established diplomatic relations 70 years ago, but foreign office officials noted that no Pakistani prime minister has made an official visit to Vienna since the trip…

Iran has indicated it is prepared to make compromises in nuclear negotiations with the United States, provided Washington shows a willingness to discuss the lifting of economic sanctions, senior Iranian officials said Sunday. In an interview with the BBC, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said Tehran is ready to discuss restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for alleviation of U.S. sanctions, an issue that has stalled talks for years. He confirmed that a second round of negotiations is scheduled to begin Tuesday in Geneva, following an initial set of indirect discussions mediated in Oman earlier this month. “Initial…

Major highways and key roads across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained blocked on Saturday as supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged protests over what the party described as denial of medical treatment to its founder, former prime minister Imran Khan. Demonstrations entered their second day, causing widespread disruption to traffic and inter-provincial connectivity. According to local administration and traffic police officials, protesters erected barricades and staged sit-ins at multiple locations, halting vehicular movement on strategic arteries linking Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab. Sections of the Peshawar–Islamabad Motorway (M-1), parts of the Grand Trunk (GT) Road, and several entry and exit points in and…

Pakistan and India are poised to renew one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries today in a crucial Group A encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Both teams enter the match undefeated with two wins from their opening games, making today’s result pivotal for Super Eights qualification. The fixture, regarded as the most commercially valuable in global cricket, has drawn intense attention after a dramatic pre-tournament period marked by political tensions and administrative wrangling. Pakistan briefly announced a boycott of the India fixture in early February in protest at the International Cricket…

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with the Pakistan national cricket team and its management in Colombo on Sunday and conveyed his best wishes ahead of their highly anticipated match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The meeting took place as Pakistan prepared to face their arch-rivals after both sides remained unbeaten in the group stage of the tournament. During the huddle, Naqvi lauded the players’ determination and fighting spirit and encouraged them to perform with confidence on the big stage. The gathering was attended by captain Salman Ali Agha, head coach Mike Hesson, manager Naveed…

At least 11 people were killed and several others injured in a serious road crash on the National Highway near Tando Masti in Khairpur District on Saturday night. The collision involved a passenger bus and a trailer, according to rescue and police sources. Among the deceased were nine passengers, the bus driver and the conductor, police said; others injured in the smash were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. The bus, which was traveling from Punjab province toward Karachi, collided with the trailer on the busy highway, triggering the deadly crash. Rescue teams, including Rescue 1122 and local police, reached…