Senior US and Pakistani officials have held difficult talks in Islamabad amid a worsening relationship, as each country searches for a way forward in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
Led on the US side by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and on the Pakistani side by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf, Friday's meetings came one day after Ms Sherman visited Pakistan's arch-rival India.
While at an event hosted by the Ananta Aspen Centre in Mumbai, she pointedly said: "We don't see ourselves building our broad relationship with Pakistan".
She added the US had "no interest" in returning to the days when Washington treated India and Pakistan equally.
The State Department only provided terse readouts of Ms Sherman's meetings with Mr Qureshi and Mr Yusuf.
“Deputy Secretary Sherman emphasised the importance of a co-ordinated approach to Afghanistan and other issues vital to regional stability," the readout of the meeting with Mr Qureshi said.
In a video posted by the US embassy in Islamabad, Ms Sherman said: “We discussed the importance of holding the Taliban accountable to the commitments they have made, because it is in all our interest to have a stable and inclusive Afghanistan that does not serve as a safe harbour for terrorists".
She noted that other issues including climate change and the pandemic were discussed, and credited Pakistan for hosting Afghan refugees for more than four decades.
Islamabad denies it supports the Afghan Taliban but western powers say Pakistan's intelligence services have maintained a close relationship with the militants since they were toppled in 2001, and thousands of Pakistani madrassa students have filled the Taliban's ranks over the years.
Islamabad's relationship with the Taliban has long drawn ire in Washington and forced a reassessment of Pakistani ties with the US.
Islamabad’s approach “is one that has involved hedging its bets constantly about the future of Afghanistan, it's one that's involved harbouring members of the Taliban,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last month.
He told Congress the US is reviewing its relationship with Pakistan.
”This is one of the things we're going to be looking at in the days, and weeks ahead – the role that Pakistan has played over the last 20 years, but also the role we would want to see it play in the coming years and what it will take for it to do that," Mr Blinken said.
Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan on August 15 and the withdrawal of the last US forces two weeks later, US diplomacy has been focused on extracting commitments from Taliban officials on upholding women rights, recognising international agreements that the former government had adhered to, and co-operating in the fight against terrorism.
According to Michael Kugleman, a senior fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Centre and a South Asia expert, Washington wants Islamabad to press the Taliban to take a more moderate position on issues like inclusivity and women’s rights.
"It also likely wants Pakistan to assist with US counterterrorism objectives in Afghanistan. This could entail stepped-up intelligence-sharing cooperation and overflight rights for US aircrafts carrying out counterterrorism activities in Afghanistan," he told The National.
He saw the trip as something of a missed opportunity for both countries, with the US keen to focus mainly on narrowly defined issues around Afghanistan, while Pakistan wants to discuss about a wider set of issues.
"The US withdrawal from Afghanistan hasn’t changed this calculus. And that’s a shame, because US-Pakistan cooperation around issues like climate change and cyber security would entail conversations that are more pleasant and less tense than those around Afghanistan, where the two often differ," Mr Kugelman said.
Ms Sherman is the most senior US diplomat to visit Islamabad since President Joe Biden took office in January.
Washington-New Delhi relations have experienced a boost in recent years, including under Mr Biden, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the White House for a sit-down last month.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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