Update: Morocco’s king names businessman Akhannouch to head government

 RABAT, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Morocco’s King Mohammed VI named businessman Aziz Akhannouch to lead a new government after his National Rally of Independents (RNI) thrashed the long-ruling Islamists in parliamentaryelections.   The king appointed Akhannouch “head of the government and tasked him with forming a new government”, following Wednesday’s…

Spain: Catalan separatists to take streets ahead of Madrid talks

  BARCELONA, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Catalan separatists are expected to jam the streets of Barcelona on Saturday in a test of their strength ahead of fresh negotiations with Spain’s government.   The protest coincides with Catalonia’s national day, or “Diada”, which commemorates the 1714 fall of Barcelona in the…

US honors 9/11 dead on 20th anniversary of attacks

  NEW YORK, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — America marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11 Saturday with solemn ceremonies given added poignancy by the recent chaotic withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and return to power of the Taliban.   Heart-wrenching commemorations will unfold at each of the three sites where 19…

Covid-19: Togo shuts churches, mosques as cases worsen; weddings, funerals banned

Togo’s borders have been shut since March 2020 LOME, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Togo’s government has ordered all places of worship to shut down for one month starting on Friday, following a “worrying upsurge” in coronavirus cases in recent weeks.The West African nation of about eight million people has recorded…

RNI party wins most seats in legislative election in Morocco

It remains unclear if the PJD will be part of the upcoming governmental coalition RABAT, Sept 11 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — The leader of the National Rally of Independents party (RNI) in Morocco declared the results of the legislative elections a “victory of all Moroccans” after his party won the most seats.With…

Canada: PM Trudeau, trailing in polls, defends early election call

Canada’s Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau OTTAWA, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, facing potential defeat in a snap Sept 20 election, defended his decision to go to the polls early and said his main rival would undermine the country’s fight against COVID-19. Trudeau, who heads a minority…

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…