Author: EchoAsiaNews

The U.S. military said on Friday that it carried out a strike on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea, killing three people in what was described as an operation targeting narco-trafficking activities. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the vessel was “engaged in narco-trafficking operations” when it was struck, marking the latest such incident in recent months as the U.S. seeks to disrupt illicit drug routes in the region. The announcement did not immediately provide details on the nationality of those killed or the exact location of the strike. Reuters was unable to independently…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Pakistani authorities to ensure that proposed changes to electricity tariffs do not disproportionately affect middle- and lower-income households, Reuters reported, as talks continue over energy-sector reforms tied to a major IMF financing program. The discussions are part of Pakistan’s review of electricity prices under its $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the IMF, aimed at addressing long-standing structural issues in the economy and tightening balance-of-payments pressures. Analysts say the planned tariff revisions are meant to reduce subsidies and ease the financial burden on industry, but could trigger higher inflation and lead to…

Oil prices were little changed on Friday but were on track for their second consecutive weekly decline as concerns over a possible U.S.–Iran conflict eased and expectations of an oversupplied market increased, Reuters reported. Brent crude futures were trading around $67.55 a barrel, up slightly after earlier losses, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood near $62.85. Despite minor gains in the session, both benchmarks are forecast to end the week lower, with Brent down about 0.8% and WTI down roughly 1.1%. Oil prices earlier in the week had strengthened on fears that the United States might take military action…

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that a change in power in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen,” as the Pentagon prepares to deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Tehran. Speaking to reporters at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Trump was asked whether he sought “regime change” in Iran. He responded that a change of government “seems like that would be the best thing that could happen,” though he did not specify who he envisioned replacing the current leadership. Trump’s remarks signal a more overt endorsement of potential regime change in…

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday called on the United States and European countries to “repair and revive transatlantic trust together,” highlighting growing strains in the historic alliance between Western powers, according to media reports. Speaking at the 62nd Munich Security Conference in Munich, Merz described a “deep divide” between the U.S. and Europe and said renewed cooperation was essential in a world of intensifying geopolitical competition. Merz’s remarks underscored concerns among European leaders that recent U.S. policy positions have strained relations with traditional allies. European officials have expressed unease over issues including defence commitments, trade disputes and differing strategic…

More than 5,000 ISIL-linked detainees have been moved from jails in northeastern Syria to a prison in Iraq, the Iraqi Ministry of Justice has said. Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Laibi told the Iraqi News Agency on Friday that the transfers and continued detention of the prisoners were carried out at the request of the U.S.-led international coalition combating ISIL, of which Iraq is a key member. Laibi said that of the 5,064 detainees transferred so far, more than 3,000 are Syrian nationals and at least 270 are Iraqi citizens. He added that all of the detainees are being held in a…

China’s ByteDance Ltd is in advanced negotiations to sell its gaming subsidiary, Shanghai Moonton Technology, in a deal that sources familiar with the matter say could be worth between $6 billion and $7 billion. Moonton, the Shanghai-based studio behind the massively popular mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, was acquired by ByteDance in 2021 for about $4 billion. The potential sale marks a significant shift in ByteDance’s strategy as the company downsizes its gaming operations following a broader restructuring announced in 2023. The prospective buyer is Savvy Games Group, a Saudi Arabia–based gaming and esports company backed by the Public…

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Rana Sanaullah on Friday said that if it were proven that medical treatment had been deliberately denied to incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, it would amount to criminal negligence and would be indefensible. Speaking on the Senate floor, Sanaullah, who also serves as the prime minister’s adviser on public and political affairs, addressed concerns raised by the opposition regarding Khan’s health, particularly an eye condition that recently came to light. His remarks follow the submission of a seven-page medical report to the Supreme Court by PTI counsel Salman Safdar after a three-hour meeting…

Global pop star Zayn Malik has revealed that he was far from a natural talent when he first started singing, admitting in a recent podcast interview that he “was really rubbish” as a child. Speaking ahead of his upcoming fifth solo album, the former One Direction member appeared on the Call Her Daddy, hosted by Alex Cooper, where he reflected candidly on his early musical journey. When asked how he copes with being a beginner despite his global success, Malik said he actively seeks out new challenges. He explained that he enjoys the early stages of learning something new, even…

China’s biotechnology sector is on track for a record year in outbound licensing deals in 2026, as global pharmaceutical companies race to secure rights to promising Chinese-developed drugs, according to industry data and analysts. The total disclosed value of licensing-out deals from the greater China region surged to $137.7 billion in 2025, nearly ten times the level recorded in 2021, data from healthcare analytics firm Pharmcube showed. Analysts expect deal value to climb further this year as the country’s experimental drug pipeline continues to expand. As of early 2026, dozens of outbound licensing agreements have already been announced, with average…