Author: EchoAsiaNews

The U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan has been dismissed, according to a Pentagon statement released on Wednesday, marking another major leadership change within the U.S. Department of Defense. The Pentagon said Phelan’s departure is “effective immediately” but did not provide a reason for the decision or clarify whether it was voluntary. A U.S. official and sources familiar with the matter said his removal was linked to delays in implementing naval reform plans, strained relations with senior Pentagon leadership, and an ongoing ethics investigation within his office. Hung Cao, the Navy’s number two civilian official, has been appointed acting Navy Secretary.…

Pop star Billie Eilish has gone viral after a short video showing a brief fan interaction sparked widespread online discussion about celebrity-fan engagement and boundaries. In the clip circulating on social media, Eilish is seen greeting a young fan and then briefly acknowledging other members of the family present. The interaction lasts only a few seconds but has drawn significant attention online, with users widely sharing and commenting on the moment. While many fans praised the singer for what they described as a natural and respectful interaction, others used the video to discuss broader expectations placed on artists in public…

Rawalpindi (Pindi) won the toss and opted to bowl first against Islamabad United in the 34th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11, being played at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Thursday. Three-time champions Islamabad United, led by Shadab Khan, currently sit third on the points table with nine points from seven matches, having secured four wins. One of their fixtures was washed out due to rain. In contrast, Mohammad Rizwan-led Rawalpindi have already been eliminated from playoff contention following a difficult debut campaign, losing all eight of their matches so far. Both sides announced their…

The U.S. Department of Defense has assessed that clearing the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian-laid mines could take up to six months, according to a Washington Post report citing officials familiar with the matter. The assessment was reportedly shared during a classified briefing to members of the House Armed Services Committee. Lawmakers were told that Iran may have deployed 20 or more mines in and around the waterway, including remotely controlled devices using GPS technology, making detection and removal more complex. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor through which nearly one-fifth of global oil and gas flows…

The U.S. Department of the Navy Secretary John Phelan has been dismissed, according to a Pentagon statement released on Wednesday, marking another high-level leadership change within the U.S. Department of Defense. The Pentagon confirmed that Phelan’s departure is “effective immediately” but did not provide any explanation for the decision or clarify whether it was voluntary. A U.S. official and a source familiar with the matter said Phelan was removed due to concerns over slow progress on naval reform efforts, particularly initiatives aimed at accelerating shipbuilding. The sources also pointed to strained relations with senior Pentagon leadership, including Defence Secretary Pete…

Iran has begun receiving revenue from tolls imposed on shipping passing through the waterway, according to a senior Iranian parliamentary official. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hamidreza Hajibabaei said the first payment collected from the new toll system has been deposited into the Central Bank account, as reported by Tasnim news agency. Iranian media outlets also carried the statement but did not provide further details on the structure or scale of the charges. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, with Tehran reportedly introducing the toll measures as part of broader wartime economic and strategic…

Qatar Airways has resumed flight operations between Doha and several key destinations across the Middle East, including Dubai, Sharjah (SHJ), and Damascus, the airline announced in a statement on X. The resumption marks a restoration of regional connectivity as the carrier reinstates routes to major commercial and transit hubs, signaling improving operational stability in the region.

The White House has said US President Donald Trump “tested NATO and they failed” in responding to US-led actions against Iran, while also suggesting uncertainty over whether European allies will join a proposed naval blockade on Iranian ports. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that European participation in the blockade remains unclear, saying “we’ll see” when asked about NATO involvement. She added that, in Trump’s view, NATO had failed to join the United States in coordinated action, while asserting that US operations had “completely degraded” Iran’s military capability. Leavitt also said Trump has drawn “very clear” red…

NASA on Tuesday unveiled a new space telescope designed to survey large areas of the universe in search of planets beyond the solar system and to investigate dark matter and dark energy. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is expected to discover tens of thousands of exoplanets and provide new insights into the structure and evolution of the universe. “Roman will give the Earth a new atlas of the universe,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said at a press conference held at the Goddard Space Flight Center. The telescope, which took more than a decade to build at a cost exceeding…

Peshawar Zalmi defeated Karachi Kings by seven wickets to continue their unbeaten run in the Pakistan Super League season 11 match at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday. Chasing 183, Zalmi reached the target in 18.5 overs for the loss of three wickets, powered by half-centuries from Kusal Mendis and Farhan Yousaf. Zalmi made a steady start before losing early wickets, including Babar Azam, who scored 25, and James Vince, who made 16. Mendis anchored the innings with 80 off 43 balls, hitting five fours and four sixes, while Yousaf remained unbeaten on 54 off 35 deliveries, sealing the win with a…