Author: EchoAsiaNews

The United States has publicly backed Pakistan’s right to defend itselfagainst attacks from the Afghan Taliban regime, amid escalating cross-border clashes between the neighbouring countries, according to official statements. In a statement reported by Reuters, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said Washington supports “Pakistan’s right to defend itself” against what it described as attacks from the Taliban, which the United States classifies as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist group.”The remarks came as tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan intensified following a series of retaliatory strikes and border exchanges. The State Department said it was “aware of the escalation in tensions and…

A rare total lunar eclipse, commonly known as a “Blood Moon,” is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, and is expected to be visible in parts of the world, including Asia, Australia, and the Americas, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and astronomical forecasts. The celestial event happens when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth’s shadow to fall across the lunar surface. During the total phase of the eclipse, the Moon may take on a reddish or coppery hue due to sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere — an effect that has…

Burger King has begun equipping frontline staff with AI‑powered headsets designed to monitor and coach employee performance, including tracking whether workers say “please” and “thank you” during customer interactions, according to technology news discussion and reports linked to BBC coverage. The system, dubbed “Patty”, uses artificial intelligence to listen in real time and provide feedback aimed at improving customer service. The headset technology, already deployed in more than 500 locations across the United States, is part of a broader industry trend of integrating artificial intelligence into fast‑food operations. Burger King executives have described the tool as a digital coaching assistant…

At least five Palestinians were killed on Friday in Israeli drone and airstrikes targeting police posts and other sites in the southern and central Gaza Strip, local medical and civil defence officials said. The strikes occurred despite a US‑brokered truce that entered a new phase last month but has been repeatedly violated, according to reports from Gaza authorities and international news outlets. Gaza’s civil defence ministry, which operates under the territory’s health and rescue services, said an airstrike in the early hours of Friday morning killed at least two people and seriously wounded another in central Gaza. Shortly afterwards, a…

Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has condemned an unprovoked attack by Afghan forces, calling it a “cowardly” act carried out under the cover of darkness, according to a statement released by the finance ministry on Friday. In the statement, Aurangzeb paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces for delivering a “befitting reply” to Afghanistan’s aggression, emphasizing that national defence is every Pakistani’s top priority. He stressed that the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will not be compromised. The finance minister also reassured citizens that the government is committed to maintaining peace and security, and that the military response was aimed at…

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in India on Friday for a diplomatic visit aimed at resetting bilateral relations and boosting economic cooperation, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. The visit marks Carney’s first major official trip to India since taking office and comes after several years of strained relations between the two countries. Carney’s schedule includes meetings with business leaders in Mumbai to promote collaboration in trade, investment, energy, and technology sectors. He will also travel to New Delhi for high-level discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on advancing the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and other…

United Nations Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres has voiced serious concern over the recent sharp escalation in cross‑border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging both sides to exercise restraint and protect civilians, according to a statement from his spokesperson. In the statement, Guterres said he is “closely following with concern” reports of the intensifying fighting and reiterated that all parties must adhere to their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law to safeguard non‑combatants caught in the conflict. He also commended diplomatic mediation efforts by several nations and urged a renewed focus on peaceful dialogue and negotiation to resolve differences. The…

Russia’s government has urged both Pakistan and Afghanistan to immediately cease hostilities and end the ongoing clashes, calling instead for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to their disputes, according to a report by the Russian state‑owned news agency RIA Novosti. In its appeal, Moscow stressed the importance of de‑escalation and resolving differences through diplomacy rather than continued military confrontation. The statement reflects Russia’s concern about the escalating conflict between the two neighbours and its potential to destabilize the wider region if left unchecked. This call from Russia comes amid intense border tensions and military exchanges that have drawn international attention, with…

Pakistan’s security forces have given an immediate and effective response to what the government describes as unprovoked fire by the Afghan Taliban regime along multiple points of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the Ministry of Information said in an official statement on Friday. According to security sources, the confrontation intensified overnight after the Afghan Taliban opened fire across several sectors along the Pak-Afghan International Border. Pakistan’s security forces responded with coordinated military operations, including air and ground counter-strikes. Officials said Pakistan Air Force jets targeted a major ammunition depot in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, destroying it as part of retaliatory action. In statements…

According to security sources in Pakistan, intense counter-attacks under Operation Ghazab Lil Haq have resulted in significant casualties and destruction across multiple positions. Security officials claim that at least 58 Afghan personnel were killed and over 100 injured during the latest phase of the operation. Sources further stated that 12 Afghan posts were completely destroyed, while five posts were captured in what they described as effective counter-attacks. In addition, a large ammunition depot, three Afghan battalions, and a sector headquarters were reportedly destroyed during the strikes. Security sources also claimed that more than 30 tanks, artillery guns, and armored personnel…