Author: EchoAsiaNews

India fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has been fined 15 % of his match fee and given a demerit point by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand national cricket team in Ahmedabad. The sanction stems from an incident in the 11th over of New Zealand’s innings on Sunday, when Arshdeep fielded the ball and threw it towards batsman Daryl Mitchell, striking him on the pads in an inappropriate and potentially dangerous manner, according to the ICC’s official media release. Under Article 2.9 of the ICC…

Russian crude oil prices have climbed sharply in recent weeks amid continuing geopolitical disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict, but soaring shipping costs are eating into the gains for exporters and buyers, traders and analysts said on Tuesday. The benchmark Urals grade crude has risen to around $76 per barrel, up sharply from roughly $45 just two weeks earlier, as instability in the Gulf region and concerns about supply disruptions pushed global buyers back toward Russian supplies. Urals cargo prices loaded from Russia’s Baltic port of Primorsk climbed to about $54 million, and Urals crude destined for India is…

Major international airlines have begun raising airfares as jet fuel prices surge amid the ongoing conflict linked to the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, industry officials said. The spike in fuel costs has disrupted airline operations and prompted carriers to increase ticket prices to mitigate soaring operating expenses. Australia’s Qantas Airways said it will increase fares on international routes, attributing the move to volatile oil and jet fuel prices caused by regional instability. The airline also announced plans to explore expanded capacity on Europe‑bound services as demand remains strong despite broader uncertainty. Scandinavian carrier SAS confirmed a…

A committee led by Yahya Afridi, chief justice of Pakistan, on Tuesday approved a range of austerity and fuel conservation measures for courts nationwide as part of efforts to curb the impact of rising fuel prices and anticipated energy shortages. The National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) met virtually to finalise the strategy, which aims to ensure responsible use of national resources while keeping judicial functions uninterrupted. Under the approved Judicial Austerity and Energy Conservation Strategy, high courts and the Federal Shariat Court will observe a four‑day working week from Monday to Thursday, with provisions to maintain urgent judicial and…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday congratulated Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on his appointment as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, expressing hope that under his leadership the neighbouring country would move toward peace, stability and prosperity. In a letter and social media post, the premier offered his deepest condolences on the death of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other family members, whose deaths were confirmed following coordinated strikes reported to involve the United States and Israel. Shehbaz Sharif said the tragic event had “deeply saddened the people of Pakistan, who stand in solidarity with…

Pakistan has successfully raised $507 million through the auction of next-generation 5G spectrum, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) concluded the first stage of the long-awaited auction, selling 480 MHz out of 597 MHz of available frequencies to three major telecom operators. The auction included multiple bands essential for 5G services, including 700 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz, and was conducted over three competitive rounds. PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman described the auction as a “historic milestone” and said the process was transparent and highly competitive. Federal Minister for…

The United States has officially designated Taliban-ruled Afghanistan as a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention,” accusing the Taliban government of unjustly detaining American citizens and using them as leverage for political concessions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision and demanded the immediate release of Americans believed to be held by the Taliban, including Mahmood Habibi and Dennis Coyle. Washington says the Taliban has been detaining foreigners without due legal process, a practice the US describes as “hostage diplomacy.” Rubio said the Taliban continues to use “terrorist tactics such as kidnapping individuals for ransom or policy concessions,” warning…

US President Donald Trump said the ongoing war with Iran could end “very soon,” even as fighting between US-Israeli forces and Iranian-backed groups continues across the region. Speaking in interviews and public remarks, Trump said the military campaign against Iran is “very complete, pretty much” and “far ahead of schedule,” suggesting the conflict may conclude sooner than originally expected. The war began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian military and strategic infrastructure, triggering retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran and its allies. Trump said US forces have struck thousands of targets…

A leading Muslim civil rights organisation has said that a surge in Islamophobia in the United States is partly linked to policies introduced by Donald Trump targeting immigration and pro-Palestinian protests. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported a record 8,683 complaints of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab discrimination in 2025, the highest since the group began documenting such incidents in 1996. The figure slightly exceeded the 8,658 complaints recorded in 2024, according to the organisation’s latest report. CAIR said the increase was driven in part by government actions against pro-Palestinian demonstrations and stricter immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The group…

Authorities in Dubai have introduced a new law aimed at strengthening building safety standards across the emirate, with penalties of up to AED2 million for violations. The legislation was issued by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who also serves as Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. The measure seeks to enhance safety in residential and commercial buildings and reduce risks to residents and property. Under the new rules, building owners must conduct regular inspections and maintenance checks to ensure structures meet required technical and safety standards. A Quality and Safety Certificate must be obtained following a…