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

ISTANBUL: A drone of unknown origin has been found in Turkey, less than a day after another unmanned aerial vehicle of suspected Russian origin crashed in the northwest, Turkish media reported on Saturday.&nbsp;According to several independent television networks and the Cumhuriyet newspaper, the drone was found in an empty field near the town of Balikesir, some three hours southwest of Istanbul.&nbsp;The Turkish authorities had yet to react to the news, but the Halk TV and Haberturk broadcasters reported that the drone was transported to Ankara for analysis.&nbsp;Citing farmers, several media outlets reported that the crash appeared to have taken place days ago.&nbsp;The incident, the third of its kind since Monday, comes after Turkey warned both Russia and Ukraine against letting their ongoing war spill over elsewhere in the region.&nbsp;The authorities have pointed the finger at Russia for an unmanned aerial vehicle discovered on Friday near the city of Izmit, around 30 kilometres (18 miles) south of the Black Sea, which has seen strikes on ships in recent weeks.&nbsp;According to the Turkish interior ministry, which has opened an investigation, the drone &quot;is believed to be of Russian-made Orlan-10 type used for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes according to initial findings&quot;.&nbsp;President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned against the Black Sea becoming an &quot;area of confrontation&quot; between Russia and Ukraine, which occupy the opposite shores of the body of water to Turkey.

Europe

Middle East

Turkey found a second unidentified drone crashed in northwest Balikesir within 24 hours. It follows another suspected Russian Orlan-10 near Izmit, prompting investigations and renewed warnings by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over Black Sea spillover.

Second drone in 24 hours found crashed in northwest Turkey

MIAMI: Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua knocked out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in their controversial Netflix-backed bout in Miami on Friday.&nbsp;The fight at the Kaseya Center, which saw both men reportedly splitting a mammoth purse of $184 million, had triggered alarm across boxing due to the gulf in physical size and class between Britain&#39;s two-time former world champion Joshua and Paul, an internet personality who has forged a lucrative career through a handful of novelty boxing contests.&nbsp;In the event, however, Joshua made hard work of defeating his vastly less accomplished opponent, before his superior size and power eventually told in the later stages of the eight-round fight, with a sixth-round knockout.&nbsp;A lackluster contest descended into farce at times, with Paul repeatedly dropping to the canvas and grappling at Joshua&#39;s legs.&nbsp;At one stage even referee Christopher Young appeared to be losing patience, warning the fighters in the fourth round: &quot;The fans did not pay to see this crap.&quot;&nbsp;As Paul tired, the 6ft 6in (1.85m) tall Joshua began to land punches with more regularity, and after knocking down the 6ft 1in American twice in the fifth round, the end came swiftly in the sixth.&nbsp;Joshua backed the 28-year-old into a corner and, after teeing up Paul with a crunching left, delivered the knockout blow with a right to the chin that sent his opponent crashing to the canvas.&nbsp;&quot;It wasn&#39;t the best performance,&quot; Joshua, 36, admitted afterwards. &quot;But the end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down and hurt him.&nbsp;&quot;That was the request leading up, and that was on my mind. It took a bit longer than expected but the right hand finally found its destination.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;Praise for PaulJoshua meanwhile praised Paul for lasting into the later rounds.&nbsp;&quot;I want to give him his props -- he got up time and time again,&quot; Joshua said. &quot;It was difficult in there for him, but he kept on trying to find a way. It takes a real man to do that.&quot;&nbsp;Paul, meanwhile, his mouth bloodied from Joshua&#39;s final assault, said he believed his jaw had been broken -- but was satisfied with his performance.&nbsp;&quot;That was fun. I gave it my all,&quot; Paul said. &quot;I had a blast. I think my jaw is broken by the way. But Anthony&#39;s one of the best to ever do it so. I&#39;m gonna come back and get a world championship.&nbsp;&quot;I just got tired to be honest -- like it was so much handling his weight. I think with better cardio I could have kept it up and kept on fighting. But he hits really hard.&quot;&nbsp;Friday&#39;s made-for-streaming contest, which came just over a year after Paul had fought a 58-year-old Mike Tyson in a much-derided Netflix fight, had been widely panned throughout boxing, with many warning that Paul risked serious injury.&nbsp;Yet the devastating first or second round knockout by Joshua that most had predicted failed to materialize as Paul scrambled desperately to stay outside of the 2012 Olympic champion Joshua&#39;s range.&nbsp;Joshua, fighting for the first time in 15 months, always looked the more threatening fighter, landing 48 of 146 punches thrown compared to Paul&#39;s meagre total of 16 punches landed.&nbsp;The Briton is now turning his attention towards a money-spinning bout against compatriot and fellow former world champion Tyson Fury next year.&nbsp;&quot;We shook off the cobwebs and I can&#39;t wait to roll into 2026,&quot; Joshua said. &quot;And if Tyson Fury is as serious as he thinks he is, let&#39;s put on some gloves and fight.&quot;<figure class="fr-media" style="line-height: 2;"> </figure>

