The trial of Canadian citizen Michael Spavor, detained by China since late 2018 on suspicion of espionage, ended on Friday after closed-court hearing of around two hours, in a case embroiled in a wider diplomatic spat between Washington and Beijing.

Spavor and his lawyer appeared for the hearing and the court will later set a date to issue a verdict, the Dandong Intermediate People's Court said in a statement on its website.

China arrested Spavor and fellow Canadian Michael Kovrig in December 2018, soon after Canadian police detained Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies, on a US&nbsp;warrant.

Beijing insists the detentions are not linked to the arrest of Meng, who remains under house arrest in Vancouver as she fights extradition to the United States.

The two men have had almost no contact with the outside world since their detention.

Virtual consular visits only resumed in October after a nine-month hiatus that authorities said was due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Spavor's family have called for his unconditional release, insisting that he was innocent. His family described him as "just an ordinary Canadian businessman who has done extraordinary things to build constructive ties" between Canada, China and North Korea.

Jim Nickel, the Charge d'affaires of the Canadian embassy in Beijing, told reporters outside the court that they were "disappointed by the lack of transparency and the lack of access."

Canada's foreign ministry said Thursday that Beijing had confirmed Canadian officials "will not be granted permission to attend the trial" despite several official requests.

The trial of Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, is scheduled to start on Monday in Beijing.

Beijing insists the detentions are not linked to the arrest of Meng, who remains under house arrest in Vancouver as she fights extradition to the United States.

The trial dates were announced by Canada just as the United States and China were preparing to hold high-level talks in Alaska, the first since US President Joe Biden took office, which have proven to be contentious.

China on Thursday denied the trials are linked to those talks.

The trial may only last one day and a verdict is unlikely to be released immediately. China has a conviction rate of over 99%.

Observers have said convictions of the two men could ultimately facilitate a diplomatic agreement whereby the two men are released and sent back to Canada.

(with inputs)

The trial of Canadian citizen Michael Spavor, detained by China since late 2018 on suspicion of espionage, ended on Friday after closed-court hearing of around two hours, in a case embroiled in a wider diplomatic spat between Washington and Beijing.

The trial of Canadian citizen Michael Spavor, detained by China since late 2018 on suspicion of espionage, ended on Friday after closed-court hearing of around two hours, in a case embroiled in a wider diplomatic spat between Washington and Beijing. Spavor and his lawyer appeared for the hearing and the court will later set a date to issue a verdict, the Dandong Intermediate People's Court said in a statement on its website. China arrested Spavor and fellow Canadian Michael Kovrig in December 2018, soon after Canadian police detained Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies, on a US warrant. Beijing insists the detentions are not linked to the arrest of Meng, who remains under house arrest in Vancouver as she fights extradition to the United States. The two men have had almost no contact with the outside world since their detention. Virtual consular visits only resumed in October after a nine-month hiatus that authorities said was due to the coronavirus pandemic. Spavor's family have called for his unconditional release, insisting that he was innocent. His family described him as "just an ordinary Canadian businessman who has done extraordinary things to build constructive ties" between Canada, China and North Korea. Jim Nickel, the Charge d'affaires of the Canadian embassy in Beijing, told reporters outside the court that they were "disappointed by the lack of transparency and the lack of access." Canada's foreign ministry said Thursday that Beijing had confirmed Canadian officials "will not be granted permission to attend the trial" despite several official requests. The trial of Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, is scheduled to start on Monday in Beijing. Beijing insists the detentions are not linked to the arrest of Meng, who remains under house arrest in Vancouver as she fights extradition to the United States. The trial dates were announced by Canada just as the United States and China were preparing to hold high-level talks in Alaska, the first since US President Joe Biden took office, which have proven to be contentious. China on Thursday denied the trials are linked to those talks. The trial may only last one day and a verdict is unlikely to be released immediately. China has a conviction rate of over 99%. Observers have said convictions of the two men could ultimately facilitate a diplomatic agreement whereby the two men are released and sent back to Canada. (with inputs)

China concludes trial of Canadian accused of espionage behind closed doors

The United States plans to send millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Mexico and Canada, the White House said Thursday, a notable step into vaccine diplomacy just as the Biden administration is quietly pressing Mexico to curb the stream of migrants coming to the border.

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said the United States was planning to share 2.5 million doses of the vaccine with Mexico and 1.5 million with Canada, adding that it was “not finalized yet, but that is our aim.”

Tens of millions of doses of the vaccine have been sitting in U.S. manufacturing sites. While their use has already been approved in dozens of countries, including Mexico and Canada, the vaccine has not yet been authorized by U.S. regulators. Psaki said the shipments to Mexico and Canada would essentially be a loan, with the United States receiving doses of AstraZeneca, or other vaccines, in the future.

The announcement of the vaccine distribution came at a critical time in negotiations with Mexico. President Joe Biden has moved quickly to dismantle some of former President Donald Trump’s signature immigration policies, halting the construction of a border wall, stopping the swift expulsion of children at the border and proposing a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrants in the United States.

But he is clinging to a central element of Trump’s agenda: relying on Mexico to restrain a wave of people making their way to the United States.

Anticipating a surge of migrants and the most apprehensions by U.S. agents at the border in two decades, Biden asked President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico in a video call this month whether more could be done to help solve the problem, according to Mexican officials and another person briefed on the conversation.

The two presidents also discussed the possibility of the United States sending Mexico some of its surplus vaccine supply, a senior Mexican official said. Mexico has publicly asked the Biden administration to send it doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

At a news briefing Thursday, Psaki said that the discussions over vaccines and border security between the United States and Mexico were “unrelated” but also “overlapping.”

Asked by a reporter if the United States had “strings attached” to its offer to lend vaccines to Mexico, Psaki replied that there were “several diplomatic conversations — parallel conversations — many layers of conversations” at play in the discussions.

“There’s rarely just one issue you’re discussing with any country at one time,” Psaki said. “Certainly that’s not the case with Mexico. It’s not the case with any country around the world. And so I wouldn’t read into it more than our ability to provide — to lend — vaccine doses.”

Mexican officials also say the efforts to secure vaccines are separate from the negotiations over migration and rejected the notion that a quid pro quo was involved.

“These are two separate issues,” Roberto Velasco, director-general for the North America region at Mexico’s foreign ministry, said in a statement, referring to the engagement between the two countries on migration and vaccines.

But Mexican officials acknowledge that relations between the United States and Mexico, which has suffered one of the world’s deadliest coronavirus epidemics, would be buoyed by a shipment of doses south.

“We look for a more humane migratory system and enhanced cooperation against COVID-19 for the benefit of our two countries and the region,” Velasco added.

Several European countries suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine this week, a precaution because some people who had received the shot later developed blood clots and severe bleeding. But Thursday, Europe’s drug regulator declared the vaccine safe. AstraZeneca has also said that a review of 17 million people who received the vaccine found they were less likely than others to develop dangerous clots.

A Biden administration official declined to comment further on the negotiations with Mexico but noted that both countries shared a common goal of reducing migration by addressing its root causes and said they were working closely to stem the flow of people streaming to the border.

The Biden administration is facing intense pressure, scrambling to find shelter space for a growing number of migrant children and teenagers held in U.S. detention facilities along the border.

More than 4,500 of them were stuck in detention facilities as of Thursday, with the Biden administration working on putting them in a convention center in Dallas; a former camp for oil workers in Midland, Texas; and possibly a NASA site in California.

The administration has also identified nearly a dozen other sites, including Defense Department facilities, to potentially house the children and teenagers until they can be placed with a sponsor, according to a government document from March obtained by The New York Times. One of the sites — in Pecos, Texas — could hold 2,000 beds.

Mexico has agreed to increase its presence on its southern border with Guatemala to deter migration from Central America, one of the government officials said, and local Mexican officials say their country has recently stepped up efforts to stop migrants on the northern border with the United States as well.

