Author: EchoAsiaNews

Iran’s top security body announced on Monday the formation of a new authority to oversee operations in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically vital waterway that Tehran has effectively restricted since the outbreak of war with the United States and Israel earlier this year. In a statement posted on its official X account, the Supreme National Security Council introduced the new body, named the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), saying it would provide “real-time updates on the Hormuz Strait operations and latest developments.” The post was also shared by the navy branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, commonly known…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday strongly condemned the drone attacks carried out against Saudi Arabia a day earlier, reaffirming its unwavering support for the kingdom during heightened regional tensions. According to Saudi authorities, air defences intercepted and destroyed three unmanned aircraft launched from Iraq on Sunday. In a statement issued on Monday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) condemned the attacks “in the strongest possible terms,” describing them as a serious violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The FO said the attacks appeared aimed at further undermining peace and stability in the region. “The government and the people of Pakistan stand…

ISLE OF MAN: Newly married Venezuela Fury, daughter of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, is reportedly preparing to move into a static caravan with her husband Noah Price following their recent wedding, according to media reports. The couple tied the knot at the Victorian Royal Chapel of St John’s in the Isle of Man on Saturday, in a ceremony marked by a lace wedding gown featuring a long train reportedly extending around 50 feet. The wedding drew attention due to its scale and the family’s high public profile. Following the ceremony, sources cited in British media claimed that…

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a stark warning to Iran, urging it to accelerate peace negotiations or face severe consequences, as the ongoing conflict between Washington, Tehran, and their allies continues to destabilise the Middle East and disrupt global energy flows. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Iran must move “fast” toward an agreement, warning that failure to do so would leave “nothing left” of the country. He stated: “For Iran, the clock is ticking, and they better get moving, FAST… TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE,” reinforcing Washington’s hardline stance amid stalled diplomatic…

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its downward trajectory on Monday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index plunging sharply during intraday trading amid heightened global risk aversion and escalating geopolitical uncertainty. The index fell by 2,171.16 points, or 1.31%, dropping to 163,424.91 points compared to the previous close of 165,596.07 points, reflecting sustained selling pressure across major sectors. Market weakness was not isolated to Pakistan, as Asian equities broadly declined, tracking a global downturn driven by rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns over energy supply disruptions. Oil prices climbed by more than 2%, reinforcing investor anxiety over potential…

A report by the New York Times has claimed that Israeli forces operated at least two covert military bases in Iraq’s western desert, allegedly used to support operations against Iran during the 2025 conflict and the ongoing regional war with Tehran. According to the report, one of the sites was discovered accidentally by a local Iraqi shepherd who reportedly came across a secured military installation in the desert. The report states that he observed soldiers, helicopters, and tents near a makeshift landing strip, before informing Iraqi regional military authorities. Following the alert, Iraqi forces reportedly dispatched a reconnaissance unit to…

Oil prices extended gains on Monday amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including stalled efforts to end the Iran conflict, reported drone activity near Gulf energy infrastructure, and renewed signals that the United States may consider military options against Iran. Brent crude futures rose by $2.01, or 1.84%, to $111.27 per barrel by 0432 GMT, after briefly touching $112, its highest level since early May. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by $2.33, or 2.21%, to $107.75 per barrel, after reaching $108.70, the highest since late April. The front-month June WTI contract is set to expire on…

ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has welcomed a new ruling by the Court of Arbitration under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), stating that it reinforces restrictions on India’s use of western rivers and strengthens Pakistan’s legal position in ongoing hydropower disputes involving major projects. In an official statement, Pakistan said it “notes with utmost satisfaction” the Court’s Supplemental Award on maximum pondage issued in proceedings related to the Ratle Hydroelectric Plant and Kishenganga Hydroelectric Project design disputes. The government described the ruling as confirmation that the treaty imposes substantive limits on India’s ability to control western river flows. According to…

QUETTA: At least three alleged “commanders” of Balochistan-based militant groups have been taken into custody, while 35 operatives were killed during recent intelligence-based operations, according to the provincial government. Speaking on Sunday, Chief Minister’s aide Shahid Rind said security forces launched an operation on May 13 in the Mangla Zarghoon Gar area on the outskirts of Quetta, which continued for four days in the hilly terrain. He stated that during the operation, multiple militant hideouts and camps were destroyed and three commanders were arrested. Officials claimed that the action targeted armed networks operating in the region amid rising security threats.…

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck south China’s Guangxi region early Monday, killing two people, leaving one person missing, and causing significant structural damage, according to state media reports. The quake hit at 12:21 a.m. (1621 GMT) in the city of Liuzhou, as confirmed by the state-run Xinhua News Agency. The tremor resulted in the collapse of 13 buildings in the affected area. State broadcaster CCTV identified the victims as a married couple—a 63-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman. Authorities also reported that one individual remains unaccounted for, with search and rescue operations ongoing. In response to the disaster, officials evacuated more…