Author: EchoAsiaNews

NEW DELHI: Indian authorities have imposed fresh restrictions ahead of Eid ul Adha, including bans on the slaughter of cows, calves and camels in several regions, prompting renewed debate over religious freedom and restrictions on Muslim religious practices. According to Indian media reports, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to strictly enforce measures related to Eid observances during a high-level law and order meeting held via video conference. The Uttar Pradesh government ordered that animal sacrifice be permitted only at pre-designated sites and instructed authorities not to allow any “new traditions” during the festival. Adityanath also directed that…

KARACHI: The Sui Southern Gas Company on Tuesday announced a special gas supply schedule for domestic and commercial consumers during the three days of Eid ul Adha. According to the company, gas supply on the eve of Eid ul Adha, May 26, will remain available until midnight. SSGC said uninterrupted gas supply on the first and second days of Eid, May 27 and May 28, will begin at 7:30am and continue until 12am. However, on the third day of Eid, May 29, gas supply will remain available only until 10pm. The company added that the regular gas supply schedule will…

NEW YORK: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in New York on Tuesday for a three-day official visit to participate in a high-level United Nations Security Council debate focused on international peace, security and multilateralism. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dar will attend the UNSC Open Debate titled “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centered International System.” The session is being convened under China’s rotating presidency of the Security Council for May 2026 and will be chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The…

WASHINGTON: United States forces launched strikes on missile sites and mine-laying boats in southern Iran on Monday, according to US Central Command, escalating regional tensions and putting a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran at risk. US Central Command spokesman Tim Hawkins said in a statement that the attacks were carried out in “self-defence” to protect American troops from threats posed by Iranian forces. The US military said the strikes targeted missile launch sites and vessels allegedly attempting to place naval mines near strategic waterways in southern Iran. Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported several explosions near the port city of…

LAS VEGAS: Pop superstar Taylor Swift went home empty-handed at the 2026 American Music Awards despite entering the ceremony as the most-nominated artist with eight nods. The singer, who did not attend Monday night’s fan-voted awards show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, failed to extend her record 40 AMA wins. Swift had been nominated in several top categories, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for The Life of a Showgirl and Song of the Year for The Fate of Ophelia. Artist of the Year was won by BTS, while Song of the Year…

KARACHI: A young couple who had entered into a free-will marriage were shot dead in Karachi’s Malir area on Monday in what police suspect was a case of honour killing. According to police, 20-year-old Nadia and 25-year-old Najeebullah were travelling in a rented vehicle when unidentified armed men opened fire on them near Saudabad, killing both on the spot. Officials said the couple had married by choice despite opposition from Nadia’s family. Following the marriage, Nadia’s father, Aslam, had registered an abduction case against Najeebullah at Sachal police station on May 19. Police had subsequently arrested Najeebullah’s father in connection…

BEIJING: Pakistan and China have reached a broad new consensus on strengthening their strategic partnership, enhancing regional coordination, and expanding cooperation in key sectors including trade, infrastructure, security, technology, and agriculture, according to a joint statement issued Tuesday. The agreement came during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Beijing, where he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and senior Chinese leadership. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” and pledged to accelerate high-quality development under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), including the modernization of Gwadar Port and improvements to regional connectivity infrastructure. The joint…

Islamabad: Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to coordinated diplomatic engagement aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Middle East amid ongoing regional tensions and shifting geopolitical dynamics. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during high-level talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People, emphasized the need for joint Pakistan–China efforts to support ceasefire initiatives and broader regional de-escalation. He thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping and Beijing’s leadership for backing Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives and expressed Islamabad’s full support for China’s four-point agenda focused on regional peace and stability. The Prime Minister also noted that Pakistan’s…

SYDNEY: Big Bash League is facing uncertainty over its long-term future after plans to introduce private investment into the competition stalled amid resistance from several Australian state cricket bodies. Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has warned that outside investment is necessary to secure the league’s financial future and remain competitive against rapidly expanding global Twenty20 tournaments. The growing number of privately funded T20 leagues competing for international talent includes the International League T20 in the UAE, SA20 in South Africa, and the planned NZ20, which is expected to launch in December 2027. Greenberg said higher salary caps in rival…

NEW DELHI: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday during a high-profile visit to India aimed at reinforcing ties with Washington’s strategic partner following President Donald Trump’s recent summit with Xi Jinping in China. Rubio arrived in New Delhi one week after accompanying Trump to Beijing, marking his first official visit to both Asian powers since taking office. A US official said Rubio and Modi held closed-door talks for more than an hour. The visit comes at a time of shifting geopolitical dynamics in Asia as the Trump administration recalibrates its relations with…