Morning mail: Afghanistan falls, NSW cracks down, she’s no plain Jane

Monday: Taliban claims it is on the verge of taking Afghanistan; NSW waits for extra Pfizer doses. Plus: the charm of Jane the Virgin

Good morning. The United Nations security council is expected to meet today to discuss Afghanistan as the country is on the brink of complete takeover by the Taliban. New South Wales wakes to tougher restrictions as the entire state endures lockdown. And comedy series Jane the Virgin might be just the tonic for lockdown blues.

The United Nations security council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the political emergency in Afghanistan, where the Taliban are on the verge of claiming full control of the country and declaring the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan". After a rapid capture of most of the provinces and major cities, the Taliban fighters entered the capital of Kabul on Sunday. President Ashraf Ghani left the country and is reportedly in neighbouring Uzbekistan. Australia is preparing to evacuate hundreds of people from Afghanistan, but but Afghans who worked as interpreters and contractors for the Australian forces have said they hold out little hope of rescue as their visa application have been held up by Australian bureaucracy.