Joe Biden to maintain Trump administration rules to limit China tech purchases: Reports
Washington/Sputnik: The Biden administration plans to maintain and impose sweeping new rules to limit China's purchase of advanced technology from the United States, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
USA: Rights experts call for reforms to end police brutality, systemic racism
New York: Independent UN human rights experts appealed on Friday for the new United States Government to adopt wide ranging reforms to end police violence and address systemic racism and racial discrimination.
Joe Biden says US to unveil 'significant changes' to Saudi policy over Khashoggi murder
Washington/Sputnik: President Joe Biden in an interview said his administration will announce more significant changes on US policy toward Saudi Arabia following the murder of columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
Health Canada approves AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, to receive 500,000 doses by March-end
Ottawa/IBNS: Health Canada has approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca on Friday morning after reviewing two-dose vaccines for safety and efficacy since October, Health Canada reported.
US carries out airstrikes in Syria on Iran-backed militias after Prez Biden nod
Washington DC: Following orders from US President Joe Biden, the US Military carried out airstrikes 'against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria', a Pentagon release said.
US offers to support Australian move to tackle China's 'human rights abuses' in Xinjiang
The Biden administration says it will talk with the Morrison government about tackling China’s “human and labour rights abuses”, as the United States offered qualified support for a new Australian bill to ban imports from the Xinjiang region, reports The Guardian.
Joe Biden, King Salman discuss ending Yemen War, Saudi Arabia’s Defense: White House
Washington/Sputnik: US President Joe Biden and Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud in a phone conversation discussed ending the conflict in Yemen and Washington’s commitment to back Riyadh in defending its territory, the White House said in a statement.
US must treat China as rival, trade partner: Trade representative nominee
Washington/Sputnik: The United States needs to think of China as a rival, trade partner and outsized player while at the same time cooperating with Beijing to address global challenges, President Joe Biden’s nominee for US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said during her Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday.
Ontario sees rise in active infections of COVID-19 cases for 1st time in weeks
Ontario/IBNS: Canada's Ontario reported an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections for the first time in more than six weeks with another 1,138 fresh cases compared to the last three days' infections of 1,117; 10,071; and 10,050 respectively.
Canada's top defense Admiral Art McDonald voluntarily steps aside amidst investigation
Ottawa/IBNS: With just over two years into the job, Admiral Art McDonald, Canada's new top military commander has voluntarily stepped aside amid investigation by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service due to unspecified allegations levelled against him.
COVID19: US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan targets China over Wuhan virus data sharing
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan targeted China and expressed concern over the data Beijing has provided to the World Health Organization regarding the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.
New York: In response to the Biden Administration’s announced review into closing the infamous Guantánamo Bay detention centre in Cuba, independent UN human rights experts on Tuesday said it was vital to also address ongoing violations being committed against the 40 or so inmates still incarcerated there.
Canadian parliament calls on government to declare China's treatment of Uyghurs genocide
Toronto/Sputnik: Canada’s House of Commons adopted a non-binding motion calling on the Trudeau government to declare the actions of the Chinese authorities against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang province a genocide.
US flag lowered at White House as COVID-19 death toll exceeds half million
Washington/Sputnik: The White House lowered the US flag to half-staff for five days in honor of the more than 500,000 Americans who died from the coronavirus pandemic.
US sanctions 2 Myanmar generals over coup, Blinken warns of more actions
Washignton/Sputnik: The US government sanctioned two individuals in connection with the military coup in Myanmar, the Treasury Department said in a statement.