Ali Bin Mubarak Al-Khateer

In a world where conflict too often overshadows cooperation, the State of Qatar has pursued a path firmly anchored in the principles of peace, dialogue, and mutual respect. Qatar has earned a global reputation as a neutral and reliable mediator trusted to facilitate dialogue and bring parties together. This is not merely a policy choice of convenience; it is a constitutional commitment. Article 7 of Qatar&rsquo;s Constitution clearly stipulates mediation as a cornerstone of our foreign policy: &ldquo;based on the principle of encouraging peaceful resolution of international disputes.&rdquo; Guided by this principle, Qatar has consistently worked to manage conflicts and foster peaceful settlements, whether at the inter-state level or between states and non-state actors. Since the early 2000s, Qatar has successfully mediated ceasefires, facilitated hostage releases and prisoner exchanges, launched national dialogue processes among other initiatives, contributing to peace facilitation and agreements in many conflicts at both regional and international levels. Nowhere is Qatar&rsquo;s commitment to peace more visible than in its sustained mediation efforts regarding Palestine. Qatar has consistently supported international initiatives to alleviate humanitarian suffering and facilitate dialogue aimed at ceasefires and long-term stability. Qatar&rsquo;s efforts have included humanitarian assistance, reconstruction support, and diplomatic engagement with all relevant actors, always with the goal of protecting civilian lives and advancing the cause of a just and lasting peace.&nbsp; Our efforts are not conducted in isolation. Qatar has built partnerships with leading countries in the field of mediation, including memoranda of understanding with Sweden, Norway, and Finland. These agreements, and others with bilateral partners, enhance knowledge sharing and cooperation, ensuring that best practices inform every negotiation process. For Pakistan, a brotherly nation with whom we share deep historical and cultural ties and a common vision of regional stability, Qatar&rsquo;s mediation efforts hold special significance. Pakistan&rsquo;s own contributions to regional peace reflect its understanding of the challenges of conflict resolution. Together, our two countries can promote dialogue, cooperation, and diplomacy across South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Qatar promotes both Track I diplomacy (state-to-state negotiations) and Track II approaches that include civil society, women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and other marginalized groups. This inclusive approach reflects our belief that sustainable peace requires the voices of all stakeholders. Qatar&rsquo;s mediation affirms that peace is not the monopoly of the powerful, but the responsibility of all. Guided by respect for sovereignty and non-interference, Qatar will continue to act as a bridge-builder and engage in mediation only with the consent of all parties. This principle of consent and neutrality is precisely why Qatar has been consistently invited to facilitate some of the world&rsquo;s most complex and sensitive dialogues. At a time when the world is marked by uncertainty, Qatar remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering dialogue and reconciliation. We stand ready, with partners like Pakistan, to demonstrate that peaceful resolution is not only possible but essential for a stable and just global order. The author is the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani

Articles

Qatar, guided by its Constitution, has built a reputation as a neutral mediator, advancing peace through dialogue, humanitarian action in Palestine, and partnerships with countries like Pakistan to promote regional stability and conflict resolution.

Qatar and international conflict mediation

ROME: World number one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/aryna-sabalenka-downs-naomi-osaka-to-reach-madrid-open-quarterfinals" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Aryna Sabalenka</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday she was ready to boycott the Grand Slam tournaments in order to have a greater share of the prize money. &quot;I feel like the show is on us. Without us there wouldn&#39;t be a tournament and there wouldn&#39;t be that entertainment,&quot; the four-time Grand Slam winner told a press conference at the Italian Open. &quot;I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more percentage. &quot;I think at some point we will boycott. I feel like that&#39;s going to be the only way to fight for our rights. &quot;We girls can easily get together and go for this because some of the things I feel like it&#39;s really unfair to the players. I think at some point it&#39;s going to get to this.&quot; Last year almost all the leading players signed two letters to the four Grand Slam bosses demanding an increase in prize money, payments into a player welfare fund to improve retirement and maternity benefits, as well as involvement in decisions that affected them. The letters set a target of a 22% share in tournament revenue, which would bring the majors in line with the nine combined 1000-level events run by the ATP men&#39;s tour and the women&#39;s WTA tour. However, Poland&#39;s Iga Swiatek, a four-time French Open singles champion, believes boycotting tournaments &quot;is a bit extreme&quot;. &quot;I think the most important thing honestly is to have proper communication and discussions with the governing bodies so we have some space to talk and maybe negotiate,&quot; said Swiatek, who has also won Wimbledon and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-open-finalist-anisimova-beats-noskova-to-win-beijing-title" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">US Open</a>. &quot;Hopefully before Roland Garros there&#39;s going to be an opportunity to have these types of meetings and we&#39;ll see how they go.&quot; On Monday, players said in a statement that an announcement by the French Open last month of a 9.5% prize money rise was not good enough. It said that last year Roland Garros generated &euro;395 million ($463 million), a 14% increase. However, the total purse went up by just 5.4%, reducing player share of revenue to 14.3%. It estimated that this year&#39;s revenues would pass &euro;400 million ($468.1 million), leaving the player cut still below 15%.

