Author: EchoAsiaNews

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and allied opposition groups are holding nationwide protests and a wheel-jam and shutter-down strike today, 8 February 2026, to mark the second anniversary of the controversial 2024 general elections and to voice ongoing grievances over alleged poll rigging. Leaders from PTI and its allied party Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) officially announced the plan for peaceful nationwide protests and silent strikes, urging supporters to participate without violent disruption. The protest agenda also places emphasis on calling for improved medical access and transparency regarding the health of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan, a central rallying issue for the party’s base.…

Recent developments show that President Trump is refusing to apologize for a racially offensive video that was posted on his social media platform and then deleted after widespread backlash. Trump claims he did not watch the entire video before it went live and says he won’t apologize because he believes he did nothing wrong. He and the White House have shifted blame onto a staff member, calling the upload an error rather than a deliberate act. The video in question included a depiction of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama using racist imagery, something that civil…

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that members of Congress will be allowed to review unredacted versions of government documents related to Jeffrey Epstein starting Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. The decision follows criticism from lawmakers who said previously released files were too heavily redacted and did not provide full transparency. According to the Justice Department, the review will include millions of pages of documents that were earlier made public in redacted form under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law passed in late 2025 to ensure the disclosure of unclassified records linked to Epstein’s criminal cases and related investigations.…

Western sanctions are significantly intensifying economic pressure on Russia, pushing its economy toward a potentially unsustainable situation as inflation rises, oil revenues decline and borrowing costs remain high, a senior European Union sanctions envoy said, according to multiple reports. David O’Sullivan, the EU’s special envoy on sanctions, said in a recent interview that measures imposed by the EU and its allies are having a “significant impact” on Russia’s war-focused economy. Western sanctions, enacted in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have targeted key sectors including energy, finance and trade, curbing Moscow’s ability to generate revenue for its military operations. O’Sullivan…

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting political pressure as controversy deepens over his decision to appoint former Labour Party elder statesman Peter Mandelson as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States, following revelations connected to Mandelson’s relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to multiple reports. On Friday, the Metropolitan Police executed search warrants at two properties linked to Mandelson, located in the Wiltshire region and the Camden area of north London, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct in public office. Police said no arrests have been made, but the…

According to Reuters, shares of Amazon fell nearly 9 percent on Friday after the company announced plans to invest about $200 billion in capital spending this year, raising fresh concerns among investors over the rising cost of artificial intelligence development, according to Reuters. The sharp decline came after Amazon joined other major U.S. technology companies in forecasting significantly higher expenditures for 2026. Collectively, Big Tech firms are expected to spend more than $630 billion on data centers, AI infrastructure, and advanced chips, marking an unprecedented level of investment in the sector. While investors had anticipated increased spending as companies focus…

Samsung’s highly anticipated Galaxy S26 Ultra flagship phone continues to generate buzz ahead of its expected launch later this month, with multiple recent leaks shedding light on its design, battery, wireless charging capabilities, and camera setup, even as key upgrades appear to be scaled back. New leaks reveal a full 360-degree view of the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra, offering perhaps the clearest look yet at the flagship’s exterior design. Reliable tipster Evan Blass shared press renders showing a refined layout with slightly rounded corners and slimmer bezels compared to its predecessor. The rear panel features a multi-camera array with a…

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a star-studded commentary panel for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, promising a world-class viewing experience for cricket fans worldwide. In a press release issued on Friday, the ICC said a team of renowned former players and experts will feature on ICC.TV throughout the tournament, which begins in India and Sri Lanka on February 7. The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup will feature 55 matches, with the final scheduled for March 8. According to the ICC, the commentary will be delivered through a world feed service to broadcast partners, ensuring…

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday announced the cancellation of all her Basant-related activities scheduled for Saturday following the deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad that claimed at least 31 lives. In a post on X, the chief minister said that the mega Basant show planned at Liberty Square had been called off in solidarity with the victims of the blast at an imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area. She stressed the need for national unity against terrorism, stating that the country must remain united against extremist elements and their supporters, show them no mercy, and stand firmly with the armed…

A powerful suicide bombing struck the Khadijatul Kubra Mosque, also known as Imambargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra, in the Tarlai Kalan and Shehzad Town area of Islamabad on Friday, killing at least 31 people and injuring 169 others, officials said. The attack occurred during Friday prayers when hundreds of worshippers were gathered inside and around the mosque. According to police and district administration officials, the attacker detonated explosives near the main entrance shortly after being stopped by security personnel. The blast caused extensive damage to the building, shattered windows, and sent debris across the prayer hall, triggering panic and chaos among worshippers.…