Author: EchoAsiaNews

A major fire broke out at a key oil refinery in Australia’s Victoria state after a series of explosions, raising concerns over potential disruptions to domestic fuel supplies, authorities said on Thursday. The blaze erupted late Wednesday at the Viva Energy refinery in Geelong, about an hour southwest of Melbourne, after a gas leak ignited and triggered powerful explosions. Firefighters said flames reached up to 60 metres high, illuminating the night sky and causing significant damage to parts of the facility. According to the company, the refinery processes up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day and supplies roughly 10…

Modern science fiction and fantasy stories often share a recurring structure in which an outsider enters a different world, adapts to it, and eventually becomes a central figure or leader. This pattern can be seen in films and novels such as Avatar, Dune, and Game of Thrones. In Avatar, Jake Sully arrives on Pandora as part of a military mission but gradually integrates into the Na’vi society, ultimately leading them in their struggle against human forces. Similarly, in Dune, Paul Atreides becomes the messianic figure Muad’Dib among the Fremen, while in Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen rises from exile to…

The Pakistan Navy has successfully conducted a live firing of a locally developed ship-launched anti-ship missile, demonstrating its enhanced precision-strike capabilities, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations on Thursday. Describing the test as a display of operational readiness, the military’s media wing said the missile accurately engaged its target at extended range with high speed. The launch was witnessed by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, along with senior scientists and engineers involved in the project. The missile is equipped with an advanced guidance system and high maneuverability, allowing it to evade threats, adapt…

Lebanon has said it has no information about any upcoming communication with Israel, contradicting remarks made by Donald Trump. An official source told AFP that Beirut has not been notified of any such development through formal diplomatic channels. “We are not aware of any planned contact with the Israeli side, and we have not been informed of any through official channels,” the source stated, underscoring the absence of confirmed engagement between the two countries. Earlier, Trump had claimed on his Truth Social platform that Washington was working to create “a little breathing room” between Israel and Lebanon. He suggested that…

A high-level Pakistani delegation led by Field Marshal Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has arrived in Tehran as Islamabad intensifies diplomatic efforts to convert a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran into a lasting peace arrangement, according to official sources. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the delegation’s visit is part of ongoing mediation efforts aimed at stabilising the two-week ceasefire and advancing negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Sources said preparations are underway for a possible second round of US-Iran talks, which could be held in Islamabad by the end of next week, pending final confirmation…

Multiple social media platforms are circulating a video that allegedly shows Donald J. Trump warning Pakistan to stay out of the Middle East conflict and instead focus on stabilising its economy. However, the claim is false—the video is a deepfake. Claim On March 10, a video surfaced on Instagram showing Trump speaking about rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Saudi Arabia and Iran. In the clip, he appears to say: “Now we hear that Pakistan may get involved. Let me say something very clearly tonight—Pakistan should stay out of this.” He is also purportedly heard urging Pakistan to…

New York police detained around 50 protesters during a demonstration organized by a Jewish group advocating for Palestinian rights, according to an AFP correspondent. The protest, held under the banner of Jewish Voice for Peace, brought together approximately 200 participants who blocked a major avenue in Manhattan for nearly an hour. The demonstration was staged to oppose US military support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The protesters gathered near the offices of Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, accusing them of opposing measures aimed at restricting US arms sales to Israel. Authorities detained…

In an age where artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries and daily life, computing is increasingly shaping nearly every aspect of human activity in ways that were difficult to imagine just a decade ago. Against this backdrop, World Quantum Day has gained renewed relevance as attention shifts toward the future of advanced computing technologies. World Quantum Day is observed to raise awareness about quantum computing and its evolution from a theoretical concept into a major global scientific and technological priority. Governments, universities, and major technology companies mark the day by highlighting the potential of quantum systems to reshape fields ranging…

Sindh has reported 894 new HIV cases in the first three months of 2026, raising serious concerns over infection control practices and gaps in the province’s healthcare system, officials confirmed. According to data from the Sindh Health Department, the newly reported cases include 329 children under the age of 14, 332 men, 204 women, and 29 transgender individuals, as reported by The News. Health experts say the rising trend reflects persistent weaknesses in infection prevention and regulatory oversight, particularly in major urban centres such as Karachi. A month-wise breakdown shows 294 cases in January, 324 in February, and 276 in…

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby reportedly discussed the possibility of a merger between United Airlines and American Airlines during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in late February, according to two sources familiar with the matter. A combination of the two largest U.S. network carriers would represent the biggest airline consolidation in over a decade and significantly reshape an already highly concentrated aviation market. United Airlines and American Airlines are currently among the world’s largest airlines by capacity, operating in a domestic market dominated by four major players alongside Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines. The meeting reportedly took…