The recently released series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has stirred up controversy as Captain Devi Sharan, the pilot of the hijacked flight, revealed that the show has altered and misrepresented some events from the actual incident. These reportedly include unclogging the toilet's plumbing lines and receiving a salute from the foreign minister, which were shown to be done by the pilot himself. However, Sharan clarified that in reality, a worker was sent by the Taliban authorities and the foreign minister only made a gesture to appreciate their efforts. The series has been receiving calls for boycott and a Netflix representative has even been summoned for a meeting in New Delhi regarding the backlash.
The show follows the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 and the subsequent negotiations between Indian and Taliban operatives. The cast is led by Vijay Varma, who portrays the captain of the hijacked flight, and features notable actors such as Manoj Pahwa and Arvind Swamy. As the show delves into the inner workings of the Indian government and the red-tapeism that plagues it, viewers are left with a chilling reminder of the consequences of bureaucratic incompetence in the face of terror.
The new Taliban government in Afghanistan has cut off consular ties with numerous Western embassies, leaving diplomats unsure of their roles. Despite no country officially recognizing the Taliban as the legitimate government, they have replaced ambassadors in neighboring embassies over the past three years. The Afghanistan foreign ministry is now declaring that embassies operating outside of their control will no longer have any responsibility for issuing passports and visas.
The Taliban, who have recently taken control of Afghanistan, have issued new laws that severely restrict the rights of women in public spaces. These laws, approved by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, ban women from showing their faces or speaking in public. The Taliban have also established a ministry for the "propagation of virtue and the prevention of vice" to enforce these laws, which cover everything from public transportation and music to clothing and celebrations. This move has sparked concern among human rights groups and is a major setback for the already struggling Afghan media landscape.
The Baluch Liberation Army group claimed responsibility for throwing hand grenades at a house and store selling Pakistani national flags in Quetta, killing three people and injuring six others. The attacks occurred days after the group warned against celebrating Pakistan's independence day and called for a ban on selling flags. Meanwhile, Pakistan's army chief gave a televised speech vowing to defeat militancy and sought cooperation from Afghanistan against the Pakistani Taliban. In a separate incident, the ED seized properties of the GBP Group, accused of scamming homebuyers and investors, in Chandigarh.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, B-Girl Manizha Talash from the Refugee Olympic Team was disqualified after displaying a political message during her breaking routine. Talash's message aimed to highlight the plight of women under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, but it led to controversy when she was disqualified for breaching Olympic regulations. In other Olympic news, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif made history by claiming the first Olympic gold medal in boxing for a woman from Africa and the Arab world.
In a significant development, the Taliban will attend the third round of the UN-hosted Special Envoys and Special Representatives meeting in Doha. This will be their first formal appearance on the international stage since seizing control of Afghanistan. The talks will focus on securing guarantees from the Taliban regarding women's rights and enabling the private sector, among other issues. With representatives from nearly 30 countries in attendance, the meeting highlights the world's attempt to find a unified approach towards engagement with the Taliban government.
The Afghan Taliban, who had skipped the last two UN meetings about Afghanistan, have agreed to join the third meeting on June 30. Their attendance is seen as a positive step towards global recognition and engagement with the Taliban-led government. However, tensions between the Afghan government and the Taliban remain, as the government has requested certain conditions for the meeting and the Taliban's demands to be included in the talks are met with resistance from the UN. Experts see the Taliban's participation as a gradual attempt to integrate into the international community.
The Taliban has expressed gratitude towards India for their significant support in boosting the development of the Afghan cricket team. This follows Afghanistan's win over Bangladesh, securing their place in the semi-finals of the tournament. India has been instrumental in providing training, infrastructure, and even hosting Afghanistan's first Test match, marking a milestone in their cricketing journey.
The Afghanistan cricket team's remarkable journey in the T20 World Cup 2024 continued as they defeated Bangladesh in a thrilling encounter to secure a spot in the semi-finals. This is the first time that Afghanistan has ever qualified for the semi-finals in any ICC event. The victory caught the attention of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who personally called and congratulated Captain Rashid Khan for the exceptional performance. Despite facing doubts and challenges, this Afghanistan team has proved themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of cricket.