Author: EchoAsiaNews

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said Washington could resume military strikes against Iran if Tehran “misbehaves,” while indicating he is reviewing a new proposal from the country aimed at easing tensions. Speaking to reporters before departing from Florida, Trump said he had been briefed on the concept of the proposed deal and was awaiting its full details. “They’re going to give me the exact wording now,” he said. He declined to rule out renewed military action, warning that strikes remained a possibility depending on Iran’s actions. “If they misbehave, if they do something bad, we’ll see. But it’s a…

WASHINGTON: The United States Air Force has awarded a $488 million contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. for engineering and technical support of F-16 radar systems under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, with Pakistan among the beneficiary countries. According to an official award notice, the firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract covers support for the F-16 System Programme Office’s FMS operations, as well as requirements of the US Air Force and Navy. The contract includes engineering and technical assistance for APG-66 and APG-68 radar systems. The work will be carried out in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and is scheduled for completion by March…

LOS ANGELES: Veteran actor Beau Starr, known for his roles in crime classic Goodfellas and the Halloween film franchise, has died at the age of 81. According to media reports, Starr passed away of natural causes on April 24 in Vancouver, Canada. The news was confirmed by his younger brother, actor Mike Starr. In a statement, Mike Starr described his brother as “very unique and special,” adding that he had been a strong influence throughout his life. Starr was widely recognised by horror fans for his role as Sheriff Meeker in Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers and Halloween…

ABU DHABI: Aviation authorities in the United Arab Emirates have announced that air traffic across the country has returned to normal, with all precautionary measures introduced in recent weeks now lifted. Officials said the decision followed a comprehensive review of operational and security conditions and was taken in coordination with relevant authorities. All precautionary steps imposed after February 28 have been withdrawn, allowing the full restoration of flight operations across UAE airspace. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety, adding that real-time monitoring systems will remain in place to oversee air traffic and security. They…

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced the prize money for franchises competing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final, scheduled to be held at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday. According to the board, the winning team will receive $500,000, while the runners-up will be awarded $300,000. In addition, a separate prize of $200,000 has been allocated for the franchise with the best player development efforts. The PCB said the tournament-winning players will also collectively receive $500,000, marking a revised reward structure for the league. “This is the first time in PSL history that separate financial rewards have been…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed authorities to devise a comprehensive strategy to stabilise electricity tariffs and ensure uninterrupted power supply to support industrial growth. Chairing a meeting on energy sector reforms, the premier emphasised the need to provide facilities to both industrial and domestic consumers, according to an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. He instructed officials to reduce line losses by improving the transmission system and called for the adoption of modern technology across the energy sector. He also stressed the promotion of renewable energy projects to help address the country’s persistent power shortages. The…

A planned withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany has sparked renewed debate over Europe’s defence capabilities, with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius urging European allies to assume greater responsibility for regional security. The Pentagon confirmed the drawdown from Germany — the largest US military hub in Europe — amid rising tensions between Washington and European capitals over the Iran conflict and trade disputes. US President Donald Trump indicated the move could be part of a broader reduction in American forces in Europe. “We’re going to cut way down, and we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000,” he said while…

Seven members of the Opec+ alliance are set to meet on Sunday to decide on oil production quotas, marking their first policy move since the United Arab Emirates formally exited the group. The UAE, one of the world’s leading oil producers, withdrew from both Opec and the broader Opec+ alliance after long-standing disagreements over production limits, with its exit taking effect this week. The development has intensified pressure on global oil markets already strained by the ongoing Middle East conflict. The meeting, to be held online, will include Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, Russia and Saudi Arabia. Observers are closely…

Islamabad United won the toss and elected to field against Hyderabad Kingsmen in Eliminator 2 of the Pakistan Super League Season 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday. The high-stakes knockout fixture determined the second finalist of the tournament, with the winner advancing to face Peshawar Zalmi in the final. Islamabad United opted to bowl first after winning the toss, aiming to restrict the Kingsmen and chase under pressure conditions in the crucial playoff clash. The match carried significant importance as it marked the final opportunity for both teams to stay in contention for the PSL 11 title, with the losing…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s flagship “Apna Ghar Programme” may face a constitutional hurdle due to its reliance on interest-based financing, raising concerns over compliance with Pakistan’s legal framework. The Rs3.2 trillion housing scheme, launched to provide affordable loans for low- and middle-income citizens, is structured around interest-based lending that could extend beyond the constitutional deadline for eliminating riba (interest) by January 1, 2028. Officials told local media that the programme’s five-year financing plan and 20-year repayment structure mean interest-bearing loans would continue well past the deadline, potentially conflicting with constitutional requirements. Under the scheme, borrowers can access loans of up…