Author: EchoAsiaNews

CARACAS: Venezuela’s death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck on June 24 has risen to 3,811, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced on Wednesday. Authorities said 16,740 people have been injured, while 17,907 residents have been displaced and remain homeless following the disaster. Why Is Venezuela Calling for Sanctions Relief? Interim President Delcy Rodriguez renewed calls for international sanctions on Venezuela to be eased, arguing that frozen overseas assets could help finance reconstruction efforts. Speaking on state television, Rodriguez said Venezuela had sufficient resources held abroad to support rebuilding if blocked funds were released. “Venezuela has resources blocked around…

MASHHAD: Iran is preparing to bury its late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Thursday in the holy city of Mashhad, bringing to an end several days of funeral ceremonies attended by millions across Iran and Iraq. Khamenei, who ruled Iran since 1989, was killed on February 28 during the opening day of US-Israeli military strikes that triggered the ongoing regional conflict. He was 86. According to state media, Khamenei will be laid to rest at the Shrine of Imam Reza, Iran’s holiest religious site and the resting place of the eighth Shia Imam. How Many People Are Expected to Attend…

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN: The United States launched a fresh wave of military strikes against Iran on Wednesday, targeting sites along the country’s southern coast in response to attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military said the operation was aimed at preventing further threats to international shipping after three cargo vessels were attacked while transiting the strategic waterway a day earlier. “US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said in a statement. The US added that it was…

VANCOUVER: Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has called on footballers and journalists attending the FIFA World Cup to speak out over the killing of children in Gaza and Palestine, following Egypt’s controversial 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the Round of 16. Speaking after the match, Hassan said players and members of the media should use their platforms to highlight the humanitarian impact of the conflict, particularly the deaths of Palestinian children. Why Were the Remarks Made? Hassan made the comments in the aftermath of Egypt’s elimination from the tournament, a match that ended in a 3-2 victory for Argentina after…

ANKARA: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday declared that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) underpinning the ceasefire between the United States and Iran was “over,” signalling a collapse of the temporary agreement amid renewed military escalation. Trump made the remarks during the NATO summit in Ankara, saying the agreement was no longer valid following recent developments in the conflict with Iran. What Triggered the Collapse of the MoU? The announcement came after US forces launched fresh airstrikes on Iranian targets despite an earlier commitment to pause military operations during the funeral ceremonies of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. The…

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a sharp decline on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump declared that the interim agreement with Iran was “over,” triggering investor concerns over renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The benchmark KSE-100 Index fell 6,449.34 points, or 3.46%, closing at 179,806.21 points, compared with the previous session’s close of 186,255.55 points, as widespread selling pressure swept across the market. What Triggered the Market Sell-Off? Investor sentiment weakened after Trump’s remarks raised fears of renewed conflict involving Iran, prompting concerns over regional stability and the potential impact on global financial markets. The uncertainty…

LONDON: Global oil prices climbed sharply on Wednesday after renewed military tensions between the United States and Iran threatened a fragile ceasefire and raised fresh concerns over energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose more than 3 percent to $76.48 per barrel by 06:30 GMT, its highest level since June 23, reversing earlier declines that had returned prices to pre-conflict levels. The surge followed US military strikes on Iranian targets and Washington’s decision to revoke a temporary sanctions waiver that had allowed limited Iranian oil exports. What Triggered the Latest Market Volatility? The escalation…

NAJAF: The coffin of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, arrived in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf on Tuesday as part of an ongoing regional funeral procession, while renewed US military strikes on Iran underscored escalating tensions in the Middle East. Khamenei’s remains were received at Najaf International Airport by Iraqi officials, senior political figures and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian before funeral ceremonies commenced in one of Shia Islam’s holiest cities. Why Did the Iranian President Cut Short His Visit? President Pezeshkian reportedly shortened his visit to Iraq after the United States launched a fresh wave of strikes on…

TEHRAN: Iran faces a prolonged and uncertain economic recovery despite a temporary ceasefire with the United States, as renewed military tensions, sanctions and structural economic challenges continue to weigh on the country’s outlook, analysts say. The fragile truce, signed three weeks ago to halt hostilities, has come under renewed strain following attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, fresh US airstrikes on Iranian targets and Iranian retaliatory attacks on US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. How Has the Conflict Affected Iran’s Economy? The conflict has further weakened an economy already struggling under years of international sanctions, high…

NEW DELHI: An Indian court on Tuesday directed the federal government to unblock the X account of the youth-based Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), more than a month after it was withheld following concerns over its online activity during a national medical entrance examination. The order was issued after the government informed the Delhi High Court that it had no objection to restoring access to the account, according to a lawyer involved in the case. Despite the ruling, the account remained inaccessible in India on Tuesday evening, with X stating it had been withheld “in response to a legal demand.” Why…