New Zealand anti-vax protesters inspired by Canada truckers camp outside parliament

New Zealand has seen a second day of demonstrations against pandemic restrictions with protesters camping outside the nation’s parliament. Inspired by large anti- vaccine rallies in Canada, hundreds of Kiwis arrived on Tuesday to stage new protests against vaccine mandates and other Covid rules. Protesters adopted the name “Convoy for Freedom” and blocked streets in

Boris Johnson: Former minister joins calls for PM to resign

Another Conservative MP has called for Boris Johnson to resign as the turmoil at 10 Downing Street continues. Former minister Nick Gibb is the latest Tory to submit a letter of no confidence in the row over events held at No 10 during lockdown. And Tory MP Stephen Hammond said he is “considering very carefully”

Trucker convoy arrives in Canada’s capital to protest vaccine mandates, Trudeau government – Global News

The trucker convoy and its supporters are gathering in Canada’s capital on Saturday to demand an end to COVID-19 vaccine mandates with a multi-day demonstration expected to grind official Ottawa’s business to a halt.

Thousands in India gather for Magh Mela festival amid COVID surge – DW News

In northern India, tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims have gathered for a festival, despite a huge jump in COVID-19 infections. The Magh Mela festival, which includes bathing in the Ganges river, is one of the holiest pilgrimages in the Hindu faither. Last year’s festival was described as a COVID-19 ‘superspreader’ event. How are pilgrims

‘Code red’: Melbourne businesses say Omicron wave more damaging than lockdown

Staff shortages and drop in consumer confidence leave Australian businesses asking for urgent government support Hash Tayeh has been back behind the counter at the burger chain he founded, Burgertory, for the first time in three years as he struggles to keep the business going in the face of the Omicron wave. He has been

COVID News: Australia witnesses massive spike, surge fueled by Omicron variant – WION

Omicron cases continue to spread virtually as a wildfire. Australia has now said that it has surpassed the grim milestone of a million Covid-19 infections with more than half of them having been recorded in the past week.

Omicron could infect 50% of Europeans in next two months, says WHO

Europe director Hans Kluge demands immediate action to avoid Covid ‘tidal wave’ swamping health services A west-to-east “tidal wave” of Omicron infections risks submerging health systems across Europe, the World Health Organization has said, warning that more than half the region’s population will be infected with the variant in the next two months. Hans Kluge, the WHO’s Europe director,

German leaders agree to new omicron measures – DW News

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and leaders of the country’s 16 states agreed on a new raft of rules and restrictions on Friday to curb the spread of COVID-19. Scholz outlined new rules for restaurants and bars, while also shortening quarantine and self-isolation periods.

Gravitas: Omicron Surge: Troops deployed to London hospitals – WION

The British Armed Forces have sent 200 personnel into NHS hospitals across London to plug staff shortages. Last week, 9.5 million people worldwide tested positive for the Wuhan virus. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Omicron: Why India is preparing for a big surge – WION

India has reported its biggest surge since June 2021. The Omicron fuelled surge added 10 million new cases worldwide last week. The UK is restricting testing. Lockdown in China’s Xi’an has led to chaos. Palki Sharma brings you the 10 big developments.