But there are also signs that Mexico’s commitment to policing migration — a central demand of Trump, who wielded the threat of tariffs against all Mexican goods unless migration was curbed — may have flagged in the waning months of the Trump administration.

From October through December 2020, the number of Central Americans apprehended by Mexico declined, while detentions by U.S. agents increased, according to Mexican government numbers and data compiled by The Washington Office on Latin America, a research organization that advocates for human rights.

“The likelihood of the outgoing Trump administration threatening tariffs again was low, so there was an incentive for Mexico to go back to its default state of low apprehensions,” said Adam Isacson, an expert on border security at The Washington Office on Latin America.

The Biden administration’s appeal to do more against migration has put Mexico in a difficult position. While Trump strong-armed Mexico into militarizing the border, some Mexican officials argue that his harsh policies may have at times helped lessen their load by deterring migrants from attempting to make the journey north.

Biden is less likely to resort to threats of tariffs to get his way, officials and analyst say. But now Mexico is being asked to hold the line against a surge of migrants — while the Biden administration is signalling that the United States is more welcoming to migrants.

“They get to look like the good guys, and the Mexicans look like the bad guys,” said Cris Ramón, an immigration consultant based in Washington, D.C.

“All the positive humanitarian policies are being done by the Biden administration.” Ramón added, “and then the Mexicans are left with the dirty work.”

As for Canada, several of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s political opponents repeatedly pressed him to lobby the new Biden administration for the release of vaccines. Many Canadians have expressed dismay that the United States had not shared any supplies with Canada, where no coronavirus vaccines are manufactured.

Until Thursday, all of Canada’s vaccine supply had come from Europe or India, and Canada’s rollout has proceeded at a slow pace compared with the United States and many other countries.

“God bless America; they’re coming to our rescue,” Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, told a news conference.

While the Biden administration has committed to helping a major vaccine manufacturer in India, the United States has fallen far behind China, India and Russia in the race to use vaccines as diplomatic tools.

Beijing is shipping vaccines to dozens of countries, including some in Africa and Latin America. Russia has supplied its vaccine to Hungary and Slovakia. Biden has also drawn criticism for not making it easier for poorer countries to gain access to generic versions of coronavirus vaccines and treatments.

With Mexico, the Biden administration has been urging the country to accept more families expelled by U.S. authorities and to increase enforcement at Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala, according to two Mexican officials and two others briefed on the discussions.

López Obrador is also trying to find a way to increase capacity to house migrants in shelters, which are bursting at the seams. In a statement Tuesday, the secretary for homeland security, Alejandro Mayorkas, said he was working with Mexico to do that.

“Shelters are at a near collapse,” said Enrique Valenzuela, a lead coordinator for the government of Chihuahua state’s migration efforts.

Local government officials in Ciudad Juárez and shelter operators say Mexico is dialling up operations to capture and deport migrants along the northern border. On a nearly daily basis, two of them said, Mexican authorities are stopping vans stuffed with families and pickup trucks carrying livestock — along with migrants crouching on the floor to avoid detection.

Part of the reason Mexico is willing to continue cracking down is that, despite being a country that has long sent people north, there is a lot of resentment toward Central American migrants.

“The level of negative attitudes that we have toward migrant flows has gone up, so there won’t be a political cost” for López Obrador, said Tonatiuh Guillén, who ran Mexico’s National Migration Institute in the first half of 2019. “But with Trump, we negotiated nothing; we gave them a lot, and they didn’t give us anything back,” he added, arguing that the strategy should be different with Biden.

Despite the very public tensions with Mexico under Trump, López Obrador has been wary of the Biden administration, concerned that it might be more willing to interfere on domestic issues like labour rights or the environment.

Instead, several Mexican officials say, his government has pushed the United States to deter Central Americans from migrating by sending humanitarian aid to Honduras and Guatemala in the wake of two hurricanes that devastated those countries and, many experts believe, pushed even more people to migrate.

Mexican officials have also asked the United States to send more Hondurans and Guatemalans apprehended in the United States directly to their home countries rather than releasing them to Mexico, making it even harder for them to try to cross the border again.

The need for vaccines in Mexico is clear.

About 200,000 people have died in Mexico from the virus — the third-highest death toll in the world — and the country has been relatively slow to vaccinate its population. That poses a potential political risk for López Obrador, whose party is heading into elections in June that will determine whether the president hangs onto control of the Legislature.

“Mexico needs cooperation from the U.S. in getting its economy jump-started and getting vaccines to get out of the health crisis,” said Andrew Selee, president of the Migration Policy Institute in Washington. “So there’s room for the two countries to reach agreements based on aligned interests rather than overt threats.”

The United States plans to send millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Mexico and Canada, the White House said Thursday, a notable step into vaccine diplomacy just as the Biden administration is quietly pressing Mexico to curb the stream of migrants coming to the border.

