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Damning full-page ad slams Ardern’s border policy

<p dir="ltr">New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/jacinda-ardern-popularity-plunges-as-kiwis-struggle-to-return-home/e350bbd6-907c-4bd9-be82-63037dc52269" target="_blank" rel="noopener">openly criticised</a> in a full-page ad regarding the country’s strict border policy, after news emerged of a pregnant New Zealand journalist fighting to return home to give birth.</p><p dir="ltr">The advertisement, taken out by prominent businessman Michael Horton in one of New Zealand’s most widely-read magazines, claimed that New Zealand was one of the few countries not allowing its citizens to return home.</p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2ce06cae-7fff-55cf-e942-5c571f5e3dc0"></span></p><p dir="ltr">Under the headline, “The following countries do not ban their own citizens from returning to their home country”, the ad listed dozens of countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">This ad, sponsored by Michael Horton, appears in the January 29 <a href="https://twitter.com/nzlistener?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nzlistener</a>. Thank you Michael. <a href="https://twitter.com/nzgovt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nzgovt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/govtnz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@govtnz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jacindaardern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jacindaardern</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZGTW2iFHUr">pic.twitter.com/ZGTW2iFHUr</a></p>— Graeme Jennings (@Graeme_rj) <a href="https://twitter.com/Graeme_rj/status/1484343384357494786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2022</a></blockquote><p dir="ltr">Above it, another headline read, “The following countries effectively ban their own citizens from returning to their home country”, with New Zealand as the only country listed.</p><p dir="ltr">The ad comes as Charlotte Bell, a 35-year-old journalist  who was working in Qatar for Al Jazeera until recently, remains stranded in Afghanistan, despite being triple-vaccinated and ready to isolate upon her return to her home country.</p><p dir="ltr">Kiwis looking to return home are required to secure a place in government-run quarantine, through a system called Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ).</p><p dir="ltr">According to the MIQ website, travellers are advised to book their place in MIQ - with spots gradually released in the months prior to flight arrivals - before booking their flights.</p><p dir="ltr">“In periods of high demand, some people will miss out on securing an MIQ voucher, regardless of the system that is used,” the website reads.</p><p dir="ltr">As a result of the high demand for the 4500 available spots, thousands of New Zealanders have been unable to return home in time to be with dying family members or be present for milestone moments.</p><p dir="ltr">The system, which used a weekly lottery system to allocate vouchers until early January, has been fully booked out for months in advance which has also meant that impromptu travel or returning for emergencies - such as in Ms Bell’s case - remains virtually impossible. </p><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0e7e5743-7fff-7d75-76eb-89bdc2ad4ad7"></span></p><p dir="ltr">Ms Bell published an open letter in <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-omicron-charlotte-bellis-an-open-letter-on-miq/U4WQGYTJHUP36AGVOBN3F6PJSE/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New Zealand Herald</a></em> over the weekend detailing how she was forced to seek refuge in Afghanistan’s capital of Kabul, after she was no longer able to work in Qatar because it is illegal to be pregnant and unmarried there.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF;border: 0;border-radius: 3px;margin: 1px;max-width: 540px;min-width: 326px;padding: 0;width: calc(100% - 2px)" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZSRlVysIQF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px"><div style="flex-direction: row;align-items: center"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 40px;margin-right: 14px;width: 40px"> </div><div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 100px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 60px"> </div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0"> </div><div style="height: 50px;margin: 0 auto 12px;width: 50px"> </div><div style="padding-top: 8px"><div style="color: #3897f0;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: 550;line-height: 18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0"> </div><div style="flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px;flex-grow: 0;margin-right: 14px;margin-left: 2px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 20px;width: 20px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 2px solid transparent;border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom: 2px solid transparent"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: auto"><div style="width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent"> </div></div></div><div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center;margin-bottom: 24px"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 224px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 144px"> </div></div><p style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;line-height: 17px;margin-bottom: 0;margin-top: 8px;overflow: hidden;padding: 8px 0 7px;text-align: center"><a style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;line-height: 17px;text-decoration: none" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZSRlVysIQF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Charlotte Bellis (@charlottebellis)</a></p></div></blockquote><p dir="ltr">“This is ridiculous. It is my legal right to go to New Zealand, where I have healthcare, where I have family. All my support is there,” she <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/from-kabul-pregnant-reporter-fights-nz-govt-to-come-home/94ed99be-8bbf-4ed0-a0f3-10a77e52ff84" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.</p><p dir="ltr">Ms Bell first attempted to secure residency in Belgium - where her partner is from - but said the length of the process meant she would have been left in the country with an expired visa.</p><p dir="ltr">With the option to either hop from country to country on tourist visas or attempt to secure a more long-term stay while she fought to return home, Ms Bell and her partner returned to Afghanistan because they had a visa, felt welcome, and could continue their battle there.</p><p dir="ltr">Critics like Mr Horton have claimed the lottery system is a needlessly punishing process as more than 90 percent of the country’s population have been fully vaccinated and boosters continue to be administered.</p><p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, Ms Ardern’s approval ratings have taken a hit, with a recent 1 News Kantor poll indicating that her current approval rate sits at just 35 percent, the lowest it’s been since she became Prime Minister in 2017.</p><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ff3c29b5-7fff-be5f-acb9-82fc7a0f93fa"></span></p><p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @charlottebellis (Instagram)</em></p>

