Tag: United States

  • ‘Pakistan wants a civilised relationship with the US’: PM Khan

    Prime Minister Imran Khan recently gave an interview to The New York Times about Pakistan’s planned future strategy once the United States (US) leaves Afghanistan and said that in the past, the US kept expecting more from Pakistan, while previous governments “tried to deliver what they were not capable of”.

    The interview was published on June 25, when US President Joe Biden had his first face-to-face meeting with his Afghan counterpart, Ashraf Ghani, at the White House.

    Replying to a question related to Pakistan’s future relationship with the US after the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, PM Khan said that Pakistan has always had a closer relationship with the United States than neighbouring India.

    “After 9/11, Pakistan again opted to join the US war on terror. Now, after the US leaves Afghanistan, basically Pakistan would want a civilised relationship, which you have between nations, and we would like to improve our trading relationship with the US,” he said.

    Mr Khan recalled that Pakistan has had a closer relationship with the United States than other nations in the region, such as India, and was a US partner in the war against terrorism, an argument used by previous Pakistani rulers as well without much success.

    “Now, after the US leaves Afghanistan, basically Pakistan would want a civilised relationship, which you have between nations, and we would like to improve our trading relationship with the US,” the prime minister replied.

    “Unfortunately, the relationship during the war on terror was a bit lopsided,” he said, adding, “It was a lopsided relationship because [the] US felt that they were giving aid to Pakistan, they felt that Pakistan then had to do US’s bidding. And what Pakistan did in terms of trying to do the US bidding cost Pakistan a lot … 70,000 Pakistanis died, and over $150 billion were lost to the economy because there were suicide bombings and bombs going on all over the country.”

    Asked if Pakistan was still using its leverage with the Taliban to move the peace talks towards a deal, Mr Khan said: “Pakistan has used the maximum leverage it could on the Taliban.”

    The prime minister said Pakistan has been emphasising to the Taliban that they should not go for a military victory because it would only lead to a protracted civil war. And since the Taliban are primarily a Pashtun movement, this will have two effects: Another influx of refugees into Pakistan and upset Pakistan’s efforts to lift its economy through trade, he explained.

    ‘We have signed very good trade deals with the Central Asian republics, but we can only go there through Afghanistan. If there is a civil war, all that goes down the drain,’ he said.

    “Let me assure you, we will do everything except use military action against the Taliban. I mean, we will do everything up to that,” Mr Khan said, adding: “All sections of our society have decided that Pakistan will take no military action.”

    The premier was also questioned whether Indo-Pakistan relations would improve if the Modi government leaves power. In response, he said that he “knows India better than any other Pakistani”.

    He said that he has had “love and respect from India [more] than anyone because cricket is a big sport”.

    “And the best way would be if India and Pakistan had a normal, civilised trading relationship. It would benefit both countries,” the PM said he told Modi.

    “So we tried. Didn’t get anywhere. I think that it is a particular ideology of the (Hindu nationalist group) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which Narendra Modi belongs to, which just came up against a brick wall. And therefore the answer to your question is yes. Had there been another Indian leadership, I think we would have had a good relationship with them. And yes, we would have resolved all our differences through dialogue.”

    When asked if Pakistan would consider it an Indian win if Kashmir’s status quo remains the same, PM Imran Khan said that it would be a “disaster for India.”

    “[That is because] it will just mean that this conflict festers on and on. And so as long as it festers, it’s going to stop there being any relationship — normal relationship — between Pakistan and India.”

    The premier was questioned about Pakistan’s relationship with China and how it affects both the US and India. In response, he said that he finds it “very odd” that China and the US would become great rivals. 

  • Student in US harrased for highlighting Palestinians, Uighurs in her graduation speech

    Student in US harrased for highlighting Palestinians, Uighurs in her graduation speech

    Huda, a Muslim student, in the United States (US) became the target of racial insults by parents and students for highlighting the plight of Palestinians and Uighurs in her graduation speech.

    “Our lips are yet free. Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and stand up for any injustice that you see,” Huda said in her speech

    “Educate yourself about international dilemmas including the ethnic cleansings of Palestinians and Uighur Muslims. Families are continuously torn apart and real human lives are being lost but ignored. Educate yourself on the widespread issues that plague our planet and threaten our very existence in the long run,” she added.

    Huda further said, “Consider global warming with the gravity that it needs to be looked at with and never stop speaking about these issues until they are resolved.”

    Huda was asked to ‘go back to Pakistan’ and was harassed by fellow students and their parents.

    One of the students can be heard in the video saying, “Why did not you say anything about Hamas? Hamas would have been nice.”

    Read More: UK media regulator fines Indian channel over hate speech against Pakistan

    As per reports, Huda’s speech was approved by the school but later the principal claimed that it wasn’t. The principal also apologised to the students and parents who targeted Huda with racial insults and sent them e-mails claiming that she “changed her speech”.

    A disclaimer was also added in the video that this line was not “approved by the Wheatley Speech Selection Committee”.

