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Pakistan dismisses US allegations of diplomats’ mistreatment

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Pakistan dismisses US allegations of diplomats’ mistreatment

US-Pakistan diplomatic impasse worsens ties

The ties between US and Pakistan have been deteriorating with each passing day. Though Pakistan is trying to repair the damage but Washington seems to be hurt by recent developments and has made up its mind to take punitive actions against Islamabad.

Friday, the weekly holiday in Pakistan, witnessed the Foreign Office dismissing US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s allegation about American diplomats being “treated badly” in Pakistan saying there has been no specific complaint from Washington.

Mohammad Faisal, spokesman of the Foreign Office, said, “The Foreign Office has not received any specific complaints from the US side after establishment of the mechanism to resolve the issue, on treatment of the US diplomats in Pakistan.”

On Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had informed the Congress that American officials are treated badly in Pakistan saying that Washington released “far fewer funds” to Pakistan in 2018 and may give even less next year.

Pakistan dismisses US allegations of diplomats’ mistreatment

While testifying before House Foreign Affairs Committee Pompeo said, “My officers, our state department officers are being treated badly as well, folks working in the embassies and councils [and] in other places are not being treated well by the Pakistani government either.”

Read More:US, Pakistan not to cut ties, work together in Afghanistan

Pompeo informed the members of the committee that the administration had “released far fewer funds” in 2018 than in the previous year. “The remainder of the funds available are under review. My guess is that that number will be smaller still,” he said.

Recalling his experiences while heading the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Pompeo said that he “worked diligently [but] unsuccessfully” on the issue of Dr Afridi. “Please be aware that it’s at my heart and I know it’s important and we can do that. We can achieve that outcome,” he added.

Responding to Pompeo’s allegations, Pakistan foreign Office Spokesman Mohammad Faisal said that all Pakistan-based foreign diplomats were being extended diplomatic privileges without any discrimination and were being facilitated as per international laws and norms as well as reciprocity.

Read More: US adds seven Pakistani companies to sanctions list

Observers believe that Pak-US relations have been badly affected since US President Donald Trump announced the new South Asia and Afghanistan strategy in August last year.

The tense ties turned further sour after the death of young Pakistani motorcyclist in a road accident involving US military attaché Mr. Hall. US administration imposed restrictions on Pakistani diplomats’ movement in America. Islamabad also reciprocated with similar restrictions against US diplomats. Pakistan has also withdrawn several special facilities enjoyed by US diplomats under some secret understanding.

On May 12, Pakistan had barred a US military attaché Col Joseph Emanuel Hall involved in a road accident from leaving the country when US tried to rescue him by a special aircraft flown in from Afghanistan. Pakistani officials did not oblige to give clearance to the diplomat to leave the country.

However, he was later allowed to leave Pakistan after Washington extended guarantee of prosecuting in the US courts. Hall is accused of running a traffic red light and killing a young motorcyclist Ateeq Baig, on April 7.

Pakistan’s foreign office had summoned the US ambassador to lodge a “strong protest” after the deadly accident involving a US diplomat and embassy vehicle.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s former military ruler Gen  Pervez Musharraf, in an interview with Voice of America, has said had he been the president now, he would have released Dr. Shakil Afridi in a give and take deal in return of Mulla Fazlullah. He described the present ties between the two countries at their “lowest ebb”.

Dr Afridi who helped the CIA to locate Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad has been in prison in Pakistan since 2011. On Wednesday, Mike Pompeo pledged before the congressional committee that he would continue to work “diligently” to get Afridi out of prison. Musharraf defended Pakistan’s position on Afridi and said that every nation had to make policies in accordance with its interests.

Pakistan alleges that Mulla Fazlullah, the chief of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan is living in Afghanisan. Pervez Musharraf said “I suppose the United States also knows that he’s there.”

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Russia says President Vladimir Putin to visit India soon

In July 2024, Modi made a significant trip to Russia, marking his first visit in almost five years, during which he invited President Putin to India.

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On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov revealed that arrangements are being made for President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India. Lavrov stated, as per the reports, that “President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to visit from the Indian Prime Minister,” affirming that preparations for this significant visit are currently underway.

During the announcement, Lavrov highlighted the diplomatic ties between the two nations, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made his first foreign trip to Russia after his re-election last year. “Now it’s our turn,” Lavrov remarked, underscoring the reciprocal nature of the visits between the leaders of both countries.

