Spain sets out plan to tackle rising hate crimes

LGBTIQ activists hold signs during a protest against homophobic crimes, at Puerta del Sol square in Madrid MADRID, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain will create specialised groups within the Interior Ministry and the police force to prevent hate crimes and support victims, the government said, amid mounting public pressure to…

Argentina heads to Sunday primary election with almost record country risk

BUENOS AIRES, Sept 11 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — As a direct consequence of political uncertainty ahead of the primary elections to be held by the different Argentine political parties on Sunday, the US dollar in the black market climbed 5 Pesos during the first seven working days of September, reaching 187 Argentine…

US Congress begins drafting historic $3.5 trillion spending package

 WASHINGTON, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US lawmakers launched discussions on a $3.5 trillion spending package crucial to President Joe Biden’s legislative agenda, as several days of debate on its major sections got underway.   Five key House committees began “marking up” their respective portions of the bill, with the most fraught…

Russia, Belarus start joint military drills as tension with EU rises

 MOSCOW, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia and Belarus kickstarted massive joint military drills on the EU’s border on Friday, closely monitored by NATO as tensions between Belarus and its western neighbours rise.    The Zapad-2021 military exercises by the armies of both countries will last a week and take place…

Wind complicates battle against Spain wildfire

MADRID, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Erratic winds and scorching heat complicated the battle against a wildfire in southern Spain which claimed the life of a firefighter and forced the evacuation of around 1,000 people.    About 400 firefighters backed by 30 water-dropping planes were tackling the flames which broke out…

African Union says suspends Guinea after coup

 ADDIS ABABA, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The African Union said it was suspending Guinea after a coup in the West African country that saw its president Alpha Conde arrested.    The pan-African body said on Twitter Friday that it “decides to suspend the Republic of Guinea from all AU activities…

Over 1,200 civilians killed in two DR Congo provinces this year: UN

   GENEVA, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 1,200 civilians have been killed in the restive DR Congo provinces of Ituri and North Kivu so far this year and millions of people now need humanitarian aid in the eastern region,the UN refugee agency said.    Democratic Republic of Congo authorities…

Covid-19: Peru to produce Sputnik V vaccine locally starting in 2023

LIMA, Sept 9 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Peru’s President Pedro Castillo has announced a plant to manufacture the Russian-developed Sputnik V COVID-19 locally will be set up in the country, for which the government has allocated US $ 705 million worth of funding. Castillo explained the move aimed at helping the country…

Brazil’s ‘mad cow’s case over; China willing to continue purchasing beef

BRASILIA, Sept 9 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The quick reply from the World Animal Health Organization, OIE, acknowledging that the two cases of ‘mad cow’ reported in Brazil were atypical and China’s willingness to accept the diagnosis, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture should strongly mitigate the impact on beef exports…

Brazil terminates bilateral shipping agreements with Argentina and Uruguay

BRASILIA, Sept 9 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has decided to terminate both bilateral maritime transport agreements with Argentina and Uruguay, it was announced. The presidential decree, which was released through the Official Gazette, “makes public the decision of the Federative Republic of Brazil not to renew the validity of…