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“We’ll die slowly in history”: Afghan girl’s sorrowful plea

<p dir="ltr">A video of an unidentified Afghan girl crying after the Taliban took over the capital of Afghanistan is being shared online.</p> <p dir="ltr">The video, which has been translated into English, shows the young woman finding it hard to cope with her new future.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We don’t count because we were born in Afghanistan,” she says in the clip.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I cannot help crying. I have to wipe my tears to be able to film this video.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No one cares about us. We’ll die slowly in history.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She ends the video with the question, “Isn’t it funny?”</p> <p dir="ltr">The video was shared by journalist and activist Masih Alinejad and has been viewed more than 1.7 million times.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">"We don't count because we're from Afghanistan. We'll die slowly in history"<br /><br />Tears of a hopeless Afghan girl whose future is getting shattered as the Taliban advance in the country.<br /><br />My heart breaks for women of Afghanistan. The world has failed them. History will write this. <a href="https://t.co/i56trtmQtF">pic.twitter.com/i56trtmQtF</a></p> — Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlinejadMasih/status/1426195246694780930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The journalist described the video as the “tears of a hopeless Afghan girl whose future is getting shattered as the Taliban advance in the country”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Alinejad added that her “heart breaks for the women in Afghanistan”, as she fears women’s basic freedoms and rights will be taken away under Taliban rule.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Iranian journalist has since interviewed the girl in the video, sharing on Twitter that they “cried together because we both know the nature of the Islamic regime and their lies”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She’s only 23 years old, full of pain and anger. Please listen to her and be her voice.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">My in-depth interview with the Afghan girl who’s heartbreaking crying video become symbol of ‘shattered future’ under Taliban<br /><br />She’s only 23 years old, full of pain and anger. Please listen to her and be their voice. <a href="https://t.co/oUiOe7ApG7">pic.twitter.com/oUiOe7ApG7</a></p> — Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlinejadMasih/status/1427526187916701718?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The clip has been shared all over social media, including by Khaled Hosseini, the author who used his time growing up in Afghanistan to write<span> </span><em>The Kite Runner</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The United States has a moral obligation. Admit as many Afghan refugees as possible,” he pleaded via Twitter.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img style="width: 500px; height: 229.06976744186048px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843215/860x394-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/52d78bdec78f4f3b8c94797880906d52" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Department of Defense, @MarcusReports</em></p> <p dir="ltr">The video comes as shocking images of Afghans fleeing the country have also been shared, depicting hundreds of people desperately trying to board an American military transport plane.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: TikTok</em></p>

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Scott Morrison's sober admission after chaotic scenes in Kabul

