Author: EchoAsiaNews

Widespread protests have emerged internationally following Israel’s passage of a controversial law that makes the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks. Demonstrators in multiple countries have condemned the legislation, arguing that it raises serious human rights concerns and could further escalate tensions in an already volatile region. The move has triggered strong reactions from activists and civil society groups who view the law as discriminatory and disproportionate. The United Nations has also criticized the decision, describing the legislation as “deeply discriminatory,” and warning that it could undermine principles of fairness and equality under international law.…

American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson has been abducted in Baghdad by individuals linked to an Iran-aligned militia, according to Iraqi officials and U.S. sources. Kittleson, who was working in Iraq for the independent media outlet Al-Monitor, was reportedly kidnapped on the evening of March 31, 2026, in central Baghdad. Local reports suggest she was taken near a hotel area in the city center. Iraqi police and security forces have launched an investigation and confirmed efforts are underway to locate the missing journalist. Authorities have also detained one suspect following a car chase, with Iraqi Interior Ministry officials stating that the…

The British monarch, King Charles III, is facing renewed political scrutiny in Scotland after the Scottish Greens signaled plans to challenge long-standing tax privileges enjoyed by the monarchy. The proposal comes as the King prepares for a state visit to the United States in late April, with the Scottish Greens indicating they will bring forward a motion aimed at removing tax exemptions currently associated with Crown transactions in Scotland. The party’s co-leader Ross Greer has led the campaign, arguing that exemptions such as those related to Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT)—Scotland’s equivalent of stamp duty, should be abolished. Under…

Global financial markets advanced on Tuesday as equities climbed and crude oil prices moved toward a record monthly surge, driven by escalating tensions linked to the ongoing Iran conflict. Brent crude futures rose sharply, approaching their strongest monthly performance on record, after Iran reportedly targeted a fully loaded oil tanker near Dubai. The attack followed warnings from former U.S. President Donald Trump that the United States could target Iran’s energy infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. Despite heightened geopolitical risks, markets received a boost after reports suggested Trump had indicated willingness to end the military campaign, even…

Italy have missed out on qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, extending their absence to a third straight tournament after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in a playoff final on Tuesday. The match in Zenica ended 1–1 after extra time before Bosnia secured a 4–1 win in the penalty shootout, booking their place at the expanded 48-team finals to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Italy had taken the lead in the 15th minute through Moise Kean, but their task became more difficult after Alessandro Bastoni was shown a straight red card late in…

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) surged sharply on Wednesday as investor sentiment improved amid signs of a potential near-term resolution to the ongoing Middle East conflict, according to market data and analyst commentary. The benchmark KSE-100 index rallied by 6,255.81 points, a gain of 4.21%, closing at 154,999.12, reversing recent volatility linked to geopolitical tensions. Trading was temporarily halted after the KSE-30 index remained above the 5% circuit breaker threshold for five consecutive minutes, triggering an automatic suspension mechanism before resuming later in the session. Market participants attributed the sharp upswing to remarks by US President Donald Trump that signalled…

Iraq’s national football team has clinched qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating Bolivia 2–1 in an inter-confederation playoff match held in Monterrey, Mexico. The victory earns Iraq the final berth in the expanded 48-team tournament. Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein propelled Iraq to victory, with Hussein’s second-half strike proving decisive after Bolivia had briefly equalized. Iraq held firm under pressure to maintain their lead and secure the historic win. This qualification marks Iraq’s first World Cup appearance in 40 years, their last being at the 1986 tournament. The team will now compete in Group I alongside…

A Russian military transport aircraft has crashed in the annexed Crimean Peninsula, killing all 29 people on board, according to the Russian Defence Ministry and multiple international news agencies. The Antonov An-26 military transport plane, a Soviet-era turboprop used for personnel and cargo flights, lost contact with authorities late on Tuesday evening while on a scheduled flight over Crimea, a region Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Rescue teams later located the wreckage after the aircraft crashed into a cliff, and all six crew members and 23 passengers were confirmed dead. Initial reports from the Russian defence ministry, as cited…

Residents of Tehran describe daily life as increasingly tense and uncertain after a month of intense conflict marked by US and Israeli strikes on the Iranian capital, according to reporting from AFP. For many Tehranis, routines have been upended by the relentless bombardment since the war began on February 28, 2026, forcing people to adapt to a new reality defined by fear, disruption, and anxiety over the future. Twenty-seven-year-old dental assistant Fatemeh said the highlight of her day is a brief visit to a local café, a small attempt to reclaim normalcy amid ongoing strikes. “It feels like stepping out…

Security forces in Pakistan have killed 13 India-backed terrorists during two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the military’s media wing confirmed on Wednesday. According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were carried out following credible intelligence on the presence of terrorist elements in the Bara area of Khyber District and Bannu. The ISPR said 10 terrorists were killed in Bara and three in Bannu during the engagements, underscoring that these militants were linked to foreign-backed networks seeking to destabilize the region. Security forces have maintained a sustained counterterrorism posture in KP…