New Zealand protesters clog Parliament street

A convoy of vehicles blocks a road near New Zealand’s Parliament in Wellington on Tuesday. Pic/AP

Hundreds of people protesting vaccine and mask mandates drove in convoy to New Zealand's capital on Tuesday and converged outside Parliament as lawmakers reconvened after a summer break. The mostly unmasked protesters had driven from around the country, and their vehicles clogged the central Wellington streets for hours as they met and spoke on Parliament's forecourt. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern elected not to meet with them as she delivered a speech to lawmakers outlining her priorities for the year.

Among the protesters' grievances is the requirement in New Zealand that certain workers get vaccinated against the coronavirus, including teachers, doctors, nurses, police and military personnel. Many protesters also oppose mask mandates - such as those in stores and among children over about age 8 in school - and champion the ideal of more "freedom." New Zealand was spared the worst of the pandemic after it closed its borders and implemented strict lockdowns. The nation has reported just 53 virus deaths among its population of 5 million. But some have grown weary of the restrictions. With about 77% of New Zealanders fully vaccinated, Ardern has promised she won't impose more lockdowns.

‘Truckers protest must stop'

Canada's public safety minister said Monday that US officials should stay out of his country's domestic affairs, joining other Canadian leaders in pushing back against prominent Republicans who offered support for the protests of Covid-19 restrictions.

A day after Ottawa declared a state of emergency, the mayor pleaded for almost 2,000 extra police officers to help quell the raucous nightly demonstrations staged by the so-called Freedom Truck Convoy, which has used hundreds of parked trucks to paralyze the capital's business district. The protests have also infuriated people who live around downtown, including neighbourhoods near Parliament Hill, the seat of the federal government.

"Individuals are trying to blockade our economy, our democracy, and our fellow citizens' daily lives," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in an emergency debate in Parliament. "It has to stop." He said the restrictions won't last forever and noted that Canada has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world. "Canadians trust science," Trudeau said. "A few people shouting and waving swastikas does not define who Canadians are."

China locks down southern city

China has ordered inhabitants of the southern city of Baise to stay home and suspended transportation links amid a surge in Covid-19 cases at least partly linked to the omicron variant.

22,35,694
No. of new cases reported globally in the past 24 hours

39,43,81,395
Total no. of cases worldwide

57,35,179
Total no. of deaths worldwide

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