Author: EchoAsiaNews

South Korean boy band BTS has shattered their own sales records with the release of their new album ARIRANG, which debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and posted the biggest first-week sales for any group since the chart began tracking units in 2014. According to industry data, ARIRANG moved approximately 641,000 equivalent album units in its first week, driven by strong physical and digital sales and streaming performance. The album’s success marks BTS’s seventh chart-topping entry on the Billboard 200 and reinforces the group’s continued global popularity following their hiatus for mandatory military service. In addition to…

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened sharply lower on Monday, with the KSE-100 Index tumbling to an intraday low of 147,828.88, down 3,878.63 points or 2.56% from the previous close, as global financial pressures weighed on market sentiment. Traders attributed the sell-off to surging crude oil prices and rising government bond yields, which heightened concerns over imported inflation and stress on Pakistan’s external accounts. The benchmark index swung between gains and steep losses before settling deep in negative territory. Market analysts pointed to risk aversion triggered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with fears that widening conflict could disrupt…

The ongoing US war with Iran is reshaping the political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential election, as former President Donald Trump informally considers potential successors between Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to reports, Trump has privately asked allies whether “JD or Marco” would be better positioned for the future, highlighting growing competition between the two Republican figures as the conflict with Iran intensifies. The war has exposed differences in their approaches. Vance has taken a more cautious position, reflecting concerns among parts of Trump’s support base about deeper military involvement. Rubio, on the…

Police have formally raised concerns over an alleged breach of security protocols by Lahore Qalandars players Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sikandar Raza during the ongoing Pakistan Super League, according to an official letter sent to league authorities. The letter, addressed to the PSL chief executive, alleges that the two players violated established security protocols at the team hotel, where strict movement and access controls are in place for players and officials. According to police, Afridi and Raza “disregarded the directives” and forcefully escorted four unauthorized individuals into Raza’s hotel room, bypassing security procedures. Officials stated that such actions compromise the…

Pakistani actor Hamza Ali Abbasi has firmly denied any involvement or connection to a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) money laundering case linked to his sister, Dr Fazeela Abbasi, in a statement shared on social media. Abbasi addressed speculation circulating in media reports that his name was connected to the investigation, stating that he is not under investigation by any agency and has no role “in any capacity” in the case. The clarification came after local news coverage highlighted the FIA’s probe into alleged money laundering involving Dr Fazeela Abbasi. A separate report noted that interim bail for another sister, Dr…

A U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship carrying about 2,500 Marines has arrived in the Middle East, and the Pentagon is preparing for possible ground operations in Iran, according to U.S. military announcements and reporting by The Washington Post and defense officials. The USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship, reached its area of operations Saturday with some 2,500 Marines aboard, part of a broader U.S. military buildup amid the ongoing conflict with Iran and allied forces. The deployment comes as tensions escalate across the region. According to The Washington Post, Pentagon planners are drawing up contingency plans for weeks-long ground operations…

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw a test of a newly developed high-thrust solid-fuel rocket engine Sunday, state media and international outlets reported, in a move that signals Pyongyang’s continued push to modernize its strategic missile arsenal. According to North Korean state media, Kim observed the ground test of the upgraded solid-fuel engine, which is intended for use in long-range ballistic missiles and hailed the development as elevating the country’s strategic military capability. State media did not disclose the exact date or location of the test but described the engine as built with advanced materials and part of…

Thousands of protesters took to the streets across the United States and several international cities as part of the “No Kings” movement, voicing opposition to President Donald Trump and the ongoing war with Iran. The demonstrations, held on Saturday, marked the third nationwide mobilisation under the “No Kings” banner, with rallies organised in more than 3,000 locations across the US. Protest activity was also reported in European cities including Paris, Madrid, and Rome. Protesters criticised what they described as authoritarian tendencies in the US administration, as well as policies related to immigration, rising living costs, and the ongoing conflict with…

Pakistan on Saturday rejected comments by India regarding the situation of the Shia community, describing them as “cynical and diversionary.” The response came from the Foreign Office after India raised concerns over remarks attributed to Pakistan’s military leadership, alleging “systemic victimisation of minorities” in the country. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi dismissed the Indian statements, calling them “an exercise in deflection masquerading as concern.” He said India’s remarks were politically motivated and urged New Delhi to focus on its own domestic issues instead of making such statements. The spokesperson further stated that India’s comments could not “mask its own…

Iran has agreed to allow 20 additional Pakistani-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, in a move welcomed by Pakistan as a positive step toward easing regional tensions. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the development, stating that the vessels would transit the strategic waterway under an arrangement allowing two ships to cross daily. Dar described Iran’s decision as a “constructive gesture” and said it could contribute to regional stability amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route, has faced severe disruption in recent weeks due…