US Secretary of Defense speaks with Japan's defence minister, discusses Indo-Pacific security
Washington: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi on Sunday, reiterating American commitment to the U.S.-Japan Alliance and emphasizing its importance to the peace and security of the Indo-Pacific region.
Joe Biden says US economic crisis 'deepening'
Washington/Sputnik: President Joe Biden said on Friday that the COVID-19 induced economic crisis in the United States is deepening.
Donald Trump impeachment trial to begin Feb 8 onwards: Senate Majority Leader Schumer
Washington/Sputnik: Former US President Donald Trump's impeachment trial will begin the week of Febr 8, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said during remarks on the floor.
US economic crisis 'deepening': Joe Biden
Washington/Sputnik/IBNS: President Joe Biden said on Friday that the COVID-19 induced economic crisis in the United States is deepening.
Joe Biden speaks to Canada's Justin Trudeau in first foreign leader call: White House
Moscow/Sputnik: US President Joe Biden spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his first call with a foreign leader, the White House said.
Joe Biden administration to review US-Taliban agreement: White House
Washington/Sputnik: US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told his Afghan counterpart that the Biden administration will review Washington’s peace deal with the Taliban, the White House said in a statement.
Canada PM Justin Trudeau discusses delay in Pfizer doses with CEO by phone
Ottawa/IBNS: After learning from Pfizer on Thursday that delays to COVID-19 vaccines' shipments are going to be even worse than previously thought, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, spoke to the biopharmaceutical's CEO-Albert Bourla by phone on Thursday.
Canada/IBNS: Canada's Gov. Gen. Julie Payette and her secretary, Assunta di Lorenzo on Thursday resigned following the revelation of a devastating 'toxic' workplace environment at Rideau Hall by the review of the completed report done by an independent consulting firm, which the Privy Council Office hired.
Sixth of Canadian small businesses consider closing for good, 2.4mln jobs at risk: Study
Toronto/Sputnik: A sixth of Canadian small businesses impacted by the COVID-19-related restrictions are contemplating closing for good, potentially putting 2.4 million jobs in jeopardy, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) said in a report.
FIBA sanctions Canada Basketball, levies $227K fine
Canada/IBNS: Canada Basketball President and CEO Glen Grunwald was fined up to $227,138 for the sport by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and also threatened by it for docking Canada's national team a point in the standings for having chosen not to attend a FIBA AmeriCup qualifier in November on the advice of medical experts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Forced labour: US solar companies rely on materials from China's Xinjiang
Washington: US solar companies are heavily dependent on materials produced in Xinjiang region of China where forced labour and re-education camps have become a major issue of concern for the global human rights activists.
First Nations in Western Canada hit hard by COVID-19
Canada/IBNS: Canadian federal officials are alarmed by the rising curve of COVID-19 outbreaks in people of First Nations in Western Canada, making up half the number of hospitalizations in some provinces.
Statistics Canada to do large scale hiring ahead of 'contact-free' census
Canada/IBNS: In its attempt to perform a contact-free or physically distanced census during the COVID-19 pandemic, Statistics Canada said in a press release published this week that it is looking to hire approximately 32,000 field staff to survey the Canadian population this spring.
Washington: Gen (retired) Lloyd Austin, US president Joe Biden’s pick to head the Pentagon, has voiced his concern over China’s “increasingly aggressive actions” across the Indo-Pacific.
"This is America's day, democracy's day": Joe Biden after taking oath as 46th US President
Washington/IBNS: As Joe Biden took oath as the 46th President of the United States, he said this is "America's day. This is Democracy's day."