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Taliban’s plans explained – what do they want to do?
World leaders react to the Taliban take-over and are moving swiftly to ensure the safe evacuation of diplomats and residents from the nation
The Taliban group has given their public first address since taking control of Afghanistan
Here’s what we know right now:
- The Taliban gave their first major press conference since taking control of Kabul and Afghanistan as a whole.
- The spokesperson has assured the world that women will maintain their rights as per the rules and regulations of sharia… or Islamic law.
- Foreign workers and diplomats will be safe under an amnesty agreement and “no harm will be done”.
This comes as the top leaders of the militant group land back in Afghanistan after basing themselves out of Qatar.
This is the moment the Taliban co-founder arrives from Kandahar’s airport to cheering crowds, a dramatic comeback following months of tense negotiations in the lead up to America’s troop withdrawal.
Kandahar is the spiritual birthplace of the Taliban and the group’s base before the US military forced them to leave.
Checkpoints have been set up across Kabul and the streets of the city are quiet and largely deserted.
Evacuation flights continue to depart from Kabul’s main airport, as thousands seek refuge.
This follows the Biden administration standing by the decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by the end of August
White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki says the President is not going to ask American citizens to fight a war that the Afghans won’t.
We have also learned that the US is urgently pushing to ramp up its evacuation efforts, with the nation’s Commander General ensuring the safe passage of troops, civilians and diplomats.
In a statement, the General says the airfield remains secure and open to air traffic, and the General has made it clear to the Taliban that “any attack would be met with overwhelming force in the defence of American forces”.
The statement continues, saying “the protection of US civilians and our partners is the highest priority and we will take all necessary action to ensure a safe and efficient withdrawal.”
Yesterday, we saw those chaotic scenes at Kabul’s major airport as thousands of Afghans tried to board planes in a desperate bid to flee the country before it’s too late
Meanwhile, the White House National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan has given assurances that the United States will do everything it can to advocate for the rights and freedoms of women and girls.
Sullivan says “when a civil war comes to an end… there are going to be scenes of chaos…”
So how are world leaders and other nations responding to this ongoing crisis in Afghanistan?
Let’s break it down…
The United States is leading the charge when it comes to communication and negotiation with the Taliban, but it’s believed that government will not recognise the Taliban as the official head of state.
The European Union has neither confirmed whether or not it will support a Taliban regime… but member nations will work with the militants and provide necessary support to Afghan citizens.
Meanwhile, Britain’s Foreign Secretary says aid to Afghanistan will increase but there is still no word from the UK as to whether they will support a Taliban-led government.
But Canada’s President Justin Trudeau is standing firm, calling the Taliban a terrorist organisation and his country will not recognise their rule.
NATO has temporarily suspended all support for Afghanistan.. but this will resume if NATO leaders are convinced that the Taliban has established an inclusive government.
Netflix Surpasses Expectations with 9.33 Million New Subscribers in Q1 2024
Netflix stunned analysts and the industry alike with its first-quarter 2024 earnings report, revealing a remarkable surge of 9.33 million paid subscribers, soaring past the anticipated 3.93 million additions and bringing its total subscriber count to an impressive 269.60 million.
This surge follows a record-breaking fourth quarter of 2023, where Netflix added 13.1 million subscribers. Despite this remarkable growth streak, Netflix announced it would cease reporting quarterly subscriber totals from 2025 onward, signalling a significant shift in industry dynamics. Notable contributors to this growth included high-profile releases like the live-action adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “3 Body Problem” by the show-runners behind “Game of Thrones.”
Regionally, the U.S. and Canada saw a growth of 2.53 million paid subscribers, while Europe, the Middle East, and Africa added 2.92 million, Latin America saw an increase of 1.72 million, and the Asia-Pacific market experienced a rise of 2.16 million.
Alongside surpassing subscriber expectations, Netflix exceeded financial projections, reporting a 15% increase in revenue from Q1 2023, with diluted earnings per share of $5.28 on $9.37 billion in revenue.
Looking ahead, Netflix forecasts robust financial performance for Q2, with expectations of $9.49 billion in revenue and diluted EPS of $4.68, aiming for revenue growth of 13% to 15% for the full year 2024, reflecting a bullish outlook on its operational margin.
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