Boxing

Anthony Joshua stopped Jake Paul with a sixth-round knockout in a controversial Netflix fight in Miami, earning a massive purse and turning focus toward a potential Tyson Fury bout.

Joshua knocks out Paul to win Netflix boxing bout

DHAKA: Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka on Saturday for the funeral of a student leader, after two days of violent protests over his killing. Huge crowds accompanied the funeral procession of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in last year&#39;s pro-democracy uprising who died in a hospital in Singapore on Thursday after being shot by masked gunmen while leaving a Dhaka mosque. Police wearing body cameras were deployed in front of the parliament building where the funeral prayers were held. &lsquo;You are in our hearts&rsquo;&nbsp;Hadi&#39;s body, which was brought to the capital on Friday, was buried at the central mosque of Dhaka University. &quot;We have not come here to say goodbye,&quot; interim leader Muhammad Yunus said in an emotional speech.<figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/a031d5fb-dcdc-4179-905a-eb9b670038b6-Untitled(5).jpg" alt="Untitled(5).jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 1000px; height: 563px;"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus spoke at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka, prior to the Namaz-e-Janaza held for Sharif Osman Hadi. (Photo: BSS News)</figcaption></figure> &quot;You are in our hearts and you will remain in the heart of all Bangladeshis as long as the country exists.&quot; Outspoken critic of India&nbsp;Hadi, 32, was an outspoken critic of India and was set to contest the general elections in February. Iqbal Hossain Saikot, a government employee who travelled from afar to attend the prayers, said Hadi was killed because he staunchly opposed India. He will continue to live &ldquo;among the millions of Bangladeshi people who love the land and its sovereign territory&rdquo;, Saikot, 34, told AFP. Hadi&rsquo;s death has triggered widespread unrest, with protesters across the South Asian nation demanding the arrest of those responsible. Late Thursday, people set fire to several buildings in Dhaka including the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and the Daily Star. Critics accuse the publications of favoring neighboring India, where Bangladesh&rsquo;s ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge since fleeing Dhaka in the wake of the 2024 uprising.&nbsp;

Bangladesh

Huge crowds accompanied the funeral procession of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in last year's pro-democracy uprising who died in a hospital in Singapore on Thursday after being shot by masked gunmen while leaving a Dhaka mosque.

Tens of thousands attend funeral of killed Bangladesh student leader

MUMBAI: Indian selectors dropped Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill on Saturday from the T20 squad for the World Cup in February after a prolonged form slump.&nbsp;Gill, 26, has scored only 291 runs in his past 15 matches in the game&#39;s shortest format at an average of 24.25.&nbsp;&quot;Shubman Gill is short of runs at the moment,&quot; chief selector Ajit Agarkar told reporters in Mumbai.&nbsp;However, batter Suryakumar Yadav was retained as captain despite similar concerns over his form.&nbsp;A T20 specialist, Suryakumar has managed just 244 runs across his last 22 innings in the format, without a single fifty.&nbsp;&quot;We have full faith in our captain to deliver during the World Cup,&quot; Agarkar said.&nbsp;Suryakumar acknowledged that his &quot;rough patch&quot; had been going on for too long.&nbsp;&quot;I know what to do. I have time to fix it. We will definitely see Surya the batter,&quot; the captain said.&nbsp;All-rounder Axar Patel was named as Suryakumar&#39;s deputy.&nbsp;Wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan was rewarded for his stellar form in domestic cricket with a spot in the 15-member squad.&nbsp;Kishan last played for India in 2023.&nbsp;The same team will also play five home T20Is against New Zealand from January 21, the last round of international matches before the World Cup.&nbsp;The 10th edition of the tournament, hosted by Sri Lanka and India, will feature 20 nations.&nbsp;India are the defending champions, having beaten South Africa in a thrilling 2024 final in Barbados.&nbsp;World T20 squadSuryakumar Yadav (capt), Axar Patel (vice-capt), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan.

