PROTESTS ACROSS CHINA AS ANGER MOUNTS OVER ZERO-COVID POLICY

BEIJING: Hundreds of people took to the streets in Beijing and Shanghai on Sunday to protest against China’s zero-Covid policy in a rare outpouring of public anger against the state.

China’s hardline virus strategy is stoking public frustration, with many growing weary of snap lockdowns, lengthy quarantines and mass testing campaigns.

A deadly fire on Thursday in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang region, has become a fresh catalyst for public anger, with many blaming lengthy Covid lockdowns for hampering rescue efforts. Authorities deny the claims.

Hundreds rallied at Beijing’s elite Tsinghua University to protest against lockdowns on Sunday.

REUTERS Argentina’s Lionel Messi takes a corner at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar during a Group C match against Mexico. A Messi goal helped Argentina win 2-0 to climb to second place in the group. A win on Wednesday against Poland will now carry the side into the knockout stages.