Author: EchoAsiaNews

The United States military leadership underwent a sudden and high-profile change as Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth asked Army Chief of Staff General Randy A. George to step down and retire effective immediately, the Pentagon confirmed. General George, the 41st Chief of Staff of the US Army, had been serving in the role since September 2023 and was expected to complete a four-year term. His abrupt departure comes without an official reason from the Pentagon, but defence sources indicate the move is part of a broader leadership reshuffle under Hegseth’s tenure. In addition to General George’s retirement, two other senior Army…

A suicide attack outside a police station in Bannu’s Domail area resulted in the deaths of five civilians, including three women and a child, while four others sustained serious injuries, security sources confirmed. The attacker targeted civilians gathered near the police station but was stopped before reaching the intended target. Rescue and security teams quickly reached the scene, where they began clearing debris, shifting the injured to hospitals, and conducting search operations in the affected area. Authorities described the attack as being carried out by militants linked to the Fitna al-Khawarij network. The incident comes amid a wave of counter-terrorism…

Karachi witnessed record-breaking rainfall accompanied by strong winds, bringing an unusual winter-like chill to the city and causing widespread disruption. According to official data, the city received 38.7 millimetres of rain in 24 hours, surpassing a 41-year-old April record. The previous record of 37mm, set in April 1985, was exceeded during the latest downpour, marking one of the most significant weather events for the city in recent decades. The rainfall led to a sharp drop in temperature, with the minimum recorded at 16°C, significantly below the usual April average, creating unseasonably cold conditions. The recent rain spell turned deadly, with…

Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell have been formally cautioned by the Cricket Regulator for breaching professional conduct rules following a nightclub incident during England’s pre-Ashes tour of New Zealand. The regulator, which operates independently of the England and Wales Cricket Board, confirmed that both players accepted their involvement in the incident, which took place in Wellington on the eve of a one-day international in November last year. Brook, England’s white-ball captain, had initially claimed he was alone during an altercation with a nightclub bouncer but later admitted that Bethell and Josh Tongue were also present. He said he misled officials…

Russia has carried out fresh military exercises involving its strategic nuclear forces in Siberia, signalling continued readiness amid rising geopolitical tensions with the West. According to the Reuters report, Russia’s defence ministry said the drills involved mobile Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)—weapons capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The exercises focused on camouflaged manoeuvres and concealment tactics, with missile units practising how to move and deploy systems in the field while avoiding detection. Troops also rehearsed responses to simulated enemy strikes and air attacks, underscoring operational preparedness. No actual missile launches were conducted during the drills, officials confirmed. Russia regularly conducts…

In a significant policy shift driven by economic pressures, authorities in Pakistan have moved to reduce the academic workweek for schools across multiple provinces as part of fuel conservation measures linked to the ongoing 2026 Iran–US–Israel conflict. The Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA), operating under the Ministry of Federal Education, has mandated a four-day workweek (Monday to Thursday) for all private schools in the Islamabad Capital Territory, effective immediately. The decision is part of broader austerity efforts aimed at reducing energy consumption amid rising global oil prices. In Punjab, both public and private educational institutions will also follow a…

NASA has launched its Artemis II mission, sending four astronauts on a crewed flight around the Moon in a major step toward returning humans to the lunar surface later this decade. The mission lifted off on Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida aboard NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket carrying the Orion crew capsule. The crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Artemis II marks the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis programme and the first time in more than five decades that astronauts will travel…

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Northern Molucca Sea off Indonesia’s Ternate island on Thursday, prompting tsunami warnings across parts of Southeast Asia, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake, initially reported at magnitude 7.8 before being revised downward, occurred at a depth of around 35 kilometres, with its epicentre located approximately 120 kilometres from Ternate in North Maluku province. Authorities reported no immediate casualties, though aftershocks measuring up to magnitude 5 were recorded. Indonesia issued tsunami warnings for coastal areas in North Maluku and North Sulawesi provinces, while regional authorities urged residents in cities such…

China has urged Pakistan to urgently clear approximately $220 million in outstanding payments owed to United Energy Pakistan (UEP), warning that continued delays could undermine investor confidence and disrupt operations, according to The News, citing official sources. Officials in the Petroleum Division said Pakistan’s ambassador in Beijing conveyed the matter through an urgent communication, noting that the dues relate to gas supplied by UEP to the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC). The company currently supplies around 260–270 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd). Reports suggest that liquidity constraints have already forced UEP to reduce its workforce in recent weeks. The…

The United Arab Emirates has rejected recent media reports regarding the status of Iranian nationals residing in the country, describing the claims as inaccurate and unfounded, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. The ministry emphasized that the Iranian community, which has been present in the UAE for decades, continues to be a valued segment of society and contributes to the country’s multicultural fabric. It noted that the UAE is home to more than 200 nationalities, reflecting its long-standing policy of coexistence and openness. Authorities stated that the country’s legal and institutional frameworks are…