  • Customer leaves $16,000 tip at a restaurant in US

    Customer leaves $16,000 tip at a restaurant in US

    A customer left a $16,000 tip at a restaurant in the United States after ordering $37.93 worth of food and drinks earlier this month.

    As per reports, the anonymous customer gave the generous tip to his order of two chili dogs, fried pickle chips and a few cocktails on June 12 at the Stumble Inn Bar and Grill in Londonderry.

    “He’s kind of a mystery man,” bartender Michelle McCudden told NBC News. “I’ve been doing this a very long time and I never thought anything like this would happen to me.”

    Restaurant owner Mike Zarella said he first thought he misread the receipt.

    “I thought it was a mistake,” he said. “Typo.”

    He was told by his staff members that the friendly customer assured them it was no joke.

    Read More: Restaurant owner offers job to burglar who broke in to steal

    Staff members at the restaurant divide the night’s tips evenly but the eight waiters working that evening wanted to extend the gift of generosity to the cooks too.

    McCudden said everybody was extremely thankful for the customer’s kindness particularly after the pandemic forced more than 110,000 restaurants and bars to shut their doors in the past year.

    “We went up and we thanked him,” McCudden said. “It’s just been a really rough year for all of us. For someone to do something like that really restored my faith in humanity.”

  • Pak ready to partner for peace in Afghanistan, we will not host US bases: PM for WaPo

    Pak ready to partner for peace in Afghanistan, we will not host US bases: PM for WaPo

     Prime Minister Imran Khan, in an opinion piece for The Washington Post, wrote that Pakistan is ready to be a US partner for peace in Afghanistan, but will not host US bases and avoid risking further conflict.

    “We simply cannot afford this. We have already paid too heavy a price. Meanwhile, if the US, with the most powerful military machine in history, couldn’t win the war from inside Afghanistan after 20 years, how would America do it from bases in our country?”

    He added that Pakistan was ready to be a partner for peace in Afghanistan with the US. “But as US troops withdraw, we will avoid risking further conflict,” wrote PM Khan.

    He said that Pakistan and the US have the same interest in that long-suffering country: a political settlement, stability, economic development and the denial of any haven for terrorists.

    “We oppose any military takeover of Afghanistan, which will lead only to decades of civil war, as the Taliban cannot win over the whole of the country, and yet must be included in any government for it to succeed.”

    Highlighting how Pakistan has suffered from the wars in Afghanistan, PM Khan wrote, “More than 70,000 Pakistanis have been killed. While the US provided $20 billion in aid, losses to the Pakistani economy have exceeded $150 billion.”

    “After joining the US effort, Pakistan was targeted as a collaborator, leading to terrorism against our country from the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and other groups. US drone attacks, which I warned against, didn’t win the war, but they did create hatred for Americans, swelling the ranks of terrorist groups against both our countries,” wrote the premier.

    Arguing against giving military bases to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for action inside Afghanistan, he said if the United States, with the most powerful military machine in history, couldn’t win the war from inside Afghanistan after 20 years, how would America do it from the bases in Pakistan?

    The prime minister also mentioned the benefits the region would get after peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s desire for increased trade and connectivity with Central Asia for an economic uplift.

    “This is why we have done a lot of real diplomatic heavy lifting to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table, first with the Americans, and then with the Afghan government,” PM Khan wrote, highlighting Pakistan’s efforts for peace.

    “We know that if the Taliban tries to declare a military victory, it will lead to endless bloodshed. We hope the Afghan government will also show more flexibility in the talks, and stop blaming Pakistan, as we are doing everything we can short of military action.”

    The premier concluded by saying that promoting economic connectivity and regional trade was the key to lasting peace and security in Afghanistan, adding that further military action was “futile”.

    “If we share this responsibility, Afghanistan, once synonymous with the ‘Great Game’ and regional rivalries, could instead emerge as a model of regional cooperation.”

  • ‘Pakistan will absolutely not allow CIA to use bases for Afghanistan Operations’: PM Khan

    ‘Pakistan will absolutely not allow CIA to use bases for Afghanistan Operations’: PM Khan

    Pakistan will “absolutely not” allow the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to use bases on its soil for cross-border counter-terrorism missions after American forces withdraw from Afghanistan said, Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    In an interview with Jonathan Swan of HBO Axios, which will be aired Monday at 3:00 am PST, the premier reiterated Pakistan’s stance on the use of military bases and categorically stated that Islamabad will not allow it.

    The US is in talks with Pakistan and other regional countries for cooperation in future operations in the war-torn country to keep a check on militancy.

    The prime minister was again asked by the US media for his comments on giving access to the CIA to military bases.

    “Will you allow the American government to have the CIA here in Pakistan to conduct cross border counter-terrorism missions against Al Qaeda, ISIS and the Taliban?” Swan asked the premier.

    “Absolutely not,” PM Khan responded.

    Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said earlier that Pakistan wants a stable Afghanistan, but there are some elements who do not want peace in the region.

    The FM had categorically stated that Pakistan has refused to give military bases to the US and added that he had told all the political parties in a briefing that they have no such intention.

    “Search for bases could be their wish. There’s no question of giving them bases, we have to see our interest.”

