Photo: NZ HeraldA military plane on a mercy dash to Kabul to rescue New Zealanders, interpreters and others who worked with Kiwi troops fighting the Taliban has left this morning. Government officials have been contacting individuals stuck in Afghanistan and making arrangements to try to get them out. This afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she'd been advised today that the security situation in Kabul was "incredibly difficult". "People are struggling to get to Kabul airport," she said. Meanwhile, New Zealand has co-signed a joint statement on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 19, 2021 05:26 UTC