Author: EchoAsiaNews

Golden Global and two subsidiaries cut off from US financial system over alleged Iran-related transactions The US Treasury Department on Friday imposed sanctions on Turkish investment bank Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi and two of its subsidiaries, accusing them of facilitating trade between China and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force. The Treasury said it designated Istanbul-based Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi Anonim Sirketi, Golden Global Portfoy Yonetimi Anonim Sirketi and Golden Global Varlik Kiralama Anonim Sirketi under its sanctions programme targeting Iran-related financial networks. The three entities were added to the Treasury’s Specially Designated Nationals list, cutting them off from…

Proposed deal aims to strengthen Riyadh’s air defence capabilities against regional threats WASHINGTON: The United States has approved a possible $5 billion sale of bombs, guidance kits and related equipment to Saudi Arabia, the US State Department said Friday, as tensions remain high in the Middle East. The proposed sale is aimed at strengthening Saudi Arabia’s air defence capabilities and improving its ability to respond to regional threats, according to the State Department. “The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s airborne defence capability to counter current and future regional threats,” the department said. The package is also intended to strengthen…

PPP leadership discusses Sindh’s territorial integrity during five-hour meeting in London LONDON: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari have reaffirmed the party’s opposition to any division of Sindh following a five-hour meeting in London, party sources said. The meeting was held at Zardari’s residence and was also attended by Bilawal’s sister Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, according to the sources. The PPP leadership discussed the political situation in Pakistan and the ongoing debate over the creation of new provinces and administrative units. Sources said the issue of Sindh’s territorial integrity was a key point of discussion, with…

Defence minister calls for devolution, says existing administrative structure needs reform Pakistan: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of adopting a “double standard” on the creation of new provinces, saying the party supports a Saraiki province in Punjab but raises the issue of Sindhudesh when wider administrative restructuring is proposed. In a post on X, Asif said the PPP had shown a “soft corner” for the demand for a Saraiki province whenever the issue was raised in Punjab. “But when there is talk of multiple provinces or administrative units instead of four, the talk…

Sydney Sweeney and music executive Scooter Braun were photographed together in Venice during a trip to Italy, where the pair were seen displaying affection during a gondola ride. According to photos published by Page Six, the 28-year-old actor and 45-year-old Braun were seen kissing and embracing while travelling by boat before walking through the city holding hands. Sweeney was dressed in a white outfit with a yellow sweater draped over her shoulders and black sunglasses, while Braun wore a white button-down shirt, navy shorts and sunglasses. Couple Returns to Venice After First Meeting The Venice visit comes after the pair…

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has criticised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selector Aaqib Javed over recent team changes, saying the national side appears to be “playing with fear” and lacks a consistent selection strategy. Gillespie, who coached Pakistan for eight months in 2024, made the comments after the PCB replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and pace-bowling coach Umar Gul and sent seven players back from England following two heavy defeats in the ongoing Test series. Speaking to The Australian, Gillespie said the changes had created uncertainty among players and questioned the decision to remove Salman Ali Agha after…

ISLAMABAD: Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal has proposed dividing Pakistan’s four provinces into 12 to 15 smaller provinces and called for the formation of a committee to examine administrative reforms. Iqbal said the proposal should be discussed at the national and political level, stressing that the creation of new provinces would require political consensus. “I would say we need 12-15 new provinces,” Iqbal told The News, suggesting that each of the four existing provinces could potentially be divided into three administrative units. He said the existing provincial structure had become increasingly centralised and was affecting the delivery of public…

KARACHI: A Karachi court has acquitted the suspect in the Karsaz road accident case in a separate narcotics case after prosecutors failed to establish the charges with sufficient evidence. The court ruled in favour of the accused after examining the evidence presented in the case. The prosecution was unable to prove the narcotics charges beyond reasonable doubt. The acquittal relates specifically to the narcotics case and does not, by itself, determine the outcome of other proceedings connected with the Karsaz accident. Court Finds Prosecution Evidence Insufficient The case arose from allegations that the suspect was in possession of narcotics. The…

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has set June 2027 as the target for deregulating petrol prices as it moves to reform the country’s fuel pricing system and introduce greater competition in the petroleum market. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Petroleum Pricing Committee chaired by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, which reviewed proposed changes to the existing pricing framework. The committee examined the petrol pricing formula and approved principles for government intervention in diesel prices during emergencies. The proposed mechanism includes defined triggers for significant price shocks and measures that could be taken in response. The committee will…

KATHMANDU: Engineers and technical experts are using a WhatsApp group to provide real-time information to rescue teams searching for survivors inside hydropower tunnels following devastating floods and landslides in Nepal. The group, established by engineers before the disaster struck the Trishuli valley on August 26, has expanded to more than 500 members, including engineers, government officials and former hydropower workers. Rescue teams are using technical drawings, tunnel layouts and information from former plant employees to locate entrances and determine possible routes through tunnels that have been buried or damaged by massive quantities of mud and debris. More than 1,200 people…