Cricket

Gill, 26, has scored only 291 runs in his past 15 matches in the game's shortest format at an average of 24.25.


India drop Shubman Gill from T20 World Cup squad

MOSCOW: Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on Saturday he was heading to Miami, where another round of talks to settle the Ukraine war was set to take place. Ukrainian and European teams were also in the sunny American city for the negotiations mediated by Donald Trump&#39;s envoy Steve Witkoff and the US president&#39;s son-in-law Jared Kushner. &lsquo;On the way to Miami&rsquo;&ldquo;On the way to Miami,&rdquo; Dmitriev wrote in an X post, adding a pigeon emoji and attaching a short video of a morning sun shining through the clouds on a beach with palms. &ldquo;As warmongers keep working overtime to undermine the US peace plan for Ukraine, I remembered this video from my previous visit -- light breaking through the storm clouds,&rdquo; he added.<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" 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=2002247452825440352&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=1de18ebc49bf61c3bd3b6890b602e575d3f1e94b&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 875px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>Russian and European involvement in the talks marks a step forward from an earlier stage, when the Americans held separate negotiations with each side in different locations. However, it is unlikely Dmitriev would hold direct talks with Ukrainian and European negotiators as relations between the two sides remain extremely strained. &lsquo;Pro-war&rsquo; leaders&nbsp;Moscow, which sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, argues that Europe&rsquo;s involvement in the talks would only hinder the process and tends to paint the continent&rsquo;s leaders as pro-war. The weekend talks come after President Vladimir Putin vowed to press ahead with his military offensive in Ukraine, hailing Moscow&rsquo;s battlefield gains nearly four years into his war in an annual news conference on Friday. Trump&rsquo;s envoys have pressed a plan in which the United States would offer security guarantees to Ukraine, but Kyiv will likely be expected to surrender some territory, a prospect resented by many Ukrainians.

Americas

Trump’s envoys have pressed a plan in which the United States would offer security guarantees to Ukraine, but Kyiv will likely be expected to surrender some territory, a prospect resented by many Ukrainians.

Russian envoy to join Ukraine talks in Miami

BEIRUT: A Syria monitor said Saturday that at least five Islamic State group members including a cell leader were killed in US strikes overnight in retaliation for an attack last weekend that left three Americans dead. Washington said a lone gunman from the IS jihadist group carried out the Dec. 13 attack in Palmyra, home to UNESCO-listed ancient ruins and once controlled by jihadist fighters, which killed two US soldiers and a US civilian. In response, the United States &quot;struck more than 70 targets at multiple locations across central Syria with fighter jets, attack helicopters and artillery,&quot; US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP that &quot;at least five members of the Islamic State group were killed&quot; in eastern Syria&#39;s Deir Ezzor province, including the leader of a cell responsible for drones in the area. A Syrian security source told AFP that the US strikes targeted IS cells in Syria&#39;s vast Badia desert including in Homs, Deir Ezzor and Raqa provinces, and did not include ground operations. Most of the targets were in a mountainous area running north of Palmyra including towards Deir Ezzor, the source said, requesting anonymity. Using another acronym for IS, CENTCOM said &quot;the operation employed more than 100 precision munitions targeting known ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites.&quot; President Donald Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network that the United States is &quot;inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible,&quot; and that those who attack Americans &quot;WILL BE HIT HARDER THAN YOU HAVE EVER BEEN HIT BEFORE.&quot;

The strike come after a lone gunman from the IS jihadist group carried out the Dec. 13 attack in Palmyra, home to UNESCO-listed ancient ruins and once controlled by jihadist fighters, which killed two US soldiers and a US civilian.

Syria monitor says US strikes killed at least five IS members

NEW DELHI: A passenger train smashed into a herd of elephants in India&#39;s northeast, killing seven animals on the spot, officials said Saturday. No travelers were injured in the accident in Assam state, home to more than 4,000 of the roughly 22,000 wild elephants in India. Senior Assam police official VV Rakesh&nbsp;Reddy told AFP that seven jumbos were killed, and one elephant sustained an injury. Five coaches of the train, which was headed to New Delhi from remote Mizoram state, were derailed. Authorities have introduced speed restrictions along routes designated elephant corridors, but the latest accident occurred outside of these zones, Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, an Indian Railways spokesman said. &ldquo;The loco pilot, on observing the herd of elephants, applied emergency brakes. However, elephants dashed with the train,&rdquo; he said. Deforestation and construction activity near their habitats force elephants to stray further afield for food, often bringing them into conflict with humans. According to parliamentary figures, 629 people were killed by elephants across India in 2023-2024.