The United States plans to send millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Mexico and Canada, the White House said Thursday, a notable step into vaccine diplomacy just as the Biden administration is quietly pressing Mexico to curb the stream of migrants coming to the border. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said the United States was planning to share 2.5 million doses of the vaccine with Mexico and 1.5 million with Canada, adding that it was “not finalized yet, but that is our aim.” Tens of millions of doses of the vaccine have been sitting in U.S. manufacturing sites. While their use has already been approved in dozens of countries, including Mexico and Canada, the vaccine has not yet been authorized by U.S. regulators. Psaki said the shipments to Mexico and Canada would essentially be a loan, with the United States receiving doses of AstraZeneca, or other vaccines, in the future. The announcement of the vaccine distribution came at a critical time in negotiations with Mexico. President Joe Biden has moved quickly to dismantle some of former President Donald Trump’s signature immigration policies, halting the construction of a border wall, stopping the swift expulsion of children at the border and proposing a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrants in the United States. But he is clinging to a central element of Trump’s agenda: relying on Mexico to restrain a wave of people making their way to the United States. Anticipating a surge of migrants and the most apprehensions by U.S. agents at the border in two decades, Biden asked President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico in a video call this month whether more could be done to help solve the problem, according to Mexican officials and another person briefed on the conversation. The two presidents also discussed the possibility of the United States sending Mexico some of its surplus vaccine supply, a senior Mexican official said. Mexico has publicly asked the Biden administration to send it doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. At a news briefing Thursday, Psaki said that the discussions over vaccines and border security between the United States and Mexico were “unrelated” but also “overlapping.” Asked by a reporter if the United States had “strings attached” to its offer to lend vaccines to Mexico, Psaki replied that there were “several diplomatic conversations — parallel conversations — many layers of conversations” at play in the discussions. “There’s rarely just one issue you’re discussing with any country at one time,” Psaki said. “Certainly that’s not the case with Mexico. It’s not the case with any country around the world. And so I wouldn’t read into it more than our ability to provide — to lend — vaccine doses.” Mexican officials also say the efforts to secure vaccines are separate from the negotiations over migration and rejected the notion that a quid pro quo was involved. “These are two separate issues,” Roberto Velasco, director-general for the North America region at Mexico’s foreign ministry, said in a statement, referring to the engagement between the two countries on migration and vaccines. But Mexican officials acknowledge that relations between the United States and Mexico, which has suffered one of the world’s deadliest coronavirus epidemics, would be buoyed by a shipment of doses south. “We look for a more humane migratory system and enhanced cooperation against COVID-19 for the benefit of our two countries and the region,” Velasco added. Several European countries suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine this week, a precaution because some people who had received the shot later developed blood clots and severe bleeding. But Thursday, Europe’s drug regulator declared the vaccine safe. AstraZeneca has also said that a review of 17 million people who received the vaccine found they were less likely than others to develop dangerous clots. A Biden administration official declined to comment further on the negotiations with Mexico but noted that both countries shared a common goal of reducing migration by addressing its root causes and said they were working closely to stem the flow of people streaming to the border. The Biden administration is facing intense pressure, scrambling to find shelter space for a growing number of migrant children and teenagers held in U.S. detention facilities along the border. More than 4,500 of them were stuck in detention facilities as of Thursday, with the Biden administration working on putting them in a convention center in Dallas; a former camp for oil workers in Midland, Texas; and possibly a NASA site in California. The administration has also identified nearly a dozen other sites, including Defense Department facilities, to potentially house the children and teenagers until they can be placed with a sponsor, according to a government document from March obtained by The New York Times. One of the sites — in Pecos, Texas — could hold 2,000 beds. Mexico has agreed to increase its presence on its southern border with Guatemala to deter migration from Central America, one of the government officials said, and local Mexican officials say their country has recently stepped up efforts to stop migrants on the northern border with the United States as well. But there are also signs that Mexico’s commitment to policing migration — a central demand of Trump, who wielded the threat of tariffs against all Mexican goods unless migration was curbed — may have flagged in the waning months of the Trump administration. From October through December 2020, the number of Central Americans apprehended by Mexico declined, while detentions by U.S. agents increased, according to Mexican government numbers and data compiled by The Washington Office on Latin America, a research organization that advocates for human rights. “The likelihood of the outgoing Trump administration threatening tariffs again was low, so there was an incentive for Mexico to go back to its default state of low apprehensions,” said Adam Isacson, an expert on border security at The Washington Office on Latin America. The Biden administration’s appeal to do more against migration has put Mexico in a difficult position. While Trump strong-armed Mexico into militarizing the border, some Mexican officials argue that his harsh policies may have at times helped lessen their load by deterring migrants from attempting to make the journey north. Biden is less likely to resort to threats of tariffs to get his way, officials and analyst say. But now Mexico is being asked to hold the line against a surge of migrants — while the Biden administration is signalling that the United States is more welcoming to migrants. “They get to look like the good guys, and the Mexicans look like the bad guys,” said Cris Ramón, an immigration consultant based in Washington, D.C. “All the positive humanitarian policies are being done by the Biden administration.” Ramón added, “and then the Mexicans are left with the dirty work.” As for Canada, several of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s political opponents repeatedly pressed him to lobby the new Biden administration for the release of vaccines. Many Canadians have expressed dismay that the United States had not shared any supplies with Canada, where no coronavirus vaccines are manufactured. Until Thursday, all of Canada’s vaccine supply had come from Europe or India, and Canada’s rollout has proceeded at a slow pace compared with the United States and many other countries. “God bless America; they’re coming to our rescue,” Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, told a news conference. While the Biden administration has committed to helping a major vaccine manufacturer in India, the United States has fallen far behind China, India and Russia in the race to use vaccines as diplomatic tools. Beijing is shipping vaccines to dozens of countries, including some in Africa and Latin America. Russia has supplied its vaccine to Hungary and Slovakia. Biden has also drawn criticism for not making it easier for poorer countries to gain access to generic versions of coronavirus vaccines and treatments. With Mexico, the Biden administration has been urging the country to accept more families expelled by U.S. authorities and to increase enforcement at Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala, according to two Mexican officials and two others briefed on the discussions. López Obrador is also trying to find a way to increase capacity to house migrants in shelters, which are bursting at the seams. In a statement Tuesday, the secretary for homeland security, Alejandro Mayorkas, said he was working with Mexico to do that. “Shelters are at a near collapse,” said Enrique Valenzuela, a lead coordinator for the government of Chihuahua state’s migration efforts. Local government officials in Ciudad Juárez and shelter operators say Mexico is dialling up operations to capture and deport migrants along the northern border. On a nearly daily basis, two of them said, Mexican authorities are stopping vans stuffed with families and pickup trucks carrying livestock — along with migrants crouching on the floor to avoid detection. Part of the reason Mexico is willing to continue cracking down is that, despite being a country that has long sent people north, there is a lot of resentment toward Central American migrants. “The level of negative attitudes that we have toward migrant flows has gone up, so there won’t be a political cost” for López Obrador, said Tonatiuh Guillén, who ran Mexico’s National Migration Institute in the first half of 2019. “But with Trump, we negotiated nothing; we gave them a lot, and they didn’t give us anything back,” he added, arguing that the strategy should be different with Biden. Despite the very public tensions with Mexico under Trump, López Obrador has been wary of the Biden administration, concerned that it might be more willing to interfere on domestic issues like labour rights or the environment. Instead, several Mexican officials say, his government has pushed the United States to deter Central Americans from migrating by sending humanitarian aid to Honduras and Guatemala in the wake of two hurricanes that devastated those countries and, many experts believe, pushed even more people to migrate. Mexican officials have also asked the United States to send more Hondurans and Guatemalans apprehended in the United States directly to their home countries rather than releasing them to Mexico, making it even harder for them to try to cross the border again. The need for vaccines in Mexico is clear. About 200,000 people have died in Mexico from the virus — the third-highest death toll in the world — and the country has been relatively slow to vaccinate its population. That poses a potential political risk for López Obrador, whose party is heading into elections in June that will determine whether the president hangs onto control of the Legislature. “Mexico needs cooperation from the U.S. in getting its economy jump-started and getting vaccines to get out of the health crisis,” said Andrew Selee, president of the Migration Policy Institute in Washington. “So there’s room for the two countries to reach agreements based on aligned interests rather than overt threats.”

US to send millions of vaccine doses to Mexico and Canada

The United States is finally yielding to requests to share Covid-19 jabs with allies, and is set to send roughly 4 million doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine that it is not using to Mexico and Canada in loan deals with the two countries.

Mexico will receive 2.5 million doses of the vaccine and Canada is to receive 1.5 million doses, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

The Biden administration has come under pressure from countries around the world to share vaccines, particularly its stock of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, which is authorised for use elsewhere but not yet in the United States.

AstraZeneca has millions of doses made in a US facility, and has said that it would have 30 million shots ready at the beginning of April.

The deal to share the vaccine does not affect President Joe Biden’s plans to have vaccine available for all adults in the United States by the end of May, a senior administration official said.

Psaki said the United States had access to 7 million releasable doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine but had no plans to share them with any countries at this time other than Canada and Mexico.

Mexico’s government said on Thursday it would restrict movement on its southern border with Guatemala amid rising apprehensions of migrants trying to enter the United States, many of them unaccompanied minors.

Reports of blood disorders have prompted more than a dozen nations to suspend use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, but the European Union’s drug watchdog said on Thursday that after an investigation, it was still convinced the benefits of that vaccine outweighed the risks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-countries-to-resume-astrazeneca-jabs-after-safe-verdict-371547">Also read |&nbsp;EU countries to resume AstraZeneca jabs after 'safe' verdict</a>

Biden had earlier said if the United States has a surplus of vaccine, it would share it with the rest of the world. The White House has focussed on vaccinating people in the United States, which has seen more than 530,000 people die from the virus, the most of any country.

Biden said on Thursday that his goal of having 100 million vaccine shots administered in the United States during his first 100 days in office would be met early, on Friday. Biden took office on January 20.

The country is getting prepared to roll out the AstraZeneca vaccine domestically if it gets authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration, the White House said.

(with inputs)

The United States is finally yielding to requests to share Covid-19 jabs with allies, and is set to send roughly 4 million doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine that it is not using to Mexico and Canada in loan deals with the two countries.

