Author: EchoAsiaNews

United States: The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed new import duties targeting 60 economies, including Pakistan and India, over alleged failures to act against forced labour in global supply chains, as the Trump administration seeks to rebuild its tariff framework following recent legal setbacks. According to a government filing, the proposed tariffs range between 10% and 12.5% and will undergo a public comment period before any final decision is made. The move follows months of U.S. investigations into trading partners including China, the European Union, and Japan, examining whether they have taken adequate steps to prevent imports linked…

Tehran: Gulf hostilities escalated on Wednesday after the U.S. military reported disabling a vessel near Qeshm Island that it said was attempting to sail toward an Iranian port in violation of what it described as an American blockade. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the Botswana-flagged oil tanker M/T Lexie, which was unladen, ignored repeated warnings over a 24-hour period. It said an American warplane ultimately struck the vessel’s engine room with a Hellfire missile, rendering it inoperable. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched attacks on U.S. assets in Bahrain and Kuwait following what…

United States: Oil prices extended gains for a third consecutive session on Wednesday as renewed hostilities in the Gulf heightened concerns over global energy supplies after U.S.-Iran peace talks stalled. U.S. crude futures surged about 2% to $95.40 per barrel, reflecting growing market anxiety over potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. At the same time, the U.S. dollar briefly touched 160 yen before easing slightly, as traders remained cautious about the possibility of intervention by Japanese authorities to support the currency. Supply concerns were further amplified by a sharp decline in U.S. crude…

Cynthia Erivo has addressed the challenges she faced during the Wicked press tour, revealing that the experience became emotionally and professionally exhausting following a viral incident involving co-star Ariana Grande. In a recent interview, the Oscar-nominated actress said the intense online reaction to the event played a significant role in her decision to step back from awards season campaigning for Wicked: For Good. “I think maybe in a way it did, actually,” Erivo said when asked whether the Singapore incident influenced her decision. The incident occurred during a red carpet event at Universal Studios Singapore, when a man rushed toward…

New York: Stargazers across the world are set to witness a rare celestial event this weekend as a Blue Moon appears in the night sky on May 31, marking the first such occurrence since August 2023. According to astronomical experts, the full moon will reach peak illumination at approximately 4:45 a.m. ET on Saturday. Despite its name, the moon will not actually appear blue, as the term refers to the timing of the lunar event rather than its colour. The phenomenon occurs when two full moons appear within the same calendar month, with the second one commonly referred to as…

Washington: The United States carried out fresh military strikes targeting Iranian drone operations near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions despite an existing ceasefire between Washington and Tehran and renewed diplomatic efforts to restore commercial shipping through the strategic waterway. A US official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said American forces shot down four Iranian attack drones and struck a ground control station in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas that was preparing to launch another drone. The official described the operation as “measured, purely defensive and intended to maintain the ceasefire” that took effect earlier…

Los Angeles: Reality television star Kim Kardashian and Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton have intensified speculation surrounding their relationship after the pair were spotted spending time with Kardashian’s children and family during a dinner outing in Los Angeles. According to photos published by DailyMail, the 45-year-old Skims founder and the 41-year-old British racing driver appeared relaxed and affectionate as they dined alongside Kardashian’s family members and Hamilton’s mother, Carmen Larbalestier, at celebrity hotspot Nobu. Hamilton was seen interacting closely with Kardashian’s eldest son Saint, while Kardashian held hands with daughter Chicago and son Psalm during the outing. Kardashian’s eldest daughter…

Singapore: Oil prices climbed on Thursday while most Asian stock markets traded lower after fresh US military strikes on Iran renewed fears over the stability of a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East conflict. The rebound in oil prices reversed much of Wednesday’s sharp decline, which had been driven by hopes of an imminent agreement to end the war and restore shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. An American official told AFP that US forces had shot down four Iranian drones and carried out strikes on a control centre in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas.…

New Delhi: India has sought initial proposals from three shortlisted domestic bidders for the local manufacturing of a fifth-generation stealth combat aircraft, according to a report by news agency ANI citing defence officials. The shortlisted contenders include Tata Advanced Systems and two joint ventures involving Larsen and Toubro, Bharat Electronics, and Bharat Forge, all of them Indian companies. India approved the ambitious stealth fighter jet programme last year and invited expressions of interest from defence firms weeks after a major military confrontation with nuclear-armed neighbour Pakistan. The programme is considered critical for strengthening the Indian Air Force, whose operational fleet…

Islamabad: Pakistan’s top military leadership on Thursday conveyed warm greetings to the nation on the 28th anniversary of Youm-e-Takbeer, reaffirming the armed forces’ unwavering commitment to safeguard the country against all threats and challenges. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, congratulated the nation on the occasion. The military leadership said Youm-e-Takbeer commemorates the historic achievement of May 28, 1998, when…