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka reacts after winning a point to US' Hailey Baptiste during their 2026 WTA Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament singles match at the Caja Magica in Madrid, on April 28, 2026. (AFP)

Tennis

The Belarusian says players should consider boycotting Grand Slams to demand a larger share of prize money, arguing they deserve higher payments and stronger control over tournament revenue distribution. 

Aryna Sabalenka ready to boycott Grand Slams over prize money

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia has expressed concern over rising military tensions in the region, calling for de-escalation, restraint, and support for Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic efforts to achieve a political solution.&nbsp;In an official statement, the Kingdom warned that continued escalation could push the region toward further instability, stressing that such a scenario would not serve the interests of regional or global peace. It underscored the importance of dialogue and supported Pakistan&rsquo;s mediation role in defusing tensions.&nbsp;Saudi Arabia also highlighted the need to restore normal maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz, urging the international community to ensure safe and unrestricted passage of vessels to safeguard global trade routes. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2051590497739665606&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=2d04233a2166bf1bd07dbae69b0b0ad230b8a510&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>The development comes as Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned recent missile and drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp;In a statement, Sharif expressed full solidarity with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Emirati people, reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s support during what he described as a difficult time.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 345px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2051560804416360773&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=2d04233a2166bf1bd07dbae69b0b0ad230b8a510&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&ldquo;It is absolutely essential that the ceasefire be maintained to create diplomatic space for dialogue,&rdquo; the prime minister said, emphasizing that peaceful engagement remains key to achieving lasting regional stability.&nbsp;The coordinated calls from Riyadh and Islamabad reflect growing international concern over escalating tensions, with both sides urging restraint and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent further deterioration.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar receives Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 06, 2026. (File photo: MOFA) 

Middle East

The statement comes as Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned recent missile and drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates.

Saudi Arabia backs Pakistan mediation, calls for restraint

ISLAMABAD: A viral social media campaign to collectively buy bankrupt Spirit Airlines has attracted more than $22.8 million in non-binding pledges from over 36,000 people, as the initiative rapidly gained momentum online and temporarily crashed its own website.&nbsp;The effort, branded &ldquo;Spirit 2.0,&rdquo; was launched by Hunter Peterson after a TikTok video outlining the idea drew millions of views. The concept proposes that ordinary citizens contribute small amounts, roughly the cost of a budget airline ticket, to collectively acquire the defunct carrier. <div class="fr-embed instagram-embed" style="width: 50%; display: block; max-width: 600px;"><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DX2l1uTJjW6/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=594&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com&rp=%2Farticles%2F5694#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A4530856.100000024%2C%22ls%22%3A684.6000000238419%2C%22le%22%3A716.6999999880791%7D" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="987" scrolling="no" style="background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 12px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;"></iframe></div>Peterson&rsquo;s campaign website, letsbuyspirit.com, recorded a surge in traffic shortly after launch, with search interest also spiking sharply. However, the platform struggled to handle the influx and went offline within hours. A message posted earlier acknowledged the outage, saying the movement had &ldquo;overwhelmed&rdquo; its servers and upgrades were underway.&nbsp;Despite the strong response, Peterson clarified that the campaign has not collected any actual funds. Instead, participants are registering non-binding pledges of intent, with an average pledge reported at over $600. The figures remain self-reported and have not been independently verified.&nbsp;In follow-up videos, Peterson described the initiative as a community-driven alternative to private equity ownership, adding that any future structure would prioritize public stakeholders over institutional investors. He also appealed to developers, legal experts, and aviation professionals to help advance the idea.&nbsp;The campaign draws inspiration from the Green Bay Packers&#39; ownership model, which is held by hundreds of thousands of shareholders rather than a single owner.&nbsp;Spirit Airlines ceased operations after years of financial challenges, including failed merger attempts, layoffs, and a rejected federal bailout. The shutdown affected around 17,000 employees and disrupted travel plans for thousands of passengers.&nbsp;While the Spirit 2.0 campaign has captured widespread attention, analysts note that significant financial, legal, and regulatory hurdles would need to be overcome before any such acquisition could materialize.