The United States is finally yielding to requests to share Covid-19 jabs with allies, and is set to send roughly 4 million doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine that it is not using to Mexico and Canada in loan deals with the two countries. Mexico will receive 2.5 million doses of the vaccine and Canada is to receive 1.5 million doses, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. The Biden administration has come under pressure from countries around the world to share vaccines, particularly its stock of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, which is authorised for use elsewhere but not yet in the United States. AstraZeneca has millions of doses made in a US facility, and has said that it would have 30 million shots ready at the beginning of April. The deal to share the vaccine does not affect President Joe Biden’s plans to have vaccine available for all adults in the United States by the end of May, a senior administration official said. Psaki said the United States had access to 7 million releasable doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine but had no plans to share them with any countries at this time other than Canada and Mexico. Mexico’s government said on Thursday it would restrict movement on its southern border with Guatemala amid rising apprehensions of migrants trying to enter the United States, many of them unaccompanied minors. Reports of blood disorders have prompted more than a dozen nations to suspend use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, but the European Union’s drug watchdog said on Thursday that after an investigation, it was still convinced the benefits of that vaccine outweighed the risks. Also read | EU countries to resume AstraZeneca jabs after 'safe' verdict Biden had earlier said if the United States has a surplus of vaccine, it would share it with the rest of the world. The White House has focussed on vaccinating people in the United States, which has seen more than 530,000 people die from the virus, the most of any country. Biden said on Thursday that his goal of having 100 million vaccine shots administered in the United States during his first 100 days in office would be met early, on Friday. Biden took office on January 20. The country is getting prepared to roll out the AstraZeneca vaccine domestically if it gets authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration, the White House said. (with inputs)

US to share 4 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine with Mexico, Canada

The Chinese government has signaled that it will soon begin trials of two Canadian men held in China for more than two years on vague charges of espionage, escalating a punitive campaign against Canada.

China plans to go forward with the trials, Canadian officials said, despite global pressure to release the two men, Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor, a business consultant, who have been held largely in isolation since they were detained in 2018.

The prosecution of the two men is widely seen as retribution for Canada’s decision in 2018 to arrest Meng Wanzhou, a top executive of Chinese technology giant Huawei, at the request of the United States. The start of Spavor’s trial, on Friday, coincides with the first meeting of senior U.S. and Chinese officials since President Joe Biden took office in January, amid tensions over technology, defense and other issues.

Kovrig’s trial is to start Monday.

Here’s what to expect.

Politics will hang over the trials.

Kovrig and Spavor have been caught up in a broader geopolitical struggle involving China, Canada and the United States.

China has adopted an increasingly aggressive foreign policy in recent years, and experts say the detention of the two Canadians is part of a campaign by Beijing to show that it will not give in to demands from Western countries.

Officials in Canada and the United States have accused China of holding the two Canadians as a bargaining chip to win the release of Meng, the daughter of Ren Zhengfei, the founder of Huawei and one of China’s most prominent businessmen.

“We believe these detentions are arbitrary and remain deeply troubled by the lack of transparency surrounding these proceedings,” Marc Garneau, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs, said in a statement Wednesday.

Meng was arrested on sweeping fraud charges but was granted bail and has been living in a mansion in Vancouver.

Chinese officials have repeatedly called on Canada to release Meng. China has described her arrest as an attempt by the United States to target China’s most successful companies and thwart its scientific and technological progress.

“The Chinese judiciary handles cases independently according to the law and fully protects the legitimate rights of the persons involved,” Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a regular news briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

He did not provide details on the impending trials.

The proceedings will likely be shrouded in secrecy.

China maintains one of the most opaque legal systems in the world. Courts are controlled by the ruling Communist Party, and convictions in high-profile cases are almost certain, especially those involving national security.

The trials will likely be shrouded in secrecy, with limited opportunities to examine evidence or hear rebuttals from the two men. The proceedings will likely be closed to the public and the news media.

Spavor’s family said in a statement Thursday that Spavor had “very limited access” to defense lawyers during his time in detention.

“The specific charges against Michael are vague and have not been publicly released,” Spavor’s family said. “He loved living and working in China and would never have done anything to offend the interests of China or the Chinese people. We stand by Michael and maintain his innocence in this difficult situation.”

Kovrig and Spavor are likely to be convicted and may receive harsh sentences, experts say, given the grave charges against them.

“Nobody should be in any doubt that this is a completely political trial in both cases,” said Donald Clarke, a specialist in Chinese law at George Washington University. “If the merit of the cases had anything to do with it, we would not see them proceeding in absolute lock step in this way.”

Some are looking to the United States to help resolve the issue.

The issue of Meng and the “two Michaels,” as they are known in Canada, is likely to come up during the meetings between American and Chinese officials starting Thursday in Alaska, experts say, though a breakthrough is unlikely in the short term.

Biden has called for the release of the Canadians, saying last month that “human beings are not bartering chips.” But his administration has not indicated exactly how it might address the issue.

Jerome A. Cohen, a New York University law professor who specializes in Chinese law, said the trials could pave the way for an agreement to secure the release of Kovrig and Spavor.

“The PRC is more likely to release them after vindicating its judicial sovereignty by convicting them,” Cohen said, referring to the People’s Republic of China.

Friends and relatives of Kovrig and Spavor said it was important for Canada and the United States to take action to secure the release of the two men.

“This is a stark reminder that real lives are on the line and that if we, Canada and the U.S., don’t intervene to secure their freedom, they will remain in great peril,” Vina Nadjibulla, the wife of Kovrig, said in a telephone interview. “This is the moment. We are running out of time.”

The Chinese government has signaled that it will soon begin trials of two Canadian men held in China for more than two years on vague charges of espionage, escalating a punitive campaign against Canada.

The Chinese government has signaled that it will soon begin trials of two Canadian men held in China for more than two years on vague charges of espionage, escalating a punitive campaign against Canada. China plans to go forward with the trials, Canadian officials said, despite global pressure to release the two men, Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor, a business consultant, who have been held largely in isolation since they were detained in 2018. The prosecution of the two men is widely seen as retribution for Canada’s decision in 2018 to arrest Meng Wanzhou, a top executive of Chinese technology giant Huawei, at the request of the United States. The start of Spavor’s trial, on Friday, coincides with the first meeting of senior U.S. and Chinese officials since President Joe Biden took office in January, amid tensions over technology, defense and other issues. Kovrig’s trial is to start Monday. Here’s what to expect. Politics will hang over the trials. Kovrig and Spavor have been caught up in a broader geopolitical struggle involving China, Canada and the United States. China has adopted an increasingly aggressive foreign policy in recent years, and experts say the detention of the two Canadians is part of a campaign by Beijing to show that it will not give in to demands from Western countries. Officials in Canada and the United States have accused China of holding the two Canadians as a bargaining chip to win the release of Meng, the daughter of Ren Zhengfei, the founder of Huawei and one of China’s most prominent businessmen. “We believe these detentions are arbitrary and remain deeply troubled by the lack of transparency surrounding these proceedings,” Marc Garneau, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs, said in a statement Wednesday. Meng was arrested on sweeping fraud charges but was granted bail and has been living in a mansion in Vancouver. Chinese officials have repeatedly called on Canada to release Meng. China has described her arrest as an attempt by the United States to target China’s most successful companies and thwart its scientific and technological progress. “The Chinese judiciary handles cases independently according to the law and fully protects the legitimate rights of the persons involved,” Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a regular news briefing in Beijing on Thursday. He did not provide details on the impending trials. The proceedings will likely be shrouded in secrecy. China maintains one of the most opaque legal systems in the world. Courts are controlled by the ruling Communist Party, and convictions in high-profile cases are almost certain, especially those involving national security. The trials will likely be shrouded in secrecy, with limited opportunities to examine evidence or hear rebuttals from the two men. The proceedings will likely be closed to the public and the news media. Spavor’s family said in a statement Thursday that Spavor had “very limited access” to defense lawyers during his time in detention. “The specific charges against Michael are vague and have not been publicly released,” Spavor’s family said. “He loved living and working in China and would never have done anything to offend the interests of China or the Chinese people. We stand by Michael and maintain his innocence in this difficult situation.” Kovrig and Spavor are likely to be convicted and may receive harsh sentences, experts say, given the grave charges against them. “Nobody should be in any doubt that this is a completely political trial in both cases,” said Donald Clarke, a specialist in Chinese law at George Washington University. “If the merit of the cases had anything to do with it, we would not see them proceeding in absolute lock step in this way.” Some are looking to the United States to help resolve the issue. The issue of Meng and the “two Michaels,” as they are known in Canada, is likely to come up during the meetings between American and Chinese officials starting Thursday in Alaska, experts say, though a breakthrough is unlikely in the short term. Biden has called for the release of the Canadians, saying last month that “human beings are not bartering chips.” But his administration has not indicated exactly how it might address the issue. Jerome A. Cohen, a New York University law professor who specializes in Chinese law, said the trials could pave the way for an agreement to secure the release of Kovrig and Spavor. “The PRC is more likely to release them after vindicating its judicial sovereignty by convicting them,” Cohen said, referring to the People’s Republic of China. Friends and relatives of Kovrig and Spavor said it was important for Canada and the United States to take action to secure the release of the two men. “This is a stark reminder that real lives are on the line and that if we, Canada and the U.S., don’t intervene to secure their freedom, they will remain in great peril,” Vina Nadjibulla, the wife of Kovrig, said in a telephone interview. “This is the moment. We are running out of time.”