These comments were made during a video address at a conference hosted by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), which focused on the theme “Russia and India: Toward a New Bilateral Agenda.” Although the specific dates for President Putin’s visit have not yet been disclosed, the discussions signal a continued commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

Earlier in February, there were indications from Tass that Prime Minister Modi might visit Moscow to attend the annual military parade at Red Square, commemorating the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. However, sources familiar with the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, informed the Hindustan Times that while an invitation had been extended to Modi, an official visit was not being planned at that time.

In July 2024, Modi made a significant trip to Russia, marking his first visit in almost five years, during which he invited President Putin to India. This forthcoming visit will be particularly noteworthy as it will be Putin’s first trip to India since December 2021, when he participated in an annual summit.

It will also be his first official visit since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022. The evolving diplomatic landscape between Russia and India continues to attract attention as both nations seek to enhance their strategic partnership.

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Gaza sees largest anti-Hamas protest amid ongoing humanitarian crisis

In a rare show of defiance, Palestinians in northern Gaza rallied in large numbers against Hamas, demanding the group step down and calling for peace.

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Gaza protest, Hamas Gaza, anti-Hamas protest, Gaza war news, Gaza humanitarian crisis,

In a rare and bold display of public dissent, thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of northern Gaza on Tuesday, staging what is being described as the largest anti-Hamas protest since the outbreak of the war in October 2023. The demonstrations unfolded in Beit Lahia, where crowds were seen chanting slogans such as “For god’s sake, Hamas out,” “Hamas terrorists,” and “We want an end to the war.”

The scale of the protest, captured in video footage verified by a journalist present in the area, highlights a growing frustration among civilians as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens. The death toll has now crossed 50,000, according to Gaza’s health ministry, with the enclave devastated by sustained military action and blockade.

A circulating social media message also called for nine separate protests across Gaza on Wednesday, encouraging citizens to make their voices heard. The message urged, “Let them hear your voice, let them know that Gaza is not silent, and that there is a people who will not accept to be eradicated.” The origin of the message has not been independently verified.

Since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 following a civil conflict with the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, the group has faced sporadic internal criticism. However, public demonstrations of this magnitude are rare, especially amid an active conflict.

The protest comes at a time when northern Gaza is virtually cut off. Following the collapse of ceasefire talks earlier this month, Israel announced it was suspending all humanitarian aid to the enclave. UNRWA reported that no food, water, medicine, or fuel had entered Gaza in three weeks, warning of an impending acute hunger crisis.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of diverting humanitarian aid to serve its military operations—allegations the group denies.

With infrastructure in ruins and the population relying almost entirely on international assistance, the protests underline growing public anger over both the war and Hamas’ governance during this crisis.

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Tiger Woods confirms relationship with Vanessa Trump, Donald Trump Jr’s ex-wife

Tiger Woods has officially confirmed his relationship with Vanessa Trump, Donald Trump Jr’s former wife. The pair shared the news via social media following weeks of public curiosity.

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Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump confirmed relationship on social media

Tiger Woods has confirmed that he is in a relationship with Vanessa Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr. The golfing icon made the announcement public via a heartfelt post on social media, requesting privacy as their relationship moves forward.

“Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together,” Woods wrote to his 6.4 million followers on X. He also asked for privacy for all those close to them.

Vanessa Trump was married to Donald Trump Jr from 2005 until their separation in 2018. The former couple shares five children, including 17-year-old Kai, who is expected to play collegiate golf at the University of Miami in 2026. Notably, Kai attends the same school as Woods’s children, Sam and Charlie, and recently competed alongside Charlie at a golf invitational.

The couple had been the subject of growing speculation across gossip platforms in recent weeks. Despite being known for guarding his personal life, Woods made the relationship public, drawing comparisons to his 2013 social media announcement about dating Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn.

In the past, Woods explained that going public was a strategy to deter paparazzi and safeguard his children. His children Sam and Charlie were born during his marriage to Elin Nordegren, which ended in 2010 following revelations of Woods’s extramarital affairs.

Woods’s most recent public relationship before Vanessa Trump was with Erica Herman, which ended in 2022 after a long-term partnership and legal disputes over property matters.

Woods also shares a professional connection with the Trump family. He has played golf with Donald Trump on multiple occasions and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Trump in 2019. In February, Woods was also seen attending a meeting with Trump to discuss developments in the golf world, especially around the emergence of the Saudi-backed LIV tour.

The announcement comes shortly after Woods revealed he had ruptured his Achilles tendon, ruling him out of the upcoming Masters tournament.

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