World Echo

Multiple users across social media platforms were sharing a video since April 20, 2026, claiming it shows the American military seizing an Iranian commercial ship amid a US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the footage is from October 2025 and shows a US naval exercise. Tensions have escalated in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, amid efforts for a second round of talks between the US and Iran. Washington has increased its naval presence and imposed restrictive measures in the strait. Iran, in response, has asserted its influence over the waterway and warned that continued pressure could disrupt international shipping. On April 18, 2026, US forces opened fire on an Iranian-linked vessel in the Strait of Hormuz before seizing it. Washington framed the action as a security measure, while Iranian officials condemned it as a violation of international law and the ceasefire agreement. How it started On April 20, a user, who claims to be a Yemeni activist...

Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee on Tuesday called for the European Union to take action against what she described as a "country that is very clearly violating human rights," urging the suspension of the EU-Israel agreement or, at a minimum, its trade provisions. Speaking to journalists ahead of an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg, McEntee said Ireland, alongside Spain and Slovenia, had written to the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calling for a review and possible suspension of the agreement with Israel in light of developments in the Middle East. "We need to, as an EU, uphold our fundamental values," McEntee said, stressing that countries the bloc has agreements with must comply with international law and human rights obligations. She referred to the recent Israeli death penalty bill, which she said disproportionately targeted Palestinians, calling the move "completely unacceptable." She added that there was a growing shift among...

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.5 struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday, as authorities urged residents to stay away from coastal areas where tsunami waves of up to three metres (9.84 ft) were expected. The tremor had an epicentre in the Pacific Ocean and was 10 km deep, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The biggest waves were expected in Iwate, Aomori and Hokkaido prefectures, authorities said. Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had set up an emergency task force and urged citizens in the affected areas to evacuate to safety. Read: Japan offers $10b support to help Asian neighbours secure oil Broadcaster NHK showed ships sailing out of Hachinohe port in Hokkaido in anticipation of the waves, as an alert 'Tsunami! Evacuate!' flashed across the screen. Meanwhile, bullet train services in Aomori at the northern tip of Japan's main Honshu island were halted due to the tremors, Kyodo news agency re...

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw Sunday's ballistic missile test launches as part of efforts to evaluate the performance of warheads carrying cluster bombs and fragmentation mines, state media KCNA reported on Monday. The tests represented the fourth ballistic missile launch this month and the seventh this year, as North Korea seeks to build its missile and nuclear capabilities in defiance of UN Security ⁠Council resolutions. The tests involved five launches of upgraded short-range Hwasong-11 Ra surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missiles to evaluate the power and performance of the new warheads, KCNA said. North Korea fired the missiles toward an island target zone about 136 km (85 miles) away, striking an area of roughly 12.5 to 13 hectares (31 to 32 acres) with what the report described as high density, demonstrating the system's capability for concentrated suppression strikes. Read: Kim Jong Un says North Korea’s nuclear status is irreversible, threatens Sou...

Hundreds of people have been displaced after a fire destroyed around 200 ​homes in a coastal village in Malaysia's ‌Sabah state on Sunday, state news agency Bernama reported. Authorities were notified of the fire in Sandakan district at ​around 1.32am (1732 GMT), the district's fire ​and rescue chief Jimmy Lagung was quoted ⁠as saying by Bernama. “Strong winds and the close ​proximity of the houses caused the fire to ​spread rapidly, while low tide conditions also made it difficult to obtain an open water source,” Lagung said. Read: India, Malaysia exchange 11 cooperation pacts during Modi visit The fire broke out in one ​of Sabah's water villages, which feature wooden houses built on ‌stilts ⁠and are home to some of the country's poorest communities, including many stateless and indigenous groups. Around 445 people have been displaced so far, ​Bernama said, citing ​unofficial figures ⁠of people registered at a temporary relief centre in Sandakan. Malaysia's Prime ​...

Australia's most decorated soldier, charged with war crimes related to Afghanistan deployments more ​than a decade ago, on Sunday publicly denied the allegations ‌against him and said he was proud of his service. Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, freed this week on bail, is charged with five counts of war crimes over ​the alleged murder of five unarmed Afghan civilians between 2009 ​and 2012. Each charge carries a maximum jail term ⁠of life. The former Special Air Service (SAS) corporal has consistently denied ​the accusations of wrongdoing, many first reported by Nine Entertainment newspapers ​in a series of articles starting in 2018. Speaking to the media on Queensland's Gold Coast, Roberts-Smith said he always acted within the rules of engagement ​in Afghanistan. Read: Australia refinery fire worsens fuel supply crunch amid US-Israel war on Iran "I categorically deny all of these allegations, and while ​I would have preferred these charges not be brought, I will be taking ‌this ⁠o...