Author: EchoAsiaNews

Security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district on April 19, killing two terrorists, including a key ring leader, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Monday. According to the military’s media wing, the operation was launched on reported presence of militants in the area. Following an intense exchange of fire, two “khwarij” affiliated with what it described as the Indian-sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij network were killed, including ring leader Waheedullah alias Mukhtiar and a suicide bomber. The ISPR said security forces recovered a suicide jacket, weapons, and ammunition from the site. Waheedullah was listed among the…

Reports of renewed tension between former One Direction members Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson have intensified following recent social media activity and developments linked to their planned Netflix documentary series. Over the weekend, Louis Tomlinson unfollowed Zayn Malik on Instagram, while continuing to follow Harry Styles and Niall Horan. Malik, however, still follows Tomlinson, making the change more conspicuous and fueling speculation about a widening rift. Further attention was drawn when Tomlinson’s sisters, Phoebe and Lottie, also reportedly unfollowed Malik, adding to perceptions of strained relations within the group’s extended circle. The developments come amid reports of a fallout during…

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) fell sharply on Monday as renewed uncertainty over US–Iran relations, rising global oil prices, and weak international equities triggered broad-based selling pressure in the market. The benchmark KSE-100 Index declined to an intraday low of 169,226.56, losing 4,712.45 points, or 2.71%, compared to the previous close of 173,939.01. During the session, the index also touched a high of 174,523.76 before reversing gains. Market analysts said investor sentiment weakened amid escalating geopolitical tensions and concerns over stalled diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran. “Stocks witnessed selling amid concerns over reignited US-Iran tensions,” said Ahsan Mehanti, Managing…

China has raised concerns over the United States’ reported seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, urging all parties to avoid escalation and maintain momentum toward ceasefire negotiations in the Middle East. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described the situation in the Strait of Hormuz as “sensitive and complicated,” warning that tensions in the region risk further destabilisation of global maritime trade. He called on all sides to act responsibly and ensure conditions for the resumption of normal shipping through the strategic waterway. “The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is sensitive and complicated,” Guo said at a regular briefing,…

European Union officials have reiterated their political and financial support for the Palestinian Authority and renewed calls for a two-state solution, as the wider Middle East conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran continues to dominate global attention. Speaking at a meeting of the “Global Alliance for the Two-State Solution,” Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said the international community must maintain its diplomatic focus despite escalating regional crises. “We meet in the middle of a storm. But we cannot abandon the compass,” he said, stressing that the Israeli-Palestinian issue remains central to broader regional stability. EU foreign policy chief…

Concerns over the stability of the US–Iran ceasefire intensified on Monday after Washington said it had seized an Iranian cargo vessel that attempted to evade its maritime restrictions, prompting Tehran to threaten retaliation. The US military said it fired on an Iranian-flagged ship travelling toward Bandar Abbas, claiming it had taken “full custody” of the vessel. President Donald Trump said on social media that US forces were examining its cargo. Iran’s military, however, said the ship had been en route from China and described the interception as “armed piracy,” warning of an imminent response. The incident comes amid heightened maritime…

Uncertainty prevailed on Monday over whether the United States and Iran will proceed with a second round of direct negotiations, as conflicting statements from Tehran deepened doubts, even as Islamabad moved ahead with preparations to host the talks. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran has not yet taken a decision regarding participation in the next round of discussions with the United States. His remarks followed earlier comments by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who said Iran was continuing negotiations but remained prepared to take “necessary measures” amid fears of further escalation. “There are no plans at this…

Pakistan is tightening security across Islamabad as it prepares to host a possible second round of direct US-Iran peace talks, but the prospects remain uncertain after Iran signaled it currently has no plans to participate. Iranian officials stated on Monday that Tehran has no plans for now to send a delegation to Islamabad, citing continued US military and economic pressure, including the naval blockade of Iranian ports and recent maritime incidents. Tehran has argued that present conditions do not allow for meaningful negotiations. Despite this, the United States is proceeding with its plans. President Donald Trump announced that a high-level…

Dozens of humanoid robots developed in China demonstrated significant advancements in speed and autonomous navigation on Sunday, competing alongside 12,000 human runners in a half-marathon held in Beijing. The event highlighted rapid progress in robotics, with several robot participants outperforming professional athletes on a 21-kilometre course designed with parallel lanes to avoid collisions. Nearly half of the robot entries completed the race using autonomous navigation systems, a marked improvement from last year, when most required remote control and many failed to finish. Participation also expanded significantly, rising from 20 teams in the previous edition to more than 100 this year.…

Blue Origin has successfully landed its New Glenn rocket booster after launch, marking the company’s first successful recovery of a reused booster and intensifying competition with rival SpaceX in the global space launch industry. The launch took place on Sunday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with the New Glenn rocket lifting off at approximately 7:25am ET after a scheduled window opened earlier in the morning. The booster successfully touched down around 10 minutes after liftoff. The mission carried AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite into low-Earth orbit, marking a key step in validating the rocket’s commercial capabilities and reusable design.…