At Georgetown University in Washington, DC, students who are dreading listening to political views different from their own are being offered “self-care suites” to help them cope as the 2024 United States presidential elections are underway.

These apolitical cocoons offer students a variety of comfort items, such as milk, cookies, hot cocoa, colouring books, and even a Lego station, and an escape from anything resembling political discourse.

The McCourt School of Public Policy has launched them, according to&nbsp;the New York Post.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-casts-vote-in-florida-says-hell-accept-defeat-if-its-a-fair-election-773654">Donald Trump casts vote in Florida, says he’ll accept defeat if it’s 'a fair election'</a>

<h2>'Stressful times'</h2>

In an email sent to students, Jaclyn Clevenger, Georgetown's Director of Student Engagement, invited the McCourt community to gather in the “third floor Commons” to unwind with mindfulness activities and refreshments.

The suites are open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (local time), offering an environment focused solely on relaxation.

“In recognition of these stressful times, all McCourt community members are welcome to gather … in the 3rd floor Commons to take a much-needed break, joining us for mindfulness activities and snacks throughout the day,” wrote Clevenger in the email obtained by The Free Press.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-casts-vote-in-florida-says-hell-accept-defeat-if-its-a-fair-election-773654">Donald Trump casts vote in Florida, says he’ll accept defeat if it’s 'a fair election'</a>

<h2>'Right way to handle young people?'</h2>

Just last week, news of the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, a private school in New York City, offering its students the option to take a day off if they found themselves emotionally distressed after the election surfaced.

Slamming the coddling, Comedian Jerry Seinfeld a former Fieldston parent, Seinfeld, questioned, “What kind of lives have these people led that makes them think that this is the right way to handle young people?”

“To encourage them to buckle. This is the lesson they are providing, for ungodly sums of money,” he remarked in a conversation with the New York Times.

Watch | US Election 2024: Will Americans Choose A First Woman President?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-election-2024-will-americans-choose-a-first-woman-president-773660/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Universities coddling students?</h2>

Other universities, like the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, have also introduced similar wellness offerings to support students in processing Election Day stress.

Puget Sound students can avail not just one day but a week-long line-up of calming activities — beyond Election Day. Options for relaxation include a “walkable labyrinth” with “calming lighting and music,” snacks and a creative space for arts and crafts such as beading and canvas-bag decorating.

Later in the week, those still feeling anxious due to the heated political environment can attend a “Pause for Paws” event, where they can relax with therapy animals while slurping hot chocolate.

Additional post-election programmes for “victims” of political willies at the institute include a “post-election processing space” for journaling, collage-making, and comfort food, featuring a baked potato bar.

(With inputs from agencies)

At Georgetown University in Washington, DC, students who are dreading listening to political views different from their own are being offered “self-care suites” to help them cope as the 2024 United States presidential elections are underway.

At Georgetown University in Washington, DC, students who are dreading listening to political views different from their own are being offered “self-care suites” to help them cope as the 2024 United States presidential elections are underway. These apolitical cocoons offer students a variety of comfort items, such as milk, cookies, hot cocoa, colouring books, and even a Lego station, and an escape from anything resembling political discourse. The McCourt School of Public Policy has launched them, according to the New York Post. Also read | Donald Trump casts vote in Florida, says he’ll accept defeat if it’s 'a fair election' 'Stressful times' In an email sent to students, Jaclyn Clevenger, Georgetown's Director of Student Engagement, invited the McCourt community to gather in the “third floor Commons” to unwind with mindfulness activities and refreshments. The suites are open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (local time), offering an environment focused solely on relaxation. “In recognition of these stressful times, all McCourt community members are welcome to gather … in the 3rd floor Commons to take a much-needed break, joining us for mindfulness activities and snacks throughout the day,” wrote Clevenger in the email obtained by The Free Press. Also read | Donald Trump casts vote in Florida, says he’ll accept defeat if it’s 'a fair election' 'Right way to handle young people?' Just last week, news of the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, a private school in New York City, offering its students the option to take a day off if they found themselves emotionally distressed after the election surfaced. Slamming the coddling, Comedian Jerry Seinfeld a former Fieldston parent, Seinfeld, questioned, “What kind of lives have these people led that makes them think that this is the right way to handle young people?” “To encourage them to buckle. This is the lesson they are providing, for ungodly sums of money,” he remarked in a conversation with the New York Times. Watch | US Election 2024: Will Americans Choose A First Woman President? Universities coddling students? Other universities, like the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, have also introduced similar wellness offerings to support students in processing Election Day stress. Puget Sound students can avail not just one day but a week-long line-up of calming activities — beyond Election Day. Options for relaxation include a “walkable labyrinth” with “calming lighting and music,” snacks and a creative space for arts and crafts such as beading and canvas-bag decorating. Later in the week, those still feeling anxious due to the heated political environment can attend a “Pause for Paws” event, where they can relax with therapy animals while slurping hot chocolate. Additional post-election programmes for “victims” of political willies at the institute include a “post-election processing space” for journaling, collage-making, and comfort food, featuring a baked potato bar. (With inputs from agencies)

US Election: Coddling or self-care? Georgetown offers students milk, cookies and apolitical cocoons

An Afghan campaigner who took part in breakthrough talks with the Taliban said Thursday that she saw subtle improvements in the attitude towards women of the insurgents, who severely curtailed their rights while in power.

