Author: EchoAsiaNews

At least eight people were killed and one child injured on Friday after a house collapsed in Afghanistan following a powerful earthquake, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The earthquake, measuring 5.9 magnitude, struck Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) reported. The quake occurred at a depth of 177 kilometres, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) recording a depth of 190 kilometres at 9:13pm PST. Strong tremors from the earthquake were felt across Kabul, Islamabad, and New Delhi, according to witnesses and official reports. In Pakistan, residents in major…

Lahore Qalandars secured a 20-run victory over Multan Sultans in a rain-shortened Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 encounter at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, powered by Mohammad Naeem’s half-century and disciplined bowling from their attack. Set a revised target of 186 runs in 13 overs, the Sultans managed 165/5 despite valiant efforts from Shan Masood and captain Ashton Turner, who remained unbeaten with a half-century. The Sultans struggled early, losing Steve Smith (9) and Josh Philippe (1) inside the 3.5-over powerplay with just 18 runs on the board. Shan Masood then joined Sahibzada Farhan (24) to put together a 32-run partnership…

The federal government is considering early closure of markets as part of a broader austerity strategy to tackle the ongoing energy crisis triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East, officials said. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said the proposal was discussed during a high-level meeting attended by the chief ministers of all four provinces. The move aims to reduce energy consumption amid mounting economic pressures. “The participants sought consideration over early market closures as part of the austerity measures,” the minister said, adding that markets could be required to shut earlier than usual if the plan is…

United States intelligence agencies have assessed that Iran is unlikely to ease its control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the near future, as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, according to sources familiar with the matter. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, has become a focal point in the ongoing standoff between Washington and Tehran. Officials say Iran views its control over the passage as a critical source of leverage in the conflict. According to intelligence findings, Tehran is deliberately maintaining pressure on global shipping…

Iran has claimed it shot down a United States fighter jet near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions amid the wider Middle East conflict, and warned against “provocative action” ahead of a planned United Nations Security Council vote on authorizing force to protect shipping in the strategic waterway. (A News) Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it downed the aircraft over Qeshm Island, a key area near the strait, a vital route for global oil shipments. Tehran’s announcement came as it criticised the Security Council’s proposed vote on a draft resolution to allow “defensive force” to secure navigation through…

The Israeli military has claimed it has struck more than 3,500 targets across Lebanon over the past month since the escalation of fighting with Hezbollah, according to reports from AFP. The military stated that approximately 1,000 militants have been killed during this period. It said the strikes targeted what it described as Hezbollah-linked “terrorist infrastructure,” including weapons storage sites, launch positions, and command-and-control centers. Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported significant casualties from the ongoing conflict. According to the ministry, 1,345 people have been killed and 4,040 wounded since the start of hostilities. The casualties reportedly include 1,129 men, 91 women,…

Singer Zayn Malik has returned to the public spotlight as he promotes his upcoming album Konnakol and recently released singles. The former One Direction member shared a series of behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram, offering fans a glimpse of his recent appearances in New York City. The post included images from visits to SiriusXM Studios and an Amazon Music listening party. “Big love NYC! Konnakol album just a couple weeks away and tour next month!” Malik wrote in the caption. The photos, taken between March 27 and March 30, show the 33-year-old interacting with fans, attending promotional events, and working in…

Indian authorities have seized 414 cooking-gas cylinders hidden in a graveyard in Hyderabad and arrested several individuals involved in their alleged illegal sale, a government official said on Thursday. The action comes as authorities intensify raids to curb hoarding of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) amid supply disruptions caused by the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran. The conflict has affected global shipping routes, leading to shortages in fuel supplies. According to Sujata Sharma, a senior official at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, authorities conducted around 2,600 raids in a single day, recovering approximately 700 LPG cylinders across various locations.…

Consumers in Pakistan are paying a significant portion of petrol prices in the form of taxes and profit margins, which account for around 46% of the total cost, according to an official document. The disclosure comes a day after the government announced a sharp increase in fuel prices amid disruptions in the global oil supply chain due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. At a press conference on Thursday, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, alongside Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, announced an increase of Rs137.23 per litre in petrol prices, bringing the new rate to Rs458.41 per litre. The…

Pakistan has assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it will maintain a tight monetary stance, including raising interest rates if necessary, to counter rising inflationary pressures linked to the ongoing Gulf conflict, The News reported. According to official sources, the government has committed to keeping spending within budget limits and avoiding fiscal overruns. It has also pledged to prepare an action plan to address the increasing costs of routing remittances through banks and exchange companies. The government and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) informed the IMF that monetary policy would remain restrictive in the coming months. Officials said…