  • Police arrest mother after 4-year-old daughter nearly dies from head lice

    Police arrest mother after 4-year-old daughter nearly dies from head lice

    A woman from Indiana, United Stated was detained and faces charges after her four-year-old child nearly died from a severe head lice infestation.

    As per reports, the girl was admitted to a US hospital last month due to the infection. The girl’s condition was serious as she could barely walk. Her 26-year-old mother Shyanna Nicole Singh claimed that she “didn’t notice the lice”.

    The girl needed four blood transfusions and the child’s blood had very low hemoglobin levels, with only 1.7 hemoglobin instead of the normal 12.

    Read more – Lookalikes turn out to be twin sisters after becoming friends on social media

    Meanwhile, the girl’s six-year-old sister was also infested with lice. While her haemoglobin levels were still low at 8.7 grams, it was not as serious as her younger sister’s.

    Staff at her school told that the elder sister had had lice for three days straight in March before she was absent for 31 days.

    The sisters have since been removed from their mother with child services placing them in the care and custody of their grandparents’.

    The girls’ grandmother told police she asked Singh how the lice got so bad, and the mum responded that “she didn’t notice, and that (she) was just in a fog,” according to an affidavit.

  • Restaurant owner offers job to burglar who broke in to steal

    Restaurant owner offers job to burglar who broke in to steal

    A restaurant owner in the United States is winning hearts on the internet after he offered a job to a thief who broke into his restaurant and stole money.

    Carl Wallace, the owner of Diablo’s Southwest Grill restaurant in Augusta, Georgia, walked into his restaurant and was surprised to see the broken glass of the front door. He realised that his restaurant had been robbed and posted pictures of the broken restaurant door and the thief stealing a bag of cash.

    While Carl was initially very angry over what happened, he later changed his heart and decided to offer a job to the thief.

    Read more – Thief arrested after falling asleep in AC room during robbery

    “To the would-be robber who is clearly struggling with life decisions or having money issues…please swing by for a job application. There are better opportunities out there than this path you’ve chosen,” wrote Carl on social media.

     “No police, no questions. Let’s sit down and talk about how we could help you and fix the road you’re on. Sincerely Carl,” he added.

    Wallace’s Facebook post went viral and many praised his act, saying that this comes at a time when the restaurant industry has been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and many have had to shut their business.

  • Doughnut company offers free doughnut every day if you’ve been vaccinated

    Doughnut company offers free doughnut every day if you’ve been vaccinated

    Krispy Kreme, an American doughnut company and coffeehouse is offering a free doughnut to customers who present their COVID-19 vaccine cards.

    According to details, the deal started Monday and will last through the rest of 2021. Customers can bring their valid vaccination cards to any Krispy Kreme shop in the United States every day for the rest of the year to get a free Original Glazed doughnut – one per day.

    Krispy Kreme’s marketing promotion is one of the first of its kind among retailers as states have broadened access to coronavirus vaccinations to meet President Joe Biden’s May 1 deadline.

    “We all want to get COVID-19 behind us as fast as possible and we want to support everyone doing their part to make the country safe by getting vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available to them,” Krispy Kreme chief marketing officer Dave Skena said in a statement.

    Krispy Kreme said it will also offer up to four hours of paid time off for its employees to get vaccinated and for delivering free doughnuts to some vaccination centres in the next few weeks for health-care workers and volunteers.

  • VIDEO: Waitress quits job on spot after customer refuses to wear mask

    VIDEO: Waitress quits job on spot after customer refuses to wear mask

    A waitress in the United States quit her job on the spot after a customer refused to wear a face mask.

    In a video doing the rounds on social media, a couple can be seen entering a restaurant. The woman was not wearing a mask so a waitress came up to her and requested her to wear her mask.

    The customer kept arguing with her telling her that she will go to her table quickly. She was told that she will only be allowed once she puts on her mask in response to which the customer said that she does not want to spoil her lipstick. 

    Later, the manager came and tried to convince the customer, who continued to resist.

    The waitress then said: “It’s people like you who make it difficult for having a job. I don’t get paid enough to be here.”

    She took off her apron and cap and told the manager that all this “is not even her fault” and then she left the restaurant stating that she quit.

    The customer agreed to wear the mask after the waitress left.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBBrZvdeHKw&t=65s
  • Teenager kidnaps self to skip work

    Teenager kidnaps self to skip work

    A 19-year-old man in the United States tried to skip work by faking his own kidnapping.

    The boy Brandon Soules faked his kidnapping in order to skip work but his stunt did not last long as the police found out the truth and arrested him for false reporting.

    According to details, on February 10,  local police found Soules with his hands tied and mouth stuffed with a cloth. After being ‘saved’ by the police, the teenager claimed two men tied him and hit him till he fell unconscious. He further said that the two men drove him in a car and released him in the area where the police found him.

    The police found out that the entire episode was fake and the youth made up the whole story himself. During the investigations, the teen confessed to his actions. Soules accepted that he made up the story because he was trying to get out of work.

    Brandon’s plan to escape work has now landed him in jail and seems like he will be spending considerable time away from work due to the charges of false reporting against him.