In a meeting earlier this week in Qatar, the Islamist militants sat down with Afghan representatives and issued a joint statement that called for assuring women's rights "within the Islamic framework of Islamic values."

The conference, co-organised by Germany, came as the United States negotiates with the Taliban to pull troops from Afghanistan -- with women's rights not explicitly on the agenda.

Asila Wardak, a women's rights campaigner who works for the Afghan foreign ministry, said she was surprised at the positive atmosphere in Doha as women mingled directly with the Taliban over dinner and tea breaks.

"It was interesting to me as an Afghan woman as they didn't shake hands but they warmly welcomed us," she told a symposium at Georgetown University on the peace process, speaking by video from Kabul.

Two Taliban delegates even showed flashes of humour, telling the Afghan women that they heard they would be coming and saying, "'Please don't give us a hard time,'" she said.

"Maybe I'm wrong but their attitude has totally changed towards women, towards government employees," she said.

"But I do not say that their behaviour (changed) or, ideologically or strategically, they didn't change anything," she said, pointing to a massive blast in eastern Afghanistan that killed 12 and injured dozens of children just as the Qatar talks were opening.

Ghizaal Haress, a constitutional scholar at the American University of Afghanistan, said it remained unclear what the Taliban were saying by signing the declaration in Doha.

"The term 'Islamic regime' is very vague, it's very broad and there is a fear of what it will mean under the interpretation of the Taliban," she said.

"Do we mean an Islamic regime like the one in Malaysia or Indonesia? Do we mean an Islamic regime like Saudi Arabia or Iran? Or do we mean one like Pakistan?" she said, referring to governments with varying degrees of openness toward women.

The Taliban were notorious for their harsh treatment of women during their five-year rule of Afghanistan, which ended with the US-led invasion after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The insurgents forced women to cover themselves completely under burqas, banned them from working and restricted most education for girls.

US says watching women's role

President Donald Trump is impatient to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan, believing the mission is not worth the cost after nearly two decades.&nbsp;

His administration is aiming to reach an accord with the Taliban by September.

Such a deal is expected to have two main pillars -- a US withdrawal from Afghanistan and a commitment by the militants not to offer sanctuary to jihadists.

But Zalmay Khalilzad, the US negotiator who has held seven rounds of talks with the Taliban, told the Georgetown event in a video message that he will ensure that women "have a seat, or several seats, at the negotiating table."&nbsp;

Alice Wells, the acting assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, said that Afghanistan's future relationship with the United States will "depend heavily" on preserving the gains made by women.&nbsp;

"No current or future Afghan government should count on international donor support if that government restricts, represses or relegates Afghan women to second-class status," she said.

An Afghan campaigner who took part in breakthrough talks with the Taliban said Thursday that she saw subtle improvements in the attitude towards women of the insurgents, who severely curtailed their rights while in power.

An Afghan campaigner who took part in breakthrough talks with the Taliban said Thursday that she saw subtle improvements in the attitude towards women of the insurgents, who severely curtailed their rights while in power. In a meeting earlier this week in Qatar, the Islamist militants sat down with Afghan representatives and issued a joint statement that called for assuring women's rights "within the Islamic framework of Islamic values." The conference, co-organised by Germany, came as the United States negotiates with the Taliban to pull troops from Afghanistan -- with women's rights not explicitly on the agenda. Asila Wardak, a women's rights campaigner who works for the Afghan foreign ministry, said she was surprised at the positive atmosphere in Doha as women mingled directly with the Taliban over dinner and tea breaks. "It was interesting to me as an Afghan woman as they didn't shake hands but they warmly welcomed us," she told a symposium at Georgetown University on the peace process, speaking by video from Kabul. Two Taliban delegates even showed flashes of humour, telling the Afghan women that they heard they would be coming and saying, "'Please don't give us a hard time,'" she said. "Maybe I'm wrong but their attitude has totally changed towards women, towards government employees," she said. "But I do not say that their behaviour (changed) or, ideologically or strategically, they didn't change anything," she said, pointing to a massive blast in eastern Afghanistan that killed 12 and injured dozens of children just as the Qatar talks were opening. Ghizaal Haress, a constitutional scholar at the American University of Afghanistan, said it remained unclear what the Taliban were saying by signing the declaration in Doha. "The term 'Islamic regime' is very vague, it's very broad and there is a fear of what it will mean under the interpretation of the Taliban," she said. "Do we mean an Islamic regime like the one in Malaysia or Indonesia? Do we mean an Islamic regime like Saudi Arabia or Iran? Or do we mean one like Pakistan?" she said, referring to governments with varying degrees of openness toward women. The Taliban were notorious for their harsh treatment of women during their five-year rule of Afghanistan, which ended with the US-led invasion after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The insurgents forced women to cover themselves completely under burqas, banned them from working and restricted most education for girls. US says watching women's role President Donald Trump is impatient to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan, believing the mission is not worth the cost after nearly two decades. His administration is aiming to reach an accord with the Taliban by September. Such a deal is expected to have two main pillars -- a US withdrawal from Afghanistan and a commitment by the militants not to offer sanctuary to jihadists. But Zalmay Khalilzad, the US negotiator who has held seven rounds of talks with the Taliban, told the Georgetown event in a video message that he will ensure that women "have a seat, or several seats, at the negotiating table." Alice Wells, the acting assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, said that Afghanistan's future relationship with the United States will "depend heavily" on preserving the gains made by women. "No current or future Afghan government should count on international donor support if that government restricts, represses or relegates Afghan women to second-class status," she said.