Spirit Airlines jets sat on the tarmac as the company ceased operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on May 2, 2026. (Photo: AFP/File)

Business

The concept proposes that ordinary citizens contribute small amounts, roughly the cost of a budget airline ticket, to collectively acquire the defunct carrier.

Spirit 2.0 campaign draws $22.8M in pledges after TikTok pitch goes viral

BANGKOK: Already reeling from the effects of conflict in the Middle East, Asia is now facing the prospect of strong El Ni&ntilde;o conditions that could spike energy demand, sap hydropower, and damage crops. El Ni&ntilde;o is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon that brings worldwide changes in winds, air pressure, and rainfall patterns. Last week, the United Nations&#39; weather and climate agency said El Ni&ntilde;o conditions could develop as soon as May to July. The World Meteorological Organization, meanwhile, said early signs indicated the event could be particularly strong, with some dubbing the impending event a &quot;super El Ni&ntilde;o&quot;, although the term is not used by scientists. That is not good news for Asia, parts of which are traditionally heavily affected by the heatwaves, drought, and heavy rains that El Ni&ntilde;o can bring. The phenomenon essentially shifts traditional weather patterns around, for example, moving rain that normally falls over Indonesia out to sea, leaving the country vulnerable to drought and wildfires. El Ni&ntilde;o occurs around every two to seven years and is forecast based on sea temperatures. &quot;The subsurface anomaly that we&#39;re seeing so far is pretty strong,&quot; said Peter van Rensch, a climate scientist at Australia&#39;s Monash University. &quot;It does look a little bit like what we saw in the 1997/98 event, and that was probably the strongest El Ni&ntilde;o,&quot; he told AFP. There are still plenty of uncertainties, and van Rensch cautioned that an El Ni&ntilde;o might not develop at all. Catastrophic impacts&nbsp;But the 1997 El Ni&ntilde;o brought catastrophic impacts, including extreme drought and devastating wildfires in Indonesia that burned through millions of hectares and created regional air pollution. Authorities there have already identified peatlands at risk, and warned the country could see its lowest rainfall in 30 years. The warnings come amid Asia buckling under the strain of an energy supply crunch and fears of shortages of fertilizer and other industrial and agricultural components that pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has effectively closed the strategic waterway since the United States and Israel launched attacks on the country on Feb 28, disrupting global fuel supplies. Hotter weather will strain energy grids already facing fuel shortages as populations seek to cool homes and workplaces, warned Haneea Isaad, an energy finance specialist at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. &quot;For countries that are highly dependent on the Strait of Hormuz for oil and gas deliveries and other trade, strained supply will lead to further fuel rationing, demand-side management, and a reduction in economic activities ... impacting overall GDP growth,&quot; she told AFP. The droughts that El Ni&ntilde;o can bring to parts of the region also pose a threat to countries that are highly dependent on hydropower, said Dinita Setyawati, senior energy analyst for Asia at the Ember thinktank. &quot;Most ASEAN countries use a lot of hydropower,&quot; she warned, highlighting Mekong countries, Nepal, and parts of Malaysia as particularly vulnerable because of their dependence on the sector. The risks were laid bare in 2022, when a heatwave in China saw hydropower generation in Sichuan fall by over 50%, creating shortages that impacted households and industry alike. Agriculture risks&nbsp;Hotter, drier conditions will also pose new risks to agriculture, already under pressure as the ongoing conflict raises the costs of fertilizer and fuel for farming equipment. &quot;If crop prices do not rise enough to offset these higher input and shipping costs, producer margins will be squeezed, raising the likelihood of lower fertilizer application and weaker yields,&quot; warned BMI, a unit of the Fitch Solutions research company. &quot;This would intensify food price inflation and worsen food insecurity, especially in import-dependent and climate-vulnerable markets.&quot; In some parts of Asia, an El Ni&ntilde;o can bring bouts of heavy rain and trigger flooding, which could affect sectors such as southern China&#39;s late-season rice harvest, added Isaad. How climate change affects the emergence and strength of El Ni&ntilde;os remains poorly understood. But research shows climate change itself will bring more frequent, intense heatwaves, as well as sudden heavy rainfall that can cause flooding. So experts said countries across the region should further insulate energy systems against more frequent disruptive weather events by diversifying and greening their grids. &quot;Solar and wind, coupled with batteries, provide a more resilient infrastructure than a centralized fossil infrastructure,&quot; said Setyawati.

