Author: EchoAsiaNews

The ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran has inflicted significant economic damage on Gulf financial markets, with stock exchanges in Dubai and Abu Dhabi losing roughly $120 billion in combined market value, according to Al Jazeera. Since the war began on 28 February 2026, Dubai’s benchmark index has fallen by about 16 percent, while Abu Dhabi’s main index has declined around 9 percent, placing the UAE’s markets among the hardest hit globally amid broader regional volatility. Other Gulf exchanges have also felt the impact, with markets in Qatar and Bahrain retreating, though some, like those in…

Myanmar’s military has appointed General Ye Win Oo, a former head of military intelligence, as the new Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, placing a close ally of junta leader Min Aung Hlaing at the helm of the armed forces, Reuters reports. The 60-year-old general, who played a leading role in the February 2021 coup that ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, was elevated to the top military post on Monday. His rise marks the first time a former intelligence chief has assumed Myanmar’s highest military command, underscoring his longstanding loyalty to Min Aung Hlaing. Ye Win Oo’s…

As tensions escalate in the ongoing conflict involving Iran, thousands of U.S. Army paratroopers from the elite 82nd Airborne Division have arrived in the Middle East, reinforcing American military presence in the region, Reuters reports. The deployment includes paratroopers, support personnel, and elements of Special Operations, adding to earlier arrivals of Marines and other forces. Officials say the buildup expands U.S. capacity for potential future operations related to the conflict, although no formal decision has been made to conduct ground operations inside Iran. Among the potential missions discussed are securing key strategic locations such as Kharg Island, a major hub…

Spain has officially closed its airspace to U.S. military aircraft involved in operations against Iran, deepening a diplomatic rift over the ongoing conflict, according to Reuters. Defence Minister Margarita Robles confirmed on Monday that no U.S. military flights connected to the war in Iran will be allowed to transit Spanish airspace, building on an earlier decision to deny the use of jointly operated military bases for such missions. The move forces U.S. aircraft to reroute around Spain, although exceptions will be made for emergency situations. The decision reflects Madrid’s strong opposition to the conflict, which Spanish leaders have described as…

Egypt’s Al-Azhar University has strongly condemned a new Israeli law permitting the execution of Palestinian detainees, criticizing both the legislation and the international community’s response. The statement was reported by Al Jazeera, citing remarks carried through Wafa news agency following the law’s passage in the Israeli Knesset. Al-Azhar, one of the world’s oldest and most influential centers of Islamic learning, expressed “deep dissatisfaction” with what it described as the weakening of the international legal system and its inability to respond effectively to the move. It said the legislation reflects a broader pattern of actions that attempt to legitimize violence under…

China has urged an immediate end to hostilities involving Israel and the United States, emphasizing the need to de-escalate tensions in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The statement came as Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited China for high-level talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, focusing on regional developments and bilateral cooperation. According to remarks from China’s Foreign Ministry, Beijing and Islamabad share aligned positions on key regional and international issues. China expressed concern over damage to historical and cultural sites in conflict zones and reiterated its opposition to attacks on nuclear facilities.…

Pakistan has temporarily eased its fuel import standards, allowing the import of higher-sulphur high-speed diesel (HSD) that had been restricted for nearly a decade. The decision was taken by the Special Cabinet Committee on Petroleum Prices, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, in response to tight market supply of Euro-5 (10ppm) diesel and rising demand ahead of the upcoming harvest season. Under the new arrangement, imports of 500ppm sulphur diesel (Euro-II/III grade) have been permitted on a provisional basis. The move aims to ensure sufficient availability of fuel, as domestic consumption typically increases during April–May due to agricultural activity. Officials…

Australia has launched an investigation into major social media platforms including Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat over alleged non-compliance with its nationwide ban on users under the age of 16, accusing big tech companies of failing to properly enforce the law. The ban, introduced in December, was designed to restrict minors’ access to widely used social media platforms, with authorities citing concerns over harmful online content and “predatory algorithms” exposing young users to violence and sexual material. Despite the legislation being in force for several months, regulators say a significant number of underage users are still active on these…

Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza has acknowledged that he hosted visitors in his hotel room during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, but said neither he nor Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi were aware of recently updated security protocols that prohibit players from hosting relatives or friends. The incident took place after Lahore Qalandars’ match against Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, when four visitors, described as close relatives or friends of Raza, were escorted to his room at the team hotel despite prior refusals by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) security and anti-corruption unit. A letter from Punjab police…

Pakistan, alongside seven other Muslim-majority nations, has strongly condemned restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities on access to Muslim and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem, calling the measures a violation of international law, officials said on Tuesday. In a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the countries rejected Israel’s continued limitations on freedom of worship at key religious sites, including Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram al-Sharif and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. They criticised actions that prevented Muslim worshippers from accessing Al-Aqsa during Ramadan and barred Christian…