Author: EchoAsiaNews

 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,…

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Monday said a medical team is “completely satisfied” with the ongoing treatment of jailed Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s eye condition. Speaking at a lawyers’ event in Ferozewala, Tarar said Khan underwent a repeat medical examination. According to the minister, one of the former prime minister’s eyes has approximately 70% vision with corrective glasses, while the other retains normal 6×6 vision. Responding to questions about disputed visual measurements, specifically references to a “35/25” figure circulating in some reports, Tarar said there was “no need to worry,” noting that the medical team had…

The Chinese diaspora in Britain held vibrant celebrations this weekend as communities across the country welcomed the Year of the Fire Horse, a zodiac year associated with energy, freedom and success. In Peterborough, local organisers staged a dragon parade featuring symbolic performances and cultural displays to usher in the Lunar New Year ahead of the official New Year date on February 17, 2026, reflecting optimism after challenging pandemic‑era years.  In the parade, organisers highlighted traditional themes of prosperity and renewal. Faustina Yang, a leader of the Chinese community in Peterborough, said the fire horse symbolizes a free spirit moving toward…

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal departed Islamabad on Monday to represent Pakistan at the oath‑taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka on February 17. The planning ministry confirmed that Iqbal will attend the high‑profile event in place of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is currently on an official foreign visit and unable to participate in the ceremony. During his visit, Iqbal is also scheduled to hold meetings with senior Bangladeshi officials to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral ties, particularly in political, economic and trade sectors, according to ministry sources.…

Samsung’s privacy display technology is confirmed as a headline innovation for the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra flagship. Leaks from official software (One UI 8.5) and indirect confirmations from Samsung’s own materials show a new Privacy Display feature built into the phone’s OLED panel that significantly reduces screen visibility for side‑viewing angles, helping protect sensitive information like messages, passwords and other private content from people nearby. The functionality relies on a combination of hardware and software, including Samsung Display’s Flex Magic Pixel technology, and can be toggled manually or automatically based on context. The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s “Privacy Display” is positioned…

British singer‑songwriter Harry Styles has been officially appointed curator of the 2026 Meltdown Festival, organisers at the Southbank Centre announced Monday. The festival, one of the world’s longest‑running artist‑curated music events, will take place from June 11 to June 21 at London’s Southbank Centre as part of the venue’s 75th anniversary celebrations. Styles, 32, follows a prestigious lineage of past curators including David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Chaka Khan and Patti Smith, tasked with selecting performers and shaping the line‑up for the multi‑day event. In a statement, the Grammy‑winning artist said he was “deeply honoured” to curate Meltdown, adding that his…

The United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan are preparing for a pivotal Group D encounter in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday, with both teams desperate to keep their tournament hopes alive. The UAE arrive off their first win of the competition, a narrow victory over Canada, but remain under pressure to address weaknesses in their middle order, particularly against spin bowling. Afghanistan, led by captain Rashid Khan, suffered a heart-breaking loss in their previous outing that went to two Super Overs, leaving them still without a victory in the group. With South Africa…

The U.S. Department of Defense is considering severing its relationship with artificial intelligence company Anthropic amid a dispute over how its AI systems can be used by the military, according to Axios, citing a senior U.S. administration official. The Pentagon has been pushing four major AI developers, Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and xAI, to allow their tools to be used for “all lawful purposes,” including weapons development, intelligence gathering and battlefield operations. Anthropic has resisted agreeing to such broad terms, prompting frustration within U.S. defence circles after months of negotiations. An Anthropic spokesperson said the company has not discussed specific military…