India

No travelers were injured in the accident in Assam state, home to more than 4,000 of the roughly 22,000 wild elephants in India; seven jumbos killed and one elephant sustains an injury.

Seven elephants killed in India train accident

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reaffirmed its unwavering support for Libya&rsquo;s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national unity and that a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process remains indispensable to achieving durable peace. At the UN Security Council briefing on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Friday, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, delivered a clear and resolute message, stating that Libya&rsquo;s future must be determined by Libyans themselves, without dilution of sovereignty or fragmentation of national purpose, said a press release shared by Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Mission to the UN on X on Saturday.<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" allowtransparency="true" 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=2002144130940506412&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=1de18ebc49bf61c3bd3b6890b602e575d3f1e94b&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2002144130940506412"></iframe></div></div>Pakistan, he told the Security Council, maintains its commitment to all efforts that empower the Libyan people to secure a stable and prosperous future. &ldquo;Toward that goal, we will continue to work constructively with Council members and the wider international community,&rdquo; Ambassador Jadoon said. The Pakistan UN ambassador acknowledged the secretary general&rsquo;s latest report for its candid and comprehensive assessment of Libya&rsquo;s evolving political, security, and socio-economic landscape, the press release said. Advancing political reconciliation&nbsp;He also praised UNSMIL&rsquo;s sustained and wide-ranging engagement to advance political reconciliation, including renewed efforts under the International Follow-up Committee on Libya. While the UNSMIL-facilitated political roadmap is a credible pathway toward reconciliation and an end to Libya&rsquo;s protracted transition, Pakistan warned that stalled implementation risks eroding public trust. Ambassador Jadoon said that the absence of progress on agreed-upon timelines, in particular, should be addressed foremost, notably through appointments to the High National Elections Commission and reforms to the electoral framework, while calling on all Libyan parties to engage in UNSMIL-led structured dialogue to preserve momentum. Commitment to democracy&nbsp;He said that the successful conduct of municipal elections across much of the country exemplifies a clear affirmation of the Libyan people&rsquo;s commitment to democratic participation. Whereas the mediation efforts that helped de-escalate tensions in Tripoli represent a tangible start that demands further confidence-building measures, implementation of agreed security arrangements, and sustained progress on security sector reform, Ambassador Jadoon said. On the importance of economic stability to national cohesion, the ambassador acknowledged recent positive developments, including the agreement on a Unified Development Programme, currency withdrawal operations, and enhanced transparency in the oil sector. He said that sustained cooperation toward a unified national budget and stronger economic governance is vital for long-term stability. Safeguarding assets&nbsp;Ambassador Jadoon stressed the need to safeguard Libya&rsquo;s frozen assets and channel them for the Libyan people&rsquo;s benefit, underlining the critical role of the Libyan Investment Authority in coordination with financial institutions. He said that Libya&rsquo;s challenges are formidable, but they are not insurmountable, and with sustained commitment, a unified, stable, and peaceful future can be delivered.

Foreign Affairs

Ambassador Jadoon says successful conduct of municipal elections across much of Libya exemplifies affirmation of Libyans commitment to democratic participation; adds, mediation efforts represent a tangible start that demands further confidence-building measures. 

At UNSC, Pakistan urges Libyan-led political process for lasting peace

ISLAMABAD: A political controversy has erupted in India&rsquo;s Bihar state after a video surfaced in which a federal minister allied with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to acknowledge influencing election results, prompting renewed opposition allegations of electoral manipulation.&nbsp;The video features Jitan Ram Manjhi, a Union minister in Narendra Modi-led government, and leader of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular). His party is a partner of the BJP and part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition at the center.&nbsp;In the clip, widely circulated on social media, Manjhi is heard claiming that his intervention helped reverse a margin of around 2,700 votes during the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, allegedly through contact with a senior government official.&nbsp;India&rsquo;s opposition Congress party shared the video on its official X account, accusing the ruling alliance of &ldquo;vote chori,&rdquo; or vote theft, and describing the remarks as an admission of election interference.<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: 528px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" 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=2002031172902060426&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=2e2bcecd3945c693c737eac75f87ce99043fb336&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Opposition leaders, including those from the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have called for an investigation by the Election Commission of India, saying the video raises serious concerns about the transparency and credibility of the electoral process, according to Indian media.&nbsp;Manjhi has denied the allegations, claiming the video was edited and his comments taken out of context. The BJP has also rejected opposition claims, dismissing them as politically motivated ahead of future elections.&nbsp;The controversy has once again brought election integrity into focus in India, with opposition parties pressing for accountability while the ruling coalition maintains that the accusations are unfounded.