Canadians to stand trial in China for spying: What we know

Honda Motor Co will temporarily suspend some production next week at all US, Canada plants. Honda would halt production for the entire week.

World Business Watch: Honda temporarily cutting production at all US, Canada plants

A Canadian judge has rejected a request from Huawei's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who wanted testimony from employees of the Chinese telecom giant to be admitted as evidence in her fight against extradition to the United States.

Meng -- whose father is Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei -- has been in a two-year battle against extradition over charges the firm violated US sanctions on Iran.

She is accused of defrauding HSBC by falsely misrepresenting links between Huawei and its Skycom subsidiary, putting the bank at risk of violating sanctions against Tehran as it continued to clear US dollar transactions for Huawei.

Lawyers for Meng, 49, believe the affidavits could show the banking giant was aware of the links between Huawei and Skycom, which sold telecom equipment to Iran.

The evidence would help demonstrate the prosecution case was "manifestly unreliable," according to the lawyers.

In a decision released late Friday, Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes of the Supreme Court of British Columbia ruled that the testimony requested by Meng's defense "relates&nbsp;to issues properly within the domain of a trial, not the extradition hearing."

Holmes said it was not for her to rule on issues of credibility in an extradition hearing.

"The proposed evidence could do no more than offer an alternative narrative from that set out" by the United States in its case against Meng, Holmes wrote.

"These would take the extradition hearing beyond its proper scope."

Last week, Huawei confirmed that Meng was taking HSBC to court in Hong Kong to access banking records she says will help her battle extradition.

In February, she lost a similar legal bid in London.

Meng's extradition battle in Vancouver has entered its final phase. Hearings resume on Monday and are expected to end in mid-May, barring appeals.

Washington has accused Huawei of stealing American trade secrets and banned US semiconductor chip makers from selling to it.

The case has caused a major diplomatic rift between Canada and China.

Meng was arrested on a US warrant during a Vancouver stopover in December 2018 and is being held under house arrest at her Vancouver mansion.

Two Canadians -- former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor -- were detained in China days later in apparent retaliation for Meng's arrest. The pair have since had virtually no contact with the outside world.

A Canadian judge has rejected a request from Huawei's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who wanted testimony from employees of the Chinese telecom giant to be admitted as evidence in her fight against extradition to the United States.

A Canadian judge has rejected a request from Huawei's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who wanted testimony from employees of the Chinese telecom giant to be admitted as evidence in her fight against extradition to the United States. Meng -- whose father is Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei -- has been in a two-year battle against extradition over charges the firm violated US sanctions on Iran. She is accused of defrauding HSBC by falsely misrepresenting links between Huawei and its Skycom subsidiary, putting the bank at risk of violating sanctions against Tehran as it continued to clear US dollar transactions for Huawei. Lawyers for Meng, 49, believe the affidavits could show the banking giant was aware of the links between Huawei and Skycom, which sold telecom equipment to Iran. The evidence would help demonstrate the prosecution case was "manifestly unreliable," according to the lawyers. In a decision released late Friday, Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes of the Supreme Court of British Columbia ruled that the testimony requested by Meng's defense "relates to issues properly within the domain of a trial, not the extradition hearing." Holmes said it was not for her to rule on issues of credibility in an extradition hearing. "The proposed evidence could do no more than offer an alternative narrative from that set out" by the United States in its case against Meng, Holmes wrote. "These would take the extradition hearing beyond its proper scope." Last week, Huawei confirmed that Meng was taking HSBC to court in Hong Kong to access banking records she says will help her battle extradition. In February, she lost a similar legal bid in London. Meng's extradition battle in Vancouver has entered its final phase. Hearings resume on Monday and are expected to end in mid-May, barring appeals. Washington has accused Huawei of stealing American trade secrets and banned US semiconductor chip makers from selling to it. The case has caused a major diplomatic rift between Canada and China. Meng was arrested on a US warrant during a Vancouver stopover in December 2018 and is being held under house arrest at her Vancouver mansion. Two Canadians -- former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor -- were detained in China days later in apparent retaliation for Meng's arrest. The pair have since had virtually no contact with the outside world.

Canada judge rejects new request in Huawei extradition case

Canada on Friday (local time) approved Johnson &amp; Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine. This is fourth such vaccine that has been cleared by Canada. The country has also brought forward deliveries of millions of Pfizer doses. Prime Ministere Justin Trudeau made a televised speech in this regard.

"To people watching at home right now who are looking forward to getting their shot - your turn is coming," he said.

He added that Pfizer had agreed to accelerate delivery of 3.5 million doses ahead of schedule by end of May. Canada has ordered more doses per capita than any other country but deliveries of vaccines to the country has been slow. With a population of almost 38 million, Canada now expects 36.5 million doses of previously approved vaccines to be delivered by the end of June.

Canada authorised Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc vaccines in December, and AstraZeneca's in February. Johnson &amp; Johnson is a single dose vaccine and it can be stored in normal fridges.

The government of Ontario, Canada's most populous province, said on Friday it would extend the maximum period between first and second doses to four months, speeding up access to a first shot.

In addition to seniors and healthcare workers, Ontario now plans to prioritize shots for those who are unable to work from home, including teachers, and it aims to administer at least one dose of a vaccine to all adults over 60 by early June, officials said.

The J&amp;J shot, which has been authorized for adults in Canada, was 66% effective at preventing moderate and severe disease, said Supriya Sharma, a senior health ministry official.

Canada has pre-ordered 10 million doses of the J&amp;J vaccine, with options to order up to 28 million more. In a statement, the Brunswick, New Jersey-based company said it planned to provide the 10 million doses by the end of September.

(With agency inputs)

Canada on Friday (local time) approved Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine. This is fourth such vaccine that has been cleared by Canada. The country has also brought forward deliveries of millions of Pfizer doses.

Canada on Friday (local time) approved Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine. This is fourth such vaccine that has been cleared by Canada. The country has also brought forward deliveries of millions of Pfizer doses. Prime Ministere Justin Trudeau made a televised speech in this regard. "To people watching at home right now who are looking forward to getting their shot - your turn is coming," he said. He added that Pfizer had agreed to accelerate delivery of 3.5 million doses ahead of schedule by end of May. Canada has ordered more doses per capita than any other country but deliveries of vaccines to the country has been slow. With a population of almost 38 million, Canada now expects 36.5 million doses of previously approved vaccines to be delivered by the end of June. Canada authorised Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc vaccines in December, and AstraZeneca's in February. Johnson & Johnson is a single dose vaccine and it can be stored in normal fridges. The government of Ontario, Canada's most populous province, said on Friday it would extend the maximum period between first and second doses to four months, speeding up access to a first shot. In addition to seniors and healthcare workers, Ontario now plans to prioritize shots for those who are unable to work from home, including teachers, and it aims to administer at least one dose of a vaccine to all adults over 60 by early June, officials said. The J&J shot, which has been authorized for adults in Canada, was 66% effective at preventing moderate and severe disease, said Supriya Sharma, a senior health ministry official. Canada has pre-ordered 10 million doses of the J&J vaccine, with options to order up to 28 million more. In a statement, the Brunswick, New Jersey-based company said it planned to provide the 10 million doses by the end of September. (With agency inputs)

Canada approves Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine

Canada’s drug regulator has approved Johnson &amp; Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine. This is the fourth such vaccine to be given the green light -- Health Canada approved the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc vaccines in December, and AstraZeneca’s vaccine in February.

