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Taliban largely seal off Kabul airport as airlift winds down

Taliban forces sealed off Kabul's airport Saturday to most Afghans hoping for evacuation and most NATO nations flew out their troops after two decades in Afghanistan, winding down a frantic airlift that Western leaders acknowledged was still leaving many of their citizens and local allies behind.

The United States, which says the round-the-clock flights have evacuated more than 100,000 people since the Taliban claimed Kabul on August 15, was keeping up airlifts ahead of President Joe Biden's Tuesday deadline for withdrawal.

Britain also was carrying out its final evacuation flights Saturday, though Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to "shift heaven and earth" to get more of those at risk from the Taliban to Britain by other means.

READ MORE: At least 50 Australians stuck in Kabul after rescue mission ends

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Britain's ambassador to Afghanistan, Laurie Bristow, said in a video from Kabul airport and posted on Twitter that it was "time to close this phase of the operation now."

"But we haven't forgotten the people who still need to leave," he said. "We'll continue to do everything we can to help them. Nor have we forgotten the brave, decent people of Afghanistan. They deserve to live in peace and security."

Taliban forces were holding some positions within the airport, ready to peacefully take control as American forces fly out, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. The Pentagon stressed Friday that the Taliban, who now run Afghanistan, were not in control of any operations at the airport.

RELATED: 'River of blood': Witness describes carnage of Kabul airport attack

Outside the airport, Taliban leaders deployed extra forces Saturday to prevent large crowds from gathering after a devastating suicide attack two days earlier.

New layers of checkpoints sprang up on roads leading to the airport, some manned by uniformed Taliban fighters with Humvees and night-vision goggles captured from Afghan security forces. Areas where large crowds had gathered over the past two weeks in the hopes of fleeing the country were largely empty.

A suicide attack Thursday by an Islamic State group affiliate killed 169 Afghans and 13 US service members, and there were concerns that the group, which is far more radical than the Taliban, could strike again. The US military said it killed an IS militant early Saturday in a drone strike, after US President Joe Biden promised swift retaliation.

An Afghan who worked as a translator for the US military said he was with a group of people with permission to leave who tried to reach the airport late Friday. After passing through three checkpoints they were stopped at a fourth. An argument ensued, and the Taliban said they had been told by the Americans to only let US passport-holders through.

"I am so hopeless for my future," the man told The Associated Press after returning to Kabul, speaking on condition of anonymity because of security concerns. "If the evacuation is over, what will happen to us?"

The Pentagon said Friday that Afghans with the proper documents still were being allowed in.

On Saturday, the Taliban fired warning shots and deployed some kind of coloured smoke on a road leading to the airport, sending dozens of people scattering, according to a video circulating online that was consistent with AP reporting.

Afghans, meanwhile, faced economic crises as many Western governments withheld support from Taliban rule.

In Kabul, hundreds of protesters, including many civil servants, gathered outside a bank while countless more lined up at cash machines. They said they hadn't been paid for three to six months and were unable to withdraw cash. ATM machines were still operating, but withdrawals were limited to about $200 every 24 hours.

Later Saturday, the central bank ordered commercial bank branches to open and allow customers to withdraw US$200 ($273.50) per week, calling it a temporary measure.

The economic crisis, which predates the Taliban takeover, could give Western nations leverage as they urge Afghanistan's new rulers to form a moderate, inclusive government and allow people to leave after Tuesday.

Afghanistan is heavily dependent on international aid, which covered around 75% of the toppled Western-backed government's budget. The Taliban have said they want good relations with the international community and have promised a more moderate form of Islamic rule than when they last governed the country, but many Afghans are deeply sceptical.

The Taliban cannot access almost any of the central bank's $9 billion in reserves, most of which is held by the New York Federal Reserve. The International Monetary Fund has also suspended the transfer of some $450 million. Without a regular supply of U.S. dollars, the local currency is at risk of collapse, which could send the price of basic goods soaring.

A UN agency warned Saturday that a worsening drought threatens the livelihoods of more than 7 million people. The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organisation said Afghans are also suffering from the coronavirus pandemic and displacement from the recent fighting.

Earlier this month, the UN World Food Program estimated that about 14 million people — roughly one out of every three Afghans — urgently needed food assistance.

Biden has said he will adhere to a self-imposed Tuesday deadline for withdrawing all US forces. The Taliban, who control nearly the entire country outside of Kabul's airport, have rejected any extension.

Italy said its final evacuation flight had landed in Rome but that it would work with the United Nations and countries bordering Afghanistan to continue helping Afghans who had worked with its military contingent to leave the country.

"Our imperative must be to not abandon the Afghan people," especially women and children, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Saturday.

The Taliban have encouraged Afghans to stay, pledging amnesty even to those who fought against them. They have said commercial flights will resume after the U.S. withdrawal, but it's unclear if airlines will be willing to offer service.

The US and its allies have said they will continue providing humanitarian aid through the UN and other partners, but any broader engagement — including development assistance — is likely to hinge on whether the Taliban deliver on their promises of more moderate rule.

Taliban fighters beat up a cameraman for the private broadcaster Tolo TV earlier this week in Kabul. Saad Mohseni, the CEO of the group that owns the channel, said the Taliban have been in touch with the station's management about the incident. He said the fighter has been identified, but it's unclear if he has faced any disciplinary action. There was no comment from the Taliban.

