Author: EchoAsiaNews

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Friday increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD), raising petrol by Rs5.44 per litre and diesel by Rs31.05 per litre under its revised petroleum pricing mechanism. What are the new fuel prices? According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the price of petrol has increased from Rs310.71 to Rs316.15 per litre, while high-speed diesel has risen from Rs323.30 to Rs354.35 per litre. The revised prices will take effect from July 18 and remain applicable until July 20. Petroleum ProductPrevious PriceNew PriceIncreasePetrolRs310.71/litreRs316.15/litreRs5.44High-Speed DieselRs323.30/litreRs354.35/litreRs31.05 Why were the prices revised? The increase follows the…

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Friday urged Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to withdraw his recent remarks about martyrs, describing the comments as “inappropriate” while saying they did not appear to reflect a broader agenda. What did Rana Sanaullah say? Speaking on Geo News’ Naya Pakistan, Sanaullah said Fazlur Rehman’s remarks appeared to have been made in the heat of the moment and should be withdrawn. “The remarks made by Fazlur Rehman regarding the martyrs were inappropriate, but it appears that the statement was made in the heat of the moment, and there…

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Sir Garfield “Garry” Sobers, widely regarded as one of the greatest all-round cricketers in history, has died at the age of 89, prompting tributes from across the cricketing world. Who was Garry Sobers? West Indies Cricket announced Sobers’ death on Friday, describing him as one of the sport’s greatest figures. “A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,” the governing body said in a statement posted on social media. Sobers played 93 Test matches for the West Indies between 1954 and 1974, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of…

WASHINGTON: Gabriel Perez, US President Donald Trump’s longtime teleprompter operator, is under investigation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) over suspected insider trading linked to prediction market platform Kalshi, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Why is the teleprompter operator under investigation? The investigation centers on trades placed through Kalshi, a prediction market platform that allows users to wager on the outcome of future events, including whether specific words or phrases will be mentioned during public speeches. According to one source, Kalshi identified suspicious trading activity through its customer onboarding and market surveillance systems before referring the…

ISLAMABAD: The United States and Iran exchanged fresh attacks overnight, extending their conflict into a seventh consecutive night as both sides widened military operations across the Gulf and intensified pressure on regional energy routes. What happened overnight? The US military said it carried out strikes against Iranian surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage facilities, and maritime capabilities. US Central Command said fighter aircraft, drones, warships, and other military assets participated in the operation. Iran responded by launching attacks targeting US facilities in Kuwait and Jordan, according to Iranian state media, while also announcing new measures affecting maritime traffic…

WASHINGTON: The United States has approved a proposed $1.96 billion weapons sale to Saudi Arabia, aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s air defence capabilities amid escalating security challenges across the Middle East. According to the US State Department, the package includes up to 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) and associated warheads. The principal contractor for the sale will be BAE Systems, based in Nashua, New Jersey. How Will the Proposed Weapons Package Strengthen Saudi Arabia’s Defence? The State Department said the proposed sale supports US foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the security of Saudi Arabia, a…

Pakistan: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its gains on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index climbing to an intraday high of 178,431.73 points, up 3,145.95 points (1.79%), as stabilising global oil prices boosted investor confidence. Market participants also shifted their focus to the upcoming corporate earnings season, which is expected to drive sector-specific trading activity. Why Did the Pakistan Stock Exchange Rise? Analysts said investor sentiment improved after oil prices steadied following an initial surge linked to US-Iran tensions, easing concerns over major disruptions to global energy supplies. The moderation in oil prices reduced fears of broader market volatility,…

Entertainment: Actress Zendaya has revealed that fiancé Tom Holland was the one who told her she had been cast in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey. Speaking on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Zendaya said she was initially thrilled that Holland had secured a role before learning that she, too, would be joining the cast. How Did Zendaya Learn About Her Role in The Odyssey? Zendaya said Holland encouraged her to reread Christopher Nolan’s script “with Athena in mind” after returning from a meeting with the director. She said the moment made her realise she had been cast in…

Pakistan: Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to encouraging the United States and Iran to resume dialogue under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), despite renewed military escalation between the two countries. Speaking at a weekly briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan remains engaged in diplomatic efforts to promote de-escalation and stressed that negotiations remain the best path to resolving the crisis. What Is Pakistan’s Position on the US-Iran Conflict? Andrabi said Islamabad is closely monitoring developments and hopes for the early normalisation of the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that continued hostilities threaten global…

Myanmar: More than 500 people are feared dead after two boats carrying mostly Rohingya refugees reportedly capsized off Myanmar’s coast, according to a joint statement by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The vessels departed Myanmar’s Rakhine State in late June, carrying Rohingya refugees, including some from camps in Bangladesh, who were attempting to reach Malaysia, Indonesia, or Thailand. What Happened to the Refugee Boats? According to preliminary information from UN agencies, one boat carrying about 250 people lost contact shortly after departure, while another vessel with approximately 280 passengers is believed to have…