Author: EchoAsiaNews

Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late Friday, carrying Tehran’s formal response to proposals conveyed by the United States through Pakistan, as diplomatic activity intensified around the ongoing US-Iran standoff. The Iranian foreign minister was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir, underscoring the significance Islamabad has attached to the visit. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Araghchi is expected to hold meetings with political and military leadership to discuss regional developments and ongoing efforts aimed at peace and stability. The visit comes amid a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Iran, with…

Pakistan has moved beyond a limited facilitation role to take on a more active position in mediating between the United States and Iran following the escalation of conflict earlier this year. For much of the past year, Islamabad functioned as a discreet communication channel between Washington and Tehran. However, after the outbreak of full-scale hostilities in February, Pakistan began hosting delegations and publicly positioning itself as a mediator. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on March 24 that Pakistan would “facilitate” dialogue, a stance later reinforced by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who confirmed the country would host…

Ellen DeGeneres is set to return to the screen, reprising her role as Dory in a new short film set in the Finding Nemo universe, according to a report by Deadline. Details of the project have not yet been disclosed. The role marks DeGeneres’ first acting credit since the 2021 Pixar Popcorn, in which she also voiced the popular blue tang character. She first portrayed Dory in Finding Nemo, which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and reprised the role in the 2016 sequel Finding Dory, which grossed more than $1 billion globally. The announcement comes after DeGeneres…

Terrorist groups are increasingly exploiting artificial intelligence, encrypted communication platforms and digital currencies, transforming the global threat into a more decentralized and harder-to-detect phenomenon, experts said at a panel held at United Nations headquarters in New York City. The discussion was organised by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, bringing together diplomats, security experts and academics to examine emerging trends in global terrorism. Participants said extremist networks are increasingly using online ecosystems for recruitment, propaganda and financing, expanding their reach beyond traditional conflict zones and operating across borders with limited regulatory oversight.…

A United States Navy guided missile destroyer has enforced a US-imposed blockade against an Iranian-flagged vessel attempting to sail toward a port in Iran, the Navy said, amid escalating regional tensions. Separately, Antonio Guterres expressed condolences following the death of an Indonesian peacekeeper serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The peacekeeper succumbed to injuries sustained during an Israeli strike on a UNIFIL position in southern Lebanon in March. Guterres said six UNIFIL peacekeepers have been killed and several others seriously injured in recent incidents linked to hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israel Defense Forces, calling for…

Donald Trump is dispatching special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner to Pakistan for talks with Iran’s foreign minister, according to a report by CNN on Friday. Citing two administration officials familiar with the matter, the report said the meetings aim to advance diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran. JD Vance is not currently expected to attend but will remain on standby to travel to Islamabad if negotiations show progress, CNN reported.

Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that he has undergone successful treatment for early-stage prostate cancer, according to a statement released alongside his annual medical report. The 76-year-old leader said a malignant tumor was detected during a routine checkup and was treated with targeted therapy, leaving no remaining signs of the disease. The medical report confirmed he received radiation therapy and described his overall health as good. Neither Netanyahu nor the report specified when the treatment took place. Netanyahu said the release of the report had been delayed by two months to prevent what he described as potential “false propaganda” by…

Pakistan has issued its first spot tender for liquefied natural gas since December 2023, as supply disruptions linked to regional conflict strain the country’s energy system. Pakistan LNG Limited is seeking bids from international suppliers for three LNG cargoes of approximately 140,000 cubic metres each, with delivery scheduled between April 27 and May 14 at Port Qasim in Karachi. The tender closes on April 24, according to an official notice released on Thursday. Federal Energy Minister Awais Leghari said the procurement is aimed at meeting rising electricity demand and reducing reliance on more expensive fuels such as diesel and furnace…

The head of the International Energy Agency has warned that the world is facing the “biggest threat” to energy security in history amid ongoing disruptions in global oil supply. Executive Director Fatih Birol said the crisis is being driven by a significant loss of supply, estimating that around 13 million barrels of oil per day have been removed from the global market. Speaking to Reuters, Birol said rising energy prices are expected to put downward pressure on demand, with governments likely to introduce additional measures to manage the crisis and stabilize markets. The warning underscores mounting concerns over global energy…

A special envoy to former U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly proposed that Iran be replaced by Italy at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, according to the Financial Times. US envoy Paolo Zampolli said he had suggested to Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Italy take Iran’s place in the tournament scheduled to be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Zampolli described the proposal as a “dream,” citing Italy’s football legacy as four-time World Cup winners and arguing that the team has the sporting pedigree to justify inclusion, despite failing to qualify after a playoff defeat…