Police investigate suspected murder-suicide at Adelaide home

Police are investigating the deaths of two men at an Adelaide home in what is believed to be a murder-suicide.

Emergency crews were called to Allerdice Circuit, West Lakes, just after 1.30pm after a "serious incident" was reported.

A father and his severely disabled son, aged 72 and 46, were found unresponsive at the home.

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CPR was attempted by paramedics, however, both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation is in its early stages but police suspect the elderly man killed his son before taking his own life.

A report is being prepared for the coroner.

A section of the street was cordoned off and 9News has been told a family of three lives at the home.

Police have asked members of the public to avoid the area.

Police say there is no threat to public safety.

More to come.

Anyone experiencing family violence, or has concerns for their safety or the safety of other family members or friends, is urged to contact police on 131 444 or 000 in an emergency.

For 24/7 crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp.

The new device aimed at reducing deaths due to anaphylaxis

A new self-administered adrenaline device will be added to the Australian market next week, working alongside the EpiPen to vastly reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death due to anaphylaxis.

The Anapen500 device will be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) on Wednesday and will be subsidised for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis due to insect stings, medicines and other allergens such as food.

The device works very similarly to an EpiPen by jabbing adrenaline into a person's thigh and provides individualised treatment outside of medical facilities.

READ MORE: National EpiPen shortage exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic, experts say

By enabling users to have the device on them at all times, severe allergic reactions will be reduced and a further layer of protection will be added in the line of defence for people who live with the risk of anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of an allergic reaction, which develops rapidly in response to allergen exposure.

It can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Symptoms can typically appear anywhere between 20 minutes to two hours of exposure to the trigger and require immediate emergency treatment.

Although there is no cure for most allergies that can lead to anaphylaxis, with the correct prevention and medical attention, it can be treatable.

READ MORE: Food allergy 'epidemic' prompts expert warnings

Blue EpiPen being administered

In Australia, hospital admission rates for food-related anaphylaxis increased ninefold from two to 18.2 per 100,000 population between 1998 and 2019.

A similar increase in anaphylaxis fatalities was also reported.

Earlier this year, families were forced to fork out for children's EpiPens as the country struggled through nationwide medication shortages.

The devices normally have an 18-month life span but are in short supply due to the pandemic.

It means parents are forced to purchase more frequently with some spending more than $100 for those with a four-month shelf life.

Under the PBS, parents are able to purchase two in-date EpiPens at once, with two costing roughly $40.

However, due to the expiry date, which also requires more frequent doctor's appointments, parents are being forced to buy EpiPens much more frequently.

Police probe suspicious death of woman, 48, in Darwin apartment

Police are appealing for information after a woman was found dead in a Darwin apartment last night.

The 48-year-old Indigenous woman's body was found inside a unit at a complex on Progress Drive in Coconut Grove just before 8pm.

A crime scene was established and the death is being treated as suspicious.

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"At this stage, we are treating this death as suspicious, and we would like to speak to anyone who may be able to help us piece together events leading to this incident," Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Morrissey said.

"The woman was a 48-year-old Aboriginal woman living in the apartment complex.

"She had a full-leg cast on her left leg."

Police have conducted door-knocks in the area.

Detectives are calling on anyone who was in the vicinity of the Nightcliff shops, Progress Drive and Litchfield Court between 7pm and 8pm to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number 9776175.

ACT records 26 new local cases of COVID-19

The ACT has recorded 26 new local cases of COVID-19 in the last day, with 20 linked to previous infections and 11 active in the community.

Just under 3000 tests were conducted across the territory in the last day, a number Chief Minister Andrew Barr said he would like to see raised.

There are 10 people with in hospital receiving treatment for COVID-19, with just one of those people in the intensive care unit.

READ MORE: NSW records 1035 new COVID-19 cases, two deaths

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"I thank the staff and the ICU unit for the support they are providing that individual and as always, our thoughts are with the family," Mr Barr said.

"(There were) 2937 tests yesterday. So, a moderate number but we would like to see that testing number get a little higher so please, get tested if you have any symptoms.

"We are aware that there are still some people coming out of quarantine that will also need to get the final test before they do so."

Mr Barr said that overall compliance with public health orders across the territory has been of a "very high level".

"ACT Police advise that they conducted 1000 traffic stops and issued only five directions to leave the ACT, so a very high level of compliance," he said.

"38 compliance complaints were made and police have issued two cautions."

READ MORE: NSW Ambulance unable to meet demand as 'unnecessary' calls put lives of people in real emergencies at risk

Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.

The AIS Arena in Canberra which will serve as a major vaccination hub will open this Friday and will replace the centre at Garran, Mr Barr announced.

"The arena will open for vaccinations on Friday September 3," he said.

"The opening of this new and much larger mass vaccination clinic ahead of the anticipated increase in supply of Pfizer will allow more Canberrans to be vaccinated more quickly through this new major hub.

"We anticipate the number of Canberrans able to be vaccinated in this new centre to be around 24,000 doses each week at maximum capacity and this will assist us to step up the pace of vaccination in September, October and November. It is as always, though, linked to the available Pfizer supply."

Currently in the in the ACT, 64.8 per cent of residents have received their first dose of a jab and 41 per cent have received their second.