Author: EchoAsiaNews

Peshawar Zalmi secured a narrow four-wicket victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen in a closely contested HBL Pakistan Super League match at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday night, chasing down a modest target in a dramatic finish. Hyderabad Kingsmen, still searching for their first win of the tournament, were restricted to a below-par total of 145 despite a fighting effort with the bat. Zalmi’s bowling attack, led by Iftikhar Ahmed, applied early pressure and dismantled the top order, leaving the Kingsmen struggling in the powerplay. Iftikhar delivered a standout performance with the ball, claiming four wickets for 21 runs, all inside…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to dispatch a mission to Pakistan next month to review and finalize key parameters of the federal budget for fiscal year 2026–27, including revenue targets and tax policy measures. According to official sources, the IMF is expected to propose a Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) tax collection target of Rs15.564 trillion for the upcoming fiscal year. The government, however, is considering a slightly lower target of around Rs15.232 trillion, given concerns over revenue mobilization capacity. The development comes as the government has initiated early consultations with stakeholders in light of evolving geopolitical and…

US President Donald Trump has warned that American forces will remain deployed near Iran and threatened overwhelming military action if Tehran fails to comply with Washington’s demands, raising doubts over the stability of a recently brokered ceasefire. In a post on social media, Trump said US troops, aircraft, and naval assets would stay in position until what he described as a “real agreement” is fully implemented. He added that failure to meet the terms could trigger force, using language that signaled a potential escalation in tensions. The remarks come just a day after a two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran,…

Greece will prohibit access to social media platforms for children under the age of 15 starting January 1, 2027, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Wednesday, marking one of the most stringent digital regulations targeting minors in Europe. The policy aims to curb excessive screen time and address growing concerns over the impact of social media on children’s mental health and well-being. Mitsotakis stated that the government intends to combat addiction to digital platforms while encouraging healthier engagement with technology. The Greek government plans to advocate for a unified European framework, proposing a “Digital Age of Majority” set at 15…

Global financial markets turned volatile on Thursday as oil prices rose and equities declined amid growing uncertainty over the durability of a recently announced US-Iran ceasefire. The truce, announced earlier this week following a statement by US President Donald Trump, had initially triggered a sharp rally in stock markets and a steep drop in crude prices. However, renewed tensions, linked to continued military activity in Lebanon, have raised concerns that the agreement may not hold. Oil benchmarks reversed course, with prices climbing after reports suggested the ceasefire could be undermined by ongoing hostilities and disagreements over its scope. Market participants…

Health experts at the Aga Khan University Hospital have urged authorities to treat the mpox outbreak reported in Khairpur as an urgent public health concern, warning that emerging evidence suggests possible local transmission of the virus. The advisory follows confirmation by the Sindh health department of seven mpox cases among newborns in Khairpur, four of whom have died. The development has raised concerns about infection control practices in healthcare settings and the spread of the virus beyond imported cases. Experts noted that recent cases indicate a shift in transmission patterns in Pakistan. While most of the 53 confirmed mpox cases…

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that there are no indications of strained relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, emphasizing that bilateral ties remain strong and historically rooted. Speaking on a television programme, Asif said Pakistan’s relationship with the UAE spans generations and continues to be based on mutual trust. He noted that financial arrangements between the two countries, including loan repayments, are handled in a routine and cooperative manner. His remarks come amid reports that Pakistan is set to repay a $3.5 billion loan to the UAE this month, a move that is expected to put additional…

France has strongly condemned Israeli strikes on Lebanon, describing them as “unacceptable” and warning that they risk undermining the fragile ceasefire framework involving the United States and Iran. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the attacks were particularly concerning given their timing, noting that they could weaken efforts to maintain a temporary de-escalation agreed between Washington and Tehran. Speaking to France Inter radio, Barrot stressed that continued military escalation in Lebanon runs counter to diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing the wider region. His remarks came a day after Lebanese authorities reported heavy casualties from Israeli strikes, which killed and injured…

Israeli forces have launched their most intense wave of strikes on Lebanon since the conflict with Hezbollah escalated last month, even as the Iran-aligned group reportedly paused its attacks under a broader US-Iran ceasefire framework. Multiple explosions rocked Beirut on Wednesday, with thick plumes of smoke rising across the city as Israel described the operation as its largest coordinated strike of the ongoing war. The Israeli military said it targeted more than 100 Hezbollah command centres and military installations across Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, at least 89 people were killed and around…

Meghan Markle has delivered on a light-hearted promise to her former Suits co-star Patrick J. Adams after he publicly noted that he had not received a gift from her lifestyle brand. Adams, who starred opposite Markle on the legal drama Suits, had joked on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast that he had not received any of the “As Ever” products, particularly the branded jam, that Markle’s company has been distributing to friends and associates. The comment sparked widespread social media attention. Responding on social media, Markle confirmed that the items were “en route” to Adams and his family,…