Author: EchoAsiaNews

UNITED STATES: Nvidia has reportedly cut more than half of its authorized Asian customers for artificial intelligence (AI) chips after introducing a new “white list” of companies that passed stricter compliance checks aimed at preventing its products from reaching China. According to the Financial Times, the move is part of the US chipmaker’s efforts to strengthen export compliance amid tightening US restrictions on advanced AI technology. Which countries have faced stricter compliance checks? The report said Nvidia has intensified due diligence over the past several months in Singapore, Malaysia and Japan, reviewing customers to ensure compliance with US export controls.…

CHINA: Chinese authorities have expelled former Politburo member Ma Xingrui from the ruling Communist Party over corruption charges, marking the third purge of a senior Politburo figure since 2025 as President Xi Jinping intensifies his anti-graft campaign. Ma, who also served as deputy head of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, had been under investigation since April for alleged “serious violations of law and discipline”, the Communist Party’s standard term for corruption-related offences. What allegations have been made against Ma Xingrui? According to state news agency Xinhua, investigators accused Ma of abusing his authority by securing benefits for others in…

SINGAPORE: Oil prices climbed to their highest level in a month on Tuesday as renewed military escalation between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz raised concerns over global energy supplies. Brent crude futures rose $1.50, or 1.8%, to $84.80 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $1.70, or 2.2%, to $79.84 per barrel by 0330 GMT. How has the US-Iran conflict affected energy markets? The latest gains followed the US decision to reimpose a naval blockade on Iran and continued military strikes against Iranian targets, heightening fears of disruptions to oil shipments through…

UNITED STATES: The United States will begin enforcing a maritime blockade on Iran from 2000 GMT on July 14, according to an advisory issued by the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC). The blockade will apply to all of Iran’s ports, oil terminals and coastal waters and will cover all vessel traffic regardless of nationality. What restrictions will the blockade impose? The JMIC said any vessel suspected of entering or leaving the blockaded area without authorization will be subject to interception, diversion and capture. The advisory further warned that non-compliant vessels could be compelled to comply through the use…

UNITED STATES: Selena Gomez’s mother, Mandy Teefey, has responded to criticism after a series of cryptic Instagram posts prompted speculation about her relationship with the singer and her 13-year-old daughter, Gracie. The 50-year-old producer shared an Instagram carousel featuring family photos, memes, and motivational quotes that many followers interpreted as indirect comments about her daughters. What did Teefey write in the now-controversial post? The post included a mirror selfie of Selena Gomez, 33, with her younger half-sister Gracie, alongside the caption: “My greatest accomplishments, love me or not.” Teefey added that they were “the coolest” and expressed hope that one…

QUETTA: Pakistani security forces have killed 117 militants in Operation Shaban and other counterterrorism operations across Balochistan since 5 July, according to security sources. The sources said the ongoing Operation Shaban, a joint operation involving the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police, will continue until militants operating in the province are neutralised. What is the latest development? Security sources said five more militants were killed during the latest phase of Operation Shaban on Monday, bringing the total number of militants killed in the operation to 76. They added that the overall number of militants killed in Balochistan since…

LONDON: British counterterrorism police have arrested 12 people over an alleged right-wing terror plot targeting a Tablighi Jamaat gathering in Suffolk, prompting authorities to end the event early as a precaution. Counter Terrorism Policing London said the annual Islamic gathering at Shrubland Hall, attended by around 15,000 people, concluded ahead of schedule on Sunday following what officials described as a credible threat. What happened? Police said they launched a coordinated operation after identifying a potential serious threat to the Islamic event. The arrests were carried out at multiple locations across the United Kingdom as part of the investigation. Authorities declared…

PUNE: Nine workers were killed after a massive garbage heap collapsed onto an administrative building at a waste-to-energy plant on the outskirts of Pune in western India, following heavy rainfall, the facility’s operator said on Monday. How did the incident occur? The accident occurred last Wednesday when thousands of tonnes of waste from a nearby landfill became unstable after incessant rains and crashed onto the building, trapping 23 workers inside. How many people were affected? According to the plant operator, nine workers lost their lives, while the remaining 14 were rescued alive during a rescue operation. What challenges did rescuers…

DOHA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Doha on Monday for a day-long visit to offer condolences to Qatar’s leadership following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Who is accompanying the prime minister? The prime minister is accompanied by Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar. Who received the Pakistani delegation in Doha? Upon arrival at Doha International Airport, the Pakistani delegation was received by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al…

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) came under heavy selling pressure on Monday as renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran, escalating tensions in the Middle East and a sharp rise in global oil prices dampened investor sentiment. How much did the benchmark index fall? The benchmark KSE-100 Index dropped as much as 2,793.25 points, or 1.53%, to an intraday low of 179,448.52, compared with the previous close of 182,241.77. The index later recovered some losses but remained down 1,497.06 points, or 0.82%, at an intraday high of 180,744.71. What triggered the selling pressure? Market analysts attributed the decline…