It is the first single-dose Covid-19 vaccine to be authorised in the country, and has been cleared for use by people over 18 years of age.&nbsp;

The official announcement will be made later on Friday.&nbsp;

The vaccine is administered in a single dose and can be stored in normal fridges while the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots must be kept in freezers.

Ottawa has ordered up to 38 million doses, which can be stored at refrigerated temperatures from two to eight degrees Celsius (35-46 Fahrenheit), making distribution easier than some others.

So far, 4.2 per cent of the Canadian population has received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, according to volunteer-run tracking site COVID-19 Tracker Canada. In the United States, more than 16 per cent have received at least one dose.

Health officials are expected to announce in the coming weeks a decision on Novovax's vaccine candidate -- the only other one to have submitted an application for approval to date.

As of Friday, Canada has reported more than 878,000 cases of the coronavirus and over 22,000 fatalities.

Canada’s drug regulator has approved Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine. This is the fourth such vaccine to be given the green light -- Health Canada approved the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc vaccines in December, and AstraZeneca’s vaccine in February.

Canada’s drug regulator has approved Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine. This is the fourth such vaccine to be given the green light -- Health Canada approved the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc vaccines in December, and AstraZeneca’s vaccine in February. It is the first single-dose Covid-19 vaccine to be authorised in the country, and has been cleared for use by people over 18 years of age. The official announcement will be made later on Friday. The vaccine is administered in a single dose and can be stored in normal fridges while the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots must be kept in freezers. Ottawa has ordered up to 38 million doses, which can be stored at refrigerated temperatures from two to eight degrees Celsius (35-46 Fahrenheit), making distribution easier than some others. So far, 4.2 per cent of the Canadian population has received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, according to volunteer-run tracking site COVID-19 Tracker Canada. In the United States, more than 16 per cent have received at least one dose. Health officials are expected to announce in the coming weeks a decision on Novovax's vaccine candidate -- the only other one to have submitted an application for approval to date. As of Friday, Canada has reported more than 878,000 cases of the coronavirus and over 22,000 fatalities.

Canada approves Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine

A new study from federal researchers provides the most detailed look yet at what the Pacific Northwest's endangered orcas eat.

Study finds Pacific Northwest orcas eat Chinook

The final round of Chinese Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou extradition fight has resumed in Canada with her lawyers challenging the crux of the case that she allegedly hid business dealings in Iran.

Huawei executive's extradition fight enters final round in Canada

The de facto US and Canadian embassies in Taiwan on Tuesday praised the quality of pineapples grown on the island, depicting photographs of their top diplomats in Taipei with the fruit after an import ban by China.&nbsp;

China last week stopped the import of Taiwanese pineapples, citing&nbsp;'harmful creatures'&nbsp;it said could come with the fruit.&nbsp;

Infuriated Taiwanese authorities called the ban a political move to further pressure the island, a charge that China denied.&nbsp;

While neither the United States nor Canada, like most countries, have formal diplomatic ties with the Chinese-claimed island, both have their own disputes with Beijing over human rights, trade and other issues.&nbsp;

While Taiwan is best known internationally for its thriving tech companies, the sub-tropical island has a flourishing fruit industry. Last year, more than 90% of its exported pineapples went to China.&nbsp;

Referencing a tweet by Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu for people around the world to&nbsp;'rally behind the #FreedomPineapple', the Canadian Trade Office, on Taipei's Facebook page, used the same hashtag on a picture of its chief, Jordan Reeves, posing with colleagues around a pineapple pizza.&nbsp;

"We in the Canadian Office like pineapple pizza, especially pineapples from Taiwan!" it wrote, adding that the idea to put pineapple on a pizza was invented by a Canadian in 1962.&nbsp;

The American Institute in Taiwan, under the hashtags #realfriendsrealprogress and #pineapplesolidarity, posted Facebook pictures of pineapples on their Taipei premises, including of its director Brent Christensen with three on his desk.&nbsp;

"Have you bought your pineapples? We have!" it wrote.&nbsp;

Local politicians have, meanwhile, posted pictures of themselves in fields with farmers and tucking into the fruit on their social media pages, encouraging domestic consumers as well as other countries to pick up the slack left by China.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The de facto US and Canadian embassies in Taiwan on Tuesday praised the quality of pineapples grown on the island, depicting photographs of their top diplomats in Taipei with the fruit after an import ban by China.

The de facto US and Canadian embassies in Taiwan on Tuesday praised the quality of pineapples grown on the island, depicting photographs of their top diplomats in Taipei with the fruit after an import ban by China. China last week stopped the import of Taiwanese pineapples, citing 'harmful creatures' it said could come with the fruit. Infuriated Taiwanese authorities called the ban a political move to further pressure the island, a charge that China denied. While neither the United States nor Canada, like most countries, have formal diplomatic ties with the Chinese-claimed island, both have their own disputes with Beijing over human rights, trade and other issues. While Taiwan is best known internationally for its thriving tech companies, the sub-tropical island has a flourishing fruit industry. Last year, more than 90% of its exported pineapples went to China. Referencing a tweet by Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu for people around the world to 'rally behind the #FreedomPineapple', the Canadian Trade Office, on Taipei's Facebook page, used the same hashtag on a picture of its chief, Jordan Reeves, posing with colleagues around a pineapple pizza. "We in the Canadian Office like pineapple pizza, especially pineapples from Taiwan!" it wrote, adding that the idea to put pineapple on a pizza was invented by a Canadian in 1962. The American Institute in Taiwan, under the hashtags #realfriendsrealprogress and #pineapplesolidarity, posted Facebook pictures of pineapples on their Taipei premises, including of its director Brent Christensen with three on his desk. "Have you bought your pineapples? We have!" it wrote. Local politicians have, meanwhile, posted pictures of themselves in fields with farmers and tucking into the fruit on their social media pages, encouraging domestic consumers as well as other countries to pick up the slack left by China.

After Chinese import ban, US, Canada hail Taiwan's 'freedom pineapples'

A Canadian woman made and hung a banner at her house in Toronto when her mother Nina Rockett recently turned 94 years old, demanding for her birthday to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Canadian woman wants COVID-19 vaccine for her mother's 94th birthday

A global campaign to call out China's genocide is underway. After Canada, the Dutch parliament has passed a resolution - labelling China's treatment of the Uighurs as genocide. What do these indictments mean for China? WION's Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Now, A European Nation is blaming China for genocide

A Canadian woman has made it clear that don't bring any gift for her 94th birthday.&nbsp;

She has only one demand.&nbsp;

"I am 94 today! No gifts, just the vaccine please," a handwritten sign placed outside her home in Toronto said.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/canada-secures-over-380-million-doses-of-vaccine-362901/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Nina Rockett's daughter Margot showed her frustration over the government's slow rollout of vaccine by making and hanging the banner outside her mother's house on the birthday on February 24.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-to-provide-covid-swab-tests-at-us-border-365250">Canada to provide Covid swab tests at US border</a>

Canada has secured over 400 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine supplies, but the rollout hit a roadblock due to the shortage and delivery delays by the manufactures in Europe.&nbsp;

Thus far, less than three pent of the Canadian population has received at least one coronavirus vaccine shot.&nbsp;

"It was the night before my mother's birthday and I realized she is turning 94 and she has no vaccine," Margot told news agency AFP.&nbsp;

"What is happening here is terrible, is shameful."&nbsp;

She added that she was "fed up" and thought that since her other is turning 94, she is "worthy" of getting inoculated.&nbsp;

"I was fed up and I thought I just want the world to know that she is 94 and she is worthy of having the vaccine -- and she wants it," Margot said.&nbsp;

Since the message was put up, Margot reveals that there is "horns honking, thumbs up, (passersby) yelling I support you".&nbsp;

"I think everybody should hang a banner like this outside their door or window or balcony", Margot suggested so that people understand the plight of the elderly in the country. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A Canadian woman has made it clear that don't bring any gift for her 94th birthday. She has only one demand. "I am 94 today! No gifts, just the vaccine please," a handwritten sign placed outside her home in Toronto said.

