Chinese pray for health during Lunar New Year as COVID death toll rises

Chinese pray for health during Lunar New Year as COVID death toll rises

BEIJING, Jan 22 (Reuters) – China marked the Lunar New Year on Sunday with its people praying for health after three years of stress and financial hardship under the pandemic, as authorities reported nearly 13,000 new deaths caused by the virus between January 13 and 19. Queues stretched for about a kilometer (half a mile) … Read more

Thousands of people join a right-wing rally against the Spanish government

Thousands of people join a right-wing rally against the Spanish government

MADRID, Jan 21 (Reuters) – Thousands gathered in central Madrid on Saturday to protest against the socialist government and accuse it of undermining the constitution, at a rally backed by right-wing parties. Demonstrators gathered in the Plaza de Cibeles in front of City Hall, waved Spanish flags, called on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to resign … Read more

China plays down COVID outbreak with full-throttle holiday rush

China plays down COVID outbreak with full-throttle holiday rush

Senior official says COVID is at ‘relatively low’ level Hospital, critical cases down, authorities say More than 2 billion trips expected for Lunar New Year Some fear the travel season will see a rise in infections BEIJING, Jan 20 (Reuters) – People across China crammed into trains and buses for one of its busiest travel … Read more