Author: EchoAsiaNews

Millions of Nepalis went to the polls Thursday in a crucial general election, the first since widespread youth-led protests toppled the government last year. Voters are seeking change on issues including corruption, job creation, and governance. Polling opened at 7 a.m. local time across more than 23,000 stations and will continue until 5 p.m., with security reinforced by over 300,000 personnel, including army troops. The protests that led to early elections claimed at least 77 lives and forced the resignation of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Nearly 19 million registered voters are electing 275 parliament members, with 165 chosen…

Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 Index surged 3,826.85 points, or 2.46%, to an intraday high of 159,604.06 on Thursday, as institutional investors returned amid easing fuel-supply concerns and rising global oil prices. The market was supported by Saudi Arabia’s commitment to facilitate crude shipments to Pakistan via the Red Sea port of Yanbu, following Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which threatens a major portion of global energy flows. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik confirmed that Saudi authorities assured priority oil shipments for Pakistan, with one vessel already scheduled for dispatch. Global crude prices climbed sharply amid regional tensions.…

Mojtaba Khamenei, born on September 8, 1969, in Mashhad, Iran, is a respected Shia cleric and the second son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Raised in a dedicated revolutionary family, his early life was deeply influenced by his father’s unwavering commitment to the Islamic Revolution and resistance against oppression. Mojtaba pursued advanced religious studies in the prestigious seminaries of Qom, learning under prominent scholars and developing a strong foundation in Islamic jurisprudence and theology. He also served courageously on the front lines during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), joining the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) at a young…

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors unanimously approved a safeguards agreement with Pakistan for Unit 5 of the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant, the Foreign Office said on Wednesday, reflecting continued international confidence in Islamabad’s commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and compliance with non‑proliferation obligations. Under the deal, IAEA safeguards will be applied to Chashma Unit‑5, a 1,200‑megawatt pressurised water reactor currently under construction and expected to become operational by 2030, the ministry said. Once completed, the unit is projected to contribute a significant new source of low‑carbon electricity to Pakistan’s national grid, bolstering energy security…

Global air cargo operations have been severely disrupted by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, leaving shipments from fresh produce to critical airplane parts stranded and pushing up freight costs, Reuters reported Thursday. The U.S. and Israeli air campaign against Iran has led to widespread grounding of both passenger and freighter flights across key hubs including Doha and Dubai, resulting in a 22 percent reduction in global air cargo capacity between February 28 and March 3 compared with the period before the Chinese New Year, according to aviation and logistics data firm Aevean. The disruption has stalled time‑sensitive shipments such as temperature‑controlled…

Germany’s Merck KGaA said on Thursday it expects adjusted operating profit for 2026 to fall by up to 4 percent on a currency‑adjusted basis, Reuters reported. The company’s outlook reflects caution in the face of macroeconomic uncertainty and negative currency effects, though it did not provide detailed segmental guidance in its brief statement. On a constant currency basis, the forecasted decline suggests earnings will be weaker compared with prior expectations. Merck KGaA’s projection followed a year in which it met its earnings targets but signalled a more restrained performance for the coming year, with revenue and profit visibility tempered by headwinds in…

China announced Thursday a five-year initiative to build a “childbirth‑friendly society” aimed at reversing the country’s falling birth rates and addressing the challenges of an ageing population. The plan focuses on improving social services and incentives for families to marry and have children. Authorities said the initiative will expand support in employment, education, healthcare, income, and housing, aiming to reduce barriers to marriage and childbearing. The government pledged to improve population services, strengthen social security, and encourage positive societal attitudes toward family growth. As part of the plan, pregnant women will face no out-of-pocket medical costs in 2026, with maternity…

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Wana to review the security situation along Pakistan’s western border, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported Wednesday. Field Marshal Munir stated that lasting peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan would only be possible if the Afghan Taliban ended their support for terrorism and terrorist organisations. During the visit, he was briefed on ongoing intelligence-based operations, border management measures, and developments related to Operation Ghazab lil-Haq. The COAS commended the professionalism, vigilance, and morale of troops deployed in forward areas and emphasised that the use of…

The United States Senate on Wednesday rejected a resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s authority to continue military operations against Iran without congressional approval. The resolution, introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine and supported by several lawmakers, sought to require the Trump administration to obtain explicit authorization from Congress before continuing hostilities against Iran. However, the Senate voted 53–47 against advancing the measure, effectively allowing the president to maintain control over the ongoing military campaign. The vote largely followed party lines, with most Republicans backing the administration’s actions while Democrats supported the resolution. Supporters of the measure argued that…

In the wake of brazen and illegal strikes by Israeli and U.S. forces, the Islamic Republic of Iran has exemplified extraordinary fortitude, safeguarding its territorial integrity and regional influence against a coalition bent on domination. As of March 4, 2026, this conflict, initiated by Israel’s aggressive incursions on February 28 under the guise of “Operation Epic Fury”, has underscored Iran’s legitimate right to self-defense while revealing the aggressors’ disregard for international law and human life. Iranian officials report that over 2,000 sites have been targeted, including civilian infrastructure, in what amounts to a systematic campaign of destruction. Despite inflicting heavy…