Author: EchoAsiaNews

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday rejected calls for her resignation following a decisive electoral defeat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), insisting that she had “not been defeated” despite losing both her seat and her party’s majority in the state assembly. The BJP secured more than two-thirds of the 294 seats in the state elections, marking its first-ever victory in West Bengal and ending the Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s 10-year rule. The ruling party’s tally fell sharply from 215 seats to 80, while Banerjee herself lost her constituency. Addressing a press briefing, Banerjee alleged that…

The head of Iran’s Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation (FFIRI), Mehdi Taj, has said that FIFA must provide guarantees that Iran’s national delegation will not face “insult” regarding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during travel to the United States for the 2026 World Cup. Speaking to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, Taj said assurances were necessary before Iran travels to the tournament, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Iran is scheduled to play group-stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. His remarks come after an…

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that the Supreme Court and the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) operate as “coordinate courts” under separate constitutional jurisdictions, with neither institution being subordinate to the other. The ruling came during the hearing of multiple petitions before a two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan. The court clarified the jurisdictional framework introduced under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, passed in November last year, which created the FCC with equal provincial representation. The judgment arose from proceedings originating in a Peshawar High Court decision, where writ and civil matters…

The 2026 Met Gala has come under criticism from animal rights activists after several high-profile attendees showcased feather-heavy outfits on fashion’s biggest night. At the event held on Monday, May 4, celebrities including Beyoncé, Sam Smith and Nicole Kidman appeared in elaborate feathered designs on the red carpet, with feathers emerging as one of the dominant fashion trends of the evening. However, the use of real feathers drew strong backlash from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which accused celebrities and designers of contributing to animal cruelty. In a statement shared on social media, the organisation claimed that…

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, according to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency and Iranian media reports. Araghchi arrived in the Chinese capital on Wednesday morning, as confirmed by Iran’s Tasnim and Fars news agencies. He is leading a diplomatic delegation for discussions focused on bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments. According to Fars News Agency, the Iranian foreign minister is expected to review key strategic and geopolitical issues with his Chinese counterpart, though no official details of the meeting’s outcome were immediately released by Chinese authorities.…

The United States, together with several Gulf nations, has drafted a United Nations resolution aimed at securing the safe and uninterrupted movement of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports citing Germany’s DPA and Al Jazeera. The resolution, expected to be submitted to the UN Security Council in the coming days, seeks to address growing concerns over maritime security in one of the world’s most strategic energy corridors. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the proposal calls on Iran to stop targeting commercial vessels, laying naval mines, and imposing additional charges on ships transiting the waterway.…

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has described recent military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran as “illegitimate,” during high-level talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing, according to Iranian media reports cited by Al Jazeera. Speaking at the meeting, Wang Yi said the Middle East stands at what he called a “decisive turning point,” stressing that a comprehensive ceasefire is “indispensable” for restoring regional stability. He reiterated China’s position in support of de-escalation and emphasized that direct dialogue between the involved parties remains the only viable path toward reducing tensions. According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim…

The competition on American Idol Season 24 has reached its decisive stage, with only three contestants advancing after a high-stakes elimination episode aired on May 4, 2026. The grand finale is scheduled for May 11, when viewers across the United States will vote for the winner. The May 4 episode featured guest appearances from Paula Abdul as a guest judge and Randy Jackson as a guest mentor. The show also included performances and appearances by former Season 5 contestants, including Taylor Hicks, Elliot Yamin, Kellie Pickler, Paris Bennett, and Bucky Covington. Two contestants were eliminated, narrowing the field to the…

Pakistan’s Under-16 football team endured a difficult outing in its first-ever participation in a UEFA-affiliated youth tournament in Kazakhstan, finishing bottom of their group after three consecutive defeats. Despite the results, players and coaching staff described the experience as a crucial learning opportunity that exposed both tactical potential and deep structural deficiencies in Pakistan’s football system. The team lost 4-1 to hosts Kazakhstan, 2-1 to Russia, and 1-0 to Azerbaijan. Pakistan scored only two goals throughout the tournament, one of which came from captain Abdul Samad, who headed in a goal against Kazakhstan after requesting to be deployed as a…

Former National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Chairman Tariq Malik has been listed among the world’s 25 leading figures in digital identity by US-based identity and access management firm Okta, through its venture arm Okta Ventures. The recognition places Malik in a curated group of global developers, policymakers, and technology executives acknowledged for their work in advancing secure digital identity systems. According to Okta Ventures, the list highlights individuals contributing to “software innovation, standards development, and strategic implementation” aimed at strengthening trust in digital transactions. To mark the recognition, Malik was also featured on the Nasdaq digital billboard in New…