Author: EchoAsiaNews

Pakistan’s top leadership on Friday congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on securing a commanding victory in Bangladesh’s general elections, expressing readiness to deepen bilateral engagement after years of strained ties. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended “warmest felicitations” to Tarique Rahman for leading the BNP to what he described as a resounding parliamentary victory. He also congratulated the Bangladeshi electorate on the conduct of the polls, saying Islamabad looked forward to working closely with the new leadership to strengthen “historic, brotherly multifaceted bilateral relations” and promote peace and development in South Asia. President Asif Ali Zardari similarly conveyed his congratulations…

France‑backed satellite operator Eutelsat Communications on Friday reported better‑than‑expected revenue for the first half of its 2025‑26 fiscal year, reflecting progress in its strategic pivot toward satellite internet services aimed at challenging Elon Musk’s Starlink network. Eutelsat posted revenue of €592 million ($702 million) for the six months ended December, topping analyst forecasts of about €581 million and driven by growth in its low Earth orbit (LEO) internet business under the OneWeb division. While the company remained loss‑making, it cut operating losses by roughly 85 per cent and slashed its net debt by more than half following a €1.5 billion rescue led by the French state…

Norway’s former prime minister Thorbjorn Jagland has been formally named a suspect in an aggravated corruption investigation linked to his ties with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, authorities confirmed Friday, marking a major escalation in a scandal that has engulfed parts of the Norwegian elite. Norway’s specialised economic crimes unit, Okokrim, said it is probing whether Jagland, who served as prime minister in 1996‑97, later chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee and was secretary‑general of the Council of Europe, accepted undue benefits, including gifts, travel or loans, in connection with his official positions during the period covered by the…

As rain-bearing clouds hover over Colombo with showers expected Sunday evening, Pakistan are monitoring conditions closely ahead of their highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash against arch-rivals India, according to The News. The likelihood of a rain-affected match has prompted team management to consider tactical adjustments, with weather conditions potentially shaping the final playing XI. Well-placed sources have indicated that Pakistan may strengthen their pace attack if overcast and damp conditions persist. Express pacer Naseem Shah and left-arm quick Salman Mirza, who missed the match against the USA, are in contention to exploit any assistance offered by a moist pitch.…

The United States and Taiwan have finalized a major trade agreement designed to cut tariffs and expand bilateral economic ties. Under the deal, the U.S. will set a 15 % tariff on imports from Taiwan, down from about 20 % previously, aligning Taiwanese exports with terms offered to other major Asian partners. Taiwan has agreed to gradually eliminate or reduce tariffs on nearly all U.S. goods, including agricultural products and industrial equipment. The agreement also commits Taiwan to boost purchases of American products from 2025 to 2029, including $44.4 billion in liquefied natural gas and crude oil, $15.2 billion in civil aircraft and engines,…

Oil prices drifted on Friday but were poised for a second consecutive weekly decline, pressured by fading geopolitical risk and forecasts of a global oil supply surplus in 2026. Brent crude futures traded around $67.5 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) held about $62.8, each rebounding slightly after sharp losses the day before. Both benchmarks were tracking lower on the week, with Brent down roughly 0.8% and WTI around 1.1%. Market sentiment shifted as U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that Washington and Tehran could reach a diplomatic understanding within weeks, reducing the near‑term likelihood of a U.S.–Iran conflict…

Donald Trump will not attend the 39th annual African Union summit, which begins Friday, but his policies continue to shape discussions among the continent’s 55 member states, according to Al Jazeera. Trump’s historic cuts to foreign aid, overhaul of trade policy, and sweeping changes to immigration have had a significant impact on Africa, even as the continent receives only minimal mention in his broader global agenda, Al Jazeera reports. The administration has increasingly pursued bilateral agreements with African countries, prioritizing security and resource-focused deals over multilateral engagement. “US policy toward Africa has introduced a degree of uncertainty that will shape…

The United Arab Emirates has agreed to extend the maturity of a $2 billion deposit placed with Pakistan for another two months, according to a report published on Friday. The decision comes as Islamabad prepares for key discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The assurance followed recent contact between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and senior UAE officials. A senior official confirmed that the extension will run until April 17, 2026. The rollover has been granted at an interest rate of 6.5 percent, though formal confirmation from the relevant authorities is still awaited and expected shortly.…

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a commanding two-thirds majority in Bangladesh’s general election on Friday, a result widely viewed as a turning point after months of political turbulence triggered by the removal of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a youth-led uprising. According to domestic television projections, the BNP and its allies captured at least 212 of the 299 contested seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation. The opposition Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and its partners secured 70 seats, establishing themselves as the principal opposition bloc. The BNP’s return to power after two decades marks one of the…

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to unveil a multi-billion-dollar Gaza reconstruction funding plan and detail commitments for a multinational stabilization force when he hosts the inaugural meeting of the newly formed Board of Peace on Feb. 19 in Washington, D.C., senior U.S. officials said. The Board of Peace, a U.S.-led initiative endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution, is designed to coordinate international support for Gaza’s reconstruction and the fragile ceasefire that took effect in October 2025 following years of conflict. At next week’s session, Trump will announce the establishment of a new reconstruction fund intended to mobilize…