POL

New Zealand’s Ardern labels anti-vaccine mandate protests ‘imported’ as crowds defy calls to leave

by

WELLINGTON, Feb 14 (Reuters) – New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday she felt demonstrations against a COVID-19 vaccine mandate now entering their second week were an “imported” phenomenon, and nothing like anything she had seen before in the country . Hundreds of protesters continue to occupy lawns in front of the distinctive … Read more

Hong Kong leader says fifth COVID wave has ‘overwhelmed’ city’s capacity

by

HONG KONG, Feb 14 (Reuters) – Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam said on Monday that the “onslaught” of coronavirus infections in the global financial hub has dealt a heavy blow and overwhelmed its capacity to deal with the epidemic as daily cases surge to record highs. Daily infections have multiplied 13 times over the past … Read more

Australian police urge protesters to leave capital

by

Feb 13 (Reuters) – Australian police have given thousands of protesters until the end of Sunday to leave occupied areas of the country’s capital, as days-long rallies continue against COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Several thousand protesters remained in place at Canberra’s major showgrounds, while fewer than 100 demonstrators were gathered near the federal parliament building, an … Read more