Author: EchoAsiaNews

LOS ANGELES: Singer and actress Miley Cyrus has revealed plans to expand her career beyond music, saying she hopes to return to acting and eventually direct film projects. The 33-year-old pop star discussed her future ambitions ahead of the expected release of her upcoming album, telling fans that acting remains an important part of her creative journey. Cyrus, known for her music career and her role as the lead character in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, also expressed interest in working behind the camera as a filmmaker. Why Is Miley Cyrus Returning to Acting? Cyrus’ comments have sparked excitement…

SEATTLE: Boeing reported a larger-than-expected second-quarter loss on Tuesday after recording a $280 million charge linked to rising costs for its delayed Air Force One replacement program, although the aircraft manufacturer generated positive free cash flow as it continues efforts to stabilize its business. The U.S. planemaker posted a net loss of $428 million for the second quarter, compared with a loss of $1.24 per share on a core basis during the same period last year. Its core loss per share came in at 76 cents, wider than analysts’ expectations of a 30-cent loss, according to LSEG data. The additional…

LONDON: British pharmaceutical company GSK plc on Tuesday announced a £1.9 billion ($2.52 billion) cost-saving program aimed at increasing investment in late-stage drug development and strengthening its research pipeline. The three-year savings initiative is designed to simplify the company’s operations and redirect resources toward research and development, as GSK seeks to accelerate the launch of new medicines and rebuild its cancer treatment portfolio. GSK Chief Executive Officer Luke Miels said the program would help fund investment in the company’s late-stage drug pipeline and research activities. “To fund investment in the late-stage portfolio and R&D, we are starting a three-year cost-savings…

WARSAW: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday called for an end to xenophobic attacks against Ukrainians living in Poland, warning that such incidents undermine the country’s interests amid growing tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv. Tusk’s remarks came after a video circulated widely on social media showing three Polish men assaulting a Ukrainian man and his girlfriend in the southwestern city of Wroclaw following an alleged dispute at a shop. Two suspects were arrested on Monday, according to authorities. “Anyone who commits such vile acts is acting directly against Poland’s interests,” Tusk said during a government meeting, adding that such…

WASHINGTON: The United States has confirmed that the next round of Israel-Lebanon negotiations will take place in Rome from August 4 to 6, with discussions set to focus on implementing a US-backed framework agreement aimed at reducing tensions along the border and advancing Israeli troop withdrawals from southern Lebanon. A US State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said technical teams from both sides would meet in the Italian capital to discuss the next phase of the agreement as Israel prepares to withdraw from two pilot zones in southern Lebanon. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had announced the talks…

ISLAMABAD: Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, is scheduled to begin a two-day official visit to Pakistan on Tuesday for discussions on bilateral relations, regional developments, and international issues, the Foreign Office said. The visit, taking place from July 28 to 29 at the invitation of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, comes as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors. According to the Foreign Office, the Kuwaiti foreign minister will hold delegation-level talks with Dar, during which both sides will review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and exchange…

MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday accused authorities of prioritizing political interests over national interests during the ongoing Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, calling for free and transparent polls and an independent inquiry into alleged election irregularities. Addressing a PPP workers’ convention in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal alleged that attacks on polling stations and incidents of violence had undermined the electoral process. He questioned how attacks could have occurred at around 30 polling stations despite the presence of security arrangements. “The state must decide whether national interest is more important or the interests of the PML-N,”…

WASHINGTON: Public support for the United States’ military campaign against Iran has fallen to one in three Americans, while a majority believe President Donald Trump has failed to clearly explain the purpose of the conflict, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. The nationwide survey, conducted from July 24 to July 26, found that only 33% of respondents support the war, marking the lowest level of public backing since the conflict began nearly five months ago. At the same time, 69% of Americans, including four in 10 Republicans, said Trump has not clearly explained the goals of U.S. military involvement in…

TOKYO: A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s southern Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday, injuring several people, disrupting transportation, and leaving about 40,000 households without electricity as authorities assessed the extent of the damage. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said officials were still evaluating casualties and infrastructure losses but confirmed that injuries, fires, road damage, and building collapses had been reported. “We have already been informed that people have been injured,” Takaichi told reporters in Tokyo, urging residents to evacuate to safe locations and follow emergency instructions. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that strong aftershocks could continue for about a week,…

NEW DELHI: Indian banks have attracted nearly $32 billion through dollar-inflow schemes introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in June, helping strengthen the country’s balance of payments position, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said in an interview with The Hindu Businessline published on Monday. Malhotra said most of the funds came through the Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) deposit scheme, launched as part of measures to increase foreign currency inflows. How Did India Attract $32 Billion in Foreign Currency Inflows? The RBI governor said the majority of the inflows were generated through FCNR deposits, which allow non-resident Indians to place…