Farmers harvest carrots at a field on the outskirts of Lahore on April 19, 2026 (AFP)

Asia

Already reeling from the effects of conflict in the Middle East, Asia now faces the prospect of a strong El Niño that could spike energy demand, sap hydropower, and damage crops.

Asia faces ‘super El Niño’ risk as conflict strains energy, food supplies

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday extended condolences to Turkiye following deadly floods and extreme weather that hit several southern provinces, leaving casualties and damage in their wake. In a post on X, Sharif conveyed sympathies on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish nation, describing Erdogan as a &ldquo;dear brother&rdquo; and expressing sorrow over the loss of lives and property. The floods affected provinces including Gaziantep, Sanliurfa and Adiyaman, as well as surrounding areas. &ldquo;Pakistan stands in full solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Turkiye in this hour of grief,&rdquo; Sharif said, adding that his thoughts and prayers are with the victims&rsquo; families and those affected by this natural calamity.&nbsp; <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2051539628365435172&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=f7c548893efd43ef819eecfc9c3e1ebbf909a86b&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 345px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>He also said Pakistan is ready to provide humanitarian and material assistance to support Turkiye&rsquo;s relief and recovery efforts.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks during the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad on April 3, 2024. (Photo courtesy: PMO)

Foreign Affairs

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expresses condolences and solidarity with Turkiye after deadly floods, offering assistance for relief efforts.

Pakistan PM offers condolences to Turkiye over deadly floods

ISLAMABAD: US guided-missile destroyers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Gulf as part of a new mission to restore maritime traffic in the vital waterway, the US military said on Monday. The warships &quot;are currently operating in the Arabian Gulf after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in support of Project Freedom,&quot; US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on X, referring to the operation announced by President Donald Trump on Sunday. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2051457708780372215&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=004d909a875dd5949f6b715c7e4286803f2c0494&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 678px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&quot;American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping,&quot; the command said, adding that two US-flagged merchant vessels had also successfully crossed the strait and were continuing their journeys, AFP reported. US defense officials told CBS News that both the destroyers, USS Truxtun and USS Mason, faced a &quot;sustained barrage&quot; of small boats, missiles, and drones launched by Iran. The ships, backed by fighter aircraft and Apache helicopters, intercepted or deterred all threats, with no damage reported, CBS reported.&nbsp; Officials said none of the projectiles launched reached the vessels, and US Central Command added that no American warships had been struck. Iran denies accountIran&#39;s Revolutionary Guards denied that any commercial ships had crossed the Strait of Hormuz &quot;No commercial vessels or oil tankers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past few hours, and the claims of American officials are baseless and completely false,&quot; the Guards said in a statement on Telegram. The commander of Iran&#39;s army, Amir Hatami, meanwhile, said on X: &quot;American destroyers, using the trick of turning off the radar, were approaching the Strait of Hormuz, but our response was fire.&quot; Iran&rsquo;s State media, Tasnim News Agency, reported that Iranian naval forces fired warning shots near US destroyers after they approached the strait, accusing them of violating the ceasefire. It said the navy had identified US destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz and fired multiple warning shots, adding, &quot;following the Zionist American destroyers&#39; disregard for the initial warning, the Navy issued a warning shot by firing cruise missiles, rockets, and combat drones around the aggressor enemy vessels&quot;.

US Air Force F-16 fighter aircrafts among more than 100 land and sea-based aircraft supporting Project Freedom (Photo: X@CENTCOM).

Americas

US says destroyers crossed Hormuz after repelling Iranian “barrage,” entering the Gulf safely; Tehran denies account and says its forces fired warning shots near the vessels. 

