Author: EchoAsiaNews

Former One Direction member Zayn Malik has officially teased his new single Side Effects through an Instagram reel, just days after first previewing the track on TikTok. The 20-second black-and-white clip, shared on Instagram, features behind-the-scenes footage from a photoshoot, accompanied by a snippet of a new track from his upcoming album Konnakol, set for release on April 17. Malik captioned the post, “1 more week until KONNAKOL is out!”, a message he also shared on TikTok alongside a separate colourful version of the visuals. Fans quickly flooded the comments section, expressing excitement over the new music. Many praised the…

A high-level Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf arrived in Islamabad early Saturday for key negotiations with the United States aimed at ending the ongoing Middle East conflict, following a two-week ceasefire brokered with Pakistan’s facilitation. The delegation also includes Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is expected to participate in the talks, according to a statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Upon arrival, the delegation was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir,…

The US dollar is on track for its biggest weekly decline since January, as investors unwind safe-haven positions amid growing optimism that a ceasefire in the Gulf will allow oil shipping to resume normally. Since the ceasefire agreement was reached on Tuesday, traders have been rapidly exiting defensive bets, putting pressure on the dollar. The euro has gained strongly this week, breaking above its 200-day moving average to trade at $1.1694. The decisive move through this key technical level has opened the door for further upside in the single currency.

Iraqi Airways has resumed domestic operations, marking its first commercial flight from Baghdad after several weeks, according to Flightradar24.

Pop star Taylor Swift has triggered fresh speculation about wedding plans after a recent public appearance in New York City and remarks made during a major award show acceptance speech. Swift was spotted on April 8 in New York with friends Ashley Avignone and Jerrod Carmichael, wearing a minimalist outfit featuring a black spaghetti-strap top and a champagne satin skirt, a look that fans online interpreted as having “bridal-like” undertones. The appearance quickly fueled social media discussions about whether the styling hinted at personal developments. The renewed attention comes shortly after Swift’s appearance at the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026, where…

Air raid sirens sounded across multiple locations in Israel, including the commercial hub of Tel Aviv and the southern coastal city of Ashdod, following rocket fire launched from Lebanon, according to initial reports. Israel’s Home Front Command issued alerts for several regions, including areas in and around Tel Aviv as well as southern communities located far from the Lebanese border, signaling a wider security escalation. There were no immediate reports of casualties. However, Israeli media reported that air-defence systems intercepted at least one incoming projectile during the attack. Meanwhile, Hezbollah issued statements on Telegram claiming responsibility for the operation, saying…

Global oil prices edged higher on Friday amid renewed supply concerns following attacks on Saudi energy facilities and a near standstill in tanker movement through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to a Reuters report. Brent crude futures rose by 58 cents, or 0.60 per cent, to $96.50 per barrel as of 0338 GMT, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 49 cents, or 0.50 per cent, to $98.36 per barrel. Despite the uptick, both benchmarks remain on track for a sharp weekly decline of around 11 per cent, the steepest drop since June 2025, reflecting ongoing volatility in…

Pakistan has announced a visa-on-arrival facility for foreign delegates and journalists attending the upcoming Islamabad Talks 2026, in a move aimed at facilitating international participation in the high-level event. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the development in an official statement, saying the government is committed to ensuring smooth entry and logistical ease for all participants traveling to the capital. The decision is part of broader efforts to project Pakistan as an open and accessible host for global dialogue, particularly at a time of heightened regional and international engagement. Officials say the streamlined visa process will help…

Israel has expressed readiness to begin direct peace negotiations with Lebanon, with a key focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday. In a statement, Netanyahu said he had instructed his cabinet to initiate talks “as soon as possible,” citing what he described as repeated requests from Lebanon to open direct negotiations. According to the Israeli leader, the proposed discussions would centre on dismantling Hezbollah’s military capabilities and working toward establishing peaceful relations between the two countries. The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions, as ongoing Israeli operations in Lebanon continue to test broader ceasefire…

Russia has called for the ongoing Middle East ceasefire between the United States and Iran to be expanded to include Lebanon, warning that continued Israeli operations risk undermining the fragile agreement. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov conveyed the position during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, stating that the ceasefire should have a broader regional scope, particularly covering Lebanon. Moscow emphasized that the sustainability of the truce depends on halting hostilities beyond direct US-Iran engagements. In a separate statement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon, warning that such actions could derail…