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…

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: New Zealand lifts lockdown, barring virus-hit Auckland

  WELLINGTON, Sept 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — New Zealand will mostly lift its Covid-19 lockdown this week, with only the country’s infection epicentre Auckland to remain under strict stay-at-home orders, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Monday.   About three million New Zealanders will no loger be under stay-at-home orders as of…

Update: Afghan resistance calls for ceasefire as Taliban tighten control

KABUL, Sept 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The last anti-Taliban forces in Afghanistan have acknowledged suffering major battlefield losses and called for a ceasefire.    Following their lightning-fast rout of Afghanistan’s army last month — and celebrations Monday when the last US troops flew out after 20 years of war — the…

US Sec of State Blinken heads to Qatar on Afghan crisis mission

 WASHINGTON, Sept 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to Qatar on his first trip since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan as he seeks a united front with allies shaken by the chaos. Qatar, a major US military base, has been the gateway for 55,000 people airlifted…
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