Author: EchoAsiaNews

WASHINGTON: US national debt has surpassed $40 trillion for the first time, according to the Treasury Department, as rising government spending, interest costs and persistent budget deficits deepen concerns over the country’s long-term fiscal position. Treasury data showed total public debt outstanding reached $40.047 trillion on Tuesday. The figure includes $32.266 trillion in debt held by the public and $7.782 trillion in intragovernmental holdings. The US debt has more than doubled from approximately $19.95 trillion in January 2017, when Donald Trump first took office. A significant portion of the increase occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Trump and Biden…

ISLAMABAD: Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani arrived in Islamabad on an official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, with talks set to focus on bilateral relations and regional and international developments, the Foreign Office said. Al-Shaibani, who arrived late Wednesday with a high-level Syrian delegation, was received at the airport by the Foreign Office’s Additional Secretary for the Middle East. The Syrian foreign minister is visiting Pakistan from August 19 to 20. During his stay, the two sides are scheduled to hold detailed discussions covering the full spectrum of bilateral…

United States: US President Donald Trump has announced a major escalation of economic pressure on Iran, warning countries and entities that continue to provide financial or commercial support to Tehran that they could face severe economic consequences. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the campaign as the “most crushing economic operation” ever undertaken against a country and said Washington would pursue economic warfare and isolation against Iran on an unprecedented scale. He called the measures an “ECONOMIC D-DAY” and urged US allies to join efforts to isolate Tehran. What economic measures is Trump threatening against Iran and its…

Taylor Swift has surprised fans with a private live performance at an Emmy-related For Your Consideration (FYC) event, according to a report published by Geo News. The appearance drew immediate attention because Swift has largely remained away from conventional live performances following the conclusion of her record-breaking Eras Tour. What did Taylor Swift perform at the Emmy-related event? According to the report, Swift performed a selection of songs spanning different stages of her career, including “I Knew It, I Knew You,” “August,” “All Too Well,” “Cardigan” and “Champagne Problems.” The reported set brought together material from several of Swift’s musical…

Philippines: Two students were killed in a shooting at a high school in the southern city of Zamboanga on Tuesday, including the suspected gunman, according to police and school officials. The shooting occurred at a school affiliated with the privately run Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Police said a Grade 9 student brought a pistol and a rifle onto the campus and opened fire inside a classroom. The suspected gunman then died by suicide. The other victim was a male Grade 10 student, police said. University President Ernald Andal confirmed that the shooting was over and that no further fatalities or…

Pakistan: Pakistan on Tuesday rejected allegations by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah linking Islamabad to the arrest of more than 200 alleged terror operatives across 14 Indian states, describing the claims as part of a “malicious campaign” aimed at diverting attention from India’s domestic security challenges. Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan strongly rejected the allegations and accused New Delhi of using anti-Pakistan propaganda for domestic political gains. He said unfounded insinuations against Pakistan could not shift international attention away from what Islamabad described as India’s alleged state-sponsored terrorism and subversive activities abroad. What did Pakistan say about…

Lamour’s Departure Follows Public Opposition to World Cup Rights Proposal FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has left the organisation weeks after publicly criticising President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other tournaments. FIFA confirmed that Lamour’s working relationship with the governing body ended on August 17, 2026, but gave no reason for his departure. Lamour joined FIFA’s senior leadership in November 2024 after previously supporting Infantino’s successful presidential campaign in 2016. Lamour criticised the proposed commercial deal last month, saying FIFA staff had been “deceived” and describing the initiative…

Australia are facing mounting pressure after suffering a nine-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin, a result described by Australian media as one of the country’s most humiliating Test losses. The defeat was completed inside four days and has raised questions over the future of the top-ranked Test side ahead of the second and final match in Mackay, Queensland, starting Saturday. Australia’s batting came under particular scrutiny after the hosts were dismissed for 198 in their first innings, while opener Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne are facing pressure over their places. Labuschagne recorded two poor dismissals in Darwin, continuing a prolonged…

PAKISTAN: Pakistan’s refinery modernisation programme is moving forward with five domestic refineries planning combined investments of about $4.5 billion to $5 billion in green fuel production, bottom-of-the-barrel projects, capacity expansion and related infrastructure. The government is finalising implementation agreements that are expected to be signed at a high-level ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pak-Arab Refinery Company (Parco), the country’s largest refinery, has agreed to proceed with a $600 million green fuel project after completing studies on its upgrade options. The Pakistan-UAE joint venture has informed the government that it intends to sign its implementation agreement within…

INDIA: At least six people were killed and five others injured in a stampede-like incident at the Ashok Dham temple in India’s eastern Bihar state on Monday, officials said. Police said the incident may have been triggered after an electricity pole fell and alarmed a crowd of worshippers, although authorities were still investigating the exact cause. Senior police officer Shivam Kumar said preliminary reports indicated that the fallen pole may have caused people to be electrocuted, leading to panic among devotees and a subsequent stampede-like situation. “We can tell you the exact reason only after verifying everything,” he said. The…