Author: EchoAsiaNews

Iran has detained four individuals accused of working for Israeli intelligence services, according to state media reports cited by AFP. The suspects were arrested in Gilan province in northern Iran, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported, quoting a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Authorities alleged that the individuals were linked to Israel’s intelligence agency, the Mossad, and had collected and transmitted sensitive information related to military and security installations. According to the report, the suspects allegedly shared images and location data of strategic sites with intelligence operatives through online channels. Iranian officials said the case has…

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has travelled to China to strengthen economic cooperation while also urging Beijing to support international efforts aimed at peace in Iran and Ukraine, according to AFP. Tajani is scheduled to hold high-level meetings in Beijing with China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The talks are expected to focus on expanding trade relations and improving access for Italian businesses in the Chinese market. Speaking before his departure, Tajani said Italy is working to ensure its companies can operate more effectively in China, describing it as an “important and attractive market” for Italian…

The United States Senate has rejected a Democratic-led effort to curb President Donald Trump’s military operations against Iran, voting to block a war powers resolution aimed at requiring congressional approval before continuing hostilities. Lawmakers voted 52–47 against advancing the measure, with most Republicans supporting the White House position. The vote comes more than six weeks after US and Israeli airstrikes were launched against Iran as part of an ongoing military campaign. The resolution was the fourth attempt by Democrats to rein in presidential war powers since the conflict began, but all efforts have failed due to strong Republican opposition. Senator…

A drug-resistant strain of Shigella bacteria causing diarrheal illness is increasing across the United States, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report, released on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, highlights a steady rise in extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella infections, which are difficult to treat with standard antibiotics. The CDC found that such cases accounted for about 8.5% of infections in 2023. According to the study, overall drug-resistant Shigella infections have increased significantly since 2011, with data showing a rise from virtually zero cases in 2011–2015 to 8.5% in 2023. Researchers examined…

China has strongly rejected a Financial Times report claiming it provided covert satellite assistance to Iran during the ongoing Middle East conflict, calling the allegations “fabricated” and politically motivated. The report alleged that Iran secretly obtained a Chinese-made spy satellite in late 2024, which was later used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to monitor and target US military installations across the region. It further claimed that the satellite, reportedly launched by a Chinese firm, provided surveillance data on several strategic American bases. According to the report, Iranian forces used satellite imagery and orbital tracking data to observe US…

The National Bank Stadium in Karachi once again hosted a match behind closed doors as the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League continues under government austerity measures, with no spectators allowed. In the quiet surroundings, it was Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam who dominated the evening, guiding his side to an eight-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators with an unbeaten 71-run innings. Zalmi chased down the 156-run target with nine balls remaining, extending their winning streak to six matches and strengthening their position at the top of the table. Quetta Gladiators were earlier restricted to 154 runs, falling short despite some promising…

The White House has said that the United States is exploring a second round of peace talks with Iran in Islamabad and remains optimistic about reaching a possible agreement. At the same time, Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership has intensified diplomatic engagement across the region, reflecting growing efforts to sustain fragile ceasefire momentum. According to officials, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir led a high-level delegation to Tehran, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif began a four-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Türkiye aimed at strengthening both economic ties and diplomatic coordination on regional issues. Field Marshal Munir’s…

Britain’s largest supermarket chain, Tesco, has said that uncertainty surrounding the economic impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict is clouding its financial outlook and could potentially lead to lower profits this year. The company noted that the situation remains highly dependent on how long the conflict continues and its broader effects on UK households and the economy. For the 2026/27 financial year, Tesco projected adjusted operating profit in the range of £3.0 billion to £3.3 billion ($4.07–$4.48 billion), compared with £3.152 billion recorded in 2025/26, which represented a 0.6 percent increase from the previous year. Tesco said its outlook…

The United Kingdom’s economy expanded more than expected in February, according to official data released ahead of anticipated economic pressures from the ongoing Middle East conflict. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that Britain’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.5 percent in February, a significant increase from 0.1 percent growth recorded in January. Economists had forecast growth of just 0.1 percent, meaning the latest figures exceeded expectations and pointed to a stronger-than-anticipated performance before global tensions escalated. However, analysts warn that this positive momentum may be short-lived, as the UK economy is expected to face pressure from…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has praised Pakistan’s continued progress on economic reforms under the IMF programme, highlighting improvements in macroeconomic stability and growing international confidence. She made the remarks after meeting Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings 2026 in Washington. Posting on social media platform X, Georgieva said it was “great to see Aurangzeb at the IMF Meetings,” adding that strong programme implementation has helped Pakistan stabilize its economy. Georgieva stressed that sound policies and deeper structural reforms remain essential for sustaining long-term growth and improving living standards.…