Author: EchoAsiaNews

MOSCOW: Russia on Wednesday released footage it said showed troops handling nuclear warheads and deploying mobile Iskander-M missile system launch units as part of a major nuclear preparedness exercise spanning Russia and Belarus. The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces practiced procedures for bringing units to the “highest levels of combat readiness for the use of nuclear weapons,” including the loading, transport and concealed movement of nuclear warheads to designated launch sites. According to the ministry, the three-day exercise—launched on Tuesday—covers strategic coordination across multiple military branches and is taking place amid heightened tensions with NATO and Western countries over…

WASHINGTON: Pakistan is among a group of countries that could potentially benefit from a new temporary United States licence permitting selected energy-importing nations to access Russian oil supplies, diplomatic sources told Dawn on Tuesday. The 30-day general licence, issued by the United States Department of the Treasury, is aimed at easing immediate disruptions in global crude markets and supporting countries vulnerable to rising energy costs and supply shortages. According to diplomatic sources, Pakistan may qualify under the arrangement, although officials cautioned that Islamabad’s ability to utilise the concession fully could remain limited due to technical and infrastructural constraints within the…

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee on Tuesday approved the transfer of management control and a 30 per cent shareholding of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation to the National Logistics Corporation as part of a major restructuring initiative aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s freight transport and maritime logistics network. The ECC meeting, chaired by Muhammad Aurangzeb, granted in-principle approval for the restructuring plan submitted by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs following prior approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier this year. According to an official statement, the move is intended to create an integrated freight transport framework by combining shipping and road…

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly of Pakistan on Tuesday introduced Pakistan’s first artificial intelligence-enabled parliamentary system, in a move aimed at modernising legislative operations and accelerating the transition towards a fully paperless parliament. Speaking during the soft launch ceremony in Islamabad, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq described the initiative as a significant institutional reform designed to improve efficiency, transparency and legislative support through digital integration. The speaker said the adoption of AI-driven systems had become essential in the modern governance environment, noting that reliance on digital platforms was already reducing delays associated with physical documentation and manual procedures. “Modern technology improves institutional performance,” Ayaz…

China: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their countries’ deep strategic partnership during high-level talks in Beijing on Wednesday, as both leaders projected unity against what they described as growing unilateralism and global instability. Putin was welcomed at the Great Hall of the People with a formal honour guard, gun salute and flag-waving ceremony, underscoring the significance Beijing attached to the visit just days after US President Donald Trump concluded his own trip to China without major diplomatic breakthroughs. During opening remarks, Xi described China-Russia ties as “unyielding” and said the relationship had strengthened through deeper…

LONDON: Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi and translator Lin King won the 2026 International Booker Prize on Tuesday for Taiwan Travelogue, marking a historic first for Taiwanese literature and Mandarin Chinese fiction in the prestigious award’s history. The award was announced during a ceremony at Tate Modern in London, where the annual prize recognises the finest works of fiction translated into English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland. Originally published in Mandarin in 2020, Taiwan Travelogue became the first novel translated from Mandarin Chinese to receive the International Booker Prize. Yang Shuang-zi also became the first Taiwanese author to…

The Global Sumud Flotilla announced that all of its vessels attempting to reach Gaza had been intercepted, alleging that activists on board were unlawfully detained. In a statement shared on X, the organization said: “All boats have been intercepted. We are awaiting further details regarding the illegal detention of those on board.” Reaffirming its stance, the flotilla added: “For Palestine, we will not stop.”

In the United States, a group of high-profile celebrities including Kylie Jenner, Timothée Chalamet, Kendall Jenner, and Jacob Elordi were seen together in a single vehicle during a drive through Los Angeles on May 16, triggering widespread online discussion. Images circulating on social media, reportedly obtained by entertainment outlet DeuxMoi, show Jacob Elordi in the driver’s seat, Kendall Jenner seated beside him, while Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet were in the back along with photographer Renell Medrano. The unexpected grouping of celebrities quickly drew attention online, with users drawing comparisons to early 2000s paparazzi culture, when Hollywood nightlife scenes involving…

In the United States, veteran voice actor Tom Kane has died at the age of 64, six years after suffering a stroke that severely impacted his ability to speak. Kane was a well-known figure in American animation, lending his voice to popular characters in globally recognized shows such as The Powerpuff Girls, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, and Kim Possible. He also contributed voice work to major franchises including Star Wars, making him one of the most versatile voice talents in the U.S. entertainment industry. Following his death on May 18, colleagues from the American animation and voice acting community…

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Monday dismissed reports claiming that the government was considering increasing the minimum voting age from 18 to 25, stating that no such proposal was under consideration. Responding to a question regarding reports circulating in political circles and media discussions, Tarar said the government had no plans to amend existing voting age laws. “Why should we comment on rumours?… No such proposals are under our consideration,” the minister said. The debate over the voting age intensified after Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah recently suggested that the issue had…