Afghan women note Taliban shift after Doha talks

Pakistan`s former ambassador to the United States, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/imran-khan-government-most-disappointing-in-pakistans-recent-history-ex-diplomat-husain-haqqani-to-wion-191809&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwil4cmln8zhAhU0juYKHUYsAy8QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2YweRD0NlSYv69eYBVrfet">Husain Haqqani</a>, has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan's recent statement promising end of support to militant Jihadi groups are motivated by the fear of blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and does not reflect a change of policy.

Speaking at a conference at Georgetown University, he observed that so far there is no evidence that the Khan government or Pakistan's all-powerful military are dismantling Pakistan's terrorist support infrastructure.

"There is little change in Pakistan's attitude towards militancy, particularly the one directed against Afghanistan and India," Haqqani said, pointing out that Pakistan failed to initiate any action against Jaish-e-Mohammed or its leader, Masood Azhar, after the Pulwama terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Haqqani, "Islamabad's close ties with Beijing were invoked to ensure that Azhar`s designation as a terrorist by the United Nations was blocked by China at Pakistan's behest."&nbsp;

Such moves are consistent with Islamabad's policies of the last 30 years, he said.

Haqqani, the author of several books, is currently Director for South and Central Asia at the Hudson Institute think tank and is considered an outspoken critic of the Pakistan military`s domestic and foreign policies, especially its support of Jihadi terrorism.

"Although FATF sanctions are not imminent," Haqqani said, "Pakistan is trying to thwart them with public relations moves such as Imran Khan's latest statement. There will be more PR moves as FATF pressures increase."

The former ambassador said that the desire to reassure the world, once again, that Pakistan wants to act against terrorist groups is motivated by economic considerations.

"Pakistan's economy is not doing too well,'&nbsp;he noted, adding that "FATF sanctions would only make Khan's only economic option - more borrowing and financial bailouts by other countries and IMF-- more difficult.

"Husain Haqqani stressed that "Pakistan`s support for militancy is a strategic choice, motivated by the desire to provide a force multiplier for a relatively poor country trying to act as a major regional power without resources comparable to its perceived rival."

Pakistan`s former ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani, has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan's recent statement promising end of support to militant Jihadi groups are motivated by the fear of blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and does not reflect a change of policy.

Pakistan`s former ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani, has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan's recent statement promising end of support to militant Jihadi groups are motivated by the fear of blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and does not reflect a change of policy. Speaking at a conference at Georgetown University, he observed that so far there is no evidence that the Khan government or Pakistan's all-powerful military are dismantling Pakistan's terrorist support infrastructure. "There is little change in Pakistan's attitude towards militancy, particularly the one directed against Afghanistan and India," Haqqani said, pointing out that Pakistan failed to initiate any action against Jaish-e-Mohammed or its leader, Masood Azhar, after the Pulwama terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. According to Haqqani, "Islamabad's close ties with Beijing were invoked to ensure that Azhar`s designation as a terrorist by the United Nations was blocked by China at Pakistan's behest." Such moves are consistent with Islamabad's policies of the last 30 years, he said. Haqqani, the author of several books, is currently Director for South and Central Asia at the Hudson Institute think tank and is considered an outspoken critic of the Pakistan military`s domestic and foreign policies, especially its support of Jihadi terrorism. "Although FATF sanctions are not imminent," Haqqani said, "Pakistan is trying to thwart them with public relations moves such as Imran Khan's latest statement. There will be more PR moves as FATF pressures increase." The former ambassador said that the desire to reassure the world, once again, that Pakistan wants to act against terrorist groups is motivated by economic considerations. "Pakistan's economy is not doing too well,' he noted, adding that "FATF sanctions would only make Khan's only economic option - more borrowing and financial bailouts by other countries and IMF-- more difficult. "Husain Haqqani stressed that "Pakistan`s support for militancy is a strategic choice, motivated by the desire to provide a force multiplier for a relatively poor country trying to act as a major regional power without resources comparable to its perceived rival."

Pakistan unlikely to change policy on militants, says Husain Haqqani