Germany’s envoy to China dies just two weeks into the job

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and foreign policy adviser Jan Hecker BEIJING, Sept 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — German ambassador to China Jan Hecker has died, barely two weeks into the job, the European nation’s foreign office said on Monday. Hecker, 54, a foreign policy adviser to Chancellor Angela Merkel, had just taken…

Covid-19: Philippines to lift lockdown in Manila as cases hit record high

MANILA, Sept 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Philippines will lift a stay-at-home order in the capital Manila this week as it trials “granular lockdowns”, an official said Monday, in a bid to rein in COVID-19 cases and revive the economy. The country also reported 22,415 COVID-19 cases – a new record high…

New Zealand: PM Ardern promises new counterterrorism laws by end of month

WELLINGTON, Sept 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said a legal loophole that allowed a Daesh-inspired militant who carried out a supermarket attack to remain free would be closed off with new laws by the end of the month. Police shot dead 32-year-old Sri Lankan Ahamed Aathil…

Singapore Airlines flies its Boeing 737 MAX planes back from Australia after suspension lifted

SINGAPORE, Sept 6 (NNN-CNA) — Singapore Airlines (SIA) said it has progressively flown its six Boeing 737 MAX aircraft back from storage in Australia after a suspension on operating that specific model in Singapore was lifted. “SIA welcomes the decision by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to lift the restrictions on Boeing 737…

At least 30 dead in weekend DR Congo attack: UN

 BUNIA (DR Congo), Sept 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 30 people were killed in a weekend attack in the restive northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo, local and UN sources said on Monday.   The jihadists of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) are suspected to have carried out the…

Covid-19: Thailand reports 13,988 new cases, 187 more deaths

Food vendors return to streets in Bangkok’s Yaowarat area after the government eased restriction measures BANGKOK, Sept 6 (NNN-Xinhua) — Thailand’s COVID-19 cases rose by 13,988 and 187 more fatalities were reported in the previous 24 hours, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) reported on Monday. Of the new…

Iran to support Afghanistan against foreign attempts to create instability: Parliament speaker

TEHRAN, Sept 6 (NNN-Xinhua) — Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said that Iran will support the people of Afghanistan from “possible attempts of foreign dominating powers to create insecurity and instability.” “Whatever the Afghan people want is what Iran wants, and we are hopeful and sensitive regarding the future…

Philippine army to deploy 4,500 more troops to fight terrorists in southern islands

MANILA, Sept 6 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Philippine army will deploy an additional 4,500 troops next year in the islands of Sulu in the southwest to fight terrorists, a Philippine lawmaker said. Johnny Pimentel, chairperson of the strategic intelligence committee in the House of Representatives, said the Department of National Defense…

Update: Taliban say resistance holdout Panjshir Valley ‘completely captured’

  KABUL, Sept 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Taliban said Monday they had captured the last pocket of resistance in Afghanistan, the Panjshir Valley.   Following their lightning-fast rout of Afghanistan’s army last month — and celebrations when the last US troops flew out after 20 years of war — the…

Covid-19: Poor US jobs growth shows Delta variant impact

 WASHINGTON, Sept 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US economy added fewer jobs than expected in August as employment rose by 235,000. The figure was well down on the 1.05 million jobs created in July, adding to fears that the recovery from the pandemic may be running out of steam. Despite the…