The video features Jitan Ram Manjhi, a Union minister in the Narendra Modi-led government and leader of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), whose party is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the center.

Minister's remarks spark election manipulation row in India

ANAHEIM: Afghans who worked alongside US troops during almost two decades of war were once promised a home in the United States to shelter them from the extremist intolerance of the Taliban.&nbsp; But after two National Guard soldiers were shot -- one of them fatally -- in Washington last month, allegedly by an Afghan national, their fates have been put on hold, and many are now terrified about what the future might bring. &lsquo;Everybody is scared&rsquo;&ldquo;Everybody is scared,&rdquo; a 31-year-old Afghan green card holder told AFP. &ldquo;We are scared that we will be judged by people for the crimes committed by one individual from Afghanistan.&rdquo; West Virginia National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died from her wounds after what officials described as an &ldquo;ambush-style&rdquo; attack that also left fellow Guardsman Andrew Wolfe, 24, fighting for his life. The following day President Donald Trump announced he was halting all migration from what he called &ldquo;third world countries,&rdquo; including Afghanistan, as his administration announced a review of all residency grants for people from 19 countries -- around 1.6 million people, according to an AFP tally. Afghans fear being sent back&nbsp;Now Afghans fear they might be sent back to a nation run by extremists who they once worked to defeat. &ldquo;I made my home in America, now this is my home. If I leave here where I have to go then?&rdquo; sobbed Maryam. Like all Afghan nationals AFP spoke to for this story, Maryam did not want to be identified for fear of angering US immigration authorities. &ldquo;When I sleep my chest feels very painful, empty,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I feel like I belong to nowhere.&rdquo; The 27-year-old worked on projects for the US embassy in Kabul, where she helped produce education materials that she says cast the Taliban in a bad light. &lsquo;Big dreams&rsquo;&nbsp;When the American-led international force was there, her country began to modernize, giving rights to women that their mothers did not have. &ldquo;I did education, I had a big dreams for my country, for myself,&rdquo; she said from her home outside Los Angeles. But in August 2021, the last US troops hurriedly withdrew from Afghanistan as the Taliban ran riot, taking over the institutions that American taxpayers had spent billions of dollars to prop up. Hundreds of thousands of Afghans scrambled to leave the country, terrified that the Taliban would exact revenge on anyone who had helped the West. &lsquo;No water, food, nothing&rsquo;&ldquo;It was so difficult to get into the airport,&rdquo; said Khan, who describes printing out dozens of documents, including proof that his wife was a US citizen living in California. &ldquo;There was no water, no food, nothing. And we spent four days in there,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It was too cold during the night.&rdquo; Khan, who worked in a university and at a government bank, finally got a plane to Qatar, then on to Germany before being flown to New Jersey, where he underwent two months of background checks and processing. &ldquo;We truly thank United States. They helped us a lot to come... and rebuild our life here.&rdquo; <h2 style="line-height: 2;">&lsquo;Everything is paused&rsquo;</h2>Khan says he worked day and night in Anaheim, California to save money, often doing two jobs, and now has his own used car dealership. He has also bought a triplex, part of which he rents out to provide a source of income, and secured his green card for permanent US residency. &ldquo;I was about to apply to my citizenship by the end of December, but unfortunately, after the incident in Washington DC, everything is paused,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Everybody is scared, whoever is having like a green card, a parole status, or they have applied for asylum or whatever status they have, all of them are scared. &lsquo;Committed to America&rsquo;&quot;We had a lot of dreams, and now every day everything becomes more difficult, and our dreams are, like, going the other way.&rdquo; For Maryam, who works for an NGO in California&#39;s Orange County, all she wants is to be able to get her green card application back on track, and for her community to be treated fairly. &ldquo;What the person did does not represent us,&rdquo; she said of the shooter in Washington. &ldquo;We are all committed to America; we are not the traitor, we are the survivor.&rdquo;

In August 2021, the last US troops hurriedly withdrew from Afghanistan as the Taliban ran riot, taking over the institutions that American taxpayers had spent billions of dollars to prop up.

Articles by Ali Bin Mubarak Al-Khateer