US says warships crossed Hormuz, Iran disputes account

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan&rsquo;s Taliban authorities have eliminated a key directorate focused on human rights and women&rsquo;s international affairs from the foreign ministry, according to Afghan media. In a letter on Monday, Lotfullah Khpalwak, head of personnel affairs at the Taliban-run Foreign Ministry, informed the ministry&rsquo;s finance and administrative department that the position had been removed from the government&rsquo;s organizational structure for the 1405 Solar Hijri year, which runs from March 21, 2026, to March 21, 2027, Afghanistan International reported. The decision was made on the order of the Taliban prime minister, the letter said. The move is the latest in a series of steps taken by the Taliban since they returned to power in 2021 to dismantle institutions with women&rsquo;s rights and participation in public life. One of the most prominent earlier changes was the dissolution of the former Ministry of Women&rsquo;s Affairs, which was replaced by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, a body tasked with enforcing the group&rsquo;s strict interpretation of Islamic law, the news website reported. There was no immediate public comment from Taliban officials on the latest move. Since regaining control of the country, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls. Women have been barred from working in many government offices and non-governmental organizations, while girls are prohibited from attending school beyond the sixth grade and denied access to universities. These policies have effectively pushed women out of much of public life and have drawn widespread condemnation from the international community, including governments, human rights groups and United Nations agencies. The Taliban have repeatedly said their policies are in line with their interpretation of Islamic law and Afghanistan&rsquo;s cultural values, despite mounting external pressure to reverse course.

Women in Burqa with their children in Herat. (File Photo: wikimedia commons)

Afghanistan

The Taliban have abolished a Foreign Ministry directorate for human rights and women’s affairs, underscoring their continued rollback of women’s rights and international engagement on the issue.

Taliban remove human rights, women’s directorate from foreign ministry: Report

WASHINGTON: An armed man was shot by US Secret Service (USSS) agents in downtown Washington on Monday, officials said, prompting a brief lockdown of the nearby White House. The shooting near the National Mall occurred shortly after a motorcade carrying Vice President JD Vance had passed by the area, USSS Deputy Director Matthew Quinn said. Quinn told reporters he did not believe that the vice president was an intended target and said he could not speculate if it was related to recent attempts on the life of President Donald Trump. &quot;I&#39;m not going to guess on that,&quot; he said. &quot;Whether or not it was directed to the president or not, I don&#39;t know, but we will find out.&quot; Quinn said the shooting took place after Secret Service agents identified a &quot;suspicious individual,&quot; who appeared to have a firearm. The man fled on foot after being approached by the officers, drew his weapon and opened fire, Quinn said. The Secret Service agents returned fire and wounded the suspect. He was taken to the hospital. His condition was not immediately known. Quinn said a bystander, a juvenile, was slightly wounded. The incident comes slightly more than a week after a gunman tried to break through security at a Washington hotel where Trump was attending an event. Cole Allen, 31, has been charged with seeking to assassinate the president.

US Secret Service. (File photo: X/@SecretService)

USSS Deputy Director Matthew Quinn says the shooting near the National Mall occurrs shortly after a motorcade carrying Vice President JD Vance had passed by the area.

Armed man shot by US Secret Service near White House

ISLAMABAD: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has rejected the outcome of the state assembly elections, calling the Bharatiya Janata Party&rsquo;s (BJP) sweeping victory &ldquo;immoral&rdquo; and &ldquo;illegal,&rdquo; and alleging that more than 100 seats were &ldquo;looted.&rdquo;&nbsp;Speaking to reporters at the Bhabanipur counting centre, Banerjee accused the Election Commission, central security forces, and senior BJP leadership of orchestrating irregularities during polling and counting.&nbsp;&ldquo;The BJP looted more than 100 seats. This is not a moral victory,&rdquo; she said, adding that repeated complaints to election officials went unaddressed.&nbsp;The remarks came as the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a decisive lead, winning 207 seats in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly &mdash; a major surge from its previous tally of 77 seats. The ruling All India Trinamool Congress won 80 seats after 15 years in power.&nbsp;Banerjee also alleged violence and obstruction during the counting process. She claimed that her party workers were attacked, CCTV cameras were switched off, and polling agents were denied access to counting centers. &ldquo;From the afternoon onwards, our people were beaten. Even I was hit. Our agents were not allowed inside,&rdquo; she said, adding that officials failed to respond to her complaints.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2051331357046079623&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=dd36b555adf3b0ea30a9a41e82553b99adfec007&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Despite the setback, the chief minister said her party would &ldquo;bounce back,&rdquo; maintaining that the electoral mandate had been compromised.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 528px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2051309461290274911&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=dd36b555adf3b0ea30a9a41e82553b99adfec007&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi echoed Banerjee&rsquo;s claims, alleging that elections in both Assam and West Bengal were &ldquo;stolen&rdquo; with the Election Commission&#39;s support.&nbsp;In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi said similar patterns had been seen in previous elections, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and the 2024 general elections.&nbsp;&ldquo;The elections in Assam and Bengal are clear cases of institutional misuse,&rdquo; he said, backing Banerjee&rsquo;s assertion that over 100 seats were manipulated.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 513px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2051338192729846210&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=dd36b555adf3b0ea30a9a41e82553b99adfec007&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>In the high-profile Bhabanipur constituency, Banerjee remains locked in a close contest with BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. According to official data, she is leading by 3,830 votes after 14 rounds of counting.&nbsp;The BJP&rsquo;s strong performance marks a historic breakthrough in West Bengal, a state where it had long remained a marginal political force.

Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of India's West Bengal. (File photo: ScreengrabX/@mamataofficial)

India

Banerjee accuses the Election Commission, central security forces, and senior BJP leadership of orchestrating irregularities during polling and counting.

‘100 seats looted’: India’s Mamata accuses BJP of rigging West Bengal election

ISLAMABAD: Deep divisions between communities in Manipur continue to persist three years after ethnic violence first erupted in the northeastern state. Despite the passage of time, no convictions have been secured, the inquiry report remains delayed, and Kuki groups are again pressing for political separation. According to News Arena India (NAI), more than 260 people have been killed and nearly 60,000 displaced since clashes broke out on May 3, 2023, between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The violence has effectively split the state into hostile zones, with tensions continuing despite periodic efforts at dialogue. A commission of inquiry appointed by the federal government on June 4, 2023, to investigate the causes and handling of the unrest has missed multiple deadlines. Initially expected to submit its findings within six months, the panel has received four extensions, with its latest deadline now set for May 20, 2026. The commission also underwent a leadership change earlier this year after its chairman, Justice Ajai Lamba, resigned in February. He was replaced by former Supreme Court judge Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan, who assumed charge in March. India&rsquo;s top court, the Supreme Court of India, has repeatedly flagged lapses in the handling of the violence, including delays in registering cases related to sexual assault. It has ordered that some cases be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation for further probe. Even as the inquiry remains inconclusive, Kuki groups have intensified their demands for a separate administrative arrangement. The Kuki Inpi Manipur marked the third anniversary of the violence as &ldquo;Separation Day,&rdquo; reiterating its call for a Union Territory. In a statement, the group described the past three years as a period of &ldquo;untold suffering,&rdquo; alleging discrimination, institutional bias and selective enforcement of the law. It said thousands of people from the Kuki-Zo community remain displaced and continue to struggle with trauma and loss of livelihood. &ldquo;The present arrangement is neither sustainable nor just,&rdquo; the organization said, adding that the community could no longer live under conditions that deny &ldquo;dignity, justice and constitutional safeguards.&rdquo; Another group, the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust, accused authorities of a &ldquo;complete collapse of the rule of law,&rdquo; pointing to a lack of arrests and prosecutions in several major cases. The group has called for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation, immediate arrests of those responsible for violence, and public disclosure of evidence. It also demanded action against armed groups and rehabilitation measures for those living in relief camps. The conflict has also exposed significant security lapses. Thousands of weapons were looted from police armories during the early days of the violence, many of which remain unaccounted for, raising concerns about ongoing militarization along ethnic lines. Although authorities have attempted to facilitate dialogue, sporadic violence continues. Incidents reported in April, including civilian deaths and clashes involving security forces, have underscored the fragile situation. With the inquiry yet to produce findings and communities still deeply polarized, calls for justice and accountability are growing, while prospects for reconciliation remain uncertain.

Indian security forces' crackdown in Manipur. (Screengrab: X/ @ashoswai)

Three years after ethnic violence in Manipur, deep divisions persist with no convictions, a delayed inquiry, and rising demands from Kuki groups for political separation.

Articles by Ali Bin Mubarak Al-Khateer