Author: EchoAsiaNews

The United Nations has raised serious alarm over newly released files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, warning that the scale, systematic nature, and transnational reach of abuse detailed in the documents could amount to crimes against humanity. Independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council said that the allegations outlined in documents released by the US Justice Department point to a deeply entrenched global network that systematically exploited women and girls. In a statement, they called for a full, independent, and impartial investigation into the breadth of crimes and how they were allowed to persist. The experts…

The Indian rupee is expected to open largely unchanged on Wednesday, confined within a tight trading band as mild weakness in other Asian currencies weighed on sentiment, while consistent intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) acted as a backstop for the currency. According to one-month non-deliverable forwards, the rupee is forecast to trade around 90.66–90.70 against the U.S. dollar, close to its previous session’s close of 90.6725. The RBI has been actively intervening in the forex market, buying dollars at around 90.70–90.80 levels to absorb excess demand and prevent the rupee from sliding toward the psychologically sensitive 91…

The United States and Iran have begun a second round of high-stakes nuclear negotiations in Geneva, aimed at resolving their long-running dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme, amid intense regional tensions and the threat of military conflict if diplomacy fails. The discussions, held indirectly with mediation by Oman, saw U.S. special envoys including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner engage with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. Both sides emerged from Tuesday’s talks indicating progress on broad “guiding principles”, but stressed that a definitive agreement remains distant. Iran’s foreign minister acknowledged advances toward shared objectives but said a final deal was not imminent.…

India’s much-anticipated AI Impact Summit 2026, billed as a major global gathering on artificial intelligence, was marred by logistical chaos and organizational lapses on its opening day, drawing strong criticism from participants and political figures alike. The five-day event, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, was intended to showcase India’s technological leadership and host global leaders and industry executives. However, attendees reported long queues, overcrowded halls and confusion over entry procedures, with many forced to wait for hours before gaining access to sessions. Several delegates also shared complaints on social media about last-minute security closures that left…

The multi-party opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP) has decided to continue its sit-in protest at Parliament House in Islamabad, sources said on Tuesday, as jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s health concerns dominate the political discourse. During a meeting at Parliament House led by National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, members resolved to maintain the protest until Imran Khan’s personal physicians and family are allowed access to him at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. Some PTI members had earlier suggested ending the sit-in based on a medical report, but the alliance agreed to continue its actions for now. Lawmakers from both…

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus stepped down on Monday in a nationally televised address, formally handing over power to an elected government following last week’s general elections. The 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate said the interim administration was concluding its mandate after overseeing a political transition triggered by the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Hasina’s government was toppled by a student-led uprising, after which she fled to India. Yunus returned from self-imposed exile days later to assume charge as “chief adviser” and steer the country toward elections. Congratulating the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on its…

Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made the most serious and sustained efforts among political figures to secure the release of jailed Imran Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Speaking to a private television channel, Gandapur said he had previously conveyed the same view within party circles but was now stating it publicly. “Mohsin Naqvi made vigorous efforts to resolve the issue. He made more efforts than anyone else to ensure his release,” he said, referring to Khan’s continued incarceration since August 2023. Gandapur further claimed that Naqvi spoke in…

 Indonesia is preparing a contingent of up to 8,000 troops to be ready for deployment to Gaza by June 2026 as part of a proposed multinational peacekeeping and humanitarian force, its army spokesperson said on Monday. According to the spokesperson, 1,000 soldiers will be ready for potential deployment as early as April, with the larger force prepared by June. The final decision on deployment, including timing and mission scope, rests with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and requires clearance under applicable international mechanisms. The planned mission is tied to an initiative known as the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), endorsed by a…

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has launched a comprehensive new cybersecurity strategy named “Cyber Shield” to protect the country’s financial sector against escalating digital threats. Announced on February 17, 2026, the initiative is part of the SBP’s broader Vision 2028 agenda, which aims to modernize financial infrastructure and strengthen resilience across banks and financial institutions. According to SBP officials, the Cyber Shield strategy is designed to improve cybersecurity measures, enhance threat response capabilities, and ensure rapid recovery in the event of a cyber attack. The move comes in response to the rapid growth of digital banking and online payment…

Indian financial markets were hit hard today following a major regulatory intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Shares of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) plunged nearly 10 percent, marking the steepest decline among exchange operators in recent years. Brokerage firms, including Angel One, Groww, and Motilal Oswal Financial Services, also saw sharp losses after the RBI announced tighter lending rules for banks providing credit to capital market participants. The new regulations, effective 1 April 2026, require full collateral for bank credit to brokers and prohibit bank financing for proprietary trading. Analysts warn that the move could increase funding costs,…