Biden pitches US$6 trillion budget to 'reimagine' US economy
President Joe Biden on Friday proposed a US$6 trillion (S$8 trillion) budget to "reimagine" the US economy and stave off Chinese competition, through driving the United States into record debt - and with Congress first needing to give approval.
Announcing the proposed spending, Biden said a post-pandemic United States "cannot afford to simply return to the way things were before."
The president's annual budget is more a wish list or a message on his priorities than anything else. Congress ultimately decides what money goes where, and the current Congress has only the narrowest Democratic majority.
Opposition Republicans are leery of any big new role for the central government.
Putin hosts Lukashenko amid Western outcry over diverted plane
President Vladimir Putin praised Russia's close ties with Belarus on Friday as he hosted strongman Alexander Lukashenko amid a global outcry following the forced diversion of a European plane.
Observers closely watched the talks to see how far the Kremlin would go to support Lukashenko's regime after Belarus scrambled a military jet to divert a Ryanair plane and arrest an opposition journalist onboard last Sunday.
Following the Ryanair plane's forced diversion, the European Union urged EU-based carriers to avoid Belarusian airspace and promised fresh sanctions against Lukashenko and regime officials.
G-7 criticises those who undermine global trade in reform rallying cry
Trade ministers from the Group of Seven (G-7) wealthy nations criticised countries who undermine the global trading system and called for democratic states to rally behind reforms of the international trade rulebook.
Following a virtual meeting, the G-7 members said they were concerned about "increased use of non-market policies and practices" and took aim at those who use heavy subsidies, mask the state's involvement in the economy, and steal technology.
The communique did not refer to China directly, but members like Britain have accused Beijing of undermining the system by using all the policies mentioned.
Canadian lawmaker caught urinating on virtual video stream
A Canadian lawmaker is temporarily stepping down from some duties and is "seeking assistance" after being caught on camera urinating during parliamentary proceedings, a month after being caught on camera naked during another virtual appearance.
Amos was talking on the phone at his desk when he decided to urinate in a coffee cup rather than pause or end his call, political reporters said on Twitter, citing sources.
Canada's official opposition Conservatives called Amos' behaviour unacceptable and questioned whether the incident was an accident.
Russia warns Disney over short film featuring gay character
Russia's communications regulator Roskomnadzor on Friday warned Walt Disney against distributing content it said was harmful to children in Russia with its release of a short film, Out, which features a gay main character.
Roskomnadzor said it had sent a letter to Disney noting that it was against Russian law to distribute information which "denies family values and promotes non-traditional sexual relationships" to children.
Same-sex relationships are legal in Russia, but a 2013 law bans disseminating "propaganda on non-traditional sexual relations" among young Russians.