A Canadian woman has made it clear that don't bring any gift for her 94th birthday. She has only one demand. "I am 94 today! No gifts, just the vaccine please," a handwritten sign placed outside her home in Toronto said. Watch | Nina Rockett's daughter Margot showed her frustration over the government's slow rollout of vaccine by making and hanging the banner outside her mother's house on the birthday on February 24. Also read | Canada to provide Covid swab tests at US border Canada has secured over 400 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine supplies, but the rollout hit a roadblock due to the shortage and delivery delays by the manufactures in Europe. Thus far, less than three pent of the Canadian population has received at least one coronavirus vaccine shot. "It was the night before my mother's birthday and I realized she is turning 94 and she has no vaccine," Margot told news agency AFP. "What is happening here is terrible, is shameful." She added that she was "fed up" and thought that since her other is turning 94, she is "worthy" of getting inoculated. "I was fed up and I thought I just want the world to know that she is 94 and she is worthy of having the vaccine -- and she wants it," Margot said. Since the message was put up, Margot reveals that there is "horns honking, thumbs up, (passersby) yelling I support you". "I think everybody should hang a banner like this outside their door or window or balcony", Margot suggested so that people understand the plight of the elderly in the country.

'No gifts, just the vaccine please,' Canadian woman's wish for 94th birthday

Canadians are befuddled by a store-bought butter that does not melt at room temperature. WION's Palki Sharma tells you all about the Butter Gate scandal.

Gravitas: Curious case of the butter that doesn't melt

India on Thursday requested the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and security of its citizens following reports that threats have been given by Khalistani groups to the Indian community in Canada after they held a 'tiranga rally' in support of farm laws. &nbsp;

"We have come across threats and intimidation of some members of the Indian community in Canada. These threats have come from certain fringe elements in Canada and we have taken this up with the Canadian authorities both in Ottawa and Delhi," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava in a weekly briefing after a question on threats from the Khalistani groups to the Indian community. &nbsp;

"We have requested them to take steps to ensure the safety of Indian citizens in Canada. We advise Indian nationals to report any such incidents to the local Canadian police and also bring to the immediate attention of the High Commission of Ottawa and as well as our consulates there," the MEA spokesperson said.&nbsp;

Srivastava further informed that the Indian government has taken this issue with the Canadian authorities as it concerns the safety and security of our missions and consulate and our diplomatic personnel in Canada.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, a group of Indian diaspora conducted a 'Tiranga Yatra rally' in Vancouver from Strawberry Hill in Surrey to the Consulate General of India as a display of the strong bilateral relations between India and Canada.&nbsp;

The rally saw the participation of scores of people holding Indian and Canadian flags. Besides the huge crowd, around 350 cars took part in the yatra. &nbsp;

India on Thursday requested the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and security of its citizens following reports that threats have been given by Khalistani groups to the Indian community in Canada after they held a 'tiranga rally' in support of farm laws.

India on Thursday requested the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and security of its citizens following reports that threats have been given by Khalistani groups to the Indian community in Canada after they held a 'tiranga rally' in support of farm laws. "We have come across threats and intimidation of some members of the Indian community in Canada. These threats have come from certain fringe elements in Canada and we have taken this up with the Canadian authorities both in Ottawa and Delhi," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava in a weekly briefing after a question on threats from the Khalistani groups to the Indian community. "We have requested them to take steps to ensure the safety of Indian citizens in Canada. We advise Indian nationals to report any such incidents to the local Canadian police and also bring to the immediate attention of the High Commission of Ottawa and as well as our consulates there," the MEA spokesperson said. Srivastava further informed that the Indian government has taken this issue with the Canadian authorities as it concerns the safety and security of our missions and consulate and our diplomatic personnel in Canada. Earlier this month, a group of Indian diaspora conducted a 'Tiranga Yatra rally' in Vancouver from Strawberry Hill in Surrey to the Consulate General of India as a display of the strong bilateral relations between India and Canada. The rally saw the participation of scores of people holding Indian and Canadian flags. Besides the huge crowd, around 350 cars took part in the yatra.

After reports of Khalistani threats, MEA asks Canada to ensure Indians’ safety  

Canada and Australia have now teamed up to make tech giants pay media companies for their content. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison have agreed to co-ordinate their efforts against the Tech companies like Facebook, Google and others.

WION Fineprint: Canada-Australia team up to make tech giants pay

In his first bilateral meeting with a foreign leader, US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a> virtually met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The two leaders talked about the immediate need to bring in more policies around climate change. Trudeau praised Biden for rejoining the Paris climate accord and said, "US leadership has been sorely missed over the past years."

"And I have to say as we were preparing the joint rollout of the communique on this, it’s nice when the Americans are not pulling out all the references to climate change and instead adding them in," he added.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-canada-are-best-friends-joe-biden-365782">WATCH|</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-canada-are-best-friends-joe-biden-365782/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Biden returned the praise by claiming that "the United States has no closer friend than Canada"

They also highlighted the recently-tainted relationship of both the countries with China, with Canada also mentioning the two citizens, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, who have been detained by China.

"Human beings are not bartering chips," Biden said about the detained Canadian citizens. "We’re going to work together until we get their safe return."

It is still unclear whether the two leaders talked about Canada accessing the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine from the Michigan plant, instead of Belgium. The issue was highlighted in their call, which took place a few days ago, where Biden had said that his priority is to get all American vaccinated first.

However, Trudeau assured the US President that the two countries will work "together to get through Covid but also to make sure we're pulling our weight around the world and making the world a better and safer place for everyone."

In his first bilateral meeting with a foreign leader, US President Joe Biden virtually met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The two leaders talked about the immediate need to bring in more policies around climate change.

In his first bilateral meeting with a foreign leader, US President Joe Biden virtually met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The two leaders talked about the immediate need to bring in more policies around climate change. Trudeau praised Biden for rejoining the Paris climate accord and said, "US leadership has been sorely missed over the past years." "And I have to say as we were preparing the joint rollout of the communique on this, it’s nice when the Americans are not pulling out all the references to climate change and instead adding them in," he added. WATCH| Biden returned the praise by claiming that "the United States has no closer friend than Canada" They also highlighted the recently-tainted relationship of both the countries with China, with Canada also mentioning the two citizens, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, who have been detained by China. "Human beings are not bartering chips," Biden said about the detained Canadian citizens. "We’re going to work together until we get their safe return." It is still unclear whether the two leaders talked about Canada accessing the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine from the Michigan plant, instead of Belgium. The issue was highlighted in their call, which took place a few days ago, where Biden had said that his priority is to get all American vaccinated first. However, Trudeau assured the US President that the two countries will work "together to get through Covid but also to make sure we're pulling our weight around the world and making the world a better and safer place for everyone."