<p>Scott Morrison has made a somber warning that Australia's rescue mission in Afghanistan will fall short. </p> <p>The Prime Minister confirmed that work was underway on Tuesday, but said the assignment won't reach "all that it should", as he urged veterans to not lose faith in the government. </p> <p>The evacuation expedition is ongoing in Kabul, as the government works to liberate both Australian and Afghan workers amid the ongoing crisis. </p> <p>Scott Morrison insisted that the government has a rescue mission plan, but declined to go into further details.</p> <p><span>“I want to thank all of those who have been working tirelessly to ensure that we can put these plans safely in place, to make sure that we can follow through, not just on the care that we have provided to citizens in these situations but, of course, the many Afghan nationals who will be making Australia their home,” Mr Morrison said.</span></p> <p><span>He went on to say he has spoken to veterans who are concerned for their safety, and insists everything possible is being done. </span></p> <p><span>He said, “I want you to know that we will continue to do everything we can for those who have with us, as we have to this day. But I want to talk openly to veterans that despite our best efforts, I know that support won‘t reach all that it should."</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">JUST IN: "The Crew made the decision to go" — Inside RCH 871, which saved 640 from the Taliban ... from <a href="https://twitter.com/TaraCopp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TaraCopp</a> and me <a href="https://t.co/r4YvGqJZ4b">https://t.co/r4YvGqJZ4b</a> <a href="https://t.co/CI1mAmqjHT">pic.twitter.com/CI1mAmqjHT</a></p> — Marcus Weisgerber (@MarcusReports) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarcusReports/status/1427363089834512384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span>The statement from Scott Morrison comes after a US military plane successfully evacuated 640 Afghans, who were fleeing from the rule of the Taliban. </span></p> <p><span>The relieved Afghans crammed into a US Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III on Sunday in what is believed to be the most people flown in the aircraft. </span></p> <p><span>The plane, originally meant for only 134 soldiers, left with the full load of human cargo as extraordinary images were captured from inside the aircraft. </span></p> <p><span>"Instead of trying to force those refugees off the aircraft, the crew made the decision to go. Approximately 640 Afghan civilians disembarked the aircraft when it arrived at its destination," Defense One reported.</span></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images/Twitter @MarcusReports</em></p>

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Kabul has fallen: What's happening in Afghanistan

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After 20 years of combat and billions of dollars invested by the US and NATO to build up Afghan forces, Taliban fighters have seized nearly all of Afghanistan in little over a week.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After ousting Taliban forces from power in 2001, the US and Western allies - including Australia - have spent the last 20 years fighting the Taliban, as well as training and equipping Afghan security forces.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Earlier this year, US President Joe Biden announced the US would end its military mission in the country this year, with troops withdrawing by August 31.</span></p> <p><strong>Latest developments</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kabul, the country’s capital, was seized hours after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Sunday. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though he did not reveal where he had fled to, Mr Ghani said in a Facebook post that he did not want to see bloodshed in Kabul.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Al Jazeera news has since reported that the president, his wife, his chief of staff, and national security advisor have left for Tashkent in Uzbekistan.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Taliban now say the war in Afghanistan is over, and that they will hold talks in the coming days aimed at forming an “open, inclusive Islamic government”, according to Taliban spokesman and negotiator Suhail Shaheen.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since the capture of Kabul, helicopters have been seen racing overhead to evacuate personnel from the US Embassy.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:333.49609375px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843148/gettyimages-1234687815.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ab8f7cf42c514d83b3f282c1913a3e10" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">A US military helicopter pictured flying above the US embassy. Image: Getty Images</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Embassy staff destroyed important documents ahead of their evacuation, and the American flag was lowered.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Afghan citizens have also scrambled to flee the country, fearing the Taliban could reintroduce the brutal rules that stripped women of their rights.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thousands have attempted to flee, with roads reported to be gridlocked and gunfire being heard at the airport.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The United States, Australia, New Zealand and over 50 other nations have also issued a joint statement on Afghanistan, which reads: “Given the deteriorating security situation, we support, are working to secure, and call on all parties to respect and facilitate, the safe and orderly departure of foreign nationals and Afghans who wish to leave the country.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan bear responsibility - and accountability - for the protection of human life and property, and for the immediate restoration of security and civil order.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Afghans and international citizens who wish to depart must be allowed to do so; roads, airports and border crossing must remain open, and calm must be maintained.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Afghan people deserve to live in safety, security and dignity. We in the international community stand ready to assist them.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Russian news has also confirmed that the Taliban has promised to guarantee the safety of the Russian embassy in Kabul, and that it will remain functional.</span></p> <p><strong>Australian forces to rescue Australians</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Cabinet’s National Security committee has met to discuss military efforts to evacuate citizens and former Afghan staff, while the Federal Government considers increasing the number of Afghan nationals allowed into the country as refugees.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Speaking this morning, Prime Minister Scott Morrison refused to clarify how many Australian citizens remained in Afghanistan, commenting that it is “a very distressing situation”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We are working on to ensure we can safely remove people from that situation with partners and allies,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I can’t go too much into the operational details of this.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After announcing that RAAF planes would be airlifting Australians and Afghan interpreters and contractors out of the country on Sunday, Mr Morrison refused to confirm whether the changing situation threatened to derail the government’s plans.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m not going to go into the operations; it’s for the protection of those we’re engaged in seeking to provide their safety,” Mr Morrison said.</span></p>

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