Author: EchoAsiaNews

Authorities in Islamabad on Sunday dismissed a viral notification claiming closure of public and private offices, even as heightened security measures were enforced across key areas of the federal capital ahead of a possible high-level U.S. visit. Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon termed the circulating notice “fake,” clarifying that no blanket shutdown of offices in Islamabad or neighboring Rawalpindi had been ordered. He also confirmed that educational institutions in Islamabad would remain open on Monday, with no decision taken regarding closures. In a statement on social media, Memon urged citizens to avoid sharing unverified information and rely solely on official…

Billie Eilish was left overwhelmed with emotion after a surprise onstage moment with Justin Bieber during the second weekend of Coachella on April 18. The Grammy-winning singer revealed she “can’t stop crying” following the unexpected serenade, sharing a photo of her tearful, bloodshot eyes on social media after returning home. Eilish, a longtime fan and friend of Bieber, was brought onstage during his performance of his 2009 hit One Less Lonely Girl. The moment unfolded when Hailey Bieber encouraged Eilish to step onto the stage. Bieber then welcomed her with open arms and performed the song directly to her—recreating a…

Global markets turned volatile on Monday as oil prices jumped, the U.S. dollar strengthened, and stock futures declined following renewed uncertainty over the Iran conflict and the re-closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In early Asian trading, Brent crude futures surged nearly 7% to $96.85 per barrel, reflecting immediate supply concerns tied to disruptions in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. At the same time, S&P 500 futures fell around 0.9%, signaling investor caution. Currency markets also reacted sharply. The euro slipped 0.3% to $1.1735, while the Japanese yen weakened about 0.2% to 158.95 per dollar. The dollar…

Iran has decided to continue negotiations with the United States but will proceed strictly within defined “red lines,” according to a senior Iranian lawmaker, as diplomatic momentum builds around talks expected in Islamabad. Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s Parliament National Security Committee, said Tehran remains open to dialogue but will not negotiate “at any cost” or accept terms imposed by Washington. “Iran has set red lines, and these must be observed,” Azizi stated, emphasizing that continued engagement does not signal flexibility on core national positions. Responding to questions about the possibility of sending a delegation to Islamabad for the next…

An advance delegation from the United States has arrived in Islamabad as Pakistan prepares to host a second round of talks between Washington and Iran, official sources said on Sunday. Additional advance teams from foreign delegations are also expected, with high-level negotiations reportedly scheduled for next week. Authorities have imposed strict security measures in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, including the closure of the Red Zone and Extended Red Zone to all traffic. Islamabad police said the restrictions would remain in place until further notice due to the arrival of foreign delegations, advising citizens to use alternative routes. District administrations in both…

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Saturday confirmed that Pakistan has returned a $2 billion deposit to the United Arab Emirates, describing it as funds previously held with central banks as a safe deposit arrangement. According to the SBP spokesperson, the repayment marks a significant movement in Pakistan’s external financing position. The development comes shortly after Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to extend the maturity of a $3 billion deposit placed with the SBP by the Saudi Fund for Development. Separately, the central bank earlier confirmed receipt of another $2 billion from Saudi Arabia, effective April 15, 2026. Officials said…

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have announced that they are expecting their second child, sharing the news on social media in a post that quickly went viral. The couple’s announcement included a reference to their daughter Dua Padukone Singh, sparking widespread celebration among fans and Bollywood celebrities. Several public figures, including Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Parineeti Chopra, reacted with congratulatory messages on social media. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh married in 2018 in Italy in a traditional Sindhi-Konkani ceremony. The couple welcomed their first child, Dua, in September 2024 and later introduced her publicly during Diwali celebrations. The couple, both…

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh national cricket team, with Shan Masood retained as captain for the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle. The series will be played in Bangladesh, with the first Test scheduled from May 8 to 12 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka and the second from May 16 to 20 in Sylhet, according to the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The squad includes four uncapped players — Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori — reflecting a mix of new talent and experienced…

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday arrested four passengers, including three women, at Sialkot International Airport for their alleged involvement in organised beggary in Saudi Arabia. According to FIA officials, the group — identified as Shah Nawaz, Shahzia, Sonia, and Farzana Bibi, all residents of Islamabad — had returned from Saudi Arabia via Oman. They were intercepted during immigration checks due to suspicious travel patterns and later confessed to participating in organised begging activities abroad. Officials said the suspects had travelled on Umrah visas arranged through an agent identified as Muhammad Siddique Akbar, reportedly based in Saudi Arabia. The agent…

Pakistan and 11 other countries have jointly condemned Israel’s decision to appoint a diplomatic representative to Somaliland, calling it a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty. According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Bangladesh, Algeria, Palestine, Türkiye, Indonesia, Kuwait, and Pakistan issued a joint declaration. The statement strongly rejected Israel’s move, describing it as a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.” The countries reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and emphasized that any actions undermining its sovereignty are unacceptable under…