Author: EchoAsiaNews

Elon Musk testified on Tuesday in a major legal case concerning OpenAI, alleging that the company abandoned its founding nonprofit mission and improperly transitioned into a profit-driven enterprise. The lawsuit, filed by Musk against OpenAI, its CEO Sam Altman, and President Greg Brockman, claims that the organisation violated its original commitment to operate as a charitable artificial intelligence research entity. Musk is seeking $150 billion in damages, arguing that the restructuring of OpenAI and its commercial partnerships constitute a breach of charitable trust. Musk told the court that he co-founded OpenAI in 2015 with the intention of creating a nonprofit…

A new UNICEF report has warned that Afghanistan could lose more than 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030 if restrictions imposed by the Taliban on girls’ education and women’s employment are not lifted. The report, released on Monday, states that the Taliban administration has banned women from most public sector employment and restricted girls’ education to primary level, up to the age of 12. According to UNICEF, these measures have already impacted at least 1 million girls, with projections suggesting the number could double by 2030 if current policies continue. The report, titled “The Cost of Inaction on…

A train collision near Indonesia’s capital Jakarta has left at least 14 people dead and 84 others injured, according to state railway operator PT KAI, as rescue operations continued into Tuesday in Bekasi on the outskirts of the city. The accident occurred late Monday when a commuter train collided with a long-distance train. Authorities said evacuation efforts remain ongoing, with some passengers still trapped inside severely damaged carriages. PT KAI Chief Executive Bobby Rasyidi confirmed the updated death toll and said emergency teams were working to safely extract survivors using specialised equipment. Indonesia’s search and rescue agency described the operation…

Shares of Nippon Express Holdings surged sharply on Tuesday after U.S. activist investor Elliott Investment Management disclosed a new stake in the Japanese logistics company, triggering strong market reaction in Tokyo trading. According to a regulatory filing, Elliott has accumulated a 5.04% holding in Nippon Express, marking its latest move in a growing wave of investments across Japanese corporations. The disclosure pushed the stock up by as much as 15–18% during intraday trading before it partially settled. Market data showed the shares later trading around 8–12% higher, reflecting sustained investor optimism following the announcement. The surge comes amid broader foreign…

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released ticketing details for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Qualifier between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, scheduled to be held at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Tuesday. According to the PCB, e-tickets for the high-profile fixture will be available from tonight, with all enclosures priced at Rs500. The board stated that physical tickets will go on sale from Tuesday morning at the TCS Express Centre located at China Ground, opposite the stadium. Fans have been advised to reach the venue well before the start of play to avoid delays and inconvenience. The toss…

The Punjab Assembly has approved the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026 by majority vote, declaring marriage below the age of 18 a cognisable offence under law. According to the legislation, any adult above 18 years of age found contracting marriage with a child will face rigorous imprisonment ranging from a minimum of two years to a maximum of three years, along with a fine of up to Rs500,000. The bill clearly states that “whoever, being an adult above eighteen years of age, contracts a marriage with a child, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to three…

Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with a new Iranian proposal aimed at ending the two-month conflict between the United States and Iran, according to a US official, dimming prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough as the war continues to disrupt global energy supplies. The Iranian proposal reportedly suggests deferring discussions on Tehran’s nuclear programme until hostilities end and disputes over maritime shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are resolved. However, US officials said Washington insists that nuclear issues must be addressed from the outset. A White House spokesperson said the administration would not “negotiate through the press” but reiterated that US…

Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United are set to face off in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) Qualifier at the National Bank Stadium, with a place in the final on the line. The winner of Tuesday’s high-stakes encounter will directly qualify for the final, while the losing side will get another opportunity through the Eliminator. Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, have been the standout team of the season, finishing top of the league table with eight wins in 10 matches. Their only defeat came against Lahore Qalandars, while one match was washed out due to rain. Islamabad United, captained by…

Vladimir Putin said Moscow would do “everything possible” to help secure a peace agreement in the Middle East, as negotiations between the United States and Iran remain deadlocked over nuclear demands and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Putin made the remarks during talks in St Petersburg with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is on a multi-stop diplomatic tour following stalled negotiations. The Russian leader reaffirmed Moscow’s support for Tehran and emphasized the importance of achieving a negotiated settlement. Araghchi, who recently visited Islamabad and Oman as part of mediation efforts, said the failure of the talks was…

The Pakistan government has decided to establish three centres of excellence to improve gemstone processing and increase exports, as part of broader efforts to align the sector with international standards. Chairing a high-level review meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to formulate policy measures aimed at enhancing the export of locally sourced precious stones. He said Pakistan possesses significant natural resource potential, particularly in gemstones, which can be leveraged to boost export revenues. Officials informed the meeting that the planned centres would provide international-standard training in cutting, polishing, and preparation of gemstones for jewellery. Locations have been identified in…