US leadership 'sorely missed' in past, says Justin Trudeau for 'close friend' Joe Biden

President Joe Biden held a virtual bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the first time since taking office. During the meeting, Biden declared that 'the United States has no greater friend than Canada'.

US-Canada are the best friends: President Biden; Trudeau welcomes US leadership in meeting

Visitors to the world's largest snow maze in Manitoba, Canada will find something unexpected as they're getting lost -- more space. The larger layout and staggering the times visitors can enter the maze, are a nod to social distancing guidelines. For many who have been quarantined in their homes and dealing with travel restrictions, it's a chance to stretch their legs and add a little adventure.

World's largest snow maze now even bigger for social distancing

After the UK, Canda has now stepped up efforts to call out China over its treatment of Uighur Muslims living in the Xinjiang region. Canada's parliament has passed a non-binding motion on Monday to declare China's treatment of its Uighur minority population as a genocide.

WION Fineprint: Canada votes to recognize China's treatment of Uighur Muslims

Canada has joined the US in the list of countries that have described China's inhumane treatment of the Uighur minority community as a 'genocide'.

After a parliamentary vote in the country, Canada's lawmakers have approved a non-binding motion that recognises China's treatment of the Uighur community in the Xinjiang province as a genocide.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-rejects-argument-trump-poisoned-chinese-execs-extradition-case-365069">&nbsp;Canada rejects argument Trump 'poisoned' Chinese exec's extradition case</a>

While Canada's Prim Miniter Justin Trudeau and a few other senior cabinet members skipped the vote, that was held on Monday, all other Liberal members voted in favour of this motion — the only exception being Marc Garneau, who abstained on behalf of the government.

The motion "Uighurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide" passed unanimously in the Canadian House of Commons

This can also bring diplomatic problems for Trudeau who has been trying desperately to strike a balance between pushing back China to its limits and maintaining a cordial relationship with the Asian country.

However, the relationship has faced a stain of "hostage diplomacy" since the arrest of Huawei's top leader Meng Wanzhou in December 2018.

A few hours before the vote, China's ambassador to Canada called on the country criticising the vote and warning the country against interfering in the internal matters of China.

"We firmly oppose that because it runs counter to the facts. And it’s like, you know, interfering in our domestic affairs," said Cong Peiwu. "There’s nothing like genocide happening in Xinjiang at all."

Canada's Conservative party, who brought this motion in the parliament, feel this was an important step to show to the world, and to China, that Canada "will stand up for human rights and the dignity of human rights, even if it means sacrificing some economic opportunity".&nbsp;

China has rejected these allegations and claimed that its treatment of the minority community "stood out as shining examples of China's human rights progress."

Additionally,&nbsp;Foreign Minister Wang Yi later told the UN Human Rights Council via video link that "there has never been so-called genocide, forced labor or religious oppression in Xinjiang."

Canada has joined the US in the list of countries that have described China's inhumane treatment of the Uighur minority community as a 'genocide'. After a parliamentary vote in the country, Canada's lawmakers have approved a non-binding motion that recognises China's treatment of the Uighur community in the Xinjiang province as a genocide.

Canada has joined the US in the list of countries that have described China's inhumane treatment of the Uighur minority community as a 'genocide'. After a parliamentary vote in the country, Canada's lawmakers have approved a non-binding motion that recognises China's treatment of the Uighur community in the Xinjiang province as a genocide. Also read| Canada rejects argument Trump 'poisoned' Chinese exec's extradition case While Canada's Prim Miniter Justin Trudeau and a few other senior cabinet members skipped the vote, that was held on Monday, all other Liberal members voted in favour of this motion — the only exception being Marc Garneau, who abstained on behalf of the government. The motion "Uighurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide" passed unanimously in the Canadian House of Commons This can also bring diplomatic problems for Trudeau who has been trying desperately to strike a balance between pushing back China to its limits and maintaining a cordial relationship with the Asian country. However, the relationship has faced a stain of "hostage diplomacy" since the arrest of Huawei's top leader Meng Wanzhou in December 2018. A few hours before the vote, China's ambassador to Canada called on the country criticising the vote and warning the country against interfering in the internal matters of China. "We firmly oppose that because it runs counter to the facts. And it’s like, you know, interfering in our domestic affairs," said Cong Peiwu. "There’s nothing like genocide happening in Xinjiang at all." Canada's Conservative party, who brought this motion in the parliament, feel this was an important step to show to the world, and to China, that Canada "will stand up for human rights and the dignity of human rights, even if it means sacrificing some economic opportunity". China has rejected these allegations and claimed that its treatment of the minority community "stood out as shining examples of China's human rights progress." Additionally, Foreign Minister Wang Yi later told the UN Human Rights Council via video link that "there has never been so-called genocide, forced labor or religious oppression in Xinjiang."

Canada Parliament describes treatment of Uighur Muslims in China as 'genocide'

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Canadian government lawyers said in court documents obtained Friday that Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou's allegations that former US president Donald Trump "poisoned" her extradition trial are "moot" now that he has left office.

And they have asked a Canadian judge not to even hear those arguments about Trump when the proceedings resume next month.

Meng's lawyers were expected to challenge the fairness of the proceedings, saying they've been tainted by Trump's comments soon after her December 2018 arrest on a US warrant -- when he said he might intervene in her prosecution on fraud and conspiracy charges in exchange for Chinese trade concessions.

These were "statements by a president no longer in office, about a possible intervention in this case that never occurred, purportedly to achieve a trade deal that has long since been successfully negotiated (and so) have no past, present or prospective impact on these proceedings," lawyers for Canada's attorney general said in the documents.

"The very thin basis on which this application was launched has vanished," they said. "The court should decline to hear it."

Meng's defense team last year said in court filings that "these proceedings have been poisoned" and could "no longer be reasonably regarded as fair, regardless of the undoubted good faith of the court."

They pointed to Trump's remarks, saying "the president not only thinks he can intervene in prosecutions, but that he will do so when it suits his political agenda."

Meng faces charges in the United States of bank fraud and conspiracy related to the activities of a former Huawei subsidiary alleged to have violated US sanctions against Iran -- which both Meng and Huawei deny.

She remains under house arrest in her Vancouver mansion ahead of the next leg of her extradition case, scheduled to start on March 1 and end in May.

Canadian government lawyers said in court documents obtained Friday that Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou's allegations that former US president Donald Trump "poisoned" her extradition trial are "moot" now that he has left office.

Canadian government lawyers said in court documents obtained Friday that Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou's allegations that former US president Donald Trump "poisoned" her extradition trial are "moot" now that he has left office. And they have asked a Canadian judge not to even hear those arguments about Trump when the proceedings resume next month. Meng's lawyers were expected to challenge the fairness of the proceedings, saying they've been tainted by Trump's comments soon after her December 2018 arrest on a US warrant -- when he said he might intervene in her prosecution on fraud and conspiracy charges in exchange for Chinese trade concessions. These were "statements by a president no longer in office, about a possible intervention in this case that never occurred, purportedly to achieve a trade deal that has long since been successfully negotiated (and so) have no past, present or prospective impact on these proceedings," lawyers for Canada's attorney general said in the documents. "The very thin basis on which this application was launched has vanished," they said. "The court should decline to hear it." Meng's defense team last year said in court filings that "these proceedings have been poisoned" and could "no longer be reasonably regarded as fair, regardless of the undoubted good faith of the court." They pointed to Trump's remarks, saying "the president not only thinks he can intervene in prosecutions, but that he will do so when it suits his political agenda." Meng faces charges in the United States of bank fraud and conspiracy related to the activities of a former Huawei subsidiary alleged to have violated US sanctions against Iran -- which both Meng and Huawei deny. She remains under house arrest in her Vancouver mansion ahead of the next leg of her extradition case, scheduled to start on March 1 and end in May.

Canada rejects argument Trump 'poisoned' Chinese exec's extradition case

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