Author: EchoAsiaNews

Emergency responders are searching through rubble and rescuing survivors after a strike hit a residential area in the northwestern city of Urmia, according to video released by the Iranian Red Crescent showing widespread destruction and rescue efforts. The footage shows multiple homes destroyed and rescue teams deployed to locate survivors amid collapsed buildings. Officials said that several people were killed or injured in the strike, though precise casualty figures have not yet been released. In separate video from Tehran, the Red Crescent Society documented first responders pulling a man from the wreckage of a damaged building hit by an airstrike,…

Sri Lanka is preparing for renewed economic strain as the ongoing war involving Iran continues to disrupt global markets and intensify fuel shortages, local sources and analysts say. The conflict in the Middle East, triggered by a broader US-Israel campaign against Iran, has worsened supply disruptions that were already affecting Sri Lanka’s fragile economy, echoing the fuel shortages and inflation experienced during the country’s 2022 economic crisis. Officials and residents report long queues at petrol stations and rising costs for essential goods, with many Sri Lankans drawing parallels to past hardships when fuel scarcity crippled daily life. In response to…

A powerful storm system swept across the United Arab Emirates overnight, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and nearly continuous lightning that lit up the night sky for hours, residents and authorities reported. The storm affected several emirates including Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi, with Fujairah recording 47.9 mm of rainfall and flooding reported on parts of Emirates Road due to overflowing wadis. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued a flash flood alert as the weather system moved across the country, prompting authorities to advise motorists to take alternative routes and avoid…

The release of Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, has triggered widespread debate across social media, with viewers divided over the film’s themes, storytelling, and scientific elements. The sci-fi film, based on a novel by Andy Weir, follows a lone astronaut tasked with saving Earth from an existential cosmic threat. Since its release, online platforms have seen a surge in discussions, with some praising the film’s emotional depth, visual effects, and unique narrative, while others questioned aspects of its pacing and scientific portrayal. Industry observers note that such mixed reactions are common for high-concept science fiction films, especially those blending…

Explosions were reported near the Pakistan Embassy and the residence of the ambassador in Tehran, amid ongoing aerial bombardment in the Iranian capital, diplomatic sources said on Friday. The blasts occurred around 8pm on Thursday in Tehran’s Pasdaran district, close to both the embassy and the ambassador’s residence. All Pakistani diplomats were reported safe, though shaken by the incident. No casualties or structural damage to the embassy or residences were reported. Sources indicated that an Iranian military installation located opposite the embassy may have been the intended target of the strikes. A senior diplomat stated that loud explosions were heard…

Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership has agreed on a unified policy to safeguard the country’s security and economy amid the ongoing Iran war and its regional fallout. The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr, attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and senior cabinet members. The meeting reviewed the impact of global oil supply disruptions and rising fuel prices on Pakistan’s economy, with a focus on controlling inflation and ensuring energy security. Officials briefed participants on steps to stabilise petroleum prices and maintain fiscal discipline through austerity…

The United States has claimed that Iran’s military may have received chipmaking technology and support from China, raising fresh concerns amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. According to US officials, China’s largest semiconductor company, SMIC, has supplied chipmaking tools to Iran over the past year, with shipments possibly still ongoing. Officials further stated that the cooperation may have included technical training in semiconductor technology, potentially strengthening Iran’s military-industrial capabilities. The disclosures were made by senior members of the Trump administration, who spoke on condition of anonymity. However, they did not confirm whether the equipment contained US-origin technology, which could…

Global oil prices declined after US President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause on attacks targeting Iranian energy infrastructure, easing fears of further supply disruptions amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude futures fell to around $107 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped to approximately $93 per barrel following the announcement. The decision comes as part of a 10-day pause in military action, aimed at creating space for diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Trump stated that talks were progressing positively, signalling a possible de-escalation in the conflict. Oil markets reacted immediately, as the…

Petrol price spikes linked to the ongoing war in Iran have led to a noticeable jump in used electric vehicle (EV) sales across Europe, as consumers respond to rising fuel costs, industry sources said on March 26. The conflict, which began on February 28 and has disrupted key global oil shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, has contributed to higher pump prices that are shifting consumer behaviour. Online car marketplaces reported that EVs have become increasingly popular in the used‑car segment, overtaking diesel models as the most sought‑after fuel type on some platforms. Analysts described the trend as…

Japan is considering an unconventional strategy to support its weakening currency by intervening in oil futures markets, government and market sources said on March 26. With traditional tools such as verbal intervention and direct currency market action losing effectiveness, policymakers are exploring the idea of using portions of the country’s $1.4 trillion foreign exchange reserves to take short positions in crude oil futures in a bid to push down energy prices and ease pressure on the yen. Officials believe that by dampening crude oil prices, which have been driven higher by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Japan could…